HAILING it as a “clear vision” to boost competition and sustainability for the state’s forestry industries, NSW Government is rolling out an industry reform package, starting now with a review of coastal timber production.
Government forecasts the $2.4 billion industry to grow with rising residential construction to be worth about $6m by 2031.
The Forestry Industry Roadmap will cover plantation and native forestry, including a new set of industry regulations and a code of practice. Public consultation will begin before the end of the year.
NSW Primary industries Minister Niall Blair said forestry investments depend on long-term investment and consultation will initially focus on regulatory impacts on supply and demand as well as barriers to investment in the industry.
“It’s critical that we work with industry on a long-term roadmap for growth and ecological sustainability,” Mr Blair said.
The Roadmap will also look into forestry agreements to remove supply uncertainty, investment in research and development of markets and products as well as strategies to boost community confidence in timber harvesting.
“Our forestry industry is vibrant and sustainable – whether it’s pine for new homes or paper produced from plantations at Tumut or Oberon, or the beautiful hardwood timber floorboards sourced from renewable native forests at Lismore and Eden,” Mr Blair said.
For more information visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/info/forestryroadmap.