Forest Products Industry

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is strongly supporting Tasmanian forestry jobs by streamlining processes and cutting red tape. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the passage of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2023 in the House of Assembly was an important step forward. “The Bill will see greater jobs security and a potentially bigger forest estate by removing the requirement for the private forest service levy to be paid on first rotations on areas of previously cleared land,” Minister Abetz said. “To further assist jobs, landholders and industry, the Bill enables a more streamlined application process for minor boundary changes to private timber reserves, reducing administrative costs and time. “Further, the Bill will see the Board of Private Forests Tasmania given powers to waive the private forest service levy under special circumstances. This will include situations where private forests are impacted by flood or fire. “The sector was closely consulted during the review process, with public consultation also taking place. I thank Private Forests Tasmania for their efforts in helping progress these reforms. “The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future reiterates support for a sustainable, renewable, job-rich and world-leading forestry industry and we will ensure Tasmania’s world-class forest management framework remains at the cutting edge and fit for purpose.”

The Tasmanian Government welcomes the appointment of Minister Julie Collins to the portfolio of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Minister Collins now holds the pen on some of the most critically important industries to Tasmania’s economic prosperity. Source: Timberbiz Tasmania’s agricultural, fishery and forestry industries are the backbone of our economy and way of life and play a key part in the Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. Tasmanian Government Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, welcomed the move to have a Tasmanian representing the agriculture sector in the Federal Parliament. “Minister Collins has a real opportunity to stand up for Tasmanians in these important areas, and I look forward to working productively with Minister Collins to get the best outcomes for Tasmania’s farmers,” Minister Howlett said. “One of the first decisions Minister Collins must make is to immediately scrap the flawed biosecurity protection levy bill. “The Federal Government also needs to immediately fund its share of the Greater South-East Irrigation Scheme so that the project can be delivered. “I also call on Minister Collins to help fight for an expansion to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) to help reduce the cost of freight for fodder and feed for all of Tasmania, as many Tasmanian farmers battle through heartbreaking drought conditions. “Unlike farmers on the mainland, Tasmanians don’t have road and rail options to secure the additional feed and fodder they need to ensure positive animal welfare outcomes and the existing level of TFES support per freight unit has simply not kept pace with the significant increase in costs in recent years.” Tasmanian Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the new Federal Minister for Fisheries and Forestry must stand firm on backing Tasmanian jobs which drive our regional economies, and immediately secure the future of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. “Thousands of Tasmanians are employed across these critical industries, and we welcome having a Tasmanian Minister who knows first-hand how important it is to provide certainty and stability to these industries, jobs, and our State’s economy,” Minister Abetz said. “I am confident that Minister Collins will stand up for our sustainable primary industries and the unique natural environments in which they operate – not sacrificing either for the sake of the other. “I look forward to her proactive engagement and action in championing these sustainable industry sectors with her parliamentary colleagues.” The Tasmanian Government looks forward to working with Minister Collins to deliver important support and reforms to Tasmanian industries that are in the best interests of all Tasmanians.

The Australian Forest Contractors Association has congratulated Julie Collins and Senator Anthony Chisholm on their appointments as Minister and Assistant Minister respectively for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio. Source: Timberbiz AFCA also thanks Senator Murray Watt for his efforts in the portfolio and in delivering several important initiatives for the forestry sector as part of the Albanese Labor Government. “As Housing Minister and a proud Tasmanian, Minister Collins will know the importance of forestry and forest products to the economy and our communities,” AFCA General Manager Tim Lester said. “Forest contracting businesses provide an essential operations and workforce for Australia’s $24 billion forestry sector. Having government policies and regulations at Federal and State levels that support our sustainable, renewable and productive sector is a must. “Across the hardwood and softwood estates forestry is a ‘yes and’ activity. Yes to regeneration, yes to renewability, yes to carbon sequestration, yes to effective landscape and environmental management and yes to quality jobs in rural and regional areas. “With AFCA’s JAS-ANZ endorsed ForestFit Standard and certification scheme, Australians can have confidence that our forestry operations are being conducted at the highest levels of environmental and safety performance. “We look forward to working with Minister Collins and Assistant Minister Chisholm on the positive role being played by forest contracting businesses and the opportunities that are ahead of us,” Mr Lester said.

Forestry Australia is leading an Australian initiative to expand Australia’s carbon credits across all native forest tenures, including State forests, private native forests, forests managed by Traditional Owners, national parks and conservation reserves. Source: Timberbiz The Forestry Australia ‘Enhancing Native Forest Resilience’ proposal is a forest-sector-led submission to the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee EOI process for Australian Carbon Credits Units (ACCU) Scheme methods. This innovative model is based on a growing body of published work that shows forests that are actively managed can have greater carbon potential. Under this method, active management means deliberate human care of forests through implementing practices to restore and improve carbon, forest health and resilience outcomes. Forestry Australia President Michelle Freeman said there were huge untapped opportunities. “There is a growing body of published work that shows our forests are not only more resilient if they are actively managed, but they can deliver greater carbon abatement benefits,” Dr Freeman said. “Our proposed new Enhancing Native Forest Resilience method is specifically focussed on unlocking the carbon potential across all types of native forests – when they remain forest land. “This would provide additional revenue streams for our national parks, state forests and private forests, specifically to support more investment in ecologically sustainable forest management, thereby enhancing landscape resilience, biodiversity and social outcomes from our forests. “It would maximise carbon market opportunities to more landowners, from state government agencies managing state forests and national parks, as well as community groups, not-for-profits, private land owners and First Nations Peoples.” This alternate approach to carbon credits will incentivise investment in the resilience and ecologically sustainable management of Australia’s native forests, while also allowing for continuing supply of locally and sustainably sourced timber and wood products – unlocking greater opportunities for Australia to meet its Paris Targets. “Our approach is more nuanced than approaches that entertain only one option for improving forest carbon outcomes,” Dr Freeman said. “This method recognises that the problem and solution requires a more holistic approach, it’s based on considering and providing options for applying a broader range of different forest management tools in the toolkit. “If we extend the potential options for earning carbon credits, we not only generate extra eligible carbon abatement opportunities for Australia, but we also enhance the resilience and ecological values of the Australian forest landscape while continuing to supply local high quality wood products from areas where that is appropriate, it’s a win-win-win. “Active management can also support sustainable livelihoods for regional communities and open up options for self-determination by land holders and managers to achieve the best possible and holistic outcomes. The proposed project activities under Enhancing Native Forest method can be grouped into three groups: Restorative forestry practices: projects that restore ecological health and carbon through forest restoration and regenerative forestry practices where forests have been degraded by wildfires, pest and diseases, or other significant disturbances. Adaptive harvesting practices: projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve carbon storage in forests currently available for timber harvesting, while allowing for a level of ongoing supply of wood products, by altering timber harvesting approaches or resting areas from harvest. Improved utilisation of harvested wood products: projects that improve carbon storage in wood products by shifting the production of lower grade logs for short-lived wood products into higher grade logs and long-lived wood products. Forestry Australia is pleased to have this opportunity to contribute directly to the further development and growth of the ACCU Scheme in Australia, and to present a proposal to the Australian Government that highlights the importance of supporting ecologically sustainable forest management for all native forests, especially in the face of increasing threats from wildfires, invasive pest species and other factors exacerbated by climate change.