27 December 2021

$1.1 million forestry hub in South East NSW will support growth and innovation

| Albert McKnight
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NSW Senator Jim Molan (left) speaks to inaugural Eden Regional Forestry Hub chair Malcolm McComb at the launch of the $1.1 million forestry hub in Eden on 13 December. Photo: Supplied.

A forestry hub has been launched on the Far South Coast which aims to support growth and innovation in forest industries in the region.

The $1.1 million South East NSW Forestry Hub in Eden, funded by the Morrison Government, is the 11th such hub in the country, with Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam saying they were about bringing together local forest industries and communities to develop strategic visions and regional analysis to drive growth.

“The Eden region has considerable potential for future growth and innovation in both native forest operations and plantations,” he said.

“The Eden hub will work with the forestry industry to identify limitations for existing processing facilities and wood resources, and find innovative solutions to support future opportunities for value adding.”

READ ALSO ‘Exciting’ new Timber Optimisation Hub approved for Eden despite community concerns

Senator for NSW Jim Molan said the wood and fibre industry in the Eden region had faced several challenges in recent years so it was great to be able to launch the hub on Monday (13 December).

“The hub will identify priorities relevant to the region and look at what is needed to facilitate and encourage the growth of the forestry sector to meet future growth in demand for timber products,” Mr Molan said.

“The hub through their assessments will provide advice to government to assist with policy decisions and work with industry to deliver local solutions.

A crowd gathers at the launch of the new South East NSW Forestry Hub. Photo: Supplied.

“The South East NSW Forestry Hub, like the other 10 regional forestry hubs around Australia, will provide the research, analysis and planning we need to ensure that South East NSW has the right trees in the right places, at the right scale and to the right markets.”

He said the Eden region has a rich forestry history, knowledge and experience to draw on, and high potential for future growth.

Hub members will get to work immediately to identify the opportunities and challenges facing the region, he said.

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