TIMBER UTILIZATION ON TOWN WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENTS—PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY IN VICTORA, AUSTRALIA

Abstract

SUMMARY A Parliamentary enquiry was recently conducted into timber utilization on town water supply catchments throughout the State of Victoria, Australia. The capital city, Melbourne (population 13 millions), Obtains its water supply from catchment areas of approx. 200,000 acres, 30 to 60 miles away. These catchments contain first class timber-producing areas and are well stocked with mature and re-growth timber of high stumpage value. The controlling body allows no timber utilization and almost no recreational use. The water is not treated. Catchments totalling several million acres used for water supply for towns in the remainder of Victoria and serving about the same aggregate populaion are mostly used for timber production, the forested 'public lands within the catchments being managed by the 'State forest authority. The principal viewpoints expressed in evidence and during the inspections were those of water supply engineers, foresters, and the timber industry, the main conflict of opinion being between the first two. The forest authority presented a full case supporting multiple purpose management, based on economic as well as general forestry grounds. Owing to past lack of attention in some instances to water supply interests, and because of poor public relations on the part of forest industry, it has been difficult to enlist public support for extension of multiple-purpose management to all catchment areas of the State. The forester still has to establish his “(bona fides” toy research and demonstration before an uneasy public and unconvinced water supply engineers are likely to accept him as the final authority in water catchment management.