Timber Allocation
VicForests' Timber Resource Allocation is based on the best available science and on balancing competing uses for our forests. Simply, Victoria's forest timber harvesting rate must be less than its regeneration rate.
After determining what areas may be harvested without risk to ecosystem sustainability, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) gives us access to the timber resources by an 'Allocation Order'. The order operates for a 15-year period and is reviewed every five years.
The following links help to explain the Timber Allocation system and work VicForests and DSE perform to ensure a sustainable forestry system:
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Timber Allocation under the Sustainable Forest (Timber) Act 2004 and Allocation Plans: Explains the framework for timber allocation and how timber resources are made available to VicForests.
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Forest Resource Inventory in Victoria: Describes DSE's mapping, measurement and assessment of native forests as part of an ongoing inventory process.
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Statewide Forest Resource Inventory (SFRI) Program: This program will provide the first comprehensive inventory of Victoria's public native forest resources.
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Forest Growth and Yield: Collects data on tree growth and the development of timber products from permanent and temporary growth plots.
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Joint Sustainable Harvest Level Statement (JoSHL): A VicForests and DSE project that provides a 15-year outlook for sustainable harvest levels of D+ sawlog. Incorporates information about recent fires, improved resource information and modelling techniques, and investigated alternative ways of making timber resources available.