Australia Allocates $2.7 Mln to Support Timber Sector
Copyright 2000 Asia Pulse Pte Limited
October 2, 2000
The Australian government has announced a $ A5 million ($ US2.71 million) programme to support Queensland's native hardwood timber industry.
Forestry and Conservation Minister Wilson Tuckey said the amount provided was less than would have been available under a Regional Forest Agreement (RFA).
The Beattie government refused to sign the RFA with the federal government and instead decided to "go it alone" on support for the state's timber industry.
Mr Tuckey said despite the announcement the Commonwealth remained committed to negotiating an RFA based on the maintenance of a sustainable native timber industry.
Under the federal government programme, timber operators in the state's south-east will be sent guidelines on how to receive the federal government assistance.
The scheme aims to create new employment opportunities in the industry through value-adding the timber resource.
"This Commonwealth funding will leverage around $ 20 million of new development in regional towns and create several hundred new jobs for local people," Mr Tuckey said.