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OneFortyOne is celebrating the community groups supported by their PINE Community Grants Program over the past financial year in the Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Throughout the past year, the forestry and sawmilling company has provided more than $100,000 in grants to a diverse range of organisations, including schools, environmental groups, and social services. OneFortyOne Corporate Affairs Manager Charlene Riley said the program has provided support to local organisations that are doing a lot with a little. “The community groups we support continue to amaze us with their dedication and resourcefulness,” Ms Riley said. “We can provide a small boost, but it’s the people that drive these projects that make a big impact in our community.” OneFortyOne’s Guidelines for Giving also outline that projects should involve partnerships and leverage financial and/or in-kind contributions. “We want to support programs that have the potential to become self-sustaining,” Ms Riley said. As part of the application process, organisations must describe which PINE (people, ideas, nature, education) objective their project most aligns with. Ms Riley noted that most applications they receive fit into the people and education categories. “We’re also looking to be a part of more nature-based projects, so if you have something in mind, check out our website for more information and the application form,” Ms Riley said. The OneFortyOne PINE Community Grants program is open year-round, with applications reviewed every couple of months, aligning with the South East Seasonal Calendar. 2025 Financial Year PINE Community Grant recipients: 48 Army Cadet Unit Mount Gambier Handheld radio upgrade $3,000 Blue Lake Gymnastics Club Energy efficiency project $5,000 Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation NAIDOC Week family day $4,000 Connect FM – Tatiara Community FM Transmitter replacement $5,000 Glencoe Primary Garden and playground redevelopment $4,500 Grant High School Rock and Water Program $7,000 Empowered Women in Trades Schools experience $5,000 Holdfast Project Local identification brochures $2,000 Limestone Coast Multicultural Network Event catering kit $2,500 McDonald Park Primary School Breakfast club toaster $900 McDonald Park Primary School Sensory pathway $1,000 Millicent Cancer Support Group Gamma probe $5,000 Millicent High School Creation story circle $5,000 Mount Benson Hall Committee Automated External Defibrillator $1,600 Mount Gambier High School Woodworking program $2,500 Mount Gambier History Group Modernising processes $5,000 Naracoorte High School Indigenous Garden $5,000 Naracoorte South Primary School Inclusive playground $3,900 Newbery Park Primary School Community kitchen $5,000 Port Macdonnell Offshore Angling Club Club renovation $5,000 Portland Surf Life Saving Club Cadet development $5,000 Rendelsham CFS Primary water refilling point for truck $3,500 Rendelsham Primary and Preschool Vegetable garden revamp $2,200 Tenison Woods College Communication boards $2,000 The Nurtured Village Monthly hampers project $5,000 WRAD Health Women Supporting Women in Recovery $5,000 Yahl CFS Brigade Automated External Defibrillator $1,600

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The NZTIF survey for the June 2025 quarter indicates a rising sense of optimism 12 months out compared with the March survey.  Even over the shorter three-month time frame respondents have suggested an improved outlook than in the previous quarter. Source: Timberbiz In the March survey no respondents believed that there would be any improvement in business conditions in the three months ahead whereas in our June survey 30% of respondents believe there will be improved business conditions three months ahead. In terms of the expected conditions in 12 months’ time, a full 90% of respondents believe business conditions will be better compared with 75% in the previous quarter. There were no respondents expecting conditions to have worsened compared with 17% in the March survey. Looking back over the previous 12 months, 40% of respondents reported a fall in sales volumes and an equal proportion reported improved sales volumes, but 70% reported reduced selling prices, 30% no change and none reported any increase in timber selling prices.  Production costs continued to rise for 40% of respondents. The majority of respondents (80%) expect sales volumes to rise in the 12 months ahead and a similar proportion expect selling prices to remain unchanged or to even achieve a modest increase.  As a result, the majority expect profitability to remain unchanged or slightly improve. Respondents remain committed to investment with 60% looking to have increased investment in the 12 months.  

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FSC Australia and New Zealand is seeking nominations for an economic chamber vacancy on the Standards Development Group (SDG), which is responsible for revising the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Australia. Source: Timberbiz This vacancy follows the departure of Simon Cook, who has stepped down from the SDG after his recent appointment to the Board of FSC ANZ. FSC is seeking a candidate who can broadly represent the interests of the economic chamber, which includes individuals or organisations with a commercial interest in the forest sector. The draft revised Standard is now open for public consultation until 31 August 2025, marking a critical milestone in ensuring the Standard continues to promote best-practice responsible forest management and remains fit for purpose. The replacement process will be identical to when the SDG was originally constituted. Upon publication of this call for expressions of interest, applications will be open for four weeks, closing on 18 August 2025 whereafter the FSC ANZ Board will consider applications and appoint the successful candidate. Standards Development Group members are chosen for their experience and ability to represent key interest areas that are important for the revision and FSC’s values and policies. Eligibility for the Standards Development Group requires that applications include and demonstrate: Membership of FSC ANZ. Or submission and approval of an FSC ANZ membership application as part of the expression of interest process. Up-to-date knowledge of FSC’s systems and procedures. Representation of points of view from the economic chamber. An understanding of the impact of the standard on affected stakeholders. An understanding of and commitment to FSC’s mission and vision. A desire to seek and reach consensus on complex or contested issues. An ability to actively participate in the process until final approval of the revised standard. Support from two members of the corresponding chamber in the form of letters of support. Expert knowledge of and/or experience in the development, implementation and/or analysis of standards will be highly regarded. For more information on the Standards Development Group and the process for appointment, please get in touch with Stefan Jensen, FSC ANZ’s Senior Policy Manager at s.jensen@au.fsc.org To submit an expression of interest, email a letter outlining how you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above, your CV and two letters of support from members of the economic chamber to info@au.fsc.org by close of business 22 August 2025.

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Mercer Mass Timber (MMT), a leading manufacturer of sustainable timber building materials and a subsidiary of Mercer International has announced a strategic partnership with CLT Toolbox, a structural design software platform built specifically for mass timber buildings. Source: Timberbiz The collaboration marks a major step toward making mass timber a mainstream construction material by connecting advanced digital workflows with real-world manufacturing capabilities. By embedding product-specific, code-compliant design tools into a digital platform accessible to structural engineers worldwide, the partnership removes long-standing barriers that have historically slowed the adoption of mass timber as a mainstream building solution. “Our collaboration with CLT Toolbox is about facilitating digital design in the realities of mass timber fabrication,” said Ricardo Brites Director of Engineering & VDC at Mercer Mass Timber. “It’s a smart, integrated and accessible approach and exactly the kind of alignment the industry needs.” This is one of the first integrations of its kind in North America and signals a broader shift toward digitized, scalable mass timber construction. By simplifying design, manufacturing, and installation, MMT and CLT Toolbox are using advanced technology to remove complexity from workflows and accelerate the transition to low-carbon building systems. This integration provides benefits throughout the building lifecycle: For engineers: It offers calibrated, best-practice design tools that reduce guesswork, enhance design confidence, and streamline approvals. For architects and developers: It ensures cost predictability, constructability, and compliance are addressed early, improving timelines and reducing downstream rework. For the industry at large: It represents a leap forward in the digitization and scalability of mass timber construction. “The world is ready for low-carbon construction, but technical bottlenecks are holding us back,” said Adam Jones, CEO and Founder of CLT Toolbox. “Once we remove those, mass timber has everything it needs to lead the future of building.”  

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Forestry Corporation’s Sales and Planning teams have welcomed heritage timber bridge restoration experts from Placemaking NSW, Transport for NSW and Broockmann Water Advisory to the North Coast for a guided tour of native hardwood production forests. Source: Timberbiz The visit offered a rare opportunity for the NSW Government’s bridge team to see first-hand where the high-quality, naturally durable timbers essential to their restoration work are sourced. “This was a fantastic opportunity to connect the dots between sustainable forest management and heritage timber bridge preservation,” Carl Broockmann said. “It’s great to see how our work in the forest directly supports the longevity of some of the state’s most treasured landmarks and most important public infrastructure.” Placemaking NSW manages Pyrmont Bridge, the oldest continuously operated electric swing span bridge in the world. The bridge, constructed in 1902, has two steel spans and 12 timber spans built with over 900 tons of renewal hardwood timber sourced from the north coast of NSW. The NSW Government has announced a contribution of $59.6million dollars to the restoration of Pyrmont Bridge timber trusses over the coming 10 years. This work is important to keep the vital pedestrian and cycleway route open between Pyrmont and the Sydney CBD. “High quality and durable timbers of large diameter with specific strength and durability requirements are needed for the Pyrmont Bridge restoration that are only available in NSW native forests,” David Glasson said. The Transport for NSW Bridge team is also responsible for maintaining 27 timber bridges of historical and engineering significance across NSW. Alan Pottie of TfNSW said ‘many of these bridges will require restoration over the coming 10 years and will require a steady supply of hardwood timber sourced from the north coast region’. “These structures require premium-grade timbers such as Ironbark, Tallowwood, and Blackbutt, species native to NSW and not available anywhere else in the world,” he said. During the tour, FCNSW staff showcased their sustainable harvesting practices and planning processes that ensure the long-term viability of these valuable timber resources. The visit also allowed FCNSW teams to gain insight into the end uses of their products and the critical role they play in preserving NSW’s infrastructure heritage. The tour highlighted the importance of collaboration between forestry and infrastructure teams and reinforced FCNSW’s commitment to responsible resource management.

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With just six weeks before the 2025 Gottstein Understanding Wood Science Course commences industry participants are encouraged register and not miss out on this excellent development opportunity. The Gottstein Understanding Wood Science Course is held just every second year. Source: Timberbiz As an example, Sustainable Timber Tasmania personnel, including non-executive directors, have and continue to gain a great deal from Gottstein courses. And to make it that bit easier for companies, the fee for the course has remained unchanged since it first began in 2023. Starting with registration followed by dinner and a course briefing on the evening of Sunday 7 September the course runs through to lunchtime Friday 12 September The course program is at https://gottsteintrust.org/upload/documents/WSCProgram_2025-07Preliminary.pdf The event starts at Albury, close to the three manufacturing operations which will be visited on the field trip component of the course. The group is then taken by coach to Canberra where they spend the rest of the week, including for a full day of learning at the Australian National University. This course has a contemporary edge with an emphasis on the engineered wood sector as it continues to grow. It’s a very good chance to get up to date on the wood processing sector, including research and development, as well as learning the fundamentals about the biological characteristics of wood. One of the great benefits of a Gottstein course is people spending five days as a group with time to network with others from different parts of the industry and different places. It’s motivating and opens eyes to how many different types of operations are within the Australian forest products value chain. The inspiring list of accomplished guest presenters offers a rare opportunity for participants. To register go to https://gottsteintrust.org/grants-courses/understanding-wood-science-course/registration or for more information consult https://gottsteintrust.org/grants-courses/understanding-wood-science-course or contact team@gottsteintrust.org

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