OneFortyOne Nursery

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Forest Industries. Will the minister please update the chamber about the recent opening of OneFortyOne's $8 million upgraded nursery?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in the forest industry. It is an exciting time to be involved in the forest industry in South Australia. Not only is there significant investment in the forest industry by the Malinauskas Labor government but what we are seeing is continued investment by industry into this growing sector.

I am pleased to update this place that I had the opportunity recently to formally open the recently redeveloped $8 million OneFortyOne Glencoe Nursery in Glencoe. I was joined at the opening by the Chief Executive of OneFortyOne, Ms Wendy Norris, the local and hardworking House of Assembly local representatives, the member for Mount Gambier, Troy Bell, and the member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, along with the Hon. Ben Hood MLC.

As we should all know, forestry is the ultimate renewable and the seedlings that are produced at Glencoe will contribute towards the 22 billion tonnes of carbon stored in plantation forests around Australia. An additional four million seedlings per season can now be grown, which is wonderful for the forestry industry and lays the groundwork for the industry to expand further.

These upgrades will deliver enhanced seedling growth, giving each tiny pine the best chance possible to survive being transplanted from the nursery and to continue to thrive out in sandy soils or dry conditions. The trees will then grow on for decades to contribute a quality of wood fibre that is highly prized both locally and internationally. The upgrade includes irrigation improvements and provides water-saving efficiencies and innovative mechanised processes which will sow millions of seedlings for our plantation forests across the region.

I congratulate everyone involved in bringing this project to its operational stages. This investment ensures Glencoe Nursery continues to build on its proud 40-year history. Investments such as this one make it clear that the forest industry has a great future in South Australia. It will enable the forestry sector to continue to thrive in South Australia, now employing 18,000 people, directly and indirectly.

We recognise the significant contribution this makes to our economy, our environment and the social fabric of our regions. Just as OneFortyOne is investing in our forest industry, the Malinauskas state government views this industry as critical, through both its economic and social returns and the significant decarbonising opportunities that it presents. That is why the government is investing $19 million in growing the state's forest industry.