Management of non-wood values in state forests: should the user pay?

Summary

Multiple-use management of Crown forests in Tasmania is implemented by zoning. State forests must provide a range of benefits and the Forestry Commission should apportion significant costs between users. Each use must be satisfied in a way that ensures its continuance and resulting costs debited to that use. Financial accounts of the Tasmanian Forestry Commission for native forest operations 1953/54 to 1981/82 are presented and expenditures are re-allocated between operations, recreation and wildlife conservation. The Commission's receipts include royalties, fees and subsidies from Tasmania's consolidated revenue. In the four years to June 1982 the general taxpayer provided sixteen percent of total receipts from consolidated revenue, which was about twice the estimated cost of the provisions for recreation and wildlife conservation. Thus the “public” paid for non-wood expenditures and made a contribution to meeting losses incurred in wood production.