The state-owned forestry company supplies the majority of native timber used in the paper manufacturer’s brands, including flagship office grade, Reflex.

Australian Paper has announced of a 30-year plan to increase its use of plantation fibre.

Chief executive Jim Henneberry said the ‘Future Fibre Strategy’ would help its brands such as Reflex continue to be manufactured in Australia.

“Through a combination of maximising usage from existing plantation suppliers, utilising investment plantations in Central Gippsland and accessing some of the closest parts of the Western Victorian plantations, we expect to progressively increase our plantation fibre usage.”

Henneberry added that 30 interested parties from a wide range of areas have contributed to the strategy, which covers environmental issues including “biodiversity, water and the effect of fire on sustainable wood supply”.

Australian Paper’s use of native timber is the basis of the Wilderness Society’s campaign against its Reflex brand.

A second front in the environmental conflict has now opened up as VicForests was served with an injunction earlier this month, which has been upheld by a ruling in a Victorian court this week.

Sarah Rees from green lobby group My Environment Inc described the injunction as “brilliant” result in the fight to protect the native forest in Victoria’s central highlands.

Shaun Scallan, general manger for corporate social responsibility for Australian Paper, said: “We welcome this demonstration that the industry is strongly regulated and await the outcome of this matter.”

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