Forestry (Rebuilding the Forest Industry) Act 2014

Not earlier than 8 April 2020, the Minister administering the Forest Management Act 2013 may request the Crown Lands Minister to consider the conversion of certain future potential production forest land to permanent timber production zone land.

Before making a request under subsection (1), the Minister administering the Forest Management Act 2013 must obtain and have regard to information relating to – the reasons for the request being made; and the size, location, valuation and conservation values of the future potential production forest land that is the subject of the request; and an assessment of forest resources within the future potential production forest land that is the subject of the request and the demand for those resources and an evaluation of the social and economic impacts of the conversion of that land; and the Forestry corporation's intention to undertake native forest harvesting, on the land that is the subject of the request, consistent with its forest management certification; and the implications of the land ceasing to be future potential production forest land for the Forestry corporation's forest management certification.

In making a request under subsection (1), the Minister administering the Forest Management Act 2013 must provide the Crown Lands Minister with the information obtained by the Minister administering the Forest Management Act 2013 under subsection (2).

Before making a determination in relation to a request under subsection (1), the Crown Lands Minister must obtain information from the Minister on the impact of the conversion on the area of land identified under the special species management plan as being available for special species timber harvesting and the production of special species timber.

In making a determination in relation to a request under subsection (1), the Crown Lands Minister must have regard to the information provided under subsection (3) and the information obtained under subsection (4) and the impact of the conversion on the objectives for management of future potential production forest land specified in Schedule 3.

The Crown Lands Minister may approve the conversion of future potential production forest land to permanent timber production zone land.

If the Crown Lands Minister approves the conversion referred to in subsection (6), he or she must provide advice of his or her decision, in writing, to the Minister administering the Forest Management Act 2013.

On receipt of advice under subsection (7), the Minister administering the Forest Management Act 2013 must give effect to the conversion by making a relevant order under section 11B of the Forest Management Act 2013.

The Forestry corporation must only undertake native forest harvesting, in relation to land that is the subject of a conversion referred to in this section, consistent with its forest management certification.