Title

Leadbeater's Possum 200m buffer for confirmed colonies within Central Highlands RFA 

Alternate title

LBPAG_BUFF_CHRFA 

Purpose

To protect confirmed Leadbeaters Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) colonies (Action 1, LBPAG_SITES_CHRFA) by establishing a 200m radius protection buffer around each colony. These buffers will provide a basis to control timber harvesting (Action 1.1) and manage risks, such as from bushfires (Action 8.1) that threaten the possum. This includes excluding all forms of timber harvesting including thinning, and associated processes such as the creation of new roads within these areas without the approval of DELWP, or where existing roads exist, that works can be undertaken where they do not impact the vegetation beyond the existing road footprint and verge. This dataset defines the extent of the LBP 200m buffers across all land tenures and is based on the confirmed colonies depicted in the LBPAG_SITES_CHRFA dataset. Given one of the actions of the LBPAG is to identify and protect an additional 200 colonies within General Management Zone (GMZ) or Special Management Zone (SMZ) in state forest, this data will be subject to periodic updates. New colonies verified through the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas or through the Land Management Policy process for assessing threatened species from community groups will be published to LBPAG_SITES_CHRFA and new buffers generated. Once 200 new colonies that impact upon GMZ or SMZ within state forest are identified, or after two years of surveying, there will be a review of this LBPAG action. DELWP have commenced a review of the effectiveness of this action, based on the 200 new colonies being reached, in supporting the recovery of the Leadbeater's Possum while maintaining a sustainable timber industry. The review will provide important information into the Forest Industry Taskforce process. Beyond the 200, the Victorian Government will continue to provide protection for Leadbeater¿s Possum colonies through the creation of 200m buffers in state forest when new records are found and verified. Buffers located within state forest will trigger a zoning update, with the establishment of a Special Protection Zone within the Forest Management Zone (FMZ100) dataset. This dataset is applicable to the Central Highlands Regional Forest Agreement area. 

Status

Completed  

Topic category

• Biota
• Farming

Classification

Unclassified  

RFQ Number