SWAN
  • Home
  • Who we are
    • Our partners
  • What we do
  • Information
    • Planting Design
    • Species Selection
    • Weed Control
    • Site Preparation
    • Planting
    • Seedling Protection
    • Pruning
    • Thinning
    • Coppice Management
  • Peer Group Mentoring
    • Andrew
    • Cath and Brad
    • Dion and Sharon
    • Felicity
    • Jeff and Michelle
    • Lee
    • Liz
    • Peter
    • Shannon and Nicole
    • Steve and Fiona
    • Tony and Brenda
  • eNews
    • December 2016
    • February 2017
    • April 2017
    • June 2017
    • September 2017
    • December 2017
    • February 2018
    • April 2018
    • July 2018
  • Join
  • Contact us
  • Softwood Connection

The Softwood Connection

22/4/2018

 
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!”

Comments are closed.
    Picture

      Subscribe to newsletter

    Submit

    Editions

    All
    April 2017
    April 2018
    December 2016
    December 2017
    February 2017
    February 2018
    July 2018
    June 2017
    September 2017

Proudly powered by Weebly