Forest practices system
The forest practices system applies everywhere in Tasmania, on both public and private forests. It applies to native forest, plantations and threatened non-forest vegetation communities.
What are forest practices?
The Forest Practices Act 1985 defines forest practices as:
- harvesting and regenerating native forest
- harvesting and/or establishing plantations
- clearing forests for other purposes
- clearing and converting threatened native vegetation
- constructing roads and quarries for the above purposes
- harvesting tree ferns.
How does the forest practices system regulate forestry?
The Forest Practices Authority (FPA) administers the forest practices system, set up under the Forest Practices Act 1985.
Most forest practices will require a forest practices plan (FPP). There are some exceptions to this, which are outlined in the Forest Practices Regulations 2017. Use Check Before You Chop to see if any of these exemptions apply to you.
FPPs must comply with the Forest Practices Code and are usually prepared by Forest Practice Officers (FPOs) on behalf of the land owner or forest manager. FPPs must be certified by an FPO before they are put into practice.
At the end of each stage of the FPP, FPOs submit reports detailing the operation's compliance with the plan to the FPA.
Landowners, forest managers and the industry are legally responsible for ensuring that their forest practices comply with the Code.
The FPA annually assesses a representative sample of FPPs and has powers to issue notices, impose fines or take legal action to ensure compliance with the Code.
More information on the forest practices system.
Forest practices system leaflet Sep 21 printable version PDF (PDF 2.9 MB)