New Forestry Centre of Excellence opens in Mount Gambier
Thursday 12 February 2026 Primary industries
South Australia’s $16 million Forestry Centre of Excellence has officially opened its new purpose-built facility in Mount Gambier, marking a major milestone in the South Australian Government’s long-term commitment to strengthening the state’s forest and timber industries.
The new education, training and research precinct is a collaborative project between the State Government, Adelaide University, which contributed $6.55 million over ten years, and the forest industry.
Funding for the Forestry Centre of Excellence is part of a total State Government investment of more than $21 million in forestry over the past four years.
The centre brings together government, industry and research partners in a 10-year collaboration led by the State Government and Adelaide University, supporting innovation, sustainability and workforce capability across one of Australia’s most important plantation forest regions.
The building was constructed using plantation timber from the region and showcases a variety of timber products, including cross-laminated timber (CLT), engineered hardwood, and panelling.
The facility will also accommodate the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and Tree Breeding Australia, strengthening collaboration across research, education and industry and reinforcing Mount Gambier’s role as a national centre for forestry innovation.
The Forestry Centre of Excellence has been operating since 2024 within temporary accommodation and will now migrate its operations to its permanent home, co-located alongside Adelaide University Mount Gambier, the Mount Gambier Technical College and Mount Gambier TAFE, creating strong pathways between research, skills development and industry.
The centre is led by its inaugural director, Professor Jeff Morrell, who started last year, and is overseeing the development of research partnerships and programs to support long-term productivity, sustainability and global competitiveness of the forestry sector.