Australian timber industry news

US Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson and Andrea Salinas introduced the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act. This bipartisan legislation provides incentives for the use of mass timber building materials in federal contracting, giving timber and other forest products companies the ability to compete for construction, renovation, or acquisition of public buildings, and for military construction. Source: Timberbiz The bill creates a two-tier contracting preference for mass timber and other innovative wood projects. The first-tier preference applies to mass timber that is made within the US and responsibly sourced from state, federal, private, and Tribal forestlands. The optional second tier applies to mass timber products that are sourced from restoration practices, fire mitigation projects, and forest owners. Additionally, this bill contains a reporting requirement for a whole building lifecycle assessment. The results of this assessment will help provide additional evidence of the environmental benefits of the use of timber and forest products in buildings. “Timber and forest products have long been an important economic engine for the hardworking families and rural communities of Pennsylvania,” Mr Thompson said. “American forests, such as the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, are tremendous natural resources, and when managed responsibly, they serve as a long-term source of high-quality timber. We aim to expand markets for timber and innovative wood products that Pennsylvania’s foresters and mills are ready to support.” Ms Salinas said that Oregon has always been a leader in the US mass timber industry, which has supported economic growth across the Pacific Northwest. “Our wood products are sustainable and cost-effective building materials,” she said. “Incentivizing the use of mass timber in federal buildings will expand our state’s industry, support good jobs, and drive down the cost of construction, which will help address the housing crisis. By supporting Oregon timber, we reduce wildfire risk, increase forest resiliency, and shrink the carbon footprint of federal buildings.” Amy Shields, Executive Director of the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group (AHUG) applauded Congressman Thompson for introducing the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2026. “Federal leadership in mass timber construction sends exactly the right signal to spur the research, innovation, and private sector investment needed to grow this market,” said Ms Shields. “The legislation strengthens forest health, expands opportunities for Pennsylvania’s emerging hardwood CLT and mass timber sector, and delivers meaningful economic and workforce benefits for the forest reliant communities of the Allegheny region and across the Commonwealth. We’re grateful for Congressman Thompson’s steadfast support of America’s forest products industry, both softwood and hardwood, as we work together to build a stronger, more sustainable future.”

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PEFC has launched its new Project Sourcing standard, a major step forward in helping the built environment sector demonstrate responsible sourcing and traceability, while increasing demand for certified wood across the construction sector globally. Source: Timberbiz The new standard provides an independent, third-party system that enables organisations to demonstrate that the forest and tree-based materials used within a project are responsibly sourced, traceable, and supported by evidence. As demand grows for timber and forest and tree-based materials, including mass engineered timber elements such as cross laminated timber (CLT), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and glulam, the need for credible and verifiable sourcing claims has never been greater. The standard provides a practical system for developers, architects, contractors, designers, and specifiers to demonstrate their commitment to responsible sourcing and strengthen the link between sustainable forest management and the construction sector. Downland the Project Sourcing standard here.

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A tree, thought to be up to 1,200 years old, at the heart of Sherwood Forest and linked to the legend of Robin Hood is believed by experts to have died. Source: Timberbiz The gigantic Oak tree, known as the Major Oak, has been in visible decline for several years, despite tireless efforts to improve its health and prolong its life. This spring, the Major Oak failed to come into leaf and is now believed to have died. Although this marks the end of the Major Oak as a living tree, it does not mark the end of its story. The iconic oak tree remains a powerful presence in the landscape and an enduring part of our cultural heritage. The tree and soil beneath it will continue to be a vital refuge for wildlife and the knowledge we have gained by looking after the Major Oak will help preserve other ancient oaks across the country. Its legacy will live on through its saplings and the legends associated with it, with plans being drawn up with our partners, and the tree will continue to be a vital refuge for wildlife. For centuries, the Major Oak has been woven into the story of Sherwood Forest and the legend of Robin Hood. With a trunk circumference of around 11 metres and a crown of 28 metres, it captivated imaginations and sparked an affection that saw it win the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year title in 2014. The Major Oak was also the very first tree recorded on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory. Ancient oaks, the name given to oaks when they reach 400 years old, are biodiversity powerhouses, providing food and shelter for hundreds of species of insects, fungi, birds and mammals. Sherwood Forest holds one of the largest concentrations of ancient and veteran oaks in Western Europe. Protecting the remaining trees and nurturing the next generation of ancient and veteran trees is essential for the future health of the forest and the survival of many rare and threatened species. It is impossible to determine one exact cause of the oak’s demise, as it is the result of a complex combination of issues. For more than a century, well intentioned efforts to preserve the tree’s impressive shape – including metal bracing, props, concrete and coverings – prevented it from ageing naturally and in fact created added challenges to its survival. Millions of visitors also compacted the sandy soil around its roots, making it difficult for water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the tree. Recent investigations carried out by the site team with the UK’s leading soil scientists and arboricultural experts, revealed that the soil was extremely hard and lacking in life, and the root system was far smaller and weaker than earlier scans suggested. This combination of poor soil, human interventions and a weakened root system has been a major factor in the decline of the Major Oak. Additionally, climate change and the associated recent heat waves and droughts have compounded the challenges faced by the tree. Read the entire story at https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/the-major-oak  

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Australia’s annualised softwood log exports peaked year-ended September 2017 at 4.071 million m3, only ever breaching the 4.0 million m3 mark that month and the following month. By contrast to the current export volumes, 2017 seems a long distant memory. Source: Industry Edge As the chart below shows, annualised export volumes may have slipped away since then, but annual weighted average export prices peaked roughly one year ago, in April 2025, reaching AUDFob180.92/m3. Most recently, annualised export volumes have been stable, but export prices have been crumbling away rapidly but remain well above historic average prices.   Annual exports of softwood logs boost to 1.391million m3 Exports of softwood logs over the year-ended February 2026 totalled 1.391 million m3. In February, exports totalled 116,320 m3, at a weighted average price of AUDFob129.09/m3. Formal reporting shows India received 76% of the total, while shipments to China accounted for 21%. Tiny volumes continue to make their way to Vietnam and South Korea. Softwood Log Exports Over the year-ended February 2026, Australia’s total exports of softwood logs were 14.6% higher than the prior year, totaling 1.450 million m3. Reported monthly exports totaled 175,332 m3 in February 2026. For exports, softwood logs are differentiated as smaller or larger than 15 cm diameter. The distinction between log sizes was previously more noteworthy, but analysis becomes challenging as monthly export volumes are increasingly erratic, as seen in the chart. If the chart retains validity in current markets, it is in part to show the contrast over time. Larger logs (diameter >15cm) are dominating Australia’s exports. As the chart shows, trom 2021, the trend shifted away from favouring exports of the smaller diameter (<15 cm) logs. That appears to have changed again in recent years, with larger dimension logs again dominating export data reports and growing strongly from some regions of Australia. Although these logs are >15cm diameter at the small-end, industry reports demonstrate they are rarely sawlogs, with most <22cm SED. Over the year ending February 2026, exports of the smaller logs totalled 0.183 million m3 or 13.2% of the total, while shipments of larger logs totalled 1.207 million m3 (86.8%). Differentiation of exports based on diameter also allows for some price analysis. Export prices for the smaller logs have remained relatively stable in recent months, moving through a narrow range, while the average price of the larger diameter logs has fluctuated moderately more. Both are however trending down. In February, exports of the smaller logs tallied an average AUDFob131.81/m3 while the larger diameter logs saw prices at AUDFob128.21/m3. Originally published in Wood Market Edge online

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Australia needed to build more than 250,000 homes last year just to keep pace with demand growth and begin reducing the housing shortage but commenced less than 200,000 homes, according to the HIA. Source: Timberbiz “This is why home prices and rents are rising,” Tim Reardon, HIA’s Chief Economist, said. The ABS yesterday released its national, state and territory population data for the 2025 calendar year, covering births, deaths and migration. This shows that population grew by 412,500 and Net Overseas Migration (NOM) by 301,000 in the calendar year. “Australia’s housing shortage should be viewed as trying to squeeze 11 million households into 10 million homes,” Mr Reardon said. “Rising home prices, rising rents, elevated investor activity and a shortage of rental accommodation are all symptoms of a shortage of housing stock, not the cause of the shortage. “On top of that existing shortage, additional demand for homes continues to exceed.” Mr Reardon said that the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council (NHSFC) had forecast that Australia would continue to under-supply housing each year through to at least 2030. He said HIA’s modelling indicated that Australia’s housing shortage was likely to worsen more rapidly than NHSAC forecasts as population growth was likely to remain elevated, occupancy rates were likely to continue declining over time and unemployment is expected to remain low. “For those attempting to forecast housing demand based on the population growth in 2025, a common mistake that is made is as simple as dividing the population growth by 2.5 to calculate the demand for housing. This is wrong and dangerous and is part of the reason states and local councils have undersupplied housing for decades,”  Mr Reardon said. This week HIA released Beyond Population ÷ 2.5: Understanding Housing Demand in Australia which claimed that there weren’t one million vacant homes in Australia and why housing demand wasn’t just derived from migration. “With unemployment around 4.5 per cent last year, Australia would need to build more than 100,000 homes per year, even without population growth,” Mr Reardon said. “Demand for housing rises when the economy is strong. Households seek more housing space, occupancy rates decline, household formation increases and demand for second homes rises. It shouldn’t be the role of housing policy to deny households the ability to go on holidays. “Migration contributes to housing demand directly through population growth and indirectly through stronger economic growth. This means the relationship between migration and housing demand is not linear. A growing economy generates additional housing demand from the existing population,” he said. “The industry has always sought stable and reliable migration and has observed the opposite for the past six years. “The solution is not to deny that migration creates demand for housing. The solution, consistent with the findings of the Parkinson Review, is to ensure housing supply can respond to that demand.” Mr Reardon said the Australian government was responsible for setting the rate of migration, the States were responsible for building infrastructure and local councils were responsible for building homes. The Parkinson Review had highlighted the need for these three tiers of government to coordinate their priorities to address the shortage of dwelling stock. “The consequence of failure is predictable: rents rise, prices rise and affordability deteriorates,” he said. “The $2 billion in investment in housing infrastructure, announced in the Budget is a significant step in the right direction to lowering the cost of new housing supply. To make homes more affordable, governments need to lower the cost of delivering new homes to market. “Australia did not build enough homes to meet last year’s demand growth, let alone reduce the housing shortage that already exists. “Achieving the Housing Accord target of 1.2 million homes is therefore not optional. It is essential if Australia is to restore affordability and give more Australians access to secure housing. “If we want investors to leave the housing market, the solution is to increase the supply of homes, relative to demand growth, and ensure prices stop rising, rents remain stable and to allow renters to regain some market power over landlords,” Mr Reardon said. “Then, with time, investors will leave the housing market for other industry sectors that provide better returns. Attempts to regulate or tax investors out of the housing market have failed in the past and lead to higher home price growth, as demonstrated in this year’s Budget papers.” Several states and territories are now above their pre-pandemic decade population trajectories, led by Western Australia (+166,000) and Queensland (+143,200), particularly impressive for Western Australia with just over half the total population of Queensland. This is followed by South Australia (+45,100), Tasmania (+11,500), the Northern Territory (+6,400) and the Australian Capital Territory (+800). New South Wales (-86,700) and Victoria (-228,900) are still below their pre-pandemic decade population trajectories.

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Applications for the first ballot to register exotic forestry on marginal land in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) opens today. Source: Timberbiz The ballot is part of updated ETS forestry rules that took effect on 31 October last year. John Saunders, Director Forestry Operations at Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Services, says the changes establish a permit allocation system and clarify where exotic forestry can register in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). From Friday 19 June to Wednesday 22 July, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will run the first of two annual ballots to allocate permits covering up to 15,000 hectares of Land Use Capability (LUC) Class 6 land each year. This non-arable land is generally less suitable for productive uses than LUC Classes 1–5. Each ballot allocates 7,500 hectares, with 2,000 hectares reserved for small applications of up to 100 hectares. Successful permits enable registration of post-1989 forests on LUC Class 6 land in the ETS. Under 2025 reforms, landowners may also plant and register up to 25% of their LUC Class 1 – 6 land in exotic forestry within the ETS. Land entered via ballot permits sits outside this allowance. “The updated legislation establishes a structured allocation process and provides clearer eligibility criteria,” Mr Saunders says. “Permits are allocated through a ballot system based on a random draw, and a reserved category for smaller applications aims to enable participation across a range of project sizes.

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Australia’s most significant overhaul of national environmental law in a generation is about to reshape federal oversight of forest management, and many of the operators it will affect are still working out what it means for them. Source: Timberbiz To help unpack that uncertainty, Forestry Australia and the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Centre for Climate-Smart Forestry (AFWI CCSF), are co-hosting a free webinar on Monday 22 June, drawing together legal, certification and carbon expertise to map the compliance landscape taking shape under the reformed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Co-hosted with the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Centre for Climate-Smart Forestry (AFWI CCSF), the one-hour session, Understanding Australia’s EPBC Act Changes: Implications for Forest Managers, runs from 1:00pm AEST. Forestry Australia CEO Jacquie Martin said the reforms would reshape obligations across the sector. “These reforms have significant implications for forest management, not just for native forest managers but also for private forest owners and plantation operators who are already navigating complex regulatory and certification environments,” Ms Martin said. The reforms reach well beyond the public native forest estate. Private forest owners and plantation operators will also face new obligations, and the webinar is pitched squarely at the practitioners who will have to apply them day to day. It works through the incoming requirements that forest operations must navigate and demonstrate. Much of the substance of the reforms is still taking shape. New national standards, which all operations will need to meet, remain in draft, and the reforms have triggered a structural shift for areas currently covered by Regional Forest Agreements in how harvesting operations are assessed and approved. The session canvases the questions still hanging over the sector, from the role of third-party certification to how new definitions and requirements might affect operations in practice. The panel has been chosen to speak to both the policy intent and the operational reality. Leading the session is Associate Professor Philippa McCormack, Policy, Economics and Society Theme Lead at AFWI CCSF and a research fellow at the Adelaide Law School. A vice president of the National Environmental Law Association from 2021 to 2024, she brings the regulatory and legislative view of where the reforms are heading. She is joined by two practitioners who deal with compliance on the ground. David Bennett, risk and compliance manager at PF Olsen and a forester with legal qualifications, oversees the company’s Australian risk and compliance systems, with expertise spanning sustainable forest certification, auditing and heavy vehicle regulation. Tom Schraenkler, carbon and forestry manager at Sumitomo Forestry, rounds out the panel, anchoring the discussion in operational realities facing private growers. The session carries 1.00 RFP CPD point for Registered Forestry Professionals and is free to members and non-members alike. Registering is essential to receive the joining link, and a recording will be circulated to those who cannot attend live. Participants will also be invited to contribute to a follow-up survey and workshop shaping the sector’s engagement with the reform process. Registrations close at 10:00am on Sunday 21 June, ahead of the session running from 1:00pm AEST on Monday 22 June. Go to https://www.forestry.org.au/webinar-understanding-australias-epbc-act-changes-implications-for-forest-managers/ to register for the Webinar.

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Forest & Wood Products Australia is evolving its strategic focus in response to member feedback, with an increased emphasis on broader stakeholder and community engagement. Source: Timberbiz FWPA says the shift is designed to strengthen understanding of the forest and wood products industry’s role and value across the communities in which our members operate. To support the new direction, FWPA will create a new Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager role. FWPA says the position reflects an evolution of its engagement approach, aligning resources to deliver more integrated outreach across education, community engagement and stakeholder relations, while building greater awareness, understanding and support for the industry. As part of this transition, Beth Welden’s ForestLearning Program Manager position has been made redundant as FWPA moves to a broader, organisation-wide engagement model. Beth will finish with FWPA at the end of June, after nearly nine years leading the ForestLearning program. “We thank Beth for her dedication to forest and wood product education and her significant contribution to ForestLearning,” FWPA said in a statement. “Through her work, Beth has helped strengthen educational engagement with Australia’s forest and wood products sector and establish ForestLearning as a valued national resource for teachers, students and FWPA members, including through nationally award-winning education initiatives.” ForestLearning will continue as FWPA’s dedicated forest education brand and will be supported as an important component of the organisation’s engagement activities. FWPA says it remains committed to working closely with members, educators, communities and stakeholders to ensure its programs continue to deliver value and strengthen confidence in Australia’s forest and wood products industry.

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Two of New Zealand’s leading forestry businesses are celebrating the completion of their successful merger with the launch of a new name and brand identity to support ambitious growth plans. Source: Timberbiz PF Olsen and Forest360 announced their merger late last year, backed by new investment from Adamantem Capital’s Environmental Opportunities Fund, and the support of PF Olsen cornerstone investor Quayside Holdings. Uniting under the Stand brand marks a new chapter for the business which combines 75 years’ experience, a workforce of more than 200 skilled professionals and 480,000ha of forestry under management on both sides of the Tasman. Stand Forestry Group CEO Dan Gaddum says the new name proudly reflects the business’ practice and principles. “While a stand is a unit of trees it also speaks of taking a position, standing for something. It reflects our commitment to managing each stand with care, skill, knowledge and discipline and encapsulates our commitment to forestry with purpose – growing natural capital for good,” he said. “The new name also symbolises how we’re bringing together the people capabilities and cultures of PF Olsen and Forest360 under a shared identity and common purpose. “By merging two leading New Zealand forestry businesses, Stand is now stronger than its parts. We’ve not only strengthened our core forest and harvest management expertise; we’re also well positioned to accelerate growth.” As an example, Stand sees opportunities to grow its carbon consulting business on both sides of the Tasman. It recently launched a new carbon joint venture model in New Zealand making it easier for farmers and landowners to partner with specialist Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) expertise for mutual benefit. “Stand’s ambition is to lead the sector in navigating emerging opportunities, be at the forefront of new technology and smart thinking and deliver responsible outcomes to secure financial and environmental resilience for generations to come,” Mr Gaddum said. “Standing together as one united team is an important part of that. Clients and industry participants can now expect to see the Stand brand roll out across all of our communications.”

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Timber buildings have long defined Brisbane. From the classic Queenslander home to the bones of the Teneriffe woolstores, wood has been at the heart of the city’s-built environment for over a century. With the eyes of the world turning to Brisbane for the 2032 Games, we have an opportunity to combine this heritage with cutting-edge construction technology to demonstrate mass timber construction to a global audience. Timber is a renewable resource, it stores carbon rather than releasing it, and when a timber building is designed and built properly, can be disassembled and reused for future projects. It is one of the few ways the built environment can actively reduce emissions. But the window to influence the design and procurement for Games construction is closing. The barriers to building infrastructure projects out of timber are no longer technical, they are commercial and procedural. Instead, the holdup is now in ensuring decision makers have the confidence across five key areas: program and delivery certainty, cost escalation and commercial risk, supply capacity and sequencing, procurement integrity and compliance, and risk allocation across design, manufacture and construction. These are problems the industry can solve but require a different approach than showcasing designs. The Australian Research Council Research Hub to Advance Timber for Australia’s Future Built Environment (ARC Advance Timber Hub) researchers are creating new and innovative ways of utilising timber to increase modularity, to be designed for better disassembly, as well as improving procurement frameworks and supply chains. The proof that timber works for major buildings already exists locally and globally. In Australia, the new Sydney Fish Market, University of the Sunshine Coast’s Moreton Bay Campus, and Boola Katitjin at Murdoch University (the southern hemisphere’s largest timber building) have been leading the way. On a smaller scale, projects like QFES North Coast Regional Headquarters – Maryborough Fire & Rescue Station and Inala Infill Apartments show modern timber construction is taking place in government infrastructure and social housing across South East Queensland. Globally, the Paris Games proved that timber was a viable product for Olympic infrastructure. The Paris Olympic Aquatics Centre is a timber-led hybrid structure that successfully hosted major sporting events in a high-humidity environment. We have already convinced designers. It is the decision makers, who tend to navigate back to the materials they are used to, that we still need to convince. We are moving from a period of education and advocacy to enabling decision making. Changing the conversation from ‘can timber do this?’ to ‘this is how you manage a timber build.’ To help change this conversation, The University of Queensland is hosting the Queensland Timber Trajectory forum in June. It will feature presentations and discussions from architects, engineers, designers and suppliers that answer the questions clients ask – why timber, and how to resolve any cost and procurement challenges. Brisbane has been building with timber for over a century. In 2032, it has the chance to show the world what that looks like at its best. We have the technology; we just need to make the decision. The Queensland Timber Trajectory forum will take place at the University of Queensland on 30 June 30 12:00pm – 5:00pm at the GHD Auditorium, University of Queensland, St Lucia. This article was originally written as a Thought Leadership piece for the Property Council Australia by Dr Paul Matthew, The University of Queensland, School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

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From strategic decisions shaping the future of the PEFC alliance to discussions on forest resilience, timber construction and sustainable innovation, the PEFC Forest Forum 2026 brought together the global forestry community for a week of exchange and collaboration in Istanbul, Türkiye. Source: Timberbiz Members and colleagues from 40 countries gathered from 11–14 May to strengthen connections across the network, share knowledge and explore how PEFC certification can support resilient forests, responsible supply chains and sustainable development. The week culminated in a public conference showcasing Türkiye’s growing role in advancing sustainable forest management and certification. Throughout the week, participants shared experiences and insights from across the PEFC network, discussing opportunities and challenges facing forests and forest-based industries around the world. A key milestone of the Forum was the 34th PEFC General Assembly, where members approved the PEFC Project Sourcing standard and the associated requirements for certification bodies. These approvals mark an important step forward in supporting responsible sourcing for construction and other project-based sectors. The General Assembly also welcomed The Navigator Company and Sumitomo Forestry as new PEFC international stakeholder members, further strengthening the PEFC alliance and expanding engagement across the forest sector value chain. Members additionally elected Emma Berglund and Kurt Ramskogler to the PEFC Nominations Committee. The public conference day focused on the opportunities and challenges facing Türkiye’s forest sector as it moves towards its first PEFC Sustainable Forest Management certifications. Four panel discussions brought together national and international experts to explore how certification can support resilient forests, responsible supply chains and sustainable economic growth. The first panel examined the role of timber construction in supporting low-carbon development and resilient infrastructure, particularly in earthquake-prone regions. Discussions highlighted innovation in modern timber architecture, the advantages of timber as a high-performance building material, and the growing role of PEFC Project certification in verifying responsible sourcing. The second panel focused on forest resilience and climate adaptation. Speakers explored how sustainable forest management and certification can help forests respond to increasing pressures from climate change, drought, pests, and wildfires, while supporting biodiversity conservation and resilient communities. Attention then turned to Türkiye’s certification journey, with discussions highlighting the expansion of forest certification, advances in digital monitoring and traceability systems, and the opportunities PEFC certification can create for international market access and credibility. The final panel explored the potential of non-timber forest products, including medicinal plants, honey, natural oils, mushrooms, and cork. Speakers highlighted opportunities for innovation and value-added production, as well as the role sustainable forest-based value chains can play in supporting rural livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. The Forum concluded with a field trip to Istanbul’s Atatürk Arboretum and Belgrade Forest. Guided by forestry students, participants explored the area’s rich diversity of tree and plant species and learned about its role in forest education and research. The visit also provided insights into forest fire monitoring and prevention efforts, including a stop at a fire observation tower overlooking the Bosphorus.

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As timber harvesting operations demand higher productivity, improved operator control and greater versatility across applications, Kesla introduces its new generation of forwarder cranes. Source: Timberbiz The new F-series covers the size classes KESLA 9F/FT, 10F/FT, 12F/FT and 14F/FT. The range has been developed to meet these evolving industry requirements by combining performance, precision and modularity with proven durability and life-cycle efficiency. The four size classes in the new range offer a gross lifting moment of 120–180 kNm, covering a wide spectrum of the most common forwarder sizes. Each model is available both as a single-extension F-version (reach 8.2 m) and a double-extension FT-version (reach 10.07 m), enabling an optimal solution for varying operational and reach requirements. Two different pillar height options for each model allow flexible integration with different base machines and applications. The KESLA F-series has been developed as a unified product family, where key structural solutions and operational characteristics remain consistent throughout the range. This supports: efficient production, easy maintenance, a consistent user experience, smooth integration with OEM partner machines, efficient spare parts management.   During development, extensive customer feedback from existing cranes on the market was collected and combined with comprehensive field testing across different markets. The cranes have been tested in multiple applications and on various base machines, with highly positive user feedback – particularly regarding motion control, power feel and swing torque. Key benefits for the operator Performance: strong lifting torque and smooth power delivery across the entire working range. Controllability: precise and predictable movements in all working situations. Geometry: optimized boom dimensions, efficient operation with minimal crane movement. Durability: thoroughly tested structure both in forest conditions and on test benches. Serviceability: designed for easy maintenance. Smart hydraulics: proven hose routing solutions and component selection; internal hose routing inside the extension boom is a patented solution.   The modular design of the F-series enables a wide range of configuration options to meet different customer needs. The cranes are compatible with various link options and offer multiple pillar height alternatives, facilitating integration with different base machines and applications. The modular approach also minimizes the number of spare part items, supporting efficient product support. Thanks to the versatility of configurations, the new F-series cranes are also well suited for feeding chippers and other industrial applications. “The F-series represents a new level in Kesla’s crane development. By listening closely to crane users, we have combined our long experience with modern product development to create a product family that meets the needs of both machine manufacturers and contractors well into the future,” said Mika Tahvanainen, Product Management Director at Kesla.

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Global oil prices fell on Monday following news of a tentative deal between Iran and the US to extend their ceasefire agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but a veteran oil watcher doesn’t see crude prices returning to pre-war levels anytime soon. BNN Bloomberg Eric Nuttall, partner and senior portfolio manager at Ninepoint Partners, told BNN Bloomberg on Monday that traders are trying to determine where the price of oil will settle out in the coming days and weeks, as many key details about the deal still need to be ironed out. “Will the Strait of Hormuz actually be toll-free? The (US) vice president this morning said that those details are going to be worked out over the next 60 days, and that has a really profound impact,” he said. Stay on top of your portfolio with real-time data, historical charts and the latest news on oil Nuttall noted that even if the strategically important Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened as a result of the Iran-US deal, it will take time for oil markets to recover from the volatility of the last three and a half months. “Let’s acknowledge where we sit today; the market has forfeited 1.7 billion barrels of Middle Eastern (oil) production by the time the lag effect ends,” he said. “We will have lost roughly 11 million barrels per day of that production, and it can’t come onstream until ships are actually willing to not just leave the Strait empty but actually come back.” In addition to the logistical backlog and supply chain disruption, the war in Iran has caused extensive damage to petroleum facilities across the Middle East, Nuttall explained. “We also have enormous damage at a number of facilities, about 70 in the world,” he said. “I was in Washington last week and some of the scuttlebutt was that damage in some countries is far worse than has been let on.” Although the Iran war led to higher oil prices, which is typically a positive for North America’s major petroleum producers, Nuttall noted that energy investors “should never have wanted” the direction oil markets were heading prior to Monday’s ceasefire extension. “The US strategic petroleum reserve only really had 50 million barrels left of actual usable capacity,” Nuttall said, citing information he and his team gathered after recent meetings in Washington. “That would have been exhausted by July to August, so we think the US administration was under far, far more pressure than what they acknowledged, and the new normal, so to speak, for the oil market is much, much different than what it was three or four months ago.” Nuttall said he believes around US$80 a barrel for the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate will “serve as the approximate floor” for oil prices going forward. Oil prices were sitting at roughly US$70 per barrel prior to the start of the Iran war in late February. “Just getting all of this unbelievable, nausea-inducing volatility out of the way, where we have to spend our Saturdays following Donald Trump’s Truth Social network, hopefully those days are over,” said Nuttall. “But again, we will not have details for either days, weeks, or up to two months.”

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SouthPAN is boosting mapping and GIS accuracy for New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute. The Institute’s remit includes managing forest inventory, keeping track of pests and diseases, and supporting precision forestry operations. Source: Timberbiz First introduced in 2020, SouthPAN (Southern Positioning Augmentation Network) is now a core part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s forestry workflows. Accurate positioning is crucial for the Institute’s success; it wanted to see if SouthPAN could make a difference. SouthPAN, or the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network, is a space-based augmentation system that vastly improves the accuracy obtainable from the various GNSS such as GPS. A joint Australia/New Zealand project, it is being led by Geoscience Australia and Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). The Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao makes use of a wide variety of equipment and workflows that rely upon precision positioning, such as field mapping and UAV-based aerial imaging. Traditional positioning technologies such as handheld GPS units often can provide accuracy of only 15 metres in some challenging forestry environments. Utilisation of other systems such as RTK or higher-grade GPS units dramatically increases capital and ongoing costs. There are also the problems of sometimes-long acquisition times, which means more time spent in the field and inconsistent data quality due to variable positioning performance. That’s where SouthPAN comes in. The Institute put SouthPAN to the test using a low-cost GNSS receiver to see how its performance would compare with traditional systems. The evaluation showed that using the low-cost unit with SouthPAN can, for the Institute’s purposes, give results comparable with more expensive systems. Importantly, the combination resulted in sub-metre accuracy. This means the Institute has been able to capture more data, more quickly. “SouthPAN can help turn precision forestry into a more accessible and more scalable capability across forestry operations,” said Peter Massam from the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Other benefits include being able to standardise workflows, cutting point acquisition from three minutes to 20 or 30 seconds, and speeding up of data collection by three to five times. “SouthPAN delivers a quicker, more precise location in less time, with little to no post-processing,” Mr Massam said.

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The tree policy for Yarra Ranges residents has been officially updated at the last council meeting on 9 June, and the process for complaints along with it. Source: Ranges Trader Star Mail Aligning itself with principles across the council’s tree canopy strategy, nature and liveable climate plans, the new 2026 tree policy endorsed by councillors last week has had some changes made to the way complaints and reviews are managed. Bringing the complaints process into line with council’s customer complaint policy, residents must now settle issues or disputes over trees by going through a four-level complaint system. Previously, the residents unhappy with a decision to retain a tree could bring the matter through the Tree Management Team hierarchy, potentially involving senior managers and councillors. The policy also includes new sections and guidance on roots, infrastructure and cultural significance and was out for community consultation on the Shaping Yarra Ranges website from 15 January to 8 February this year. The policy was delayed for approval earlier in March when it was slowed from a majority vote by councillors. On 9 June, Councillors Gareth Ward and Tim Heenan spoke in support of the motion before it was put to a vote. “The substantive change in this version aligns with the decision review process with our customer complaints policy,” said Cr Ward. “When a resident queries a tree decision, they should encounter the same escalation pathway, the same accountability structure, and the same external review options they would find with any other council matter,” he said. “The community response during the consultation period was broadly supportive, and operational queries raised through submissions were addressed through the arrangements platform, so I’m happy to support tonight’s motion.” With around 1,250 ha of Council controlled parks and reserves, 1,757 kilometres of road corridors, and 600 km of roadsides on main roads, the policy said in a report on Australian local government tree canopy cover, Yarra Ranges was said to have the highest number of trees in Victoria and the second highest in Australia. Less operational than the 2017 document, the new policy references Council’s separate Tree Risk Assessment Framework and other operational documents in how they will manage trees on council-owned land and roadsides. The updated policy aims to balance the need to protect and retain trees alongside managing the risks they can pose to people and property. Cr Tim Heenan spoke about the level of supreme responsibility the council has regarding tree management, the large number of trees they deal with, and the high quality and experience the tree management staff bring to the table. “Over many, many years on council, we’ve had major issues with trees, either ones that we want to retain or ones that we believe should not be retained,” he said. “What we have in front of us here tonight, I believe, after everything that we’ve gone through, is a fair assessment of what we need to do for the future.” The motion, moved by Cr Gareth Ward and seconded by Cr Tim Heenan, was carried unanimously, with all councillors voting in favour.

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Engineers at the University of Auckland have carried out one of New Zealand’s most demanding full‑scale earthquake tests to understand how modular timber buildings behave under real‑world shaking. Source: Timberbiz The team, led by Dr Ashkan Hashemi and Professor Pierre Quenneville, along with PhD student Rajnil Lal, tested a two‑storey structure made from cross‑laminated timber (CLT). CLT is becoming increasingly common in modern construction thanks to its low-carbon profile and fast assembly. But despite growing interest in timber buildings, there is limited full-scale evidence of how they perform during major earthquakes. To address that challenge, the engineers developed a novel system that includes prefabricated building modules with a resilient seismic connection between floors and walls. The system allows the structure to move in a controlled way during an earthquake, reducing the forces that typically cause damage before returning the building to its original position. “This has the potential to become groundbreaking research,” Dr Hashemi said. “The future of the construction industry is modular buildings, with modules fabricated off-site and assembled on-site … New Zealand’s high earthquake demands have made this less feasible, but this research provides a novel solution.” The test was carried out on a two-storey timber building with the weight of a third storey simulated on top – a set up reflecting the medium-density townhouses and apartments now common across New Zealand. Testing took place at the University’s Structures Test Hall in Newmarket, one of the few facilities capable of shaking a full‑size building using realistic earthquake motions. Over several weeks, the team ran the structure through simulations based on real earthquake records, including both horizontal shaking and twisting motions to capture the complex forces buildings experience during major seismic events. The building remained stable throughout the tests, with no damage found in the main timber elements. About 60 industry professionals attended an open day to watch the system in action. Many attendees were struck by the building’s low damage performance and the fact it withstood 100 strong shakes without structural harm. “They were surprised because they’re not used to seeing a building sustain even one major earthquake, let alone a hundred,” says Dr Hashemi. The technology could support modular housing, mid-rise commercial buildings, schools, healthcare facilities and rapid-build projects in the future, all while reducing carbon and construction waste, he says. “This test proves that sustainable, fast-to-build timber structures can stand up to major earthquakes, and signals more seismically resilient construction is ahead.” The research was supported by the Wood Industry Development and Education (WIDE) Trust and Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE, along with sponsors from the timber construction sector. WIDE Trust funds a range of timber design, architecture and sustainable forestry projects at the University of Auckland.

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New Zealand’s forestry sector is set to benefit from sensible regulation to help meet environmental obligations whilst lowering the cost of compliance, Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. Source: Timberbiz “The wood and forestry industries are important contributors to New Zealand’s economy, supporting 42,000 jobs. Last year the sector contributed NZ$6.2 billion worth of export earnings,” Mr McClay says. “It’s prudent we set appropriate legislation and provide the tools that support the sector – and this Government has been fixing the basics to do exactly that.” Recent action from the Government includes: Further reducing the costs of participating in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry Updating the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF) with targeted changes to reduce the regulatory burden for forestry operators, while ensuring environmental risks continue to be managed Simplifying the legal harvest assurance to be voluntary and fit-for-purpose to better meet current and future business needs   “The last Labour Government wanted forest owners to pay an excessive NZ$30.25 per hectare per year to enter the ETS, forcing the sector to take legal action,” Mr McClay said. “Following consultation, we’re lowering that, for a second time, to $NZ10.28. “This represents a 66% reduction in the annual charge since the National-led Government took office. We have been working to ensure the system is fair, efficient and proportionate.” The updated structure also lowers ongoing costs for mature forests, addressing concerns about indefinite charges, and eight new targeted fees will be introduced to better align costs with services used. The Government has been focussed on cutting red tape for farmers and growers and this includes forestry. “Through targeted changes to the NES-CF we are making council rules more consistent, so the commercial forestry industry can meet their environmental obligations without being unnecessarily held back. “The current standard was designed to provide a nationally consistent framework for managing the environmental effects of plantation forestry. However, changes have allowed councils to bypass that intent by imposing more stringent rules without clear evidence or justification. “This change focuses on risk and will mean rules are targeted to sites where slash is most likely to mobilise and cause harm.” The forestry sector will also benefit from a simpler, fit-for-purpose legal harvest assurance system, with the Government agreeing to a model and to develop legislation to replace the 2023 mandatory system to better meet current and future business needs. “Consultation feedback was clear; that there is a better way to support legal harvest assurance without adding unnecessary cost and complexity. We have listened,” Mr McClay said. The redesigned model allows exporters to voluntarily access a government assurance to help underpin their work in international markets and competitiveness, by providing consumers’ confidence the products were harvested legally.

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Sustainable Timber Tasmania has officially wrapped up a late fire season, with expanded AI-powered camera and satellite-based detection technology supporting bushfire detection across the state. Source: Timberbiz In the 2025-2026 season, Sustainable Timber Tasmania increased its AI-powered smoke detection camera network to 11 sites with new cameras installed at the Dazzler and Platts fire towers in the northeast. Satellite-based detection was merged with the camera network, adding a new layer to the existing technology network. This introduces efficiencies with verification and improves overall coverage, particularly in remote areas, and provide an additional independent detection source. Between November 2025 and the end of May 2026, the network detected 1,112 potential ignition or smoke incidents and escalated 91 fires to Tasmania’s three fire management agencies, including 73 to Sustainable Timber Tasmania. The busiest detection sites for the season were Doodys, Mt Horror and Mt Arthur. An escalation refers to a detected fire that is not a registered or permit burn and requires further assessment or response. Sustainable Timber Tasmania remains committed to enhancing Tasmania’s ability to detect bushfires early and respond quickly, helping safeguard forests and communities.  

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The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has told a Senate Inquiry that the Federal Government’s proposed tax changes will result in 35,000 fewer homes, despite being promoted as a solution to Australia’s housing affordability crisis. Source: Timberbiz HIA warned the reforms risk undermining the Government’s broader housing agenda and called on Senators to reject measures that Treasury itself expects will reduce housing supply. “At a time when Australia is struggling to build enough homes, Treasury is forecasting these tax changes will deliver 35,000 fewer homes. That’s an extraordinary admission for a policy being sold as improving affordability,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said. “You cannot solve a housing supply crisis by making housing investment less attractive. More investment builds more homes – less investment builds fewer.” Ms Martin said the reforms rely on unrealistic assumptions about investor behaviour. “The changes assume investors will simply redirect their money into new housing. In reality, housing competes with shares, commercial property, term deposits and countless other investments. “Investors are free to take their capital elsewhere – and Treasury’s modelling suggests many will do exactly that. “The result will be fewer projects proceeding, fewer homes being built, and even greater pressure on affordability.” Ms Martin said the policy would do little to address the underlying supply challenge. “Budget papers indicate that around 75,000 existing homes may shift to owner-occupiers over the next decade. While increasing home ownership is a worthwhile goal, it does not increase the number of homes – it simply redistributes them. “Our core challenge is supply, and this policy does nothing to address it.” She added that the impact would be particularly acute in regional Australia, where smaller investors are critical to delivering new housing. “In many regional communities there are no large institutional investors waiting in the wings. Local investors are often the difference between projects proceeding or not. “Reducing their participation risks stalling much-needed housing supply in these areas.” HIA also said the reforms fail to recognise the role of diverse housing supply pathways, including knock-down rebuilds and medium-density developments. “A knock-down rebuild that replaces an ageing home with a modern, energy-efficient dwelling should be encouraged, not penalised. “It is also unclear why housing options such as dual-key developments and granny flats are overlooked, despite their capacity to increase supply.” Ms Martin said the changes come at the worst possible time, with Australia already behind schedule to meet the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes. “If we are serious about affordability, every policy should be judged on one question: will it deliver more homes? “On Treasury’s own numbers, these changes fail that test,” Ms Martin said.

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Queensland’s development sector is facing a pivotal moment, with a $127.5 billion pipeline of major projects expected over the next five years and growing pressure on project feasibility. Source: Timberbiz As construction costs rise and labour availability tightens, developers are increasingly focused on buildability, program risk and delivery models that can shorten timelines without adding cost. A Brisbane industry forum later this month will bring together tier-one contractors including Hutchinson Builders, Kane Constructions and engineering firm Aurecon to assess how prefabricated timber systems are performing across commercial and civic projects. Hosted by WoodSolutions, Timber Queensland and the ARC Advance Timber Hub, the Queensland Timber Trajectory forum will focus on the commercial realities of delivery, including procurement models, risk allocation and cost competitiveness. The discussion comes as developers face ongoing challenges with cost escalation, labour shortages and program delays, placing increased emphasis on methods that can accelerate delivery without increasing project risk. Recent Queensland projects are beginning to demonstrate how these efficiencies can be achieved. At the Inala Infill Apartments social housing project, cross-laminated timber floor panels were installed in just two days compared with a six-day program using traditional construction methods reducing crane time and improving build efficiency. Research across Australian mid-rise developments indicates prefabricated timber systems can further streamline construction by compressing program timeframes and reducing on-site labour demands. The forum will examine where these efficiencies translate into commercial advantage and the conditions required for broader adoption. Key sessions include: Olympic infrastructure insights: Lessons from the Paris 2024 Aquatics Centre and implications for Brisbane 2032 delivery, Tier-one builder perspectives: When timber construction becomes cost competitive at scale, Project case studies: Queensland examples demonstrating improved delivery outcomes. Timber Queensland General Manager Strategic Relations & Communications Clarissa Brandt said the industry was increasingly focused on performance outcomes.   “Developers are looking for greater certainty in delivery whether that is program, cost or risk,” Ms Brandt said. “Modern timber systems are part of that conversation because they can improve buildability, reduce site complexity and support more predictable outcomes.” The Queensland Timber Trajectory forum will take place at the University of Queensland on 30 June 30 12:00pm – 5:00pm at the GHD Auditorium, University of Queensland, St Lucia. More information at https://www.timberqueensland.com.au/event-details/woodsolutions-presents-queensland-timber-trajectory-award-winning-exemplars-showcasing-the-way-to-modern-construction

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