FORESTRY industries will receive a $2.4m boost for research projects under the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation in Mount Gambier.
The University of South Australia is the biggest beneficiary with four projects being funded, including $1m to characterise softwood sawn products, $530,000 for forest biosecurity and $100,000 for forest fire detection.
A further $55,000 will be used to investigate effective water licence uses in forestry.
The Southern Tree Breeding Association received $427,000 to develop genomic resources for pine breeding, with the CSIRO successful in securing $155,000 to investigate closing the forest yield gap.
Agriculture and Water Resources Assistant Senator Richard Colbeck and State Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone congratulated the grant recipients and welcomed the benefits these projects will bring to Australia and South Australia.
“These projects will create jobs by driving forestry research and development in areas such as worker safety, carbon emission targets, design standards, biosecurity, fire detection and genetics,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The total value of these projects is more than $5m through a combination of Australian and South Australian Government funds, together with funding and in-kind contributions from industry and research agencies.
“National Institute for Forest Products Innovation was an election promise which has been delivered by our Government and growing forestry research is a key part of our National Forest Industries Plan to plant a billion new trees over the next decade to meet surging demand.
“By delivering a strong economy the Australia Liberal National Government has been able to invest in forestry and scientific research to continue to create jobs and economic opportunities.”
Mr Whetstone said the projects provided exciting opportunities for the future of the South Australian forestry industry.
Barker MP Tony Pasin pointed to the long history in plantation forestry and the invaluable local knowledge.
“All of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation projects are driven by the needs of the forestry industry,” he said.
“The industry and scientists are undertaking these projects in partnership and are building on the knowledge and the research and innovation capacity of the South East.
