Otway Ranges Environment Network

 

 

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Breaches of the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production


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An examination of forest management practices within the Otways reveals a consistent pattern of breaches within the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production (Code).

Section 2.3.5 Slope Limitations
Section 2.3.6 Conservation of Flora and Fauna
Section 2.3.7 Protection of Rainforest
Section 2.3.8 Protection of Landscape Values

Section 2.3.5 Slope Limitations

  • SSP South (To be developed)
  • Mt McKenzie Road (To be developed)
The Code does not provide any prescriptions to prevent logging practices causing landslides. Link.

Section 2.3.6 Conservation of Flora and Fauna

The following is an extract from page 23 of the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production.

The following approaches should be considered to facilitate protection of flora and fauna values:

  • Wildlife Corridors
    use of wildlife corridors, comprising of varying widths of unlogged forests, to facilitate animal movement between patches of forest of varying ages and stages of development. Where appropriate, streamside buffers may have a dual role of protecting water quality and acting as wildlife corridor, but the need for corridors along or across other topographic features will arise and should be considered in relation to the forest type and fauna present.

    Retention of wildlife corridors in the Otways is not done. See Habitat fragmentation

  • Habitat Trees
    Retention of habitat trees and old-age understorey elements in appropriate numbers and configurations, and provision for replacement of old hollow-bearing trees within or around coupes. Consideration must be given to both the protection of habitat trees during harvesting and subsequent management, and the effect of retained trees on the growth of future crop trees.

    Habitat trees are not retained after logging in the Otways. See Loss of hollow-bearing trees.

Section 2.3.7 Protection of Rainforest

See Code of Forest Practices.

A briefing paper provided to the Otway Regional Forest Reference Group highlights the fact that in Forestry Victoria's view, code prescriptions to protect rainforest do not need to be followed.(See Point 5 of briefing paper).

Forestry Victoria ignore provisions within the Code that require a buffer of at least 60 metres be applied to rainforest. Link

The requirement within the Code to protect Rainforest Sites of national Significance from logging is being ignored. Link

Section 2.3.8 Protection of Landscape Values

The following is an extract from page 24 of the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production.

Landscape values should be protected along major tourist roads within constraints imposed by fire protection requirements.

Logging in the Otways does not consider scenic and aesthetic values for the regional tourism industry. See Past and planned destruction of Otway scenic quality

 

 
   
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