As with airlines servicing the island, residents have seen many timber management companies for pines and bluegums.

Many have promised much but not delivered, sometimes due to circumstances beyond their control.

So we welcome Gunns on one level and express our scepticism on the other.

One resident put it that if Gunns cannot make a go of the plantations, then nobody can.

He was referring to their history and experience in the area of plantations and milling.

If that is the case then this could be the last opportunity for Kangaroo Island to see the fruits of our large bluegum venture.

Many of us have heard of Gunns only in light of its recent plans to build a pulp mill at Bell Bay in Tasmania, which has caused a huge outcry from many local residents and businesses and environmental activists from around Australia.

How will they fare on Kangaroo Island?

Time will tell and the tyranny of distance will be the key; transport of timber has been the major stumbling block for more than one business here.

Kangaroo Island’s fortunes on the timber front will be at the mercy of many outside influences – the cost of transport, the price attainable for the finished product and whether our 14,000 hectares is enough to achieve the economies of scale that will be required for successful management and harvesting.