Australian timber industry news

A team of researchers in Scotland is supporting a clean tech startup to transform co-products from the forestry sector into high-value, eco-friendly alternatives to chemicals used in everyday products. Source: Timberbiz Sonichem’s ambition is to reduce the reliance on petrochemical-derived ingredients in industries such as cosmetics, packaging and pharmaceuticals. Using its patented ultrasound technology to break down forestry co-products including woodchips and sawdust, the company extracts natural compounds that can be transformed into green alternatives to essential chemicals. A recent feasibility study funded by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), with support from the University of Glasgow, has helped the business to take its technology to the next stage. The UK generates approximately 4.5 million tonnes of wood co-products every year. Only 55% of logs that enter a sawmill become usable construction timber, while the remainder ends up as low-value co-products such as woodchips and sawdust. The premium target organic chemical being collected through Sonichem’s process is lignin – a polymer that acts like a natural glue, binding the cells and fibres in trees and other types of plants together. This property makes it well-suited for use in products such as resins, films, coatings and foams. While naturally occurring lignin from sawdust is not immediately transferrable to these types of products, the researchers used a series of chemical reactions to create compounds that better matched the synthetic counterparts and could be used in manufacturing. “Compounds derived from petrochemicals are the building blocks for so many of the products we use every day, but to achieve net zero that needs to change.,” Andy West, chief chemist at Sonichem, said: “Trees are a great natural resource that could become part of the supply chain and lignin, in particular, is highly versatile and can be used in almost any setting. But it is the natural glue that holds a tree together, which makes it difficult to extract. In the past, we explored various methods before developing the ultrasound technology to do so effectively. “The next step in the process is about engaging with both the chemical manufacturers, as well as the forestry sector, to ensure that the right number and type of trees are planted now to secure the availability of the product for years to come. This project has been an important stage in the commercial development of our offering and the creation of our first biorefinery plant.” Professor Dave Adams from the school of chemistry at the University of Glasgow, said that working with Sonichem, they have been able to modify the base lignin extracted from sawdust to turn it into a range of more useful chemicals. Of the five routes we tried, all five worked well, which is highly promising and gives the business the information needed to scale up this initial work to a commercial level. Dr Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, added that Scotland’s forestry sector is worth over £1 billion to the economy, but there is potential to see this grow by using the biomass that sawmills generate in manufacturing. “Sonichem is a great example of a business looking at alternatives to petrochemicals from a feedstock otherwise used for low value applications. Up to 270 million tonnes of synthetic resin were used globally last year, highlighting the sheer scale of the opportunity to improve the sustainability of the chemicals sector,” she said.

Mack Trucks has launched the Mack Live Tour digital experience, offering prospective buyers a personalized, virtual truck exploration from the comfort of their home or office. Source: Timberbiz As the first OEM to offer this type of experience, Mack connects buyers directly with dedicated product specialists who provide comprehensive, one-on-one virtual tours of its truck models. “The Mack Live Tour demonstrates our commitment to meeting customers where they are, providing unprecedented access to our product line while respecting their time and convenience,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “This approach allows us to showcase our trucks’ features and capabilities in a manner that is most convenient for the potential customer—all in an interactive way.” During each 30-minute session, segment-specific product specialists guide customers through detailed tours tailored to their interests. The platform features a one-way video format, allowing customers to view the specialist’s perspective while maintaining the customer’s privacy. Participants can communicate through either audio or chat options. Product specialists provide insights into the selected truck model’s exterior and interior features, with customers directing attention to the details that matter most to their operations. This approach focuses on information and answers, ensuring a pressure-free environment for customer decision-making. The program is currently available to qualified buyers in the United States and Canada. Interested parties can learn more and schedule their personalized virtual tour by visiting https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/  

This year marks 40 years since the introduction of the first Komatsu 901, one of the world’s first single-grip harvesters designed from the ground up with a specific harvester chassis. Source: Timberbiz With the 901 came the Komatsu Stability Concept, which still helps machine operators work safely and productively today. Today’s forestry machines are high-tech tools that combine strength and smart technology with innovations that are specially adapted for forestry. Mechanised forestry took off around the 1980s and since then a lot has happened in terms of technological development. But one thing remains the same, and that is Komatsu’s stability concept, which was launched in 1984, a full 40 years ago this year. The breakthrough came when Komatsu engineers wanted to build a harvester from scratch, rather than on a modified forwarder chassis as was common at the time. They developed a prototype for a thinning harvester, but the difficulty was stability. After many tests, they came up with the solution that is still a hallmark of Komatsu harvesters today. The concept consists of an innovative swing axle that improved stability by locating the engine at the rear. This design, together with a unique hydraulic levelling solution, allowed the machine to navigate difficult terrain with both high precision and efficiency. The tilt cylinders were linked to the swing axle stability cylinders, which meant very good machine control during work even in steep terrain. It sounds complicated but in practice it means that if the crane is working far out from the machine and carrying a heavy tree, two stabilising cylinders work as an automatic counterforce to maintain stability. This innovation, combined with the automatically levelling cab, makes Komatsu harvesters very stable and comfortable to work in. And that’s probably the most important benefit of a stable machine. The feeling when you can sit safely and upright even though the terrain is sloping. It allows you to work in a more relaxed way and thus feel more alert at the end of the day. Four decades later, Komatsu’s stability concept shows that true innovation not only stands the test of time, but continues to make life easier for operators, whatever the terrain.  

The OneSafe Group has recently celebrated its 100th meeting, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to enhancing safety across the forestry industry. Source: Timberbiz Initiated in 2016, OneSafe Group was established as a collaborative by OneFortyOne and its partners to improve safety practices within the forestry industry and communities involved. Companies represented in the group are: OneFortyOne, Fennel Forestry, Greenfreight, LV Dohnt, Merrett Logging, Moreland Holdings, QUBE Forestry, Reid Logging, Tabeel Trading, LITA, PFP, GEM, Teagle, TPPL, Trimble, I&D Contracting, and WFC. OneFortyOne Marketing and Operations Manager Ockert le Roux said the group aims to align safety practices with a shared approach to managing risks. “This initiative brought together senior leadership from various organisations and includes contractors as integral stakeholders in safety strategy,” Mr Ockert said. “Since the group’s inception we’ve made measurable progress in safety throughout the local industry.” OneSafe Group innovations include the development of a Contractor Safety Induction System, application of machinery isolation improvements, and implementation of fatigue guidelines. “Additionally, the group has introduced Guardian safety systems throughout its log haulage network and in selected light vehicles in the high-risk category” Mr Ockert said. “Guardian is an in-vehicle monitoring system which detect distractions and fatigue related events when the vehicle is in use.  It alerts drivers through and alarm and a chair-shaker when a microsleep event occurs. It also sends a notification to fleet owners to investigate and address events with drivers.” OneSafe Group has been instrumental in improving safety standards within the forestry industry by introducing safety leadership training, increasing safety awareness, and developing robust safety protocols like the Drug and Alcohol Policies and Fatal Risk Control Protocols. The group also shares best practices and lessons learned from incidents across participating organizations, embedding safety metrics and performance audits into regular operations and contracts. The group has been learning from each other and implementing improvements and has achieved an 86% reduction in Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) over the past nine years. As OneSafe Group celebrates its 100th meeting, the collective looks forward to further reducing TRIFR, and future goals include expanding safety culture transformation, continuing to develop safety innovations and tools, and strengthening partnerships with contractors to collectively improve safety outcomes. “Reaching our 100th meeting is a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of everyone involved in the OneSafe Group,” Mr Ockert said. “Our ongoing efforts to innovate and improve safety practices have made a significant impact, and we are committed to continuing the pursuit of a safer industry for all.”

A workshop in Fiji this month will seek to strengthen biosecurity in the Pacific by developing a new strategy to manage risks associated with sea container movements. Source: Timberbiz The strategy aims to reduce the global spread of hitchhiker pests across the Pacific region via the sea container pathway. These include the giant African snail, whose voracious appetite poses a threat to crops and other plant life, and the formosan termite, one of the world’s most destructive termites, both detected in shipments to Australia in October. More than 2.5 million sea containers arrived in Australia in the 2023-24 financial year, up 4.7% on the previous year. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Deputy Secretary for Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said the workshop would promote heightened biosecurity and further trade in the region. “Our region relies on trade via sea containers, but we need to ensure we can safely and responsibly develop our trade between nations and not allow the spread of pests and weeds,” Ms Saunders said. “A new strategy will help strengthen the biosecurity capabilities of Pacific for sea container pathways, including those to and from Australia and other Pacific Island countries and territories. “It will reduce biosecurity risks for agricultural industries within the region, supporting preservation of pest status and food security. Once implemented, the strategy could lead to faster border clearances and reduced costs for commercial sea cargo industries.” The workshop will also focus on exploring ways to automate sea container hygiene as part of the digitalisation of cross-border trade. The event will bring together representatives from Pacific Island countries and territories, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the World Bank Group, and commercial sea cargo industries for the Pacific Strategy for the Sea Container Pathway Workshop in Nadi, Fiji, from 25-29 November. The event is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the World Bank Group.

Executive Administrator at PF Olsen Ltd Janine Branson decided to see what Chat GPT would write about NZ forestry today. Interesting reading. Source: Timberbiz This is CHAT GPT’s view on forestry in New Zealand Forestry in New Zealand Today: A Pillar of Sustainability and Economic Growth Forestry remains one of New Zealand’s most significant industries, contributing to both the economy and environmental sustainability. With over 1.7 million hectares of planted forests, predominantly radiata pine, New Zealand’s forestry sector generates more than $6 billion annually and employs thousands across rural communities. The industry is a cornerstone of the country’s export market, with wood products being shipped to over 120 countries, including key partners like China, Japan, and the United States. Domestically, forestry supports construction, furniture manufacturing, and pulp and paper industries. In recent years, New Zealand’s forestry practices have increasingly aligned with sustainability principles. The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) incentivizes forest planting, making forestry a crucial player in the country’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Forests sequester around 19 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, a vital contribution to combating climate change. However, the sector faces challenges, including the impacts of climate change, fluctuating international demand, and debates around land use. Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023 underscored the vulnerability of forestry infrastructure, sparking discussions on more resilient practices. The government and industry leaders are now focusing on improving forest management and infrastructure while addressing environmental concerns like sediment runoff and the legacy of “slash.” Looking ahead, innovation will play a pivotal role in the forestry sector’s evolution. From exploring engineered timber in construction to adopting digital technologies for forest management, New Zealand is well-positioned to remain a leader in sustainable forestry on the global stage. For New Zealanders, forestry is more than an industry, it’s a legacy of stewardship that balances economic needs with the health of our environment.  

As part of the Forestry Transition Fund the Labor Government is investing $789,766 into Helico Australia, an Alexandra based specialist helicopter servicing business, to expand the businesses. Source: Timberbiz The investment will go towards the construction of a new $1.5 million purpose-built maintenance facility and headquarters, to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry across Australia. “This expansion by Helico Australia will not only provide additional local jobs but will also bring economic benefits to the wider community, I encourage eligible local businesses to apply for Round 2 of the Forestry Transition Fund to expand and diversify into new business opportunities,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said. The new premises will consist of larger workshops with work bays for helicopter and engine tear-down and rebuilds, a spare parts store, paint booths, sheet metal manufacturing and non-destructive testing. There will also be a dedicated area for innovative engineering design and fabrication technologies. Helico Australia is planning to use local tradespeople for the construction of the new facilities, having already established relationships with trades in the region. The business currently has 24 staff, and when the new facilities are built it will employ additional full-time employees in a variety of roles ranging from engineers to hangar and grounds staff and trainees. Helico Australia services and rebuilds Robinson helicopters that are used by the agricultural and resources industries in northern Australia for stock mustering and transport, as well as the delivery of supplies during the wet season. Round 2 of the Forestry Transition Fund, which supports job creation and business development in and around communities impacted by the end of native timber harvesting, is now open. A $20,000 employment incentive payment for the employment of ex-native timber workers is also available. Applications close on 31 October 2025, for more information visit www.deeca.vic.gov.au/forestry or call 1800 318 182.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Les Schultz (“The Baron”) was the senior APM executive responsible as General Manager for Forests and Wood Products Australia wide, then Australia’s largest private forest grower. Source: Timberbiz Mr Schultz’ previous company roles included 1968-69 convenor of the committee to review APM’s profitability and future prospects, in the late 1850s-1960s he was mill manager at Petrie paper Mill, and logging engineer in charge of wood handling in Gippsland and road construction and maintenance were key responsibilities Oliver Raymond (retired Chief Fire Control Officer and Harvesting Development Officer APMF) in a vale to Les Schultz described working with Les Schultz. “Anyone who has worked with Les over a period will well remember the way he looked at you with those eyes. Which one was actually looking at you? “I really enjoyed him because he didn’t put up with bulldust. He would grill you, but after he was convinced you knew what you were talking about, his back-up was great. “I remember having spent a couple of years trying to get the Windsor Tree Harvesters to work, I finally said to him ‘Les, they are not the answer to mechanization of harvesting radiata’. Okay he said, what is the answer?” “So, I told him about a Swedish machine called a Logma that I had read about in an overseas magazine. I explained the reasons it would work in radiata where a Windsor wouldn’t. “He thought about what I had said, asked a few more questions and then said: ‘Well, you’d better go and look at it.’ “To cut a long story short, I did, and the Logma was a success in radiata harvesting.” In another description that tells of Mr Schultz’ wide appreciation for forestry, two forest department workers lost their lives in a wildfire in the Western District. Mr Schultz and Mr Raymond contacted the local district forester and flew over to meet him in a helicopter, the day after the event. The two men had been fighting a wildfire on a dozer and unfortunately had decided to try to get away from the fire by going up a hill. The fire had travelled faster than they could, and it overtook them. The engine on the dozer was still going when they were found after the fire had swept over them. The operator had stood up and fallen off the machine. His offsider was found in front of the dozer’s blade. Both had apparently died by breathing superheated air from the fire. They certainly were not badly burnt. The dozer was still in the position it had been found in the previous day. There was some low vegetation within five meters of the machine. The shrubbery had been scorched, but not burnt. The engine of the machine was still going when the two men were found, so lack of oxygen was obviously not a problem. It was a solemn trip back in the chopper. The lesson learnt was spread through the company’s workforce. Do not try to outrun a fire travelling up hill. Remember that fire doubles its rate of travel for every 10 degrees of uphill slope. Vale Les Schultz. A long life, but you left behind a lot of benefits to your workers.]

Even after the Prime Minister scuppered a deal this week to pass Nature Positive legislation with the crossbench, Labor MPs are still claiming that the prospect of a Federal EPA could still be delivered early next year before the Federal election. Source: Timberbiz There is now chaos, confusion and undermining between Anthony Albanese, Madeleine King and the Western Australian Government on one hand, and Tanya Plibersek and fellow left faction Labor MPs on the other. Labor is divided and rudderless, as the Prime Minister desperately tries to please everyone while simultaneously pleasing no one. Shadow Environment Minister Jonno Duniam wants the Government to come clean on its intentions: “Will the Government confirm that it will put its Nature Positive Bills before the Senate, as they stand, next year as Senator Katy Gallagher claimed yesterday? If so, why wasn’t this done this week when they had apparently struck a deal with the crossbench?” The Nature Positive (Environment Law Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024 included amendments to close the loophole that exempts native forest logging from the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The new laws will apply to the native forest industry but will not ban native logging altogether. The Nature Positive legislation included other measures that aim to protect the environment, such as: Establishing a statutory definition of “nature positive” Establishing the Environment Protection Australia (EPA) as an independent statutory agency Introducing stronger compliance and enforcement measures Creating new environment protection orders that allow the Minister to stop work or restrict activities that pose a significant environmental risk Establishing a nature repair scheme Expanding the “water trigger” to all forms of unconventional gas development. “The Government are walking both sides of the street. They don’t want to say their EPA is dead, but the Prime Minister killed off a deal on it for the second time- at the request of the Western Australian Labor Party,” Minister Duniam said in a statement. “Clearly, if their EPA is established, it will mean that resource rich states and territories like Western Australia that already have their own EPA will have to deal with another heavy layer of environmental bureaucracy. “Before anything else in the environmental policy space, the Government should abide by their commitment to reform the EPBC Act – as Minister Plibersek promised to do way back, before the end of 2023. “Labor’s proposed Federal EPA is simply a bureaucracy on top of broken environmental laws that will only increase confusion and red tape, making it harder to get a government approval for a project while not guaranteeing any improved environmental outcomes. “The ongoing rancour and feuding between Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek is incredibly damaging for the Labor Party but, even worse, is preventing any good outcomes for Australia.”  

After 47 years we are thrilled that Australasian Timber Magazine (formally Timberman) is transitioning to a fully digital magazine format. Australasian Timber Magazine will continue to expand its unique industry segment’s coverage and promotion of timber manufacturing, technology, design, construction and products as consumers and governments increasingly recognise timber’s carbon saving advantages, Australasian Timber Magazine This change comes with several exciting benefits for our readers and advertisers alike. The decision to move from a print magazine to a digital format has been driven by demand from Australasian Timber Magazine readers and advertisers, evolving media consumption trends and the advantages digital platforms offer. Audiences are increasingly seeking content that is accessible anytime, anywhere, on devices they already use. A digital magazine meets these needs by offering greater convenience and flexibility, allowing readers to access articles on various devices. It also allows readers to click on links contained in stories and in advertisements. Furthermore, digital platforms provide valuable data analytics, offering insights into reader preferences, engagement patterns, and content performance allowing for more targeted content creation and personalized marketing strategies. In our first fully digital edition of Australasian Timber Magazine we feature the announcement of the 2024 Timber Design Awards, with the overall prize going to the outstanding Embassy of Australia in Washington D.C. Designed by Bates Smart Architects, the project involved a delicate balance between cultural representation, iconic civic presence and practical security considerations. The inspiration came from Australia’s iconic landscape and embodies the essence of the vast continent. We also look in details at Phillip Island’s prestigious new multi-dimensional cultural centre in Cowes which won the Excellence in Timber Design (Sustainability) award. We also report on the launch of an updated timber framing campaign with new assets and expanded digital push, and report on a world-first engineered wood product made exclusively from locally grown bluegum (Eucalyptus Globulus) timber manufactured in Warrnambool which will provide a pathway to address Australia’s growing structural timber market demand. The Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and Forest and Wood Products Australia, working in partnership with WTIBeam (formerly known as Warrnambool Timber Industries), have unveiled the first of its kind GL18 timber product which can be utilised in everything from flooring to roof framing in both residential and commercial construction. And we look at reports of imported timber products that could potentially mislead consumers into thinking they’re from sustainable Australian sources, along with recent revelations that up to a quarter of products failed Federal Government inspection. It’s a situation which has Australian Timber Importers Federation concerned, with members facing one of the toughest battles to comply with some of the world’s strictest legislation aimed at combating the trade in illegally logged timber. And we profile Neville Smith Forest Products, a trailblazer in Tasmania’s forestry sector, renowned for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible sourcing. Neville Smith Forest Products is a leader in the timber industry, with a heritage spanning over 100 years. NSFP is known for producing high-quality hardwood products, all sourced from sustainably harvested regrowth and plantation forests. To read our first digital issue for free go to https://www.timberbiz.com.au/atm/current/And you can get Australasian Timber Magazine delivered directly into your inbox by subscribing for free at https://winetitles.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ac41575cbca450f7966070392&id=c05a617678

Swegon is a global company that offers solutions for ventilation, heating, cooling and climate optimisation has developed its first wooden air handling unit that could redefine the industry’s approach to reducing carbon emissions. Source: Timberbiz When the GOLD air handling unit was launched in 1994, it was an all-new concept with its pioneering design and innovative features. Now, three decades later, embodied carbon is increasingly in focus, and the first wooden concept air handling unit was designed. So far, two functioning prototypes of wooden GOLD air handling unit, size 005 have been built, where the traditional casing of conventional steel has been replaced by cross-laminated timber (CLT). By replacing the steel, Swegon managed to reduce the CO2 footprint by 40%. For a larger air handling unit, the saving would be even greater. “We have already introduced recycled steel inside our GOLD units to minimise environmental impact. With this concept wooden air handling unit, we take a significant step further, in line with our ambitions within the RE:3 concept to be in the forefront of reducing embodied carbon of products,” said Annika Sedwall, Head of Product Management, Kvänum. The unit is a concept product that is not on the market for sale, but will be evaluated and used in discussions around future alternative materials. “By rethinking material choices and challenging industry norms, we are driving the future of sustainable building solutions, and this concept is an important step in testing the limits for the industry,” said Martin Ottersten, PhD, Innovation and Knowledge Centre at Swegon.

Metsä Board, a producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, has launched a new solution to enhance and simplify the recycling process for packaging materials customers receive as part of Metsä Board product deliveries. Source: Timberbiz Metsä Board has introduced QR codes on the pallet and reel labels of its products for all volumes delivered to its customers. The QR code directs customers to an intuitive app that provides detailed information on the various packaging materials used to protect the paperboard during the logistics chain. This information will assist customers in determining how each component of the delivery’s packaging should be recycled. By providing accessible and clear recycling information, the company aims to make it as easy as possible for customers to sort and recycle all the materials they receive with the product deliveries. In addition, customers will be able to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and ensure the materials are recycled as part of the local circular economy loop. “The implementation of the new recycling QR codes on our paperboard deliveries stems from a strong commitment to sustainability and customer convenience,” said Isto Hongisto, Product Safety Specialist at Metsä Board. “Recycling can sometimes be complex, and our goal is to make it as seamless and straightforward as possible for our customers. This initiative will not only save them time, but it will also ensure that the materials used in our deliveries are recycled in an optimal way.” The QR codes have been visible on all paperboard deliveries as of November 2024.

Canada Wood has taken a decisive step toward promoting mass timber and hybrid construction in China with the signing of three pivotal memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with key stakeholders. Source: Timberbiz These agreements with Treezo Group, East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), and the National Center for Technology Innovation – Green Building (NCTI-GB) underline its strategic pivot to advancing mass timber and hybrid construction in China. They also highlight the growing potential for Canadian wood products to play a significant role in China’s evolving construction market. Treezo Group, one of China’s leading manufacturers of OSB, plywood, cabinetry, flooring, and prefab buildings, is at the forefront of integrating mass timber into its operations. With the completion of the design for a 7-storey mass timber office building at its headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Treezo is actively exploring the establishment of its own mass timber manufacturing facility to support this project and expand its prefab business. The MOU with Treezo solidifies a partnership focused on advancing research and development, facilitating connections with Canadian academic institutions, and providing technical expertise. This collaboration aims to strengthen Treezo’s capabilities in mass timber production and its application in China’s growing prefab and mass timber markets. East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), part of Arcplus Group PLC., is one of China’s most respected architectural firms, known for iconic projects such as the CCTV Headquarters and Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminal 3. ECADI is now channelling its expertise into the development of tall wood mass timber construction. The renewed MOU with ECADI focuses on establishing a wood construction innovation centre dedicated to advancing mass timber research and development. Canada Wood is supporting ECADI’s proposal for a 10-story mass timber office building in Shanghai, providing technical guidance to facilitate the adoption of mass timber construction. The National Centre for Technology Innovation – Green Building (NCTI-GB), endorsed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), is a national platform focused on decarbonizing construction and promoting green building technologies. As a central force in driving low-carbon construction, NCTI-GB’s mandate aligns closely with Canada Wood’s objectives to promote mass timber as a sustainable alternative. Facilitated by BCFII China office, the MOU with NCTI-GB underscores a commitment to joint efforts in resource sharing, technical exchange, and the development of standards and demonstration projects. This collaboration is poised to drive advancements in mass timber construction, with a shared goal of establishing wood as a key component in China’s green building agenda.  

Irish materials handling innovator Combilift has celebrated 21 years of operation in Australia, shortly after marking the 25th anniversary of its establishment in County Monaghan. Source: Timberbiz Co-founder and managing director Martin McVicar last week joined customers, dealer partners and local staff to mark the milestone in Melbourne. Mr McVicar recalled how he was initially approached about entering the Australian market by family-owned dealer group Adaptalift. Founder Peter Whiffen discovered Combilift while searching for a solution for a client’s unique handling needs. As an engineer, he was so impressed with the innovation of the Combilift range that he flew to the company’s factory in Ireland. The visit resulted in the establishment in 2003 of Adapt-A-Lift Imports, trading as Combilift Australia, to import and distribute niche market materials handling products. Mr McVicar still vividly remembers his first business trip to Australia from Cincinnati in the United States to Brisbane via Chicago, Los Angeles and Auckland. The ravages of the trip didn’t affect the presentation and Mr McVicar left with an order of a C4000 truck, the world’s first engine-powered multidirectional forklift, from a steel tubing and pipe specialist which continues to grow its Combilift fleet today. “For us, every customer is valuable, even if they’ve only purchased one machine,” he said. Mr McVicar paid tribute to his local partners. “The team from Adaptalift have been instrumental to our growth in the area, with ongoing investment in inventory, parts and training.” For his part, Mr Whiffen values the relationship with Combilift which, he says, “has never lost its focus on the customer, even though it is now a big company”. Adaptalift has also benefited from Combilift’s unique range. “That has opened doors for us and allowed us to sell other products to the same customers,” Mr Whiffen said. “It extends our range and beautifully complements our other offerings.” According to Combilift Australia managing director Chris Littlewood, whose 10th year with the company is fast approaching, Combilift continues to grow its market share in Australia. This growth has made Australia Combilift’s fifth-largest market, with a fleet in the country exceeding 4,500 units.

The New Zealand Government says that it is delivering on its commitment to combat trade in illegally harvested timber, with consultation starting on operational details to implement New Zealand’s legal harvest assurance system, Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. Source: Timberbiz “The system will limit the risk of importing illegally harvested timber and provide the international market with confidence in New Zealand’s timber and timber products,” Mr McClay said. “As markets increasingly demand verifiable assurances, this system will help us maintain and expand access to higher-value opportunities worldwide.” The legal harvest assurance system is designed to: Reduce the risk of trading in timber sourced from illegal harvesting. Provide exporters with a streamlined pathway to meet global market requirements. Ensure timber imported into New Zealand meets legal harvest standards. Support international efforts to combat illegal logging and strengthen global supply chains. The Government is inviting input on the operational details of the system, which is set to be fully implemented by August 2027. Feedback gathered during the consultation will shape the final recommendations and ensure the system is practical and effective for all stakeholders. Consultation is open until 26 February 2025.

A recent Federal Government investigation into timber imports underlines the reality that if consumers want to be certain in buying sustainably produced wood, they should buy Australian. Source: Timberbiz Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the investigation found that one quarter of timber products imported into Australia have inaccurate species and origin claims, including multiple instances of undeclared veneers and solid timber products with potential Russian origins. “It is ironic that groups like the Bob Brown Foundation and the Wilderness Society, in their rush to promote the banning of sustainably harvested native Tasmanian timber, are effectively promoting the use of imported timber of potentially dubious origin,” said Minister Abetz. “The mind boggles that in the choice between sustainable Tasmanian timber and imported timber from who-knows-where, including unlabelled Russian timber, extremists would prefer the latter. “Tasmanians can be well pleased with our forestry industry, with both native and plantation timber harvested under our world-class forest practices system, ensuring the ongoing sustainability of our public forest estate. “In contrast to Labor Governments around the country which have betrayed timber communities, our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future supports forestry and its 5700 direct and indirect jobs, and we urge Australians to buy local. “We are opening up the Future Potential Production Forest “wood bank”, increasing high-quality sawlog supply to Tasmanian industry, supporting our iconic special species timber sector and supercharging on-island processing with an additional $5 million. “We make no apologies for backing the State’s sustainable and job-rich timber industry.”

  The City of Coffs Harbour will be represented as the NSW Government moves toward the creation of a Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast. Source: Timberbiz The NSW Government committed $80 million in funding over four years to support the development of the park as part of the 2023/24 State Budget. The consultation process – as it works toward the park’s formation – includes establishment of three advisory panels (Aboriginal groups, community and industry). City of Coffs Harbour along with other regional councils (Kempsey, Nambucca Valley, Bellingen and Clarence) has been invited to be represented on the community panel. At its meeting on 14 November, Coffs Harbour Council resolved to nominate Cr Jonathan Cassell to the Great Koala National Park Community Advisory Panel, with Cr Tony Judge as the alternate. The NSW Government notes some 176,000 hectares of State Forest will be assessed for inclusion in the Great Koala National Park, along with areas of the existing National Park estate.

Victoria’s state government has already laid the groundwork to create the Great Forest National Park, lodging a plan with the federal government in May that requires it to lock up 300,000ha of Victoria’s Central Highlands to protect Leadbeater’s possums. Source: The Weekly Times Action 2.5 of the plan, which was marked “urgent”, required the Allan government to implement “a substantial expansion of the current reserve system to encompass all areas of high likelihood of occurrence of the species (currently and in the future)”, estimated at 300,000ha. The plan’s adoption, under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act, means failing to expand the reserves within a new Great Forest National Park risks the Victorian government facing legal action from environmental groups. “Given the current state and prognosis of Leadbeater’s possum, all sites at which the species has recently been recorded are important and merit protection; as do all areas at which there is a reasonable likelihood of its occurrence as indicated by occupancy and population viability analysis (PVA) modelling,” the plan states. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said locking in the plan “makes a mockery” of the Victorian government’s public consultation on whether to lock up the Central Highlands in a new national park. “Locking up more land in national parks will guarantee more serious bushfires and less opportunity for people to enjoy our natural environment,” Mr Chester said. Victorian Opposition Environment spokesman James Newbury said the plan “added a big legal padlock to more of our public land”. “It’s further proof of a con – that the government has a secret plan to lock Victoria away,” Mr Newbury said. But Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos’ office said “the Leadbeater’s Possum Recovery Plan is a commonwealth initiative that sets a national framework to co-ordinate recovery efforts across states, it does not require Victoria to create national parks”. The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s website states “the recovery plan for Leadbeater’s possum has been made jointly with the Victorian government under the EPBC Act”. One Labor Party source said it was clear the Victorian government had led the charge on adoption of the latest plan, despite ending native timber harvesting on January 1 this year, which environmentalists had long argued was a threat to the possum.

Parks Victoria manages more than four million hectares of parks and reserves which attract more than 100 million visits every year. These assets must meet the needs of Victorians for generations to come. It’s clear that Parks Victoria’s current operations need to be improved to meet community expectations according to Steve Dimopoulos Victorian Minister for Environment. Source: Timberbiz “I have therefore ordered a comprehensive review of Parks Victoria, to advise how the organisation can better serve the needs of Victorians and help them enjoy the great outdoors,” he said in a statement. The review will focus on Parks Victoria’s priorities, the delivery of its objectives under the Parks Victoria Act 2018, the organisation’s administration, finances, functions and delivery model – to identify ways the organisation can reduce red-tape, improve customer service, and deliver better outcomes for Victorians. The review will be completed by March 2025, and will be overseen by the Victorian Government with the support of Korda Mentha. As part of this process, Matthew Jackson, the CEO of Parks Victoria, has departed his position by mutual agreement. Graeme “Gus” Dear has been appointed as Interim CEO of Parks Victoria. Mr Dear brings 30 years of experience in public and private sector administration and has served on the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Board since its inception, most recently as Chair. “Gus loves the bush. Ever since he caught his first redfin at Ringwood Lake as a young boy, he’s been hooked on fishing,” Mr Dimopoulos said. “His passion for the great outdoors and experience in administration means he is the right person to help Parks Victoria change. “His leadership will ensure Parks Victoria continues to provide accessible, enjoyable outdoor experiences while protecting and enhancing the state’s natural environment.”  

I am at risk of sounding like a cracked record. I have 59 years’ experience of managing productive native forests. The Department promoting the Improved Native Forest Management Plan (INFM) proposes an end to sustainable management. I Googled INFM and found references to just about anything but the proposed INFM Plan. I suspect the Department’s proposed “management” really proposes the traditional conservation reserve management which effectively excludes any commercial production from a native forest. Let nature take its course. Then when the forest does not conserve all the species that were present on day one, having let nature take its course it won’t be the Department’s fault if an extinction occurs. In my research I did find reference to the National Parks Association’s condemnation of the Regional Forest Agreements as being a total failure. As I see it, they are right, but not in the way they want it seen. The Regional Forest Agreements saw extensive tracts of productive forests locked away in conservation reserves such as National Parks. They were the best forest habitats for the most threatened species. What has happened to the threatened species in all those protected habitats? I am just one of the foresters that have been managing our productive native forests for over 100 years. Why is it that the next area to be harvested places a threatened species at risk of extinction? This claimed threat of extinctions tells me that in only 25 years the National Parks Association and their cronies have totally failed to protect the threatened species in the native forests they were entrusted to protect. The harvesting of managed productive native forests may threaten the survival of individuals, but it is obviously providing the preferred habitat for those threatened species in the long term. Our productive native forests had their share of severe wildfires. Often because neighbours thought their place and the forest “needed a bit of a burn”. We didn’t have a lot of people working in the forests, but they were all attuned to fire suppression so, damage was minimised. I grew up in Sydney and recreated in the surrounding native forests and woodland. Over the years I observed the increasing frequency and severity of bush fires. We encourage our population to recreate in the bush and most are careful but as the numbers increase so does the number of the less than careful. The Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains rarely have a fire free summer these days. It is very easy to blame lightning from the summer storms but there was an old forestry adage that many a lightning strike came out of match boxes. So, when all our native forests are protected from production, we won’t have the timber industry to blame for adverse outcomes. No doubt the conservation movement will find another fall guy to take the blame for their failures. In my early years as a graduate forester forest plantations were being condemned as biological deserts. That was till they were overnight proclaimed as the alternative to harvesting native forests. I have long believed that as soon as the last native forest is protected from harvesting the plantations will once again be condemned as a blight on our landscape. It intrigued me recently to learn that we are now importing our native hardwoods from plantations on the other side of the world. Paul Keating once said Australia had to become “the smart country”. We still have a long way to go.   Vic Eddy joined the Forestry Commission of New South Wales as a forester in 1966 and worked across the state until 1984.He holds a Bachelor of Science (Forestry).