1967

VICTORIA

FORESTS COMMISSION-VICTORIA AUSTRALIA

FORTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL YEAR 1966-67

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PURSUANT TO ACT No. 6254, SECTION 35.

[Appro..:mate Oo•t of Report-Prepa.ra.tlon. noi given. Printing (225 copies), $920.

By Authomy: A. C. BROOKS, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE. No. 11-8279/67.-Price 45 cents.

FORESTS COMMISSION-VICTORIA

Treasury Gardens, Melbourne, 3002.

ANNUAL REPORT 1966-67

In compliance with the provisions of section 35 of the Forests Act 1958 (No. 6254) the Forests Commission has the honour to present to Parliament the following report of its activities and financial statements for the financial year 1966-67.

A. 0. LAWRENCE, Chairman.

F. R. MOULDS, Commissioner.

C. W. ELSEY, Commissioner.

G. E. K. COLE, Acting Secretary,

24th October, 1967.

CONTENTS

PAGE FEATURilS .. 6

MANAGEMENT- Forest Area, Surveys, Mapping, Assessment, Management Plans, Plantation Extension Surveys, Wood Pulp Agreement, Reserves, Water Catchment Management 8

0PERATIONS- Silviculture, Establishment of New Plantations, Softwood Forestry Agreements Act 1967, Utilization, Forest Engineering, Reclamation and Conservation Works, Forestry Prison Camps, Law Enforcement, Transport, Buildings, Forest Foremen's Training School, Extension Services, Search and Rescue Operations 13

ECONOMICS AND MARKETING- Uti\ization, Pulpwood, Sawlogs, Other Forest Products, Industrial Undertakings 24

PROTECTION- Fire, Radio Communications, Fire Research, Biological •• •• 27

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH- Education-School of Forestry, University of Melbourne, Overseas and Other Studies, Library ; Research-Silviculture, Hydrology, Pathology, Entomology, Native Forest Insects ; Public Relations, Technical Publications 32

CONFERENCES 38

ADMINISTRATION- PersonneJ-lndustrial, Numbers of Employees, Workers' Compensation; Staff Training; Methods ; Stores ; Financial 39

APPENDICES- 1. Statement of Output of Produce 42 II. Causes of Fires 43 Ill. Summary of Fires and Areas Burned 43 IV. Type of Area Burned in State Forests and National Parks 44 V. Classification of Fire Acreages in State Forests and National Parks 44 VI. Monthly Outbreaks of Fire 44 VII. Protection Works-Summary 45 VIII. Contracts 46

Financial Statements­ IX. Loan Expenditure 47 x. Statement of Revenue and Appropriated Expenditure 48 XI. Forestry Fund .. 48 XII. Forests Stores Suspense Account and Forests Plant and Machinery Fund 49 Xlll. State Sawmill, Erica 50 XIV. Proposed Disbursements and Estimated Receipts, 1967-68 51 FEATURES.

Area of reserved forest 5,604,413 acres

Output of logs from State forest (including veneer logs) .. 477,787,000 super. feet (approx.) Hoppus log volume

Output of softwood logs from State Plantations (including veneer logs) .. 50,626,000 super. feet (approx.) Hoppus log volume

Revenue-

Royalties received from sale of forest produce $4,739,662

Total amount paid to Consolidated Revenue $5,879,713

Expenditure authorized by-

Forests Act 1958, No. 6254-

Section 30-Forestry Fund $2,675,822

Section 32-Plant and Machinery Fund $184,819

Appropriation Acts $3,332,642

State Forests Loan Application Acts $2,151,993 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FORESTS COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1967.

OBITUARY.

ANDREW LEONARD BENALLACK. It is with the deepest regret that the Commission records the sudden death on 24th October, 1966, of Mr. A. L. Benallack, who had been a member of the Commission since 1961. The late Andrew Leonard Benallack gave a lifetime of dedicated and valuable service to forestry and to the community. He started his career in forestry on entry to the School of Forestry at Creswick in 1920. He was a graduate also of the Australian Forestry School at Canberra, following which he occupied a number of field postings in various forest districts in Victoria Mr. Benallack served overseas for 5! years in World War II. and was 0 /C, 2 /2 Forestry Company R.A.E., A.I.F. with the rank of major. During the post-war years he founded 91 Forestry Squadron and was 0 /C of this unit until he retired from active service in December, 1963. After a period as Timber Controller in the immediate post-war years he returned to duty with the Commission and subsequently became Chief of the Division of Economics and Marketing prior to his appointment as Commissioner of Forests. Mr. Benallack brought to the Commission a wealth of experience and was held in the highest esteem in all sections of the timber industry and by his forestry colleagues.

THE COMMISSION. Mr. C. W. Elsey was appointed as a Commissioner on 16th December, 1966. He pre­ viously occupied the position of Chief of the Division of Forest Operations.

GENERAL REVIEW. Softwood Forestry Agreements. Last year the Commission indicated the probability of advances being made by the Common­ wealth Government to accelerate the rate of softwood planting by State Governments. Since the passage of the Softwood Forestry Agreements Act 1967, by the Commonwealth Parliament, an agreement has been made between the Commonwealth and State Treasuries, which will enable this State to obtain a special loan, free of interest for ten years and redeemable by equal annual instalments for the following 25 years. Advances will relate to the area of plantation established in each financial year, commencing with 1966-67, over and above the area set down for the base year, which, in the case of Victoria, is 6,000 acres. Thus, if we are able to establish a planted area of 9,000 acres in the forthcoming year, the Commonwealth Government would be prepared to provide an advance equivalent to one-third of the total cost of planting. Initially, the agree­ ment is for a period of five years. During the last two years, officers of the Commission have been busily engaged in land classification with a view to determining areas primarily of reserved forest and Crown lands suitable for the profitable growth of softwoods. It is now apparent that the considerable area required for the successful fulfilment of the scheme-something of the order of 600,000 acres beyond our present holdings-will, with some acquisition of private lands, be available. Catchments Closed to Logging. During the year further evidence was presented to the Parliamentary Public Works Committee enquiring into future water supplies for Melbourne. It was submitted that State forests can be and, indeed, are managed under a policy of multiple use, which ensures that the community obtains the maximum yield of products and services without deterioration of the resource. It is abundantly clear that the State, faced with a rapidly increasing population and a diminishing forested area, cannot afford the luxury of reserving additional extensive areas solely for water supply. It is a matter of some concern, therefore, that an area of about 40,000 acres of timber­ productive reserved forest in the catchments of four tributaries of the Yarra River above Warburton is to be withdrawn from Commission control during the next three years and will remain closed to timber harvesting for at least ten years.

Wood Pulp Agreement. The original Wood Pulp Agreement between the Government, the Forests Commission and Australian Paper Manufacturers Limited, ratified by the Act of 1936, has been extensively amended to meet the expanded requirements of the Company in pulpwood resources. The forest 8 area from which the Company has the exclusive right to obtain its pulpwood requirements has been substantially amended and extended eastward to ensure supply. The quantity which the Commission is required to provide to the Company year by year has been increased and the general situation should now cover the Company's developments for a considerable period. A further aspect of the Agreement is that the Company will be able to obtain additional areas of currently unproductive forest lands in South Gippsland under leasehold for afforestation and thus assist the Commission in its objective of restoring timber crops on a large area of abandoned farm and scrub land.

Dandenongs Purchases. For several years past, the Commission has been quietly progressing with land acquisitions in accordance with the Government's policy to resume as much timbered land as is practicable on the western slopes of Mt. Dandenong. Zoned lands within the Shire of Lillydale are now almost entirely in the hands of the Crown. This year the Commission has been actively acquiring lands in the Shires of Knox and Sherbrooke in two categories, viz., those which lie in the fire protection zone in the vicinity of the Mountain Highway and those which are being acquired on the same basis as the lands in the Shire of Lillydale. The fire protection zone is now almost complete and, for the first time it becomes practicable for the Commission to establish a protective strip to isolate the highly hazardous, scrubby, upper slopes on the west face of the mountain from any fires which might start up in The Basin area, from which some of the most destructive fires which have occurred in the Dandenongs have emanated.

Recreational Forestry. The Commission now finds itself heavily involved in recreational forestry. Of the three alpine resorts-Mt. Buller, Mt. Baw Baw and Lake Mountain-which come within its administration, Mt. Buller is one of the foremost snowfields in Australia and is attracting considerable winter popularity. The costs in development and maintenance are substantial and are, in part, being met by Treasury advances. The Commission is greatly indebted to the members of the Commit­ tees of Management controlling each of these resorts for their patient and tireless attention to the manifold problems attendant upon such undertakings. The four Forest Parks at Sherbrooke, You Yangs, Grampians Wonderland and Lerderderg Gorge are steadily advancing in popularity. Again, with increased demands for public facilities, in which regard the Commission is indebted to the interest developed and assistance given by the Tourist Development Authority, numerous scenic reserves, some of which embrace aspects of unequalled beauty, have been set aside throughout the forests of the State. In some cases, reserves of an unusual nature exist. Among such is the William Ricketts Sanctuary at Mt. Dandenong, a project which appears to have attracted much popularity and which should prove of considerable educational value. At the instigation of the Hon. T. W. Mitchell, M.L.C., the Hon. L. H. S. Thompson, M.L.C. opened a new lookout point on Keelangie Hill near Shelley on 1st October, 1966. This lookout point commands a magnificent view of the Kosciusko main range to the east and of the new Koetong Plantation within which the lookout itself is located. The development of this lookout to the extent justified by its location in close proximity to a main tourist route will be undertaken on a planned basis over the next three years.

MANAGEMENT. FOREST A.REA. The area of reserved forest at 30th June, 1967, was 5,604,413 acres-a net increase of 581 acres. Changes in the area of reserved forest were Excisions under Forests Act 1958- acres. Section 42, sub-section (8) 968 Section 49 7,508 8,476 Additions under Forests Act 1958- Section 42, sub-section (8) 974 Section 49 8,083 9,057

A total of 3,50 l acres of alienated land was purchased, comprising 3,016 acres for extension of softwood plantations and 485 acres for miscellaneous forest purposes, 251 acres of the latter being on the western slopes of the Dandenong Ranges. A further 52 subdivisional lots were purchased in this locality for development as a fire protection zone. 9

SURVEYS. Cadastral surveys were carried out in eleven forest districts to determine boundaries of reserved forest, of access roads, and of land acquired by purchase, exchange and dedication. Further surveys were also undertaken in connexion with the development of sites at the Mt. Buller Alpine Village. Topographic surveys were provided to facilitate the mapping of softwood plantation extension areas in various locations. FOREST MAPPING. Pictorial cover of forest areas, required for mapping and management purposes, has been further extended by the use of aerial photography in the Briagolong, Upper Yarra, Geliibrand, Neerim, Mirboo, Yarram, Heyfield, Mansfield and Cann Valley forest districts. Included in this project was some experimental colour photography of catchment areas in the headwaters of the Yarra and Tarago Rivers. The use of improved techniques in both exposure and processing of colour film has resulted in the production of photographs and transparencies which are much superior to monochromatic film for photo-interpretation, particularly in definition of tree species and forest types. Further experimental colour photography was carried out in conjunction with the Forest Research Institute, Canberra, and A.P.M. Forests Pty. Ltd . Revision of softwood plantation plans has continued and new contour maps .have been completed for plantation areas in the Bright, Gellibrand and Tallangatta forest districts.

Loading softwood pulp logs cut during thinning operations in the Bright plantation.

Topographical compilation for the map sheets of Tawanga and Bright, and revision for those of Thowgla, Benambra, Jacobs River and Kosciusko has been completed. New three-colour maps have been published for Croajingalong East, in the eastern extremity of the State, and for the Mt. Feathertop area. Revised editions of the Barmah Forest and Macalister River Watershed maps have also been published. All of these printed plans are available for sale to the public.

FOREST AsSESSMENT. Significant advances in the preparation of the resources inventory of State forests have been made by the use of improved techniques in colour aerial photography, electronic data processing and reconnaissance by helicopter. IO

The first mapping project, using colour transparencies at a scale of 10 chains to 1 inch, has been initiated for a vegetation survey of the Mississippi Creek catchment in the Upper Yarra forest district. These photographs and others of an alpine ash regeneration project recently brought favourable comment at a conference at Canberra on colour aerial photography.

A major computer programme has been written and tested by the Commission's assessment staff to facilitate the processing of the large volume of statistical information involved in continuous forest inventory work. This programme will be used on a variety of surveys and has been put into operation on data collected from permanent plots established in the mixed species forests of the Trentham district. It will be used for similar plots in the Mt. Cole and Daylesford forests. Two programmes were also developed for softwood plantation inventory, in addition to minor programmes for the analysis of royalty and log measurement data.

Intensive surveys of regrowth ash forests to determine thinning yields were completed in the Toolangi forest district using photo-interpretation, field mapping and random sampling. The same type of survey has been extended to large areas of similar forests in the Niagaroon, Neerim and Marysville forest districts. A helicopter was used for preliminary inspections on these surveys.

A reconnaissance survey to assess sawlog volumes in mature ash forest has been made in the Cement Creek watershed. This area is soon to be placed under the temporary control of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works.

A survey to establish the pulpwood resources of the Gellibrand and Forrest forest districts is in progress and similar surveys have been commenced for the hardwood forests of eastern Gippsland and south-western Victoria.

Detailed assessment and mapping surveys of softwood plantations in the Neerim and Mirboo forest districts have been finalized and similar work in the Rennick plantation is nearing completion. Summary of Surveys Completed or in Progress.

Area. Forest District. Locality. Type of Survey. (acres)

Toolangi Yea River and Kalatha . . Sampling 7,440

Marysville and Various Mapping and sampling 95,000 Niagaroon

Upper Yarra Cement Creek .. Timber reconnaissance .. 894

Mississippi Creek Mapping with colour photos. 3,400

Cann Valley East Wingan and Thurra Timber reconnaissance .. 44,942 Rivers

Neerim and Mirboo . . Loch Valley, Allambee and Intensive mapping and sampling 3,325 Childers Plantations

Neerim Various Mapping and sampling 66,000

Daylesford Various Continuous inventory plots 41,645

Gellibrand and Forrest Various Pulpwood resources 300,000

Lower Glenelg Plantation . Intensive mapping and sampling 6,215

-·--·------·--· ----··---···---···-----·---···--···----

MANAGEMENT PLANS. Progress has been maintained in the development of systematic management plans for all established softwood plantations by the preparation and revision of yield estimates and cutting schedules. These plans are designed to ensure sustained yield from the forests by regulation of the annual cut of timber. All major plantations which are yielding merchantable produce are now being operated in accordance with such plans. l1

Young softwood regrowth beside a clear-felled area in Bright plantation.

Similar guides are in course of preparation for the extensive, young, ash regrowth forests of the Central Highlands, which are about to produce considerable volumes of pulpwood and small dimension sawlogs. Investigation of thinning techniques, accessibility and economic utilization is proceeding in this forest type in the Upper Yarra, Toolangi and Erica forest districts.

PLANTATION EXTENSION SURVEYS. Reconnaissance surveys, to determine sites suitable for softwood plantations have been extended to the Strathbogie Ranges in the Benalla forest district and to the Toombullup area in the Mansfield forest district. The total area covered by such surveys during the past three years now amounts to some 645,000 acres. Details of the areas investigated during the present year are listed below.

Area. Forest District. Locality. (acres)

Ben all a ...... State forest and alienated land in the Parishes of Boho, 87,000 Borodomanin, Lima, Strathbogie, Tallangallook, Too-Rour, Warrenbayne and Wondoomarook

Mansfield .. . . State forest and alienated land in the Parishes of Myrrhee, 75,000 Tatong, Toombullup and Toombullup North

Bright ...... State forest in the Parishes of Bright, Barwidgee, Pore- 6,000 punkah and Wandiligong

WOOD PuLP AGREEMENT. The Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) Act 1966 ratifies a further agreement with Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd. This legislation, which supplements a similar enactment in 1961, became necessary to provide for the continued expansion of wood pulp production at the Company's Maryvale pulp mill. Principal provisions of the agreement relate to revision of the forest area available to the Company for pulpwood supplies, higher supply commitments by the Commission and to payment by the Company of certain charges for the use of Commission roads for pulpwood transportation. 12

An aerial view of a section of the Commission's Bright softwood plantation in North-East Victoria.

The agreement also grants the Company the right to lease for 60 years a further area of abandoned farm land, now dedicated as reserved forest, in the South Gippslar.d hills. In addition to payment of an annual rental, the Company is required to reforest the area with trees suitable for the production of paper pulp.

RESERVES. Under the provisions of Section 50 of the Forests Act J958 , five separate reserves embracing some 926 acres have been set aside in the Bruthen and Orbost districts to ensure preservation of natural plant associations. Additional reservations for scenic and conservation purposes include 640 acres at Mt. Pilot in the Beechworth area, 185 acres at Mt. Beckwith near Clunes and 460 acres at Mt. Donna Buang.

To simplify the management of adjacent recreation areas, the Kimbolton Forest Recreation Reserve of 1,440 acres adjoining Lake Eppalock has been excised from reserved forest and placed under the control of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.

The total number of specific reserves is now 80, occupying almost 43,000 acres of reserved forest. Concern has been expressed as to the exclusion from public access of scenic reserves, including Lake Mountain, Cement Creek and the Cumberland Valley, which are included in reserved forest areas soon to be transferred to the control of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works.

WATER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT. No prescriptions for the management of town water supply catchments have been written during the past year, the number in force remaining at 59. Since it is Commission policy to provide for the harvesting of water as well as timber from its forested catchments, these prescriptions are designed to place strict control on all forestry operations within such water catchments so that water yield and quality are unimpaired. 13

Sherbrooke Forest Park in the Dandenong Ranges provides recreation facilities close to Melbourne.

OPERATIONS.

SILVI CULTURE. Native Forests. Silvicultural treatment was carried out over 38,290 acres of native forest.

Treatments, which have as the primary objective the re-establishment of utilized stands, were applied to 12,640 acres. Details of treatments, by forest types, are shown below.

1966-67.

Nature of Treatment. Forest type. Regeneration Aerial Sowing. Hand Sowing. Induced or Felliog. Natural Sowing. Total.

Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.

Ash type ...... 440 2,542 388 110 3,480 Mixed Species- . } 130' + .. 307 165 7 2,607 3,086 Height 90'-130' .. 2,565 100 315 640 Class , _ 3,620 90 . . 543 ...... 543 River Red Gum . . . . 33 ... . . 250 283 Box-Ironbark ...... 650 . . .. 978 1,628 Totals . . .. 4,538 2,807 710 I 4,585 12,640

Areas subjected to regeneration felling were subsequently sown by one of the three methods indicated in the table, except for 650 acres of box-ironbark forest in Northern division where re-establishment will be with coppice. 14

Collection of the quantity of seed required to sustain an increasing programme of aerial sowing poses some problems. Amongst these are the lack of labour in remote localities and the short summer season in high altitude areas.

Attention is being given to the development of means of artificially extracting seed from capsules and to the storage of seed collected during good seed years.

It is pleasing to record that application of seed at the required rate per acre was accomplished satisfactorily over the whole of the area sown.

A small area of 51 acres in Brothen district was sown by helicopter. The operation was on an experimental basis. Although it is likely that helicopter sowing will be useful on small areas in awkward locations, fixed-wing aircraft are cheaper to operate and afford a faster rate of application.

Silvicultural operations were carried out in stands of established regrowth throughout the State. In general, these operations are directed towards stands which will yield marketable forest produce. Lack of finance continues to limit the amount of non-commercial thinning which can be undertaken and this type of work is largely restricted to drier areas in the Northern division where early reduction of competition is essential to the development of merchantable stands.

Commercial thinnings of ash type regrowth continued in districts of the Central and Southern divisions. These stands are yielding small logs and pulpwood. The treated area amounted to only 388 acres, but an expansion of activity in these stands can be anticipated.

Thinnings in mixed species regrowth stands were undertaken over 3,892 acres, principally in South Western division where pulpwood is in demand for the production of hardboard at Bacchus Marsh.

Increasing use is being made of stump poisoning in thinning areas to prevent coppicing from unwanted stumps. Experiments are being undertaken to determine the most effective techniques.

Caravans provide mobile living quarters for Commission employees. 15

Details of treatments, by forest types, are shown in the table below. Where applicable, totals for the previous year are also shown.

Nature of Treatment. Forest Type. Coppicing. Thinning. Liberation. Other. Total.

Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.

1966-67.

Ash type 388 60 448 Mixed Species- 130' -"- 408 408 Height ,- l30' ' Class 90 , _ 3,100 5,258 8,358 } 90 744 792 945 1,000 3,481 River Red Gum 10 1,318 482 1,810 Box-Ironbark .. 1,935 5,372 1,827 1,880 11,014 Native Pine 135 135 Totals 2,689 11,105 8,920 2,940 25,654

1965-66.

Totals 29,845

Plantations. The areas of established plantations given silvicultural treatment are shown below with comparative statistics for the previous four years.

Acreage Treated Nature of Treatment. 1966-67. 1965-66. ! 1964-65. 1963-64. 1962-63.

Cleaning ...... 8,633 6,811 5,984 5,723 2,387 Pruning-1st stage . . 644 569 448 .. 515} Pruning-2nd stage . . .. 88 149 116 177 820 Pruning-3rd stage ...... 151 53 Thinning-early . . .. 239 161 134} Thinning-commercial .. . . 3,228 2,413 2,493 2,085 2,847

The steady increase in acreage treated is due to increased plantings since 1962. Tending tasks can be expected to increase as planted areas expand. The control of eucalypt regeneration before canopy closure and the prevalence of Acacia species on many sites makes cleaning a vital task in young plantations. First pruning will increase sharply as stands on areas planted since 1962 reach pruning size. In Rennick district, 800 acres of young plantation were sprayed with zinc sulphate to correct a trace element deficiency on these coastal sites. Clear felling operations were undertaken on 841 acres of plantations for the following reasons:- acres Mature stands .. 484 Conversion of unsatisfactory species 111 Road and extraction lines 48 Salvage of storm damaged areas 71 Salvage of fire damaged areas 127

841

Clear fellings were principally at Beechworth (34 acres), Bright (44 acres), Port Campbell (346 acres) and Gellibrand (30 acres). Of the 378 acres of merchantable plantation damaged by the 1966 fire in Creswick district, almost 300 acres have been salvaged. 16

ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW PLANTATIONS.

Clearing. A total area of 8,876 acres was cleared in readiness for planting during the year, including 2, 742 acres cleared under contract.

Dozer with tree pusher clearing eucalypt for conifer plantings, Koetong Plantation, North-East Victoria.

Roading. Fifty-three miles of roads were constructed in new planting areas and 12 miles in established areas. Almost 600 miles of roads have been constructed in plantations and, of these, 240 miles are surfaced for all-weather usage.

Plant and Animal Pest Control. The continued co-operation of the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Destruction Board enabled the treatment of 26,361 acres. Of this total, 23,238 acres were treated aerially with 1080 baited carrots and the remainder by ground baiting methods.

It is apparent that aerial baiting will become of increasing importance as the area of plantations increases. Arrangements are in hand to provide a number of strategically placed landing strips.

Blackberries remain a serious problem for which no satisfactory solution has yet been found.

Summary of Areas Planted. As the Softwood Forestry Agreement specifies planted acres in terms of financial years, this report departs from the past practice of recording plantings in accordance with the planting season. VICTORIA SHOWING GENERAL LOCATION OF FORESTS COMMISSION SOFTWOOD PLANTATIONS AND EXTENSION PROJECTS

Existing P lantations ( 4000 Acres • ) 4000 Acres P lantation Extension Projects + ( 4000 Acres + ) 4000 Acres +

• Charlton Tal langatta e Beechw o rth Shepparton • Wangaratta e Benallae ·++ •Myrtlerord e Horsham ++ • Bendigo ~ + e Bright • e stawell .. e Seymour ++ Castltmaine e Mansf+ ield

•• +e cre •+s wic k •+ • •Ma c edo n Ballarat e +

• Healesville • Hamilton MELBOURNE •• Bairnsdale e • Orbos t •Heywood e Warragu+l • Sale ~d-~...... __ Colac e Monvel I ++ e

S C A LE OF M I LES 0 50 100

HASS ST R A IT 17

The acreages given in the Table below cover plantings between lst July, 1966 and 30th June, 1967. Because of this change in the method of recording, it should be noted that 1,032 acres of softwoods planted in the six months prior to 1st July, 1966, has not been recorded in the 1965 season nor in the financial year 1966-67.

The figure has been taken into account in quoting the total net area of softwoods planted.

Net Area Planted (Acres). Nature of Planting. i I 1966-67. 1965. 1964. 1963. 1962. I I I I I Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. New planting-softwoods .. . . 6,345 5,432 5,665 4,836 3,666 New planting-hardwoods . . .. 1,087 735 1,150 1,049 860 i New planting-total . . .. 7,432 6,167 6,815 I 5,885 4,526 I Replanting of clear felled, storm damaged, I burnt or conversion areas (all softwoods) .. 415 261 288 I 353 441 Special purpose planting (gravel pits i reclamation, Forest Parks, &c.) (all I hardwoods) 68 44 40 52 35

Total-all plantings 7,915 6,472 7,143 6,290 5,002

Annual plantings of softwoods increased by over 900 acres whilst there was a 40 per cent. increase in hardwood planting. Good establishment was assured by adequate rainfall in the spring and early summer.

The dry conditions experienced since January, 1967, have not affected planted stock ; however, conditions for new plantings towards the close of the financial year were not good.

The total net area of softwoods plantations as at 30th June, 1967 was 72,097 acres. Of this total 61,888 acres are planted with P. radiata and the remainder with other softwood species.

Hardwood plantings totalled 1,087 acres, increasing total hardwood plantings to 9,724 acres. Planted hardwoods are not all in plantations since some plantings are designed to fill blank areas in native forests and these will be managed as part of the native forests. Of this year's plantings some 387 acres were on blank areas and the remainder in plantations which now total 6,291 acres.

Location of Major New Plantings-1966-67.

Softwoods. Hardwoods.

Forest District. Acres. Forest District. Acres.

Lower Glenelg 1,390 Mirboo 610 Tallangatta 923 Upper Yarra 123 Myrtleford 850 Forrest 83 Mansfield 540 You Yangs 70 Yarram 456 Toolangi 56 Ben all a 455 Neerim 50 Bright 377 Erica 45 Beech worth 329 Miscellaneous 50 Mir boo 271 Beaufort 239 Gellibrand 148 Sta well 125 Neerim 55 Miscellaneous .. 187

Totals 6,345 1,087

8279/67.-2 18

Species Planted-1966-67. (New Work Only.)

Softwoods. Acres. Hardwoods. Acres.

P. radiata 6,178 E. regnans 705 P. pinaster 40 E. c/adocalyx 173 Pseudotsuga menziesii 74 Miscellaneous 209 Miscellaneous .. 53

Totals 6,345 1,087

No new plantations were commenced during the year although the annual p]anting target was increased in several areas.

Renewals in areas planted during the 1965 season were not heavy and were confined to localized areas.

Replanting of clear felled, conversion and storm damaged areas was undertaken mainly at Bright (231 acres) and Creswick (129 acres). Total of replanted areas was 415 acres.

Trial Plantings. Fifty-seven plots were established at various locations to test suitability of sites, species and techniques. The total area involved was 83 acres.

Seed Collection.

Seed Collected. 1966-67. 1965-66. 1964-65.

! lb. lb. lb.

P. radiata 952 717 564

Eucalypt species 8,120 1,170 1,478

Other species 225 290 93

Totals 9,297 2,177 2,135

--···---·····---······------~-- ---·····------····-

Collections of P. radiata seed have been increasing steadily as more stands reach maturity.

Suitable stands at Bright and Myrtleford are being specially treated as seed production stands to provide for future increased collections.

Currently, sufficient P. radiata seed is on hand to provide for the requirements of the 1967 sowing season. With the cessation of imports of seed from New Zealand and the increased plantings proposed in all States, a shortage of seed supplies could arise in the future. An order has been placed with the Department of Woods and Forests of South Australia for 1,000 lb. of P. radiata seed to be delivered in 1968.

The seed orchard programme is being extended, but no significant quantities of seed can be expected from these orchards until the early 1970's.

Fifty acres of seed orchards are already established and a further 250 acres are to be established within the next five years.

The big increase in eucalypt seed collection is due to collection of 6, 100 lb. of E. delegatensis seed for regeneration of cut-over native forests by aerial seeding. 19

Nurseries. The following table shows the number of plants raised principally for departmental use :- Pinus radiata- Suitable as planting stock 5,607,000 Suitable as lining out stock 2,149,000 Transplants 1-1 stock 1,086,000 Transplants 2- 0 stock 674,000

9,516,000 P. pinaster 117,000 Ps. menziesii 167,100 Other softwoods 99,500 Eucalyptus regnans 653,500 Other Eucalypts 189,000

Total 10,742,100

The use of transplants of P. radiata continues to decrease. Current practice is to use one year old seedlings, except in areas where rapid scrub growth on cleared areas makes establishment difficult. Other conifers are being raised in increasing quantities ; but, since these need a longer period in the nurseries (3-4 years), the full effect will not be reflected in field plantings for several years. Seasonal conditions in 1966-67 were ideal for nursery work and ample stock of excellent quality is available for the 1967 planting season.

Young nursery stock ready for sale at Macedon Forest Nursery.

Farm Forestry Loans. There was a steady inquiry for Farm Forestry Loans during the year. New applications numbered 33, making a total of 105 applications received to date.

The first formal agreements were signed during the 'year and twenty-four were concluded to 30th June, 1967. 20

Planting completed in 1966 totalled 265 acres and the agreements in force provide for a further 1,143 acres in the next few years. Advances approved for the total of 1,408 acres amount to $65,090. Almost 2,000 explanatory booklets have been distributed since the inception of the scheme. Recent applications indicate a growing interest by the owners of managed properties rather than the resident farmer. UTILIZATION. The introduction and rising popularity of rubber-tyred tractors for hauling mill logs, pulp logs and poles in softwoods plantations and native forests is a significant feature of change in the industry. The shortage of labour for production of pulpwood billets from small size timbers still exists. Most operators with large contracts are using splitting machines which operate best in big timber. Integration of logging operations for production of both mill logs and pulp logs continued. The substantial benefits to forest management from planned regeneration procedures makes such integration a most desirable objective.

Sawmilling. More sawn timber is being sold on delivery direct to building sites instead of to wholesale merchants' yards. This involves sorting both logs and sawn timber at the mill in order to meet customer requirements. Sorting devices have been installed at some Orbost mills to reduce costs. Operators of portable sawmills in residual stands have experienced difficulties in meeting the quality requirements of a selective market and no expansion of their operations has occurred. Portable mills continued to operate at Heywood, Casterton and in some East Gippsland districts. Joint utilization committees continue to operate to the advantage of the Commission and the industry in several districts.

Grazing. The dry season increased the demand for forest grazing. In Bruthen district, the availability of grazing on areas burnt in the 1965 fires continued to attract stock owners. Along the Murray River good grazing was available at Barmah and summer stocking was fixed at an all time high level of 2, 750 head. Winter level of grazing was fixed at 1,250 head. In areas downstream, at Nyah and Mildura, the absence of rain and limited flooding of the river resulted in poor grazing conditions. FOREST ENGINEERING. Survey and Design. Engineering surveys were carried out over 61 ·54 miles in Mansfield, Orbost, Cann Valley and You Yangs districts. Final design information was prepared for 6 · 29 miles of road.

Road Construction.

Road Standard. 1966--67. 1965-66. 1964-65.

Miles. Miles. Miles. Native Forests- Major extraction roads 26• 15 31 29•57 Secondary roads 71•50 70 64 Fire protection and access roads 625•50 843 718 Plantations- Primary and secondary extraction 65•23 85 73 Totals 788·38 1,029 884•57

Major and secondary road construction was undertaken to provide for current and future timber extraction needs in Orbost, Cann Valley and Macalister districts and in plantation areas at Tallangatta, Rennick, Mirboo and the Ovens Valley. Surfacing was effected on 70·95 miles of roads, principally in the Otways, central highlands and plantations which are yielding mill logs and pulpwood. Fire protection tracks and access roads were constructed in the more remote areas of native forests. Principal districts were Omeo (65 miles), Mansfield (65 miles), Briagolong (58 miles), Macalister (45 miles), Tallangatta (40 miles) and Orbost (33 miles). 21

Construction and surfacing of 4,370 feet of roads was carried out at the Mt. Buller Alpine Village.

Road Maintenance. Maintenance of access tracks in East Gippsland increased due to heavy rains and snowfalls. Floods in the north eastern highlands also caused damage to forest roads. Maintenance was carried out over 11,670 miles of road. Lack of funds again precluded the possibility of placing all roads in first class order. With the construction of a further 788 miles, the total length of roads constructed in State forests by the Commission now amounts to more than 18,000 miles. Resurfacing was carried out over 58 · 97 miles of road and, although this work is essential where winter cartage of forest produce is contemplated, it has not been possible to undertake a full programme because of the high cost.

Flood Control and Drainage. All regulators and control structures were maintained along the Murray River. Debris was removed from drainage channels by burning and other means. Minor channel construction was undertaken in Barmah and Cohuna districts. More work is necessary to make the best use of available floodwaters in the red gum forests.

Water Supply. At Mt. Buller Alpine Village a further fourteen buildings were connected to the supply and this service is now substantially completed. Twelve special fire hydrants complete with fire hose were installed. Work commenced on the provision of a water supply scheme at Mt. Baw Baw Alpine Reserve. At the close of summer, 1,770 feet of reticulation main had been laid. Water supply works continued in the picnic grounds at You Yangs Forest Park.

Other Works. Further extensions were carried out at the Olinda Golf Course. Engineering assistance was provided in a number of districts, where advice was requested.

Mechanical Plant. Major plant purchases during the year were 6 crawler tractors, 3 wheeled tractors and 3 power graders. In addition 28 new jackhammers were purchased as replacements. Disposal of nine items of specified plant was approved during the year, as these items were at the end of their economic life. Repairs to Commission plant and equipment were carried out at the central workshop, Newport and at fourteen field repair centres. Five plant inspectors continued supervision of the operation and maintenance of plant throughout the State. Overhauls on tractors, graders and compressors were effected at the central workshop as follows:-

Major Overhauls. Repairs and Parts Renewals.

Tractors 13 130

Graders 2 27

Compressors 5

Totals 16 162

Seventy miscellaneous minor repair jobs were also effected. 22

RECLAMATION AND CONSERVATION WORKS. The Commission's specifications for rehabilitation of sites from which extractive material is obtained are now firmly established as routine procedure. Reclaimed areas were maintained and new workings prepared for rehabilitation. Principal districts in which these works are located are Lal Lal, You Yangs and Beaufort.

FOREST PRISONS. Labour from the Morwell River prison was used for clearing land and raising nursery stock. Prisoners planted 610 acres of hardwoods and 187 acres of softwoods on abandoned scrub-covered farmlands in South Gippsland. Establishment of the Won Wron prison is still proceeding and only a limited amount of labour was available for forestry. Prisoners from the Sale Gaol carried out some work in Yarram district for short periods during the year.

The nursery at Morwell River Reforestation Prison in South Gippsland.

LAW ENFORCEMENT. Legal proceedings were instituted against 23 offenders for breaches, other than fire offences, of the Forests Act and Regulations. Prosecutions 23 Convictions 19 Cases dismissed 3 Adjourned

$ Fines imposed 435 .00 Costs awarded 50.10 Compensation ordered 212.65

Ten of these cases were associated with unauthorized cutting of forest produce and thirteen with the possession of firearms in reserved forest sanctuaries. In addition, two cases were conducted under the Litter Act 1964, for depositing rubbish in Sherbrooke Forest Park. 23

TRANSPORT. Although the policy of replacing light vehicles after 25,000 miles or two years of operation has kept operating costs to a minimum, the cost of replacement has increased due to lower trade-in values.

The 146 vehicles replaced during the year comprised 83 administration type vehicles, 42 light four-wheel drive units and 21 heavy trucks. In addition 18 general purpose units and one fire tanker were purchased.

The Commission continues to control the maintenance and replacement of 37 vehicles used by the National Sirex Fund Committee in connexion with the sirex eradication programme in Victoria. New vehicle types were investigated and tested. The limited slip differential modification, now available on some vehicles, may provide an avenue to reduce the number of four-wheel drive vehicles in the Commission's fleet. Technical staff of the Transport Branch continued to make frequent inspections of units in field locations. Advice on preventive maintenance was provided and instruction given to drivers. BUILDINGS. A new residence was provided for the District Forester at Swift's Creek. New offices were completed at Maffra and living quarters provided for employees at Rennick. A fire watcher's cabin of unusual design was erected on the summit of Mt. Buller in Mansfield district. Improvements were effected to and maintenance work carried out on 121 residences, 21 offices and 58 other buildings. Construction and maintenance of amenities buildings at various forest parks, scenic reserves, alpine reserves, roadside reserves and special purpose reserves continue to form a substantial portion of the activities of the Buildings Branch.

FOREST FOREMEN'S TRAINING SCHOOL. Following the successful completion of a six months training course at a special school conducted in Broadford district, 39 trainee foremen were posted to forest districts throughout the State. Special in-service training was given to trainees during a six month probationary period. At the conclusion of the probationary period, all trainees were recommended for appointment to the Commission's staff as Forest Foremen.

EXTENSION SERVICES. Plants sold to the public and other Government departments and authorities were- 1966-67 1965-66 Pinus radiata .. 480,878 299,023 Other softwoods 31,392 24,976 Eucalypts 172,748 128,610 Acacias 31,312 29,197 Miscellaneous species 125,343 98,536

841,673 580,342

Plants were supplied free of charge to 244 State schools for school plantations (123,867 trees) and arboreta (5,484 plants).

A total of 11,000 tubed plants of native species was raised for the Fisheries and Wildlife Department for planting in State Wildlife Reserves.

Individual tree orders totalled 7,119. Advice on tree planting was given in 3 radio broadcasts, 15 inspections in the field, 228 personal interviews and in response to 226 postal and 2,266 telephone enquiries. A total of 9,400 nursery price lists was distributed. Seed sales to the public totalled 110 lb., which returned revenue to the value of $1,072. 24

Officers in field stations throughout the State provided extension services as follows :- Field inspections 158 Lectures and demonstrations 157 Radio and television broadcasts 11 Conducted tours 223 Other activities 51

Rehabilitation works at Creswick and Wail nurseries continued within the limits determined by available funds. A scheme for rehabilitation of the Macedon nursery was commenced. Merbein nursery closed during the year and operations were transferred to the new Mildura nursery. Sales of nursery stock showed a considerable increase as compared with the previous year. The increase is attributed to the gathering momentum of the Farm Forestry scheme and a general increase of interest in tree planting on rural holdings.

SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS. For many years the Commission's field staff has played a prominent role in search and rescue operations, mainly in association with the police, where members of the public become lost or get into difficulties, particularly in forest areas.

The table below gives details of the eleven occasions when Commission staff participated in searches during the year under review. -----··--··--··---- ·--··--··-·---··--··-- Number of Reason. Commission Personnel Involved.

Two fishermen lost 5 U.S.A. sailor lost 1 Lost deer shooter 3 Lost child 4 Lost miner 2 Lost miner l Hikers overdue 1 Lost hiking party 1 2 lost shooters 15 Lost child 1 Two lost hikers .. 1

Total 35

ECONOMICS AND MARKETING.

UTILIZATION. The output of logs from State forests in Victoria recovered from the low point to which it fell during the financial year 1965-66. The rate of commencements of house construction increased and most mills drew the greater part of the allocations of logs available to them from Crown resources. On the other hand, some sawmillers have experienced difficulty in obtaining satisfactory prices for all lines, particularly in the Melbourne market. Accumulation at sawmills of stocks of sawn timber and logs could cause a decline in log sales, at least during the first half of the succeeding year. Softwood log output from State forests has maintained the steady growth of recent years and now comprises lOt per cent. of total log output. There has been further rationalization within the industry. The trend to amalgamation of allocations by takeover of smaller mills has continued. Several licensees with sufficiently large allocations and prospects of continuity of operations have installed modern equipment designed to increase recovery and improve productivity. Innovations have also extended into bush operations and a number of rubber-tyred log skidders are now operating where conditions are suitable. On the other hand, pine log extraction on steep slopes in high rainfall areas has benefited from a return to winch logging, which was widely used before crawler tractors became popular. No major new allocations of timber were made available by the Commission in 1966-67, but there was substantial progress by sawmillers in erecting plant and constructing access roads to handle allocations made in recent years. 25

Loading pulpwood from a mechanical log splitter near Erica.

P ULPWOOD. The first commercial production of pulpwood in Victoria for the manufacture of paper was reported by the Commission in the financial year 1937-38, when J 66,200 cubic feet was made available to Australian Papers Manufacturers Limited under the terms of the Wood Pulp Agreement Act 1936. Since then the capacity of the Company has developed to the extent that a new agreement became necessary in 1961 to provide for: increased supplies. Expansion continued and, during the year under review, a further amendment to the agreement provided for the quantity of pulpwood obtained by the Company from State forests to amount to 16,000,000 cubic feet per annum by 1975. Agreements have also been concluded with Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd. and Panelboard Pty. Ltd. for supply of timber of similar size and quality for the manufacture of hardboard and particle board. Pulpwood resources available exceed these commitments and, in the interests of forest management, further markets are desirable. To this end, the possibility of supplying additional local and overseas industries is being pursued.

SAWLOGS. The total output of sawlogs from State forests at almost 474,000,000 super. feet Hoppus log volwne was the highest for 10 years. This included a record production of almost 47,000,000 super. feet of softwoods, but the most significant feature was the increase of 8 per cent. in the output of hardwood logs which was nearly 427,000,000 super. feet. An important contribution to the increased production was made by re-working cut-over areas referred to in the last annual report. Besides increasing the life expectancy of a number of saw-milling operations, this re-working has valuable silvicultural benefits.

OTHER FOREST PRODUCTS. Veneer Timber. There was a substantial recovery in the peeling of locally grown pine logs, but output has not yet returned to the level it reached before imports of the cheaper Asian plywood began to affect the local market. A fall in the output of hardwood veneer logs and billets was largely due to difficulties in intergrating procurement of veneer logs with sawmill logging operations. It is believed that arrangements which have now been completed should overcome this trouble.

Railway Sleepers. The output of sleepers in red gum and box-ironbark species was limited by the availability of suitable timber and the Commission has had to maintain quota restrictions in the interests of continuity of production. There is still ample stringybark timber available, but the Railways Department has limited its purchases of this species and the total output of sleepers has declined. 26

Pulpwood billets of alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) from logging residues, ac Heyfield.

The policy of non-replacement of cutters leaving the industry has generally been continued, so that individual quotas have remained at a reasonable level. Many cutters in durable species are able to supplement their income by producing fencing material.

Purchase of sleepers for supply to the South Aust,ralian railways has declined.

Poles and Piles . Several factors have contributed to a drop of about 40 per cent. in the output of hardwood transmission poles. The replacement of aerial telephone lines with underground cables and the joint use of poles by power and communication authorities have considerably reduced their pole requirements. There is still a relatively strong demand for large-sized impregnated poles for electricity transmission, but suitable trees are becoming scarce in easily assessible localities. Some poles of this class have been obtained during plantation pre-clearing operations. The demand for poles of the Postmaster General's specifications in both durable species and non-durable hardwoods suitable for preservation is insufficient to enable thinnings to be undertaken to the desired extent in regrowth forests. There has been a further increase in sales of lighter softwood poles for preservation and subsequent use in farm buildings.

Fencing Material. The total output of fencing material was little below the high level reached the previous year, although there were indications that rainfall deficiences in the latter part of the financial year may have restricted rural spending in some areas. Nevertheless a spectacular increase of 50 per cent. in output of impregnated softwood accounts for almost a quarter of the total production of fencing material now being in this class.

Minor Forest Products. There has been little change in the market for a number of minor forest products. Output of firewood has declined further. A small market for charcoal has developed, but difficulties are being experienced in locating contractors interested in undertaking this type of work. The eucalyptus oil industry has maintained production at about the usual level, although it has had to meet competition from cheaper oils containing cineol imported from overseas. 27

Preservative-treated sugar gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) posts at W ai l near Dimboola.

INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS. Departmental Utilization Operations. These have remained at about the same level as last year. Financial statistics are :- $ Total expenditure 817,837 Total revenue 1,337,578 Royalty component of revenue 461, 170 Excess of net revenue over expenditure 58,571

The Commission's timber inspection and advisory service has continued to serve Government bodies, the timber industry and the public in general. In continuation of the campaign against the Sirex wasp, inspectors continued their visits to sawmills converting pine. The treatment of suspect pine timber was closely supervised. Commission representation was actively maintained on such bodies as the timber committees of the Standards Association of Australia, Timber Preservers' Association, Timber Development Association of Victoria and Timber Development Council of Australia.

PROTECTION. FIRE. Seasonal Conditions. Average winter and early spring rains over most of the State were followed by substantial falls in December. While very dry conditions prevailed thereafter giving rise to drought conditions in the western half of the State, the fire season was moderate with very few periods of sustained high temperatures.

Origin and Incidence of Fires. Commission personnel attended 486 fires, of which 74 were outside and 41 2 inside the fire protected area. Of the latter, 125 originated in and were confined to private property, 45 originated in private property and burned into State forest, 238 originated in State forest and 4 in national parks. 28

The total area of State forest burned was 38,519 acres, of which 80 per cent. was classified as non-commercial forest. The burned area included 305 acres of plantation and 171 acres of national park. This is the largest area of pine plantation burnt in a single fire since the disaster of 1939. Commission resources were involved in the suppression of two major fires during the year. The first occurred on 23rd November, 1966, north of Anglesea township, which was threatened at times. This fire burned a total area of 17,000 acres of which 3,300 acres was State forest. The second major fire started on 22nd February, 1967, in the township of Lal Lal. It spread rapidly under the influence of a strong north wind, finally being stopped just north of Shelford. The total area burned by this fire was 21,100 acres of which 1,100 acres was State forest.

Six hundred gallon Commission fire canker in action at Koetong.

Statistics of Fire Offences. Prosecutions 4 Convictions 4

$ Fines 100.00 Suppression costs awarded 13.60

Expenditure. The recorded cost of fire suppression was $1 I 0,949.

Air Operations. Commission officers made three flights in chartered aircraft on fire reconnaissance for a total of 51 hours flying time. For the first time in Victoria, air attack was used successfully to control a wildfire in inaccessible forest country near Benambra. Two aircraft bombed the fire with fifteen loads of fi re retardant and prevented it spreading beyond two acres, pending the arrival of ground forces who easily achieved control on the following day. 29

Equipment. A further three small bulldozers, for fire line construction, were placed in service. One helicopter was again retained on immediate call from January to April, for rapid attack on fires in inaccessible locations. Replacement purchases included ten high-pressure pumps, fifteen high-volume pumps and twenty small low-pressure pumps. One additional mobile kitchen was purchased. Four heavy-duty two-wheel trailer tanks were constructed. One 4 x 4 tanker was replaced and one additional 4 x 2 tanker purchased. An infra-red image converter was purchased. This instrument, developed by C.S.I.R.O., is carried in an aircraft and enables an observer to see and map the edge of a fire when smoke obscures it from normal vision.

A demonstration of fire protection equipment at the National Mutual Centre, Me lbourne, during Fire Prevention Week, 1966.

Detection. Old structures were replaced or additional facilities provided as under :-

Forest District. Location. I Structure. --1---1--- Upper Yarra Mt. Victoria .. I 60-ft. steel tower Mansfield Mt. Buller .. I Observer's cabin

Training. Pre-seasonal conferences of district and divisional staff to discuss fire protection planning and organization were held in each division. Exercises designed to demonstrate the behaviour of low intensity fires in eucalypt fuels were conducted in three divisions in conjunction with field staff.

Co-ordination. Personnel participated with other organizations m field exercises which accented control aspects of combined operations at major fires. 30

Fire lookout tower at Shelley in North-East Victoria. Cloud Seeding. Cloud seeding of specific cloud formations was again carried out in January and February. Eighteen flights were undertaken and clouds were seeded on ten occasions.

Support Crews. Three crews, each comprising eighteen University students were, after initial training, used as mobile support crews in fire suppression.

RADIO COMMUNICATION. Installations. Vertical helical aerials .. 22 Crystal locked IOS transceivers . . 12 Base station horizontal aerial systems 4 Base station vertical aerial systems 8 Mobiles (replacements) 75 Mobiles (additions) 4 FPl transceivers (replacements) 50

The Commission's radio communication network now comprises :­ Central control station Base stations 46 Mobiles 162 FP I transceivers 50 Portables (hand-held) 120 Emergency fire base trailers 3 Portables 160

The continual build-up of electrical interference at district offices has been investigated . Tests of remotely controlled FPI transceivers are being conducted in an effort to eliminate this problem. 31

The high noise level associated with radio operation in mobile vehicles has also oeen investigated .. It has been possible to improve the situation with some makes of vehicles and work is progressing to enable the suppression technique used to be applied to others. Work has commenced on a new radio receiving site near Broadford, for the Commission's central station VL3AA. The location of the installation and employment of modern equipment and techniques will provide a greatly improved service. ,

FIRE RESEARCH. Fire behaviour studies in eucalypt forests were continued. The present phase of this work is a co-operative study with the Commonwealth Forest Research Institute, which is providing data enabling field staff to use fire safely and effectively. Co-operation from two non-governmental agencies enabled important studies to be commenced in the fire research segment of State forests near Daylesford. Monash University is helping with a precise study of climate within the forest. Automatic equipment is giving a continuous record at several points from below the soil surface to above the tree tops. This information is of particular interest in relation to fire danger and fire behaviour. The Victorian Ornithological Research Group is co-operating by conducting a survey to determine what effect, if any, fuel reduction burning has on bird populations. Studies continued on the effect of fires on timber increment, water quality and runoff. The factors affecting the behaviour of fires lit to clear pine and eucalypt slash are also being investigated . · BIOLOGICAL. Animals. Ex.tensive aerial baiting with 1080 poison was necessary to control rabbits infesting new plantation areas. The aerial control campaign was augmented in some areas by ground baiting and myxomatosis. Possums, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats continued to cause damage in plantations throughout the State. Control measures were instituted where severe damage was evident.

Insects. Sirex noctilio was detected in Loch Valley and Olsen's Bridge plantations m Southern division.

Aerial spraying of insecticide to combat phasmatids, or stick insects, in mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) near Powelltown. 32

The destruction of sirex infested trees on private property was pursued as part of the National Sirex Campaign. Destruction gangs working on 414 properties destroyed 4,290 whole trees and parts of an additional 3,553 trees. Disposal of dead pine trees on private property and in Commission plantations continued. Three areas of mountain ash forest in the Upper Yarra forest district, totalling 700 acres, were severely attacked by the phasmatid, Didymuria violescens. Aerial spraying was carried out to prevent the infestation spreading to thinned stands of high-quality mountain ash. Severe defoliation was also apparent in mixed species stands in Corryong district. Ambrosia beetle continues to cause degrade in alpine ash on the Nunniong Plateau. In Tallangatta district this insect is seriously affecting the availability of quality timber for seasoning. Sugar gum (E. cladocalyx) plantations in You Yangs and Cobden districts was sprayed with insecticide to control Paropsis orphana. Areas totalling 1,500 acres in Cohuna district have been found to be badly infested with the leaf skeletonizer, Roeselia lugens. This insect has also caused defoliation in scattered areas in the Yarrawonga district. Considerable defoliation by cup moth, Perga spp. has occurred in box-ironbark forests in Bendigo, Heathcote, Castlemaine and Rushworth districts. Lerp caused severe defoliation of red gum in the Mansfield district.

Fungi. Diplodia pinea continues to be a problem in second rotation Pinus radiata plantations on higher quality sites at Bright. Possible control measures are being investigated.

Weeds. Control measures against Dodder, Helichrysum, Nagoora, Bathurst Burr and Patterson's Curse have been carried out in some districts in the Northern division. Trees severely infested with mistletoe were utilized, where possible, in Yarrawonga district. At Dimboola, the number of trees in yellow gum forests affected by mistletoe have increased considerably. Experiments have been continued on chemical control of the South African bone seed, Chrysanthemoides monilifera, in the You Yangs Forest Park. Some success has been obtained with foliar sprays of 2, 4, 5-T in oil and application of Tordon granules to the soil.

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.

EDUCATION. School of Forestry, Creswick. Thirty-one students were in residence during the 1966 academic year and all eleven senior students were awarded the associate diploma of the School of Forestry, Creswick. Ten students commenced the course in 1967, making a total of 30 students in residence.

University of Melbourne. Messrs. D. G. Buntine, I. R. Kennedy, F. P. Lawless, P. G. Sheehan and R. D. Spencer, qualified for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Forestry. Messrs. M. D. Clark, L. G. Pope and J. H. Taylor, are in their final year and P. L. Connell, D. W. Flinn, P. J. Greig, R. J Hill, T. K. Rouse, G. J. Squires and G. M. Wright commenced the course in 1967. Mr. F. G. Craig, has completed his post-graduate studies for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and has resumed duty in the Research Branch. Mr. J. E. Opie is continuing his studies towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Mr. I. C. A. Weir, towards the degree of Master of Science in Forestry. Mr. R. D. Spi;;ncer was awarded a Research Grant to undertake post-graduate studies for the degree of Master of Science in Forestry.

Overseas and Other Studies. Dr. R. J. Grose is concluding his research at the Petawawa Forest Experiment Station under a post-doctorate fellowship award of the National Research Council of Canada. He is expected to resume duty with the Department at the end of August, 1967. Mr. R. G. Orr has resumed duty with the Department following the award of a Diploma in Forestry (Oxon.). Mr. B. F. Gibson has returned to the Department after successfully completing studies in statistics and mathematics at the University of Melbourne. 33

Mr. F. G. Neumann has obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales. Mr. R. G. Campbell, as the recipient of the Henry Barbour Award in 1966, made a brief study of the management of eucalypt regrowth in Tasmania.

Library. In the year 1966-67, 820 publications were received and catalogued in the library. Seven new periodicals have been added to the list now received in the library, bringing the total to 165. An increased number of books and periodicals were borrowed for the staff on an inter-library loan basis.

.RESEARCH. Silviculture. There has been further development of techniques for regeneration of cut-over forests by the use of aerial seeding. Methods of obtaining an even distribution of seed and improvements in seed coating procedures and differences in site preparation have been studied. A minimum sowing rate of one pound of seed per acre has been adopted. A satisfactory establishment of seedlings has been obtained from earlier trials where site preparation was good. Research staff spent a considerable amount of time on the preparation of the 1967 seeding programme, testing contractors' equipment and training district personnel in seed coating techniques. Trials were conducted to improve seed coating techniques for different species. Gum arabic appeared to be more suitable than mucilage as a sticking agent. Studies on the inclusion of a mycorrhizal inoculum in the coating for Pinus radiata seed were commenced. Intensive testing of a seeding device on a Bell helicopter gives some promise that this machine may handle the sowing of areas too difficult for fixed wing aircraft.

The he licopter used in trials of aerial seeding of e ucalypts in eastern Victoria.

The survival of small seedlings obtained by direct sowings was studied in three different localities. After one year, the survival of Eucalyptus delegatensis was superior to that of three other eucalypt species. Three experimental areas have been aerially sprayed with 2, 4, 5- T to desiccate the foliage of scrub species before burning as a method of site preparation. Technical improvements are still necessary to reduce spray wastage due to drift and the evaporation of fine particles. 8279/67.- 3 34

Chemical control of unwanted growth was studied in young softwood plantations. Spraying with 2, 4, 5-T and Tordon 50D has controlled most wattle and eucalypts in the first year following planting with little detrimental effect to the pines. However, distortion of needles and shoots was observed at some rates of application when applied in subsequent years after planting. A technique developed for wattle and eucalypt, stem injection of Tordon 50D, promises to reduce costs to about half that of conventional methods. Tordon is also being tested to kill large trees in unmerchantable thinning operations in mixed species and river red gum. The chemicals Primatol and Prefix are being tested in the control of grass and herb growth around pines during their first year in the field. A research officer was transferred to Myrtleford during the year to meet the increasing need for research into plantation establishment and nursery practice, mainly for P. radiata. Nursery experiments were undertaken to study seedling response to fertilizers, seedling density, soil sterilization, drainage and some mycorrhizal problems. Plantation studies included planting trials, factors influencing survival, and the effect of legumes on early development of pines. A comparative trial of various conifers and eucalypts, including mixtures of the species, was established on a high quality site near Myrtleford. In eucalypt nurseries, direct sowing of seeds into tubes or jiffy pots was successful and economic. Very careful control over seed density is necessary for success. In a study of the effects of site factors and cultural practices on log quality of P. radiata, a high incidence of trunk defect found in some high site quality stands in the Ovens Valley has been associated with infection by the fungus Diplodia pinea. Studies of apical dominance, periodic height growth, pruning and thinning have been continued. Timber degrade of fire-killed alpine ash logs was found to be insignificant one year after the fire, but after two years degrade had increased and head logs were generally unsuitable for sawmilling. Sawn recovery from butt logs decreased by about 8 per cent. In fire-killed pine, blue stain was the major defect, although breakage of the upper stem during falling became increasingly significant as stem drying proceeded. Silvicultural research continued in the ash-type eucalypt forests with the completion of a series of 24 plots in 1939 E. delegatensis regrowth and re-measurement of half the permanent plots previously established in E. regnans. An interim thinning prescription was prepared for field use. The characteristics of ash stands suitable for commercial thinning operations were defined. A five-year-old E. regnans espacement trial at Narbethong was measured and a new one established at Toolangi, using a variable density spacing design. Equations were prepared for estimating stem taper and the volumes of sections of stem. In an alpine ash stand, the culmination of merchantable M.A.I. occurred between 70 and 90 years depending on site index. Thinning trials in river red gum were re-measured. A further search for P. radiata "plus" trees was undertaken and the best ten were selected for use in the seed orchard. The number of clones used in the orchard was increased to fifty to allow a future upgrading of the orchard by culling about half this number, following a study of progeny performance. In the seed orchard, a good flowering was followed by the first substantial setting of conelets. Further control-pollinations were carried out in the breeding arboretum and the first collection of control-pollinated seed was sown in the nursery. From this a 6-acre progeny trial containing fifty-one different crosses was planted at Warrenbayne. A provenance trial of Douglas Fir with twenty-one seed origins was established at Narbethong and a three-parent progeny trial of E. regnans was planted at two localities in Central Division. An altitudinal study of E. delegatensis was commenced. Extraction of eucalypt seed is increasing rapidly with the current emphasis on direct seeding as a suitable regeneration technique. Weather conditions can severely restrict seed extraction operations. A study of the effects of a range of temperatures and humidities on eucalypt seed has been initiated as a guide to safe extraction under artificial supplementary heating. A computer programme for analysis of variance of experimental data was developed.

Hydrology. No new developments in hydrological research were attempted, due to the resignation of the Forest Hydrologist.

Pathology. Field and laboratory studies have confirmed that Diplodia pinea may infect the pith of leading shoots of P. radiata and can be responsible for trunk malformation. In the Ovens Valley the fungus was found to be more virulent on gully sites than on high ridge sites. 35

Quantitative studies of mycorrbizal populations of P. radiata have been undertaken according to depth within soil profile, site quality and age of stand. These studies are providing evidence in explanation of unsatisfactory growth in some nursery and plantation areas. Electron microscope studies of the host-fungus relationship have been undertaken in radiata pine and Douglas fir plants with both good and poor mycorrhizal associations. Fundamental knowledge of the physiology of mycorrhiza formation has been developed and may well have considerable impact on the establishment of new plantings and on improving growth of existing plantings.

Entomology. The Sirex Wood Wasp. The known infested area has continued to extend and all that part of Victoria between Ballarat and Bairnsdale and south of the Dividing Range must be regarded as suspect, although west of Melbourne and east of Drouin the sirex population is quite low. The number of properties on which sirex was found and the classes of infestation were :-

Number of Properties Involved. Class. Central and Western. G ippsland. Total.

Old exit holes- no emergence this season .. . . 110 9 119

Emergence this season ...... 103 6 109 Active sirex- no emergence this season .. . . 110 2 112 Total ...... 323 17 340

(A line approximately north-south through Moe separates Gippsland from Central.) The breeding programme for sirex parasites has continued and, with supplies from Hobart, 10,790 insects of three parasite species have been released this year.

Sirex-infested trees near C ranbo urne, 30 mile'5 south-west of Melbo urne. 36

Native Forest Insects. The study of Ambrosia beetle in E. delegatensis is continuing. Evidence has been obtained that Ambrosia attack has occurred over an extended period. One particular tree was located with a gallery that had been maintained in an active condition for 36 years. In part of the Woodhouse Creek area, the infestation appears to be increasing. An experiment has been established to determine the influence of falling and ringbarking on established colonies. A survey of the silvertop stands between Bruthen and Cann River is in progress to determine the distribution and intensity of attack. The population level of the phasmatid insect, Didymuria violescens has fallen in north-east Victoria, but localized outbreaks have occurred in the Central Highlands where some stands of E. regnans have been defoliated. The Division of Entomology, C.S.I.R.O., has completed its research programme, but will continue to collect egg samples in certain "indicator " districts with the aim of documenting events preceding the development of future outbreaks. In a study of the leaf skeletonizer, Roeselia lugens, a relationship between low population density and high annual rainfall or flooding is becoming apparent. Heavy losses of eucalypt seed frequently occur in alpine areas, jeopardizing regeneration. Insects are commonly responsible. A study of seed-feeding insect populations and methods of protecting seed was commenced.

Public Relations. Macedon nursery stock was used extensively to supplement an exhibit featuring softwood planting and paper production promoted by Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd., at the Forests Commission pavilion at the Royal Show Grounds. This was seen by an estimated 100,000 visitors. A photographic display depicting forestry activities was set up in the information centre of the Timber Industry Pavilion at the Ideal Homes Show. The following small exhibits were provided at country shows :­ "Wealth from our Forests" : Stawell. " Pines for Prosperity " : Beechworth. " Nurseries " and " Design of Windbreaks " : Colac. "Design of Windbreaks" and " Multiple Use of Forests" : Apollo Bay. " Design of Windbreaks " and " Sirex " : Korumburra. " Design of Windbreaks " : Benalla. " Sirex " : Healesville. Photographic enlargements showing aspects of forestry were exhibited at two commercial displays promoting the use of timber. Commission fire fighting equipment was displayed at the B.P. Refinery, Altona, the forecourt of the National Mutual Centre, and at Geelong during Fire Prevention Week in November. News releases were supplied to Melbourne press, radio and television and through the Commission's divisional and district officers, to all the country news services. The mobile film unit screened 26 programmes attended by 1,200 children and 800 adults. Commission film was foaned to ABV Channel 2 for the production of a schools programme on regeneration of the forest. An extensive fire prevention campaign was mounted during the summer period. Fire prevention advertisements were inserted in nine selected publications, broadcast over Melbourne radio stations and featured in metropolitan drive-in theatres. Recruitment advertisements were inserted in the " Careers " booklet, the " Gang Show " programme and selected metropolitan newspapers. Public relations advertisements showing Victorian forests were inserted in " The Victorian Naturalist", "Trees of Victoria", "The Australian Timber Journal" and "Water". A number of signs to promote public relations have been produced and sent to districts- 24 for softwood plantations, 18 for district offices and 11 for recreation areas and reserves. In addition, 98 fingerpost road signs and 140 fire prevention signs were prepared. 37

The Forests Commission display at the Ideal Homes Show, April, 1967.

Sets of publications have been distributed to 100 teachers as resource material and to 11,000 students for school projects. Fourteen new and reprinted publications were produced during the year.

TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS. The following publications were issued :- 1. Papers by Commission staff in external journals :- (a) " Alpine Ash Stands in the Royston-Rubicon Area" by A. W. Webb.­ Victoria's Resources, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1966. (b) "Breeding for Better Forests" by L. A. Pederick.-Victoria's Resources, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1966. (c) "Forests in Landscape" by A. 0. Lawrence.-Victoria's Resources, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1966. (d) " Lightning in Radiata Pine Stands in North-Eastern Victoria" by G. Minko.-Aust. For. 30 : 257-267. (e) "Trees to Attract Birds" by R. D. Cowley.-Victoria's Resources, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1966. (f) "The Design of Windbreaks" by K. J. Simpfendorfer.-Victoria's Resources, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1966. 38

(g) "Tree Planting in Dry Areas" by W. G. D. Middleton.-Victoria's Resources, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1966. (h) "Trees for Beauty" by C. R. G. Venville.-Victoria's Resources, Vol. 8, No. 4, 1966. (i) "The Structure and Identification of the Chromosomes of Pinus Radiata D. Don" by L. A. Pederick.-Silvae Genetica 16 : 41-88, 1967. (j) " The Succession of Mycorrhizal Associations on the Individual Roots of Pinus Radiata D. Don" by G. C. Marks and R. C. Foster.-Aust. For. (in press). 2. Forestry Research No. 8, February, 1967. 3. Forestry Technical Papers, No. 17, June, 1966. 4. Miscellaneous publications. (a) " Coastal Planting". (b) "Design of Windbreaks". (c) Nursery Price Lists-Macedon, Creswick, Wail and Mildura. (d) " Planting Radiata Pine". (e) "Questions and Answers". (f) " The William Ricketts Sanctuary ". (g) " Tree Planting Hints ". (h) "Trees on the Farm". 5. Other papers. (a) "The Growth of Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.). Under Plantation Conditions" by A. W. Webb.-Paper presented to World Symposium on Man-Made Forests, Canberra, 1967. (b) "Man's Influence on the Water Regime and its Effect on Red Gum Forests in the Murray Basin" by B. D. Dexter.-Paper presented to 39th A.N.Z.A.A.S. Congress, Melbourne, 1967. (c) "The Incidence of Defect and its Effect on Mercantable Volume in Radiata Pine " by J. P. Wright, G. C. Marks and G. Minko.-Paper presented to 39th A.N.Z.A.A.S. Congress, Melbourne, 1967. (d) "Effect of Forest Fires and of Forest Policy on Land Use in Victoria" by F. R. Moulds.-Paper presented to 39th A.N.Z.A.A.S. Congress, Melbourne, 1967. (e) "Exotic Forests and Land Use" by K. J. Simpfendorfer.-Paper presented to 39th A.N.Z.A.A.S. Congress, Melbourne, 1967. CD" The Possible Basis of Mycorrhiza Formation in Pinus Radiata D. Don and its Implication in Forestry Practice" by G. C. Marks and R. C. Foster.­ Specialists' Conference in Soil Biology, Division of Soils, C.S.I.R.O., Adelaide. (g) "A Technique for Making Quantitative Assays of Mycorrhiza Populations in a Forest Soil and its Use in Victoria" by G. C. Marks, N. Ditchburne and R. C. Foster.-Mycorrhiza Working Group, 14th I.U.F.R.O. Congress, Munich, 1967. (h) " The Fine Structure of Conifer Mycorrhizas" by G. C. Marks, and R. C. Foster.-14th I.U.F.R.O. Congress, Munich, 1967.

CONFERENCES. The Minister and the Chairman attended the Fifth Meeting of the Australian Forestry Council at Melbourne in March, 1967. The Chairman attended two meetings of the Standing Committee of the Council. The Minister and the late Mr. Commissioner Benallack attended the All Australian Timber Congress at Surfers Paradise, Queensland in September, 1966. The Chief of the Division of Economics and Marketing and Mr. L. B. Williams also attended. The Minister and the Chairman attended the meeting at Melbourne in March, 1967, of Ministers dealing with the National Sirex Campaign Conference. Three meetings of the National Sirex Fund Committee and a meeting of the Survey and Control Sub-Committee were also attended by the Chairman. 39

The Chairman, Mr. Commissioner Moulds and officers attended the Thirty-Ninth A.N.Z.A.A.S. Congress at Melbourne in January, 1967. The F.A.O. World Symposium on Man-Made Forests held at Canberra in April, 1967, was attended by the Chairman, Mr. Commissioner Moulds, Mr. Commissioner Elsey and the Chief of the Division of Forest Management. The Chairman participated in a Post-Symposium Study Tour in North Queensland and Papua-New Guinea in April and May. Mr. Commissioner Moulds and several officers participated in tours prior to and after the Symposium. The Fire Protection Officer, Mr. V. P. Cleary, addressed forest officers in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales on the Fire Generalship Course he attended in the United States of America. The travel cost of his attendance at that course was met by Commonwealth and State Governments. The Chief of the Division of Forest Protection, Mr. E. D. Gill, with Mr. A. R. Turnbull, attended a conference on fire research held at Adelaide in September, 1966. Following his return from America and Canada, where he spent twelve months as a Churchill Memorial Fellow, Mr. A. Hodgson attended a meeting of a committee formed by the Technical Co-Operation Program. The Program co-ordinates defence research and development between America, Britain, Canada and Australia. Other conferences at which the Commission was represented by officers included the following :- Research Conference of the Forestry Commission of New South Wales, Tumut, N.S.W.-April, 1967. Nutrition of the Pine Tree Conference, Mt. Gambier, S.A.-October-November, 1966. Australian Plant Pathologists Conference, Toowoomba, Qld.-March, 1967. Specialists Conference on Soil Biology, Division of Soils, C.S.I.R.O., Adelaide, S.A.-August, 1966. Fifth United Nations Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Far East, Canberra­ March, 1967. Workshop in Colour Aerial Photography, Canberra-May, 1967.

ADMINISTRATION.

PERSONNEL. Statement of Personnel as at 30th June, 1967.

I I Technical and I Division. : Administrative. Professional, General. Temporary, Casual. Totals. I

Central Administration- Administration .. . . 43 . . 23 35 l 102 Forest Management .. . . 9 36 5 5 4 59 Forest Operations .. . . 6 16 42 15 14 93 Economics and Marketing .. 5 6 3 3 2 19 Forest Protection .. . . 1 4 9 2 2 18 Forestry Education and Research 3 27 5 8 45 88 Field Administration- Central ...... 18 34 5 118 175 Eastern ...... 22 24 6 88 140 North-Eastern .. . . 2 26 30 12 180 250 Northern ...... 12 34 IO 66 122 Southern ...... 1 21 16 8 95 141 South-Western .. . . l 30 50 9 155 245 Western ...... 1 17 23 7 89 137 Totals ...... 72 235* 298 125 859 1,589

• Includes thirteen officers at University. (Forest Management, 3 ; Education and Research, 4 ; Field Administration. 6).

Staff. The following graduates from the School of Forestry, Creswick, were appointed to the Professional Division of the Public Service :- Messrs. H. W. Bond, F. R. Borschman, P. L. Bray, J. V. D. Bywater, R. M. Fyfe, I. S. Hemphill, I. F. Leversha, C. Muller, I. D. Sebire, G. Waugh, I. W. Wild. The Commission records its appreciation of the outstanding service of Mr. H. G. Murphy, Secretary, who retired after 48 years service in the Public Service, of which 40 years were with the Department. 40

Mr. F. H. Treyvaud was appointed Secretary and Mr. D. J. Lenne succeeded Mr. Treyvaud as Finance Officer. Mr. E. D. Gill was appointed to the office of Chief of the Division of Forest Operations, vacated by Mr. C. W. Elsey on his appointment as Commissioner and Mr. V. P. Cleary to the office of Chief of the Division of Forest Protection vacated by Mr. Gill. Mr. A. J. Threader was appointed to the office of Chief of the Division of Economics and Marketing and Mr. J. D. Gillespie to the office of Sales and Marketing Officer vacated by Mr. Threader. The Commission records its appreciation of the loyal and valued services rendered by the following officers who retired during the year :-Messrs. A. W. Barton, E. A. Bertram, A. S. Cuthbertson, W. R. Ferguson, G. H. Fielding, V. Fitzgibbon, 0. J. Hoult, T. V. Jackson, C. Lafferty, T. F. Rennick, R. A. Tuddenham, V. G. Warren, G. A. Weste, F. N. Whitelaw and Miss H. M. C. Collins. It is with deep regret that the Commission records the deaths of Messrs. M. L. Cassidy, E. N. H. Dodd and T. Malsem.

Industrial. No industrial disputes occurred. Several minor complaints received from Unions were settled by negotiation. The National Wage case judgment resulted in an interim margin increase varying between 1 per cent. and 2! per cent. according to classification. The increase in camping allowance of 20 cents per week for batch camps and 10 cents per week for mess camps, granted under the Australian Workers' Union Construction and Maintenance Award 1966, resulted in an additional annual cost to the Commission of approximately $20,000. The judgment of the Full Bench of the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission granted an increase of $1 per week to all adult employees, although this will not operate until the beginning of the 1967-68 financial year. Wages have now been expressed as a total wage in lieu of a basic wage plus margin. The Commission's Mechanical Workshop at Newport has been listed for inspection by Commissioner Winter as part of the Metal Trades Inquiry. The outcome of this inquiry could have an appreciable bearing on future wage costs.

Number of Employees. The number of employees on strength has ranged from a maximum of 1,035 during the summer period to a minimum of 850 at the close of the financial year.

Workers' Compensation. The number of workers' compensation claims increased from 460 m 1965-66 to 464 in 1966-67.

Staff Training. Attendance at Public Service Board courses was as follows :-

Administrative Professional Course. Officers. Officers. Other. Totals.

Management Conference 2 2 1965 Management Conference Follow- up Conference ...... I . . ! . . 1 T raining for Lecturers on P.S.B. I Courses ...... 1 1 ! . . 2 Supervision ...... 10 2 12 Supervision Course Follow-up Conferences ...... 1 1 1 3 Staff Officers Course . . .. 1 . . . . 1 Regional Officers Management Course .. 4 . . 4 Class "C "-"Cl" and Basic Administration ...... 3 8 . . 11 Induction ...... 12 . . i .. 12 Project Planning Follow-up Conference 1 .. I . . l Totals ...... 20 26 3 49 I 41

Attendance at departmental training courses was as follows :-

Administrative Professional Total. Course. Officers. Officers. Other. 1 I I Project Planning 3 13 16

Induction of Creswick Graduates 11 11 . Totals .. 3 24 27

Research staff officers were given training in Methods of Instruction. The aim was to assist in presentation of papers at research conferences and in instructing student groups. Twenty-two officers from field divisions attended Regional Study groups sponsored by the Public Service Board, at Bendigo and Hamilton. Methods. Due to the continuous surveys maintained by the Department's Methods Review Committee 25 forms have been dispensed with following modifications to departmental procedures. Mechanization of office procedures was extended to eliminate the clerical work load in certain areas. The planning of allocated office accommodation in the new public offices at Treasury-place has proceeded in concert with the Public Works Department. Full consideration has been given to work flow, communications, control of staff, public relations and allied matters.

STORES. The value of stores on hand increased by $20,469 to $374,004. The credit balance of the Stores section of the Suspense Account as at 30th June, 1967, was $81,702. FINANCIAL. Revenue collections were more than in the previous year, owing to higher log output and to increased royalty rates from 1st October, 1966. The Commission's loan allocation was practically the same as last year, notwithstanding additional commitments viz :-increased rate of clearing land for softwood plantings as required under the Commonwealth State Softwood Forestry Agreement and the acquisition of land for a fire protection zone in the Dandenong Ranges. In order to continue the works programme as planned, it was necessary to supplement the loan allocation with Forestry Fund moneys, the total extent to which Vote and Loan were supplemented being $357,990. 42

APPENDIX I.

STATEMENT OF OUTPUT OF PRODUCE FROM STATE FORESTS-1966-67. (With comparative figures for 1965-66.) 1965-66 1966-67 394,955,609 Mill logs, hardwood .. 426,801,769 super. feet H.L.V. 43,135,547 Mill logs, softwood 46,895,428 super. feet H.L.V. 61,138 Mill billets, hardwood super. feet 628,381 Veneer logs, hardwood 359,201 super. feet H.L.V. 3,105,607 Veneer logs, softwood 3,730,310 super. feet H.L.V. 163,447 Veneer billets, hardwood 15,040 super. feet

Fencing timber- 1,346,786 Posts, strainers and stays (hardwood) 1,174,749 number 248,286 Posts, strainers and stays (softwood) 369,871 number 52,518 Droppers 41,197 number 6,610 Rails .. 5,395 number 193,780 Beams and bridge timbers 244,816 super. feet 569,566 Sleepers 475,752 number 50,696 Piles 101,459 lineal feet

Poles and spars- 1,590,537 Transmission poles, hardwood 979,251 lineal feet 28,356 Transmission poles, softwood 101 lineal feet 365,336 Miscellaneous, hardwood 361,994 lineal feet 69,758 Miscellaneous, softwood 136,203 lineal feet

Mining timber- 62,709 Round .. 57,353 lineal feet 89,443 Split 122, 193 super. feet

Pulpwood- 7,022,039 Hardwood, for paper 7 ,518,583 cubic feet 2,407,863 Softwood, for paper 2,213,691 cubic feet 52,091 Softwood, for particle board 109,000 cubic feet 65,092 Hardwood, for hardboard 65,419 tons

Firewood- 13,656,500 Stacked and longwood 11,238,800 cubic feet 3,076 Milled blocks 2,304 tons weight

Miscellaneous timbers- 258,693 Stakes and props 225,830 number 6,768 Chopping blocks 9,198 number 2,423 House stumps 4,159 number 15,644 Sleeper offcuts 11,972 number 7,323 Bed logs 7, 728 number

Minor Produce- 11,846 Christmas trees .. 12,524 number 104,264 Eucalyptus oil 106,845 lb. 155 Tan bark 125 tons 61 Charcoal 428 tons 562,004 Sand, gravel, loam, stone, &c. 765,400 cubic yards 37 Pine Cones 144 bags 400 Moss .. 110 bags 43

APPENDIX II.

CAUSES OF FIRE

Percentage Area of State Cause-Known or Suspected. Number of Outbreaks. of Total Forest or National Outbreaks. Parks Burned

Acres Grazing interests ...... Landowners or householders . . .. 90 18·52 12,689 Deliberate lighting ...... 104 21 ·40 19,712 Sportsmen, campers, tourists .. . . 33 6·79 208 Licencees and forest workers . . .. 15 3·09 1,664 Smokers ...... 36 7·40 176 Lightning ...... 41 8·44 439 Tractors, cars, trucks, stationary engines, &c. .. 35 7·20 1,360 Children ...... 9 l ·85 1,102 Sawmills ...... 8 1 ·65 .. Miscellaneous known causes . . .. 44 9·05 689 Unknown origin ...... 71 14·61 480 Totals ...... 486 100·00 38,519

APPENDIX III.

SUMMARY OF FIRES AND AREAS BURNED.

Area Burned. Number of Fires within Fire Protected Area.

'"- • Affecting State Forest Number and National Parks. of Fires attended Total Division. Originated Outside Number State National in and of Fires Total. Confined Total. Fire Attended. Forest. Parks. Originated in- to Private Protected Property. Area. State National i;~;::d Forest. Parks.

Acres. Acres. Acres.

Central .. 714 13 727 6 12 3 15 36 9 45 Eastern . . 16 . . 16 .. 18 . . 11 29 1 30 Northern . . 348 . . 348 7 50 .. l 58 23 81 North 1,608 . . 1,608 2 29 .. 23 54 12 66 Eastern

Southern .. 6,497 158 6,655 l 25 1 15 42 4 46

South 11,117 . . 11,117 14 67 .. 50 131 18 149 Western 18,048 18,048 15 37 i Western ...... 10 I 62 7 69 Totals .. 38,348 171 38,519 45 238 4 125 412 74 486 I I I 44

APPENDIX IV.

TYPE OF AREA BURNED IN STATE FOREST ANIJ NATIONAL PARKS.

! Division. Merchantable. Re-growth. Non-Commercial. Total.

Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Central ...... 727 727 Eastern ...... 16 16 Northern ...... 131 73 144 348 North Eastern ...... 243 130 1,235 1,608 Southern ...... 250 1,200 5,205 6,655 South Western ...... 4,101 252 6,764 l l, 117 Western ...... 1,370 80 16,598 18,048 Totals ...... 6,095 1,735 30,689 38,519 Percentage of Total Area .. 15·82 4·51 79·67 100

·---- APPENDIX V.

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE ACREAGES IN STATE FOREST AND NATIONAL PARKS.

Number of Fires. Division. 0-10 11-100 101-500 501-1,000 1,001-10,000 10,000+ Total Number Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. of Fires.

Central .. . . 16 2 3 ...... 21 Eastern . . . . 18 ...... 18 Northern . . . . 49 7 1 ...... 57 North Eastern . . 20 7 3 1 . . .. 31 Southern .. . . 15 6 2 l 3 . ' 27 South Western .. 55 14 4 2 4 2 81 Western .. . . 22 6 13 3 8 . . 52 I : Totals .. 195 42 26 7 15 2 287 Percentage of Total Fires .. 67·94 14·63 9·06 2·44 5·23 0·70 100

--- -.-- ···------~ ·---- ·------.

APPENDIX VI.

MONTHLY OUTBREAKS OF FIRE.

Number of Fires. Total Division. Number of Fires. July. Aug, Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March. j April. May. June. i I --- • Central .. 1 ...... 2 3 4 12 14 4 5 .. 45 Eastern .. . . 1 ...... 7 4 9 9 ...... 30 Northern ...... 14 7 8 16 13 20 3 .. 81 North ...... 2 1 24 8 14 13 4 .. 66 Eastern Southern . . 2 . . 1 1 10 3 5 14 7 2 1 .. 46 South .. .. 3 1 21 4 18 31 23 18 29 1 149 Western Western .. 1 1 1 1 15 12 6 7 5 10 10 .. 69 ! i 5 37 69 67 52 Totals .. 4 2 3 64 97 85 I 1 486

Percentage 0·82 0·41 l ·03 0·62 · 17 7·61 14·20 I I I ·49 I ·79 I 0·20 I . 1100 45

APPENDIX VII.

PROTECTION WORKS-SUMMARY. Firebreaks, &c.- Length of firebreaks constructed 57·0 miles Length of firebreaks maintained 631·2 miles Length of firelines constructed 71·3 miles Length of firelines maintained 510·7 miles Area of fuel reduction burning 423,894 acres

Water Conservation­ Dams- More than 400 cubic yards capacity­ Constructed 20 Maintained .. 587

Less than 400 cubic yards capacity­ Constructed 16 Maintained 692 Weirs and tanks constructed 2 Weirs and tanks maintained 77 Deep bores constructed Nil Deep bores maintained 5 Springs cleaned .. 78

Towers and look-out cabins­ New constructions 4 Maintained 107

Dugouts- Constructed by Commission 2 Maintained by Commission 65 Constructed by other interests 3 Maintained by other interests 97

Telephone lines- Erected by Commission 33·9 miles Maintained by Commission 364·5 miles Constructed by other interests Nil Maintained by other interests 10 miles

Fireplaces­ Constructed 40 Maintained 818 46

APPENDIX VIII.

CONTRACTS. Statement of contracts under seal entered into during the year ended 30th June, 1967.

Name of Contractor. Work or Service. Forest District. Amount.

$ R. Cheyne Pty. Ltd. Clearing planting area (2,400 acres) Lower Glenelg 43,200.00 P. Roitman Erection of kiosk, Olinda Golf Links Dandenong 1,702.00 M. C. Kool Erection of toilet block, The Falls, Dandenong 4,271.00 Sherbrooke E. J. Hayward Erection of extensions to residence, Laver's Gellibrand 772.85 Hill C. G. Sheehan Erection of residence and garage, Swift's Omeo 13,918.00 Creek Knight and Rendell Pty. Supply of 1,720 cubic yards of crushed Gellibrand 5,413.40 Ltd. rock M. C. Kool Erection of gatehouse, W. Ricketts Dandenong 5,953.00 Sanctuary Burwood Timber Mills Clearing and heaping on 200 acres Delatite 5,600.00 Pty. Ltd. R. E. and M. 0. King .. Erection of office, Maffra Briagolong 13,741.00 M. C. Kool Erection of toilet block, Doongalla Dandenong 4,933.00 J. R. Hand Erection of residence and garage, Cann Cann River 14,600.00 River D.H.R. Buildings and Erection of toilet block You Yangs 4,990.00 Bricklaying Contractors R. H. Bibbins Construction of accommodation hut at Sta well 2,034.00 Mt. Bepcha A. Marshall Additions to residence Neerim 1,586.00 Hedditch Constructions Erection of men's living quarters Lower Glenelg 11,575 .00 Pty. Ltd. Permewan's Colac Pty. Erection of 3-bay garage Gellibrand 2,295.00 Ltd. Knight and Rendell Pty. Supply of 4,650 cubic yards of crushed Gellibrand 9,570.00 Ltd. rock L. Child and H. T. Jeeves Clearing fairways, &c., Olinda Golf Links Dandenong 6,950.00 J. J. Mathieson and Sons Supply of 2,900 cubic yards of gravel Myrtleford 4,095.00 Leita Bros. Erection of office Myrtleford 16,268 .00 Burwood Timber Mills Clearing 400 acres Mansfield 5,200.00 Pty. Ltd. A. Forras Construction of hut and fire tower, Mt. Mansfield 8,622.00 Buller G. Huggins Delivery of 3,000 cubic yards of gravel .. Bright 2,850.00 R. M. and V. M. Hindle Alterations to electrical installations, Tallangatta 2,525.00 Shelley Camp Condon Bros. Pty. Ltd. Supply of 1,225 cubic yards of crushed Forrest 3,185.00 rock G. Carter* Supply of 7,000 cubic yards of crushed Upper Y arra .. 18,812.50 rock P. Roitman Erection of amenities block, Jerusalem Niagaroon 14,700.00 Creek M. C. Kool Erection of toilet block, Kalorama Park Dandenong 4,872.00 J. V. Hallam Supply of 2,800 cubic yards of crushed Toolangi 5,600.00 rock T. D. Logan and Co. Erection of extension to office Yarram 1,524.00 Memda Heights Nursery Grassing of fairways, Olinda Golf Links Dandenong 2,999.00 Pty. Ltd. H. C. Hudswell Extensions to residence Mildura 1,390.00 D. J. Simmons Construction of additional room, Bright 1,496. 61 Tawonga Williamson Constructions Erection of 2-bay garage, Blackwood .. Daylesford 2,199.00 Concrete Tanks (S.A.) Supply and installation of three concrete You Yangs 4,200.00 Pty. Ltd. tanks

• Commission has option to extend contract by 3,000 cubic yards ($8,062). 47

APPENDJX IX.

LOAN EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1966-67. (Showing Comparative figures for 1965-66.)

1966-67.

Expenditure Authorized Under- 1965-66. Item.

Ac! No. 7367. Act No. 7453. Total. Total.

$ $ $ $ Fire Protection 106,567 258,427 364,994 454,751 General Forest Operations 66,257 143,140 209,397 171,941 Timber Extraction Roads 70,677 193,720 264,397 312,692 Plantations 402,339 613,130 1,015,469 929,640 Fixed Assets 21,745 65,947 87,692 113,095 Purchase of Land .. 86,301 93, 159 179,460 76,124 Purchase of Plant and Machinery 4,972 6,054 11,026 18,690 Advances for Farm Forestry 1,800 17,758 19,558

NoTE :-The above figures include expenditure on the following special works.

1966-67. 1965-66.

$ $ Plantation Expansion Programme 811,434 647,314 APPENDIX X.

STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1966-67. (Showing comparative figures for 1965-66).

AMOUNT PAID INTO CoNSOLIDATEO REVENUE, APPROPRIATED EXl'ENDITllRE, 1965-66 1966-67. 1965-66. 1966-67. $ Treasury Account. $ $ $ Votes. $ $ No. 3-Territorial 1,874,483 Salaries and Long Service Leave of Office Staff &c. 2,082,021 120,672 Rents 115,615 216,794 Travelling Expenses, Forage, Stores &c. 229,462 4,518,076 Royalties •• 4,739,662 2,311,483 2,293 Miscellaneous 1,725 2,091,277 4,857,002 4,641,041 35,000 School of Forestry 35,000 No. 4 Public Works- 7,100 Foresters' Quarters .. 7,100 130,099 State Sawmill 38,448 10,000 Grant to .. Save the F~rests" cimpaign° Council 10,000 50,834 Pay·roll Tax . • . . • • 56,178 11,741 Mountain Gallery-Kalorama .. 13,327 41,700 Contribution to National Sirex Fund 41,700 1,823 No. 6-Fines .. 2,923 6,000 Grant to Timber Promotion Committee : : 6,000 557 No. 7-Fees .• 410 ---- 169,305 892,306 No. &-Departmental 876,408 162,375 107,199 No. 9-Miscellaneous 104,522 984,263 114,969 State Sawmill, Erica-Working Expenses .. 5,775 1,001,885 801,902 Utilization of Forest Produce . . . . 817,837 823,612 ----916,871 3,170,523 Total Votes 3,304,400 Special Appropriations- 2,320,804 Forestry Fund• •. 2,428,501 28,121 Salaries--Commissioners 28,242 2,456,743 .i::. 2,348,925 00 5,519,448 Total Votes and Special Appropriations . . . • 5,761,143 253,577 Balance-Excess of Revenue over Appropriated Expenditure ---- 118,570 5,773,025 5,879,713 5,773,025 5,879,713

APPENDIX XI.

FORESTRY FUND.*

1965-66 $ $ $ 105,932 Brought forward 1st July 253,544 Add Intake for Year­ Authorized by Act No. 6254- 2,320,521 Section 30 (2) 2,428,501 283 Section 63 (8) 216 2,426,736 Available Funds 2,682,261 Less Expenditure for the Year 1,917,228 Forests 2,149,169 39,991 Plantations 49,730 53,176 Nurseries 61,526 162,797 General 415,397 2,173,192 2,675,822 253,544 Balance carried forward 30th June 6,439 49

APPENDIX XII.

ACT No. 6254-FOREST STORES SUSPENSE ACCOUNT 1966-67. (Showing comparative figures for 1965-66)

1965-66 1966-67 $ $ $ Balance brought forward 1st July­ 72,168 Stores 94,652 10,030 Dr. Drums 7,027 Dr. 79,846 Repairs to Plant 113,368 1,588 Manufactured Articles 724 1,864 Fire Protection Plant and Equipment 3,528 Dr. --- 198,189 145,436

Add Credits- 407,735 Stores 420,440 10,029 Drums 6,082 458,903 Repairs to Plant 429,589 13,305 Manufactured Articles 12,509 38,173 Fire Protection Plant and Equipment 51,294 --- 919,914 928,145

1,073,581 Amount Available 1,118,103

Less Debits­ 385,251 Stores 433,391 7,026 Drums 5,672 425,381 Repairs to Plant 450,509 14,169 Manufactured Articles 12,069 43,565 Fire Protection Plant and Equipment 49,432 ---- 951,073 ' 875,392

Balance carried forward 30th June 94,652 Stores 81,701 7,027 Dr. Drums 6,617 Dr. 113,368 Repairs to Plant 92,448 724 Manufactured Articles 1,164 3,528 Dr. Fire Protection Plant and Equipment 1,666 Dr. 167,030 198,189

FORESTS PLANT AND MACHINERY FUND 1966-67. $ $ 265,268 Balance brought forward I st July 244,334 139,267 Add Plant Hire Charges 183,896 14,839 Add Proceeds of Disposal 5,735

419,374 Amount Available 433,965 175,040 Less Expenditure 184,819

244,334 Balance carried forward 30th June 249,146

8279/67.---4 50

APPENDIX XIII.

STATE SAWMILL-ERICA. Receipts and Payments Account. For the year ended 30th June, 1967.

PAYMENTS. $ c RECEIPTS. $ c Wages 1,837. 60 Sale of Stock on Hand as at 30. 6. 1966 Log Purchases 1,096.89 Logs 14,206. 81 Repairs and Maintenance 839.59 Timber 1,162.36 Fuel and Oil (Mill) 86.00 Steel 92.00 Plant Hire (Mill) .. 207.30 Mill Supervision .. 234.59 Debtors­ Haulage and Cartage Out .. 575.64 Timber 22,986.46 Insurance 896.85 Rent 66.31 Cottage Maintenance 0.12 Treasurer of Victoria 32,739. 36 38,513.94 38,513. 94

Profit and Loss Summary. As at 30th June, 1967.

$ c $ c Less:- Balance at beginning of year- 160,823. 52 Creditors understated at 30. 6 .1966 449.79 Fire Insurance Rebate adjustment 46.29 Balance at end of year .. 160,327 .44 160,823. 52 160,823 .52

Final Balance-sheet as at 30th June, 1967.

$ c $ c $ c $ c Capital 125,852.13 Buildings 12,311. 98 Profit and Loss Summary- Treasurer of Victoria- Balance at beginning of year . . 160,823. 52 Balance at beginning of year 241,128.23 Less :-Adjustments 496. 08 Receipts paid to No. 4 Public Works 38,447 .63 160,327 .44 Receipts paid to No. 9 Miscellaneous Rent of Quarters 66.31 279,642.17 Less :-Payments to Creditors 5,774. 58 273,867.59 286,179. 57 286,179. 57 51

APPENDIX XIV.

PROPOSED DISBURSEMENTS 1967-68.

Amount Provided. Estimated rt ems. Requirements. Forestry Fund and Loans. Total. Appropriations.

$'000. $'000. $'000. $'000. Fire Protection Works 982 457 376 833 Silvicultural Works 327 34 204 238 Construction and Maintenance of Roads 672 419 161 580 Establishment and Maintenance of Plantations 1,654 17 1,547 1,564 Advances for Farm Forestry .. 35 25 25 Construction, Purchase, and Maintenance of Residences and other Buildings 207 47 130 177 Purchase of Land .. 146 146 146 Purchase of Plant and Machinery 42 35 35 Salaries 2,617 2,449 104 2,553 Operating and Other Expenses 2,602 2,527 76 2,603

Totals 5,950 2,804 8,754

ESTIMATED RECEIPTS 1967-68. $'000. Grazing, Occupation, Royalties, &c. 4,968 Sale of Departmental Produced Saw Logs, Firewood, Pulpwood, Poles, &c. 875 Miscellaneous Collections 111 Sales of Assets &c., Repayable to Loan Fund Credit Account 12 Totals .. 5,966

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