Forest Products Industry

Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and digital technologies are set to play an increasingly important role in Queensland’s forest and timber industry, with two of the 2026–2027 Timber Queensland Growth Scholarship recipients undertaking projects that explore how emerging technologies can improve workplace safety, product quality and manufacturing efficiency. Source: Timberbiz Timber Queensland has announced the recipients of the 2026–2027 Growth Scholarship Awards Program, which supports individuals pursuing learning and development opportunities that will strengthen both their careers and Queensland’s forest and timber industry. Timber Queensland General Manager Strategic Relations & Communications Manager Clarissa Brandt said this year’s recipients highlight an industry embracing innovation while continuing to invest in practical skills, leadership development and workforce capability. “Queensland’s forest and timber industry has always been built on innovation, and this year’s scholarship recipients demonstrate how technology, research and workforce development will help shape our future,” said Ms Brandt. “From artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to training the next generation of forestry workers and developing future operational leaders, these projects show an industry prepared to embrace new ways of working while remaining focused on people. “The scholarships support individuals with ambitious ideas that have the potential to create broader benefits for businesses, workers and the wider forest and timber supply chain.” The recipients of the 2026–2027 Awards are: $10,000 Kennedy’s Timber Award to Isaiah Denman Learning Project: Beyond the Physical: Leveraging Data and AI to Predict and Prevent Psychosocial Hazards in the Timber Industry $5,000 AKD Award to Zidi Yan Learning Project: AI Driven Treatability Prediction for Queensland Softwood Processing $5,000 HQPlantations Award to Jackson Smith Learning Project: Certificate III in Forest Operations plus Business and People Management Units $2,500 DTM Timber Award to Ian Goldie Learning Project: Certificate IV Training and Assessment Upgrade   As the recipient of the Kennedy’s Timber Award, Isaiah Denman, Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator at AKD Caboolture, will investigate how artificial intelligence, Power BI, predictive analytics and psychosocial health and safety frameworks can be used to identify workplace risks before incidents occur. His project aims to create more proactive approaches to managing fatigue, burnout and psychological health in industrial workplaces. “I want to help demonstrate that a traditional industry like timber can use emerging technologies to improve both physical and psychological safety outcomes,” said Mr Denman. “Ultimately, my goal is to help create workplaces that identify risks early, protect people and support a healthier, more sustainable workforce.” AKD Award recipient Zidi Yan, a researcher specialising in timber structures and durability, will explore how artificial intelligence, computer vision and machine learning can improve timber treatment quality assurance. The project will include participation in either the International Research Group on Wood Protection (IRG) conference or the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) and visits to timber treatment and processing facilities to investigate how AI tools can support decision-making before timber enters the treatment process. By analysing timber characteristics such as sapwood, heartwood, density and visible defects, the project aims to help processors better predict treatment outcomes, reduce waste and improve manufacturing efficiency. “The timber industry has a significant opportunity to harness artificial intelligence and digital technologies in practical ways that improve productivity and confidence in timber products,” said Mr Yan. “My goal is to bring back knowledge, industry connections and practical ideas that can help Queensland timber processors make better and more informed decisions.” HQPlantations Award recipient Jackson Smith will undertake a Certificate III in Forest Operations combined with specialist business operations and people management training. Having grown up in a family with deep connections to the forest and timber industry, Mr Smith is seeking to build the skills needed to progress into future supervisory and leadership roles. His learning project will develop technical operational knowledge, business management capability and leadership skills to support both his personal career development and the mentoring of younger workers entering the industry. “The forestry industry is something I have always been passionate about and I want to build a long-term career within it,” said Mr Smith. “This opportunity will help me develop the skills to become a stronger leader and contribute to attracting and supporting the next generation of forestry workers.” DTM Timber Award recipient Mr Goldie, a trainer and assessor with more than three decades of forestry experience, will upgrade his Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to ensure his skills remain aligned with current national vocational education standards. Mr Goldie’s project will strengthen his ability to deliver industry training and support Sunchip Group’s innovative simulator-based training program, which is used to engage school students and future workers with careers in forestry. “One of the most important challenges facing our industry is developing the workforce needed for the future,” said Mr Goldie. “Maintaining contemporary training qualifications will help me continue supporting new entrants to the industry and build the skills our sector needs to remain strong and sustainable.” Ms Brandt said the breadth of this year’s projects demonstrates the industry’s commitment to future-focused thinking. “Whether it’s applying AI to improve safety and manufacturing performance, developing future leaders, or strengthening workforce training, these projects will deliver benefits well beyond the individual recipients,” she said. “The ongoing support of our Foundation Partner Kennedy’s Timber, Diamond Partners AKD and HQPlantations, and Ruby Partner DTM Timber ensures the Growth Scholarship Program continues to help develop the talented people who will drive Queensland’s forest and timber industry into the future.”

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Tasmania’s farmers, forest landowners and rural communities are being encouraged to have their say on the future operation of the Forest Practices Regulations, with public consultation now open. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Felix Ellis, said the Regulations are an important part of Tasmania’s forest management framework and affect how many landowners manage their properties. “Whether you’re a farmer, a forest grower, or manage land, these Regulations play a role in how you use and manage your property,” Minister Ellis said. “We want to hear directly from the people who deal with the system day-to-day about what’s working well and where improvements could be made. “We know these Regulations play a role in the way many Tasmanian farmers and landowners manage their land, so we’re providing plenty of time for people to have their say. “Feedback will be considered as it is received, and if there are immediate improvements that can be made, we will take action.” In addition to an online consultation portal, consultation will be undertaken directly with farmers, forest growers, industry groups, councils and other stakeholders over the coming months to better understand their experiences with the current rules and identify opportunities for improvement. Consultation will also help inform future improvements to the Regulations while the Government continues to assess potential impacts from the Australian Government’s national environmental law reforms. “While the Regulations must be remade before they expire in April 2027, they can be amended at any time,” Minister Ellis said. “Feedback received through this consultation will help inform future improvements, ensuring the Regulations remain practical, effective and fit for purpose. “Our goal is to create a system that strikes the right balance by supporting productive farming and forestry, providing certainty for landowners and communities, and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.” Tasmanians can provide feedback through the online consultation portal here. Consultation closes on 31 March 2027.

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The Softwoods Working Group (SWG) is calling for an immediate $18 million commitment to regional road upgrades, putting transport infrastructure at the centre of a five-point campaign it will take to candidates ahead of the 2027 NSW election.   Source: Tumbarumba Times The group’s Securing and Growing – Plantation Timber Possibilities for the South West Slopes NSW roadmap argues further investment is needed to support an industry it says provides more than 5500 regional jobs and contributes almost $2.3 billion to the regional economy each year. Alongside road infrastructure, the road map seeks action on bushfire preparedness, blackberry management, investment in new plantations and the potential establishment of a Strategic Plantation Economic Zone. SWG executive officer Carlie Porteous said improving regional roads was a priority given the volume of freight generated by the industry. “The region moves a significant amount of product, up to 5.7m tonnes per year,” Ms Porteous said. “In order to do this safely and more efficiently, we would encourage the NSW government and candidates to the upcoming election to look at the need for better regional road funding and give consideration to the Regional Local Government preparedness program which aims to level the playing field for small regional councils to access funding for critical infrastructure upgrades.” The $18 million road package includes proposed works on Batlow Road, Bombowlee Creek Road and Wagga-Tumbarumba Road. “There are a number of bridges that we have had independently assessed for safety and volume of traffic and are considered as ‘urgent’,” Ms Porteous said. “These three bridges; Blue Cut Bridge, Jacksons Bridge and Glenroy Bridge are too narrow with limited visibility on entry. “We have real concerns about the safety of all users of these bridges.” The roadmap also proposes overtaking lanes at three sections of Batlow Road and upgrades to a section of Wagga-Tumbarumba Road, with the broader package aimed at improving safety and freight efficiency for local commuters, visitors and heavy industry traffic. SWG is also proposing a Regional LGA Road Funding Preparedness trial, which would provide participating councils with up to $400,000 each year for surveys, designs, environmental assessments, cultural heritage studies and road safety audits needed to make infrastructure projects “shovel ready”. The roadmap argues regional councils in the South West Slopes manage between 82 and 186 metres of road network per resident, compared with two to three metres per resident in metropolitan councils, leaving them at a disadvantage when preparing projects for infrastructure funding. Ms Porteous said the campaign was intended to address broader community concerns as well as the needs of the timber sector. “The SWG has a unique membership that includes local government hence all our asks not only address industry concern, but concerns of the community,” she said. “There are community critical asks in our election document such as better management and coordination of blackberries, better bushfire outcomes and safer local roads.” On bushfire preparedness, the roadmap calls for a permanent plantation timber representative on the Bushfire Coordination Committee, greater recognition of plantation assets in bushfire risk management plans, continued funding for the NSW Fire Trails Policy and the removal of barriers preventing plantation forestry crews assisting across different land tenures during fires. The campaign also seeks more coordinated management of invasive blackberries, measures to encourage investment in new plantation timber and consideration of a Strategic Plantation Economic Zone for the South West Slopes. Such a zone would identify suitable locations for plantation development and coordinate planning, infrastructure, regulation and government spending on issues including transport, fire and weeds. Ms Porteous said SWG had launched the campaign document to its members on 7 August and would seek to put its proposals before all sides of government and as many candidates as possible ahead of the election. “The SWG values its ongoing relationship with the NSW government and will happily work closely with the next NSW government on practical and solutions-based outcomes,” she said.

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