Production | Employment | Investment

Industry: Investment

The existing plantation forest estate has underpinned the attraction of substantial investment in the forest-based processing industries, in turn bringing employment growth to rural and regional Australia. Plantations supply over 70% of sawn timber produced in Australia, yet comprise less than 1% of land area.

The plantation sector has an estimated total annual output in excess of AUD 15 billion, making it the second largest manufacturing industry in the Australian economy.

In 2000-01, the value of products manufactured from timber grown in plantations was estimated at AUD6.3 billion, including AUD2.2 billion in paper and paperboard products. In addition, the value of exports of forest products manufactured from timber grown in plantations in 2000-01 was estimated at AUD1.2 billion.

Since 1997, around AUD1.5 billion has been invested in plantation establishment, and AUD1.01 billion in plantation-related processing infrastructure in the sawmilling, paper manufacturing and wood-based panel industries. These investments add substantial value to Australia’s natural resources, and deliver significant rural and regional employment benefits.

There is a clear imperative to maintain levels of plantation establishment for investment trends to continue.

Production | Employment | Investment