Eric Abetz
Sustainable Timber Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government have defended the native timber industry in the wake of rallies at the weekend calling for an end to the industry. Source: Timberbiz
The rallies, organised by the Bob Brown Foundation, were held in Hobart as well as Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and other towns and cities.
Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) conservation general manager Suzette Weeding told The Mercury in Hobart that STT sowed millions of seeds across to regenerate native forests.
“Sustainable Timber Tasmania is focused on delivering a sustainable and balanced approach to forest management in both native forests and plantations,” she said.
“In 2023-24, Sustainable Timber Tasmania facilitated the harvesting and transportation of 1.26m tonnes of forest products for processing in Tasmania, including 180,288 cubic metres of eucalypt sawlog.
“To support Tasmania’s special species timber industry, 8889 cubic metres of special species timbers was also produced.”
On Saturday, Resources Minister Eric Abetz told The Mercury ending native forest logging in Tasmania would result to increased timber imports from jurisdictions with “weaker” environmental protections than Tasmania.
He said the government made no apology for standing by the industry and jobs.
