Forest Products Industry

Leading chainsaw brand, STIHL, has launched STIHL Chainsaw Safety Week in Australia from 3-9 June to build awareness of the necessary safety precautions for operating a chainsaw this winter and beyond. Source: Timberbiz With almost one thousand chainsaw injuries reported in Australia each year, STIHL Chainsaw Safety Week seeks to address a need for better education around safe chainsaw use. Managing Director of STIHL Australia, Leeson Brook, recognised the need for education tailored to Australian chainsaw users. “At STIHL, we’re committed to making sure that Australians are putting their safety first. As Australia’s most trusted brand for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment, we recognise we have a role to play to support the safe use of these essential tools,” Mr Brook said. “Through our dealerships across the country, STIHL Australia has been providing in-person education to Australians for years. We’re proud to make it even more accessible for users through online educating content to make sure all Australians are using the proper protective equipment when they’re operating a chainsaw.” STIHL launched the campaign with a donation to the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), supporting its Monash unit as one of the busiest VICSES units across Victoria. With more than 660 requests for assistance over ‘tree down’ emergencies in FY24, the Monash unit was the most heavily impacted following storms in mid-February this year. With chainsaw safety grounded in community engagement, the donation will help accredited VICSES crews to continue providing on-the-ground support to communities around Victoria, reducing the risk of Victorians tackling dangerous hazards. As the control agency of flood and storm, VICSES volunteers harness their extensive training and substantial experience of Chainsaw Operations, to safely support communities and remove trees down over roads and properties and help to repair building damage. The past three years have been three of the busiest years’ in VICSES history following severe storms, major flooding and numerous deployments supporting storms or flood ravaged communities across the country. VICSES Deputy Chief Officer Readiness and Response, Alistair Drayton, said that the donation is greatly appreciated in supporting communities around Victoria through difficult situations. “We’re pleased to support National Chainsaw Safety Week and are very grateful to STIHL for the donation of $10,000 worth of chainsaws which will go to some of our volunteer units across Victoria,” said Mr Drayton. STIHL has extended the impact of the safety awareness campaign nationally, rolling out educational resources and support online and via its dealership network. The resources include an interactive opportunity for chainsaw users around Australia to assess their knowledge of proper safety practices, with the opportunity to enter a prize draw for those committing to their safety. The major prize winner will receive a battery chainsaw and PPE package, valued up to $2,548, with five further winners winning a Chainsaw PPE kit worth $361. STIHL’s commitment to community further extends through its dealership network, providing professional advice and services to maintain a standard of care across over 600 dealerships nationwide. To find out more about STIHL Australia’s inaugural Chainsaw Safety Week, visit https://www.stihlchainsawsafety.com.au/

Australia’s forest industry can now celebrate the removal of the ‘water rule’ that for years has deterred new timber plantings participating in the Emissions Reduction Fund. Source: Timberbiz As of 1 June 2024, the water rule that had added conditions that plantation forestry needed to meet to participate in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme has been removed. The removal of the “water rule” was a Labor Party election promise prior to the 2022 Federal Election and following a consultation process 1 June 2024, was confirmed in July last year as the ‘rule’s’ end date. “This week is a great week for Australia’s forestry industry,” AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam said. “The removal of the water rule means plantation and farm forestry projects will now be treated the same as other carbon methods and not excluded from many areas that are suitable for tree planting,” she said. “The removal of the water rule will now enable farmers in many areas to invest in trees, diversify their income and create market options to help them achieve net zero. “It’s a Berlin Wall sized barrier coming down that for years has hindered new investment in much needed timber trees. Ms Hallam said the removal of the restrictions nationally was great news because Australia desperately needed new production tree plantings to grow future timber and wood fibre supply and decarbonise the economy. “Just last month, AFPA released How Timber Can Help Solve Australia’s Housing Crisis, a plan for how our sector can help supply the timber to build 50,000 much needed new homes, to help solve Australia’s housing crisis. “The removal of the water rule is one very important cog in the wheel of success towards this goal,” she said. “We thank the Albanese Government, in particular Ministers Murray Watt, Chris Bowen and Tanya Plibersek, for honoring its 2022 election commitment to remove the water rule, as well as the Coalition for taking the same policy to the election. This recognition and bipartisan support for industry investment is very important for our sector. “AFPA will continue to work with Minister Watt and the rest of the Government on how to leverage the removal of the water rule, including through the plantation establishment grants and other policies relevant the boosting the forestry sector,” Ms Hallam said.