The Western Australian peak body for forest products has released a new document outlining steps to make WA self-reliant in timber production. The document, 5 Key Industry Asks, has been prepared by the Forest Industries Federation WA (FIFWA) in the lead-up to the March 2025 State Election.
According to FIFWA CEO Adele Farina, the document details five simple but critical steps the government can take to bolster the industry and secure the future supply of local timber: “Our Key Industry Asks document has been carefully thought out to act as a guide for government and opposition members,” she said.
“The goal is to strengthen our homegrown timber production and processing capabilities, avoiding reliance on timber imports. Many other benefits are associated with reaching that goal, including helping fight climate change, providing employment, underpinning regional communities and creating renewable and sustainable products.”
The Key Industry Asks document calls for a real commitment by the government to encourage the use of buildings with local timber by implementing the Wood Encouragement Policy: “We would like to see the government also take the initiative to set a target of 50% use of sustainably sourced and locally produced timbers in its infrastructure projects,” Ms Farina, a former state MP for the WA Labor Party.
Ms Farina said a State Plantations Policy, developed in consultation with FIFWA, was needed to facilitate and streamline the development and expansion of plantations in WA. Further, she said action was required to “rewind the decline” of the state’s plantation estate.
“We need to encourage investment and growth in this sector including expanding the industry softwood plantation estate to a minimum of 100,000 hectares,” Ms Farina said. “This is absolutely possible if we foster the right investment environment.”
Ecological thinning is also endorsed in the Key Asks document, with FIFWA calling for removing barriers to encourage active, sustainable management of all forests to ensure long-term health. Fire management is also critical to industry success and the safety and security of WA communities. As a result, Ms Farina said fire mitigation and insurance improvements were needed.
“These include committing to expanding the prescribed burning program, embracing forest thinning and mechanical fuel reduction techniques, and using artificial intelligence systems for fire detection,” she said. “As an industry, we look forward to working with the State Government to grow a sustainable future for local timber.”
- To find out more, click here to download the full document.
