Module 5 - VicForests

4 3BAudit Findings
Table 4-20
Summary of compliance findings for the Road construction Compliance Element
Compliance
Element
Road construction
Total compliance 71
Total noncompliance
6
Non-compliance EIA breakdown
Severe 0
Major 0
Moderate 4
Minor 0
Negligible 2
No impact 0
A non-compliance was identified in relation to an apparent uncontrolled disposal of fill (C3). It was
observed during the audit that a significant quantity (estimated at approximately five cubic metres) of
soil, apparently resulting from the construction of the coupe driveway, had been pushed up around a
number of live trees adjacent to the road within a mapped rainforest and streamside buffer and had
not been stabilised through revegetation or other means. Erosion of the stockpiles by rainfall was
evident at the time of the audit. No records showing that this fill disposal site had been planned were
available (Refer to Appendix K, Photograph 10).
A senior DSE officer advised the Auditor that VicForests, at the time of road construction, had
discussed options to minimise disturbance to the several wet gullies that the road crosses. According
to DSE, it was agreed that the soil should be stockpiled to enable to road to be rehabilitated (including
ripping and spreading of topsoil) after completion of harvesting of an adjacent coupe, which also used
the road. The DSE officer also advised that the stockpiling of the soil against the trees was agreed as
the option of lesser environmental impact compared with increasing the clearing width. The Auditor
acknowledges the apparent consideration that was given to various options to minimise environmental
impact and that VicForests plans to rehabilitate the road to a higher level than the minimum required.
In light of this information, the Auditor considers that the main deficiency appears to be in documenting
plans and obtaining approvals for this work, given that the activities have resulted in outcomes not
aligned with the Code and Management Procedures (soil stockpiles not appropriately stabilised and
soil stockpiled against live trees). The EIA risk rating for this non-compliance was determined as
Moderate. The Auditor recommends that, once complete, the rehabilitation of this road, including
timeliness of rehabilitation, is reviewed by DSE as the regulator against what was said to have been
agreed.
Failure to plan for and stabilise excess fill also resulted in non-compliance on two other coupes (C8
and C13), however, the EIA risk ratings were determined as Negligible due to the small quantity of fill
involved and its location away from environmentally sensitive or excluded areas.
Three non-compliances with Moderate EIA risk ratings were identified where fill slopes of roads
traversing slopes were not adequately consolidated (C20, C22 and C24). A tension crack was
observed in the road surface at one coupe (C20), suggesting potential instability of the road (Refer to
Appendix K, Photograph 11) and erosion of fill slopes was evident (Refer to Appendix K, Photographs
7 and 8).
42 42807504/01/01