Welcome to Issue 12 of In Focus: the newsletter of Plantations For Australia: The 2020 Vision. In Focus aims to keep interested groups and individuals informed of plantation development activities and issues around the country
What’s happening?
This issue provides a brief overview of some of the important research projects that are currently being conducted by our plantation forestry research agencies.
Thanks to all those who were able to contribute.
But first of all a quick summary of some of the strategic plantation forestry activity around the Nation, including our favourite hot topic – the review of taxation treatment of plantation forestry:
> Proposed Taxation Arrangements for Plantation Forestry
In the 2005-06 Budget, the Australian Government announced that it would be extending the operation of the 12 month prepayment rule for forestry managed investment schemes until 30 June 2008 and that it would undertake a review of the taxation treatment of plantation forestry.
The government has now considered the findings of the review and has proposed some new arrangements on which they are seeking additional comment by 6 June 2006.
Read about Proposed Taxation Arrangements for Plantation Forestry
> A3P Sustainability Action Plan -performance, people and prosperity
With a first for the Australia's plantation products and paper industry, A3P have recently launched their Sustainability Action Plan performance, people and prosperity. The plan considers 21 issues and details specific actions for addressing each, including targets, measures of performance and a commitment to public reporting.
The plan adopts a product stewardship approach and was developed by A3P members in consultation with leading environmental NGOs.
To view a summary of performance, people and prosperity:  PDF
(1.16 Mb)
For more information contact: Miles Prosser, A3P Manager Pulp & Paper
> Victoria-Plantation Incentives Strategy
The recently released Plantation Incentives Strategy Direction Statement outlines the Victorian Government’s commitment to the private forestry sector. The Victorian Government recognises a vibrant and growing plantation sector will contribute to future growth in regional areas by providing a more diverse industry base to attract investment, add value to existing industries, provide jobs and secure new domestic and export markets. Currently the Victorian forest and timber industries generate a net production value of $3.034 billion and employ approximately 19,500 people. Sixty percent of Victoria’s timber production is now supplied from private forestry plantations.
The implementation of the Strategy will focus government effort on facilitating investment in commercial forest plantation developments to supply the demand for timber products while delivering environmental benefits that include salinity and erosion mitigation, water quality improvements, carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement.
Read more Plantation Incentives Strategy PDF
(74kb)
Access the Strategy: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/private forestry
> NSW - Plantations & Reafforestation Act & Code Review
In 2005 the NSW Department of Natural Resources commenced a review of The Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 (section 74) and the Plantations and Reafforestation (Code) Regulation 2001 with the release of a discussion paper on 17 June.
Submissions were received from a representative range of stakeholders including industry, individual community members, Local Government councils, Catchment Management Authorities and State government agencies. Targeted consultation also took place with industry members and State government agencies.
A report on the review has been prepared, drawing on the submissions and other feedback received. This report was tabled in Parliament in December 2005. Work on specific amendments to the Act and Code will continue throughout 2006. This will involve further discussion and consultation with stakeholders.
It is expected that the review will be finalised, and amendments made to the Act and Code, in 2007. There will be a further opportunity for community input when the draft amendments are placed on public exhibition.
Access the review report.
> NSW – Forestry and Timber Industry Strategy
A draft of the NSW Forestry and Timber Industry Strategy is nearly finalised and likely to be released for public comment mid 2006 with a final release nominally scheduled for late 2006.
> New Business -Forestry Plantations Queensland
On 2 May 2005 a new plantation forestry business - Forestry Plantations Queensland - the largest in Queensland, took over the former DPI Forestry as manager of Queensland’s 190,000 hectare softwood and 10,000 hectare hardwood plantation estate. The new CEO is Paul Fennelly, the former Director General of the Department of State Development.
Read the media release PDF
(13kb)
FEATURE - A Quick Look at Some of the Current Plantation Forestry Research People and Projects Across Australia
A snapshot of plantation forestry research projects has been compiled to provide readers with a brief overview of some of the current work being conducted by our research agencies.
- MEET the Forestry Tasmania Plantations Research Team
- READ about a range of plantation research projects
- FIND OUT about current research projects supported by the Forest and Wood Products Research & Development Corporation
Read more A Quick Look at Current Forestry Research PDF
(158kb)
2020 Vision Action Forum – Revitalising ‘Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision’
2020 Vision partners participated in a 2020 Vision Action Forum on 15 December 2005 with the objectives of:
- Raising awareness of opportunities and challenges in relation to ‘Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision’ and sharing information across all stakeholders and partners, and
- Clarifying priority action at national, state and regional scales.
As a result of their discussions the partners committed to support and pursue a set of priority opportunities according to their ability and responsibility.
Read the Forum Summary Report PDF
(92kb)
Plantations & Biodiversity
Plantation growers maintain active programs to protect, enhance and restore biodiversity in their plantation estates that also contribute to achieving regional natural resource management targets.
Two recent publications have brought together case studies to describe the work that is being done and guidelines to help plantation growers plan for improved biodiversity outcomes.
> The Green Triangle Regional Plantation Committee has launched a brochure of case studies ‘Protecting and enhancing biodiversity in a plantation landscape.’
Download the brochure Protecting and enhancing biodiversity in a plantation landscape: PDF
(1.24 Mb)
Photo: (L to R) Senator Eric Abetz , Australian Government Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, the Hon Patrick Secker, MHR Barker & the Hon David Hawker, MHR Wannon accompanied by authentic biodiversity at the launch of ‘Protecting and enhancing biodiversity in a plantation landscape.’
> Central Victorian Farm Plantations recently launched an excellent booklet 'Productive Trees, Healthy Landscapes' that has been produced to assist landholders, plantation owners and the general community to better understand how commercial trees can contribute to enhanced biodiversity in rural landscapes. The booklet was prepared with support from the Corangamite CMA and the National Action Plan for Salinity & Water Quality.
Download the booklet Productive Trees, Healthy Landscapes: PDF (2.11Mb)
Plantations & Salinity
Strategically located tree plantations can be an appropriate management option for mitigating the impacts of saline groundwater flows. Significant new plantation projects are underway in both WA and Victoria, directing Australian and State government investment toward establishing tree plantations for boththe reduction of saline groundwater flows and the production of wood products.
> The WA Strategic Tree Farming Project is an initiative jointly funded by the WA and Australian Governments under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality to establish treecrops in medium rainfall zones to reduce saline groundwater flows. The project will be delivered by the WA Forest Products Commission in partnership with four regional natural resource management groups.
Read more in WA Strategic Tree Farming 2006-08 PDF
(145kb)
> Sawlogs For Salinity Takes Off - Planting proposals submitted by interested landowners in the Gippsland region of Victoria are currently being considered for inclusion in DPI's new flagship forestry project, Sawlogs for Salinity.
This innovative project is funded through the Victorian government's Plantation Incentives Strategy under the Moving Forward Together initiative. A total of $1M in incentive payments will be made available to eligible plantation forestry growers, including those in Gippsland, who are willing to invest in longer rotation sawlog plantations.
The Department of Primary Industry's award winning Catchment Analysis Tool (CAT) will be used as part of the application assessment process. Applications that achieve maximum salinity reduction benefit at least dollar and water availability cost will be favoured under the project.
Subject to successful implementation of the project in 2005/06, further opportunities to participate may be available in 2006/07 and 2007/08 in the Gippsland and Otways / South West regions of Victoria.
Any enquiries regarding the project should be directed to Jonathan Drohan at DPI Forestry on (03) 5226 4668.
More info: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/
Caption: The sawlogs for salinity project is currently considering planting proposals in Gippsland
Plantations & Bioenergy
Energy from wood – a key part of Australia’s future?
Andrew Lang, Churchill Fellow 2003, discusses Scandinavian and European models of using woody biomass for fuel and makes some suggestions for Australia. Andrew will be attending a Bioenergy Conference in Sweden this month - we look forward to hearing more!
Read more: Energy from wood PDF
(87kb)
SMARTimbers Marketing Cooperative launches new Website
Sustainably Managed Australian Regional Timbers – SMARTimbers – has launched their new website. This central Victorian landholder co-operative is processing and marketing a unique and durable farm plantation grown hardwood timber – sugar gum.
Visit their website and see what they are up to: http://www.smartimbers.com.au
Contributors:
- Philip Alcorn, ANU
- Dr Tom Baker, Melbourne University
- Jonathon Drohan, Senior Policy Officer, DPI, Vic
- David Fisken, EO Central Victorian Farm Plantations
- Rick Fowler, DNR, NSW
- Dr Roger Gifford, CSIRO
- Ian Herford, FPC WA
- Dr Susan House, DPI & F, Queensland
- Dr Gary Johnson, FWPRDC
- John Kellas, EO Green Triangle RPC
- Andrew Lang, Director, SMARTimbers Cooperative
- Dr Phil Polglase, ensis
- Miles Prosser, Manager - Pulp & Paper, A3P
- Helen Vaughan, Senior Policy Officer, DPI Vic
- Dr Matthew Wood, Forestry Tasmania
- Jo Roberts, Coordinator, Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision
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