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Farmers & graziers seek legal advice about Gunns

Farmers who have leases with Gunns to grow plantation timber asked the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) to obtain legal advice to assist them in responding to the recent request from the administrator to continue the standstill on lease payments. Sources: ABC Rural, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association

TFGA chief executive, Jan Davis said that her association has commissioned some legal advice for farmers who lease land to Gunns and will be investigating which farmers have joint venture contracts with the timber company.

“We have sought and will be circulating, legal advice about a number of questions that our landlord farmers have raised.”

PPB Advisory said that there are about 560 leases with more than 330 different landowners, covering 220,000 hectares.

Many of these landowners met to discuss the latest developments concerning their leases with the appointed administrator of Gunns Plantations Ltd, PPB Advisory.

The administration period is due to end at the end of this month but PPB has proposed it be extended until the end of June.

In this standstill period, landholders receive no rent on the leases and the trees remain the property of investors in Gunns’ various schemes.

Part of the reason for the extension is for the administrators to secure a replacement responsible entity for the schemes.

TFGA is looking to co-ordinate actions on behalf of landholders with joint ventures with Gunns. If you’re one contact Nick Steel, TFGA Policy Manager, or phone 6332 1800.