Two research projects supported by Growers Research Advisory Committee members have been selected among eight projects to receive funding through Australian Forest and Wood Innovations’ inaugural $5 million National Open Call for research. Source: Timberbiz
Funded through cash and in-kind investments, both projects seek to improve the resilience and adaptability of Australian plantations, and to support growers in maintaining and increasing plantation productivity in the face of changing climate and weather conditions.
These projects are:
- Developing more productive plantation trees better adapted to changing environments, through Tree Breeding Australia.
- Enhancing fire resilience in Australian plantations, through The University of Melbourne.
The GRAC represents Australian forest growers and managers and is managed by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) in its role as an Industry Services Company.
The following growers have provided additional voluntary funding through the Grower Collaborative Commitment (GCC) process. Their significant financial contributions support research projects expected to deliver high value for grower members and the wider forestry and wood products industry.
African Mahogany Aust
AKD – Australian Kiln Driers
Australian Bluegum Plantations
Forestry SA
Forico
Global Forest Partners (Snowy Mountain Forests)
Global Forest Partners (Southern Cross Forests)
Green Triangle Forest Products
HQPlantations
HVP Plantations
OneFortyOne Plantations
Peppermint Estate
PF Olsen
Reliance Forest Fibre
Sustainable Forest Management (Lenah/Tas)
Sustainable Timber Tasmania
Timberland Pacific Pty Ltd (Green Triangle)
Timberland Pacific Pty Ltd (Tasmania)
WAPRES
In addition, the following project partner collaborators are providing cash and/or ‘in-kind’ contributions to the two AFWI projects:
Project 1: Developing more productive plantation trees better adapted to changing environments:
- Forico
- HQPlantations
- HVP Plantations
Project 2: Enhancing fire resilience in Australian plantations:
- HVP Plantations
- Reliance Forest Fibre
- Australian Bluegum Plantations
- HQPlantations
- Timberlands Pacific
- Global Forest Partners (Southern Cross Forests)
- Forico
- Wespine Industries
Craig Taylor, Chair of GRAC, welcomed AFWI’s support to further research and data collection that will empower growers and the industry as a whole.
“Increasing our understanding of how plantations are impacted by changing climates, varying site types and environmental factors such as fire will equip growers around the country to develop stronger, more resilient and more productive plantations,” said Mr Taylor.
“In turn, this creates benefits across the supply chain and supports the industry’s ability to meet consumer demand and improve efficiency while innovating its growing and harvesting processes.
“The breadth of research required cannot be achieved through industry funding alone. We welcome AFWI’s financial support and collaboration with industry members to facilitate more research and increase our collective knowledge in these crucial fields.”
Supported by grower members in conjunction with AFWI funding and coordinated by FWPA, the two projects will examine aspects of plantation resilience and productivity.
Project 1: Developing more productive plantation trees better adapted to changing environments
Led by Tree Breeding Australia, this genetics-focused project seeks to fill gaps in historic data sets by expanding field trials of tree species to include a broader range of environments.
Recognising the need to understand climate change risks and potential expansion beyond traditional production areas, the trials will specifically target drier and more challenging environments to measure the impact on species such as radiata pine, southern pines, blue gum and shining gum among others.
Combining this data with existing research, the project will support the development of genetically superior trees capable of sustaining future productivity in softwood and hardwood plantations – even when grown in more challenging environments. In addition, the knowledge gained will improve productivity, quality and forest health in more traditional or predictable sites.
Project 2: Enhancing Fire Resilience in Australian Plantations
Bushfire activity is predicted to increase globally as a result of climate change, posing an increasing threat to Australian plantations and regional communities.
This project addresses critical gaps in fire risk management to enhance fire resilience, inform adaptive practices, and mitigate risks under a changing climate. By refining softwood plantation models and developing hardwood plantation models for the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, it aims to enhance fire prediction accuracy under future fire regimes.
This study will provide growers with data for investment decisions, risk management strategies, and recommendations for fire management under changing climates. The project will improve sector resilience, ensure reliable wood production, protect communities, and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing fire impacts and carbon emissions.
Eight projects were identified through AFWI’s Open Call for research and will share in $5 million in funding. Leveraged by more than $8.3 million in industry and researcher cash and in-kind contributions bringing the total investment in research for the forestry and wood products industry to $13.3 million.
AFWI was established in March 2024 and is a collaboration between the Australian Government and the University of Tasmania.
The eight selected projects were recommended by AFWI’s Research Advisory Committee, a panel of industry and research experts, ensuring the projects align with industry needs, deliver transformative outcomes to the sector and support growth in research capacity. A summary of these projects can be found on the AFWI website https://www.afwi.au/
