More jobs than ever rely on SA forest industries, with potential for growth.
New research commissioned by the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub shows direct and indirect employment in South Australia’s forest and timber industries has increased to more than 21,000, up from 18,000 in 2016.
The research, prepared by ERC on the Economic Contribution of the SA Forestry Industry in 2019/2020 and funded by the Federal Government, was released last week and showed there are 21,309 direct and indirect jobs in forestry production in South Australia and the industry contributed nearly $3b to the state’s Gross Domestic Product in that year.
South Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Nathan Paine said the numbers illustrated the importance of the industry to South Australia and the Limestone Coast region.
“The size and the growth of the forest products industry in South Australia clearly demonstrates the importance of the industry to the state and backs the commitments made by Malinauskas-Labor Government in forest industries,” he said.
“In particular the commitment to a Centre for Excellence to showcase our research excellence and the development of a domestic manufacturing masterplan to optimise domestic value-add and new product development.
“Importantly, the report also shows that by doubling the proportion of forest industries product processed in the region, rather than being sent out of the region, would increase the state’s GSP by a whopping $2.9b and create around 24,300 new jobs.
“Our opportunity is to get more trees in the ground and grow domestic manufacturing.
“More trees will not only grow the economic contribution of South Australia’s forest industries but supercharge the Limestone Coast economy and population.
“Forest industries in South Australia play a big role in sustaining and creating jobs and economic growth across the state and the recent election investment by government will be a critical factor in driving new growth and both generate more jobs in the industry as well as growing employment in the residential construction sector which relies heavily on fibre security.”
Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven acknowledged the industry’s importance.
“Our government’s commitments to forest industries will create new opportunities and place us as a leader in research capability,” she said.
“This new report demonstrates the further potential of this sustainable industry to create additional jobs, especially in regional communities.”
