But in time, the Panmure Action Group, with help from the wider community, hopes to turn it into a picturesque riverside park for community use.

The 0.8-hectare pine plantation adjoining Mount Emu Creek was harvested about a month ago by Panmure Primary School and is presently full of tree debris and stumps.

School principal Mark Antonio said the plantation had been managed by the school for decades but it was providing little return while adding to the school council’s workload.

Mr Antonio said the school was keen to hand over responsibility for the land to the action group, which plans to turn it into a community area.

Both are now hoping to get help from the wider community to clear the site.

Mr Antonio said if the small school had to pay the cost of clearing and rehabilitating the site, it would leave it with no income from the recent harvest.

Group treasurer David Schwan said it hoped to build walkways through the site to make the area adjoining the town’s swimming hole along the creek more attractive.

“We want to make it better for the community,” Mr Schwan said.

The school has already received support from the Basalt to Bay Landcare Network but is seeking more immediate help to clear the site.

Network facilitator Lisette Mill said it would help the school and group find sponsors and government support for the project.