1900: Ballarat Region: 1.8 hectares P.Radiata, 5.3 hectares P. Nigra and 2.8 hectares other conifers planted.

1910: Bendigo Region: 0.6 hectares P.radiata planted. Geelong Region 4.2 hectares P.Radiata planted.

1917: Ballarat Region: 2.2 hectares P.Nigra planted. Bendigo Region 5.8 hectares P.Radiata planted.

1919: Ballarat Region: 3 hectares of P.Nigra and 0.4 hectares other conifers planted.Bendigo Region 1.8 hectares P.Radiata planted.

1920 - 1929 Forests Commission Plantings

1921: Statewide: 5.9 hectares P.Nigra and 3.8 hectares other conifers planted.

1923: Statewide: 7.5 hectares P.radiata and 1.3 hectares other conifers planted.

1926: Statewide: 10.3 hectares P.radiata planted, 0.7 hectares Ps.Menzies and 0.5 hectares other conifers planted.

1927: Statewide: 11.6 hectares P.radiata planted, 4.7 hectares other conifers planted.

1928: Statewide: 41.3 hectares P.radiata planted, 41.2 hectares Ps Menzies planted and 14.9 hectares of other conifers planted.

1929: Statewide: 41.6 hectares P.radiata planted, 9.5 hectares P.Nigra planted and 3.8 hectares of other conifers planted.

1930 - 1939 Forests Commission Plantings

1930: Statewide: 4.9 hectares P.radiata planted, 6.6 hectares P.Nigra planted, 6.9 hectares Ps Menzies planted and 15 hectares of other conifers planted.

1931: Statewide: 9.2 hectares P.radiata planted, 43.1 hectares P.Nigra planted, 16.7 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 22.6 hectares of other conifers planted.

1932: Statewide: 11.6 hectares P.radiata planted, 9.9 hectares P.Nigra planted, 39.9 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 24 hectares of other conifers planted.

1933: Statewide: 20 hectares P.radiata planted, 39 hectares P.Nigra planted, 43.7 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 46.9 hectares of other conifers planted.

1934: Statewide: 2.1 hectares P.radiata planted, 8.1 hectares P.Nigra planted, 72.4 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 13.4 hectares of other conifers planted.

1935: Statewide: 43.7 hectares Ps Menzies planted and 73.6 hectares of other conifers planted.

1936: Statewide: 57.3 hectares P.Nigra planted, 55.2 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 16.5 hectares of other conifers planted.

1937: Statewide: 3.8 hectares P.radiata planted, 5.2 hectares P.Nigra planted, 33.2 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 64.3 hectares of other conifers planted.

1938: Statewide: 65.9 hectares P.radiata planted, 2.4 hectares P.Nigra planted, 1.1 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 26.9 hectares of other conifers planted.

1939: Statewide: 16.9 hectares P.radiata planted, 0.2 hectares P.Nigra planted, 17.8 hectares of Ps Menzies planted and 30 hectares of other conifers planted.

1940 - 1949 Forests Commission Plantings

1940

1941

1942

1943

2 hectares Ps Menzies - Alexandra Region

1944

0.7 hectares P.radiata, 1.0 hectare P.nigra (Ballarat Region) and 0.1 hectare eucalypt (Yarram Region)

1945

1.7 hectares P.radiata (Yarram Region)

1946

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland
Colac
Ballarat	69.6						69.6
Bendigo
Geelong	1.3						1.3
Benalla
Alexandra	13.9						13.9
Wangaratta	0.5						0.5
Wodonga
Yarram
Central Gippsland					17.5		17.5
Bairnsdale
Total	85.3				17.5		102.8

1947

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	2.5						2.5
Colac
Ballarat	36.6						36.6
Bendigo	6.7						6.7
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta
Wodonga
Yarram
Central Gippsland					23.1		23.1
Bairnsdale
Total	45.8				23.1		68.9

1948

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland
Colac
Ballarat	14.6						14.6
Bendigo	19.1						19.1
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta	13.3						13.3
Wodonga
Yarram
Central Gippsland	0.7				8.6		9.3
Bairnsdale
Total	47.7				8.6		56.3

1949

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland
Colac
Ballarat	31.7						31.7
Bendigo
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta	12.9						12.9
Wodonga
Yarram	0.3				24.8		25.1
Central Gippsland					5.6		5.6
Bairnsdale
Total	44.9				30.4		75.3

1950 - 1959 Forests Commission Plantings

1950

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland
Colac	28.6						28.6
Ballarat	69.3						69.3
Bendigo	14.5						14.5
Geelong	7.8						7.8
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta	2.0						2.0
Wodonga
Yarram					35.8		35.8
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	122.2				35.8		158.0

1951

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	1.3			4.0			5.3
Colac	40.7						40.7
Ballarat	69.3						69.3
Bendigo	17.7						17.7
Geelong	0.4						0.4
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta
Wodonga
Yarram	0.3				9.2		9.5
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	129.7			4.0	9.2		142.9

1952

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland				1.8			1.8
Colac
Ballarat	51.2						51.2
Bendigo
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta
Wodonga
Yarram				0.1	0.2		0.3
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	51.2			1.9	0.2		53.3

1953

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland
Colac
Ballarat	6.5						6.5
Bendigo
Geelong
Benalla				1.3			1.3
Alexandra
Wangaratta	1.8						1.8
Wodonga
Yarram					7.8		7.8
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	8.3			1.3	7.8		17.4

1954

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland
Colac
Ballarat	52.6						52.6
Bendigo
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra	1.4						1.4
Wangaratta
Wodonga
Yarram					6.3		6.3
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	54				6.3		60.3

1955

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	0.4			0.4			0.8
Colac
Ballarat	49.4						49.4
Bendigo
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta	1.1						1.1
Wodonga
Yarram				0.1	7.0		7.1
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	50.9			0.5	7.0		58.4

1956

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	0.4			0.5			0.9
Colac
Ballarat	30.4						30.4
Bendigo	7.1						7.1
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra	8.5						8.5
Wangaratta	0.5						0.5
Wodonga
Yarram	0.4				7.2		7.6
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	46.9				7.2		54.1

1957

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	0.3			77.7			80.0
Colac
Ballarat	8.6						8.6
Bendigo	5.2						5.2
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta	4.0						4.0
Wodonga
Yarram					22.1		22.1
Central Gippsland	5.0				2.0		7.0
Bairnsdale
Total	23.1			77.7	24.1		124.9

1958

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	112.1			2.4			114.5
Colac
Ballarat	10.8						10.8
Bendigo	5.2						5.2
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra
Wangaratta	23.7						23.7
Wodonga
Yarram	0.3				14.0		14.0
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	152.1			2.4	14.0		168.5

1959

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	18.2						18.2
Colac	0.7						0.7
Ballarat	16.0						16.0
Bendigo
Geelong
Benalla
Alexandra	183.3						183.3
Wangaratta	23.7						23.7
Wodonga
Yarram					14.0		14.0
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	241.9				14.0		255.9

1960 - 1969 Forests Commission Plantings

1960

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	50.3						50.3
Colac	28.6						28.6
Ballarat	69.3						69.3
Bendigo	5.1						5.1
Geelong	7.8						7.8
Benalla
Alexandra	68.3			0.4			68.7
Wangaratta	13.4						13.4
Wodonga
Yarram					59.3		59.3
Central Gippsland	5.4						5.4
Bairnsdale
Total	248.2			0.4	59.3		307.9

1961

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	242.7						242.7
Colac
Ballarat	1.2						1.2
Bendigo	1.1						1.1
Geelong	14.9						14.9
Benalla
Alexandra	68.3						68.3
Wangaratta	6.8						6.8
Wodonga	1.6						1.6
Yarram					68.7		68.7
Central Gippsland	4.2						4.2
Bairnsdale
Total	340.8				68.7		409.5

1962

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	335.8			64.7			400.5
Colac	50.6						50.6
Ballarat	25.6						25.6
Bendigo	3.0						3.0
Geelong	36.5						36.5
Benalla
Alexandra	154.9						154.9
Wangaratta	44.9						44.9
Wodonga	353.3						353.3
Yarram	2.5				238.2		240.7
Central Gippsland	26.4						26.4
Bairnsdale
Total	1033.5			64.7	238.2		1336.4

1963

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	426.7			29.7			456.4
Colac	72.5						72.5
Ballarat	38.1						38.1
Bendigo	7.0						7.0
Geelong	24.2						24.2
Benalla
Alexandra	149.8						149.8
Wangaratta	291.1						291.1
Wodonga	271.3						271.3
Yarram	20.1				247.5		267.6
Central Gippsland	46.4						46.4
Bairnsdale
Total	1347.2			29.7	247.5		1624.4

1964

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	43.7						43.7
Portland	581.9			52.8			634.7
Colac	84.0						84.0
Ballarat	29.7						29.7
Bendigo
Geelong	19.5						19.5
Benalla	87.7						87.7
Alexandra	180.7						180.7
Wangaratta	179.3						179.3
Wodonga	213.7						213.7
Yarram	37.1				302.2		339.3
Central Gippsland	23.8						23.8
Bairnsdale
Total	1481.1			52.8	302.2		1836.1

1965

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	32.6						32.6
Portland	587.9			57.1			645.0
Colac	72.1		12.4	2.4			86.9
Ballarat	54.6						54.6
Bendigo
Geelong	18.6						18.6
Benalla	113.2						113.2
Alexandra	133.5						133.5
Wangaratta	264.1			0.6			264.7
Wodonga	33.0						33.0
Yarram	99.4		5.7		152.6		257.7
Central Gippsland	40.1						40.1
Bairnsdale
Total	1449.1		18.1	60.1	152.6		1679.9

1966

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	52.8						52.8
Portland	341.8			11.6			353.4
Colac	60.6		7.4	5.3			73.3
Ballarat	242.9		0.9	7.7			251.5
Bendigo
Geelong	34.7		0.9	2.7			38.3
Benalla	92.7						92.7
Alexandra	224.0						224.0
Wangaratta	595.4	0.3		5.8			601.5
Wodonga	227.9		2.4				230.3
Yarram	180.2		4.1	4.3	189.8		378.4
Central Gippsland	39.2		1.2				40.4
Bairnsdale
Total	2092.2	0.3	16.9	37.4	189.8		2336.6

1967

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	47.1						47.1
Portland	772.2						772.2
Colac	71.3			2.5			73.8
Ballarat	196.8						196.8
Bendigo
Geelong	63.2						63.2
Benalla	140.5		0.1				140.6
Alexandra	274.8						274.8
Wangaratta	474.4						474.4
Wodonga	433.9	0.6	3.3	2.6			440.4
Yarram	304.9		1.9		296.5		603.3
Central Gippsland	47.0						47.0
Bairnsdale
Total	2826.1	0.6	5.3	5.1	296.5		3133.6

1968

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	105.2						105.2
Portland	1156.0			1.7			1157.7
Colac	114.4	4.5	22.2	1.6			142.7
Ballarat	226.2	2.6		0.6			229.4
Bendigo
Geelong
Benalla	447.0	4.9	5.5	9.3			466.7
Alexandra	342.3						342.3
Wangaratta	451.0	0.6		0.9			452.5
Wodonga	250.8						250.8
Yarram	304.3	0.4	10.8	1.6	192.0		509.1
Central Gippsland	24.8		6.4	0.9			32.1
Bairnsdale
Total	3422.0	13.0	44.9	16.6	192.0		3688.5

1969

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	28.6						28.6
Portland	1472.4			137.1			1609.5
Colac	155.4						155.4
Ballarat	241.7		0.1	0.4			242.2
Bendigo	2.6						2.6
Geelong	343.9	0.7					344.6
Benalla	644.9	1.5	0.3				646.7
Alexandra	37.9						37.9
Wangaratta	595.2						595.2
Wodonga	642.3						642.3
Yarram	342.4	1.0		5.8	252.6		601.8
Central Gippsland	275.4			1.3			276.7
Bairnsdale
Total	4782.7	3.2	0.4	144.6	252.6		5183.5

1970 - 1979 Forests Commission Plantings

1970

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	42.9						42.9
Portland	431.0						431.0
Colac	15.1						15.1
Ballarat	246.9						246.9
Bendigo	3.4						3.4
Geelong	228.8			0.1			228.9
Benalla	717.0			1.0			718.0
Alexandra	596.9		3.6	1.3			601.8
Wangaratta	633.9						633.9
Wodonga	649.8	7.4		0.5			657.7
Yarram	329.7				216.5		546.2
Central Gippsland	120.2						120.2
Bairnsdale
Total	4015.6	7.4	3.6	2.9	216.5		4246.0

1971

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	33.2						33.2
Portland	628.7			2.4			631.1
Colac	32.6						32.6
Ballarat	347.9			4.3			352.2
Bendigo	1.3						1.3
Geelong	220.5						220.5
Benalla	789.1	4.1					793.2
Alexandra	615.9	5.3					621.2
Wangaratta	597.9		33.2	5.9			637.0
Wodonga	555.5	1.0	1.7				558.2
Yarram	309.9		3.1	9.4	257.4		579.8
Central Gippsland	101.7						101.7
Bairnsdale
Total	4234.2	10.4	38.0	22.0	257.4		4562.0

1972

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	41.4						41.4
Portland	592.8			3.8			596.6
Colac	110.2						110.2
Ballarat	411.6	22.2		4.8			438.6
Bendigo	18.7						18.7
Geelong	200.8			2.8			203.6
Benalla	601.9	45.7	14.9	9.6			672.1
Alexandra	724.4	9.7	0.7	38.1			772.9
Wangaratta	488.4	11.6		18.3			518.3
Wodonga	304.5	37.1		12.1			353.7
Yarram	324.8	7.0		35.6	321.9		689.3
Central Gippsland	147.9	3.6		2.7			154.2
Bairnsdale
Total	3967.4	136.9	15.6	127.8	321.9		4569.6

1973

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	33.0						33.0
Portland	566.0						566.0
Colac	61.7						61.7
Ballarat	341.3	1.9	7.6	1.8			352.6
Bendigo	25.9						25.9
Geelong	202.7			4.5			207.2
Benalla	555.7		36.9	1.1			593.7
Alexandra	410.9		25.3	10.0			446.2
Wangaratta	800.0			8.7			808.7
Wodonga	295.9						295.9
Yarram	188.6	22.6	0.3		279.7		491.2
Central Gippsland	229.1						229.1
Bairnsdale
Total	3710.8	24.5	70.1	26.1	279.7		4111.2

1974

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	51.7						51.7
Portland	637.2	2.4		3.0			642.6
Colac	183.6			2.5			186.1
Ballarat	324.6	2.6	1.7	0.4			329.3
Bendigo	27.2						27.2
Geelong	215.7		1.8				217.5
Benalla	463.4			11.4			474.8
Alexandra	508.4	23.1		10.1			541.6
Wangaratta	595.5	19.1		6.7			621.3
Wodonga	214.1			2.7			216.8
Yarram	644.3			4.6	147.0		478.9
Central Gippsland	186.5						186.5
Bairnsdale
Total	4052.2	47.2	3.5	41.4	147.0		4291.3

1975

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	42.9						42.9
Portland	1081.7						1081.7
Colac	97.6						97.6
Ballarat	458.8	0.6					459.4
Bendigo	9.7						9.7
Geelong	200.7						200.7
Benalla	655.4						655.4
Alexandra	422.2			14.0			436.0
Wangaratta	751.3	7.1		10.4			768.8
Wodonga	283.8			8.3			292.1
Yarram	644.3			4.6	147.0		795.9
Central Gippsland	199.4						199.4
Bairnsdale
Total	4847.8	7.7		37.3	147.0		5039.8

1976

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	17.1						17.1
Portland	464.3						464.3
Colac	151.2			0.8			152
Ballarat	380.7						380.7
Bendigo	11.4						11.4
Geelong	258.8						258.8
Benalla	541.1						541.1
Alexandra	391.0			26.1			417.1
Wangaratta	677.3						677.3
Wodonga	492.0						492.0
Yarram	865.9				254.7		1120.6
Central Gippsland	146.3						146.3
Bairnsdale
Total	4397.1			26.9	254.7		4678.7

1977

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	569.5						569.5
Colac	68.6						68.6
Ballarat	429.2						429.2
Bendigo	23.2						23.2
Geelong	202.2						202.2
Benalla	581.7						581.7
Alexandra	110.0			57.2			167.2
Wangaratta	763.3						763.3
Wodonga	519.0						519.0
Yarram	1179.7				350.2		1529.9
Central Gippsland	170.3						170.3
Bairnsdale
Total	4616.7			57.2	350.2		5024.1

1978

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	574.2						574.2
Colac	79.7						79.7
Ballarat	429.2						429.2
Bendigo	23.2						23.2
Geelong	206.5						206.5
Benalla	563.7						563.7
Alexandra	372.5			47.7			420.2
Wangaratta	852.0						852.0
Wodonga	400.9						400.9
Yarram	647.5				372.1		1019.6
Central Gippsland	313.3						313.3
Bairnsdale
Total	4462.7			47.7	372.1		4882.5

1979

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	628.0						628.0
Colac	79.7						79.7
Ballarat	332.6						332.6
Bendigo	21.5						21.5
Geelong	186.2						186.2
Benalla	214.8						214.8
Alexandra	372.5			47.7			420.2
Wangaratta	894.6						894.6
Wodonga	170.2						170.2
Yarram	572.8				348.8		921.6
Central Gippsland	157.4						157.4
Bairnsdale
Total	3630.3			47.7	348.8		4026.8

1980 - 1989 Department Conservation Plantings

1980

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	505.6						505.6
Colac	61.1						61.1
Ballarat	328.0						328.0
Bendigo	28.3						28.3
Geelong	167.3						167.3
Benalla	309.2			0.3			309.5
Alexandra				4.5			4.5
Wangaratta	870.0						870.0
Wodonga	519.4						519.4
Yarram	548.2				245.0		793.2
Central Gippsland	221.1				8.8		229.9
Bairnsdale
Total	3558.2			4.8	253.8		3816.8

1981

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	289.1						289.1
Colac	47.7						47.7
Ballarat	411.8			8.8			420.6
Bendigo	24.7						24.7
Geelong	1.5						1.5
Benalla	383.4						383.4
Alexandra
Wangaratta	993.8						993.8
Wodonga	312.6						312.6
Yarram	766.4				237.2		1003.6
Central Gippsland	166.9						166.9
Bairnsdale
Total	3397.9			8.8	237.2		3643.9

1982

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	481.0						481.0
Colac	122.0						122.0
Ballarat	330.7						330.7
Bendigo	4.8						4.8
Geelong	108.9						108.9
Benalla	565.6						565.6
Alexandra
Wangaratta	1237.3						1237.3
Wodonga	573.5						573.5
Yarram	758.8				217.8		976.6
Central Gippsland	176.4				2.4		178.8
Bairnsdale	13.4
Total	4372.4				220.2		4592.8

1983

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	331.9						331.9
Colac	75.5						75.5
Ballarat	191.6						191.6
Bendigo	33.7						33.7
Geelong	193.7		1.0				194.7
Benalla	415.5						415.5
Alexandra				2.2			2.2
Wangaratta	771.8		1.7				773.5
Wodonga	330.8			44.3			375.1
Yarram	326.9				129.0		455.9
Central Gippsland	99.1						99.1
Bairnsdale
Total	2770.5		2.7	46.5	129.0		2948.7

1984

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	172.1						172.1
Colac	195.5						195.5
Ballarat	190.7						190.7
Bendigo	1.3						1.3
Geelong	407.4			0.4			407.8
Benalla	52.9						52.9
Alexandra	18.2						18.2
Wangaratta	469.5						469.5
Wodonga	571.8						571.8
Yarram	490.7				269.5		760.2
Central Gippsland	158.4						158.4
Bairnsdale
Total	2728.5			0.4	269.5		2998.4

1985

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	359.9						359.9
Colac	211.6		10.0				221.6
Ballarat	110.9						110.9
Bendigo	23.5						23.5
Geelong	399.7		2.4				402.1
Benalla	102.7						102.7
Alexandra
Wangaratta	1177.7						1177.7
Wodonga	460.7						460.7
Yarram	711.8				92.0		803.8
Central Gippsland	197.3						197.3
Bairnsdale
Total	3755.8		12.4		92.0		3860.2

1986

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	305.8						305.8
Colac	175.4	0.6					176.0
Ballarat	176.9						176.9
Bendigo
Geelong	79.9						79.9
Benalla	179.5						179.5
Alexandra
Wangaratta	892.3			3.4			894.6
Wodonga	583.8		6.0	28.5			618.3
Yarram	596.6				130.3		726.9
Central Gippsland	100.3						100.3
Bairnsdale
Total	3090.5	0.6	6.0	31.9	130.3		3259.3

1987

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	233.8						233.8
Colac	62.3		0.3				62.6
Ballarat	125.2						125.2
Bendigo	31.5						31.5
Geelong	89.3						89.3
Benalla	128.8						128.8
Alexandra				3.7			3.7
Wangaratta	801.1						801.1
Wodonga	479.3						479.3
Yarram	789.7				154.4		944.1
Central Gippsland	178.8						178.8
Bairnsdale
Total	2919.8		0.3	3.7	154.4		3078.2

1988

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	386.2						386.2
Colac	291.0						291.0
Ballarat	175.1						175.1
Bendigo	32.8						32.8
Geelong	275.7						275.7
Benalla	252.9						252.9
Alexandra
Wangaratta	753.4						753.4
Wodonga	755.6						755.6
Yarram	1013.6				193.8		1207.4
Central Gippsland	22.5						22.5
Bairnsdale
Total	3958.8				193.8		4152.6

1989

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	544.6						544.6
Colac	164.4						164.4
Ballarat	201.6						201.6
Bendigo	20.4						20.4
Geelong	1.7						1.7
Benalla	27.8						27.8
Alexandra	7.9						7.9
Wangaratta	631.1						631.1
Wodonga	324.3						324.3
Yarram	1009.9				249.7		1259.6
Central Gippsland
Bairnsdale
Total	2933.7				249.7		3183.4

1990 - 1992 Department Conservation Plantings

1990

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	801.3						801.3
Colac	255.0						255.0
Ballarat	90.7						90.7
Bendigo	18.2						18.2
Geelong	95.7						95.7
Benalla	11.4						11.4
Alexandra	8.6						8.6
Wangaratta	956.7						956.7
Wodonga	231.1						231.1
Yarram	707.0			1.4	159.5		867.9
Central Gippsland	280.0						280.0
Bairnsdale
Total	3455.7			1.4	159.5		3616.6

1991

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	494.1						494.1
Colac	170.0						170.0
Ballarat	87.3						87.3
Bendigo	19.0						19.0
Geelong	77.0						77.0
Benalla	83.0						83.0
Alexandra	14.4						14.4
Wangaratta	728.3						728.3
Wodonga	199.7						199.7
Yarram	630.5				150.2		780.7
Central Gippsland	786.9						786.9
Bairnsdale
Total	3290.2				150.2		3440.4

1992

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham
Portland	518.2						518.2
Colac	148.2						148.2
Ballarat	86.5						86.5
Bendigo	14.5						14.5
Geelong	77.6						77.6
Benalla	4.2						4.2
Alexandra
Wangaratta	392.3						392.3
Wodonga	175.4						175.4
Yarram	247.1				8.0		255.1
Central Gippsland					26.0		26.0
Bairnsdale
Total	1664				34.0		1698.0

Totals Pre: Victorian Plantation Corporation

Region	P.radiata	P.Nigra	Ps. Menz.	Other Conifers	Eucalypts	Other Species	Total
Horsham	572.2			1.5			573.7
Portland	17699.9	2.4		450.7			18153.0
Colac	3670.9	139.4	320.4	180.4			4311.1
Ballarat	7698.2	69.6	10.4	40.7			7818.9
Bendigo	550.6			0.2			550.8
Geelong	4669.0	0.7	6.8	25.2			4701.7
Benalla	9726.7	56.2	57.7	34.0			9874.6
Alexandra	6351.1	46.9	49.7	260.9			6708.6
Wangaratta	20784.7	85.7	120.7	207.1			21198.2
Wodonga	11831.5	46.1	13.4	99.0			11990.0
Yarram	15207.2	31.0	38.2	65.8	7151.3		22493.5
Central Gippsland	4712.1	3.6	7.6	4.9	94.0		4822.2
Bairnsdale	13.4						13.4
Total	103487.5	481.6	624.9	1370.4	7245.3		113209.7

History

1888: First State P.Nigra planting in Ballarat-Macedon region.

1900: First State P.Radiata planting in Ballarat region.

1910: First State small plantings of P. Radiata in Geelong and Bendigo Regions.

1921: First State P.Nigra and other conifers planted in Wangaratta Region (Beechworth/Bright?).

1927: First State P.radiata plantings in Wangaratta District.

1929: First State conifers planted in Colac District.

1929: Biggest State Planting year for Bendigo Region (37.7ha of Radiata Pine).

1931: First State P.radiata plantings in Colac District. 80 hectares of pine species established in one year.

1936: Wood Pulp Agreement Act signed between APM and State of Victioria.

1937: First State P.radiata plantings in Alexandra Region (Narbethong?).

1937: Maryvale Pulp Mill (central Gippsland opens).

1944: First small scale State Eucalyptus plantings (0.1ha) in Yarram district.

1946: Commencement of E.regnans plantations in Strzelecki Ranges by Forestry Commission

1950's Australian Paper Manufacturers (APM) and Forestry Commission establish tree farms, mainly concentrating on exotic pines, which were relatively scarce in Australia, backed by eucalypt plantations as close as possible to the companys mills. In Gippsland Radiata pine was preferred.

1950 April: APM Board decided that planting of pines on freehold land should begin. By end of July, about 240 hectares had been sown establishing tree farms at Longford and Stockdale. Introduction of Lowther tree planting machines. Able to plant 16 000 young pines in a day. Next plantations at Flynn Creek, Maryvale and Silver Creek.

1951: APM Forests Pty Ltd formed. This an APM subsidiary where calls paid would be tax deductible in APM's hands. This specifically applied to encourage forestry companies to grow plantations. Company was writing off its forestry costs against other profits. If trees grew well, the company would be able to capitalise some of the costs of forest establishment. Chairman: RB Jeffreys. Board Members: JG Wilson, JD Brookes, AJ Hedly and WG Brookes. DH Alexander (sec), KF Wraith (Accountant). Operated in two parts. Wood procurement under Hedley and forest development under Chandler. Concentrated in Gippsland but also plantations established in NSW and Qld.

1952: Softwood Holdings begins Mt Gambier S.A. F Lindsay and Dick Lemessurier foundation shareholders.

1952: Summer. Hi-Ball introduced by APM. A steel ball, 2.44 meters in diametre, made of welded steel plate, 18 millimetres thick. A 150 millimetre steel shaft, inserted through the ball, was attached to two steel cables at each end. The cables were then hooked to two powerful tractors about 40 metres apart. As they moved through the forests everything in the U-shape formed by the cables was pulled over. Trees up to 90 centimetres in diameter could be uprooted and up to 24 hectares of bush could be cleared in a day - five times as fast as pushing trees over with a tractor. Hi-Ball cleared some 810 hectares at Longford in the summer of 1952. Once the clearing was done planting began. Light planes were used for spreading fertiliser and forest inspections were made by helicopter.

1955: July - APM planted its one millionth tree. 'Trees Forever' became a slogan in the company.

1958: First plantings of large scale radiata pine in the South West Victoria. First time plantings top 100 hectares in any region in the state.

1960's: Early 60's pine was introduced and established as a structural building material. Prior to this it was used primarily for low quality case timber.

1961: Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) Act. Granted APM a lease of 8731 acres of land in the northern Strzeleckis in the Parishes of Bulga, Callignee, Jeeralang and Jumbuk. Catchments comprised mainly of Traralgon Creek, Jeeralang Creek and Middle Creek. Act set up because; 1939 fires decimated forests under 1936 Wood Pulp Agreement Act. APM had to obtain an agreement with the Forest Commission to source much of its pulpwood from outside of the agreed Forest Area at considerably increased cost to the company. "In order to meet the company's requirements of pulpwood the Commission and the company have surveyed the resources available and have agreed upon the necessity of 3 principle courses of action, namely -

(c) for the purposes of establishing plantations and replacing some of the resources of pulpwood lost to the company since the commencement of the Wood Pulp Agreement 1936, the leasing to the company of certain areas of State forest in the eastern Strzelecki ranges (being the lands described in the form of lease set out in the schedule hereto) which are at present unproductive".

1961: In 1961 the state government established a programme of softwood plantings throughout Victoria.

1966: Wood Pulp Agreement Act 1966: According to LB Williams 'The Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) Act 1966 "To help overcome this deficiency the 1966 Act lays down the procedure to be adopted for the leasing of Commission land to the company for the growing of trees for pulpwood. This should assist the company develop an additional reserve of high grade pulpwood - particularly Mt Ash. At the present time the company leases from the Commission about 8700 acreas of land in the eastern Strzelecki Ranges. Terms of this lease require the company to establish trees in the plantable area contained therein over a period of 16 years. Since 1961 more than 2000 acres have actually been established. It is anticipated that a further area of about 12000 acres will be made available in the Middle Creek and East Morwell river basins. This area abuts the current lease area and would in effect be an extension thereof".

1966: Softwood Plantations Loan Scheme established. In 1966 the Victorian government established the Softwoods Plantations Loan Scheme which provided loans to landholders for pine plantation establishment. By 1984 over 8000 hectares of plantations had been established throughout Victoria by 449 landholders with assistance from the scheme. The scheme provided loan monies up to $8000 per property to a maximum of 40 hectares or 200 hectares.

1968: Biggest State Planting year for Horsham Region (105.2ha of Radiata Pine).

1968 May 24: Copper Oxychloride used on pine plantations (1200 acres) in the Myrtleford, Bright and Tallangatta regions for Dothistroma control.

1969: Biggest State Planting year for Portland Region (1472.4 ha of Radiata Pine).

1970 October: Millionth acre of softwood plantation in Australia established by Australian Forestry Council in NSW at Hampton near Lithgow.

1971: Biggest State Planting year for Benalla Region (789.1 ha of Radiata Pine).

1971 June 18: Forests Commission intend to aerially spray 164 acres of plantations at Beech Forest - Halls Ridge.

1972: Biggest State Planting year for Alexandra Region (724.4ha of Radiata Pine).

1974 May10: Submission by Karl Liffman, a final year Burnley student, to the Land Conservation Council after he had accidently discovered the Victorian Forestry Department's plan to convert one fifth of the Wombat State Forest, ie all of the forest from Blackwood to Mount Macedon into a pinus radiata plantation.

With utmost urgency we wish to draw your attention to the critical changes that would occur to the abovementioned State Forest, if the planting of softwood species were instigated, on account of the irrefutable evidence resulting from Pinus Radiata plantings in the Ballarat-Creswick State Forest where the Pinus growth and seeding have created a weed problem.

For this and the following reasons, the Forest Commission's policy to convert 33,900 acres of the 181,900 acre Wombat State Forest to softwood, is detrimental to the continued ecological balance of the forest:

1. Destruction of the native vegetation in plantation clearing operations would upset the micro-environments of many valuable flora and fauna.

2. The planting of softwood, e.g. Pinus species, in a natural forest area would create a weed problem in the adjacent forest because;

a. Seed dispersal within existing native vegetation would proliferate and extend softwoods into valuable hardwood regions.

b. Unfavourable competition for nutrition would render softwoods a strong competitor against native endemic vegetation.

c. When competing for light with native vegetation, the introduced softwood would kill off the floristically rish forest floor.

d. The acidic, phenolic litter of softwoods suppress the continued growth and propagation of native growth on the forest floor.

e. The growth of "foreign" softwoods would create an unaesthetic sight in untouched forest land and would be in direct conflict with "Aim of Management (viii) ref. "Wombat State Forest" 2/74 of the Trentham District Management Plan which states . . . "provision for the scenic and recreational requirements of the community, and the maintenance of suitable habitat for wildlife where this is considered practicable and desirable".

1. AGAINST conversion of any area of the Wombat State Forest to softwood or imported vegetation not endemic to the area. This includes Pinus species.

3. FOR expansion and taking of additional Crown Land, e.g. the township of Barry's Reef, which is already cleared, to widen the existing boundaries of the Wombat State Forest.

We suggest that as the building industry is so dependent upon future softwood growth, it should assist financially in the purchasing of cleared grazing land to grow the necessary timber.

1975: Biggest State Planting year for Ballarat Region (458.8 ha of Radiata Pine).

1975: Second Biggest State Planting year for Victoria (5039.8 ha of Radiata Pine).

1975 Feb 7: Federal softwood inquiry conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation, is in progress. Aust Financial Review.

1977: Biggest State Planting year for Yarram Softwood Region (1179.7 ha of Radiata Pine).

1977: Third Biggest State Planting year for Victoria (5024.1 ha of Radiata Pine).

1977 August 3: Barramunga woman complains to Otway Shire Council over pine plantations. 3 Herald.

1977 August 6: Victorian Sawmillers Association recommends 30% cut in pine production because of a slump in housing industry. Age. 1978:

1977 June 22: Colac Field Naturalist Club complain about Associated Kiln Driers (Colac) over recent softwood activity in the Otways. Herald.

1978: Highest planting year for eucalpyts in the Strzeleckis @372.1 hectares

1978: Biggest State Planting year for Central Gippsland Region (313.3 ha of Radiata Pine).

1978 June: The Federal Minister for Health, Mr Hunt, intervened in the controversy involving a possible link between a common weed-killer and human birth deformities. Mr Hunt ordered a full-scale investigation into the herbicide 2,4,5-T by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The move follows an outcry by parents and medical experts in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. It was alleged that the use of the chemical may cause gross abnormalities in babies including anencephaly (absence of brain) and spina bifida (an abnormality of the spine).

1978: Yarram area, South Gippsland, Victoria: State government appointed 12 man committee to probe child abnormalities and birth defects in the Yarram area in South Gippsland. Committee probed the use of 24 D and 245 T in the Yarram area. Both herbicides are poisonous and it is estimated that between 20 and 40 grams is sufficient to kill a person. In Australia 245 T can legally contain 0.1 parts per million of a contaminant known as dioxin which is regarded by Dutch scientists as the most poisonous substance in existence. The Yarram area was heavily covered with the two sprays used to eradicate noxious weeds, ragwort and blackberry in 1975-6. Between June, 1975, and May 1976, in the area 4 children died at birth, or soon after, and four others were born with major abnormalities and still-births. Age 22/3/78. Many of these chemicals were also used in the area for the establishment of pine plantations.

1979 July 23: Forests Commission Victoria ground spraying winter early spring 1979 @ Hurdle Creek (south of Myrtleford). Using Weedazol TL Plus (Amitrole) and Gesasprim (Atrazine).

1979 November 11: 153rd Meeting of Pesticide Review Committee: Item 2 (b) Aerial Spraying to Control Dothistroma. "The Committee discussed the Forests Commission of Victoria submission to control Dothistroma Septospora in the Tallangatta Forest District Plantation Railway Block. Mr ... pointed out that the operational method proposed had been used in NSW & NZ but never before in Victoria. The Committee approved the control program."

1980 April 11: Forest Commission of Victoria to spray plantations grass at Heywood in July - August. Need to aerial spray as heavy clay soils when wet are not conducive to the use of ground equipment at the period of the year when spraying is required. 405ha allotments 19, 19A, 20A Parish of Hotspur, with Weedazol (Amitrole 4L/ha) and Gesaprim (Atrazine 7L/ha). Glyphosate trials in 1981/2 as a potential replacement for Amitrole.

1980 August 21: 436ha of plantations in Victoria to be sprayed with Hexazinone. "In the absence of 2,4,5-T, which because of bans has not been used as an aerial spray in plantations since 1977, no other herbicide tested in trial work has proved to be as suitable for woody weed control as Velpar.

1981: July 9 - ACF, Conservation Council of Victoria and Native Forests Action Council in united opposition to the Land Conservation Council's proposed doubling of area under pine plantations in north east Victoria. Age.

1981 October: 173rd Meeting PRC - 4. Notification of field trials by Forests Commission to spray Velpar (Hexazinone). Trial at Warrenbayne Plantation (Strathbogie Ranges). The Secretary explained that after canvassing the members opinions, tentative approval had been given to this program. 809ha also to be sprayed at Mirboo, Beaufort, Loch Valley, Yarram and Myrtleford).

1981: November - Senate Standing Committee on Trade and Commerce released its report on 'Australia's Forestry and Forest Products Industries' finds that pine plantations are currently excessive. Colac Herald?

1981: Nov 16 - LCC Ovens Softwood area final recommendations released, recommending 13,700 ha for pine plantations: Many disappointed. Local ALP candidates see this as an election issue. *2,3 Chronicle-Despatch Wangaratta.

1982: Biggest State Planting year for Wangaratta Region (1237.3 ha of Radiata Pine).

1982: Jan 11 - Minister for Forests (Austin) announces go ahead for 5,800 hectare pine plantation in north east Victoria over next 4 years. *3 Chronical -Despatch Wangaratta.

1982: Jan 22 - Senate Standing Committee report tabled 'Australia's Forestry and Forest Products Industries' - says area under pine plantations is excessive. *3 Chronicle-Despatch Wangaratta.

1982: Nov 29: 55ha at Beechworth to be aerially sprayed with Lontrel by Forests Commission of Victoria."Because of continuing dry weather it is possible that some sites may be too dry for efficient herbicide treatment..."

1983: Jan 5 - ACF and farmers want the government to honour its election promise that there will be no further clearing of native forests for pine plantations, especially in north east Victoria. *3 Border Morning Mail.

1983 March 31: 127ha @ Lawson (Tallangatta) to be sprayed with Lontrel and Velpar by the Forests Commission of Victoria.

1983 June 27: Forests Commission to ADCRC: Proposal to aerially spray grasses in 431ha of plantations with Amitrole and Atrazine in the Yarram Forest District.

1983 August 19: ADCRC Meeting 1/9/83: Smorgons Consolidated Industries propose to spray 245.6ha of their Otways Plantations with Lontrel (8 or 6L/ha).

1983 September 21: Forests Commission Victoria propose to spray 2229ha of plantations throughout Victoria with either Velpar or Lontrel mainly in the Gippsland/Yarram regions.

1984: Biggest State Planting year for Geelong Region (407.4ha of Radiata Pine).

1984 August 20: Forest Commission Spraying 680ha throughout Victoria (Gippsland, South West, North East) with Velpar (Hexazinone) for control of eucalypts and silver wattle and Lontrel to control Silver Wattle. Plantations vary between 1-6 years of age.

1984 September 18: Letter from Smorgon Consolidated Industries seeking of consideration of spraying targeting Acacia dealbata. Lontrel 8 or 6L/ha. 296.5 hectares.

1985 February 1: Letter of complaint against Smorgon Industries in the Otways. Letter also from Victree asking for permission to spray in the Otways.

1985 August 8: Work bans on Amitrole by Department of Conservation Forests and Lands staff at Heywood and Victorian Trades Hall Council letter.

1985 September 5: Department of Conservation Forests and Lands proposing to spray 1220ha of plantations throughout Victoria with Velpar (Hexazinone), Lontrel and Ulvapron.

1985 September 24: Victree letter to ADCRC wanting to spray 100ha of pine plantations at Charleys Creek with Lontrol L @ 7l/ha with 20 litres of Ulvapron.

1985 October 25: Victree Forests Spraying Program: Mr... brought the Committee attention a letter from J&T Baker of Gellibrand concerning Victree's intention to spray in the vicinity of surface water used for domestic purposes in the Otways. It was claimed in the letter that in its original application Victree Forests misled the Committee by stating that the water in question was used for stock purposes only - action Victree suspended program until further notice.

1985: November - Orchardists complain about Velpar spary drift in the Stanley Plateau region by a DCFL aerial application of Velpar.

1985: November 1985: Complaint from Residents to ADCRC about aerial spraying by Victree in headwaters of Charley's Creek. "...we are situated 3.5km downstream and our neighbours a further 100yards along, are at the nearest off-take point mentioned and we are both using Charley Creek for drinking water..."

1986 January 21: Victree Forests Pty Ltd writes to the Agricultural and Domestic Chemicals Review Committee (ADCRC) explaining 80ha of Lower Gellibrand plantations sprayed in April 1985 with 7 L/ha Lontrel to suppress competition from hop wattle.

1986 January 31: Meeting Agricultural & Domestic Chemicals Review Committee - Letter from Victree Forests (Otways). There was some discussion relating to a mishap with spray drift during a State Forests and Land Service Spraying programme at Stanley. It was agreed that Mr ... invite the DCFL officers concerned to talk to the Committee. The Committee agreed that in the interim Victree should be permitted to proceed with its present proposals provided it adhered to the Code of Practice...

1986: March - Joan Kirner Minister of Conservation Forests and Land bans aerial spraying of Velpar on pine plantations on the Stanley Plateau.

1986 February 28: Meeting Agricultural & Domestic Chemicals Review Committee: re Stanley incident... no satisfactory explantation of the accidents however there many been problems with winds changing direction.

1986: March 24 - Vic government is to double its allocation of softwoods to Bowater Scott company from plantations in the north east of the state. Govt is spending $5 million to buy 4000 ha for this purpose and no native forest will be cleared: conservationists say the agreement is 'clouded in secrecy'. *13 Age.

1986: Apr? - The first long term licence for the removal of sawlogs from state softwood plantations has been awarded to Victree (Stawell) Pty Ltd after a public tender.

1986: July 17 - Minister for Conservation Forests and Lands (Kirner) agreement last April to double Bowater Scott's softwood allocation 'cannot be met without clearing of native vegetation' according to documents from DCFL obtained under FOI legislation against Labor party policy. *13 Age.

1987: The Victorian timber industry strategy sets a target of 125 000 hectares of pine plantations by 1996, the figure needed to satisfy about seven long-term Government supply contracts with companies such as Bowater Scott and APM. The areas where the Government planned to buy land for new trees were broadly around existing plantations in the Strezleckis, north-east Victoria in the Ovens Valley and Upper Murray, the Otways and around Portland.

1987: VFF land use committee Alex Arbuthnot said in April 1987: "Farmers will be outraged to learn that good agricultural land is being bought up for pines". His comments were an understatement. Uproar erupted in the bush . . . In early 1987, conservationists began to oppose the spread of pine plantations on the steep slopes of the Strzlecki Ranges in South Gippsland, claiming forestry workers were not following their own guidelines and polluting streams with soil and rubbish.

1987 June: To placate the environmentalists, the Government planned to phase out clearing of native forest on Crown Land for softwood production by June, 1987. This meant it had to look elsewhere to reach its target of 125 000 hectares of softwood plantations by 1996. At the time, there was only 91,300 ha of variable age, state-owned pine forests in Victoria in eight management areas. To find the other 33,700 ha of future forest land, the Government decided to buy 'marginal' farmland. The department bought land until it had 98,500 ha planted by March, 1988.

1987: Big campaign by locals to stop radiata pine establishment in the southern slopes of the Strezlecki Ranges. Yarram united against the Pines.

1988: Biggest State Planting year for Colac Region (291 ha of Radiata Pine).

1988: Biggest State Planting year for Wodonga Region (755.6 ha of Radiata Pine).

1988 Autumn: Department Conservation Forests and Lands aerial spraying. Velpar (Hexazinone) and Lontrel (Clopyralid) 951ha throughout Victoria in South West, Otways, Ballarat, Bendigo, Alexandra, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Central Gippsland and Yarram.

1988 September: Department Conservation Forests and Lands aerial spraying.1981ha with liquid herbicides and 190ha with granulated herbicides. Colac Region (660ha), North East (623ha), Central Gippsland (313ha), Yarram (385ha). Herbicides used include: Velpar L, Velpar ULW, Lontrel L, Ulvapron.

1988: Community concern in North East Vic rose over the next year, reaching a high point in early 1988 when Tallangatta Valley farmers led by Stuart Morant blockaded CFL contractors employed to clear a 607 ha dairy farm bought by the department for plantation pines.

1988: Tallangatta Valley declared a pine free zone. Local landuse agencies did not want pine.

OTWAY RANGES: 'No More Pines' Campaigns active throughout Otways Region. A case in the appeals tribunal where local Otway council was not giving permits for pine . . . " Nevertheless such strong feeling was generated against plantations and the Tribunal was swamped by claims about the adverse impact of pine plantations, and refused to overturn the councils initial ruling". 18 October 1988: Victree letter to ADCRC (15/7/88) spraying Velpar (Hexazinone @ 12L/ha) at Chapple Vale and Amiet Road (Otways) to control A.diffusa, E.nitida, Lepto Juniperninia, E.obliqua.

STRATHBOGIE RANGES (VIC) Late 80's: Warrenbayne Logging Committee formed due to problems associated with pine plantations including associated long term health effects. Environmental Impact Study was supposed to be done, but never released by authorities. Health problems in community started emerging around 1987 with the local tennis club, which included a male and a female genetic mutation involving the gonads. The girl also had a bone cancer at 9 years of age and the removal of precancerous ovaries at 13 years. Two other girls and a boy develop late onset epilepsy. Another male member was born extremely premature. Girl developed myeloid leaukemia and passed away, age 24. Residents feel that these issues are the tip of the health iceberg. Apparently in the 1970's the Forestry Commission had used ROGOR a close relative of 245 T in establishing pine plantations.

1988 7 Dec: Rural Water Commission of Victoria Memorandum: Disposal of Superphosphate Containing the Pesticide Dieldrin. "The Department of Agriculture and Rural Affiars has built up a stock of superphosphate containing Dieldrin as part of the pesticide recall program. At the ADCRC meeting last friday, I was made aware that DARA have been discussing with DCF&L proposals for disposing of the fertiliser. The favoured one is to apply the fertiliser to pine plantations due to their long growing cycles and possible retention of the pesticide for long periods, so that it could break down without harmful effect. I indicated that RWC should be involved in such discussions as there are water supply considerations..."

1988 9 Dec: Department Conservation Forests and Lands to aerially spray 175ha statewide with Velpar.

1989 February: Department Conservation Forests and Lands to aerially spray 2171ha statewide (Lontrel 966ha, Velpar 1205ha).

1989 7 April: Smorgon Forests to spray plantations at Flowerdale (213ha) and Kerrisdale (254ha) with Amitrole T (25%) active and Atrazine (50% active). Spraying carried out by Field Air Ballarat.

1989 September: Department Conservation Forests and Lands trial Velpar ULW at Neerim East (270ha plantations). 1979ha sprayed at Rennick in south west Victoria with Amitrole 6L/ha and Velpar/Lontrel.

1989 November: Department Conservation Forests and Lands aerially spray 644ha of pine plantations near Koetong with Copper Oxychloride to control Dothistroma.

1990 March: Victorian State Government plantation sharefarming scheme. State Government plans to establish 6000 hecatres of additional softwood plantation in Central and South Gippsland to meet the needs of the timber indusry by 1996. (Weekly Times 7/3/90). 1990: March - First joint venture farm forestry scheme between a farmer and Myrtleford timber processor Australian Forest Industries (AFI) signed. (28/3/90).

1990 April: NORTH EAST FORESTS (VIC) Spread of Pine needle blight fungus makes Dept of Conservation, Forests and Lands aerially spray plantations with Copper Oxychloride. Fungicides were the only known way to kill pine needle blight spores. Pine Needle Blight first identified in New Zealand in 1964. Disease includes plantations around Koetong Plateau, Ovens Valley and Warrenbayne districts. Spraying concentrated in the two worst areas, Benalla and the north-east. 2600 hecatres badly affected. Outbreak also found in Otways. (Age 2/4/90). Locals not told of spraying regimes even though schools were located in Warrenbayne valley and residents use creek for water.

1990 May: State Government is likely to reduce the amount of land it buys for pine trees after an outcry by farmers about the policy. . . Farmers and rural communites have criticised the Government policy of buying private land for pine plantations, saying it had caused the decline of some rural communities. The also said DCE was a bad neighbour allowing weeds and vermin to flourish . . . Timber Industry Strategy set a target of 125 000 hectares of Government pine plantations by 1996. A report on the impact of state pine plantations chaired by Councillor Pam Robinson, for the shire of Violet Town, was launched yesterday. (Age 11/5/90 p10).

1990 May: State pine plantations to be sold. Premier Joan Kirner admitted this week the pine plantations would be chopped. The sale is expected to earn the Government at least $200 million, but that could double if land is sold as well as cutting rights . . . The Liberal Party claimed that the Government had planned a $300 million fire sale, regardless of legal consequences. The Government has 109 000 ha of pines, more than half of which is less than 15 years . . . Department Forest Division acting director Kevin Wareing confirmed the Government had agreed in principle to sell the pines. Mr Wareing said a time table had not been made for the sale . . . John Pye of the Anti-pines Alliance said: 'A lot better things could have been spent with taxpayers money rather than subsidise the softwood industry. The most recent farmer protest about pine plantations was this month at Rose River, where farmers blockaded departmental officers. (Weekly Times 29/5/90. p5).

1990 August: "The timber industry strategy, adopted three years ago, set a target of 125 000 hectares, the figure needed to satisfy about seven long-term Government supply contracts with companies such as Bowater Scott and APM. The areas where the Government planned to buy land for new trees were broadly around existing plantations in the Strezleckis, north-east Victoria in the Ovens Valley and Upper Murray, the Otways and around Portland. The first opposition came from conservation groups opposed to clearing native bush for an exotic monocultural crop. The second wave of protest was from farmers, as the Government started to buy farmland on the open market, taking advantage of depressed prices. Mrs Kirner, who was then Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands and oversaw the timber industry strategy, was faced with farmers ripping new seedlings out of the ground. But she also needed more pine timber to meet supply contracts with industry. She appointed a panel to look into concerns in the rural community and to see if there was a more acceptable planting program. The report, in May this year, set a new target of 120 000 hectares and a shift towards share farming with private owners . . . A departmental spokesman said yesterday it would take six months to study how the pine estate should be sold, whether it should be the rights to the timber, or the land and the timber, or parts of both. (Age 30/8/90 p10).

1990 September: ' . . . But the (Timber Industry) strategy, which followed two years of public consultation, was the genesis of a curse which was to plague the State Government. It was established to build up the state's timber production and forest management to fulfill contracts the Government had to supply private milling companies . . . Native forests had been used to meet Victoria's hardwood timber needs and reduce spending on imports but it also caused a massive drain on hardwood reserves. The environmental movement was aware of this and had lobbied to stop clearing of native forests. To placate the environmentalists, the Government planned to phase out clearing of native forest on Crown Land for softwood production by June, 1987. This meant it had to look elsewhere to reach its target of 125 000 hectares of softwood plantations by 1996. At the time, there was only 91,300 ha of variable age, state-owned pine forests in Victoria in eight management areas. To find the other 33,700 ha of future forest land, the Government decided to buy 'marginal' farmland. The department bought land until it had 98,500 ha planted by March, 1988. But its objective in buying 'marginal' land went astray. In April 1987, it bought a 1639ha Gifford property in Gippsland for $2 million - believed to be a record for the area. CFL also bought TV cook Peter Russell-Clarke's 500 ha property at Hotspur near Portland - considered to be prime grazing country - for $700 000 in late 1987. Farmers began to become annoyed - they had no hope of bidding against a seemingly bottomless pit of miney in state coffers. The then chairman of the VFF land use committee Alex Arbuthnot said in April 1987: "Farmers will be outraged to learn that good agricultural land is being bought up for pines".

His comments were an understatement. Uproar erupted in the bush . . . In early 1987, conservationists began to oppose the spread of pine plantations on the steep slopes of the Strzlecki Ranges in South Gippsland, claiming forestry workers were not following their own guidelines and polluting streams with soil and rubbish. Community concern rose over the next year, reaching a high point in early 1988 when Tallangatta Valley farmers led by Stuart Morant blockaded CFL contractors employed to clear a 607 ha dairy farm bought by the department for plantation pines. The local community, politicians and the VFF, concerned not only about using prime farmland for pines but also social dislocation, met with Mrs Kirner on June 6, 1988, to express their views about the effects of the Government program. Under pressure, Mrs Kirner announced two weeks later an end to clearing pending the outcome of a socio-economic study on the Government's softwood and hardwood expansion program. In November 1988, Mrs Kirner announced the State Plantations Impact Study by Melbourne University's Centre for Farm Planning and Land Management. A steering committee representing the major industry groups was also formed with Cr Pam Robinson, of the Violet Town shire as Chairman. Farmers maintained pressure on the Government, taking more militant action against planting pines on farmland in June and July 1989. Hundreds of protesters gathered at government bought farms at Strathbogie and Hotspur to vent their anger by pulling up pine seedlings. Meanwhile, the steering committee did not agree entirely with the study team's report and began a further community consultation process, producing an issues and options paper in August 1989. The Steering Committee's report was released in May 1990.

1991 February: Victorian State Government about to decide how to sell pine plantations. Report written by CS First Boston (merchant banker) outling options on how plantations will be privatised. - Originally a price tag of $1 billion was thought to be the asking price, that has been reduced somewhat to about $300 million. "Once a decision is made about what, precisely is to be sold and how, the assets have to be formerly assessed by the Valuer-General . . . His valuation then becomes the reserve price . . . Dr Griffin says the department has already received strong expressions of interest from both forest-products companies and from financial institutions . . . One option to sweeten the sale would be to retain the land and just sell the rights to cut timber. This was done in New Zealand because much of the land was subject to claims from Maori descendants. The downside, from the Exchequer point of view, is that the modification would slash about $100 million from the sale proceeds. Plantation land sells for between $2000 and $4000 a hectare; the cutting rights alone $1000 to $3000. (Age18/2/91 p15).

1991 March: Letter to the Age from Jenny Barnett, vice president, Victorian National Parks Association. " . . . Many plantations (eg around Bright) were established before the Code of Forest Practices in areas in which such plantations would not be permitted today, for instance, on slopes greater than 30 degrees. If these are sold, what measures would be taken to protect environmental values? Some plantations were established within extensive areas of public native forest, such as the Loch Valley near Noojee. Selling such strategically located public land is undesirable. Additional management costs may be incurred on surrounding land, such as for weed control and fire management. . . - Age 11/3/91. p10.

1991 May: The Department of Conservation and Environment has called on the Valuer-General's office to give a second valuation of the state's pine plantations . . . Although the government has remained tightlipped about the contents of the CS First Boston report, DCE sources told the Weekly Times last January the pines could be valued as low as $110 million. There was speculation last August the softwood plantations could be worth as much as $1 billion. (Weekly Times 8/5/91).

1992 June: Leigh Devine, a landholder on the Strathbogie plateau, bulldozes 40 hecatres of pine (70 000 trees). Pines were established without a shire permit, even though the regional conservation department said that one wasn't necessary. (Age 30/6/92).

1992 December: S13 amendment. Small scale forest plantations no longer will have to meet strict permit controls under a proposed State Government planning amendment. The changes will affect plantations of 40ha or less outside the metropolitan region and Melbourne's outer suburbs. Permits will no longer be required unless the plantation is within 100m of land zones for residential, business or industrial use or supports native vegetation more than 10 years old. (Weekly Times 2/12/92).

1993 March: Victoria's 114 000 ha of publicly owned pine plantations transferred to Victorian Plantation Corporation in July. (Weekly Times 10/3/93 p6).

1993 November: - Barry Traill forests campaigner, Conservation Council of Victoria - pro pine letter - Age 18/11/93.

1994 March: BALLARAT (VIC): Residents, local Landcare Nursery at Creswick and 800 square kilometres of land were 'accidently' sprayed with Hexazinone in March 1994 by Victorian Plantations Corporation. (The Age 25/3/94).

1994 April: Spill of the insecticide pyrethum at Tonganah, near Scottsdale Tasmania. Killed massive numbers of fish, eels and freshwater crayfish. 3 years after the spill river health better but a lack of blackfish and freshwater crayfish a concern (Mercury 5/7/97).

1995 June: The Victorian State Government is close to clinching a deal worth up to $500 million with a major investment bank for a fast-grown tree plantation in Victoria's green triangle region. Natural Resources Minister Geoff Coleman has asked his department to identify a site for a plantation of pine trees and blue gums of up to 200 000 ha in the state's far south west. It follows a meeting with German bank representatives in Melbourne on Friday, and is expected the project will attract Europeans seeking to invest in environmentally friendly ventures . . . Herald Sun 13/6/95 p22.

1995 June: A medieval legal concept could be adapted in Victoria to give greater security to tree plantation investors. Profit a prendre is a licensing system which gives investors the right to harvest from landowners. In the case of tree crops, ownership of timber would be given to licensees after harvesting. The concept was adapted in Tasmania in 1990, New Zealand in 1983 and more recently in New South Wales. . . It could include issuing shares or stocks, registering forest rights on the landowner's title through the Title's Office, including mortgages, charges and transfers. Landowners could be held legally responsible for trees damaged by poor farming practices . . . Herald Sun 22/6/95 p21.

1995 July: Release of Australia's Plantations by Judy Clark for Environment Victoria.

1995 August: "At least 3 new pulp mills and paper mills should be constructed in Australia and the woodchipping of native forests brought to a halt, according to a Federal Government - funded study to be released today. Australia's Plantations: Industry, Employment, Environment was prepared by economic consultant, Ms Judy Clark, with a grant of $166 000 from the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and commissioned by Environment Victoria. The study calls for a rapid shift towards an industry based on plantation forests, with the goal of preserving native forests for 'future generations' . . . According to the study, Australia now has more than 1 million hectares of plantations. In 1994, Australian plantations supplied 9.6 million cubic metres of wood, 80% of which was processed here . . . Sydney Morning Herald 25/8/95 p6.

1995 October: The Victorian Plantation Corporation, Australia's third-largest tree grower, has reported a 72% jump in profit to $20.8 million for 1994-5. The company, one of the few owned by Victorian taxpayers which is not earmarked for sale by the Kennett Government, has tripled its dividend payout to the state budget to $12 million. Operating revenue rocketed from $29.7 million to $41.5 million as wood prices rose and the company lifted log sales by 32% to 1.52 million cubic metres . . . The company revalued its plantations by $12 million to $214.8 million over the year . . . (Herald Sun 5/10/95 p61).

1996 January: Timber 2000 formed by 350 farmers, will research and promote bluegum farming in Victoria's far-western Greater Green Triangle. Chairman, a fourth generation Nareen sheep farmer, Mr Alan Edgar, says early indications show that returns from growing and marketing bluegums for the Japanese paper market may be four to five times higher than growing wool. . . Timber 2000 members want to plant at least 1000 hectares of bluegums this year and 80000 hectares within 10 years. Bluegums are ready to harvest within 8 years of planting and timber 2000 hopes to produce 500,000 tonnes of woodchips a year from 10000 hectares . . . trees would help prevent soil erosion and salinity and would shelter animals. Age 15/1/96 p4

1996: STRATHBOGIE RANGES (VIC): Early in 1996 at the meeting of Murray/Goulburn Water Catchment Board another request to release Environmental Impact Study from late eighties. Mounting concern in community about alarming percentage of health problems in children born in Warrenbayne coinciding with the early spraying of wattles, to allow pines to compete. The community was not notified of the toxicity of the spraying regimes nor informed of the toxicity of the sprays. Asthma is prevalent amongst residents and is an ongoing concern with pine dust. Problems identified by locals included: -that the acidic nature of pine trees could present problems to local farmers. -changes to water run off, water tables and increased silting of local creeks. -effect on wildlife (eg increased clamydia in koalas was a major concern). -erosion within pines by the maze of roads and the fire breaks on very steep hills and into water catchments. -lack of planning of access routes to the pines and the inadequacy of many shire roads to carry large log trucks.

1996 March: Timber 2000 . . . Alan Edgar and wife Margaret have a fixed, $28 a tonne harvest contract for their 20ha of trees with tissue maker Kimberly-Clark. (fast growing Tasmanian blue gum - the vital base used in making soft, strong toilet tissue) . . . The greening of the south-west began in 1988 with trial plantings by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation at Mount Gambier. . . Eight years later these trees are 7 metres tall and their trunk girth is an average 23cm - better than traditional pines. The blue gum can be cut first at 10 years, then coppiced and harvested again 8 years later but pines take 30 years or more to mature before logging. Papermaker Kimberly-Clark has picked up on the CSIRO research. It spent a reported $180 million converting a section of its pulp mill at naerby Millicent to hardwood processing and in 1990 began its own local plantation - KCA were spending $30 million a year importing hardwood pulp from Portugal - ironically eucalypts. With help from the Department of Primary Industries, the company sewed 6000 ha of trees on private farms either side of the Victorian-South Australian border. Some 3000 ha of farmland is already planted with 950 ha more to be sewn this year . . . The SA Government has signed another agreement with Japanese trading house Mitsui to plant blue gums within a 100km radius of the Victorian town of Portland. It is planned that the trees will generate 200,000 tonnes of woodchips exports from the port within a decade - hoping for pulp mill (veneer/plywood factory). "our only problem is the cost incurred in planting trees. Some of our farmers find it hard to fund the $1000 a hectare needed to buy seedlings and fertilise the soil". (Herald Sun 23 March 1996. p9)

1996 May: Farmers hope to join forces with a forestry firm and establish large-scale gum tree plantations on Victorian farms by 2000. A farmers co-operative and North Forest Products hope to plant more than 40,000 hectares of blue gum in south-eastern and western Victoria. One option being considered would see farmers growing the trees on their properties and selling the mature timber to North Forest Products for paper and woodchips. Company market development manager Chris Oldfield said about 100 ha of blue-gum had already been planted in the region for an early feasibility study . . . Timber 2000 executive member Harry Youngman, who has planted the trees on 60 hectares of his property said "benefits to farmers would include added shelter and more efficient water utilisation, as well as the broader environmental benefits of more trees" . . . feasibility study expected to be completed by October. (Herald Sun p 58 21/5/96).

1996 June: STREZLECKI RANGES. (VIC): Public attention focussing on Amcor's decision to want to clear 2000 hectares of native bush also gets people focussed on current plantation harvesting in the area. Jeeralang Creek was a particulary terrible example of plantation logging gone horribly wrong.

1996 July: Plantation forests will be encouraged in Victoria by new legislation which protects the tree owner even if the land the tree grows on changes hands. Under the Forestry Rights Bill, announced by the Conservation Minister, Mrs Marie Tehan, registered plantations will be protected as a covenant over land. Age 9/7/96 p4.

1996 October: Vic Govt announces that it will spend $5 million to help triple the number of private forest plantations across the state by 2010. The $5 million will be matched by the Federal Government. State Agricultural Minister Pat MacNamara announces 16 member taskforce to oversee the development. VAFI forest operations manager John Wright said another 500,000 hectares of land would be planted with hardwoods and softwoods. . . The director of Environment Victoria, Ms Linda Parland said the industry should better manage existing plantations before talking of expansion. "It's premature to be talking about trebling plantations at this stage when we have a stockpile of plantation wood that is not being used at the moment. Some plantations are 80 to 100 years old" she said. (Age p6 22/10/96).

1996 November: Upper Murray Catchment Farm Tree Group concerned about state government handing over 115 000 hecatres of public land to Victorian Plantation Corporation. Land near Koetong, near Tallangatta had been given over to VPC making local council environmentally reponsible "The shire hasn't got the resources to police the VPC's harvesting, the CFA don't want to be responsible for firefighting in 17,000 hectares of pines and we are worried that we are going to lose an important recreation resource" a spokeswoman Ms Lyn Coulston said. Chief Executive of Towong Shire Council, Mr Gary Cecil, said the council did not have the resources to monitor environmental standards in the corporations plantations or to fix the potholes created by the corporations trucks because the state owned enterprise was exempted from paying rates - Locals downstream already complaining about poor quality water . . . In the Shelley area, the corporation had been given several community assets, including a popular lookout, a camp, aprks, a disused rail line and historic trestle railway bridges recognised by the LCC. Article quotes Tony Manderson - (Age p7 12/11/96).

1996 November: farmers set up business to export bluegum. Timber 2000 Pty Ltd launched last week in Hamilton to promote the plantation of blue gum on up to 30,000 ha near Portland . . . There are about 400 members of Timber 2000, which is negotiating deals with four overseas mills and one Australian opertor. Members had already planted 700 trees in the Green Triangle this year . . . 3000 ha to be harvested annually (ph (03) 5574 2222) for further details - (Herald Sun 25/11/96 p22).

1996 November: Extra 1500 ha of pine trees to be planted in South Australia, including a move into Victoria. "The Green Triangle Treefarm Project will result in millions of trees being planted in the region," Mr Kerin said. . . The state's 62,269 ha of South East radiata pine forests - the biggest individual ownership of the total 144,539 ha of radiata forests in the Green Triangle - produced $90 million in gross sales revenue in 1995-96. (Adelaide Advertiser 28/11/96 p7).

1997 February: Pat MacNamara (Vic Deputy Premier) annouces that 20,000 hectares of Tasmanian blue gums were to be planted across south-western Victoria and south eastern south Australia - expected to yield 500,000 tonnes of woodchips by the year 2010. It is being spearheaded by The Green Triangle Plantation Forest Company of Australia - a consortium of three Japanese firms. (Herald Sun 12/2/97 p24).

1997 March: Confidential report to state governments recommends the privatisation of Australia's $4 billion of publicly owned plantations. This raises concerns that international investors may ignore domestic opportunities for value-added processing. Privatisation the recommendation of the Centre for International Economics, which was commissioned by State forestry ministers. Senate will also approves removing controls on the export of unprocessed plantation timber. The export regulation changes were introduced into the Parliament by the Minister for Primary Industries and Resources, Mr John Anderson. (Financial Review 18/3/97 p3).

1997 March: Public Lands Council of Victoria president Heather Mitchell said she would oppose the sale of the VPC and the privatisation of $4 billion worth of Australia's plantations or of any land which had conservation or recreational value. Victorian National Parks Association also alarmed by sale "The principle aspect at stake is the loss of the land, a public asset" Herald Sun 19/3/97 p16

1997 April: Tree plantation owners will have to establish their own fire brigades under legistlation before State Parliament. The Fire Authorities (Amendment) Bill provides for the formation of industry fire brigades to make a "first strike" response to plantation fires. The brigades will be registered by the Country Fire Authority . . . the legislation follows the transfer of more than 115,000 hecatres of government pine plantations to the Victorian Plantation Corporation. The transfer has moved responsibility for controlling fires in the plantations from the DNRE to the CFA. (The Age 5/4/97 p8).

1997 April: Plantation timber production surpasses one million hectares according to the Bureau of Resource Sciences First National Plantation Inventory - a total of 1,042,550 ha in 1994, comprising 883,980 ha of softwood and 158,570 ha of hardwood. The Murray Valley region had the largest share of the national plantation stock with 162,770 ha. (Herald Sun Melb 23/4/97 p24)

1997: 2020 Vision Launched. Meaning a trebling of Australia's plantation base. (Mercury 22/9/97).

The 2020 Vision for trebling Australia's plantation estate came largely from the establishment of Plantations Australia which was formed in 1995. It seems that the work done by this group has been fundamental in convincing the Victorian government to treble its plantation base. Interestingly Plantations Australia is dominated by representatives of Australia's largest native forest woodchippers and multi national companies. Plantations Australia Executive - 1997. Angus Pollock - Australian Paper (Amcor) - Chairman Henry Pens - CSR Timber Jeff Banks - AUSPINE Kevin White - Victorian Plantations Corporation/(Hancock) Curly Humphries - Australian Newsprint Mills Les Baker - Norths Geoff McArthur - Bunnings Forest Products and Australian Forest Growers Hans Drielsma - NSW State Forests.

The VictorianGovernment planned to treble the existing plantation base by the year 2020 to 750 000 hectares (an additional 23 000 hectares of plantations each year). It estimated that up to 1.7 million hectares of land is suitable for contribution, located in the following municipalities. South Grampains (270 000 ha), Glenelg (220 000 ha), Corangamite (190 000 ha), Delataite (180 000ha), Strathbogie (150 000ha), Ararat (140 000 ha), Moyne (120 000 ha), Wangaratta (120 000 ha), Indigo (110 000 ha), Wellington (100 000 ha), East Gippsland (80 000 ha) and Mitchell (50 000 ha).

1998 February: More than 160,000 hectares of public land has effectively been privatised by the Kennett Government the state-owned Victorian Plantation Corporation tells an Administrative Appeals Tribunal hearing. (Age p4 5/2/98).

1998 March: Victorian Government expected to raise more than $700 million from the sale of the Victorian Plantation Corporation. "Privatisation of the VPC will also be an important factor in Victoria achieving its goal of trebling the area of plantations by 2020, easing pressure on public forests" Mr Stockdale said. (Australian 17/3/98 p24).

1998 March: Sale of VPC . . . "Rural communities are also expected to benefit from the rates paid by the privatised VPC direct to local councils. Colac Otway Shire will gain 3700 hectares of ratable plantations while Surfcoast Shire will gain 1000 hectares which it will be able to collect council rates on. . . (Colac Herald 27/3/98 p16).

1998 April: South Gippsland residents protest outside Parliament House in Melbourne about moves by the Victorian Government to privatise the VPC . . . Protesters said 20,000ha of the 167,921ha managed by VPC was native bush including rainforest and mountain ash. (Herald Sun 29/4/98. p21)

1998 May: 9000 ha of blue gum eucalypt straddle the South Australian-Victorian border. With the proliferation of private investment schemes, a further 5000ha to 10000ha is due to be planted this year. The major source of growth will be the Green Triangle Treefarm project which expects to plant more than 10,000 ha of blue gum in the next 10 years . . . Treefarm is a joint venture agreement with three private Japanese companies that guaranteed the sale of the hardwood to Nippon Paper Industries. . . Blue gum projects offered tax advantages, with establishment and management costs and the cost of leasing land all deductible. The State Government first planted the species on a trial plantation in the South-East in 1988. Since 1991, local pulp maker Kimberly Clark entered into agreements with local growers to establish blue gum eucalypt for its mill near Tantanoola, eliminating the need to import hardwood from Portugal and Brazil. . . (Adelaide Advertiser 16/5/98 p58).

1998 August: Friends of the Gippsland Bush send LaTrobe Shire a response to the Gippsland Pilot Study - Timber harvesting (coupe) plan certification. The report slams plantation logging in the Strzeleckis

1998 October: Concerns raised about plantations by Kerrup Jmara Elder, *** ****. Tour to Lower Glenelg National Park revealed infestation by Radiata Pine into National Park and native forest throughout south west. "It's just so sad! Because our country is gone. Our country is finished and all they want is these pines. Pines from Portland to Millicent and that is the hardest thing in regards for me as a blackfella, with regards to my country and how deep and deep into my own heart, what's happened". "Pines, with me. I would say throw them out! We need our own country and that's so important!" *** ****- Portland 20/10/98.

1998 November: A leading Japanese paper company that has invested in Victoria's timber industry has warned of unrealsitic expectations of returns from wood products. The general manager of overseas forestation at Oji Paper Co Ltd, Mr Kenji Kanda told a conference in Melbourne that paper prices were sliding while woodchip prices were relatively flat . . . Oji Paper has planted 417 hectares of eucalypt plantation forest in the green triangle area of south-western Victoria, but aims to plant 10,000 hectares there by 2010. . . Oji aims to plant 200,000 hecatres by 2010 and has already committed itself to plant 110,000 hecatres in Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Vietnam . . . Of the company's total committed so far, 46,000 hectares is eucalyptus plantations in Australia - 10,000 hectares in Victoria, 26,000 in Western Australia and 10,000 near Brisbane. The area planted in WA is now 10,853 hectares. . . Mr Kanda said the 200,000 hecatres was probably about a third of the volume that Oji needed . . . (The Age. 23/11/98 pb4)

1998 December: Sale of VPC to John Hancock Insurance Company of America - Plantations to be called Hancock Victorian Plantations. 1998: December - US owners of the VPC sign up another partner - Melbourne's Hastings Funds Management. Two weeks ago Hancock and the Australian institutional investors Unisuper and National Australia Asset Management, and superannuation investors managed by Morgan Grenfell agreed to pay a 56% premium to book value for a lease in perpetuity over the Victorian Government's corporatised pine and hardwood plantations . . . According to the John Hancock 1997 annual report, its timber arm HTRG, which is now the majority owner of the new Hancock Victorian Plantations, generated a return of 19.8% in 1997 - revenue and capital appreciation. VPC, HTRG's biggest single purchase ever and its first foray outside North America, last year had listed assets of $352 million and made a net operating profit after tax of $24.8 million from revenue of $81.5 million . . . According to the former head of the VPC and Hancock Victorian Plantations new chief executive Kevin White, the venture can still improve productivity through increased attention to weeds, fertiliser and nutrient levels, and through genetic developments. Beyond the trees, the company would like to see clarification of uncertainty over rate liability to shire councils . . . (Age 7/12/98 pb3).

1999 March: Western Plains Pine Plantation Group won appeal to stop spread of new pine plantations in district of Lismore and Bradvale. Hancock Victorian Plantations had planned to plant an extra 1000 hectares of pine in their district. (Weekly Times March 24 1999 p1).

1999 March: Municipal authorites investigation Hancock Victorian Plantations over breaches to the Code of Forest Practices in the Strzeleckis. (Age p4 ?/3/99).

1999 April: Sale of CSR softwood timber interests and two sawmills in Victoria and South Australia, a pine-moulding unit and woodchip business to US based RII Weyerhauser World Timberfund for $224 million.

1999 June: Sharp rise in fox numbers puts Victorian lamb producers under threat. According to VFF regional manager of the Western District, Mr Tyrrell Evans, "Fox numbers are definately increasing very quickly. There has been a big increase in the number of blue gum plantations and the foxes have been breeding in these relatively sheltered areas". With most of the traditional agricultural activities delivering poor returns, many Victorian farmers have turned their paddocks over to blue gum trees as a long-term investment. Mr Ivan Vowles from Beaufort said "We've lost about 20 lambs this year. The foxes have been very active . . . They are coming out of the blue gum plantations and picking off the lambs" he said. (Age p7 16/6/99).

1999 July: Victorian Planning Minister Robert Maclellan writes "It is State planning policy that timber production is an "as of right" provision in the zone. The policy ensures the private forestry sector is treated equitably with other crop growers and is not discriminated against through land use planning controls. Any additional controls need strategic consideration. Accordingly I will not approve the new Corangamite Planning Scheme with a requirement for a permit for plantations". 17/7/99 Letter to Peter Grist Western Plains Plantation Group.

1999 September: Bush towns fearful as timber plantations swallow farms (Age 4/9/99 p17). 445 hectare farm leveled at Wanwin, in western Victoria. "But the rapid growth in plantations has many farmers concerned about the future of their communities. Mr Peter Grist a spokesperson for the Western Plains Plantation Group, a coalition of farmers formed to fight for improved planning arrangements for the plantation industry, said the economic, social and environmental problems associated with tree farms were often overlooked by the authorities . . . He said plantations were removing people from regional communities. "If those families go, the negative flow-on effects on mail deliveries, local businesses, schools and doctors is enourmous." Other impacts include a reduction in land prices due to contracting of the local community, a decrease in surface water run-off and the recharge of underground water systems, an increased fire risk. "We are not opposed to commercial plantations as long as they add to the positive things already happening in the rural community" he said. A spokeswoman for the lobby group A Future for Rural Australia, Ms Linette Treasure, believes plantations are contributing to the "social and cultural genocide of rural communties . . . An East Gippsland farmer, Mr Derek Manning, is taking a plantation company to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal to stop an approved development on Mount Delegate. "We are trying to build up tourism around the mountain but no one will want to come and see it when its half-covered by pine trees," he said.

1999 September: Report slams state forestry group. "The State Government's former plantations corporation (Victorian Plantation Corporation) cleared ecologically sensitive bushland in Gippsland to expand its commercial operations before being privatised in 1998. Report written by retired University academic Dr Tim Ealey also accuses the VPC of having breached the forest industry code of practice. (Age p2 15/9/99). - follow up trip by FoE and FoGB revealed clearing native vegetation still occuring by Hancock.

Critically endangered red-tailed black cockatoos have had their Victorian breeding haven ruined. The clearing of a patch of dead and hollowed red gum trees - the species' most important nesting site - in the Wimmera has been dealt a blow to hopes of their survival.

Plantation company Timbercorp allegedly knocked down the ancient trees in a breach of a council instruction. Of the 18 known nesting sites of the cockatoo, the 80 trees on the 287ha property contained six. There are believed to be fewer than 1000 birds left.

Director of municipal services for West Wimmera Shire Council, Date Thornton, said the planning permit given to Timbercorp in January stated the trees must be kept. "They knocked the down against the permit and we are now going through two choices - one of which is to seek an enforcement order through VCAT or negotitate a settlement for restitution," Mr Thronton said. Timbercorp applied for a permit so they could start a blue gum plantation on the property near Dergholm in the west Wimmera.

Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill (?) is angry about the alleged breach. "It is simply not good enough that the trees specifically identified for protection under the conditions of the clearing permit have been destroyed," he said.

Environment Australia's (?) Katrina Jensz said the cleared site was the most significant nesting area of the birds. "This is one of the country's most endangered birds," Ms Jensz said. A spokesperson for Timbercorp said he could not comment because of negotiations with the shire.

"West Wimmera Shire Council has thrashed out the controversial subject of tree clearing and red-tailed black cockatoo habitat destruction. A threat of legal action also hung over the debate, which brought intense scrutiny from federal and state politicians, the national media, former councillors and environmental groups. Unauthorised tree clearing south of Powett? Creek sparked uproar last week and focused attention on Thursday nights council meeting at Edenhope.

To add fuel to the fire, the meeting agenda listed another application for tree clearing - 250 stringybark trees at Kadnook for a bluegum plantation. Municipal Services director Dale Thornton told the meeting that environmental Systems Renewable Resources wanted to clear the 250 stringybarks from 128 hectares of low value grazing land that had previously been cleared. The applicant would protect redgums along a drainage line to allow natural regeneration, and retain two denser stands of stringybarks. About 20 hecatres would be fenced off and allowed to return to the environment. "This will far outweigh the 250 trees" Mr Thornton said.

The applicant could have proceeded without a permit under exemption clauses, but voluntarily applied for a planning permit. This allowed council to set controls on the clearing. Mr Thornton said the Natural Resources and Environment Department was 'more than comfortable' with the application, subject to nine conditions. The council received one objection from Environment Victoria, which Mr Thornton said also took the 'unusual step' of issuing a press statement and had discussed the possibility of briefing lawyers for legal proceedings.

Mr Thornton said state Environment Minister Sherryl Garbutt told him she was happy for council to decide on the application. Environment Victoria's objection said native vegetation clearing was against the spirit of the State Government's Biodiversity Strategy, the 'partially degraded or less-than-pristine' vegetation should be retained and enhanced, the clearing would diminish the habitat of the endangered red-tailed black cockatoo and other fauna, habitat would be further fragmented, about 3000 hecatres of native vegetation was cleared in Victoria each year, replacement vegetation would cause significant loss of biodiversity, and blue gum plantations might not be sustainable as a crop in the long term.

Natural Resources and Environment Department Wimmera co-ordinator of flora, fauna and fisheries Jim McGuire told the council the property was inspected on February 16. He said blue gum plantings would 'contribute greatly' to addressing salinity and was a land use the department would seek to encourage on such country. Removal of grazing would encourage natural regeneration and reduce sediment movement. The stringbarks were small and did not rpovide suitable nesting hollows for the red tailed black cockatoo. Stringybark forest on two sides of the block meant the loss of trees on the block would not cause significant loss of food source for the species, and the site met criteria for an exemption for timber production. In reply to a question, Mr Thornton said Environment Victoria had not inspected the site.

Cr Ron Hawkins: "We should reaffirm the feelings we received in the election campaign that this community wants to see responsible development. The plan we have received is a good trade off for the environment." Cr Geoffrey Carracher: "It is continuing the progress and development of the West Wimmera Shire. Council approved the application subject to 12 conditions including nine conditions recommended by the department.

2001 3 January: From p4 Weekly Times 3/101 Row looms over water threat to blue gums. By Nikki Borchard

A heated debate between irrigators and forestry developers has broken out in South Australia over state government plans to amend water legislation.

Significant forestry development in the south-east of South Australia, particularly blue gum plantations, has caused concern over its impact on the sustainability of water resources. As a result, water resources minister Mark Brindal last month proposed the introduction of water licences for new forestry plantations to deal with significant land use change.

But forestry developers claim such amendments to the Water Resources Act would freeze plantation development and threaten the future of forestry. One of Australia’s largest plantation companies, Timbercorp Limited, argued that plantation developers should not have to pay for what they did not use.

"The industry cannot proceed with further expansion until it gains a clearer view of the effects of his (Mr Brindal) proposals," Timbercorp chairman David Muir said. "But if they are implemented as he has stated, the freeze will become permanent." He said industry saw no reason to pay for a resource it did not use, and the added cost could only detract from its economic viability.

But irrigators claim they face having their groundwater licences reduced as a result of the effect of land use changes and recharge. Mt Gambier dairy farmer Gary Spain said it came down to the fact that "you can’t allow one industry out of the water net to expand at the detriment or expense of others". "We all acknowledge that we just can’t have open slather irrigation," Mr Spain said. "But for forestry to operate in this area, it needs to operate under the same regime and be accountable for their impact. "So long as there is a level playing field, market forces will prevail."

However, Mr Muir argued it was "a scientifically dubious proposition that forestry plantations were reducing groundwater resources and hindering their recharge".

Mr Brindal told the South Australian parliament in November that there were two main schools of thought on the issue - a traditionalist view and a contemporary view. "Traditionalists do not believe that water rights should be seperated from land and that any loss of water resource caused by land use change - such as forestry - should be borne by irrigators," Mr Brindal said. "But the contemporary view would require an amendment ensuring that plantations in sensitive areas of the south-east - to be known as Recharge Water Management Areas - will be accountable for their impact upon the recharge of the unconfined aquifer." Mr Brindal will meet irrigators and plantation developers in the south-east next week.

Early research by the CSIRO has suggested that bluegums can use underground water. Embryonic results at a Beachport planting indicate that bluegums could be taking groundwater specifically on that site. But CSIRO Forestry and Forestry Products research scientist Richard Benyon said the results were not yet conclusive enough to publish.

He said the Beachport trial site did not have the same characteristics as other plantings around the Wattle Range Council area, where most bluegems were going. "We cannot yet say that (the trees use underground water) for the majority of bluegums in the region," Mr Benyon said. "The CSIRO is hoping for extra funding to gain knowledge about the water use of bluegums in the Wattle Range area and we hope to focus this research over the next few years." Two bluegum sites were being tested, the Beachport plantation and a small one at Padthaway. At this stage the Padthaway site had not used underground water but this water table was much lower than at Beachport and further south. Meanwhile, the Beachport site had soils which were too different to provide a conclusive result for plantings in the Wattle Range and Mount Gambier districts. A wet winter did not make results any easier to determine and more information would be known after summer.

"I think a lot of sites around Wattle Range perhaps have more clay in the soil. But some early results give an indication that the (Beachport bluegums) may be taking some groundwater," Mr Benyan said. "At Beachport the bluegums use at least as much water as they receive from rainfall, a possibly use a bit more than that from the shallow water table, but that is not a generalisation. "We really need to focus on where the trees are going into the ground rather than 40 hectares at Beachport and five hectares at Padthaway. "The main reason for doing the work there was to look at how management of the plantations affected water use and to see if we could grow bluegums to produce higher value products."

Mr Benyon said main research on water use of bluegums had not yet started and would not begin until funding was received. He hoped money would come from the industry and State Government. He said research would start early next year, and continue for several years to take into account climate and soil differences among other variations.

2001 9 January Border Watch 9/1/01: Invitation only meeting between South Australia’s third Water Resources Minister Mark Brindal and some stakeholders occurs in Mount Gambier.

Meeting sparked by Mr Brindal’s October 30 promise to consult with the South East community when he failed to introduce legislation into parliament. During parliament’s 2000 winter session, the government introduced legislation to enable the pro rata rollout of water - following the payment of money to government, landholders could apply for a small amount of water in Hundreds which had not been fully allocated. But the state Democrats believed changes should be introduced which forced tree plantation oweners to have water licences, causing a deadlock between the Upper and Lower Houses. It was finally broken when Mr Brindal promised the parliament he would introduce new legislation to parliament’s final session. (Mr Brindal has yet failed to introduce the legislation).

In a ministerial statement on October 30, Mr Brindal proposed changes to the Water Resources Act which would require all new forests to carry water licences. But before introducing the proposal, Mr Brindal promised to consult with the community. "The focus will be on the impact of dramatic forestry expansion upon the groundwater recharge and the future implementation for existing licenced water users.

Representatives have been invited from the forest industry to present an industry view of the issue. Views are also being sought from representatives of irrigators involved in potato, viticulture, small seed and dairying industries" said Mr Brindal.

9/1/01: South East Water Catchment Management Board still out to lunch about bluegums and water. Yet to finalise issues such as Permissible Annual Volume, transfer rules and hydrological effects of using water.

9/1/01: Combined South East Irrigators change name to Limestone Coast Irrigators Association (LCIA). LCIA represents the regions wine industry council, dairyfarmers, potato growers, SA Farmers Federation Seed Section and the Mid South East Irrigators. The group has lobbied continuously for increased funding and resources to be made available for hydrogeological offices locally to expediate understanding of the resources. Mr Gary Spain said all stakeholders agreed the resource had to be protected through Permissable Annual Volumes (PAVs). "A key mechanism in the formulation of PAVs is verticle recharge. If significant land use change has a negative impact on recharge then it must be accounted for in the overall water budget." he said. In relation to land use change, Mr Spain said three key issues should be considered - dramatic change, economic and social impacts and visionary. "Dramatic land use change needs to be tied to water allocation to protect all ground water users from potential adverse hydrogeological impacts," Mr Spain said. He said there would be a significant economic and social impact on irrigating families if in the future PAVs were reviewed and those reliant on irrigation had reduced ground water allocations forced upon them. 10/1/01: Brindal promises a solution to the water allocations for new tree plantations within two months following the invitation only meeting (which locked out the public and media) with water stakeholders.

17/1/01: The state government confronts an alarming dilemma over the South East controversial water issue - but it is a no-win situation according to an influential water industry authority. South East Catchment Water Management Board Chief executive Hugo Hopton said the government faced two ‘unpalatable options:

A rapid spike of bluegum plantations of 35,000 hecatres has brought to a head four major agricultural industry players in the South East, which generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The timber industry, pine industry, industrial/irrigation industries and the rain-fed sector could either be winners or losers in the water debate. "The minister has to look at the consequences of both - that one is to hamper the expansion of the bluegum sector, the other is to bring uncertainty into the region where there is already infrastructure and value adding" said Mr Hopton.

18/1/01: Standing room only at a public meeting in Penola on Tuesday night when more than 150 people crowded into Rymill Hall to hear the latest in the debate about whether forests will be forced to have water licences. A Victorian and South Australian landholder said his Victorian land carried a water licence. If he sold his Victorian land, the water licencee returned to the Crown - underground water was not sold, leased or hoarded. He said the SA government’s arguements about the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement of 1994 (aiming for the seperation of land title and water) had not made any difference to Victoria’s method of dealing with underground water allocations. "In Victoria there has been none of these meetings. Once the water was tradeable, that is when the trouble started (in the South East) the land owner said.

18/1/01: Community has at least 6 options to consider as its preferred solution to the current water debate. List of four options prepared by the Water Resources Department with two other options coming from industry reps at water meeting last week.

1) Making no policy change - The Water Resources Department claims this option subscribes to continually eroding the existing Permissable Annual Volumes (PAVs) to match the declining recharge and it would mean reduction of allocations in fully allocated zones.

2) Totally lock out forestry in groundwater management zones that are fully allocated.

3) Tradeable recharge rights. The department claims this is a significant change to the current water resources management system. It redistributes all existing water allocations. The department said this option would weaken the State’s position on River Murray issues.

4) Make forestry accountable for its impact on recharge. The department said this would have forestry landuse changes compete for a water allocation that reflects the level of interference on recharge.

5) Irrigators and dryland farmer agreement. The department explained this option would involved existing licensed irrigators to voluntarily enter into a rental agreement with a "catchment landholder" to preserve existing catchment yield. But the department argues an "insurance outcome cannot be guaranteed".

6) Landuse changes to forestry. The department said this option was to authorise forestry landuse changes with a water allocation that reflected the level of interference on recharge. The department claims that in this option forestry would have access to water, without cost, in management zones that were not fully allocated. 19/1/01: Forestry states that out of the 6 options listed yesterday it prefers Option 1.

2001 August: Hancock buys out Australian Paper Plantations for $A140 million. These plantations are all located in Gippsland and the Strzelecki Ranges.

History Lesson Part Two (1888 - 2001)

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