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Wood Utilisation Plans

Victoria uses a comprehensive and rigorous planning process to ensure that natural, cultural and catchment values found on State forests are protected, while allowing for sustainable wood production. Planning takes place at strategic and at operational levels.

Wood Utilisation Plans for 2009/10 to 2011/12

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has published the Wood Utilisation Plans (WUPs) for the period 2009/10 to 2011/12 for the Forest Management Areas across Victoria. The WUPs indicate the planned areas for sawlog, firewood and minor forest produce production for the period 2009/10 to 2011/12. Operations may commence from July 2009.

To view WUPs for 2009/10 to 2011/12 for your region, click on the appropriate region on the map below.

To access the Wood Utilisation Plan for your region, please click on the map below. Please Note: The Wood Utilisation Plans are stored in the Regional Information area of the site.


East Gippsland Tambo North East Central Gippsland Benalla / Mansfield Central Dandenong Mid Murray Midlands Bendigo Otway Portland Horsham Mildura

About Wood Utilisation Plans

Strategic planning

At the strategic level, major public land use decisions are established by the Victorian Government, following recommendations by the Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC). Victoria is also a signatory to the National Forest Policy Statement, which has among its aims to provide for:

  • the current and future range of commercial and non-commercial uses
  • nature conservation and the maintenance of forest biological diversity
  • regional economic development and employment opportunities.

An outcome of the National Forest Policy Statement has been the development of Regional Forest Agreements.

Victoria is divided into 14 Forest Management Areas (FMAs) for forest management purposes. Each FMA has, or will have, a Forest Management Plan that establishes strategies for integrating the use of State forest for wood production and other purposes with the conservation of natural, aesthetic and cultural values.

Operational planning

At an operational level, a three-year Wood Utilisation Plan (WUP) is prepared annually for each FMA. Coupes scheduled in a WUP are selected for harvesting on the basis that they contain the required quantities and mix of wood products can be supplied using sound silvicultural practices and environmental care. A WUP is prepared in accordance with the relevant Forest Management Plan and the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production 2007.

For each commercial harvesting operation in State forest, Forest Coupe Plans are prepared. These plans contain a map identifying the area and a schedule incorporating the specifications and conditions under which the operation is to be administered and controlled. These plans can be viewed at the relevant Department of Environment and Primary Industries offices.

Coupes in allocated forest stands in eastern Victoria where harvesting operations and roading activities will be managed by VicForests are not scheduled in a WUP. Under legislation, VicForests is required to prepare a Timber Release Plan for approval by the Secretary.

Disclaimer

The Wood Utilisation Plan may not be in its final form. It may be amended from time to time. DEPI maintains a record of amendments to the WUP. If you wish to inspect any amendments, contact the relevant DEPI office to arrange a suitable viewing time.

The Wood Utilisation Plan is based on supplying the licensed volume.

The location and boundaries of proposed coupes shown on the attached maps are only approximate and indicative. The precise boundary of any coupe will be identified on site by DEPI before harvesting begins, in accordance with the Code of Forest Practice for Timber Production.