Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission, which has statutory responsibility for the preparation of terrestrial management plans through the CALM Act (1984), is working with the Department to change management planning in Western Australia.

From now on, all management plans will apply to regional areas rather than to individual reserves. Plans will be concise and objectives will be measurable and realistic. These changes will make the management planning process and management plans more efficient and effective.

In addition, the Conservation Commission has contracted a study by Murdoch University that will provide information about the best practice approach to management planning.

The Conservation Commission has compiled a package of information explaining the changes that have been adopted, along with details and early findings (Stage One Report) of the study being undertaken by Murdoch University that will be considered by the Conservation Commission along with the full report later in 2009.

To download the package click here.

For more information phone 9389 1766 or email caroll@conservation.wa.gov.au

The Conservation Commission has released its submission on the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.

To view the submission click here

An outcome of the mid-term audit of performance of the Forest Management Plan 2004-2013 (FMP), was that the Conservation Commission requested the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the Forest Products Commission (FPC) to provide further information in relation to karri other bole volume production, and the realised and forecast yields of jarrah sawlog.    DEC, in consultation with FPC, have provided the Conservation Commission with two supplemental advice reports; Supplemental advice to the Conservation Commission concerning the causes for the higher levels of karri other bole volume production during 2004-2007 and Supplemental advice to the Conservation Commission concerning the reasons for differences between the realised and forecast yields of jarrah sawlog during 2004-2007. 

Click Here to download the report: Supplemental Advice to the Conservation Commission - Karri other bole volume

Click Here to download the report: Supplemental Advice to the Conservation Commission - Jarrah Sawlog

The Conservation Commission noted in the FMP mid-term audit its concern that the trend to increased use of machinery for timber harvesting will lead to further shortfalls in the area of soil disturbance, as identified in KPI 21.  The Conservation Commission requested the Forest Products Commission (FPC) to provide a response to this issue.  The following report is the FPC’s additional advice on the use of machine harvesting and soil disturbance.

Click Here to download the report: Supplemental Advice Machine Harvesting

Current management plans developed by the  Department of Environment and Conservation on behalf of the Conservation Commission are now available on-line via the document centre.

Plans are listed by region so to view plans from the home page select Reserves then the region you are interested in and click the search documents button. 

Management plans are the key to maintaining a healthy, diverse and well-managed Western Australian environment. The development of management plans for all vested lands is required under State legislation (the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984).

The Conservation Commission as the vested body is responsible for the preparation of management plans for all national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, state forests and timber reserves.

Management plans are independently monitored and audited by the Conservation Commission.

The release of the Forest Management Plan (FMP) 2004-2013 Mid-term Audit of Performance triggered media interest with a number of articles appearing in The West Australian. 

To view these articles click here

Articles reproduced courtesy The West Australian