Nick Steel
Adding value to timber products on-island is essential to supporting local Tasmanian forestry businesses, jobs across the state, and regional and rural communities, according to the Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA). Source: Timberbiz
Speaking at the official launch of the first-priority in the TFPA Election Wishlist – Supporting Tasmanian Businesses in the lead-up to the State Elections in Tasmania on 23 March Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said embracing a homegrown timber future policy is essential for the future prosperity of the state and its sustainable timber industry.
“Encouraging on-island processing, growing the value of our products in Tasmania, and increasing regional and rural jobs is essential to supporting a sustainable timber industry, and must be at the forefront for all political parties during this election,” Mr Steel said.
“That’s why today we’re calling on all political parties to stand with the timber industry and back our sustainable and respected businesses. There’s much government can do to ensure our industry continues to support the Tasmanian community.
“As our resource moves to more plantation volume, we’re asking for the establishment of a long-rotation plantation forestry conversion fund, as well as grants to re-tool and re-skill our processing businesses – to make the best use of the new resource split,” Mr Steel said.
“We’d also like to see a commitment to the development of new ways to process lower category logs in Tasmania, as well as a commitment to roll out the remaining funds under the On-Island Processing Grant Program to the whole industry.
“Showing off the value of our state’s timber is essential, so we’re also asking all political parties to further commit to and fund the Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board.
“There’s a lot that can be done to improve the timber industry in Tasmania, and we’re committed to working with all political parties to make sure the 5,500 Tasmanians employed by our businesses can succeed into the future,” Mr Steel said.
The TFPA Election Wishlist can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/4bPyfDF
