By PHILIP HOPKINS

 

COMMUNITY attitudes towards commercial forest plantations in Gippsland are the subject of a survey being undertaken by Federation University.

The team of researchers from Federation University’s Gippsland campus consists of Professor Thomas Baumgartl, Prof Wendy Wright, Assoc Prof Jess Reeves and Dr Gideon Otchere, and McGill University (Canada), Prof Gordon Hickey.

This is an independent research project undertaken by experienced researchers with local knowledge, which aims to help inform industry practice.

The project is funded by the National Institute for Forest Product Innovation (NIFPI) in partnership with HVP Plantations.

The survey looks at factors that influence perceptions of plantation forestry, and perceived benefits and disadvantages of plantations.

Currently the plantation industry and state and federal Government are investing to increase the supply of Australian-grown plantation timber. The Gippsland Plantations Investment Program (GPIP) is an example of this.

Results from the survey will be widely available and are intended to help land managers and plantation companies better understand the views of community stakeholders.

Under GPIP, in 2022 HVP Plantations (HVP) entered into a $120 million agreement with the state government to increase the Victorian plantation forestry estate. This was part of the government’s policy to close the native forest industry and replace it with plantations.

The $120 million includes a government commitment to contribute to the acquisition of private lands in Gippsland for the sole purpose of establishing new softwood (Radiata Pine) forestry plantations.

HVP Plantations will also contribute a similar amount to acquire the lands, prepare the sites and plant and care for the trees, making a total investment of $240 million. The program is expected to provide big economic benefits to the region and will increase domestic supply of softwood timber.

The GPIP requires HVP to establish about 14,450 hectares of new radiata pine softwood plantations over the next 10 years. The land, most in Gippsland, is expected to be bought between 2022 and 2029.

GPIP requires that the land be bought over a large geographic area and not be concentrated in just a few local government areas. There are restrictions on acquisitions in the Macalister Irrigation District.

The land will consist of a combination of freehold land, which will be owned by HVP, leasehold land and farm forestry.

The emphasis will be on less productive farmland, as it does not make commercial sense to acquire agricultural land for timber production.

GPIP calculates that 14,450ha will result in 16 million more trees planted over the 10-year period – an eight per cent increase to HVP’s total plantation estate in Victoria and about a 15 per cent increase to Gippsland’s total.

All trees planted will be sourced from HVP’s Gelliondale Nursery in Gippsland.

The researchers would like one member of each household over the age of 18 years to fill in the survey. The survey should only take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

For each completed survey, the research team will donate $5 to either Greening Australia or the Country Fire Authority (CFA) – people can choose – up to a maximum of $2500.

Surveys should be completed by the middle of August.

The link for people to complete the survey is: bit.ly/4by9Ctz