29 June 2023

The newly expanded Forest Industries Advisory Council of South Australia (FIAC-SA) members held their inaugural meeting in Mount Gambier on Thursday 29 June 2023.

The Council reviewed and discussed the proposed Terms of Reference which include providing advice on domestic manufacturing and infrastructure master planning; providing advice regarding future workforce requirements, and undertaking tasks as requested by the Minister

It was agreed a communique would be published following each FIAC-SA meeting to update the public of meeting progress.

The State Government expanded the membership of the FIAC-SA as a key election commitment to ensure representation covering the full scope of the sector’s knowledge base, providing a clear and ongoing platform for government, industry, workforce and other stakeholders to work together for the betterment of the whole industry and its various sectors.

The Minister outlined key government forestry commitments including areas for the FIAC-SA support and confirmed the requirement for members to develop a FIAC-SA Workplan that establishes priorities and considers opportunities. Members agreed key areas of domestic manufacturing, infrastructure planning and future workforce requirements would form the basis of the Workplan and resolved to provide further improvements out of session.

Next meeting is scheduled for mid-August to progress the development of the FIAC-SA Workplan.