The South West Timber Hub will be releasing the findings of a report into private forestry early next month, critically exploring the barriers to landowners as the WA plantation estate continues to diminish. Source: Timberbiz
The report was commissioned by the Hub as a result of investment in Australian forestry plantations coming to a standstill, particularly in WA, where the trend is far worse and the plantation estate in serious decline.
This comes at a time when demand for timber and fibre products is rapidly increasing.
According to South West Timber Hub Project Manager Wendy Perdon, without significant change, the trend will only compound into the future, leaving WA increasingly reliant on timber imports rather than responsibly supplying our own timber needs through local sustainably managed plantations.
“This is why we commissioned the Private Forestry Engagement Strategy, to review the barriers to landowners planting trees on their properties and to develop targeted engagement strategies,” Mrs Perdon said.
“This Engagement Strategy has been deliberately prepared placing the private and corporate landholder, farmers or landowners, as central to an understanding of the relative interest and likely take-up of private forestry.”
The report findings will be presented at a Private Forestry Information Session on 6 November, which will include presentations from the Forest Products Commission (FPC), Wespine and an insight into what the next step will be for the South West Timber Hub.
