Australian timber industry news

Since its beginning as a small forestry equipment manufacturing shop in 1989, Quadco has built its reputation on a single promise: to never compromise on quality or service. That means listening to customers and dealers on its products’ ability to withstand heavy applications on the job site and adjusting its designs accordingly. That’s how the newest addition to its line of forestry mulchers was born. Source: Timberbiz The brand new Quadco 32-inch Drum Mulcher (32QDM) pairs innovation with value to offer forestry professionals their new go-to, versatile solution for tree and brush clearing. As the latest addition to Quadco’s line of rugged forestry mulching attachments, the 32QDM is surprisingly compact, without compromising on toughness. Built to run on 8 to 15 ton excavators, 32QDM takes productivity and ground material processing to the next level. Rather than offering a lateral tilt as a costly add-on feature, the 32QDM comes with a next-level 100-degree lateral tilt as the standard. This attachment also features a spiralized drum to help distribute material evenly over the cutters and serve as a bite limiter. The 32QDM is compatible with a variety of Quadco teeth and includes a fixed heel with replaceable bucket teeth for added productivity. Like all Quadco attachments, 32QDM is built to stand the test of time and perform like new after years of heavy-duty applications. Manufactured especially for professional contractors, 32QDM features a built-in universal boom adapter to provide equipment dealers and rental fleets with the flexibility they require to meet the needs of their clients. Changing carriers is as simple as replacing the pins and sleeves, saving you valuable time and money.

There’s something highly unusual about the new Olympic Aquatics Centre on the outskirts of Paris. It’s not just the building’s striking form, with its massive, Pringle-shaped solar roof. It’s not solely that the 5,000-seat venue, constructed mainly from wood, was pieced together like a Lego set. Source: Bloomberg It’s also the fact that the centre, designed by architecture firms Ateliers 2/3/4/ and VenhoevenCS, will be the main architectural icon for a Summer Games that is actively trying not to build them. Every host city of the Summer Olympics tries to use them to power some major transformative project. It might be a huge expansion of a metro system (as in Athens in 2004), the redevelopment of a large tract of derelict land (which London undertook in 2012) or the re-planning of an underused seafront (like the one Barcelona carried out in 1992). But Paris 2024 wants to make sustainability, rather than monumental construction, its chief legacy. Compared to the pharaonic projects of the past, the aspiration might seem almost perverse. There are still some new projects: The Olympic Village, north of Paris, will be an eco-quarter where all buildings under eight floors will be made from wood and glass, and all energy will be sustainably sourced via heat pumps and renewables. An 8,000-capacity arena at Porte de la Chapelle, comprised of a recycled aluminum façade around a wooden structure, is destined to live on as the home for Paris’ basketball team, as well as two public gyms. But overall, 95% of the Olympics venues will be facilities that either already existed or that will be dismantled for reuse after the Games. This make-do-and-mend approach could, organizers hope, help provide a springboard for a green transformation of France’s construction industry. France hopes to cut carbon in the building sector as the European Union strives to reduce the bloc’s overall emissions by 55% by 2030. That will primarily mean retrofitting existing structures but using more wood in new construction — including the advanced wood components known as mass timber is expected to play a significant role as well. (A French government proposal in 2020 to require all new public buildings to use 50% wood or other biomaterials was, however, ultimately dropped.) Industry experts are optimistic about France’s willingness to manage this swing, even if it lags behind some neighbours in areas such as renewable energy. “While our wood construction industry is not as developed as, say, Austria or Germany,” says Luc Floissac, an environmental adviser and researcher at Toulouse University, “our use of bio-based materials such as straw for buildings is already ahead of all the other European countries combined.” Investment has also backed up official enthusiasm, Floissac says. The government has so far issued around €200 million ($218 million) in subsidies to projects using wood and other biomaterials. This push has already powered some growth. The wood construction market reached €4.6 billion last year, an increase of 14% since 2020, according to a July report from timber and forestry industry group France Bois Forêt. The proportion of new buildings constructed in wood has still not risen dramatically, however. They comprised 18.3% of new non-residential buildings in 2022, up only slightly over 16.8% in 2020. Wood-built residential structures remained at around 6% over the same period. The sector is nonetheless targeting a total construction-market share of 20% to 30% by 2030, wresting some of that away from the currently dominant material, concrete. And it’s ramping up its industrial capacities in order to meet that goal. “Industrial equipment in France is undersized,” says Dominique Cottineau, director of the Wood Construction Industry Union (UICB). “But the trajectory is changing, and we’re going to be building with a lot more wood than before.” The new Aquatics Center wasn’t primarily built near Paris but hundreds of miles away, in a bucolic, half-timbered village near the German border. The structure was prefabricated at a distance by wood construction company Mathis, which has been sawing and whittling timber for buildings on the same site in Alsace since 1809. Each piece of the final building was planned, cut, glued, and bent into shape in Mathis’ yard before being shipped to Paris for assembly on site. The potential advantages of building in wood are legion. For many architects, its beauty without extra finishing provides both practical and aesthetic benefits. “We wanted to use the least amount of material possible, and wood means we don’t have to use drywall or other fixes used in construction to hide structural elements,” says Laure Mériaud, partner at Ateliers 2/3/4/. That can in turn give wooden buildings an extra sensual charm, according to Cécilia Gross, partner at VenhoevenCS. “We don’t have to paint it,” she says. “It has warmth, it has colour and it has a scent. You can smell it when you’re in the pool.” Harvested wood is generally considered carbon neutral if all trees felled are replaced with new saplings that are allowed to grow to the same age. Despite being able to withstand considerable pressure and wear, wood is relatively light, further reducing emissions by lessening the load on construction machinery. Mass timber isn’t even particularly flammable when used carefully. It is actually harder to ignite and conducts heat less rapidly than a steel frame, testing has showed. Visiting Mathis in Alsace, other clear advantages to wood construction become evident. The structures the company builds can be vast and complex in design, with computers programmed to dictate the shape and volume of components to be cut, and with precise scheduling of work so that the right pieces are ready for shipment in the correct order for construction. But from there, things get easier. The hangars of Mathis’ woodyard are committed to relatively straightforward processes, with spaces for drying wood, cutting planks into pieces and gluing them together. The only grand-scale machinery is a press that bends huge pieces of laminated wood — of up to 45 meters (148 feet) in length into arch shapes for roof supports. Even here the material is […]

The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation’s traceability requirements will be “nearly impossible” for the US paper and wood pulp industry to meet, 27 US senators have told US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, pressing her to push to ensure the EU’s rules target countries where deforestation is likely to occur. Source: Industry Intelligence The EUDR bans certain commodities from entering the bloc unless exporters can prove they were not sourced from recently deforested land or contributed to forest degradation. Companies that cannot comply with the law’s traceability rules, set to take effect at the end of the year, will be subject to fines and other penalties. In a 8 March letter to Ms Tai, Sens. Angus King (I-ME) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), along with 25 other senators (19 Republicans and six Democrats), warned that EUDR’s traceability rules will be “nearly impossible for a significant segment of the US paper and pulp industry to comply with.” “The EUDR imposes a geolocation traceability requirement that mandates sourcing to the individual plot of land for every shipment of timber product to the EU,” the senators write. “In the US, 42% of the wood fibre used by pulp and paper mills comes from wood chips, forest residuals, and sawmill manufacturing residues, wood sources that cannot be traced back to an individual forest plot.” Deforestation is not an issue in US forests, but the EUDR may still impose “costly requirements on US exporters that will limit market access for the US$3.5 billion in US forest-derived products” entering the EU annually, they add. American forests are “healthy and growing,” the lawmakers assert, calling the US paper and pulp industry a global leader in sustainably managing forests and noting that more than one billion trees are planted in the US annually. “That is why we urge USTR to engage with their EU counterparts to ensure that EUDR implementation focuses on countries in which illegal deforestation is occurring,” the lawmakers said. “As USTR continues to engage with European regulators, we urge the agency to seek clarity on the EUDR’s traceability requirements, data reporting, and country benchmarking.” USTR must also push the bloc to recognize the US’ “robust regulatory standards” to protect the health of US forests, which could in turn help US paper and pulp producers comply with EUDR rules, the lawmakers argue. Sen Josh Hawley (R-MO) earlier this month pushed USTR to engage with the EU over the pending deforestation regulation, calling it a “non-tariff trade barrier poised to devastate soybean farmers in my state.” “You must make this right by seeking appropriate revisions to the EUDR that will allow Missouri farmers to continue to access global markets, while managing their farms in accordance with best practices,” Hawley said in a 1 March letter to Ms Tai. The law’s “expansive” definition of deforestation would consider typical farm practices like roadbuilding and clearing dead trees as acts of deforestation, he added. Others in Congress have sought to advance legislation aimed at reducing deforestation in US supply chains. House Ways & Means trade subcommittee ranking member Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Brian Schatz (D-HI) in December re-introduced a bill that would ban imports produced on illegally deforested land. The “Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade Act,” would also direct USTR to create “action plans” to end deforestation in countries without “adequate and effective protection against illegal deforestation,” according to bill text. The FOREST Act would only cover illegal deforestation, while the EUDR tackles all forms of deforestation.  

New Zealand’s DOC (Department of Conservation) has identified Chilean Myrtle (Luma apiculata) as an emerging pest plant and has requested a voluntary approach to remove it from sale. Source: Timberbiz Chilean myrtle (Luma apiculata) from the Myrtaceae family, is a hardy, evergreen tree with distinctive orange bark, native to Chile and Argentina. Invasive populations have been found in New Zealand native bush, primarily in the Tasman area. But wild seedlings have also been found across Aotearoa. Looking internationally, this tree species has naturalised in several areas outside of its native range including Great Britain, Ireland and the United States. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is under revision and this species is likely to be included in the revised list, which is expected in 2026. In the meantime, DOC is recommending that businesses voluntarily discontinue propagation and sale of this species due to its emerging weed potential. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact NZPPI Biosecurity & Technical Manager, Kathryn Hurr kathryn@nzppi.co.nz

The Timber Construct 2024 program has been released, the event is aimed at those who design and construct timber and mass wood buildings. It will be held on 12 -13 August at Rydges Hotel, Melbourne. Source: Timberbiz The Timber Construct Conference and Exhibition is owned and organised by the Timber Development Association (TDA), the industry body representing Australian forestry, timber manufacturing, and timber construction interests. It was previously known as Frame Australia and Timber Offsite Construction. The annual conference’s initial focus was on timber supply chain topics. It progressively widened its scope to cover the complete construction spectrum from materials and design to prefabrication and building techniques. The program starts on Monday 12 August 2024: Architectural Excellence ‘Setting the Scene’ ‘Timber Takes On Housing Shortfall’ ‘Excellence in Timber Project Examples – Part One’ ‘Unlocking Timber’s Full Potential: New Markets – New Tools’ Networking Event Tuesday 13 August 2024: Timber Innovation: Leading the Way ‘Breaking Down Barriers: Unlocking the Potential of Timber’ ‘Advances in Timber Construction’ ‘Excellence in Timber Project Examples – Part Two’ ‘Global Analysis’ For more information and registration visit: https://timberconstruct.org  

  Women are hugely under-represented in the building and construction sector. In New Zealand less than 16% of tradespeople are women, with only 3.8% on the tools. Source: Timberbiz Given that, Fletcher Living’s innovative BUILDhers project had a dual purpose. They wanted to achieve a New Zealand first by building a home with an entirely female crew, and in doing so, spark a frank conversation about the lack of female representation in the building and construction industry and why that needs to change. “Fletcher Living, with the backing of Fletcher Building, is ideally placed to challenge the way people think about the industry and normalise the presence of women on-site. “In an industry with an extreme skills shortage, the lack of female participation is unfathomable. By failing to engage women effectively, the industry is essentially ruling out over half of the workforce and limiting its talent pool,” Aurelie Le Gall, Fletcher Living Branch Manager Auckland North, and the woman behind making BUILDhers a reality, said. With that motivation came the foundations of BUILDhers, a project challenging stereotypes by providing female tradespeople with a platform to show what is possible and encourage women interested in a career in building and construction to give it a go. In Auckland’s Whenuapai, the first BUILDhers project has been completed. A four-bedroom, two and a half-bathroom home, planned, designed, engineered, and built by a team of more than 40 women. “It’s been incredibly rewarding seeing the women showcase their skills and grow in confidence as they worked alongside each other. Female apprentices who have been mentored by more experienced builders on the site, have also been given a boost with the opportunity to take on more responsibility than they would usually get,” Ms Le Gall said. BUILDhers aimed to be a 100% female build, but the point they set out to highlight that a severe lack of female inclusion in the industry was the hurdle they couldn’t overcome. Finding women with the right level of experience in key trades such as scaffolding, meant the project finished up being an approximately 75% female build. “We could have pushed out delivery of the build to keep it all female – every nail driven in by a woman, but the point of the project was to be a real build, with real timelines and budgets – otherwise what point would we actually be making. “As I reflect on what we have achieved, yes, we built a house, but what we have really built is the foundations of a community of capable, experienced women who will inspire the next generation of females to consider a career in trades. This will also see many find a pathway to financial independence,” Ms Le Gall said. “BUILDhers has successfully captured the imagination of the industry – the conversation can only grow from here,” Ms Le Gall said. The first BUILDhers home will be sold at auction, by a female auctioneer on site, 56 Samuel Marsden Place, Whenuapai on Saturday 23 March 2024.

Skills verification is essential in forestry and broader industries as it validates and confirms an individual’s required knowledge, experience, and proficiencies, as they pertain to a specific role or job function. Skill verification matters because it serves as a safeguard against potential mismatches between an individual’s professed abilities and their actual competencies. Source: Kaye Tyter, Training and Skills Specialist Manager, ForestWorks The skill verification process may include: Assessing existing skills and knowledge of workers who have previously completed a unit of competency, a module, or mandatory training (such as a work licence, industry ticket, or induction white card) and now require reassessment to confirm their current competency to ensure they are still competent in a specific role or work task. This is known as recognition of current competency or verification of currency. Assessing and acknowledging skills and knowledge acquired through prior informal or formal training, workplace experience, or other activities, known as recognition of prior learning. This can lead to credit in a subject or module and may result in obtaining a full qualification. The verification process involves assessing (verifying) the worker’s skills and knowledge against established benchmarks, such as units of competency, work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) regulations or codes of practice. The individual conducting the verification must have a clear understanding of the job function for which the skills are being assessed and adhere to the principles of objective assessment and evidence-based decision-making. These conditions are essential to ensure that the assessment process measures a candidate’s proficiency accurately. This individual may be a qualified trainer or assessor or a suitably qualified workplace supervisor participating in the assessment process under a supervision arrangement with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). In this arrangement, the workplace supervisor assists the trainer or assessor in conducting the verification. Importance of Skills Verification Verification of skills is essential for workplace safety and compliance with health and safety regulations. By verifying worker’s competencies, employers can confirm their skills and knowledge, identify areas of improvement, and ensure role suitability. This process allows workers to demonstrate their skills, enables employers to assign tasks confidently, and ensures skill validation by qualified individuals through RTOs. The transfer and application of skills across different settings are fundamental to Australia’s training system and economy, depending on the recognition and verification of competencies. However, the potential of these skills to be applied in various workplaces is often overlooked until formally acknowledged. Failure to recognise, record, and capture these skills results in significant financial and time losses due to unnecessary retraining. Skills verification is an indispensable and multifaceted process, playing a critical role in ensuring workplace safety, legal compliance, workers’ competence, and the mobility of skilled workers across different settings, including related industries, especially in scenarios involving large-scale redundancies. For more information or inquiries about the skills verification process, contact your local RTO. Skills verification arise in various scenarios, such as when an individual seeks recognition of prior learning for a qualification or applies for a job that requires specific skills. It may also be prompted by events such as forced redundancy observed across industries, including the native forestry sector more recently. Additionally, skill verification helps employers comply with the Work Health and Safety and Occupational Health and Safety Acts, which mandate responsibilities for workers to be trained and competent in performing their work duties. Here are some scenarios of where skills verification is applied: Scenario 1: Within the Country Fire Authority (CFA) structure, operational members must demonstrate their proficiency in basic skills annually. This process, known as skills maintenance, requires members to show their training officer that they can still perform their essential tasks. This ensures they remain competent and ready to respond effectively in emergency situations. Scenario 2: A worker who has been operating an excavator on a worksite for several years may decide to change jobs. To prove competency to the new employer, the worker undergoes an assessment process. An assessor evaluates the worker’s skills and, if deemed proficient, issues a Statement of Attainment for operating an excavator. This formal recognition allows the worker to demonstrate their vocational qualifications to potential employers. Scenario 3: Consider a scenario where a forklift operator at a manufacturing plant undergoes skills verification following an incident, ensuring their continued safety and competence in operating the forklift, even though their WorkSafe High Risk Licence remains in place. “John works in a large manufacturing plant, operating a forklift. The workplace has numerous instructions and procedures, including those related to forklift movement and pedestrian safety. Yellow lines mark pedestrian exclusion zones, and there are designated loading and safe zones for drivers. One morning, while loading a truck, a pedestrian unexpectedly crossed John’s path. In avoiding the pedestrian, John collided with a barrier, damaging both the forklift and the barrier. The workplace policy requires recording and investigating any forklift accidents. The investigation concluded that John was not at fault, as he was evading a pedestrian. However, due to the incident, policy dictates that John must undergo a skills verification to ensure ongoing competence.” Understanding employee competence is essential for ensuring they can perform their roles safely and effectively. Competence, acquired from completing an accredited training program and assessment, reflects the individual’s demonstrated ability at a specific time. It is important to acknowledge that competence can evolve or degrade over time. It’s essential to recognise these stages to effectively assess and develop an employee’s abilities, ensuring they meet the performance and safety requirements of their role.

New Zealand’s Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan has been officially launched, a key document in bringing together much of the work that has been completed in the past, highlighting the importance of the forestry sector to Rotorua. Source: Timberbiz This innovative and practical plan recognises Rotorua’s natural strengths in the sector and highlights key focus areas, emphasising the importance of community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic development. Development of the Action Plan was a collaborative effort, led by an oversight group made up of seven Rotorua-based organisations: CNI Wood Council, Scion, Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service, Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga, Rotorua Lakes Council, RotoruaNZ, and Whenua Oho. The action plan contains 32 different actions with a series of different action owners. Key highlights of the Action Plan: Moving to carbon zero: With a strong focus on sustainability, the Action Plan aims to contribute to climate change mitigation through increased tree planting and the adoption of carbon-zero practices. This aligns with broader environmental goals and the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. The Action Plan outlines a commitment to diverse planting, supporting a mix of species that contribute to ecological resilience and economic viability. This approach ensures forests are more adaptable to changing climates and market demands. Māori and forests: Central to the plan is the incorporation of te ao Māori perspectives, ensuring that practices are aligned with Māori values and the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship). This includes initiatives designed by Māori for Māori, supporting their significant role in the forestry sector. Research, science, innovation and commercialisation: The plan highlights the role of forestry in driving economic growth, with a focus on innovation, research, and the development of a circular bioeconomy. This includes investments in wood processing and technology that leverage Rotorua’s position as a hub for forestry excellence. Engaged communities: Recognising the vital role of the community, the plan emphasises engagement and education to ensure that the benefits of forestry are widely understood and shared. This includes efforts to enhance recreational access to forests and educational programs to inspire the next generation of forestry professionals. The Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan is not just a document but a call to action for all stakeholders to work together towards a shared vision. It represents a significant opportunity to shape the future of forestry in Rotorua, ensuring it is sustainable, inclusive, and economically vibrant.

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has called on all political parties and candidates in the 2024 Tasmanian election to further embrace the industry’s Election Wishlist and its Home-Grown Timber Future Policy. Source: Timberbiz The policy encourages more on island processing, growing the value of our timber and wood products and increasing regional jobs in our industry. TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said one of the best ways to support our Home-Grown Timber Future Policy is to commit to establishing a dedicated long rotation plantation forestry conversion fund of up to $2.5 million annually for 10 years. “As the industry extends the rotation cycle of the hardwood plantation estate, we will need assistance to ensure a seamless transition, and protect the thousands of jobs our industry creates,” Mr Steel said. “Moving our plantation estates to a longer rotation means the industry will allow its estate to grow for longer periods, allowing us to find new and innovative ways to use larger logs from our plantation hardwood, and value add to our timber on-island. “Of course, to do this takes time, and to protect the thousands of Tasmanians our industry employs, we’re asking the government to assist us to find ways of innovatively improving our products. “An added bonus of allowing a longer rotation in our estate will be the increased ability to process more logs in Tasmania, which will then create even more jobs and see more investment in the Tasmanian economy.” The Home-Grown Timber Future Policy is part of the TFPA’s Supporting Tasmanian Businesses priority in the 2024 Tasmanian election wish list. The wish list can be downloaded at: https://bit.ly/4bPyfDF

Following the recent pledge by the Australian Government and 16 other nations during COP28 in Dubai to enhance timber usage in construction, the Forest Stewardship Council says attention has now been drawn to the significant environmental benefits of timber. Source: Timberbiz The FSC says timber’s renewable nature and role as a carbon sink holds immense promise for combating climate change. However, responsible sourcing is paramount, with FSC certification ensuring timber originates from sustainably managed forests, safeguarding biodiversity and the rights of local communities and workers. Embracing FSC-certified timber aligns with global sustainability goals, reinforcing the resilience of our built environment for future generations. As we mark International Day of Forests on 21 March with this year’s theme of ‘Forests and Innovation,’ the FSC is celebrating its journey of FSC-certified engineered wood products and mass timber with Timberlink Australia, reflecting the innovative spirit driving sustainable forest management practices within the timber manufacturing industry. The FSC says Timberlink’s dedication to transforming sustainably grown FSC-certified plantation pine into quality timber products embodies a fusion of environmental considerations and modern manufacturing methods. Since securing FSC Chain of Custody certification in 2013, Timberlink has cemented its role as a staunch supporter of sustainable forestry. With an estimated 80% of Australian detached houses built with timber framing and Timberlink’s advocacy for responsibly sourced timber, the company is helping to drive a shift towards sustainable construction practices and mitigating the environmental impact of urban development. Moreover, Timberlink’s FSC certification not only validates its commitment to sustainable forestry but also assists consumers in making environmentally conscious choices that contribute to the preservation of global forests. The FSC says Timberlink’s latest endeavour, a world-class facility in Tarpeena, South Australia, reflects its commitment to innovation and support for sustainable forestry. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this facility heralds a new era of timber production in Australia, capable of producing NeXTimber Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) with efficiency and precision. Beyond its technological prowess, the Tarpeena facility embodies FSC’s vision for a future where sustainability and innovation converge to create tangible solutions to global environmental challenges. The FSC ANZ team was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the opening of the facility on the 29 February. “We are well positioned to play our part in supporting the Australian government’s COP28 commitment to increase the use of timber in the built environment by 2030”, said Timberlink’s CEO, Paul O’Keefe. The FSC says that as Timberlink continues to push the boundaries of sustainable timber manufacturing, its journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for industries worldwide. It says that by prioritising sustainability, embracing innovation, and upholding the highest standards of responsible forest management, Timberlink exemplifies the transformative power of businesses committed to leaving a positive impact on the planet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRReSEIqV1o

Komatsu’s digital solution Precision opens up new opportunities to work in a smarter and more efficient way thanks to technological developments, it is now possible to show the machine’s position to within just a few centimetres, providing the foundation for many functions that facilitates the forest machine operator’s working day. Source: Timberbiz Precision is now expanding with more useful benefits, such as line following with guidance support. Precision includes many features that help increase productivity while providing the operator with important information and support to make wise decisions. With geofencing, it is possible to draw in digital fences when planning the object, around the work area or to mark a protected area. Selectable alarms then alert the operator if the machine is too close to the border, providing extra peace of mind. The high precision also provides advantages such as being able to mark boundaries and areas digitally, based on map data from, for example, drones or LiDAR scanning. An accurate visualisation of the machine on the map as well as higher resolution map layers are other practical features. Another area of use is stem code visualisation, which means that individual stems can be visualised with stem codes based on, for example, biodiversity considerations. Stem coding supports the operator in their work, enabling them to make better decisions more easily. It will also be easier to comply with directives, such as distances between future trees. Precision can also show the exact position of the felled logs, not just where the tree was cut. This feature allows the operator to know exactly where the timber is, even when it is dark or has snowed. This will also make it easier to see the assortment found in each log pile or at the roadside. Precision is constantly evolving, and new features are being added. New a guidance support for line following, which helps the operator stick to a particular path. The person planning the route also sets limits for deviations and if the machine starts to deviate from the planned course, a guide will support the operator in how to navigate back to the line. This function is very useful when planning, for example, strip roads. It is also important that the user experience is as smooth and intuitive as possible. A new feature is the ability to set zoom levels for different working modes. The zoom is automatically adjusted during work based on the operator’s presets, ensuring a more seamless experience throughout the working day. The functionality of the map layers has also been improved. For example, it is possible to import data layers, activate boundaries such as area boundaries, and add detailed information about a data layers. A new feature also allows the operator to select how felled stems should be visualized on the screen. Either as individual logs for full control of production or grouped together to give a good overview.  

Södra has decided to invest in a battery-electric long-haul truck in its daily logistics chain for transporting woodchips. Using self-produced, fossil-free electricity to charge the woodchip truck, the environmental footprint from these transport operations will be dramatically reduced. Source: Timberbiz The electric woodchip truck is supplied by Scania and represents a milestone in Södra’s long-term goal of transitioning to fossil-free transportation. Today, road transport plays a key role in the Swedish forest industry, and as one of the largest buyers of transport services, Södra has long strived to make its logistics more efficient and environmentally friendly. Truck transport accounts for about 5% of Södra’s fossil CO₂ emissions when indirect emissions are also included. By introducing this long-haul truck to transport woodchips in Blekinge and eastern Småland, Sweden, Södra is taking an important step towards a fossil-free future. Delivery of the battery-electric woodchip truck is expected towards the end of 2024 and the truck will be tested in real-life conditions during the 2025–2027 period. The aim is that the truck will travel about 100,000 kilometres per year, corresponding to 400 kilometres every day. Meanwhile, to facilitate charging during normal operations, the plan is to extensively expand the charging infrastructure at the mills in Mörrum, Mönsterås, Orrefors and Långasjö, Sweden, over the coming year. On completion of the test program, the pilot project will be evaluated to formulate a clear plan for the large-scale electrification of Södra’s entire vehicle fleet. “This battery-electric woodchip truck is an exciting milestone in our efforts to electrify the truck fleet, not least because it is being deployed directly in our operations as part of our day-to-day transport operations. The project will teach us a great deal while contributing to Södra’s overall goal of net zero emissions by 2040. I am convinced that the test will also generate valuable insights that the entire industry can benefit from in the future,” said Henrik Brodin, Project Manager for A Fossil-Free Södra. The pilot project is part of the TREE project, an initiative coordinated by the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk). The overarching objective of the project is to contribute to ensuring that battery-electric vehicles accounts for 50% of new truck sales in the forestry industry by 2030. In addition to Södra, a further 20 partners are participating in this ambitious initiative, including other forest companies, logistics companies, haulage companies, charging infrastructure companies, technology companies and universities. The project will answer important questions regarding route optimisation and charging infrastructure, knowledge that can help Södra and its contract hauliers to reduce their costs and environmental footprint across the value chain. The electric woodchip truck is a Scania 45R with a load capacity of up to 64 tonnes. With an estimated range of 250 to 300 kilometres when deployed in Södra’s operations, it is ideal for regional transport operations in eastern Småland. The truck has three integrated electric motors providing a continuous power output level equivalent to 610 hp and comes equipped with 624 kWh of batteries installed. The truck has a charging capability of 375 kW, which means that charging time is minimised and is usually around one hour under normal operations. The electric woodchip truck will be introduced into regular route planning and will operate just like the rest of Södra’s truck fleet. “It’s clear that a major shift to fossil-free electrified road transport is under way. It will be interesting to see how the electric woodchip truck performs once it is integrated into Södra’s daily production operations,” said Patrik Svanberg at Scania Sverige AB.

The European timber industry is calling for a delay to the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as systems and companies are not ready. Source: Timberbiz In an open statement, signed by The European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois), European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC), European Organisation of the Sawmill industry (EOS), European Panel Federation (EPF), European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) and European Federation of the Parquet industry (EFP), the organisations said: “The European Woodworking Industries are greatly concerned regarding information disclosed about the EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) in a recent article in the Financial Times. According to the article, the EU intends to delay the application of the much-needed risk-based approach – practically implemented via a risk benchmarking of producing countries (low, standard, and high risk) – which is essential for enabling compliance with the EUDR by market actors (operators, traders, importers, exporters, and their authorised representatives) and the competent authorities of the EU Member States (CAs), as well as for incentivising good practices in producing countries (EU Member States or third countries). “Instead, all countries will now apparently be designated as ‘standard risk’ in order to ‘give them more time to adapt’ to the new Regulation. It is crucial to understand that the benchmarking of countries is a central part of the EUDR and its implementation, and any delays related to this classification will only result in additional costs and administrative burden for market actors, without any real advantages either for the producing countries or for the CAs. “Indeed, per the EUDR, whether market actors source their commodities from standard risk countries or from high-risk countries, they are facing the same due diligence obligations. Simply put, the benefit implied by the seemingly planned delay of the country risk benchmarking does not exist because no simplified procedure for export or imports is actually foreseen for standard risk countries, compared to high-risk countries. “The only difference between the two tiers of risk is the implication that it has on the control and verification obligations of CAs: CAs must control 9% of all the operators placing or making available on the market or exporting relevant commodities and products originating from high risk countries, compared to 3% in the case of relevant commodities and products originating from standard risks countries (as per Article 16, paragraphs 8 and 9 of the EUDR). “However, it is essential to identify low-risk countries as the implications are significant to all the actors: when sourcing from low-risk countries, market actors do actually benefit from the possibility of simplified due diligence, while CAs can reduce the number of controls to 1%, as foreseen by Article 16 paragraph 10. “The difficulties associated with the implementation of the EUDR are also reflected by the challenges faced by the EU when seeking to deliver on its own commitments under the Regulation. One such example is the task of benchmarking the risk level of countries, particularly the identification of the low risk-countries, which, to underline again, needs to take place urgently. “An aggravating factor is that the EU’s Information System, intended to be the main tool supporting the EUDR implementation by all the actors, is still at an early stage of development and needs significant improvement, in particular when it comes to the automatic, reliable and safe collection, registration, and protection of commercially sensitive information. Moreover, in the case of timber, aspects related to the transition period from the currently applicable EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) to the EUDR still need to be clarified. The goal is to ensure that wood which has been legally sourced until 30 December 2024 in full compliance with the EUTR can be sold on the EU market. It is crucial that the EU Information System takes this into account and does not require retrospective submission of Annex2 data of downstream producers when they place goods (e.g., sawn wood) on the markets which originates of raw material harvested before 30 December 2024. “The European Woodworking Industries fully support the scope and the objectives of the EUDR and strongly oppose all forms of deforestation and forest degradation. At the same time, the European Woodworking Industries regret that the EUDR has become a huge administrative and regulatory monster. “In the light of all the above, the European Woodworking Industries urge the EU institutions to delay the entry into application of the EUDR for the operators and traders, to amend the EUDR in order to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and to provide actors with sufficient time to adapt for full and adequate compliance. Moreover, it is imperative that the EU Commission swiftly proceed with the classification of the low-risk countries, with this action being its main priority.”

Attention all architects, builders, and designers the Australian Timber Design Awards is back for 2024 and entries are now open for the 2024 awards. Source: Timberbiz The categories are: Excellence in Timber Design Australian Designed International. Projects based overseas and completed within the last 3 years. Furniture and Joinery. The use of timber in furniture and/or joinery (e.g. in stairs, wardrobes, etc). Interior Fitout – Commercial. A fit-out of a new or existing building (including renovations). The building must not be residential, and must be commercial in nature and not publically owned (offices, shops, building foyers, private schools, etc.) Interior Fitout – Residential. A fitout of a new or existing single-family dwelling (including renovations). Landscaped outdoor areas that feature timber. Multi Residential. Where a building contains separate accommodation for unrelated occupants (example: apartment building, hotel, motel, aged care, student accommodation). A building that has a function other than residential i.e. office, retail, industrial, entertainment, restaurant, private schools, etc that is commercially owned. A building that has a function other than residential i.e. library, institutional, education, school, government office, hospital, public schools etc that are publically owned. Residential Class 1 – Alteration or Addition. A single-family dwelling or a single townhouse/villa that has been altered or added to. If the addition is a completely separate building to the existing structure, it is considered to be Residential Class 1 – New Building. Residential Class 1 – New Buildings. A new detached single-family dwelling. Standalone Structure. These projects must be unattached stand-alone structures. They include sculpture, artwork, features within building foyers, bus shelters, picnic shelters, shelters, playground equipment, wharves, bridges, boardwalks, observation structure, etc. Merit The entry that makes best use of sustainable design principles that includes timber. This includes all items of the sustainable design, not just that timber has been included. Judging for this category is conducted separately by Planet Ark’s Make it Wood campaign. They are particularly interested in how timber use has added to sustainable design. Rising Star. The best entry from an entrant who was (1) aged 35 or under on the date of project’s completion or (2) enrolled in fulltime study on the completion date. The designer must be responsible for a substantial portion of the design and not just be a team member. Small Budget. The best entry based on a project costing less than $200,000. Excellence in Engineering. This category recognises excellence in timber engineering in Australian architecture. The award celebrates either individual engineers who have designed a superior commercial or residential space using timber. Excellence in use of Timber Products Australian Certified Timber. This Award recognises excellence in the use of Australian Certified Timber and/or timber products which are sourced from Australian forests. “Certified timber” means timber sourced from a forest certified under a credible forest management certification scheme such as AFS (Australian Forestry Standard) which is endorsed by PEFC (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification) and/or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). The project will require a substantial amount (greater than 50%) of Australian Certified timber to be considered. Where imported timber products have been used nominate what timber certification scheme (if any) they comply too. Engineered Timber Products. The best use of products such as Glulam, LVL, CLT, LSL and I-beams. Recycled Timber. The best use of timber that meets this definition: Recycled timber is timber that has been previously used and has served its initial purpose. Recycled timber may be re-used either in its original cross-sectional size or following re-manufacture into smaller dimensions. Timber Cladding. The best use of timber coverings to the outside of a building. Timber coverings can be solid or panels. Timber Flooring. The best use of solid or engineered timber flooring. Timber Panels. The best use of products such as plywood, MDF, hardboard and/or particleboard. Timber Veneers. The best aesthetic use of timber veneers in, for example, furniture, joinery or linings/coverings of any kind. Timber Windows and Doors. This Award is for the best design and functional use of timber windows and doors. People’s Choice Award All entrants automatically participate in the People’s Choice Awards. For more information visit: https://timberdesignawards.awardsplatform.com

Mechanised Logging (MechLog), a pioneering force in the Australian forestry sector, is commemorating three decades of dedicated service to sustainable timber harvesting practices. Since its establishment in 1994, MechLog has been at the forefront of innovation, delivering unparalleled forestry solutions to the softwood and hardwood plantation timber industries across Australia. Source: Timberbiz Reflecting on the company’s remarkable journey, MechLog CEO Jillian Aylett Brown, said that MechLog’s 30th anniversary celebrates a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to excellence and sustainability. “From our humble beginnings in 1994, and with a commitment to taking a new approach to how the forestry sector had operated previously – MechLog has thrived,” she said. “We are proud to be recognised as a progressive and innovative company, dedicated to championing the Australian forestry industry. MechLog has remained steadfast in our mission to provide quality services while continuing to promote sustainable and responsible forestry practices. “MechLog’s success is built on a systematic approach to harvesting operations that maximises efficiency while minimising environmental impact. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including forestry operations consultancy, equipment services, harvesting, forwarding, and haulage management, catering to the diverse needs of our clients. In some respects, MechLog is leading the way in our approach to forestry practices, and we have our dedicated team of 40 employees to thank for that. “We recognise the importance of investing in our workforce to ensure the continued success of our clients, the company, and every employee. MechLog provides ongoing training and development opportunities for the team to empower them to grow both personally and professionally. By nurturing talent and fostering a culture of innovation, MechLog has maintained a competitive edge in the forestry industry and is recognised as an employer of choice. Our clients certainly appreciate our commitment to training and development, which directly benefits them through efficiencies and dedication to excellence. “At MechLog, we recognise that it is important to balance economic prosperity with environmental preservation. This is drilled into every member of the MechLog team from day one. As a result, they work tirelessly to ensure sustainable forest management practices, which safeguard Australia’s valuable timber resources for future generations, is the foundation of our operational philosophy.” For 30 years, in addition to its core services, MechLog has been a leader in adopting the latest technology to enhance productivity and sustainability in the forestry industry. By embracing cutting-edge equipment and practices, MechLog has been able to maximise yields for clients while minimising waste and its environmental impact. MechLog’s ethical and sustainable approach to forestry has earned the company a reputation as a preferred provider of harvesting services in Australia. The company prioritises developing strong relationships with clients and end-users, understanding their unique needs, and delivering tailored solutions that exceed expectations. The company also values a strong emphasis on community engagement and corporate social responsibility. The company actively participates in local and industry initiatives and supports environmental sustainability efforts, demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact beyond its business operations. “It’s all about sustainable innovation, ethical and efficient business practices, and advanced training methods. Our commitment to innovation and training drives our success and sets us apart in the industry. We are constantly exploring new technologies and methodologies to improve our operations and deliver exceptional results for our clients,” Ms Aylett Brown said. “We value the trust our clients place in us, and we are committed to delivering exceptional service every step of the way. We are so proud of the MechLog team, who are all dedicated to providing innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions that add value to our clients’ operations. “MechLog is proud to have served the Australian forestry industry for 30 years, and we are looking forward to continuing our journey of growth and innovation in the years ahead.” As the company looks to the future, it remains committed to delivering competitive forestry solutions, while continuing to uphold the highest standards of environmental stewardship and customer satisfaction. The company continues to explore new technologies and methodologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Through collaboration with industry partners and stakeholders, MechLog aims to drive positive change and promote responsible forestry practices across Australia.

From Saturday 13 to Sunday 28 April, Auckland Live in association with Insite Arts brings the highly popular ARBORIALIS Luminarium, a colourful inflatable labyrinth created by Alan Parkinson of Architects of Air, to Aotearoa. Source: Timberbiz The astonishing multisensory experience for all ages will take place at Auckland’s Aotea Square. ARBORIALIS Luminarium echoes aspects of being lost in a forest – with many radiant canopies of leaves that stretch overhead accompanied by an immersive, ambient score by Irish composer Dr Michael Morris. From the Guggenheim in Spain to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the monumental interactive walk-in sculptures from Architects of Air have astounded audiences across the globe. A luminarium is a dazzling inflatable maze of winding paths and soaring domes where visitors can be immersed in an amazing world of light and hues for a unique sensory experience. Many people find a luminarium a place for rest or meditation. The luminarium that will be displayed at Aotea Square – ARBORIALIS – is half the size of a football pitch and dedicated to the theme of trees. There are radiant canopies of leaves that stretch overhead and vibrant tree trunks rising from the ground beneath. The main dome sees a leaf motif in a magnificent arch that references the form of the Islamic Mosque domes as a primary source of inspiration from designer Alan Parkinson. The visual world of ARBORIALIS Luminarium is enhanced by the natural and spiritual sounds of the Song of Danu (a Celtic goddess). Past visitor’s perceptions of the luminarium experience have provoked comments such as “It felt like living in a painting” or “being inside a spaceship”. The luminarium is wheelchair accessible, and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, with a minimum of 1 adult for up to 4 children. It has been nine years since Architects of Air were last in Auckland, with their previous work Arboria proving popular at Aotea Square in the September 2015 school holidays. In January 2024, Arborialis was displayed at the Christchurch Buskers Festival, giving Ōtautahi a taste of what Aucklanders can now expect during these school holidays. Pre-sale starts Monday 18 March. Tickets on sale Tuesday 19 March: www.aucklandlive.co.nz

A recently completed research project has showcased great potential for the development of sustainable native forestry activities in the Northern Territory, led by Traditional Owner communities. Source: Timberbiz FWPA facilitated this important work by providing funding to match the investment made by project partners including the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Gumatj Corporation, Northern Territory and Queensland governments, and other regional organisations. Together, the partners worked to boost the forestry capacity of Traditional Owner (Yolngu) communities in the East Arnhem region. FWPA Research and Development Manager Dr Chris Lafferty said there is a growing interest in the commercial potential of northern Australia’s vast Indigenous owned and managed forest estate, and strong aspirations among Indigenous communities for self-determination and economic independence. “Industries such as sustainably managed native forestry are critical to fulfilling these aspirations because they align with Indigenous notions of value and continue to care for Country,” Lafferty said. “This FWPA-supported project saw professionally trained foresters engage with Indigenous communities to enhance Traditional Owner knowledge of modern best practice sustainable forest management principles.” “The foresters also committed to learning about Traditional Owner forest management knowledge and practices, and investigating how the differing concepts and approaches could be integrated to achieve an optimal balance of production, environmental and cultural conservation outcomes.” Another key project focus was creating business development opportunities for timber products manufactured in the region and driving stakeholder engagement around the potential of sustainable native forestry to support Indigenous livelihoods and regional economic development. Northern Territory (NT) Government Project Manager Dallas Anson said the Traditional Owner training was delivered to enhance commercial forestry skills, and knowledge of western science forest management principles. “The training was undertaken by 35 Traditional Owners and covered everything from forest resource assessment to harvesting operations, sawmilling, and value-adding processes for forestry products,” Anson said. “In total, 1,647 hours of paid training was conducted through the project, injecting almost $48,000 into the Homelands of East Arnhem Land.” The researchers used learnings from this element of the project and engagement with Traditional Owners on their own forest management knowledge and practices to develop a proposal for a forestry training program designed to drive the future development of the regional forestry workforce. In addition to the training, inventory activities were conducted by the team to provide a clearer picture of the productivity and product mix of the East Arnhem native forest resource, and a harvesting and marketing pilot program was developed to identify, manufacture, and market-test value-added timber products. The pilot program included the establishment of a demonstration site in the remote community of Birany Birany. This included, at the request of the community, the construction of several wooden shelters using the locally harvested Darwin stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta) timber. Naturally durable, solid roundwood products – prototype stringybark bollards – were also manufactured from small-diameter logs harvested at the site. A market assessment identified strong interest in the bollards, and Traditional Owners were linked with prospective purchasers, collaborative business partners and investors. The development of a best-practice Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process to help determine the commercial forestry interests, needs and desires of other Indigenous communities in the future was another key outcome of the project. UniSC Associate Professor (Adjunct) Mark Annandale said the work provides a pathway to further develop financially and environmentally sustainable Indigenous-led commercial forestry in East Arnhem. “The project generated interest in forestry from Traditional Owners and other stakeholders by creating an understanding of its potential to support ongoing Indigenous livelihoods and regional development,” Annandale said. UniSC Project Manager Dr John Meadows said the project team is now working to develop a follow-on project to further test the commercial viability of Indigenous community forestry in East Arnhem. “The mixed activities and income streams associated with sustainable, small-scale native forestry, including payments for ecosystem services, have the potential to create long-term forest livelihoods, while promoting and supporting local culture, language, and integrational knowledge transfer,” Meadows said. The next-step project will also provide a model that could be refined for application in other areas of northern Australia. This important project was a collaboration between FWPA and researchers at UniSC, the NT Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT), and the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) along with regional partners Gumatj Corporation, the Northern Land Council, National Indigenous Australians Agency, Arnhem Land Progress Association and Developing East Arnhem Limited. Learn more here. View the detailed report here.  

Sales of new homes nationally increased by 5.3% in February from very low levels. Source: Timberbiz The HIA New Home Sales report is a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states and is a leading indicator of future detached home construction. “Despite the increase in February, sales remain around the low levels that prevailed in the second half of 2023,” HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said. “The slowdown in sales is caused primarily by the rise in the cash rate which has eroded the capacity of households to borrow and impaired market confidence. “The slowing in sales and building approvals will flow through to a decade low volume of new houses commencing construction in 2024. The economic impact of this slowdown will become increasingly evident in 2024, as employment in the home building industry falls.” Mr Reardon said that higher borrowing costs were compounding the elevated cost of land and construction, drying up the pipeline of new home building work despite the significant pent-up demand for housing. “The increase in sales in February was observed in most of the large states. Given the weakness of January data, it is not all too surprising to see an uptick in February,” he said. New home sales saw a monthly increase in most large states, led by Queensland (+8.4%), followed by New South Wales (+6.5%), Victoria (+6.3%) and Western Australia (+5.0%). South Australia saw a 5.5% decline in February. Sales in the three months to February 2024 were stronger compared to the previous year in Western Australia (+39.9%), Queensland (+20.4%) and New South Wales (+16.0%). Declines were recorded in Victoria (-7.7%) and South Australia (-13.9%).  

A partnership of agencies will undertake weed control work in important ecological areas within the Nambucca Valley over the next three years. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation has partnered with Nambucca Valley Council, Nambucca Heads Local Aboriginal Land Council and Reflections Holiday Parks in a program funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The funding is to undertake bush regeneration work throughout coastal environmental areas and endangered ecological communities such as Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll, Littoral Rainforest, Swamp Oak Forest and Themeda Grasslands that occur along the coast of the Nambucca Local Government Area. Nambucca Valley Council Environmental Project Officer Keegan Noble said Nambucca Valley Council will coordinate contractors on lands around Valla Beach, Nambucca Heads and Scotts Head. Mr Noble said the works will connect the dots between previous areas that have received weed control works. “This is a valuable project for the Valley and will improve the resilience and environmental value of endangered ecological communities along the coast,” Mr Noble said. Forestry Corporation Senior Planner – Upper North Coast Steve Pickering said the work, starting this month, will occur across multiple tenures including Nambucca State Forest. “A lot of the work will involve hand pulling weeds followed up with the use of chemicals to treat the heavier infestation areas,” Mr Pickering said. “Working across multiple tenures will ensure maximum effectiveness of the weed control work by keeping them out of the bush altogether and not just up to a line on a map. “Many of these areas are in a good ecological condition and this work will enable us to keep weeds under control and help protect these valuable ecological communities,” he said. Forestry Corporation has provided in-kind support planning and supervising weed control works and ensuring known locations containing rare or threatened plants, cultural heritage items or other forest values are protected. As a public land manager, Forestry Corporation works closely with NSW government agencies, local councils and landowners to control weed infestations protecting the biodiversity of forests and public lands.

The Forest Stewardship Council ANZ has begun a revision of the FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard of Australia following the approval granted by FSC International in January this year. Source: Timberbiz “While the 2018 NFSS has performed well, it is now booked in for a scheduled service to ensure it can continue to support best-practice forest management across all types of forestry in Australia by incorporating contemporary scientific insights and the latest knowledge,” FSC ANZ CEO, Melanie Robertson said. “There is a raft of changes introduced by FSC International that will be incorporated into the revised Standard regarding workers’ rights and pesticide use among other topics. Additionally, the revision aims to further bolster the rights of Indigenous Peoples through the introduction of the Indigenous Cultural Landscapes concept. “The FSC ANZ Board has also determined that the revised Standard must better support responsible forest management in the face of a changing climate and what is expected to be more frequent and severe bushfires.” FSC International has also approved the composition of the Standards Development Group appointed by the FSC ANZ Board to draft the revised Standard. “This group of experts in their field, with equal representation from economic, environmental and social stakeholders, serves as the construction site for new and revised requirements,” Ms Robertson said. “It is within this collaborative forum that revisions to the Standard are meticulously discussed and drafted. “In a testament to the enduring strength of the FSC brand in Australia, we have assembled a Standards Development Group with an incredible breadth of knowledge and experience, representing most facets of forestry in the country. The revision could not be in better hands.” The members of the Standards Development Group are: Economic chamber Carl Richardson, Australian Bluegum Plantations Simon Cook, Forico Tim McBride, HVP Environmental chamber Associate Professor Grant Wardell-Johnson, individual member Patrick Gardner, The Wilderness Society Sean Cadman, individual member Social chamber Lorraine Cassin, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (This position is now a vacancy and FSC ANZ will be taking EOIs shortly to fill the position) Professor Mark Brown, Forestry Australia Tolita Dolzan, Individual member Facilitating the Standards Development Group and the revision process is FSC ANZ Policy and Standards Manager, Stefan Jensen. The revision process, which has already begun, is expected to wrap up in mid-2025. Before its completion, the revised Standard will go through two rounds of public consultation and forest testing. The first round of public consultation is planned to occur in mid-2024 and will be announced through all available channels. Read more about the revision here.