Rules and Regulations
Recreational pursuits and club activities are generally permitted in State forest, including mountain bike riding, horse riding, scout events, weddings, social club outings, orienteering and fossicking. However, special conditions may apply in some zones and permits are required for club and large scale events (generally greater than 25 people).
Further information and application forms for the following are found in the Permits section of this website:
Safety on Public Land
The Safety on Public Land Act 2004 (Section 4(1) ) creates a provision to declare public safety zones.
The intent of public safety zones is to:
- protect flora and fauna — for example, to allow rehabilitation of a site in a heavily used area or, to allow for forest regeneration following a bushfire or other disturbance
- protect water, soil, natural, cultural or historical values such as: restricting access to water supply infrastructure; to minimise soil erosion following heavy rainfalls; or to temporarily restrict vehicle traffic to a historic mine or other place of significance
- ensure the safe conduct of timber harvesting operations
- better manage public recreational activities such as restricting access to allow for preparation for public events such as car rallies, music festivals or orienteering events
- protect sites where scientific or research investigations or educational activities are being conducted
- allow the orderly and safe management of fuel reduction and fire suppression activities
- maintain public safety in events such as landslips and floods.
Public Safety Zones
Declarations of public safety zones are published in the Victoria Government Gazette. The document produced by DSE and sent to the gazette containing all the Public Safety Zones declarations are made available here, on this site, when public safety zones are in operation.
Gazetted Public Safety Zones
The files below contains the information published in the Victorian Government Gazette. The published Gazette can be viewed by selecting the Victorian Government Gazette link - above
The document below lists the declared Public Safety Zones and specifications that are printed in the Gazette for the period of 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 inclusive.
Public Safety Zones delcared in the General Gazette G26, 25 June 2009 pp1647-1695 (PDF - 537 KB)The document below lists the declared Public Safety Zones and specifications that are printed in the Gazette for the period of 6 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 inclusive.
Public Safety Zones delcared in the Special Gazette S 232, 6 July 2009 pp1-12 (PDF - 61 KB)Public Safety Zone Maps
The following files are maps that display the locality of the gazetted Public Safety Zones. The files are large and may take some time to download.
These maps may be viewed in print at the Department of Sustainability and Environment head office, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne 3002 and regional offices at Bendigo, Ballarat, Benalla, Bairnsdale and Traralgon. To view the maps at the DSE head office, an appointment must be made with the Forestry Operations Project Officer, enquire at the customer service centre 136 186.
- Public Safety Zones - Statewide Map
Public Safety Zones General Gazette G26, 25 June 2009 State Overview map (PDF - 3.3 MB) Public Safety Zones Special Gazette S 232, 6 July 2009 State Overview Map (PDF - 3.3 MB)- Public Safety Zones - South West Land and Fire Area Map
Public Safety Zones General Gazette G26, 25 June 2009 South West Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 2.6 MB)- Public Safety Zones - North West Land and Fire Area Map
Public Safety Zones General Gazette G26, 25 June 2009 North West Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 2.0 MB) Public Safety Zones Special Gazette S 232, 6 July 2009 North West Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 2.0 MB)- Public Safety Zones - Central Land and Fire Area Map
Public Safety Zones General Gazette G26, 25 June 2009 Central Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 1.9 MB) Public Safety Zones Special Gazette S 232, 6 July 2009 Central Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 1.9 MB)- Public Safety Zones - North East Land and Fire Area Map
Public Safety Zones General Gazette G26, 25 June 2009 North East Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 2.8 MB) Public Safety Zones Special Gazette S 232, 6 July 2009 North East Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 2.8 MB)- Public Safety Zones - East Gippsland Land and Fire Area Map
Public Safety Zones General Gazette G26, 25 June 2009 East Gippsland Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 2.2 MB) Public Safety Zones Special Gazette S 232, 6 July 2009 East Gippsland Land & Fire Area Map (PDF - 2.2 MB)Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.