Cara Day sorts seedlings at the Gildera Forestry Services nursery. Picture: Leon Georgiou
The Green Triangle forest industry is gearing up to plant an estimated 27 million trees this season, across 20,000 hectares, comprising around 19.6 million softwood pine seedlings and 7.5 million hardwood blue gums. Source: The Border Watch
It is a labour-intensive task that relies on seasonal workers, but Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub chair Ian McDonnell has warned more workers will be needed for the planting season.
Traditionally supplemented by a workforce of foreign backpackers, the industry has relied on domestic seasonal workers since border restrictions were introduced last year due to COVID-19.
Of the 7.5 million blue gum seedlings needed for re-sowing, 3.5 million plants will be provided by Gildera Forestry Services.
Gildera employs nearly 70 staff, including around 40 seasonal workers.
While it has been able to fill most of its current labour needs, Gildera managing director Tim Scanlon said it was always looking for more workers.
“It’s a tough one, we’ve got 70 staff, you would think we would have enough. But we actually need a few more here. But yeah, it can be difficult,” he said.
While Mr Scanlon has used job agencies and placed ads on backpacker forums, he tends to rely on word of mouth for attracting new employees.
He also tends to employ people based in the Limestone Coast, which has helped foster more long-term working relationships.
In particular, Mr Scanlon has hired a number of people from the Karenni community living in Mount Gambier.
“Over the years, we’ve employed a lot of the Karenni Burmese. And they, quite often, are the ones that come back every year. Some of them have been with us for six or seven years. We obviously lose them once they get permanent jobs or whatever. But we’ve employed a lot of families basically,” Mr Scanlon said.
More recently, the new starters have been young Limestone Coast residents, looking to start their working careers, such as Cara Day.
Ms Day is currently in her second year at Gildera.
She works with a cohort of women sorting and grading seedlings along one of the nursery’s conveyor belts.
“I absolutely love it, this is my favourite new job,” she said.
Mr Scanlon explained it was not as physical as planting seedlings in the field but required a strong work ethic to be productive.
While Forest Industries Hub chair Mr McDonnell agreed planting seedlings was indeed physical, he pointed out it paid well.
“This is a very manual and physical job but for those wanting to increase their fitness and earn a good income, working with great people, it can be a rewarding job,” he said.
