The Softwoods Working Group (SWG) was formed in 1987 to represent the plantation-based timber industry of the South West slopes region of NSW, and involve all sectors of the community with an interest in the industry. The Softwoods Working Group consists of representatives from: - 4 local government areas (Snowy Valleys, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Greater Hume, and Albury City) - 2 Regional Development Boards (Murray and Riverina) Forestry Corporation of NSW - All the major private plantation growers - All the processing operations in this region (Visy, AKD, Hyne) - Relevant NSW Government agencies (such as the Department of Regional NSW, and Transport for NSW) also attend meetings of SWG. From planning road networks, to advocacy & economic impacts The SWG was initially formed to plan for the future needs of the road network that forms an essential part of the infrastructure required by the local timber industry. These initial activities were successful in securing funding for the major defined regional arterials that service the needs for both logs and finished products. More recently, funding has been obtained to support upgrades of local (i.e. Council-owned) roads that allow logs to move from the plantations to the major arterials. Improvements to these local roads benefit the community as well, as all road users will have safer travelling conditions on better roads. Advocacy & Economic Impacts The activities of the SWG have now expanded to include involvement in other forest-industry related issues, such as advocacy for plantation expansion and the provision of sound information on the economic impact of the industry in the region. SWG works closely with the Hub. The Hub is funded to conduct robust analysis focussed on identifying and mitigating issues which constrain industry growth, with SWG being able to lobby decision-makers and other parties with advocacy programs based on this analysis.