Module 5 - VicForests

FOREST AUDIT PROGRAM TOOLBOX
2.5 ROADING
Roads built in State forests for timber harvesting operations have the potential to
create environmental impacts, particularly on water quality and river health.
The Code aims to protect a range of environmental values while allowing safe and
economic roading for timber production by ensuring that the planning and
management of permanent and temporary roads for timber cartage and machinery
transport is fit for purpose, protects environmental and cultural values, and the safety
of all road users.
The audit will need to assess the following:
• Road Planning, to ensure the location and construction of new and upgraded
roads minimise risks to environmental values;
• Road Design, to minimise construction and maintenance costs, reduce
environmental risk such as impacts to water quality, improve efficiency of haulage
operations, and ensure public safety is maintained;
• Road Construction is conducted in a manner consistent with plans and designed
to ensure fitness for use, public safety, the protection of water quality and river
health, Aboriginal and other significant cultural heritage and biodiversity
conservation values;
• Road Maintenance minimises erosion and to protect water quality;
• Suspension of Cartage, to ensure wet weather or other adverse conditions don’t
affect the road surface and drainage doesn’t compromise water quality and public
safety; and
• Road Closures are permanent and effectively drained.
2.6 COUPE INFRASTRUCTURE
Coupe infrastructure includes log landings and dumps, snigging and forwarding
tracks.
The area of coupe infrastructure required to meet timber production needs must be
minimized without compromising safety. In-coupe infrastructure must be located,
constructed and maintained to minimise potential adverse impacts on soil and water
quality, and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
At the conclusion of harvesting operations all coupe infrastructure must be
rehabilitated to standards specified in the Code, The Management Procedures for
Timber Harvesting, Roading and Regeneration in Victoria’s State Forests, 2009 (the
Management Procedures) and the relevant Forest Management Plan (FMP).
FOREST AUDIT PROGRAM – MODULE 5 HARVESTING AND CLOSURE PAGE 10