This was sent to me by John Conroy , a journalist for the "Weekly Times".
Any comment ? , its all news to me !.
Regards Rob J.
" From a Tasmanian Government spokesperson:
“The Intergovernmental Agreement is about securing a sustainable future for the Tasmanian timber industry.
“One element of that industry is the trade in special species timber. The Agreement recognises this and provides, subject to verification, 12,500 cubic metres of special species timber per annum.
“The particular timber needs of the wooden boat building industry were recognised and planned for several years ago, long before the IGA talks commenced.
“Under the Forests and Forest Industry Council program, a Wooden Boat Board Bank (WBBB) was established. This initiative came out of the Regional Forests Agreement process.
“Quantities of appropriate boat building timber were accumulated, processed, racked, packed and stored under the management of the Forests and Forest Industry Council (FFIC).
“Audits have been carried out as part of that management program over the years since the WBBB was established. The WBBB was overseen by a “board” or committee, established by the FFIC which included boat builders.
“More recently, as FFIC’s work program has changed direction, FFIC entered into negotiations with Forestry Tasmania who offered to assist in the ongoing management of the wood bank. That process has been completed and FT is now managing this resource under a new arrangement.
“The timber is still in packs and is (or will soon be) stored at Island Specialty Timbers outlets in Geeveston and Smithton. The WBBB timber is specifically for boat builders. "