Infomation

Infosheets

Forest Facts

Note the term "upgrading" used in the results section may confuse people. In this context the authors are stating they "upgraded" 38% (state average) of logs surveyed from a lower incorrect grade to a higher correct grade. This implies that downgrading of 38% of the logs surveyed occurred by the log graders by accident, intent or incorrect procedures.

Log Identification
"All of these systems have the likelihood of abuse by allocating one load of logs the same number as another load."

Grading Checks
"This is another area where consistency is found wanting. It comes down to fact that grading is being monitored either spasmodically or not at all. The 10% monitoring check required by the Auditor General and therefore by this Department is very rarely achieved." Factors - Distance, Not Enough Officers, Unwilling Officers;

Log Grading
- Varying skills showed by graders and trainers
- Licensees forcing industry log graders to down grade
- ex. non payment of production costs; log grader threatened with loss of job.

State Average Log Grading
On a State average 51% of logs were graded correctly and 49% incorrectly, of which 38% were up graded and 11% down graded.

Log Grading by FMA %

• Otways - Correct. 39% Up 50% Down 11%
• Wodonga - Correct. 44% Up 32% Down 24%
• Cent Gipp. - Correct. 46% Up 45% Down 9%
• Midlands - Correct. 47% Up 46% Down 7%
• Wangaratta - Correct. 47% Up 49% Down 4%
• Bennella/Mans. - Correct. 50% Up 45% Down 5%
• Dandenong's - Correct. 53% Up 38% Down 9%
• East Gipp - Correct. 56% Up 28% Down 16%
• Tambo - Correct. 57% Up 28% Down 15%
• Central - Correct. 57% Up 27% Down 16%

Opening line "As the results indicate, there is a severe problem with grading across the state. Several reason why this occurs, are indicated in following paragraphs." See Ref for full details.

"3.2 At present logging contractors and consequently log grades are employed either directly by a licensee or indirectly through syndicate. In some circumstances this relationship may form manipulative force causing log graders to grade logs contrary to the card, for the licensees financial benefit."

Quotes from Recommendations:

"The introduction of Departmental Logging. The reason for this change is recognition of the fact that Licensees have exerted pressure on Log Graders to downgrade logs for financial benefit.

The report was conducted across 10 FMA's sampled proportionally to their contribution to total allocation of Saw Logs. All sawmills with allocations of over 2000m3 were visited. The investigators were Ernie Cole (Mitta Mitta) and Richard Bourke (Toolangi). From 1/12/93 to 25/3/94.

Cost

The estimated cost of the down grading is $800,000 (thought this is probably a lower estimate as this figure was an estimate before the finding of the study were released.). Ref - Letter Williams, David, Acting Manager Forest Services (9 June 1993) to Richard Rawson, Director Forest Services.

NOTE: Contractors were given 2 weeks and sometimes 24 hours notice in writing before the arrival of the inspectors, and yet they still produced such appalling results. - Ref: Pers Com to TWS.

Reference: Bourke, R. & Cole, E. (1994) "Hardwood Sawlog Grading Monitoring Report." DCNR internal report.

High failure rate in the High Elevation Mixed Species forests (see regeneration this article) have lead DCNR to moot the use of 1080 poison to control browsing, despite browsing being listed as 6th (accounting for 11.6% of seedling deaths) on a list of seven factors effecting the regeneration rates.

Reference: DCNR (1991) "Swamp Wallaby Browsing Control in Orbost Region." DCNR Vic.

Vic Government only monitors 1% of sawlog in the state

Victorian Government does not monitor volumes of Wood Chips

In a letter from DCNR to the Wilderness socity DCNR stated they do not monitor volumes of woodchips leaving the state for export.

Reference: Letter from John Stivala of DCNR to Fenella Barry of the Wilderness Society, ( FOI request 17/8/1994) DCNR ref no 94/2443.

24 principles were assessed for Compliance, Minor Breaches and Major Breaches The results were as follows 70% Compliance, 12% Minor Breaches, 18% Major Breaches or 30% non compliance.

The audit was conducted in May-June 94 in the FMA's of Tambo, Central, Bendigo, Dandenong.

Reference: CNR (1994) "Audit of the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production." DCNR, Vic.

Forest Watch 92 - 20 coupes surveyed over 1991-92 season.

The methods in Forest Watch 92, were discussed with the General Manager for Gippsland , Mr Richard Rawson, and regional planners at the Orbost DCE Officers, and no objections to the proposed procedure were received.

The study found 31 enforceable breaches, representing 100 potential penalty points, only 2 points were allocated for a single breach by the departments.

Summary of Forest Watch Results

			Orb	CH	Orb	Orb
			1992	1991	1989	1989

No. of Coupes		20	20	18	16

No. of Prescriptions 	9	10	10	12
Surveyed for. 

Avg. No. of 		0.35	0.56	0.41	0.28
Breaches per 
prescriptions


			Orb	CH	Orb	Orb
			1992	1991	1989	1989

% of coupes which have:

1. logged stream	13	33	31	0 
side reserve 

2. damaged stream 
side reserves 		88	87	69	22

3."high" level 
rubbish left		40	60	61	56
4. "low" level 
rubbish left		70	70	72	69
9. bark/topsoil 
not spread		45	-	-	35
10. snig tracks not 
drained			0	60	17	44
13. machinery 
entering 
filter strips		10	-	58	-

14. burnt retained 
areas			50	46	46	-

Reference: Newton-John, J. (1992), "Forestwatch 1992", The Wilderness Society.