The South West Slopes (SWS) Forestry Hub was officially launched by Department of Agriculture assistant secretary Michelle Lauder at AKD Softwoods Sawmill at Tumut. Also attending the launch were representatives from local government and the plantation and timber industry. The SWS region of NSW is based around the key regional areas of Tumut and Tumbarumba extending south into Victoria. Source: Timberbiz
Assistant Minister for Forestry Senator Jonathon Duniam said the establishment of the South West Slopes Hub as a pilot hub would help to underpin investment, innovation and growth for the region’s forestry sector.
“Australia’s forestry industry is world-class and sustainable, and our forestry hubs are all about allowing the industry to grow and thrive well into the future,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.
“The South West Slopes Hub will identify the key issues impacting on the industry, and importantly it will assist in identify ways to overcome any challenges and determine opportunities for future growth and investment.
“The region already employs thousands of workers in the forestry sector, and Hubs like this are central to achieving a brighter future for everyone involved in this important industry.”
The South West Slopes Forestry Hub was established by the Federal Government under its ‘Billion Trees for Jobs and Growth’ project. It will receive funding of $1 million spread across three years.
The Hub’s membership includes growers, contractors, processors, local government, Forest Industry Council and relevant agencies in the South West Slopes and adjoining North East Victorian regions.
Chair of the South West Slopes Forestry Hub and Chair of Softwoods Working Group, Peter Crowe, said the Hub’s objectives were to clearly identify impediments to plantation expansion, product development and investment in the region, and provide recommendations on how these impediments could be overcome.
“The Hub will build upon a very successful softwood plantation timber industry in the region, which is responsible for nearly $2 billion of economic activity a year and supports the employment of nearly 5000 people,” he said.
Diana Gibbs, a Director of Australia Forest Products Association (AFPA), said AFPA congratulated Senator Duniam on the rollout of Regional Forestry Hubs around Australia.
“We appreciate the Government’s ongoing support and investment for the Hubs program,” she said.
“The South West Slopes Forestry Hub is a great example of our renewable forest industries potential and the positive impact we can have on regional jobs and economic growth.
“In the Hub, industry will come together to look at key constraints that we need to address such as the planting of more trees and opportunities that we can grasp including new products.
“AFPA looks forward to a sustainable and growing future for our forest industries.”
In the immediate future, the South West Slopes Forestry Hub is planning to hold a series of community engagement meetings in the region in early 2020.
These meetings will be closely followed by the setting up of other programs to examine workforce, infrastructure and logistics requirements that will help boost and secure the industry for the longer term.
