VEAC Assessment of the values of State forests in eastern Victoria

Progress

Overview

On 25 October 2024, VEAC was requested by the Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos MP to carry out an assessment of the values of State forests within eastern Victoria. 

This includes the 1.8 million hectares of State forests subject to the timber harvesting allocation order and relevant adjacent State forests within the North East, Gippsland and East Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement Areas.

The area is shown on the map included with the terms of reference. The full terms of reference are available in Reports & Resources.

The assessment will inform the work of the Great Outdoors Taskforce in its provision of advice and recommendations to the Minister on the future use and management of state forest areas. VEAC is not required to undertake public consultation or make recommendations.  

The purpose of the assessment is to identify: 

• the biodiversity, ecological, geological and geomorphological values of the specified area 
• the historic heritage, social and economic values of the specified area 
• the current and likely future threats to those values, including climate change.