Forestry Corporation of NSW, Media Release, 2 July 2021

A record four million seedling dispatch has kicked off from Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Grafton nursery, which following the site’s $1 million expansion in 2020. 

The nursery expansion was part of the NSW Government’s stimulus funding and will fast-track efforts to replant timber plantations affected by fires in the 2019-20 Black Summer. 

The work has meant the nursery will have the largest dispatch on record this year, said Forestry Corporation’s Nursery Manager, Kath French. 

“We’ve now doubled our Grafton production by installing new growing frames and irrigation systems, thanks to the stimulus funding from the NSW Government,” Ms French said. 

“The expansion means the nursery can grow up to four million seedlings for replanting, eclipsing the record 2.3 million dispatched earlier in 2020. 

“The expansion also meant we could employ seven more people in seasonal positions, supporting local employment.” 

The Grafton Production Nursery grows a mix of pine and eucalyptus seedlings to replant State forest timber plantations on the north coast previously harvested for renewable timber products. 

“These seedlings will be grown for around 35 years to supply renewable timber for the next generation’s homes and infrastructure,” Ms French said. 

This work is part of the $46 million equity injection and is part of the larger NSW Government $100 million COVID stimulus package, designed to directly stimulate economies in regional NSW. 

This equity injection has seen investment to support the forestry industry and support recovering regional communities, said Forestry Corporation Acting CEO Anshul Chaudhary. 

“Over the last 12 months, the equity injection has seen Forestry Corporation repair priority damaged public infrastructure, expand our Grafton and Blowering nurseries and start replanting bushfire-affected State forests.” 

Find out more about Forestry Corporation’s bushfire recovery program at www.forestrycorporation.com.au