The State Government has released new artist impressions of the Forestry Centre of Excellence being built in Mount Gambier, as new research and development projects are launched.
The Centre is a collaborative project between the State Government, the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the forest industry. It will be built on the same site as the UniSA Mount Gambier campus, the new Mount Gambier Technical College and the Mount Gambier TAFE, providing a unique opportunity to create an education, training and research precinct.
The design for the facility is due to be finalised in November 2024 with building construction due to commence in April 2025 and an expected completion in January 2026.
An artist’s impression of the Forestry Centre of Excellence, due to be built on UniSA’s Mount Gambier campus in 2025.
Vital research underway in temporary facilities was showcased at a special launch on site today, and includes projects on:
- structural timber market access,
- improving safety,
- fire detection from cameras and satellites,
- suppression, recovery, and analysis of digital forestry data using artificial intelligence, and
- immersive data analytics using VR and AR to understand the implications of climate change on plantation growth yield and water use.
Following a global search, Professor Jeff Morrell has been appointed as the Forestry Centre of Excellence’s inaugural director due to commence in mid-January 2025. Previously, he was Director for the Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life based at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The FCoE links to the forest industry and its key attribute of collaboration, connection and partnerships through its research, training education, development, and extension activities, has been reflected in the new FCoE brand of interlocking abstract trees also unveiled today.
In launching the FCoE, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas described the Green Triangle plantation forest region as “one of the powerhouses of the Australian forest industry”.
“The South Australian portion of the region contributes more than $860 million to the state’s gross product annually – making it one of our most productive primary industry sectors.“
Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas
For further information on the Forestry Centre of Excellence visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regions website.
Posted 04/10/2024
