L-R Fourth generation cabinet maker Craig Howard, Jack Howard (Craig’s son)
To celebrate and support the tradition, sustainability and craftsmanship of the specialty timbers sector in Tasmania, a new approach to showcasing the sector and promoting the state’s high-value timber industry is being developed.
Called Living Wood Tasmania, the initiative is designed to create community and market awareness of the high-value specialty timber sector, whilst also telling the story of Tasmanian special timbers and the unique skills that transform them.
A new, online presence, ‘Living Wood Tasmania’ is the first practical step to developing a collective voice for the sector.
Living Wood Tasmania spokesperson Andrew Denman said as the broader forest industry moves to a regrowth and plantation model, the specialty timber sector will need to create a new path forward, independent of the commodity based eucalypt industry.
“For many years, public conversation around the forest industry and forest policy has been dominated by commodity producers and large-scale millers, meaning the voices of those in the specialty timber sector have not necessarily been heard,” Mr Denman said.
“Whilst the broader eucalypt based forest industry is very important to Tasmania, the special timbers sector is a completely different and encompasses a multi-faceted industry which comprises of a long value adding chain including forest managers, millers, designers, craftspeople as well as the retail and tourism sectors.
“Tasmania has a long tradition of woodworking and highly skilled craftspeople, who produce high-value products that showcase Tasmania at its best and promote the benefits of the sector.
“The sector aligns with the Tasmanian brand values of sustainability, creativity, craftsmanship and uniqueness.”
A recent report into the demand for Tasmania’s special timber products, found businesses operating in the special timbers sector are facing increased demand through innovation in their products and improvements in distribution.
This innovation has led to a significant focus on the national and international markets as the source of growth, in markets as diverse as musical instruments, furniture and restaurant fit-outs. This growth is based on high value-add from a combination of design, craftsmanship and unique, sustainably utilised timbers.
As part of the launch of Living Wood Tasmania, a website has been developed to provide information on the sector to the public.
Mr Denman said not only does the website highlight great Tasmanian craftspeople and their work, but it also explains how the wood is sustainably harvested, the types of timbers that are used as well as little known facts and figures about the sector.
“Our state should be immensely proud of what the combination of wonderful timber, skills and passion can create, and we hope all Tasmanian’s embrace the concept of Living Wood Tasmania,” he said.
“Our special timbers live on through the makers that transform them. The Living Wood Tasmania initiative will ensure that our treasured past will have a sustainable future.”
Living Wood Tasmania spokesperson Andrew Denman
