Australian timber industry news

The Forest Stewardship Council has appointed Dr Subhra Bhattacharjee as the new Director General, effective 1 October 2024. Source: Timberbiz Subhra Bhattacharjee brings more than 20 years of experience in public policy and programming in climate change and sustainable development, having worked closely with governments, NGOs, academia, and the private sector worldwide. She has worked for the United Nations, and prior to that for the Reserve Bank of India, with a brief stint in academia. Dr Bhattacharjee holds a Master of Philosophy in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from Iowa State University. “Subhra’s expertise and experience in international development and leadership will serve her well as she steps in at this critical juncture in FSC’s organizational growth,” Stuart Valintine, Chair of the FSC International Board of Directors said. Dr Bhattacharjee’s ambitious vision aligns with FSC’s mission and future goals, aiming to leverage its membership, network and collaborative partnerships to strengthen global forest stewardship for protection and sustainable management of the world’s forests. “It is an honour and a privilege to join FSC as Director General,” Dr Bhattacharjee said. “We must act urgently to mitigate the ongoing global climate and biodiversity crises, and the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of forests with respect for forest-dependent communities is critical for this. In this context, today FSC’s mission and role are more relevant than ever. I look forward to working with the whole FSC community and partners to maximize the contribution of forests to sustainable development.” Dr Bhattacharjee’s appointment brings new perspectives and energy to the organization, opening the next chapter in FSC’s mission to promote responsible management of world’s forests and securing their long-term resilience.

A group that represents the owners of New Zealand’s commercial plantation forests disputes that forestry is one the reasons behind the proposed closure of the Smithfield meatworks. Source: Radio New Zealand (RNZ) Alliance Group told staff on Friday it planned to fully close its meat processing plant in Timaru, with Federated Farmers saying land use change was to blame with farms being converted into carbon forests at alarming rates. The New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) said the area of production forestry across the country had decreased in the last 20 years, but Beef + Lamb New Zealand said focusing on total forestry area overlooked the impact of recent land-use change on the sector. Statistics from Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service show there was 1,696,604 hectares of forestry across the country in 2019. The total area had grown from1,176,614 in 1990 peaking at 1,827,339ha in 2003 but had fallen since then, with the same trend observed in Canterbury. Agricultural and horticultural land use data from Statistics NZ showed while the area devoted to sheep farming nationally had decreased over time (5,779,173ha in 2002 to 4,101,801ha in 2019), it remained higher than the total production area of forestry. Meanwhile, the area of land devoted to dairy in the region had increased over the same period (1,230,484ha in 2002 to 2,221,459ha in 2019). Forest Owners Association acting chief executive Brendan Gould said those statistics did not show forestry was responsible for the reduction in sheep farming nor the closure of regional meat works, given forestry was on the decline in Canterbury and at its lowest point in a decade. “Forest planting currently still hasn’t reached the levels it was at in the early 2000s …and from a plantation forestry estate, we are still 70,000ha smaller than we were 20 years ago.” He said land use change was likely having an impact, but it was not just forestry that was responsible. “In Canterbury, the area devoted to dairy has increased significantly over the last decade and that aligns with some of the feedback that we have been getting from our forest owners that afforestation rates have declined due to landowners prioritising land use towards pastoral farming.” Gould said the organisation was saddened to hear of the proposed Smithfield closure,which highlighted the pressure being felt across the primary industry sector, evident given the recent closures of the two Winstone Pulp International mills near Ohakune and the Oji Fibre Solutions mill in Auckland. “Much of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector is hurting right now with reduced export demand, increased regulation and compliance costs, staff shortages and also some of highest power prices in the OECD.” He said forest owners were supportive of integrated land use approaches where farming and forestry co-existed. “We certainly support landowners having the right to make decisions about how they use their land to their benefit.” Meanwhile, Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairperson Kate Acland said an analysis of farm title sales since 2017 showed nearly 300,000ha of sheep and beef whole farms were sold to be converted into forestry. “We know that for every 100,000ha of productive sheep and beef farmland sold, just under one million stock units are displaced and effectively gone from the sector.” Statistics NZ’s latest figures shows that New Zealand sheep numbers have declined since 2017 by 12% (3.2 million). “While there may have been less conversion in Canterbury, there has been significant conversion in parts of Otago and the ripple effects of land use change has consequences for capacity in the supply chain for each island.” Acland said despite the reduction of land area in forestry production since 2003, it was unlikely to go back to being farmed for sheep and beef, so the focus on land-use change was justified. She said the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on land-use change since the government signalled it was going to lift the cap on the carbon price was clear as prior to 2018, only a few thousand hectares of sheep and beef farms were sold to forestry each year. In 2017, 7000ha of sheep and beef farms were sold to forestry and preliminary figures for 2022 showed that had increased to over 70,000ha. “While the returns over a 30-year period between sheep and beef farming and forestry alone are quite similar, the ETS price significantly distorts forestry returns and therefore how much forestry can pay for sheep and beef farmland.”

Market confidence in new home building has strengthened in recent months, as investors and owner occupiers return to the market. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday released its monthly building approvals data for August 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. “Detached house approvals rose by 0.6% compared to July. House approvals in the three months to August 2024 were 11.2% higher compared to the same time the previous year,” HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said. “The steady increase in detached house approvals is offsetting a low volume of multi-unit approvals and total dwelling approvals in the three months to August 2024 were 5.0% higher compared to same time in the previous year. “Rising tax imposts on foreign investors and rising regulatory costs are compounding the challenges for apartment builders,” Mr Reardon said. “It has been almost eleven months since the last increase in the cash rate. Stable interest rate settings have provided the certainty needed to see a rise in home building confidence. “This is complemented by stabilising price growth for building materials, a return to normal build times, strong housing demand and low unemployment.” Detached house approvals in Perth and Brisbane were faring much better than in Sydney and Melbourne. Confidence in the Melbourne new home market had been adversely impacted by two new taxes. “The Australian Government cannot tax its way out of achieving the agreed national target of 1.2 million new homes,” Mr Reardon said. “Recent discussions on negative gearing and capital gains tax arrangements for residential property will undermine confidence in new home building. “The government’s focus should be on lowering the taxes, regulatory costs and excessive charges that make up as much as 50% of the final cost of a house and land package. House approvals over the three months to August 2024 increased by 47.5% in Western Australia compared to the same time in the previous year. This was followed by Queensland (+19.7%), South Australia (+10.0%) and Victoria (+8.4%). The other jurisdictions recorded a decline over the same period, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-18.6%), followed by Tasmania (-17.8%), New South Wales (-7.6%) and the Northern Territory (-6.8%).

A global forestry event attracted experts from NASA and remote sensing specialists from nearly 30 countries to Rotorua in September. Source: Timberbiz Crown Research Institute Scion hosted ForestSAT 2024, the most prestigious international conference on the application of remote sensing technologies for forest monitoring and modelling. The 10th edition, held in Australasia for the first time, united more than 300 specialists over five days. Scion’s general manager for Forests to Timber Products, Dr Henri Bailleres, says the conference was a chance for forestry practitioners to hear the latest research, and for scientists to share their knowledge and learn from each other. “The diverse representation underscores the conference’s global appeal and its role as a critical platform for addressing international forest monitoring challenges using advanced remote sensing and geospatial technologies.” Dr Bailleres adds the presence of experts from NASA provided a unique opportunity for New Zealand-based users of remote sensing tools and technology to engage with world-leading agencies. At the official opening of the conference, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said it was exciting to see the industry come together, and she thanked Scion for its contributions to Rotorua which she described as the centre of excellence in forestry and wood processing. Tapsell reiterated the importance of networking and encouraged delegates to use the time to explore positive opportunities. In his opening address conference chair Dr Michael Watt, a principal scientist at Scion, also encouraged attendees to network to grow together as a community, and to collaborate with others to push the boundaries of what is possible in forestry remote sensing. The conference included 44 general and special sessions, around 220 presentations and 37 posters covering topics ranging from groundbreaking missions to emerging areas. “The diversity of the special sessions showcases the breadth of innovation and critical challenges we are addressing in our field,” Dr Watt said. The conference featured two keynote speakers, including Dr Crystal Schaaf, a Professor Emeritus and Research Professor in the School for the Environment at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Dr Schaaf has been involved in two NASA satellite missions for more than 25 years. The second keynote was Pablo J. Zarco-Tejada, a Professor in Remote Sensing in the faculties of Science and Engineering, University of Melbourne. Data analyst Melanie Palmer was among 10 Scion staff who delivered presentations, with many more who faciliated sessions, attended workshops and contributed to the overall success of the international conference. Ms Palmer updated attendees on the progress of Forest Insights, a prototype for a new interactive tool that provides the forestry industry with powerful inventory information. Developed by Scion in collaboration with Indufor Asia Pacific, Forest Insights leverages deep learning and high-resolution imagery to identify and map forests. This precision is crucial for understanding the composition of New Zealand’s forests, including small-scale forests. The AI model can accurately differentiate between various tree species, including Radiata pine, Douglas-fir and eucalypt, making it a powerful tool for forest managers seeking to monitor specific species across regions. Forest Insights started last year by mapping forests in the East Coast and Bay of Plenty. The prototype is on track to have the North Island fully mapped soon, with parts of Northland, Auckland and Wellington the only regional areas outstanding. With radiata pine less prevalent in the South Island, the next phase will focus on expanding the dataset to include other exotic species, ensuring forest monitoring across the entire country. The integration of LIDAR will provide even more detail, allowing for more comprehensive canopy insights. In a wildfire-focused research session, Dr Laura Kiely from Scion’s Fire and Atmospheric Sciences team, provided an overview of wildfires in New Zealand. She highlighted the importance of smart firefighting, using data and models to predict and suppress fires sooner. The New Zealand Wildfire Risk Map research project underway at Scion aims to create a spatial map of wildfire risk, incorporating ignition probability and fire spread models. The team’s goal is to run 500,000 model simulations to develop a better understanding of wildfire risk that covers all of New Zealand. Once developed, it will be useful for landowners, environmental managers, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and councils. During a field trip conference participants also got to see technology in action with demonstrations of how organisations, such as Interpine Innovation, are using backpack-mounted LIDAR scanners to capture data and create 3D duplicate views of forests.

Forest & Wood Products Australia has launched the new FWPA Data Dashboard, an essential tool designed to empower Australia’s forest and wood products industry with access to crucial data, insights and forecasts. Source: Timberbiz This innovative platform, available as a complimentary benefit exclusively to full levy-paying FWPA members, provides a wealth of new information aimed at enhancing decision-making and driving business success across the industry. “The new dashboard represents a significant upgrade, offering a more advanced platform that enhances usability and functionality,” said Erick Hansnata, Statistics and Economics Program Manager at FWPA. “With a wealth of new data series added, the new FWPA Data Dashboard is designed to empower our members and industry in their business planning and decision-making processes.” Key features of the new FWPA Data Dashboard: Macroeconomic indicators: Gain insights into GDP and GVA trends, enabling informed economic strategies. ABARES Australian Forest and Wood Product Statistics: Access the latest, detailed data specific to the Australian forestry sector. FWPA’s softwood data series: Stay ahead with regularly updated industry statistics. International forest production and sustainability data: Understand global production metrics and sustainability initiatives Monthly trade activities data and forecast: Stay updated with export-import data and forecasts specific to wood products Building activities data and forecast: Receive insights on current and projected building activities in the sector Detailed research and analysis: Benefit from regular highlights and updates provided by FWPA’s Statistics and Economics team. “The FWPA Data Dashboard includes forecast data and comprehensive market analysis, equipping our members with the insights needed to navigate the dynamic landscape of the forest and wood products industry,” FWPA CEO Andrew Leighton said. “The platform is designed with future growth in mind, ensuring that we can expand its capabilities based on the evolving needs and interests of our members and the wider industry.” In addition to its exclusive complimentary availability to full levy-paying members, FWPA will soon introduce a subscription feature, offering FWPA Associate members and other interested users access to the new dashboard for a reasonable annual fee. FWPA’s public data dashboard will continue to be publicly available via the website. FWPA’s commitment to enhancing industry competitiveness and sustainability through innovation, research, and reliable data remains at the core of this initiative. By equipping members with powerful data insights, the FWPA Data Dashboard ensures better decision-making, driving growth and productivity across the sector. Learn more: https://fwpa.com.au/news/introducing-the-new-fwpa-data-dashboard/ and https://fwpa.com.au/data-dashboard-member-login/  

Tasmania’s peak forestry industry body, the Tasmanian Forest Products Association, has welcomed the release of a draft Private Senator’s Bill by Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck yesterday. Source: Timberbiz The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Amendment (Reconsideration of Decisions) Bill 2024 aims to introduce limitations on time frames allowed for reconsideration of EPBC decisions, and limits those who may seek reconsideration after a period of three years. TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said the Bill will protect jobs and regional economies across Tasmania by giving businesses certainty when investing in new projects. “Even though the EPBC Act is just a part of the current Tasmanian Regional Forestry Agreement’s (RFA) environmental assessment mechanism, any change to the EPBC Act could have a devastating impact on our regional forestry communities, as we have seen in other industries across the state,” Mr Steel said. Mr Steel said investing in the resources sectors in Tasmania needs to be made secure, to protect jobs, regional communities and the millions of dollars the industries bring to the Tasmanian economy. “Financing forestry endeavours in Tasmania is an expensive and long-term investment. Without certainty that that investment will pay off, our members can find it difficult to find finance for their projects,” Mr Steel said. “Forestry, and the entire Tasmanian resources sector, fully supports Senator Colbeck’s Bill, and I call on all Tasmanian Members of Parliament, as well as those who care about regional jobs across Australia to support this important piece of legislation.”  

October marks the start of the bushfire season in many Australian states, our forest industries are well prepared for any potential threat to forestry assets, neighbouring farming areas, nature reserves and most importantly regional communities. Source: Timberbiz “The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) acknowledges the leadership shown by forest industry companies in investing in firefighting resources and strengthening their tactical relationships with emergency services and volunteers in local communities to combat bushfire threats” said AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam. While the bushfire season runs for six months from October, fire management is a year-round process, and our forestry companies invest a significant amount of effort and resources into prevention and preparedness activities to ensure our staff are educated and prepared to the best of their ability to protect Australia’s forest estates Ms Hallam said. Australia’s bushfire history illustrates the importance of investing in fire detection and prevention technologies and upgrading existing assets to ensure there is an additional layer of protection to safeguard and mitigate against potential disasters. Australia and our forest industries cannot afford another 2019/20 Black Summer event, after a total of 129,000 hectares of commercial plantations were burnt, causing significant impacts to long-term timber supplies in our domestic market and destroying native ecosystems and high-value habitats for flora and fauna species. “Uncontrolled bushfires not only negatively impact the livelihoods of regional towns, but also the health of the environment particularly through the release of additional carbon emissions. It has been calculated that the 2019/20 black summer fires released a total of 900 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the annual emissions from worldwide air travel in one year,” Ms Hallam said. “Our forest industries represent international best practice for preparedness and prevention in combatting bushfires, and as we enter into a possibly gruelling summer, we extend our appreciation in their commitment and protection to the land, the forestry estates and neighbouring communities.” The bushfire seasonal outlook indicates our forest industries in many parts of the nation could be severely impacted this summer due to recent drier than average conditions and mean temperatures possibly being above average over summer.  

The Hyne Group has acquired Pinetec, a pallet and packaging business based in Perth, Western Australia. This is the Hyne Group’s first manufacturing presence in the West in its 142-year history. Source: Timberbiz Earlier this year, the Hyne Group announced its expansion into pallet manufacturing following the acquisition of Rodpak Pallets & Packaging in Melbourne and Express Pallets & Crates in Brisbane. The Pinetec business has operated for more than 30 years (15 years with the current owners) with an excellent customer base across a range of essential sectors such as mining, industrial chemicals, engineering, building products and the transport industry. The business model is very compatible with the long-term partnership approach that Hyne Group operates under. Hyne Group CEO, Jim Bindon said Pinetec will continue to operate as usual but with the benefit of being part of a global network, “This expansion of our pallet division into the West is exciting times for both the Hyne Group and Pinetec,” he said. “I am also really pleased to advise that the two previous shareholders of the Pinetec business will remain involved in the Hyne Pallets division, as will all the existing staff. “One of those shareholders, Ian Smith, is the Pinetec General Manager, and I welcome his continued expertise and support in this role. “With the broader support of the Hyne and James Jones Groups, Pinetec’s capability and credentials as a business partner to their many customers, will only be enhanced.” Mr Bindon said. Pinetec’s other shareholder, Dean Roderick, is the general manager of Rodpak which has been part of the Hyne Group since May 2024, and Mr Roderick remains an integral part of the Hyne Pallets management team. Mr Roderick said the sale of his and Mr Smith’s Pinetec business to the Hyne Group is exciting, as is already being experienced by the Rodpak business. “With Pinetec coming into the Hyne Group fold, it is no longer a stand-alone business in the West, but immediately part of a global family with the ability to leverage from that, as we have been able to do at Rodpak,” he said. “Not only does this present really good opportunities for our team members, customers and suppliers, but it further diversifies the Hyne Group geographic footprint to ensure efficiency and growth into the future.” The acquisition of Pinetec will finalise on 1 November 2024, subject to all Completion Precedents being met.

The Komatsu C124 has received significant upgrades for the 2025 model year, aimed at boosting productivity and user experience. Source: Timberbiz Key improvements include a redesigned valve block and enhanced hydraulics for the feeding system. Feedback from test customers who tried the prototype has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly noting the head’s smooth operation and efficient feeding. The most notable upgrade is the introduction of a new valve bank, which offers improved durability, reduced wear, and lower energy losses resulting in fuel savings. Additionally, the pressure control for the front and rear knives has been refined for greater precision, with adjustments now fully managed via software. This allows operators to easily control settings like the knives’ opening pressure from inside the cab. The hydraulics for the tilt functions have also been improved, resulting in smoother operation and potentially higher measurement accuracy during processing. To ensure high and consistent measurement quality, Advanced length measuring is now standard on the C124. This update includes a stronger cylinder and a modified mechanical stop to reduce wear. The saw unit has been redesigned with additional clearance between the saw bar and frame to prevent collisions. A reinforced, curved base plate enhances durability while reducing the unit’s ground footprint. The updated design also provides more space around the saw motor, making daily maintenance easier and more accessible. The new feed system features high-flow motors that enhance performance and reduce energy losses. The upgraded system also includes improved hose routing for easier servicing and extended service life. An optional reinforced hose protection layer is now available to further increase hose longevity. The 2025 model introduces the “Find End” option, which automatically resets length measurements without requiring a new cut, reducing waste. The option has been updated with a protected lens and debris-resistant design for longer service life. Other enhancements include improved centring for small stems, stronger bushings with better sealing for front delimbing knives, and new feed rollers with spikes for better grip and measuring accuracy in challenging conditions. These upgrades collectively make the Komatsu C124 more efficient, durable, and user-friendly, offering operators greater control, reduced downtime and improved productivity even in the most challenging environments.

The sustainable management of tropical forest contributes significantly to safeguarding forests, protecting biodiversity, contributing to rural communities and sustainable livelihoods according to Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International at the Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF) 2024 in Macao SAR. Source: Timberbiz “Yet we are facing a dichotomy. While we are all well aware of the tremendous benefits that sustainable forest management provides, topical timber has grappled with numerous challenges as it has struggled to maintain its stake in the international timber markets, especially in terms of public perception,” he said in his opening speech of the first session, Together Towards Reliable and Effective Global Timber Supply Chains. Jointly hosted by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and organised by the Secretariat of the Global Green Supply Chains Initiative (GGSC), GLSTF 2024 brought together more than 700 key enterprises, policymakers and international experts from over 40 countries and regions to explore the way forward for high-quality green development in the global timber industry. One of the major achievements of the Forum was the launch of the Action Framework for Promoting Legal and Sustainable Timber Supply Chains, which aims to strengthen international collaboration among stakeholders in timber supply chains, promote the sustainable development of the timber industry, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and combating climate change. “PEFC certification is an important tool to help achieve the objectives of the Framework. Through PAFC Congo Basin, we offer a robust and well-respected forest certification standard that was developed by local stakeholders and is regionally adapted and tailored to the specific forest ecosystems, legal and administrative framework, socio-cultural context of Congo Basin countries, specifically Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo,” Mr Thorsten said. “While we are facing a dichotomy, we can resolve it ourselves. We don’t need a white knight in shining armour or a pink unicorn. If those present here – governments, international organisations, businesses and forest owners – collaborate to manage their forests sustainably, they can demonstrate the benefits tropical forests provide through tools such as PEFC.”

A revised FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Germany now expands to cover Christmas trees, venison, and other forest products. The standard becomes effective on 1 November 2024. Source: Timberbiz Germany harvests about 20 million Christmas trees each year, a quarter of the European market. Now, some of those trees will be FSC certified in accordance with a new version of the Forest Stewardship Standard for Germany. Christmas trees represent a quite specific product for FSC certification. They are generally harvested by clear felling of a stand of similar-aged trees, which the current Standard forbids, and they do not produce timber. For that reason, they are considered non-timber forest products (NTFP), along with things like nuts, mushrooms, and venison, which are also included in the new standard. The Standard was developed after two public consultations that involved a wide range of stakeholders, including forestry companies. A new appendix covers NTFPs and includes not only Christmas trees but also decorative brushwood, honey, mushrooms, fruit, seeds, and venison. In addition, FSC Germany members further confirmed the new version of the Forest Stewardship Standard at its 33rd General Assembly. Christmas trees and game meat are currently the most frequently marketed NTFPs in Germany. The new standard will allow FSC companies to offer these products with the FSC label and thus differentiate themselves from conventional forestry operations. For companies and local economies, certification of NFTPs helps to reduce dependency on timber sales as well as to generate income from lesser-known products. Marketing non-timber forest products is also an important step in reorienting forest management towards more versatility and ecosystem services, especially as the climate emergency damages the forest, with consequent losses in timber sales. For consumers, the Standard’s ban on the use of pesticides is a further benefit. Residues of harmful chemicals have been found on conventional Christmas trees. FSC-certified trees will contain no such residues. Consumers will also be reassured that peat is prohibited and that non-native species must be harvested before they flower, which will prevent them from spreading into natural forests. Game meat, notably venison from deer, will also be safer because the animals will be guaranteed not to encounter pesticides on the food they forage in certified forests. The standard also requires hunters to use lead-free ammunition, which means that game meat from certified forests will not contain harmful heavy metals. “The new Standard is a great improvement for producers and consumers,” said Jens -Birger Bosse, manager of biological production and responsible for FSC certification at Landesforsten Schleswig-Holstein with 46.000 ha FSC certified forest. “Producers can show that their operations are more sustainable and better for the environment, which is exactly what consumers are looking for, in Christmas trees and all the other non-timber forest products our forests have to offer.”

St Lukes is a Tasmanian-based private health insurance company that has been in business for 70 years, its newly formed health and wellness hub in the heart of Hobart offers its members and the public a range of health and wellbeing-focused activities from yoga to new-parent classes and everything in between. Source: Timberbiz Award-winning Tasmanian architectural firm Terroir was tasked with a brief to create a health-conscious space that would also inspire, draw new people in, and create excitement around their brand. With tight constraints from the existing building, Terroir drew inspiration locally and abroad, creating a health hub with a design that is world-leading and Tasmanian-inspired. Covering two floors, the St Lukes flagship site required the 394m2 ground floor to be designed for both staff and guests, with an area exclusively dedicated to community use to promote their rotating health and wellness workshops, classes and offerings. The 178m2 second floor was designed for staff offices, meeting rooms and amenities. Taking note of other leading flagship stores around the world, Terroir Project Architect, Jack Andrews, says they looked to the natural beauty of Tasmania to bring their design to life. “St.Lukes prides itself on being uniquely Tasmanian. Having grown up here and exploring the forests myself, we sought to bring in shapes of tree hollows from Tasmania’s forests to create a space that stands out through its subtlety and serenity. We wanted people to come in and say ‘Wow!’ while maintaining a sense of calm,” Mr Andrews said. Tasmanian special species Blackheart Sassafras was used to achieve this serene and natural environment. Working with Vos Construction and Joinery, 1,500 hours went into creating the 3.6m high by 56m long form made from hand-selected Blackheart Sassafras veneer supplied by Britton Timbers. Suspended from the ceiling, the structure’s organic shape, tone and texture reflect the beauty found in Tasmania’s iconic and cherished forests. Of all Tasmanian timbers, Sassafras has the most variable and dynamic colouring. If the tree is infected with a staining fungus, it produces Blackheart Sassafras. Blackheart is a timber with distinctive dark brown, black, and sometimes green streaks running through the wood; no two pieces are ever the same. “We went through many sketches and spent a lot of time rationalising the design, ultimately creating a series of convex, concave and flat moments. We tried to keep the form as organic as possible. Using a species like Blackheart Sassafras with its striation and varying colours helped accomplish this. We simply couldn’t have achieved the aesthetic we were aiming for with a different species of timber,” Mr Andrews said. Using boat-building techniques to create the curvature of the timber, the veneer sheets were applied to an MDF backing, stretching the resource to ensure minimal waste. Opting for a natural clear coat with a 10% matt finish, the southeast-facing glazing allows the light to accentuate the variation of the timber veneer without reflection or glare. With the natural variation found throughout Blackheart Sassafras, Mr Andrews says Terroir spent countless hours aligning the veneer sheets before manufacture and assembly to ensure the design met their requirements. “We went through and took a photo of every single veneer sheet. From here, we developed a montage to work from, laying them all out and positioning them to avoid repetition to get the look of a natural hollowed-out log,” he said. “We are inspired by the availability of sustainable timbers in Tasmania. The ability to source and harvest timber locally, as opposed to a species sourced from further afield, was very appealing. It wouldn’t be possible without the credentials, forest stewardship and certification from a company like Britton Timbers.”

Otana is a Western Lowland Gorilla at Melbourne Zoo. He’s been staying warm during winter thanks to wood wool from Barkstead in the Wombat State Forest. Source: Timberbiz ‘Wood wool’ is essentially fine wood shavings cut from timber, and often used for nesting and bedding materials for animals. In this case, storm debris has been collected from the Wombat State Forest before being turned into wood wool at a mill in Bendigo. It was then donated to Melbourne Zoo, to be used as bedding for Tasmanian Devils, meerkats, orangutans, gorillas and tigers. Some fallen trees and root balls from the storm damaged area of the Dandenong Ranges National Park are now used as fish habitat along streams; wildlife habitat in Lysterfield Lake Park; and animal enclosures at Werribee Zoo. Parks Victoria and Zoos Victoria have used finished timber products made from storm debris for bollards, sleepers, log seats, mulch and picnic tables. In the Wombat State Forest, we are planting native species to rehabilitate some storm affected sitesand even the plant stakes are made from storm debris. To prepare for the upcoming fire season and reduce bushfire risk, work has been done to remove hazardous storm debris in the Wombat State Forest and Dandenong Ranges National Park and put to good use wherever possible. Storm debris is also available in designated firewood collection areas for the community.    

Scion celebrated the dedication and achievements of its employees at the 2024 Employee Recognition Awards, where over 90 nominations, the highest in the event’s history, highlighted the outstanding contributions of staff across various fields. Source: Timberbiz Held both in-person and virtually, this week’s awards showcased the hard work, innovation, and leadership of individuals and teams who embody Scion’s values and contribute to its ongoing success as a Crown Research Institute. “Each nomination reflects the respect and admiration of colleagues for the exceptional efforts made by every individual and team,” Chief Executive Dr Julian Elder said. “I’m proud to acknowledge our finalists and winners today for their remarkable achievements.” Dr Yi Chen received the prestigious Roger Newman Award for Science or Engineering Excellence after delivering exceptional leadership in digital packaging research for almost a decade. Through multiple national and international collaborations, Dr Chen has built a network of highly productive research partnerships, contributing to both Scion and New Zealand’s science community. Nursery Services team lead Matt Dunn received the Industry/Stakeholder/External Customer Engagement Award for his exemplary work with external customers. In recognition of their exceptional contributions to the smooth operation and support of Scion, Jacqui Collins and Kim Murrell were named winners of the Enabling Scion Award. Jacqui was commended for her unwavering support of her Christchurch colleagues, while Kim was recognised for her positivity and dedication to surpassing expectations in every project she undertakes. Bioprocess engineer Carla Cronje was honoured with the Leadership/Emerging Leader Award for her exceptional mentorship and project management, while also receiving the Health and Safety Award for her proactive approach in a high-risk hydrogen project. The Kawenata Awards celebrate staff whose work exemplifies some of the mātāpono, or principles, of the Kawenata (MOU) that was signed between Scion and three hapū: Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotu and Ngāti Te Kahu. Researcher Sylvia Tapuke was recognised for her work connecting hapū to Scion’s research, particularly the Urban Forests Symposium and the Fungal Volatile Organic Carbon project. Executive Assistant Vanessa Miller was also honoured for her consistent manaakitanga, providing a strong example for all staff to follow. This year there are co-recipients of the Recognition of Contribution to Māori Award. Te Rātā Whakamaru Team and Rotoiti 15 won for their innovation, skill development, commitment to environmental stewardship, sharing of knowledge and mātauranga, and efforts to reconnect whānau with their work on their lands. Scientist Reina Tamepo also won for her work in the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, particularly Whitiwhiti Ora and Matarau programs. Her mahi enables and empowers Māori landowners and decision-makers to exercise self-determination of their aspirations by providing them with science-based data and information in an accessible format to allow them to understand the nature of their whenua (land) and the potential productive opportunities from it. The Recognition for Publication Success Award winner was Jamie Bridson for his contribution to a large number of high-impact journals, while Martin Cooke-Willis was awarded Recognition of Technician Success for his multi-faceted contributions to Scion’s laboratory operations. Scion has also nominated candidates in five categories to attend the Science New Zealand Awards in March next year, where all Crown Research Institutes and Callaghan Innovation are represented. Scion’s nominees are Christchurch-based scientist Ilze Pretorius for the Early Career Researcher Award; Scion’s Ecogas Team for the Success in Innovation/Commercialisation Award; the Cetogenix Project Team for the Collaboration for Impact Award; Katerina Pihera-Ridge for the Te Tohu Tūhura Award; and Dr Florian Graichen for the Individual/Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tariff elimination across all New Zealand wood products entering the UAE through the new NZ/UAE trade deal is welcomed by the wood processors and manufacturers association (WPMA). Source: Timberbiz “Our hope is that the successful conclusion of the NZ/UAE Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will lead to an increase in NZ wood products entering the UAE,” said WPMA Chief Executive, Mark Ross. “The UAE is in a transition period where they are favouring timber-based construction over concrete and steel, signalling a regional shift towards sustainability. “Despite a limited number of timber buildings erected to date, UAE has experienced a threefold increase in imports of plywood and other timber products in the past year.” From a New Zealand basis it currently exports around NZ$10 million in wood products to the UAE, with the main categories being sawn timber, sleepers, pulp and paper. Other wood products exported include wood for flooring, furniture and joinery. It is acknowledged that New Zealand’s share of NZ$10 million is small when compared with the total UAE wood and wood product imports of NZ$267 billion in 2023. However, even a minor percentage growth in NZ exports to the UAE through the CEPA will assist in providing encouraging signals to our domestic wood processing industry. “Wood provides multiple benefits to New Zealand, and it is positive to see the government backing our industry in removing unnecessary barriers and implementing new trade Agreements,” Mr Ross said. “We thank Trade Minister, Todd McClay and his officials for their speedy completion of this trade deal.”

Exports of softwood logs from Australia lifted to a 45-month high in July 2024, screaming up to 265,657 m3 after the prior month saw a 36-month record of over 140,000 m3. The main recipient is India, with China re-emerging as an export destination after a nearly four-year hiatus. Source: Industry Edge The rise in exports does not necessarily signal a reintroduction of elevated levels of softwood log exports. As the data shows, the exports are evenly split between the two reported dimensions. There are prospects the recent movements are inventory clearances, including of smaller dimension logs. Australian Softwood Log Exports by Country: Jan ’17 – Jul ‘24 (m3) We have elected to show the monthly chart here, in this manner and timeframe, to underscore the differences in softwood log exports since China withdrew from the market in 2020. The second chart, which addresses the last 15 years, shows annual exports (the black line) and the moving weighted average price of those exports. In addition to modestly rising average prices since the end of 2009, the period from around 2021 shows increased price volatility. This came about as volumes deteriorated when China left the market, resulting in the massive decline in total exports. In 2023-24, total softwood log exports reached 937.0 km3, almost the same volume (just 3 km3 lower) than was the case in calendar year 2009. Annualised Softwood Log Exports & Weighted Average Price: Jan ’10 – Jul ’24 (km3 pa & AUDFob/m3) Australian softwood log export prices have fluctuated over the last year. The chart shows weighted average prices on a monthly basis (the black line), but also show the country specific prices. For most months, the price to India is hidden by the weighted average price because India has – until the re-emergence of solid trade with China – driven the price and volume. In July 2024, the weighted average export price was AUDFob126.13/m3, down 9.9% on the prior month and 5.6% lower than in July 2023. Australian Softwood Log Export Prices by Country: Aug ’23 – Jul ‘24 (AUDFob/m3) Over the year-ended July 2024, Australia’s total exports of softwood logs were 148.3% higher than the prior year, totalling 0.937 million m3. Reported exports totalled 265,657 m3 in July 2024, at a weighted average price of AUDFob126.13/m3. For export, softwood logs are differentiated as larger or smaller 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 between what was once the case and what is now occurring. Australian Softwood Log Exports by Size: Jan ’21 – Jul ‘24 (‘000 m3 and AUDFob/m3) Larger logs (diameter >15cm) dominate Australia’s exports, over most time periods. From 2021, the trend shifted away from favouring exports of the smaller diameter (<15 cm) logs. That appears to have changed over the last year, with larger dimension logs again dominating export data reports and growing strongly from some regions. Over the year ended July 2024, exports of the smaller logs totalled 0.198 million m3 or 21.1% of the total, while shipments of larger logs totalled 0.734 million m3 (78.9%). Differentiation of exports based on their diameter also allows for some price analysis. Export prices for the smaller sized logs have remained at a relatively stable price in recent months, moving through a narrow range, while the average price of the larger diameter logs has fluctuated. In July, exports of the smaller logs tallied an average AUDFob109.79/m3 while the larger diameter logs were recorded at AUDFob133.03/m3. For more information visit www.industryedge.com.au

  Congratulations to all nominees of the Forest Practices Awards 2024. The FPA Board and Awards Committee thank everyone who submitted a nomination and took time to recognise excellence across the forest practices system. Source: Timberbiz The nominees are listed below for each award. The Board of the Forest Practices Authority recognises that there are people working in forestry in Tasmania who display excellence in applying the forest practices system in their particular field of work. This is why Forest Practices Awards were started in 2007, to publicly acknowledge a few of these inspirational people. The forest practices system is based on continual improvement and cooperation between all parties. It’s the high standard achieved by those who implement the forest practices system which enables this co-operation and continual improvement. The Directors of the Board congratulate the nominees, not only on their outstanding professional achievements, but also on the manner in which that work has, and will continue to, contribute to the ongoing achievement of sustainable management of forests in Tasmania. “I would like to emphasise the significance of being nominated as it shows that your peers really value your achievements. We had a really strong field of nominations this year – double that of last time – and the Awards Committee had a difficult time deciding on the winners. So, I want to congratulate every single nominee and thank them all for your contributions to the forest practices system,” Pam Allan, chair of the FPA board said in the nominations booklet. “I also want to thank the Awards Committee: Kim Creak from the Board, Anne Chuter as CFPO, Heath Blair from Reliance Forest Fibre and the FPO Reference Group, Ann La Sala from Forico and the Forest Practices Advisory Committee and Chris Grove and Laurel Trebilco from the FPA staff.” You can download the Forest Practices Awards booklet here, it contains information on each of the nominees.

A government appointed panel is exploring the idea of ending logging in NSW native forests within four years. The government is under mounting pressure over the impact of its own logging business on nature. Source: Australian Associated Press The historically divisive issue of taking slow-growing hardwoods from native forests has become even trickier as the government works to deliver its promised Great Koala National Park. A government appointed panel is exploring the idea of ending logging in NSW native forests within four years. The government is under mounting pressure over the impact of its own logging business on nature. The historically divisive issue of taking slow-growing hardwoods from native forests has become even trickier as the government works to deliver its promised Great Koala National Park. That lines up with the end of existing wood supply contracts from northern forests. Other options include business as usual, reducing native timber harvesting until other sources are found, or putting native forests under indigenous management with extra supply to come from private and public plantations. Stuart Blanch is WWF-Australia’s forests expert and says the inclusion of an exit option is a big deal. “I think this is the first time that a NSW government process has seriously consulted stakeholders on ending native forest logging,” he says. “I think this is showing there’s enough people in government and parliament who think it’s safe enough to articulate this as a real issue they need to explore.” Dr Blanch is among those who’ve been consulted and he’s glad the government has created the conditions for an important, overdue and difficult discussion. “The genie is now out of the bottle regarding completing the transition out of native forest logging to plantations. “The experience from the shutdown of logging in Western Australia and Victoria is that once a government starts to canvass a full exit, the private sector stops investing, and workers start finding new jobs.” Dr Blanch says that if an exit is on the cards, the government will need to start planning now so the transition is well funded and well executed. In a statement, the government said the panel had been tasked with consulting widely on the future of forestry in NSW, with its work to feed into an industry action plan. “We want input on what forests and a sustainable forestry industry will look like in the next 30 years,” it said. “Consultation will consider key areas such as the sustainability of forestry operations, the future of all types of forestry (softwood, hardwood, native), environmental concerns, community demand for timber, climate change mitigation and adaptation and more.”

The results of the third transaction verification (TV) loop on FSC-certified bamboo supply chains reveal that several certificate holders in China pose a serious threat to the integrity of FSC’s certification system. Source: Timberbiz While some certificate holders have made false claims on their products, others have engaged in actions that pose a significant risk to FSC’s integrity and credibility. Based on the evidence gathered by Assurance Services International (ASI) during the TV loop, FSC has blocked the following certificate holders for making false claims: Hangzhou Ruihe Bamboo Wood Co., Ltd (FSC-C138791): This company applied FSC 100% claims on bamboo plywood, but the origins of the raw material could not be verified. They also did not report any transactions to their certification body. Hangzhou Zen Bamboo & Hardwood Products Co. Ltd. (FSC-C147487) and Hangzhou Zenbamboo Technology Co., Ltd. (FSC-C192793): They sold bamboo plywood and veneers with FSC 100% claims but reported zero transactions to their certification body for three consecutive years. After the certificate of Hangzhou Zen Bamboo was terminated, a new company called Hangzhou Zenbamboo Technology was established, which obtained FSC certification. FSC has confirmed that the new company is the successor of Hangzhou Zen Bamboo. Therefore both certificate holders have been blocked. Nanping City Jianyang Xinen Bamboo Industry Co., Ltd. (FSC-C155776): This company sold bamboo products claimed to be FSC certified without having eligible raw materials to support these claims. Furthermore, they did not disclose these sales during the surveillance audit. Xuancheng Bothbest Enterprise Co., Ltd. (FSC-C165363): This certificate holder repeatedly (from 2018 to 2022) obtained certification and then voluntarily terminated their certificate within 12 months each time. This enabled them to skip the first surveillance audit after getting certified. During the timeframe of this TV loop (July – December 2021), they sold bamboo products with FSC 100% claims but reported no transactions with FSC claims in the documents submitted to their certification body. FSC is investigating several other cases where potential integrity risks were identified by ASI. More certificate holders within the bamboo supply chain may be blocked as a result. Information about blocked organizations can be found in FSC’s public search. In addition to false claims, the following integrity risks and wrongdoing by certificate holders were identified in this TV loop: Some certificate holders did not report the sale of certified products to their certification bodies during the annual surveillance audit, which is a normative requirement by FSC. These sales were discovered when the certificate holders or their clients within the supply chain submitted their transaction data for the TV loop. The investigation revealed that there is a risk of a blocked organization who is continuing their wrongdoings but routing them through a valid certificate holder. This typically happens when personnel in decision-making and leadership positions at an active certificate holder previously managed a blocked organization. Some certificate holders were observed as being uncooperative, hindering the progress of the TV loop. Most certificate holders against whom evidence of integrity risks have been found belong to the manufacturing segment of the FSC bamboo plywood/flooring supply chain, primarily located in China. Consequently, products with false claims could eventually be passed on to downstream buyers, including retailers or distributors in import markets, primarily in Europe and North America. Transaction verification investigations and analysis of certified supply chains will help FSC to strengthen its normative framework. Observations from this investigation would be included in the ongoing revision process of FSC’s chain of custody standards. For more details, click here: Revision of Chain of Custody Standards and FSC-STD-20-011 Chain of Custody Evaluations | FSC Connect Certificate holders purchasing manufactured bamboo products are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence on FSC-certified suppliers and verify that the purchased products are correctly covered by the scope of the suppliers’ FSC certificates.

Manufacturer of base-machine-independent harvester heads Kesla has released its RH-III harvester head range. Source: Timberbiz KESLA 19RH-III twinAX is an efficient solution for energy wood harvesting. Thanks to the modular structure of the RH-III harvester head series, KESLA 19/21RH-III is easy to equip for various applications. The KESLA twinAX cutting system is a cutting knife unit intended to replace the saw module of KESLA 19/21RH-III heads. With a cutting capacity of up to 30cm (depending on the wood type), KESLA twinAX is perfect for heavier energy wood harvesting sites. A regular saw module can easily be replaced with the twinAX module and vice versa, reducing the risks related to head investments, even in rapidly changing work situations. Equipped with the revamped KESLA MTH-grip multi-stem processing grapple, KESLA proTILT tilt control and multi-stem feed rollers, the harvester head is an incredibly efficient tool for multi-stem processing. Kesla has made many upgrades to the KESLA RH-III harvester head range that improve the products’ operating characteristics and durability. The extensive updates to Kesla’s manufacturing technology have enabled, for example, the development of robotic welding and automation as well as the introduction of new structural solutions, which is reflected in the higher durability of the upgraded frame structures and the improved power-to-weight ratio of the heads. An important addition to Kesla’s accessory range is the SuperCUT 150 saw module, which is now available for the sturdier KESLA RH-III models from the 26H-III onwards. For a long time, Kesla has been heavily investing in the development of harvesters for excavators and cooperating with multiple excavator manufacturers. Kesla’s product selection includes productised installation kits and accessories that make installing a head to most excavator models’ hydraulics easy, providing an efficient and effective solution that is also approved by base machine manufacturers.