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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-03-04 Daily Xml
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Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Forest Industries. Will the minister update the council about the recent announcement of $300,000 for the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub new workforce development program?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for his question. Members in this place would be aware that one of the state government's key election commitments was $2 million for the development of a South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan. The master plan was developed by industry and government in collaboration, working side-by-side to identify the key issues and opportunities within the South Australian forest industry. As a result, three main areas were identified as priorities for the industry: the right resource and capability; a future-focused workforce; and a clean, green circular economy. These priorities are reviewed on a regular basis by the forest industry in conjunction with the state government through the Forest Industries Advisory Council.

Whilst recently home in the South-East, I had the opportunity to announce support for a proposal that came through the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan. The state government has committed funding worth $300,000 over two years for the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub Workforce Development Program. This funding will enable the hub to increase its impact and effectiveness in workforce development within the timber industry, and appoint a workforce development officer, whose role it will be to increase recruitment in the forest industry.

This funding announcement allows the implementation of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub's Workforce Development Program and expands on the initial program that commenced in 2023. The new strategy aims to attract, retain and develop people with tomorrow's skills within the forest industry, in turn delivering a desirable and rewarding workplace with greater leadership and managerial capabilities.

I would also like to take this opportunity to put on the record my sincere thanks and appreciation for Mr Josh Praolini, who was the initial workforce development manager from 2023 to 2025, and acknowledge the significant work he achieved in this role. Indeed, at the announcement of this funding, I was advised that five apprentices had come through the program in recent months, which speaks volumes for the work done by the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and Mr Praolini in his work as workforce development manager.

I had the opportunity to speak with two of those new trainees recruited through this program—Jake and Declan—and I must say they were both very well spoken and enthusiastic. It was great to hear firsthand their passion for the forest industry, even though they had only been in it a few short weeks, along with the collaboration underway from forest companies in the South-East to expose apprentices or trainees to a variety of different roles available in the industry. This program will be run out of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, working closely with other key partners, including the Forestry Centre of Excellence, ForestWorks, and the South Australian Forest Products Association.

The state government is aware of the significant contribution the industry provides to the South Australian economy, contributing approximately $3 billion to the South Australian economy each year and employing approximately 21,000 people directly and indirectly. This of course underpins why this state government has made a significant contribution to the forest industry over its term of government so far, along with continued investment in a suite of projects through the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan.

I would like to thank Greg Megaw from Group Training Employment, as well as his team, and I also want to thank the chair of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, Cam MacDonald, and the general manager of the Hub, Tony Wright, for their significant work to put together this program. Forestry has a great future in this state.

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