Almost half of Tasmania's land is forested, including cool temperate rainforest, wet and dry eucalypt forest and plantations. Forests cover a total of about 3,353,000 hectares or 49% of the State's area, compared with an estimated 59% at the time of European settlement.
Tasmania has a wide range of native forest-based industries. These vary from woodcraft to wood fuels, from veneer manufacture and sawmilling to woodchip, pulp, newsprint and fine-paper making. Other important forestry sector industries include leatherwood honey production, tourism, and recreational and educational activities based in multiple-use forests.
The Australian Government and the State Government share a vision of ecologically sustainable management of the forest estate that integrates environmental, commercial and community values and uses.
SUMMARY OF STATE FOREST STATISTICS, Tasmania |
|
 | Period | Unit | Tas. |
|
| Forest estate | | | |
| Total State Forest (including Forest Reserves)(a) | As at 30 June 2003 | '000 ha | 1,501 |
| Total Forest Reserves(a) | As at 30 June 2003 | '000 ha | 175 |
| Total plantations (stocked area)(b)(c)(d)(e) | As at 30 June 2003 | '000 ha | 87 |
| | | |
| Native forest area harvested | | | |
| Clearfell, selective harvesting | 2002-03 | '000 ha | 16.9 |
| | | |
| Forest areas established | | | |
| Native forest regenerated | 2002-03 | '000 ha | 10.5 |
| Hardwood plantations established(d)(e)(f) | 2002-03 | '000 ha | 3.5 |
| Softwood plantations established(c)(e)(f) | 2002-03 | '000 ha | 2.5 |
| | | |
| Wood and paper manufacturing | | | |
| Employment(g) | 1999-2000 | no. | 3,639 |
| Wages and salaries(h) | 1999-2000 | $m | 144.1 |
| Turnover | 1999-2000 | $m | 1,271.3 |
|
(a) This area reflects the final proclamation of the Regional Forest Agreement (Land Classification) Act 1998.
(b) Figure excludes plantation areas clearfelled but not yet replanted.
(c) Includes softwood plantations, 50% of which are now owned by Renewable Resources Ltd, for which data is supplied by Rayonier Australia.
(d) The majority of mixed hardwood/softwood plantations are reported as hardwood.
(e) Includes Tassie Trees Trust plantations which are mainly jointly-owned with private growers, but include small proportions owned solely by Forestry Tasmania.
(f) Includes replanting.
(g) Includes working proprietors.
(h) Excludes the drawings of working proprietors.
Source: Forestry Tasmania, Annual Report 2002-03; Manufacturing Industry, Tasmania (Cat. no. 8221.6). |
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