Logging-on was very disappointed to hear that the CRC for Forestry was unsuccessful in their funding extension bid.
The CRC for forestry has four research programmes, one of which is Harvesting and Operations. This programme has been producing high quality research that has made a significant difference to the harvesting and transport operations of the Australian forestry industry. Research capacity in these fields was also developed that was sorely lacking both in Australia, and globally. The CRC for Forestry will cease to exist in June 2012.
The programme applied for 23 Australian million dollar from the Australian government to support an 80 Australian million dollar, five year research extension. The CRC for Forestry commenced its activities in 1991. The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) expressed outrage at the decision, and criticised the government for its lack of support for the Australian forestry industry. AFPA specifically mentioned the value adding roles that the Harvesting and Operations programme has played. In the AFPA media release, it indicated that the decision is equivalent to losing 50 full-time positions and will affect approximately 40 researcher partners, companies and universities.
However, this cut does not necessarily mean that the valuable research will cease. There is a strong feeling within the Australian forest industry that a collaborative research effort needs to continue. Logging-on would like to see the good harvesting and transport research platform which has been created, continue to grow and improve harvesting and transport operations in Australia.
Source: http://www.crcforestry.com.au/view/index.aspx?id=79350 and
http://www.ausfpa.com.au/site/news.php?task=detail&id=0030