Motions

Plantation Forest Industries

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (16:56): I move:

That this council—

1. Recognises that 2025 marks the 150^th anniversary of plantation forest industries in South Australia;

2. Notes that our state's forest industries comprise 100 per cent plantation forests and employ directly or indirectly over 21,000 South Australians, as well as sequestering 4.64m tonnes of CO₂ and producing timber that is used across almost every other industry in our state; and

3. Acknowledges the fundamental importance of forest industries to South Australia and the significant contributions made by those who work within them.

I have often spoken in this place about matters in which South Australia has led the nation—in social movements, in legislative reform, in industry and innovation. Today, I am very pleased to make a contribution that begins with the recognition of another great example of this state's national leadership.

South Australia is the birthplace of the nation's plantation forest industry: 2025 marks 150 years since the state embarked on the building of this crucial sector. The occasion of this milestone anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect upon the history and vital importance of South Australia's forest industries to our economy, to our environment, to our regional communities and to our broader South Australian community.

People probably do not think about the fact that the work of the forest industries can be found all around us, but I have found that it is nearly impossible to name an industry in South Australia that is not underpinned in at least some way by wood and fibre. From the pallets that are so widely used to transport consumer products to retail shelves, to the fibre used for cardboard packaging, the paper and pulp products like tissues and toilet paper, to the wooden posts used in agricultural production, from dairy, livestock and grain to our globally distinguished wine industry, and even to the sawdust and compost that our poultry and horticulture industries rely on, timber and fibre are remarkable in their ubiquity across our industries and our daily lives.

With the beginning of European settlement, both timber and agricultural land were required in increasing abundance. The widespread practice was to clear native trees from lands so that crops could be planted and stock could graze, while timber cutters supplied necessary wood for the developing colony. Native trees were initially both plentiful and accessible. But, by 1870, people such as Surveyor-General George Goyder had taken note that the impacts of significant deforestation were becoming increasingly apparent across the colony's land. Goyder took his concerns to the parliament and the resultant Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Bill, 1873 provided that in certain areas and under certain conditions the government would pay landowners £2 for every acre they planted with forest trees.

The true moment of inception for our plantation forest industries came in 1875, when the South Australian government established the first forest management organisation called the Forest Board, in part to protect and regenerate native vegetation. The first trial planting took place the following year at Bundaleer in the Mid North. This marked the practical beginning of plantation forestry in our state and in Australia.

Other plantings soon followed at Wirrabara, also in the Mid North, and in Mount Gambier. The conditions in the part of the Green Triangle that spans our South-East were quickly found to be much more suitable to growing plantation timber. The eventual success of radiata pine as a plantation species has supported the expansion of our forest districts over the decades to a number of areas across the state. Today forests are found in the Green Triangle, Kuitpo, Mount Crawford, Second Valley, Bundaleer and the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Forestry has helped us build and furnish our homes and workplaces. It has given us everyday essentials such as paper, tissues, toilet rolls and cardboard boxes and continues to pursue innovations toward future products and technologies. The forestry sector will remain just as critical for our future generations as we aim towards a net-zero economy, reducing single-use plastics and exploring opportunities in biofuels and bioenergy.

Our forest industries contribute almost $3 billion to the South Australian economy each year, with around 21,500 South Australians employed either directly or indirectly. South Australian forestry was responsible for 35 per cent of Australia's locally produced house framing and interior sawn wood; 25 per cent of the nation's particle board; 48 per cent of the packaging and industrial grade timber; 60 per cent of Australia's agricultural timbers, such as poles, posts and fencing products; and 25 per cent of Australia's compost and growth media that put food on the nations table. Forestry is also cited as the only primary industry that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits, with 4.64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide sequestered each year from the atmosphere.

I want to pay tribute to the South Australian Forest Products Association, the peak industry body representing the entire value chain of forest industries in South Australia to all levels of government. The Forest Products Association represents members involved with all elements of the value chain, from the sustainable establishment and management of plantations to harvesting and haulage, processing of timber resources and manufacture of products and bio products.

I commend the association; its CEO, Nathan Paine; the board; and its members for their work in policy development and advocacy and the collaborative approach they take to working with government in pursuit of outcomes that offer benefits to industry, to our economy and to our broader community. Their work in advocacy and policy makes a significant impact.

The Malinauskas government is proud to be delivering on its election commitment to establish the Forestry Centre of Excellence in Mount Gambier. Established as the first of its kind in South Australia to develop the capability to enhance the Green Triangle's economic prosperity, generating more jobs and investment in the region, the centre will drive innovation in forestry and wood fibre, discover new opportunities and explore new ways to maximise resource value. I look forward to the centre's official opening.

Meanwhile, the celebrations of the forest industries' 150^th anniversary will commence. It will be my pleasure and privilege to kick off the yearlong festivities alongside forestry leaders, key stakeholders and fellow members of parliament at this evening's Parliamentary Friends of Forestry event. In anticipation of a great evening I recognise and thank my co-host, the Hon. Nicola Centofanti. Agreement across the political spectrum in relation to the crucial importance of forest industries to our state can only be a good thing for the South Australian community.

In paying respect to this vital sector's long history, I extend my recognition and my thanks to all who now contribute to the success of South Australia's forest industries: the Forest Products Association leadership, its board and each of its members along with the 21,000-plus South Australians whose work continues our state's proud history of excellence and innovation in forestry and fibre. I commend this motion to the chamber and urge members to support it.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. L.A. Henderson.