Frank Nicklason
To be a sound investment plantation trees not only have to survive, they have to grow at a commercially viable rate. There is ample evidence that this is commonly not the case in Tasmania.
IndustryEdge director Robert Eastment was quoted in the Australian Financial Review (11/12/2006,page 50;’Drought puts heat on plantations’) as saying;”cool temperate species,especially bluegums and nitens,were likely to survive extended periods of drought in Tasmania”.
Maybe so. But increased likelihood of survival of the trees alone should not convince investors that these plantation managed investment schemes are any safer in Tasmania, nor should they be considered any more appropriate.
To be a sound investment plantation trees not only have to survive, they have to grow at a commercially viable rate. There is ample evidence that this is commonly not the case in Tasmania.
The taxation support of the establishment of thirsty pulpwood plantations is clearly not wise policy in times of critically reduced water availability.
Whilst the western part of Tasmania has abundant water the east has annual rainfalls typical of those west of the Great Dividing Range. Many towns in eastern Tasmania are already short of water and the conversion upper catchment regions from water retaining,mature mixed native forests to dry,fire prone monoculture plantations is an irresponsible action.
Dr Frank Nicklason
West Hobart
