At the last SWAN meeting, the committee resolved to invite a number of people invested in growing pine to meet and discuss the future of the softwoods’ sector.
A preliminary meeting was convened in Hester last Sunday and 14 people attended. They have called the group the Softwood Connection and have already prepared a Public Statement expressing their concern for the future of the industry. (see below)
SWAN President Duncan Beggs has also requested a meeting with the Minister, to brief him on the reasons for the public statement and to explain why the Softwood Connection is demanding an independent investigation of the industry.
It is clear that there remains amongst our membership a number of people with a deep commitment to both the value of, and the need to grow pine, in either plantation or agroforestry contexts. They maintain a strong belief that growing pine is worthwhile and should be expanded into the future.
The Softwood Connection was united about the need for more regular meetings and communication to focus on the future of private growing of pine. A members only forum has been added to this website for online exchange and discussion, contact, email afgswan@gmail.com if you would like to be part of this initiative.
Public Statement
The South West Agroforestry Network, SWAN, warns that the softwoods industry in Western Australia is on the road to ruin.
If this happens, in 20 years a West Australian may no longer be able to buy a piece of pine grown in WA This will result in the potential loss of thousands of jobs and likely more than $600 million annually.
“Successive State Governments’ lack of action and the continued distortion of the market price are the main causes,” says Duncan Beggs, President of SWAN.
“The Softwood Connection, a group of SWAN members, has called on the State Government to conduct an urgent, independent, and transparent review of the industry,” says Mr Beggs.
“If the economic settings are put right people will invest in growing pine to meet the impending shortfall in supply. We are at risk of missing out on a part of our sustainable future – Wood is Good!”
A preliminary meeting was convened in Hester last Sunday and 14 people attended. They have called the group the Softwood Connection and have already prepared a Public Statement expressing their concern for the future of the industry. (see below)
SWAN President Duncan Beggs has also requested a meeting with the Minister, to brief him on the reasons for the public statement and to explain why the Softwood Connection is demanding an independent investigation of the industry.
It is clear that there remains amongst our membership a number of people with a deep commitment to both the value of, and the need to grow pine, in either plantation or agroforestry contexts. They maintain a strong belief that growing pine is worthwhile and should be expanded into the future.
The Softwood Connection was united about the need for more regular meetings and communication to focus on the future of private growing of pine. A members only forum has been added to this website for online exchange and discussion, contact, email afgswan@gmail.com if you would like to be part of this initiative.
Public Statement
The South West Agroforestry Network, SWAN, warns that the softwoods industry in Western Australia is on the road to ruin.
If this happens, in 20 years a West Australian may no longer be able to buy a piece of pine grown in WA This will result in the potential loss of thousands of jobs and likely more than $600 million annually.
“Successive State Governments’ lack of action and the continued distortion of the market price are the main causes,” says Duncan Beggs, President of SWAN.
“The Softwood Connection, a group of SWAN members, has called on the State Government to conduct an urgent, independent, and transparent review of the industry,” says Mr Beggs.
“If the economic settings are put right people will invest in growing pine to meet the impending shortfall in supply. We are at risk of missing out on a part of our sustainable future – Wood is Good!”
