ITC says no significant damage to Esperance plantations

As you may be aware, Esperance received the brunt of an intense low pressure system, caused by Cyclone Isobel, last Thursday night (4 January 2007). Wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour and some 230mm of rainfall were recorded in a 48 hour period.

An initial survey of ITC plantations in the Esperance region has indicated that there are currently no signs of significant damage to the estate. This survey was conducted on a sample of the estate to allow for a general overview of a large number of properties.

All ITC staff are safe with no reported damage to any buildings or infrastructure.

Whilst the odd tree has blown over and there are some local areas of damage where pine tree shelterbelts have blown over flattening small areas of trees, there are no reports of widespread wind throw or other plantation damage.

In the first 24 hours of the storm, approximately 60mm of rain fell, delivering a good even soaking to ITC's trees in the region. A further 160mm fell in the subsequent 24 hours, which resulted in some localised flooding and the closing of all gravel roads in the shires.

There is water lying in many paddocks and across some parts of plantations, however this is generally not at a level to have a material impact. Indeed, we expect this water to benefit the estate over coming months.