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AFWI forestry research centres to support industry

FWPA welcomes the recent Government announcements and strong support across the industry for the establishment and upcoming official launch of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI).  

AFWI is a national initiative and collaboration between the Australian Government and the University of Tasmania (UTAS), which is dedicated to further advancing research and innovation to support Australia’s forest and wood product industries.  

We congratulate the University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Melbourne who will be invited to form the remaining two AFWI research centres, joining the centre being established at the UTAS in Launceston. 

We look forward to the collaboration potential between University of Sunshine Coast Research Centre and the FWPA-supported National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life to further benefit the broader industry. 

The newly appointed AFWI board will oversee all activities and expenditure and will operate as an advisory committee to endorse the strategic direction and research priorities of the centre. The Board will be chaired by Mr Bob Gordon who will be joined by 9 fellow board members, including FWPA CEO Andrew Leighton.  

I am pleased to share the news of my appointment to the AFWI board. Along with my fellow board members, I look forward to the benefits that AFWI will bring to our industry by supporting applied research, development, and innovation” said FWPA CEO, Andrew Leighton. 

Each research centre will have access to $24.5 million in funding as part of the more than $100 million AFWI grant agreement with UTAS.  

The University of Melbourne Research Centre will be based at the Burnley Campus in Richmond, Victoria and University of the Sunshine Coast’s Research Centre will be based at the Sunshine Coast Campus in Sippy Downs, Queensland.  

The official launch of AFWI will be held on Tuesday 12 March at the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood in Newnham, Tasmania.

Learn more about AFWI via this link. 

Posted Date: March 6, 2024

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