LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin and two NSW Shadow Ministers tomorrow (Tuesday 27 April) will visit Hurford Hardwood Australia’s Kyogle mill and the family company’s iconic farm forestry property at Warrazambil, north of the town.
The visit will take place as the NSW Parliament undertakes a Labor-initiated inquiry into the long-term sustainability and future of the timber and forest products industry which employs nearly 1000 people in the Northern Rivers region.
Hurford Hardwood Australia Executive Director Andrew Hurford said he was proud and pleased to be hosting Ms Saffin, NSW Shadow Minister for Natural Resources Paul Scully and NSW Shadow Minister for Environment Kate Washington.
Ms Saffin said the field trip was an opportunity for Mr Scully and Ms Washington to gain insights into how the Hurfords are trialling Northern Rivers hardwood timber species, cell grazing cattle, protecting riparian zones and are involved in koala research.
“Warrazambil farm, which Hurfords bought in 2003 from the Ferris family after four generations, is the jewel in the crown of 12 farm forestry properties they own and operate in New South Wales and Queensland,” Ms Saffin said.
“Andrew tells me that 180,000 trees have been planted on the 800-hectare property, including Spotted Gum – the most adaptable to conditions in our region – Blackbutt, Sydney Blue Gum, Grey Ironbark, Tallowwood, Forest Red Gum, Red Mahogany and Silky Oak.”
Mr Hurford said that in recent years Hurfords had been working with Department of Primary Industries-commissioned researcher Dr Brad Law, who had been tracking koalas in harvested and non-harvested parts of the private forest estate.
On Wednesday morning (28 April), the MPs will visit Richmond Landcare’s Wilsons River Schools Education Project, where six local schools have been involved in riparian restoration works near Albert Park Public School.
They will also attend the launch of the Friends of the Koala Nursery in East Lismore, recently awarded a Bushfire Recovery Nursery grant by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.
Monday, 26 April 2021.
