Sustainable Harvest
VicForests' timber harvesting operations must meet strict safety and environmental Standards, Codes and Legislation.
Legislation
- How we are allocated timber
- How harvesting activities must be planned (through a Timber Release Plan)
- The Department of Sustainability and Environment's (DSE) role in proposed Timber Release Plan evaluation and monitoring our harvesting performance and regeneration success.
Part of the Act is the provision for a Sustainability Charter for Victoria's State Forests that details targets and initiatives to be reported on by both ourselves and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Two existing Codes of Practice, covering Timber Production and Fire Management on Public Land, also form part of the framework for timber harvesting and forest stewardship. Compliance with these Codes is a condition of any lease, licence or permit to use State forests, including those held by VicForests.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for the independent auditing of compliance with the Code of Practice for timber production. A sample of our operations is audited regularly by the Victorian EPA.