2003 Forest Audit
The 2003 audit was the first independent audit of timber production on public land undertaken in Victoria. To conduct the audit of the 2002–03 timber harvesting season, EPA engaged an environmental auditor appointed under the Environment Protection Act 1970. The auditor had a support team that consisted of individuals with expertise in forestry, ecology, soil science and engineering.
The audit examined 30 harvested coupes representing approximately 7 per cent of all coupes harvested during the 2002–03 season. These coupes were selected from across the State in order to represent the range of timber harvesting activities in various regions. The 2003 audits were conducted in the East Gippsland, Central Gippsland, Central and Portland Forest Management Areas.
The scope of the audit did not include forestry planning processes, however the audit did consider planning insofar as it impinged on timber harvesting operations. Information on the forestry audit methodology used in 2003 is available.
The publications below detail the findings of the first independent audit of forestry operations:
- Download the complete environmental audit.
- Download the audit information bulletin, executive summary and recommendations.
Coupe assessment
The assessed audit criteria were based on the requirements contained within the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production.
The results of the assessments were documented using a scoring system that noted compliance or non-compliance with individual guidelines contained within the code. Field assessment was undertaken between June and July 2003.
Methodology
The key principles that underpinned the development of the 2003 audit methodology were that it should be risk-based, repeatable and provide for comparison of audited harvesting areas across the State. The methodology used in subsequent audits is based on that developed by the auditor in 2003.
Following the completion of the 2003 audit, a review was undertaken to identify improvements that could be made to the audit process and methodology. These improvements, such as the environmental impact assessment (EIA) tool, auditing of active coupes, auditing of regeneration and greater consideration of habitat trees, have been incorporated into the audit methodology in the subsequent years.
Goulburn River
In response to a kill of fish in the Goulburn River in 2004, an environmental audit of the management of the river took place in 2004 and 2005; view the audit report. More »
Maribyrnong, Yarra and Stony Creek
EPA has appointed an environmental auditor to conduct an overarching environmental audit of the lower Maribyrnong River, lower Yarra River and Stony Creek Backwash. More »