Queensland timber plantation owners and operators can now access the Timber Plantation Operations Code of Practice for Queensland, a guide that outlines how to comply with all laws and with accepted principles for sound plantation management. Source: Timberbiz
Rod McInnes, CEO Timber Queensland will launch the Timber Plantation Operations Code of Practice for Queensland at the Institute of Foresters of Australia Queensland Division Annual General Meeting.
Mr McInnes said the new Code aims to ensure commercial timber plantations are profitable whilst being environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.
“The Code complements all Acts, regulations, State government policies, local government planning schemes and local laws that relate to the development of new plantation areas, “ said Rod McInnes.
“It really provides everyone involved in running an existing or establishing a new commercial plantation in Queensland with a level playing field.
“Every person from the landowner, the plantation owner and the plantation manager to the harvest manager and any employees and contractors employed to work in a plantation can access the Code to understand the voluntary standards they should strive to meet.”
Mr McInnes said that the Code is ‘tenure blind’ which means it can be voluntarily applied by plantation operators over any land tenure in Queensland.
Mr McInnes acknowledges the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for their funding support through the Queensland Forest and Timber Industry Plan to develop the new Code.
The Timber Plantation Operations Code of Practice for Queensland is available to download from Timber Queensland’s website at www.timberqueensland.com.au/Growing/Plantation-operations-code-of-practice.aspx
