Homepage Parsec Communications newsroom

Forestry leaders gather in Tasmania for CSIRO workshop

Announcement posted by Parsec Communications 04 Nov 2015

Facilitating Innovation in the Forest Sector - IFA/ CSIRO workshop 20 November

The National President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA), Mr Rob de Fégely gets excited when he hears Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Christopher Pyne calling the Prime Minister "instinctively and reflexively excited about innovation". So too does the IFA along with most forest industry leaders in Australia.

Pre-fabricated engineered wood for construction such as CLT and glulam are well established overseas and the industry is co-hosting a CSIRO workshop about ways to kick-start innovation in the forest industry in Australia.  This is a key question for the industry in terms of increasing the value and long-term security of the sector.

Mr de Fégely said, ‘Our focus is on promoting discussion and engaging a range of views, and we are seeking tangible outcomes to light a path for the forest industry’.

The workshop will explore ways of increasing both the value and security of forest resources.  It will touch on increasing the value of the existing forest resource; increasing the productivity of the resource; and managing risks to the resource such as pests, diseases, climate change and social licence to operate.

Mr de Fégely said, ‘Scientists, and other land managers with an interest in forestry will facilitate sessions in which audience participation is vital.  The key points raised will be captured and prepared as a discussion paper, which will complement the outcomes of the recent Forest Industry Advisory Council inquiry.

‘While focusing on the opportunities for wood as an environmentally sustainable, carbon positive construction material, the workshop will also identify barriers to innovation,’ said Mr de Fégely.

Facilitating Innovation in the Forest Sector
CSIRO and IFA joint workshop:  Friday 20th November 2015 in Launceston
Details and registration:
https://forestry.memnet.com.au/MemberSelfService/EventBooking.aspx?selectedEventId=11