Compliance incident in Wild Cattle Creek
In July 2020, Forestry Corporation harvested nine trees should have been protected as wildlife habitat. In March 2020 the Land and Environment Court delivered a sentencing judgement.
Forestry Corporation sincerely apologised for removing nine trees that were required to be protected and have taken significant steps to address the issue and prevent this from happening again.
We have permanently protected 36 additional trees in the compartment with guidance from an expert ecologist, applying a 4:1 replacement ratio. We have also funded the installation of 12 nest boxes to provide habitat for a range of species.
These measures are in addition to more than 400 hollow bearing trees that had already been identified and retained in the operational area as well hundreds of other trees set aside for other environmental purposes in this selective harvesting operation. Since the error occurred, the harvested area has regenerated
We immediately reviewed and updated our standard operating procedures and staff training. These changes ensure the relevant regulations are clearly communicated and understood by our staff and contractors, minimising the risk of similar errors in future operations.
As part of sentencing, we participated in a restorative justice process that included representatives of the local Aboriginal community. In lieu of a fine, the court has ordered for a payment to the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation to fund actions identified by community representatives through the restorative justice process.
The operation in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest in July 2020 was one of the first to take place under the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval (CIFOA). The CIFOA introduced a category of trees identified as giant trees. The CIFOA requires giant trees to be identified based on measurement at stump height (30cm above the ground). This was a new requirement and at the time of the incident. Six trees were measured at the incorrect height and so were not identified as giant trees as defined in the CIFOA.
Three trees were also identified as having basal hollows in an area where all trees with hollows were required to be retained. During its planning process, Forestry Corporation identified and retained more than 400 hollow bearing trees in the operational area. Regrettably three trees which were harvested were subsequently found to have hollows that were not identified in the planning phase.
The EPA issued a Stop Work Order in July 2020 and operations were immediately suspended.
As soon as the EPA issued its stop work order, Forestry Corporation took immediate steps to understand the cause of the issues. Forestry Corporation then undertook a root cause analysis and recommendations were implemented in full.
Forestry Corporation has updated its training and developed new resources and procedures to assist its employees and contractors to identify and preserve retained trees.
In the years since the offences occurred Forestry Corporation has continued to improve its processes for how staff are trained and how pre-harvest searches are undertaken.
With advice and input from an expert ecologist, Forestry Corporation identified and permanently protected 36 additional trees in the compartment, to replace the trees harvested in error on a 4:1 basis. Forestry Corporation also funded the installation of 12 ‘nest boxes’ to provide habitat for a range of species. The compartment has been harvested and regrown many times in the past and has been regrown since this operation.
Restorative justice is a process to better understand the impact a breach like this has on the community and identify positive outcomes for the future. Forestry Corporation participated in a restorative justice process as part of sentencing.
In lieu of a fine, the court has ordered for a payment to the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation to fund actions identified by the community through the restorative justice process.
The operation in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest in 2020 was selective harvesting. Forestry operations produce a full range of essential timber products. The primary objective of this operation was to produce renewable high quality timber products such as those used for power poles, bridge decking, floorboards and furniture for the community.