FORESTRY research focusing on worker safety, carbon emission targets, forest management and water use will continue following a $2m funding extension to Mount Gambier’s National Institute of Forest Products Innovation.
Despite the funding not being allocated in the 2021/22 State Budget, the Mount Gambier-based research centre will receive $500,000 from the State Government each year over four years to investigate forestry innovation and strengthen ties between research and industry.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minster David Basham said the extension of the funding followed a recommendation by the state’s Forestry Industry Advisory Council.
Mr Basham said research areas currently being investigated by the institute included fire detection, water use, biosecurity, carbon emission targets, forest management and worker safety.
“Supporting the important research occurring out of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation Mount Gambier research centre ensures the industry’s growth and sustainability into the future as it meets the challenges of the 21st century,” he said.
“Retaining the forestry research capability that has been developed in the Green Triangle region through National Institute of Forest Products Innovation will help to drive the emergence of new and innovative products.”
South Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Nathan Paine welcomed the funding, saying the organisation had worked closely with the government to secure the four-year commitment.
“The National Institute of Forest Products Innovation has been hugely successful and it’s critical the research centre continues in the Green Triangle which is home to nearly 20pc of Australia’s plantation estate and world class sawmilling and forest product manufacturing operations,” he said.
“Thousands of South Australians are proudly employed in forest industries across the state and increased National Institute of Forest Products Innovation funding means work can be done to keep them at the forefront of innovation into the future.”
Shadow Forestry Minister Clare Scriven was pleased the funding arrangement was extended after expiring in June.
“I’m pleased that the Minister has finally given some certainty to the Institute,” she said.
“Every year in Parliamentary Budget Estimates, the Opposition has asked for a guarantee of future funding so that this valuable research can continue, and we were very concerned when this year’s Budget papers did not show funding for the Institute.
“Funding for the institute began under the previous Labor government and I’m glad that the Minister has now stopped playing games and has announced a four-year funding plan.”
