Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings have signed an agreement on the extend of forestry and conservation following an extended collaboration and consultation period.

 

The $267 million agreement covers the following:

  • $85 million to support contractors and their families affected by the downturn in the industry, and in particular Gunns Limited’s decision to exit native forest harvesting
  • $43 million to facilitate protection of new areas of high conservation value forests
  • $120 million over 15 years, including an initial payment of $20 million to identify and fund appropriate regional development projects
  • $7 million per annum ongoing to manage new reserves.

 

The industry support package includes up front funding of up to $25 million for immediate employment and training support for redundant forest workers.

 

Those made redundant from eligible companies in the forestry industry will receive intensive and accelerated support through Job Services Australia and other providers.

 

In recognition of the impact of the forestry industry changes on the people in the timber communities, the Agreement also provides $15 million to ForestWorks Ltd to administer transition support payments for workers and contractor employees as well as $1 million in support through Rural Alive and Well.

 

The Australian Government will provide $45 million in assistance for voluntary exits from public native forest operations for haulage, harvest and/or silvicultural contractors.

 

Tasmania will immediately place 430,000 hectares of native forest land into informal reserve, which, pending verification, will be protected under a Conservation Agreement.

 

Reserves will include areas such as the forests in the Styx, Upper Florentine, Huon, Picton and Weld Valleys and the Great Western Tiers, Tarkine and Wielangta areas. These forests will not be accessed for harvest while verification takes place.

 

An Independent Verification Group will be established to provide advice to the Prime Minister and the Tasmanian Premier on sustainable timber supply requirements and areas and boundaries of reserves from within the ENGO-nominated 572,000 hectares of High Conservation Value native forest.