The Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH) has welcomed today’s announcement of $1.25 million State Government funding to progress the Precinct Plan – a landmark step that builds directly on the findings of the Hub’s Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub feasibility study and positions the Green Triangle for a new era of advanced manufacturing.
GTFIH Chair Cam MacDonald said the investment, which matches Federal Government funding to Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) announced last month, recognises both the scale of opportunity identified through the Hub’s industry-led work and the region’s strategic importance to Australia’s sovereign timber and housing supply chains.
“This commitment from government is a pivotal moment marking five years of coordinated research and planning by the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub,” Mr MacDonald said.
“Our work has demonstrated the capacity in our region to capture more value in the market through the development of new engineered wood products, creating hundreds of new jobs, reducing reliance on imports and driving long-term economic resilience. The Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub study showed what’s possible – the Precinct Plan is how we make it happen.”
The Precinct Plan, led by Industry Edge and managed by AFWI, will build on extensive research and engagement undertaken through the Commonwealth-funded Splinters to Structures project and the subsequent hardwood feasibility study, which confirmed strong industry appetite and a nationally significant opportunity to establish a multi-user, integrated advanced manufacturing precinct in the Glenelg Shire.
Victorian Forest Products Association CEO Andrew White said the State Government’s support sends a strong signal to investors and national supply chain partners.
“Industry has done the groundwork. We’ve mapped the capability, the challenges, the infrastructure needs and the market demand,” Mr White said.
“The Precinct Plan will now give us the coordinated, whole-of-region roadmap needed to unlock investment, accelerate innovation and scale up the production of engineered timber, modular housing systems and other advanced products to help build the next generation of Victorian homes.”
A foundation partner in the research, Forest and Wood Products Australia CEO Andrew Leighton praised government’s collaborative approach and its recognition that the transition to low-carbon, circular-economy manufacturing requires strong partnerships between industry, government and the community.
“This is exactly the kind of strategic leadership required to secure future growth, and we are proud that our industry-led research has provided the glue to make this scaled feasibility possible,” Mr Leighton said.
“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to establishing a world-class manufacturing ecosystem that supports housing affordability, strengthens sovereign capability and maximises the value of every stick of fibre grown in the Green Triangle.”