Module 5 - VicForests

Audit scope
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This section outlines the objectives, scope and time period addressed by the audit, the segment and
elements of the environment audited, the beneficial uses considered, audit criteria, excluded
elements, and the Auditor’s support team.
2.1 Objectives, scope and period of audit
The objective of the audit is to assess and report on compliance of commercial timber harvesting
operations, undertaken in the 2008-09 financial year in Victorian State forests, with all relevant
legislation, regulations and government policies aimed at achieving sustainable forest management.
The scope of the audit is activities included in the FAP Module 5 Harvesting and Closure component
of the FAP and compliance elements included in Module 5 workbooks. It includes commercial timber
harvesting operations undertaken by VicForests in eastern Victoria and by DSE in the west of the
State. The FAP Module 5 Harvesting and closure workbooks are attached as Appendix D.
The work that was carried out is described in the FAP Module 1 Overview, FAP Module 2 Audit
Process and FAP Module 5 Harvesting and closure and is summarised as follows:
Selection of the coupes for audit based on a prescribed risk-based approach;
Office-based review and field assessments, accompanied by auditees, of the management of the
selected coupes;
Preparation of this environmental audit report which considers auditees comments on factual
matters on a draft report; and
Participation in community observation days managed by DSE.
Audit field inspections were conducted in November 2010 and the community observation days were
held in February 2011.
2.2 Segments and elements audited
The segment of the environment covered by this audit is defined as that portion of Victoria in which
timber is harvested from public land including adjacent rivers, streams and communities directly
affected by that harvesting.
The following elements of the environment (as defined in the Environment Protection Act 1970) have
been considered in conducting the audit:
Land;
Surface water;
Groundwater;
Vegetation;
Aesthetics;
Wildlife; and
Fish.
The FAP Module 1 Overview also includes climate as an element relevant to the audit program,
however the Auditor did not consider it relevant
to this audit.
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