THE State Government will pour $2m over four years into the proposed National Institute for Forest Products Innovation Hub in Mount Gambier, which is expected to drive innovation in the region’s $1.2b forestry sector.
The announcement has ended ongoing speculation whether the government would financially support the fledgling project, which was a $2m Coalition election commitment.
One of only two to be established across Australia, the innovation hub will be housed at University of SA’s Mount Gambier campus and is a key project being pushed by national industry lobby group Australian Forest Products Association.
An industry-driven regional advisory committee will now be convened to determine priority research projects for the forest and wood products industry, which underpins 4000 jobs in the South East.
It is expected operations at the hub will begin by the end of this year.
The funding arrangement will see $1m collectively flow from the coffers of both tiers of government over the next four years.
Announcing the funding pledge yesterday, Forestry Minister Leon Bignell said the forest industry was worth $2.6b to the state and generated 4000 jobs in the South East.
“I’m delighted we’re establishing this state-of-the-art research facility in Mount Gambier,” Mr Bignell said.
“The State Government’s investment of $500,000 a year into forest research and the allocation of this funding to the new institute is a fantastic way to ensure we carve out a solid future for the sector – in collaboration with UniSA, local industry and the Federal Government.
“Cutting edge research is vital to any industry and forestry offers so much potential and it’s exciting South Australia will soon be home to one of Australia’s leading forest and wood products research institutes in the country.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin yesterday welcomed the financial support from the State Government.
“As co-convener of the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry and Forest Products and a passionate member of parliament representing the Green Triangle in South Australia, the institute was a key election commitment for me in the 2016 election and one I am following closely,” Mr Pasin said.
“The Federal Government has always been dedicated and committed to delivering a forestry hub in Mount Gambier and I am pleased the State Government has decided to cooperate on this important project.
“As I have said previously, the best outcome for the industry will be achieved with full cooperation from both tiers of government.”
UniSA vice chancellor Professor David Lloyd also welcomed the project yesterday.
“Having invested significantly in capacity and infrastructure building in Mount Gambier in recent years, our partnership in this invaluable research and development hub for the forestry industry will support real innovation in South Australia,” Prof Lloyd said.
He said UniSA researchers would work to find innovative improvements and solutions related to water sustainability and quality, measuring and managing productivity and improving waste management.
Other areas of research will include energy use, growing forestry through product innovations and marketing and ensuring a sustainable future for the industry in the Mount Gambier region.
“As ‘Australia’s University of Enterprise’ this is exactly the kind of partnership where our researchers can add value to industry and support economic growth in the state and significantly, in regional South Australia,” Mr Lloyd said.
The hub will play a vital role in fostering collaboration, supporting cutting edge research, boosting innovation, maintaining jobs and making Mount Gambier one of the major centres for forest-industry research in the country.
According to the project’s proponents, the hub’s activities will enhance the strength of the Green Triangle region which is already one of Australia’s most important regions for the growing and processing of timber.
Moreover, the hub will also build upon the extensive information ForestrySA has generated over many years of research.
