- Date:
- 30 June 2023
The approach to the regulation of Koala management in blue gum plantations seeks to minimise impacts to Koalas in blue gum plantations.
Regulatory Guide
Regulatory Guides are intended to provide information on the legislative and regulatory framework, how to comply and how the Conservation Regulator will ensure compliance. This document provides information on the regulatory requirements on blue gum plantation owners and managers to minimise the impact to Koalas while enabling the harvest of blue gums. It outlines who needs an authorisation, the obligations of those persons, and how to comply. It also describes how the Conservation Regulator will oversee authorisations, compliance and enforcement.
Conservation Regulator
The Conservation Regulator was established by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) now known as Department for Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), in 2019 following an independent review of DELWP’s approach to timber harvesting regulation in Victoria’s public native forests. The Conservation Regulator oversees DEECA’s regulatory functions.
Glossary
Unless inconsistent with context or subject matter, each word or phrase defined in this glossary has the following meaning when used in this guide
Introduction
Plantations are an important part of supplying domestic and international timber needs and blue gums (Eucalyptus globulus) form part of this key resource.
Legislative and regulatory framework
All wildlife in Victoria are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 (Wildlife Act) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act).
How to comply
Once you have determined your plantation management operations are likely to disturb Koalas, you must apply to the Conservation Regulator for an authorisation.
Monitoring and enforcing compliance
The Conservation Regulator’s approach to compliance and enforcement will be consistent with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy (DELWP 2019).
Appendix 1 Timber Harvesting Plans
Timber Harvesting Plan guidance for Councils and plantation owners and managers regarding the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014.
Appendix 2 Koala Index
The Koala Index was developed by the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research with a generalised linear model (GLM) using a Poisson distribution (Zuur, Ieno, and Smith 2007).
References and further information
References and further information in relation to minimising impacts to Koalas in blue gum plantations.
Updated