The Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement
The Australian and Tasmanian Governments jointly announced the TCFA on 13 May 2005.
The TCFA is a joint commitment of the Australian and Tasmanian governments to enhanced protection of Tasmania's forest environment and growth in the Tasmanian forest industry and forestry jobs.
Through the TFCA, the governments committed over $250 million to enhance the protection of Tasmania's forest environment and assist the Tasmanian forest industry adjust to a changes in forest resources. Core to this was the three industry development programs that were available under the TCFA; the Tasmanian Forest Industry Development Program, the Tasmanian Softwood Industry Development Program, and the Tasmanian Country Sawmills Assistance Program.
Tasmanian Forest Industry Development Program
Under the Tasmanian Forest Industry Development Program, the Australian Government has provided $42 million to assist the Tasmanian native timber industry. Specifically, the program contributed financial assistance for 68 projects which have contributed over $150 million of new investment across the harvesting and processing sectors of the native hardwood industry. These projects have improved sawlog utilisation rates, added value to Tasmanian forest resources, developed new products, upgraded harvesting equipment, promoted exports, and supported employment.
Tasmanian Softwood Industry Development Program
Under the Tasmanian Softwood Industry Development Program, the Australian Government has provided $10 million to 17 projects to assist the Tasmanian softwood timber industry to invest in projects worth over $39 million that add value to Tasmanian softwood timber industry. This includes upgrading harvesting equipment, introducing new technology, improving silvicultural management and assisting the softwood industry adjust to an expected reduction in softwood sawlog supply in future years.
Tasmanian Country Sawmills Assistance Program
The Australian Government also committed an additional $4 million under the Tasmanian Country Sawmills Assistance Program to assist country sawmillers adjust to changes in forest resources arising from the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement. This program has provided financial assistance for 23 projects worth over $8 million which have improved sawlog utilisation rates, added value to Tasmanian forest resources, developed new products, promoted exports and supported long-term employment.
Further information
- A way forward for Tasmania's forests - Information on the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement
- Tasmanian River Catchment Water Quality Initiative
- Research into alternatives to the use of 1080
- Research into alternatives to clearfelling in old growth forests - Operating Plan
- Tasmanian Forest Conservation Fund, including newsletter
- Saving the Tasmanian Devil - research into the Devil Facial Tumour Disease
- Tasmanian Forest Tourism Initiative
- Second Anniversary Implementation Update
PDF [1mb] - Progress on the implementation of the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement: 13 May 2005 - 30 June 2006
- Progress on the implementation of the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement: 1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007
- Progress on the implementation of the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2008
Media Releases
Media releases and speeches by former Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries can be located at Pandora - Australia's Web Archive
For further information
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The Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
- or contact the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - RFA.
Australia - Sustainable Forest Management
Publication: English version PDF [1.9mb] Japanese version PDF [1.9mb]
Recent Reports:
- Pressures facing harvesting contractors in the Tasmanian forest industry PDF [177kb]
- Review of ‘Structural Assistance Programme for Tasmanian Forest Contractors’ as proposed by Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association (TFCA) PDF [478kb]