Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Launceston will be home to a central hub for a National Institute for Forestry Productions Innovation if the federal government is re-elected in May.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce today that $100 million will be spent on the establishment of nationwide institute and up to five regional forestry centres of excellence.
The plan forms part of a $219.5 million forestry package, which includes $112.9 million in grants for the adoption of new wood processing technologies.
Mr Morrison said the grants were intended to assist manufacturing and processing businesses to maximise log recovery, process smaller diameter logs and create new and innovative wood products. There will be $6.6 million in the package to extend funding for 11 regional forestry hubs.
“Today, the Coalition has committed to deliver on much of our industry’s plan to ease the timber shortage, drive innovation and create thousands of new modern manufacturing jobs for the 21st century – AFPA’s Plan for Growth,” Australian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer Ross Hampton said.
“We thank Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Assistant Minister for Forestry Jonno Duniam, as well as Member for Bass Bridget Archer who has been a long-time supporter of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI). Today is recognition of our sector’s importance and evidence of a shared vision for a modern, sustainable forestry, timber and paper sector.”
If elected, the Coalition has committed to:
• $100 million to establish a new National Institute for Forests Products Innovation (NIFPI) in northern-Tasmania, with up to five regionally located centres nationally
• $112.9 million in grants to boost adoption of new wood processing technologies to maximise log recovery, process smaller logs and create new products
• $6.6 million to extend Regional Forestry Hub funding for the 11 hubs
“In partnership with the University of Tasmania, AFPA has been leading the campaign for a new NIFPI that will boost R&D across our sector and help us lead the world on innovation for in-demand forest products,” Mr Hampton said.
“The grants to drive manufacturing innovation and support our sector make the most of the existing timber resource will help ease supply pressures created by the post pandemic building boom and worsened by supply chain breakdowns with the tragic war in Ukraine.
“Australia’s forest industries are critical in making sure we have reliable domestic timber and fibre supply to build new houses, expand plastic replacing packaging and help the country fight climate change. The Coalition’s suite of commitments today recognises the importance of our sector to the Australian economy and the day to day lives of all Australians, and our enormous potential to play an even greater role in a low emission, circular economy,” Mr Hampton said.
