Treatment
Treatment of pinewood is important in reducing EHB spread and infestation.
Treatment of structural pinewood to be used in housing construction/renovations within Restricted Movement Zone (RMZ) areas is now mandatory (see Advisory Notes 2009/002 and 2009/004). For further information, contact the Building Commission on hotline 1300 489 099 or at info@buildingcommission.wa.gov.au.
According to the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection (European House Borer) Regulations 2006, untreated pinewood (that has been exposed to a RMZ environment for more than 72 hours) cannot be removed from that RMZ without proper treatment, disposal or authorisation.
Treatment options
In accordance with the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection (European House Borer) Regulations 2006:
“Pinewood required to be treated in accordance with this regulation is to be –
- Treated with a preservative in accordance with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1604 series of Standards relating to the preservative treatment of timber products; or
- Fumigated with methyl bromide in accordance with subregulation (2); or
- Fumigated with another fumigant chemical in a manner approved by an authorised person; or
- Heated to a core temperature of more than 60°C for not less than 30 minutes”
The Building Commission's Advisory Note 2009/002 requires that untreated structural pinewood be treated to ensure durability, in accordance with the Building code of Australia and AS 1684.2 Clause 1.8.
Inter-state import regulations also require treatment of EHB host material originating from RMZ areas.
Information on treatment options can be found on the Department of Commerce website. Additionally, information on fumigation and heat treatment providers under the Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme can be found here.
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