business review report – sustainable forest …...business review report – sustainable forest...

Business review report – Sustainable Forest Management

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE Rev: 8 2-Sep-19

Client Name / Business name Reliance Forest Fibre Group Certification Scheme Date(s) of review: Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th May 2019 Type of review Stage 1 pre-certification; Stage 2 certification;

Surveillance post certification; Re-certification; Follow up or special audit

Site visited (include address) 148 Mobil Road, Bell Bay, TAS 7253. Active forest sites: [1] Trethewie [Plan № HRB0097] - Recently active coupe of 36.8 hectares E.nitens plantation at Blessington. This site was “Inactive” when visited November 2018. [2] Calvert’s [Plan № ALJ0063-01] - Active thinning operation of 73.7 hectares E.nitens plantation at Tayene. [3] Glasli [Plan № HRB0103-01] - Active clearfall harvest operation of E.globulus/nitens plantation at Flowery Gully.

Certification standard AS 4708:2013 Scope of activities within the scope of certification (short description)

Group certification with Reliance Forest Fibre Pty Ltd as Group Manager and a small number of Group Members.

Scope of the audit / review Two active sites managed by different group members, one inactive site, the Group Manager’s office and focus on AS4708 criteria 1.5, 2, 3 and 6.

Names of review team members:

Wayne Tibbits

Name of Global-Mark Client Manager, and signatory to this report:

Wayne Tibbits

Brief description of the FMUs [Forest Management Units]

Plantation forests, mostly Eucalyptus nitens.

Brief description of the DFA [Defined Forest Area] including its area as advised to the Scheme Owner (including updates)

Mostly in northern Tasmania comprising 4,527.1 hectares across about 20 sites.

Guidance as to how to obtain further details of the DFA may be accessed

Refer to new website has been under development for Reliance Forest Fibre Pty Ltd:

www.relianceforestfibre.com.au Exclusions to the standard/management system

As per Post Certification Plan, criteria 2-7, except parts of 2 that are scheduled at each audit.

Name of Management Representative

Mr Heath Blair

Review team declaration: We confirm that for the purpose of this review:

• We did not have any conflict of interest with and is fully independent from the company listed above • We had the review team has sufficient resources, and competences to complete its review and reach its

conclusions, • We had the appropriate credentials to perform this review in accordance with Global-Mark and applicable

accreditation requirements. Comment and disclaimer on this report:

• This report does not and should not be seen as advice. Please consult a qualified advisor or consultant for advice.

• Due to the sampling nature of third party business reviews, the time available and samples size, some issues, non-compliances or improvements might not have been identified in the present report. This does not imply that these issues do not exist, or are in compliance. Employees, management and other stakeholders of the organization need to and are responsible for, continuously identifying and taking necessary controls to ensure continued compliance with the standard(s), and improvement.

• Readers of this report should make judgement taking the above into account. • The report is confidential, and is owned by the organization listed above, Global-Mark Pty Ltd and the

review team members who participated in its preparation. The summary of it is publicly available through Global-Mark.

• Global-Mark reserves the right to make this report available to regulators, and/or funding providers if requested.

Global-Mark Pty Ltd, Copyright 2018 of 14

Attendance to opening and exit meeting (record below or refer to scanned attendance sheet) Name (s) Opening meeting Closing meeting

Heath Blair – Group Manager; Mike Wilkinson – Certification Officer; Present; Not Present; Not

Wayne Tibbits – Global-Mark auditor Present; Not Present; Not

Danny Peet – BBCT Manager Present; Not Present; Not


1 Review team conclusions

Please note that the scope of the certification and audit is for a group forest management scheme, and not that of the entity Reliance Forest Fibre Pty Ltd, which is the Group Manager of the Group Entity, named Reliance Forest Fibre Group Certification Scheme. Throughout this report references will be made to the client, the organisation, forest manager or Group Entity. These all relate to the certified entity as a whole. References may also be made to Reliance Forest Fibre [RFF], which is one of four Group Members as well as Group Manager. Please refer to the relevant Responsible Wood website documents for definitions.

Audit observations were made, documents inspected and interviews held at this review audit to gather objective evidence for evaluating conformance or non-conformance of the management system with the requirements of the forest management standard, as applied to a Group Scheme. Central to the context in which the system operates is the Forest Practices Plan [FPP] process in Tasmania. This is regulated under the Forest Practices Code [FPC] administered by the Forest Practices Authority [FPA].

During this audit we closed all six previous audit findings that were observations. Previous findings are shown in bold and italic font in the comment section of the report’s main table. The audit team also raised eight new findings, as four observations and four minor nonconformance items. The organisation initiated immediate corrective action for all of the minor nonconformance findings, which Global-Mark acknowledges. Such action on two and also for one observation was sufficient for the audit team that these three were also closed before the end of the audit. The new findings are shown as red colour font in the comment section of the report’s main table. Comments of this action are shown in bold, italic and red font in the comment section of the report’s main table. Text with green highlight is for emphasis.

The system is still relatively new and some continual improvement has been noted. Specifically the website is being rolled out and system documentation has been refined.

We believe that the organization listed above at the site(s) listed above has the capability to systematically meet the requirements of the Australian Forestry Standard and for the activities/products and sites listed on the Global-Mark scope of certification.

Mandatory reporting checks Audit team leader comments What is their DFA category for PEFC notification fee schedule?

1 to < 5,000 hectares; 5,000 to < 25,000 hectares; 25,000 to < 50,000 hectares; > 50,000 hectares.

Certificate includes a brief description of the geographic locality(ies) of the FMUs comprising the DFA in the scope of certification.

Tasmania.

Certificate includes address for obtaining more information on the DFA (i.e. Summary Reports, DFA maps etc.).

During this audit an update draft was made to the certificate in its wording of the scope. This will include reference to the new website of Reliance Forest Fibre, replacing the former one of “NSFP Smartfibre Pty Ltd.”

Client has maintained records of all communications including complaints and corrective action taken in accordance with the requirements of AS 4708 or NZS AS 4708 (as applicable), and these were available Global-Mark on request. This includes correspondence, recommendations and actions documented by the Scheme Owner.

Email record 14/02/19 to RW for logo use and 4/04/18 from RW on optional wording with logos. Other emails between RFF and CB or consultant.

If there was any breach of regulatory requirements within the scope of certification to AS 4708 or NZS AS 4708, did the client notify Global-Mark in writing within five business days?

None reported by Group Manager.

How does the client maintain a DFA register used that has details of all separately described blocks or forest management units?

Sighted folder “DFA shape files” containing two folders “Current” and “removed”. The organisation has changed maps from 1-4 to now five maps:

1. Central-west with one property = Weetah


Mandatory reporting checks Audit team leader comments 2. North-east 3. Northern Midlands 4. Southern Midlands 5. West Coast

Finding № 24 is rated as an observation - The organisation's mechanism to regularly update a register of all separately described coupes may need review. The following evidence was sighted for "Property of Forest Name": "Timothy" was not in removed folder and was on NE map; [2] "Brosnan" was in DOC-07 Register of Members yet it was in the removed folder and on no map. During the audit the organisation created a "Pending" folder to contain files in the root directory, showed an email to GIS mapping contractor requesting they take Timothy off NE map and then other organisation moved it to "Current" folder. There has been improvement though the new "Pending" folder with moving files and the finding has been closed.

How does the client maintain a system that can track additions and/or deletions to the DFA between audits and that can provide areas and maps of any changes?

DOC-07 Register of members is a spreadsheet. There is a folder “DFA shape files” containing two folders “Current” and “removed”. There are current locations of areas on DFA maps.

Have there been any significant changes to the DFA and if so when did they advise Global-Mark?

The current DFA comprises 4,527.1 hectares. The figure on the Responsible Wood website is 1,425 hectares as at 1,425 hectares. There were also several changes needed, anomalies or errors on this register entry, as follows. 1. The species are totally wrong as “Cypress, Douglas Fir, Larch,

Radiata Pine” with two spelling mistakes. 2. Street address should be “Mobil” not “Mobile”. 3. Website should now be “https://relianceforestfibre.com.au”

How does and when did the client provide the Scheme Owner [Responsible Wood or New Zealand Forest Certification Association] with an annual statement confirming the current DFA?

PROC-13 Defined Forest Area Recording and Reporting Procedure version 2 April-19 requires updates of DFA to Global-Mark and AFS on a schedule of annually or with a change of >25% or when an new group Member joins. At the previous audit we reported “Responsible Wood was emailed by Global-Mark prior to this audit, that the audit was pending and there would be several updates to the client’s details including the DFA.” The updated certificate with revised group members was issued 07/01/19 but DFA did not get updated. Finding № 25 is rated as a minor non-conformance - The organisation has not followed its procedure in PROC-13 points 1 & 2 at bottom of second last page. The following evidence was sighted: No annual DFA update has been provided to Responsible Wood, either annually since Nov-17, or with a >25% change in DFA [218% increase since then]. During the audit the organisation identified corrective action of notifying Responsible Wood and Global-Mark immediately and with regular reminders to do so. These actions were confirmed and the finding has been closed.

How would Global-Mark summarise the most important observations, positive, negative, regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the client’s forest management system and including considerations of compliance risks arising from activities of relevant stakeholders?

The website url = https://relianceforestfibre.com.au Mention is made of Group Scheme certification

What are any applicable qualifications for scale and intensity, as referred to in AS 4708 or NZS AS 4708 (as applicable)?

This applies - Directive to certification bodies notified to provide forest management certification under the Australian Forest Certification Scheme – certification of group forest management May 2014.


Mandatory reporting checks Audit team leader comments

What sampling methodology was used to determine the size of sample of active blocks?

Following the JAS-ANZ scheme requirements, Global-Mark identified that there had been 15 active operations in the three months leading up to the audit. The number of active sites to visit was three, determined as 0.6 x √15 = 3, when rounded up. Only one needed to be a random sample, as 25% of 3 rounded up. Random numbers were generated for all 15 sites with the one closest to 0.5 deemed to be the random site required. This was Trethewie 2, which was the first site visited.

Mandatory logo use checks Audit team leader comments What are the licence registration numbers provided by the Scheme Owner?

We reviewed finding № 18, an observation and closed it. Reliance Forest Fibre Group Scheme applied on 14/11/18 to Responsible Wood for logo usage, with registration numbers RW/1-21-02-XX and PEFC/21-21-02-XX issued. XX =

• 01 for Highland Forest Products, • 03 for Montdown Family Trust, • 04 for Reliance Forest Fibre Pty Ltd and • 05 for Oliver Lindsay.

Where does the client store the licence agreement with the Scheme Owner?

On Drop box, as sighted during this audit.

Where does the client use the PEFC and/or Responsible Wood logos?

These are not used on the website. On 18/04/19 the Procurement & Business Development Manager at RFF emailed Global-Mark with a proposed certification page layout for the website. This was reviewed. Formal approval is not required by Global-Mark. Feedback provided to them was for FSC® alone.

When the client used the PEFC and/or Responsible Wood logos, what essential elements were fulfilled?

The Group Manager and member 01, Highland Forest Products, declared no use of the logos. The Private Forests Tasmania website refers to AFS certification of Highland Forest Products: https://www.pft.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/173762/Highland_Forest_Products_Pty_Ltd_Contact.pdf

In on-product and off-product use, how were the Logos reproduced according to the measurements, colours and other specifications detailed in the respective Logo Reproduction Tool Kit?

There are no known uses of the logos.

What if any additional voluntary information is included?

Not applicable.


2 Review teams findings (major, minor non-conformities or observations)

At the conclusion of this review the following presents the status of new and existing findings:

Number of findings:

Finding Details # Major non-conformities

# Minor non-conformities

# Observations

Total

Findings from previous audit(s) at start [№ 18-23]

0 0 6 6

Findings from above closed during this audit [№ 18-23]

0 0 6 6

New findings opened during this audit [№ 24-31]

0 4 4 8

New findings closed during this audit [№ 24, 25, 27]

0 2 1 3

Findings open at the end of this audit [№ 26, 28-31]

0 2 3 5

Business review report – Sustainable Forest Management

COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE Rev: 8 2-Sep-19

3 Comments in relations to compliance with the standard

Standard heading and number

Photographic evidence used, if applicable

Review team and client manager comments with evidence sighted (traceability of evidence)

Conformance level [NC = nonconformance]

General Requirements: 0.1 – Defined Forest Area

See also mandatory reporting comments above. • 152 hectares of native forest in one coupe at

Bashan with member 05. • One coupe Blue Gum at Giasli. Included this audit. • 26 coupes of E.nitens plantation. • Coupe size ranges 8.1 to 773 hectares.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 0.2 – Chain of Custody

Photo – Logs at Calvert’s property, including natural regenerating wattle, are covered by chain of custody.

The forest manager still uses the ABP software system [Australian Bluegum Plantations] for handling invoicing. • Sighted RCTI RFF-PP1-002024 & vendor record

RFF-000096 on 30/04/19 within this for Group member Highland Forest Products. Appended was itemised list of dockets showing origin, operation number, contractor, coupe and truck details for 4,046 tonnes.

• Sighted similar record for Montdown Family Trust RFF-PPI-002026, for 811 tonnes. There were Smartfibre log dockets for deliveries.

Though neither log docket nor invoice shows a certification claim, the issue of operation numbers for deliveries at RFF BBCT uses RFFWS FRM 006. These show “AFS” certification if valid. • Sighted operation number 2973 from South Rhodes

2, FPP HRB0106 from Montdown Family Trust. • Sighted operation number 3012 from Wadley 2,

FPP SCM0087 from HPF. • Sighted operation number 3013 from South Rhodes

1, HRB0110 from Montdown Family Trust. • Sighted operation number 3014 from Shaw Hayes

2, FPP SCM0082 from HPF. We were unable to sight any RCTI as the person familiar with accessing these was away. April-18 record showed 5,837 tonnes delivered from Highland Forest Products. Finding № 26 is an observation - The minimum, documentation provided for certified forest products in not clearly ensured for forest manager identification. The following evidence was sighted: all examples sighted of RFFWS FRM 006 for Robert Downie did not have his signature though those for HFP did. Finding № 27 is rated as a minor non-conformance - The minimum, documentation provided for certified forest products in not clearly ensured for certified claim. The following evidence was sighted: in all examples sighted of RFFWS FRM 006 the formal claim is stated as "AFS" and not "100% AFS CERTIFIED ". During the audit the organisation identified corrective action whereby the Administration Manager altered the drop-down option to state, "100% AFS certified" in RFFWS FRM 006. This action was confirmed completed and the finding has been closed.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

Criterion 1: Systematic management Forest management shall be undertaken in a systematic manner appropriate to the nature and scale of the






enterprise and provide for continual improvement. 1.1 - Forest

Management policy

We reviewed finding № 19, an observation and closed it. • POL-05 the Forest Management Policy has been

revised as at 01/04/19 to reflect the Reliance Forest Fibre Group Scheme. The General Manager, Owen Hoffmann, signs it. There has been improvement in the system.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 -

These requirements were not due for assessment: Forest Management plan, Implementation of the forest management plan, Monitoring and corrective actions.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 1.5 - Review Photo – Contractor’s

new wheeled harvest machine at Calvert’s property, improves soil compaction and energy use.

We reviewed finding № 20, an observation and closed it. • PROC-10 the Management Review Meetings

Procedure has been revised to version 3 as at 13/03/19 to reflect that the Group Manager facilitates formal management review process.

We reviewed finding № 21, an observation and closed it. • PROC-10 the Management Review Meetings

Procedure has been revised to version 3 as at 13/03/19 to reflect that the training records of Group Members will be on the agenda of the formal management review process.

There has been no review yet in 2019. However, there has been improvement in the system.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

1.6 - Research This requirement was not due for assessment. Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable Criterion 2: Stakeholders Forest management shall demonstrate proactive stakeholder engagement 2.1 - Identify stakeholders

DOC-027 is stakeholder register. This was briefly looked at. The essential characteristics of stakeholders appear sufficient to identify their interests. Though technically, Forestry Tasmania still exists as a registered entity, the organisation has for several years traded as Sustainable Timber Tasmania. Finding № 28 is an observation - The organisation has not necessarily maintained the list of stakeholders, For example, Forestry Tasmania rather than the new entity Sustainable Timber Tasmania is listed and the former address is used.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

2.2 – Stakeholder engagement plan

POL-08 stakeholder engagement policy. DOC-24 Complaint and dispute register exists, yet is empty as no complaints have been received. PROC-012 is version 3 of complaints procedure.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable






2.3 - Stakeholder participation

FMP clearly states: “We want ongoing collaboration with our stakeholders to maintain continual improvement and learning in the way we manage our forests. Reliance Forest Fibre Pty Ltd welcomes feedback at any time, and all comments will be considered for inclusion in our current and future policies, management plans and procedures.” Hence, the Group Manager acts on behalf of whole group.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

2.4 Stakeholders affected by forest operations

Photo – Owner on site of Glasli property, is a stakeholder. Photo – Firewood contractor on site at Trethewie is a stakeholder.

The FPC requires that neighbours be notified of operations under an approved FPP. Sighted Notice of Intent [NOI] issued by members 01 and 04. These are issued to neighbours to advise of forest practices under the FPA. • NOI on 6/02/19 from HFP for harvest of Wadley

site issued to seven entities, including West Tamar Council. Map from thelist.tas.gov.au also sighted.

• NOI posted on 20/03/18 from RFF for harvest of Giasli site issued to four entities, including Meander Valley Council.

• NOI posted on 12/03/19 from RFF for harvest of Johnston site issued to two entities, including Meander Valley Council.

Forest sites visited: • Trethewie 2 – Met firewood cutters on site. They

were contracted by landowner to salvage dry, dead plantation stems not utilizable at time of harvest. This has been a positive impact on them as it increased their business.

• Calvert’s – Met representative from Tasmanian Irrigation whose dam scheme adjoins the site. They are affected and decided to realign a road. This was a positive outcome overall.

• Glasli – The property owner, Dennis, was met on site and interviewed. The operations can potentially impact his sheep farm activities. He was happy with control of forest operations and recent stumpage price rise received for his wood.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

2.5 – Records

Records of NOI sent out are retained. The stakeholder register exists as DOC-027. •

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 2.6 Public disclosures

Public availability of disclosures has been enabled through use of the new RFF website: https://relianceforestfibre.com.au/certifications/

• Forest management plan version 4 at https://relianceforestfibre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Forest-Management-Plan-RFF-Group.pdf

• Summary of most recent audit report at https://relianceforestfibre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Responsible-Wood-Audit-summary-Nov-18.pdf

Finding № 29 is an observation - The organisation's

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable






system to confirm that documents are publically available, which includes your website [https://relianceforestfibre.com.au/certifications/], has not covered all required public disclosures, For example, whilst the website has publicly available summaries that include the Forest Management Plan, DFA maps and the most recent 2017 surveillance audit report, it omits summaries of all the audit reports [plural] provided by the certification body.

Criterion 3: Biodiversity Forest management shall maintain or enhance biodiversity. 3.1 - Identify diversity priorities

Photo – Looking in direction of Wedge Tailed eagle nest at Glasli.

The FPP process is pivotal to identifying biodiversity priorities: Records for FPP № HRB0097 - • Applicant J. Hewitt 16/01/18 • Landowner M.Warren & J. Hewill 16/01/18 • Trethewie 2 property ID 1910380 • Contractor = Broadhurst • Harvesting start-up 18/01/19 signed with FOS plan • Natural Values Atlas Report 04/11/17 – no

threatened flora within 5,000 m. Several threatened fauna within 500 m, based on verified records and more based on range boundaries.

• Tas Management Act Weeds – no priority weeds within 500 m, though thistle, blackberry, willow, ragwort and gorse there. No geo-conservation within 1,000 m.

• Acid sulphate soils within 1,000 m. • TASVEG 3.0 communities within 1,000 m

E.amygdalina and A.dealbata. • Threatened communities [TNVC 2014] within

1,000 m = E.ovata woodland. • Fire history within 1,000 m = 30/03/14 29.34 ha • Reserves within 1,000 m = private reserves • Known biosecurity risks within 1,000 m = none

known. Forest sites visited: • Trethewie 2.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

3.2 - Maintain or enhance biodiversity

Implementation of each FPP is a key mechanism to maintain or enhance biodiversity. Forest site visited: • Trethewie 2.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 3.3 - Identify significant biodiversity values

Records for FPP № HRB0109-01 • Applicant R. Johnston 8/03/19 • Landowner R. Johnston 8/03/19 • Johnston, property ID 6068874 • Contractor = Broadhurst • Biodiversity Values database Search 8/03/19. • No flora prescriptions required. • Several threatened fauna prescriptions = Wedge-

tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Tasmanian Devil, Quoll, Masked Owl, Grey Goshawk, Eastern Barred Bandicoot. If suspected den/nest found, then actions listed are to be followed.

Forest site visited: • Trethewie 2. None present.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable






3.4 - Maintain or enhance significant biodiversity values

Implementation of each FPP is a key mechanism to maintain or enhance significant biodiversity. •

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 3.5 - Monitor biodiversity

1. FM shall monitor biodiversity priorities.

2. FM shall document the biodiversity monitoring.

The organisational scale is too small to do anything for this apart from FPA-related monitoring. •

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 3.6 - Reviews of biodiversity

The FPA process of interacting with Forest Practices Officers [FPO’s] preparing FPP’s is pivotal to reviews of biodiversity. •

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 3.7 – Regeneration

No sites within the DFA are at present actively managed for native forest regeneration.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 3.8 - Introduced genetics

Forest sites visited: • Trethewie 2 – No escaped E.nitens were seen. • Calverts – The trees were producing flower buds

and seed capsules. Finding № 30 was identified and presented to the organisation as a new minor-nonconformance. • The organisation has not fully covered genetic

pollution from plantation species through pollen flow: The following evidence was sighted: Already established shining gum plantation comes into the DFA for clear fall or thinning harvest with no re-establishment, hence, the FPA planning checklist alone does not check this, yet this audit's field visit to one site detected pollen producing plantations and nearby species classified as “high” susceptibility.

• During the audit the organisation's Group Manager identified corrective action whereby Form 28 would be modified to assess risk of genetic pollution when properties are considered for the DFA. These corrective actions will be followed up at the 2020 audit and the finding remains open.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

3.9 – Native vegetation conversion

All sites with operations are plantation. The one native forest has no current forest operations. Hence, there is no native vegetation conversion.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable Criterion 4: Forest Productive Capacity






Forest management shall maintain the productive capacity of forests and land. 4.1 - 4.9 These requirements were not due for assessment. Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable Criterion 5: Forest Ecosystem Health Forest management shall maintain forest ecosystem health and vitality. 5.1 – 5.7 These requirements were not due for assessment. Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable Criterion 6: Protection of Soil and Water Resources Forest management shall protect soil and water resources. 6.1 - Identify soil and water values

The FPP process is pivotal to identifying soil and water values. Each FPP cover page summarises geology, soils, erosion risk, and relevance for domestic water supply. Forest sites visited:

• Trethewie 2 – Little issues in FPP. • Calverts – FPP identified watercourses. • Glasli – FPP identified slope issues.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

6.2 - Water quality

The FPP process is pivotal to catering for protection of water values. Each FPP lists measures to protect water quality. Forest sites visited:

• Trethewie 2 – Nearby stream not compromised.

• Calverts – nearby irrigation dam. • Glasli – No issue detected.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

6.3 - Water quantity

Photo – Class 2 drainage line protected from machines entering at Trethewie.

Sighted email 26/10/18 from group member 01 = HFP to Group Manager. This outlined concern of neighbour to DFA site of Tribolet following their receipt of NOI. Issue of concern was domestic water supplies to two neighbours. Resulted in HFP inspecting three water intakes and determining that harvest operation would have no impact on two due to distance from operation and operation is different catchment. The third being about 80 m from harvest edge, resulted in operational control by avoidance of nearby wet areas and storage of petrochemicals well away.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

6.4 – Soil properties

Section C of FPP covers “harvesting restoration”. Example: FPP HRB0109. Covers landings and snig tracks. Forest sites visited: • Trethewie 2 – Nosignificant erosiion • Calverts – Active operation with acceptable ruts. • Glasli – Tracks rehabilitated.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable






6.5 - Pollution Photo – Evidence sighted at Trethewie pertaining to finding № 31.

Section F of FPP covers “use of fuels, oils etc”. Example: FPP HRB0109. Covers standard points such as “ALL” spills to be contained and cleaned up; threatening environmental harm to be reported to Department of primary Industries Water and Environment; fuel tankers and lubricants to be bunded and located away from stream reserves. Forest sites visited: • Trethewie 2 – See the finding. • Calverts – No pollution noted • Glasli – Same contractor as at Trethewie 2. Finding № 31 was identified and presented to the organisation as a new minor-nonconformance. • The group member 04 in its management of

harvest contractors has had one instance where the disposal of lubricants has not been carried out to avoid soil contamination, as also required in the FPP. The following evidence was sighted: At Trethewie 2, we found three used grease cartridges and one 20 litres container discarded on site.

• During the audit the Group Manager met with the contractor involved, at another site. Corrective action has been identified and the matter will be included in the Group's corrective action register. These corrective actions will be followed up at the 2020 audit and the finding remains open.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

Criterion 7: Carbon Forest management shall maintain or enhance forests' contribution to the carbon cycle. 7.1 – 7.3 These requirements were not due for assessment. Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable Criterion 8: Cultural Values AS4708 = Forest management shall protect and maintain, for Indigenous and non Indigenous people, their natural, cultural, social, recreational, religious and spiritual heritage values. 8.1 - 8.3 These requirements were not due for assessment. Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 8.4 - Legal and traditional uses

We reviewed finding № 22, an observation and closed it. • DOC-28 the Defined Forest Area Addition or

Deletion Form has been revised to version 2 as at 13/03/19 to reflect that there are two notes in the table for the forest that refer to chemicals used and traditional uses including non-timber products. Sighted use for new version 17/03/19 for SGFCS04 Group Member inclusion of property ID 6068874 owned by R. Johnston at Bridgenorth. There has been improvement in the system.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable






Criterion 9: Social and Economic Benefits Forest management shall maintain and enhance long-term social and economic benefits. 9.1 - 9.4 and 9.6 – Workers’ rights

These requirements were not due for assessment. Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable 9.5 - Health and safety

We reviewed finding № 22, an observation and closed it. • 2018-48 corrective action was to have check of

OHS enforcement in forest harvesting and coupe monitoring report through clause 1.9 to check expiry dates of first aid kits, fire extinguishers and PPE. There has been improvement in the system.

Conforms;

Major NC;

Minor NC;

Observation;

Not applicable

End of report

business review report – sustainable forest …...business review report – sustainable forest...

Documents