Module 5 - VicForests

• Timber harvesting practices undertaken in plantations or on non-State forest;
• Roading activities conducted in State forests that are not associated with timber
production;
• Silvicultural practices conducted in State forests that are not associated with
commercial timber production (i.e. fire recovery silviculture and ecological
thinning);
• Land use decisions and associated “forest policy”;
• The forest management planning processes (such as the establishment of
forest management plans), this exclusion does not relate to the assessment of
compliance against relevant prescriptions contained in such planning
documents (e.g. those relating to forest operational planning, roading,
harvesting and regeneration practices);
• Assessing methods used in the development of the Allocation Order;
• Practices associated with production and collection of domestic forest produce
(including firewood) on all land tenures;
• Recreational activities undertaken in State forests;
• Livestock grazing activities undertaken in State forests;
• Apiary activities undertaken in State forests; and
• Fire suppression and management practices undertaken in State forests (e.g.
fuel reduction burning and habitat enhancement burning), with the noted
exception of post harvest burning undertaken in State forests.
2.2.2 Selecting targets for the Forest Audit Program
Section 2.3.1 of this module outlines how the FAP toolbox has been divided into
different audit modules based on groups of related management and harvesting
activities that are aligned with different stages of the forest lifecycle (see Figure 2.2).
It is important to consider this modular approach in the selection of audit targets
across the FAP, given that audit methods change for different audit modules.
The selection of audit targets across the FAP can potentially span the majority of the
lifecycle of Victoria’s State forests. This is a large and complex process and will need
to take into consideration commercial factors (such as the cost of engaging
independent environmental auditors) and the resources that are available to DSE in
any given year.
The modular design of the FAP will allow for greater flexibility in the selection of audit
targets, based on annual priorities. DSE has identified priority areas that are likely to
be included as recurrent audit targets. Other factors have also been highlighted that
may be considered in determining annual audit priorities, and may be considered in
target selection.
FOREST AUDIT PROGRAM – MODULE 1 OVERVIEW PAGE 9