Forestry industry statistics from 2004
Summary
“The Timber Industry in North East Victoria” report
prepared by Prospect Consulting (2002) provides the clearest overview
of forestry in the North East. The report included Shires outside
of the AlpValleys region making it difficult to provide direct comparisons.
However, the estimated GVP of $226 million means that this is the
largest agribusiness sector in the North East.
The North East region of Victoria has a significant logging and
timber processing industry. There are approximately 65,000 hectares
of privately owned softwood and hardwood plantations in the region.
Major operators include five softwood processing plants (timber processing,
panel board, pulp and paper), one log exporter, and several small
general processors.
The log intake to these operations is around 1 million m3 of softwood
log, being 650,000 m3 of saw and peeler logs, and around 339,000
tonnes of pulp logs (Prospect Consulting, Report, February 2002).
Plantations in the region are dominated by radiata pine, with productive
plantations of this species covering around 62,500 hectares (NRE
estimates 1999). These plantations are concentrated in Alpine, Mansfield,
Benalla and Towong Shires, which together account for approximately
70% of the total area of softwood plantations.
The timber industry is also a major employer in the region. The
total level of direct employment from logging and haulage, sawmilling
and residual log processing industries is estimated to be around
1,717 jobs (Forest Management Plan for the North East DNRE 2001).
The estimated value of turnover of this industry is approximately
$40 million (DNRE 2001).
Being close to the major rural centres of Wangaratta and Albury/Wodonga
creates a demand for other timber products including firewood and
farm timbers (posts and poles).
There is also a small demand for other minor forest products including:
eucalypt seed, understorey species, wood chip logs, stakes, and specialty
timbers.
Native hardwood forestry on public land supports a major processing
industry in the southern part of the North East Region.
Forestry industry overview
Detail |
Comments |
Product description |
Sawlogs, pulpwood, roundwood, panel products,
seasoned timber, paper products. |
Main season |
All year |
Industry associations |
National Association of Forest Industries,
Australian Forest Growers |
Domestic market information |
All products above. |
Export market information |
Pulpwood for chipping, sawmill and processing
residues for chipping. |
Source AAVAF Survey 2004
Location of the Forestry industry within North East Victoria
1997 AG Census |
% of forestry
businesses |
North East Region |
Victoria |
Alpine Shire |
17.4% |
1.2% |
Benalla (RC) |
2.2% |
0.2% |
Indigo Shire |
23.9% |
1.7% |
Towong Shire |
28.3% |
2.0% |
Wangaratta (RC) |
26.1% |
1.9% |
Wodonga (RC) |
2.2% |
0.2% |
Source ABS Agricultural Census 1997
Forestry industry growth
There is a demand for land for plantation development. With forestry
investment companies currently very active, the demand is expected
to increase.
Forestry industry labour requirements
Municipality |
Total |
Alpine |
547 |
Indigo |
21 |
Benalla |
Not available |
Wangaratta |
94 |
Towong |
94 |
Wodonga |
31 |
Forestry industry marketing activities
Marketing is aimed at a national and international market. Marketing
is not particular to the AlpValleys region.
Forestry industry strategic advantages and opportunities
- Skilled labour force
- Leasing of land to generate consistent farm income
- Can be located on small areas of land
- Value adding of products and associated industry
- Well established in region with good infrastructure
Forestry industry strategic disadvantages and impediments to growth
- Lack of suitably priced land
- Perception of timber products as expensive
- Weed management in plantations
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