Greater use of timber and wood products from sustainably managed forests represent an enormous opportunity for Australia to wean itself off a diet of steel and concrete. Source: Timberbiz
This change would bring multiple environmental benefits that reflect a community-wide desire to use less carbon intensive materials.
Not only does this tree-change affect Australia as a whole but potentially has enormous benefits for Australia’s timber and rural communities.
A comprehensive review of the current structure and performance of Timber Communities Australia (TCA) has been funded by the Australian Forest Products Association, with a view to develop an effective and reformed structure for timber community representation and advocacy.
Tim Woods from Fitzpatrick Woods Consulting will lead the review and undertake broad consultation.
“Wood and timber are vital to Australia’s future and regional communities are the lifeblood for a vibrant industry that supplies our nation’s sustainable wood products. Australia’s timber communities need the most effective possible voice and our brief is to focus on that outcome,” Woods said.
“Governments at all levels and industry across all its sectors need to understand the perspectives, issues and needs of people living in Australia’s timber communities and regions.
“Getting future structures right means consulting the people and communities who live in regional Australia. We are setting up consultation processes so all stakeholders can have a say during the review period.
“I urge people living in regional timber communities to participate in the review. More information will be available shortly, but to register interest, just email [email protected] and supply us your contact details.”
This comprehensive review will look at the shape, structure and resourcing of TCA and will include broad consultation with industry, State associations, TCA branches, local community groups, local government, unions, and industry contractors.
TCA CEO Jim Adams and AFPA chairman Greg McCormack have welcomed the independent review and suggested that it was absolutely important that industry and timber communities continue to work together because one cannot exist without the other.
Fitzpatrick Woods Consulting is a strategy and sustainable development consulting firm focussed on land use, forestry, pulp and paper and wood products sectors.
