Two tiers of government have provided $3m for research proposals to help develop forest and wood products industries in the Green Triangle region.
Researchers will be able to apply for up to $500,000 to assist with projects through the Mount Gambier Centre of the National Institute of Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI).
Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Murray Watt said the third round of NIFPI funding would help boost sustainability and economic benefits in Australia’s forestry industry.
“Before we came to government, we committed to getting more trees in the ground, investing in value adding so more timber products are made here and training the timber industry workforce in a way that recognises the unique needs of the sector,” he said.
“So whether it’s developing new forest products, utilising digital data for fire detection or improving tree growth or water use, projects approved under this third round will help deliver on those commitments.”
South Australia’s Forest Industries Minister Clare Scriven said NIFPI’s Mount Gambier committee was now seeking research proposals addressing priority areas for the local forest and wood products industry.
“Since it was established in 2017, the Mount Gambier NIFPI has funded 12 research projects worth $8.4m, with funding from the forestry sector from the Australian and South Australian governments,” she said.
“With the latest round of funding now open, I encourage industry and researchers to develop proposals that will specifically benefit the forest industries in the Green Triangle and more broadly.
“A key election commitment by the Malinauskas Government was to increase funding for Forestry research, an industry that contributes a significant amount to the state’s economy.
“Additional funding will provide the industry with opportunities for expanded research and development right here in Mount Gambier.”
The funding has been welcomed by the South Australian Forest Products Association.
Association chief executive Nathan Paine said the group had worked closely with the State Government to promote investment in the innovation of forest products and to ensure future research and development continues in the region.
“The NIFPI model for managing research and development has been hugely successful and it’s critical the research centre continues in the Green Triangle, which is home to nearly 20% of Australia’s plantation estate and is recognised as a world class sawmilling and forest product manufacturing operation,” he said.
“The Mount Gambier NIFPI Centre has partnered with a range of institutions, including University of South Australia on numerous research projects with a prime focus on health and safety, improving industry productivity, recognition of carbon storage and fire management.
“This announcement builds on the Government’s election commitment of $12.5m in research and development as well as $2.5m for a new Centre of Excellence in Mount Gambier.
“The government’s ongoing support will ensure forest industries continues to grow from strength to strength.
“With thousands of South Australians proudly employed in the forestry, this increased research and development funding means the industry and our workers can remain at forefront of future industry innovation.”
The research and development priorities of the Green Triangle’s forest and wood products industry include:
• Development of new products – composites, engineered wood products, extractives, bioenergy, increased timber recoveries and ecosystem services
• Innovative, safe, efficient, productive, diverse and inclusive workplaces
• Tree growing improvements, including genetic gain, climate change impacts, nutrition and management
• Improved utilisation of digital data, including for fire detection, forest management and mill operations and
• Growing the productive forestry estate through improved water use for better outcomes for industry, the environment and the community.
Visit www.nifpi.org.au for more information, with applications closing November 21.
