Mr Tuckey highlighted the need for a holistic approach to innovation embracing not only forest and wood products, but also the use of trees in addressing environmental problems and the development of non-wood products. The promotion and development of innovative practices within the forest and wood products industry is an important step in building growth in resources and processing capacity, regional development, job creation and environmental services. The Innovation Action Plan will provide the impetus to develop new products and markets beyond the traditional solid timber, reconstituted product and paper markets. New and alternative forest and wood uses are emerging, including bioenergy and environmental services in areas of low rainfall and land degradation. Innovative ways will have to be found to extract and deliver wood waste to biomass markets at competitive prices to take advantage of emerging opportunities for biomass markets.
Tree planting in dry, salinity-affected areas is another emerging opportunity.
But, to be effective, it will need to be carefully planned, drawing on the best available expertise to determine appropriate species, the location and configuration of plantings and appropriate management and silvicultural practices. It is vital that landholders, investors and the industry draw on research and trials conducted under a number of Government programs. An Australian guide to using trees for healthy catchment and productive farms was published recently under the joint venture agroforestry program. A related publication outlines a number of trials on tree plantings in low rainfall areas.