As receivers and managers of the Gunns group of companies, Mr Bryan Webster and Mr Mark Korda of
KordaMentha, are today commencing an expression of interest (EOI) process for the Tasmanian forestry
assets controlled by the group.
The assets include 175,680 hectares of freehold land and road infrastructure, 96,850 hectares of premium
hardwood and softwood plantations, a fully operational forestry services business that employs and contracts
over 150 people and the opportunity to develop the proposed Bell Bay pulp mill.
Gunns was placed into administration on 25 September 2012. Mr Webster and Mr Korda were subsequently
appointed as receivers and managers by Gunns’ secured lenders.
Mr Webster said the sale was an excellent opportunity for interested parties to acquire a globally-significant,
renewable plantation fibre resource together with associated infrastructure and the opportunity to develop a
pulp mill. The assets are well positioned to meet growing Asian woodchip and pulp demand.
“We believe there is significant value in the assets and to date there has been considerable interest in the
various assets that are the subject of the EOI process” he said.
“We expect to understand the level of genuine interest in continuing the existing seed-to-port plantation
woodchip business and/or development of the pulp mill opportunity once EOI’s are received.”
The plantation and landholding assets divestment is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
EOI’s are due by the end of the year.
Fact sheet
EOI Process for the Tasmanian Assets of Gunns Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (In Liquidation) (Gunns Group)
Listing of major assets
The assets we are seeking expressions of interest for include freehold land, plantations, a forestry services business, and a pulp mill project opportunity.
Freehold land estate
175,680 gross hectares of freehold land (incorporating the plantation estate detailed below), primarily situated in Northern Tasmania; including access to 2,300 kilometres of road.
Plantations estate
96,850 hectares of premium quality hardwood Eucalyptus and 3,780 hectares of premium quality softwood Pinus radiata plantations.
An established, skilled forestry services business.
A highly skilled forestry management business including vertically integrated processing assets and established woodchip markets. Processing and operating assets include:
– Tamar Woodchip Mills
– Hampshire Woodchip Mill
– Leasehold interest in the Burnie Port facility
– Somerset Nursery operations, and
– Ridgley office and fibre technology processing laboratory.
A ‘ready to build’ pulp mill project with access to the Asian market.
– A 1.3 million ADt/annum, plantation fibre pulp mill project, including:
– State and Federal Government permits
– 650 ha project site with direct access to a sea port and essential infrastructure
– Extensive project design and site preparation work completed, and
– Carbon positive design.
Korda Mentha
