New artist impressions of the Forestry Centre of Excellence being built in Mount Gambier have been released as new research and development projects are launched. Source: Timberbiz, The SE Voice
The Centre of Excellence is a collaborative project between the South Australian Government, the University of South Australia (UniSA), and the forest industry.
The Centre is on the same site as the UniSA Mount Gambier campus, the new Mount Gambier Technical College, and the Mount Gambier TAFE – providing a unique opportunity to create an education, training, and research precinct.
The design for the facility is due to be finalised in November 2024 with building construction due to commence in April 2025 and an expected completion in January 2026.
Vital research underway in temporary facilities was showcased at a special launch on site today, and includes projects on:
- structural timber market access
- improving safety
- fire detection from cameras and satellites
- suppression, recovery, and analysis of digital forestry data using artificial intelligence
- immersive data analytics using VR and AR to understand the implications of climate change on plantation growth yield and water use.
Following a global search, Professor Jeff Morrell was appointed as the Forestry Centre of Excellence’s inaugural director, due to commence in mid-January 2025.
Previously, Professor Morrell, was director for the Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life based at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The FCoE links to the forest industry’s key attributes of collaboration, connection, and partnerships through research, training education, development, and extension activities. These have been reflected in the new FCoE brand of interlocking abstract trees also unveiled today.
Premier Peter Malinauskas, who is visiting the region today, said the Green Triangle plantation forest region is one of the powerhouses of the Australian forest and forest products industry.
“The South Australian portion of the region contributes more than $860m to the state’s gross product annually – making it one of our most productive primary industry sectors,” he said.
“We are delivering on our election commitment to establish a world-leading Forestry Centre of Excellence to strengthen this already thriving industry.”
Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development and Forest Industries Clare Scriven welcomed the progress.
“These latest exciting steps in the establishment of the Forestry Centre for Excellence will further drive existing and future research, development, and extension activities, covering the social, economic, and environmental aspects of forestry in the Green Triangle region,” she said.
“This centre will support the full forestry supply chain including plantation management, harvesting and haulage and timber processing and will also aim to cover the technical, safety, and training aspects relevant to those sectors, whilst building greater connections with our First Nations people.
“This is a momentous occasion recognising the hard work and investment put in by my Government, UniSA, Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, South Australian Forest Products Association, and the wider Green Triangle forest industries.”
UniSA Chancellor John Hill said the University of South Australia was honoured to host the new Forestry Centre of Excellence, which had evolved from Forest Research Mount Gambier, established in 2018 by the State and Federal Government, UniSA and the forestry industry.
“The model of recruiting UniSA researchers into the forestry industry has resulted in a more efficient, safer, progressive, and profitable industry, establishing standards for best practice,” he said.
“Together with the State Government, we are proud to continue this partnership and help advance research and development projects to ensure the industry’s economic prosperity committing more than $6m towards the centre’s operations and building along with significant in-kind support.”
Ms Tammy Auld, Governing Council Chair of the South Australian Forest Products Association said that as the first of its kind in South Australia, the Forestry Centre of Excellence puts Mount Gambier on the map of forest innovation, as the Centre brings together local, national and international experts across the diverse research field in forest and wood-fibre innovations.
“The long-term goal of the FCoE will be to enhance the industries global competitiveness and ultimately increase economic and employment opportunities for the forest industries and the region,” Ms Auld said.
“In the lead up to the 2022 State Election, industry sought State Government’s support to establish a Forestry Centre of Excellence that will elevate research outcomes and focus on forest research, education, and product development.
“With thanks to the Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven, and her tireless efforts, industry’s vision has come to life with long-term funding and future opportunities for the next generation of forest researchers,” Ms Auld said.
“Over the past almost 150 years, the forest industries have been critical in supporting the growth of our community and economy. With over 21,000 South Australians directly and indirectly employed in forestry, we have the potential to grow employment and the industry overall as part of the State Government’s ambitions to reindustrialize South Australia.
“SAFPA is excited about the future of forestry in South Australia and look forward to officially opening the Centre in 2026.”
