Forestry research in South Australia will get a $2m boost with the State Government committing funding over four years to the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NFPI) Mount Gambier Centre.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the extension of support for the Institute deliversedon a recommendation by the Forestry Industry Advisory Council of SA. “Forestry is a vitally important regional industry, contributing more than $1.6b to the state’s economy, directly employing approximately 5500 people and indirectly supporting the employment of another 12,500,” Minister Basham said.

“The Green Triangle region is also home to 18 % of Australia’s total plantation estate. “Not only are the research projects occurring in Mount Gambier benefitting existing local forestry operations but are also continuing that proud legacy of cutting-edge forest management and wood production nationally.”

Minister Basham said research areas currently being looked at by NFPI Mount Gambier included worker safety, carbon emission targets, forest management, advanced remote sensing, forest water use, biosecurity, fire detection and genetics. “Supporting the important research occurring out of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation Mount Gambier research centre ensures the industry’s growth and sustainability into the future as it meets the challenges of the 21st century,” he said.

“Retaining the forestry research capability that has been developed in the Green Triangle region through NIFPI will help to drive the emergence of new and innovative products. “Global demand for timber products is expected to quadruple by 2050 and this research work, in liaison with industry will go towards meeting that demand.”

The Australian and South Australian governments established the NFPI Mount Gambier Centre to investigate forestry innovation and strengthen the ties between research and industry’s strategic needs. South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) chief executive Nathan Paine said the Mount Gambier NIFPI centre has partnered with a range of institutions including the University of South Australia on numerous research projects focusing on such things as health and safety, improving industry productivity, recognition of carbon storage and fire management.

“Thousands of South Australians are proudly employed in forest industries across the state and increased NIFPI funding means work can be done to keep them at the forefront of innovation into the future,” Mr Paine said.