The NSW Forestry Corporation is clear-felling operation west of Coffs Harbour after extensive storm damage. Source: ABC News
About 40 hectares of Flooded Gum pulp and paper plantation at Bucca has been harvested after being extensively damaged by storms in February.
New South Wales Forestry’s regional manager Craig Busby said it would be re-planted with 40,000 Blue Gum and Blackbutt seedlings.
He said they are much better timbers for flooring and construction. Busby said what now looks like a scar on the landscape would eventually be better wildlife habitat.
“Whilst we’re out there and because it has been clear-felled it’s also a great chance to do extensive weed control,” he said.
“To reduce some of the lantana problems that are out there.
“It also presents an opportunity for tourism options… we’ve been approached by mountain bike groups to look at a mountain bike park or course through there which would be a great option for that area.
“To really complement the lookout and the walking trails we’ve got through Bruxner Park.”
The Wedding Bells state forest operation saw over 40-hectares of land cleared on either side of the Bucca Road.
Busby said once thousands of seedlings go in the clear-felled site will look much better.
“It was previously Flooded Gum plantation that was planted in the 1970s for pulp and paper production,” he said.
“It suffered recent storm damage which meant it was a good time to harvest.
“It will be re-planted early next year with over 40,000 seedlings of Blackbutt and Blue Gum species.
“Those species are better timber species and also improved habitat species.”
