The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has launched a strategic plan for a new Forestry Centre of Excellence to create long-term research and enhance the Green Triangle’s economic prosperity.
The first Centre of its kind in South Australia, the $15 million, 10-year collaborative project is expected to generate more jobs and investment in the region.
PIRSA said the Centre would be established at the existing University of SA/TAFE precinct in Mount Gambier.
It said it would accommodate entities such as the National Institute of Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI), the University of South Australia (UniSA), the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH), Tree Breeding Australia and the Logging Investigation and Training Association (LITA Training).
“The strategic plan was developed to place the Forestry Centre of Excellence as a central hub that focuses on innovation, sustainability and the creation of new market opportunities from Australia and across the globe,” PIRSA said.
“At its core, it seeks to extract maximum resource value from fibre resources, reduce the industry carbon footprint, build greater collaboration between industry and government, and create new and more diverse economic activity,” it said.
According to PIRSA, it will also aim to cover the technical, safety, and training aspects relevant to those sectors while building greater connections with First Nations people.
PIRSA said the Centre’s activities would support the full forestry supply chain, including plantation management, harvesting and haulage and timber processing.
It said areas identified as forest research priorities include water, fire, breeding, wood products, data analytics, carbon, silviculture and environmental management.
Following the establishment of the new Centre, a global search is to be commenced to apart r a centre director to lead its research objectives and connect it with industry to identify key resource requirements.
Further information on the Forestry Centre for Excellence and the Strategic Plan can be accessed at PS News link.
