Tree Breeding Australia in Mount Gambier is set to continue to grow as a leader in Australia’s forestry genetics research with thanks to funding committed by the State Government. Source: Timberbiz
The SA Government and Tree Breeding Australia has announced a jointly funded $900,000 nationally significant, purpose-built and dedicated research facility at Kilsby Road, Mount Gambier, that is set to genetically improve plantation trees to increase productivity and protect against biosecurity threats.
“TBA manages the national cooperative tree improvement programs for radiata pine (softwood) and blue gum (hardwood) plantations and provides scientific expertise and genetic valuation on crops to ensure our foresters are planting the best genetically blessed trees, which in the long-term increases forestry productivity and the supply of wood-fibre to both domestic and international markets,” Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Forest Products Association Nathan Paine said.
“Growing plantations isn’t just about planting a tree, watering it, and watching it grow – plantation health and resilience is a major priority for the forestry sector and Tree Breeding Australia, and without TBA’s expertise and valuable input to improve tree genetics, our forest and timber industries would be years behind in innovation and adaption.
“Over the last two years Forestry Minister Clare Scriven and the South Australian Government have invested significantly into the States forestry sector, particularly through the establishment of a Forestry Centre of Excellence, the development of a Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan, and now the funding needed to deliver Tree Breeding Australia’s research facility expansion.
“Mount Gambier is nationally recognised as a softwood manufacturing hub and is now fast becoming a premier hub of forestry innovation, and we are so pleased to have the Government, industry and stakeholders supporting the future innovation of the forest and timber industries.”
TBA board chairperson Dr Andrew Jacobs told The Border Watch the genetic resource was really important moving forward for the resilience and the productivity of industrial plantations present in both Mount Gambier/Berrin and nationally.
“This is a centre which caters for members all over the country, not just in the Green Triangle, so it is a really important national investment that has been made here,” Mr Jacobs said.
“This piece of infrastructure will go on the ground and enable the staff to better be able to undertake the job and be able to do it in a safer space.”
He said staff would be able to collect tissues from the trees, extracting and go about their work all in one facility.
“It is a needed piece of infrastructure for the organisation and it is really important for not only the Mount Gambier forestry industry but the Australian industry more broadly,” Mr Jacobs said.
“This is a member-based organisation and we have been trying to work out a way of funding a piece of infrastructure for a number of years.
“It is very hard to get members to contribute to fund infrastructure so having the South Australian government come out and support us is really important.”
He said the project had been in the pipeline for about a decade with members trying to secure grants and other funding streams.
“It has been a long process, so I am super grateful for it to get here today.
“This will enable us to focus on the genetics that have been deployed into the plantations as so many of the plantations in Australia will experience change in terms of climate conditions.
“All of the material which is in here today and the infrastructure that will be built in the not-too-distant future will help us continue to improve the genetics of the plantation trees that are being deployed and this is really important for the resilience and sustainability for the ongoing productivity of timber.”
