Australian timber industry news

Nature is a formidable therapist. It soothes the soul, refocuses the mind and calms the nervous system. In short, it has the power to support almost every aspect of our physical and mental wellbeing. So, why not go all in? Source: The Spaces photo courtesy Shishi-Iwa House Forest bathing, a mindfulness custom developed in 1980s Japan also known as shinrin-yok, is the ultimate in natural immersion therapy. Once billed as ‘the new spa day’, the practice is now believed to offer a great deal more than simple relaxation. It can be medicinal. Research from the NHS, Harvard Health, the American Psychological Association and even the Mayo Clinic suggests that ensconcing ourselves in nature for as little as 20 minutes can reduce blood pressure, lower stress, improve cardiovascular and metabolic health and lift depression. The healing properties have been widely recognised within the medical profession, as evidenced by the growing trend for ‘green social prescribing’, which sees healthcare professionals refer patients to non-clinical interventions in nature. The good news is you won’t require a prescription. On a basic level, forest bathing is simply access to, and mindful appreciation of, the natural environment, quite literally an exercise in seeing the wood for the trees. But as the trend gains momentum, those who want a more elevated experience have options. Here are five design-led forest bathing retreats, spas and hotels across the globe. Casa de Baños, Mexico This circular bathhouse in 450 mountainous acres west of Mexico City offers the ultimate forest bathing experience. Designed by Robert Hutchinson Architecture and JSa Arquitectura with vertical tongue-and-groove pine siding and southern yellow pine, the 700 sqft structure is more than just a loo with a view. Intrinsically connected to nature, it looks out to the forest from all of its four distinct zones: hot bath, sauna, steam shower and washroom. And a cold plunge pool at the centre opens to the sky. Shishi-Iwa House, Japan It comes as no surprise the country that popularised forest bathing is a pioneer in intuitive natural design. The 34-room Shishi-Iwa House hotel unfurls over three architecturally striking buildings in the small forest town of Karuizawa, less than an hour outside Toyko. The first two were designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban in 2018 and 2022 and the third by Ryue Nishizawa in 2023. The gardens feature more than 250 trees — evergreens, cherry blossoms and Japanese maples — and natural materials throughout. Every room has a private balcony overlooking the gardens, forest and mountains, and interiors have been kept purposefully stripped back and simple to allow a deeper focus on the outside world. Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring spa, China The juxtaposition of this industrial-style structure against the cliffs and forest of Wuling Mountain’s Yanshi Village adds to the distinctiveness of Vector Architects’ spa design. Created to look like a ‘piece of hot spring apparatus’, the bathhouse is topped with eight lightwells that resemble chimneys. Surrounded by poplar trees 30 metres high, the prime location is something of a double-edged sword. With the lower levels suffering from a lack of natural light, shower and changing facilities were built at the bottom, benefitting from the natural veil of privacy. Further up is a relaxation room with floor-to-ceiling windows in the thick of the tree canopy. The spa itself is at the top. Treetop Hotel Lovtag, Denmark Nine treetop cabins perched six to eight metres off the ground on Denmark’s Als Odde peninsula have nature at their heart, quite literally. Not only do each of these Sigurd Larsen-designed cabins, part of the famed Lovtag retreat, have unbroken forest views over the treetops from their panoramic windows, they also have tree trunks running through their interiors. Outdoor showers mounted to each façade allow for forest bathing in a very real sense. Arcana, Canada Part forest bathing experience and part optical illusion, this immersive cabin retreat two hours north of Toronto harnesses the power of reflection to blend into the woodland. Snaking along 3,000 feet of waterfront, the 23 steel structures meld into the forest, each designed to facilitate solitude and minimise disruption so no interaction with staff or fellow guests is required. Open year-round, the retreat leans heavily on its location to promote and support a deep connection with nature.

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The 7280E Hybrid Electric Drive Yarder operates with electric drives that exchange power similar to a hybrid car. Sources: Timberbiz, Today in BC This machinery manufacturer has been producing machines for the logging sector for the past 40 years, and now it has developed the first hybrid-electric logging yarder. T-MAR Industries Ltd. has spent the past five years developing the 7280E Hybrid Electric Drive Yarder, which operates with electric drives that exchange power similar to a hybrid car. “It doesn’t have the mechanical powertrain – engine, transmission, gears, clutches and brakes – in it, so it is more fuel efficient, making it more powerful, and much easier to run and maintain,” said Tyson Lambert, vice president at T-MAR. The winch operates using five motors that collectively produce 2,900 horsepower, he said. However, the actual energy consumption is expected to be significantly lower compared with a conventionally powered machine. The use of logging yarders dates back to the 1920s. In the forestry industry, they are regarded as the backbone of logging due to their ability to effortlessly lift logs from British Columbia’s rough terrains. These days, Mr Lambert said, efficiency is important, along with ease of access. With a considerable amount of experience retiring from the industry, it is essential to educate newcomers, and the machinery must be simple to maintain and operate. And T-MAR’s hybrid-electric logging yarder has attracted international attention with industry professionals from the US, New Zealand, Germany, and Chile coming to inspect the machine. There’s a lot of interest in using similar machines in their forestry operations, Mr Lambert said. The machine is set to be deployed at its first logging operation, and the industry will be paying close attention to how it performs.  

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A new study, led by researchers at the University of Missouri, has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment. Source: Timberbiz This discovery, the result of a collaboration with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Georgia, could help create better biofuels and other sustainable products. Lignin is an abundant natural substance found in almost every plant containing stems, roots and leaves. It helps plants stay upright, move water and protect themselves from temperature changes and other environmental factors. “Lignin acts as both a glue and an armor it holds everything together while also protecting the plant from outside stressors,” Jaime Barros-Rios, an assistant professor of plant molecular biology, said. “Understanding how plants make lignin could help us improve its conversion into high-value biomaterials and improve the competitiveness of U.S. biorefineries.” Poplars are already being used in the paper and pulp industry. Now, they’re being explored as a source of bioenergy; fuels, plastics and other bioproducts made from plants instead of oil. Poplar trees are also useful for scientific research because their genome has been fully mapped. This additional knowledge allowed Barros-Rios, his team at Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and external collaborators to discover that the chemical makeup of lignin changes based on a tree’s latitude, or how far north or south it’s located from the equator. The researchers examined 430 wood samples from Populus trichocarpa, a poplar tree species that grows primarily in western North America from northern California to British Columbia in Canada. The trees growing in warmer climates produced lignin with a higher ratio of syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) two key chemical building blocks called monomers, compared with those from colder climates. “This S/G ratio represents the proportion between the two most abundant monomers in lignin,” Weiwei Zhu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Barros-Rios lab and lead author of the study, said. “These monomers have slightly different chemical structures, impacting the properties of the wood and directly influencing how easily lignin can be broken down and processed making it easier to create biofuels and a wide variety of everyday products.” In addition to the genetic study, the research team used 3D computer modelling to better understand their findings. “We identified a mutation in an important cell wall enzyme in poplar trees called laccase, which was found to control the S/G ratio in this natural population,” Rachel Weber, a senior biochemistry student at Mizzou who built the model, said. “So, I was able to utilize a protein structural modelling software called ColabFold to pinpoint the exact location of this mutation within the laccase protein.” To the team’s surprise, the mutation didn’t show up within the active centre of the protein suggesting that the deposition of lignin in natural settings may be regulated by still uncharacterized signaling pathways, Ms Weber said. “This points to a more complex regulation than we initially thought and gives us new clues about how trees adapt and protect themselves,” she said. “This knowledge will help us develop additional hypotheses about how this protein functions and interacts with the plant’s surrounding environment.” In another unexpected discovery, the team found trace levels of a rare form of lignin — called C-lignin in poplar trees. Previously, C-lignin was only known to be present in the seeds of a few plants, such as vanilla and cacti. Because C-lignin is simpler and more uniform than regular lignin, it’s easier to break down and process into usable plant material for bioplastics, biofuels and other renewable products. “This type of lignin could help us turn plant biomass into valuable commodity chemicals more efficiently,” Barros-Rios said. Looking ahead, Mizzou’s team is now working to genetically engineer poplar trees and soybeans so that they can contain more C-lignin making the biomass of these plants easier to process into next-generation biorefineries. The study, “Factors underlying a latitudinal gradient in S/G lignin monomer radio in natural poplar variants,” was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Co-authors are Yen On Chan and Ganesh Panzade at the MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics; Trupti Joshi at the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and Mizzou’s Department of Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics and Medical Epidemiology; Jin Zhang, Mengjun Shu, Connor Cooper, Russell Davidson, Jerry Parks, Gerald Tuskan and Wellington Muchero at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Richard Dixon at the University of North Texas and Pradeep Kumar Prabhakar and Beeanna Urbanowicz at the University of Georgia.

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Biofuel technology that promises to help reduce the marine shipping industry’s carbon footprint is a step closer, with the launch of a company set up to lead its commercialisation. Source: Timberbiz Start-up venture Biowave, launched in Wellington in August, will focus on attracting private investors to help commercialise the technology, which converts wood into biofuel that can be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil-based marine heavy fuel oil. Developed by the Bioeconomy Science Institute, this innovation produces a biofuel that blends with existing marine fuel oil, aimed to use existing portside and on-board infrastructure and to meet the existing marine fuel specifications. Biowave is a spin-out company from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, with two staff – Integrated Bioenergy portfolio leader Dr Paul Bennett and innovation manager Amanda Davies as its co-founders. Dr Bennett says the biofuel technology is a promising solution to reducing the shipping industry’s carbon footprint. “With the global shipping sector responsible for around three percent of annual CO2 emissions, the need for sustainable alternatives has never been more urgent,” he said. “We are committed to driving down biofuel costs and accelerating clean energy innovations for the maritime sector. Major exporters are increasingly concerned about the carbon emissions linked to their products, with market access becoming a real risk. The technology has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the maritime industry’s decarbonisation goals.” Shipping is an essential component of global trade, moving 80% of the world’s goods. For New Zealand, 99% of international trade depends on maritime routes, with shipping enabling nearly 45% of the country’s gross domestic profit. “As demand for shipping increases, the sector’s carbon footprint is on track to rise, potentially accounting for up to 13% of global emissions in the coming decades if no action is taken,” Dr Bennett said. Fuel testing of a 20% Biowave blend has excited industry partners and could represent a product suitable for entry in the marine fuel market. Scale-up production and engine testing will be required to confirm market acceptance. “The maritime industry is actively seeking solutions, and we’ve seen significant interest in Biowave from key stakeholders across the supply chain, including shipping companies, energy providers, ports and product exporters,” Ms Davies said. “This technology offers a cost-competitive, sustainable solution for New Zealand’s economy and could be scaled globally. With strong market validation and a clear path to market, Biowave is set to make a lasting impact on New Zealand’s economy and the maritime industry to meet 2050 climate commitments.” The Scion Group’s leadership in this space is reinforced by its participation in the KiwiNet Commercialisation Partner Network, which aims to drive the commercial success of research innovations in New Zealand.  

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As the emphasis and debate on prefabrication of buildings and building components rages – especially for dwellings – the data demonstrates imports are unlikely to be a significant element of prefabricated building supply, over the longer term. That is good news for those focussed on improving Australia’s capacity to prefabricate buildings, especially dwellings. At least one variable – import competition – is likely to remain relatively small, albeit imports continue to grow. Source: IndustryEdge However, the reality remains, many of the key components of prefabrication and other aspects of the much-needed revolution in modern methods of construction (MMC), are more likely to be imported than supplied locally. This is especially the case for the main engineered wood products (EWPs), imports of which continue to grow, against a backdrop of local manufacturing failing to keep case with demand. Developing reliability and confidence in MMC – including prefabrication of dwellings and dwelling elements – is critical to achieving investment, at scale. Though it is not the only ingredient, one requirement is deepening material input supply chains, including for critical EWPs. The aim needs to be co-location and integration of key manufacturing activities, alongside fabrication activities. Australia’s imports of prefabricated buildings increased 5.8% in 2024-25, rising to a record AUD278.5 million. While import growth has been solid in recent years, imports are negligible compared to the annual value of building in Australia. Prefabricated timber building imports have grown faster since 2019 (averaging growth of 34.2% per annum) than the growth in total prefabricated building imports (averaging growth of 13.5% per annum). Despite the stronger growth, prefabricated timber building imports accounted for just 8.8% of total imports of prefabricated buildings, measured by value. Unsurprisingly, China accounted for 43.0% of total timber prefabricated building imports in 2024-25, however, its share of total prefabricated building imports for the year was 67.8%. In FY25, imports of timber-based prefabricated buildings were valued at AUDCif24.4 million. That was a record. But was only marginally higher than the value recorded in FY23. Since FY19, timber prefabricated building imports have increased an average 34.2% per annum, coming from a very low base. Imports of Prefabricated Buildings by Main Type: FY19 – FY25 (AUDCifM & %) The total value of imported prefabricated buildings was AUDCif278.5 million in FY25, meaning timber imports were just 8.8% of the total.Total prefabricated building imports have continued to rise, increasing an average 12.4% per annum since FY19. That is solid, but compared to the domestic construction sector, is quite minor. In FY25, Australia received prefabricated timber building imports from 17 countries, but just a few dominated the trade. China dominates supply, accounting for 43% of the value of imports in FY25. Of interest is that European producers hold down the next three places. The data provides no details, but IndustryEdge suspects there will be real differences in the types of buildings being imported from China and from Europe. Imports of Prefabricated Timber Buildings by Country: FY19 – FY25 (AUDCifM) The steady growth in prefabricated building imports tells a small story for Australia, but there is a larger element to this data. One observation the data invites is that there are significant logistical challenges to importing buildings, even when they are ‘flat-packed’. For an island nation, sea-bound imports of buildings remains more challenging than in other countries, where land import options exist. For more information visit: www.industryedge.com.au

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The Murray Region Forestry Hub has received funding from Forest and Wood Products Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for a critical research project aimed at tackling one of Australia’s most costly and invasive weeds. Source: Timberbiz The project, “Novel and Targeted Biological Control of Blackberry Invasions in Forest and Tree Plantations” will be led by Dr Rae Kwong in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the University of the Sunshine Coast. The research will focus on blackberry genomic mapping, a vital step toward the development of an effective and targeted biological control. Blackberry is a Weed of National Significance, causing millions of dollars in lost productivity and management costs annually. The MRFH has been instrumental in preparing the advice to government which led to multi-organisation collaboration supporting research to deliver long-term, landscape-scale solutions for forestry, plantations, and the wider community. This announcement follows the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins’ recent statement highlighting the government’s commitment to innovation in forestry, including $8.6 million over three years to expand and strengthen the work of Australia’s Regional Forestry Hubs under A Better Plan for Forestry and Forest Products. “This funding represents a significant step forward in our fight against Blackberry,” Dean Anderson, Chair of the Murray Region Forestry Hub, said. “The genomic mapping research led by Dr Kwong will provide the foundations for developing a targeted biological control that can be deployed across landscapes for long-term impact. “It’s a prime example of how the Hubs can connect industry needs with innovative science,” he said. Carlie Porteous, Hub Manager of the Murray Region Forestry Hub, said the approval of this funding highlighted the power of collaboration between research institutions, government, industry, and the Hubs to tackle persistent challenges. “We’re proud to have played a key role in bringing together the right people and expertise to make this project a reality,” she said.

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SFM has appointed Scarlet Roxby as its new Carbon Project Coordinator, further strengthening the company’s commitment to delivering high-integrity nature-based climate solutions across Tasmania and beyond. Source: Timberbiz Ms Roxby, from Western Australia, joins SFM’s brings a strong technical background in carbon project management, spatial analysis, and financial modelling, developed through her work leading a portfolio of ACCU Scheme projects for the Carbon Farming Foundation. Her experience spans regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of GIS and FullCAM modelling to drive both environmental and economic outcomes. “I’m excited to join a business that’s at the forefront of sustainable forestry and land management,” Ms Roxby said. “SFM’s work across plantation forestry, environmental restoration and carbon abatement is deeply aligned with my values. I’m passionate about applying data-driven strategies to deliver positive impacts for landowners, communities and the climate.” Currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Forestry as a recipient of the Forestry Australia Scholarship, Ms Roxby is also an active contributor to Australia’s regenerative agriculture and carbon farming networks. SFM Managing Director, Andrew Morgan, welcomed the appointment. “Scarlet brings a unique blend of technical skill, strategic thinking and a deep personal commitment to sustainability. She will play a critical role in helping us grow our carbon project pipeline while ensuring best-practice outcomes for our clients and the environment,” Mr Morgan said. Ms Roxby’s role will support carbon project development across SFM and its projects, including ActivAcre, with a focus on feasibility analysis, methodology selection, and ensuring compliance under the evolving national policy framework.

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OneFortyOne has wrapped up its annual planting season, establishing another generation of forests throughout the Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Despite a dry few months, millions of healthy seedlings were dispatched from the OneFortyOne Glencoe Nursery to forest growers across the region, including OneFortyOne’s own estate and a range of other forestry operations. Nursery manager Craig Torney said thanks to a new shed and infrastructure improvements, most operations are now undercover, reducing the impact of weather and creating a more comfortable working environment for the nursery team. “The nursery was buzzing during what was another busy season,” Mr Torney said. “It was great to see our upgraded facility in full operation.” The nursery supplies seedlings not only for OneFortyOne’s forests but also for a range of forest growers across the Green Triangle. The OneFortyOne estate team works together closely to coordinate the complex delivery program, ensuring each planting crew receives the right trees at the right time. “We know what trees need to go where and to which planting crew at what time,” Mr Torney said. “This good management means the program is spread out over eight or nine weeks, rather than being compressed into a shorter, more intense period.” “Combined with our upgraded systems, it made the season far less hectic, and we’ve definitely seen and heard that feedback from our nursery team.” OneFortyOne Estate Manager Marcel Griffiths said the planting program covered 1,826 hectares, supported by three dedicated planting crews working tirelessly over 51 workdays. “The Nursery and silviculture teams delivered an outstanding performance this season,” Mr Griffiths said. “Their coordination and professionalism ensured the program ran smoothly and efficiently.” With planting complete, focus now shifts to ensuring these seedlings establish well and grow into healthy, productive forests.

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It has been widely reported that Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) may shut its Eves Valley sawmill near Nelson, New Zealand with that closure 142 jobs may be lost. This would be devastating for the town and other towns nearby. This plan is not confirmed, and sources have said that it would be under review until early September. Source: Timberbiz If it goes ahead CHH resources would be consolidated at its Kawerau plant in the Bay of Plenty, in the North Island. It was reported that rumours have been circulating around the future shutdown of the Eves Valley mill, but locals were hopeful that it would not eventuate. Winding down the plant would take around two months and finish before Christmas. More than just the mill workers would be affected by the closure as there are always associated businesses involved such as transport. South Island Minister James Meager told RNZ he hoped other companies might be interested in processing trees that toppled in the region’s flood emergencies. “It’s come at a really bad time for Nelson-Tasman because there’s a lot of windfall timber there that needs to be processed. I understand probably around about 3500 hectares, possibly 6000 hectares of timber, that needs to be processed and pulled off the land,” Mr Meager told RNZ. Nelson Mayor Nick Smith and Tasman Mayor Tim King were told of the proposal this week shortly after staff at the mill were told. The Eves Valley mill was the largest in the South Island and produced timber framing for the building industry. CHH was approached by numerous publications but there has been no response so far.

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It’s that time of year when the lambs start appearing, the days start stretching out and you get a sense of hope that summer is around the corner and things will begin to dry out. Depending on which part of the country you’re in you’ll have a different view of how kind winter has been, but the general consensus is wet, really wet, and, if you’re in Nelson, windy as well. We have been reasonably fortunate over the winter in terms of log prices with spot numbers above historical levels for this time of year. Export prices are still well under where we’d like them to be, but they haven’t been as bad as previous years. This is primarily due to lower NZ supply volumes into China and more stability in shipping and foreign exchange rates. August at wharf gate (AWG) prices have been released at around the $122/JAS level (A grade 3.9m) for Southern North Island ports which is the highest August spot price since 2018. Log uplift from Chinese ports has increased from 50,000m3 per day in early July to a shade under 60,000m3 per day currently. Inventory levels dropped around 190,000m3 in July and total softwood inventory now sits below the magic 3 million m3 mark and is expected to continue to recede as the Chinese construction seasons kicks off and NZ supply remains static. The widely reported windthrow in the Nelson Tasman region is very unlikely to result in any notable export supply increase as both infrastructure and port berthage provide a Hulk Hogan level of choke hold on throughput. General expectation is that in-market sales prices will continue to rise against lower inventory levels and traders will look to lock down vessels to take advantage of the historical price increase in Q4. The effect of the log futures market is yet to be fully understood as it is only in its infancy. Approximately 115,000m3 was delivered against futures contracts in July, which was the first month of delivery, and buyer participation in this sale method is expected to increase over time. The domestic market isn’t looking so rosy with poor demand and increasing inventories of framing timber around the country. NZ building consents dropped by 6.4% month-on-month in June indicating a significant shift in sentiment which will have a flow-on to actual construction numbers later in 2025. All eyes will be on the OCR announcement on the 20th with commentators expecting a reduction of around 25 basis points and many expecting it to finally land at 2.5%. While a further cut is likely to inject some confidence into the sector, it may be a reasonable timeframe before it converts into hammers and toolbelts. The resulting softness has seen two sawmills in the SNI reduce log prices for both framing and pruned grades, which is the first price drop in a number of years. Energy has reared its head again recently with Ballance Agri the latest company to feel the effects of gas shortages, threatening to shut it’s Kapuni plant due to rising gas prices. Previously contracted prices of sub $10/gigajoule are now in the realm of $50/gigajoule as large users such as Ballance compete with gentailers for a dwindling resource. The likelihood of securing longer term future gas supply are very unlikely, especially with the Greens and their economic masterminds stating again in parliament that they would reinstate the ban on oil and gas exploration if they were to regain the reins. Not a great way to attract foreign exploration investment. To put some perspective around the gas issue, NZ uses around 150 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year (150 million gigajoules). Of this, around 35% is used for industrial process heat in plants such as Ballance, 29% in electricity generation, 26% in factories as feedstock and 10% by households, schools, hospitals etc. It is estimated that NZ has around 948PJ left in existing gas reserves which, at the current run rate, is around 6 years supply. One would think ‘what to do’? Replace it with coal? Nooo, those aforementioned economic masterminds wouldn’t like that. What about Imported Liquified Natural Gas? Nope – that’s just retarded as we’re just transferring the perceived environmental issues offshore and, we would need 8% of the world tanker fleet to keep up. Solar? It doesn’t work at night. Wind? Only if it’s windy. Hydro? Only if it rains. What about wood? Great idea. NZ currently harvests around 30 million tonnes per year. Of this, around 25% is in the lower grade export logs (KI and KIS grades), pulp and waste wood. The calorific value of radiata is around 9 gigajoules per tonne in wet form (straight off the stump) which gives 67.5PJ of potentially available nationwide supply. Using those numbers, cigarette packet calculations would suggest we could replace around 50% of NZ’s current gas demand with a domestic wood-based solution at less than $20/gigajoule. Obviously is not just as simple as shovelling woodchips into an existing gas boiler and there will need to be significant capital investment to make it work, but it is a solution that we have growing all around us, from one end of the country to the other. It doesn’t require wind or sun to operate, nothing has to be imported, and we’re not beholden or exposed to foreign countries and policy (it’s not like the world is becoming more stable). There’s also the added benefit that we are utilizing more of our fibre onshore and we can give our export customers a better grade of log that is more suited to their requirements. So, now that we’ve solved that problem, let’s look forward to spring with upward pressure on export prices and lashings of mint sauce on our lamb racks. Marcus Musson, Forest360 Director.

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John Deere has developed a new digital tool designed to enhance how equipment owners use, maintain, diagnose, repair, and protect their equipment. Operations Center PRO Service delivers new, industry-leading support capabilities for both connected and non-connected machines across John Deere’s agriculture, turf, construction, and forestry equipment portfolio. Source: Timberbiz New and enhanced features include the ability to install software when replacing electronic components or controllers, also known as reprogramming. Operations Center PRO Service was developed with customers at the centre and adds to the suite of existing digital support tools available to John Deere equipment owners today including the John Deere Operations Center, Equipment Mobile, and Shop.Deere.com these provide customers even more control over how they use, maintain, diagnose, repair, and protect their machines. The increased functionality of Operations Center PRO Service also replaces John Deere Customer Service ADVISOR™, which will be phased out over the next year. “The launch of Operations Center PRO Service is a significant milestone that adds to John Deere’s existing tools, and it reaffirms our longstanding commitment to empowering customers to choose how they repair their equipment,” said Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket & Customer Support. “Importantly, our development of these tools reaffirms John Deere’s support of customer self-repair. We view continuously enhancing self-repair as consistent with our mission to ensure John Deere customers have the best machine ownership experience possible.” In addition to equipment owners, a local service provider can also use Operations Center PRO Service. With a John Deere equipment owner’s permission, independent providers can gain access to diagnostic and repair information to support the equipment owner’s needs. “Our message to our customers is clear,” continued Caldwell. “Whether you want the support of your professionally trained and trusted John Deere dealer, to work with another local service provider, or to fix your machine yourself, we’ve created additional capabilities for you to choose the option that best fits your needs.” Operations Center PRO Service is based on foundational capabilities that are available at no additional cost upon purchase of John Deere equipment through Operations Center Service Overview and Equipment Mobile, including: Operator’s manuals Active and stored diagnostic trouble codes Secure software updates JDLink™ information Warranty information. The new Operations Center PRO Service delivers digital repair content filtered by year and model number, providing users with additional relevant machine information to help efficiently and accurately troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair their equipment. It’s designed to be intuitive and deliver actionable support in real-time. The service capabilities of Operations Center PRO Service are available through an annual license starting at just $195 USD per machine for customers. Specific features now brought together in a single customer interface include: Machine health insights and diagnostic trouble codes PIN-specific machine content, including manuals Software reprogramming for John Deere controllers Diagnostic Readings Diagnostic Recordings Interactive diagnostic tests Calibrations. Equipment owners can access Operations Center PRO Service through the John Deere Operations Center. Once connected to the platform, owners will add their equipment into their account using the machine’s serial number. Use of an electronic data link may be required for more advanced features within Operations Center PRO Service, including software reprogramming. Certain interactive tests, calibrations, and reprogramming limitations will exist at initial release. John Deere will deliver additional capabilities in future updates. Operations Center PRO Service is available only to John Deere customers in the US and Canada.  

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The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has announced a US$5 million investment in eight projects aimed at creating jobs, training the next generation of forestry workers, and helping small businesses play a greater role in protecting forests and communities from wildfires. Source: Bioenergy News The funding comes through CAL FIRE’s Business and Workforce Development Grant programme, which supports innovative approaches to reducing wildfire risk while promoting economic growth in rural areas. Since its launch in 2022, the programme has distributed over US$100 million to more than 100 projects across the state. “From hands-on training opportunities for young adults to new mass timber production within California, these initiatives are helping to build a more resilient future for both our forests and communities,” said Assistant Chief John McCarthy of CAL FIRE’s Wood Products and Bioenergy Team. “We are proud to support efforts that expand the workforce, improve forest health, and make use of woody waste instead of burning it.” The latest round of grants will fund a variety of initiatives, including job training programmes for youth and entry-level forestry workers, mentorship schemes connecting college forestry students with experienced professionals, and web-based courses to prepare candidates for the state’s Registered Professional Forester exam. High school students will continue to gain hands-on experience in forest science and management through long-running educational programs. The grants also provide business expansion support for companies to purchase equipment to treat more land for wildfire risk reduction and forest restoration. In Humboldt County, investment in mass timber production will create new jobs while encouraging the local use of sustainably harvested wood in construction. Altogether, the projects are expected to train more than 300 individuals, create or retain dozens of jobs, and expand the capacity to manage thousands of acres each year. These investments are in line with California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, which sets out strategies to improve forest health, protect communities, and deliver climate benefits through sustainable forestry practices. Funding comes from California Climate Investments and General Funds, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening the forestry sector.

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The largest and most modern consumer packaging board production line in Europe was inaugurated on 18 August in Oulu, Finland. Stora Enso’s Oulu unit serves the growing demand for renewable packaging globally and contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, the production site supports Finland’s competitiveness and increases exports with products of higher added value. Source: Timberbiz Stora Enso has invested EUR 1.1 billion in this production line together with other developments on the site area, amounting to a total of approximately 1.7 billion investments in the entire Oulu mill in 2019–2025. The investments made it possible to convert former paper machines into board lines utilising the latest technology, while the environmental impact has been reduced by cutting fossil carbon dioxide emissions by 90%. The mill produces folding boxboard, kraftliners, paper bag material, and unbleached softwood pulp. Board materials are suitable for direct contact with food. Almost all of the Oulu mill’s production is exported. “The Oulu production site is a strategically significant investment as it strengthens our leading position in high added value renewable packaging materials and increases Finland’s export revenue significantly. “Consumer packaging made from wood fibers has great potential to replace plastic packaging and our materials are designed for existing recycling streams. The nearly carbon-neutral production site in Oulu is a prime example of an investment in bioeconomy, and it concretely contributes to the transition from fossil materials to renewable and recyclable packaging,” said Hans Sohlström, Stora Enso’s President and CEO. The Oulu mill’s new production line utilises Stora Enso’s patented FiberLight Tec fibre processing technology. Technology enables the production of lighter, yet robust and durable boards. End products include, for example, different cardboard packaging for frozen, cold and dry food products, medicines, and beverage multipacks. “Our folding box board can be up to a third lighter than traditional boards, the material is efficient and durable and helps our customers to reduce the consumption of packaging material and at the same time reduce their transport emissions. This means also that they have very high added value. “Our mill’s location next to the deep port enables efficient logistics worldwide throughout the year. It is important for us to be involved in mitigating climate change,” said Matti Lielahti, Head of Stora Enso Oulu Business Unit. “We mainly use pulpwood purchased from private forest owners in Finland, small-diameter wood, and wood chips from our sawmills for board production. We also utilise bark and sawdust for energy production. The bioenergy produced in the mill is used for district heating in Oulu.” Stora Enso’s Oulu site has a long tradition in the region with the mill dating back to the 1930s. Today, it employs more than 900 people directly and indirectly many times more in the entire supply chain, wood transport, logistics, maintenance and service providers in the area. “Stora Enso’s billion-euro investment in Oulu will improve export operations, the vitality and competitiveness of the region and also of Northern Finland and bring more permanent jobs. We are pleased to actively contribute to the implementation of significant green transition industrial policy investments in accordance with our growth strategy,” said Ari Alatossava, Mayor of Oulu. Stora Enso’s new consumer packaging board line in Oulu is expected to reach its full capacity of 750,000 tonnes latest by 2027, when its annual sales are anticipated to be approximately EUR 800 million.

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Every year, around 400,000 tonnes of treated timber waste ends up in New Zealand landfills. Much of this is timber treated with copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA). But what if the solution isn’t about managing this waste better, but preventing it altogether? Source: Timberbiz A Marlborough sawmill is showing how the industry can break this cycle by combining arsenic free timber treatment, with renewable energy generation. It’s an approach that turns the traditional waste-to-landfill model on its head. “New Zealand’s construction and agricultural sectors have been grappling with this issue for decades,” says Sam Lees, Sales Manager at OneFortyOne Kaituna Sawmill. “With MCA treatment, we have a practical solution that works for everyone.” The shift centres on micronised copper azole (MCA) treatment – a copper-based preservative without arsenic. MCA timber is a tried-and-true solution that offers the same resistance to decay and mould as traditional treatments but opens up possibilities that CCA never could. Most significantly, it can be safely burned in Kaituna’s biomass boilers. This changes everything – it means timber offcuts and end-of-life MCA timber are now being repurposed in a boiler that runs on wood to create renewable energy. “Because MCA doesn’t contain arsenic, it changes the whole equation around disposal,” Lees explains. “Material that would’ve ended up in landfill now gets a second life, helping power our operations.” The sawmill has resource consent to include MCA-treated timber waste in its biomass fuel – combining it with sawdust and other wood residues to generate energy for kiln drying, creating a closed-loop, circular economy approach. Local builder Mark Thompson has seen the difference firsthand. “We’ve been using Kaituna’s MCA timber on decks and outdoor projects, and it’s really changed how we think about waste,” he says. “As builders, we generate a lot of timber offcuts, and honestly, it never felt great just dumping it all in landfill.” The environmental benefits have become a selling point with clients. “Now I can tell families that our waste timber goes back to Kaituna and gets turned into clean energy instead of rotting in a tip somewhere,” Mr Thompson said. The practical benefits matter too. “The offcuts get collected at no extra cost to us or the client. It’s doing the right thing environmentally without any financial penalty, which is pretty rare in construction these days,” Mr Thompson said. The shift is already making waves in the viticulture industry, where approximately 500,000 vineyard posts are replaced in Marlborough each year, many of which are currently dumped in landfills. Beyond vineyards, MCA-treated timber is gaining traction in residential and commercial construction. It qualifies for points under green building certifications like Green Star and Homestar, giving builders, developers and homeowners an alternative that doesn’t compromise efficacy or performance. Mr Lees, the next step is about shifting industry and consumer demand. “We’re seeing more builders and merchants asking about alternative timber options,” he said. “It’s about recognising that every project decision makes a difference – for our customers, our communities, and the environment.” Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7aT9zZTNrI&t=69s

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New Zealand’s largest Glulam timber manufacturer Techlam has been awarded the structural timber package for the Tonga Parliament redevelopment project by Westland Construction. Source: Timberbiz The contract includes the supply and fabrication of glulam timber components for the new NZ$60 million Fale Alea that will replace the original building destroyed by the 2022 tsunami. For Techlam, this represents an opportunity to once again showcase New Zealand-made engineered timber on the international stage, particularly in a building that will serve as the democratic heart of the Kingdom of Tonga. “It is not every day you get to contribute timber solutions to a building that will serve as the centre of a nation’s democracy,” Brett Hamilton, Techlam’s managing director, said. The project, which had been delayed after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption, has been collaborative from day one. Techlam was part of the design conversation from early on, working alongside Westland Construction, Holmes Consulting and Warren and Mahoney. This early contractor involvement is core to how Techlam operates on every project. By engaging during the design phase, the team can influence the layout, structural approach and detailing decisions, all of which significantly impact both cost and buildability. “The value engineering sessions were incredibly collaborative,” Mr Hamilton said. “We brought our manufacturing expertise to the table early, suggesting approaches that would work better from a fabrication perspective, while the architects and engineers pushed us toward solutions that served the building’s cultural and functional requirements.” For the Tonga Parliament project, this meant Techlam could optimise the timber design from their Levin facility’s capabilities in a controlled environment, while ensuring components would integrate easily on the construction site in Nuku’alofa. The architectural requirements include curved and complex glulam structures. This is exactly the type of challenging work that gets the Techlam team excited. “Our Levin facility is set up perfectly for this kind of work,” Mr Hamilton said. “With over 7,500m² of production space, we can handle the scale and complexity. More importantly, our team has the experience with curved glulam that makes these challenging shapes possible.” The fabrication process will soon be underway to meet both the structural demands and the architectural vision that will define Tonga’s new parliamentary home. For a New Zealand company, working on projects across the Pacific is about strengthening regional connections and demonstrating what Kiwi manufacturing can achieve. “The parliamentary building isn’t just infrastructure; it’s where important decisions about the country’s future will be made. We are proud that New Zealand engineered timber will be part of that story,” Mr Hamilton said. As procurement and fabrication continue through 2025, the Techlam team is focused on delivering components that meet the exacting standards this project demands. “Every project teaches us something new,” he said. “Building on our experience across the Pacific, from Cassidy International Airport in Kiribati to the EFKS Saleaula in Samoa and Lomani Island Resort in Fiji, this project brings its own unique challenges around precision and cultural significance. It’s exactly the kind of work that keeps us passionate about what we do.” The project is expected to be completed by 2027, with the parliamentary complex opening to serve Tonga’s legislature processes for generations to come.  

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One of Australia’s most important climate change fighting, job providing, cutting edge manufacturing and essential product creating sectors, was celebrated yesterday on National Forestry Day. Source: Timberbiz It was Australia’s 4th annual National Forestry Day – a day to celebrate the enormous and positive contribution Australia’s forestry and forest products sector and supply chain makes to Australia and the world. “National Forestry Day also aims to raise awareness about our industries among policy and decision-makers, elected representatives and the general public about the many and varied benefits the sector provides,” Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) Richard Hyett said. “Everyone remembers the shortage of toilet paper during COVID – just look around your home and you’ll see and realise how important forestry is to everyday life. Timber house-frames, floorboards, furniture, benchtops, tissues and paper products. Even the cardboard box or wood-fibre packaging your latest delivery came in. It’s all around us and it’s critical that we keep growing and manufacturing in Australia,” he said. “Unlike many other everyday products, those made from timber and wood-fibre are environmentally friendly and fight climate change by locking up carbon. Think recyclable paper and packaging over single-use plastics or structural timber over steel and concrete.” Australia’s Former Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb on the release on the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) review said that “the only pathway known to science that has immediate capacity – to remove greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, from the atmosphere is photosynthesis”. So growing trees removes CO2 from the atmosphere and then using timber in houses instead of other materials that emit CO2 in their production means timber provides a double benefit for the environment. Some quick benefits to keep in mind: Our full supply chain, from tree growing and forest management, through to harvest, haulage and transport and the manufacture of different sustainable products is responsible for 80,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jos The total economic output from across the sector totals around $24 billion annually Carbon storage measurements vary, but to give an idea, your typical timber house frame absorbs 9.5 tonnes of CO2-e from the atmosphere. When you include other timber and wood furnishings like floors, decks and furniture items, the figure can grow to 25 tonnes of CO2-e Our national plantation estate stores 258 million tonnes of CO2-e – equivalent to the emissions avoided by 56 million cars driven for one year United Nations science recognises that native forests managed for sustainable timber production generate the largest carbon mitigation benefit. CEO of the Australian Forest Contractors Association Tim Lester said timber and wood fibre is so ubiquitous in our lives it often goes unrecognised. “In our houses and offices, we are surrounded by forest products. There’s the timber you don’t see in the frames, the timber you do see in the furniture and features, and the timber that has been transformed in paper and cardboard,” he said. “National Forestry Day gives us a chance to talk about and celebrate these wonderful products, where they come from and the terrific people and businesses involved right along the supply chain. “In particular we celebrate the forestry services businesses who maintain an essential and critical workforce with specialist skills and equipment to undertake high risk and complex operations in challenging circumstances. “They are true environmental defenders driven by long-term sustainability and a desire to protect the resource for the long term. Every fire season we see forestry services businesses called into action because of their capabilities and knowledge. “Forestry provides high quality jobs in rural and regional areas, ensuring security and stability for thousands of families. The social infrastructure supported by forestry means build communities as well as houses. “National Forestry Day is a great chance to recognise the contribution of this sector in its many forms,” Mr Lester said.

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The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the Federal Government’s $300 million to support Australia’s future wood supply to meet increasing housing needs across the country. Source: Timberbiz “Australia’s forestry industry is a key part of Australia’s national economy and is critical to supporting our local manufacturing sector and delivering more housing in both our cities and across regional Australia,” said HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin. “Timber is a valuable resource, widely used in Australia’s construction sector, with over 70% of all house frames constructed with timber framing. “Demand for timber in housing construction is expected to grow by about 50% by 2050 as the population increases, therefore, it is critical to set the plans in place now to meet this future growing demand. “The housing industry needs certainty to plan out for the future, and a key part of this is delivering a secure ongoing supply of locally grown timber matched to increasing demand. “We know that with a growing population it will mean an increased demand for use of timber and wood-fibre, and it is essential for Australia to have a steady supply of sustainably sourced timber and wood-fibre resources.” Ms Martin said the announcement was timely given it was made on National Forestry Day and folloewd the recently released Timber Fibre Strategy, which sets out a pathway for the future growth of Australia’s forestry industry. “HIA remains committed to working with the government in delivery of the Timber Fibre Strategy which will play an important role and key input into tackling our national housing challenges,” she said.

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The Victorian State Government is fast tracking the establishment of timber plantations in Victoria, helping to boost local timber supply for construction and manufacturing and create more jobs. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence this week announced $10 million as part of the Victorian Plantation Support Program to establish new long-rotation timber plantations. “Demand for timber is expected to quadruple globally over the next 50 years, and we’re making sure Victoria has a secure supply,” Minister Spence said. “Victoria is already home to the nation’s largest plantation estate, and this funding will continue to strengthen our thriving and resilient timber industry.” This additional funding will be for projects approved under select rounds of the Commonwealth’s Support Plantation Establishment Program. Victorian growers looking to develop new plantations can receive up to $1000 per hectare under the program to assist with plantation establishment activities. Combined with the Commonwealth program, new plantations of 20 hectares or more in Victoria can receive up to $3000 per hectare, with a cap of up to $200,000 per project. As the winter planting season draws to a close, approximately 2.4 million tree seedlings have been planted this year through the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program by Hancock Victorian Plantations. This year’s planting has brought the total number of trees planted to more than 3.5 million. This program is the single largest investment in plantation establishments in the state’s history and will see up to 16 million trees planted over a 10-year period. The timber will create wood supply that will build Victoria’s future homes, create regional jobs, and produce paper and packaging products to replace single use plastics. “The planting of 2.4 million trees this year through the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when government and industry work together,” Victorian Forest Products Association CEO Andrew White said. “This is a terrific new initiative that will help overcome the upfront barriers to new plantation establishment. This investment is critical to securing the timber required to build more homes for Victorians.” The government’s $190 million investment to expand Victoria’s plantation estate is delivering its goal of creating new plantations across the state.

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Fifteen new projects worth a combined $19 million and spread across NSW, Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Northern Territory have been announced in Round 3 of the Support Plantation Establishment Program. Source: Timberbiz “From expanding Australia’s future wood supply to meet increasing demand, to helping grow a skilled and sustainable workforce, the Albanese Labor Government is investing $300 million into the long-term future of Australia’s forestry sector,” Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said. The funding will bring the total number of new hectares planted under the program to around 25,000 hectares. Total funding under the $73 million SPEP arrives in at over $46 million to date. “From expanding Australia’s future wood supply to meet increasing demand, to helping grow a skilled and sustainable workforce, the Albanese Labor Government is investing $300 million into the long-term future of Australia’s forestry sector,” Minister Collins said. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AFPA Richard Hyett said that over the past decade, the AFPA and the broader industry had advocated for government initiatives to assist in growing more production trees for Australia’s future and to meet future demand. He said that at the 2022 Federal Election both sides of federal politics committed to what is now the SPEP to encourage more production plantings. “We expect global demand for timber and wood-fibre to quadruple by 2050, and we must make sure that Australia has the sustainable resource growing in the ground to service our own needs as governments seek to decarbonise the economy, but also potentially to help the world with its growing demand,” he said. “A big thank you to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins who has championed our industry’s causes and understands the importance of sustainable timber and wood-fibre resources for the climate, environment, to support our full supply chain and for essential consumer markets.” Mr Hyett said that while the SPEP had some way to go before all funds were exhausted, the AFPA would continue working with the Federal Government to secure further, ongoing funding to support plantation expansion over the next few years. “We know that increased use of timber and wood-fibre in the economy is essential for Australia and the world to meet emissions reduction targets and a steady supply of sustainably sourced timber and wood-fibre resource is essential to make that happen,” he said.

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National Forestry Day was usually a time to celebrate the achievements of Australia’s forest and timber industries, with this year marking 150 years since George Goyder mapped out South Australia’s first plantation. Source: Timberbiz The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins said that National Forestry Day was an excellent time to highlight the importance of our forestry sector, from the jobs it supports in our regions to the significant impact it has on our national economy. “Today is also an opportunity to look to the future of this great sector, which plays an important role in supporting our Net Zero ambitions, and providing sustainable, high-quality, carbon-sequestering products that Australians need,” she said. But despite this milestone, the industry faces an uncertain economic future, according to South Australian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Paine. “South Australia is proud to be the birthplace of Australia’s plantation forestry industry,” he said. “For 150 years, generations of South Australians have grown and processed the timber that builds our homes, supports our manufacturers and retailers, underpins our farms, and sustains our economy and way of life. “Yet today, our timber processors are under unprecedented pressure from both soft domestic demand and the growing threat of surging imports,” he said. The United States had now lifted tariffs on Canadian timber to 35.19%, escalating a broader global trade shift with Canada explicitly identifying Australia as a key new market for its diverted supply. “The scale of potential trade diversion is alarming, especially as Canada exported an estimated 28 million m³ of lumber to the US in 2024 – equivalent to almost 2 million homes,” Mr Paine said. “And, even if 5% of Canada’s displaced supply were redirected to Australia, it would mean an additional one million m³ flooding into our market – a volume large enough to destabilise local processors and trigger mill closures.” This was not just a trade issue; it was a sovereign capability issue, and to protect Australia’s timber future, SAFPA has released its Our Timber. Our Jobs. Our Future. policy paper, calling for urgent government action. Key recommendations include: Maximise South Australian grown and processed fibre content in all State Government property projects and advocate for the Federal Government to adopt the same approach. Establish a State-level Supporting Domestic Manufacturing Strike Force to safeguard local capability. Promote retailer-led procurement of South Australian and Australian processed wood products. Support country-of-origin labelling for imported fibre in government projects. Invest in sovereign fibre and manufacturing capability while securing future plantation expansion and fibre supply. Mr Paine said that South Australians knew too well the cost of stepping in when an industry was on the brink of collapse. He said Whyalla was a stark reminder. The Whyalla steelworks is facing severe problems, primarily due to financial mismanagement and operational issues under the ownership of GFG Alliance. These problems have led to the plant being placed into administration, halting steel production for months and threatening thousands of jobs. The South Australian government has stepped in, forcing the plant into administration and pledging support to find a new operator. “While our industry remains solid, we cannot afford to ‘wait and see’ with Mount Gambier, the heart of Australia’s softwood industry,” Mr Paine said. “National Forestry Day should be a moment of pride, and it is. “But it must also be a call to action. SAFPA is working with industry to protect our sovereign capability, secure regional jobs, and ensure that the next 150 years of Australian forestry are defined by resilience, innovation, and sustainability – not disinvestment and decline. “Industry acknowledges the Government’s ongoing engagement and looks forward to working together to protect – and grow – our timber industries into the future. SAFPA will be seeking urgent discussions with the Government to secure support for these recommendations,” he said.

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