Australian timber industry news

Scientists at the VIB-UGent Centre for Plant Systems Biology and VIVES University College have developed a new method to genetically improve poplar trees without introducing foreign DNA into its genome. Source: Timberbiz Gene editing tools like CRISPR are revolutionizing plant science by allowing precise and targeted improvements to plant traits, such as wood quality, disease resistance, or drought tolerance. However, in many cases, the gene-editing ‘machinery’ is permanently integrated into the plant’s DNA, creating regulatory obstacles to using the plants. In annual crops like maize or rice, this problem is often solved by crossing plants to remove the foreign DNA. But trees like poplar take years to reach maturity, rendering this approach slow and possibly leading to the loss of desirable traits. Now, researchers led by Prof. Wout Boerjan (VIB-UGent) have developed a new method that prevents this issue. Instead of integrating the CRISPR system into the plant’s genome, the researchers used a technique called transient transformation. Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens — a bacterium commonly used in plant biotechnology — they introduced the CRISPR molecules into poplar cells, where they temporarily performed genetic edits without becoming part of the tree’s DNA. “The key innovation,” says Prof Boerjan, “is that the gene-editing tool does its job and then disappears without leaving a genetic trace behind.” To ensure that no CRISPR traces remained, the team used an advanced technique called long-read whole-genome sequencing, which scans the entire genome for even the smallest fragments of foreign DNA. Dr Lennart Hoengenaert (VIB-UGent), first author of the study, reports that nearly half of the regenerated poplar shoots were completely free of foreign DNA. “This is crucial,” he explains, “because it brings these gene-edited trees closer to being treated like conventionally bred plants under upcoming European regulations. “This method offers a clear and practical path to creating trees that are more sustainable, climate-resilient, and easier to regulate,” says Prof Boerjan. “It could accelerate the deployment of genetically enhanced trees, with benefits for both the environment and the bio-based economy.”

A new national forest stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips is set to be created, adding at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland to the West of England. Source: Timberbiz The government manifesto committed to three new national forests and this new Western Forest will serve more than 2.5 million residents, the government has said, bringing trees and woodlands closer to urban centres such as Bristol, Gloucester and Swindon. The Western Forest will be spearheaded by the Forest of Avon, one of England’s Community Forests, supported by up to £7.5 million of government funding over five years, alongside accelerating tree-planting in local areas. The project will work to revitalise existing woodlands and other important habitats to create a forest network for people and wildlife at a truly landscape scale. The new national forest will help the drive to net zero while promoting economic growth and creating jobs in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and across the West of England, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. It will also help the UK meet its nature and legal environment targets including halting the decline of species and protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030. “The Government was elected on a mandate to plant three new national forests this parliament, as part of our commitment to reach net zero and drive sustainable growth under the Government’s Plan for Change. We will plant 20 million trees in the Western Forest to bring nature closer to people, prevent flooding and support wildlife,” Nature Minister Mary Creagh said. Alex Stone, Chief Executive of Forest of Avon, England’s Community Forests, added that the Forest of Avon is thrilled to have led a wonderfully diverse and engaged partnership to bring the Western Forest to life. “This is about resource, funding and expertise coming directly to landowners, partners and communities, planting millions of trees in the right places. Together, we will enhance landscapes for all to enjoy, improving the lives of our 2.5 million residents and visitors to the region. “Encompassing two of England’s Community Forests and working alongside the National Forest Company and Defra, the Western Forest will enhance, connect and improve our urban and rural landscapes, support investment into the region, create jobs and skills opportunities and bring the endless benefits we get back from planting and caring for our trees. It is a very exciting time for this region, and we look forward to helping shape what the Western Forest will become.”

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investing, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to unlock responsible finance for planted forests, sustainable management of natural forests, and other land-use projects. Source: Timberbiz This strategic alliance aims to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, including deforestation, soil degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and to promote equitable economic development and inclusiveness. Sustainable forest management is essential for enhancing climate resilience, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring decent livelihoods for local communities. In 2022, the world lost 6.6 million hectares of forests, primarily in tropical regions, contributing to significant biodiversity loss and an increase of 2.7 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions. Through their partnership, FSC and Mirova aim to champion best-in-class forest conservation, large-scale reforestation, and responsible production of forest-based materials. By channelling investments into FSC-certified solutions, the partnership seeks to drive measurable impact in climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and social inclusion, with a strong focus on empowering women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. FSC and Mirova will work together to identify high-impact investment opportunities and implement forestry projects through the Mirova Sustainable Land Fund 2, which focuses on sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. With an initial focus on Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, the partnership will prioritize building a robust pipeline of forestry initiatives that deliver measurable environmental and social benefits and aims to implement the best sustainable forestry and reforestation practices within timber and other forest resource value chains. “Our partnership with FSC will enable us to direct capital toward high-quality forestry projects that not only protect vital ecosystems but also empower local communities,” Gautier Queru, Managing Director, Natural Capital, Mirova said. “By investing in these sustainable initiatives, we seek to enhance the potential for long-term financial returns, demonstrating that responsible investing can yield both environmental and economic benefits for all, while addressing urgent challenges like deforestation and climate change.” Subhra Battacharjee, Director General, FSC International said that Forests are global public good in their role as a critical line of defense against climate change and biodiversity loss. They also provide food, livelihoods and ecosystem services to over 1.6 billion people. “Our partnership with Mirova represents a major step toward aligning responsible investment with responsible forest management, ensuring forests continue to support people and the planet for generations to come,” he said. This partnership underscores the critical role of sustainable finance in scaling nature-based solutions to address global sustainability challenges. By integrating impact-driven investment strategies with FSC-certified forestry projects, FSC and Mirova are setting a new precedent for leveraging financial markets to drive environmental and social progress.

There are probably few corners of New Zealand that Dave Henley hasn’t set foot in over his remarkable four-decade career in forestry. From jaw-dropping kilometres on foot, to months away from home, to battling relentless weather and rugged bush, Mr Henley has done it alland done it with heart. Source: Timberbiz His deep love for New Zealand’s native landscapes, paired with his unwavering dedication to the bigger environmental picture, has left a lasting influence on both the land and the people he’s worked with. Craving the outdoors more than the confines of a classroom, Mr Henley left school in 1978 after sixth form (Year 12). He began his forestry journey training as a woodsman in Ashley Forest, then spent time in the Bay of Plenty at Rotoehu. But it was the pull of the South Island that brought him home and into a job with the Forest Research Institute, now Scion, where he would stay for the next 43 years. After joining the mensuration team, now known as the tree biometrics team, he excelled in a role that supports a wide range of researchers and their diverse needs. His contributions have been central to nearly all of Scion’s forestry-related research, which has become a defining strength of the organisation. “The role is always evolving, we adapt to whatever’s needed,” he says. “But one thing stays the same: you have to be field capable.” By that, Mr Henley means both physically and mentally fit. “You’re out in the field all the time. It’s tough work, and mental resilience is even more important than physical fitness. I’ve seen people struggle out there. You’ve got to be grounded and genuinely interested in your surroundings – whether that’s spotting a bird or identifying a unique tree species. That curiosity makes all the difference.” Forest Nutritional Ecologist Project Leader Graham Coker says Mr Henley’s field determination is a legacy highly admired by all the colleagues he’s mentored over time so much so that they would often say with pride, “I managed to keep up with Dave today!” Yet even on a good day, only a few ever matched his efficiency in the long run. Mr Henley talks passionately about the amazing remote places he’s worked in, particularly Fiordland and Stewart Island. One highlight? A three-week stint incorporating Chew Tabacco Bay, Port Adventure, Lords River, and Toitoi Bay on the eastern side of Stewart Island. “We were out there measuring timber volume, tramping 5km inland from the coast each day. It could be hard going, but when you’ve got kiwi poking around your feet … well, it’s hard to beat. Sometimes it really did feel like a working holiday.” Another standout in Mr Henley’s career has been his work on the Ministry for the Environment’s LUCAS program, which supports New Zealand’s efforts to tackle climate change. This work led to the country’s first continuous National Forest Inventory, helping track the health of our forests and how much carbon they can store. Program Lead Thomas Paul says Mr Henley played a vital role in making sure forest measurements, especially in both planted and native forest, met the high standards needed. “Dave brought a really rigorous approach to auditing field teams, many of whom were less experienced. He was essential in maintaining the quality we needed,” Mr Paul said. For Mr Henley, it was eye-opening work: “Being part of LUCAS audits really changed how I looked at things. It’s a huge data effort, and it’s raised the bar for how we do other trial work too. It keeps us focused and working toward something much bigger.” Mr Paul added that Dave really was one of the key people making sure New Zealand’s greenhouse gas accounting is accurate. “Experts like him, who can work precisely in tough field conditions, are becoming rare. His measurements support everything from carbon stocks to timber volume and forest growth models.” Some assignments pushed Mr Henley to his limits, like the two six-month winter stints on the West Coast near Lake Brunner, studying dieback in rata and kamahi forests. “It was very physical. We had to lug cement up steep hills to set up weather stations around trees. That area sees snow and vast amounts of rain – character-building stuff.” Mr Henley’s incredible field knowledge and attention to detail have built a reputation and legacy of trust across the industry. The data he has collected underpins countless scientific studies over the years, at least 228 documents of all types. “That’s something I’m really proud of, consistently providing high-quality data that scientists can rely on. I’ve tried to pass that mindset on to the younger ones coming through,” he said. He’s also known for his great spatial memory when it comes to trial sites. “These days, everyone’s glued to GPS. But I still work off landmarks at least, until they cut the trees down!” he laughs. Senior Scientist and Portfolio Leader for Establishing Indigenous Forests, Simeon Smaill, shares this tribute: “Dave Henley has accumulated a vast store of information about trials across the South Island, covering an incredible range of species, treatments, and conditions. His insights are still shaping our work today. With Dave and the field team guiding us, we’re able to build on decades of research without reinventing the wheel.” Reflecting on his time at Scion, Mr Henley says, “It’s special seeing trials I helped start now going into their second rotation. It’s hard to find places I haven’t been now, which says something after all these years.” As he heads into retirement, he has no plans of slowing down. There’s plenty on the cards: gardening, tramping, woodworking, volunteering, pest control, and maybe even a bit of travel. “My wife and I bought a six-hectare section over 30 years ago and planted it out in natives. It’s a low-maintenance garden now, and I’ve applied a lot of what I learned in the field.” He also plans to lend a hand at the local wildlife park in Christchurch, helping with maintenance. “I also want […]

The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is collaborating with Forestry Corporation to integrate cultural burning with government bushfire management. Source: Timberbiz This partnership aims to enhance the community’s resilience to major bushfires and improve land management practices on Yaegl Country. A fire training camp was held in Grafton, facilitated by the Fire, Country and People project, a three-year initiative funded by the Australian Government. The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is collaborating with Forestry Corporation to integrate cultural burning with government bushfire management. This partnership aims to enhance the community’s resilience to major bushfires and improve land management practices on Yaegl Country. A fire training camp was held in Grafton, facilitated by the Fire, Country and People project, a three-year initiative funded by the Australian Government. Yaegl Wadyarr Gargle Land & Sea Contractors Business Manager Grant Brown highlighted the benefits of the training for the community. “Having 20 members of our community trained as accredited firefighters on Forestry Corporation appliances and equipment also provides an extra level of bushfire protection,” Mr Brown said. “We have 82 threatened floral and fauna species on Yaegl land, and fire management is key to their protection by preventing wildfires, regenerating our native species, and ensuring the forests germinate to their full potential by reducing weed growth.” Fire, Country and People will also help to build the scientific evidence base behind cultural burning with a research program to investigate the effects of traditional Aboriginal fire practices on the intensity and extent of bushfires. The $3-million Fire, Country and People: Aboriginal Community Disaster Ready Project has received funding from the Australian Government and is jointly funded by Forestry Corporation.

Eucalypt seeds, sown by helicopter, are showing a promising rate of growth in the Mount Cole State Forest. It’s been more than a year since a major bushfire tore through about 22,000 hectares of the forest and surrounds in Victoria’s west. Source: Timberbiz This sowing project is part of ongoing regeneration work Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is undertaking to help the Mount Cole State Forest recover. The seeds were collected from the local area before the bushfire and held in seed stores before being spread over the forest by helicopter. FFMVic staff regularly monitor plots set up to gather important scientific data within the sown area. “To set up the plots at these sites, we considered varying elevations, the direction a slope faces and soil types to monitor how the seedlings grow back in differing environments,” said Forest Management Silviculture Support Officer, Natasha Carland. Staff visit the monitoring plots regularly to count and mark the number of surviving seedlings. Germination rates and weather conditions are also monitored. “In the coming months, we will conduct regeneration surveys. This data, alongside local knowledge and data collected before the fire, will help determine the next steps in our efforts to return the forest to good health,” Program Officer, Forest Regeneration, Sean Fagan.  

A breakthrough method for analysing the DNA of centuries-old plant samples has given scientists an edge in combating the spread of invasive plants. Researchers from Monash University and the University of Melbourne found the rapid adaptation of invasive plants is driven by their ability to gain and lose genes, a phenomenon known as ‘copy number variation’. Source: Timberbiz The discovery came while studying the invasive, noxious weed ragweed, which originated in North America before being transported to Europe and Australia. Ragweed is highly invasive, significantly impacting agriculture and a major producer of hay fever-inducing pollen. The research analysed DNA samples from plant samples collected as early as 1830, revealing strikingly similar patterns of adaptation across both native and invasive populations. Lead researcher Jonathan Wilson said the findings suggested the same genetic mechanisms are reused to tackle comparable environmental challenges when they invade a new area. Dr Wilson undertook the research while completing his PhD at Monash University and is now a research fellow at the University of Melbourne. “We developed a new method to detect large gains and losses of DNA, even in old and degraded DNA from museum specimens,” Dr Wilson said. “This allowed us to track the evolution of these large genetic changes during the invasion and uncover evidence that natural selection likely contributed to their spread.” The research also identified the gain or loss of the gene targeted by the herbicide glyphosate, which may provide critical insights into the evolution of herbicide resistance, paving the way for more effective weed management strategies. “This knowledge could be instrumental in developing better strategies to mitigate the spread of invasive weeds,” Dr Wilson said. “This will have a huge impact on our farmers who are constantly dealing with the threat of invasive plants. “In the case of ragweed in particular, it is already a major contributor to hay fever in Europe, and we hope this research will help control the weed before it becomes a big problem in Australia.” Senior researcher, Monash University Associate Professor Kathryn Hodgins, said the findings provide rare insights into how ragweed has rapidly evolved, further illustrating the important role of gene gain and loss in facilitating adaptation. “Gains and losses of genes, or copy number variants, are a key driver of adaptation, yet they are often overlooked in many studies of diverse species due to technical challenges,” Associate Professor Hodgins said. “Our study demonstrates that we can leverage existing datasets to detect these variants, opening the door to important new insights that have largely gone unexplored.”

The results of the business survey of New Zealand Timber Industry Federation members for the quarter to 31 March 2025 indicated a feeling that while the next three months were going to be subdued, possibly with the onset of winter, the longer-term 12-month outlook was more positive with 75% of respondents believing that general business conditions will have improved. Source: Timberbiz Notably however, 17% believed that conditions will have worsened 12 months out. In fact the level of confidence in improved business conditions is lower this time around than the level reported in our survey of 30 September 2024 when 91% of respondents believed that business conditions would have improved 12 months out. In respect of the three months ahead of March, none of the respondents believed that things would improve, the majority, 67%, held the view that things will remain unchanged. More specifically for timber, most respondents expected sales volumes to improve in the year ahead but tempered with only a minority of respondents believing that timber prices would improve.  Most believe prices will remain unchanged. Timber production costs are expected to continue to rise according to 66% of respondents.  Respondents were reasonably bullish on profitability and seemed to be dedicated to maintaining investment in plant and equipment even in difficult times with 41% planning a greater level of investment and 33% planning no change in investment levels.  

There were 48,620 new homes approved for construction in the first quarter of 2025, up by 20.8% on a year earlier. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its monthly building approvals data for March 2025 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. Source: Timberbiz “Much of the improvement over the last year has come from multi-unit approvals, which were up by 52.6% on the very low levels a year earlier, while detached approvals are up by a more modest 4.2%,” HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said. “Despite the improving numbers over the last year, building approvals are still running at around 180,000 per year, well short of what is required to commence 1.2 million homes over five years. “It is also important to remember that many recent apartment approvals are likely to be ‘faux’ approvals,” he said. “A change in market conditions have meant that a number of apartment projects that were already approved for construction will need to seek re-approval and comply with the new construction code. The higher cost of construction will further impair sales volumes. “There are a very large number of apartments approved for construction across capital cities, but only a small number of these will commence construction. Punitive taxes that effectively exclude certain investors from the market add further time and difficulty in finding buyers for new apartments, even after they have been approved.” Mr Devitt said that multi-unit activity needed to be twice as large as recent levels for the Australian government to achieve its target of 1.2 million new homes over five years. “As it stands, the government is set to fall almost 20% short of its own target and a few interest rate cuts from the RBA won’t be sufficient to increase the supply of homes to meet the 1.2 million target,” he said. Home building approvals in the March quarter 2025, in seasonally adjusted terms, were up by 49.4% in South Australia, followed by Western Australia (+27.3%), New South Wales (+25.8%), Victoria (+22.1%) and Queensland (+0.8%), while Tasmania was down by 12.9%. In original terms, the Northern Territory was up by 81.5% and the Australian Capital Territory was up by 43.8%.

The Allan Government’s Great Outdoors Taskforce will not be recommending the creation of any new national parks across 1.8 million hectares of Victoria’s state forests. Source: The Weekly Times Taskforce chair and former Labor Minister Lisa Neville said the feedback from 185 stakeholder groups and 4149 submissions “made it clear that more impact could be achieved by making recommendations to improve state forest management systems, instead of focusing on changes to land tenure”. “Therefore, the taskforce will not be making any recommendation for large-scale changes to land tenure, including not creating any new national parks,” she said. “Our report will be submitted to the Minister for Environment in mid-2025. The taskforce expects the Minister will then consider a response.” But the taskforce was precluded from investigating 390,000ha of state forest across the Central Highlands, leaving the door open for the government to create a new Great Forest National Park across the region. The future management of the Central Highlands, Strathbogie Ranges and Mirboo North state forests was instead referred to Labor’s Eminent Panel for Community Engagement, which lodged its findings with the government in October last year. Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos is yet to release the panel’s report. In the meantime, Premier Jacinta Allan has promised to introduce legislation later this year to convert 50,000ha of state forest into three new national parks in Victoria’s Central West – Wombat-Lerderderg, Mount Buangor and Pyrenees National Parks. Ms Neville said one of the key messages that came out of the taskforce’s engagement with the community was “the strong connection so many of us have to Victoria’s forests and the underpinning desire to make sure our forests are looked after and enjoyed by all. “There is strong support, and a shared understanding across stakeholders, that we need to manage forests in a way that balances conservation, recreation, and economic opportunities within Victoria.” She said that broadly, the taskforce heard people wanted enduring reform for the management of Victoria’s state forests, including: New leadership and governance models enabling and accelerating local partnerships and multi-stakeholder decision-making. A long-term vision and strategy to manage state forests for multiple values and shared outcomes. Addressing infrastructure and investment gaps for recreation and tourism to build economic resilience Healing country and managing forests in ways that combine conservation science, forest science, local and Indigenous knowledge Education and behaviour change for forest users Closing legislative ‘loopholes’ that could enable the return of native timber harvesting in Victoria Adequate and long-term funding for all of the above. Further information about the progress of the taskforce’s work can be found at https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/futureforests/future-forests/great-outdoors-taskforce

As the planting season nears its end, Forestry England is celebrating the completion of an ambitious four-year woodland creation programme with 1.8 million trees planted at 16 new woodlands across England expanding the nation’s forests. Source: Timberbiz Launched in March 2021, the program, funded by the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund, has planted 16 new woodlands across England together covering 1,000 hectares. These woodlands will offer rich habitats for wildlife, beautiful spaces for people to enjoy and be a sustainable source of timber in the years ahead. York Community Woodland was the first new site to open to visitors in August 2024, with more set to welcome people this year. Most of the new woodlands will have public access under CROW designation, alongside the majority of the 1,500 woodlands and forests in Forestry England’s care. “This ambitious program is our largest woodland creation initiative for decades. These new woodlands will bring benefits for hundreds of years, providing crucial green spaces for communities, providing a sustainable source of timber and supporting wildlife to flourish,” Beth Cambridge, Forestry England Head of Woodland Creation, said. “And they’ll help tackle the climate emergency through the many benefits woodlands offer from carbon storage and flood mitigation to supporting air quality and soil health. “We’ve used a combination of buying land and partnerships with private and public landowners, who have leased their land to Forestry England for woodland creation. “We’ve been planting trees from Northumberland and Cumbria to Norfolk and Devon and we’ve carefully planned each site to create high-quality, resilient woodlands, using the right mix of tree species for each. “We’ve engaged with the local communities living near each of these woodlands to share our plans and hear their views and are excited the final one of our 1.8 million trees is now safely in the ground at Clipsham Wood, which straddles the border of Rutland and Leicestershire.” Over the next twelve months, Forestry England is planning to plant seven more woodlands, also funded through the Nature for Climate Fund. Looking ahead, Forestry England hopes to continue expanding the nation’s forests between 2026 and 2030 to continue delivering the many benefits the nation’s forests provide, subject to future funding.  

UPM Biofuels is celebrating 10 years of successful operations at its Lappeenranta Biorefinery, the world’s first commercial-scale facility producing advanced biofuels from wood-based residues. Since 2015, the refinery has been at the forefront of developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based fuels and materials, driving the decarbonization of the transport and petrochemical industries. Source: Timberbiz “For 10 years, our team has delivered exceptional performance and reliability,” said Robert Marx, Vice President of UPM Biofuels and Biorefining Commercial Development. “Their operational excellence and professionalism have set the benchmark for the industry. The biorefinery has also played a pivotal role in advancing UPM’s business in renewable fuels and chemicals—building technical know-how, opening new markets, and laying the foundation for future developments and investments.” The UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces approximately 130,000 tonnes per year of UPM BioVerno renewable diesel and naphtha, using crude tall oil (CTO), a residue of pulp production. CTO stands out as a superior feedstock for renewable diesel production due to its fully traceable origin, integration in UPM’s existing value chain, and excellent sustainability profile. All products are backed by globally recognized sustainability certifications. UPM BioVerno diesel cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% compared with fossil diesel and is suitable for all diesel engines. UPM BioVerno naphtha, used in applications such as packaging, textiles and automotive components, offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based raw materials in the plastics value chain. Looking ahead, UPM continues to invest in technology development to broaden its feedstock base beyond CTO, exploring new forest-industry residues and side streams within its ecosystem. The company is also progressing in the technical qualification of tall oil–based fuels for use in aviation, with ongoing testing under ASTM standards showing a positive track record. While a second biorefinery investment remains under consideration, UPM is prioritizing platform advancements and feedstock versatility to enable scalable and impactful decarbonization solutions.

TerraCross by Sterling Solutions in the US is an engineered, easy-to-deploy clear-span temporary, portable, and modular bridge system for crossing waterways, ditches, underground utilities, and other obstacles, and made from CLT. Source: Timberbiz The lightweight portable bridge design allows for lifting and construction with a mid-size excavator or similar equipment while the steel beam construction provides a sturdier, more sustainable load-bearing solution. Portable bridges are essential when permanent installations aren’t feasible and avoiding a crossing isn’t possible. TerraCross bridges provide an engineered solution to quickly and easily bypass small rivers and ditches to maintain access for equipment, materials, and personnel throughout the duration of a project. Additionally, they can protect underground equipment, such as buried gas pipelines by providing an air-bridged pathway over the impacted area. Unlike commonly used timber mat bridges that are made from mixed woods of different grades and quality, the engineered TerraCross bridge is made from welded structural steel. It has certified weight specifications and provides consistent performance. It isn’t susceptible to deterioration like wood so sudden bridge failure due to accidental overloading or internal unseen wood rot is no longer a concern. And the durable qualities of the TerraCross means it can be relocated and reused across different projects, providing a flexible solution for various construction needs. TerraCross is ideal for spanning small to mid-size crossings, up to 50ft it allows you to go right over the top fast, clean, and with minimal site disturbance. Some smaller bridges are not rated to carry heavy loads so TerraCross can be used to “bridge over-the-top” of existing structures to provide the capability needed for large construction projects. It’s a practical solution to increase capacity without needing to re-engineer existing infrastructure and when engineers won’t sign off on timber mats or steel plates.

South Australia’s forest industries are working in partnership with the State Government to eradicate the spread of giant pine scale (GPS) in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs. Source: Timberbiz “The South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) are grateful to be working hand in glove with the South Australian Government on eradicating GPS from Adelaide’s suburbs. It would be a biosecurity disaster if this infestation reaches our 128,000-hectare commercial pine plantations and neighbouring urban forests,” said Mr Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of SAFPA “Giant pine scale is a sap sucking insect that feeds on pine trees and closely related species including firs and spruces. Infected trees exhibit canopy thinning, branch deaths and tree deaths. “With large numbers of pine found across Adelaide’s parks and gardens, the pest has the potential to impact our urban forest, with less shade for residents and nesting sites or food sources for local birds. A detection of GPS in Highbury in 2023 triggered an eradication process involving the removal and destruction of infected trees, with surveillance, monitoring and tree removal efforts continuing to ensure the eradication is successful.” Mr Paine said that it was unfortunate that trees in suburban parks and reserves have had to be felled in a bid to prevent GPS from spreading yet it was imperative to protect Adelaide’s canopy cover and the businesses and the livelihoods of those working in the forest and timber industries. If the infestation reached any of the State’s commercial pine plantations it would have a devastating impact on the state’s economy and regional communities. Forestry in South Australia contributes almost $3 billion to the State’s economy, employed more than 21,300 people and there were countless industries that relied heavily on timber products, such as residential and commercial builders and the agriculture and horticulture industries. “Forestry is a fundamental industry to growing our nation, with wood fibre products playing an integral role in building our nation by producing house frames, home furnishings, pallets, cardboard packaging, toilet paper and tissues, mulch and biofuels,” Mr Paine said.

More large beef and sheep farms will be converted into forest plantations after recent overseas investment approvals, Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand says. Source: The Press Kauri Forestry LP, a New Zealand limited partnership established as part of Christchurch based Craigmore Sustainables Group with 69% Swiss ownership and 31% German ownership, has been given the go-ahead to convert two former sheep beef farms in the North Island. Another large sheep beef farm in Clutha, Otago, has been acquired by Netherlands business interests and would be converted into mainly pinus radiata forest. Kauri Forestry LP has bought 496ha at Pukehuia Rd, Arapohue, in Kaipara district for an undisclosed sum from Keith, Craig and Nigel Gravatt, trustees of Maungarata Farms Trust. The land had been used mainly for sheep and beef grazing with 60ha in pinus radiata. A total of 290ha would be converted into plantation forest, mainly pinus radiata, with planting scheduled to start this winter. Kauri Forestry LP has also bought, for an undisclosed amount, a large-scale hill country station 65km south of Napier comprising 1518ha at Kairakau Rd, Elsthorpe, from Waipuna NZ Ltd. Again, the land was mainly used for sheep and beef grazing with 28ha in poplars, softwood and indigenous trees. A total of 832ha would be converted into commercial forestry in mainly pinus radiata with planting starting in the 2026 winter. Ingka Investment Forest Assets NZ Ltd and Ingka Investments Management NZ Ltd had bought 643ha of land and finishing station at Morris Saddle Rd, Owaka Valley, Clutha, a sheep/beef farm, with the purchase amount not disclosed. The new owners intended to convert 657ha into a pinus radiata forest. Kauri Forestry LP had also been given a “standing consent” under a “Special Forestry Test”, allowing overseas investors with a proven track record to make forestry investments without needing prior approval for each transaction for 10,000ha of land in up to 40 transactions, by June 12, 2027. A requirement was the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) had to be advised after each purchase. Kauri Forestry LP advised under its standing consent of buying 216ha at Haumanga Rd, Broadwood, for NZ$4.5m from Nelly Forests Ltd Partnership and intended to continue to use the land for forestry. In another standing consent, Kauri Forestry LP advised it had made a second acquisition of 449.6ha at 1819 Mataraua Rd, Otaua, Far North District, from Tukurua Forest Ltd Partnership for NZ$9.2m and would continue to use the land for forestry. Meanwhile, Stafford Carbon Official Opportunity Fund (SCOOF) of the UK had bought four forests comprising 1446ha at Waipukurau, Eketāhuna and Pongaroa from CQuest Ltd Patnership, and 395ha at Kerr Rd, Glen Murray, Waikato, from Otorohaea Ltd. Approval had also been given to Millari Assets Ltd of Australia to buy 25ha of land and a timber mill which closed in 2024, at Matawhera, Gisborne, from Juken NZ Ltd of Japan for NZ$21.5m. The mill would be recommissioned.

The Hyne Community Trust will open for applications in June 2025 for this year’s round of grants. Eligible community organisations are encouraged to consider how the Hyne Community Trust can support them to deliver lasting benefits to the Tumbarumba region. An example of a recently successful project is the Tumbarumba Sports Academy and its Youth Precinct which is nearing completion. Source: Timberbiz Hyne Community Trust Chair, Kerrie Downes said the Youth Precinct will provide a safe and engaging recreational option for the youth of the region, “When we received the proposal for the Youth Precinct, it was a strong application as we knew there was a gap in our region’s options for this age group,” she said. “The Hyne Community Trust provided funds for the sports hall’s mezzanine renovation as well as the installation of security cameras in both the sports hall and adjacent dance hall, while Hyne Timber supplied framing from the mill. “The many local volunteers who have given their time on this project, is further testament to the importance for our region’s youth. It has been a significant community effort, and we congratulate all those who have been involved.” The Tumbarumba Sports Academy is increasingly recognised as the local sports hub including boxing and martial arts which provide both mental and physical fitness as well as discipline and a social element. The Academy has a rapidly growing membership, with knowledgeable and experienced coaches, and well organised sessions. Last weekend saw the installation of the carpets in the Youth Precinct meaning the space will be ready for use within a couple of weeks. The Youth Precinct can be utilised by youth of the region, including those waiting to participate in sports or waiting for parents and caregivers who are participating themselves. Fifteen-year-old Tumbarumba High School student and boxer, Zane Goldspink, has been one of the most active volunteers His contribution and experience as a volunteer on this project, inspired him to want to become a carpenter and he has recently been offered a carpentry apprenticeship with a local builder. Community groups considering applying for a Hyne Community Trust grant should start reviewing the 2025 guidelines available at https://www.hyne.com.au/about/community Projects must be valued over $10,000 and demonstrate how they will provide lasting benefits for the community in order to meet the criteria. The Hyne Community Trust will open for applications on 1 June and close 30 June 2025. The Hyne Community Trust was established in 2007 and has provided almost $900,000 to the Tumbarumba region to date. For more information, contact tumbatrust@hyne.com.au

Forestry Australia is calling for nominations for three of the highest honours in the field of forestry and forest management in Australia: The NW Jolly Medal, Forestry Australia Fellows and the Prince of Wales Award. Source: Timberbiz The NW Jolly Medal is Forestry Australia’s highest and most prestigious award, named in honour of Norman William Jolly (1882-1954), who made a remarkable contribution to the development of professional forestry in Australia in the early 20th century. This award celebrates those who have demonstrated exceptional service to forestry, reflecting the diverse and significant contributions made across a wide range of disciplines and forest management activities. Former recipient Rob Youl OAM said the Norman Jolly Medal recognises and celebrates the increasing diversity of Australian forestry and demonstrates that the breadth and philosophy of forestry training have wide appeal to employers and institutions. Dr Christine Stone received the award in 2017. “I was honoured to be the first woman to receive Forestry Australia’s highest award, the NW Jolly Medal,” Dr Stone said. “Since then, the Forestry Australia Board Directors and Jacquie have made significant progress in promoting gender equality, both within the Institute and more broadly in the forestry profession. “I therefore encourage the nomination of women for this year’s awards.” In 2023, the NW Jolly Medal was awarded posthumously to Dr Kevin Tolhurst. Dr Tolhurst was aware, and delighted, that he was receiving the medal but sadly passed away weeks before the presentation. CEO of Forestry Australia, Jackie Martin said generations of foresters and forestry scientists were inspired and influenced by Dr Tolhurst. “Kevin Tolhurst was generous with his knowledge and time, and ever the gentleman who was always considerate and kind,” Ms Martin said. “It speaks to Kevin’s intellect that he was nationally and internationally recognised as an expert in a wide range of areas – fire ecologist, fire scientist, professional forester, lecturer, practitioner, academic and collaborator. “Kevin’s legacy will continue to endure through the practices that he created that continue to shape how we manage fire, and through today’s NW Jolly Medal.” The Prince of Wales Award recognises the achievements of an outstanding young to mid-career forest professional. This prestigious award honours individuals who have made significant contributions to forestry practice, innovation, and leadership at an early stage of their career. Awardee, Jenna Hammond said she was incredibly honoured to receive the Prince of Wales Award. “I’m passionate about making forestry more inclusive and engaging for young professionals,” Ms Hammond said. “Promoting the benefits of active forest management and supporting and inspiring the next generation, especially young women, to consider a career in forestry is important to me.” The title of Forestry Australia Fellow is an honour bestowed upon a voting member of the Association who has been recognised by their peers for their outstanding service to the forestry profession and to Forestry Australia. In 2018 Kerrie Catchpoole was awarded a Forestry Australia Fellowship. “I have always been proud to be a member of Forestry Australia as it is underpinned by integrity, professionalism, and people who genuinely care about forests,” Ms Catchpoole said. “I would encourage you to come forward and nominate members for this year’s awards who you believe have stepped up and made a valuable contribution to the organisation”. Nominations close: 5:00 pm (AEST) Monday, 28 July More information can be found at https://www.forestry.org.au/merit-awards/

The Housing Industry Association wants the newly elected Federal Government to make housing a first-order priority from day one, saying any delay or political grandstanding will only deepen the nation’s housing crisis. Source: Timberbiz “HIA would like to congratulate the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and the ALP for securing its term of government and it looks forward to constructively working with them in the new parliament,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said. “We additionally would like to thank Peter Dutton for his two decades of service to the Australian parliament and equally to Michael Sukkar, who has been a key housing advocate in both government and opposition.” Ms Martin said access to a home, whether to rent or own, was becoming unattainable for too many Australians. “This is a challenge that demands a major response in the first days and weeks of the new term of government,” she said. “HIA has been clear throughout the election campaign that all sides of politics must provide bold and courageous leadership to deliver on the nations critical housing shortages and meet the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes. “The industry has laid out the plan through HIA’s Let’s Build agenda, to fast-track planning, unlock land, invest in infrastructure, and build the skilled workforce needed to deliver the homes Australia needs. “Too often, we see housing policy used as a platform to showboat rather than solve real problems. Australians want practical and meaningful reform. Holding housing legislation hostage to political theatre only pushes the dream of home ownership further out of reach.” Ms Martin also pushed back against any suggestion that the housing crisis lies outside the Federal Government’s remit. “We’ve heard it too often that housing and planning is a state issue, or that the Commonwealth has limited levers to pull. That excuse simply doesn’t stack up anymore,” she said. “The Federal Government has the influence, the resources and the leadership role to bring all levels of government together. It can drive the coordinated policy, funding and reform needed to move the dial on supply and affordability not just tinker at the edges.” Ms Martin said this had been reinforced in the election results and with voters outlining housing as a key issue to be addressed as a matter of priority. “We urge the new Government and the entire Parliament to work together to implement the solutions already on the table,” she said. “Housing Australians must not become a casualty of politics-as-usual. We can’t afford more years of delay and stalling of key policies being implemented – we need action within weeks not years.”

The author read an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2025) article by Fiona Willan in relation to a carbon scheme to protect trees from logging. The ABC article is available here. It is understood that this would see state forests added to the nation’s existing carbon credit scheme and the proposal is one of four chosen for priority development by the federal government and the state government agencies that manage the forests could then earn carbon credits by slowing or stopping logging. Industrial polluters could then buy those credits to offset their emissions as the nation moves towards its goal of reaching net zero by 2050. The proposal has been criticised by the timber industry and the federal opposition. The author glanced through the article and proposal, other information at hand, and noted important issues that were not and apparently are not being considered, especially considering the potential scale of proposed reduced timber harvesting, important forestry and carbon science areas not assessed, loss of active and adaptive management, minimal rates of prescribed burning underway in SE Australia, increasing eucalypt decline, large contiguous fuel loads across landscapes, mega fire concerns, loss of forest fire fighter expertise and the fact that conservation lockup isn’t protection from decline nor bushfires. The US is well onto reducing bushfire risks, increasing forest fire resilience, reducing carbon emissions and tackling community safety under their US bipartisan infrastructure bill, US National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and other legislation and policies.  Here in Australia, much of the focus appears to be focussed on destroying native forestry harvesting and it is the authors belief is that Australia is currently paying and will pay the price for this. The author has outlined 10 important factors in Section 2 in relation to the push to stop or reduce native forestry logging under an expanded carbon credit scheme, these are outlined in the full review document attached here: The complete article is available here. There is considerable science supporting the success of native forest harvesting in capturing carbon, this is outlined in detail in the review. In the author’s opinion, what is usually missed in relation to native forestry and harvesting and carbon capture and offsetting science include a number of issues: The science supporting the value of native forest harvesting in relation to carbon capture is ignored The areas harvested each year are small Growth of older trees slows down and in most cases decay increases, reducing carbon storage Regrowth is progressive each year over the small areas allowed for native forestry, capturing carbon. If past harvesting hadn’t occurred, there would have been a lot more emissions Adaptive and active management assist in addressing the carbon issue. Forest Corp are working on tackling eucalypt decline, due to the lack of mild fire across landscapes to improve forest health and optimise carbon capture Considerable volumes of carbon are stored in harvested wood products. Including sawn timber, veneers, beams, flooring, poles, fencing etc Considerable areas are retained in flora reserves and other areas Forest access, fire trails and skilled forestry operators increase speed of bushfire attack in many situations, reducing loss of carbon from bushfires Inevitable intense bushfires resulting from minimal prescribed burning and long fire interval policies kill large numbers of trees and markedly reduce the health of remaining trees for around 10 years plus, the carbon impacts are that high. This further reduces carbon storage, in most cases markedly.  In relation to the disastrous impacts of the 2019/ 20 bushfires on carbon emissions, there are many papers in relation to this; and Transport distances and carbon usage is low with local production and large with imported timber. These are all important issues that are conveniently missed in green agendas. Attempting to stop native forestry for so called imaginary climate change credits is not the answer, seriously, again ignoring many key factors and science. Lock up management does not work, adaptive management does, and it is totally unclear to the author why Australia and some governments would consider closing or reducing native timber harvesting/ thinning, including within dense, high fuel load areas and areas suffering from eucalypt decline, to attempt to gain carbon offsets. Opportunities to realise carbon and biodiversity benefits using native forestry science and adaptive management are outlined in Section 3. It is important that Forestry Australia has submitted an alternative carbon method proposal for consideration under the Proponent-Led Method Development Process for the ACCU Scheme called Enhancing Native Forest Resilience.  This focusses on improving the health and resilience of native forests and encouraging active, adaptive management of native forests across all land tenures to assist Australia in meeting its Paris Agreement targets, all important issues. The US bipartisan infrastructure bill, US National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and other legislation provide an effective approach to reducing fuels, increasing prescribed burning, improving forest health and forest resilience and expanding community wildfire mitigation work, reducing the extent and impacts of wildfires and consequent carbon emissions.  This provides a model for Australia, a practical approach and not an offsets scheme. John O’Donnell was a forester with the then NSW Forestry Commission for 11 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) Hons 1978 from Australian National University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Agronomy and Farming Systems from the University of Adelaide 1996 and 1997, majoring in environmental issues in agriculture. He was awarded a Commonwealth Forestry Scholarship in 1976 and 1977.  

You couldn’t make this stuff up even if you tried. If you had written a book about a global economic situation such as the current one, it would have been a flop as it would have seemed too farfetched and laughable, but here we are. Let’s not for a moment think that this isn’t what the majority of Americans signed up for though as tariffs and protectionism were a large part of Trumps campaigning and it’s not like he’s known for being predictable. Add to that the fact that something had to be done to stem the bleed that has led the US national debt to rise by US$12.3 trillion in the last five years to a total of US$36.2 trillion (sound familiar?) I’m not sure that severing everyone else’s arteries is the best way to stem your bleed, however. The tariff roulette wheel has been spinning furiously for the past few weeks, and you would have more chance of hitting a bullseye on a dartboard blindfolded after drinking a bottle of whisky than predicting where tariffs will end up on a country-by-country basis. What we do know is that our largest trading partner, China, probably isn’t going to fare that well. In 2024, around 30% of the furniture manufactured in China headed off to the US. China is not the biggest supplier into the US however with Vietnam exporting double the value of Chinese exports into the US. Of the total volume of furniture consumed in the US, 52% was made domestically, but the actual value of the imported furniture inputs was 63% meaning that some imported products were used in domestic manufacturing. So, what does this mean for NZ? With a current US: China tariff of 145% (pick a number for what it could be next week) it’s very likely that there will be a significant reduction in goods manufactured in China headed to the US – furniture included. NZ grown radiata is very popular in the Chinese furniture industry due to its properties as it can easily be sawn, dried, glued, laminated, painted and stained. This sector has become more important to NZ as the construction sector continues to suffer and demand for NZ radiata in construction has reduced significantly from 2021 onwards. Having said that, China demand for NZ logs is still strong with off port uplift in the order of 70,000m3 per day in late March. On port inventory remains a bit stubborn at a shade under 4million m3, however, this has reduced by 100,000m3 in the past few weeks. March is historically a big supply month for NZ and this year was no different with plenty of vessels on the water. This supply, along with uncertainty in the market, has resulted in a downturn in buyer sentiment with April CFR prices dropping 8-10% based on March numbers. This drop in sentiment has led to a reduction in AWG prices across NZ of around NZ$10/JAS. Generally, reductions are reasonably static across exporters however, April has seen a significant spread across the board with reductions between NZ$8 and NZ$16/M3 depending on exporter and port. The effect of tariffs on bulk shipping rates will depend on reciprocal tariffs as the US only accounts for 2.3% of global dry bulk demand, however, it does account for 5.7% of dry bulk exports. FOREX has been playing the game if you’re an exporter with fluctuations between mid US$0.55 and US$0.57. Every cent reduction in the $NZ:US is around NZ$3/m3 on the bottom line for AWG prices. The Chinese log futures market hasn’t been terribly positive of late either. After trading mostly positively since its inception, pricing has dropped around 10% since the beginning of March primarily due to negative market sentiment. Carbon prices dropped off a cliff in early March falling from $63/NZU to around $55/NZU by month end. Market jitters are not helped by the likes of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, suggesting that it was time to phase out forestry offsets for fossil fuel emissions. That’s all well and good but cows aren’t yet farting oxygen, and the large majority of the population still drives to work (let’s not start on the conversation about the lifecycle carbon footprint of EV’s). The domestic market continues to show resilience with prices mostly flat for the second quarter of the year. Once again, tariffs could come into play here as a significant volume of the clearwood sawn from pruned logs is sold into the US DIY market. Currently, there is a temporary tariff exemption on NZ forest products. This exemption for timber and lumber products came about through internal US lobbying by the likes of the American Building Materials Alliance and the National Association of Home Builders who urged the White House to rethink tariffs that would weaken a critical supply chain for housing affordability and construction, particularly in a time when areas have been affected by natural disasters. Additionally, the US Secretary of Commerce is investigating the role imported timber plays in national security. The US military spends US$10 billion annually on construction alone so wood-based products are seen as a vital part of national security. So, there we have it folks, a proverbial global crap shoot. Those forest owners with locked in, long term export prices will be sitting pretty for the next quarter or two while tariff-gate plays out. NZ supply will start reducing over the next month with the wet season upon us and lower prices preventing some jobs from starting which will see Chinese port inventories reduce into more comfortable territory hopefully putting upward pressure on prices…hopefully. Marcus Musson, Forest360 Director