State forests and timber reserves have various functions as timber harvest estates, water catchment protection areas, and public recreation areas.
In 2001 Western Australia became the first State in Australia to cease logging in old growth forests. This has resulted in a reduction of the number of State forests and timber reserves, with many being converted into conservation reserves and national parks.
This process is still ongoing, as is concern within the community about the remaining logging that does occur in Western Australia. This fact sheet examines the legal controls on logging in State forests and timber reserves, and other controls that apply to the management of State forests and timber reserves. For information on the management of other types of reserves, see Fact Sheet 17: Marine parks and reserves, Fact Sheet: Conservation reserves and Fact Sheet: Crown land management.
