Introducing the new Minister for Forests

Forestry Tasmania welcomes the appointment of the Hon. David Llewellyn as Tasmania's new minister responsible for forestry.


Mr Llewellyn is well versed in forestry matters having played a pivotal role in the development of the Forest and Forest Industry Strategy when he held the forestry portfolio in the Field Government in the early 1990's. He is highly regarded in regional areas, frequently topping the poll in the sprawling electorate of Lyons.

We look forward to developing a close working relationship with Mr Llewellyn in the months and years ahead. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the outgoing Minister Steve Kons for his ongoing support of the forest industry.

Balance

We hear many diverse opinions on how best to manage Tasmania’s forests. Some place the highest value on conservation, for others it's timber and jobs, and for some it’s carbon storage. It’s important to remind ourselves from time to time, that finding an acceptable balance between these values and many others, is what we as a society are after.

This is the philosophy that guides Forestry Tasmania. In seeking to find a better balance of environmental values, FT has ended the conversion of native forests to plantations, and stopped using 1080 to control animal browsing. We are also exploring alternatives to clear-felling of old growth by managing in a way that leaves a mix of species and age classes on the land following harvest.

Forestry is a billion-dollar industry in Tasmania. It creates wealth and jobs in all parts of the state, and is one of Tasmania’s four major industries. It is vital to our economy and by extension our social well-being.

It is refreshing to hear from others who also take a reasoned approach. Dick Smith is a familiar name to most in Australia. He is well known for the chain of electronics stores he founded, and for generously donating his time and money to various causes, including environmental challenges.

Mr Smith, who recently announced plans to develop a tourism venture in Tasmania, was asked about his views on the state’s pulp mill. He responded as follows.(right click with mouse on link to save audio file to your hard drive)
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“My position on the pulp mill is that you have to earn money. And so, I am a person from the mainland – it is so easy to come to Tasmania and say look you must leave Tasmania as a pristine wilderness and earn no money. I care about young people here who can’t get jobs. We have pretty well full employment in New South Wales – there’s no way I am going to come to Tasmania and criticise when you try to get employment here.”

I agree with Mr Smith, and in the balance of which he speaks. I believe that we are finding an appropriate balance in managing state forests. It is a balance that involves conservation, jobs, producing a sustainable and renewable resource, increasing the carbon stored in our forests, and providing a future for young people in Tasmania.

There are those who would have us believe that we’re living in a time of crisis. There are others who will say that everything is fine and there is no need for change. As usual, the truth can be found somewhere in between. Forestry Tasmania is committed to enhancing its knowledge and expertise, and continuously improving its practices. It is this approach that we believe will help us to continue to find a way to balance the values placed on state forests.