Premier launches new $21million tree farming program

6/6/03
The State Government will invest $21million over four years in a new tree farming program launched by Premier Geoff Gallop today.
Infinitree - a Forest Products Commission (FPC) initiative - will provide much-needed farm diversification opportunities and offer solutions to serious land degradation problems such as salinity, water logging and erosion.
It also has the ability to generate new regional industries and employment opportunities.
The Infinitree program is a commercial venture involving farmers providing land for upfront cash payments and a share of the timber crop at harvest time.
The amount farmers are paid depends on soil productivity, planting area size and the haulage distances to ports and processing centres.
Dr Gallop said the success of tree farming trials across the State had prompted the FPC to develop a strategic commercial venture to be marketed under the name of 'Infinitree'.
"Through Infinitree, the Forest Products Commission is in a stronger position to attract the attention of the growing number of ethical investors, as this program will provide measurable environmental, economic and social outcomes," he said.
"Contribution of investors and State and Federal Governments will result in progressively expanding the plantings on cleared farmland to a target of 20,000ha a year by 2008."
A campaign including advertising, brochures and an interactive website will roll out over the next few months to raise awareness of Infinitree among farmers and promote the scheme to institutional ethical investors.
Working with a range of tree varieties - currently maritime pine, eucalypt sawlogs and sandalwood - the FPC matches tree species to specific soil and rainfall conditions ensuring farmers develop plantations that meet their local environmental needs.
Dr Gallop launched Infinitree at the Gillam property in Tenterden, which has been part of a successful Infinitree program during the past 12 months.
Forestry Minister's office: 9213 6700