On Friday, Premier Lara Giddings announced $3.9 million from the agreement would be invested into aquaculture in Southern Tasmania and $5.75 million into two agricultural projects at Circular Head.

The money was part of $120 million that was put aside to be used for regional assistance to diversify Tasmania's economy and create jobs, specifically with the aim of providing jobs for displaced forestry workers.

Forest industry representatives yesterday said they had mixed feelings towards the deals, fearing agriculture and aquaculture could be seen as replacements to the ailing forestry sector, resulting in a ``let it die'' attitude toward their own industry.

The major announcement on Friday was the $4.25 million Agritas Trade College to be built at Smithton, which will offer training in all aspects of agriculture with particular focus expected to centre on the North-West's rapidly growing dairy industry.

Forests and Forest Industry Council of Tasmania chairman Glenn Britton, a Circular Head sawmill operator, said he supported the projects and acknowledged they would help the regions but did not want people to look at them as replacements for a forestry industry in turmoil.

``The industry is under tremendous strain,'' Mr Britton said.

``(But) with appropriate support we can maintain jobs in the industry.''

Timber Communities Australia spokesman Barry Chipman also supported the projects and said it was good that the state government had recognised the need to help communities affected.

But he said the forestry industry shouldn't have reached this point.

``I don't know if politicians are fully aware of the heartache in regional communities,'' Mr Chipman said.

``There's far too many forest industry-dependent families that have had their livelihoods taken away from them.''

Mr Britton said some of the assistance money should be directed at maintaining and strengthening forestry.

``A reasonable portion should fund viable forest projects to underpin the industry's future.''

Mr Britton said he didn't want to see apathy or a ``let it die'' attitude from politicians towards the industry.

``We don't want these industries to take its place, we want it to be in addition to the industry.''

He said jobs created by other industries were not, and should not be looked at as replacements for forest industry workers.

``A lot of people in the forest industry are not suited to work in other industries, such as dairy as an example.''