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New Zealand Forestry Minister Todd McClay has introduced legislation that will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions delivering on a key election promise to protect the future of New Zealand food production. Source: Timberbiz “For too long, productive sheep and beef farms have been replaced by pine trees in the race for carbon credits. That ends under this Government,” Mr McClay said. “The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land. “It will also protect farmers’ ability to diversify – allowing up to 25 per cent of a farm to go into trees, while stopping the kind of blanket ETS planting that’s been gutting rural communities in places like the East Coast, Wairarapa, the King Country, and Southland.” As previously announced the new restrictions will take effect from 4 December 2024. The law will: Restrict farm conversions to exotic ETS forests on high-to-medium versatility farmland (LUC classes 1-6) A limit of 15,000 hectares per year for exotic conversions on medium versality farmland (LUC class 6) The annual limit of 15,000 hectares for LUC 6 farmland will be allocated by a ballot process, including a reserved quota for small block holders, with the first ballot proposed to be held in mid-2026. Allow for up to 25 per cent of a farm’s LUC 1-6 land to still be planted in exotic forestry for the ETS, ensuring farmers retain flexibility and choice. Protect specific categories of Māori-owned land, in line with Treaty obligations The Bill proposes time-limited transitional exemptions in rare cases for people who were in the process of afforestation prior to these changes originally being announced on 4 December 2024. To be eligible for a transitional exemption, applicants need to show sufficient evidence that they made a qualifying forestry investment between 1 January 2021 and 4 December 2024. Transactions that commenced after this date will not be eligible to register in the ETS. The applicant will need to demonstrate that the investment relates to the specific Land Use Capability (LUC) class 1–6 land they are applying to register in the ETS. Registry of 25% of LUC 1-6 land will be registered against the properties title to restrict further planting as a result of subdivision. “Labour’s careless ETS settings turbocharged the sell-off of our farming base. They let speculators put short-term profits ahead of long-term food production. That was careless – and it ends now,” Mr McClay said. “This Government is backing farmers, restoring balance, and making sure the ETS doesn’t come at the cost of New Zealand’s rural economy. “This policy is pro-farming, pro-food production, pro-commercial forestry and pro-rural New Zealand.” The legislation is now before Parliament and is to come into force October 2025.

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Brazilian company Suzano is set to become the new majority owner of the Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill as part of an international deal involving the Kimberly-Clark Corporation of the USA. Source: The SE Voice Suzano already supplies imported pulp to the Millicent plant which has 400 company employees and contractors. The local workforce received a memo from management on Friday advising them of the sale. Speculation about a possible sale had been circulating for months. It has been a tumultuous time at the Millicent Mill with its largest union with 270 members splitting from the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union. The current enterprise agreement expires at the end of this month and a new deal has yet to be finalised. Production began at Millicent in 1960 with a joint venture of Australian companies Cellulose Australia Limited and Australian Paper Manufacturers. The mill was then known as Apcel after blending the names of its two owners. American firm Kimberly-Clark took 50% stake three years later and then moved up to 100% ownership in 2001 after receiving the green light from the Foreign Investment Review Board. At its peak, the Millicent Mill had 1000 employees. Suzano will hold a 51% stake in the new entity, with the Kimberly-Clark Corporation retaining 49%. According to the deal endorsed by all Kimberly-Clark Corporation directors, the Brazilians have the right to move to 100% ownership. The partnership will encompass the Millicent Mill and 21 other manufacturing facilities across 14 countries and approximately 9000 employees. These assets generated net sales of $US3.3b in 2024. The Australian and New Zealand businesses of Kimberly-Clark provided 11% of this turnover.

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Dr Fabiano Ximenes, one of Australia’s leading forest and wood products carbon researcher, Professor Tripti Singh, director of the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, and Professor Keith Crews, head of Australia’s Advanced Timber Manufacturing Hub, are among the speakers already lined up for this year’s Gottstein Wood Science Course. Source: Timberbiz Scheduled for 7-12 September, participants will divide their time between Wangaratta in Victoria, Albury in New South Wales, and Canberra in the ACT. It will also involve field trips to Alpine Truss, Alpine MDF facilities and Xlam’s state-of-the-art cross-laminated timber plant. Helen Murray, course convener, promised that “from kick-off to the final whistle, leading subject matter experts and prominent industry people will deliver the sessions. “At ANU, a hands-on laboratory session will have participants examine the cellular structure of timber under a microscope, guided by Dr Matthew Brookhouse. (While) Professor Peter Kanowski will canvas the big picture of a timber circular economy.” Ms Murray said the course fees have been unchanged since the 2023 course, with the Trust absorbing all related cost rises. “The registration fee of $3,995 also has several inclusions: accommodation for two nights at Albury NSW, transport for the site tours, luxury coach transfer from Albury to Canberra, ACT, two casual dinners plus the course celebration dinner. “On top of learning experiences is the relaxed social environment where participants will network with participants from across the value chain,” Ms Murray said. In addition, she said, participants will get: An understanding of wood properties insight into the processing of different timbers for different end uses insight into evolving issues including sustainability, durability, the role of timber in a low-carbon economy, innovation and technology, the rigour of compliance, and supply/demand trends and refreshed motivation.

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Timber Queensland is calling on businesses across the state’s forest and timber industry to encourage their employees and networks to apply for the 2024–2025 Growth Scholarships Program, with just three weeks remaining before applications close on 30 June. Source: Timberbiz The scholarships offer up to $10,000 in funding for early and mid-career professionals (aged 18–45) working or studying in Queensland’s forest and timber supply chain to pursue a professional development opportunity of their choice without needing to leave their current role or rely on internal company funding. “This program backs potential and builds opportunity,” said Timber Queensland Strategic Relations and Communications Manager Clarissa Brandt. “These scholarships are an investment in the talent already working in our industry—from the forest to the frame and beyond.” Thanks to the generous support of industry sponsors, four individual scholarships are on offer: Kennedy’s Timber Award – $10,000 HQPlantations Award – $5,000 AKD Award – $5,000 DTM Timber Award – $2,500 Scholarship recipients can tailor their application to suit their career interests and aspirations, with funding available for a wide range of learning opportunities, including: Course or qualification fees Attendance at national or international conferences Study tours to explore global forest management and timber innovation Secondments within other parts of the industry Or a unique initiative aligned with their professional development goals “The only limit is imagination,” Mrs Brandt said. “We’re encouraging businesses to think about who in their team could benefit from this chance to broaden their skills, experience and leadership capacity.” Now in its fourth year, the Growth Scholarships Program reflects Timber Queensland’s commitment to developing the future capability of Queensland’s $3.8 billion forest and timber industry. “We want to see people from every corner of the supply chain—whether they’re working in growing and harvesting, sawmilling, manufacturing and wholesaling, design, research or construction—put their hat in the ring,” said Mrs Brandt. “By backing those already in the industry, we’re creating a motivated, connected and skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.” Applications are open until 30 June 2025. Eligible applicants must be aged 18–45, based in Queensland, and currently working or studying in the forest and timber industry. The online application process is simple, and support is available for anyone who needs help putting together their submission. For full details and to apply www.timberqueensland.com.au/growthscholarships  

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