The National Indigenous Forestry Strategy (Strategy) provides a framework for the forest industry to work with indigenous communities to achieve multiple rural and regional economic benefits. The Strategy has a national sectoral coverage and it entered into force in May 2005. The Strategy seeks: 1) improved economic and social outcomes for indigenous communities and peoples through more active involvement in the forest and timber products industry; more indigenous Australians involved in developing and manging regional, state and national forest policy and industry activities; and better forest and plantation management and use to achieve greater economic, social, environmentally sustainable and cultural benefits for all Australians, especially indigenous Australians The Strategy will provide the national framework and direction for greater indigenous participation in the forest and wood products sectors. In addition, the Strategy will seek to create opportunities to develop business partnership with indigenous Austrian and negotiate business agreements to access indigenous ands, greater labour force diversity, greater cultural awareness and improved perception through social partnerships for the forest and wood products industry. The goals of the Strategy will be achieved through leadership, coordination, and communication; awareness, involvement, planning and ownerships of regional communities; capacity building to improved knowledge and skills; consistent government and forest industry direction; project development; and recognition of social and cultural issues. The Strategy will seek to create improved economic and social outcomes, greater business participation and employment in industry operation, greater participation in resources management and policy development, and development of non-wood forest related activities for indigenous communities. In addition, the Strategy will seek to create better forest and plantation management leading to improved social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes, and active participation of Indigenous communities in new economic and social partnerships for the wider community. It is important that the Strategy contributes to the overall sustainable development of indigenous land and communities, thus, it will work in conjunction with other Australian government and state/territory strategies and programmes, as well as with the network of indigenous coordination centres throughout Australia. Funding will come from identifying and providing resources and programmes in agencies responsible for Indigenous development and advancement as well as from the mainstream forest industry. As the principal stakeholders in the Strategy, governments, indigenous communities and the forest and wood products industry will need to share responsibility for its implementation and results.
Australia · 2005-01-01