A brief history of forestry in the ACT

Forestry in the ACT dates back to 1910. ACT Forests were managing the commercial plantation forests in the Canberra region until the 2003 bushfires. There has been a strong connection between the forests and the Canberra community. The forests have provided ideal settings for recreation and environmental education including use of the forests by Australian National University forestry students. Over the years 1910 to 2002, forests in the ACT, including the pine plantations have filled many purposes, including supply of both hardwood and softwood timber, catchment and soil protection, scenic values, recreation, areas for research and education, and provision of firewood, charcoal and additional timber in periods of crisis.

In 1910 Thomas Charles Weston was employed to undertake experimental plantings of various tree species to test them prior to making large scale plantings. He tried many species, but radiata pine soon showed itself to be capable of very rigorous growth. In 1913 Weston headed the newly created afforestation section established to construct a nursery (initially at Acton then later at Yarralumla) and later the first arboretum (Westbourne Woods) with trees for urban and rural landscapes. 

As early as 1914, it was recognised that a bold and comprehensive scheme of forest conservation and reafforestation was required to repair the ruthless manner in which the city site and adjoining lands had been denuded of timber. Weston began the huge task of restoring Canberra's landscape and of providing timber for its future generations. This led to establishment of plantations at Mt Stromlo in 1915, which were to clothe a denuded hill site around the observatory. Only later was it felt that radiata pine planting could be a commercial proposition.

In 1918 and again in 1925, reports to parliament laid down the broad objectives of forest policy in the ACT namely:- commercial wood production, catchment protection, better water quality, prevention of soil erosion and improvements to amenities. In 1925, it was recommended by Mr C.E. Lane-Poole, the Commonwealth Forestry Adviser of the day, in his report to parliament that 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) of pine plantation be established. Plantations were planted in the Cotter Catchment where there was a perceived need to halt the soil erosion which was lowering the quality of Canberra's water supply. Planting expanded in the 1930's under the worker relief schemes on eroded grazing sites.

The "boom" of the fifties saw plantations grow in size from 8,100 hectares to 16, 200 hectares in an effort to boost Australia's forest resources under the direction of the Minister for the Interior. Consequently, land on the steeper, wooded slopes of the lower Cotter Catchment was cleared and afforested with pine. In 1962, however, afforestation programs within the catchment were suspended pending further investigations and research.

In 1967 an interdepartmental committee reviewed the existing forestry program and recommended that the target of 16,200 hectares of pine forest be maintained and that action to establish a major forest industry be initiated. Cabinet approved these recommendations and an agreement with Integrated Forest Products was signed to give effect to this in 1970. In the same period (1967-1970), ACT Forests undertook a comprehensive review of the economics of forestry practices particularly with respect to land acquisition and the development of a system which enables it to place a forest land expectation value on all land in the ACT. This review pointed out the great financial advantages of locating forests adjacent to the mills which in the ACT meant acquiring land adjoining the existing city boundaries. Because such a proposal would bring forests and urban development into intimate contact a multiple use concept was evolved to ensure that community and forestry values would be recognised and accommodated.

By the 1970's significant areas of mature pine were clearfelled and re-established began in 1972. The Integrated Forest Productsply mill and sawmill plant at Hume was opened soon after. During this phase nearly all the older unthinned stands were either thinned or clear felled and an efficient industry based on the plantation resource was set up. It was also at this time that the decision was made to halt the conversion of native forest areas to softwood plantations. This decision limited the expansion of ACT Forests plantations to converting poorer ex-pasture sites close to existing plantations.

From 1980 to 2002 most of the plantation had been established and the local softwood industry was developing and evolving with changing community perception of the environment and effective financial management. The community became more environmentally aware and as a result, the management of native forests in the ACT was viewed as a conservation activity. As a result the Cotter Catchment, long managed by ACT Forests and its predecessors, was joined with the Gudgenby Nature Reserve to form what is now the Namadgi National Park. This left ACT Forests to manage an estate of about 26,000 hectares.

A series of reviews over this period identified that ACT Forests were not a viable commercial business which resulted in a series of changes to reduce cost of operation and to improve contracted volumes of timber. This resulted in staff reductions and the consolidation of forest operations from the Stromlo Depot. Staff numbers reduced from over 200 to 24 permanent employees and four depots to one.

In January 2003, approximately 10, 500ha of the forest estate was burnt leaving only the Kowen Plantation in the east of the territory undamaged.