About 60 ha of different trees species were planted more than 15 years ago and were treated with recycled water.
Now the trees are ready for harvest, including the first on a lot along Daldy Rd, followed by Shepparton-Barmah Rd.
Some sections of the land will see native vegetation replanted to enhance the vegetation corridors and connectivity to the Goulburn River for wildlife.
Goulburn Valley Water says the transition will boost irrigation productivity on the land that will allow an additional 360 Ml of water to be reused in the lots each year.
GV Water managing director Steve Capewell said the land would be used more productively.
“A variety of different tree species was planted at the site in the early 2000s in a trial to understand suitability for water reuse and irrigation for commercial timber plantation, however most of the land has been recommended for harvesting in recent soil and sustainability assessments,” Dr Capewell said.
“This will allow us to rehabilitate the land to make it more suitable for flood irrigation, which is a focus for GVW’s farming operations centred around fodder production and grazing livestock.
“We’ve been working with local environment groups and authorities to ensure we replant some areas with native vegetation, so the land continues to be an important part of the area’s native vegetation and wildlife corridor.
“We’ll be retaining some trees in an 8 ha plantation section, while other sections with a combined area of about 52 ha will be harvested and rehabilitated, except for corridors where trees will remain as a nature reserve for local wildlife and to create a buffer along the boundaries.”
GV Water said it would work with local authorities to find sustainable community use for the harvested timber.
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