A private timber reserve is a parcel of private land or forest of at least five hectares in area set aside to grow or harvest forests.
In Tasmania private timber reserves (PTRs) are an integral part of the State's commitment to encouraging and fostering the sustainable management of private forests. Forestry, as a major statewide industry, is covered by a statewide planning system in the form of the Forest Practices Act 1985 and Forest Practices Code.
A private timber reserve may be an area of:
Private timber reserves may cover a single title or several titles and be over the whole of a title or part of a title. It must be at least five (5) hectares (12 acres) in area.
A private land owner needs to secure their right to use the land for forestry purposes in the long term.
A private timber reserve can benefit a landowner because:
Developments on the land other than ‘forest operations,’ are subject to regulation by local government. If the owner wishes to undertake any other developments on the land they may require local government approval.
Private Forests Tasmania processes Private Timber Reserve applications from landowners under a delegation from the Forest Practices Authority.
The application form has two parts:
Landowners interested in applying for a Private Timber Reserve over part or all of their property should contact Private Forests Tasmania for advice and assistance.
Please phone 1300 661 009 if you have any queries or email admin@pft.tas.gov.au.
As of 1 July 2023, the fee to apply for a private timber reserve is $623.00 and must accompany the application.
There is no fee for revoking a private timber reserve.
Can I remove a PTR?
It may be wise to seek independent advice before making any commitment to removing the PTR.
To be completed by the person who owns the land (the registered title holder).
Also required are:
It takes several months to complete the application process and to register the private timber reserve on the titles.
To be completed by a registered forest practices officer. Please see Part B registered consultants for a list of persons registered to complete this section of the application.
Objections to private timber reserves can be lodged by a 'prescribed person' within 28 days of advertisement. Objections must be lodged with Private Forests Tasmania on the relevant forms and within the period specified in the advertisement.
Grounds on which an objection may be lodged include:
The decision to revoke a private timber reserve rests purely with the registered landowner and/or the Forest Practices Authority. Before making the decision to revoke your PTR, you should seek independent advice, and consider the benefits and alternatives by reading Alternatives to revoking my Private Timber Reserve.
Questions you may want to ask before you apply for Revocation of a PTR:
Question: Am I fully aware of the consequences of revoking, or retaining, my land as a PTR?
Answer: If ‘No’ you should obtain an objective opinion about the costs & benefits. PFT would be happy to provide you with free information.
Question: Do I know my intended land use now and for the future?
Answer:
1. I am committed to converting all or part of the area to non-forest →
Apply for revocation of all or part of the PTR.
2. I wish to continue to use the land for forestry →
Retain the PTR.
3. I am uncertain of the land use →
Retain the PTR and contact PFT Helpline 1300 661 009 for information.
A revocation can be lodged on all or part of the registered private timber reserve. There is no fee for revoking a private timber reserve.