Australia’s forestry industries will benefit from more than $2.4 million of new research through the second round of projects funded under the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI) centre in Mount Gambier. Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Richard Colbeck, and South Australia’s Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tim Whetstone, congratulated the grant recipients and welcomed the benefits these projects will bring to Australia and South Australia. Source: Timberbiz
The establishment of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation, and its regional centres in Mount Gambier and Launceston, was a 2016 election promise
“These projects will create jobs by driving forestry research and development in areas such as worker safety, carbon emission targets, design standards, biosecurity, fire detection, and genetics,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The total value of these projects is more than $5 million through a combination of Australian and South Australian Government funds, together with funding and in-kind contributions from industry and research agencies.”
The Australian and South Australian governments are contributing more than $2.4 million to these successful projects – which is being matched by funding and in-kind contributions from the forestry industry and research agencies.
“NIFPI was an election promise which has been delivered by our Government and growing forestry research is a key part of our National Forest Industries Plan to plant a billion new trees over the next decade to meet surging demand,” Minister Colbeck said.
“By delivering a strong economy the Australia Liberal National Government has been able to invest in forestry and scientific research to continue to create jobs and economic opportunities.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tim Whetstone, said these projects provide exciting opportunities for the future of the South Australian forestry industry.
“Forestry is an important industry in South Australia and Mount Gambier is leading the way in research and development on Australia’s plantation forests,” Minister Whetstone said.
“Importantly, much of this research done in Mount Gambier will have national application—it can be applied to other forestry regions across the country.
“These projects build on the research being undertaken by those funded through round one.”
Member for Barker, Tony Pasin, pointed to the long history in plantation forestry and the invaluable local knowledge.
“All of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation projects are driven by the needs of the forestry industry. The industry and scientists are undertaking these projects in partnership and are building on the knowledge and the research and innovation capacity of the south east,” Mr Pasin said.
The Australian Liberal National Government is providing $4 million toward the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation with matched funding by the Tasmanian and South Australian state governments ($2 million each), as well as by industry.
Launceston NIFPI projects will be announced soon.
The successful projects are:
* Joint Application with Launceston Centre – funding amounts are for Mount Gambier Centre only
