The Timber No. 1 Estate is for sale by a two-stage expression of interest process, with initial responses due by 2pm on Thursday, April 18. The forests are available either individually or together as a complete estate.
Searle says the total stocked area includes 242ha in Waikato; 1024ha in Gisborne and 1367ha in Southland.
The total crop comprises about 80 per cent radiata pine, 15 per cent douglas fir, 2 per cent redwoods, 2 per cent eucalyptus and the remainder macrocarpa.
Some 2464ha of the estate comprises post-1989 forest that is eligible for carbon credits under the Emissions Trading Scheme. The total balance at early March is just under 619,000 credits.
The four forests in the portfolio are:
• The Waikato forest, Tregoweth, is located on 347ha just south of Te Kuiti in the King Country. It is easily accessible from Waimiha Rd, which bisects the forest some 200m from SH30. "The King Country is well known for producing large trees and Tregoweth Forest, which is planted solely with radiata pine, is no exception. The crop mostly comprises older first-rotation stands, with a smaller area of mid-rotation stands," says Searle. Waimiha Rd provides 1.7km of access to the east and west blocks, while an additional 4km of internal roading, which will require work before harvest, is located within the west block. The nearest port for log exports is 176km away at the Port of Tauranga. However, there are multiple nearby domestic processing options in the region, providing significant processing capacity.
• The Gisborne forest, Te Rata, spans 2008ha off Tarndale Rd, about 80km north of Gisborne. It has a net stocked area of 1039ha, predominantly planted with mature radiata pine. Te Rata Forest is in relatively steep hill country, requiring a mix of ground and hauler-based extractions methods at harvest. A 4km gravel road extends through the property from Tarndale Rd, while an additional 9km of forestry-grade road will require metalling for harvest. Although the region has limited domestic processing, Eastland Port in Gisborne is well set-up to handle forestry exports, processing over three million tonnes in the last year. Searle says Mangaotane Stream, which runs through the property, is excellent for trout fishing, while a large area of native bush makes for exceptional hunting. "There is a good range of accommodation to maximise the recreational potential, including a three-bedroom dwelling in good condition and a shearers' quarters." In addition, the native bush could sustain an estimated 150 beehives, accessible via extensive tracks throughout the property. This could provide a significant potential source of additional income.
• The larger of the two Southland forests, Hillfort, spans 989ha 46km east of Invercargill. It has a net stocked area of 767ha, predominantly planted with mid-rotation to near-mature radiata pine. "Hillfort Forest is on rolling terrain with some flats, allowing for relatively low-cost ground-based harvesting. Direct access is provided via three public gravel roads, while a network of tracks throughout the forest could be upgraded to accommodate logging traffic using the plentiful metal that is likely on site," Robertson says.
• The smaller Southland forest, Wether Hills, is 10km west of Lumsden, and 80km north of Invercargill. It has a total area of 675ha with a net stocked area of 610 ha, primarily comprising radiata pine stands established between 1995 and 1997. Access is via Cummings Rd, which runs along the western boundary of the forest, with good roading throughout. "Very little roading upgrades will be required for harvesting, and there is plentiful metal on site for road maintenance and construction," Robertson says.
Both Southland forests are well supported by export and local processing options.
Invercargill's Southport, provides efficient and cost-effective handling of logs and forestry products, while domestic processors in the region include Craigpine, Niagara, Daiken and Stuart Timber.
