Socio-economic costs and benefits of commercial forestry

As part of the Communities project, the Australian National University is studying the socio-economic costs and benefits of commercial forestry, focusing in particular on plantation forestry. The research consists of the following related studies, being undertaken in a number of regions around Australia:

• The Forest Industry Survey, a biennial survey of the forest industries of Tasmania and Western Australia to identify the employment and spending generated by the industry, and where it is located ( Jacki Schirmer).  
• Socio-economic impacts of plantations, a study in which the links between the plantation industry and socio-economic change in local regions of Tasmania and Western Australia are examined ( Jacki Schirmer).
• Landholder perceptions of planting trees for carbon sequestration, a study examining the views of rural landholders about planting trees as carbon sinks on their properties. This study is co-funded by the CRC for Forestry and Forest and Wood Products Australia ( Lyndall Bull and Jacki Schirmer)
• Living with plantations, a study looking at the impact of plantation establishment on community wellbeing. This study seeks to understand the social changes that occur when land use changes to plantations in Australian rural communities (Lain Dare and Jacki Schirmer).
• Wellbeing of forestry workers, a study looking directly at the wellbeing of forest industry workers. This study aims to understand the diversity of forest workers and their resilience in working within the forests. This study will commence in 2011 (Lain Dare and Jacki Schirmer).
• Personal experiences of social impacts and responses to changes in the native forest timber industry.  This study is looking at the social impacts from, and responses to Regional Forest Agreements. It included an evaluation of the Forest Industry Structural Adjustment Package (FISAP). ( Edwina Loxton)
• Community perceptions about fuel modification strategies used to reduce bushfire risk to life and property. This study aims to understand how different groups and individuals in the community perceive fuel-modification strategies that are commonly used to reduce bushfire risk to life and property, and why there are differences in perceptions. ( Mel Mylek)

Socio-economic impacts of land use change in the Green Triangle and Central Victoria

This project, undertaken by CRC for Forestry researchers, examined socio-economic impacts of a number of land use changes in the Green Triangle and Central Victoria, including land use change from traditional agriculture to blue gum plantations.

Monitoring the social and economic impacts of forestry

This project was undertaken for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by researchers at the Fenner School of Environment and Society (Australian National University). It provides a set of recommended indicators for ongoing monitoring of the social and economic impacts of forestry over time.

2009 Inquiry into food production in Australia - Impact of MIS

Submission to 2009 Inquiry into food production in Australia - Impact of Managed Investment Schemes by Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries, and Hansard record of J. Schirmer witness discussion as part of this inquiry.

The final report of the inquiry is available here.

Socio-economic characteristics of Victoria's forestry industries

Report prepared by the Fenner School of Environment and Society for the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

Staff

Project Leader

Dr Jacki Schirmer

Fenner School of Environment and Society

Australian National University

Email: jacki.schirmer@anu.edu.au

http://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/people/academics/schirmerj.php

Research Fellow

Ms Melanie (Lain) Dare

Fenner School of Environment and Society

Australian National University

Email: melanie.dare@anu.edu.au

Research Fellow

Dr Lyndall Bull

Fenner School of Environment and Society

Australian National University

Email: lyndall.bull@anu.edu.au

http://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/people/academics/bulll.php 

Dr Caroline Sinclair

Fenner School of Environment and Society

Australian National University

Email: cajdunn@yahoo.com.au

Students

Edwina Loxton

Melinda Mylek