CFL Regions.

The Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (CFL) came into effect on 1 September 1983 after a short Act of State Parliament.

The Forests Commission Victoria (FCV), which had existed since 1918 lost its discrete identity and merged into the newly formed mega-department, along with the Crown Lands and Survey Department, National Park Service, Soil Conservation Authority and Fisheries and Wildlife Service.

In 1983, some 70–80% of all CFL personnel were located outside Melbourne.

The subsequent amalgamation and restructure were a protracted and disruptive process over the next three years as working groups formed and people jockeyed for positions.

Eventually a consistent statewide regional structure emerged, and 18 new Regional Management Teams (RMT) were appointed.

There were the inevitable winners and losers, but many of the senior positions were taken-up by ex FCV staff.

There was a short period of stability, with CFL remaining in existence until 1990, but then the tempo of change seemed to accelerate, with many more departmental restructures and name changes occurring over the subsequent four decades.

Over time, and with each successive budget and staff cut, the number of Regions in country Victoria fell from the initial eighteen down to six.

https://www.victoriasforestryheritage.org.au/people-organisation/organisation/486-forestry-organisation-post-fcv.html