If you have ideas about initiatives the industry should consider that could support the ongoing success of the Australian forest and wood products sector, now is the time to share them according to Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). Source: Timberbiz
FWPA has initiated the development of a ‘clean slate’ Strategic Plan, which will help guide the industry’s future priorities and a new online survey has been set up to capture your views.
“The development of a new plan is particularly crucial in 2021, as the sector continues to deal with the consequences of natural disasters, the pandemic and volatile international markets, and we all try to work out what is the new normal,” FWPA managing director Ric Sinclair said.
“All feedback, ideas, questions and concerns are welcomed during this process. Nothing should be off the table for discussion,” Mr Sinclair said.
“An honest and collaborative conversation with the industry will help us develop a plan to effectively guide the future direction of FWPA that will benefit the industry more broadly.
“We look forward to hearing from as many people as possible as we build a comprehensive and current understanding of industry challenges and opportunities, and work to ensure continued success long into the future.”
Development of the new Strategic Plan came off the back of FWPA’s recent successful Independent Performance Review, and ahead of the upcoming renewal of the organisation’s Statutory Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth Government.
Forest Hill Consulting has been engaged to oversee the process, following its effective management of the recent Independent Performance Review.
“In undertaking the recent Independent Performance Review, what we discovered was a highly engaged industry, ready and willing to share their insights. This will prove invaluable during this next stage,” Scott Williams, Principal at Forest Hill Consulting, said.
“Our extensive experience working with rural R&D corporations places our team in a strong position to collaborate with FWPA and the forestry industry more generally on the creation of an innovative and effective Strategic Plan.”
To kick-start the process, a proposal outlining all steps relating to the development of the new plan has already been prepared.
Beyond this, the 14-stage process outlined by Forest Hill Consulting will be rolled out during the coming weeks and months. An online survey for industry stakeholders will be launched in the near future, to provide a deep and diverse understanding of challenges and untapped potential across the many different areas of the forest and wood products industry supply chain.
FWPA also encourages stakeholders to reach out independently with specific feedback on issues they feel are important to consider going forward.
A reference group comprising key stakeholders will also be established. Its members will be instrumental in guiding the development of the plan and will be engaged through ongoing communications and a number of interactive workshops.
This work will enable Forest Hill Consulting to prepare an initial draft of the plan, which will be distributed for feedback amongst reference group members. The FWPA Board will be the final authority and owner of the new Strategic Plan.
It is expected the plan will be finalised towards the end of the year, with more information to be shared as soon as it becomes available.
Use the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FWPAstratplan to make sure that we are able to understand your issues and priorities
