Supporting forests and timber workers this National Forestry Day
The Albanese Labor Government is marking National Forestry Day with the delivery of new opportunities and support for the forestry sector.
The Government is today announcing funding worth $5.65 million for 8 new plantation projects through round 2 of the Support Plantation Establishment program.
The projects will provide long-rotation softwood plantation forests, bolstering Australia’s future timber supply while contributing to meeting Australia’s carbon emission targets.
The projects will establish softwood plantations ranging from 40 to 1671 hectares in size located across NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania.
These 8 new projects are in addition to the 19 projects from round 1 worth over $10 million, bringing the total funding awarded to date through the program to more than $15.7 million.
The Government is also announcing today that ForestWorks Ltd will deliver the Forestry Workforce Training Program.
The Government has invested $10 million to deliver the Forestry Workforce Training Program.
ForestWorks Ltd will deliver a suite of activities over the next two years to improve access to required qualifications and credentials for the forest and wood products sectors.
The program will include a number of pilot projects and trials including developing and applying stackable micro credentials, a new school-to-work traineeship transition program, creation of specialised mentorship for Indigenous Australians and women, and improved ways to deliver training to employees in remote and regional Australia.
The government is providing this new support to help grow the plantation forest estate after more than a decade of reduction.
Recently, there have been signs of renewal in Australia’s plantation forest estate.
In 2022–23 new plantation establishment doubled when compared to the previous year, with 4,500 hectares of new plantations established.
For more information on the Forestry Workforce Training Program, visit: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP:
“Australia’s forestry industry is a key part of the Australian economy, providing jobs and development for people across the country.
“Nationally, the forestry industry employs around 52,000 people, with many of these workers living across rural and regional Australia.
“National Forestry Day is an excellent time to highlight the importance of our forestry workforce for the economy, as well as remind us that timber is the ultimate renewable and has an important role to play.
“That’s why I’m so pleased our Government is delivering the support I’m announcing today.
“It's part of the suite of initiatives, totalling over $300 million, that we are delivering to support Australia’s forest industries.”