Forestry area
The Mount Pitt Section of Norfolk Island National Park is divided into two sections - the conservation area (369 hectares) and the forestry area (124 hectares).
History of the forestry area
The forestry area was originally cleared for banana plantations during the 1930s but after the collapse of the banana industry, dense thickets of weeds, mainly African olive, took over. The area was included in the then Mount Pitt Reserve as an area reserved for forestry purposes and in 1955 and was declared as a public reserve.
In 1984 the first management plan for the national park, provided for the expansion of Norfolk Island pine plantations into the weed dominated areas at a rate of four hectares per year. The plan also stated that as far as possible, timber sufficient to meet local needs should be grown outside the park.
In addition to plantation areas, the forestry area includes several small areas of remnant native vegetation. In 1994, these areas were surveyed and 'high nature conservation value' areas mapped and recommended for preservation (Davidson, Anderson and Evans 1994). The Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden Management Plan 2008-2018, the current management plan, protects these areas from clearing and requires that weed management be undertaken in and around them.
Access to the forestry area by the community and visitors is limited, however it is used for commercial horse riding and 4WD touring. All activities, including forestry activities (but with the exception of bushwalking), require approval from the Director of National Parks.
Review of the forestry area
During March 2011 a discussion paper on the potential future management of the forestry area was released for public comment. The paper included recommendations to remove the eucalypt plantations, consolidate the pine plantation into the south western corner of the forestry area and to provide greater access to the public for recreation and tourism activities. Feedback on this paper will be reviewed and used in considering the future of the forestry area.
