Forest industry chief Terry Edwards and wilderness campaigner Vica Bayley share a moment after the signing of Tasmania's historic forestry peace deal today. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE
THE historic deal designed to end 30 years of conflict in Tasmania's forests was today hailed as a triumph of compromise by the forest industry and environmentalists.
The agreement, which will result in the conservation of 560,000ha of native forest, was sealed this morning after more than two years of on-and-off negotiations.
Tasmania's House of Assembly will begin debating legislation relating to the peace deal at 6pm today.
The debate will go ahead despite one of the signatories holding off signing until its grassroots members have considered the agreement at meetings on December 1 and 2 in Hobart and Launceston respectively.
Timber Communities Australia chief executive Jim Adams said the TCA executive would recommend that members accepted the agreement.
Other parties signed off on the deal this morning, with the timber industry claiming credit for getting the talks over the line.
Forest Industry Association of Tasmania chief executive Terry Edwards said the proposal put to the environmental groups on November 2 had seen a 22.5 per cent reduction in annual wood supply to 137,000 cubic metres.
"It was this move by the sector which secured the deal," he said.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, meanwhile, said the forest agreement was not a deal because there had been no give and take in the proposal.
"It is a sell out of every Tasmanian and a complete abrogation of the Tasmanian Government's responsibility for land-use decisions," TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said.
Environment Tasmania director Phill Pullinger said the agreement would protect native forests, support workers and restructure the industry towards a sustainable future.
"This agreement provides a comprehensive conservation outcome, with reserves that include iconic forests in the Styx, Upper Florentine and Weld Valleys, the temperate rainforests of the Tarkine and the unique forests of West Wellington and the Blue Tier," Dr Pullinger said in a statement.
Wilderness Society state campaign director Vica Bayley said all sides had made concessions to secure a final agreement.
"The final agreement has a reduced reserve area to meet agreed wood supply levels and support Tasmania's specialty timber sector, but still delivers for conservation in the iconic areas the Tasmanian community has worked for decades to protect," Mr Bayley said.
"Responsibility now rests with the Tasmanian Parliament to implement the agreement and give Tasmania the opportunity to move on from decades of conflict."
Premier Lara Giddings said it was a day that was significant for many.
"We look forward to bringing forward this legislation," she said.
"It is a difficult day for many but it is a significant day and an important day."
Read the full story in tomorrow's Mercury.
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