Sarah Courtney,Minister for Resources
The Tasmanian forest industry has today released the Tasmanian Forest Managers Good Neighbour Protocol. The protocol is an initiative of the Tasmanian forest industry to ensure that neighbours of forest growers continue to be treated with dignity and respect, and are provided with genuine opportunities for input to forest and land management issues.
The objectives of the protocol include promoting constructive cooperation and exchange of information, establishing positive relationships with neighbours and local communities, and proactively managing issues of shared concern, such as fire, weeds, and fences.
Major native forest and plantation growers on both private and public land have signed on to the protocol – including Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Forico Pty Limited, SFM Forest Products, Pentarch Forestry, Timberlands Pacific Pty Ltd, and PF Olsen (Aus) Pty Ltd.
The protocol and the list of forest managers subscribing to the protocol will be hosted on the Private Forests Tasmania website at www.pft.tas.gov.au/goodneighbourprotocol.
Forest growers and managers who wish to be added to the list of subscribers can contact Private Forests Tasmania.
Private Forests Tasmania will also work with forest managers to keep the protocol under review to ensure it is meeting its stated objectives.
The protocol is a contemporary approach to neighbourly relations and I commend the forest industry for its proactive approach and desire to maintain positive and constructive relationships with its neighbours.
