Furniture manufacturers in Victoria, Australia, want a long-term supply of native timber to allow the A$2bn sector to thrive and grow.
The Furniture Industry Association of Australia says manufacturers’ confidence has fallen since the state government announced its decision to phase out logging in the Otways by 2008. Industry now has access to about 15% of the 4.8 million hectares of native forest on public land.
The Industry is looking to the government to abide by four remaining regional forest agreements and the Our Forests Our Future policy.
Furniture manufacturers are said not to be keen on plantantion timber, which requires more updated technology for correct milling. However, significant time and money is being invested in research to develop sawing techniques for plantation eucalyptus.
Australia imports A$3.8bn in forest products every year, including A$260m of hardwood.