http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/16/2627980.htm
ABC News
16 July 2009
$80 million needed for Tiwi plantations: council
By Jane Bardon
The Tiwi Land Council has estimated it would need $80 million to make the forestry plantations on the Tiwi Islands viable following the collapse of Great Southern Plantations.
The 30,000 hectares of acacia trees on the islands are owned by Great Southern’s investors, and administrators are now managing the collapsed company’s assets.
The land council says no other companies have shown interest in taking the plantation over, and the land council would like to manage it.
But the land council’s Cyril Kalippa says he has asked the Federal Government for help because Great Southern’s account estimates show substantial money will need to be found to keep it going.
“We need about $80 million for the next three years – that’s for the wages and the things that we need to operate the forest.
“And also we need $40 million to extend the wharf or the jetty so that 50 tonne ships can come in and pick up the chip wood.”
