Private Forests Tasmania’s annual Farm Forestry Seminars will be held in Burnie and Launceston during August. The first will be in Burnie on 13 August followed by a seminar in Launceston on 14 August. Source: Timberbiz
Getting on with business is the theme for the 2014 farm forestry evening seminars.
Guest speakers have been chosen because they are playing a significant role in the renewal of the forestry sector. Guest speakers at the functions will include Paul Harriss the State Minister for Resources.
James Davies, chairman of Forico, chairman of Timberlink Australia and head of funds management, New Forests Asset Management will discuss the emergence of new trends in forest ownership and in the market place. He will discuss how these trends fit with the objectives of institutional owners and what it means for the Tasmanian plantation forestry sector.
Mr Davies will also focus on New Forests’ plans for the ex-Gunns estate and its experience over the past 18 months establishing the Timberlink business, which includes the sawmill at Bell Bay.
Rob Mallinson, managing director of Wood Energy Australia and Living Energy and chairman of the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand will attend. He is a bio-energy plant installer who recently completed the installation of a bio-energy plant at the Beaufort Hospital in Victoria, with others in development.
He will discuss how Tasmania could maximise the value that can be delivered by this renewable and carbon neutral heat source.
Matthew Gee, director of Island Workshop is a carpenter, registered builder and design professional with a passion for timber construction. He is one of the growing number of building professionals who believe it is a critical time for Tasmania to bridge the gap between those who grow trees and the end users of timber products.
Mr Gee will tell the story of how designers and builders aspire to use timber in construction and the potential to establish new, locally made timber products. Details about the seminars are at www.pft.tas.gov.au
