Australian timber industry news

Next generation Cat medium wheel loaders are infused with the latest technologies to advance safety and help customers work faster and with greater accuracy. Fully integrated for optimal performance, the wheel loaders can be easily upgraded with optional technologies as work demands it. Source: Timberbiz New technology options available for next generation Cat 950, 962, 966, 966 XE, 972,  972 XE, 980, 980 XE, 982 and 982 XE wheel loaders now include an optional Collision Warning system with Motion Inhibit includes Object Detection, People Detection and Motion Inhibit as a package to improve safe operation by alerting operators and inhibiting loader motion in the instant a machine transitions from an inactive to an active state. Starting with a foundation of the standard HD rear camera with an integrated touchscreen, Cat medium wheel loaders offer a progressive building block of optional technologies, including the Multiview (360°) Vision System, Rear Object Detection and now Collision Warning System with Motion Inhibit. The new system uses radar and vision sensors to detect hazard potential, alert operators and inhibit motion when initiating reverse motion from a stationary position. Targeting collision potentials that emerge from behind the loader, the Collision Warning System leverages both smart camera and radar technology to give audible and visual alerts to help operators see, mitigate and manage hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed. The system’s three color zones – yellow for awareness, amber for caution and red for critical – approximate the distance of the object to the anticipated path of the loader. The embedded Motion Inhibit feature prevents direct reverse gear engagement when shifting from neutral and automatically applies the brake when the system detects an object or worker in the critical alarm zone behind the loader. When this occurs, the operator is alerted by an on-screen notification. If the loader is stationary for at least 15 seconds and the operator shifts from park to reverse, Motion Inhibit prevents the machine from engaging reverse when the rear detection system identifies something in the critical alarm zone. The loader will reverse once the operator shifts back into neutral and steers to clear the detection. People Detection utilizes the smart camera to alert the operator when a person is detected behind the loader. Three levels of alerts dynamically adjust based on the person’s proximity to the machine, and the system highlights people in red bounding boxes on the in-cab monitor to distinguish and manage the potential risk. The new Cat Payload for Trade option builds on the Cat Advanced Payload Scale system that electronically captures weight and other data from the loader, now in a certified way, and can send it to the office or directly via email. Standard Cat Payload delivers precise bucket load information with on-the-go weighing to help prevent overloading or underloading. Upgrading to the Advanced Payload system expands automation features and capabilities, including automatic tip-off assist for the final bucket process to help precisely meet target payloads. A new multitask mode within Advanced Payload tracks two loading processes simultaneously, while split mode allows for loading multiple bodies, tracking individual targets and tabulating grand totals of each load. Optional Cat Advanced Payload is a system upgrade that offers expanded features and capabilities. Tip-off assist adds automation to the final bucket process. Multitask mode tracks two loading processes simultaneously. Split mode allows for loading multiple bodies while tracking individual targets and grand totals. Add Dispatch for Loading** to integrate the loader into the scale house process. The Cat Payload for Trade option for Cat Advanced Payload allows you to integrate scale data directly into your business processes. It is type approved by the International Organization of Legal Metrology and retains all the features of the standard version of Cat Advanced Payload.

Global forest loss surged to record highs in 2024, driven by a catastrophic rise in fires, according to new data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Lab, made available on World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch platform. Source: Timberbiz Loss of tropical primary forests alone reached 6.7 million hectares – nearly twice as much as in 2023 and an area nearly the size of Panama, at the rate of 18 soccer fields every minute. For the first time on our record, fires not agriculture, were the leading cause of tropical primary forest loss, accounting for nearly 50% of all destruction. This marks a dramatic shift from recent years, when fires averaged just 20%. Meanwhile, tropical primary forest loss driven by other causes also jumped by 14%, the sharpest increase since 2016. Despite some positive developments, particularly in Southeast Asia, the overall trend is heading in a troubling direction. Leaders of over 140 countries signed the Glasgow Leaders Declaration in 2021, promising to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. But we are alarmingly off track to meet this commitment: of the 20 countries with the largest area of primary forest, 17 have higher primary forest loss today than when the agreement was signed. The consequences of forest loss in 2024 have been devastating for both people and the planet. Globally, the fires emitted 4.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions releasing more than 4 times the emissions from all air travel in 2023. The fires worsened air quality, strained water supplies and threatened the lives and livelihoods of millions. “This level of forest loss is unlike anything we’ve seen in over 20 years of data. It’s a global red alert — a collective call to action for every country, every business and every person who cares about a livable planet. Our economies, our communities, our health — none of it can survive without forests,” Elizabeth Goldman, Co-Director, WRI’s Global Forest Watch said. While fires are natural in some ecosystems, those in tropical forests are mostly human-caused, often set on agricultural land or to prepare new areas for farming. In 2024, the hottest year on record, extreme conditions fuelled by climate change and El Niño made these fires more intense and harder to control. Although forests have the ability to recover from fire, the combined pressures of land conversion and a changing climate can hinder that recovery and raise the likelihood of future fires. Brazil, the country with the largest area of tropical forest, accounted for 42% of all tropical primary forest loss in 2024. Fires, fuelled by the worst drought on record, caused 66% of that loss, an over sixfold increase from 2023. Primary forest loss from other causes also rose by 13%, mostly due to large-scale farming for soy and cattle, though still lower than the peaks seen in the early 2000s and in the Bolsonaro era. The Amazon experienced its highest tree cover loss since 2016, while the Pantanal suffered the highest percentage of tree cover loss in the country. “Brazil has made progress under President Lula but the threat to forests remains. Without sustained investment in community fire prevention, stronger state-level enforcement and a focus on sustainable land use, hard-won gains risk being undone. As Brazil prepares to host COP30, it has a powerful opportunity to put forest protection front and center on the global stage,” Mariana Oliveira, Director Forests and Land Use Program, WRI Brasil said. Bolivia’s primary forest loss skyrocketed by 200% in 2024, totalling 1.5 million hectares. For the first time, it ranked second for tropical primary forest loss only to Brazil, overtaking the Democratic Republic of Congo despite having less than half its forest area. More than half the loss was due to fires, often set to clear land for soy, cattle, and sugarcane, which turned into megafires due to heavy drought. Government policies promoting agricultural expansion worsened the problem. “The fires that tore through Bolivia in 2024 left deep scars not only on the land, but on the people who depend on it. The damage could take centuries to undo. Across the tropics, we need stronger fire response systems and a shift away from policies that encourage dangerous land clearing, or this pattern of destruction will only get worse,” Stasiek Czaplicki Cabezas, Bolivian researcher and Data Journalist for Revista Nomadas, said. In Colombia, primary forest loss increased by nearly 50%. However, unlike elsewhere in Latin America, fires were not the primary cause. Instead, non-fire-related loss rose by 53%, owing to instability from the breakdown in peace talks, including illegal mining and coca production. “In 2023, Colombia saw the biggest drop in primary forest loss in 20 years, proving that when government and communities work together, real change is possible. The rise in primary forest loss in 2024 is a setback, but it shouldn’t discourage us as a country. We need to keep supporting local, nature-based economies especially in remote areas and invest in solutions that protect the environment, create jobs and foster peace,” Joaquin Carrizosa, Senior Advisor, WRI Colombia said. In 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (ROC) saw the highest levels of primary forest loss on record. In the ROC, primary forest loss surged by 150% compared to the previous year, with fires causing 45% of the damage, worsened by unusually hot and dry conditions. Like the Amazon, the Congo Basin plays a crucial role as a carbon sink, but the rising fires and forest loss now threaten its vital function. In the DRC, poverty, reliance on forests for food and energy and ongoing conflict driven by rebel groups have fuelled instability and led to increased land clearing, further driving forest loss. “The high rates of forest loss in the DRC reflect the tough realities our communities are facing — poverty, conflict and a deep reliance on forests for survival. There’s no silver bullet, but we won’t change the current trajectory until people across the Congo Basin are fully empowered to lead conservation efforts that also support […]

The International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC) has announced the opening of its first global office, located in Edinburgh, Scotland. Source: Timberbiz The ISFC was established a little over two years ago to provide an advocacy body for private sector forestry in global policy making fora such as the Climate, Biodiversity and Desertification Conferences of the Parties (COPs). The ISFC has grown quickly to now represent seventeen major forestry companies across the world. ISFC members steward some 18 million hectares in 37 different countries. “The ISFC Board chose the UK generally, and Scotland specifically, as our base as for two main reasons,” Chief Executive Officer of the ISFC, Mr Ross Hampton, said. “The UK has a vibrant and sophisticated forestry sector working within a well-regulated market. It is seeking to increase the vitally needed supply of materials for the circular bioeconomy, whilst doing this in a climate, nature and people friendly way. “This is exactly the broader mission of the ISFC. In addition, the UK positions itself at the leading edge of global policy which effects the forest and land sector. “It was a driving force behind the formation of the Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP) at the Glasgow COP26 and the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use. “The UK is also one of 17 countries which signed up to a pledge at COP28 in Dubai, to increase the use of timber in construction by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ISFC is pleased to align itself with such initiatives by locating our office in this jurisdiction.”

Demand for premium timber flooring in New Zealand homes continues to rise, with engineered and hardwood options leading the way across both new builds and high-end renovations. Source: Timberbiz According to independent flooring specialists, engineered timber has become the product of choice for homeowners wanting a balance of aesthetics, durability, and environmental responsibility. European oak, in particular, is seeing strong uptake in urban markets such as Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland. One of the key advantages of engineered flooring is its stability across New Zealand’s range of indoor climates. Unlike traditional solid timber, engineered planks are less prone to cupping or movement and are suitable for use over underfloor heating or in apartments. Local suppliers have noted increased interest in timber products with sustainable sourcing and pre-finished options that reduce installation time. Vienna Woods, a long-standing importer and distributor, that supplies premium grade engineered timber flooring in NZ and has seen steady growth in both residential and architectural orders over the past 12 months. Hardwood flooring also remains in demand, particularly in central Auckland, where homeowners and developers are choosing oak, walnut, and reclaimed timbers for their long-term value and design flexibility. A growing number of renovation projects are prioritising timber over synthetic alternatives not only for its appearance but for acoustic and resale benefits. For those sourcing hardwood flooring in Auckland, the market now offers a broader range of natural finishes, wide plank formats, and FSC-certified options designed to meet local performance expectations without sacrificing style. As flooring continues to play a key role in open-plan architecture and interior cohesion, timber remains one of the most considered material investments in New Zealand homes.

Tasmanians hear the word state forestry regularly, but what about private forestry? For more than 35 years, private forester John Lord has been selectively harvesting the multi-aged native forest on his family’s 750-hectare property in Bracknell. By Saree Satler, The Examiner But what does “selectively harvest” mean? Mr Lord said it involved removing certain trees – often the least healthy ones – to “thin” a forest, which allowed more sunlight to reach the forest floor, mitigated the risk of catastrophic fire, and created a regenerative forest. This practice vastly differs from clear-fall logging, where all the trees are removed from an area. Selective harvesting dates back thousands of years, with Aboriginal tribes regularly burning off areas of a forest to sustainably manage the land they lived on. The forests regrew, and the cycle continued. With two-thirds of the land made up of Eucalyptus trees and one-third plantation, contractors on the Lords’ land very carefully “mimic” this Indigenous method, using machinery rather than fire. “It can go on forever. Native forests don’t require any chemicals at all – it is truly circular,” Mr Lord said. Conservationist versus protectionist Mr Lord said, unlike many other places in the world, Tasmanian native forests have adapted to active management and require it to thrive. “Conservationists actively manage forests to keep them healthy and safe,” he said. “Protectionists lock the gate but Tasmanian forests and grasslands were managed by Aboriginals for 50,000 years, they adapted to this, so if you don’t keep doing it, they become unhealthy and the biomass accumulates, which is very dangerous.” Hear from a fire expert Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science David Bowman said dense native forests posed a “significant risk”. He said old growth shouldn’t be logged because there isn’t enough of it, but clear-felling wasn’t the answer either. Instead, the future of forestry relied on managing regenerative forests. “I will tell anyone who will listen that the future of forest management in Tasmania is reducing the density of the regrowth,” Professor Bowman said. All-or-nothing thinking Professor Bowman said the forestry debate has become far too “black and white”, and if the industry wanted to regain its social license, it required working with the community and being attentive. “Sustainable Timbers is a work in progress, I know they are trying to innovate,” he said. “[It should be] trialling different sorts of innovative forestry and getting feedback from the community to build the social license.” The professor said “real action” was not black and white, but in the middle, which was learning how to manage regenerative forests. “We are still learning about the middle, it’s about building a social license and the science,” he said. “A forest industry in Tasmania is a good thing, we have a fantastic resource that we can use, but it’s got to be done sustainably.” Mr Lord said there was a lack of understanding in the community about what he does, but after more than 35 years of watching something work, he wanted to educate others. “These are facts, it’s not an ideology – we are conservationists, we do a lot of work, it’s constant, it will go on forever,” he said. “We’ve been very happy to show people what we do, and we are open to comments and all sorts of questions.” Sustainable Timber Tasmania General Manager Conservation and Land Management for Sustainable Timber Tasmania Suzette Weeding said when STT harvest or partially harvest an area, that area is regenerated or re-established so the forest can regrow. “STT is responsible for the management of 821,000 hectares of Permanent Timber Production Zone land, which includes land available for wood production, as well as land managed for reservation,” Ms Weeding said. In 2023-24, 5855 hectares of forest on Permanent Timber Production Zone land were harvested for forest products. Ms Weeding said the area constituted less than one per cent of the land STT manages. “Of the forest harvested, 70% was undertaken using partial/selective harvesting methods,” she said. Ms Weeding said STT engaged extensively with the community and stakeholders through a variety of communication touchpoints, including the Three-Year Wood Production Plan. “Each year, STT releases an update to its Three-Year Wood Production Plan to the Tasmanian community for feedback,” she said. SST also offers registered stakeholders information about annual programs, Forest Practices Plans and intended commencement of planning, harvesting and burning.

Agfest has been used as an opportunity for farmers to be told about the benefits of having forestry operations on their land. Source: By Simon McGuire Tasmanian Country Organised by TasFarmers, Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) representatives and farmers with forestry operations on their land spoke to the public on day one of Agfest about doing forestry on private land. Around 70% of all forest products harvested in Tasmania come from private land. TasFarmers President Ian Sauer said the event was intended to inform its members about how private forestry operations work and the opportunities in the space for land owners. “There’s a whole heap of farmers and TasFarmers members who have got plantation shelterbelts and their own native forest,” Mr Sauer said. “The farming community have been locked in trying to get that triple bottom line measure on their land so it’s economic, social and environmental, and trees do that.” Mr Sauer acknowledged that forestry had been a contentious issue. “The problem – I think – is that there has been a lot of negativity in the community through misinformation for quite some time about native forests. “So TasFarmers’ policy is we don’t necessarily care that much about what happens on public native forests. “However, when it comes to private native forests and private land, keep your mitts off it and allow us to get on and do business. Mr Sauer said that TasFarmers, PFT and others were not looking at forestry through “the old lens,” which included wood chips and clear felling. “We are now in 2025, we want to look at it through a new lens, and we want to be able to maximise social, economic and environmental issues. “So, how do you do that? “The thinking that we are talking about at the moment is high-value and laminated timbers.” The new St Lukes building in Launceston is an example of that, Mr Sauer said. “One of the main benefits is that it stores carbon for 200 years, so that’s just one little thing; we should be moving down that pathway.” Mr Sauer also said that landowners not managing their forests would see them degrade and slowly die over time. “You keep weeds out of them; you need to burn them – the Aborigines were doing that for millennia. “We want to keep that bush safe, so we don’t want a catastrophic fire through there. Burning also enables biodiversity, Mr Sauer said, particularly in Tasmanian dry sclerophyll forests. “One of the ways to germinate seed in these forests is through smoke and fire, so we need to have new growth. “When that new growth comes forward, you get a huge increase in carbon uptake.” Mr Sauer said there needed to be more focus on the future of forestry. “We need to be looking forward, not worrying about what happened in the past. Farmers manage their land very, very well. “They’re providing ecosystem services to the community.” PFT Operations Manager Jarrod Burn said his organisation’s legislative objective was to facilitate the expansion and sustainability of the private forest sector. “We support everyone from mum and dad that have four or five hectares at the back of their property, through to the large industrial estates that manage 100,000 hectares,” Mr Burn said. “We support them through different capacities; through advocacy, through policy, through research, and also by being that trusted source of information for all things forestry related. “Our table talk this morning uncovered that there’s a lot of bureaucracy and challenges around the emerging market that is carbon. “One of our key priority projects is to break down those barriers and be that trusted source of information so that people can make informed and confident decisions in investing in carbon and forestry.”

In May the Southern Wood Council Forestry Awards were held in conjunction with Competenz. The forestry awards celebrate success in forestry and wood processing through the presentation of 10 major industry awards, along with the industry training certificates for the past 12 months. Source: Timberbiz As with previous events, Friday evening brought in a huge crowd, with good numbers coming up from Southland and from right across Otago. This year was the first time the event was held in its biennial format and, while there was initially some concern that interest might have dropped off in the intervening year, this certainly wasn’t the case, and it was a hugely positive atmosphere on the night. “This year we saw record numbers of nominations for the prestigious industry awards and some exceptional quality people were put forward for recognition,” Grant Dodson, CEO of City Forests Ltd and Chair of the Southern Wood Council said. There was an impressive list of nominees with a high level of skill and experience, which made judging the winner of each Award category, in my opinion, very difficult according to Keith Raymond of Forest Growers Research, one the three independent judges. The winners of the 10 award categories were as follows: Apprentice of the year Award – Callum Maze of Roxburgh Logging Forestry Trainee of the year (Harvesting) Award – Josh Harrison of Mike Hurring Logging Forestry Trainee of the year (Silviculture) Trophy – Jamie Sycamore of Southland Forest Services Ltd Forestry Excellence Award – Lyle Swain of Swain Logging Ltd Wood Processing Excellence Award – Bryson Baratcart of Niagara Sawmilling Company Ltd Women in Forestry Excellence Award – Xshikarna Harvey of Mike Hurring logging Training Contractor/Company of the year Award – Lyle Swain of Swain Logging Ltd Forestry/Wood Products Health and Safety Excellence Award – Matt Stewart of Stewart Logging Ltd Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award – Matt Winmill of Gillion Logging Ltd Outstanding Forest Industry Contribution Trophy – Alec Cassie of Wenita Forest Products Limited In addition to the awards and training certificates presented, the evening was peppered with spot prize draws with a total prize pool of over $5000. Most of the Spot Prizes were donated by NZ Safety-Blackwoods of Dunedin, including a Milwaukee Battery Chainsaw kit which is new to market and not yet on general sale but has a recommended retail value of $2000.

A major new research project is underway in Brisbane to upgrade how Australia predicts timber durability, helping the industry make smarter decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Source: Jim Bowden, WoodCentral Led by Dr Chandan Kumar and a research team at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the project is part of the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life and focuses on improving Australia’s Service Life Prediction (SLP) model. This model is crucial for estimating how long different timber species and wood products will last in various environments, from wet and humid coastal areas to dry inland regions. While steel and concrete have well-established prediction models, timber is more complex because it is a natural material. Its durability depends on the species, treatment, exposure, climate, design, and threats like fungi and termites. And this complexity has real-world consequences. For example, when someone uses untreated pine for a garden bed or deck exposed to weather, it may fail in just a few years. The timber isn’t to blame – it’s simply the wrong product for that use. A good service life model can help builders, landscapers, asset managers, and homeowners choose the right timber for the right place, avoiding premature failures, costly repairs and damage to wood’s reputation as a building material. A more accurate SLP model can also help plan maintenance and replacements, support circular economy efforts by identifying timber suitable for reuse, assess how timber products might perform under future climate conditions, and reduce the risk of failure in critical structures such as bridges or retaining walls. Ultimately, it supports better design, safer buildings, less waste, and greater confidence in using timber as a long-term, sustainable material. Australia once led the world in this field through the TimberLife project, a landmark 10-year research initiative (1997–2007) delivered by CSIRO and funded by FWPA under the leadership of Dr Bob Leicester. The TimberLife project produced a model and software that helped predict how timber would perform in various applications, from in-ground posts to marine environments and termite-prone areas. Unfortunately, after the project ended in 2007, research in this area effectively stopped. Meanwhile, Europe continued to improve its models through a series of major collaborative projects, incorporating more variables, better data, and climate change projections. This new project aims to rebuild and modernise Australia’s model, drawing on everything learned over the past two decades and guided by the original TimberLife leadership. The original model was based on the best available data at the time, much of it from L-joint field tests and expert judgment. Since then, DPI has gathered more detailed field data from decades-long durability trials and a national trial launched in 2020 under the National Centre. The updated model will use this rich dataset to improve accuracy. For example, the current approach groups timber into broad durability classes, but new evidence shows that species within the same class can behave very differently under the same conditions. The team will look at more precise characteristics like wood density to improve predictions. The existing hazard maps, which help assess environmental risk, were mainly based on rainfall. But new research by Lesley Francis has shown that vapour pressure deficit, which reflects how quickly timber can dry out, is a much stronger predictor of decay. So, instead of using four broad zones, the new model will allow users to select exact locations using a pin-drop or coordinates to get site-specific predictions. The in-ground model will also be updated to include soil moisture; a key decay driver already used in European models but previously missing from the Australian version. To ensure the model is accurate and useful, the research team is building a browser-based online platform. This tool will be: Accessible via desktop or mobile, with no installation required. Easy to update and expand with new features. Usable on-site by builders, engineers, asset managers, or specifiers. Available publicly or through log-in access, depending on need. A demonstrated version of the platform has already been tested to give stakeholders a preview of what’s coming. The aim is to ensure the final tool is practical, relevant and aligned with real-world industry use. This project is guided by a diverse and experienced steering committee, which includes voices from research, government, and industry. Members include: Andrew McLaughlin (AKD), Dr Bill Leggate (Griffith University, and formerly DPI). Christian Brischke (Thünen Institute, Germany). Dr Harry Greaves (HG Consulting), Melbourne. Ian Blanden and Dr Chris Lafferty (FWPA). Dr Jeff Morrell (University of South Australia). Professor Keith Crews (University of Queensland). Kyra Wood (University of Tasmania). Tripti Singh (University of the Sunshine Coast and director, National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life). Joining the research team are Chandan Kumar, Babar Hassan, Lesley Francis, Maryam Shirmohammadi, Stuart Meldrum, and technicians from the Forest Product Innovation team. A special acknowledgement goes to Bob Leicester for his continued support, and to the late Collin McKenzie, whose contributions to timber durability research are gratefully remembered. Work is already underway. The team has processed national climate data from 1968 to 2024, is compiling and analysing decades of field trials, and is calibrating models to reflect the latest insights. They’re also refining assumptions about decay rates and exploring the integration of termite risk and building envelope performance. With support from industry and expert guidance, this project will ensure Australia once again leads in timber durability science and provides the tools the industry needs to build confidently, sustainably, and smartly.

Last week marked 40 years since Tasmania took a bold step in environmental leadership with the introduction of its pioneering Forest Practices System. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most comprehensive and robust models of sustainable forest management, the system continues to set a high standard. Source: Timberbiz The Forest Practices Act 1985 was successfully legislated in response to growing public interest about the environmental impacts of logging. It has since evolved and adapted to balance wood production and the conservation of natural and cultural values. At the time, there was no dedicated legislation requiring environmental safeguards in forest operations on private land, and regulatory oversight was limited more broadly. In response, the Tasmanian Parliament passed the Act, establishing the Forest Practices Authority (FPA) and implementing a legal framework for forest planning and independent oversight. Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) Operations Manager Jarrod Burn, a fifth-generation timber industry worker and Forest Practices Officer, said Tasmania’s was one of the first Forest Practices Systems globally to mandate Forest Practices Plans for both public and private land, and to require trained professionals to oversee their implementation. “This co-regulatory framework drives continual improvement and sets the legal foundation for sound, evidence-based forest practices,” he said. “This system has withstood legal and social challenges, proving resilient, sustainable and time tested.” Tasmania’s Forest Practices System was designed to be practical, science-based and inclusive – supporting sustainable timber production while safeguarding soil, water, biodiversity, cultural heritage and landscape values. Over the past four decades, Tasmania’s Forest Practices System has continued to evolve in response to scientific research, policy shifts and community expectations. The Forest Practices Code was first issued in 1987 and has been updated four times, most recently in 2020. Regular reviews of the Code, consultation with scientists and land managers, and a commitment to adaptive management have allowed the system to remain relevant and responsive. PFT Forestry Specialist Dion McKenzie, who has spent 25 years in the forest industry and is also a Forest Practices Officer, said the adaptable nature of the Forest Practices System is one of its strengths. “The Forest Practices System has been developed to support discoveries during active forest operations,” he said. “For example, if a new cultural heritage site is discovered during an active forest operation, a precautionary approach is taken whereby work stops immediately in the vicinity of the discovery until an assessment can be made and appropriate prescriptions can be developed for its management. “While assessment is occurring, forest operations can continue elsewhere in the broader site. This approach is important to optimise efficiency and cost-effectiveness in forest management. “Another part of the system that works well is the expertise and experience that has developed among both its practitioners and regulators – including open and trusting communications between experts and forest managers.” Graham Wilkinson, who served as Chief Forest Practices Officer for 19 years, reflected on his key achievements upon his departure in 2015. Strengthening the credibility and importance of the Forest Practices Officer (FPO) system Enhancing the standing of the regulator Expanding the FPO system to capture more sustainable forest management elements Improving the ‘one-stop shop’ approach by developing agreements with other regulators and Raising the national and international profile and reputation of the Forest Practices System. “I would walk over hot coals to defend the Forest Practices Officer system, as it can deliver tremendous outcomes at virtually no cost to government,” he said. “When I joined the then Forest Practices Board in 1996, it was a division of Forestry Tasmania. “From day one I lobbied for a more independent system of regulation, and I was fortunate to serve under successive boards and governments which, despite some opposition and trepidation, progressively agreed to enhance the regulator’s independence. “This included the creation of the Forest Practices Board as a statutory authority in 1999, followed by the establishment of the FPA with a truly independent, expertise-based board in 2004. “There are some who would prefer a regulator that can be more easily ‘controlled’ by government, but in my view the advantages of an independent regulator far exceed the alternatives. “It’s important the community has confidence that decisions are made without stakeholder or political influence. Being an independent regulator is a bit like walking a tightrope – avoiding becoming too adversarial, captured or overly sympathetic.” As of 2025, more than 1.5 million hectares of forest have been managed under Forest Practices Plans. The success of the system wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of forest workers, landowners, scientists and regulators who have upheld its core principles. However, Mr McKenzie said that does not mean the Forest Practices System is without future challenges. He noted that awareness and understanding of the system requires ongoing effort. “It is important for the public to have confidence that the system delivers strong forest production outcomes while appropriately managing important forest values,” Mr McKenzie said. “Adapting to changes in forest ecosystems responding to climate change will continue to test the system. Having a framework that can recognise these changes, understand the implications for the forest, and inform future active management is critical.”

More than 120 friends and colleagues attended an industry memorial service in Brisbane for Colin MacKenzie last week with Timber Queensland making a special announcement recognising Mr MacKenzie’s long-term contribution to timber design, innovation, and application. Source: Jim Bowden, WoodCentral CEO Mick Stephens said Mr MacKenzie was a giant in the industry, and as such, many colleagues and members asked how we might recognise these achievements. “Timber Queensland is pleased to announce the formation of a new award for professional development in the timber and building sector known as the Colin MacKenzie Award for Technical Excellence in Timber Application and Use,” Mr Stephens said. “This award will not only remember Colin’s 48-year legacy but will help support the ongoing work of timber design and education with a particular focus on fit-for-purpose specification and use, innovation and best practice timber engineering, design and research. “The award will enable future practitioners, students and researchers to obtain professional development that supports their own career and the industry more broadly. “Given the reach of Colin’s work, it will have a national focus, and Timber Queensland is working with other key partners and bodies to put in place necessary governance and funding arrangements. “We will be able to make further announcements as the award is fully developed including asking for the industry’s support.” A framed certificate formally recognising the award was presented to Mr MacKenzie’s wife Christine by Timber Queensland deputy chair James Hyne. Mr MacKenzie passed away on 24 March in Brisbane aged 75 following a period of illness and is survived by his wife and daughters Aleisha and Trina. His influence on the timber and building industries will be felt for generations to come. Affectionally known as ‘The Timber Expert’ due to his skills and experience, his enthusiasm and commitment to timber product education will be hard to replicate. Mr MacKenzie’s journey in engineering began in Melbourne where he graduated from the Caulfield Institute of Technology in 1974. With more than 40 years of experience in all facets of timber and wood product design, use, and application, he became a leading authority in the field, particularly where timber was used in building and construction. His expertise was built from his early days as a technical officer with CSIRO’s Divisions of Forest Products and Building Research through to his leadership roles as technical director at Timber Research and Development Advisory Council of Queensland (TRADAC) and later manager of Timber Application and Use with Timber Queensland. Over the course of his career, he became a defining figure in timber engineering. He worked with TRADAC, now embraced by Timber Queensland, before establishing MacKenzie Consulting. His work spanned durability design, domestic engineering, and the advancement of Australian standards and building codes. A leader in pioneering timber grading and in-grade testing programs, his impact reached far beyond Australia. He served on numerous Australian standards committees, including the Timber Structures Committee, the Structural Timbers Committee and the Timber Framing Committee. Internationally, he represented Australia on the ISO TC 165 Timber Structures Committee, ensuring that his expertise helped shape the global timber industry. His commitment to education and industry advancement was evident in his contribution to writing numerous technical publications, including the renowned Timber Queensland Technical Data Sheets, Queensland Timber Framing Manuals, Mult-Residential Timber Frame Construction publications, AS 1684, and the Handy Span Tables book. He played a key role in research projects such as Advanced Flooring Research, Recycled Timber Grading, and Durability Design, all aimed at strengthening the future of timber construction. Beyond his professional achievements, Mr MacKenzie was recognised with the Stanley A. Clarke Medal from the Institute of Wood Science in 1999, an acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions to timber technology.

Indigenous peoples and local communities from the world’s largest and most vital tropical forest basins – the Amazon, Congo, Southeast Asia and Latin America – will gather in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo for the First Global Congress of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from the Forest Basin. Source: Timberbiz The goal of the congress is defining the outcomes COP30 should deliver on to protect the territories they guard. This landmark global event will bring together more than 400 participants, with Indigenous and local community leaders and government representatives from around the world including Norway’s Special Envoy for the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Hans Brattskar, and Harlem Siu Mariño Saavedra with the Ministry of Environment of Peru. As discussions on COP30 continue to focus on logistics aspects of the conference, the congress hopes to bring depth and urgency to the protection of indigenous territories, with a focus on land titling and direct financing to their communities. “Our forests are not just carbon sinks or resources they are our homes, our histories, and our futures. As the world prepares for COP30, it must centre on the most effective climate solutions: securing Indigenous land rights and enabling us to protect our own territorie,” said Joseph Itongwa, Indigenous leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo and member of REPALEAC, and Co-chair of the GATC. “This convening will harness the power of the world’s largest rainforests, bringing together governments and our organizations to advance land rights and secure direct funding to defend our lands from growing threats.” The event will take place at the Grand Hôtel of Kintelé, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo May 26-30. It is hosted jointly by the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities and its member organizations, along with the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). The Congress builds on major international milestones, from COP26 in Glasgow and COP15 in Montreal to COP29 in Baku, where Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities gained unprecedented visibility. The focus is now on translating pledges into concrete policies, direct financing mechanisms, and legal protections.  

After this year’s fires burned through the Palisades and Altadena neighbourhoods in the US, destroying more than 16,000 structures, the city is reckoning with 4.5 million tons of debris, according to LAist – “the largest municipal wildfire cleanup operation in recent history.” Source: Yahoo As a result, the Army Corps of Engineers is sending trucks to 18 different regional facilities including landfills and recycling plants to manage the process of clearing out build remnants and remediating hazardous materials. Trees that appear damaged or unviable are cut down and sent to a local golf course to be mulched, a fact that doesn’t sit right with local sawmill owner Jeff Perry. For the past decade, Perry’s mill, Angel City Lumber (ACL), has sourced trees from Los Angeles County that have been cut down due to disease, pests, or development and transformed them into usable lumber. In the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton Fires, Perry teamed up with local landscape architects Ruth Siegel (who is also the deputy director of the nonprofit Los Angeles Futures) and Blake Jopling (who works for Rana, a small landscape architecture practice) to create Altadena Reciprocity, an initiative that helps homeowners recycle an often-overlooked resource, neighborhood trees, into a product that residents can use for flooring, stair treads, door casings, and much more. By reusing these trees and selling the product at a low cost, post-disaster material reuse can immediately serve rebuilding efforts and address both the high costs of construction and the need for healing after disaster strikes. Recycling after natural disasters is a net-good; rather than sending these materials to the landfill, concrete and metals can be safely recomposed for future projects. The Environmental Protection Agency cites a myriad of benefits, including generating revenue, creating jobs, and offsetting carbon outputs from landfilling or new product manufacturing. The agency states that, after disasters, asphalt can be re-aggregated into asphalt-concrete pavements, and metals like steel, bronze, and copper have high values and can also be sold as scrap. Wood, however, is usually relegated to landscape mulch, which, says Perry, is replicative of how cities usually deal with their dead or dying tree canopy. Los Angeles County, for instance, has 13 million trees, says Perry. An average dieback scenario, wherein trees reach the end of their lifecycle, means around 10% of those trees die each year. “That’s a lot of trees coming down, and we’re mulching them all.” He calls this “insanity.” “We’re basically operating out of a post-industrial, commoditizing-natural-resources mentality, where all the wood you get is from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Brazil, but all the wood that falls domestically – we chip it,” Perry explains. “There’s around two billion board feet of wood that is consumed in the housing market of Los Angeles,” adds Siegel. “Based on the dieback rates, there’s about the same or more wood in board feet available [locally], and we’re not using any of that.” The fires exacerbated the availability of dead, damaged, and downed trees; Jopling notes that the Army Corps also had to take down trees that might have survived but were planted too close to homes and needed to be removed so that heavy machinery could safely demolish and clean up properties. For trees still standing, the trio is fielding phone calls from residents who need help surveying their tree’s health, tagging trees for removal, and working with the Army Corps to identify those that would be suitable for reuse. These damaged trees, Perry explains, aren’t just future lumber. While other groups have assembled in Los Angeles to salvage materials like handmade fireplace tiles, which speak to the city’s Arts and Crafts architectural history, reusing trees is akin to preserving Los Angeles’s urban planning and botanical history. “Urban planners, over the last century or longer, chose certain species for ornamental reasons, usually to forest a given area, to give it more canopy,” says Perry. As settlers arrived during the Gold Rush and began building up present day LA, they chose eucalyptus, ficus, acacia, and a lot of Australasian species that are fast growing and robust in an arid environment,” he says, adding that Deodar cedar, California sycamore, and Aleppo pine, and Italian stone pine are also common. Jopling, who was born and raised in Altadena, notes that these trees flourished in the Palisades area, providing a distinct, dense canopy. “It has to do with the development pattern in Los Angeles in the ’20s and ’30s, which also coincided with a time where there was a great botanical interest in tree species,” Jopling says. Most of these species aren’t commercially used in structural lumber, but ACL will likely be able to produce enough millwork-grade board for 500 rebuilt homes, says Siegel. It will be milled, air dried, and ready to be sold in a few years to coincide with anticipated permitting timelines. Jopling notes that many Altadena residents are running into higher costs to rebuild as much as 40% more than originally anticipated, or are underinsured. To meet those needs, all of the repurposed lumber will be sold at or below market cost, primarily to Altadena residents who are looking to rebuild. “Lumber prices have doubled since pre-pandemic times … it’s going to get even worse, given the tariffs and given this rush to rebuild all at the same time,” explains Siegel. “I see this as an imperative mission to help with a rebuilding and to make it affordable for the community.” Altadena Reciprocity, she continues, could become a model for how cities and counties respond to natural disasters in the age of material scarcity. Federal agencies could see their endeavour as a sustainable model for repurposing trees after hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Importantly, trees also have meaning to many residents. As Jopling has travelled around Altadena to perform assessments, what should be a “quick process” quickly turns into a long and difficult conversation with homeowners about the struggle to rebuild. “It’s all these layers of sad, sad stories, but in great contrast to talking to people about their trees,” he says. “It’s small relative to all the things that need to happen, but I’ll go […]

Woodsafe Timber Protection and Tantimber have partnered to deliver sustainable fire-retardant wood with superior aesthetic and technical quality. Source: World Construction Network “For Tantimber, wood is more than just a building material – it’s a living resource that deserves to be treated with respect and innovation,” Tantimber CEO Yakup Kayatas said. “Our partnership with Woodsafe allows us to offer even more durable and safe solutions for indoor and outdoor environments worldwide.” Woodsafe Timber Protection, meanwhile, is recognised for overseeing more than 1,400 projects each year, with a distribution network that extends across Europe and other regions. The company has participated in significant projects, including the tallest wooden skyscraper globally, Mjøstårnet, and the world’s largest oak roof at Gardermoen Pir Nord. This partnership will utilise Tantimber’s proficiency in wood processing in conjunction with Woodsafe’s fire-retardant treatment methods. The synergy is anticipated to furnish architects and the timber sector with distinctive products that improve aesthetics, climate resilience, and enduring fire protection. “We are proud to join forces with Tantimber, a manufacturer that not only shares our passion for wood as a material, but also our belief that sustainability and technical performance must go hand in hand,” Woodsafe CEO Thomas Bengtsson said. “The collaboration with Tantimber opens new market opportunities for Woodsafe in a region where we have previously had limited presence. “Through Tantimber’s established network and market reach, we can now offer our fire-retardant wood solutions to projects and stakeholders across Europe and will have a deeper impact to the Middle East and nearby markets, where demand for sustainable and safe timber construction is on the rise.” Woodsafe Timber Protection is a manufacturer working exclusively with the industrial fire-retardant treatment of solid wood and plywood. Tantimber uses eco-friendly production methods to create wood products that can resist extreme climates and physical stress.

Scientists have discovered the oldest ancestor for all Australian tree frogs, with distant links to the tree frogs of South America. Newly discovered evidence of Australia’s earliest species of tree frog challenges what we know about when Australian and South American frogs parted ways on the evolutionary tree. Source: Timberbiz Previously, scientists believed Australian and South American tree frogs separated from each other about 33 million years ago. But in a study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, palaeontologists from UNSW Sydney say the new species, Litoria tylerantiqua, is now at about 55 million years old, the earliest known member of the pelodryadid family of Australian tree frogs. The study is based on fossils unearthed from Murgon on the traditional lands of the Waka Waka people of south-eastern Queensland. The new species, Litoria tylerantiqua, is named in honour of the late Michael Tyler, a renowned Australian herpetologist globally celebrated for his research on frogs and toads. “It is only fitting to name Australia’s earliest tree frog in honour of a man who was a giant in Australian frog research and in particular the first to explore the fossil record for Australian frogs,” says study lead author Dr Roy Farman, an adjunct associate lecturer with UNSW School of Biological, Earth & and Environmental Sciences. Around 55 million years ago, Australia, Antarctica and South America were linked together as the last remnants of the southern supercontinent Gondwana. Global climates were warmer during this period, while a forested corridor linked South America and Australia. Up until now, it was thought the earliest Australian tree frogs came from the Late Oligocene (about 26 million years ago) and the Early Miocene (23 million years ago). Fossils of the Late Oligocene were found at Kangaroo Well in the Northern Territory and Etadunna Formation at Lake Palankarinna, South Australia, while the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Queensland revealed tree frogs from the Early Miocene. But the new species extends the fossil record of pelodryadids by approximately 30 million years, to a time potentially close to the divergence of Australian tree frogs from the South American tree frogs. Previous estimates based on molecular clock studies – a method scientists use to figure out when different species split from a common ancestor by looking at the rate of genetic changes over time – suggested that Australian and South American tree frogs separated from each other at about 33 million years ago. “Our research indicates that that date is at least 22 million years too young,” Dr Farman says. “While molecular studies are important for understanding the evolutionary relationships of different groups of animals, these studies should be calibrated using knowledge from the fossil record and in this case the fossil record provides a more accurate time for separation of the southern world’s tree frogs.” To conduct this research, the authors used CT scans of spirit-preserved frogs from Australian museum collections to compare the three-dimensional shape of the fossil bones with those of living species. The technique – called three-dimensional geometric morphometrics – has only been used on fossil frogs once before. Using these new methods, they were able to unravel the relationships of these fossils to all other groups of frogs living and extinct. “We had a real problem at the start of this study because the pelvic bones of most living frogs were invisible inside whole pickled frogs rather than available for study as skeletons,” Dr Farman says. “Museums understandably want to ensure these often unique or rare pickled specimens remain intact for molecular studies because DNA can be obtained from their soft tissues. This meant that instead of skeletonising these specimens, we needed instead to make CT scans of them, enabling us to create 3D models of their otherwise invisible skeletons. “Using these cutting-edge investigative methods, we were able to determine from the shape of the fossil ilia – one of three bones that make up each side of the pelvis – that this new Murgon species of frog is more closely related to the Australian tree frogs (pelodryadids) than the South American tree frogs (phyllomedusids).” Litoria tylerantiqua joins the only other Murgon frog, the ground-dwelling Platyplectrum casca (previously described as Lechriodus casca), as the oldest frogs known from Australia. Both have living relatives in Australia and New Guinea demonstrating remarkable resilience over time. “Despite their delicate nature, frogs have been surprisingly successful at surviving several mass extinction events since their origins about 250 million years ago, including the mass extinction 66 million years ago that took out the non-flying dinosaurs,” Dr Farman says. “Although global extinction events triggered by human activities – such as rapid climate change and the spread of chytrid fungus – may be among the worst challenges frogs have had to face, the fossil record could reveal how some frog groups overcame previous challenges, perhaps by adapting to new, less-threatening habitats. This could provide clues about how we might be able to help by translocating some threatened frogs into more future-secure habitats.” Frogs such as the southern corroboree frog are threatened in their current habitats which have become more hostile due to climate change. The authors say that if the fossil record shows physically similar frogs living in very different habitats, today’s frogs may benefit by being reintroduced into similar environments.  

An increase of 42% in exports of logs, wood, and wood articles for April 2025 when compared with April 2024 as reported by Stats NZ is welcomed by the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA). Source: Timberbiz “It is pleasing to see wood products and log exports contributing NZ$481 million towards the NZ$7.8 billion record surplus, an increase of NZ$141 million from a year ago, said WPMA Chief Executive, Mark Ross. “This increase is encouraging for an industry that is doing is tough, but we need this trend to continue as a means of reigniting and growing our domestic wood processing sector.” This rise comes on the back of a national trade surplus driven by primary product exports of NZ$1.4 billion, with New Zealand importing NZ$6.4 billion and exporting $7.8 billion of goods in April 2025. Besides wood products the main export contributors were milk products, red meat and fruit. Stats NZ highlighting that the top growth export markets in the last 12 months included ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia, along with Europe and China. When looking at the NZ$141 million increase in wood product exports in more depth the key articles contributing to this increase included wood in the rough, railway sleepers, sawn wood, veneer sheets, densified wood, along with particle board, oriented strand board and fibreboard. “Most of these exports are value-added wood products,” Mr Ross said. “To purposefully grow our industry we need to work together and invest in domestic processing of logs, which then allows for the creation of higher-value products like sawn timber, engineered wood, and other finished goods.” After all a thriving wood processing and forestry industry will create more jobs and economic opportunities in the regions, support our local communities and build economic resilience for New Zealand. More details on the Stats NZ report can be found here.  

Compared with most other countries, Australians consume a large quantity of tissue and tissue products. On some measures, second only to the USA. Source: IndustryEdge In 2023-24, IndustryEdge calculates Australia consumed 335.1 kt of tissue stock – for conversion into toilet paper, facial tissues, hand towels and other tissue products. The 33rd consecutive annual edition of the Pulp & Paper Strategic Reviews provides all the annualised details for the last decade, as well as the most recent year. In the same year, Australia also consumed 112.8 kt of imported ‘ready to sell’ toilet paper and facial tissues, along with hand towel, serviettes and similar products valued at AUD48.2 million, on a free-on-board basis. In total, IndustryEdge calculates total tissue and tissue product consumption was about 470.0 kt in 2023-24. Local production of tissue stock (almost all is converted and used in Australia) is dominated by ABC Tissue, Kimberly-Clark and The Sorbent Paper Company. At different times, all local producers will also import tissue stock and also finished tissue products. In New Zealand, the sole producer is the international business Essity. All the significant local producers have some sales both sides of the Tasman. The chart and table below show the consumption experience for tissue stock, for the last decade. Tissue stock imports dominated by China and Indonesia As the chart shows, tissue stock imports to Australia have long been dominated by mainland China, supported by consistent shipments from Indonesia. Tissue stock imports rose just 0.1% year-ended February Demonstrating stability, over the year-ended February 2025, tissue stock imports to Australia lifted just 0.1% to 108.0 kt. In February, imports totalled 6,801 tonnes, at a weighted average price of AUDFob1,603/tonne. Imports of tissue stock have been deteriorating over the last two years, with January import volumes the lowest in nearly nine years. Stock imports to NSW down 9.1% Tissue stock imports are dominated by three states: NSW, Victoria and WA. Over the year-ended February, imports to NSW fell 9.1%, while those to WA declined 7.5%. The suspicion is that some of these declines may be linked to increased imports of fully converted products. Manufacturing is centred in the most populous states – NSW, Victoria and Queensland. WA has converting capability to avoid excessive freight costs. It is notable that the weighted average price is operating toward the bottom of its medium-term range.   Pre-converted toilet paper imports at record levels – that is a sovereign manufacturing capacity issue! While the tissue stock consumption and trade data is important and useful, the really big story is the rapid growth in Australia’s imports of fully pre-converted tissue imports, especially toilet paper. When the nation thinks about sovereign capacity and security, we consider building products, a range of materials and of course defence. Perhaps its time to take a deeper understanding of sovereign manufacturing capability, because when we drill into details like toilet paper, we can observe that nearly ALL the additional consumption of toilet paper driven by a growing population, is being supplied by imports. Over the year-ended February 2025, Australia’s imports of pre-converted toilet paper totalled 72,900 tonnes, marginally below the record set the prior month. Imports have increased a very strong 31.8% over the year, with Indonesia tripling its imports to Australia, supported by market leader China and New Zealand, both of which recorded strong increases. Imports year-ended February 2025 were valued at AUD164.6 million on a free-on-board basis over the full year, just AUD0.2 million lower than the annualised record set the prior month. The value of converted toilet paper imports has risen 24.8% compared to the prior year and has tripled over the last five years. For more information visit: www.industryedge.com.au

Nominations for the Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award 2025 are open. Established in 2015, the Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award is a perpetual tribute to the enduring legacy of the late Richard Stanton, renowned for his pioneering contributions to Sustainable Forest Management in Australia and internationally. Source: Timberbiz This esteemed award recognises individuals who have made significant strides in Forest Management or Chain of Custody Certification within the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme. In 2024, with the support of the late Richard Stanton’s widow, Sonya Stanton, the award extended its eligibility to early-career professionals in forestry, environmental science, wood technologies, and design, as well as university students pursuing relevant studies, including those completing post-graduate degrees. The award recognises the multifaceted approach to sustainable forest management, emphasising environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects, along with innovation in the use of forest products. Open to all individuals contributing to Sustainable Forest Management under AS/NZS 4708 or Chain of Custody under AS 4707 or PEFC ST 2002, the award welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to: Certified Forest Owners and Managers Chain of Custody Certificate Holders Certification Bodies Forest Scientists and Researchers Builders and Designers advocating for sustainable timber utilisation. Responsible Wood encourages indigenous Australian nominations for this award as it strives to recognise and celebrate Australia’s diverse talents and contributions to forestry and land management. Candidates must be nominated, with nominations accepted from Responsible Wood members, certificate holders, stakeholders, lecturers, or senior leaders within academic institutions. Candidates should be nominated based on their exemplary achievements in the following areas: Significant and valuable contributions to sustainability. Innovation, improvement, or excellence in sustainable forest management or the fabrication, supply, or utilisation of certified forest products. Strong commitment to the principles of sustainable forest management. Innovation and improvement in promoting Responsible Wood and/or PEFC-certified products. A Judging Panel will evaluate nominations, and their decision will be final. Each nomination will be ranked from 1 to 5 based on the following criteria: Contributions to the Principles of Sustainable Forest Management Promotion of Responsible Wood and/or PEFC-certified Forests and Forest Products Focus on Innovation and Leadership in the candidate’s sector Impact on the Development of the Responsible Wood Scheme Social contributions to promoting forest products, forest health and productivity, biodiversity, and/or indigenous forest values. The Richard Stanton Memorial Leadership Award includes a bursary of $2,000 to support the recipient’s continued professional development. This fund can be utilised for conference fees, related travel expenses, training courses, or any other activities aimed at skill enhancement or professional experience enrichment. Nominations should be submitted in written form, not exceeding 800 words, outlining the candidate’s demonstrated excellence in the Areas of Excellence and providing any other pertinent information and emailed to info@responsiblewood.org.au Nominations close at 5:00 pm on June 30th, 2025. Judging will take place in July 2025 with the nominees and the winner notified by early August.

OneFortyOne and Nature Glenelg Trust announced the continuation of their successful partnership with a renewed commitment of $50,000 for the upcoming year. Source: Timberbiz This partnership, which began in 2013, has been instrumental in supporting various biodiversity and conservation projects in south western Victoria. OneFortyOne General Manager Forests Deon Kriek said that over the years, OneFortyOne and Nature Glenelg Trust have collaborated on numerous initiatives aimed at restoring and preserving natural habitats. “One of the flagship projects of this partnership is the Mt Burr Swamp Restoration Reserve,” Mr Kriek said. “With support including number of other contributors, this 300-hectare site has been transformed from drained agricultural land into a thriving ecosystem.” He also highlighted the importance of the collaboration. “We are proud to support Nature Glenelg Trust in their mission to restore the environment in our region,” he said. “Our partnership reflects our shared values and commitment to environmental stewardship.” The renewed funding will continue to support further restoration efforts at Mt Burr Swamp, education facilities, and contribute to the NGT Foundation. Partnership funding has also underpinned a number of small regional biodiversity projects to support the Southern Brown bandicoot, Eared worm lizard, and Silver Xenica butterfly as well as a native grassland assessment and burning program in collaboration with Burrandies. Managing Director/Founder of Nature Glenelg Trust Mark Bachmann expressed his enthusiasm for the continued partnership. “The support from OneFortyOne has been a great contribution to our efforts to restore and protect critical habitats,” Mr Kriek said. “This renewed commitment will allow us to build on the great work we’ve done so far.”

Home building should rebound with interest rate cuts but long-term challenges remain. The number of homes commencing construction in Australia is set to increase over the next few years, driven by strong population growth, low unemployment, and falling interest rates. Source: Timberbiz However, long-term structural issues continue to pose risks to housing affordability and national supply targets, according to the latest outlook from the Housing Industry Association. HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said the sector is showing signs of improved confidence following a period of weak activity, particularly in apartment construction. “We expect new home commencements to increase steadily through the second half of the decade,” said Mr Reardon. “Detached house building will lead this recovery, peaking in 2027, with apartment construction set to follow as market conditions and policy settings improve.” Recent interest rate cuts and historically strong migration are adding to demand for new housing. But ongoing constraints including land shortages, regulations and taxes are increasing the cost of construction and limiting supply. This will continue to drive up the cost of both renting and buying a home. “The only way to close the growing gap between supply and demand is through meaningful reform, particularly at the state level.” The HIA report forecasts that home building will fall 20% short of the Australian Government’s target of 1.2 million new homes over the five years. “We need to unlock land, streamline planning processes, and remove barriers to investment if we are to meet the housing needs of a growing population,” Mr Reardon said. “Australia has the capacity to deliver, but it will take a coordinated response from all three tiers of government to overcome these constraints.” While detached housing is showing strong growth in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland, activity remains subdued in New South Wales and Victoria. Apartment construction is yet to recover from a collapse in foreign capital caused by punitive state taxes and is expected to rebuild gradually towards the end of the decade. This growth will be boosted by ongoing demand from migration and Olympic focused building in Brisbane. “Housing demand is not going to decline with a rise in interest rates. It is continuing to grow along with the population. Structural reforms are needed now to shape affordability, economic opportunity and living standards for the next generation,” concluded Mr Reardon. Forecasts Detached houses: There were 26,880 detached houses that commenced construction in the December quarter 2024, which brought the 2024 calendar year to 107,240 detached starts, up by 7.0% compared to the previous year. This increase is expected to continue with a further 3.7% in 2025 to 111,240, and 6.7% increase 2026 to 118,660 and to a peak in 2027 of 120,910 starts. Detached starts are then expected to fall as the cost of land and rising borrowing and construction costs see households shift demand to unit construction, seeing starts fall to 108,240 in 2030. Multi-unit dwellings: There were 15,390 multi-unit dwellings that commenced construction in the December quarter 2024, which brought the 2024 calendar year to 60,940 multi-unit starts, the lowest in 13 years. This is expected to be the trough of this cycle with the number of multi-unit starts increasing to 68,850 in 2025. A further 9.6% increase in 2026 will still see multi-unit commencements remain anaemically low at 75,450. From this point, capacity constraints should ease, while demand continues to exceed supply, resulting in an additional 13.0% increase in starts in 2027 to 85,250. This expansion should continue and exceed 100,000 starts in 2029 for the first time since 2018. From this point, the increase in multi-unit starts will ease.

As at mid-May, export log prices have reached what looks to be the bottom of the cycle based on what we see happening in China and India. NZ domestic prices are holding level with a tick up in demand in some segments. We are currently experiencing elevated enquiry for more logs from our local sawmill owners. This is something we have not seen in a long time, long may it continue. The bottom of the export market is certainly not as severe as at the same time in 2024. Around NZ, many forest owners have pulled back production rather than lay logging crews off. This has resulted in reduced log volumes being delivered to Ports and that is exactly what is needed to allow the China and India markets to catch breath. Across the China eastern seaboard, daily sales have been ticking along well. These are not to levels we have seen in prior years, but at numbers hovering close to 60,000 m3 per day usage, it is clear demand is good but not great. As reported last month, the price falls in the market are the direct consequence of over production in NZ. Some of that is driven by some exporters taking big risks and trading losses, offering fixed prices over several months to gain market share. In some cases, the fixed prices are well above where they need to be for sustainability, thus the short-term gains stand to be eroded by longer term losses amplified by over-supply. Inevitably, my 30+ years of experience in forest products marketing tells me there will be casualties at the outer extremities of this behaviour. Within this jostling for position, prices for logs landed in China have remained remarkably stable. Compared to last month, about a US$2 per m3 drop. At the NZ wharf gate, a lift in the US$/KIWI$ exchange rate has helped to reduce price levels with the combination seeing log production being tempered. In China, inventory has remained around 4.1million m3 changing very little over the last 2 months. This is too high for a market with an ever-watching eye over Donald Trump’s tariff antics. A reduced vessel flow from NZ in May should see inventory reduce, and again that is exactly what is needed. I have stated many times how I believed tariffs will play out and the net impacts to US consumers and economy. The feedback I have been hearing is many US citizens believe China will pay the tariffs. This just proves propaganda and ignorance prevails. A recent report from FOREX NZ Ltd stated “Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, announced o/night that they would soon start raising prices later this month as a means to pass on the tariff costs onto consumers. This is likely to be the start of everyone doing this, as the reality that ultimately it is US consumers who will pay for them, starts to hit home”. In the increasingly important market of India, prices have remained unchanged with trade in May at the same levels as last month. There is a pervading commentary that suggests we are at the bottom of the market. I mentioned in a prior report an India Trader had been purchasing logs at well above market prices and selling at below market prices significantly oversupplying and upsetting the market, in the end, promulgating the recent downward slide. Turns out the Trader was able to do this by scamming banks with fraudulent documents including executing Letters of Credit for non-existent cargos. He now resides at Prime Minister Modi’s pleasure and is unlikely to see the light of day for a few years. His departure has been positive for the market but issues of labour shortages and over supply of log continue to dominate and temper any opportunity for price improvement. There were nine log vessels in April discharged at Kandla port and now one less than predicted earlier at eight in May. On the surface, this is still one more than the market needs but the volume of unsold logs held in bond is now at very low levels. Although daily usage is not monitored, this suggests a reasonable lift in demand. As always, please remember the thoroughly important message, “despite the challenges, it remains, as always, fundamentally important, the only way forward for climate, country and the planet, is to get out there and plant more trees”. Allan Laurie, Managing Director, Laurie Forestry. Laurie Forestry is a leading Australasian forestry company that provides consultancy, management and marketing services to forest owners, farmers, sawmills and manufacturers.