Revegetation effort recognised
August 16, 2010
UPPER South East farmers Jamie and Josie Jackson have been named the SA Tree Farmers of the Year.
They will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the Australian Forest Growers 2010 conference in Mount Gambier from October 10 to 13 and represent the state in the National Tree Grower of the Year Award competition, with the winner to be announced at The Barn on Tuesday, October 12. Read more
Financial crisis hits forestry sector
November 10, 2009
After avoiding the worst of the economic fallout from the global financial crisis in 2008, Australia’s forest sector is now experiencing some adverse effects according to a new ABARE report.
The biannual report, Australian forest and wood products statistics, reveals a significant downturn in forest product production and exports, as the industry is affected by the international downturn in forest products trade and a drop in domestic housing sector demand. Read more
New forestry training initiative
November 2, 2009
A Commonwealth initiative will fund 48 timber industry-related qualifications within the region.
The recent funding announcement is the result of a ForestrySA funding submission, which was completed with industry support to benefit the broader sector.
As a result of the collaborative approach, almost $290,000 was secured for training in identified skill-shortage areas from the Federal Government’s Productivity Places Program for Existing Workers. Read more
Bluegums revert to pasture
August 27, 2009
A Penola contractor whose machinery has been left idle as work in Timbercorp and Great Southern bluegum plantations remains at a standstill has stepped up activity on returning neighbouring plantations to pasture.
Max Grant of Southern Blue Forestry Services told The Border Watch he had begun receiving responses from his advertisements offering to convert bluegums back to farmland. Read more
Forestry ideas discussed
August 21, 2009
An international forest science conference has attracted 60 delegates from around Australia and overseas to Mount Gambier this week.
ForestrySA planning and development executive general manager Jim O’Hehir said delegates from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and interstate had gathered to review forestry data integration research and practical developments. Read more
Forestry to account for water use
June 22, 2009
The State Government has introduced legislation to enable the licensing of commercial forestry across the state, including the South East.
Under the proposed legislation, the management options will include water licences, water affecting activity permits, codes of practice and industry agreements. Read more
Critical time for forestry sector
May 13, 2009
Throughout 2008 Australia’s forest sector continued to perform strongly according to a new ABARE report released yesterday.
However, current economic conditions suggest difficult times ahead for Australia’s forest sector, with uncertainty regarding investment and employment in many regions. Read more
Bluegum exports expected to fall
February 4, 2009
Tasmanian timber giant Gunns, which acquired Auspine last year, has publicly confirmed the economic downturn will lead to cuts to Australian bluegum exports.
“Discussions with customers in the Japanese market have indicated an expectation of continuing reductions in activity in paper production in line with lower activity in the Japanese economy,” company secretary Wayne Chapman said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange this week. Read more
Bluegum shipment loaded at Portland
February 3, 2009
Woodchips from small independent bluegum plots will soon be processed in a $30m woodchip mill that’s being constructed near Heywood.
Employing 10 forestry and operations staff and 400 from the harvesting and haulage sector, South West Fibre is behind the development. Read more
Summer school for foresters
January 28, 2009
Forestry SA’s 2008-09 forestry students are now working in the Green Triangle, based at Mount Gambier’s head office. Read more
