Victoria Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh

New Public Safety Zones In Victoria’s Working Forests

Victor P Taffa

The Victorian Coalition Government is taking a tougher approach towards people who trespass in operational timber harvesting coupes.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said trespassers put everyone on the harvesting site in danger, including themselves and the officers who must attend to ensure their safe removal.

“Operational coupes can be hazardous worksites and require careful management due to the large equipment, heavy logs, noise levels and the nature of the activity.” Mr. Walsh said.

“The Coalition Government has remade the declaration for public safety zones for timber harvesting to place a clear and certain prohibition on access within 150 metres of operational timber harvesting coupes.”

“It is now an offence to enter a public safety zone if timber harvesting operations are occurring. Previously, trespassers only faced charges when they interfered with timber harvesting. Trespassers can also be charged if they cause an object or substance to enter a public safety zone.”

“Trespassers who engage in disruptive or dangerous actions may also face charges under existing offences which include failing to comply with the direction of an authorised officer to leave a public safety zone, and re-entering a public safety zone contrary to the direction of an authorised officer.” Mr. Walsh said.

Forestry public safety zones within State forests now encompass any coupe specified in a Timber Release Plan or Wood Utilisation Plan plus a 150 metre safety buffer, where public access is prohibited from the start until the end of timber harvesting operations in that zone.

“However, the new public safety zones will now take up less area in our State forests as they more accurately reflect coupe boundaries, with a buffer, and will only apply when timber harvesting operations are occurring.” Mr. Walsh said.

“This will benefit recreational forest users as they no longer block out big squares of State forest as occurred under previous arrangements where four square co-ordinates defined the boundaries.”

Mr. Walsh said the new approach opens up more forest for recreational users and provides a clearer regulatory framework to ensure better public safety and a more productive industry.

“This is a win for local communities, recreational forest users and the timber industry.” Mr. Walsh said.

Mr. Walsh said the Coalition Government was working hard to maintain public safety and protect the rights of Victorians to conduct lawful commercial activities in State forests.

“Victoria’s native timber industry provides important economic support to many of our regional towns and employs around 11,000 Victorians.” Mr. Walsh said.

“The timber from our native forests is sourced sustainably and plays a crucial role in Victoria’s forestry industry and in providing renewable products.”