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Managing Director Bob Gordon has welcomed today’s launch of the New Forest Industry Plan by the Forests and Forest Industry Council.

Mr Gordon said the plan would set a new direction for Tasmania’s forest industry, based on increased value added manufacturing as the sector transitions from harvesting mature forests to the use of regrowth native forest and plantation timber.

“Forestry Tasmania contributed to the development of the plan, and fully endorses the objectives it sets.

“Most importantly, it builds on the solid foundation of sustainable forest management already in place in Tasmania, provided by the Regional Forest Agreement, Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement, and certification of our state forests and major privately-owned timber production forests under the independent Australian Forestry Standard.

“It will deliver increased investment and employment opportunities, which will provide direct economic and social benefits to the Tasmanian community.

“Our state’s mix of sustainably managed regrowth native forests and plantations provides us with a significant competitive advantage in what we offer. Our ability to supply both native forest and plantation timbers ensures that we can meet the needs of different markets and end users.

“Plantations will increasingly supply bulk timber needs, as without them, there will be too much pressure on our native forests.

“However, timbers derived from native forest will increasingly become premium products, as Tasmania’s native forests are grown and harvested in a way that mimics their natural cycle of wildfire and regeneration.

“Without native forest harvesting, we would not be able to supply high quality sawlogs or our iconic special species timbers such as myrtle and sassafras.

“Some 4,500 direct jobs in Tasmania would be lost – including staff that provide essential emergency services such as fire fighting.”

Mr Gordon said he was confident FT would meet the challenges set by the plan.

“FT has always been at the forefront of developing new downstream processing opportunities for Tasmania.

“Most notably, through our development of the investment-ready Wood Centre sites, we attracted significant investment by Ta Ann Tasmania in two rotary veneer mills.

“These mills are now processing logs that may otherwise have been exported as woodchips into a valuable structural product for markets in south east Asia.

“This plan sets the right direction for the industry to continue to grow and create meaningful career opportunities for Tasmanians.”

ENDS

For more information:

Tel: 03 6235 8249

www.forestrytas.com.au