The Hodgman Liberal Government is rebuilding the forestry sector to create a vibrant, jobs rich and sustainable industry operating to the world's highest environmental standards.
Last year, we announced a review of the Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy in conjunction with the third five-yearly review of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA).
The PNFEP restricts clearing in Tasmania so a minimum of 95 per cent of our native forest, present as at 1996, is retained across the State.
At the start of the year, a ban was to come into effect reducing private properties to clearing up to 20 hectares over any five year period. Prior to that, clearing of 40 hectares of native forest per year was allowable. At current clearance rates, Tasmania is not expected to reach the 95 per cent target until 2016.
We deferred this additional restriction while the review of the PNFEP takes place. As part of this commitment the government is now inviting members of the public to comment on the Tasmanian Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy, and any issues relevant to the ongoing implementation of this Policy.
We have a plan for our forest sector and we are getting on with the job and delivering it.
Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 28 August 2015 and can be made at http://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/forestry/native-forest