Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers (KIPT) has completed its first replanting following the summer bushfires. The new crop of pine and blue gum, in a small 24-hectare compartment, was planned well before the devastating bushfires. The site in the Bark Hut Road precinct was harvested a decade ago by a previous owner and it had been part of KIPT’s plans to plant it out this year.
“This is the first plantation planting on island in more than 10 years and has served as a trial for new fencing and site-species matching. It’s a small but symbolic step for us which sends a clear signal to our shareholders and the Kangaroo Island community that we are here for the long term, and planning for the future,” KIPT Managing Director Keith Lamb said.
“This site is at the lower end of the rainfall band for our current estate, and lends itself well to pine. But we have also trialed blue gums to see how far east they can thrive on the island. It also helps us to trial some of our systems in preparation for the major replanting after harvesting the current fire-damaged crop.”
The company awaits approval for its jetty and handling facility – the Kangaroo Island Seaport – at Smith Bay, which is still in the Major Project Approvals process with the State Government. Harvest planning of the fire-affected crop is well advanced and awaits confirmation of the port in order to establish a clear route to market.
Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers is Australia’s only listed timberland company. It manages a wholly-owned portfolio of hardwood and softwood forestry plantations, growing on former agricultural land on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
