Timber Release Plans
After an allocation order has been gazetted by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), VicForests develops a Timber Release Plan (TRP) - a plan of all proposed harvesting activities for up to five years.
After a TRP is approved we must strictly abide by the conditions it specifies including harvest year, boundaries and harvesting method. Any major changes need to be submitted to the Secretary of DSE for approval.
TRP preparation is legislated in the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 and:
- Provides a schedule of coupes selected for timber harvesting and associated access road requirements
- Identifies the location and approximate timing of timber harvesting in the proposed coupes
- Identifies the location of any associated access roads.
We are required to prepare TRPs for all harvesting activities.
All TRPs are prepared by VicForests in accordance with Part 5 of the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004. A TRP may be reviewed and changed in accordance with section 43 of the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004.
TRP Preparation (New and Amended)
VicForests undertakes an ongoing intensive field and desk based assessment program within available forest areas to determine where future operations may occur. Following this, TRPs are prepared by VicForests and submitted to DSE for review and approval. Submissions to DSE are generally made on an annual basis, although can be made at other times where exceptional circumstances exist (for example: major bushfires).
Stakeholder Consultation
All TRPs are evaluated by all major stakeholders including DSE, Parks Victoria and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. VicForests invites any interested parties to review our intial plans when they are available and provide comment where appropriate. The stakeholder review period is generally one month prior to submission for approval.
Proposed TRP Amendments
Proposed changes to current TRPs can be assessed below. The period of public consultation for these amendments will run between 9th March 2010 and 8th April 2010. All stakeholders that provide feedback regarding proposed plans during this period will be contacted by VicForests to clarify concerns or comments and plans may be amended where appropriate.
Approved TRPs
Coupes approved on current Timber Release Plans within VicForests Management Regions can be accessed below. The gazettal notices for new and amended Timber Release Plans are also listed.
References
Timber Allocation under the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004