Forest operations are regulated in Tasmania, including on private land
Understand your legal responsibilities before starting any kind of forest practice. This includes getting the right approvals for your planned activities.
Tasmanian legislation and regulations define how forestry activities can be carried out across the state. They apply to anyone conducting forestry activities, including on private land and in farm forestry. Guidelines and standards help to protect natural and cultural values, forest health and the safety of workers.
Understand your obligations and opportunities before you start work.
A "forest practice" is defined as activities relating to:
Take time to understand your responsibilities. You should be aware of:
A legal requirement before conducting forest practices. Plans set out intended activities and must be certified by a Forest Practices Officer.
Guidelines and standards to protect natural and cultural forest values during forest practices.
Safety measures to protect and improve the safety of people working within Tasmania’s forestry industry.
Learn more about these regulations and standards, and find links to useful resources:
Find out if you need a Forest Practices Plan for your planned work, with the FPA’s interactive tool.
Do you need a Plan?A Forest Practices Officer (FPO) is appointed by the FPA. FPOs visit properties to help landholders understand the forest practices system, plan their operations and prepare a Forest Practices Plan.
A private timber reserve is an area of private land set aside for forestry purposes. It may be an area of native forest, a tree plantation or land intended to be planted in the near future.
The main benefits of declaring your land as a private timber reserve are:
Learn more about private timber reserves, including benefits and how to apply:
Private timber reservesPlantation trees are a valuable long-term investment. But they are unfortunately vulnerable to fire risk and other natural disturbances.
While getting insurance for your plantation is not a legal requirement, it is highly recommended to protect your investment.
Insurance can cover standing plantations, as well as plantation and timber stacked during harvest, and re-establishment costs.
Learn more about protecting your plantation, including fire prevention measures: