WA’s sustainable forest industries will plant more than 8.5 million plantation tree seedlings this season, to cater for record demand for timber and timber products. Source: Timberbiz
With National Tree Day celebrated last weekend, this is the ideal time to reflect on the importance of the industry in fighting climate change.
Most of this season’s seedlings have been and will be planted by industry, but there has been an increase in the number of plantings by the Forest Product Commission from the State Government’s $350 million investment in expanding the softwood plantation estate.
Forest Industries Federation WA (FIFWA) Chief Executive Officer Adele Farina said the increase in plantings was a reflection that the plantation industry was thriving, and it was a positive step that government plantings were also increasing.
“Last year, we outlined our target of a minimum of 10,000 hectares of new pine plantings each year for the next seven years to reach 100,000ha,” Ms Farina said.
“This season we’ve seen an increase in approximately two million seedlings and while we are still heading towards a major shortfall of timber in the 2030s, the increase in plantings is a big step in the right direction.
“Planting now will ensure a supply of timber for future generations, as well as helping fight climate change, providing employment, underpinning regional communities and creating renewable and sustainable products.”
WA’s plantation sector, which consists of hardwood and softwood varieties, contributes over 1.18 billion dollars of economic activity.
Plantation timber is used to make the timber frames for homes, engineered wood products used to build new multi-storey residential and commercial buildings, wood-based panels for kitchens, pallets, and wood fibre used to manufacture paper, packaging and bioproducts, replacing single use plastics. In addition, residues go into making potting mix, mulches, composts and landscaped products for gardens.
