Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270:body:0:p56
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 154081–157148

nature. The current policy setting that most influences the likelihood of conservation success for Leadbeater's possum is the Victorian Government's decision to end native timber logging on public land 1 January 2024 and the subsequent planning and policy decisions relating to forest management. The Recovery Plan represents an opportunity to inform that process, as the Victorian Government considers those forest areas that qualify for protection as National Parks, or those suitable for recreation opportunities and opportunities for management of public land by Traditional Owners. Ensure that high quality, unburnt habitat (for example, Toorongo, Baw Baw) and habitat impacted by fire but still with HBTs (for example, Paradise Plains) are included in fire management planning.

Action 1.1 – Priority: Urgent
Review and, where required, revise existing relevant planning and policy settings, including fire management plans, to ensure that they provide for maximising the chances of long-term survival of Leadbeater's possum.

Action 1.2 – Priority: Urgent
Ensure that future relevant planning and policy settings provide for maximising the chances of long-term survival of Leadbeater's possum.

Performance criteria
1)        All relevant plans and policy are compatible and coordinated with, and contribute more effectively to, the objective of maximising the likelihood of long-term survival of Leadbeater's possum.
Table 1: Objective 1 deliverables
Timing              Outcome
By end of 1st year      * All key relevant policies and plans are assessed to identify settings or practice that may contribute significantly to, or may be inconsistent with, the successful implementation of this Recovery Plan (Action 1.1). a
                        * Any new key relevant policies and plans that are informed by, take account of, are consistent with, and contribute significantly to the implementation of this Recovery Plan (Action 1.2).
By end of 2nd year      * Settings in all key relevant policies and plans are refined to ensure alignment with this Recovery Plan, and effective coordination across plans and policies to achieve the Recovery Plan's objectives (Action 1.1). a

Note: a Action is ongoing thereafter.

Objective 2
A whole of landscape management regime is in place ensuring that all current and future suitable habitat across the species' known range is maintained, enhanced and effectively managed to maximise its suitability for Leadbeater's possum.

Rationale
The key conservation concern for Leadbeater's possum is the limited and declining extent, quality and connectivity of suitable habitat (defined as areas of montane ash forests or snow gum woodlands within the range of the species). This objective seeks to focus explicitly on the maintenance and management of habitat that is currently suitable, and habitat that will become suitable in the future. Retention of habitat should largely be through an increase in the dedicated reserve system to improve that system's adequacy, supported by complementary actions across other tenures.