Regulating Victoria’s Native Forests

Does the Office of the Conservation Regulator (OCR) effectively regulate timber harvesting operations?

Video presentation

Video transcript

Key facts

Source: VAGO, based on OCR data.

What we found and recommend

We consulted with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s (DELWP) and considered its views when reaching our conclusions. The agency’s full response is included in Appendix A. 

Office of the Conservation Regulator (OCR) has not yet sufficiently developed or integrated its timber harvesting compliance systems to support decision-making

Gaps in collected data prevent OCR from assessing noncompliance

OCR’s timber harvesting compliance unit (THCU) does not always have access to necessary and sufficient data to determine whether noncompliance has occurred in its assessment of complaints. 

How consistently OCR collects and categorises important data when conducting proactive surveys is unclear. This has resulted in cases where allegations that VicForests logged identified endangered trees could not be substantiated. While it is VicForests’, not OCR’s, responsibility to collect relevant pre-harvest data, the way OCR records Forest Protection Survey Program (FPSP) information limits its ability to assess noncompliance. 

Key intelligence systems are still under development

Gumnut, OCR’s intelligence system introduced in 2021, is still under development and does not link to THCU’s case management system. While the case management system does track enforcement actions, such as section 70 directions, warning letters or production notices, this information is not used for intelligence-based decisions. 

OCR is not planning to migrate historical data from its previous intelligence system, Secure Intelligence Database (SiD), because of the cost and data quality issues. The data stored in SiD is less clean and is categorised differently than the data in Gumnut. This limits OCR’s ability to combine data from the 2 systems to access and analyse long-term data that can support decisions. However, OCR has committed to continually improving Gumnut and with time can address these issues.

OCR makes extensive use of satellite images to assess and inspect coupes. However, because of budget constraints it is unable to access higher resolution and more detailed imagery. This would provide OCR up-to-date imagery for more detailed assessments of allegations of noncompliance.

OCR also uses its Coupe Inspection Program (CIP) and its Forest Audit Program (FAP) to proactively detect noncompliance and identify risks of environmental harm.

Recommendations about taking an intelligence-led approach

Operational risks impact OCR’s delivery of its programs and activities

Gaps in forest report and investigation procedures limit effectiveness

OCR has no procedure to investigate and analyse larger sample sizes when there are allegations of widespread or systemic noncompliance in forest reports. OCR advised that it analyses larger data samples as part of its program and activity planning but this does not extend to complaints and investigations. 

When assessing complaints, OCR also relies heavily on evidence provided by complainants and VicForests. To limit the number of unsubstantiated complaints it receives, OCR provides guidance to support complainants through the forest report process. 

There is no consistent, documented process for THCU officers to request further information from complainants when they need it for an assessment or investigation. Including this as a standard process would enable complainants to clarify or provide further information about their report where required. 

OCR’s procedures and correspondence with complainants do not set clear time limits for providing additional information before officers will close an investigation file. Setting such timeframes would promote consistency in OCR’s correspondence with complainants. It would also give officers structured guidance on when to close or continue an investigation. Without this, case officers may prematurely close or unnecessarily delay investigations that are awaiting further information.

Communication with stakeholders

OCR does not explain the statute of limitations period in its communications with stakeholders and the public, even though this is a crucial factor in making decisions. Officers employ a variety of methods to calculate the limitation period. However, there is no information on how and why they do this. Making this information public will allow stakeholders and the community to have an understanding that the statute of limitations is a factor in the OCR’s ability to prosecute.

OCR advised that since 1 March 2022, it can request information via production notices to determine the date of an alleged offence more accurately.

OCR’s explanation of how its policies, like its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, informed case decisions in internal documentation and correspondence to complainants has improved since 2019. However, it could be strengthened.

Gaps in Review of Outcome policy impact transparency 

The October 2018 Independent Review into Timber Harvesting Regulation: Panel Report to the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, (2018 Review) recommended the creation of a policy to review internal decisions. When our audit started, OCR did not have a documented process or policy for reviewing case decision outcomes. OCR drafted a Review of Outcome policy in April 2022 and finalised it in May 2022. However, the final policy does not require OCR to provide a rationale for endorsing the decision, update complainants on the progress of the review, or stipulate timeframes for the review process. 

OCR’s use of enforcement powers is limited

OCR has not explored all enforcement options

The 2018 Review recommended that OCR develop tools to apply a more graduated and proportionate response to noncompliance. In practice, OCR does not use all these powers in response to timber harvesting noncompliance because they are not available under timber harvesting legislation or OCR has not yet explored their use. OCR’s ability to create new tools under timber harvesting legislation is limited, hence the main enforcement options OCR uses are warning letters and findings of noncompliance. 

Findings of noncompliance and other compliance options, such as letters of advice, are considered low-level sanctions. Currently, there is no avenue available to issue infringement notices if noncompliance is identified for timber harvesting. Without an effective range of enforcement tools, OCR cannot ensure that consequences for timber harvesting offences are graduated and proportionate. OCR has provided advice to the government about the need to improve its regulatory tools. In December 2021 the government signalled its support for strengthening the OCR with new infringement powers for breaches of the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 (as amended 2022) (the Code).

OCR does not effectively evaluate its timber harvesting enforcement activities

OCR does not effectively review its past timber harvesting enforcement activities. It does not assess whether subjects have a pattern or history of noncompliance and whether enforcement outcomes are effective in changing behaviour. OCR has advised that as Gumnut matures, it will be able to evaluate enforcement trends for effectiveness.

Recommendations about taking a risk-based approach

OCR does not comprehensively report on its performance and evaluate the effectiveness of its monitoring activities

OCR has yet to finalise a monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework

OCR has not yet implemented a framework that identifies timber harvesting outcomes and measures to comprehensively monitor and assess their achievement.

OCR intends to implement a monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) framework that uses outcome logic mapping for its key regulatory decisions. However, it lacks the staffing capacity to do this. This exposes OCR to potential underperformance and a lack of meaningful information to support planning. Without an MER framework, OCR also cannot show that it is effectively reducing the risk of regulatory failure and provide assurance to the government that it is achieving its outcomes.

Performance measures are not fit for purpose

OCR’s Budget Paper 3: Service Delivery reporting and annual performance statements do not contain relevant reporting on the effectiveness of its monitoring and compliance activities to the government and the public.

OCR’s timber harvesting compliance performance measures and targets are outlined in its June 2019 Regulating timber harvesting in State forests under the Allocation Order: Statement of Regulatory Intent (SRI). However, these metrics do not meet the standards set out in the Department of Treasury and Finance’s (DTF) Resource Management Framework. Specifically, there are no cost or quality measures and no measures of the efficiency of activities. 

Performance target revisions provide a better measure of performance

In 2020, OCR discussed the performance measures in the SRI and the need for revising them. OCR’s executive team agreed to remove 2 percentage-based targets and amend them to number-based targets to remove fluctuations not within their control and provide a better measure of performance.

Revising performance measures and targets can be appropriate in some circumstances to provide a better indication of performance. 

OCR does not adequately measure the effectiveness of its activities to regulate timber harvesting

OCR has not adequately evaluated the effectiveness of its timber harvesting monitoring and compliance activities. Without this, it cannot reliably assure the government and public about the efficiency and effectiveness of its activities and programs to regulate timber harvesting operations. 

Recommendations about performance monitoring

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Victoria has a range of laws and regulations that govern the planning and conduct of commercial timber harvesting operations. These laws seek to ensure that harvesting is sustainable and that environmental, economic and social values of Victoria's native forests are protected for future generations.

VicForests is the state-owned business responsible for harvesting, selling and regrowing of timber. OCR regulates VicForests’ timber harvesting operations.

1.1 Office of the Conservation Regulator

History

Before OCR was established, DELWP regulated timber harvesting operations.

In September 2018, following DELWP’s unsuccessful prosecution of VicForests for an alleged breach of the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 (SFT Act), the secretary of DELWP commissioned the 2018 Review. This was at the request of the Minister for Environment and Climate Action. 

DELWP established OCR in early 2019 in response to one of the 2018 Review’s recommendations about reviewing governance and management reporting arrangements for regulating native timber harvesting.

Since then, a number of cases have alleged unlawful logging by VicForests.

OCR’s mission

OCR’s mission is to be an effective, trusted, best-practice regulator. 

Timber harvesting operations are a key area that OCR regulates by identifying and protecting forest values and ensuring that timber harvesting complies with environmental law. It:

• receives reports of threatened species where timber harvesting is planned and aims to ensure interim protections are applied to protect values from timber harvesting 
• assesses and investigates reports from the community about allegations of noncompliant timber harvesting activities 
• aims to prevent environmental harm before, during and after timber harvesting by conducting proactive inspections 
• independently assesses compliance of VicForests’ timber harvesting operations 
• endeavours to take appropriate enforcement action when noncompliance is identified. 

Roles and relationship 

OCR was not set up as an independent regulator. DELWP created a new administrative structure to enable it to deliver core regulatory services and used existing DELWP staff to resource OCR. Figure 1A explains OCR’s relationship to DELWP and VicForests.

OCR regulates public land use, biodiversity, fire prevention and timber harvesting. 

1.2 OCR's timber harvesting compliance and enforcement approach

OCR has made changes to the systems, structures and processes previously used to regulate timber harvesting. Changes include introducing a proactive CIP, which is designed to prevent environmental harm during timber harvesting.

Figure 1B highlights the key systems and programs used by OCR.

FIGURE 1B: Key OCR systems and programs

Source: VAGO, based on OCR information.

OCR also introduced a web-based form to allow members of the public to report the detection of threatened species in timber harvesting areas or potential timber harvesting compliance issues.

Figure 1C illustrates the forest report process. 

This audit focuses on how OCR assesses and investigates allegations of noncompliance identified through its forest report process.

OCR’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy outlines the regulatory principles that guide its compliance and enforcement activities. See Figure 1D.

FIGURE 1D: OCR’s regulatory principles

Source: VAGO, based on OCR’s 2019 Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

1.3 Key forest management legislation

Commercial timber harvesting is subject to the SFT Act. It provides a framework for sustainable forest management and sustainable timber harvesting in state forests.

The SFT Act establishes the allocation order, timber release plans and compliance obligations provisions for timber harvesting in state forests. Commercial timber harvesting that is not the subject of an allocation order is approved through section 52 of the Forests Act 1958.

Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 (as amended 2022) 

The Code is the primary regulatory instrument that applies to commercial timber production in native forests (both public and private) and plantations in Victoria. 

The Code includes the Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests (MSP) as schedule 1, which provides detailed operating instructions to managing authorities, harvesting entities and operators to comply with the Code.

Regulatory reform

The Victorian Government passed the Forests Legislation Amendment (Compliance and Enforcement) Act 2021 on 12 October 2021. It came into force on 1 March 2022.

The amendments aim to improve the environmental regulation of timber harvesting.

The Code has also undergone reform recently. It was amended in November 2021 and again in June 2022. The amendments include:

• formalising and clarifying protection requirements for certain species
• moving the MSP into the Code as a schedule, rather than having them sit separately as an incorporated document
• clarifying ambiguous wording and layout
• amending the definition of the precautionary principle.

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Conclusion

OCR is in the process of developing and integrating its systems and tools to support decision-making on timber harvesting compliance. 

Existing weaknesses in data quality and completeness mean that OCR’s key information systems and tools have some deficiencies in informing its timber harvesting compliance report assessments and investigations. 

2.1 Weaknesses in key intelligence systems and tools 

Weaknesses in OCR’s systems, including poor data quality assurance and incomplete data, mean they do not fully support intelligence-led decision-making in its forest report assessments and investigations.

Intelligence systems and tools

OCR implemented its key intelligence system, Gumnut, in 2021. While it is improving the amount of data held in this system, it is not yet mature enough to support an intelligence-led and risk-based approach to regulating timber harvesting compliance.

Gumnut is still under development and does not link to THCU’s case management system. Gumnut’s data and features relating to timber harvesting compliance are still relatively immature. While there are a significant number of new observations being made, many still need to link back to SiD to create a long-term trend. Moreover, observations specific to THCU have less metadata associated with them, making it difficult to search and categorise observations. However, OCR has committed to continually improving Gumnut and with time can address these issues.

OCR tracks enforcement actions, such as section 70 directions, warning letters and production notices. However, these are not used for intelligence-based decisions.

While the columns required for key metrics in OCR’s timber harvesting case management system are checked, they are occasionally missing metadata that would help staff progress and manage resourcing and prioritise cases. For example, in reports since January 2021 we found the following unfilled cells:

• ‘traffic light status’ (9 per cent of reports)
• ‘date preliminary assessment complete’ (18 per cent of reports)
• ‘investigation priority’ (11 per cent of reports). 

These figures are based on data from OCR’s case management system after it has been through OCR’s quality assurance process. This includes populating selected data points with information in OCR’s case assessment reports. It is important that OCR completes and updates metadata in its case management system in a timely way to assist with managing its caseload. 

OCR currently has a tender underway for a case management system that will integrate with its intelligence system. OCR advised us that the procurement process is well advanced but did not provide an estimated date for completion.

System integration increases efficiency and consistency of information. This is important in providing timely and accurate advice on regulatory requirements, particularly with an increase in forest litigation. In its 2022–23 business case, OCR acknowledged that the robustness of government advice and decisions was under increasing scrutiny. Increasing forestry litigation means the government’s decisions and advice need to be increasingly robust to withstand scrutiny in the courts.

OCR also does not plan to migrate historical data from its old intelligence database, SiD, into Gumnut because it has determined this would deliver a negative cost benefit. However, this means that key data will continue to be fragmented across systems. THCU authorised officers have access to a searchable, read-only version of SiD and must make requests to OCR’s regulatory intelligence unit for specific information, such as criminal history checks. This limits the efficiency and effectiveness of OCR’s operations because it cannot easily access long-term data about coupes and contractors to assess systemic noncompliance or identify patterns and risks.

Geographic information systems

OCR’s geographic information systems (GIS) offer sufficient data to assess compliance in a variety of cases, including for steep slopes and endangered species. This is strengthened by OCR’s use of satellite imagery to visually detect harvesting activity. 

However, OCR is not the custodian of this data, and cannot improve its quality. OCR has processes to manage risks around the more incomplete datasets. However, there is still a risk that it will overlook illegal harvesting because of poor-quality data. Additionally, despite OCR’s reliance on satellite images for visual inspection, budget constraints prevent it from accessing clearer, more detailed imagery.

OCR uses its GIS to respond to reports of noncompliance. While it is also used to support risk profiling based on OCR priorities, it is not used to actively detect noncompliance. OCR’s GIS could use satellite imagery to detect timber harvesting and flag when it is out of legal boundaries. However, OCR has not implemented this due to a lack of resources. Rather, it relies on its CIP and FAP to proactively detect noncompliance.

2.2 Data gaps 

The extent to which OCR consistently collects and categorises important data, such as the maturity of identified endangered trees, when conducting proactive surveys is unclear. This has resulted in cases where allegations that VicForests logged identified endangered trees could not be substantiated because there was no evidence to prove that the harvested trees were mature and so should have been protected. 

While it is VicForests’, not OCR’s, responsibility to collect relevant pre-harvest data, the way OCR records FPSP information limits its ability to assess noncompliance. Figure 2A illustrates examples where OCR could not assess if noncompliance occurred.

FIGURE 2A: Case study: Assessments highlighting incomplete data

Source: VAGO, based on OCR information.

Timber harvesting compliance legislation and OCR’s legislated powers restrict OCR’s ability to access key VicForests data. Currently, OCR commonly cites insufficient data on its case assessments as a reason not to pursue investigations.

2.3 Information sharing

The 2018 Review recommended that government agencies, non-government environmental groups and VicForests create a system of shared data. 

OCR has advised that its FIP satisfies the requirements of this recommendation. However, the FIP is public-facing and so excludes information that would not be appropriate to disclose or necessary for public access. Ultimately, the FIP does not include enough information about VicForests’ harvesting activities to help OCR prepare its CIP or enforcement activities. 

OCR advised that not all coupe information is available because the information published is at VicForests’ discretion and VicForests does not have to publish its coupes map. Where the information is not made public, or when specific information is needed, without an information-sharing agreement officers need to request the information from VicForests in each instance. This causes delays and lengthens the time taken to assess areas or prepare for inspections. 

The only information OCR routinely receives from VicForests is a rolling operations plan, which provides basic information about what is planned to be harvested and where. VicForests updates the rolling operations plan and OCR downloads it every week.

VicForests sends OCR a weekly email that includes the date coupe harvesting started. OCR has advised that at times there is a time lag between the actual start date of coupe harvesting and when the email is sent. If harvesting has been temporarily paused at a coupe, OCR is not notified when it restarts. 

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Conclusion

OCR aims to use a risk-based framework to conduct its complaint assessments and investigations into timber harvesting operations. However, there are operational and process gaps and limitations that impede OCR’s ability to fully implement and achieve this approach.

OCR’s use of enforcement powers is not graduated or proportionate. This is partly because OCR has not explored all options available to it and partly due to the lack of enforcement powers available to it in relation to timber harvesting.

3.1 OCR's effectiveness in regulating timber harvesting operations

Monitoring and assessing compliance

We found weaknesses in how OCR monitors and assesses timber harvesting compliance and in its complaint assessment and investigation processes, which may affect how consistently cases are assessed and investigated.

Sample size

OCR’s THCU does not always analyse and investigate larger samples to confirm compliance when there are allegations of widespread or systemic noncompliance in forest reports. There is no procedure for this included in OCR’s complaint assessment or investigation processes. This is illustrated in the case study in Figure 3A. OCR advised us that it analyses larger data samples as part of its annual program and activity planning. 

This weakness was also identified in an independent review of the case in Figure 3A commissioned by OCR. It found that OCR could have considered further slopes within this catchment in the field or across other catchments. Alternatively, OCR could have also considered VicForests’ planning processes to prevent noncompliance in more slopes across further coupes.

FIGURE 3A: Case study: Multiple coupes in water catchments

Note: *The Code and the MSP applicable at the time included a general exclusion of timber harvesting operations for slopes over 30 degrees for the catchment relevant to the case study in Figure 3A. 
Source: VAGO, based on OCR information.

Reliance on third-party evidence 

OCR relies heavily on evidence provided by complainants in assessing complaints. Figure 3B shows that OCR requires complainants to provide physical evidence instead of in-field analysis by authorised officers. OCR provides guidance to complainants to support them in submitting information about possible breaches of timber harvesting legislation. However, it means OCR bases confirmation of compliance in its preliminary assessments primarily on the information provided by complainants rather than its own intelligence and assessment.

FIGURE 3B: Case study: Gap between coupe boundary and retained vegetation

Source: VAGO, based on OCR information.

Provision of information

The ability to obtain timely information and documents is vital during investigations. The 2018 Review recommended the creation of new powers and protections to give authorised officers coercive powers to obtain information. Legislative amendments giving authorised officers powers to obtain documents took effect on 1 March 2022. 

Under the SFT Act, an authorised officer may issue a written notice requiring the production of documents from VicForests, a VicForests contractor or any other person named in the production notice. OCR has welcomed this and has started using this power. To date it has issued 11 production notices.

Despite these changes, authorised officers still do not have legal powers to enter or search premises under the SFT Act.

3.2 Gaps in policies and procedures

Requests for further information 

OCR can request further information from a complainant when it is necessary to further an assessment or investigation. This gives the complainant an opportunity to clarify details and provide further information if required. However, this process is not documented in the timber harvesting compliance manual and there is no guidance around when this should occur. As a result, while we found that officers requested further information for some forest reports, we have not seen evidence that this happens consistently.

OCR does not have a consistent template or procedure for requesting further information. Officers also do not provide complainants with indicative timeframes for providing further information before closing a file.

OCR advised that requesting further information with timeframes is a documented process for its threatened species reports and this is applied to compliance reports and investigations. However, we do not have evidence of this occurring consistently.

Guidance around requesting further information, such as procedures, templates and timeframes, promotes consistency and provides structure to assessments and investigations.

Communicating with stakeholders

OCR does not explain the statute of limitations period to its stakeholders or the public, despite it being a factor in case decisions. On 1 March 2022 the statute of limitations period was extended from 2 years to 3 years. It applies to investigations and complaint assessments across OCR. If OCR assesses a complaint as outside the statute period, it cannot proceed to prosecution.

In practice, officers take steps to calculate the limitation period through a variety of methods, such as requesting evidence from VicForests or its contractors or by assessing satellite imagery. However, OCR’s timber harvesting compliance manual does not include guidance on how to calculate this. This is a gap in OCR’s forest report assessment and investigation process. 

The application of OCR’s policies to its case outcomes is not always clear in correspondence to complainants or in internal decision records. The reasoning for how its policies, like its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, informed the decision is not consistently communicated clearly and/or often missing from documentation. Although OCR has improved its correspondence since 2019, it could strengthen the link between internal policies and procedures and its decisions.

Review of Outcome policy

The 2018 Review recommended that DELWP creates a policy to review internal decisions. OCR established a dispute resolution process in late 2021. However, when our audit started, OCR did not have a documented process or policy for reviewing complaint or investigation outcomes. 

OCR drafted a Review of Outcome policy in April 2022 and finalised it in May 2022. However, the final policy still does not require OCR to:

• update complainants at the acknowledgement and review stages
• set timeframes for acknowledging a complaint or completing a review
• provide a rationale for endorsing the case decision
• record the rationale for a review’s outcome for transparency and to show the judgement or evidence behind a decision.

3.3 OCR’s approach to enforcing compliance

OCR does not apply a proportionate and graduated approach to enforcement partly because of the limitations in timber harvesting legislation and partly because OCR has not used all available options.

Enforcement options under OCR’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy

OCR’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy outlines its approach to responding to noncompliance. It identifies several enforcement options available to it to both remedy and punish noncompliance or deter future noncompliance through the use of sanctions (see Figure 3C). In practice, OCR does not use all these powers in response to timber harvesting noncompliance because they are not available under timber harvesting legislation or OCR has not yet explored their use. Figure 3C shows OCR’s available enforcement options and those that can be applied by OCR for timber harvesting. 

FIGURE 3C: Enforcement options in OCR’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy

Source: VAGO, based on OCR information.

Enforcement outcome results

Forest reports

From July 2019 to June 2022, OCR received 123 compliance reports from members of the public, environmental groups, VicForests, DELWP staff or as part of the CIP. Figure 3D shows the outcomes of these reports. It shows that 94 reports (or 76 per cent) were either not accepted for investigation, did not identify a breach or resulted in no further action. 

Coupe Inspection Program 

OCR proactively inspects coupes scheduled for harvesting through its CIP. OCR introduced this in 2019–20. Prior to this, DELWP did not have a proactive program. Coupe inspections occur throughout the year and are designed to prevent environmental harm that may occur during harvesting. Where risks are identified, OCR issues written requests to modify planning or remedy minor issues. It can give formal directions or suspension notices under legislation. The CIP also identifies alleged noncompliance that are investigated. 

Figure 3E shows the outcomes of OCR’s CIP from 2019–20 to 2021–22. 

OCR’s enforcement approach

The 2018 Review recommended the development of tools for a more graduated and proportionate response to noncompliance. However, OCR is limited in its ability to create new tools under timber harvesting legislation. Consequently, OCR’s main options for enforcement are warning letters or findings of noncompliance, as seen in Figure 3D. Findings of noncompliance and other compliance options, such as letters of advice, are considered low-level sanctions. OCR advises these are a key part of future case decisions if similar noncompliance occurs.

Without effective enforcement tools, OCR cannot ensure that consequences for timber harvesting offences are graduated and proportionate. This reduces its effectiveness as a regulator. In its briefings to the government relating to the Code amendments, OCR has provided advice about improving regulatory tools.

OCR’s authorised officers can issue a direction under section 70 of the SFT Act to remedy any harm that has occurred because of noncompliance or to compel VicForests to do certain things. However, a section 70 direction is not always an available option because it is not always possible to remedy harm that has occurred due to noncompliance. 

Enforceable undertakings are another way to ensure compliance, but to date none have been issued. OCR has not yet explored or defined how it would issue one or how it would get approvals from DELWP for one. OCR has advised that a policy on the use of enforceable undertakings will be completed in 2022–23.

Currently, OCR’s officers cannot issue infringement notices under the SFT Act for timber harvesting noncompliance. This contrasts with the Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022 introduced into Parliament in May 2022. If passed, this will include stronger penalties (maximum fines of more than $21,000 or 12 months imprisonment) for protesters who illegally enter timber harvesting safety zones.

Where relevant, authorised officers can use other legislative enforcement powers when assessing forest reports or conducting investigations, such as offences under the Wildlife Act 1975 (Wildlife Act). This can give authorised officers increased enforcement powers, for example, to obtain information. However, OCR advised that powers under other Acts are only available in a small number of timber harvesting investigations. Without this, authorised officers have limited avenues for enforcement actions, as seen in the case study in Figure 3F.

FIGURE 3F: Case study: Waterway compliance

Source: VAGO, based on OCR information.

As of 1 March 2022, changes to legislation mean that VicForests is liable for the noncompliance of its contractors. 

Evaluating the effectiveness of timber harvesting enforcement activities

OCR does not have a formalised framework or process for evaluating the effectiveness of its enforcement activities. It does not effectively review enforcement actions to assess whether subjects have a pattern or history of noncompliance and whether enforcement actions are effective in changing behaviour. 

This is a missed opportunity because such an analysis will identify which sections of the Code and MSP are more open to interpretation. OCR could use this information to develop guidance on how to interpret these sections. OCR has advised that as Gumnut matures, it will be able to evaluate enforcement trends for effectiveness

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Conclusion

OCR does not comprehensively report on its performance and evaluate the effectiveness of its monitoring activities to drive continuous improvement.

OCR is yet to finalise its MER framework. This exposes OCR to both potential underperformance and a lack of appropriate information to support planning.

OCR has increased the transparency of THCU’s regulatory priorities through its public reporting against measures in the SRI. However, issues with its performance measures mean that reporting does not provide assurance to the government that it is achieving its outcomes efficiently and effectively.

4.1 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

OCR has not yet implemented a framework that identifies timber harvesting outcomes and measures so it can comprehensively monitor and measure their achievement.

OCR has not yet finalised its MER framework and has not developed its associated THCU MER plan. In July 2020, OCR’s leadership team endorsed the MER framework. This comprehensive framework includes program logic, a monitoring program, evaluation and a reporting program. As part of this, OCR has started developing short, medium and long-term outcomes and draft indicators to measure achievement of them. 

In 2021, OCR identified a lack of funding as the main reason for the delay in implementing the MER framework. 

Key performance measures

OCR does not have meaningful measures to assess the effectiveness of its timber harvesting compliance monitoring activities.

OCR acknowledges that its Budget Paper 3: Service Delivery reporting and annual performance statements do not provide the government and public with relevant reporting on the effectiveness of its monitoring and compliance activities.

Currently, OCR uses performance measures and targets in its SRI to quantify the efficiency and effectiveness of its processes and activities. However, we have found deficiencies in them. Our assessment of OCR’s performance measures and indicators against the guidelines set out in DTF’s Resource Management Framework confirms this. The guidelines indicate:

• a performance objective/s should be clear, measurable and reportable
• performance indicators should cover all elements of an agency's performance objective/s 
• clear and relevant performance measures should cover the quantity, quality, cost and timeliness of an agency's services.

DTF’s Resource Management Framework requires a meaningful mix of quality, quantity, timeliness and cost measures. This helps agencies provide a comprehensive and transparent view of their performance. OCR’s only key performance measures and targets are those listed in its SRI. Figure 4A lists these and their results for 2020–21 and 2019–20. OCR’s reporting and performance measures do not indicate that it faces any challenges in addressing noncompliance.

FIGURE 4A: OCR’s performance measures, targets and results for 2019–20 and 2021–22

Note: OCR did not publish 2021–22 results by the time of this audit.
^(a)Target has been changed in Victorian Budget Paper No. 3 Service Delivery 2022–23 to 64 per cent. The lower 2022–23 target reflects the funding profile of the FPSP and forecast coupe selection capacity.
^(b)The 2020–21 expected outcome is higher than the 2020–21 target due to $1 million in funding being brought forward from 2021–22 to ensure surveys could be conducted well in advance of proposed harvest dates.
^(c)This measure is now embedded in the proactive CIP.
^(d)Result excludes coupes in Gippsland and East Gippsland regional forest agreement areas because they were unable to be assessed due to the 2019–20 bushfires.
Source: VAGO, based on OCR's Year In Review 2019–20 and Year in Review 2020–21 and forecast results provided by OCR.

Of the measures listed in Figure 4A, 5 are quantity measures and 3 relate to timeliness. There are no cost or quality measures and there are no measures to enable an understanding of the efficiency of activities. In addition, OCR does not have any measures to define the cost of its activities.

OCR’s SRI also lists several activity measures that it publicly reports annually in its Year In Review. See Figure 4B.

FIGURE 4B: Activity measures

Note: OCR did not publish 2021–22 results by the time of this audit.
*A further 5 investigations arose from the proactive CIP.
Source: VAGO, based on OCR's Year in Review 2019–20 and Year In Review 2020–21 and forecast results provided by OCR

These raw counts of activities do not provide any insight into OCR’s performance in regulating timber harvesting. The reader has no idea if the result reflects good or poor performance and it does not allow for an understanding of quality, cost and timeliness.

Performance target revisions

In 2020, OCR discussed the performance measures in the SRI and the need for revising them. However, due to limited available resources for a full review, OCR’s executive team agreed to remove and amend the following percentage-based targets for the Year In Review 2020–21:

• per cent of coupes harvested in the previous year that were audited as part of the FAP to monitor VicForests’ compliance with the Code and the MSP
• per cent of coupes planned for timber harvesting, or in which timber harvesting is underway, that are subject to compliance inspection to monitor VicForests’ compliance with the regulatory framework.

The rationale for removing these percentage-based targets and amending them to a number-based target is because the number of coupes harvested in a financial year can vary. If a higher number of coupes are harvested, such as 300, a target of 20 per cent would mean THCU would need to potentially inspect and audit 60 coupes. This means that when a higher number of coupes are harvested in a year, the likelihood of achieving the target is reduced compared to a number-based target.

Revising performance targets is reasonable to remove fluctuations not within the control of OCR and provide a better indication of performance. 

4.2 Performance reporting

Public performance reporting

OCR has increased the transparency of THCU’s regulatory priority through its public reporting against measures in the SRI. However, issues with its performance measures, identified in Section 4.1, mean that reporting does not provide meaningful information on the effectiveness of its timber harvesting compliance activities.

A better practice principle for regulators is to measure the performance of regulatory activities, evaluate their effectiveness and communicate their impact on regulatory outcomes. 

OCR also considers its FIP as a form of public reporting. Our comparison of coupes listed on THCU's case database and coupes on the FIP found that 221 of the 843 coupes are not searchable through the FIP. Therefore, more than a quarter of coupes are not readily available through public reporting. OCR advised that this discrepancy is because these coupes are no longer part of the current timber release plan, which the FIP uses to allow search and is updated every few years. However, the gap in OCR’s public reporting remains.

Internal performance reporting

OCR has set up internal arrangements, such as weekly leadership briefings and monthly executive meetings, that allow the Chief Conservation Regulator to have a more detailed understanding of THCU’s emerging issues, staff resources and operations.

OCR also reports to DELWP’s executive board and provides briefings to the Minister for Environment and Climate Action every quarter. This reporting includes a summary of highlights and challenges for the quarter as well as regulatory risks. For example, operations and performance reporting to DELWP’s executive board in 2021 identified challenges with resourcing and recruiting experienced staff.

In late 2021, OCR reported that responding to timber-harvesting-related subpoenas, court proceedings and the policy and legislative work program has significantly impacted resources. OCR reporting also identified the reputational impact brought on by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s media attention in late 2021 about systemic harvesting on steep slopes in water catchment areas.

OCR has not evaluated the effectiveness of its timber harvesting monitoring and compliance activities. Without this, OCR cannot reliably assure the government and public about the cost-effectiveness of its activities and programs to regulate timber harvesting operations.

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Click the link below to download a PDF copy of Appendix A. Submissions and comments.

Click here to download Appendix A. Submissions and comments

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Click the link below to download a PDF copy of Appendix B. Acronyms, abbreviations and glossary.

Click here to download Appendix B. Acronyms, abbreviations and glossary

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Click the link below to download a PDF copy of Appendix C. Scope of this audit.

Click here to download Appendix C. Scope of this audit

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