In a remarkable display of national unity all six state Governments have thrown their weight behind the Australian Forest Products Association’s (AFPA) push for a National Institute for Forest Products Innovation Source: Timberbiz
“Forestry and forest products are at a crossroads in this country,” said AFPA chief executive officer Ross Hampton.
“There is a massive potential market for all the products we derive from sustainably managed forestry, but we are dropping dangerously behind when it comes to innovation.
“Research and Development has nose-dived in recent years. Five years ago we spent $100 million a year – now it is $30 million.
“[Our] 730 researchers has plummeted to about 200. I congratulate the Ministers from Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, NSW, and Queensland who have agreed that we must unite the national R&D effort to drive the forestry and forest products industries into a vibrant future.”
AFPA has been arguing for months that Australia’s fragmented research and development model is just not in a position to deliver the world class blue sky breakthroughs as well as making the inroads into current production that are vital for a sustainable global scale industry.
AFPA has produced modelling that shows a concerted, organised and properly funded focus on R&D has the potential to deliver up to 20 000 new jobs – largely in regional areas.
The National Institute for Forest Products Innovation is modelled on similar organisations that operate in Canada and New Zealand.
AFPA has proposed that the federal Government invest $40 million over four years, the State Governments contribute the same through existing operations and budgets and industry contribute $20 million.
“Timber is the building material of the 21st century and wood, at a cellular level, is providing the building blocks for stunning breakthroughs in fuel and plastic replacement materials,” said Mr Hampton.
“In a carbon constrained global economy sustainably used timber is the natural choice. Australia once had pole position. We are now at risk of dropping behind our competitors. There is still time to catch the leaders but only if we act fast.
