Module 5 - VicForests

4 3BAudit Findings
A non-compliance assessed as having a Moderate EIA risk rating was identified on one section of
temporary road, where soil had been stockpiled for road rehabilitation within a rainforest buffer without
documented and approved plans (C3). This issue is discussed further in the Road construction
Compliance Element section of this report.
A total length of 5,275 m of permanent road was assessed across 7 coupes, with 4,067 m assessed
as compliant. The full sampled length of permanent road was assessed as compliant on four coupes
with regard to drainage requirements and slope limitations, with portions of the remaining three roads
(C9, C12 and C21) assessed as non-compliant. The non-compliances identified related to ineffective
drainage structures, drainage structures exceeding the maximum specified spacing (C9, C12 and
C21) and harvesting debris blocking table drains (C21).
Results from soil assessments and classification undertaken by VicForests were assessed as aligning
with or being more conservative than those undertaken by the Auditor in the majority of cases. Across
25 coupes, VicForests’ assessment was more conservative in 14 cases for one or both of soil erosion
hazard classification or soil permeability. In three instances, VicForests’ soil erosion hazard
classification was assessed as incorrect, however, it did not affect the final Water Quality Risk rating,
which is the measure used to determine buffer and filter widths. A summary of soil assessment
results is attached as Appendix J.
Further detail and compliance with requirements based on evidence other than field measurements
are also described in the following sections.
Compliance with a number of requirements were unable to be assessed in some instances during the
audit based on field inspection or desktop review, due to the stage of the operational activities and
availability of records. These requirements included:
Whether the subgrade was adequately consolidated at the time pavement material was placed
during road construction;
Whether base course material was levelled prior to placement of a wearing course;
Where significant fill is present on road batters, whether this was placed according to engineer
approved methods;
Whether table drains were created concurrent with road construction;
Whether erosion and sedimentation control was ongoing over the duration of the construction
activity;
Whether quarry materials used were free of Cinnamon fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi);
Whether road construction materials were prevented from spilling into watercourses during
construction; and
Whether roads were temporarily closed to heavy timber harvesting traffic in persistent wet or dry
weather or when there was a chance that the roads surface will deteriorate or water courses will be
polluted.
Road planning
The majority of planning activities were assessed as having been implemented appropriately across
the sampled coupes, including planning of the alignment and timing of construction to minimise risks
to a range of environmental values in most instances; and the reuse of existing road alignments where
possible.
Table 4-18 summarises the compliance findings for the Road planning Compliance Element.
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