Industry comes together at special species timber roundtable

The Rockliff Liberal Government is continuing its strong support for Tasmania’s forest industry through the Special Species Timber Roundtable. 

Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said that special species timbers are an iconic part of our Tasmanian history, forest industry and economy. 

“Boat builders, furniture makers and other craftspeople turn Tasmania’s special timbers into iconic Tasmanian products,” he said. 

“Yesterday’s roundtable was an opportunity for the Government and representatives from across to the special species timbers supply sector to meet and discuss supply, access and other matters. 

“We know that one of the greatest single impacts to special species supply was the destructive Labor-Green Tasmanian Forest Agreement. This loss of resource was a contributing factor to the Liberal Government developing the Special Species Management Plan.” 

The Plan, which was released in October 2017, provides a management framework for the long-term sustainable harvesting of special species timbers in the state.  

The roundtable enabled key industry stakeholders to raise issues and discuss opportunities as part of the five yearly operational review of the Plan. 

“The discussion was productive and valuable with a number of key themes identified for further consideration,” Minister Ellis said. 

“These include better access to data, improved marketing and the importance of a strategic approach to access and the regulatory framework. I thank roundtable participants for their feedback and look forward to continuing our engagement. 

"Our Government will always work closely with local operators on how we can best support them and build Tasmania's future.” 

Roundtable participants included representatives from the Tasmanian Forest Products Association, the Australian Forest Contractors Association, Sustainable Timber Tasmania and others in the special species timber supply chain.