Forest Products Industry

Following considerable community pressure and lobbying by Towong Shire Council, the Victorian Parliament’s summer fires inquiry decided to hold a dedicated ‘open mic’ session for Toowong residents. Source:  Corryong Courier “While this session will be held online and not physically in the shire, it will at least pro-vide an opportunity for the inquiry to hear the voices of our communities directly,” said Towong mayor, Cr Peter Tolsher. Unfortunately, the ‘open mic’ session was held online (with) little time for it to be publicised widely. “It is disappointing that following representations from the community, council and this newspaper the inquiry did not allow sufficient time for all interested parties to prepare a submission for Wednesday’s session,” said Mark Collins, editor of the Corryong Courier. “We did not even receive a media release from the inquiry which would have at least allowed us to post the ‘open mic’ information online.” The inquiry also set a limit of 20 speaking slots for community members, each for three minutes only. Meanwhile, Towong Council has lodged a formal submission with the inquiry. While the focus of its presentation to the inquiry is the fire event in the summer of 2026, it also notes the regular experience of emergency events in the shire and the criticality of governments at all levels understanding, preparing for and responding to the ever-present risks and events that rural communities experience. The submission notes that there have been and will continue to be for some time, broad economic impacts felt within Towong Shire including: the loss of trade for local businesses due to prolonged road closures, restricted access and reduced customer movement the cancellation of accommodation, events and tourism activities during the peak summer period affected hospitality, retail and visitor-based businesses increased financial stress for households and businesses (with compounding impacts on mental health and wellbeing).   The inability of key infrastructure services (power and telecommunication) to maintain reliable and adequate performance during bushfire emergencies was also identified as a serious matter that must be addressed as a priority. The submission said the provision of relief or evacuation centres in the Upper Murray (Corryong and surrounds) is a major challenge in bushfire events and is a lesson that has not been adequately learned from the 2019/20 fires. It recommended that both the Victorian and New South Wales governments better support local cross border communities in establishing and resourcing relief and response outcomes. The transition of the fire event to the recovery stage under the management and responsibility of council has also identified serious issues with the administration and management of Commonwealth and/or State grant support programs. Importantly, the submission noted that the condition of the Murray Valley Highway and Murray River Road is very poor in non-emergency times; plagued by an array of significant and dangerous potholes, deteriorating and rough surfaces, crumbling road shoulders, and more. “In emergency events such as the recent fire, these road conditions are unacceptable, particularly given that both roads are the evacuation routes for community members, and access and response routes for control agencies,” the submission stated. “Significant government funding to restore the roads and to maintain appropriate condition is an urgent requirement.” Council’s [redacted] submission to the inquiry can be viewed at https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/2026firesinquiry – Submission No 292

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Integral Limited is inviting forest nurseries and forest management companies to register for a free full season trial of PlantIT, its digital tree tracking and management platform designed specifically for the forestry supply chain. Source: Timberbiz PlantIT was created to make tree tracking easier and more efficient for the forestry sector. This full season free trial gives nurseries and forest management companies the opportunity to see how digital tracking can improve accountability, reduce friction, and deliver better operational visibility. Built for the movement of tree stock from nursery to forest, PlantIT improves visibility across dispatch, transport, delivery, planting, and returns. It helps address common seasonal challenges including limited visibility of stock in transit, manual paperwork, avoidable errors, and the difficulty of reconciling what was dispatched, delivered, planted, and returned. For forest nurseries, PlantIT supports more accurate dispatch, stronger box and stock accountability, reduced administration, and a clearer digital record of movement and handover. For forest management companies, it provides better oversight of incoming tree stock, improved field confirmation, and more reliable traceability from uplift through to planting completion. PlantIT is part of Integral’s forestry product suite and supports a more connected and accountable nursery-to-forest supply chain. Developed with the help of the FGR Precision Silviculture Programme, led by Claire Stewart, and with support from Forest Growers Research (FGR), PlantIT reflects a shared focus on improving efficiency, traceability, and innovation across the forestry sector. Organisations interested in taking part in the PlantIT free trial can register their interest with Integral Limited at https://plantit.integral.co.nz/

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The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the news that tomorrow’s federal budget will invest an additional $2 billion over four years to fund critical infrastructure, which will support the construction of up to 65,000 new homes. Source: Timberbiz “One of the key challenges facing the residential construction industry is the cost of enabling infrastructure, which invariably lands on the new home buyer,” said HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin. “A substantial number of housing projects across Australia are near ready for construc-tion, but stalled due to a lack of funding for enabling (‘last mile’) infrastructure. “In many growth areas, state and local governments face increasing difficulty financing the trunk infrastructure required to unlock new housing supply. “The cost of infrastructure provision, and the mechanisms used to recover those costs, have a direct influence on land prices, development feasibility and housing affordability. “Poorly sequenced or excessively front-loaded charges raise project costs and delay delivery, whereas timely and efficiently financed infrastructure can expand supply and moderate price pressures. “It is particularly pleasing to see that $500 million is reserved just for regional Australia. “It can be a challenge to fund infrastructure in regional growth areas, where the population does not yet support more investment in services, but the population can’t grow without it. This helps break that ‘chicken and egg’ cycle. “Timely provision of enabling infrastructure is critical to making projects shovel ready. It is not traditionally an Australian government responsibility, so this is an important commitment that will help accelerate housing delivery,” concluded Ms Martin.

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The Minns Labor Government is expanding support to more down-stream businesses impacted by the moratorium on timber harvesting within the boundary of the Great Koala National Park. Source: Timberbiz In October 2025, the Government announced the $5 million Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program, which provides financial support to eligible businesses facing higher operating costs after wood supply was interrupted by the Great Koala National Park timber harvesting moratorium. In response to industry feedback, the Government is expanding the program to make additional businesses in the supply chain experiencing reduced trade or increased operating costs potentially eligible for financial assistance. Under the expanded program, additional eligible businesses, such as engineers, chainsaw sales and sharpening service providers, machinery operators and other impacted contracting businesses will now be able to access funding including for: Planning with up to $25,000 to cover the costs of professional advice and business planning to support businesses make informed decisions about their future, and Transition with up to $250,000 to help eligible businesses implement plans, including activities that support transitioning to a new business model such as the purchase or upgrade of equipment and machinery, advice on tax, legal and marketing strategies, as well as other transition costs such as disposal or site remediation.   To further support downstream businesses, the existing funding program has also been extended by six months to 8 September 2026 or when available funding is fully allocated. This will provide businesses with additional time to make applications to the fund. The Minns Government has worked closely with affected mills, providing financial support to help businesses and their employees manage disruptions to wood supply agreements. In addition to payments to the mills, the NSW Government has also provided a worker support package including: Top-up redundancy payments – employees will receive four weeks of base pay (inclusive of employer redundancy payment) per year of employment with an impacted timber mill or harvesting operator, capped at $150,000. Additional support for employees over 45 years of age – a further three weeks of pay for every year of service after the age of 45 (up to a cap of $50,000), to be calculated separately from the top up redundancy payment Education and training payments – of up to $9,000 for retraining and upskilling. Relocation payments -– of up to $45,000 for affected workers who move more than 50 kilometres for new employment. Free access to mental health support, and financial and legal guidance – TELUS Health are the contracted organisation to assist affected workers and their immediate families.   In addition to the $5 million Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program and the Forestry Industry Worker Support Program, the Minns Government has committed $6 million to a Community Grants package. This grants package will support new opportunities for tourism and small businesses on the Mid North Coast, in consultation with local communities. For further information about the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Programs, including eligibility and guidelines, go to https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forestry/establishing-the-great-koala-national-park

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Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam has resigned to pursue new opportunities. Source: Timberbiz The Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search to identify a new CEO. During the interim period, the Board has appointed Richard Hyett, currently AFPA’s Deputy CEO, to serve as acting CEO effective from today. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Di for her dedicated service and leadership over the past two years,” AFPA Deputy Chair Matt Crapp said. “During her time as CEO, the organisation has been a proactive and successful contrib-utor to informing Government policy outcomes that recognise the essential role forest products play in the decarbonisation of the Australian economy. “We wish Di the best in her future endeavours.” Ms Hallam said: “It has been an honour to lead AFPA. I am proud of what we have achieved and confident that AFPA is well-positioned for continued success.”

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The NSW Government has published the Independent Forestry Panel’s Stakeholder Consultation Report. Source: Timberbiz The NSW forestry industry is a complex but crucial part of the state’s economic future which needs modernising reform across both softwoods and hardwoods to capture new opportunities to move up the value chain for timber products and improve environmental outcomes. The Independent Forestry Panel, chaired by Peter Duncan AM with other panel members Professor Mary O’Kane AC and the Hon Mick Veitch, has produced a report which outlines stakeholder feedback and areas where government should focus in the development of a future Action Plan for the forestry industry in NSW. In producing the report, the panel consulted with representatives from the timber industry, forest growers, environment groups, unions, Aboriginal communities, local government, business, related industries, tourism, scientific experts and the Commonwealth Government. The panel that was appointed in August 2024 received written submissions from more than 1500 individuals and 160 organisations representing a cross section of the timber industry, environmental groups, researchers, residents and businesses from regional NSW and others. This report is designed to succinctly and fairly present the views of these stakeholders to Government and highlight the matters for resolution necessary to inform the development of the Forestry Industry Action Plan. The Minns government says that making this report available to the public is a key step toward modernising forestry in a way that protects biodiversity. Following the finalisation of the Stakeholder Report, the panel has been tasked to produce a Considerations Report. This report will accommodate the Stakeholder Report findings and identify opportunities to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the NSW forestry industry and support jobs, in the context of recent and ongoing changes, including: the NSW Government’s moratorium on logging in the proposed area for the Great Koala National Park, changes to the Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and opportunities the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme could offer state forestry reform, including potential revenue for the NSW Government.   The executive summary of the report said that regional communities were split valuing jobs and environmental protection however there were shared goals across all stakeholder groups. These goals were: Address timber and forest scarcity Expand plantations Improve stewardship Increase bushfire resilience Protect biodiversity Use sustainable building materials Maximise carbon benefits Base decisions on scientific evidence Recognise regional differences Provide long term certainty   The panel has urged the government to rely on peer-reviewed contemporary scientific consensus in ongoing policy developments. There is one central unresolved question which is whether native forestry will continue or not. This report is designed to present the views of stakeholders to Government and highlight the matters for resolution necessary to inform the development of the Forestry Industry Action Plan. The Panel’s Stakeholder Report is available online: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/cabinet-office/resources/independent-forestry-panel-stakeholder-report

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