The Age newspaper has publicised the VAFI's request for the Brumby government to guarantee access to a secure volume of wood through long-term legislation.

VAFI executive director Philip Dalidakis said that with the impact of two big fire seasons some resource estimates had been as low as 380,000 cubic metres.

"This would have devastating implications for the industry," he said in VAFI's submission to the State Government's timber industry strategy review.

The new timber plan will replace the Government's landmark 1986 timber strategy.

"Reductions in area and yield available from public native forests risk reducing the scale of operations to below the scale needed to maintain economies of scale."
> view article

VAFI Supports Push To First Rate 5

The VAFI has joined Sustainability Victoria in encouraging all thermal performance assessors to upgrade their energy rating software from First Rate 4 to the new First Rate 5 platform.

The new First Rate 5 software has a host of new features allowing for greater accuracy in energy assessment, resulting in increased cost savings for home builders.

> Where to purchase First Rate 5

> First Rate 5 training

> First Rate 5 demonstration

Mnister Burke tours AusWest Timbers

Right to left: Nick Murray, Tony Burke, Darren McCubbin, Philip Dalidakis

The VAFI has welcomed the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke, on a visit to the AusWest processing centre in Bairnsdale. Minister Burke used the tour to launch the new State Of Our Forests Report 2008.

The five-yearly report details the results of research conducted on the condition of Australia’s forests and the effect of industry within these areas, results Mr Dalidakis says are positive signs for the sustainability of the native timber industry.

“We welcome the release of the latest Australia’s State of Forest Report and we look forward to working constructively with both the Federal and Victorian Government to ensure the volume of sawlogs harvested remains at the prescribed sustainable level,” Mr Dalidakis said.

“The report is important in measuring our development of a fully sustainable forest industry which we strive to achieve through continuous research, innovation and adherence to strict guidelines and regulation”.

AusWest Timbers Victorian State Manager, Nick Murray, hosted the tour party which included Minister Tony Burke; ALP Candidate for Gippsland, Darren McCubbin; VAFI Executive Director, Philip Dalidakis and Gippsland Shire CEO, Mr Steve Kozlowski.

In launching the report, Minister Burke re-affirmed the ALP's commitment to forestry in Victoria, saying funding would be directed towards industry training and an increased effort to prohibit imports of illegally logged timber. Minister Burke said both he and Gippsland ALP candidate, Darren McCubbin, were firm supporters of Gippsland's forest industry.

> view media release [36KB]

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

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]