Blows traded over advance forest sale
February 23, 2010
The proposed forward sale of Forestry SA’s plantations is growing as an issue in the looming state election with a war of words erupting on the topic this week.
Treasurer Kevin Foley told The Border Watch yesterday investigations were continuing after the government decided in 2008 to consider selling two to three timber cycles upfront, instead of continuing short-term contracts. Read more
Food producers feel subsidy bite
February 20, 2010
Agricultural sectors such as dairying have been left to compete unfairly for land and water after the government boosted forestry managed investment schemes at the expense of other primary industries, according to a new national report.
The Federal Government subsidy to forestry plantation managed investment schemes cost around $1b over the five years ending in 2008, according to Australian National University economist Dr Judith Ajani. Read more
Double whammy in mill job losses
February 3, 2010
Ten couples working at the Nangwarry plywood mill are expected to be among the 130 people who will be made redundant by Carter Holt Harvey.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union spokesperson Brad Coates said families that relied on the mill for two incomes would take a massive hit as a result of the decision, while other workers and the broader town would also suffer. Read more
Liberals slam Labor over job losses
February 2, 2010
Liberal candidate for Mount Gambier Steve Perryman says the Rann Government “must share some blame” for the loss of 130 jobs at Carter Holt Harvey’s Nangwarry plywood manufacturing plant.
Mr Perryman said the government has shown little understanding of the timber industry in the South East, and has failed to address many issues facing the industry. Read more
Forestry water concerns remain
December 20, 2009
Foresters continue to be concerned about the implications of new measures to manage the impact of plantations on water resources, with one industry leader calling for others in the sector to voice their opinions.
Green Triangle Forest Products managing director Laurie Hein spoke to The Border Watch after Wednesday night’s public meeting on the South East Natural Resource Management Board’s draft regional plan. Read more
Machinery giant expects recovery
November 25, 2009
Komatsu Forest had expected to supply $32m worth of harvest machinery to Timbercorp over the coming four years for the looming bluegum harvest in its biggest Australian deal.
Those plans, which would have seen the global equipment manufacturer expand its South East workshop, collapsed with the downfall of the managed investment scheme company. Read more
Gunns closer to control of Great Southern
November 24, 2009
Gunns appears set to take control of 42,000 hectares of Green Triangle plantations established by failed agribusiness Great Southern.
The Tasmanian timber giant has reached the final stages of negotiations to acquire the assets after previously building a strong presence in the region by buying Auspine and starting development of a major woodchip export terminal at the Port of Portland. Read more
Libs rule out forward selling forests
November 23, 2009
Opposition leader Isobel Redmond has ruled out a future Liberal Government forward selling timber plantings.
Ms Redmond made the announcement at Tarpeena as part of a two-day visit by the State Liberals to Mount Gambier.
“Treasurer Kevin Foley raised the possibility of the forward sale of three rotations of timber growth in December 2008,” Ms Redmond said. Read more
Mount Gambier’s secret forest
November 19, 2009
A forestry consultant hopes a picturesque site beside Mount Gambier Airport that sowed the seeds of bluegum plantation growth across the South East will become a unique tourism, education and research site for the broader region. Read more
Treasury coy on forward tree sales
November 13, 2009
Taxpayers could pay dearly for half a century if the State Government sells off future rotations of ForestrySA plantations and gets the price wrong, according to a South East union leader.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union spokesperson Brad Coates said Treasurer Kevin Foley’s proposal to sell off three rotations of pine trees would not address failures to properly manage the estate. Read more
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