The Land Use Review and Comparison report, prepared for the Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH) and Central West Forestry Hub, examines the economic, environmental, and social implications of establishing new environmental plantings (EPs) and harvestable timber plantations (TPs) across NSW and northern Victoria. It assesses policy settings, carbon credit potential, and regional economic outcomes under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.
The study finds that while both EPs and TPs can generate similar levels of carbon credits, TPs provide substantially higher economic returns and regional employment benefits due to their dual income streams from timber and carbon, as well as their established industry infrastructure. In contrast, EPs carry higher uncertainty and risk, rely heavily on carbon markets, and offer lower socio-economic returns, although they align strongly with biodiversity and environmental restoration objectives.