Receivers for Gunns said they are keen for further talks with a Dorset industries group about buying the 34-hectare Ling Siding sawmill site at Scottsdale. Source: The Examiner
However, receiver Bryan Webster would not commit KordaMentha yesterday to delaying a proposed online sale of assets from the site, due to start this
Thursday.
Dorset Renewable Industries chairman David Hamilton called on KordaMentha and the ANZ Bank to delay the further sale until the industries group finds out whether its Tasmanian Forestry Agreement funding application is successful.
Webster said that most of the Ling Siding sawmill assets had been available on the market from earlier this year.
“Much of the plant and equipment was sold months ago,” Webster said.
“On Thursday afternoon 17 large sheds are scheduled to go on sale via auction at graysonline. com.”
Webster said that the receivers had spoken to the industries group about when they would be likely to be able to bid for the sheds.
“However, they are currently unable to provide an indication of timing,” he said.
Hamilton said that his group had identified the Ling Siding site as a resource appropriate to the development of a new business.
“However, the further sale of the plant and equipment . . . will significantly reduce its attractiveness,” he said.
Webster said that KordaMentha was awaiting a decision by the Supreme Court of Victoria on the future of Gunns’ managed investment schemes so that it could work out which trees could be part of any sale of the company’s proposed Bell Bay pulp mill assets.
“The decision may clarify the question in relation to supply options so that potential buyers have a better picture of the project’s potential,” he said.
