COMMERCIAL forestry will continue to play a part in the future of the Mid North, with the announcement late last week that commercial negotiations have begun on the Bundaleer and Wirrabara forests.
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The future of the two estates had been in question for the past three years following the Bundaleer fire in 2013, in which 427 hectares of commercial plantations were lost, and the Bangor fire in 2014, which destroyed 1776ha of plantation.
Forestry Minister Leon Bignell said in-confidence negotiations had begun to secure the future use of the Mid North forest area, with the aim to achieve the best possible outcomes for the region in retaining and creating jobs.
“This has been a complex process,” he said. “This is a big area of land we are dealing with and we must ensure we deliver the best outcome.”
The plans revealed for the forests include continued commercial forestry with new private owners, a new tourist accommodation business at Wirrabara, a grazing and firewood business for Yarcowie and Leighton forests and the transfer of the sports and recreation grounds to the Bundaleer Sport and Recreation Association.
Morgan Saw Mill owner Luke Morgan welcomed the news that commercial timber production would remain a part of the region.
“It’s taken three years to get a response, but it seems as though we may be able to continue,” he said.
“Nothing has been finalised but based on what has been revealed, I think this can be a win-win.
“Things can be run specifically as four separate groups that can have their specialty.”
Northern Forests Community Initiatives Group chairman Greg Boston said it was encouraging the government seemed to have listened to some of the community concerns.
“On the surface it sounds positive, but we’ll have to wait until it’s complete,” he said.
Mr Bignell said negotiations should be finalised this year, with ForestrySA to continued management in the interim.