Sustainable Timber Tasmania uses chemicals as part of its Chemical Program in limited circumstances where it is essential to manage weeds and pests and promote optimal tree growth.
There are two main uses:
- Insecticide application to prevent severe defoliation of eucalypt plantations by insect pests; and
- Herbicide application for controlling weeds prior to tree planting or sowing.
All chemicals used by Sustainable Timber Tasmania are approved for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, and Responsible Wood certification processes.
The use of insecticides is informed by an extensive monitoring program to detect and estimate potentially damaging insect population levels. Application of insecticides only occurs if insect population thresholds are exceeded, and weather conditions are suitable.
During 2024/2025 no Sustainable Timber Tasmania coupes required the application of insecticide.
2025/2026 Program and Access Map
Substantiable Timber Tasmania has updated its list of coupes that:
- Are being monitored for potential insect control this summer and may require a chemical application between December 2025 and February 2026; or
- Are expected to require an herbicide application in the next six months
To identify coupes or areas of interest, please view Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Access Map.
Please select the Herbicide Application Summer 2025/26 and Plantation Monitoring Summer 2025/26 options on the Access Map to view the locations of the listed coupes and zoom in on an area of interest.
Stakeholder Input
Sustainable Timber Tasmania welcomes stakeholder input to inform its detailed operational planning and decision making. In particular, Sustainable Timber Tasmania seeks to identify:
- Whether stakeholders have any specific concerns related to potential chemical applications on particular coupes; and
- Any issues that will need to be considered in detailed planning and decision making for these coupes.
Stakeholders are encouraged to contact Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Engagement Team as early as possible to register their interest in relation to these or any other coupes.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Engagement Team can be contacted by:
Phone: (03) 6169 2800
Email: stakeholder@sttas.com.au