Govt will readvertise Nelson wood

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 2

Govt will readvertise Nelson wood

Wellington reporter The Government will readvertise wood from State forests in the Nelson region originally intended for the C.S.R.-Baigent pulp mill planned for Eves Valley. It had been decided to review the wood resource and readvertise it at a later date, said the Minister of Forests (Mr Elworthy). Proposals from Nelson Pine Forests, Ltd. for using the resource had been studied after the withdrawal of C.S.R. from its joint venture with Baigent’s, but for various reasons these had not been accepted. Mr Elworthy said that a third proposal had been submitted when the wood had been offered originally. It would be unfair to consider only one proposal and not the other. Given the time that had elapsed since then, changes would be necessary. The jwood resource had already been altered by the allocation of part of it to Aorangi Forest Industries, and some windthrow that had occurred, he said.

All the options would be kept open-to ensure that the best chances existed for the establishment of a forest industry in the Nelson region, Mr Elworthy said. Only pulp logs would be availablee as all sawlogs were committed for several years ahead. It might be possible to advertise shortterm sales of pulp logs for periods of up to five years. During that period, a longterm sale of sawlogs and pulp logs- could be advertised, he said.

The Government’s first priority was to ensure the proper establishment of a forestry venture in the region. It was-sensible to have another look at the wood resource.

The Government would like to see a wood-based industry established in the region with the maximum New Zealand content and providing the maximum number, of jobs in harvesting and processing, said Mr Elworthy.