In Queensland the effective service life of copper/chrome/arsenic (CCA) treated hardwood telegraph and power transmission poles is being dramatically shortened due to attack by soft rot decay fungi. The Australian Wood Preservation and Pole Industries are funding research into this serious soft rot problem involving C.S.I.R.O. and the University of Queensland. The C.S.I.R.O. is actively engaged with the in situ maintenance of existing hardwood poles, preservative distribution in hardwoods and the development of new impregnation preservatives and impregnation methods. This work has been discussed (Greaves, 1977) and more recent results will be presented at this meeting. The role of the University of Queensland in the soft rot programme is one of identifying and investigating the physiology and ecology of those fungi responsible for soft rot. Detailed examination of twenty transmission poles, with and without remedial. treatments, in localities around Brisbane city have been made. Preliminary results for ten of these poles are presented in this document together with future research proposals.

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