Tasmanian Forest and Forest Industry Talks Questions & Answers

Environment and forest industry representatives have been talking informally to explore ways to resolve the conflict over native forests in Tasmania and protect both jobs and native forests.

Representatives agreed that a solution needs to be acceptable to the broader Tasmanian community and needs to have the support of State and Federal governments.

The Tasmanian government is supportive of the process and is allowing the time and space for participating organisations to work on a framework for formal negotiations.

Away from potentially divisive political and media spotlight, participating organisations have been able to make progress on identifying common ground and working towards agreed principles.

All organisations understand the difficulty in resolving a decades-long conflict, and that any formal negotiations will take more time.

What are the informal talks trying to achieve?
The talks aim to reach an agreement on key principles that will: protect important areas of native forest; build a sustainable timber industry including downstream processing of plantations; and build stronger communities. These principles will form the basis for starting formal negotiations.

The principles will then require state and federal government support to start formal negotiations and implementation. Environment groups have agreed with industry and unions that a sustainable timber industry is necessary for the economic future of the state and support a new way of doing business in Tasmania that doesn’t involve the destruction of its natural heritage.

Who is involved in the informal talks?
The talks have included Timber Communities Australia, the National Association of Forest Industries, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the Forest Industry Association of Tasmania, Environment Tasmania, The Wilderness Society and the Australian Conservation Foundation. More recently, the Tasmanian Forest Contractor’s Association started actively participating with the partners. During discussions, all organisations continue to consult with their constituencies through reference groups and direct consultation. Other stakeholders have also been involved where needed.

What about the community & other key stakeholders?
The parties involved in the talks all agree that the broader Tasmanian community must be involved in any formal process to deliver a solution to the longstanding forest conflict. The current talks between environment and forestry industry representatives are aiming to find such a solution.

What about politicians?
Politicians are not directly involved in the talks but representatives from all three political parties at a State & Federal level have been kept informed of progress.

How have environment groups been consulted?
Environment Tasmania and the Wilderness Society established a Forest Reference Group to allow the talks team to consult and seek feedback from 25 environment groups from across the state. The forest reference group meets on a semi-regular basis to discuss progress and feed-back into the talks. They have guided the development of the key environmental principles needed for an acceptable forest future for Tasmania.

What issues are environment groups trying to put forward?
Environment Tasmania has used its Forest Policy to guide discussions. The Forest Policy was developed over the last four years by its member groups. It is broadly similar to the policy positions of the Wilderness Society and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
The Forest Policy and a discussion paper on forest solutions can be found on the Environment Tasmania website: www.et.org.au

Are environment groups supporting a Tamar Valley Pulp Mill?
No. Whilst it is acknowledged that a pulp mill is one of the range of plantation processing options for Tasmania, environment groups have not given industry a green light on the Tamar Valley pulp mill. There are still unresolved concerns about the impact of this mill, including marine and air pollution and its use of fresh water. All parties to the talks acknowledge the importance and need for proper community consultation on any pulp mill in Tasmania.

What will happen now?
If State and Federal governments support any agreed principles, a program for formal negotiations can commence. To be successful, the negotiations will require significant input from a much broader range of stakeholders, experts and the broader community.