Abstract
Kirramyces leaf blight was cited as the major cause of Elders Forestry's announcement of a $133 million asset write-down of its 26,500ha hardwood plantation investment in central Queensland. Now a defoliating disease, myrtle rust, has been detected for the first time in NSW. These examples highlight the critical need to underpin the security of future plantation expansion through long term, proactive R&D into pest and pathogen management.