The Federal Government's National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy discussion paper released today by the Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, is being welcomed by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) for the new economic and environmental opportunities it presents for our sector and the country, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said today.
The discussion paper covers the opportunities for bioenergy to contribute to Australia's net zero goals, the production of potential feedstocks, required infrastructure and supply chain readiness and maturity, addressing social licence and sustainability, as well as biosecurity and traceability issues.
Diana Hallam said, "We welcome progress on the National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy announced last week, through the release of this discussion paper. AFPA will engage closely with the Government about the sustainable feedstock opportunities that forest industries can provide.
"Through the sustainable harvesting and processing practices our sector is known for, a considerable amount of timber and wood-fibre residues are produced. Ensuring these residues go to the most productive and sustainable use is a key aspiration of AFPA members and a number of businesses already utilise them to create heat for timber drying or even to produce their own power to supplement operational requirements.
"While many in the forest products industry are aware of the bioenergy opportunities for the sector, having a national strategy will seriously maximise the potential for forest industries to enhance their contribution, grow public awareness of the importance of wood fibre in this area and help Australia achieve net zero.
"While the opportunities are considerable there are also many considerations that need to be addressed - strategic locations, volumes, feedstock scale and existing industry requirements. These all-need consideration in the development of the strategy and its eventual implementation.
"We are committed to making sure the forest products industry is at the forefront of the Government's planning with this new National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy," Diana Hallam concluded.
The discussion paper can be found here.
