The Code of Practices for Timber Production

The Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production in Victoria is the main tool used to implement the requirements of the Victorian Planning Provisions relevant to forestry practices. The Code is available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment website - www.dse.vic.gov.au.

The code is a statutory document under both the Conservation Forests and Lands Act 1987 and the Sustainable Forest (Timber) Act 2004

The Code was first introduced in 1989. Although most of the goals and guidelines it contains apply equally to commercial timber production on both public and private land, there are instances where the way they are applied varies between the two.

Scope of the Code

The Code lays down state wide goals and guidelines that apply to timber harvesting, timber extraction, roads, regeneration, and reforestation in native forests as well as to the planning, establishment and management of softwood and hardwood plantations.

The Code ensures that:

land managed for forestry is adequately regenerated and managed following timber harvesting;
reforestation is achieved efficiently and with environmental care;
environmental values (including soil, landscape, flora, fauna, archaeological, historic, and cultural) are conserved;
water supply catchments are protected; and
opportunities are provided for recreation, scientific study and education.

The Code establishes goals and guidelines in environmental care for all commercial timber production activities in the state. On public land, requirements are usually set at the local level because conditions vary across Victoria. However, the Code does provide some key state wide requirements (for example, width of streamside buffers and grades of roads), which act as minimum allowable local standards.

The Code and private land

Local governments are responsible for compliance with the Code of Practice for Timber Production in relation to private land.

The Code has been incorporated into the state section of all planning schemes, and the planting and harvesting of commercial forests on private land must be conducted in accordance with the Code to the satisfaction of the responsible authority (the relevant shire).

The Code specifies that timber harvesting operations on private land requires a Timber Harvesting Plan (THP).

A Timber Harvesting Plan should consist of a map identifying the areas to be harvested and a statement of conditions applying to the operation. The plan may apply to a single coupe or harvesting area (recommended to be less than 40ha), or to an area in which a number of coupes are harvested over an extended length of time (that is more than one harvesting season).

Timber Harvesting Plans must be lodged with the relevant authorities before harvesting operations begin.

The Code and public land

Compliance with the Code on public land is a legislative requirement.

The Code provides state wide goals and guidelines to be followed and applied to all timber production operations through the preparation of detailed prescriptions, Forest Management Plans and Forest Coupe Plan.

Forest Coupe Plans

Harvesting operations in public native forests require Forest Coupe Plans. These Plans should specify under what conditions the operations are administered and controlled. A map identifying the area should also be included.

Forest Coupe Plans need to be prepared prior to the commencement of operations and in accordance with Code guidelines.

Forest Management Plans

Forest Management Plans are produced by the Department of Sustainability and Environment for individual Forest Management Areas (FMAs) or groups of FMAs to provide a framework for addressing the full range of values and uses in state forests. Forest Management Plans must be prepared according to Code guidelines.

For further information on this topic go to the Department of Sustainability and Environment website - www.dse.vic.gov.au.