Since it was first posted this blog has consistently been one of the most frequently visited by readers of this website.
http://blackwoodgrowers.com.au/2012/06/11/blackwood-sawlogs-achieve-record-price-at-auc/
Clearly it says something that readers find compelling.
In terms of its message and impact on the forest industry, State forest policy, the farming community or the media however there has been little response.
Profitable tree growing and transparent, competitive market processes remain completely irrelevant to State forest policy and the forest industry.
If we treated our dairy, beef and vegetable industries in such a manner Tasmania would be in serious trouble. But the forest industry remains a victim of its heritage dominated by politics, a public resource and a community service ethos.
Does Tasmania want a forest industry? If so then the price of logs and profitable tree-growing must be at the centre of policy and management.
So how can Tasmania move towards a fully commercial and profitable forest industry?
The industry does not need more behind-closed-door deals, nor more reports and strategies. The industry needs to demonstrate serious commercial muscle, and a burning desire to leave the politics and conflict behind.
So tell me readers, why is this blog of such interest to you?
PS. Here’s a thought bubble!
Imagine what the forest industry would look like today if 100 years ago we had included prizes (trophy or ribbon) in our regional agricultural shows for the best sawlogs, in the same way we have prizes for livestock, wool fleeces, fruit, veges, etc. Farmers who managed their forest or plantations would bring in their very best dressed sawlogs to get judged. All of the entries could then be auctioned off.
Imagine a rural community that took as much pride in forest/plantation management is it does in beef, sheep, wool, vegetables, etc. That of course would depend on the marketplace supporting and rewarding such a community attitude, as the marketplace does for most other primary industries.
What do you think? Comments?
Tasmanian Blackwood Growers Cooperative 
Labor backs special timbers logging in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/labor-releases-policy-for-tasmanias-special-timber-industry/story-fnpp9w4j-1227461792420
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-29/ltasmanian-labor-backs-specialty-timber-logging-in-wilderness/6656556
State opposition leader Bryan Green today announced a policy for Tasmania’s special timber industry, supporting logging within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA).
After a brief hiatus the Labor and Liberal parties are once again in lock-step on forest industry policy in Tasmania.
Once again forest industry policy in Tasmania is driven by politics, waste and community conflict.
“tread widely, tread lightly”
The politicians want us to believe that special timbers is only about fairy land, a magic wand and elvish forest management.
There is no mention of UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee, Forest Stewardship Council, taxpayer subsidies, sacking teachers and nurses, or the last 30 years of politics, waste and community conflict.
Nor is there mention of private blackwood growers.
Instead our politicians will wave the elvish wand and middle earth will magically appear.
It’s just rubbish and deception.
Forestry is not a taxpayer-funded community service!
Nor is this middle earth!
Last month, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee urged the Australian and Tasmanian governments to ban commercial logging within the TWWHA.
http://blackwoodgrowers.com.au/2015/05/31/unesco-calls-for-changes-to-tasmanias-draft-world-heritage-management-plan-to-prohibit-logging-and-mining/
http://blackwoodgrowers.com.au/2015/07/06/tasmanian-wilderness-world-heritage-area-logging-proposal/
So in good old fashion style our State politicians are once again joining forces to wage war over our forests.
The Tasmanian community will once again be the losers.
With classic political vote winners like “long-term security”, “consultation” and “striking an appropriate balance” we have heard it all dozens of times before.
Absolutely nothing has changed for our pollies.
Except now a lot more Tasmanians are sick and tired of the conflict and nonsense around the forest industry. Not to mention squandering $millions of taxpayer dollars and sacking teachers and nurses, and charging electricity users to help subsidise the forest industry. A lot more Tasmanians will express extreme displeasure if this nonsense continues.
Specialty timber groups believe they were left with an extremely restricted resource after the Tasmanian Forest Agreement was finalised in 2013 and new tracts of forests were declared off-limits. The agreement was repealed by the current Tasmanian Government in 2014.
What absolute rubbish! So called specialty timber groups were left without a (public native forest) resource because of 30+ years of failed forest industry policy; a policy that tied the industry to the election cycle and gave everything to industrial woodchipping leaving nothing but platitudes and tears for the specialty timber groups.
I must say after listening to this sort of rubbish for 30+ years I’m getting pretty sick of it. The culture of entitlement within the forest industry that former Gunns CEO Greg L’Estrange mentioned recently is certainly prevalent within sections of the special timbers industry.
The forestry wars are well and truly heating up once again.
Stand by for the media/community backlash.
The special timbers industry is on a hiding to nothing.
When will Tasmanian get a fully commercial and profitable forest industry?
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Posted in Commentary, Politics
Tagged special timbers, Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area