Annual Report 2023–24 – another strong year for FPA
The FPA Annual Report 2023–24 was tabled in the Tasmanian Parliament on 21 November 2024.
The 2023–24 annual report shows the FPA has performed well against all indicators across its statutory functions through the provision of advice, training, communication, research, compliance monitoring and enforcement.
2023–24 has been another strong year for Tasmania’s independent forestry regulator, the Forest Practices Authority, according to its latest annual report tabled in Parliament this week.
The 2023–24 annual report shows the FPA has performed well against all indicators across its statutory functions through the provision of advice, training, communication, research, compliance monitoring and enforcement.
The report shows ongoing demand for specialist advice from the FPA about biodiversity, soil and water, geomorphology and cultural heritage in connection with forest practices plan preparation, with 387 individual requests for advice from specialists across the year.
Importantly, FPA specialists contributed to 5 research projects on biodiversity and soil carbon.
Across the year, the number of forest practices plans certified for the period increased to 500, totalling 30,991 hectares, up from 481 plans and 29,120 hectares in 2022–23. These plans were across all forms of forest practices, inclusive of native forest harvesting and reforestation, plantation operations, afforestation on cleared land, quarries and roads.
For the reporting period, there was a slight increase in the area of new plantations on previously cleared land compared to the previous year, with 731 hectares added in 2023–24.
Clearing of forest to non-forest, primarily for agricultural use, has declined with plantations cleared being less than last year (1,402 hectares compared to 2,124 hectares) and native forest cleared under forest practices plans also being less than last year (415 hectares compared to 476 hectares).
The FPA annual auditing and assessment program for authorised forest practices reported high levels of compliance in the industry.
Of continuing concern, is alleged breaches of the Forest Practices Act through unauthorised clearing of native forest or Threatened Native Vegetation Communities on private land, with around 180 hectares identified, slightly down on last year’s 213 hectares. Across 2023–24, there were 18 prescribed fines offered for illegal forest clearing ranging from $5,000 to $132,000.
The FPA delivered 5 training courses over 22 days throughout the period for the forestry and other sectors and engaged in many community events such as AGFEST and regional shows.
We encourage you to read the report for more details on these highlights.