The House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources has launched an inquiry into timber supply chain constraints in the Australian plantation sector. Australia’s forest productions manufacturing sector is worth more than $23 billion each year and currently, Australian plantations are unable to fully meet the sector’s demand for timber, resulting in more than 900m³ being imported each year. Source: Timberbiz
“More than 50,000 people are directly employed in the forestry sector in Australia, with the bulk of those working in wood product manufacturing,” chair of the Agriculture and Water Resources Committee Rick Wilson said.
“It is therefore critical for regional economies across Australia that the timber supply chain is operating effectively.”
The committee will be examining domestic softwood producers current and future demand for wood, the ability of the plantation sector to meet this demand, and any constraints in the supply chain reducing the plantation sector’s ability to meet demand.
The committee is accepting submissions to the inquiry until Monday 17 August 2020. The Terms of Reference which can be found on the Inquiry’s website here
The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online via the Committee’s website using a My Parliament account here
Please do not send submissions directly to the Committee’s email inbox. Submissions should be received by Monday, 17 August 2020. Guidance on preparing a submission can be found here
Please be aware that after a document is lodged the committee will consider whether to accept and publish the document on its website as a submission to the Inquiry. If you would like your document to remain confidential, please ensure that you indicate this clearly by checking the relevant box. Please note that your document should not be disclosed to other persons until it has been authorised for publication by the Committee.
Should you require further information about the inquiry, please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4500 or by email: [email protected]
