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Rainforest Riches Byron Bay |
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| It's no secret. Those who buy, sell, protect
or grow rainforest say land values are on a natural high. Words Julie Olsen. Giving the old place a fresh coat of 'rainforest' could be just the thing to boost the value of your property. But the benefits may go much deeper. Right now, across the tired, fragmented landscapes of the north coast, landowners from all walks of life are investing a lot of time, effort and money breathing new life into what used to be the country's largest continuous expanse of lowland subtropical rainforest. While many plan to sell up and reap the financial rewards, a newfound commitment to 'bringing back the forests' has got others smiling for a completely different reason. Thirty years ago, farmer Ken Dory and his family bought some land at Newrybar Swamp to grow sugar. As well as looking after about two hectares of original vegetation, he's been replanting areas with local native species. Macadamias and a three-hectare cabinet timber woodlot have also gone in. But Ken doesn't see his investment as purely financial. "The wildlife is amazing. In the last two months I've seen three species of bird that I never knew existed," said Mr Dory. "My oldest brother who considers me 'a bloody greenie' has made several comments on how good the trees look - that's a big win." "Farmers are realising that the new potential buyers want trees and not paddocks - even the hard core rednecks see that." The greatest transformation, according to Mr Dory, is taking place as more and more city people move in to purchase land in the area. "Ironically, they are one of the greatest hopes for the rainforest, as they have money to use on intensive planting or regeneration projects," he said. "These new owners of smaller properties see the 'dirty gully' in a different way." Famous for its rural beauty, it's hardly surprising that as many as 30% of Byron Shire residents choose to live in rural areas, occupying what was once Australia's largest expanse of lowland subtropical rainforest. Known as the 'Big Scrub', the area encircles Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby. But with only 300 of the original 75 000 hectares of rainforest remaining, nature lovers would argue there is plenty of room for improvement. Surprisingly rich in species, these scattered fragments are home to over 400 different species of trees and shrubs, at least twenty-eight of which could soon be lost forever. Sooty Owls, Little Bentwing Bats and the beautifully - coloured Wompoo Fruit Dove are amongst the twenty-two animal species under threat. Incredibly, despite having lost over 99% of its original vegetation, the area manages to boast the third highest terrestrial ecosystem biodiversity in Australia. Byron Bay Farm Stay owners, Neil and Erica Holland, couldn't imagine life without their patch of rainforest. For them it's a labour of love that has involved keeping weeds out of the remnants and helping local native plants get off to a good start. To help visitors learn about the plants and animals that flourish on the property, species lists and photographs are provided in the farm stay cottages and the couple has even designed their own educational garden. Erica Holland can only guess why her grandfather, a dairy farmer, chose not to clear the pockets of rainforest she now treasures and considers her duty to look after. Prospective land buyers, says Mrs Holland, need good, sound advice when it comes to purchasing a property with rainforest. She draws an important distinction between 'true rainforest' and infestations of camphor laurel, an exotic species which has become a serious environmental weed. "I just don't believe that turning the north coast into a semi mono-culture of camphor laurels is the way to go," says Mrs Holland. "That was our Landcare group's first task - to remove all camphor lauryls and so a lot of properties in our valley have none at all." "But there are literally thousands spreading from everyone else's trees so you have to be vigilant every year", she says. The old saying seems to ring true. If you buy land, you buy a job. Disappointing news, perhaps, for those wanting to make a quick buck from a rainforest makeover. But Kelvin Davies from Rainforest Rescue might argue otherwise. His one-acre investment property at Tintenbar recently sold for $183,000. He bought it less that two years ago for a relative steal at $95,000 and immediately went to work planting two thousand local rainforest trees. "One of the great things about rainforest is that it grows really quickly," said Mr Davies, "But if you're starting out, it pays to get some advice." "Local landcare groups, Land for Wildlife and community-based organisations like Rainforest Rescue have people with a wealth of knowledge and experience who are eager to help." As recently as ten to fifteen years ago, cleared properties in the area sold for a premium. Today the reverse is often true. But assigning dollar values to rainforest is a tricky business and still seems a little 'far-fetched' for some. What they probably don't realise is that the concept of 'rainforest valuations' is already taking off in Western Australia. Specialist "Bush Brokers" as they're called, help: • Potential investors wanting to learn more about the potential of the bushland market, as well as the benefits and responsibilities of owning bushland; • Real estate agents looking to improve their skills in marketing bushland; • Landholders seeking conservation buyers for their land; and • Farmers with land they once expected to clear, now needing to unlock some of the capital held in that land. If it were to start up on the New South Wales' north coast, it's a service that local cabinet timber grower, John Ogilvie, says he'd be keen to use. "It's difficult for someone who is inexperienced to put a dollar value on what a remnant or planting is actually worth," he said. Nevertheless, John Ogilvie is pleased with the result of his property's recent revaluation and like many other growers and protectors of native forest, it's the personal satisfaction that comes from doing something intuitively good that has got this landowner smiling. While it may take more than a growing interest in rainforest values to clear the way for a new, bush broker- style approach to buying and selling local property, Bill Tweedie, a member of Rainforest Rescue and the Wilson Creek Huonbrook Landcare Group, reckons the north coast is almost there. It is hoped that the recent evolution of this new niche market will give rise to a fresh and innovative, entrepreneurial approach to conservation and real estate. Rainforest Rescue is a national, not for profit organisation committed to saving our rainforests for current and future generations. For more information write to Rainforest Rescue, PO Box 1511 Toowong Qld 4066 or email info@rainforestrescue.org.au ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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