Timber suppliers Narangba Timbers in Brisbane reveal how proposed changes in the forestry industry could affect all aspects of the timber industry. Source: Timberbiz
In 2014, the Australian Government established a group of forestry and timber industry insiders called the Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC).
The purpose was to assemble a talented cross-section of people from within the industry with different points of view to advise the Government on how to enhance the forestry and timber industries in Australia.
In June 2016, the FIAC concluded two years of study by releasing a report called “Transforming Australia’s Forestry Industry.”
The report offers a comprehensive plan on how to triple the products and revenue generated by the Australian forestry industry by 2050.
Jack Kyle is the owner of Narangba Timbers recently, on his company blog, Mr Kyle provided his concise summary of the report.
The FIAC recommends three main objectives for growing the forestry industry. The first is to have “the right trees in the right places in the right scale.”
Strategies for accomplishing this include preserving what is called the “productive forest estate” by rolling over all of the 20-year Regional Forestry Agreements or RFAs.
Another strategy is for the Government to use the same regional approach that the forestry professionals have been using to create policy and to expand regional hubs.
The second main objective is to use every possible part of every single tree, down to what they call a “cellular level,” to produce forestry products.
According to Mr Kyle this can be accomplished by having the Government spend $40 million to establish a National Institute for Forest Products Innovation and government funds can help develop technologies and help bring new products to market.
The third main objective is to become even more environmentally friendly, publicise it and become more valued by “the community.”
This would include establishing standards, “report cards,” certification and making sure Australia gains a worldwide reputation for ethically sourced, high quality timber products.
Mr Kyle said that while he doesn’t necessarily agree with every recommendation word for word, he agrees wholeheartedly with the spirit of the report.
“We look forward to watching our industry grow and helping in any way we can.”
