Tourism and Forestry Protocol

Introduction

Tasmania’s forests cover half of the island and represent both a major economic asset for the state and a drawcard for our flourishing tourism industry.

Our forests and wilderness, with their world class conservation reserve system, are crucial to Tasmania’s tourism image.

On 19 September 2003 Tasmania’s forestry and tourism leaders signed a protocol to work together to minimise the impact of forestry operations on visitors experiences.

Planning

• Under the terms of the protocol, early consultation will take place where forestry and tourism interests coincide;
  
• The forestry industry will talk with accredited tourism operators and associations to reduce the impact of timber harvesting and transport;
  
• Tourism developers are advised to consult with forested neighbours to ascertain their future plans – the aim being to reduce any unexpected impact of one industry on the other.
  

Smoke management

In some areas, the forestry industry needs to conduct burns to reduce potential bushfire fuel and to promote plant regeneration.

This usually occurs on those limited days in the spring and autumn when it will be safe and effective.

To reduce burns likely to affect tourism activities downwind:

• By 1 February each year the Tourism Council will advise the forestry industry of critical dates on its calendar of events;
  
• The forestry industry will aim to minimise burning on those days and to improve smoke management.

Protecting view fields

With the advent of the Spirit of Tasmania fleet, more visitors are driving on remote roads. This brings them into direct contact with forestry operations.

• In future, care will be taken with the boundaries of particularly sensitive landscapes;
  
• Where practical, untouched trees will screen harvesting operations;
  
• The industry will produce standard signage in working forests to explain harvesting and replanting practices.
  

Log trucks

We recognise that many visiting drivers are not familiar with log trucks.

• We are asking log truck drivers to exercise particular care on tourist roads;
  
• Where possible, trucks will be diverted to alternative routes;
  
• A 1800 Hotline will be set up to deal with any complaints about incidents involving log trucks.
  

Chemical use

The forestry industry aims to reduce its use of 1080 and other chemicals used to control browsing animals that eat new trees in their first two years of life.

• It will continue to actively evaluate alternatives, such as screens, cover crops and sprays that make the new plants unpalatable.
  

Constant review

The two industries will meet formally every six months to discuss the protocol but consultation will be on-going.

Updates and reports of the Tourism and Forestry Protocol Agreement can be found at:

www.forestrytas.com.au
www.tctas.com.au
www.ffic.com.au
www.privateforests.tas.gov.au

Contacts

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

---