Plantation design is a key component of planning. It is site specific, and requires an understanding of intended forest operations and potential impacts on forest productivity, the environment and neighbouring land.

Relevant Guiding Principles: Planning, Principles of Environmental Care, Access

4.1 NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

4.1.1 Soil Resources

Management of a soil resource includes consideration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil.

Mandatory Requirements

All landowners have an obligation to manage and protect soil resources and prevent the degradation of land. This includes any change in the quality of land, or any loss of soil that has an adverse effect on water, native vegetation or other natural resources associated with, or reliant on, that land.

• Natural Resources Management Act 2004

Industry Practices

Identify the suitability of a site for plantation forestry by assessing soil characteristics and classifying land capability class or classes. One method for assessment is detailed in Appendix 5 – Plantation Forestry Land Capability Classification System.

Forest plantations should not occur on land with a slope exceeding 20 degrees.

• Planning SA’s Forestry Module

Identify appropriate management tools to protect, maintain and improve, where practicable, the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Some options are detailed in Appendix 5 – Plantation Forestry Land Capability Classification System, and can be incorporated in forest management plans.

Consider soil resources management issues for the region. Priorities are detailed in regional Natural Resources Management Plans. Contact the relevant Natural Resources Management Board (www.nrm.sa.gov.au) for further information.

4.1.2 Water Resources

The protection of water resources includes a consideration of water quality and water quantity. Surface water and groundwater systems are managed to varying degrees in South Australia.

For the purpose of protecting this natural resource during forest operations, three broad categories are identified:

• drainage lines
• watercourses (1st & 2nd order), sinkholes (no-direct connection to aquifer)
• watercourses (3rd & 4th order), lakes, reservoirs, wetlands and sinkholes (direct connection to aquifer).

Mandatory Requirements

It is the duty of the landowner, whose land contains or is adjacent to, a watercourse, wetland or lake, to take reasonable measures to prevent or minimise harm to the resource. This includes damage to the bed and banks of the watercourse, wetland or lake and the ecosystems that depend on them. There are specific regulations for ‘water protection areas’ as declared under the Environment Protection Act 1993 and River Murray Act 2003, ‘water protection zones’ as declared under the Development Act 1993, and prescribed water resources as declared under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. The appropriate government authority should be contacted for further information.

• Development Act 1993
• Environment Protection Act 1993
• Natural Resources Management Act 2004
• River Murray Act 2003
• Waterworks Act 1932
• Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003

The erection, construction or enlargement of any structure that collects or diverts water flowing over land in a prescribed ‘surface water area’, requires authorisation in the form of a water licence or permit.

• Natural Resources Management Act 2004

Regional Water Allocation Plans or Natural Resources Management Plans may impose plantation design restrictions on new or subsequent plantings. The appropriate regional Natural Resources Management Board (www.nrm.sa.gov.au) should be contacted for further information.

• Natural Resources Management Act 2004
• Natural Resources Management (General) Regulations 2005

Industry Practices

The natural drainage or surface flow of a site should be maintained.

Artificial drains (i.e. culverts, run-offs and constructed drains) should be incorporated into natural drainage lines to manage water flows onto or away from plantation areas.

Forest operations should be planned and conducted in such a manner as to avoid the entry of soil and other pollutants into a water resource.

Appropriate management tools should be identified to protect water resources, dependent on the assessment of risk for each site.

Management tools may include the use of buffer or filter zones, temporary or seasonal restrictions on the timing of forest operations, road closures, and where required, remedial or engineering works. Details can be incorporated into forest management plans.

Guidance for use and details of buffer and filter zones are available in Appendix 6 – Buffer and Filter Zones for Forest Operations.

Monitoring programs for the effectiveness of management tools and other off-site impacts should be implemented.

The retention of existing native vegetation and re-establishment of indigenous native vegetation adjacent to water resources is encouraged.

Consider regional water resources management issues. Priorities are detailed in Natural Resources Management Plans or Water Allocation Plans. Some information is provided in Appendix 3 – Region Specific Issues, otherwise contact the relevant Natural Resources Management Board (www.nrm.sa.gov.au) or water management authority for further information.

4.1.3 Biodiversity

The management of biodiversity values within and surrounding the plantation estate includes the plants, animals and other organisms, and the ecosystems and processes of which they are a part.

Mandatory Requirements

Forest owners and managers must identify biodiversity assets and protect and manage them in accordance with relevant acts, regulations and with reference to regional Natural Resources Management Plans.

Commonwealth

• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Species Profile and Threats Database for species and ecological communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

State

• National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
• Native Vegetation Act 1991
• Natural Resources Management Act 2004
• Natural Resources Management (General) Regulations 2005
• Wilderness Protection Act 1992

Refer to Appendix 3 – Region Specific Issues for specific items.

Industry Practices

A plantation should not occur within a separation distance of 50 metres from a reserve gazetted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 or Wilderness Protection Act 1992. Firebreaks and access tracks may be included within these areas.

• Planning SA’s Forestry Module

Forest plantations should not be established where they will either cause or require the clearance of valued trees or substantially intact strata of vegetation.

• Planning SA’s Forestry Module

To minimise damage to the root zone of individual or clumps of scattered native vegetation, a 10 metre buffer zone from native vegetation is recommended. A wider buffer zone may be required to allow vehicle access between the plantation and larger clumps of scattered native vegetation.

The identification, protection, management and, where possible, enhancement of biodiversity assets should be included when developing forest management plans.

Engage with the community and government agencies involved in biodiversity conservation projects and initiatives.

Consider biodiversity management issues relevant for the site and region with reference to relevant documents and communication with stakeholders. Regional priorities are detailed in relevant Natural Resources Management Plans and are available from regional Natural Resources Management Boards (www.nrm.sa.gov.au).

Refer to national, state and regional plans and strategies for biodiversity conservation.

• No Species Loss: A Nature Conservation Strategy for South Australia 2007–2017
• State Natural Resources Management (NRM) Plan 2006
• Species Profile and Threats Database for species and ecological communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

4.2 UTILITIES, DWELLINGS AND CULTURAL/HERITAGE VALUES

The presence of utility infrastructure, dwellings and sites of cultural or heritage value, on or adjacent to the plantation estate, may impact on the design of the plantation.

Mandatory Requirements

It is the landowner’s responsibility to ensure that any trees planted near powerlines are not a hazard to life and property.

• Electricity Act 1996
• Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 1996

Forest operations carried out near live electric conductors (i.e. powerlines) must adhere to safe work practices.

• Electricity (General) Regulations 1997

Forest owners and managers must identify archaeological, palaeontologic and heritage sites or values, and determine any protection and/or notification requirements.

Commonwealth

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984

State

• Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988
• Heritage Places Act 1993

Industry Practices

Manage appropriate clearance easements along powerlines. Further details are available in Appendix 4 – Trees and Clearance from Powerlines in South Australia.

Liaise with power utilities to understand risk management protocols on days of extreme fire danger.

The plantation boundary and forest operations associated with establishment, management and harvesting must be set back by 50 metres from dwellings (including those on adjoining allotments). Firebreaks and access tracks may be included within set back areas. Further fuel modification measures may be required based on a risk assessment.

• Planning SA’s Forestry Module
• Forest Owners Conference Plantation Design Guidelines 2003

Identify cultural and heritage values, and protect and enhance where possible, in consultation with stakeholders and with reference to relevant documents.

Notify the appropriate department about significant Aboriginal sites, or if any items are found during the course of development.

• Overview – The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, March 2007

4.3 ROAD, TRACK AND FIREBREAK DESIGN

Industry Practices

When planning roads, tracks and firebreaks consideration should be given to an efficient network that meets multiple objectives, is safe and minimises impact on the environment.

Forest industry requirements for firebreaks and vehicle access for fire trucks are detailed in:

• Forest Owners Conference Plantation Design Guidelines 2003
• Plantation Design Guidelines – Farm Forestry 2006

The location and design of roads and tracks needs to:

- Minimise the number of watercourse crossings and interference with natural drainage lines.
- Minimise the disturbance of watercourses, drainage lines and other site values through the use of drains, culverts, fords and bridges.
- Facilitate drainage by following ridge tops, avoiding steep and unstable slopes and minimising earth works.
- Allow for appropriate drainage that directs surface run-off into buffer zones before entering watercourses and wetlands.
- Include vegetated buffer zones when adjacent to any nearby watercourses and/or wetlands.
- Avoid dead ends where possible. If it is necessary to create a dead end road/track, it must be signposted and a turnaround suitable for a standard fire truck provided at the end.

• Forest Owners Conference Plantation Design Guidelines 2003
• Plantation Design Guidelines – Farm Forestry 2006

Design for permanent roads should be based on site conditions, traffic volume, seasonal use and access around buffer and filter zones and set back areas.

• Unsealed Roads Manual: Guidelines to Good Practice. Revised August 2000. ARRB Group

Consult with public road management authorities regarding the location and nature of access points onto the local road network.

Further detail on road construction and maintenance is provided in Chapter 8 – Roading.