The future of the commercial pine plantations in South Australia’s Mid North will be discussed at a public forum at Jamestown later this month. Source: The Flinders News
Earlier this year the Bangor bushfire burned 1600 hectares of the Wirrabara plantation, while 450 hectares of the Bundaleer plantation were burned during a fire in January 2013.
Operators of the sawmill at Jamestown, Luke and Ed Morgan, spoke out against the independent report in August, saying it spelled disaster for the town of Jamestown if the forests were not replanted.
ForestrySA replanted 60 hectares of the Bundaleer plantation in June and July this year.
Forests Minister Leon Bignell said the State Government is delivering on a promise made when the report was released to ensure the community had input into the future of the plantations.
“The plantations are one of the main drivers of the region’s economy,” he said.
“Many people representing a broad range of interests throughout the Mid North have an opinion, so it’s important all views are heard before important decisions are made about the future of the plantations.
“The independent report is just one factor to consider. The possibility of diversifying the local economy through tourism is another.
“I want to hear as many views as possible, so I encourage everyone with an interest in the future of the plantations to register to attend the public forum.”
The public forum will be held at the Jamestown Memorial Hall at 4.00pm on Wednesday October 22, 2014.
Attendance can be registered at: http://midnorthplanningforthefuture.eventbrite.com.au
The independent report Strategic Directions for Mid North Pine Plantation Estate is available to read and download through the publications section of ForestrySA’s website at www.forestrysa.com.au/publications
