Australian timber industry news

On Wednesday, 28 May, a ceremony was held in Mönsterås, Sweden to mark the start of construction of Södra’s new kraft lignin plant. The facility is an important step in Södra’s strategy to make more from every tree and develop its business by adding new bio-based products. Source: Timberbiz Lignin is a natural substance found in trees and acts as a binding agent between the fibres. Lignin is released during pulp production and is currently used mainly for energy generation. With this new plant, Södra will be able to separate and dry kraft lignin, making it possible to replace fossil materials in, for example, adhesives, batteries, rubber and composites. The kraft lignin can also be used as the building block for new biofuels and biostimulants. The new plant will cover an area of 1,400 m² and be built on a prepared site at Södra’s existing combined facility in Mönsterås. The facility is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will then be the first commercial plant of its kind in Sweden and the world’s largest producer of kraft lignin. Magnus Hall, Chair of Södra, Lotta Lyrå, CEO of Södra, Allan Widman, County Governor in Kalmar Municipality, Clara Helstad from the Swedish Energy Agency, Karin Dernegård, Mill Manager of Södra Cell Mönsterås and Johannes Bogren, Business Area President of Södra Bioproducts took part in the ceremony to mark the start of construction. “The construction start symbolises a huge step forward, driven by innovation and long-term investments. With this new plant, we are creating a completely new business operation at Södra that will support the green transition, increase profitability and strengthen the value of forest estates,” said Johannes Bogren, Business Area President of Södra Bioproducts. Investment in both the environment and the local community For Mönsterås, the establishment will not only add new jobs but also greater industrial expertise, as well as enhancing its attractiveness as a sustainable industrial site. “We estimate that the new plant could create 25 new jobs. Being home to a world-leading kraft lignin plant puts Mönsterås on the map both nationally and internationally,” said Karin Dernegård, Mill Manager for Södra Cell Mönsterås. The plant is being constructed with support from the Swedish Energy Agency’s Industrial Leap (Sw. Industriklivet), a government programme that supports technology investments aimed at reducing the climate impact of industry. The Industrial Leap is part of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which is the centrepiece of the NextGenerationEU package.  

The new Komatsu 895.3 comes fitted with the new powerful 205F crane, new large G88H grapple and rotator with a redesigned frame, upgraded load space and bunks with optional telescopic functions. Source: Timberbiz The 205F is a new Komatsu crane with 205KNm lifting torque and 51.9kNm slewing torque. It has been developed with a focus on increased productivity in final felling especially in forest plantations. The crane has a robust welded crane pillar together with the inner and outer booms provide good lift capacity and lifting geometry. It has optional reach of 7.5m/8.5m with single telescopic or 10m with double telescopic booms. The machine’s reinforced frame system, including articulating frame and bearings have been designed to handle the increased crane capacity and new load space. The more robust frame provides improved durability in tough environments. An updated hydraulic system is equipped with a new larger hydraulic pump adapted for the new crane. It is electrically controlled for improved response and control resulting in smoother pressure levels and improved efficiency. A larger hydraulic tank developed for a single filter instead of double filter, simplifies maintenance. The new Komatsu 895.3 with HD Transmission, redesigned frame, large load capacity, new 205F crane and G88H rotator take the machine to another production level.

Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry from Pacific Island countries endorsed the Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy for Agriculture and Forestry at the 4th Meeting of the Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Source: Timberbiz The 4th Ministerial Meeting concluded the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF), hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC). The Growing the Pacific 2050 Strategy is anchored in five interwoven strategic pathways — healthy, regenerative, secure, integrated, and enabled — which collectively guide transformative action across the agriculture and forestry sectors. These pathways underpin eight catalytic initiatives (2025–2030), which include promoting One Health and regenerative practices; advancing afforestation and climate-resilient systems; strengthening biosecurity and agrobiodiversity; supporting agribusiness and exports; and enhancing data, knowledge, and education systems to build future talent. This endorsement marks a major milestone in the region’s collective commitment to building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems for the future. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of Tonga, Honourable Dr Siosiua Moala Halavatau set the tone for the ministerial meeting in his opening remarks by urging continued collaboration among Pacific Islands to tackle shared challenges such as out-migration, an aging farmer population, and climate change. “Agriculture and forestry are vital for the Pacific, as they are the backbones of our economies and the foundation of our food security. But they face significant challenges,” said Dr Halavatau. “Partnership brings us together today in a genuine effort to work together towards a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient future for Pacific peoples and countries.” FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Guangzhou Qu, who reaffirmed FAO’s support for the region, emphasized that traditional practices and knowledge in the Pacific provide scalable solutions for climate resilience and sustainable production. “Guided by examples from across our Pacific nations, we envision a future where healthy soils thrive, farmer organizations lead, transparent data informs our decisions, and biodiversity flourishes,” said Qu. “By empowering our youth and integrating indigenous knowledge, we can drive innovation that transforms Pacific agrifood systems, leaving no one behind.” SPC’s Deputy Director-General (Science and Capability), Dr Paula Vivili, reiterated the cultural significance of food in the Pacific. “Let us also not forget that food is identity in the Pacific. Our region has immense food heritage and genetic wealth. We must protect it, celebrate it, and build systems that ensure its benefits for Pacific people,” he said. “Today, through discussions on invasive species, climate-informed food systems planning, and domestic production, we are collectively shaping strategies that are tailored, timely, and rooted in national priorities.” The transformation of agriculture and forestry for more regeneration, productivity, and resilience was the central theme of the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry. This biannual week-long event was officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Sinaitakala Tukuaho of the Kingdom of Tonga. PWAF brought together governments, NGOs, community-based organizations, and the private sector to chart a transformative path for agriculture and forestry in the region. Hosted by the Government of Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, PWAF served as an essential platform for sharing knowledge, aligning strategies, and driving collective action toward resilient and sustainable food systems across the Pacific. The fifth PWAF will be hosted by the Solomon Islands in 2027, as agreed by Pacific countries and territories. FAO and SPC, as key technical and resource partners in the region, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pacific Island Countries in tackling climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, working collaboratively in building a more resilient and sustainable future for all.  

World leading chainsaw brand, Stihl, has launched the second year of its Chainsaw Safety Week in Australia. From Monday, June 2 to June 8, Stihl is determined to continue building awareness of the necessary safety precautions for operating a chainsaw this winter and beyond. Source: Timberbiz Chainsaws are powerful tools-indispensable for professionals and weekend warriors alike. But with power comes risk, and every year, improper use leads to thousands of injuries, many of them easily preventable with training. With over 600 Stihl dealerships around the country and the largest market share of chainsaw sales in Australia, Stihl is committed to the safe and proper use of chainsaws. “At Stihl, we’re committed to making sure that Australians are putting their safety first,” Stihl Australia managing director Leeson Brook said. “As Australia’s most trusted brand for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment, we recognise we have a role to play to support the safe use of these essential tools.” Stihl launched the campaign with a donation to Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), supplying them with $10,000 worth of equipment to support their vital work in keeping Australian communities safe in the aftermath of destructive weather events, such as the recent Cyclone Alfred and Victorian fires. As the control agency of flood and storm, DRA unites the skills and experience of veterans and other dedicated volunteers, harnessing their extensive training and substantial experience of Chainsaw Operations, to safely support communities and remove trees down over roads and properties and help to repair building damage. “Proper preparation beforehand can be the main difference for your property surviving a disaster,” a DRA representative said. “Identifying any hazardous trees or branches that need to be dealt with before the season starts. Whether you’re using a chainsaw, pole saw, brush cutter or even just a blower to undertake any of these tasks yourself, it is crucial that you understand the risks involved and know how to operate the equipment safely.” Chainsaw Safety: Not Just for the Pros Stihl’s campaign isn’t just aimed at seasoned arborists or forestry workers. The other target is the occasional user, the DIY enthusiast who fires up a chainsaw for a backyard project, often without giving safety more than a passing thought. For these users, a moment’s inattention or a missing piece of protective gear can have life-altering consequences. The Five-Minute Rule The message is simple but vital: take five minutes before you start. Five minutes to check your gear, inspect your chainsaw, and clear your work area. It’s a small investment of time that can prevent catastrophic injuries. Stihl’s safety checklist is straightforward: Wear snug-fitting, cut-resistant clothing, steel-toed boots, gloves, and full head, face, and hearing protection. Inspect your chainsaw for sharpness, proper tension, and intact safety devices- never use a damaged or improperly maintained tool. Clear your work area of tripping hazards, bystanders, and overhead dangers, and always be mindful of weather conditions that could add risk. Stihl has engineered their chainsaws with numerous safety features, from reduced-kickback chains to chain brakes and ergonomic designs. But as the company itself points out, “user safety really does begin with you”. No amount of technology can substitute for personal vigilance and proper preparation; this is where the messaging of safety through the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) is vital. Chainsaw Safety Week isn’t just about checklists, it’s about changing attitudes towards chainsaws. Safety needs to be second nature, not an afterthought. STIHL’s outreach, from online tips and quizzes to in-store advice, is designed to make safety part of the chainsaw experience, not an optional extra. Stihl Chainsaw Safety Week is a timely reminder that taking a few minutes to prepare, suit up, and check your equipment is not just good practice – it’s a responsibility to yourself, your family, and your community. Let’s make chainsaw safety more than a weeklong campaign. Let’s make it a habit, every time we pick up the saw.

Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA) state seminars have solidified their place as an integral event in the fabricator calendar, bringing together fabricators, expert speakers, and valued partners. Source: Timberbiz So far FTMA has run state seminars in SA, NSW & QLD in collaboration with three principal partners, Mitek, Multinail and Pryda, who have all run morning sessions. The morning nail plate sessions were an invaluable opportunity for fabricators to engage directly with their nail plate companies, Multinail, MiTek, and Pryda, and fellow fabricators. These events showcase the latest developments in software, services, and machinery, providing crucial insights to enhance fabricators’ operations. With dedicated time to explore innovative advancements, attendees gain knowledge essential to staying competitive and efficient. After lunch, the FTMA seminars kicked off and for three hours, delegates not only had the opportunity of listening to the following speakers but also participated in workshops to provide crucial feedback on key industry initiatives. Tim Woods and Jim Houghton recently completed a major study for the Australian industry, funded, supported and launched by Forest & Wood Products Australia. The More Houses Sooner – Finding the Australian Dream report provides clear clues and scenarios that show a pathway for fabricators and the timber supply chain and explains why that is vital to Australia’s future prosperity. Members were left shocked when they realised that it has been 40 years since we have been able to build enough homes for Australians. We used to build roughly 60 homes for every 100 Australians; this has now dropped to only 23 homes for every 100 persons. For more information visit https://ftmanews.com

Veteran developer Barrie Harrop has revived plans for a $250m timber hotel in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, with construction set to kick off before the end of the year. Source: Timberbiz The 31-level tower will be built behind and above an existing office tower, the heritage-listed former MLC building at 187 Victoria Square. The project was first announced in 2022. Green Street News reports that the carbon-neutral development building, designed by Cox Architecture and to be built out of cross-laminated timber and green steel, will offer 324 hotel suites, 20 residential apartments and four sub-penthouses. Tier-one builder Multiplex is set to build the upmarket lifestyle hotel, which will be operated by a “globally recognised international hotelier”. Green Street News reports that the property could welcome guests by late 2026 or early 2027. “The development is being undertaken by Thrive Construct, which Harrop runs with fellow Adelaide developer Peter Villis. The firm focuses on carbon-neutral projects using modular or prefabricated construction techniques.

This year marks a decade since Scion adopted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a research tool forging a path towards more effective forest management. Source: Timberbiz A pioneer in the field of UAV research, the Crown Research Institute bought its first drone in February 2015. Since then, UAVs have become a key tool for aerial data capture, for use in high-definition mapping and monitoring of forests. Scion also uses them for 3D modelling, sample collection, sub-canopy data captures and various types of imaging across multiple programs. It is the only Crown Research Institute with Civil Aviation Authority Part 102 higher tier certification, which enables it to undertake UAV activity outside what standard operational licences allow. Scion scientist Robin Hartley says UAVs add a lot of value to the organisation’s research. “We regularly capture high-definition LIDAR for measuring trees. We can get ultra high-resolution maps of stands and trials, we are capturing spectral and thermal data to understand more about tree physiology remotely, and we’re working with companies to develop UAV spray systems specific to forestry needs. We’re also exploring niche areas such as sub-canopy flying for characterising stem and branch structure and collecting upper canopy samples.” The autonomous systems team has worked with other teams across Scion and industry over the past 10 years to enable them to adopt UAV technologies. “There is plenty of potential for UAVs to be used for other purposes within research and commercial forest management, too, such as forest inventory, phenotyping and manual applications such as spraying and planting,” Mr Hartley said. It all started in 2012, when research group leader David Pont was a scientist monitoring the development of UAVs and miniaturised laser scanning technologies. By 2015 a commercially available scanner had been matched to a drone from Aeronavics, a NZ-based UAV company working with the Hollywood film industry. At the time, a geomatics team was being formed at Scion that comprised scientists with expertise in airborne LiDAR. A state-of-the-art LidarPod weighing 3kg was bought from Scotland, and the Scion team ordered the largest UAV they could find to carry it. This UAV gave Scion a modern way to laser scan forest stands. Scion staff Toby Stovold, Kane Fleet and Marie Heaphie (who has since left the organisation), learned to fly a small UAV, which meant when the larger craft arrived, they were ready to deploy it for forestry research. The wider industry took notice as the technology continued to develop. Several forestry companies have since invested in trials and built their own in-house UAV capacity. The strong industry adoption was highlighted in a 2020 study that showed 83% of forestry companies in NZ use UAVs to capture aerial imagery, compared with none in an earlier 2013 survey. Scion also helped set up the Tools for Foresters (TFF) industry initiative, which connects researchers and foresters using UAVs in forests to share research, knowledge and resources. This helps enhance UAV technology development and encourage adoption of these tools. Timberlands inventory manager Michael Wilson says Scion’s work with UAVs over the past decade has helped shape how his company uses the technology in forest management operations. “Scion’s work helped us see what was possible with drone technology – from precision aerial mapping to advanced canopy analysis – and gave us the confidence to invest in UAVs ourselves. It’s hard to imagine modern forest management without them now.” Mr Hartley says Scion continues to work with forest managers to develop systems that are relevant and cost-effective. “A recent survey showed a 20% increase across some key UAV uses that have been developed and promoted through TFF.” Scion’s autonomous systems team is focused on advancing techniques for the capture and use of LiDAR, photogrammetry and thermal and multi-spectral imagery.

A new AI system that can automatically identify contaminated construction and demolition wood waste has been developed by researchers from Monash University and Charles Darwin University (CDU). Source: Timberbiz Published in Resources, Conservation & Recycling, the study presents the first real-world image dataset of contaminated wood waste, a major step toward smarter recycling and sustainable construction. The research team, led by Madini De Alwis with Dr Milad Bazli (CDU), under the supervision of Associate Professor Mehrdad Arashpour, Head of Construction Engineering at Monash, trained and tested cutting-edge deep learning models to detect contamination types in wood waste using images. Contaminated wood from construction and demolition sites often ends up in landfill due to the difficulty of sorting it manually. But by applying AI models the team found strong precision and recall across six types of wood contamination. “We curated the first real-world image dataset of contaminated construction and demolition wood waste,” said Mr De Alwis, a PhD candidate at Monash’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “This new system could be deployed via camera-enabled sorting lines, drones or handheld tools to support on-site decision-making.” While computer vision has been explored in general waste streams, its application to contaminated wood waste has remained limited, until now. “By fine-tuning state-of-the-art deep learning models, including CNNs and Transformers, we showed that these tools can automatically recognise contamination types in wood using everyday RGB images,” Dr Bazli said. Wood waste is one of the largest components of construction waste globally. Most of it can be recycled, but contamination from paint, chemicals, metals and other construction residues makes sorting difficult and costly. “This opens the door to scalable, AI-driven solutions that support wood waste reuse, recycling and reclamation,” Dr Bazli said. By integrating AI with waste management practices, the study supports Australia’s circular economy goals and the global push for greener construction. “This is a practical, scalable solution for a global waste problem. By enabling automated sorting, we’re giving recyclers and contractors a powerful tool to recover valuable resources and reduce landfill dependency,” Mr De Alwis said.

Millions of eucalypt and pine seedlings are being dispatched across NSW ahead of the annual State Forest planting season. Grown from seed at Forestry Corporation’s Grafton and Tumut nurseries these seedlings will provide NSW with sustainable timber resources for the future. Source: Timberbiz In coming months, the seedlings will be mostly planted by hand in recently harvested compartments, regrowing these forests with trees for the future. Forestry Corporation’s seedling stock will be supplemented with stock purchased from HQP in Queensland to produce the high-quality timber that is important to the plywood industry and used for furniture, veneer, joinery, panelling, particle board, flooring and boats. Forestry Corporation every year plants the equivalent of 14,000 football fields in plantations. Forestry Corporation’s nursery staff play a huge hand in increasing the state’s timber resources. “Our nurseries combined raise around 11 million new trees every year for the replanting of state forests across NSW. Most are grown from seed, while others are sourced externally to ensure a diverse and resilient plantation stock,” Grafton Nursery Manager Karen Morrow said. “Here in Grafton, we are currently dispatching 300,000 hardwood seedlings, 380,000 softwood seedlings and a heap of specialty seedling orders. “We have raised and dispatched 29,000 koala feed trees that will be hugely important in creating koala habitat through community and private property planting projects. “An additional 15,000 Christmas tree seedlings have just been dispatched, along with 6,000 eucalyptus seedings for a private customer and another 23,000 eucalyptus seedlings will be dispatched for planting in June,” she said. Mechanical planting of hoop pine is also set to start at Pikapene near Grafton. A large replanting program will see around 700,000 radiata seedlings planted in New England pine forests in the Walcha district. Half of those seedlings were transferred to Inverell for hardening in April, where they will stay until the plantings commence in July. Dispatch will also take place from the Tumut nursery, which focuses on radiata pine in areas like Tumut, Bombala and Bathurst. Every year NSW’s softwood plantations grow enough timber to build more than 40,000 homes a year. Hardwood forests continue to produce incredible engineered products, such as the timber interior of the Sydney Opera House, but it’s the everyday uses where the timber is most needed producing power poles, marine wharf piers, timber pallets, timber flooring, decking and furniture. Combined, the NSW forestry industry generates an estimated $2.4 billion for the economy employing 22,000 people in NSW. For more information on replanting programs and forest management visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Sterling Structural, a pioneer in domestically sourced and manufactured mass timber solutions in the United States, has officially joined the CLT Toolbox platform, a global design software platform that empowers structural engineers to specify timber faster, more accurately, and in line with real supplier data. Source: Timberbiz Designed to advance the adoption of sustainable timber construction across Australia, CLT Toolbox offers engineers, students, and timber enthusiasts’ access to cutting-edge tools and educational resources, empowering a new generation to contribute to a sustainable future. The platform enables education alongside design enabling engineers to use mass timber. Its mission is to make CLT design easy, accessible, and aligned with supply chain realities – broadening engineering capacity across the region. CLT Toolbox is gearing up for a major launch later this year with added modules for fire design, diaphragm design, shear walls, connection details, and much more. Sterling is the first US Cross Laminated Timber supplier to partner with CLT Toolbox, enabling engineers to design with Sterling’s panels directly within the platform. Through the beta program, users can now create designs using wall and floor calculators tailored to Sterling’s products. Sterling Structural is a division within Sterling Solutions, one of America’s leading manufacturers of sustainably sourced, domestically produced, high-quality and cost-effective Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats, panels and systems. “The addition of Sterling Structural’s CLT panels and systems to the Toolbox will help advance the adoption of CLT and mass timber projects across the US,” said Adam Jones, CEO of CLT Toolbox. “Sterling is a leading CLT manufacturer, and their inclusion in the Toolbox offers an immediate opportunity for engineers to incorporate CLT into their projects.” With Sterling now fully integrated, engineers can design with Sterling’s CLT and glulam products, and get: Full design integration of Sterling CLT panels Instant capacity checks and reports aligned with U.S. codes Specification-ready outputs that streamline documentation “We’re on a mission to bring mass timber to the masses, and the CLT Toolbox is an integral part of achieving that mission,” said Michaela Harms, Vice President of Mass Timber at Sterling Structural. “When we make it easy to design for CLT and mass timber, we make it easy to incorporate mass timber. We’re looking forward to seeing how this new resource boosts interest and use of CLT in projects of all shapes and sizes.” This partnership comes at a critical time in US construction as developers demand lower carbon, faster, and more beautiful buildings. Sterling’s presence on CLT Toolbox brings scalable, modern tools into the hands of structural engineers unlocking the full potential of mass timber design.

Develon is helping logging professionals take on tough forestry and timber processing jobs with its new, next-generation -7 Series log loaders and road builders. Source: Timberbiz The new lineup features enhanced safety features, heavy-duty components and easy serviceability to help logging companies move more timber and build access roads to the harvesting and log loading areas. “We took learnings and incorporated features from our previous products to directly shape the design and function of the new -7 Series log loaders and road builders,” said Morgan Stallings, senior director, product management and marketing. “Equipped with reliable performance, and comfort and visibility enhancements, they are designed to help those working in challenging conditions. Feedback from a longtime log loader customer operating a DX225LL-7 prototype in the Pacific Northwest confirms that our design and enhancements are paying off.” The -7 Series log loaders and road builders are ready to take on high-demand tasks. They have increased horsepower, faster cycle times and more lifting capacity to complete timber harvesting and log loading faster. An increased swing torque helps the machines swing heavy loads more efficiently, even when moving the load uphill. The fine swing function reduces the amount of shaking when lifting heavy objects, resulting in greater control, more accuracy and safer operation. When higher lifting capacity is needed, operators can use a convenient one-touch power boost button on the right-hand joystick to provide a momentary hydraulic boost. Operators can also choose from four selectable power modes to best match the application they’re working in to increase efficiency and minimize fuel consumption. Develon’s 7 Series log loaders and road builders are built with heavy-duty construction for harsh forestry conditions. The machines feature heavy-duty side doors, with guards over the hydraulic pump and cooling system door, along with quarter-inch side panels. A robust front guard protects components against debris and obstacles. A fully guarded, heavy-duty, high and wide undercarriage helps improve ground clearance over stumps and other debris on logging sites. The Develon DX225LL-7 log loader cab is designed with a 4-foot riser and robust front and top guards, providing protection without sacrificing operator visibility. The log loader cab also features hydraulic 90-degree tilting for ease of transport on a trailer. All Develon 7 Series log loaders and road builders feature a large, all-weather steel cab that has superior comfort, excellent operator visibility, low noise levels and more room to work. The heated air-suspension seat adjusts to operators’ height and weight and features adjustable headrests and armrests and an optional 4-point seat belt. Joystick controls move up and down with the seat for more ergonomic operation to reduce operator fatigue. Front and rear LED lights enhance operator visibility, especially during low-light situations in early morning and at night. A multi-function colour LCD monitor shows a variety of machine diagnostic information. It also displays video from the standard rearview or side-mounted camera. Operators can use the hybrid screen mode to see machine information and the camera at the same time. The optional around view monitor (AVM) camera system is equipped with its own dedicated display monitor, which shows a full view of the machine’s surroundings. The AVM system is available for new -7 Series road builders. It gives operators greater confidence when operating or positioning the machine in tight areas. Optional on 7 Series log loaders and road builders is a side-entry forestry cab. The forestry cab is built with guarded polycarbonate front, side and rear windows, as well as a rear secondary exit. For added protection, optional 32-mm polycarbonate glass is available. Additional options for the new road builders include a boom and arm lock valve. A straight travel pedal feature, which allows the operator to travel in a straight line more easily, is standard on all log loader models and optional for road builders. Both log loaders and road builders have the option for an air compressor and fuel filler pump. Daily maintenance is simple with easy component access and centralized grease banks on the base of the boom. This allows operators to grease multiple points from one location. Engine filters, hydraulic filters and the hydraulic tank are centrally located in a protected area, simplifying service and filter changes. The radiator with reverse fan automatically helps prevent debris buildup and keeps the cooling system clean. An optional air compressor located in the cab makes it easy for operators to keep the interior clean of dirt and debris, creating a more comfortable working environment.

Buying a house is becoming increasingly difficult for millions of people with rising house prices and soaring cost of living. Source: The US Sun But a growing number of Americans are opting out of traditional home ownership all together and purchasing a tiny home instead. Tiny homes are becoming increasingly popular, offering a low-cost, minimalist solution. Tiny homes typically range from 100 to 400 square feet and are beloved by homeowners seeking to downsize, add extra space, or create a cozy holiday home. One great option is Amazon’s outdoor wooden tiny home selling for just US$10,650. The home is fully customizable, meaning you can tailor it to your needs. It can be bought with either two or three bedrooms and comes fully equipped with a bathroom. Also, it’s “double winged” structure gives it a unique appearance. According to the listing, it is an environmentally friendly house meaning you won’t break the bank with energy costs. “Environmental protection and energy saving, suitable for long-term living: Folding houses are usually built with environmentally friendly materials, have good heat insulation and sound insulation, and can effectively reduce energy consumption,” the listing said. Also, it is made with high quality materials and is sturdy in all types of weather. Another bonus is it is a “folding” house meaning it is flexible and can be moved on a whim. Tiny homes have become a global phenomenon, sweeping the world with the promise of a low carbon and simple lifestyle. Technically, a tiny home is any house measuring under 400 square feet. Many tiny homes are built on trailers so they can be towed anywhere, and some are converted from old school buses or vans. Each state has its own rules about tiny homes, but, generally, they are not subject to the same taxes as regular homes. However, Alaska, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have made tiny homes illegal as permanent dwellings. But experts say there are a number of things to think about before committing to the major purchase. The US Sun has previously spoken to tiny home enthusiast Erin Hybart who shared her top tips for consumers to consider before buying a tiny home. According to Hybart, who is a realtor in Louisiana and has sold smaller homes less than 600 feet squared, rules and regulations for tiny homes vary between each state so shoppers should do their research before buying one. Check regulations to see whether you need a permit as this varies from state to state Think carefully about how much storage you need Plan ahead and get organized by talking to other tiny home owners Be careful of scams by researching the builder to make sure they are legitimate. The rules governing tiny homes also vary depending on whether the tiny home is on a permanent foundation or on wheels. Hybart said to “always check local regulations to make sure they comply.” View the Amazon tiny home here.  

As the Trump administration cuts the US Forest Service and creates rampant uncertainty ahead of peak wildfire season, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state is continuing to ramp up its efforts to reduce wildfire risk and increase forest health. Source: Timberbiz CAL FIRE is awarding US$72 million to projects across the state that help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk across California. Governor Newsom also announced 13 vegetation management projects spanning nearly 7,000 acres have already been approved for fast-tracking under his emergency proclamation. This is to support large-scale, regionally based land management projects aimed at restoring forest health and resilience throughout California, while enhancing long-term carbon storage. Additionally, Governor Newsom announced that under his wildfire prevention emergency proclamation, which became operational on 17 April, the state has already fast-tracked approval for 13 projects totalling nearly 7,000 acres, on top of the two million acres treated in recent years. These projects involve tribes and other partners, natural resource managers and fire districts. This is part of statewide efforts to advance projects in key locations to help protect communities from catastrophic wildfires. One week after applications opened to fast-track critical wildfire safety projects in mid-April, the state began issuing fast-track approvals for wildfire safety projects. While 57% of California’s forests are federally managed, the state government manages only 3% of the forestland. The other 40% is privately owned and this work relies on partnership with private forestland owners. More than 2,200 vegetation management projects are complete or underway, and in recent years, California has treated nearly two million acres – made possible by scaling up investments to 10 times the amount from when the Governor took office in 2019. California has funded more than US$350 million worth of projects on federal lands in the same time. CAL FIRE estimates that 83% of all tree mortality in California, which poses a significant wildfire risk, is on national forest lands. Through its Forest Health Program, CAL FIRE is awarding 12 grants to local and regional partners carrying out projects on state, local, tribal, federal, and private lands. Designed to address critical forest health needs, these initiatives will reduce wildfire risk, improve ecosystem resilience, and enhance carbon sequestration across California’s diverse landscapes. Forest health grant projects focus on large, landscape-scale forestlands – no less than 800 acres in size – that are composed of one or more landowners and may cover multiple jurisdictions. The projects will employ a wide array of forest management strategies, with goals of wildfire resilience, watershed protection, habitat conservation for endangered species, recovery of fire-scarred and drought-impacted forests, and the reintroduction of fire as a natural ecological process. The majority of CAL FIRE’s Forest Health grants are funded through the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund (TRFRF), with additional support provided by California Climate Investments (CCI), a statewide initiative that directs billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars toward achieving the state’s climate goals.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards. The awards celebrate individuals, groups and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to our national biosecurity system.  Source: Timberbiz Deputy Secretary for Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said the awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the vital work being done to protect our environment, economy and way of life from biosecurity threats. “Biosecurity champions make a difference through action, dedication and lasting impact,” Ms Saunders said. “From scientists and community groups to industry leaders and government partnerships, the awards showcase innovation, leadership and collaboration. “They provide important recognition for those who go above and beyond to protect what matters most. “Sharing their stories promotes the importance of biosecurity and enhances our culture of biosecurity action.” Nominations close at 9am AEST Monday 30 June 2025. For more information on the 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards, including how to submit a nomination, visit Australian Biosecurity Awards – DAFF There are 9 award categories: Dr David Banks Biosecurity Lifetime Achievement Award Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation First Nations Award for Excellence in Biosecurity Farm Biosecurity Producer of The Year Award — jointly presented with Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia Industry Government Environmental Biosecurity Community Education Winners will be announced in late 2025.  

Biochar Network New Zealand will be again part of the Forestry Hub at Fieldays 2025. Giving visitors the chance to explore the many aspects of forestry and wood processing in NZ, the Forestry Hub will showcase the sector’s vital roles in agriculture, construction, energy and carbon management. Source: Timberbiz Made by pyrolysis of woody biomass or plant residues, biochar is one of few negative emissions technologies (NETs) recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Biochar safely stores up to half the carbon in its source material for hundreds and even thousands of years. Biochar is the world’s leading carbon dioxide removal (CDR) method. In New Zealand and internationally, biochar made from forestry residues is used for a variety of regenerative agriculture applications, saving farmers money, and increasing productivity. BNNZ Chair, Phil Stevens, is an advocate for biochar research, production and application. “Biochar turns forestry byproducts into a high-value commodity. As well as building soil carbon, biochar captures nutrients, holds water, mitigates emissions, and improves soil fertility,” he said. Mr Stevens also points to the thermal energy released when making biochar, and its potential in generating electricity or providing process heat for industry. “A timber processing business could very easily get three significant revenue streams from a pyrolysis plant: electricity, biochar, and carbon credits on the international voluntary market,” he said. BNNZ has seen a lot of progress since the 2022 Fieldays with commercial production and sales of biochar expanding around NZ. Southland Carbon have donated a 1000L bag of their premium biochar for a lucky prize winner and BiocharTP will have their new Air Curtain Burner on display. BNNZ will be demonstrating the principles of pyrolysis & gasification for biochar production over the four days and some of the residual heat will be directed at Forestry Hub sausages. The BNNZ team will also be presenting in the G80 Forestry Hub main stage on biochar production and its applications to agriculture and the natural environment (the presentation schedule is on the BNNZ calendar).

The forestry sector, policymakers and investors stand to benefit from ForestInsights – a collaborative initiative between Scion and Indufor aimed at creating New Zealand’s first comprehensive national dataset of planted forests. Source: Timberbiz Using artificial intelligence, satellite imagery and advanced processing algorithms, the ForestInsights team has built three core data options: forest boundaries, harvest history and stand age. Indufor ForestInsights Lead Andrew Holdaway says the initiative’s real value lies in its ability to capture data from small-scale grower woodlots to large commercial forests. “It gives us a clear view of where our plantations are located and their size, age and proximity to ports and wood processing facilities. A key feature is its spatial intelligence, which enables decision-makers and investors to assess regional wood supply dynamics and refine processing and investment strategies,” he said. Dr Michael Watt, Portfolio Leader for Scion’s New Value from a Digital Forest and Wood Sector, says there are also other benefits. “Our work is focused on developing tools and information that support forest growers and the wider sector. From a research perspective, having access to accurate, up-to-date mapping of all plantations – regardless of size – has allowed us to create more precise tools to support decisions. These include models to monitor the spread of forest pathogens or quantify forest areas lost due to events such as cyclones,” Dr Watt said. Users of the easy-to-access platform can purchase information by selecting existing forest polygons or drawing their area of interest directly on the interactive map and choosing from the three data options. “ForestInsights is continually updated,” Dr Watt said. “As a living dataset, it offers a wide range of benefits, from improving wood availability forecasts and informing future infrastructure planning to enhancing biosecurity readiness. It also provides information needed to support market initiatives for small forest growers and helps inform strategies that promote value-added processing.” The platform is now available for selected New Zealand regions, with expansion into Chile and Uruguay planned this year.

Conservation groups have slammed a proposal by US mining company Alcoa, that would see thousands of hectares of Western Australia’s unique jarrah forest destroyed for bauxite mining operations in Perth’s Darling Range water catchment zone. Source: Timberbiz The expansion plan details clearing of 7,500ha of threatened species habitat, the same size as 18 Kings Parks, around 3,500 Optus Stadium playing surfaces, or 60,000 Olympic sized swimming pools. Alcoa’s proposal has now been released for public comment by the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for the next 12 weeks. WA’s Water Corporation has serious concerns over what might happen should Alcoa’s bauxite operation contaminate Serpentine Dam. The Water Corporation had planned for a potential crisis, in which it would have to issue ‘boil water’ notices or deliver bottled water to thousands of affected residents. Alcoa’s current mining operations, which include clearing in drinking water Reservoir Protection Zones, to which public access is highly restricted, are also simultaneously under assessment by the EPA. This is the first time in 60 years of operation that the public is able to scrutinise Alcoa’s mining operations. Combined, the two aspects of Alcoa’s mining amount to the largest forest clearing plan ever before the EPA. Conservation Council of WA Nature Program Manager Rhiannon Hardwick said the EPA must consider the failure of rehabilitation efforts at Alcoa’s operations in the South West which have already cleared 28,000ha of the Northern Jarrah Forest. Alcoa is exempt from most of the WA’s environmental legislation and is governed under state agreements which allow it to mine about 7,000 square kilometres of forest. It has been stated that the company has not completed rehabilitation in any of the 280 sq km of forest it has cleared, according to the WA government. “Just this year, South32’s bauxite mine expansion was approved, including the clearing of 3,800ha of the Northern Jarrah Forest. Alcoa’s proposal to clear a further 7,500ha of forest in Perth’s water catchment zone will be environmentally devastating. “Climate change is already causing havoc, with hot and dry conditions wiping out forests and woodland habitat at a rate of knots, in-turn reducing seed production as a food source. “Alcoa’s operations at Pinjarra and Wagerup make Alcoa WA’s 5th highest greenhouse gas emitter, releasing a further 2.69million tonnes of GHGs by 2050, putting the Northern Jarrah Forest at serious risk of ecosystem collapse.”

FSC Australia and New Zealand (FSC ANZ) held its Annual General Meeting in late May, bringing together members to reflect on a year of meaningful progress, increasing momentum, and a shared dedication to responsible forest management. Source: Timberbiz The AGM highlighted significant developments, including the ongoing revision of the National Forest Stewardship Standard for Australia. Senior Policy Manager Stefan Jensen shared key updates, such as strengthened protections for Intact Forest Landscapes and Indigenous Cultural Landscapes, improved worker rights, and tighter regulations on the use of highly hazardous pesticides. A first draft of the revised Standard will soon be available for public consultation. Among other notable achievements over the past year: Revenue from the Promotional Licence Holder Program grew by 96% between 2023 and 2024, with continued growth expected in 2025 as more businesses join monthly. FSC Forest Week 2024 saw a 64% rise in participation from Australian and New Zealand brands, highlighting FSC certification’s key role in tackling climate and biodiversity challenges. The campaign encourages our FSC network of certificate holders, licence holders, and members to celebrate the importance of FSC certification and urges consumers to look for the label on forest-based products to support sustainable forestry. The launch of the world-first 2024 FSC Fashion Roundtable Series, held in Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland, sold out rapidly. These events highlighted the vital link between forests and fashion, raising awareness about responsibly sourced forest-based materials in the textile industry. At the AGM, members appointed Simon Cook as Board Director representing the Economic Chamber. Mr Cook brings over 25 years of forestry sector experience across the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. Since 2014, he has been Sustainability Manager at Forico, where he has played a key role in shaping the company’s internationally recognised Natural Capital Reports and has actively contributed to its Reconciliation Action Plan, building meaningful partnerships with First Nations communities. Mr Cook also contributed to the Standards Development Group for the National Forest Stewardship Standard revision and now steps down from that role as he joins the Board. FSC extended its thanks to Jon Dee for his exceptional leadership as Chair of the FSC ANZ Board. Serving an unprecedented second term, Mr Dee brought clarity, purpose, and strong values to every discussion. His unwavering support for the team has made a lasting impact. Mr Dee will remain on the Board, continuing to share his energy and insight. In accordance with the Constitution, the next Chair will be appointed by the Board at its first meeting following this term. FSC also extended thanks to Carlie Porteous, who concluded her term as director within the Economic Chamber after serving since August 2020. Her insightful and dedicated contributions have been invaluable to FSC’s mission and governance. Members also approved a special resolution to extend the Board Chair’s term from one year to two, enhancing continuity and strategic focus in governance and aligning FSC ANZ with FSC International’s practices. Guest presenters at the meeting were Michelle Wong, Deputy Regional Director, FSC Asia Pacific, who provided an update on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR); Tolita Davis-Angeles, Chair of the Indigenous Working Group, who shared progress and future plans; and Michael Schofield, Resource and Sustainability Manager at Midway Tasmania, who presented on FSC-certified native forest regrowth thinning.

OneFortyOne, a major forestry and sawmill business majority owned by the Future Fund and other big super funds, has taken over a near 15,000-hectare timber estate in southern Australia, securing a sawlog supply that it says will help build new Australian homes for decades to come. Source: The Australian Financial Review At an industry standard of around $10,000-$15,000 per hectare for such agricultural land, the transaction’s value, while undisclosed, could be worth as much as $300 million. It’s the largest such acquisition in the forestry sector by an Australian-owned firm in a decade and will expand OneFortyOne’s plantation resources by around 15%. The Limestone Plantation was acquired from fund manager New Forests and includes forestry estates in the Green Triangle region, which borders South Australia and Victoria, and in Western Australia. It comprises 14,800 hectares of blue gum and radiata pine within a total of 20,500 hectares of freehold land. “Getting the opportunity to buy new resources right near where there’s a big ecosystem of sawmills in the Green Triangle area – that ticks all the boxes for us,” Wendy Norris, OneFortyOne chief executive, told The Australian Financial Review. “The Green Triangle region supports South Australia, some of Victoria and parts of NSW – it supports the biggest population centres in this country for their housing construction needs.” The Green Triangle region in south-east South Australia and south-west Victoria is renowned for its timber plantations, which began in the region more than a century ago. Thousands of hectares are planted with softwood and hardwood plantations. A processing industry is well-established in the region, including pulp and paper manufacturing, sawn timber, wood panels and woodchip export. OneFortyOne was created in 2012 through the privatisation of a 105-year lease over 80,000 hectares of South Australia’s plantation assets. Its owners include the Future Fund, Aware Super and T-Corp. US pension and other offshore funds hold around 40% of the company. With a federal government target of 1.2 million new homes to be built by mid-2029 and interest rates finally falling, the drivers for the next housing construction boom are taking shape.  However, with an average softwood plantation cycle of around 30 years, Norris and her colleagues are already looking decades ahead. “The processing capacity is available right now; our intention is to support market needs out to the 2050s and beyond. So, the decision we’ve made today, and the excitement about this acquisition, is that it supports the industry in the long term.” Norris said. “We’re here, as an Australian company, to support the domestic timber processing that underpins housing construction well into the middle of this century. “We think [this acquisition] lines up beautifully with both federal and state government objectives to support domestic processing and build more houses in Australia.” OneFortyOne has timber plantations in both the Green Triangle and New Zealand, generating $584 million in revenue in the 2023-24 financial year. Close to 80% of its Australian production is sold into the local market, with its Jubilee sawmill at Mr Gambier selling 316,000 cubic metres of sawn timber in the last financial year. “The best and highest value you can get from trees is to use them as close to the source as possible,” Norris said. “Whenever there’s a market in Australia, it will be better for us to sell them domestically. Otherwise, we’re transporting a whole log to some other jurisdiction, and that doesn’t make sense. For the structural timber, its highest and best use is to stay in Australia.” Another key element of the Limestone acquisition is the potential to generate carbon credits from the new plantation, after South Australia retained rights to credits over the original plantation. “It’s a really important part of our economic decision before we replant. These types of credits generated are a high-quality, highly sought-after, subclass of carbon credit,” Norris said.

Three petitions signed by more than 66,000 Victorians opposing more national parks in Gippsland have been tabled in the state’s Legislative Council. The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, tabled the first petition of 40,208 signatures. Source: Philip Hopkins, The Latrobe Valley Express The Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, said 13,969 Victorians had also signed a petition that was tabled by Wayne Farnham, the Member for Narracan. “I have a petition that is still live that has 11,767 signatures on it at the moment. So that is over 66,000 Victorians – 66,044 Victorians – who have signed petitions saying they do not want new national parks in Victoria,” she said. Ms Bath, who is the Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, said the historic petition sent a clear message to the Allan government: Victorians deserve public access to public land. “Labor must preserve the status quo, preserve the current land tenure and not create any new national parks. What we want to see, what these 40,000 Victorians want to see, is our cherished national parks and our loved state forests and reserves open for public access,” she said. “Responsible for public land management, the Allan government is a poor neighbour, and we know that from our bushfires and an inept public land manager. Visit any of our national parks, visit any of our state forests, and you will see overgrown tracks and you will see decaying infrastructure – if it is still there. A cash-strapped government is cutting frontline boots on the ground and neglecting forests, which leads to poorer environmental outcomes.” Ms Bath said this was a perverse outcome. “There are insufficient field staff, there are insufficient rangers and there are a proliferation of pests and weeds and there is an ever-increasing threat of out-of-control bushfire,” she said. “Coupled with the loss of our experienced timber workers and the bungled and botched transition, our regional communities are more and more at risk.” Ms Bath said Parks Victoria had had $95 million gutted from its budget and a halving of its core services. “Locking up more of our state forests as national parks serves no-one, and restricting Victorians from our traditional pursuits, such as free and dispersed camping, dirt and trail bike riding, horse-riding, hunting, four-wheel driving, prospecting and fossicking, does not guarantee any better conservation of vulnerable species,” she said. The country had evolved by First Nations people managing the land in the landscape. The Labor Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, criticised the “mistruths” of the Liberals and the National Party campaign. “There are two separate issues at hand, and the two have been conflated. There is the west of the state and there is Gippsland. The Nationals know the government has no intention to create national parks in Gippsland, but they have no interest in the truth,” he said. “The Great Outdoors Taskforce is talking about how we grow regional Victoria, get better visitor experiences and more tourism and economic activity. In the west, in all three new national parks you will be able to go camping, fishing, hiking, four-wheel driving, trail bike riding and mountain bike riding. In all three national parks you will be able to go horse-riding, dog walking and undertake dispersed camping in specific areas outlined by the land manager. And in the new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park you will be able to undertake seasonal deer hunting in the areas that were previously state forest,” he said. “We have found the right balance here to protect what needs to be protected, while keeping the land open and accessible for the activities that Victorians love. It is far from being locked up.” Mr McIntosh said the disinformation campaign by the Liberal and National parties was cheap. “The future use of public land should be debated and discussed by the community, but it should only be done with all the facts at hand,” he said so that all could work together to get good environmental and economic outcomes. The Greens Member for Southern Metropolitan, Katherine Copsey, said Victorians love native forests, so it was no surprise that Victorians overwhelmingly want more national parks. “Polling by RedBridge last October found a whopping 80 per cent of Victorians want more national parks. That is four in five Victorians who want more of these kinds of protection – an incredible level of popularity,” she said. The member for Eastern Victoria, Jeff Bourman from the Shooters Fishers Farmers Party, said the public response to the issue clearly indicated how Victorians outside the ‘quinoa curtain’ feel about public land access. “Victoria is the envy of the nation when it comes to access for hunters. Few places in the world enjoy the access that we do and want to keep,” he said. “Hunting contributes $335 million to the Victorian economy and underpins over 3000 jobs. Victorian deer hunters take an estimated 140,000 deer a year, most of them on public land, and hunters tend to eat what we hunt too. “This petition is really about the Greens proposal to lock up the Victorian Central Highlands into a massive new national park. Greens-aligned groups have been pushing for this since before I came into this place 11 years ago. The driving motivation used to be the end of native timber harvesting… that industry has effectively been killed off. “As I warned the government at the time, giving these extremists what they want was never going to appease them; it was only ever going to embolden them. So having got what they wanted, why are they still trying to lock up this public land? Who are they trying to protect this land from? The only answer I can see is that they are trying to protect it from us, from people who they do not agree with and who they – frankly – look down their noses at.” Ms Bath said she appreciated Ms Copsey’s love of the forests and national parks. “What she failed to admit or understand in terms […]