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Premier - Forests


Cassy O'Connor MP  -  Monday, 6 September 2021

Tags: Forests, Environment, State Budget

Ms O'CONNOR - Premier, this again relates to the PESRAC report and the strong findings from Tasmanians that they want to see the natural environment looked after. Does your Government have any plans to exchange or convert the future reserve forests, which you call future potential product forests, which your minister calls a 'wood bank' and you very rightly call 'a carbon bank'?

Mr GUTWEIN - I think it's a combination of both, isn't it? Both a wood bank and it also acts as a carbon store.

Ms O'CONNOR - The future reserve forests?

Mr GUTWEIN - It does.

Ms O'CONNOR - The FPPF?

Mr GUTWEIN - It is a wood bank, as well as a carbon store.

Ms O'CONNOR - No, it's not, but anyway carry on.

Mr GUTWEIN - Yes, it is. I think it is. None that I'm aware of, but the legislation as I understand it does allow for -

Ms O'CONNOR - Exchange or conversion.

Mr GUTWEIN - For exchange or conversion, yes. Those discussions would be ongoing. Do we have any plans right now? Not to the best of my knowledge.

Ms O'CONNOR - So, there's been no approaches as far as you know from either a logging company or another private company, including a mining company, to convert FPPF land?

Mr GUTWEIN - Not that I am aware of or that I have advice on. I don't believe we've had anything into my office, no.