Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) is an incorporated local government association representing the interests of municipal councils in relation to forestry on both public and private land. The Association’s primary function is to provide a forum for local government to address the management of forests and forest industries and their impact on local communities.

Background

Timber Towns Victoria was incorporated as a local government association in 1985. Recognising the role of local governments as community leaders, TTV was established to advocate for balanced forest policy development including socio-economic considerations. Timber Towns Victoria is formally recognised by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) as the key representative of local government in relation to forestry issues as they impact on municipal councils. The TTV secretariat is co-located at the MAV. Timber Towns Victoria has productive working relationships with State and Commonwealth Governments and a wide range of industry and non-industry based organisations.

Goal

To assist in the development of a sustainable forestry industry that enhances and supports local government and rural communities.

Objectives

1. Provide a forum for local government to address the sustainable management of plantation and forest related industries, as they impact on local government and the communities they represent;
2. Represent local government in working with governments and timber industries in developing innovative economic, social and environmental opportunities for their communities;
3. Advocate and represent local government in the development of balanced and innovative plantation and forest policy and programs that is mindful of Victorian regional economies, infrastructure, communities and the environment;
4. Identify financial impacts for local government arising from forestry management practice and policy, and where appropriate advocate for equitable cost sharing that reduces the financial impost on the local rate base;
5. Review and investigate government initiatives and policies that influence the viability of plantation and forest dependent communities and endorse policies that promote triple bottom line and good governance;
6. Act as an information broker for local governments impacted by the plantation and forest industries to assist them in meeting their responsibilities in planning, infrastructure and development.

Our role

Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) is an incorporated local government association representing the interests of municipal councils in sustainable forestry management on both private and public land. The Association’s primary focus is to provide a forum for local government to address the management of forests and forest industries and their impact on local communities.
TTV provides an important service to Victorian councils affected by forestry activities, including increased ability to lobby State and Federal Governments, an important information service and a valuable state-wide network. Recognised as the peak local government body on forestry, TTV provides policy advice to the Municipal Association of Victoria and other forestry development projects.

A core objective of the Association is to provide all Victorian local governments with an interest in the forest management with an opportunity to actively contribute to policy setting and information dissemination through TTV> No other state in Australia has an association such as TTV. The Association believes this can adversely affect local governments’ ability to provide a united front on issues of common interest and also on the ability of the Commonwealth and State Governments to effectively consult with the sector across the country.

TTV is keen to assist with the development of like associations in other states in order to increase local government capacity to be effectively involved in forestry policy setting at the state and national level.

Key policy areas

The priorities of TTV vary over time reflecting the changing nature of forest policy however a number of key long term challenges face the local government sector in relation to the management of forests on both public and private land. These include the:
• Provision, maintenance and funding of infrastructure required for timber haulage
• Valuation and rating of private and leased land used for commercial timber production
• Fulfilment of legislative responsibilities for ensuring compliance with forestry regulations on private land
• Planning control of plantation expansion to ensure balanced and appropriate land use and adequate fire prevention
• Long term social and economic viability of communities reliant on forest related industries and the impact of policy change on such communities
• Responsibility as representatives of diverse communities, to ensure that Victorian forests on public and private land are managed sustainably for the long term benefit of all forest users.