Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014.

The purpose of the Code is to provide direction to timber harvesting managers, harvesting entities and operators to deliver sound environmental performance when planning for and conducting commercial timber harvesting operations in a way that: permits an economically viable, internationally competitive, sustainable timber industry; is compatible with the conservation of the wide range of environmental, social and cultural values associated with forests; provides for the ecologically sustainable management of native forests proposed for cyclical timber harvesting operations; and enhances public confidence in the management of timber production in Victoria's forests and plantations.
The Code applies to the planning and conducting of all commercial timber production and timber harvesting operations on both public and private land in Victoria. Timber harvesting operations are defined in the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 as any felling, cutting, removing and haulage activities carried out for the purposes of sale or processing and sale of timber. The Code does not apply to the collection or production of firewood for domestic use. Any roading, tending, regeneration or rehabilitation activities conducted in association with a timber harvesting operation are by definition, also a timber harvesting operation
The Code applies to all land in the State of Victoria that is either being used for or is intended to be used for timber production or timber harvesting operations. These include public land (Chapter two) and private land and leased Crown land (Chapters three and four). The Code does not apply to domestic firewood collection or production, agroforestry, windbreaks or other amenity plantings, or to the occasional felling of trees for local uses on the same property or by the same landowner or manager. Small plantations and woodlots are also exempt from the Code, as are plantings established for non-commercial purposes. The Code does not apply to revegetation conducted for the purposes of erosion or salinity control. Compliance with this Code is mandatory also for any person planning for or conducting a timber harvesting operation on State forest.
The six Code principles are that: 1) Biological diversity and the ecological characteristics of native flora and fauna within forests are maintained; 2) The ecologically sustainable long-term timber harvesting capacity of forests managed for timber harvesting is maintained or enhanced; 3) Forest ecosystem health and vitality is monitored and managed to reduce pest and weed impacts; 4) Soil and water assets within forests are conserved. River health is maintained or improved; 5) Cultural heritage values within forests are protected and respected; 6) Planning is conducted in a way that meets all legal obligations and operational requirements.