State of the Forests reports are produced every five years to evaluate and report on the condition of Victoria’s forests. The 2018 report has a stronger scientific evidence base, and continues to align Victoria with international environmental reporting frameworks.

Recommendations:

1. That DELWP maintain its commitment to resourcing and maintaining the VFMP and enhance it to (i) improve statewide understanding of the impacts of forest fragmentation on forest-dependent species (including the development of an authoritative list of Victorian forest-dependent species), and (ii) improve assessment of protected areas by conducting detailed research to identify the benefits of various types of IUCN-protected areas for target species. Any amendments to the VFMP must not disrupt future trend analyses.
2. That DELWP develop its spatial information capability and database, and ensure it is regularly and routinely updated, to inform decision-making across the environment portfolio.
3. That DELWP establishes environmental–economic accounting as a core capability and delivers a set of environmental-economic accounts for Victoria by 2022, consistent with the SEEA guidelines, the DELWP Valuing and Accounting for Victoria’s Environment strategy and aligned with the agreed common national approach. Further, that the Minister for Environment include in the Statement of Expectations to the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability a requirement to incorporate reporting against Victoria’s environmental-economic accounts in State of the Forests reporting for Victoria from 2023.
4. That DELWP review the current criteria and indicators for State of the Forests reporting especially sociocultural indicators, and align reporting with relevant Victorian legislation, policy and programs and the UN Sustainable Development Goals and targets. Further, identification of the knowledge gaps in monitoring the social benefits of forests will be critical for managing forests for all Victorians.