Current and Future Skills and Training Needs of the Forest and Timber Industry in the Murray Region Forestry Hub Area
The forest and timber industry in the Murray Region Forestry Hub area continues to play a major role in the rural and regional economy despite the impact of the disastrous 2019‐20 fires. Prior to this fire event, the industry provided around $1.3 billion annually in direct economic output, and directly employed nearly 2,500 people. In addition, around 4,500 people held indirect jobs that were dependent on the industry in the South West Slopes Forestry Hub region1. As of 2021, the industry employed slightly over 2,100 people2, including around 200 pulp and paper workers who were made redundant due to the closure of the Norske Skog Albury mill3. The economic consequences of the fires are still being assessed, but the industry remains a vital component of the socio‐economic fabric of communities in the Hub region.
