Guy Barnett,Minister for Resources
Tasmania's forestry industry continues to grow in strength and Tasmanians should be proud of our world-leading and sustainable managed forestry sector.
Australia's current timber shortage and the challenges it faces for the building and construction industry highlights the importance of a sustainable and productive forestry sector in Tasmania.
Global demand for timber is expected to double in the next 30 and the private sector will be crucial to any success.
Three quarters of all forestry production in Tasmania by volume now comes from private growers.
Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) actively promotes the private forests sector and help shape its sustainable growth. Funding is also provided by private forest service levies.
In driving forward the work of PFT, we welcome the announcement that PFT chairman Evan Rolley has been reappointed for a further two years and Jim Wilson has been appointed as a new PFT Board member.
Mr Rolley is an experienced private tree grower and farmer in the Huon Valley and has more than 40 years' experience in all aspects of the forestry sector.
Mr Wilson is the Forico plantation operations and services manager and will represent industrial private forest growers on the board.
He is a respected and innovative forestry leader with a strong background in rural industries and specialises in plantation forestry.
Mr Wilson is the current chairman of the Institute of Foresters (Tasmania), member of the Tasmanian Game Council, director of the Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group and deputy chairman of the Tasmanian Meat Industry Council.
