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We said  'no' to replacing native species plantations with pine trees... 

Our submission has now been submitted - thank you to everyone who signed on ...

But read on!  

Find out what it is all about and what happens next

  1. A large logging company, HVP, has been logging 1000's of hectares of native Mountain ash in the Strzelecki's and replacing it with pine trees; an invasive species and an absolute disaster for all the threatened plants and animals residing in the gullies of these forestry coupes. 
  2. In 2025, we successfully challenged HVPs plan to replant the Mountain ash that had been logged n the Fella’s Track Coupe in Turtons Creek with pine trees.  We did this through a complaint to the voluntary sustainability scheme - the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
  3. The FSC requires certified companies to regenerate sites to 'pre-harvest condition'.  We said that replanting a site of Mountain Ash with pines cannot do this.
  4. FSC International published an interpretation that we thought was exactly correct ...and right.  They said (in plain language) 'No...  the FSC .. Standard of Australia does not permit replanting a harvested native species plantation with an exotic species, such as Pinus radiata.
  5. A huge number of our supporters made submissions supporting the draft interpretation. If this included you then THANK YOU AGAIN!
  6. A second round of consultation on a second version of the draft interpretation.  The second version was NOT GOOD.  It would have permitted the native species plantations to be regenerated using exotic species such as Pinus radiata.
  7. HUNDREDS of our amazing supporters signed on to our submission. 

So where are we now?  

  1. FSC Australia is now drafting another interpretation that will be put forward to the Board and the International FSC for endorsement.
  2. We continue or advocacy to ensure that native species plantations remain just that - native.

We need the FSC to get this right.

The outcome will affect native species plantations across the country and determine whether native eucalyptus plantations can be replaced with exotic species like pine. Over 10,000 hectares in the Strzelecki's alone are at risk.  The interpretation relates to Principle 10.1 of the FSC Australian standard which clearly states that harvested areas shall be regenerated to ‘pre-harvest or more natural conditions’.

It is our view that native species plantations should be replaced with native species, not replaced with exotics from overseas such as pine trees. 

Click here now to easily sign on to our submission to a second round of FSC consultation

Click here to add your voice to our submission.

Want more detail?  Click here to read the full wording of the draft interpretation and click here to read our draft submission in full (we'll add your name before submitting).

 

If you'd like to make your own submission:

Click here to find out how you access the FSC portal and some tips on submitting.