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Low rainfall forestry venture to spur growth

Victoria's City of Greater Bendigo has embarked on a venture to promote commercial timber growing in its region. In October, Mayor Daryl McClure joined other Councillors in planting the first seedlings at the $220,000 Huntly Farm Forestry Project. These are the first of 150,000 native hardwoods to be planted at the site.

Councillor McClure said the plantation would provide a unique demonstration project for the Central Victorian region which, up until now, has been regarded as unsuitable for timber production. He said close liaison with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has established there are a number of timber species which could thrive in the low rainfall environment.

"The trees have been chosen for their suitability to local soil and rainfall conditions," the Mayor said. "There is no need to irrigate and they grow best when left to their own devices, meaning low maintenance costs."

The first harvest is expected to take place in approximately 15 years. Council estimates in that time, for an investment of roughly $750,000 dollars including land value, planting costs and maintenance, the harvest will realise several million dollars.

While this will represent a gain for the ratepayers of Greater Bendigo, it is the flow on benefits that will see most gains for the region. "We hope this will only be the first of many related ventures in the district," Mayor McClure said. "We expect Huntly Farm will serve as an example to others that timber production is a viable industry in this area.

"Farmers in particular may see this as a possible way to turn low yield areas of their properties into profit." He said every chance is there for value added industries, such as saw mills and furniture manufacturers, to establish close to this new source of supply.

"Down the track people are going to appreciate Council's foresight in making this investment for Bendigo's future," Mayor McClure said. "Low rainfall forestry of this type is in its infancy and this plantation has the potential to offer our region a new industry producing speciality timbers, value adding and employment opportunities."

DNRE will be assisting with monitoring of the plantation, conducting research on weed control and the relative growth rates of the various tree species in different districts.

For further information contact Mayor Daryl McClure, telephone (03) 5434 6000.

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