Active demonstrations of machinery working in the forest
Innovative Machinery
Residue management
Biofuel production
Establishment techniques
Silvicultural practices
Softwood and hardwood harvesting
Precision – new technology
About the Site
The chosen site is approximately 15 km from Mount Gambier, on a 40 hectare grazing paddock owned by Strawb Masters, a machine operator employed by KC & MR Boult. The site is surrounded on three sides by plantation forests, with pine forests that will be due for first thinning, third thinning and clearfalling at the time of the exhibition on two sides, and a bluegum plantation that will be due for clearfelling on the northern side of the site.
Approximately five hectares have been levelled with the assistance of Mibus Bros and ForestrySA, prior to being sown down to Fescu and Clover. Fencing material donated by Portland Pine Products will be erected in the next month to secure the boundaries of this area. The five hectare site will be used for the static exhibitions, and the concept of pasture is to provide a “green carpet” for visitors to walk on during the exhibition, thus avoiding the massive dust problems experienced with AUSTimber 2008.
Following David Quill’s visit to Elmia, a number of new concepts will be tried with AUSTimber 2012, particularly the idea of taking the exhibitions into the forest. This theme is being developed with input from ForestrySA, particularly through Adrian Hatch and David Kidd.
Chapman Herbert Architects in Mount Gambier have assisted the organisers to adopt an innovative approach, in conjunction with the Timber Industry, for the main administration building at the site.
