THE Federal Government’s $20m funding commitment to underpin the initial implementation of a National Forest Industries Plan is a great start to addressing Australia’s forest industry requirements, according to the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA).
The government will provide the funding over four years from 2018/19 to support growth in Australia’s renewable timber and wood fibre industry.
The National Forestry Industry Plan includes funding to transform farm forestry as a commercial enterprise supplying timber to Australia’s forestry sector, drive further innovation, research and development of new products and value adding in the forestry industry.
The plan will also seek to determine opportunities and gaps in key regional forestry hubs.
Association chief executive Ross Hampton welcomed the plan, saying AFPA and industry would continue to work with the Federal Government to safeguard jobs and turbocharge local timber products.
Mr Hampton said AFPA’s Towards a National Forest Industries Plan: Key Industry Asks outlined the requirements of forest industries in order to remain a strong part of the nation’s economic and social future.
“120,000 people are employed across the full value chain of forest industries and their contribution to rural communities across the country is essential,” he said.
“Furthermore, we need to work to reduce Australia’s $2b annual trade deficit and produce more value-added forest products locally.
“Later this year the Federal Government has said it will deliver a new national blueprint for Australia’s forest industries, something well overdue, given the last major plans were in 1997 and 1992.”
