Change of ownership obligations for authorised plantations

Owners or managers of authorised plantation, are required to adhere to the requirements of the Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 (the Act) and Plantations and Reafforestation (Code) Regulation 2001 (the Code)

Duty of Owner or Manager

If there is a change in ownership or management of the plantation, the owner or manager must notify the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Plantations Regulation Unit, within 28 days after the change in ownership.

Failure to notify of a change in ownership or management of an authorised plantation is an offence under the Act.

In some circumstances, where the change in ownership of the plantation has been “significant”, for example where the authorised timber plantation land is subdivided, the authorisation can cease to have effect on the date the “significant” change occurred.

If any plantation operational activities are undertaken on a plantation where the authorisation is now not valid, an offence may have occurred.

In the circumstance that a “significant” change in ownership or management has resulted in the plantation “land” being less than 30 hectares in size, the area may meet the definition of exempt farm forestry and may not require re-authorisation.

What is a significant change in ownership or management?

1. a change in the ownership of part only of the land comprising the plantation that occurs at the same time as a change in the management of that part of the land, or
2. a change in the ownership of part only of the land comprising the plantation that follows a change in the management of that part of the land, or
3. a change in the management of part only of the land comprising the plantation that follows a change in the ownership of that part of the land.

What do you need to do?

If there have been any changes to ownership or management of the plantation, complete Notification of change of ownership or Management of an Authorised Plantation form.

How to notify of a change in ownership or management of a plantation

To notify of a change in ownership or management, you can complete Notification of change or ownership or Management of an Authorised Plantation online form, or download a form to complete and submit.

What next?

Changes in ownership or management that are not a significant change, the authorisation continues and details are updated with the notice of change of ownership or management.

Where there has been a significant change in ownership or management a new plantation authorisation may needed. You can contact your local Plantation Assessment Officer to discuss your options and next steps.

How to Apply for a Plantation Authorisation

Click here to access the guidelines for plantation applicants, and a Plantation Assessment Officer will step you through the application process.