3 - April 2014, TIMBERMAN
Forest and wood products important part of Victoria’s manufacturing future T
HE VICTORIAN Association of Forest Industries has put a six point plan up for consideration during the Commonwealth Government’s Economic Review of South Australia and Victoria. The review was initiated following the announced closure of the Ford and Holden plants in both States. VAFI chief executive officer Tim Johnston said the Victorian forest and wood products industry was a dynamic sector of the economy, growing and processing wood and fibre to manufacture products to meet the need for new homes, buildings, furniture, paper and fuel for green energy. “We directly employ 22,000 workers and indirectly support another 40,000 to 50,000 jobs through flow on economic activity,” he said. “Around 90% of the workers in the industry are in manufacturing roles, such as furniture makers, frame and truss fabricators, and appearance product producers.
“With nearly 20,000 people working in these manufacturing roles alone, there are almost as many of them as there are people employed in all motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts manufacturing in Victoria. “Through the employment and economic activity it generates, the industry helps create sustainable futures for suburban, rural and regional communities across Victoria.” Johnston said Australia had a long and proud history of manufacturing, and that the Victorian forest and wood products industry was an important part of this. “The Commonwealth Government has clearly stated it sees Australia as having a strong manufacturing future,” he said. “Our industry will be a part of this future. “We can do this by continuing to provide the products needed to help build the more than 1.5 million new dwellings that will be needed to house Victoria’s growing
population over the next 50 years. We can also be a part of Victoria’s manufacturing future by helping mitigate our carbon emissions. “The forest and wood products industry can do this by manufacturing a wide range of products from wood; a material that is made from and stores carbon for its lifetime. We can do this by innovating and unlocking a range of values from our forest and wood products that have not yet been harnessed, such as state-of-the-art plastics and carbon fibres from the nano-crystalline cellulose derived from wood fibres, smart packaging made from paper that is able to tell if a temperature has been exceeded, and renewable energy from wood waste,” Johnston said. “However, to take advantage of these opportunities will require further investment in research and development. “The Australian, Victorian and South Australian Governments can play a role in ensuring these opportunities are not missed,” he said.
VAFI’s six point plan: 1. In order to deliver critical mass and match Australia’s overseas competitors in research and development investments, the Australian Forest Products Association has estimated at least $50 million of new investment over three years is necessary. Of this, approximately $10 million from existing public programs could be re-directed and with the right governance and priority setting structures, industry could provide some additional funding. VAFI recommends the Commonwealth Government provide this requested assistance and seed funding to help develop the proposed National Institute for Forest Products Innovation. 2. That the Commonwealth Government provide $1 million in additional new funding for a forest and wood products innovation and investment fund to resource collaborative work between industry, Government and academia
Timberman - moving with the times It will remain a high quality, bright and full colour A3 format with the change of name to Australasian Timber - to encompass both Australian and New Zealand industries. Readers will continue to receive essential industry information, including up-to-date news, product design and processes; latest industry developments and trends; plus regular stories on innovative operators.
n V AFI chief executive officer Tim Johnston.
5. That the Commonwealth Government provides $100,000 in funding for a proof-of-concept study to be conducted for the feasibility of manufacturing engineered timber components for the construction industry in Geelong. Industry could, and should, provide any extra financing needed for this work to be done. 6. That the Commonwealth Government provides $500,000 in funding for materials research and development to provide industry with the detailed technical information needed to establish engineered wood products manufacturing capability in Geelong using locally grown and processed timbers. Industry could, and should, provide the extra financing needed for this work to be done.
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For over 30 years Australian Timberman, with strong timber industry ties, has been proudly serving the processing, products, suppliers and design sectors of the industry. Now for even greater effectiveness as the industry’s leading print and online publication, Timberman is “moving with the times” and will undergo a name change from next issue.
for technical advice and market research, with a focus on projects that can be made commercially viable in the short term, and will help create new business and employment opportunities in communities hit hardest by the announced closures of Holden and Ford. 3. That the Commonwealth Government develops procurement guidelines for forest and wood products. These guidelines should take into account the economic benefits to Australia, and global environmental benefits, of procuring products grown and made locally. 4. That the Commonwealth Government allocates $5 million over 201415 in funding for coinvestments with State and Local Government for upgrades to local roads frequently used by the forest and wood products industry through a competitive program designed to support those investments with the greatest potential for economic returns.
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