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The NSW Rural Fire Service 2022/2023 Annual Report is now on the web it notes that there are a number of achievements to be considered. Source: John O’Donnell Hazard reduction burning and mechanical removal totalled 45,642 hectares for NSW (Appendix page 100): 82,393 ha burning. 7,696 ha mechanical. Unfortunately, areas of annual hazard reduction burning and mechanical reduction in NSW are both at very low rates and vary by year.  The areas of fuel reduction in NSW and estimated percentage of forested area based on 20 million hectares of forest in NSW were: 147,625 hectares in 2017/ 18 (estimated 0.7 % of NSW forested area); 199,248 hectares in 2018/ 19 (estimated 1 % of NSW forested area); 55,548 hectares in 2019/ 20 (estimated 0.3 % of NSW forested area); 176,499 hectares in 2020/ 21 (estimated 0.9 % of NSW forested area) and 44,642 hectares in 2021/ 22 (estimated 0.2 % of NSW forested area). 90,089 hectares in 2022/ 23 (estimated 0.5 % (actually 0.045 %) of NSW forested area. Over time, shortfalls and inadequate fuel reduction add up and result in build-up of very high fuel loads and strata across landscapes. Only 3.6 % of the NSW forested landscape has received fuel treatment over six years, this is extremely low and inadequate to reduce bushfire areas and risk. Native and plantation forests continue to be heavily exposed to lack of low intensity burns across landscapes, as highlighted in the photos below from the 2019/ 20 bushfires.  The data above over six years highlights ongoing miniscule rates of prescribed burning, which is very likely lower in landscapes away from communities. In addition, where intense bushfires have occurred, such as fuels resulting from the 2019/ 20 bushfires, there are large areas heavy undergrowth fuels, dead fuels and heavy grass fuel, this makes the conditions worse for firefighting, especially in adverse conditions. In relation to the risk remaining for future fire seasons, it is critical the bushfire risks for future fire seasons are soundly addressed, potentially including increased programs to manage fuels to catch up on shortfall seasons, fully using the additional fire mitigation employees identified in earlier NSW media releases, expanded maintenance burning and other available measures. There are large opportunities to expand the use of small aircraft, helicopters and drones for low intensity burning operations, using placed grid patterns for fires to join up in the cool of the evening and unburnt patches.   There are potential opportunities for a number of prescribed burning drones with individual brigades/ mitigation officers and fire regions. There are apparent opportunities to increase low intensity burning and mechanical treatment operations by NSW NPWS, noting a level of 71,768 hectares in 2022/23.   Noting a land area of 7.6 million hectares, this represents 0.9 % of area treated per year.  Using a forest area of 4,812,045, this represents 1.5 % of area treated per year if treatments only addressed forested areas. There are apparent opportunities to increase low intensity burning and mechanical treatment operations across private lands, noting a level of 4,270 hectares treated across NSW in 2022/23.  Using a forest area of 6,937,308 hectares on private lands, this represents 0.06 % of forest area treated per year.  There are major apparent opportunities for cooperative fuel reduction and maintenance programs between private landholders and government. There are apparent opportunities to increase low intensity burning and mechanical treatment operations by local government, noting a level of 4,254 hectares by NSW local government in 2022/23.  This had increased from 2021/ 22. Further detail that highlights low levels of prescribed burning across Australian states is a 2022 article titled “Review of prescribed burning and wildfire burning areas across Australia” which is available at: https://arr.news/2022/05/18/review-of-prescribed-burning-and-wildfire-burning-across-australia-john-odonnell/ Resilient safe, healthy landscapes is a critical issue being considered in many countries across the world, including work in the US on resilient landscapes in relation to bushfires.  Considering the extent of chronic eucalypt decline and thick understories in many NSW forests, strategies and actions to address these major issues across NSW landscapes and reduce intense bushfire risks are opportune but overdue, using low intensity maintenance burning and mechanical treatment of forests. The safety of fire fighters entering forested areas, particularly where there are high fuel loads, is a critical issue, and is a major risk area and has been for a long time. These matters are raised in order to optimise the safety of firefighting and communities and optimise protection of infrastructure/ assets, forests and the environment. The report is available at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/publications/annual-reports

Forest and Wood Communities Australia Executive Officer and renowned Australian singer-songwriter Mick Harrington has released a heartfelt anthem, “Cutting Down Our Town,” shedding light on the challenges faced by sustainable native timber towns in Victoria. Source: Timberbiz This emotive song serves as a rallying cry for those with timber in their blood, fighting for the survival of their communities amidst the shutdown. The poignant lyrics capture the essence of the ill-informed activist class, highlighting their lack of understanding of the hardships faced by country people. “Cutting Down Our Town” is more than just a song; it’s a powerful narrative amplifying the voices of timber communities, emphasizing the need for empathy and informed decision-making. Mr Harrington, with a deep connection to the cause, says all proceeds from the song will go towards his advocacy work for timber towns across Australia. Through his dedicated work with Forest and Wood Communities Australia, he aims to create awareness about the challenges these communities endure and champion their cause on a national scale. The song is available on Mick Harrington’s Bandcamp page: https://mickharrington.bandcamp.com/track/cutting-down-our-town “We’re standing up for the heart of our towns, for the generations with timber in their blood,” Mr Harrington said. “‘Cutting Down Our Town’ is not just a song; it’s a call to action. “Let’s join forces to support these communities and ensure their voices are heard,” he said.

Albioma has purchased the Tuan wood pellet plant in Queensland. The business, previously owned by Altus Renewables, went into administration in late 2023. Source: Timberbiz The plant’s raw material is formed of residues supplied under long-term agreements by the region’s main sawmills, which process wood from sustainably-managed forests. The plant, which has been in operation since 2014, produces 60,000 tonnes of high-quality wood pellets each year. The transaction also includes a 35,000-tonne storage facility in the port of Bundaberg and a 57-ha site in South Australia, near Mount Gambier, for a prospective wood pellet plant that could produce 300,000 tonnes per year. A construction permit has been secured for the site. Ideally positioned at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, these facilities will supply the Group’s biomass power stations on La Réunion. The acquisition serves Albioma’s objective of strengthening its security of supply of high-quality sustainable biomass. Albioma is a France-based independent renewable energy producer. It is mainly active in the biomass and solar photovoltaic sectors, mainly in mainland France and the French overseas territories. It is listed on the Euronext Paris. “We welcome the teams at Tuan, who are bringing all their expertise to Albioma,” Frédéric Moyne, Chairman of Albioma, said. “This operation will enable us to diversify our pellet supply portfolio, which meets the most stringent requirements on sustainable development. “In addition to locally sourced biomass, which is naturally given priority in order to promote the circular economy, this supply is essential to guarantee the continued production of renewable energy in the French Overseas Territories,” he said. “This acquisition steps up Albioma’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region, where we have been deeply rooted for decades”.  

The Federal Court decision to dismiss a challenge by environmental activists to the North East New South Wales Regional Forest Agreement meant that more than 5000 workers across the North Coast can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their livelihoods aren’t facing an imminent threat, according to the Nationals Member for Oxley Michael Kemp. Source: Timberbiz The Court rejected the claims brought by environmental groups that the Regional Forest Agreement governing the industry was out of date and did not take into account current environmental issues. Mr Kemp said that after a year-long battle, common sense has prevailed, with the application by the North East Forest Alliance dismissed. “Hardwood timber is the backbone of the Mid North Coast and contributes significantly to the $2.9 billion industry,” he said. “There is no substitute for products like timber pallets that transport our groceries and put food on our tables. Hardwood is utilised in building materials, power poles, and essential transportation like bridges and railway tracks.” Mr Kemp said hardwood timber can coexist within the parameters of conservation. NSW forestry operations follow some of the strictest regulations and environmental standards across the world. “In 20 million hectares of State Forest, only 30,000 hectares are available for selective harvesting, equating to less than 0.1 percent or just 14 in 10,000 trees. Once an area is harvested, measures are in place to ensure regrowth and regeneration,” he said. “Shutting down the native timber industry will allow for poor harvesting practices overseas and create a global conservation concern. The ideological rhetoric behind ‘stop logging to save our species’ is hypocritical and serves to endanger forests offshore because those industries do not share our Australian standards.” Mr Kemp said the court’s verdict is a landmark decision in protecting our most sustainable industries. He said the NSW Government must follow the same line of common sense and support timber, keep it onshore, and protect flora and fauna while also protecting regional jobs.

Western Victoria’s hardwood plantation sector has engaged respected regional advocate and communications specialist Liz McKinnon to act as its shared external affairs manager to coordinate communication with government and community stakeholders. Source: Timberbiz Global forest companies Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP), Midway Limited and New Forests, who control about 90% of western Victoria’s hardwood (eucalyptus globulus) estate, have engaged the recognised government figure to manage its aligned external affairs. The contract role will coordinate strategic communication, government relations and policy development, aimed to enhance and support the work of existing industry advocacy groups. Ms McKinnon has extensive industry experience as the founding CEO of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub prior to taking on the role of South Australia’s first Cross Border Commissioner, acting as an advocate for the state’s border communities. She joins the hardwood collective with more than two decades experience in media and communications, including senior management experience in government relations and stakeholder management. With growing interest from investors and government, ABP CEO Russ Hughes said the companies recognised the value of engaging a “communications specialist” to promote the hardwood sectors focus on plantation investment and domestic value-add, including trials to create new hardwood structural timber products and use of hardwood in the creation of biofuel. Mr Hughes said a key emphasis of the role was building closer partnership with the broader agriculture industry in western Victoria, promoting the value of the carbon market and the sector’s sustainable management practices. “Liz has worked across jurisdictions dealing with complex policy and challenging stakeholder management environments. She has a strong understanding of the industry’s strategic direction and business operations ensuring she is well positioned to promote the hardwood sector’s future, building trusted relationships, and recognising areas for new partnership,” Mr Hughes said. Midway Limited managing director Tony McKenna said Ms McKinnon would be responsible for identifying, managing, and facilitating coordination of key issues, with an initial focus on investments in the Geelong, Otway and Heytesbury regions. “Our relationship with the media, broader industry, government, and community stakeholders is important to growing our business. This collaboration will support a more consistent and transparent voice for the plantation hardwood sector in western Victoria,” Mr McKenna said. New Forests global head of asset management Matt Crapp said a primary focus of the external affairs role was community education, supporting greater understanding of the sector’s sustainable management practices and focus on new domestic value add. “Liz will play an important role managing the coordination of messaging for our three companies, reflecting how we can better align our public engagement to enhance the economic, social and environmental understanding of the role our sector plays not only to the local economy but the nation’s economy,” Mr Crapp said. Ms McKinnon has been employed in the role as a contractor via her business EHM Advisory.