MOUs Create Cooperation, New Opportunities

Forestry Tasmania has entered into Memoranda of Understanding that will improve cooperation with water suppliers and wine producers.

Forestry Tasmania and Wine Industry Tasmania Limited have agreed on a process to ensure open dialogue between the two industries when the grape picking and burning seasons coincide.

“In future, Forestry Tasmania (FT) will include nine regionally nominated Wine Industry Tasmania Limited (WITL) representatives in burn notification groups, so that they are informed of burns in the vicinity of vineyards,” said Dr Hans Drielsma, Forestry Tasmania’s Executive General Manager.

“The nominated WITL representatives will pass on information to other growers in their region. FT’s Community Liaison Officers will be the point of contact for growers. It is understood that Industry representatives will not have a veto over planned burns, but FT will take into account growers concerns when deciding burn priorities.

The reform of Tasmania’s water sector will create new opportunities for FT to work more closely with the new water businesses in their water catchment management.

“We believe there will be opportunities to collaborate on strategic issues and policies that will benefit of both water supply and forest management,” said Dr Drielsma.

“The State Government’s plans to create larger water businesses responsible for more of the state’s drinking water catchment areas provides a valuable opportunity for Forestry Tasmania to develop dialogues and share information with drinking water suppliers.

“This is already taking shape with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that Forestry Tasmania signed with Hobart Water.

“The MOU outlines our commitment to share information through regular communication with Hobart Water on our activities in water catchments. An example of this was our involvement with the development of Hobart Water’s Derwent River Drinking Water Catchment Management Plan (CMP).

“This involvement enabled us – along with other stakeholders in the catchment – to help identify possible risks and find ways to minimise or remove them. That work has led to the development of a range of projects in the catchment and ensures that we are better informed about Hobart Water’s needs.

“Forestry Tasmania is committed to best practice forestry standards, and we recognise that by working with organisations like Hobart Water, we can play a vital role in maintaining the quality of the catchments which supply our cities with drinking water.

“It is our hope that when the water sector is restructured, that we can keep working with the new businesses across the State.


David Tuck, Corporate Relations 6233 8249
ENDS
8 May, 2008