2007 Forest Audit program review

On 4 April 2007, EPA announced via media release that the forest audit program will be independently reviewed. The purpose of the review is to provide options to the Minister for Environment, Water and Climate Change for the delivery of the independent environmental audit of timber production on public land after 2007.

The review comes in light of recent changes to harvesting arrangements and the release of the new code. The review aims to ensure that compliance continues to improve and environmental objectives continue to be met. The review will involve consultation with all stakeholders, including community, conservation groups, industry and government agencies.

Scope of the Review

The scope of the review is to provide options for the appropriate delivery of an independent forest audit program following consideration of:

• Original intent of the program
• Victorian environmental audit system and the independence of the audit program,
• The new Code of Forest Practice for Timber Production,
• Establishment of VicForests as the body responsible for the sustainable harvest and commercial sale of forest timbers from Victorian State forests,
• The role of DSE as the land manager and regulator, and the interplay between its regulatory role and any auditing undertaken as part of new environmental management systems and certification in both DSE and VicForests,
• Comments and needs of stakeholders (industry and conservation groups), agencies and the community,
• Reviewing the communication (methods and delivery) of the audit program to community and stakeholders,
• Maintaining the independence of the audit program, and
• Implementation of the future program (workable and within current resources).

Consultation program

Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has been appointed to undertake the review and consultation program. All consultation around the review will occur through SKM. The aim of the consultation program is to provide opportunity for stakeholders and the community to express their views on the forest audit program and provide input that will guide its future direction.

The role of community and stakeholders is provide information on issues, opportunities and ideas around the auditing of compliance with the Code of Practice for Timber Production, based on individual or group experience, knowledge or interests. This will be captured through focus groups and interviews.

Regional consultation activities, comprising focus groups and a limited number of interviews, will be held in Central Gippsland, East Gippsland, North East Victoria and Central Victoria between 6-17 August 2007. Stakeholder workshops will also be held in Melbourne during that period.

Please contact Michael Willis of SKM (via email or 03 9248 3584) if you would like to register your interest in participating in these consultation activities.

In addition, all stakeholders and individuals listed on EPA’s Forest Audit contact database will be contacted about the review. If you wish to be listed on the database or have any other comments or questions about the review, please email EPA and provide your name and contact details.

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