Forest Policy

PIRSA Forestry engages with both industry and Government to develop forestry policy specifically for South Australia in line with South Australia’s Strategic Plan.

Our objective is to identify and address issues impacting forestry and related industries, and to create a policy and regulatory environment which will enable the South Australian forestry and primary industries to prosper.

Our work is informed through liaison with industry and other relevant organisations, and we represent these forestry interests on Government committees at both state and national levels.  We deliver our outcomes through the provision of expert policy advice and innovative strategies.

The key forestry policy activities for 2010/2011 are:

  • Support the Forest Industry Development Board in finalising the South Australian Forest Industry Strategy
  • Promote the role of the forest industry in contributing to national climate change initiatives
  • Develop a project to facilitate the ongoing collection of regional forest and forest products statistics and wood flow data.

Forestry Policy Issues

Forestry and its related industries are a significant contributor to the economic development of South Australia, particularly in regional areas.  The sector generates 28% of the gross regional product of the South East Region and 22% of its employment, directly and indirectly (EconSearch 2008).

Both the South Australian and Australian Governments consider increasing the sustainable forestry resource to be a priority:

  • An increase in the already established softwood resource adds to the viability of the dependent processing industries and to the competitiveness of the industry as a whole
  • New activity based on the utilisation of fast grown hardwood for conversion into chip for both local use and export, and over time, to develop higher value adding opportunities
  • Emerging opportunities for plantations to provide environmental services as part of addressing land and natural resource improvement, particularly in the mid rainfall regions of the State  These can include the amelioration of dryland salinity, improving water quality, and supporting the regional economic development within the broader natural resource framework
  • Continue to sequester carbon to mitigate adverse impacts of climate change
  • Encourage affordable recreational and tourism opportunities.

Other relevant processes and issues impacting on forestry include:

  • The National Forest Policy Statement and Plantations for Australia: The 2020 Vision requiring the removal of inappropriate barriers to investment in plantations, non-discriminatory planning requirements, and policies to foster secondary markets
  • The appropriate management of water and other environmental benefits  of plantations
  • Misconceptions
  • Developments in international trade
  • International rules applying to Australia’s greenhouse gas reduction commitments.