{"id":309597,"date":"2021-11-16T17:15:23","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T07:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=309597"},"modified":"2021-11-16T17:15:23","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T07:15:23","slug":"900000-boost-for-forest-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/11\/16\/900000-boost-for-forest-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"$900,000 Boost For Forest ‘Hub’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Agriculture Minister and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 16, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

The South + Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hub has received a $900,000 boost in funding from the Federal Government.<\/p>\n

The hub, one of 11 across Australia and two in Queensland, aims to foster projects to boost productivity and growth in the timber industry.<\/p>\n

The South + Central Queensland hub looks after 23 council areas, including Cherbourg, Gympie, North Burnett, Somerset, South Burnett, Toowoomba and Western Downs.<\/p>\n

It received $1 million of seed funding from the Federal Government when it was set up in 2019.<\/p>\n

In April this year, a manager and a part-time technical adviser were appointed to the hub team.<\/p>\n

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Federal Government\u2019s latest investment was a “show of faith” in forestry industries and the benefits they deliver to towns such as Kingaroy and Nanango.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSouth-East and Central Queensland is a key forestry area with strong potential for growth and innovation,\u201d Mr Littleproud said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hub is assessing production forestry resources, processing capacity and infrastructure needs and limitations and finding ways to support innovation and growth in our region.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis new funding will secure the future of our forestry hub and its important work with industry, State and Local governments, key stakeholders and the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is an opportunity for the region to explore options for product value-adding as it has existing softwood and hardwood processing capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Timber industry peak body, Timber Queensland, worked with the Federal Government to set up the two Queensland hubs.<\/p>\n

The South + Central Queensland hub has a 13-person steering committee which includes representatives from Parkside Group, Hyne Timber, HQPlantations and AgForce.<\/p>\n

The regional hubs are part of the Federal Government\u2019s National Forest Industries Plan.<\/p>\n