Clearance of plantation trees alongside power lines is almost complete on Kangaroo Island and crews are preparing to move into the harvest proper in the New Year, starting with the fire-damaged pine plantations. Source: Timberbiz
Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers has worked closely with SA Power Networks to clear blue gums and pines trees along about 48 km of power lines through the plantations.
The trees were planted by previous owners with 20m clearance of the lines but are now well past their harvest date as KIPT awaits approval for its export facility at Smith Bay.
Most are now taller than 20m and fire damage makes them more likely to fall, posing a potential risk for damage to power infrastructure.
HarvestCo won the tender to harvest the first 200,000 tonnes of pine and was able to mobilise equipment in early December to complete the power line clearance.
The first few rows of trees adjacent to the power lines are being cut and then laid down in the footprint of the plantation for collection later.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJIstokKexw&feature=youtu.be
