The Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub has received Federal Government funding for the next three years. The hub is developing a full evidence base on plantation water use to assist in dealing with climate change and pressure on the finite resource.
Federal Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonathan Duniam and local Member for Barker Tony Pasin took the opportunity recently to meet with members of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub. Mr Pasin said the federal budget extended funding for the Regional Forestry Hubs network, including the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, ensuring the important work of the local hub could continue for a further three years.
“The Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub represents the Federal Government’s commitment not only to the forestry industry, but also to the people of the South East,” Mr Pasin said. “South Australia’s forestry industry is innovative and sustainable and the Federal Government is with them every step of the way, as the hub embarks on its plan to optimise fibre use, support investment in new manufacturing and grow more trees to create new local jobs.”
Mr Pasin said it was a pleasure to host Senator Duniam in Barker to tour world class sawmills and meet with important businesses and organisations in the forestry industry. “Forestry is a foundational industry in the Limestone Coast and so important to the region,” he said.
The hub is working with National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI) and UniSA Mount Gambier as part of its undertakings. Green Triangle Forest Industries executive general manager Liz McKinnon said the industry was grateful for the ongoing government support to deal with the major issue of water security, which was “placing growing pressure on all primary industries”.
“This extensive research, proudly being led by local specialists in their field through UniSA Mount Gambier and NIFPI, are building a robust evidence base on the truth of plantation water use in the lower Limestone Coast region which will support industry to work proactively with government and other key stakeholders to attract fair and equitable access to water for all industries into the future,” Ms McKinnon said.
