With supply security from public native forests now under threat, attention is turning to hardwood plantations as a potential lifeline for the timber industry in north‑eastern New South Wales.
The region has long been a stronghold of native timber production, supporting industries ranging from agriculture and transport to maritime, mining, building construction, local councils, and parks and gardens. However, with a decision on the proposed Great Koala National Park near Coffs Harbour expected soon — and a potential 40% reduction in sustainable supply from State forests on the horizon — the search for alternative timber sources has become urgent.
That was the focus of the Commonwealth-supported North East NSW Forestry Hub workshop held in Coffs Harbour on Monday, where 22 leading forestry professionals gathered to assess research and development priorities and explore opportunities for new investment in hardwood plantations.
Currently, plantations account for only around 10% of the region’s hardwood output, and no large‑scale new plantings have been established for decades. Participants agreed that while domestic demand for hardwood is rising, supply is in decline. Expanding plantation production faces significant hurdles, with economics topping the list. Producing a high‑quality log takes at least 40 years, and high establishment costs — combined with the absence of a viable market for plantation thinnings — make it difficult to achieve acceptable returns.
And without renewed investment, industry leaders warn that growing demand will increasingly be met by imports from developing countries. It comes as social licence research conducted by the hub in 2023 found strong public opposition to this outcome, with 77% of respondents (excluding “don’t knows”) agreeing that Australia should use its own native hardwood rather than import it.
The workshop identified several strategic opportunities to strengthen the business case for plantations. These include investment in hardwood tree breeding, development of bio‑product markets to utilise plantation thinnings, and leveraging the carbon sequestration benefits of plantations and renewable wood products. The concept of “eco‑plantations” — multi‑species timber plantings eligible for both biodiversity and carbon credits — was also highlighted as a promising avenue.
Replacing the timber supply from the area earmarked for the proposed Great Koala National Park would require at least 20,000 hectares of new hardwood plantations. While such an expansion would not deliver an immediate solution, industry experts agree that without it, Australia’s reliance on imported hardwood will only deepen.
