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Mayor chairs Timbercorp meetings

Posted on July 14, 2009, 3:03pm

Wattle Range Council Mayor Mark Braes was in Melbourne on Monday and in Sydney on Tuesday for meetings involving Timbercorp growers and landowners with their advisors and a consortium seeking to purchase the failed company’s extensive bluegum holdings.

Mr Braes was invited to act as independent chairman. Meetings are also scheduled for Brisbane (Saturday) and Adelaide (Monday).

Mr Braes advised council at a meeting last Tuesday of his decision to accept the invitation, which he said was supported by councillors.

It is expected that grower reference groups will be formed to facilitate how growers might come to an agreement with the consortium, which includes proponents of the Penola Pulp Mill.

Speaking from Sydney today, Mr Braes said the first meeting in Melbourne went very well.

“Approximately 350 people turned up for the meeting,” he said.

“My understanding was that there was substantial email and website use leading up to the meeting.

“We all understand how difficult the current position is.”

Regarding who is paying for the trip, Mr Braes answered a question posed in a letter to The Border Watch by Penola resident David Black.

“I indicated to the council that I didn’t believe it was appropriate for the costs to be paid for by the developer,” he said.

“They offered to, but I didn’t think it was appropriate.

“I believe myself and council should be seen as independent, so council is paying for my costs.”

Wattle Range Council has the largest area of plantation forest in South Australia.

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