The Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20 were absolutely devastating to the softwood plantation industry of the Murray Region. It did however bring out the absolute cooperation and collaboration of the industry which has been studied thanks to the Murray Region Forestry Hub. A world first report has explored the socio-economic impacts of the successful recovery and salvage of wood during this time.
Recent News
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MRFH Blackberry Impacts Project
The much anticipated Blackberry Impacts project has come to a conclusion after deviating from its original scope to include the […]
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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.
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Welcome to this edition of the Murray Region Forestry Hub newsletter
The team at MRFH are dedicated to keeping you informed about the developments, challenges, and opportunities in this vital sector […]
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‘Risk Management (Climate Change) for Plantation Establishment in the Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH)’
SUMMARY The purpose of this report is to document the potential future impacts of climate change on the optimal areas […]
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Softwood forest industry business needs into the future
This report is part of a larger project examining the social and economic contribution of the softwood forest industry within the Murray Region Forestry Hub area (Mylek et al. 2023). It examines the challenges experienced by softwood forest businesses in recent years, lessons learnt from these experiences, business innovations, business needs moving forward and how businesses can be supported to achieve these needs.