The recent NSW Legislative Council Committee investigating the long-term sustainability and future of the timber and forest products industry has recognised the value that collaboration brings to outcomes.

Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) compiled a submission with support from Murray River Council and the red gum industry.

The committee commended WMLIG for its efforts to recover and respond to the various changes impacting its region by working together to build a ‘healthy working forest’ and were encouraged to hear about wood waste and crop residue initiatives as well as recycling programs.

In New South Wales, timber and forest products are a $2.4 billion industry employing more than 22,200 people in forestry and wood products manufacturing sectors. 922 of those are employed in native forestry; 42 per cent of the total jobs based in regional New South Wales.

Committee chair, the Hon Mark Banasiak MLC, said that this broad-ranging inquiry was an immense undertaking, examining the many complex aspects of the timber and forest products industry. The committee came back with 11 findings and 24 recommendations that have been forwarded to Parliament.

In its submission, WMLIG called for ‘striking a balance between job retention and creation, community benefit and environmental reform and ongoing innovation’ which they argued could be achieved by a ‘cooperative approach’ between government and the community actively managing multiple uses in forest.

Examples of where this approach has been successful include various projects and initiatives, such as the rehabilitation of forest areas including Swan Lagoon and Pollack Swamp, managing watering events and native fish recovery, pest and weed management and eco-tourism in Koondrook. The approach enables local communities to connect and co-manage the forest for future generations.

Recommendation 22 was that the NSW Government investigates ways in which it can facilitate the establishment of community-based initiatives supporting healthy working forests across the state, demonstrating the value that approaches like WMLIG hold.

It is worth noting the outcomes demonstrated by local projects could not have been achieved if the sites were to be classified as a National Park.

Another part of the local submission included exciting innovation around wood waste products, with some calling for wood to be classified as the ‘ultimate renewable’.

Opportunities in biochar and manufacturing recycling programs are being championed in different parts of the state.

The committee strongly supported opportunities to develop new products, efficiencies and strategies for eliminating waste to secure the long-term sustainability of the industry and believed that there is untapped potential for innovation in the timber and forest products industry that the NSW Government should be doing more to capitalise on.

Leading to Finding 11 that the NSW Government should be doing more to capitalise on the untapped potential for innovation in the timber and forest products industry and Recommendation 20 that the NSW Government provide funding opportunities for the timber and forest products industry, particularly small-medium operators, to encourage innovation.

Let’s hope the recommendations progress to outcomes.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 29 September 2022.