Economy
Sick of the useless fighting …
I agree with Dr Bruce Felmingham (Sunday Tasmanian 23/3, Hodgman risks getting lost in forests, here). It seems clear that the incoming Liberal government is about to make costly mistakes with their approach to the forestry industry.
Dr Felmingham points to the risks associated with inflaming the polarisation of argument relating to the complex issues around forestry practice in Tasmania.
A large majority of Tasmanian people are sick of useless fighting.
He also discusses resource security for the specialty timbers sector. I agree that it is essential to ensure that an iconic, high value, labour intense, and low resource utilising sector of the timber industry is nurtured. The timber used must be available as a part of responsible forestry practice, not “bycatch” from clearfelling.
I am worried by an apparent lack of understanding displayed by (likely) Liberal treasurer, Peter Gutwein. Mr Gutwein, recently publicly dismissed the importance of certification of Tasmanian timber and timber products by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Third party chain of custody certification by the FSC is the measure by which discerning customers for wood products make their purchasing and investment choices.They need to be assured that the products and materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests. FSC certification requires excellence in commercial, social, cultural, and environmental aspects of production and manufacture.
Gaining FSC certification, and the markets that this opens, provides motivation for driving the reforms necessary to achieve a longterm, profitable forest industry in Tasmania.
The goals for such an industry include having the support of the broad Tasmanian community.
The reformed industry would have to be, at least, compatible with the interests other Tasmanian industries. It would operate in a way that would help provide solutions to the realities of climate change, fire risk, and natural resource depletion.
The reformed industry would have the task of restoration of forests, water catchments, and agricultural land severely degraded by decades of poor forestry practice.
*Dr Frank Nicklason is a Physician at the Royal Hobart Hospital, and is a founding member of Doctors for Forests.
*Pictures:
Matthew Newton
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