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Industry lobbyists have advocated for greater investment into local timber plantations, local manufacturing, and research and development into alternative building products that could help relieve pressure on the building and construction industry in the medium to long term.<\/p>\n
As part of their broader advocacy, an MBV spokesperson said the organisation will continue to represent their members on the Victorian Government\u2019s Residential Construction Costs Working Group, and explore further solutions to continue to support the building and construction industry.<\/p>\n
A statement from the MBV said every $1 million invested in the residential building and construction industry generates $3 million worth of economic output and supports nine full-time jobs across the economy.<\/p>\n
Forests Australia data indicates that Australia’s commercial plantations covered a total of 1.74 million hectares, declining since 2012.<\/p>\n
This is around two per cent of Australia’s total forest area, including 1.02 million hectares of softwood species that are mostly exotic pines.<\/p>\n
Although its primary purpose is commercial wood production, Forests Australia also recognise that commercial plantations provide a range of environmental services, such as salinity and erosion control, and support regional employment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With the building industry experiencing challenges from supply chain shortages, the Victorian Government has put $120 million into a new softwood plantation estate in Gippsland, which will see an extra 16 million trees planted at the site. Although this will have little effect on current supply chain issues, it shows there is some forward planning […]<\/p>\n