Stanley & surrounding areas: Operations Update 2023

August 7, 2023

HVP Plantations would like to update the Stanley, Beechworth and Yackandandah communities with the latest information about our forest operations, keeping safe, and recreation. Operational activity across the HVP estate is ongoing, which continues the life cycle of plantations. This includes tree planting, first and second thinnings, fertilising, through to harvest, site preparation and planting new trees. General information about the lifecycle and HVP’s range of operations is available here. Read on for the following:

• Safety
• Operations outlook
• Thinning
• Transport
• Community recreation
• Recreation events

Safety

HVP takes safety seriously, please note the following:

• Worksites are closed (to vehicles, pedestrians, and riders) for the duration of operations. This includes when the crew is not present.
• Worksites are hazardous, and risks to people’s safety are not always obvious.
• Be aware of increased heavy vehicle traffic and machinery. The professional drivers transporting our logs are committed to safely sharing the road with other members of the community.

Thank you for following the directions of all signage and forest operators.

The outlook for the coming months is outlined below.

Harvesting: Thinning & Clearfelling

Thinning operations harvest a selection of trees and encourage strong healthy growth of the remaining crop. Clearfell harvesting of 25-30 year old mature stands is at the end of the rotation, ready for planting following winter.

The timing of the harvesting operations within the Stanley Plantation is dynamic as many factors contribute to when an area can be harvested, including weather conditions, HVP’s customers orders and availability of machinery and personnel.

Locations within the Stanley Plantation that harvest activities will occur include:

• Spot Mill Road, Valley Road, Wooden Gate Road and Hillsborough Road area
• Welch Gate Road, Upper Nine Mile Road, Coghill Road, and Wooden Gate Road area
• Joe Track, Hodge Road and Langshaw Break area
• Yack Gate Road, Oregon Road, and Rawes Track area
• Number 1 Road, Gormans Road, and Wambat Dam Road area
• Kellys Gate Teaze Road and Kellys Gate Elbow Road area
• Rawes Road between Chambeyron Road and Hurdle Flat Road
• Rawes Road Wallaby Road and Twist Creek road area
• Number One Road, Yackandandah side of the Yackandandah Creek
• Circular Creek Road, Bald Hills East Road, Bald Hills West Road

Transport

Our drivers transport logs from worksites to our customers in Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Benalla, and regional NSW to be converted into sawn timber and other building and paper products. Roads that trucks will be entering and exiting the plantations include:

• Wooden Gate Road / Chambeyron Road / Masons Road,
• Hillsborough Road / Mt Stanley Road,
• Number 1 Road / Moyle Road / Kirby Flat Road,
• Red Hill Road (Beechworth)
• Flagstaff Road / Six Mile Road, and
• Bald Hills Road / Circular Creek Road

Community recreation

HVP recognise that many community members have an affinity with our forests, and enjoy walking, running and bike-riding activities throughout the year. Before entering any plantations, please undertake a visitor induction and apply for a Human Powered Pass.

Members of the public are reminded that motorised activities such as four-wheel-driving on firebreaks and motorbike riding and are not authorised on HVP property.

Events

An approved permit is required for any event to access HVP land.  Event operators need to apply for a permit well in advance of any proposed activity (e.g. riding, running, orienteering). Go to the plantation access page for more information on the application process.

For more information

For further information, to provide feedback, or to become a stakeholder, please contact our Myrtleford office: phone (03) 5731 2000; or email HVP via our contact page.