FPN vol 11 no 2 January 2012 - The Forest Practices Authority

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Researchers urge targeted allocation offorest industry assistanceJacki SchirmerFenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National UniversityCooperative Research Centre for Forestry, HobartJacki’s research on the socio-economic impactsof the Tasmanian forest industry change hasbeen reported in the media. Many ForestPractices News readers are currently beingaffected by this change so we asked Jacki towrite a short article for this issue.What the research coveredResearch conducted by the CooperativeResearch Centre for Forestry (CRCfor Forestry) over the past year hasdocumented the extensive decline inbusiness activity in the Tasmanian forestindustry. The ‘Socio-economic impacts offorest industry change’ study released inJuly 2011 identified that an estimated 3500forest industry jobs (50%) had been lostbetween August 2008 and May 2011.While these employment figures haveattracted considerable media attention,the broader goals of the study were tounderstand how the downturn in theforest industry was impacting forestryThe ‘Socio-economic impacts of forest industry change’study released in July 2011 identified that an estimated3500 forest industry jobs (50%) had been lost betweenAugust 2008 and May 2011. (Photograph by CarolineDocking)industry businesses and workers, andwhich communities are most affected bychanges in the industry. The study alsolooked at how best to help these groupsadapt to these changes, and set out anumber of recommendations on how tomost effectively target any funds providedto assist forestry businesses, workers andcommunities.What the research foundThe research analysed sectors of theforest industry to determine which hadexperienced the most negative impacts ofthe downturn affecting the industry, andwhere jobs had been lost. The researchfound that ongoing uncertainty is currentlydriving job loss in some parts of the industry,reducing the ability of viable businesses toobtain loans, continue finance, or plan fortheir future. Similarly, workers and theirfamilies find it difficult to make plans fortheir future, not knowing whether theiremployment will continue. Analysis identifiedthe likely tipping points that could pushbusinesses to close.On a more positive front, the researchfound that many forestry businesses whoremain in the industry are using their ownskills and creativity to develop new businessopportunities, for example by diversifyinginto new markets (sometimes outside theindustry) in order to keep their businessgoing and employees working. And theresearch showed that in the native forestsector, many sawmills have maintained orexpanded their production and marketsduring the downturn, a result of strongmarkets for appearance timbers, and ofbusinesses diversifying their businesses andfocusing on improving the quality of theirproducts, amongst other factors.Government’s roleThe research suggests that if the $276million package announced as part of theIntergovernmental Agreement (IGA) isto be successful in helping forest industrybusinesses, workers, and communities, thefollowing must occur:• First, the IGA must provide certaintyabout the future. This is essential forworkers, businesses and communitiesto plan for their future and be willing toinvest in their business or communities(e.g. buy a house). Affected peopleneed to know the implications forthem of the IGA, to be able to planhow they can respond to its outcomes.At the time of writing in November2011, certainty had not yet beenachieved, and this uncertainty wascontinuing to contribute to job losses.• Second, any assistance provided needsto ‘help people help themselves’–providing support to businessesand workers to help leverage theirown skills and resources to adaptto change. Forest businesses andworkers have proven that they areable to bring creativity to coping withchange, but the capacity of individualsand communities to adapt to changeis reduced due to the stressesexperienced and widespread loss ofincome. Addressing these barriers tochange requires more than just givingcash payments, although financialassistance is a critical part of theassistance needed by many. Supportis also required to address the legacyof stress, depression and anxietyexperienced by many in the forestindustry and dependent communitiesas a result of the downturn, and as aresult of several decades of conflictregarding the forest industry. This socialsupport is essential as people cannotplan effectively for their future whenstruggling with stress and depression,just as they cannot plan a futurewhen struggling with high debt levels.Assistance is also required to helppeople redevelop their businesses, findnew jobs, and develop creative newfutures for rural communities. Thisassistance will help create new jobs14 Forest Practices News vol 11 no 2 January 2012
Researchers urge targeted allocation of forest industry assistanceand opportunities rather than workersand communities simply losing jobs andbeing ‘paid out’.Some of this support is already occurring,however it is difficult for many to find outabout and apply successfully for assistance,and hence support is not yet reachingall those it needs to. This highlights theneed for ongoing work to improvecommunication and to support accessprocesses.Community’s roleIn all of this, it is not only the governmentthat has a role to play. The research showedthat people who feel supported by othersin their industry and in their communitiesare generally coping better with the changescurrently occurring in the industry. Thosewho feel isolated and disconnected fromothers are experiencing the greatest stressand negative impacts as a result of thedownturn. It is important for those in theindustry, and in communities dependenton the industry, to actively support eachother. This support can include simplytalking to those affected by the downturn,organising industry and community eventsthat help bring people together andhelping businesses to work to identify newopportunities.The research discussed in this article was part-fundedby the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheriesand Forestry (DAFF), to enable the study to formpart of the due diligence assessment undertakenprior to announcement of the Tasmanian ForestsIntergovernmental Agreement. The study reportcan be downloaded at http://www.crcforestry.com.au/publications/downloads/TR214_Schirmer_Socioeconomic-impacts-interim-compiled.pdf.Author’s contact:Jacki.schirmer@anu.edu.auFPA training courses 2012Forest Practices Officer training courseNominations for the 2012 FPO training course are being called for. Contact Jo Field, FPO Course Coordinator on 6336 5380 or emailjo.field@fpa.tas.gov.au for further information regarding the nomination process. Applications close 31 May 2012, with nominees advisedin June 2012 if they are eligible for the course and if the course will proceed in 2012.Course Contact Timing Duration Location Course content and costFauna I and II course(Fauna I is a prerequisite forthe FPO training course)Karen Richards 6233 7870Karen.Richards@fpa.tas.gov.au21 to 23 Feb20123 days SouthRefer to the FPO resourcetraining manual on the FPAwebsite for more details: www.fpa.tas.gov.au/fpa_services/training_and_educationForest botany courses I and II(Botany I is a prerequisite forthe FPO training course)Anne Chuter 6233 3045Anne.Chuter@fpa.tas.gov.auTim Leaman 6233 7870Tim.Leaman@fpa.tas.gov.auMarch 2012(TBA)2 daysnorth and south(if sufficient numbers)Refer to the FPO resourcetraining manual on the FPAwebsite for more details: www.fpa.tas.gov.au/fpa_services/training_and_educationIdentification of hybridsTim Leaman 6233 7870Tim.Leaman@fpa.tas.gov.auJune 2012 (TBA)1 daySurrey HillsNorth-west TasmaniaInformation provided on requestIn collaboration with UTasWedge-tailed eagle nestidentification and activitychecking courseJason Wiersma 6216 4456Jason.Wiersma@fpa.tas.gov.auTim Leaman 6233 7870Tim.Leaman@fpa.tas.gov.auMay 2012 1 day TBA Information provided on requestPeter McIntosh, the FPA’s Senior Scientist, Earth Sciences, training the participants on the Forest Supervisors’ course.January 2012 Forest Practices News vol 11 no 215
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