Sources say forest deal 'close'

A stack of logs on the wharf at Burnie. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

SPECULATION is rife that the long-awaited deal on Tasmanian forestry is "very close" to being done.

Sources say that under the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on forestry deal there will be a total of 560,000ha of new reserves, to be set aside in stages from a start of about 380,000ha. The sawmilling industry will be restricted to about 137,000 cubic metres of sawlogs.

Sources say Ta Ann Tasmania has been left out of the agreement and will not get its wish that 265,000 cubic metres of peeler billets be written into the agreement and subsequent legislation.

It is understood that special species timbers may get an allocation from about 37,000ha.

The step up in reservation would follow if the forestry industry was satisfied that protests and anti-logging campaigns by environmentalists had stopped.

City Street