Visual landscape management
Planning tools valid from 19 October 2022
The VLM planning tools were reviewed and updated in 2022. There is a transition period from 19 October 2022 to 31 December 2022 where FPPs may be prepared with either the previous or new planning tools. From 1 January 2023, all FPPs to be certified must use the new planning tools. An explanatory video is available upon request from the FPA.
FPA process for visual landscape special values assessment and planning (PDF 296.1 KB)
Landscape evaluation sheet (DOCX 41.0 KB)
Planning tools valid up to 1 January 2023
Flowchart of FPA process for visual landscape special values assessment and planning (PDF 948.7 KB)
Visuals Technical Note 2 - Visual analysis procedure (PDF 533.4 KB)
Visual landscape evaluation sheet (DOCX 50.4 KB)
Skyline Management Technical Note
Skyline management for dry and high-altitude forests (PDF 568.3 KB)
Manual for forest landscape management
The Manual for forest landscape management was developed for use with native forest on public lands, along with some comments on exotic pine forests and their place in the landscape. The manual was republished in 2006 without the obsolete chapters 3 and 5.
Landscape manual background and contents page (PDF 138.6 KB)
Landscape manual chapter abstracts (PDF 72.3 KB)
Landscape manual chapters
Chapter 1 - Visual landscape awareness (PDF 2.8 MB) pages 12-36
This chapter defines principles of visual perceptual of humans which can assist our appreciation and analysis of the inherent visual character and visual values of a landscape. It further provides a basis from which to understand the landscape and begin to identify the likely effects on viewing of proposed forest management changes.
Chapter 2 - Visual management system (PDF 2.8 MB) pages 38-57
Both the viewing exposure to the public and the inherent attractivity of the visual landscape affect the sensitivity of landscape where forest operations may occur. The Visual Management System takes a step by step approach to assessment of the total landscape into graded zones. This provides a mapped inventory of relative viewing sensitivity.
Chapter 4 - Visual absorption capability (PDF 1.1 MB) pages 72-96
Each part of the landscape has different inherent capability to visually withstand or absorb management activities. A range of detailed parameters of the land that determine this capability are defined in this chapter. These can be identified and measured on a systematic basis to provide an inventory of values or, they may be used on a site by site, coupe by coupe basis.
Chapter 6 - Landscape design for native forest operations (PDF 4.6 MB) pages 120-154
Examples of visual design alternatives for operational are given. These cover a range of generic solutions to address the widely varied landscapes, forests and operational types occurring within the state and can be reviewed to determine visually successful operational designs for particular situations.
Chapter 7 - Landscape character types of Tasmania (PDF 3.0 MB) pages 156-184
A regional framework of 10 'landscape character types' is described for Tasmania. The types are specific regions within which scenic quality is assessed independently to provide classes for input into mapping of landscape priority zones under the visual management system (defined in chapter 2). The types particularly exemplify the scenic diversity existing across the state, within a moderate-sized area. As well, the types are a convenient starting point for definition of more detailed local-scale landscape character areas-each possessing an individual sense of place and viewing extremity.