Federal Government grants $1 million to restore Skyline Tier in Tasmania

Collaboration with New Forests, Timberlands Pacific and Landcare Tasmania marks major step forward for regional restoration

TASMANIA  – 4 June 2026 – The Federal Government has awarded the North East Bioregional Network (NEBN) a $1 million grant from the Australian Government’s Local Environment Projects Program to advance the restoration of the Skyline Tier landscape in Tasmania’s northeast – an important milestone made possible through long‑standing collaboration with New Forests, Timberlands Pacific, Landcare Tasmania, and the Break O’Day Council.

The funding will be used over the next three years to undertake up to 650 hectares of native forest restoration and native forest remediation across the Skyline Tier of the Scamander Forest.

The project will involve on‑ground crews undertaking native revegetation, erosion control, invasive species removal, and habitat enhancement over several years. Landcare Tasmania will provide additional technical expertise and volunteer coordination, while Break O’Day Council will support local planning and community engagement. It is estimated 12 local people will be employed over the next three years.

The Scamander Forest landscape is part of Taswood estate, which is an asset within New Forests’ Australia New Zealand Forest Fund (ANZFF).

Ed Warren, Fund Lead, Australia New Zealand Forest Fund, New Forests says, “New Forests has long believed that productive plantation forestry and high‑value conservation outcomes can be achieved side by side.

“This funding will strengthen regional biodiversity, support local employment, and further our shared commitment to long‑term landscape restoration while delivering positive outcomes for our investors. We see this as being a win-win for all stakeholders.”

Timberlands Pacific, New Forests’ property manager of the estate, supported NEBN in developing the application, and will continue to work closely with NEBN to integrate restoration activities with ongoing sustainable forest management practices across the broader Taswood estate. This includes safeguarding high‑conservation‑value areas, removing pine wildlings, improving streamside reserves, and supporting recreational access and fire management for the community.

Robin Dickson, Tree Crop Manager, Timberlands Pacific, “The project demonstrates how collaborative, mixed‑use landscape planning can deliver meaningful climate mitigation, ecological resilience, and economic value. We look forward to our continued work with NEBN on this important project for the Tasmanian community.”

Todd Dudley, President of NEBN said, “Skyline Tier is an iconic landscape for our region. With this funding and the ongoing support of New Forests, Timberlands Pacific, Landcare Tasmania, and Break O’Day Council, we can restore native forest at a scale that benefits wildlife, waterways, and people. It truly is a win for the environment and a win for the broader community.”

Peter Stronach CEO Landcare Tasmania says “Providing funding for projects like the Skyline Tier Restoration Project ensures benefits for both local communities and the environment. Landcare Tasmania has supported the North East Bioregional Network and community groups to undertake similar restoration activities for the past 20 years but this level of government investment means this project can scale up providing significantly more positive impacts for both employment, skills building and long-term environmental benefits”.

The Break O’Day Council is pleased to have the project in the municipality and looks forward to following its delivery by North East Bioregional Network and Timberlands Pacific through its NRM Committee.

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