S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y S T R A T E G Y F O R T I M B E R S U P P L I E S. A sustainable timber supply arrangement is to be implemented where the annual committed volumes of quota quality sawlogs are reduced from 163,000 m3 to 140,000 m3. This volume is subject to an inventory review to be completed in 2007 (see Section 3.5). From the LNE Region twenty thousand (20,000) cubic metres of HQL sawlogs has been allocated to the UNE Region. Any increases to these volumes must be sustainable and consistent with modelling using FRAMES. (Note: These reductions to sustainable volumes are in addition to the previous 30% reductions as part of the 1996 Interim Forest Assessment.) A staged long-term sustainability strategy based on a 20 year supply of quota quality sawlogs at the above level is underpinned by a long-term sustainable supply of quota quality sawlogs from this region. Supply levels over the next 20 years have been set to ensure social and economic imperatives are met and to allow a transition to a greater contribution of quota supplies from regrowth forests and plantations, under an orderly, staged transition. The long-term (100 year) supply predictions average of 113,500 m3/year for high quality logs from existing (as at 1 January 1999) native forests and existing plantations managed by State Forests. This long-term supply prediction only comprises part a long term forest timber resource. Additional quota quality volume is intended to be obtained from a range of initiatives including; private property purchased by State Forests; plantations established by State Forests in joint ventures with private landowners or on purchased land; or through the trading of carbon sequestration rights. Volumes of high quality logs from these proposed sources would add significantly to the volumes from existing native forest and plantation and would contribute to long-term sustainable yield that differ from the 20 year committed volume by about 10% in LNE region. These arrangements would ensure timber is provided over the next 20 years within a long-term sustainability strategy.
