Forest Products Industry
Modern methods of construction would build more homes
Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and all eyes are on the anticipated packages in the Budget aimed at alleviating the housing crisis. Preannounced efforts to tackle labour shortages stemming from apprentices leaving the construction industry prematurely and regulatory barriers impeding access to skilled international tradespeople are useful, but they alone will not address the broader labour shortages impacting the construction industry’s ability to build new homes and other infrastructure. Source: Timberbiz Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies says there are many factors that discourage people from joining construction in the first place and simply treating the symptoms with short-term measures to plug the skills gap will not suffice. “Long-term solutions are needed, and the government’s Future Made policy presents a chance to make significant productivity gains through Modern methods of construction,” said Mr Davies. “Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) could revolutionise how projects are built, shifting more work to factories. This form of construction is far more productive as it is standardised, takes place in controlled environments and is not subject to site-based risks such as inclement weather. It creates more opportunities for skilled workers in safer environments with increased opportunities for flexible work hours.” MMC also aligns seamlessly with Australia’s ambitions for net-zero emissions. By reducing waste and minimising reliance on fossil fuels, MMC presents a pathway toward decarbonising the construction industry and meeting global emission targets. “The problem is, MMC isn’t widely used due to the significant investment required but government support could change that,” argues Mr Davies. “By optimising project designs for manufacture and assembly and by standardising components of schools, hospitals, metro stations, bridges and other types of infrastructure across jurisdictions, a viable market will be created to support private sector investment in MMC manufacturing facilities. “This investment could be accelerated by matched investment from State and Federal governments and by underwriting demand in the short term. “Given the scale of operations required to maximise efficiency, MMC manufacturing facilities would ideally be located in regional areas between major population centres thus providing secure skilled employment opportunities in areas that need them the most.” The potential economic returns are substantial. Closing the productivity gap between construction and other industries could boost the economy by $56 billion annually. This could fund essential services like the NDIS and build new schools and hospitals nationwide. “Investing in MMC might not be as glamorous as other industries, but it’s vital. It could transform the sector, making it more diverse, sustainable and efficient. This would ensure the country gets the infrastructure it needs, when it needs it, and at an affordable cost.”
Categories: Forest Products Industry
FWPA research on decarbonisation to achieve better than carbon neutral
Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is committing funding to research which will inform an industry-wide decarbonisation plan to lead the sector to achieve a better than carbon neutral outcome by 2050. Source: Timberbiz This pioneering initiative supports Australia’s carbon commitments via the creation of a comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap for the forest and wood products industry. This approach incorporates carbon sequestration within commercial forest estates and includes recommendations for softwood and hardwood plantation forests, wood processing sites, managed native forests, and the paper and packaging manufacturing sector. The roadmap project, which has just commenced, will model industry emissions projections out to 2050. This work will establish baseline projections and identify the most effective avenues for carbon emissions reduction, capture, and storage. The roadmap project is the final element of an industry wide carbon plan endorsed jointly by the FWPA and Australia Forest Products Association (AFPA) Boards in August 2023, that establishes an industry wide strategy that will identify and outline methods to achieve significant carbon reduction targets. Working with the AFPA Climate policy working group, the plan was designed to leverage FWPA’s established strengths that support industry collaboration in research, development and extension. FWPA and AFPA have been working with industry and researchers to develop emissions reduction methodologies, enhance carbon capture, storage, and productivity across plantations, and create strategies to quantify emissions savings from utilising timber-based solutions in commercial building projects. This will potentially allow the construction industry to acquire Australian Carbon Credit Units by using carbon-storing timber and will support paper and packaging use. The plan is underpinned by the ongoing research work led by the forest growers and Grower Research Advisory Committee (GRAC) to define source activities to increase overall plantation area, yield, and productivity as related to carbon sequestration by the commercial forest estate. FWPA will spearhead this initiative, partnering with AFPA and Wood Beca to deliver this crucial roadmap. The project will be funded primarily through grower and processor contributions, with additional financial support from the paper and packaging sector. With such a diverse and expansive industry, Wood Beca will work with FWPA on the development of the plan with considerations for the complexities and challenges such nuance can create. The work will define objectives and set a direction for future scenario modelling which is critical to the success of the study and ensure the modelling represents the position of the industry as well as risks and opportunities to achieve better than net zero by 2050. “This plan is a testament to our commitment to supporting the industry in capturing and storing more carbon. Through research-backed initiatives and strong industry consultation, we aim to lead the way in sustainable practices,” FWPA CEO Andrew Leighton said. The forest and wood products industry is a pivotal player in the global economy and environmental sustainability. The decarbonisation plan will reinforce the industry’s role in contributing to climate goals while managing the resources necessary to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years. “As facilitators of this plan, FWPA is laying the groundwork to future-proof our industry. We are identifying the best paths to manage our carbon-storing resources, mitigating risks, and creating opportunities for our member companies to contribute to a robust and circular Australian economy,” Chris Lafferty, RD&E Manager at FWPA, said.
Categories: Forest Products Industry
AFPA opposes the introduction of the Biosecurity Protection Levy
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee’s inquiry into the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies Bill 2024 [Provisions] and related bills.
The AFPA and its members remain unequivocally opposed to the introduction of the government’s Biosecurity Protection Levy (BPL) and its enabling legislation. Source: Timberbiz The key reasons for AFPA’s objections to the BPL are listed below, with further reasons and supporting details provided in its submission. Namely the proposed BPL will not result in sustainable funding for biosecurity, as funds collected are not hypothecated to biosecurity (going to consolidated revenue) and may be re-directed to other priorities at any time. does not account for the forest sector already funding biosecurity both as a taxpayer and through existing Agricultural levies. The BPL effectively taxes primary producers again. is a tax as that does not meet fundamental criteria of Agricultural levies. does not reflect “shared responsibility” for biosecurity without levy contributions from importers the public, and thereby governments, are the greatest beneficiaries of a strong biosecurity system as well as significant contributors to biosecurity risks through travel and trade. The AFPA highlights to the committee that it is not the only representative body that holds this position with most of the agriculture peak bodies and associations opposing the BPL. Public submissions available through Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s “Have your say” consultation platform, voiced serious concerns with the BPL and rejected it as the right funding mechanism to sustain biosecurity. Separate published assessments by the Australian National University, the Productivity Commission, the Office of Impact Analysis and Frontier Economics all similarly have highlighted the BPL’s overall poor design, inefficiency and unfairness. Changes suggested by the government following their initial post-budget consultation process in 2023, such as the BPL being calculated on Gross Value of Production or the government’s commitment to provide greater transparency in spending, have not fundamentally changed the concerns with the BPL raised by the AFPA and other industry representative bodies. The AFPA is conscious of the pressures on resourcing our biosecurity system, we simply do not believe that the BPL represents the right funding model. As a “shared responsibility” the funding of biosecurity should aim to reflect both the benefits derived by all Australians from a strong biosecurity system (not just primary producers) as well as the biosecurity risks created through increasing levels of trade and movement of people into the country. In light of the overwhelming benefits derived by all Australians from free, biosecure travel and trade across our border, adequately resourcing the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s biosecurity responsibilities is clearly a government responsibility. The AFPA reiterates to the committee its opposition to the introduction of the BPL, but as a responsible partner in biosecurity, it emphasizes its willingness to work with government(s) and other stakeholders to resolve how we could further support Australia’s biosecurity system.
Categories: Forest Products Industry
Gippsland nursery offers work to ex-native timber workers
Ex-native timber workers are finding new work and opportunities in an expanding Gippsland nursery following a $775,000 grant from the Allan Labor Government’s Forestry Transition Fund. Source: Timberbiz Nationwide Trees at Piedmont in West Gippsland, will use the grant to construct a multi-use production and dispatch shed, helping the business to meet growing demand. “This funding is part of our work to create and deliver job opportunities for timber workers and support Gippsland’s economy and community as our transition work continues,” Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said. To support the business’ growth, impacted forestry workers and their families are being recruited via the Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program and trained to work in the new facility – tripling the business’ workforce. One former mill employee has already been employed in an administrative role. Nationwide Trees has also employed ex-timber workers to do excavation work on the site in preparation for construction of the dispatch shed. “This grant will greatly assist Nationwide Trees to expand its capacity and operations. We designed this project to maximise the use of local contractors and suppliers during the build and provide employment for former forestry workers and their families,” Managing Director Nationwide Trees Glenn Fenton said. The wholesale nursery supplies a broad range of deciduous and broadleaf seedlings, rootstocks and some conifers to the nursery industry, orchardists, landscapers, local authorities, farm foresters, planting contractors and consultants. The grant works alongside the Noojee Local Development Strategy (LDS) to help develop new local job opportunities and future community development. The Noojee LDS has also received $38,500 from the Forestry Transition Program’s Community Development Fund to progress the town’s strategy work including a feasibility study for a Forestry Therapy Centre. The $36 million Forestry Transition Fund supports job creation and business development in and around the native timber communities in Gippsland and the north-east of the state. For more information visit, www.vic.gov.au/forestry
Categories: Forest Products Industry
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Categories: Forest Products Industry
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Billionaire Jim Simons Owns These 2 Healthcare Stocks: Should You?
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Elon Musk Says Billionaire Investor Warren Buffett Should Buy Tesla Stock. Here's Why He Absolutely, Positively Won't.
Categories: Forest Products Industry
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