VAFI Welcomes Federal Forestry Funding
The VAFI Executive Director, Philip Dalidakis, has welcomed the announcement of a $20 million committment by the Federal Government towards Australia's forest industry.
“I am pleased the Federal Government has shown a commitment to the industry through the Preparing Australia’s Forest Industry for the Future Initiative and I anticipate Victoria will receive its fair share to help further develop the industry,” Mr Dalidakis said
“The Victorian forest industry contributes a gross value of $6 billion towards the Victorian economy and over $14 billion nationally, the industry employs 74,000 people nationally and 20,000 people in Victoria alone; it is a very significant contributor to our society.”
The federal budget has promised:
- $8.0 million over three years to carry out more research into the impact of climate change on our forest sytems and industries;
- $1.0 million to help address the forest industry skills shortage by declaring ForestWorks as teh new Forest and Forest Products Industry Skills Council; and
- $1.0 million to update and expand the existing foret industry database to meet the future information needs of industry and government, including identifying areas of skills shortage and informing workplace skills development.
In addition, a $9.0 million Forest Industries Development Fund will expand investment in value-adding initiatives in our forest industries and booost exports.
Mr Dalidakis commended the Federal Government’s initiative in directly addressing a range of forest industry issues including climate change, illegal logging and the opportunity for investment in value adding services.
“The Federal Government’s commitment towards a Forest Industries Development Fund is a great initiative, in recent years the Victorian Forest Industry has taken significant steps towards developing a sustainable industry with a focus towards high-end, value adding products,” Mr Dalidakis said
> view media release [PDF 36KB]
New Report Catches Timber's Positives
14 March 2008
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) has released a new independent report into the effects of timber production on Melbourne’s water catchment yield.
The VAFI Executive Director, Philip Dalidakis, launched the report at the Timber Towns Victoria AGM, revealing the impact of timber production on Melbourne’s water yield to be negligible and in some cases could actually increase Melbourne’s water supply.
View Report [PDF: 886KB]
View Media Release [PDF: 32KB]
VAFI Expresses Forestry Concern in Weekly Times
12 December 2007
VAFI Executive Director, Philip Dalidakis, has published an opinion piece in the Weekly Times in an effort to better explain the forest industry to a broader public.
The article illustrates the benefits of carbon storage in timber products whilst also expressing concern that further reductions in the Victorian industry would have ramifications on illegal third world logging.
View Article [PDF:322KB]
VAFI Responds to On-Air Accusations
4 December 2007
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) has accused the Wilderness Society of again deliberately misrepresenting facts in order to sway public opinion against Victoria’s forest industry.
Earlier today a Wilderness Society spokesperson claimed on ABC radio that only 2% of East Gippsland’s old-growth forest is utilised for high value products. A statistic the VAFI Executive Director, Philip Dalidakis, says is both misleading and unsupportable.
“The Wilderness Society is once again prepared to trash the truth in an attempt to run their wildly inaccurate and ideologically driven theories,” Mr Dalidakis said
View Media Release [PDF:35KB]
Listen to Philip Dalidakis on ABC Gippsland [WMA:138KB]
VAFI Critical of Wilderness Society.
3 December 2007
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries has criticised a Wilderness Society statement that claims native forest logging contributes to climate change as misinformed and deceitful.
The VAFI Executice Director Philip Dalidakis said “the Wilderness Society continues to ignore the fact that carbon continues to be stored in wood products hundreds of years after it is harvested and that Australian sustainable forestry practices ensures that forests are regenerated and replanted”.
View Media Release [PDF:36KB]
VAFI Sponsors Australian Timber Design Awards
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries was a proud sponsor of The Australian Timber Design Awards held at the National@Docklands on Thursday 29 November, 2007.
Now in its eight year, the awards recognise execellence in timber design for the built environment professions.
Read On
Notice Of Special General Meeting For VAFI Members
Members Login
VAFI Supports VicForests Delay Decision
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries supports the decision by the VicForests board to defer the pending timber auction scheduled to begin on November 26, 2007.
VAFI Executive Director, Philip Dalidakis welcomed the decision and said “It is pleasing VicForests have taken a common sense approach in listening to, and addressing the concerns of our industry”.
View Media Release
Annual Dinner held at Crown
Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Robinson |
The VAFI Annual Dinner was held at the Crown River Room on Friday 9th November and was well received by all in attendance.
Former ABC presenter and writer Angela Pippos was MC for the night whilst guests were entertained with a presentation from Dr Michael Robinson, Executive Director of Land and Water Australia. (watch here)
Newly appointed VAFI Executive Director Philip Dalidakis also addressed the guests, outlining the association’s goals and ambitions into the future. (watch here)
Upcoming Events
Companies Awarded for Excellence
 Auswest Timbers |
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries has recognised four companies for excellence at the VAFI annual dinner held on Friday 9th November.
Arbuthnot Sawmills, ITC Timbers, Reid Brothers Timber and Auswest Timbers were all recipients of awards that paid tribute to their innovation and leadership in the forest industry.
VAFI Executive Director Philip Dalidakis congratulated the winners and encouraged all members to exceed the benchmarks now set for the industry.
“These recipients are a great representation of our industry and a wonderful example of what can be achieved through innovation and dedication to the betterment of industry practice”. Phillip said.
“The challenge is now there to continually improve our standards and achieve our goal as the world leader in the forest industry”. Read On
VAFI Welcomes New CEO
 The Victorian Association of Forest Industries has welcomed the arrival of Mr Philip Dalidakis as our new Executive Director.
Mr Dalidakis comes to VAFI with a strong background in both the commercial and government sectors, most recently working as a senior advisor in the Victorian Government.
"The Victorian forest industry is a world leader in terms of sustainability and regulatory oversight, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders for its continued betterment," Philip says.
> Read Philip's introductory message
> Neos Kosmos Article
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