The South West forest and wood products industry stands to benefit from the support of the federal government’s new National Forest Industries Plan, according to Forrest MP Nola Marino.
Mrs Marino said the plan would underpin growth in the renewable timber and wood-fibre industry and provide vision and certainty for sustainable forestry industries in the South West.
“This plan will give the South West the opportunities it needs to help better prepare for future challenges and opportunities,” she said.
“The plan will help our renewable timber and wood-fibre industry stay innovative, which is why I’m working to have the South West identified as a Regional Forestry Hub.”
The WA Timber Industry welcomed the new National Forest Industries Plan, Forest Industries Federation of WA chief executive Matt Granger said the plan picked up on key priorities.
“The aim of getting more trees in the ground, of the right species, in the right location and at the right scale, is fundamental for the WA industry,” he said.
“This plan has the bold objective of planting a billion extra trees over a decade which would go a long way to securing investment and jobs in sustainable and renewable industries.
“We are delighted that the concept of Regional Forestry Hubs has gained traction in this plan and that the Federal Member for Forrest, Nola Marino, is advocating for the South West to be identified as such a Regional Forestry Hub.
“We are committed to working with the government to maximise the benefits for WA out of this national plan.”
A key theme which came up during consultation was Australia will need to plant a billion new trees over the next decade to meet demand in 2050, predominantly sawlogs for building and construction.
Mrs Marino said $20 million had been allocated to help implement the plan.
“This government has listened and is helping to put the forest industry in a strong position to continue to grow,” she said.
To view the plan visit agriculture.gov.au/forestry.
