Our understanding is that CCA treated timber has been restricted for some years as a material for picnic tables, following an extensive review by the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The restrictions on picnic tables (also garden furniture, exterior seating, children’s play equipment, patio and domestic decking, and handrails) were introduced on a 'precautionary' basis.

Our recommendation would be a dense hardwood that will absorb moisture slowly, but the level of moisture absorption will depend on the length of time it is immersed. Tallowwood would be a good choice since it has a naturally greasy content that gives it its name. Ironbark would also be a suitable choice. If flooding is expected fasteners will need to be carefully chosen to avoid corrosion, and would preferably be stainless steel. Decking oil will be easiest to maintain, but will need regular application since it will not soak into the wood to any depth.

We do not have specialised knowledge of metals but we are not aware of any adverse reaction when steel that is coated with zinc-rich paint comes into contact with wood. If the wood is treated with a copper-based preservative and exposed to moisture there is potential for traces of copper to leach from the wood and attack metal fasteners. This is due to galvanic corrosion where dissimilar metals are in contact in a moist environment. Conversely if metal fasteners corrode, the corrosion products degrade adjacent wood ('iron sickness'), but this also requires the presence of moisture.