The national push by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) to Buy Aussie Timber First will continue to play a role in retaining demand for renewable Australian plantation pine, which contributes to the $24 billion timber processing and manufacturing industry.

Australia Day passing acts as a reminder to Buy Aussie Timber First to help support the local timber industry this year and beyond.

AFPA points to the HomeBuilder program and numerous state government stimulus measures in 2020 that were essential to boosting confidence in the new home market and ensuring demand for Aussie timber remains strong.

“While the renewed demand for new houses built using our renewable timber products is welcome, it is not time for complacency as we will continue to face strong economic headwinds this year, the most significant being a decrease in forecast population growth of only 0.2% down from 1.7%, caused by almost zero net migration levels due to COVID-19 restrictions,” AFPA chief executive Ross Hampton says.

While domestic timber demand has held up to this point, the need to continue to Buy Aussie Timber First remains strong in 2021.

“To ensure the ongoing viability of the domestic timber industry, we want to remind all levels of government that ongoing stimulus is vital to maintain demand for new home construction, which is the engine room for growth and jobs in Australia’s economy,” Ross adds.

“We want to thank our customers and fellow Aussies for their ongoing support, and we encourage every new homeowner, builder, carpenter, specifier or architect to keep choosing and buying timber framing to help us all recover from COVID-19.”

To show your support or to find out more about the Buy Aussie Timber First campaign, please visit www.buyaussietimberfirst.com.au.