Legislative Council Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Forest Industry Forest Industry The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council Forest Industry The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:10): My question is to the Minister— Members interjecting: The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Who has the floor, Mr President? The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley, you have the floor. The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Thank you, Mr President. My question is to the Minister for Forest Industries. Will the minister update the council about the recent appointment of a workforce development manager for the forest industry? The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN Legislative Council Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister for Forest Industries The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:11): I thank the honourable member for his question. The South Australian forest industry is a key source of employment for many South Australians, including in the South-East of our state. In total, the industry employs 21,000 South Australians, including direct and indirect employees, and contributes around $3 billion to our economy each year. It is for these reasons that I am delighted to update this place about the recent joint announcement between the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and the state government about the appointment of a dedicated workforce development manager. I was pleased to be able to announce last week the appointment of Lara Kroeger as the new Workforce Development Manager, a role that will be based out of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub in Mount Gambier. This appointment was made possible through a state government grant worth $300,000 over two years, funded through the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan. A key element of the master plan is its commitment to growing and sustaining a skilled, future-focused forestry workforce. Ms Kroeger's position is crucial in delivering the next phase of the region's Forestry Workforce Development Strategy. The Forestry Workforce Development Strategy focuses on strengthening career pathways, building skills capability and promoting forestry as a modern, innovative and safe industry of choice. The strategy's implementation includes partnerships with schools, vocational training providers and the Forestry Centre of Excellence, connecting education and training with real industry opportunities. Ms Kroeger brings valuable international and regional experience in project management, stakeholder engagement and strategic communication, together with direct experience in timber and fibre processing through her previous role with Polytec, a leader in timber manufacturing and wood processing innovation. She holds a Bachelor of International Business and is completing a Master of Management, with studies focused on project and change management, qualifications that will strengthen the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub's ability to connect workforce strategy with education and industry delivery I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Ms Kroeger on Friday and it was particularly pleasing to hear her passion for the Limestone Coast after moving here from Europe. The workforce development manager will play a vital role in boosting recruitment into South Australia's forest industry through strengthening relationships with schools and education providers to engage with the future workforce. Forestry is not just about trees in the ground; it is about people, skills and communities. This partnership with the hub will ensure we continue to connect industry, education and government to build a resilient and skilled regional workforce now and into the future. The opportunities for employment throughout the forest industry in our state are many, from plantation establishment, harvesting and haulage and forest management to timber processing, fire management and research and development. The industry is diverse and sustains many regional communities. I also want to thank Tony Wright, Executive General Manager of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, for the continued collaboration between the hub and the state government. I look forward to seeing firsthand the outcomes of Lara's work in developing a pathway for regional residents to employment within the forest industry in South Australia.