Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston
Tasmanian Minister for Forestry, Peter Gutwein
Tasmania’s Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) has been found to be delivering on its major commitments, and continues to provide a sound framework for the sustainable management of Tasmania’s forests.
Tasmania’s Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) has been found to be delivering on its major commitments, and continues to provide a sound framework for the sustainable management of Tasmania’s forests.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, and Tasmanian Minister for Forestry, Peter Gutwein, today released the joint Australian and Tasmanian Government response to an independent review of the RFA.
“Both governments have agreed, in part or in full, to all recommendations presented in this independent review, conducted by Dr Glen Kile, a well-respected former CSIRO scientist,” Minister Ruston said.
“The review found that this RFA has been working as it should and is providing a sound framework for managing Tasmania’s forest resources sustainably.
“Today’s response also concludes the third five-yearly review of this agreement, and allows us to begin the process of extending this RFA to a rolling 20-year agreement, in line with our election commitment.
“The review will inform our approach to establishing a rolling 20-year agreement, which will deliver resource security and investment certainty to the industry.
“We are absolutely committed to achieving a balance of economic, environmental and social outcomes for Tasmania through our management of forests, and the RFA is providing the mechanism to achieve those outcomes.
“As an industry that contributed $7.7 billion in direct value to Australia's gross domestic product in 2012–13, it is important we continue to support the forest sector into the future.
“The Australian Government recognises the significant contribution the industry makes to Tasmania, and Australia as a whole, and we’re committed to providing the right environment for the industry to continue to flourish.”
Minister Gutwein said this was another important milestone in Tasmania’s management of its forest resources.
“It’s clear the forest industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy as well as providing employment opportunities in regional areas,” Minister Gutwein said.
“This review process has shown that we’ve been managing this resource sustainably, and with the widest possible benefits to the Tasmanian community.”
The Joint Australian and Tasmanian Government Response to the Review of the Implementation of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement for the Period 2007-2012 is available at: www.agriculture.gov.au/forestry/policies/rfa/regions/tasmania/tas-rfa-third-five-yearly-review
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