Tasmania’s thriving private forest sector is set for further growth with the appointment of a new Chair and Directors to the Board of Private Forests Tasmania (PFT).
Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said that after a widespread search, Jim Wilson has been appointed as the new Chair of PFT.
“Jim Wilson has extensive leadership experience in the private forest sector and will step strongly into this leadership role having previously been a Director on the PFT Board.
“Alongside this appointment, I am also delighted to announce that Bob Rutherford has been appointed as a new Director for three years, coming onto the Board with extensive expertise in forestry and natural resources sciences,” Minister Ellis said.
“Additionally, Alice Herbon has been reappointed as a member representing non-industrial private forest growers for a further term of one year.
“More than 70 per cent of Tasmania’s wood harvest by volume now comes from the private estate. Our sustainably managed private native and plantation forests provide the wood needed to build our houses and fibre for a plastic-free future.
“Private Forests Tasmania is supported by the Rockliff Liberal Government to actively promote the private forests sector and help shape its sustainable growth.
“This includes the provision of $600,000 through our Climate Change Action Plan to support landowners in increasing commercial tree plantings on their properties, sequestering carbon while providing future wood and fibre for our community.
“Under the Liberal Government’s pro-forestry settings, jobs, wood production, exports and confidence are all up. I look forward to continuing to work with the sector and PFT to see further growth in this critical industry.
“I congratulate Mr Wilson, Mr Rutherford and Ms Herbon on their appointments and wish outgoing Chair, Mr Evan Rolley, all the best for his future endeavours and thank him for his service as Chair of PFT for more than five years,” Minister Ellis said.