Do you have forest land that was in forest (either exotic or indigenous) on 31 December 1989, that has remained in forest and was predominately exotic species at 31 December 2007?

As well as standard forest plantings, this includes trees planted after 1 January 1990 into previous scrub country, and may also include farm forest planting such as poplar, willow and other non-traditional forest species.

If so, you may be a mandatory participant under the ETS.  If you are eligible for the less than 50 hectares exemption, this must be applied for prior to 30 September 2011.  If you do not meet the exemption requirements, and fall into the ETS, the Government is providing carbon units to compensate land owners for the potential loss of land value.  These must be applied for prior to 30 November 2011.

Post 1989 Forest

Do you have forest land that was established in either exotic or indigenous forest after 31 December 1989?

If so, you can apply to be a voluntary participant under the ETS.  This could provide upfront opportunities with an allocation of carbon credits by the Government, but participants may have future liabilities with deforesting which they need to be aware of.

The first deadline for applying for an allocation of carbon units is 31 December 2012.  However, there is a lot of work to be done prior to that date before the application can be submitted. 

Be careful – if your post 1989 forest (or pockets of such) was in either exotic or indigenous forest at 31 December 1989 you may be a mandatory participant under the pre-1990 forest.  These deadlines are this year – 2011.