The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) is on the verge of unveiling a plan that could generate $19 billion in new industry investment by 2020 and create thousands of new jobs.
The Forest Industries Growth Plan could also see the industry play an even greater role in mitigating climate change by potentially sequestering 80 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The industry will be calling on the Government and election candidates to support key initiatives.
The Forest Industries Growth Plan has been devised as several Government policies such as the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) and the Plantations 2020 Vision, are almost out-of-date according to NAFI chief executive officer Allan Hansard.
“These policies were written back when the debate over climate change was in its infancy and before the global financial crisis. Times have changed and a new national vision is needed,” he said.
Key priorities of the Forest Industries Growth Plan:
· Build resource security and undertake credible wood supply assessments for both native and plantation forests;
· Support value-added processing and internationally competitive investment opportunities such as world scale pulp mills;
· Promote the high-quality and sustainable use of wood products;
· Develop a highly-skilled workforce;
· Improve market access and certification standards; and,
· Maximise climate change mitigation in forestry.
“By consulting widely with an array of industry and community stakeholders, NAFI has taken a leadership role in developing this roadmap to a modern forest industry,” Allan said.
