Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) recently held an event to discuss market opportunities for the northern Tasmania private forests sector with attendees from timber processors, forestry companies, general foresters, farmers and politicians. Source: Timberbiz
Penny Wells, PFT’s CEO, opened the event and introduced the Hon Guy Barnett Minister for Resources, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Minister for Energy, Minister for Veteran’s Affairs.
The Minister started by saying it was “great to be back” as the recently reappointed Minister for Resources that includes forestry within his portfolio. He continued to talk about the huge increase in forestry production since 2013 culminating in 5.8 million tonnes in 2018 with the private sector producing the majority; and although there are challenges following the bushfires and recent toughening in some markets there is definite positive activity.
Martin Moroni, Manager Resource Development PFT, as the evening’s MC introduced the first panel with Darren Herd, Forico, Heath Blair, Reliance Forest Fibrem Stephen Rymer, PF Olsen, Phil Lloyd, Timberlink Australia and Paul Heubner, Pentarch Forestry.
Each panel member briefly described their company’s opportunities in the current market, which was followed by an interactive session with questions from the audience
The panel and audience discussed a variety of issues, including the reasons behind the recent market readjustment.
Although the export log market is particularly tough at the moment the consensus was that it should improve in 3-6 months, and with a growing population both nationally and internationally, increased demand for wood products is expected to be ongoing into the longer term.
The second panel continued with agroforestry and new market opportunities. This panel consisted of Andrew Exton, Koppers Wood Products, Andrew Wye, Patriarch and Sons & Wood Based Products, Chris Skeels-Piggins, CLTP Tasmania and Dr Martin Moroni, Private Forests Tasmania.
Mr Moroni, doubled-up as speaker to talk, initially, about the results of PFT’s collaboration with CSIRO & UTas to investigate the agricultural production and financial gains from treed shelterbelts on farms.
Further information is available on PFT’s website.
