BEEKEEPERS have paid up to $3500 for highly sought after locations on the NSW South Coast during an online auction of Forestry Corporation of NSW's vacant apiary sites, conducted by AuctionsPlus today.
All 24 vacant apiary sites offered were sold, reaching a top of $3500 and averaging $1311.33.
Three sites sold for more than $3000. The second highest price was $3499 and $3199 was third highest.
Four sites sold above $2000 and five of the sites sold above $1000.
This was the the Forestry Corporation's first auction of vacant bee sites.
Beekeepers use sites within State Forests to access pollen and nectar from the forests and nearby lands. They are also used to maintain or rebuild hives over winter.
The Corporation issues permits for use of its sites, which carries a fee of about $90 a year.
The Land received feeedback from beekeepers who said they are concerned by the high prices reached at today's auction.
In an article published in The Land on April 16, NSW Apiarists' Association president Casey Cooper said the decision by the corporation would destabilise the industry.
"The industry has suffered from low honey prices and the ongoing impact of drought during the last decade," he said.
Beekeepers are worried that the Corporation would auction its remaining vacant sites in other parts of the State, however Forestry Corporation have denied this claim.
