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The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has welcomed the 2024-25 State Budget handed down by Treasurer Michael Ferguson yesterday, saying it will assist creating thousands of homes and supporting our state’s timber industry. Source: AFPA, Private Forests Tasmania According to TFPA CEO Nick Steel, the budget will deliver homes, with the Tasmanian forestry sector ready to assist. “This budget commits to building many thousands of homes across the state. But to build thousands of homes you’ll need a lot of timber,” Mr Steel said. “Environmentally friendly homes require radiata pine framing and plywood for the substrates, hardwoods for the floors, windows, doors, benchtops and stairs, MDF and chipboard for kitchen/laundry cabinets and wardrobes; and treated pine for the fences and landscaping. That’s without even going into their furniture needs, packing boxes and paper products. “I look forward to working with the Government as they continue to develop the strategy, to ensure that Tasmanian timber is maximised in the new homes – not only for the environment, but also for the thousands of Tasmanians employed in our sustainable forestry industry.” Amongst the other major forestry announcements made in this budget are: • an additional $5 million towards On Island Processing Program grants; • more than $1 million to assist the Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board in delivering its research, marketing, and information-sharing program for Tasmanian timber and its uses; • $100,000 to assess the market for special species timbers; and • $50,000 to scope the feasibility of salvaging Huon pine from other areas of the State. “These announcements give Tasmania’s forestry businesses confidence to continue to invest for their future. Additionally, the increase in funding for on-island processing grants means Tasmanian businesses will be able to do more with our timber on our island,” Mr Steel said. “Processing timber in Tasmania, as opposed to sending it offshore to value add, will deliver more jobs to Tasmanians and make sure more of the benefit from out forestry businesses stays in our state. It’s a win-win for all Tasmanians.” Mr Steel said the TFPA remains committed to working with both sides of Tasmanian politics to ensure our industry remains respected, responsible and renewable. The Budget at a glance: On-Island Processing Program – $1.25 million for one year. This initiative will extend the successful On-Island Processing Program, which commenced in 2021, with the aim of attracting new investment, creating regional jobs and further growing value in Tasmania’s forest and forest products industry. Forest Practices Authority – $1.802m in 2024-25, $1.838m in 2025-26, $1.875m in 2026-27, $1.912 in 2027-28. This payment represents the Government’s contribution to the Forest Practices Authority. The FPA’s key role is as an independent regulator of Tasmania’s forest practices system. The system regulates the management of forest and threatened non-forest vegetation on both public and private land. Private Forests Tasmania – $1.898m in 2024-25, $1.936m in 2025-26, $1.975m in 2026-27, $2.014 in 2027-28. This payment represents the Government’s contribution to Private Forests Tasmania. The role of PFT is to facilitate and expand the development of the private forest resource in Tasmania in a manner that is consistent with sound forest land management practice. Sustainable Timber Tasmania – $8m per year for four years. This provision will ensure that permanent timber production zone land continues to be managed and is accessible and available for multiple uses. It includes funding for maintenance of the forestry road network to allow for continued community, tourism and firefighting access management of public recreation sites, provision of forest education activities, special species timber management and ongoing facilitation of forestry research. Huon Pine Salvage Scoping Study – $50,000 in 2024-25. This initiative will fund a scoping study into the potential for Huon pine to be salvaged in the State, including through heli-harvesting, to ensure a future supply of this rare and iconic timber. – $50,000 Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grants Program – $1m in 2024-25. This initiative will provide funding for the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grant Program, to support Tasmanian manufacturers to become more competitive, resilient, and able to scale up to better compete in global markets. Eligible grant recipients will receive between $10 000 and $100 000 depending on the size of the project and based on a matched contribution for one year. Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan – $633,000 in 2024-25, $1.85m in 2025-26, $1.85m in 2026-27. This initiative will implement a range of actions under the Tasmanian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2028 including grant programs, client engagement and project initiatives supporting the development of Tasmania’s manufacturing sector. Support to Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board – $192,000 per year for four years. This initiative will assist the Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board in delivery of its research, marketing, and information sharing program for Tasmanian timber and its uses. Rural Business Tasmania – $99,000 in 2024-25, $98,000 in 2025-26, $98,000 in 2026-27. This initiative will provide grant funding to Rural Business Tasmania to establish a Mentoring Program to enable current industry leaders to pass on skills to future leaders of the agricultural sector. Forest Policy – 5.286m in 2024-25, 5.066m in 2025-26, $2.602m in 2026-27, $1.357m in 2027-28. This Output provides high level support on forestry resource policy and management issues including strategic policy projects and program delivery relating to the forest and forest products industry and the land it manages. It has a focus on forest policy projects of strategic importance as well as delivery of specific programs to assist the development and growth of the forest and forest products industry.