Forest Practices Planning
Tasmania has a comprehensive planning system for forestry. The forest practices legislation, policies, and processes we have in Tasmania are second to none in Australia and Tasmania was the first state to introduce such a system. No other agricultural activity has the level of control exercised over it as does forestry in Tasmania.
A certified Forest Practices Plan must be produced prior to any operation and it must detail how natural and cultural values will be protected. At the completion of all operations, a Forest Practices Officer must certify that the Forest Practices Plan was properly implemented through a Certificate of Compliance. This applies to all operations. In addition the Forest Practices Authority independently assesses a sample of about 15% of forest operations each year to ensure that standards continue to be maintained. From time to time 100% audits are applied.
The FPA can prosecute and levy heavy fines for non-compliance.