Plantation Management – Regulation and Planning
Tasmania
Forest Practices Code 2000
The Forest Practices Act 1985 provides that the Forest Practices Code shall prescribe the manner in which forest practices are to be conducted so as to provide reasonable protection to the environment.
The Code is issued by the Forest Practices Board, after extensive consultation and public comment.
The Code provides a practical set of guidelines and standards for the protection of environmental values during forest operations, in particular:
- soils
- water quality and flow
- geomorphology
- flora, fauna, genetic resources
- visual landscape
- cultural heritage
The Code does not directly deal with utilisation standards or occupational health and safety, as these matters are addressed within other legislative and policy frameworks.
The Forest Practices Code contains both ‘General Principles’ and the ‘Basic Approach’ for particular forest practices.
The Code is supported by other manuals and technical instructions that are endorsed from time to time by the Forest Practices Board after consultation with the Forest Practices Advisory Council. Forest Practices Officers will use these documents and follow instructions issued by the Board.
The Code contains policies and practices which have been developed as a result of ongoing research and practical experience. Research and innovation by landowners, contractors and the forest industry is encouraged. The Code is kept under regular review and the results of research, field experience and public input are used to make progressive improvements so that environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically acceptable production forestry can be maintained.
The first Forest Practices Code became operational in November 1987, and was extensively reviewed and revised in 1993. The latest version takes into account the results of experience, research, independent reviews and submissions received from the general public, landowners, scientists, unions, contractors, conservationists, and land and resource managers from industry and government.
Download a copy of Forest Practices Code 2000 (pdf)
