City Forests chief executive Grant Dodson has been appointed chairman of the Southern Wood Council, an independent organisation encompassing 140,000ha of Otago and Southland forestry interests.
Mr Dodson, who takes over the role from Matthew Hitchings, of Blue Mountain Lumber, believes the future is bright for the forestry industry in the region, which annually harvests more than 1.2 million cubic metres of wood.
But it has been hit hard in recent years by global influences.
As a combined resource, the forestry industry was sustainable, well-managed, environmentally friendly and hugely carbon positive, with the products in demand locally and overseas, he said yesterday.
"There are several factors now contributing to a positive outlook, including the upcoming tariffs on Russian log supply, the world's desire for sustainable products, bio-energy opportunities, improved exporting conditions from a more favourable exchange rate and reduced international shipping costs," Mr Dodson said in a statement.
The seven-year-old wood council was formed to promote and co-ordinate the sustainable economic development of the forest products industry in southern New Zealand.
Council membership includes major forest owners, the larger wood processing and manufacturing companies, port authorities and each of the three economic development agencies from local councils.
