Forest Reserves contain important remnants of South Australia’s native forests, particularly in high rainfall areas of the Ranges and Green Triangle regions. These remnants are often intermingled with ForestrySA’s commercial plantations and other vegetation. ForestrySA manages 23 030 hectares of such conservation areas as part of its community service activities. ForestrySA stakeholders, including conservation groups, value these areas since many exist as important islands of diverse flora and fauna.

ForestrySA has continued a program to gazette many of these significant areas as Native Forest Reserves (NFR) under the Forestry Act. This delivers legislative protection equivalent to conservation and national parks, enables greater control over activities within the reserves and ensures their recognition as important components of the State’s conservation reserve system. To date 58 Native Forest Reserves have been gazetted including Nangwarry NFR (2216 ha), Honan NFR (1026 ha) and Kersbrook NFR (789 ha). Management plans have been completed for 83 percent of the reserves including all of those in the South East of the State.

The inaugural Coopers Pale Ale Rally of South Australia was held during July 2001 and attracted 77 of
the nation’s best rally drivers to Mt Crawford Forest. Spectator numbers exceeded expectations with about
6000 visiting during the event. Another event is planned for 2002.

November saw the second 'Trailwalker' event held in South Australia. The event consisted of 1500 people organised into teams of four people competing to walk or run 100km within 48 hours. The event followed the Heysen Trail through Cudlee Creek Forest and ended at the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre. The event raised significant funds to support Oxfam's overseas community assistance programs.

ForestrySA’s community involvement programs enable volunteers and community groups to assist in a range of projects to help protect and improve Native Forest Reserves, heritage sites and visitor facilities. During the year, over 10 000 hours of time has been contributed to a wide range of on-ground works including revegetation and weed control programs, flora and fauna surveys and other biological research. In particular, ForestrySA's Friends of the Forest volunteer program continues to be popular with 65 registered members involved. Activities have a strong regional focus and operate in Forest Reserves in the Ranges and Green Triangle.

A major Work for the Dole program has continued at Kuitpo during 2001/2002. The program is managed by Baptist Community Services to provide training opportunities for job seekers in the 18 to 34 age group. Participants provided significant assistance with the conservation management of native forest reserves and the improvement of visitor facilities. Over 60 people have been involved, many of who have been able to get employment in the community or start tertiary education.

A long-term land rehabilitation project continues at Cudlee Creek Forest following the 1983 Ash Wednesday wildfire. Significant assistance has been received from community partners including the Torrens Catchment Water Management Board and the Sixth Creek Catchment Group with ForestrySA receiving over $35 000 in financial support during 2001/2002. Rehabilitation works aim to improve biodiversity by controlling a range of woody weeds including wild pine and blackberry. Friends of the Forests volunteers and TAFE Horticulture Centre students are helping with revegetation projects and other on-ground works.

The Forest Reserves of South Australia are a significant open space and tourism resource. The Reserves have an interesting diversity of landscape types including native forest, plantations, open spaces and heritage areas. They provide a significantly greater range of recreational activities than other public or private open space. This is mainly due to the more active pursuits that are undertaken in plantation areas such as horse riding, cycling and motor sport.

Recreational survey data indicated that the number of visitors to the Mt Lofty Ranges and Mid North Reserves approximated 200 000 during 2001/2002. Some 35 different recreational activities were undertaken including walking, nature study, picnicking, camping, cycling, horse riding and motor sport. Over 11 800 permits were issued for activities such as camping, horse riding and fossicking. 15 800 enquiries were made to Forest Information Centres and some 31 000 visitors participated in organised events.

A new viewing area has been installed at the spectacular Hells Hole sinkhole near Mount Gambier. Other improvements include vehicle access, car park and safety fencing. A series of signs describe the formation of the sinkhole and how the surrounding native forest reserve is managed. These access and safety improvements allow greater promotion of Hells Hole to visitors to the South East. A Forest Information Centre has been developed at Kuitpo as a focus for public contact and for the provision of visitor information. An attractively designed public area provides maps, brochures and permits for various recreational opportunities available in the forest.



THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FORESTRY CORPORATION
	Contents >> Corporate Score Card >> Executive Introduction >> Corporate Overview >> Legislation Administered by the Corporation >> Significant Achievements and Inititives >> Key Initiatives and Targets for 2002/03 >> The Corporation Structure >> SA Forestry Corporation Board >> Business Performance >> Production Activities >> Forestry Protection >> Community Service Activities >> Corporate Sustainability >> Equal Employment Opportunity Programs >> Contractual Arrangements >> Fraud >> Use of Consultants >> Freedom of Information Statement >> Charter of the SA Forestry Corporation >> Forest Statistics >> Forestry SA Reserves >> Financial Statement • FinancialPerformance for the year ended 30 June 2002 • Financial Position as at 30 June 2002 • Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2002 >> Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statement • 1 Role and Function of the SAFC • 2 Accounting Policies • 3 - 13b • 14 - 24 • 25 - 28 • 29 Combined Full Year Results >> Auditor General’s Report	COMMUNITY SERVICE Activities

			Native Forest Management Forest Reserves contain important remnants of South Australia’s native forests, particularly in high rainfall areas of the Ranges and Green Triangle regions. These remnants are often intermingled with ForestrySA’s commercial plantations and other vegetation. ForestrySA manages 23 030 hectares of such conservation areas as part of its community service activities. ForestrySA stakeholders, including conservation groups, value these areas since many exist as important islands of diverse flora and fauna. ForestrySA has continued a program to gazette many of these significant areas as Native Forest Reserves (NFR) under the Forestry Act. This delivers legislative protection equivalent to conservation and national parks, enables greater control over activities within the reserves and ensures their recognition as important components of the State’s conservation reserve system. To date 58 Native Forest Reserves have been gazetted including Nangwarry NFR (2216 ha), Honan NFR (1026 ha) and Kersbrook NFR (789 ha). Management plans have been completed for 83 percent of the reserves including all of those in the South East of the State. Major Community Events The inaugural Coopers Pale Ale Rally of South Australia was held during July 2001 and attracted 77 of the nation’s best rally drivers to Mt Crawford Forest. Spectator numbers exceeded expectations with about 6000 visiting during the event. Another event is planned for 2002. November saw the second 'Trailwalker' event held in South Australia. The event consisted of 1500 people organised into teams of four people competing to walk or run 100km within 48 hours. The event followed the Heysen Trail through Cudlee Creek Forest and ended at the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre. The event raised significant funds to support Oxfam's overseas community assistance programs. Community Involvement ForestrySA’s community involvement programs enable volunteers and community groups to assist in a range of projects to help protect and improve Native Forest Reserves, heritage sites and visitor facilities. During the year, over 10 000 hours of time has been contributed to a wide range of on-ground works including revegetation and weed control programs, flora and fauna surveys and other biological research. In particular, ForestrySA's Friends of the Forest volunteer program continues to be popular with 65 registered members involved. Activities have a strong regional focus and operate in Forest Reserves in the Ranges and Green Triangle. A major Work for the Dole program has continued at Kuitpo during 2001/2002. The program is managed by Baptist Community Services to provide training opportunities for job seekers in the 18 to 34 age group. Participants provided significant assistance with the conservation management of native forest reserves and the improvement of visitor facilities. Over 60 people have been involved, many of who have been able to get employment in the community or start tertiary education. A long-term land rehabilitation project continues at Cudlee Creek Forest following the 1983 Ash Wednesday wildfire. Significant assistance has been received from community partners including the Torrens Catchment Water Management Board and the Sixth Creek Catchment Group with ForestrySA receiving over $35 000 in financial support during 2001/2002. Rehabilitation works aim to improve biodiversity by controlling a range of woody weeds including wild pine and blackberry. Friends of the Forests volunteers and TAFE Horticulture Centre students are helping with revegetation projects and other on-ground works. Forest Visitors The Forest Reserves of South Australia are a significant open space and tourism resource. The Reserves have an interesting diversity of landscape types including native forest, plantations, open spaces and heritage areas. They provide a significantly greater range of recreational activities than other public or private open space. This is mainly due to the more active pursuits that are undertaken in plantation areas such as horse riding, cycling and motor sport. Recreational survey data indicated that the number of visitors to the Mt Lofty Ranges and Mid North Reserves approximated 200 000 during 2001/2002. Some 35 different recreational activities were undertaken including walking, nature study, picnicking, camping, cycling, horse riding and motor sport. Over 11 800 permits were issued for activities such as camping, horse riding and fossicking. 15 800 enquiries were made to Forest Information Centres and some 31 000 visitors participated in organised events. A new viewing area has been installed at the spectacular Hells Hole sinkhole near Mount Gambier. Other improvements include vehicle access, car park and safety fencing. A series of signs describe the formation of the sinkhole and how the surrounding native forest reserve is managed. These access and safety improvements allow greater promotion of Hells Hole to visitors to the South East. A Forest Information Centre has been developed at Kuitpo as a focus for public contact and for the provision of visitor information. An attractively designed public area provides maps, brochures and permits for various recreational opportunities available in the forest.