Volunteers helping to bring Armidale Pine Forest back to life

New life is being breathed into the devastated Armidale Pine Forest through the efforts of local volunteers working with Forests NSW, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said this week.
In recent weeks the government agency has planted more than 10,000 native trees in the 17ha area near the main entrance which was clear felled and harvested after the 2006 hailstorm in Armidale.
Volunteers , representing local landcare and user groups followed, putting in more than 110 hours sheltering the seedlings with milk cartons, staking, watering and weeding.
“When community volunteers step in like this projects really take off,” Mr Torbay said. “So many people who live near the Pine Forest and use it regularly were distressed at the moonscape left after the hail storm and were also concerned that no action was being taken to replant.
“It’s great to see them working with Forests NSW and the wider community to restore this historic and well loved recreation area.”
In February this year the MP called a meeting between stakeholders and Forests NSW to address replanting and redevelopment of the Pine Forest and as a result a working party was formed.
“Forests NSW agreed to work with the community, to develop and manage the area principally for community recreation rather than commercial forestry,” Mr Torbay said.
The Herbert Park Local Area Committee, chaired by Richard Maclean, coordinated stakeholders and users to work with Forests NSW. The outcome was a decision to replant the area with native species including angophoras, peppermint gums, apple box, stringy bark, red gum, snow gums and many others. Ruth Tremont worked and Forests NSW staff , Chris Eveleigh, and Nick Westman to develop the planting plan.
Planting began in mid October and finished a week ago with volunteers following up to instal protective milk cartons and stakes. Forests NSW have also cleared walking tracks through the replanted area with assistance from Brian Hardaker of the Armidale Walking Group.
“There is still much to be done including rebuilding the picnic area and removing rubbish,” Mr Torbay said. “However, through Council’s Pine Forest Committee working with local groups the whole area will be restored for community use. “The 270 ha Pine Forest is a wonderful local resource and asset and its redevelopment for community recreation is a great outcome.”