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Forestry Corporation firefighters from Tumut and Deniliquin will deploy to Canada this week to reinforce local and international crews battling ongoing wildfires, where close to five million hectares have been burnt, approximately 150 wildfires remain active, and multiple communities have been evacuated.  Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation’s Linda Cotterill of Tumut will deploy to the position of Divisional Supervisor in Alberta and Peter O’Toole of Deniliquin will deploy as an Incident Management Team Safety Officer in Manitoba. The firefighters will be based in Canada for four weeks, working in challenging conditions. Ms Cotterill has been involved in fire management throughout Australia for 28 years but this is her first international deployment. “I have been fortunate to work all over Australia on fire management and suppression across 28 seasons as both a volunteer and professional forest firefighter,” Ms Cotterill said. “There are tens of thousands of people who have been evacuated in Canada. Family is very important to me, and I know what it means when people are managing fires and also wanting to be home assisting their loved ones and communities. “I’m grateful to have the support of my partner and three sons, as well as my manager and colleagues picking up the additional load back home, to be able to provide that assistance and relief to the Canadian firefighters. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to seeing how things are done differently and what I can bring back to share for Forestry Corporation and for our region. There are a lot of lessons that I have gained when firefighting interstate and international firefighting is another dimension that can help us improve forest firefighting in Tumut.” Mr O’Toole has been a forestry firefighter for nearly nine years, and this is his first international deployment. “I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to repay the Canadian services for their help in the 2019-20 fire season. During the 2019-20 season I worked alongside Canadian and Kiwi firefighters who came in to support us and I have worked with a lot of Canadians as seasonal staff over many years. I am looking forward to being able to help them out in return,” he said. The deployment follows a formal request for assistance through international firefighting agreements and highlights the strong collaboration between Australia and Canada in emergency response. It is the third Forestry Corporation deployment to Canada this winter, with eight Forestry Corporation staff from Bathurst, Bombala, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Wauchope and Eden deployed in June and currently completing month-long deployments. Forestry Corporation continues to support bushfire preparedness and response efforts both at home and abroad, ensuring its fire specialists are ready to assist wherever they are needed most.

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The New Zealand Government is increasing its financial contribution to support rural communities in the Nelson Tasman Region, with additional funding to help farmers, foresters, growers and rural contractors recover from recent severe weather events. Source: Timberbiz Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay speaking during a visit to the Tasman District today announced an additional NZ$600,000 in Government and industry support, bringing the total Government financial contribution for the affected primary sector to NZ$500,000. “These regions have experienced significant damage to forests, farms and rural infrastructure. This funding will help meet immediate recovery needs and help rural businesses get back on their feet,” Mr McClay says. The support package includes: A NZ$300,000 Government contribution to the Mayoral Relief Fund tagged to the rural sector. NZ $100,000 contribution by the Government and Federated Farmers to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust to support with the immediate recovery needs for the most impacted pastoral farmers in the Nelson Tasman region. NZ $100,000 contribution by the Government and Horticulture New Zealand, to help the horticulture sector across the Top of the South. NZ $100,000 announced by Government in June to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including NZ $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust. “We continue to work with New Zealand Winegrowers to ensure appropriate support for affected vineyards, including the potential use of Enhanced Taskforce Green,” Mr McClay said. “Many farmers and growers are facing their second clean-up in a fortnight from floods and storm damage. Rural communities are resilient, but the relentless wet weather conditions have taken a toll. This support is designed to provide meaningful and direct assistance quickly.” MPI staff are on the ground working with the Rural Support Trust and industry groups assessing damage and coordinating assistance. “Farmers, foresters and growers will face many, many months of work to repair damage to their land and get their businesses back on track. We will continue to assess what further assistance might be required. “Farmers and growers who need help or assistance should in the first instance contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254,” Mr McClay said.

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Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), Australia’s national institute for timber fibre, will host a panel session at this year’s Forestry Australia Conference, inviting leading voices to explore how the forest and wood products sector might evolve by 2035, and what it will take to support that change. Source: Timberbiz The session, Path to 2035: How might we enable transformation in the Australian forest sector?, will be moderated by AFWI Executive Director Dr Joseph Lawrence. It will feature a diverse panel of experts from across Australia and internationally, offering global and local perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Dr Lawrence said the discussion would be grounded in the realities the sector is already facing. “Our industry is operating in a fast-changing environment. Emerging technologies, shifting markets, climate impacts and the increasing importance of social licence all play a role in shaping what’s next,” he said. “Transformation doesn’t come easily. It takes long-term thinking, collaboration across sectors and supply chains, and a willingness to explore new approaches.” The session will feature a panel of speakers exploring the socioeconomics and technological dimensions of transformation: Professor John Warner (Warner-Babcock Institute, USA), a global leader in green chemistry, will discuss innovation in forest-derived bioproducts. Andrew Morgan (SFM) on new approaches to forest management, carbon and investment. Nicola Pero (Iberdrola Australia) will reflect on social licence to enable innovation, drawing on lessons from energy and agrifood industries. Tim Woods (IndustryEdge) will share insights into global market trends and resource availability for future housing demand in Australia. Dr Lawrence said the session would be an opportunity to consider the future of the sector in a broader context. “We want to encourage discussion about what the industry might look like in 2035, and what is needed to get there,” he said. AFWI’s Path to 2035 session will take place as part of the 2025 Forestry Australia Conference from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 October 2025 in Adelaide.  

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The 2025 Doing Timber Business in Queensland Conference, themed From Paddock to Pre-Fab, invites landholders, producers and the forest and timber industry to explore how timber, carbon and cattle can work better together to boost resilience, productivity and profitability on Queensland farms, while delivering wood supply for our future building needs. Source: Timberbiz With day one co-hosted by Timber Queensland and AgForce Queensland, the conference brings together practical insights, new market signals and emerging investment models that promise to unlock fresh value and opportunities for farmers and forest managers alike. The two-day event covers everything from silvopastoral systems to modern construction innovations driving demand for local timber supply. “Our Doing Timber Business in Queensland conferences have earned a prestigious reputation for quality and 2025 raises the bar again,” said Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens. “We are very pleased to welcome Australian Retirement Trust, a long-term supporter of both Timber Queensland and AgForce, as Gold Sponsor of the event. “This is a rare chance for all of our partners to engage with the full timber value chain, from the paddock through to prefabricated innovation.” The conference will examine Timber Queensland and AgForce Queensland’s shared vision for sustainable land use, industry resilience and long-term investment in regional Queensland. Firmly focused on building farm resilience, day one explores how integrating trees and grazing enterprises can benefit land, stock and the bottom line. Sessions cover opportunities under the Queensland Future Timber Plan, the impacts of new EU deforestation and illegal logging rules, and findings from MLA’s “Steak n Wood” silvopastoral trials. Financial modelling, certification and tools like AgCarE, a tool that provides an evaluation of agriculture and natural capital on a property, will also be presented. The day concludes with the Carving out Connections: Steaks and Stumps Industry Dinner, proudly sponsored by Rivers Insurance, this is a relaxed opportunity to connect with peers and carve out ideas over great local fare. The evening will include remarks from The Hon Tony Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries. Day two shifts to timber innovation and construction markets, showing how the demand for sustainable materials is expanding timber’s role in Australia’s building sector. Sessions highlight timber’s role in addressing housing supply, modern methods of construction, and updates on mid-rise timber building codes and design standards. Case studies include a leading-edge social housing project using engineered timber. In the afternoon, delegates will take part in a guided site tour program, proudly sponsored by Hyne Timber, including visits to a mass timber building, a hybrid prefab construction facility and a development showcasing traditional truss and frame construction. “This event brings together growers, producers, processors, builders, investors and innovators to shape the future of Queensland’s forest and timber industries,” said Mr Stephens. “It’s a rare opportunity to see the full picture of where the industry is heading and take part in two days of discussion, insight and action.” Explore the full program and register at www.timberqueensland.com.au/event-details/from-paddock-to-pre-fab-doing-timber-business-in-queensland-2025-conference

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