The Australian Government is investing $300 million to grow its forest resources, releasing a new blueprint that is laser-focused on using home-grown timber to tackle the country’s housing crisis, boost productivity, and deliver on the Albanese government’s net-zero objectives.
Published today, the Timber Fibre Strategy outlines six priority areas and 128 key actions for industry, the unions and state and federal government policymakers to work together to develop in-demand timber, paper and packaging products for both Australian and export markets:
“Our forest products sector has a unique opportunity to provide sustainable, high-quality, carbon-sequestering products that Australians need,” according to Julie Collins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, who late last year stressed the importance of home-grown timber in meeting demand. “The Albanese Labor Government is investing $300 million into the long-term future of Australia’s forestry sector.”
“I’m excited to use the Timber Fibre Strategy to work with the industry, and with states and territories, to maximise the benefits of this investment, and to leverage other opportunities across government to lift the productivity of the forestry sector,” Minister Collins said.
Delivering on a 2022 commitment, Minister Collins said that the Timber Fibre Strategy will now guide Australian Forest and Wood Innovations—the $100 million research institute chaired by Bob Gordon and directed by Dr Joseph Lawrence—and will see research centres at the University of Tasmania, the University of Melbourne, and Sunshine Coast University bring research to life.
“The Timber Fibre Strategy is the result of detailed work with forestry leaders across industry, unions, research organisations, government officials and community groups,” according to Stephen Dadd and Michael O’Connor, the co-chairs of the Strategy Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership – the body responsible who since May 2023 has worked with the government to bring the strategy to life.
“The forestry industry has told us it wants to help solve some of the problems facing Australia. From housing to net zero, the Strategy sets out actions for industry and governments to use sustainable, carbon-sequestering forest products to build houses and lift productivity.”
The new strategy sets out six priority areas.
- Building sovereign timber fibre manufacturing capability and capacity
- Meeting demand for timber fibre resources
- Healthy forests, actively managed.
- Attracting and engaging people and other industry enablers
- Supporting and growing regional communities
- Innovating the timber fibre value chain
This afternoon, Wood Central spoke to Diana Hallam, the CEO of the Australian Forest Products Association, who said the new strategy is both balanced and considered, and a significant step for Australia’s sixth-largest manufacturing sector to deliver on its potential:
“We applaud Minister Julie Collins’ recognition that the strategy points to a bigger role for the forestry sector in tackling national housing challenges and the Government’s housing agenda. This is a major issue of the times, and we stand ready to increase our contribution to the national effort,” Hallam said. “Australia and other countries around the world are seeking to replace more emissions-intensive building materials with sustainable timber to achieve their climate targets. More recognition of the environmental benefits of timber will ensure the industry can grow and succeed, sustaining local jobs and boosting regional economies.”
Meanwhile, Dr Michelle Freeman, president of Forestry Australia and member of the Strategy Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership, said the strategy builds on the Albanese government’s investments in research, development and future workforce capacity — including $10 million for the Forestry Workforce Training Program, and support through the Support Plantation Establishment Program.
“Forestry Australia is proud to be delivering the Women in Forestry and Forest Industries Mentoring Program as part of the Forestry Workforce Training Program investment — a practical initiative supporting diversity, professional development and the next generation of forest sector leaders,” Dr Freeman said. “We commend the Government for backing innovation, skills and long-term capacity.”
Pointing to the vital role that healthy forests and carbon-storing wood products play in meeting Australia’s emission targets, Dr Freeman, who has a PhD that involved studying carbon forestry in the Tiwi Islands, said the new strategy is welcomed by the country’s peak body for forest scientists: “Forests and forest science are key to a climate-positive future. We look forward to continuing to work with government and stakeholders to deliver the best possible outcomes for forests, people and the planet.”
- To learn more about the Timber Fibre Strategy, click here to visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. And to learn more about Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) – Australia’s newest research institute for forestry, click here.
