Forest Industries of Tasmania

Good Neighbour Charter Launch

26 Nov 2008

The Good Neighbour Charter is a commitment by Tasmania’s forestry industry to engage in constructive and cooperative dialogue with their neighbours and was developed by the companies in consultation with local government, regional authorities, and farming and tourism groups to promote good communication between different industries.

The charter was signed by Forestry Tasmania, Gunns Limited, Norkse Skog Boyer Mills Australia Limited, Timberlands Pacific Pty Ltd, FEA Pty Ltd and Great Southern Limited.

Representatives from the signatory companies and other organisations who have endorsed the charter will be attending a launch tomorrow morning from 10.30am at Archers Manor at Newnham.

The charter aims for the forestry companies and their neighbours to engage in constructive dialogue based on mutual trust and respect.

The key issues covered in the charter include care of the environment, managing fire risk and planned burns, tourism, roading and control of weeds and pests.

Organisations endorsing commitments within the charter were Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, Local Government Association of Tasmania, Forest Industries Association of Tasmania (FIAT), Forests and Forest Industry Council of Tasmania, Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association, and Private Forests Tasmania.

FIAT CEO Terry Edwards said the charter was a major component to improving relationships between forestry and other industries that share boundaries and regions throughout Tasmania and to building relationships for the long term betterment of the State as a whole.

“The charter assists in bringing people together from all spectrums of different industries to enable better and more transparent communication over issues of mutual interest,” he said.

“There is no value in disagreements being dealt with by way of public acrimony and recrimination, rather a mature approach founded on good will and mutual respect will lead to significantly better outcomes for all.

“This will also help with maintaining dialogue between forestry, agriculture, tourism and local government during contentious issues and by using the charter; issues are more likely to be resolved to the benefit of both industries and the State as a whole.