A forestry group is urging the government to recognise the industry as critical in its national fuel plan, emphasising the sector’s vital role in regional economies and its support for other essential industries.
Currently, the plan prioritizes agriculture for fuel in times of supply crisis but does not specifically acknowledge forestry, despite its clear economic importance.
For Forest Owners Association chief executive Elizabeth Heeg, the omission is a concern for an industry that keeps the wheels of the economy turning.
“The guidance that came out with the revised fuel plan on Friday did say that it’s food supply and primary production that would be prioritised during time-critical periods, but we’re just looking for assurance that forestry is included in that primary production.”
She highlighted time-sensitive operations, such as clearing storm-felled trees before fungal decay renders them unusable as timber, which directly impacts productivity and profitability.
Forestry also plays a crucial role in the food supply chain, Heeg explained. “You know, pallets are either made out of plastic, wood and we’re not seeing a lot of plastic come into the country right now where those supply chains are threatened by the crisis. So wood pellets are going to be quite critical to food shipping as well as wood crate and building materials.”
With 1.8 million hectares of actively managed forestry, Heeg stressed the difficulty of pausing operations without harming both forests and the mills that supply pallet makers and other industries.
“Look, I think we’re committed to working with the government and working within our own supply chain to try and make it economic where we can and to work across to keep things turned on, but to recognise where we need to make some efficiencies. But it’s a really difficult situation, with some mills that have closed in the last two years. We’re under a lot of pressure.”