The commercial opportunities presented by the transition to a low-carbon economy will be front and centre when industry skills council, ForestWorks hosts the annual Industry Development Conference in September.
The conference will feature a who’s who of forestry, as the industry confronts a period of unprecedented change.
ForestWorks CEO, Michael Hartman said the conference presented a great chance to exchange ideas and network.
“There’s a lot of talk about the challenges posed by the carbon tax, the high Australian dollar and international competition, and they are serious, but there’s also sufficient scope to look at future opportunities and positioning,” Mr Hartman said.
“It’s no secret that the forestry industry is undergoing significant structural change, but through co-operation, effective communication and the cross-fertilisation of ideas, we can emerge from the current period on a prosperous and sustainable footing.”
It’s important for policy makers and politicians in Canberra to know that our industry can have a positive vision for the future and to take that message into Parliament House at the dinner function, where Members of Parliament will be in attendance.”
Other topics for discussion will include: investment in resources, scale, employment (skill and labour shortages, immigration), monetising non-wood forest and tree values, carbon sequestration and energy, global market trends, and the effect of a carbon price on domestic timber product manufacturing and the broader industry.
The conference will also provide opportunities to further explore carbon, investment and skills issues with ForestWorks’ support of three associated events: a briefing on carbon pricing and carbon initiatives, a First Super Investment Seminar and ForestWorks Skills and Employment Council meeting.
Calendar of events
Tuesday 13 September
Women in Forests and Timber Meeting – Hyatt Hotel
A valuable chance to meet, network and discuss the important role of women working in our industry.
Industry Briefing – carbon pricing and carbon initiatives – Hyatt Hotel
Dr Bob Smith, a forester with over 40 years’ experience in sustainable and profitable use of natural resources, will report on the latest round of UN climate change negotiations in Bonn, Germany. Dr Smith will also lead discussions on carbon pricing and the opportunities it can unlock for our industry.
Wednesday 14 September
Annual Industry Development Conference – Productivity & Competitiveness – Hyatt Hotel
Topics up for discussion include: investment in resources, scale, employment (skill and labour shortages, immigration), monetising non-wood forest and tree values, carbon sequestration and energy, global market trends, and the effect of a carbon price on domestic timber product manufacturing and the broader industry.
Industry Liaison Dinner – Parliament House
Meet with industry leaders, policy makers and MPs, and enjoy a fantastic dinner in the Great Hall at Parliament House.
Thursday 15 September
First Super Investors Seminar
A sequel to the 2010 seminar on the future of plantation investments – it is now time to address the ‘where to from here’ issues.
Skills and Employment Council (SEC) meeting
The national forum for leaders from all industry sectors and the union to meet and develop common approaches, through consensus, to industry skills issues.
