The Forest Industry Advisory Council of South Australia (FIACSA) has provided the State Government with a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening and growing the sector. The advice includes aspects such as industry promotion, water usage and licensing, cross-border arrangements, fire management, biosecurity, infrastructure and transport, and research and training. Source: Timberbiz
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the State Government would now consider the report.
“South Australia’s forest industry is an important economic driver for the state – this is particularly so in the Green Triangle region, one of Australia’s premier softwood timber producing regions,” said Minister Whetstone.
“The Marshall Liberal Government has always recognised the timber industry’s importance which is why, by establishing the Council in December 2018, we delivered on an election commitment to the forest industries and their communities to strengthen our communication lines so that we could all work towards common objectives.
“Representing the full value chain of the industry from forest owners, forest managers, harvest and haulage, small timber manufacturers, large timber manufacturers, timber biomass to farm forestry, the advice received from the Council is a collaborative insight into their vision for the sector. It is also an important step towards achieving the industry target of doubling the economic value of our forest manufacturing industry by 2050.
“Given the unprecedented events this year, I believe this feedback is also timely as the sector and the regional communities that support it start look to recover from last summer’s devastating bushfires and the effects of COVID-19 on markets.
“There is already proactive work that is underway benefiting the industry, particularly in regard to in transport and heavy vehicle reform, and this latest advice helps us to build upon what has been achieved so far.
“I am now considering the recommendations and advice, and I am committed to delivering outcomes for the forest industry. I look forward to working with the Council and the broader industry on how we can implement these ideas and measures for 2020 and beyond together.”
The FIACSA report, ‘Expanding Plantations and Growing Domestic Manufacturing: Recommendations from the Forest Industry Advisory Council of South Australia’ is now available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/forest_industry_advisory_council_of_sa
