Forest Protection

ForestrySA introduced firefighter fitness standards for the 2001/2002 fire season. The objective was to ensure that employees involved in fire suppression activities are properly trained, capable and fit to undertake the tasks required of them in a productive, efficient and safe manner. Studies of wildland firefighting clearly show the link between fitness and work performance. The USDA Forest Service has developed rigorous task-based assessment testing and this has been adopted as a model by most government agencies and some private forestry organisations involved in wildland firefighting. Results of the first year of firefighter fitness testing was excellent, achieving a 96 percent pass by those people recommended by a medical practitioner to undertake the test. In total, 193 people of the recommended 201 people passed.

The fire truck replacement program has progressed to the stage where contract negotiation is well advanced. An extensive consultation process was undertaken that ensured occupational health and safety aspects were taken into design consideration as well as functionality for plantation wildfire suppression and it is expected that the first fire truck will be available towards the end of next financial year.

The incorporation of ForestrySA into the Government Radio Network was completed during 2001/2002. Performance of the communications systems from a management perspective was excellent and no significant problems were encountered during wildfire situations attended. The system is yet to be tested under a serious wildfire situation involving a large number of appliances and agencies.

ForestrySA has developed a computerised Incident Resources System (FIReS), which will lead to more efficient management of all resources required to attend fires. The system provides information at short notice about individuals’ training, contact details, dietary needs and fitness levels. The system was tested successfully during the fire season in the Green Triangle Region. It also provided information about personnel who were available to assist State Forests of NSW during the widespread NSW bushfires.

The start of the fire season was later than usual due to good early summer rains to December 2001. In the Green Triangle Region, fire standby did not commence until 2 January 2002, which was the latest start on record. Dry conditions during April and into May required the Country Fire Service (CFS) to extend the fire danger season until the last week in May 2002.

During the 2001/2002 fire season ForestrySA attended 19 fires: 13 in the Green Triangle and six in the Ranges Region. A total of 82 hectares were burnt of which 11 hectares was on ForestrySA land. There was a decrease in the overall number of 55 fires attended by ForestrySA compared with 67 in the previous year. Only two fires were caused by lightning compared with nine in 2000/2001 and seven in 1999/2000. Two fires were attributed to arson compared with six in the previous year. The approximate suppression costs were $14 000 compared with $140 000 in 2000/2001 and $271 000 in 1999/2000. The total quantity of water used was 92 300 litres, a relatively small quantity which reflects the small size of the fires attended.

Environmental Management

The Corporation’s environmental record continues to be excellent and high standards of environmental performance remain a priority. ForestrySA continues to be actively represented in community and interagency integrated natural resource management groups such as Catchment Water Management Boards, State and Regional Natural Resource Management Committees, Soil Boards, Volunteer Groups and Waterwatch programs.

During the year ForestrySA made substantial progress addressing environmental issues and continued development and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS). All employees received EMS and Environmental Awareness training in November 2001. Titled ‘Managing the Environment’ the training course provided employees with a better understanding of how to control potential impacts on the environment. An EMS and Environmental Awareness induction package has been developed for the corporate intranet to assist in training new employees.

Forest Resource Information

A significant effort has been put into the collection of additional survey data using the Global Positioning System (GPS). These data will be used to ensure that the alignment of all spatial data is within specified parameters, including the data collected by using traditional surveying and drafting techniques. This project will help to improve the overall integration of data collection processes and future data analysis.

ForestrySA, have combined with four other Forestry Organisations to contribute to the South East Resource Information Centre (SERIC). This is an initiative of the South Australian Government to facilitate and enhance the use of resource information in the South East. It will improve the access and availability of spatial data for resource management, as well as strengthen the linkages between the users of spatial data.

ForestrySA continued to contribute to the PLYRS project which aims at the modernisation of the existing yield regulation system. The partners in this project are ’The Cooperative’ and the University of Melbourne. The Cooperative means the organisations funding the project ForestrySA, Green Triangle Forest Products, Auspine and the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation; the University is the implementing agency.

ForestrySA has participated and cooperated in the initial development of a Tasmanian blue gum version of PLYRS. This will be set up using the same basic framework that is operational for the radiata pine version of PLYRS. Some eucalypt growth and yield volume data has also been contributed for analysis and use in the project.

Site quality assessments were undertaken for 2583 hectares of radiata pine plantation during 2001/2002. As with last year the results indicated that the productivity of subsequent plantations were significantly improved compared with the previous plantation established on the same sites. A trial conducted showed that the volumes measured in benchmark plots compared with the volumes derived from site quality maps were within 2.4 percent on an area-weighted basis. This result confirms the ability of field staff to accurately and effectively assesses the productivity of radiata pine plantations.

Integrated Management Systems (IMS)

ForestrySA maintains integrated safety, environmental and quality systems. The corporate intranet is used to centralise the control of documents, forms and procedures. This approach ensures the efficient and effective operation of all management systems. A major improvement in 2001/2002 was the integration of the procedure for incident reporting across the three systems for corporate purposes. Reporting of IMS issues and continuous improvement initiatives to executive is facilitated through a monthly IMS Management Review document.

ForestrySA is finalising preparation towards certification of the Environmental Management System to
ISO 14001:1996 by July 2002. In February 2002 NCS International conducted a pre-certification audit to identify any outstanding issues, which needed to be addressed prior to the certification audit planned for July 2002. The few issues identified were addressed prior to the end of 2001/2002 and the Corporation has every expectation that its environmental management system will be successfully certified as planned first time. Successful operation of the systems and certification is dependent on an effective internal audit program and this has been achieved with combined environmental and quality audits since January 2002.

NCS International subjected the quality management system to a triennial certification in December 2001 and, as expected, the excellent outcome was that certification to ISO 9002:1994 was renewed. The Corporation is now committed to certification of the quality management system to the revised ISO 9001:2000 by December 2003. ForestrySA holds a Level 3 rating against the previous Workcover standard. Assessment of the safety management system against the new standard is yet to be undertaken by the Workcover Corporation.

Procurement

The Accredited Purchasing Unit (APU) has been established since 1 January 2001, with the Forestry APU continuing to develop and improve procurement strategy plans, processes and procedures.

Major achievements include the continued development of acquisition plans, reviews of purchasing and evaluation processes, development of panel contracts and preferred supplier lists, attendance of employees at procurement learning programs, development of options for approaching the market, risk mitigation strategies, liquidated damages guidelines, forward procurement plans and review of the procurement manual.

Future plans include development of procurement profiles, procurement competency skills training, review of current purchasing systems, establishment of key performance indicators, achievement of State Supply Board (SSB) Level 2 accreditation, implementation of procurement development strategies, and development of an access database to meet all reporting requirements for the APU and SSB.

Green Triangle Treefarm Project

The Green Triangle Treefarm Project was developed in 1996 to encourage Tasmanian blue gum plantation and industry and farm forestry development. ForestrySA has a joint venture with Nippon Paper Treefarm Australia Pty Ltd, Mitsui Plantation Development (Australia) Pty Ltd and MCA Afforestation Pty Ltd. The Project encourages private landholders to establish Tasmanian blue gum plantations with the assistance of ForestrySA. For the 2001/2002 year 119 hectares were established, slightly more than planted the previous year.



THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FORESTRY CORPORATION
	Contents >> Corporate Score Card >> Executive Introduction >> Corporate Overview >> Legislation Administered by the Corporation >> Significant Achievements and Inititives >> Key Initiatives and Targets for 2002/03 >> The Corporation Structure >> SA Forestry Corporation Board >> Business Performance >> Production Activities >> Forestry Protection >> Community Service Activities >> Corporate Sustainability >> Equal Employment Opportunity Programs >> Contractual Arrangements >> Fraud >> Use of Consultants >> Freedom of Information Statement >> Charter of the SA Forestry Corporation >> Forest Statistics >> Forestry SA Reserves >> Financial Statement • FinancialPerformance for the year ended 30 June 2002 • Financial Position as at 30 June 2002 • Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2002 >> Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statement • 1 Role and Function of the SAFC • 2 Accounting Policies • 3 - 13b • 14 - 24 • 25 - 28 • 29 Combined Full Year Results >> Auditor General’s Report	Production ACTIVITIES – continued

			Forest Protection ForestrySA introduced firefighter fitness standards for the 2001/2002 fire season. The objective was to ensure that employees involved in fire suppression activities are properly trained, capable and fit to undertake the tasks required of them in a productive, efficient and safe manner. Studies of wildland firefighting clearly show the link between fitness and work performance. The USDA Forest Service has developed rigorous task-based assessment testing and this has been adopted as a model by most government agencies and some private forestry organisations involved in wildland firefighting. Results of the first year of firefighter fitness testing was excellent, achieving a 96 percent pass by those people recommended by a medical practitioner to undertake the test. In total, 193 people of the recommended 201 people passed. The fire truck replacement program has progressed to the stage where contract negotiation is well advanced. An extensive consultation process was undertaken that ensured occupational health and safety aspects were taken into design consideration as well as functionality for plantation wildfire suppression and it is expected that the first fire truck will be available towards the end of next financial year. The incorporation of ForestrySA into the Government Radio Network was completed during 2001/2002. Performance of the communications systems from a management perspective was excellent and no significant problems were encountered during wildfire situations attended. The system is yet to be tested under a serious wildfire situation involving a large number of appliances and agencies. ForestrySA has developed a computerised Incident Resources System (FIReS), which will lead to more efficient management of all resources required to attend fires. The system provides information at short notice about individuals’ training, contact details, dietary needs and fitness levels. The system was tested successfully during the fire season in the Green Triangle Region. It also provided information about personnel who were available to assist State Forests of NSW during the widespread NSW bushfires. The start of the fire season was later than usual due to good early summer rains to December 2001. In the Green Triangle Region, fire standby did not commence until 2 January 2002, which was the latest start on record. Dry conditions during April and into May required the Country Fire Service (CFS) to extend the fire danger season until the last week in May 2002. During the 2001/2002 fire season ForestrySA attended 19 fires: 13 in the Green Triangle and six in the Ranges Region. A total of 82 hectares were burnt of which 11 hectares was on ForestrySA land. There was a decrease in the overall number of 55 fires attended by ForestrySA compared with 67 in the previous year. Only two fires were caused by lightning compared with nine in 2000/2001 and seven in 1999/2000. Two fires were attributed to arson compared with six in the previous year. The approximate suppression costs were $14 000 compared with $140 000 in 2000/2001 and $271 000 in 1999/2000. The total quantity of water used was 92 300 litres, a relatively small quantity which reflects the small size of the fires attended. Environmental Management The Corporation’s environmental record continues to be excellent and high standards of environmental performance remain a priority. ForestrySA continues to be actively represented in community and interagency integrated natural resource management groups such as Catchment Water Management Boards, State and Regional Natural Resource Management Committees, Soil Boards, Volunteer Groups and Waterwatch programs. During the year ForestrySA made substantial progress addressing environmental issues and continued development and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS). All employees received EMS and Environmental Awareness training in November 2001. Titled ‘Managing the Environment’ the training course provided employees with a better understanding of how to control potential impacts on the environment. An EMS and Environmental Awareness induction package has been developed for the corporate intranet to assist in training new employees. Forest Resource Information A significant effort has been put into the collection of additional survey data using the Global Positioning System (GPS). These data will be used to ensure that the alignment of all spatial data is within specified parameters, including the data collected by using traditional surveying and drafting techniques. This project will help to improve the overall integration of data collection processes and future data analysis. ForestrySA, have combined with four other Forestry Organisations to contribute to the South East Resource Information Centre (SERIC). This is an initiative of the South Australian Government to facilitate and enhance the use of resource information in the South East. It will improve the access and availability of spatial data for resource management, as well as strengthen the linkages between the users of spatial data. ForestrySA continued to contribute to the PLYRS project which aims at the modernisation of the existing yield regulation system. The partners in this project are ’The Cooperative’ and the University of Melbourne. The Cooperative means the organisations funding the project ForestrySA, Green Triangle Forest Products, Auspine and the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation; the University is the implementing agency. ForestrySA has participated and cooperated in the initial development of a Tasmanian blue gum version of PLYRS. This will be set up using the same basic framework that is operational for the radiata pine version of PLYRS. Some eucalypt growth and yield volume data has also been contributed for analysis and use in the project. Site quality assessments were undertaken for 2583 hectares of radiata pine plantation during 2001/2002. As with last year the results indicated that the productivity of subsequent plantations were significantly improved compared with the previous plantation established on the same sites. A trial conducted showed that the volumes measured in benchmark plots compared with the volumes derived from site quality maps were within 2.4 percent on an area-weighted basis. This result confirms the ability of field staff to accurately and effectively assesses the productivity of radiata pine plantations. Integrated Management Systems (IMS) ForestrySA maintains integrated safety, environmental and quality systems. The corporate intranet is used to centralise the control of documents, forms and procedures. This approach ensures the efficient and effective operation of all management systems. A major improvement in 2001/2002 was the integration of the procedure for incident reporting across the three systems for corporate purposes. Reporting of IMS issues and continuous improvement initiatives to executive is facilitated through a monthly IMS Management Review document. ForestrySA is finalising preparation towards certification of the Environmental Management System to ISO 14001:1996 by July 2002. In February 2002 NCS International conducted a pre-certification audit to identify any outstanding issues, which needed to be addressed prior to the certification audit planned for July 2002. The few issues identified were addressed prior to the end of 2001/2002 and the Corporation has every expectation that its environmental management system will be successfully certified as planned first time. Successful operation of the systems and certification is dependent on an effective internal audit program and this has been achieved with combined environmental and quality audits since January 2002. NCS International subjected the quality management system to a triennial certification in December 2001 and, as expected, the excellent outcome was that certification to ISO 9002:1994 was renewed. The Corporation is now committed to certification of the quality management system to the revised ISO 9001:2000 by December 2003. ForestrySA holds a Level 3 rating against the previous Workcover standard. Assessment of the safety management system against the new standard is yet to be undertaken by the Workcover Corporation. Procurement The Accredited Purchasing Unit (APU) has been established since 1 January 2001, with the Forestry APU continuing to develop and improve procurement strategy plans, processes and procedures. Major achievements include the continued development of acquisition plans, reviews of purchasing and evaluation processes, development of panel contracts and preferred supplier lists, attendance of employees at procurement learning programs, development of options for approaching the market, risk mitigation strategies, liquidated damages guidelines, forward procurement plans and review of the procurement manual. Future plans include development of procurement profiles, procurement competency skills training, review of current purchasing systems, establishment of key performance indicators, achievement of State Supply Board (SSB) Level 2 accreditation, implementation of procurement development strategies, and development of an access database to meet all reporting requirements for the APU and SSB. Green Triangle Treefarm Project The Green Triangle Treefarm Project was developed in 1996 to encourage Tasmanian blue gum plantation and industry and farm forestry development. ForestrySA has a joint venture with Nippon Paper Treefarm Australia Pty Ltd, Mitsui Plantation Development (Australia) Pty Ltd and MCA Afforestation Pty Ltd. The Project encourages private landholders to establish Tasmanian blue gum plantations with the assistance of ForestrySA. For the 2001/2002 year 119 hectares were established, slightly more than planted the previous year.