International Day of Forests 2024 marks the importance our forests hold for the future of innovation, climate change, and essentially, the ability to live in a better world.
“Innovation is at the heart of South Australia’s forest industries, and with today’s International Day of Forests theme being Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World, it provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate the groundbreaking work South Australia’s forest and timber industries are achieving”, said Mr Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA).
In the last month alone, three forestry businesses in the Green Triangle have shown how innovation, investment and new technologies are shaping a stronger and more efficient forestry industry for the next generation.
“Businesses like Fennell Forestry are already leading the industry by example by decarbonizing the industry one log truck at a time. With transport as Australia’s second highest contributor to carbon emissions, in 2023 Fennell Forestry converted their single diesel-powered log truck to an electric and battery system, slashing the truck’s carbon footprint to zero”, said Mr Paine.
“Then we have Timberlink Australia who officially opened Australia’s first Radiata-Pine Cross Laminated Timber and Glue-Laminated Timber manufacturing facility which produces carbon neutral mass timber products for residential and commercial construction, and lastly, OneFortyOne who unveiled their $8million nursery redevelopment today, which is a new state of the art undercover handling system which increases productivity and workplace safety”, continued Mr Paine.
“From seedlings to structural products, South Australia’s forest industries have their fingers on the pulse of innovation and are making significant progress in major value-adding into future commodities, such as biofuels and carbon farming”, continued Mr Paine.
“Our industry is only going from strength to strength, particularly with the recent State Government announcement of the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan – a plan and vision that is set to further grow and develop South Australia’s multiple billion dollar forest and timber industry”, said Mr Paine.
“Forestry and innovative practices are the key to new solutions and a better world, and we are achieving that right here in South Australia”, concluded Mr Paine.