Putting carbon back in the ground
From the Summer 2007 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
A young seedling is planted. Photos Forests NSW Image Library.
It is not quite taking coal to Newcastle, but Forests NSW is playing a role in plantation establishment in the Hunter Valley that will do its part to put car-bon back into the ground.
The work is partly the result of continuing research on reafforestation of recently mined sites and cleared buffer land.
These can be challenging sites, and in the Hunter Valley, are about 50 kilometres west of the traditional areas of interest to Forests NSW and in much lower rainfall areas.
“Commercial interest in Forests NSW’s planted forest services from the coal mining companies in the Hunter coalfield has grown slowly but steadily,” says Forests NSW manager of investor relations, Nick Cameron.
“Due to its low rainfall of 600 to 700 millimetres a year and relatively poor soils, tree growth rates in the coalfield are about half that of the growth rates on the coast and coastal range.”
The latest project is on an 80 hectare lot owned by a subsidiary of Coal and Allied, which in turn is managed by Rio Tinto Coal Australia.
“This project demonstrates that we are committed at the highest level to developing a block of native trees that will sequester carbon dioxide,” said Rod Cameron, manager of environmental services for Rio Tinto Coal Australia.
“There has been a lot of comment on the advantages of developing a forest at this end of the valley.
“This block is adjacent to and to the north of our Hunter Valley Operations mining area on former grazing land. It has not been mined and will not be mined, but it will form a forested buffer. We are keen to participate in what could become a local industry.
“As well as that, it will provide ecosystem diversity on what was previously grazing land.
“It is a natural progression from the five-year trial program we have been undertaking with Forests NSW and follows on from that research, as well as being recognition of the concern over greenhouse gases,” said Rod.
Mining companies typically plant 30 per cent of rehabilitated land to native woodlands.
“They normally rely on direct seeding techniques however the recent drought has tested the reliability of this technique and provided an opportunity for providers of planted forest services,” Nick Cameron said.
“Forests NSW is uniquely qualified to provide specialised services, being able to draw on its many years of research and development work.
“Mining companies are becoming increasingly aware of the value of trees as visual and physical buffers around the perimeters of their active mines.
“The establishment of this latest 80 hectares of spotted gum plantation for Rio Tinto Coal Australia, is Forests NSW’s most recent and largest initiative to date,” Nick said.
“Site preparation began in August and the forest is expected to sequester around 20000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 40 years.”
Howard Spencer Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
