Active management of private native forests to support construction industry

Growing Tasmania’s sustainable forest sector is a key commitment of the Rockliff Liberal Government. 

Alongside our world class public forest estate, Tasmania’s private native forestry sector plays an increasingly important role in increasing wood supply and supporting downstream processing. 

This important and emerging sector is set to grow with a new suite of education and communication materials launched today focused on encouraging landowners to actively manage their private native regrowth forest resources. 

The information package includes an extensive guide to managing private native forest operations, videos, case studies and factsheets. 

Resources Minister Felix Ellis said private native regrowth forests can be actively managed to contribute significantly to Australia’s shortage of construction-quality wood. 

“There are more than 300,000 hectares of private native forests in Tasmania that can be managed sustainably to produce timber and other benefits.” 

“With our changing climate and an expanding bioeconomy, well-planned management can also boost the health and resilience of these forests and assist with bushfire management, while generating income, sequestering carbon and delivering other ecosystem benefits such as healthy wildlife habitat,” he said. 

“We have a global shortage of timber and demand is set to quadruple by 2050. 

“Within Australia that demand is being driven by the home building market and the desire to replace carbon-intensive materials and plastics with natural, recyclable and renewable products. It is estimated that we will need 2 billion square metres of new building stock every year between 2020 and 2025, especially for housing.” 

“From an economic viewpoint, management of private native regrowth forests provides revenue from wood products to individual landowners. 

“I commend Private Forests Tasmania on this initiative and encourage landowners to contact PFT's Tree Alliance helpline on 1300 661 009 or visit www.treealliance.com.au