Growing trees commercially is highly regulated in Victoria. Farmers, landowners and investors should be aware of the range of legal responsibilities that may affect their acitivities.
Victoria's Code of Practices for Timber Production is consistent with the state's commitment to the 1992 National Forest Policy Statement (available through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry www.daff.gov.au), developed jointly by state, territory and Commonwealth governments. The National Statement outlines objectives and policies that allow for the sustainable management of all Australian forests, including plantations.
Plantations on cleared agricultural land
In 75 per cent of rural councils you no longer need a permit to use land zoned rural for timber production of any scale unless there are overlays or the need to remove any native vegetation. In half of the remaining rural councils, you will need a permit in specific areas of environmental or landscape significance. The remainder lie on the fringe of the Melbourne metropolitan area and are often smaller scale landholdings that are generally unsuitable for large commercial plantation developments.
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