MRFH Blackberry Impacts Project
The much anticipated Blackberry Impacts project has come to a conclusion after deviating from its original scope to include the much required socio-economic modeling. The Hub hosted almost 60 stakeholders...
Read MoreNews & Reporting
News & Reporting
Current and Future Skills and Training Needs of the Forest and Timber Industry in the Murray Region Forestry Hub Area
INTRODUCTION 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...
Read MoreWelcome 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 and the communities that support it. Stay tuned for political...
Read More‘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 for re-establishment of softwood plantations in the Murray Region Forestry...
Read MoreSoftwood forest industry business needs into the future
Introduction 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....
Read MoreMRFH – Land Capability Assessment for Plantation Expansion
In a bid to foster sustainable plantation expansion and address barriers in the Murray Region Forestry Hub, the recently completed Plantation Land Suitability Analysis (MURR-2022-014) provides crucial insights for government...
Read MoreMedia Release – Forestry significant regional contributor but challenges ahead
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...
Read MoreSocio – economic impacts of the softwood plantation industry : Examining a post – bushfire salvage period
The Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH), formerly known as the South West Slopes Forest Industry Hub, was established as part of the Federal government's National Forest Industries Plan in 2018....
Read MoreSWG Media Release – Win for underground power line option
Chair of the Softwoods Working Group, Peter Crowe OAM, said the NSW Upper House vote in support of the establishment of a committee to re-examine the issue of the transmission...
Read MoreForest industry gathers to celebrate National Forestry Day
This year’s National Forestry Day was celebrated at National Foresters’ Grove, Lavington, today Tuesday 22 August. The day was hosted by the Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH) and Softwoods Working Group...
Read MoreCurrent and Future Skills and Training Needs of the Forest and Timber Industry in the Murray Region Forestry Hub Area
🌳🌲 Exciting News for the Forest and Timber Industry in the Murray Region! 🌳🌲 The Murray Region Forestry Hub has taken a significant step towards shaping the future of our...
Read MoreTimber industry stalwart Kenneth Epp of Visy retires
After 25 years with Visy Pulp and Paper, Kenneth Epp, who was with the Tumut mill from its establishment in 2001, has retired. Chair of the Softwoods Working Group and...
Read MoreWelcome to the latest edition of the MRFH and SWG Newsletter!
Welcome to this edition of the MRFH and SWG Newsletter! We are delighted to present to you the latest edition of our newsletter, with news and updates regarding forestry as well...
Read MoreSupport Plantation Establishment Program – grant round communication materials
The Australian Government is providing $73.8 million in grant funding over four years from 2023–24 to support the establishment of new plantations. Grants will be available to private, First Nations,...
Read MoreAccelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program grant round
Overview The Australian Government is providing $110 million in grant funding from 2022-23 to 2025-26, to co-invest with privately owned wood processors to adopt new and upgraded wood processing facilities....
Read MoreAFPA welcomes new forest partnership to consult and cooperate with Albanese Government
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes Agriculture Minister Murray Watt’s announcement establishing a new Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership to work with the Albanese Government on issues facing...
Read MoreMurray Region Forestry Hub appoints new manager
The Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH) has appointed Carlie Porteous as its new Hub Manager. Chair of MRFH and Softwoods Working Group, Peter Crowe OAM, said Ms Porteous brings more...
Read MoreAFPA welcomes China’s decision to lift ban on log trade
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes China’s decision to lift its quarantine ban on timber logs that has been in place for more than two years, Chief Executive Officer...
Read MoreAFPA – Federal Parliament backs more timber trees to cut Australia’s emissions
The Federal Parliament has backed the vital role new timber plantations will play in fighting climate change and providing sustainable timber and wood fibre supply...
Read MoreAustralian Carbon Credit Units review final report, recommendations & key findings and next steps
CLIMATE CHANGE BRIEFING NOTE Australian Carbon Credit Units review final report, recommendations & key findings and next steps On 9 January 2023, the Australian Government released the final report of...
Read MoreMedia Release – The World Needs More Forests
24 November 2022 The world needs more forests - AFPA message to climate change conference Positioning the timber industry as part of the solution, not the problem, was the major...
Read MoreAFPA team currenlty attending COP27
Members of the AFPA team including SWG/MRFH's Diana Gibbs, are currently attending the UN world climate conference (COP27) in Egypt.The team is on a joint delegation with the National Farmers'...
Read MoreNational Forestry Day celebrates forest industries’ great work
Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) is celebrating the great achievements of the forest industries with National Forestry Day which was held on Tuesday 30 August. To mark the day in...
Read MoreDiana Gibbs announced as new AFPA Chair
25 August 2022 Riverina plantation forestry stalwart appointed to top forestry post Riverina-based ago economist Diana Gibbs has been appointed to the prestigious role of chair of the Australian...
Read MoreJOIN US? National Forestry Day Celebration – Tree Planting
Please join us to for National Forestry Day to celebrate forest industries’ great work fighting climate change, providing jobs, supporting communities, and creating sought-after products from a renewable source. Join...
Read MoreSustainable forestry is part of the solution to Australia’s environmental crisis
The State of the Environment report released today paints a sobering picture of the challenges facing the Australian landscape, and highlights the need for our sustainable forest industries to play...
Read MoreMRFH Executive Summary – 250,000 house frames short by 2035 MRFH Executive Summary
MRFH's Economist Diana Gibbs - Executive Summary On current trajectories, Australia faces the prospect of being consistently unable to meet demand for new housing, because of a persistent and growing...
Read MoreIn a month 40 million new plantation trees will be in the ground
By the end of winter, more than 40 million new plantation timber trees will have been planted across NSW since the Black Summer bushfires, creating a major carbon sink that...
Read MoreMillions of pine trees to be planted in Tumut and Tumbarumba as forestry recovers from bushfires – ABC News
Our Diana Gibbs and Peter Crowe had the pleasure of touring the Tumut & Tumbarumba region with Annie Brown of the ABC recenlty to highlight our bushfire recovery that still...
Read MoreAFPA – Research funding confirms forest products as industries of the future
14 July 2022 Research funding confirms forest products as industries of the future The role of forest products as industries of the future has been affirmed with the recent announcement...
Read MoreUrgent Progress Needed on Billion Trees Plan
6 July 2022 Urgent Progress Needed on Billion Trees Plan Urgent progress on the Billion Trees Plan is required if Australia is to have sufficient fibre to meet its future...
Read MoreMRFH NEWSLETTER – July 2022
NSW Agriculture Minister’s Advisory Group (AGMAG) Forestry Australia 2022 Symposium MRFH Campaign in Progress Victor Violante, CEO AFPA NSW meets with MRFH Call for funding to develop biological control for...
Read MoreNSW Agriculture Minister’s Advisory Group (AGMAG)
Diana Gibbs, Economic Advisor to Softwoods Working Group, has been invited to sit on the the NSW Agriculture Minister’s Advisory Group (AGMAG) as representative member of the softwood plantation sector...
Read MoreMEDIA RELEASE – Call for funding to develop biological control for blackberries
June 2022 The Softwoods Working Group (SWG) and The Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH) are calling for substantial funding to support research into finding an effective biological control for blackberries...
Read MoreMEDIA RELEASE – Tour explores opportunities and impediments for forestry
12 May 2022 Tour explores opportunities and impediments for forestry Six officials from the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) were given a first-hand look at the importance...
Read MoreMEDIA RELEASE – Forum highlights forestry opportunities
Opportunities in the forestry industry were highlighted at a North East Victorian stakeholder’s forum held on Wednesday 20 April at Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre. The forum, convened by HVP’s General...
Read MoreShowcasing forestry’s environmental stewardship
FWPA’s WoodChat podcast focuses its latest episode on an approach that will enhance the Australian forestry industry’s sustainability credentials through improved use of natural resources. Globally, an increasing number of...
Read MoreThe need for one billion new production trees to be planted by 2030
Australia, we need a tree change! We need one billion new trees planted by 2030 to secure our sustainable timber and fibre future. Find out more and sign up to...
Read MoreAnnette Cowie, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Climate at NSW DPI on the issue of Climate Change
Annette Cowie, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Climate at NSW DPI recently presented on the issue of Climate Change at our recent MRFH meeting. This presentation yielded a lot of...
Read MoreOngoing coverage following Coalition’s forestry commitments last week
There has been ongoing coverage following the Coalition’s $219 million forestry package announced last week.Read the full transcript of the Prime Minister’s media conference at Neville Smith Forest Products in...
Read MoreAustralia faces a critical housing timber shortage by 2050: FWPA report
Australia’s housing construction sector faces a critical timber shortage and our reliance on imported timber will double by 2050 if our nation falls short of the plan to plant an additional One...
Read MoreForest 360: Log export market commentary
(OPINION Forest360) Just when you think you might be able to wipe the brow of an unpredictable 2021 and settle down into some form of normality, 2022 decides to have...
Read MoreSoils for Life Podcast – The missing middle farming trees for conservation and profit
Farmer, forester or conservationist. It might seem like you need to choose one but more and more landholders are challenging this. With the right management, trees on farms can provide...
Read MoreFederal Government’s $86 million timber plantation grants will help secure Australia’s future timber needs
Muray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH) and Softwoods Working Group (SWG) welcome Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement of a new Commonwealth-State Government program to leverage private sector investment in new timber...
Read MoreSWG Attends NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into the Sustainability of the NSW Timber Industry
Our Softwoods Working Group (SWG) delegates Peter Crowe, Diana Gibbs and Phil Clements had the opportunity to address the recent NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into the Sustainability of the NSW...
Read MoreMRFH NEWSLETTER – February 2022
Inside this issue! Third Edition, February 2022 Letter From the Chair Executive Report Careers In Forestry Funding boost: $20 million to get rid of pests & weeds Further Funding &...
Read MoreInternational Council of Forest and Paper Associations – Policy Statement Commercial Forest Plantations
The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) advocates for the sustainable management of plantations and forests, as well as the responsible production of wood and fibre-based products to...
Read MoreAnnounced – $300 million Timber Building Program
The Government has announced their support for the use of low-carbon timber in the construction sector, supporting forestry jobs across Australia. The announcement is $300 million Timber Building Program through the...
Read MoreBombowlee Bridge work about to enter new stage
Work to replace the Bombowlee Creek Road Bridge is about to enter a new stage. Read More
Read MoreNew Methods to Expand the use of Australian Carbon Credit Units
The Morrison Government has made it easier for farmers and industry to develop high integrity carbon offsets and to take part in the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) through finalising new...
Read MoreMEDIA RELEASE – New Name
After consultation with our members, the South West Slopes Forestry Hub is pleased to announce that they will now be known as the Murray Region Forestry Hub (MRFH). Murray...
Read MoreRegional Investment Corporation Farm Plantation Loan Launched
The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) provides low interest federal government to farmers and farm-related small businesses and for plantations. RIC loans can be used to invest, prepare for, manage or...
Read MoreYOU’RE INVITED – Australia’s National Farm Forestry Strategy
YOU'RE INVITED The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment want your input on what you think should be included in the strategy to support the Australian Government’s commitment to...
Read MoreForestry Australia Myrtleford Forum – ‘Growing a more resilient forest sector in the Murray Valley region’
Forestry Australia Myrtleford Forum& Field Trip - "Growing a more resilient forest sector in the Murray Valley region" Our Executive Members Peter Crowe, Phil Clements and Diana Gibbs along...
Read MoreMEDIA RELEASE – MRFH Funding Extension
The Murray Region Forestry Hub has welcomed the news of an additional $8.9 million of Australian Government funding over 3 years for the original 9 Regional Forestry Hubs that was...
Read MoreSoftwood Plantation Industry in the South West Slopes & Bombala Region, NSW
This report (link below) was prepared by the SWG in 2017 in conjunction with the University of Canberra. It was updated in 2020 to provide further baseline data that incorporated...
Read MoreNEWSLETTER – October 2021
Inside this issue! Letter From the Chair Socio-Economic Impacts of the Softwood Plantation Industry in the South West Slopes & Bombala Region, NSW Opportunity Knocks in Forestry Planning AFPA 2021 National Pulp, Paper & Packaging...
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