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Forestry Opportunities

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Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) is a State Government organisation which is responsible for working in partnership with private forest owners and users by providing advice on all aspects of forest management and initiating or extending new market opportunities. This includes advising on plantation development and landcare principles, as well as assisting landowners and investors to manage all types of forest.

In 2004-05 PFT reported that more than 26,000 hectares were added to the Private Timber Reserve base. 2,833,227 tonnes of private forest was harvested in 2004-05, accounting for 43% of total timber production for Tasmania.

Forest operations in Tasmania must comply with the Forest Practices Act 1985. On private land they must also comply with the provisions of the local Planning Scheme, if the land is not registered as a Private Timber Reserve. Application for a Private Timber Reserve is made to Private Forests Tasmania. The application has two parts; Part A is completed by the applicant (landowner), whilst Part B is to be completed by an authorised Forest Practices Officer. An application can only be made for land over 5 hectares and a fee applies (see Governance and Regulation section for more information on requirements).

If land is not classified as a Private Timber Reserve then there is a risk to forest owners that amendments to the local planning scheme could interfere with forest operations. The Private Timber Reserve gives the land owner the right to undertake forest operations according to the Forest Practices Act. Council planning approval is then not required for forest operations.

According to PFT the most obvious markets for farm-grown wood are based domestically, for example firewood, pulpwood and sawlogs. However market opportunities exist both domestically and for export. Options exist by way of joint ventures, share forestry and forestry leases to enable growers more security, through signing an agreement with a company for a guaranteed sale at the final harvest. In planning a plantation it is recommended to contact a private consultant or PFT to assist with decision making.

PFT offers a wide range of information services and advice including management advice, tree establishment advice, timber harvesting plan audits and tree growth advice. Information packs are also available including a Farm Forestry Toolbox and a Joint Venture Pack.

In 2004-05 PFT conducted a project called PotPlant (Potential Plantation) to identify the cleared land with the potential to support commercial plantations and to estimate the area of cleared land with potential to support commercial Eucalyptus globulus plantations in Northern Tasmania. This study was also conducted in the Ringarooma catchment.

Table 1: Study Results
Rural Private Forested Land - Northern Tasmania Gross Area (hectares)
Area of private forested land with suitable plantation potential 101,500
Less rare, vulnerable and endangered forest communities on privte land with suitable plantation potential 8,500
Total: 110,000
 Rural Private Forested Land - Ringarooma  Gross Area (hectares)
 Area of private forested land with suitable plantation potential  30,000
 Less rare, vulnerable and endangered forest communities on private land with suitable plantation potential  2,000
 Total:  32,000

Source: Private Forests Tasmania, Annual Report 2004-05.

Table 2: Plantation Types, End Uses and Markets
Plantation Type End Uses Markets
Radiata Pine Clearwood veneer logs Gunns Veneer at Somerset
Clearwood sawlogs Forest Enterprises Tasmania, Auspine & Wynwood
Knotty sawlogs

Domestic: Auspine, Branxholm, Bleckhorn Jordon (see forestry map for other smaller sawmills)

Export: Burnie and Tamar export yards
Preservation material Koppers Timber Preservation, Auspine, Circular Head Treated Timbers
Pulpwood Norske Skog
Eucalypts Pulpwood Bell Bay, Hampshire and Triabunna processing plants. Gunns Limited exports from all three while Forest Enterprises Australia exports from Bell Bay

Small diameter sawlogs

 Forest Enterprises Australia
Clearwood sawlogs and veneer logs Growing of plantation for this purpose is still being developed
Blackwood Knot-free clearwood Various high-value end uses such as furniture , cabinet making, veneers, flooring, panelling. See forestry map for saw and veneer mills
Cypress Clearwood Interior and exterior furniture and joinery, external cladding and decking, boat building, veneers (clearwood and knotty material), general farm timber. See forestry map for saw and veneer mills

Source: Private Forests Tasmania, Farm Forestry Series.