A pledge to end native logging in Western Australia's southwest is included in a draft Forest Management Plan released for comment by the state government.
The move will preserve another 400,000 hectares of forest on top of the 1.6 million hectares already protected.
Under the 10-year plan, the only timber to be taken from native forests will come from managed activities designed to improve forest health, such as ecological thinning, or for clearing for approved mining operations, and infrastructure maintenance.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will engage with the Noongar traditional owners to enter formal arrangements to manage the southwest conservation estate consistent with the area's native title settlement.
The government previously announced an $80 million investment to support workers, businesses, and communities transitioning out of native logging.
It said the forest management plan reaffirmed its commitment to act on climate change and protect biodiversity by reducing deforestation and forest degradation.
The plan also outlined future approaches to bushfire risk management and access to domestic firewood.
Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby said the decision to end native logging had not been made lightly but the government had to preserve forests for future generations.
"The science showing climate change is having and will have a devastating impact on our environment is well-established and cannot be ignored," he said.
Forestry Minister Dave Kelly said the decision also reflected the changing attitudes of the community towards native forests and built on the earlier decision to end old-growth logging.
"This does not mean an end to forest management activities but an end to large-scale commercial logging in our native forests," Mr Kelly said.
The public consultation period on the draft plan will continue until December 18 with community information events to be staged in regional locations.
