Tourism and Forestry Protocol

 A NEW tourism and forestry protocol agreement signed in 2009 will facilitate an increased understanding and communication between the two industries.

The Tourism-Forestry Protocol Agreement 2009 has been signed by Forestry Tasmania, the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, Forest Industries Association of Tasmania and Private Forests Tasmania.

The protocol builds on the 2003 agreement to facilitate communication, consultation and liaison between the parties at both strategic and operational levels.

The new agreement provides a framework for the two industry sectors to work together.

Forest Industries Association of Tasmania chairman Julian Amos said forestry and tourism were two of Tasmania’s big four industries along with mining and mineral processing and primary industries, each contributing in excess of $1b to the economy.

He said tourism and forestry were natural partners with many interests in common. “This protocol enables us to share those interests,” he said.

“We both rely on Tasmania’s tremendous natural resources – our forests,” Dr Amos said.

“They are among Tasmania’s most valuable assets.”

Dr Amos said both forests in reserves and production forests were used by the tourism industry.

“The protocol recognises that Tasmania’s forests are well protected by a very extensive reserve system and that the remaining forests are managed for multiple uses on a sustainable basis,” he said.

“It recognises that issues will arise as tourism activities interact with wood production activities.”

“The protocol sets out mechanisms to resolve any issues that might arise, but perhaps more importantly it gives us a framework through which we can grow both industries.”

The protocol deals with issues such as planned burns, the visual impact of harvesting, and use of forestry roads by tourists.

“The schedules in the agreement contain specific commitments to improve communication between the two industries, and a dispute resolution process has been agreed.”

“Roads built for forestry activities can be shared. This protocol enables that to happen smoothly,” he said.

Click here to download a copy of the Tourism Forestry Protocol

ENDS
7 October, 2009

Media inquiries:
Julian Amos
FIAT
0412 125 656

Updates and reports of the Tourism and Forestry Protocol Agreement can be found at:
www.tourismforestryprotocol.com.au
www.tctas.com.au
www.ffic.com.au
www.privateforests.tas.gov.au

State forest Contacts
Tourism operators wanting to discuss operations in State forest should contact one of Forestry Tasmania’s Community Liaison Officers based around the state.