Version No. 149
Forests Act 1958
No. 6254 of 1958
Version incorporating amendments as at
26 November 2025
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
1Short title and commencement
3Definitions
3AApplication of Road Management Act 2004
3BTransport Integration Act 2010
3CFilming Approval Act 2014
3DTraditional owner agreement for natural resources
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands
4Forest produce is property of the Crown
5Business of the Secretary
6Minister, Secretary, Parks Victoria or Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority not to control mining
7Restriction on cutting or removing timber or forest produce
8Power to Governor in Council to except certain areas from occupation under leases, licences etc.
Powers and duties of the Secretary
18General powers of Secretary, Parks Victoria and Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
18AAResponsibilities of the Secretary in State forest that is Parks Victoria recorded land or land managed by Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
18ASecretary and Parks Victoria to manage reserve land
18BObligations of Secretary and Parks Victoria in relation to Yarra River land
18CObligations of Secretary, Parks Victoria or Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority in relation to declared areas
18DObligations of Secretary, Parks Victoria and Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority in relation to the Great Ocean Road region
19Power to place forest produce on catchment areas under control of Secretary
20Other powers and duties of Secretary, Parks Victoria and Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
21Special powers of Secretary and Parks Victoria
22Working plans for State forests
26BConduct of forestry schools and sharing of facilities
27AEmployment of persons who are not public servants
28Management agreements with Traditional Owner Land Management Boards
29Power to authorise Chief Fire Officer to perform fire related activities
Purchase or taking of lands
38Power to acquire compulsorily land for certain forest purposes
Naming &c., Victorian timber &c.
40Power to make regulations as to classification grading and naming of Victorian timbers etc.
State forests
41Reserved forest and the Land Act 1958
42Reserved forests
45Future dedication of Crown land as reserved forests
46Notice of intention to dedicate
47Power to acquire land for forests
48Power to acquire private land for forests
49Excisions from reserved forest
50Power to declare land in reserved forests to be a forest park etc.
50AARevocation and further setting aside and declaration of land
50ASecretary may accept gift of certain lands subject to conditions
Leases, licences and management responsibilities
51Leases of land in reserved forests
52Licences and permits with respect to forests
52AANo compensation payable or proceedings able to be taken
53Power to submit certain leases licences or permits to auction or tender
54Lease etc. with respect to timber to contain condition as to insurance against loss by fire
55No compensation for improvements
56Dealing with interest in leased land
57Restriction of rights of lessees and licensees
57ALand to be managed consistently with joint management plan
57BLease of land to a generation company
57CIssue of licences over land to a generation company
57DAgreement with electricity company—reserved forest
57DALicences and…