Case Study on Long Rotation Eucalypt Plantations in New South Wales


Forest Plantations Working Papers

Based on the work in 1998 of
R. Heathcote
Consultant

Edited by M. Varmola

June 2002

Forest Resources Development Service
Forest Resources Division
Forestry Department

Working Paper FP/22
FAO, Rome (Italy)

Table of Contents


Table of Contents


Acknowledgements

Disclaimer

Abstract

Acronyms

1 The state forests of New South Wales eucalypt plantation program

1.1 History
1.2 Current situation
1.3 State forests marketing
1.4 Geographic areas
1.5 Infrastructure and markets
1.6 Physical environment
1.7 Growth rates
1.8 Log product size and value
1.9 Wood security
1.10 Landowner support
1.11 Community support

2 Major impediments to investment in Australian plantations

2.1 Dominant role of government
2.2 The lack of transparent and competitive markets
2.3 An unsympathetic tax regime
2.4 Uncertainty with regard to land availability, yields and other risks
2.5 Relatively poor track record of past non-industrial investment

3 Analysis of factors influencing investment in NSW long rotation eucalypt plantations

3.1 Technical factors
3.2 Economic factors
3.3 Log prices
3.4 Production costs
3.5 Social factors
3.6 Carbon trading
3.7 Policy factors

4 Lessons learnt

References

Appendix 1. Australian Government plantation programs

Appendix 2. NSW eucalypt plantation program properties and uses of plantation grown timbers

Appendix 3. Plantation costs, $AUD (commercial in confidence)

FAO - Forestry Department