Research and Reports


TWFF Submission to the Forestry Tasmania Draft Forest Management Plan 2008-2017


Native Forest to Plantations, A study of conversion coups in Tasmania


Warra 8G Final Report 174K file in PDF format

This report was written by Mark Leech at the completion of the harvesting trial at Warra 8G. The Warra design group tried many variations of harvesting, design and regeneration, many of which were very successful. There is enough demonstrated successful harvesting at this site to say this should set a minimum standard for future harvesting in mature native forest that is not of high conservation value.

Warra design group and Timber Workers For Forests member, Ian Johnston offers himself as a personal guide for anyone who wishes to view the site. Please contact Ian on 0418 202 957


Tarkine Devastation Tour

These articles were written after a trip to the Tarkine on the West Coast of Tasmania on the 21st August 2009. The Tarkine comprises approx 440ha of reserves with the largest tracts of cool temperate rainforest in Australia. Unfortunately logging is encroaching deeply into this area.

Tarkine Tour Introduction 462K in PDF format
Tarkine Tour One 3293K in PDF format
Tarkine Tour Two 3751K in PDF format


Native Forest to Plantations

A study of conversion coupes in Tasmania, done after both Forestry Tas and Gunns stated that they were not going to do any more conversions. (7025K file in pdf format)


Too much risk for the reward.

Naomi Edwards submission to the RPDC September 2006 - an analysis of the pulp mill returns to the people of Tasmania. (186K file in pdf format)


TWFF on the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement.

Timber Workers For Forests comment on the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement June 2005.

(58K file in pdf format)

TWFF Press Release


Tasmania's Specialty Timber Industry

A Blueprint for Future Sustainability (549K file in pdf format) August 2004

Tasmania's specialty timber industry currently contributes significantly to the Tasmanian community both economically and socially. This document provides a blueprint for the long-term ecologically sustainable supply of specialty timbers for the Tasmanian furniture, boat-building, interior design, and craft-wood industries.

The document is the culmination of 10 months research and comprehensive consultation with the Tasmanian timber industry and community. It identifies 62,000 hectares of State forest for proposed new Specialty Timber Zones.

figure 1 (607K file in pdf format)
figure 2 (434K file in pdf format)
figure 3 (373K file in pdf format)

- from the main document in colour and in a slightly higher resolution


Plantation Forestry In Tasmania

An overview of Tasmania's plantation forests, current and future opportunities, August 2004.

The file in full. (1710K file in pdf format)

- or download in sections

Part one  (435K file in pdf format) - Contents, Summary, Introduction, "National Context and Overview of Tasmania's Plantations".
Part two  (403K file in pdf format) "Plantation Production And Products", "Current Plantation Forest Employment" and "Future Plantation Resource Availability".
Part three (256K file in pdf format) "Maximising The Return From Plantations"
Part four (662K file in pdf format) "Plantation Issues Of Economic And Social Importance", Appendices


Employment in Tasmania's Timber Industry (2004)

(76K file in pdf format)


Misuse of Imagery by Industrial Loggers

An essay by Graham Green (12K file in pdf format)


Sustainable Harvesting Proposal

(12K file in pdf format)

This document is a proposal suitable for some sites and is the work of one member of TWFF; it does not necessarily represent the views of the rest of the members of TWFF


Tasmania's Sawmills Briefing Sheet

(188K file in pdf format)


Timber Industry Jobs Update August 2004

(69K file in pdf format)


Biodiversity Biodiversity Impacts and Sustainability Implications of Clearfell Logging in the Weld Valley, Tasmania

(773K file in pdf format) March 2004

The impact of clearfelling on biodiversity this new report challenges the scientific basis of forestry. The study compares the values of old growth forest with a nearby site that was clearfelled and regenerated in the 1980s. The study was conducted by a team of scientists in Tasmania's Weld River Valley.

The study demonstrates that logging old growth forest significantly alters the diversity and abundance of plants and invertebrate animals. Poor soil structure and loss of soil organic matter following the clearfell-burn and sow treatment appears to adversely affect forest health and its ability to produce good timber.

Figure 1 (a 291 K file in pdf format) and
Figure 2 (a 114 K file in pdf format)

- from the main document in slightly larger resolution.


Exporting our Jobs and Future Sawlogs

(59K file in pdf format)


Economic Appraisal of Clearfelling and Woodchipping

(106K file in PDF format)

Presented to the landclearing conference Friday 23rd May 2003.


Plantation Promises Stretched to Breaking Point.

(105K file in PDF format)

What happens when the prospectus assumptions hit the ground?

Evidence to Senate Inquiry into Plantation Forestry - Tuesday 29 April 2003. Report author N. J. Edwards.

PDF version of power point presentation made to the Senate Inquiry (351K file in PDF format) - Naomi Edwards.


Esperance 74D (EPO74D) Logging Coupe Inventory

Forest Waste - The Obscene Cost of Clearfelling (355K file in PDF format)

Research findings from a clearfelled old-growth coupe, epo74D, in the southern forests, April 2002.


Tasmanian Timber Industry Jobs Update October 2002

A review of job losses in the Tasmanian timber industry. (64K file in PDF format.)


Tasmanian timber industry jobs 2002

(410K file in PDF format)

A report detailing: the magnitude of job losses in the Tasmanian timber industry in the last decade; the cause of the job losses; and a framework to enable Tasmania's timber industry to become innovative, environmentally sound and rich in jobs.


[Back to Main Page]