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FORESTRY

Forestry statistics are collected by a number of organisations, including ABARES, the ABS, the industry based research and development corporation (Forest and Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA)), and other industry organisations. As some forestry production is based on natural ecosystems and public-owned resources, a range of data is collected that relate to these ecosystems and to natural resource management practises.

FOREST AND WOOD PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) provides national, integrated research and development services to the Australian forest and wood products industry. In working with ABARES, the FWPA plays an important role in coordinating industry data and providing industry input for ABARES research. The FWPA has a Statistics and Economics Program that examines the timeliness and accuracy of forestry information and gaps in data available for decision-making³⁷. The priority for this program is to improve availability of baseline data on the forestry industry, and the FWPA works extensively with ABARES to address this issue. A key collection by FWPA is the Softwood Timber Survey collating sales volumes for Australian softwood products (see Table 7 Appendix 3). FWPA also co-funds one of ABARES flagship reports, the Australian Forest and Wood Products Statistics.

ABARES

ABARES is the key body that coordinates national forestry and forest product statistics. ABARES collects forestry data through a number of long-running and well established surveys, and collects forestry data from the states and territories through the National Forest Inventory (see Table 7 Appendix 3). The National Forest Inventory is a partnership between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments established as the authoritative source of agreed integrated national forest data, to develop and promote the use of national standards and protocols for forest-related data collection and management, and to provide forest information products to support forest-related policy development, decision making, monitoring and reporting. Data from the National Forest Inventory, ABARES surveys, and a number of other national sources are compiled into the 5-yearly Australia’s State of the Forests Report series.

The ‘national wood processing’ survey obtains up-to-date information on mill inputs, production, employment and ownership from Australian wood processors. The ‘Australian plantation statistics’ report compiled by ABARES provides data on Australian plantations established for wood production. ABARES compiles annual national log harvest volume and gross value of production figures using data from state forest organisations, industry organisations, and businesses through the ‘Gross value of production’ survey. Production data for pulp and paper products is collected through the ‘Pulp and paper’ survey.

The data and information collected through these surveys are published biennially in Australian Forest and Wood Products Statistics. This publication reports a range of national and state data on the volume and value of log harvest, log prices, production and consumption of wood products, industry value-add, sales and service income, employment and detailed ABS trade data. The plantation statistics are published annually. Every five years a comprehensive spatial stocktake of the plantation estate and a log supply forecast are published.

STATES AND TERRITORIES

States and territory governments have responsibility for forest management in Australia. Forest inventory information on the extent, type, condition and location of forests is collected and published by state and territory governments. ABARES plays a key role in compiling this into national inventory data to inform a five-yearly State of the Forests Reports on the management, conservation and use of Australia’s forests.

ABS

The ABS produces information on Australian imports and exports of forestry and logging products (see Table 7 Appendix 3). The Population Census is a key national data set that contributes to understanding the individuals, households and communities related to forestry industries. The Population Census provides fine scale (spatial and industry categories) employment data on persons participating in forestry production and related supply chain industries. Further, the Population Census provides a range of variables, including age, gender, educational attainment, cultural diversity, Indigenous status, and income that enable the development of detailed typologies of forestry industry employees. The Population Census is the principle data set for analysing and understanding households and communities related to forestry industries, including monitoring and evaluating change brought about by economic, social and environmental phenomena.

The ABS labour force survey provides quarterly employment estimates for forestry sub-industries (see Table 7 Appendix 3). The international merchandise trade collection provides data on the value of merchandise imports and exports by industry of product (monthly) and exports and number of goods exporters by industry of exporter by a range of other dimensions (annual).

OTHER ORGANISATIONS - FORESTRY

Other agencies involved in the production, collation, analysis and dissemination of forestry statistical data include CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, industry bodies, non-government organisations, research institutes and regional forestry organisations. The URS Forestry Group, part of URS Corporation, conducts a quarterly timber market survey with funding from a range of government and industry bodies³⁸.

FOOTNOTES

³⁷ Forest and Wood Products Australia
³⁸ URS Corporation 2013, Understanding the Timber Market Survey, viewed 7 August 2014.