Since the end of August, the project manager PF Olsen Australia, has reviewed the responses received to the Preliminary Draft of the revised Forest Safety Code (Tasmania).

To date, forty-two people registered an interest in the review and of these 17 responded to the online surveys providing useful feedback.  A further 9 people submitted marked up copies of the Preliminary Draft with suggested changes.

Overall, the feedback has been positive.  The main concerns raised relate to the wordiness of the new document and the formality of the document.  To address this a professional editor has been engaged to edit the next draft before consultation and a professional graphic designed will layout the next draft. Some contractors have raised concerns that they were unable to access the document online.  The Project Team is following these contractors up individually.

A guide to buying plantation species seedlings

On the 2nd of September, Private Forest Tasmania (PFT) hosted another virtual webinar in response to stakeholder feedback to ensure continued communications with stakeholders during the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The Webinar recording and presentation documents are now available for viewing here.

Media Release, 31 August 2020

The professional association representing some 1,000 forest scientists, researchers and professional forest land managers will be seeking an apology from the University of Tasmania after a paper suggesting forestry harvesting activities make forests more bushfire prone was withdrawn by the journal Fire due to a number of errors.

The paper Propensities of Old Growth, Mature and Regrowth Wet Eucalypt Forest, and Eucalyptus nitens Plantation, to Burn during Wildfire and Suffer Fire – Induced Crown Death by UTas academics Suyanti Winto-Lewin, Jennifer Sanger and James Kirkpatrick was retracted on 27 August.

14 August 2020 - Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Trade

Tasmanian industry associations and regional organisations will have the opportunity to support Tasmanian businesses to team up to find, build and grow export markets through the new Tasmanian Trade Alliance Program.

Grants of up to $25 000 are now available to help undertake collaborative projects across the state and our industries, to build on their competitive advantage and develop solutions to trade and export challenges.

Forming trade alliances helps strengthen both the reach and reputation of local businesses and the recognition of Tasmanian goods and services more generally.

13 August 2020 - Mark Shelton, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management

Tasmanian landholders will be better able to manage bushfire risk on their property with the launch of the expanded Red Hot Tips program as part of the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to keeping Tasmanians safe.

The Program will create a greater understanding of bushfire risk and provide landholders with more access to advice which will increase their capability to manage longer term risk.

Many private landowners have expressed a strong interest in using trees to reduce climate impacts by sequestering more carbon. Co-incidentally this carbon investment will increase the economic return from trees on farms which adds to a myriad of other benefits. PFT have been negotiating with various carbon investors and as a result developed relationships with a number of these including; Corporate Carbon Advisory/Climate Friendly, WeAct and Greenfleet.  These investors have stated their willingness to work with tree growers in Tasmania although PFT will continue to seek others and will post their credentials in due course.

Molly Daskey-Willis has recently accepted an appointment to the role of Agriforester within Private Forests Tasmania (PFT). This role will see Molly assisting PFT in delivering its new strategic plan, particularly its goals to work creatively with stakeholders to expand private forestry and to communicate the benefits of wood.  Molly will be engaging and working with rural landowners, industrial and non-industrial forest growers and managers, as well as service providers and investors to assist them in accessing relevant information regarding private forestry. This will also involve Molly engaging with stakeholders through social media platforms to help demonstrate the benefits of planting trees in the right place.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises that the forestry sector will be a leader in our state’s recovery from COVID-19.

Which is why the Government has announced we will be providing an additional $20 million to help small businesses through the challenges of COVID-19.

This brings our support for small business to $80 million, forming a significant component of our nation-leading COVID-support package.

Private Forests Tasmania is leading a project that will see 212 hectares of trees planted on farms across Tasmania in the next twelve months. The project is co-funded by Private Forests Tasmania, the federal government (through the Smart Farming Grant) and primary producers, seeking to develop a landscape-scale best practice integration of shelterbelts and woodlots into the Tasmanian agricultural landscape.

Private Forests Tasmania called for expressions of interest from Tasmanian primary producers to join the project. Applications were received from 17 farms across Tasmania, which were assessed against twenty selection criteria.

The successful applicants will receive assistance totalling over $600,000 for activities that establish significant farm scale best practice integration of shelterbelts and woodlots into the agricultural landscape; and demonstrate the multiple benefits of trees on farms.

During the first half of 2020 Forico’s overseas customers had indicated their forecast of slightly reduced but still strong woodchip purchases for H2 July to December.

The forecast sales were around 800,000 green metric tonnes (gmt) of Eucalyptus nitens woodchips.

Unexpectedly during June our customers advised of the deferral of two vessels from H2 into 2021,  and the cancellation of another 6 vessels.  In total more than 400,000 gmt of woodchips were not required in H2.

15 July 2020 - Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is the strongest support of our forestry sector and we are committed to protecting and building this industry as the economy recovers.

COVID-19 has created significant challenges for many industries, including forestry, and today I met with industry representatives to discuss these issues in a Forestry Roundtable.

Glue laminated timber, commonly known as ‘glulam’, is a highly attractive, versatile structural solution for architects and structural engineers thanks to its ability to achieve long spans and curves, without compromising strength or aesthetic qualities. Currently, most glulam elements and other engineered wood products worldwide are made using softwoods, like Pinus radiata, however the research team at the University of Tasmania’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) is currently developing glulam for structural applications using Tasmania’s abundant, plantation hardwood resource.

The Directory of Tasmanian Forestry Services is a listing of contacts required to grow, manage, harvest and sell trees in Tasmania. The Directory lists forestry service providers over a range of categories such as harvesting and haulage contractors, nurseries, silvicultural contractors, forest management services, equipment, primary wood processing businesses and more.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has released 'Australia's forests and forestry glossary', a stand-alone publication, developed from the glossary published in Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018.  It is intended to serve as a comprehensive and authoriative reference for the interpretation and use of forests and forestry terms at the national level in Australia, by bringing together a common set of terms with consistent definitions.

The Northern Tasmania Forestry Hub is pleased to share that it has appointed leading Australian industry experts to undertake a strategic assessment of the key factors impacting the forestry sector in order to identify opportunities for growth and progress into the future.

Timber durability is generally rated by its resistance to fungal decay and insect attack and is a key factor for market acceptance of new building products. Researchers at the University of Tasmania are currently investigating various aspects of the durability of plantation, regenerated and regrowth Eucalyptus species.

Private forests are the dominant source of forest products, providing more than half of Tasmania’s annual wood harvest. The bulk of that supply comes from private plantations, managed largely for wood fibre production and export. The future growth potential for wood resource in Tasmania is likely limited to rural private properties but is nevertheless significant. With the global demand for timber expected to quadruple by 2050, every hectare of land counts. Private Forests Tasmania will be releasing a Matching Project, aiming to connect investors with farmers and landowners to create not only a win for each party, but our environment as we try and help reach our nation’s objective of 1 billion trees planted by 2030.

There is a global shortage of timber, and farmers are the key to delivering the commercially viable resource of the future. In fact, the global demand for timber is expected to quadruple by 2050 (The World Bank, 2016). Within Australia 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.  In Tasmania, research into plantation grown hardwood is now coming to fruition with new high-value products close to hitting the marketplace.  Technology is also unlocking new uses for materials derived from trees, like ‘green’ chemicals and biofuel.  Providing enough timber and fibre to meet this increased demand presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Farmers are in the box seat to capitalise on this opportunity –there has never been a better time to plant trees

By 2050 the human population is forecast to expand from 7.5 to 9.6 billion people. We will require 70% more food (United Nations), 50% more fuel (International Energy Agency), and 50% more water (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). We also need to reduce CO² emissions by over 80% (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). All of these will have to be achieved to ensure economic, social, political, climate, food, water and fuel security (Institute for Molecular Bioscience 2019). There’s no silver bullet, but there is one thing that can deliver increased primary production productivity while simultaneously delivering biofuel, improving water quality and efficiency, and improving the carbon balance - Trees.

Trees are the ultimate renewable.

Penny Wells, Chief Executive Officer of Private Forests Tasmania, explains.

The Tasmanian Government has released the COVID Safe Workplace Guidelines for the Forestry Industry (the Guidelines).  The Guidelines set out what employers should do as they continue, or seek to resume, business operations.  By following these Guidelines, workplaces will be able to show their compliance with minimum standards determined by Public Health, and with the requirments of the Work Health and Safety Act.  This will  help keep workers and other safe from COVID-19.

The Directory of Tasmanian Forestry Services is a listing of the contacts required to grow, manage, harvest and sell trees in Tasmania. From agricultural contractors, to carbon project managers, plantation insurance providers to timber brokers – this directory will help you grow the future with trees.

The Tasmanian Forest Industry has today released a document of recommended practices to help the industry to continue to operate safely as COVID-19 restrictions ease. The 45-page document “COVID-19 Recommended Practices for Tasmanian Forest Industry Operations” was created as a collaboration between industry stakeholders in Tasmania, on the Mainland and abroad.

The Tasmanian Forest Industry has released a four-part video series to support mental health and wellbeing within the industry through COVID-19. The videos were created as a collaboration between eight industry organisations and supported by the Tasmanian Government.

Update from State Fire Management Council. Minister Shelton, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, has announced the enhanced Red Hot Tips Program.  Red Hot Tips aims to educate, engage, and support farmers and rural landholders to actively manage their bushfire risk, while encouraging collaborative, practical vegetation fire management and ecological sustainability.

As we continue to see the impacts of COVID-19 across the forestry sector, many aspects of our lives and jobs are put on pause as we take a considered approach on the best path forward. Despite this global pandemic, it is crucial that our industry continues during this time to help deliver the products our society demands and to ensure our economy can progress. The global demand for timber is still expected to quadruple by 2050, and while the demand for some products may have temporarily slowed down, the demand for other wood products has risen.

Rob offers his expertise to advance Tasmania and help the planet at the same time

Originally from Wales, UK Rob has been a Private Forest Advisor with PFT for the last 15 years. Bringing his passion for forests and the outdoors to PFT, Rob was in similar roles in South Queensland, Northern New South Wales and before that, across the UK. Combining his extensive knowledge in forestry, his love for the outdoors and eagerness to help farmers and landowners, Rob’s enthusiasm for the message he has around planting trees is encouraging for landowners and the natural environment.

In order to ensure the revised Tasmanian Forest Safety Code continues to be relevant to the Tasmanian Forest Industry PF Olsen Australia is seeking your input.  Over the next six months sections of the 2007 Code will be progressively reviewed and updated.

The Tasmanian Government recognises that forestry is a cornerstone of our economy and has a key role to play in our plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania.

Our key production and export sectors including forestry, agriculture, renewable energy, mining and minerals have never been more important. These key industries provide thousands of jobs, inject billions into the Tasmanian economy and supports rural and regional communities.

Senior Private Forest Advisor Stephen Clarke is a professional Forester (BScFor (Stell) MBA MIFA RPF) with extensive experience. Zimbabwean born, Stephen studied forestry at the University of Stellenbosch, before working in New Zealand and now Tasmania. During his career, Stephen has gained considerable experience and expertise in integrated management systems and certification, tactical and operational planning, logistics, industrial engineering, nursery, establishment, maintenance, harvesting, transport, fire protection, natural ecosystem maintenance and enhancement, general estate management and security. The key take away from all his experience? The best time to plant trees was yesterday.

The Tasmanian Government is committed to protecting and building the forestry sector, recognising it is vital employer in many regional communities.

Despite the extraordinary challenge of COVID-19, the forestry industry has proactively adapted to continue working. Having adopted appropriate social distancing and good hygiene practices, the forestry industry is a very good example of businesses and people making adjustments so they can continue to work safely during this time.

Thanks to the dedication and commitment of businesses and employees, the forestry sector will be a key leader in the recovery and rebuilding phase for the Tasmanian economy, driving investment and providing thousands of jobs, many in regional areas.

On behalf of the Tasmanian forest industry and the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN) bushfire working group, Private Forests Tasmania lodged a joint submission to the Royal Commission into National Disaster Arrangements regarding the Tasmanian bushfire enquiry in 2019.

North West Tasmania has been declared a COVID-19 hot spot requiring a regional lock down with many families and businesses impacted.

It is our understanding the forestry businesses continue to operate in the North West and that the lock down has not interrupted forestry supply chains, however there will no doubt be individual forest workers who have been personally affected by the new quarantine restrictions.

An overview of the current situation for private forestry in Tasmania as at 15 April 2020.

NW Tasmania: Forestry supply chains are still flowing but some individual forest workers have been impacted by quarantine restrictions.

Whole log exports:

During these unprecedented times, we want to understand how best to help you.  We want to understand how you are being affected by COVID-19 and what your immediate and short-term needs are.  We also need to provide information to government about safety measures implemented throughout the forest sector, so that informed decisions for the safety of the community can be made.  Responses to our Tasmanian Farmers Coronavirus survey indicate one clear message.  Landowners are crying out for more market information!

Private Forests Tasmania is ramping up for the next five yearly review of private forests in Tasmania.  Our project leader, David Bower, will be making contact with industry stakeholders to assist in scoping the review.  We want to make sure the review ultimately provides data and information that is useful particularly for industry and government in future decision making for potential investors in the private forest resource, as well as other industry stakeholders.

Autumn is the perfect time for fuel reduction burning.  The fuel on the ground is at its driest which reduces smoke from the fire.  The Tasmanian Fire Service (TFS) provides useful information on their website.

Private Forests Tasmania continues to operate at full capacity during the COVID-19 crisis, with staff working from home offices  around the State.

We are not making farm visits and all events have been cancelled, but we are working on strategies to provide increased support to farmers and our stakeholders through digital channels.  We have introduced a weekly e-bulletin to keep you up to date with the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation as it relates to the forestry sector.

In December 2019 PFT sought quotations from a number of consultants to perform the Tasmanian Forest Safety Code Review.  The five quotes received were subjected to a screening process by a selection sub-committee of the Safety Code Review Steering Committee taking into consideration price, experience, previous performance, capability, conformity with the requirements of the Request for Quotation process and relevant PFT policies. Consequently, the selection sub-committee was pleased to make a recommendation to the Steering Committee that PF Olsen (Aus) Pty Limited was the preferred consultant.  PF Olsen have now been appointed as the successful consultant for the Forest Safety Code Review.

If your business is impacted by the coronavirus you are encouraged to contact Business Tasmania Hotline on 1800 440 026.

This will allow Business Tasmania to discuss available support, and contact as further support packages become available. It will also assist Business Tasmania to understand the scale of the impact on business.  This factsheet also provides a list of dedicated hotlines for other matters (eg health concerns).

David has recently joined us for twelve months to manage our Private Forest Investment Project. The project has been identified as a priority in PFT’s Corporate Plan to assist with engaging with and supporting farmers involved or interested in farm forestry. The primary objective of the project is to identify and develop a suite of practical financial mechanisms that could most cost effectively expand farm forestry in Tasmania, including by potentially matching corporate investment opportunities with potential private forest landowners.

Neha has recently accepted an appointment to the role of Business Support Officer at Private Forests Tasmania. In her previous role at a utility company, Neha was involved in project management, stakeholder relations, community engagement, process mapping and continuous improvement projects. She also has a diverse experience of 13 years across different sectors, such as telecommunication, media, consulting and aviation. In the various roles that Neha has worked in thus far, she has been involved in customer relations, contract management and event management.

Applications Open!

Tasmania’s forestry contractors can now apply for funding to improve their business practices under the $500 000 Forestry Contractor Resilience Program, which is being delivered through Rural Business Tasmania.

Under the program, Tasmanian forestry harvest and haulage contractors have the opportunity to work with specialists in business and financial management to identify future opportunities and build stability and resilience into their operations.

On Wednesday, 31 July 2019, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on supporting Australia's exports and attracting investment.

The Committee invites submissions addressing any or all of the terms of reference for the inquiry; and is seeking special focus on new and rapidly growing areas of export.

The Tasmanian Forest Industry Fire Management Committee (FIFMC) have developed procedures for forest operations to minimise the incidence of wildfire.  It outlines minimum fire equipment requirements for forest operations and procedures to follow to reduce the risk of fire.  Documents include Procedures for fire prevention at forest operations and audit form.

The inaugural Tasmanian Timber awards dinner was held at the Tailrace Centre, Launceston on the 9^th August 2019 and was supported by over 300 industry representatives. The evening provided an opportunity to recognise Tasmanian timber businesses and individual from across the state with 13 categories and 40 finalists.

Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) sponsored the Tree Farmer of the Year Award, and PFTs CEO, Penny Wells was awarded Outstanding Contribution to the Timber Industry (female) award.

California redwoods grow high value timber and create shelter for stock and pasture growth on steep, rocky land in NW Tasmania.

Private Forests Tasmania held a successful Private Forestry Forum at the Devonport Surf Life Saving Club on 3 July 2019 which was well supported by 75 attendees.

A summary of the evening has been made available.

The Tasmanian Forest Manager's Good Neighbour Protocol was launched at Agfest on 3rd May 2019.

Forest managers understand that the way we manage our forests can impact our neighbours and this Protocol provides a framework for neighbouring landholders to manage shared responsibilities.

PFT welcomes Stephen Clarke to our team.

Having recently accepted an appointment to the role of Senior Private Forest Advisor effective 29 April 2019, I take this opportunity to introduce myself.  Having interacted with many of you during the 18 years I have been involved in various aspects of the Tasmanian forestry industry, I look forward to ongoing cordial and productive engagement with you towards our common goal.

The CEO of Private Forests Tasmania, Penny Wells, recently participated in the Premier’s Trade Mission to Japan, in March 2019.  One of the main items of focus for the Trade Mission was the resources sector – including forestry, mining and bioenergy.

Private Forests Tasmania will assist private forest growers affected by the 2019 wildfires by providing a rebate for the private forest service levy (the levy), where the levy has been paid following timber harvesting operations in 2019 fire impacted forest areas.

Updated data 7 March 2019

Unless the fires flare up again, this will be our final update on areas of the private forest estate burnt.

The 2019 bush fires in Tasmania are having a significant effect on the forest industry.  Below is a description of the area of privately owned or managed forests effected by the fires as mapped by the Tasmanian Fire Service (TFS).  Please check back regularly as this information will continue to be updated as it becomes available.

Private Forests Tasmania can assist private forest owners determine how to respond to the bushfires by linking them with the information and assistance required.  Please contact us at admin@pft.tas.gov.au.

The Tasmanian Government has established a Bushfire Recovery Taskforce to oversee the medium and long term recovery from the current bushfires.  The Taskforce can be contacted on 1800 567 567 or recovery@dpac.tas.gov.au.

If your business has been impacted by the fires you can also call Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026 to register your details to keep informed of assistance provided by government.

Please keep up-to-date with bushfires within your area by visiting the Tasmanian Fire Service website www.fire.tas.gov.au or the TasALERT website www.alert.tas.gov.au and call 000 in an emergency.

4 March 2019 - Sarah Courtney, Minister for Resources

The Hodgman Liberal Government supports the forestry industry as a foundation of the Tasmanian economy and employer of more than 5700 people.

Today I have announced an initial package of strategic infrastructure measures that will support the sustainability of our Southern production forests. This has been informed by the work of forest industry leader, Evan Rolley.

The Tasmanian Government has announced new grant programs to support local businesses affected by bushfires.

Small businesses in the Huon Valley, Central Highlands, West Coast, and Derwent Valley areas have been hard hit by the recent fires. They can now apply for Bushfire Small Business Disruption Grants of up to $2,000 where they have experienced a significant disruption to their business as a result of the recent bushfire.

Private Forests Tasmania can facilitate private forest owners effected by bushfire to access information and expertise. Please contact PFT for assistance admin@pft.tas.gov.au (www.pft.tas.gov.au)

WeAct Pty Ltd provide a potential opportunity to enter the carbon market and receive carbon credits which can be turned into $$ for aspects of plantation management.

Tasmanian agricultural stakeholders visit one of four experimental sites at Cressy to gain a better understanding of the benefits of planting trees on farming properties for timber production.

The Examiner Newspaper, 1 November 2017.

The State Fire Management Council has developed a handy guide for farmers wishing to conduct planned burns on their properties.  Planned Burning for Landholders and Farmers was launched at Agfest and aims to provide private landholders with the useful information, tools and checklists to assist when undertaking planned burning on their properties.