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This article was originally published by the Forest Owners Association, a key collaborator on the Pakuratahi Land Use Study. The second Pakuratahi Land Use Study, a groundbreaking initiative in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, is investigating the environmental impacts of forestry and farming to shape sustainable land management practices. Sources: NZ Forest Owners Association, Scion By comparing a pine forest catchment in Pakuratahi with an adjacent farmed catchment in Tamingimingi and a native forest catchment (Fisher’s Block), the study tracks water quality, soil health and aquatic ecosystems to inform forestry practices amid climate challenges. In 2024, led by James Powrie and the FOA/FFA Environment Committee and backed by the Forest Growers Levy Trust, the project made significant progress in its mission to document productivity with environmental stewardship for the side-by side differing land cover types. The original study, started nearly 30 years ago, examined the environmental outcomes of a farmed catchment versus a radiata pine forest, aiming to address the question of whether land in forestry or pasture produces more sediment. This second study, Pakuratahi version 2.0, aims to provide evidence right across the harvest cycle from pre- to post-harvest to next crop establishment to build an understanding of the environmental effects of harvesting and re-establishment. In this study, the second rotation harvest will also be compared to the first and a native forest catchment has been added. The study will use modern tools like environmental eDNA and LiDAR and will generate a template for use in studying other catchments around New Zealand. A cornerstone of the year’s work was the finalisation of a 15-year project plan and the compilation of baseline data into a comprehensive ‘story map’ to guide future research. The plan focuses on data collection, catchment monitoring, education and governance to improve forestry practices amid rising climate risks. A flexible three-year operational plan will be updated annually to adapt to emerging research opportunities. Water and soil monitoring progressed with two water quality stations scheduled for periodic sampling from early 2025. Soil quality assessments, aligned with the regional Soil Quality Monitoring programme, began across varied land covers, including juvenile and mature forest blocks. These efforts will inform long-term environmental strategies. Fish surveys, conducted via electric fishing and eDNA sampling, revealed thriving aquatic ecosystems. Pakuratahi’s pine forest stream teemed with koaro, a whitebait species, indicating high water quality. While Tamingimingi’s pasture stream showed similar biodiversity, the native forest stream had fewer fish, possibly due to habitat constraints. These valuable results offer insights into how land use affects freshwater ecosystems. LiDAR technology mapped erosion patterns before and after Cyclone Gabrielle, enhancing the team’s knowledge of sediment movement. A new Ministry for the Environment and Ministry for Primary Industries-backed study will expand the new soil monitoring approaches across seven land cover types including pine plantations, pasture and native forest. This study will leverage LiDAR and satellite data and aims to refine how we measure the long-term environmental effects of land use. Looking ahead to 2025, the project aims to deliver its first full year of baseline stream monitoring data, establish sediment monitoring and undertake detailed geology and soil studies. A public web portal will be launched to help tell the story behind the data and increased outreach is planned throughout the year to share knowledge and the Pakuratahi study continues to pave the way for environmentally conscious forestry.

Throughout his life, Craig Collins has journeyed around the country from being a self-proclaimed vagabond, to a Primary School Teacher, and finally finding home as a Drymill Analyst. Source: Timberbiz Over the past 30 years, he has dedicated his working life to OneFortyOne’s Jubilee Sawmill in Mount Gambier. “After finishing school, I was a roustabout around northern SA, then spent a year as a vagabond and beach bum in Perth,”Mr Collins said. “Eventually, I moved to Adelaide, became an optometric assistant, then spent two years in Darwin. “I returned to Adelaide, and attend Underdale College, now Uni SA, and completed a Diploma in Primary School Teaching. “I taught for six years at Glenburnie and McDonald Park Primary. “ Mr Collins found his way to the Jubilee Sawmill in 1995. “In the ‘90s, it was challenging to secure a full-time teaching job, and I wanted to buy a house, and needed a full-time position to get a loan,” he said. “I secured a position in Dry Mill A on the Stetson Ross line. “Back then, it was all manual labour, which I loved. “Transitioning from teaching to this role felt liberating, and I’ve been here ever since”. Mr Collins now works as an operator and analyst in Dry Mill A. “Once the orders come in, I input the data into the computers and monitor the line to ensure everything is running smoothly,” he said. “If something goes wrong, I investigate the issue and try to come up with a solution with the help of the leadership team”. In his spare time, Mr Collins loves spending time with his 92-year-old mum, taking her shopping and out for coffee with friends. “Mum can’t drive, so I take her out to do things that she wouldn’t otherwise be able to do,” he said. When he’s not taking care of his mum, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, going for drives to see the countryside, and savouring a good coffee. “One of the biggest changes during my time here has been the modernisation of the physical work on the line,” Mr Collins said. “Introducing robotics and computers has made the work easier and less labour-intensive, while also increasing the speed. “When I first started, we were producing 30,000 lineal meters per shift, and now we are doing up to 306,000 lineal meters.” Mr Collins said the constant changes are both the best and most challenging part of his job. “I enjoy the daily challenges and the fact that every day is different. “The challenging part is trying to overcome problems on the line, it doesn’t always work out how you like, but it’s satisfying when you succeed. “When you have a good day, the rewards are great. “The camaraderie with good friends and workmates, along with the great interactions with colleagues, makes the workplace a rewarding environment”. Mr Collins’ resilience in adapting to change and finding joy in both his professional and personal life is something to be admired.

At a recent Try a Trade & Employment Expo in Tumut, NSW, Forestry Corporation of NSW gave students an immersive and hands-on look at modern forestry using ForestLearning‘s ForestVR. Source: Timberbiz FWPA’s ForestLearning initiative supports the education of the next generation with valuable learning resources for teacher and educators. By having access to quality, curriculum aligned teaching resources, the program ensures schoolteachers, educators and the public are served with evidence-based information on Australian forests and wood products. One of the most popular resources is the teaching tool and library of virtual reality and 360° videos, ForestVR. With everything from drone technologies and eucalyptus leaves to ForestVR virtual reality headsets on display, students discovered how forestry careers blend science, technology, environmental stewardship and practical skills — all aligned with the real-world curriculum topics many teachers are already covering in subjects like science, geography, and design & technologies. At the FCNSW booth, students were invited to: Touch and explore native and plantation species like eucalyptus and pine See forestry tech in action with drone demos and interactive mapping apps Connect to careers through casual conversations with team members in both boots and suits — showing the wide range of pathways in forestry Experience ForestVR™, stepping into Australian forests to witness 30 years of forest growth and management, sustainable harvesting with high-tech machinery, and advanced timber processing using laser scanners and ultrasound. They also experienced a “day in the life” of forestry professionals from environmental foresters to wood processing cadets gaining insight into real-world careers and sustainable forest management in action. “ForestVR provided students the ultimate immersive experience,” said Billie-Jo Brown, Southern Planning Manager at FCNSW. As this event showed, students were eager to explore the environment in new ways especially when it’s immersive, interactive, and real-world context. ForestVR helps industry event exhibitors introduce complex topics like forest cycles, land use, and sustainable design in a way that’s engaging and helps to improve understanding of their important work. The ForestVR Loan Kit is ideal for use at community events, trade shows, school open days, and field days, where it serves as an eye-catching attraction that educates and inspires attendees. By providing an immersive, first-hand look at Australia’s forest industries, members can spark meaningful conversations about sustainability, forestry, and renewable resources. FWPA members can book a ForestVR Loan Kit through ForestLearning’s online request form at https://fwpa.com.au/tool/forestvr-loan-initiaitve/

The Greens have put forward their idea of what should be happening in Tasmania with native forest policy, and it is important that the forestry industry keeps abreast of what this party is proposing. The article below appeared in Pulse Tasmania. Sources: Timberbiz, Pulse Tasmania A bold new proposal has been put forward by the Greens to end Tasmanian native forest logging while creating thousands of new jobs in conservation and eco-tourism. The Greens say their comprehensive $3.98 billion plan to phase out native timber harvesting in the island state over 20 years would be funded by increasing taxes on corporations and billionaires. The proposal would see Tasmania’s Regional Forest Agreement repealed and the logging industry’s exemption from national environmental laws removed. Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the state could lead the way in climate action and forest protection. “Our forests are a global treasure. They store carbon, protect wildlife and inspire wonder. They should be protected for future generations,” McKim said. “During global biodiversity and climate crises, Tasmania can lead the way in climate action and forest protection. We’ve got the people, the science and the opportunity to build a future based on restoration and care, not destruction.” The plan promises to create 3,579 new jobs in forest restoration, conservation, firefighting, education and sustainable tourism. The say these new jobs significantly outweigh the approximately 290 positions currently in native forest logging. It also includes $50 million to establish new National Parks across Tasmania, drawn from the Greens’ proposed $5 billion Protected Areas Fund. Tasmania remains one of just two Australian states still permitting widespread native forest logging. “With political courage and public investment, we can support those workers and create thousands more good, meaningful jobs that actually heal the land,” McKim said. Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, has previously said that Tasmania’s forestry industry “provides an exceedingly high degree of environmental protection and sustainability”. “We are blessed in Tasmania to have a sustainable, word-class native forestry sector that puts food on the table for thousands of families,” he said in January.  

In the lead up to the Federal poll AFCA and AFPA will be provide a joint election briefing for members next Wednesday 30 April. Source: Timberbiz The briefing will include an overview of AFPA’s election activities, where the parties are positioned on forest industries and results of its advocacy and discussions of potential outcomes and priorities for the next parliament. If you have any questions you would like to have answered during this briefing, you can send these to Tim Lester at tim@afca.asn.au To register for the meeting: https://meeting.zoho.com.au/meeting/register?sessionId=1475101304

Grants of up to $1,500 are now available to drought affected farming families and rural small business owners, for direct, practical support, through the State Government’s Rural Support Grant. Source: Timberbiz Delivered through Rural Business Support (RBS) from the Malinauskas State Government’s Drought Support Package, this assistance offers relief to help cover essentials like council rate, power bills, vehicle repairs and school costs. The $55 million Drought Support Package, which is in addition to the $18 million in initial assistance announced in November 2024, brings State Government’s total drought relief investment to $73 million. The grant is delivered via the RBS Relief Fund, the charity arm of RBS, and is designed to help families who are working with the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which helps to meet people where they are, providing practical relief so they can focus on finding a way forward. The $1,500 grants will assist to help cover essential costs such as: Council rates Utility bills Medical appointments and prescriptions Vehicle repairs School costs and household needs. “Our support package was always designed to provide household relief, as well as long term assistance for our primary producers across the state,” said South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. “This practical assistance ensures our rural communities aren’t faced with unpaid invoices, skipping medical appointments, giving up on school opportunities, or quietly going without.” Farming families and rural small and family business owners can start their Rural Financial Counselling journey by contacting Rural Business Support on 1800 836 211 or by visiting https://www.ruralbusinesssupport.org.au/ The Government has also quadrupled the processing team for the On-farm Drought Infrastructure Grants, through a whole-of-government mobilisation effort. This means vital infrastructure support can be delivered more quickly.