Appointment of new PFT Chair and Board members

Posted 24 January 2024

Tasmania’s thriving private forest sector is set for further growth with the appointment of a new Chair and Directors to the Board of Private Forests Tasmania (PFT).

Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said that after a widespread search, Jim Wilson has been appointed as the new Chair of PFT.

"Jim Wilson has extensive leadership experience in the private forest sector and will step strongly into this leadership role having previously been a Director on the PFT Board.

"Alongside this appointment, I am also delighted to announce that Bob Rutherford has been appointed as a new Director for three years, coming onto the Board with extensive expertise in forestry and related natural resources sciences.

"Additionally, Alice Herbon has been reappointed as a member representing non-industrial private forest growers for a further term of one year."

More than 70 per cent of Tasmania’s wood harvest by volume now comes from the private estate. Our sustainably managed private native and plantation forests provide the wood needed to build our houses and fibre for a plastic-free future.

"Private Forests Tasmania is supported by the Rockliff Liberal Government to actively promote the private forests sector and help shape its sustainable growth," said Minister Ellis.

"This includes the provision of $600,000 through our Climate Change Action Plan to support landowners in increasing commercial tree plantings on their properties, sequestering carbon while providing future wood and fibre for our community.

"I congratulate Mr Wilson, Mr Rutherford and Ms Herbon on their appointments and wish outgoing Chair, Mr Evan Rolley, all the best for his future endeavours and thank him for his service as Chair of PFT for more than five years,” Minister Ellis said.

PFT's Chief Executive Officer Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski thanked Mr Rolley for his contributions to the forestry industry throughout his career and his term as PFT Chair.

"We extend our gratitude to Evan for an impactful tenure not only as PFT Chair, but also throughout his career. He truly is a state treasure," she said.

"Evan's commitment to the private forest industry has left a permanent positive mark on PFT and his leadership has placed an important focus on innovative whole-farm planning as well as continuing to meet the demands of the emerging wood markets.

"I look forward to working closely with PFT's new Chair, Jim Wilson, existing Board members and welcome Bob Rutherford to the organisation."