Under the Queensland Timber Plantation Strategy 2020 the Queensland Government has prepared a DRAFT Standard Code for Forestry for Wood Production, which is to be adopted by Local Governments in their planning schemes where they choose to recognise timber plantation development as a specific type of cropping.
The Standard Code addresses those aspects of plantation forestry that could be considered to be ‘different’ from other traditional cropping activities, including the need for setbacks from adjoining premises and infrastructure, maintaining water quality and soils, and fire protection measures.
It is up to local governments to determine what level of assessment is required for new plantation developments in their area; however the Standard Code limits the level of assessment for new plantations to a maximum of ‘Code Assessable’.
Local Governments are expected to adopt the Standard Code into their planning schemes as they are remade under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. The adoption of a consistent development code will simplify planning requirements for plantation investors that operate across different local government areas in Queensland.