An agreement for the management of plantations for private industry will see 4500ha of hardwood planted starting immediately, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.
Minister Macdonald said Forests NSW and Forest Enterprises Australia (FEA) had entered into a commercial arrangement to establish and maintain 4500ha of hardwood plantation in the north and north east areas of the State over three years.
“Forests NSW will now source seedlings and prepare sites so as to establish the initial hardwood plantation of blackbutt and other hardwood species during the current financial year,” Macdonald said.
“It is expected that 1400ha will be planted by 30 June.
“Gloucester, Wauchope, Walcha, Lismore and Grafton will benefit from the new agreement with hardwood plantations in these districts planted and maintained by Forests NSW.
“The new arrangement will assist Forests NSW in diversifying its business services to the community and ensure continuing development of the timber industry in the north of NSW.”
Minister Macdonald commended the chief executive officer of Forest Enterprises Australia, Andrew White, on bringing the project to fruition.
“The local community will benefit from the work in establishing the plantations and further in building a renewable resource to be maintained for the benefit of the State and the timber industry,” Macdonald said.
Forests NSW will licence the use of Forests NSW land to FEA, and Forests NSW will manage the establishment and maintenance of the plantations for FEA.
Minister Macdonald said FEA acts on behalf of private growers under managed investment schemes.
