Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:26): My question is to the neglected Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: Three questions in a row and none to me—it's amazing.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: I know; it's outrageous. Will the minister update the council on the recent Green Triangle timber awards held in Mount Gambier?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:27): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in the Green Triangle. I had the pleasure of attending the recent Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards that were held at The Barn in Mount Gambier last Friday night that had well over 450 people attending, mainly the industry's key stakeholders.

In many ways it was a case of third time lucky because, unfortunately, the awards had had to be postponed previously due to COVID restrictions. Unfortunately, that also meant the Premier was unable to attend on Friday night, whereas he had been booked in to attend each of the two previous scheduled dates. However, I was delighted that he was able to send a pre-recorded video message.

I am also delighted to be able to advise the council that the event was an overwhelming success. It celebrated the success of this vitally important industry and acknowledged the remarkable achievements of individuals in the forest industries. I would also like to acknowledge the member for MacKillop and the member for Mount Gambier, who were also in attendance, as well as the member for Barker.

I would like to particularly congratulate the Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards committee, ably chaired by Adrian Flowers, which has come together to create this significant event that we are able to celebrate. The awards committee certainly had a very tough job selecting the winners from the respective categories because it was truly a very inspiring list of representatives from right across the Green Triangle.

I would like to congratulate the following individuals for winning awards: Mr Clayton Thompson of OneFortyOne, who won the Sawmilling and Processing Excellence Award; Mr Matt Tilby of Merrett Logging, who won the Operations Harvesting and Infield Chipping Excellence Award; Mr Leigh Hein of OnSite Hydraulic and Mechanical Maintenance for winning the Silviculture and Timber Support Services Excellence Award; Mr Graham Earl of Moreland Holdings for winning the Logistics Excellence Port Operations, Marshalling and Timber Haulage Award; Ms Belinda Williamson of OneFortyOne for taking out the Environment and Sustainability Award; Ms Maddison Bowden of Tegle Contracting for winning the Trainee Award; N.F. McDonnell & Sons for winning the Safety Excellence Award for businesses with over 30 employees; Reid Logging for winning the Safety Excellence Award for enterprises with fewer than 30 employees; and the inaugural Timber Legend Award, which went to the late Mr Pat 'Rusty' Lamb.

Forest Industries is one of the most significant contributors to the economy in the Green Triangle region, and this government is committed to build on this with a commitment to supporting the industry to invest, expand and grow. The industry has increased domestic production and continues to underpin thousands of regional jobs. In fact, according to the South Australian Forest Products Association, forestry in South Australia provides 18,000 direct or indirect jobs.

That is why I was delighted also to be able to speak at the awards on Friday night and to reaffirm this government's commitment not only to the Limestone Coast but to Forest Industries in South Australia by speaking about:

our record $19 million investment, which includes a $50 million forestry centre for excellence, which will bring long-term certainty and stability to research in the sector and which will be based in Mount Gambier;

$2 million over three years to develop a forest products domestic manufacturing and infrastructure master plan, including a focus on future skills needs;

investing $2 million to support a landscape-level fire detection program while ensuring that existing fire towers remain serviceable during transition to new technologies; and

supporting and expanding the role of FIACSA as an ongoing platform for government and industry to work together.

I certainly look forward to working with all of the forest industry players going forward into the future. This government is committed to supporting the industry and understands the significant contribution it that it makes to the state.

Congratulations once again to all the award nominees and all the winners. I would like to thank them for their contribution to the industry and to regional South Australia. These awards really are a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together to celebrate, and I look forward to attending many more in the future.