Lismore will host the Australian Forest Grower’s biennial conference in coastal northern New South Wales for three days from October 26-29. Source: Timberbiz
This is a thriving centre for many industries, of learning and innovation, of environmental stewardship and leadership. Nowhere is this more apparent than the proud history of its forestry industry.
So it is fitting that Lismore, the hub of the region’s population and industry, is opening its arms to international forestry.
One of the more popular parts of the program is the scheduled tours and for delegates of the Forest Growers’ Conference, it will be encompass the majesty of old growth forests and the innovation of some of the nation’s industry leaders.
AFG conference convenor Mark Wright says that delegates will be spoilt for choice.
“Two of the field trips will visit the properties of the past two winners of the NSW Tree Farmer of the Year Award,” he said.
“The Hurford family’s Warrazambil property north-east of Kyogle will showcase the exemplary management of plantation and native forest. The Wright family properties of White Beech and Cabbage Palm, located in the stunning Nimbin Valley north of Lismore will feature 14 years of highly experimental mixed species hardwood plantation forestry planted on former grazing country that integrates cattle production and biodiversity plantings in their whole-of-farm planning and management strategy.
“Both these tours will take in the very modern and new timber mill Hurfords Hardwoods have recently built in Kyogle that uses the latest laser & saw technology to maximise recovery and productive efficiency from our precious timber resource.”
Another tour will venture to the Big Scrub rainforest area east of Lismore, formerly the largest lowland rainforest in New South Wales cleared for high quality agricultural land.
“Delegates will be able to see first-hand the outstanding efforts of the local community to re-establish rainforest for the purpose of cabinet timber production and biodiversity and habitat provision,” said Mr Wright.
“Private native forest management and the timber processing hub at Trenyar will be the focus of the fourth tour that will head south from Lismore towards Grafton.
“A visit to a private native forest at Bungawalbyn that has been successfully managed for timber production for more than 80 years will be followed by tours of the Koppers logs facility at Trenyar, the largest treated pole plant in Australia and the state of the art BRT veneer mill.”
Sponsors include the federal Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Wood Products Australia, Southern Cross University, Hurford Hardwood, Lismore City Council, Forestworks Pty Ltd, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Super Forest Plantations and BSI.
Registrations for the conference are open with more information about the conference program at website www.afg.asn.au.
