The former woodchip mill at Triabunna returns to nature after extensive revegetation program

It spent decades shredding Tasmanian trees into small chips, but now the former woodchip mill site at Triabunna has undergone a complete role reversal.

• Final report out on ‘sorry saga’ of Triabunna woodchip mill sale
• Spring Bay Mill is selling its garden produce to the people

AN East Coast site previously centred on breaking down the environment has been turned on its head to begin its journey to become a botanical garden for rare and threatened species and native plants of Tasmania.

The 42ha former wood chip mill site at Triabunna was controversially acquired and permanently retired as a forestry operation by Wotif founder Grame Wood in 2011.

For the past two years, horticulturalist Marcus Ragus has been regenerating and designing the living environment at the extensive Spring Bay Mill site.

Mr Ragus has 44 years experience in the horticultural industry and was previously a manager at the Royal Tasmania Botanic Gardens.

The Spring Bay Mill site has undergone extensive vegetation rehabilitation over the past two years.

Mr Ragus said it was the creativity and energy of the staff that made him want to join the mill team.

The revitalisation of the site was not just about standard revegetation, he said.

“It will become somewhat of a botanic gardens for rare and threatened species and native plants of Tasmania in particular,” Mr Ragus said.

“One of the biggest developments will be the old woodchip mound conversion into the largest amphitheatre in Tasmania. In and around it, we’re developing a landscape known as an aeolian landscape – which means windswept – it’s made up on mounds that are designed so it would appear from a distance as one large native grassland, but essentially you can walk into it and find spaces to sit and get out of the wind.”

Horticulturist Marcus Ragus is excited about the upcoming festival at the Spring Bay Mill site. Picture: Eddie Safarik

The site will be open to public next Saturday from 10am to 5pm for the second annual Sunflower Celebration festival.

Features will include organic garden tours with Mr Ragus, honey tasting from the onsite hives, flower arranging and edible bouquets sessions, plus children’s activities such as rock painting, scarecrow making and worm tower painting.

Local gardening guru Tino Carnevale and Angus Stewart will also be filming a segment for ABC TV’s Gardening Australia.

Live music includes Emily Sanzaro with her experimental repertoire of harp and violin improvisations. Food and drinks will also be available, with festival tickets starting from $25. More details at www.springbaymill.com

Originally published as The former woodchip mill at Triabunna returns to nature after extensive revegetation program