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What you think is what really matters

3000 Tasmanian residents have been asked to share their views about commercial plantations.

The expansion of plantations has been a subject of debate in many rural communities, and a survey by the University of Melbourne and CRC for Forestry seeks to better understand how people perceive plantations and the reasons for these views.

“This survey will provide valuable information about the way Tasmanians really think and feel about changes in the landscape,” said lead researcher Dr Kathryn Williams.

“Public comment and media coverage can provide some insights into the ways people view plantation forestry. Decision-makers also need systematic social research to help identify areas of concern and support for different land uses.”

Information gathered from the survey will help Local and State Governments, forest and agricultural industries, and NRM regions to plan for the future.

“Every response is really very important,” said Dr Williams. Households have been randomly selected to participate in the survey from districts across Tasmania, with questionnaire information collection scheduled to end on 26 August.

The survey is part of a larger social research program about plantation forestry and communities, which is conducted by the CRC for Forestry and research partners the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, the University of Tasmania, and Southern Cross University.