What will private forestry do for the local economy?
The Blue Gum industry is currently contributing approximately $45,500,000 to the local economy through the establishment and management of the plantations. Within a decade, this is expected to rise to more than $145,000,000 per year including harvesting. Plantations are established using mainly local contractors and labour for cultivating the land, weed and pest control, planting, fertilizing and fire break management. The cost of these operations is in the range of $1,000 to $2,000 per hectare depending upon the site and the intensity of management. The current rate of planting of approximately 20,000 ha per year contributes approximately $30,000,000 to the local economy. Management of the existing private forestry estate of 110,000 ha of Blue Gum is estimated to cost $5,500,000 every year. In addition, it is estimated that half of the land planted to Blue Gum is on leased land, most of which is owned by local farmers. The rental paid to these landowners is estimated at $10,000,000 pe
