The fate of a landmark deal to end 35 years of conflict over forestry in Tasmania rests with experts who will run detailed modelling to see if a proposed compromise is feasible. Timber and green groups revealed they had agreed to test a single “scenario” for new forest reserves to see if it would leave enough timber to support industry needs. Source: The Australian
Neither side would reveal the size of the proposed new forest reserves, but speculation within industry and conservation circles points to 450,000-500,000 hectares.
Timber industry negotiator Terry Edwards would not comment on whether the sector was willing to reduce the annual sawlog harvest to below the 155,000 cubic metres agreed under an interim deal last year.
Previous modelling suggests the industry would need to accept a further cut to 135,000 cubic metres, less than half historic levels, to have any hope of delivering close to the full 568,722ha of new reserves initially sought by greens.
However, Mr Edwards said any expansion of a $15m sawlog quota buyout scheme was unlikely to be “extensive”, with an expected request for increased funding likely to focus on assisting the shift to plantations.
The Wilderness Society and Mr Edward’s Forest Industries Association of Tasmania were both “optimistic” the final scenario could lead to agreement if backed by detailed modelling over the next week.
“We are clearly testing a scenario that we think could underpin a lasting solution to this debate,” said society campaign director Vica Bayley. “So we will run this model, engage in these remaining negotiations in good faith and … do our very, very best to conclude this agreement.
“The modelling looks at wood supply that can be delivered from a specific reserve scenario. We’ve made substantial progress to get to this far.”
The negotiators have been locked in intense negotiations for the past weeks as the two-year-long process headed towards a conclusion, Premier Lara Giddings and state Greens leader Nick McKim were briefed.
Both leaders, who share power under an alliance, said they were not given details of the scenario to be tested. However, both agreed that the negotiators should be given a further two weeks for the expert modelling and final negotiations, despite the expiry of a government-set deadline.
Ms Giddings said she would brief federal Environment Minister Tony Burke in Canberra today, but was heartened by the progress.
“They have given me a level of optimism that an agreement can be reached,” Ms Giddings said. “After careful consideration I have agreed to invest another two weeks.
“This has been a 30-year conflict and I am not prepared to sacrifice the potential for a resolution for the sake of a two-week deadline.”
