Forest Products Industry

Tree Breeding Australia has officially opened its new $1.2 million National Genetics Research Centre in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Located on Kilsby Road, the research facility will accommodate up to 12 staff – mostly technical specialists – to provide better infrastructure for TBA’s national tree breeding and genetic improvement programs across both hardwood and softwood plantation species. Source: Timberbiz Key capabilities at the site include the storage and management of genetic material used in seed and pollination programs, with plans to progressively undertake DNA sequencing and analysis on-site, reducing the need to send samples interstate or overseas. The new TBA research facility represents another jewel in South Australia’s crown as a national leader in research and innovation and builds on the State Government’s investment in the recently opened $16 million Forestry Centre of Excellence. South Australia’s Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven, who officially opened the building, said the State Government’s investment in the research facility would strengthen the State’s role in forestry research and help secure the future of South Australia’s timber plantation industry. “Tree breeding and genetic improvements are critical to developing productive and resilient plantations, and this facility will support the research, skills, and innovation required to meet the industry’s future challenges and opportunities,” she said. “Through this partnership between the Malinauskas Government and the forestry sector, we are supporting skilled technical roles and strengthening Mount Gambier’s position as a centre for forestry research and innovation.” Built by Parham Construction, the facility was delivered by an entirely local trade base comprising more than 15 businesses. TBA purchased the Kilsby Road site in 2005, building on an organisational history dating back to 1983 when it began operating locally as a cooperative focused on the genetic improvement of plantation timber species. Today, it is the premier breeding organisation in Australia for plantation softwood and hardwood species. The chairman of Tree Breeding Australia, Dr Andrew Jacobs, said the project represented a significant investment in the future of Australian plantations. “The new research facility will enable us to better protect and manage valuable genetic material, improve the efficiency of our breeding programs, and develop the skills and technology we need for the next generation of tree improvement,” Dr Jacobs said. “Our goal is to develop trees that grow faster, produce better-quality timber, and are increasingly resilient to the conditions in which they are grown, including adapting to more challenging environments. This facility is a long-term investment in the people, science, and genetic resources that will underpin Australia’s future timber supply.” Forest & Wood Products Australia Acting Chief Executive Officer Craig Taylor said the opening of the new facility – known as “The Shed” – marked an important milestone for Australia’s plantation forestry sector and the researchers, growers and industry organisations working to improve the productivity, value and resilience of Australia’s plantation resource. “We recognise the vision and commitment of all those involved in bringing this important facility to life,” he said. “FWPA has a focus on helping our plantation grower members increase their profitability by growing more fibre on every hectare of land they manage, while also increasing the value of that fibre through improvements in wood characteristics that better meet the needs of downstream manufacturers. “We are also helping plantation growers increase their resilience through the development of genetics that will be best suited to a changing climate. Increasing the volume, quality and resilience of Australia’s plantations benefits participants right across the supply chain.” FWPA has been a major investor in plantation genetics research and development delivered in partnership with TBA, focused on tree improvement, genomics, plantation productivity, disease resistance and climate adaptation. Since 2020, the $11.5 million investment, leveraged through Australian Government matched funding, significantly expands the impact of industry research funds. An independent assessment of one recent research project found that for every $1 invested the research is likely to deliver $6.70 of direct economic benefit, plus other environmental and public good benefits. FWPA Head of Forest Research Jodie Mason said sustained investment in genetics and breeding was critical to the long-term success of Australia’s plantation estate. “Tree breeding and genetics underpin the future productivity, quality and resilience of Australia’s plantation forests. The Shed provides an important platform to accelerate the research and collaboration needed to deliver benefits to growers and processors for decades to come.” The projects supported by FWPA and its funding partners include research to increase and sustain productivity gains in national tree improvement programs, accelerate genetic gain through advanced genomics, optimise tree survival and resource quality, design genetically improved pine varieties, develop more productive trees adapted to changing environments, and future-proof plantations through disease-resistance screening. Mr Taylor said the opening of the Centre demonstrates the value of long-term collaboration between industry, government and researchers. “Facility investments such as this, combined with continued investment in research and development, help ensure Australia’s plantation sector remains internationally competitive and capable of meeting future demand for sustainable, renewable forest products.” TBA’s longer-term plans include a purpose-built glasshouse at the site to assist quarantine measures for the introduction of plants interstate and to fast-track the propagation of elite genetics.

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