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South Australia’s Treasurer Stephen Mullighan delivered a State Budget this week that could best be described as “back-to-basics” that responds to the challenges of today while setting the State on a path to a more prosperous future, according to South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine. Source: Timberbiz “From law and order, cost-of-living support, health, road infrastructure, to targeted drought support for primary industries and the Whyalla Steelworks rescue package, the Treasurer has delivered a modest yet focused Budget that recognises the pressures faced by South Australian families, businesses and industries,” Mr Paine said. “For our state’s forest industries, SAFPA looks forward to working with the Government and Minister Clare Scriven to finalise delivery of the previously announced $20 million in forestry projects, including the Forestry Centre of Excellence – a state-of-the-art facility being developed in partnership with UniSA that will enhance forest research, education and new product development.” Mr Paine said that over the past 18 months, the Malinauskas Government had announced major investments in the forestry industry from the completed $2.34 million rollout of Australia’s largest AI-powered fire detection camera and upgraded fire tower network that has protected our estate and the community during the most recent bushfire season, to the jointly funded, purpose-built Tree Breeding Australia Research and Development facility. “We have also seen the release of the Wood Fibre and Timber Industries Master Plan and secured nearly $30 million in combined Telstra, Federal, State, Local Government and industry funding to make the Limestone Coast the most connected regional area in the nation,” Mr Paine said. “As our industry celebrates 150 years of growing the foundational fibre that underpins our communities and economy, SAFPA will continue working alongside the State Government and community leaders to deliver critical initiatives that ensure we meet the growing demand for sustainable wood and fibre products. From framing timber for homes and pallets for supply chains, to pulp, paper, and the emerging opportunities in biofuels, biochemicals and biochar – forest industries are central to South Australia’s future prosperity.”

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Forestry Australia, in partnership with ForestWorks, has launched a mentoring program for women in the industry. CEO Jacquie Martin said the program is a transformative nine-month pilot initiative designed to empower women in the forest and forest products sectors. Source: Timberbiz “We are now calling for expressions of interest from both mentors and mentees to join this groundbreaking program, funded by ForestWorks through the Australian Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program (FWTP),” Ms Martin said. “Mentoring fosters’ personal and professional growth by building trust-based relationships that support goal setting, confidence, and leadership readiness,” Ms Martin said. “For women in male-dominated industries like forestry, mentoring provides critical support to overcome systemic barriers, access career opportunities, and build a strong, inclusive community that champions growth and connection.” The program will connect 25 mentor–mentee pairs, carefully matched based on shared interests, goals, and communication styles. Participants will engage in monthly one-on-one sessions (virtual or in-person), quarterly webinars, and peer support groups, exploring key themes such as: Defining your career path Establishing goals Time management for life Confidence, self-advocacy, and self-belief Work-life integration and wellbeing Building networks and connections Strategic influence and leadership Mentors will receive training on effective, inclusive mentoring practices, while mentees are encouraged to invest approximately one hour per month for meetings, plus six hours for preparation, goal setting, and development activities. The program is designed to boost confidence, foster professional growth, and support women in navigating both career and personal commitments. “This initiative is about creating lasting change,” Ms Martin said. “Participants will connect with role models, strengthen their leadership and career pathways, and build peer networks that endure beyond the program. “We’re committed to fostering a supportive community that empowers women to thrive in the forest and forest products industries.” Following the pilot, Forestry Australia will provide ForestWorks with the program’s framework, resources, learnings, and webinars, ensuring long-term accessibility and impact for the broader industry. The program is open to women working in the forest and forest product industries who are seeking support to grow their careers, develop leadership skills, and build strong professional networks. Expressions of interest from women, men and non-binary individuals who are committed allies of women in the industry are welcomed. Mentors will be selected based on their experience, values, and willingness to support and uplift the next generation of women leaders in forestry. To apply visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPSFDGM or contact PD@forestry.org.au before Friday 4 July.

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Federal environmental approval granted for expansion of the South 32 Worsley bauxite mine has given the green light to clearing of a further 3855 hectares of native forest around Boddington south-east of Perth. Mine clearing will predominantly impact public forest in a landscape where native vegetation is already heavily fragmented due to past agricultural clearing and mining. Source: Australian Rural & Regional News These forests are known to provide important habitat for eight threatened fauna species including woylie, numbat, chuditch, western ringtail possum and quokka, along with three species of forest-dwelling cockatoos. Other conservation dependent fauna and threatened plants occur within the area to be affected by mining. Cumulative impacts from the Worsley mine expansion are in direct conflict with the vision and goals for management of public forest land articulated in the Forest Management Plan 2024-2033. This plan is intended to prioritise forest health and biodiversity of public forests and to manage forests to maintain or enhance carbon storage and improve climate resilience. In September 2021 the Western Australian Labour government announced the end of commercial timber harvesting in native forest and has since spent $80 million of public funds on transition measures to support affected workers and communities. Mine expansion takes place against a background where the Western Australian Environment Protection Authority acknowledged that clearing of vegetation within the northern jarrah forest will accelerate over the next 20 years. Experience shows the rate of clearing for mining has increased at a rate greater than that of subsequent post-mining rehabilitation. In assessing the Worsley mine expansion, the Environment Protection Authority recommended a series of conditions be imposed including protection of private land as conservation offsets, limits to the number of cockatoo nesting trees cleared for mining, and measures to limit and offset emission of greenhouse gases from clearing, mining and ore processing. Following an appeals process the Western Australian Minister for Environment chose to relax a number of conditions placed on South 32 allowing increased clearing of public native forest and removing any conditions on greenhouse gas emissions. Federal approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is subject to conditions substantively consistent with State requirements. Given this background the commitment of the Western Australian government to managing native forests to conserve biodiversity and improve climate resilience must be questioned. Bauxite mining requires complete clearing of all vegetation and the removal of a substantial part of the deeply weathered soil profile. Important habitat elements such as large decayed ground logs and old trees containing hollows suitable for cockatoo nesting are lost completely from mined landscapes and will take much longer than a century to re-establish. These impacts far exceed any temporary loss of habitat resulting from timber harvesting. Bauxite mining is an important industry for the Western Australian economy and provides a metal increasingly in demand for the transition to renewable energy. However, the community should question how much bauxite mining is enough, and whether closure of the native forest timber industry is simply a convenient smokescreen for increased mining in the jarrah forest. Dr Lachlan McCaw AFSM is a forest scientist with more than four decades experience studying and working in the forests of south-west Western Australia.

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