The move follows last week’s announcement that Paperlinx would close its Burnie mill in Tasmania, as part of its exit from manufacturing.

Minister for Innovation Senator Kim Carr (pictured) announced today that the council would be chaired by a member of his department, Stephen Payne, and that the full makeup of the council would be announced shortly.

He added that he would “maintain the membership of major pulp and paper firms and unions in the council”.

“The new council will provide me with strategic advice on priorities for innovation, in particular, opportunities in water and energy efficiency, fibre production and product development,” Carr said.

“The council will also develop terms of reference for an appropriately funded Biorefinery Research Institute, focusing the R&D effort on fibre-based biofuels.

The establishment of the council was one of 18 recommendations made in the Pulp and Paper Industry Strategy Group’s final report, which was released today at the Australian Pulp and Paper Industry Technical Association’s (APPITA) annual conference in Melbourne.

“I am acting on the recommendation to establish the council now because it is important to ensure the industry remains closely engaged with the Government while the response is being finalised,” Carr told the conference.

Carr said that the report “outlines Australia’s first major pulp and paper industry strategy following a comprehensive review of the industry by the industry”.

“It identifies new opportunities for the industry to increase its competitiveness and support high-wage, high-skill jobs,” he added.

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