The University of South Australia Mount Gambier Campus hosted its final public lecture for the year, ‘Trees into Farming Launch,’ last week, held in conjunction with the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub.
Presenters included OneFortyOne’s Australian Operations Executive General Manager Cameron MacDonald, IndustryEdge Managing Director Tim Woods and Sylva Systems’ Managing Director Braden Jenkin.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin and Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan also provided video messages.
Mr Woods told those attending there was a worldwide shortage of timber and national and global demand for wood products was expected to quadruple by 2050, so increased plantations would help fill the gap.
“We actually have a massive and growing deficit for the structural timber that we need to build the houses that we choose to live in,” Mr Woods said.
“We have long had that deficit and if we intend upon building the nation, we have to solve that problem domestically, because the last year has shown us that deficit has grown to the point where our reliance on import supplies is such a significant over-reliance, we’re failing to meet the market for the first time in Australia’s history over any longer period of time.”
Mr Pasin said the Federal Government had invested in the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, which was working actively and encouraging stakeholders to realise these new growth opportunities to future-proof the industry.
“The goal is to grow the tree right here, in the right place, at the right scale to secure the long-term prosperity of the supply chain,” he said.
The evening informed people about the initiative while focusing on the farmer’s personal and farming perspective. The aim was to explore how to incorporate and address specific needs into the outcomes and create tree-growing arrangements with farmers.
Mr Jenkin said the project was about integrating trees into agricultural systems as part of the agricultural system by understanding how trees can be a solution to issues that farmers may encounter, such as sustainability and shelter for livestock.
Forest Industry Hub Executive General Manager Liz McKinnon said the hub was overwhelmed by the support received from the farming community, agronomists, stock agents, accountants and financial advisors.
Ms McKinnon said over the next 12 months they will work with the agriculture industry to understand what clients are saying to work towards a feasible and sustainable solution.
Ms McKinnon also said the carbon climate was creating interest, with Federal Government announcements regarding the new carbon future on the agenda, how trees can be the solution and help farmers offset emissions.
