Forest Products Industry

With a month to go before the Federal Election the Australian Forest Contractors Association has released its platform of policies and initiatives for a secure future for specialist forest operations for plantation and native forest estates. Source: Timberbiz Forest services businesses are an essential link to the forest products value chain. The entire sector relies on safe, sustainable and viable businesses operations and practices within forest areas and to safely transport logs, wood fibre and biomass to mills, ports and other processors, AFCA Chief Executive Officer Tim Lester said. “Active forest management is the key to long term forest health, and it includes sustainable harvesting of native timber with continuing strong environmental and regulatory protections,” Mr Lester said. “The vast majority of Australia’s public native forest estate is already protected for conservation. Our management of native regrowth production forests is so good after a short time they are almost indistinguishable from other areas. “The World Bank says that every dollar generated by forest industries multiplies two and a half times through the economy. Forest operations are high quality, extremely skilled and specialist jobs located in rural and regional areas which support thousands of families, hundreds of small businesses and many, many communities. “Growing forests are also proven as an extremely effective carbon sink. In fact, government figures show that in the 20 years to 2021 native production regrowth forests captured an additional 120 million tonnes of carbon while forests managed for conservation emitted more than 250 million tonnes. “Whether for plantations or native forests, securing the future of our specialist forest operations businesses and workforce is a win-win for carbon, communities and the economy,” Mr Lester said.  

Victoria is strengthening its position as a global leader in sustainable timber, engineered wood, and next-generational biomaterials, capitalising on the demand for low-carbon alternatives to create regional jobs and secure a local supply of construction materials while tackling a changing climate. Source: Timberbiz The Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA) is playing a key role in this transition, having launched the Victorian Wood Fibre Roadmap to 2050. A bold and comprehensive strategy that positions Victoria’s $9bn wood fibre industry as a global leader in sustainable wood fibre production, advanced manufacturing, and circular bioeconomy innovation, the Roadmap outlines an ambitious way forward for the state’s wood fibre and forestry industries. VFPA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew White, said the Roadmap paves the way forward for Victoria to develop innovative new products, such as biofuels, next generation building products and nanocellulosic materials. “There is significant global interest in cellulose nanomaterials as a substitute for synthetic materials or nano-reinforcement for polymers in industries like healthcare, packaging, textiles, and even 3D printing,” said Mr White. “This is about using every part of the tree, multiple times over, and transforming our existing industry strengths into global leadership in low-carbon materials and sustainable design. With the right policy settings, we can grow this sector even further to deliver climate solutions, housing materials, and manufacturing jobs where they’re needed most.” The Roadmap’s key actions include: Expanding Victoria’s softwood and hardwood plantations. Fast-tracking investment in engineered wood products and innovation hubs. Prioritising local timber in construction to cut embodied carbon. Boosting wood fibre recovery and reuse to build a circular economy. Backing next-gen biofuels, textiles, and biochemicals through targeted R&D. The industry already injects over $9 billion into Victoria’s economy and supports more than 17,000 direct jobs – mostly in regional areas. Now, with a strong policy focus and a rising global appetite for sustainable materials, Victoria is laying the groundwork for a world-leading timber and biomaterials sector. VFPA is calling on all levels of government to back the vision and support strategic investment in plantations, domestic processing, and future innovation potential. “We’re asking the parliament to work with us on a bi-partisan basis – not just to support what we have now, but to build something even better,” Mr White said. “If we make smart investments off the back of Victoria’s strong scientific credentials, it’s not impossible to think that Victoria could be a leading player in turning renewable wood fibre into real climate and economic outcomes.” Download the Roadmap here.

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) welcomes the Coalition’s forestry initiatives, as outlined by Peter Dutton in northern Tasmania. Speaking after the announcement, TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said the industry is pleased the Coalition plans to back all forms of our sustainable industry. Source: Timberbiz “Peter Dutton’s commitment to all forms of forestry – including our sustainable native sector – provides the certainty our industry needs to invest and grow our businesses for years to come,” Mr Steel said. “Tasmania’s forest industry is predominantly based in rural and regional towns, so the ability to plan and invest for the long term means our businesses can support the communities that they live and work in into the future. “News that a Coalition Government will provide $40 million in matched grants to establish a new Timber Manufacturing Expansion Program will further assist local businesses to value add on-island and will work hand-in-hand with the Tasmanian Government’s on-island processing grants. “Recommitment to the Coalition’s TFES improvements is also welcomed and following the success of Tasmania’s Permanent Timber Production Zone (PTPZ) program, it’s pleasing to see the Liberal, if elected, will roll out Similar zones across Australia. “Today’s announcement shows that the Liberal Party is committed to protecting our sustainable industry into the future, and we look forward to receiving similar strong commitments from the Labor Party in the coming weeks.”  

Australia’s forestry and forest products sector has welcomed the Coalition’s suite of election commitments for its industries announced this week. These policy and funding measures align with the Australian Forest Products Association’s (AFPA’s) Election Platform and will make a considerable and positive impact for our sustainable sector, if delivered, AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said. Source: Timberbiz The Coalition has committed to: Country of Origin labelling for wood – so consumers know where what they’re buying comes from Supporting Australia’s native forestry industries, stating – “A Dutton Government will not support any further bans on native forestry” Establishing Permanent Timber Production Zones to support ongoing and reliable access for plantation and native timber $40 million in grants to establish a new Timber Manufacturing Expansion Program – where mills must utilise wood from their own region Removing public funding from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), cracking down on hollow activist lawfare and ensuring only sensible regulation that properly considers economic and social benefits. “This is a welcome package that demonstrates the Liberal-National Parties’ commitment to plantation and native forestry and our downstream processing and manufacturing cogs of the supply chain,” Ms Hallam said. “It’s an excellent start from the Coalition for what Australia’s forest industries need to realise their potential for the economy, local communities, the climate and Aussie and export consumers into the future. “Country of Origin labelling is an important reform that allows consumers to choose to buy Australian timber and understand the potential environmental implications of imported timber. With more dubious, imported product in the Australian marketplace, it’s critical that consumers can compare the origins of their product. “The Coalition’s support for native forestry is also essential in a political environment that has seen the industry under attack. The Australians that rely on the native forestry industry deserve to know that the next Federal Government – whatever their political stripes – has their back. “The Coalition’s funding for manufacturing expansion will allow us to do more with our existing timber resource and is welcome to boost capability in goods creation across the sector. The commitment for permanent timber production zones boosts sovereign capability in timber and wood-fibre – especially by enhancing the standing of much needed new timber plantations. “We are asking all sides of politics to sign up to our Australian Timber. Australia’s Future Election Platform in full this campaign and will continue working to secure the best outcomes for our sector from the next Federal Government. “Forestry and forest products have an important role providing local and highly skilled jobs that support communities, creating essential and sustainable everyday products we all use and helping the economy decarbonise with products made from sustainably Aussie grown resource,” Ms Hallam said.

The Australian Forest Contractor’s Association has welcomed the strong statement of support and commitment for Australia’s sustainable forestry industries made by the Coalition at the weekend. Source: Timberbiz The release of a policy statement on Australia’s forest industry has confirmed that a Dutton Coalition Government will not support any further bans on native forestry, and secure ongoing managed and regulated timber harvesting by establishing Permanent Timber Production Zones. Welcoming the commitments AFCA Chief Executive Officer Tim Lester said these policies would provide much needed certainty for businesses, hundreds of communities and tens of thousands of workers. “Production forestry from our regrowth native estate is sustainable and renewable, with positive payoffs for communities and the environment,” Mr Lester said. “The alternative is exporting our jobs, importing more timber and Australian taxpayers spending more to manage our forests. “Jobs in forestry are stable, sustainable and high quality, supporting rural and regional communities around Australia. The World Bank tells us that the overall economic impact of forest industries is $2.50 for every dollar generated by the industry. “We know from data collected by the NSW National Parks that managed timber harvesting poses no threat to koalas or other species. “We are pleased to see this practical approach to protecting the future of our sustainable industry and look forward to receiving similar assurances from the Australian Labor Party during the election campaign.”