Western Australia’s native forests in the south-west of the state are an important and valuable asset to the Western Australian community. These forests provide Western Australians with diverse opportunities and values including recreation, conservation, and economic.

Under the Conservation and Land Management Act (1984), a new Forest Management Plan (FMP) is required every 10 years to guide the management of the State’s South-West native forests. The current FMP is due to expire in 2023. The Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA, Minister for Environment and Climate Action, sought the views of Western Australians on the value and use of the state’s south-west native forests now and into the future before the development of the next FMP and commissioned the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI), an independent research organisation to undertake this consultation. Accordingly, an online survey was developed and administered by WABSI to inform the Minister about the range of views in the community on south-west native forests. The survey was active between 22nd June and 1st August 2021.

This survey consisted of five sections where respondents could provide their views on the value, management, and future of the south-west native forests. Along with demographic information, respondent’s use of the south-west native forests was also recorded with an opportunity for respondents to attach any supporting documentation or add comments that they would like to share on the topic. 16,944 responses were received.

This consultation process has attempted to encourage responses from all Western Australians with diverse backgrounds, ages, interests, and uses of the state’s South-West native forests. However, it does not claim to be representative of any specific demographic. The report reflects the viewpoints of those who responded to the survey.