Benefits of a Levy

Previously most work done on behalf of all forest growers was funded by voluntary levies and subscriptions paid by members of the FFA and FOA.

Money is not the main reason for the levy.  It's about bringing all growers into the industry loop, so they know what's happening and can play their part in a more cohesive industry. The levy also allows planning and partnership funding commitments in a way that previous voluntary arrangements cannot. This has become more important with the increased expectations of industry commitment to research in particular by government.

The levy will be particularly important in the next few years as forests planted in the 1990s are harvested. Many owners of these forests do not belong to any industry organisation and suffer because of that, as does the industry.