Australian timber industry news

A University of Oregon-led initiative to revolutionize the mass timber sector in the Pacific Northwest has been selected as a semifinalist in the highly competitive National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines program. Source: Timberbiz The NSF Engine: Oregon Mass Timber Innovation Engine, led by principal investigator Judith Sheine, professor of architecture in the UO College of Design and director of design of the TallWood Design Institute, is among just 29 semifinalist teams nationally. The announcement builds on the project’s momentum from a US$1 million NSF Engine strategic planning award granted in 2023 and the work of the TallWood Design Institute, a joint initiative of the UO and Oregon State University. “This exciting next step affirms our region’s potential to lead a national transformation of our construction industries,” Ms Sheine said. The mass timber initiative “leverages Oregon’s world-class strengths in timber R&D, abundant forest resources, and manufacturing capacity to build a thriving and resilient mass timber ecosystem.” The initiative targets three pressing national and regional challenges: rural economic resilience, forest health and affordable housing. By advancing technologies across smart forestry, advanced manufacturing and resilient building systems, it aims to revitalize and modernize Oregon’s legacy timber industry and generate high-wage, future-ready jobs in both rural and urban communities. Mass timber, an engineered wood product, can be made from small-diameter logs and underutilized timber species, providing commercial markets for logs thinned from forests to reduce wildfire risk and promote forest health. It provides an alternative to steel and concrete in construction. Due to its ability to be prefabricated in factories, the method speeds production, in housing in particular, and reduces waste and carbon emissions. The new terminal at the Portland International Airport is a visually stunning testament to mass timber’s diverse uses. The initiative proposes to amplify R&D and commercialization in: Smart forestry: high-tech harvesting, fibre supply mapping and assistive technology for loggers Advanced manufacturing and building products: new bio-based materials, robotic fabrication and product innovation Resilient building systems: modular housing, retrofits for seismic and climate resilience and design-for-disassembly strategies The 2023 NSF Engine strategic planning grant allowed the UO to build a regional coalition of more than 90 collaborators — including industry, accelerators, tribal nations, higher education, workforce and career mentoring organizations, and investment firms, including key partners Timberlab, Freres Engineered Wood, the Port of Portland, Oregon State University, Washington State University and Portland Community College — to develop a blueprint for scaling innovation and translation to commercialization. Ms Sheine said the project is a comprehensive strategy to reimagine forest management, revitalize rural communities and strengthen the domestic construction supply chain while creating scalable housing solutions and resilient building systems. “The Oregon Mass Timber Innovation Engine is an extraordinary opportunity to harness use-inspired research and translate innovation into real-world practice,” said Anshuman “AR” Razdan, vice president for research and innovation at the University of Oregon. “The proposed efforts leverage the world-class research and innovation capacity from our state’s R1 research intensive institutions while driving workforce and economic growth for Oregonians, particularly those in rural areas.” The NSF Engines program, launched in 2022, is designed to supercharge regional innovation ecosystems and foster economic growth in critical technology areas. The program has already yielded a tenfold return on federal investment through public-private and philanthropic commitments nationwide.    

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UPM is deepening its over 15-year collaboration with the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) by developing forestry water protection. The new commitment focuses on research into sustainable forestry and the development of new practices in peatlands, among other areas. Source: Timberbiz “As part of our Forest Action forest responsibility program, we want to be at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices in forestry water protection. A lack of clear, research-backed information in certain areas is still holding back the development of effective practices. We want to offer research plots that can be used to find concrete ways to reduce environmental impacts on water and climate emissions in forests, for example,” says Tuomas Kara, Environmental Manager at UPM Forest. “Research supported by companies can be a significant step forward in finding and mainstreaming more sustainable practices,” says Jussi Heinonsalo, Professor of Forest Sciences at the University of Helsinki.The plots will be integrated into a wider network of plots coordinated by the University of Helsinki, which is open to all researchers to conduct scientific studies. “According to studies, the impacts of forestry on water quality and carbon balance are significant, which supports the promotion of better practices. We will have the opportunity to explore with researchers, in particular open questions related to the regulation of groundwater level and to the carbon cycle, as well as impacts on water bodies,” says Taina Ihaksi, Director of the BSAG Forest Project. New operating models for water protection in forest management In addition to research, practical forestry measures are also being developed as part of the collaboration. New guidelines are being drawn up for water protection in forestry, both for UPM’s own forests and privately owned forests. UPM is also committed to communicating the new operating models and guidelines to its forest owner customers. “We aim to give greater attention to water bodies affected by forest management and to take into account their special characteristics. The impacts of forestry on water bodies are addressed through everyday decisions: Which type of regeneration or soil preparation methods are chosen? When to harvest? What kind of machines are used and where? “This is already a part of everyday activities in forestry. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement in preventing environmental harm, and for that, we need more science-based information. Small changes in forest management methods can also help restore water conditions in forests towards a more natural state. Implementing research results requires commitment and continuous training of personnel,” says Ihaksi. Long-term collaboration for the protection of the Baltic Sea will continue. “The collaboration between UPM and BSAG is a great example of long-term and multidimensional work that has succeeded in developing operating methods and finding new solutions. The commitments have covered topics that are central to the Baltic Sea, ranging from harmful chemicals to nutrient recycling and maritime emissions. It’s only natural that the next theme was found in the forest sector,” says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility, UPM. Among others, UPM was the first Finnish shipper to commit to BSAG’s Ship Waste Action initiative and to discharge its sewage from sea transport to land for recovery from spring 2022.

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For nearly a century, Washington’s timber industry produced everything from paper and two-by-fours to the massive wood beams that hold up the Tacoma Dome. Lumber mills were the backbone of logging towns throughout the Northwest. Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting But the industry has been on a long decline since the 1990s. Now, President Donald Trump wants to reduce foreign competition and increase U.S. logging to bring back those jobs. The timber industry is not immune from layoffs. In June, a plywood mill along the Columbia River closed and laid off all of its workers. And another one is laying off 112 people. Those layoffs are part of this bigger trend that’s been happening for decades. Today, the state has about 100,000 timber-related jobs, including mills. That means Washington has lost about a quarter of its timber jobs in the last 30 years. The loss has been devastating to rural communities built around those sawmills, like Morton, Washington. Morton lies about an hour’s drive southeast from Seattle. It’s a sleepy little town, with a population of just over 1,000, and a big wooden statue of a lumberjack as you drive in. But back in the 1950s, it was known as the “railroad tie capital of the world.” The Hampton Mill is still the economic heart of the community today. It’s survived the waves of closures over the years. Inside, the first thing that hits you is the strong, sappy smell of freshly cut wood. The mill itself is like a giant machine. It looks highly automated, with just a few dozen people managing it all. Back in the old days, there would have been a lot more people doing these jobs. Today, this mill produces enough lumber each day to frame 70 houses. You see logs in all stages of being cut apart, flying around on conveyor belts. Some chutes carry the wood like a log ride at the fair. Once they’re cut down to studs, it becomes more like a really fast merry-go-round. It feels a little like a carnival — one where it’s easy to get your fingers cut off. “Obviously, keep your hands inside the rides at all times,” warned mill manager Aaron Poquette. The Hampton Mill is still the economic heart of the community today. It’s survived the waves of closures over the years. Inside, the first thing that hits you is the strong, sappy smell of freshly cut wood. The mill itself is like a giant machine. It looks highly automated, with just a few dozen people managing it all. Back in the old days, there would have been a lot more people doing these jobs. Plus, lumber from Canada is so much cheaper — because of its vast timber lands and the Canadian government’s involvement in setting prices on its lumber. The U.S. currently imports a third of its wood from Canada. There’s a lot for small communities to gain by bringing back sawmill jobs. They’re good jobs in rural communities, where jobs like that are hard to come by. Dennis Barnes, a mill worker in Morton who plans to retire soon, is in favour of increasing timber jobs. He started as an entry level worker, but now, he’s in charge of quality control. He monitors a huge computer system that keeps track of every single board as it moves through the mill. He plans out maintenance schedules for the saws, some of which must be sharpened several times a day. “It’s been a good job,” he said. “I’ve been here 26 years. Lots of change. We’ve had some rough times, but, overall, it’s supported my family, and it’s been a good living.” Barnes’ career path illustrates how, over time, mill jobs are becoming more highly skilled and valuable. Now, with AI technologies entering the mill, doing things like visually grading the quality of each board, that transition continues. Poquette says it’s difficult to convince workers to move or commute to Morton, so his company has been training existing entry-level workers for those more technical jobs. At the end of his career, Dennis Barnes has a nice 401(k), and plans to stick around Morton after retiring. “I’ve lived here all my life, and I plan on staying here,” he said. The economies of small towns like Morton depend on mill jobs. Over the decades, Morton has already lost half of its timber jobs, and people there don’t want to lose any more. At the same time, many small rural communities also depend on tourism, tied to the area’s natural beauty. But that industry could be harmed by more logging. In some ways, this feels like a very Pacific Northwest story — it involves lumberjacks, after all. But in others, it’s a story playing out in rural communities across the country. Industrial jobs used to anchor them, and now that the anchor is gone, a lot of these towns are adrift. It’s a story that’s driving the political moment right now. And when small towns lose mills, it’s not just the jobs that go away. It’s the whole infrastructure for producing wood products. Without that production capacity, it makes us reliant on non-local sources of all the wood products we need. And we need a lot of them. Seattle is a city built out of wood. It’s hidden in the walls of our homes and apartment buildings. It’s in the paper we use and the particle board in our furniture. Without this industry, Seattle and other cities like it would have to import a lot of those things from somewhere else. In many ways it’s about self-sufficiency. Mill operators say the Northwest has this valuable local resource that we could be managing, using, and selling with good local jobs. Or, we can pay other people in other places to import the same resource — and those people might not have the same values we have in terms of protecting the environment. Blue collar sawmill jobs seem like exactly the type of thing President Trump wants to […]

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Some of New Zealand’s brightest students have competed in a 72-hour ‘design-athon’ event to create resilient housing that can withstand multiple disasters. Source: Timberbiz The BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand) event called ArchEngBuild featured 40 final-year students from across the country in architecture, engineering, construction management, landscape architecture, and sustainable engineering. The students met for the first time at the University of Auckland and were split into 10 teams to compete for the $12,000 cash prize. This year’s brief was to design a resilient, sustainable and affordable community building concept that safeguards people from hazards like flooding, earthquakes, fire and high winds. It also needed to be adaptable to different family needs and quickly reinstated if disaster struck. The hypothetical site for the development was at the bottom of the Auckland Domain, an area hit hard by the Auckland Anniversary flooding in 2023. Flood-resilience was a strong feature of the winning team’s design which included water retention ponds and timber buildings on stilts. However, it was the focus on community that stood out for the judges. The winners developed a housing concept called Rauhītia, which means to gather, shelter and care for collectively. The largely modular design featured a mixture of townhouses, apartments and standalone homes as well as a community facility and childcare centre to encourage multigenerational living and togetherness. The winning students are: Enoch Shi, University of Auckland architecture student Beatrice Hong, Otago Polytechnic, construction management Bella Mercardo – Victoria University of Wellington, sustainable engineering Shivam Bansal University of Auckland, structural engineering The winners were announced by BRANZ Board Chair Nigel Smith at a prize giving event at the University of Auckland. “This event wasn’t just about meeting a brief-it was about reimagining the future of resilience in our built environment. “The competition challenged students to work collaboratively to push the boundaries of what’s possible in designing buildings that don’t just withstand disaster but adapt and thrive in the face of New Zealand’s unique environmental challenges. “This focus is critical-not for some distant future, but for projects that urgently demand fresh thinking today,” said Nigel Smith. Architecture student Enoch Shi contributed the winning result to strong teamwork and a clear focus on community at the core of their concept. “When we started the project, we asked ourselves, what does resilience mean to us? It can mean different things, but for us it really meant creating communities that protect and serve each other. Research shows the communities that are more bonded together are much more prepared in the face of disaster,” Enoch said. The judges were impressed by the strong interdisciplinary collaboration under intense time-pressure pressure. “The main theme this year was resilience. It was about building for hazards, but the winning team understood that it is about community at its heart. Their project provided a great base for a diverse population and a healthy community a mixture of housing technologies like medium density and townhouses,” said Ferdinand Oswald, Senior Lecturer of Architectural Technology, University of Auckland. Overall, the judges were impressed with all of the students’ optimism and creativity in solving some of today’s biggest challenges – including resilience, sustainability and affordability in our buildings. These are key focus areas for BRANZ through its independent research and testing to support better buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand. “These students are going to change the building industry,” said BRANZ Chief Executive Claire Falck. “They are hitting the real world with the right attitude and focus on collaboration and innovation to overcome the significant challenges facing our industry and communities.” BRANZ is proud to fund ArchEngBuild, through the Building Research Levy, along with industry sponsorship from: Concrete New Zealand Metals New Zealand The Timber Design Society, Southbase New sponsors this year: The Sustainable Steel Council.   The 2025 judging panel included: Ferdinand Oswald – Senior Lecturer of Architectural Technology at The University of Auckland Craig Hopkins – CEO of Generation Homes Ana Petrovic – Senior Structural Engineer at AECOM Anne Carrington – Senior Associate with Warren & Mahoney Architects, and Andrew Norriss – Landscape Architect Director – HoneStudio.

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Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is calling on Queensland-based small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working across agriculture, food and related technologies to apply for its next Innovate to Grow program. Source: Timberbiz Delivered as part of the Queensland Government-funded Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) program, this research and development (R&D) training program guides businesses through developing and implementing research strategies with support from experienced researchers and industry mentors. Dr George Feast, CSIRO’s Director for SME Connect Programs, said Queensland businesses are brimming with fresh ideas, but turning those concepts into market-ready innovations requires the right mix of expertise, networks and funding. “We’re helping SMEs with a pathway from concept to commercialisation, with access to world-class researchers at regional Queensland universities, and matched R&D support – as well as support from our specialist team of facilitators,” Dr Feast said. A recent CSIRO report found collaborations with universities and research institutions helps SMEs develop new products and services, increase speed to market and address challenges and opportunities specific to their industry. Lloyd Tailby from Erkmark Australia completed CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow in 2025. “The program was a big help in guiding me to refine the problem and progress with collaboration,” Mr Tailby said. “This is a valuable program for any small business with good ideas who want to explore R&D opportunities.” CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Agriculture, Food & Technology – Queensland is open to SMEs developing or supplying solutions in: Agriculture technology (agritech) Food and beverage manufacturing Crop innovation Livestock and aquaculture Alternative proteins Packaging, handling and storage Transport, logistics and provenance Other For more information and to apply visit https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/funding-programs/SME/Innovate-to-Grow/Agrifood-and-Technology-QLD/Apply

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RTA Studio’s housing system, set to launch next month, uses pre-cut cross-laminated timber panels to deliver a three-bedroom home, from factory to installation, in just six weeks. Source: Jason Ross, Woodcentral One of New Zealand’s top architects is days away from launching a new flat-pack housing system that could help solve the squeeze not just in New Zealand’s built-up cities but could be exported into global markets. Today, Wood Central spoke to Richard Naish, founder of RTA Studio, who presented the case for the Living House to the world’s top timber engineers at the World Conference on Timber Engineering in Brisbane. Naish—who is behind Scion House, one of the world’s most beautiful buildings and the new Fisher and Paykel headquarters, said the system consists of 36 pre-cut cross-laminated timber modules (supplied by Red Stag’s Timberlab operation. the country’s sole cross-laminated timber fabricator) and can be assembled by crews with little experience in cross-laminated timber: “The only specialist required is the crane operator.” Speaking to Wood Central from the sidelines, Naish said the 85-square-metre, three-bedroom house is carbon-zero, can be built in six weeks, and costs just $300,000 (including GST): “We have a nationwide building consent,” he said, “which allows us to ramp up delivery given New Zealand is home to one of the world’s least affordable housing markets.” According to Habitat for Humanity, 300,000 families in New Zealand live in less-than-adequate conditions. Around 4000 children wake up in a motel room every morning, and 27,000 are on the waiting list for Government housing and first-time home buyers, making the Living House a potential game changer for public and affordable housing. “Our system is pre-cut to site and has services mounted, which allows us to slash the labour costs dramatically,” Naish told the conference, making the installation costs much more affordable than traditional construction. “We also ran the numbers on timber frame cassettes and opted for cross-laminated timber given superior carbon sequestration.” Wood Central understands that the 3-bedroom home system optimises materials, streamlines suppliers, and requires a team of three for fast, straightforward assembly saving time, effort, and resources. Beyond finding an appropriate site, choosing a licensed builder and applying for site-specific permits and certifications, developers need to purchase a detailed design package from RTA Studios, decide on design pallets and appliances and order the modules. Naish’s presentation was one of dozens delivered on the fourth day of WCTE 2025, which featured keynote discussions from Katharina Lehmann, CEO of Blumer Lehmann, Ralph Belperio, Major Projects Director at Aurecon, and Harry Mills, from Built by Nature. Wrapping up tomorrow, more than 950 delegates will hear from Phillip Tondl, Design and Innovation Manager from Lipman, Guy Gardiner, founding director of Gardiner Vaughn and Gerald Epp, mass timber pioneer and founder of Structurecraft.

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Buildxact, a global software as a service (SaaS) company that provides a simple solution for small-to-medium sized residential builders and renovators to better manage and grow their business, launched an enhanced version of its platform. Source: Timberbiz Buildxact now includes three powerful AI-assisted features to empower small-to-medium residential home builders, renovators and contractors, to manage jobs more efficiently and to earn more profit. These features are delivered by Blu, Buildxact’s new AI-powered building assistant, and include Blu: Takeoff Assistant, Blu: Estimate Generator, Blu: Estimate Reviewer, and Blu: Recipe/Assembly Assistant. Blu: Takeoff Assistant allows the user to upload plans that can be automatically scaled in an instant. Additionally, the tool automatically names the pages based on information from the uploaded plan and includes the precise area of the project. The tool then provides a hands-free measurement of the spaces by drawing around the perimeters to capture the total square footage. In addition, new “point add” and “point edit” functionality allows a user to edit individual areas of the takeoff where needed, rather than the time-consuming task of deleting and starting over again. Blu: Estimate Generator gives the user the capability to generate labour and building items based on local data. The feature pulls pricing from supplier catalogues, including partners such as Dahlsens, Mitre 10, and Bunnings, to name a few. The first iteration of the feature can generate kitchen and bath renovation estimates, with expanded options such as whole-of-house builds, common extensions, and other common renovation type estimates launching in coming months. The new Blu: Estimate Reviewer feature can audit an estimate, giving suggestions on any missed items along with recommendations on how to improve an estimate. The user can enter important details like room types, environmental factors, and energy ratings to get detailed and accurate input. Blu will create a task checklist for any potential improvements, providing a list of suggestions from insurance to energy compliance. The user can mark items complete on the checklist as they are addressed. “AI is giving our users unprecedented control,” said Chris Rennie, chief product officer at Buildxact. “With these new features, users will win more quotes and keep projects running on time and on budget. The Blu: Estimate Reviewer is like sending an estimate to your own personal estimator to get feedback on items missing and other areas of concern, breaking through the ongoing challenge of too much work and not enough support.” Buildxact also is launching a customizable pricing structure to be more accessible to more of the industry that helps users grow at their own pace. Initial pricing gives them basic tools and allows for instant upgrades as their business necessitates and grows. Plus, each plan offers unlimited users and customer training and support. “Unlike rigid, one-size-fits-all software, we listen to our customers and build solutions for their real-world challenges, and we aren’t afraid to challenge ourselves to do that,” said Steve Yates, CEO at Buildxact. “We now offer unlimited users so an entire team can see the benefits without the extra cost. Plus, we’re offering industry-first, AI estimating that speeds up workflows and does the work for the user, without sacrificing accuracy.” In addition to these new AI features, Buildxact’s platform is boosted with the addition of digital signatures, timesheets, task lists, and enhanced client selections. The digital signatures feature allows users to sign quotes and variations quickly online for speed and better coordination with customers. Timesheet updates allow onsite crew to record time on each project by category and item level using the Buildxact Onsite app also automatically generating a work order to connect work hours and costs to the right project, category and item. Finally, enhanced client selections improve communications with the homeowner and empower them to make decisions quickly online so the project can be efficient and there is transparency choice by choice.

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The founder of Australia’s newest and, to date, its most ambitious build-to-rent developer will headline Timber Construct – the country’s only dedicated timber-in-construction conference.  Source: Timberbiz Andrew Dunn, organiser of the 13-14 October conference and exhibition, revealed that Rory Hunter, Australian entrepreneur and CEO of MODEL, will be the first keynote to address, “Building Beyond Convention – a Developer’s Timber Awakening.” “Rory’s MODEL is Australia’s first purpose-first build-to-rent development group, now using mass timber-led solutions to ‘flip the script on old ways of living and being,” Mr Dunn said. “His company is already planning to build 700 highly sustainable build-to-rent apartments (using mass timber) and recently secured a $250 million regeneration decarbonisation fund to build sustainable built-to-rent projects across Melbourne and the east coast.” Last year, Timber Construct revealed that MODEL, which announced plans to build two build-to-rent towers in Melbourne’s inner north, the first, a 17-storey 200-apartment tower in Abbotsford and a second, a nine-storey, 180-apartment scheme over the 1880s Schweppes Cordial factory, was looking to build up to 5,000 build-to-rent units over the coming years. “Build-to-rent projects are a major growth industry for mass timber-based construction, with mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings the new sweet spot for hybrid timber systems,” according to Mr Dunn, who said Georgia Coutsodimitropoulous will chair the session, Timberlink’s Marketing and Brand Manager, who, through NeXTimber, operates Australia’s first cross-laminated timber and glulam plant. In addition, Mr Dunn said the first day will also feature a panel discussion looking at the role of timber framing in solving Australia’s housing crisis. “Frame and truss are affordable, dependable and reliable, with Nick Hewson, the CEO of Aboralis, Barry Brunton from Legacy Engineering, and Dr Louise Wallis, from the University of Tasmania, looking at ways that we can use modern methods of construction to scale up production.” Mr Dunn said tickets for this year’s event are now on sale, with organisers expecting a larger turnout than in past years – both from Australians and visitors overseas: “As one of just three mass timber and timber frame focused industry conferences, our primary focus is on commercial-ready applications of timber technology,” he said, “with a focus on materials, design, prefabrication and building techniques.”  

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The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has released its Agricultural Commodities Report for the June quarter of 2025, providing updated estimates and forecasts for key sectors, including the forestry industry, for the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26. Source: Timberbiz The report presents an updated estimation for the total value of agricultural commodities, which includes farm outputs (crops and livestock), fisheries, and forestry products. For FY2024–25, the total value was estimated at $99.7 billion, representing a 6% increase from the previous estimate of $94.3 billion released in December 2024. Despite this upward revision, the total value is forecast to decline slightly in FY2025–26 to $97.5 billion, a 2% decrease, largely driven by expected declines in the export values of livestock, livestock products, and crops (see Figure 1). Figure 1: Total agricultural values in billion AUD Upward Trend of Forestry Product Value Focusing on the forestry sector, the report shows a positive trend. The total value of forestry products, which includes both softwood and hardwood, is now estimated at $2.5 billion for FY2024–25, marking an 8% increase from the previous forecast in December 2024. Looking ahead, the value is projected to rise further to $2.7 billion in FY 2025–26, reflecting a 9% year-on-year increase. If realised, this would bring the total forestry value close to the sector’s peak of $2.8 billion in FY2018–19, the highest annual value recorded over the decade between 2010 and 2020 (see Figure 2). These revised figures highlight the continued importance and resilience of the forestry industry within the broader agricultural sector, particularly in the face of changing economic conditions and current dynamics in the global trade environment. Figure 2: Total forestry values in billion AUD   Link to the report: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/agricultural-outlook/june-2025  

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The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the US Department of the Interior announced Federal wildland firefighters and dispatchers now have access to expanded mental health support through a network of licensed providers. As mandated by Congress, the new therapy service is designed to address the unique needs of those in emergency management positions. Source: Timberbiz Wildland firefighters and support staff work in dangerous, high-stress environments that can expose them to trauma and cumulative stress, increasing their risk of mental health challenges. The new service provides a network of licensed providers, who have expertise in addressing the mental health needs of emergency responders. “Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to protect us, our resources and our communities. We are so grateful for their service, and we are happy to provide them with more support if they need it,” said US Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L Rollins. “As we approach peak fire season, access to mental health services for our firefighters and first responders will now be easier and more convenient so we can continue to have the best wildland firefighting force in the world.” This service is just one of the resources available through the Federal Wildland Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program to support the mental and physical health of wildland fire personnel. Jointly led by the Agriculture and Interior departments, the program seeks to improve our understanding of the short- and long-term mental and physical health effects of working in wildland fire, and to position the departments to better address these health risks. “Through the dedication and perseverance of our wildland firefighters and dispatchers, the Interior Department continues to protect communities, critical infrastructure, and natural resources from the threat of wildfires,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “By providing essential tools to bolster their resilience, we are strengthening our wildland fire workforce so we can better defend against the growing threat of wildfires across the United States.” The new therapy service includes year-round access to confidential therapy sessions with licensed mental health professionals who understand the demands of emergency response work. Providers will be available in every state. The service is offered to permanent, temporary, seasonal, and year-round wildland firefighters and dispatchers with the USDA Forest Service and the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The new service is part of a broader effort by the federal government to improve recruitment and retention across the wildland fire workforce and position the Nation to more effectively respond to wildfires and mitigate future risk.

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The same exoskeleton principles that protect grasshoppers, crabs and similar creatures could also help protect the 25,000 or so workers in the job with the highest injury and fatality rates in America: forestry. Source: Timberbiz “Forestry is vitally important to our economy and our standard of living, but its workers pay a high price, with an injury rate that is 40% higher than the average of all other industries and fatality rates that are 20 to 30 times higher,” said Jeong Ho “Jay” Kim, PhD, a systems engineering expert with the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. In a recent study, Kim and co-author Woodam Chung, PhD, a forest engineer at Oregon State University, were the first to objectively measure biomechanical stress experienced by professional timber fellers during actual timber felling operations. They also evaluated forest workers’ perceptions of wearable exoskeletons — emerging technology already being used in other physically demanding industries such as shipbuilding and automotive and aerospace manufacturing. Kim said that most forestry injuries and fatalities are associated with manual timber felling with a chain saw and related activities such as delimbing and cutting felled trees into logs and other smaller pieces. These activities require forceful exertions, awkward postures, repetitive motions and hand-arm vibrations. As a result, more than 70 percent of forestry workers experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders, primarily in their shoulders and lower backs. These risks are magnified by the isolated, rugged conditions in which this work takes place — often on terrain with unstable footing and unpredictable weather, Kim said. Kim and Chung’s work was supported by the Economic Development Administration and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and published in the International Journal of Forest Engineering. Study participants were recruited as a convenience sample through local forest industry partners, the Pacific Northwest Agriculture Safety and Health and USDA Forest Service District Offices in Oregon and Idaho. The study had two parts. First, to identify the types of exoskeletons that would be most appropriate and beneficial, the researchers measured the biomechanical stress levels of 10 currently employed professional timber fellers — nine men and one woman, all age 21 or older — who performed manual timber felling while wearing sensors. Inertial measurement unit sensors were placed on the participants’ torsos (the midpoint of sternum) and the outside of both arms directly below the shoulder. As the participants worked their shifts of three to four and a half hours, all three sensors continuously synchronized via Bluetooth and saved the data. When the work shifts were completed, the researchers removed the sensors and saved the data into a cloud server. These participants also completed a paper survey that assessed how much they knew about exoskeletons, how accepting they were of the concept, and their perceived barriers and risks of using exoskeletons. In addition, another 12 currently employed foresters (all men) took the same survey online. The 22 respondents were primarily in Oregon, followed by Montana, Idaho and Washington, and reported 38 job titles (many of them had multiple roles). They were timber fellers, managers/CEOs, equipment operators, safety officers, cable logging crew members and trainers. The survey identified musculoskeletal pain in seven body parts: neck, shoulders, low back, wrist/forearms, knees, legs and ankles/feet. Low back was the most prevalent, with a pain level of 3.7 on a 10-point scale. “This finding suggests that back-support and upper-limb support exoskeletons may be suitable to the forestry industry,” Kim said. In addition, most participants — about 53% — were not familiar with assistive technologies such as exoskeletons at all, while 21% said they were slightly familiar. “Upon learning about exoskeletons, these participants had considerable interest in using them for timber felling, cutting/sawing and mechanic work as long as they did not impair mobility and were affordable and easy to use and maintain,” Kim said, adding that weight and the risk of getting snagged were potential concerns. “While our study sample was too small to be generalizable, the results provided a strong foundation for our current federally funded work to further assess the ways exoskeletons could help forestry workers stay safer on the job,” Kim said.    

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A new study in The Journal of Cleaner Production confirms that FSC certification contributes to maintaining and increasing forest cover, especially in lower-middle income countries. Source: Timberbiz These findings reinforce the conclusions of previous research and provide insights on adapting regional certification strategies to increase sustainable forest management. The study, led by researchers Inoussa Boubacar and Yaya Sissoko, investigated the critical role of FSC certification in promoting sustainable forest management and mitigating deforestation across diverse economic and climatic contexts. Using dynamic panel data model and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimations on 70 countries from 2000 – 2021, the researchers examined forest cover as a measure for impact of FSC certification. Results indicate that FSC certification contributes to maintaining and increasing forest cover across diverse economic and climatic contexts. This positive impact is most strongly observed in lower-middle income countries (as defined by World Bank economic classifications). Scaling up certification and integrating it into national policies could benefit countries of this economic category. The data also shows positive impacts of certification on low-, middle-, and high-income countries. The study also found that FSC certification has a positive impact on all climate zones – tropical, temperate, and others. However, the strength of the impact varies across zones, highlighting the need for region-specific strategies. Based on these findings, the authors recommend: tailoring strategies for different regions and countries based on economic structures, governance capacities, market conditions, and climatic zones; embedding FSC certification into national and international forest governance frameworks; aligning certification with trade policies; further aligning FSC with international initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) for example as was done in the Congo Basin; and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders including policymakers, companies, and international organizations to increase the adoption of FSC certification to mitigate deforestation.

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Russia’s timber industry is warning of widespread production shutdowns as the sector reels from Western sanctions, declining demand and a surging Ruble that has battered the country’s export competitiveness. The Moscow Times In a letter to Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov reviewed by the Kommersant business daily, the Russian Association of Organizations and Enterprises of the Pulp and Paper Industry described the current moment as one of the industry’s most difficult periods in modern history. Industry data show that timber harvesting fell 13% in 2024 compared with pre-war levels in 2021, lumber production dropped 11% and plywood output declined 23%. Even pulp production, one of the sector’s more stable outputs, decreased by 3%. Major industry players including Segezha Group and ULK Group have been restructuring loans over the past two years in response to falling output, sliding prices and soaring costs. But the situation has continued to deteriorate, especially within the export-heavy pulp and paper sector. Sanctions imposed by the West in response to the war in Ukraine have effectively cut off access to the European market, traditionally one of Russia’s largest buyers of timber products. At the same time, the strengthening Ruble has made Russian exports less competitive abroad, further shrinking revenue for producers already struggling to adjust to new global trading conditions. Compounding the problem is the Central Bank’s steep 20% key interest rate along with a hike in the profit tax rate from 20% to 25%, measures aimed at stabilizing the broader economy that have inadvertently tightened the screws on manufacturers. “There is no market for products such as pellets, roundwood or wood chips, and lumber prices are in continual decline,” said Vladimir Butorin, CEO of ULK Group, told Kommersant. In addition to export woes, the industry is also confronting weak domestic demand and fading prospects in China, traditionally a fallback market for Russian timber. Executives say China’s ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. and a prolonged slump in the country’s construction sector have sharply reduced buying activity. Segezha Group representatives told Kommersant that companies are suffering from “export complications, construction sector challenges, diminishing demand, higher logistics costs and declining operational efficiency.” The industry leaders’ letter calls on the government to create an emergency operations centre within the Industry and Trade Ministry to monitor the sector and develop stabilization measures. Economist Denis Kondratyev said that while the strong Ruble may be a sign of macroeconomic resilience, it is crippling Russia’s exporters. “A strong Ruble damages export opportunities by making shipments less attractive and raising the cost of products in foreign markets,” he said. He also noted that rising imports, even amid sanctions, are placing further pressure on domestic producers struggling to stay afloat. Kondratyev argued that government protectionist policies are necessary, including restricting imports in the domestic market.

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We are now over four months into Australia’s reformed illegal logging laws (Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (Act) and the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 (Rules)) that came into effect early this year. Source: Timberbiz This is a reminder that the department offers a range of guidance and resources on its website to help you understand your due diligence obligations. As part of our continued education and guidance efforts during this early implementation period, outlined below are some common scenarios relating to non-compliance with the laws. We encourage all regulated entities to review their systems and practices against these points to ensure they are meeting their obligations under the reforms. Common contraventions Due Diligence System (DDS) issues Some entities are found to have either have no DDS in place, are relying upon a Chain of Custody manual or are using a DDS that is inadequate. You must have a DDS system in place before importing regulated timber products or processing a raw log that sets out how the due diligence requirements of the Rules will be met. Requirement for information and documents (RFID) notice issues Failure to respond to a RFID notice or to provide the information and documents requested in the notice. Please be aware that the department sends notices via registered post and email, using the contact details listed in the Australian Business Register. Information gathering issues Failure to collect all the required information before importing or processing their product/s, or reliance upon confirmation statements that information previously provided has not changed. If certain information cannot be obtained, the importer or processor must keep records that demonstrate that the information was not reasonably practicable to obtain. Information gathering is required to be undertaken upon each instance of importation/raw log processing. Risk assessment issues Failure to undertake adequate risk assessments. The department is finding that some risk assessments are being undertaken against a supplier and/or do not consider all of the prescribed risk factors. Risk assessments must be undertaken on the specific product/s being imported/raw logs processed, and written records must be kept that demonstrate the assessment occurred before import/raw log processing. Risk factor issues Failure to undertake adequate research to fully evaluate associated risk factors. You must consider all relevant risk factors and conduct additional research where necessary when determining the risk of your product/s being illegally logged. Your written risk assessment must demonstrate that all of the prescribed risk factors have been considered to a reasonable standard. Exception operation There is misunderstanding about the risk assessment exception. The exception does not apply to information gathering or determining that the product or raw log is certified. It also cannot be applied to part of or a component of a product. If any information about the product/raw log has changed, then the whole product/raw log is no longer eligible for the exception pathway. Certified products/logs When undertaking due diligence on certified product/s, common issues include: not downloading/using the PEFC/FSC database to obtain the timestamped record failing to assess certification in accordance with the CoC framework assuming supplier certification automatically means product/raw log certification relying on incomplete or out-of-scope sales/delivery records or nil certification claims. You must verify the certification per the Rules for each import/processing. Be mindful that you cannot use certification as the sole indicator of timber legality. Retrospectively created or altered documents Do not create or alter any documents (eg risk assessment records, DDS, database downloads with removed timestamps) after importing/processing or after receiving a RFID. This breaches the illegal logging legislation and may constitute providing false or misleading information under the Act and the Criminal Code Act 1995 (eg forgery). If you are unsure, please reach out to the department. For assistance or further information, visit the Illegal Logging Compliance webpage at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry/policies/illegal-logging/illegal-logging-compliance or contact the department directly at illegallogging@aff.gov.au  

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FSC ANZ invites Promotional Licence Holders to the 2025 PLH Forum, an annual online event designed to strengthen understanding of the environmental, social, and economic outcomes your organisation supports through your commitment to FSC. Source: Timberbiz The PLH Forum is an opportunity for FSC ANZ to connect with the network of Promotional Licence Holders, share updates on work across the supply chain, and highlight key ways you can maximise the value of your FSC partnership. The event is a space to explore how your promotion of FSC-certified products contributes to responsible forest management both locally and globally. The 2025 program features a series of short presentations that reflect different areas of focus across the FSC system. Each speaker will offer insights into how FSC is creating real-world impact, and how Promotional Licence Holders are part of that journey. Presentations Welcome address from Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC Australia and New Zealand The Indigenous Working Group Australia & New Zealand (IWG ANZ) Tolita Davis-Angeles, Chair of the FSC ANZ Indigenous Working Group Driving Environmental Impact Across Landscapes through FSC Certification NFAM Sustainability Team for the Australia and New Zealand Forest Fund at New Forests Strengthening Our Social Agenda: Understanding Core Labour Requirements Stefan Jensen, Senior Policy Manager at FSC ANZ PLH Program Highlights 2024/25: Local Impact, Global Reach Jen Nicita, Trademarks and Partnerships Manager at FSC ANZ FSC Forest Week 2025: Do One Thing for Forests Sarah Day, Engagement and Communications Manager at FSC ANZ From Indigenous leadership to labour safeguards, from marketing tools to landscape-level outcomes, the Forum will explore how FSC and its partners are delivering value for people and the planet. The event is on 6 August from 10am to midday (AEST) or midday to 2pm (NZST) and is wholly online. If you are a Promotional Licence Holder and would like to attend, please contact info@au.fsc.org  

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Auckland Council has launched a new sustainable finance initiative, a sustainability-linked bond (SLB), with a clear purpose: to deliver real, long-term benefits to the Auckland region through accelerated native ngahere (forest) restoration in regional parks. Source: Timberbiz While the council has a well-established sustainable finance programme in place, this SLB is a new milestone with its focus firmly on people, place and planet. The bond links funding to the planting of one million native trees by the end of 2027, helping to grow a greener, healthier Tāmaki Makaurau for generations to come. However, what makes this bond particularly unique is its combined accountability and sustainability drive. If the council does not meet its planting target, it will make a donation to organisations supporting the restoration of native ngahere across the region. Unlike other SLB structures which often involve additional payments to investors for missed targets, the donation means whether the council meets the planting target or not, Aucklanders win. Auckland Council’s Manager Group Sustainable Finance Sophie Baillie says this innovative bond structure, which incorporates a donation, reflects Auckland’s leadership in the sustainable finance space while directly benefiting communities. “This bond enables us to align our funding with ambitious environmental outcomes.” “Its structure keeps us accountable and ensures the objective of ngahere restoration to support local biodiversity and climate resilience moves forward no matter what.” The one-million-tree planting target is part of the council’s ‘200 Hectare Programme’ – its 2021 Long-term Plan initiative to plant 200 hectares of new ngahere on park land. In doing so, it is transforming areas of marginal farmland into thriving native forests across the regional park network, while protecting sites of cultural significance. These ngahere offer more than just beauty: they provide habitat for native wildlife, improve air and water quality, support carbon sequestration, reduce flood risk and create meaningful green spaces for Aucklanders to enjoy. Auckland Council’s Ngahere Programme Manager Howell Davies, who co-authored the council’s 2019 Urban Ngahere Strategy, says the environmental and social impact of this work is immense. “Increasing our native ngahere across the Auckland region strengthens the natural fabric of our city. It is a key climate adaptation action, which improves the region’s resilience, enhances biodiversity and connects people to nature,” says Mr Davies. “Planting these trees now means Aucklanders, especially our tamariki, can grow up with cleaner air, cooler neighbourhoods and stronger connections to our land and cultural heritage.” Auckland Council‘s Ngahere Program Specialist Steve Burgess, who is coordinating the planting program, explains the tree seedlings and planting sites are carefully selected in consultation with mana whenua, ecologists, and parks specialists to ensure “the right tree is planted in the right place”. Locations span across Auckland’s regional parks, in areas that will benefit hugely from this ecological restoration. The initiative also supports the wider Auckland Climate Plan and the Auckland Plan 2050 goals of increasing canopy cover to help create a low-carbon, resilient city that values its natural taonga. This is not Auckland Council’s first foray into sustainable finance. Since 2018, the council has issued over NZ$3.7 billion in green bonds and has been a national leader in linking finance to environmental and social outcomes. “Our sustainable finance programme is a powerful tool for positive change,” says John Bishop, Group Treasurer at Auckland Council. “It helps us to deliver core services and infrastructure in a way that reflects our responsibility to future generations.” This latest bond is more than a financial transaction, it’s an investment in a thriving, resilient, and connected Auckland. Every tree planted will bring us closer to a future where nature and community thrive together.  

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Forestry Corporation firefighters from Tumut and Deniliquin will deploy to Canada this week to reinforce local and international crews battling ongoing wildfires, where close to five million hectares have been burnt, approximately 150 wildfires remain active, and multiple communities have been evacuated.  Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation’s Linda Cotterill of Tumut will deploy to the position of Divisional Supervisor in Alberta and Peter O’Toole of Deniliquin will deploy as an Incident Management Team Safety Officer in Manitoba. The firefighters will be based in Canada for four weeks, working in challenging conditions. Ms Cotterill has been involved in fire management throughout Australia for 28 years but this is her first international deployment. “I have been fortunate to work all over Australia on fire management and suppression across 28 seasons as both a volunteer and professional forest firefighter,” Ms Cotterill said. “There are tens of thousands of people who have been evacuated in Canada. Family is very important to me, and I know what it means when people are managing fires and also wanting to be home assisting their loved ones and communities. “I’m grateful to have the support of my partner and three sons, as well as my manager and colleagues picking up the additional load back home, to be able to provide that assistance and relief to the Canadian firefighters. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to seeing how things are done differently and what I can bring back to share for Forestry Corporation and for our region. There are a lot of lessons that I have gained when firefighting interstate and international firefighting is another dimension that can help us improve forest firefighting in Tumut.” Mr O’Toole has been a forestry firefighter for nearly nine years, and this is his first international deployment. “I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to repay the Canadian services for their help in the 2019-20 fire season. During the 2019-20 season I worked alongside Canadian and Kiwi firefighters who came in to support us and I have worked with a lot of Canadians as seasonal staff over many years. I am looking forward to being able to help them out in return,” he said. The deployment follows a formal request for assistance through international firefighting agreements and highlights the strong collaboration between Australia and Canada in emergency response. It is the third Forestry Corporation deployment to Canada this winter, with eight Forestry Corporation staff from Bathurst, Bombala, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Wauchope and Eden deployed in June and currently completing month-long deployments. Forestry Corporation continues to support bushfire preparedness and response efforts both at home and abroad, ensuring its fire specialists are ready to assist wherever they are needed most.

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The New Zealand Government is increasing its financial contribution to support rural communities in the Nelson Tasman Region, with additional funding to help farmers, foresters, growers and rural contractors recover from recent severe weather events. Source: Timberbiz Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay speaking during a visit to the Tasman District today announced an additional NZ$600,000 in Government and industry support, bringing the total Government financial contribution for the affected primary sector to NZ$500,000. “These regions have experienced significant damage to forests, farms and rural infrastructure. This funding will help meet immediate recovery needs and help rural businesses get back on their feet,” Mr McClay says. The support package includes: A NZ$300,000 Government contribution to the Mayoral Relief Fund tagged to the rural sector. NZ $100,000 contribution by the Government and Federated Farmers to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust to support with the immediate recovery needs for the most impacted pastoral farmers in the Nelson Tasman region. NZ $100,000 contribution by the Government and Horticulture New Zealand, to help the horticulture sector across the Top of the South. NZ $100,000 announced by Government in June to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including NZ $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust. “We continue to work with New Zealand Winegrowers to ensure appropriate support for affected vineyards, including the potential use of Enhanced Taskforce Green,” Mr McClay said. “Many farmers and growers are facing their second clean-up in a fortnight from floods and storm damage. Rural communities are resilient, but the relentless wet weather conditions have taken a toll. This support is designed to provide meaningful and direct assistance quickly.” MPI staff are on the ground working with the Rural Support Trust and industry groups assessing damage and coordinating assistance. “Farmers, foresters and growers will face many, many months of work to repair damage to their land and get their businesses back on track. We will continue to assess what further assistance might be required. “Farmers and growers who need help or assistance should in the first instance contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254,” Mr McClay said.

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Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), Australia’s national institute for timber fibre, will host a panel session at this year’s Forestry Australia Conference, inviting leading voices to explore how the forest and wood products sector might evolve by 2035, and what it will take to support that change. Source: Timberbiz The session, Path to 2035: How might we enable transformation in the Australian forest sector?, will be moderated by AFWI Executive Director Dr Joseph Lawrence. It will feature a diverse panel of experts from across Australia and internationally, offering global and local perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Dr Lawrence said the discussion would be grounded in the realities the sector is already facing. “Our industry is operating in a fast-changing environment. Emerging technologies, shifting markets, climate impacts and the increasing importance of social licence all play a role in shaping what’s next,” he said. “Transformation doesn’t come easily. It takes long-term thinking, collaboration across sectors and supply chains, and a willingness to explore new approaches.” The session will feature a panel of speakers exploring the socioeconomics and technological dimensions of transformation: Professor John Warner (Warner-Babcock Institute, USA), a global leader in green chemistry, will discuss innovation in forest-derived bioproducts. Andrew Morgan (SFM) on new approaches to forest management, carbon and investment. Nicola Pero (Iberdrola Australia) will reflect on social licence to enable innovation, drawing on lessons from energy and agrifood industries. Tim Woods (IndustryEdge) will share insights into global market trends and resource availability for future housing demand in Australia. Dr Lawrence said the session would be an opportunity to consider the future of the sector in a broader context. “We want to encourage discussion about what the industry might look like in 2035, and what is needed to get there,” he said. AFWI’s Path to 2035 session will take place as part of the 2025 Forestry Australia Conference from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 October 2025 in Adelaide.  

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The 2025 Doing Timber Business in Queensland Conference, themed From Paddock to Pre-Fab, invites landholders, producers and the forest and timber industry to explore how timber, carbon and cattle can work better together to boost resilience, productivity and profitability on Queensland farms, while delivering wood supply for our future building needs. Source: Timberbiz With day one co-hosted by Timber Queensland and AgForce Queensland, the conference brings together practical insights, new market signals and emerging investment models that promise to unlock fresh value and opportunities for farmers and forest managers alike. The two-day event covers everything from silvopastoral systems to modern construction innovations driving demand for local timber supply. “Our Doing Timber Business in Queensland conferences have earned a prestigious reputation for quality and 2025 raises the bar again,” said Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens. “We are very pleased to welcome Australian Retirement Trust, a long-term supporter of both Timber Queensland and AgForce, as Gold Sponsor of the event. “This is a rare chance for all of our partners to engage with the full timber value chain, from the paddock through to prefabricated innovation.” The conference will examine Timber Queensland and AgForce Queensland’s shared vision for sustainable land use, industry resilience and long-term investment in regional Queensland. Firmly focused on building farm resilience, day one explores how integrating trees and grazing enterprises can benefit land, stock and the bottom line. Sessions cover opportunities under the Queensland Future Timber Plan, the impacts of new EU deforestation and illegal logging rules, and findings from MLA’s “Steak n Wood” silvopastoral trials. Financial modelling, certification and tools like AgCarE, a tool that provides an evaluation of agriculture and natural capital on a property, will also be presented. The day concludes with the Carving out Connections: Steaks and Stumps Industry Dinner, proudly sponsored by Rivers Insurance, this is a relaxed opportunity to connect with peers and carve out ideas over great local fare. The evening will include remarks from The Hon Tony Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries. Day two shifts to timber innovation and construction markets, showing how the demand for sustainable materials is expanding timber’s role in Australia’s building sector. Sessions highlight timber’s role in addressing housing supply, modern methods of construction, and updates on mid-rise timber building codes and design standards. Case studies include a leading-edge social housing project using engineered timber. In the afternoon, delegates will take part in a guided site tour program, proudly sponsored by Hyne Timber, including visits to a mass timber building, a hybrid prefab construction facility and a development showcasing traditional truss and frame construction. “This event brings together growers, producers, processors, builders, investors and innovators to shape the future of Queensland’s forest and timber industries,” said Mr Stephens. “It’s a rare opportunity to see the full picture of where the industry is heading and take part in two days of discussion, insight and action.” Explore the full program and register at www.timberqueensland.com.au/event-details/from-paddock-to-pre-fab-doing-timber-business-in-queensland-2025-conference

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