Australian timber industry news

WILDCARD: The Forest Game is an exciting new podcast that turns the complex science of ecological restoration into an immersive, continent-spanning adventure. Source: Timberbiz Produced by the WILDCARD project in collaboration with Starter, this innovative audio series invites listeners to journey through Europe’s diverse and often overlooked forest landscapes, exploring how damaged ecosystems can be restored and reimagined. Each episode of The Forest Game acts as a “strategic move” on a metaphorical game board. Listeners join scientists, researchers, and forest experts in unravelling stories of nature – from identifying remnants of true wilderness to balancing human needs with ecological integrity. Along the way, they encounter powerful narratives of transformation and hope, as well as strategies to bring forests back to life in all their complexity. By using the metaphor of a board game, the podcast breaks down complex ecological concepts into engaging, accessible narratives. Every dice roll reveals new challenges – wildfires, invasive species, fragmentation – while each game square unveils a tale of resilience, research, and renewal. The result is a unique blend of entertainment and scientific insight, making forest restoration not only understandable, but thrilling. The series was written by Silvia Giralucci (Starter) and produced under the scientific supervision of Giorgio Alberti from the University of Udine. Editorial guidance comes from Gesche Schifferdecker of the European Forest Institute (EFI), with voice-over by Rahel Könen and post-production by Santiago Alarcón, also of EFI. WILDCARD: The Forest Game offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The podcast is available at http://wildcard-project.eu/wildcard-the-forest-game-podcast/  

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The US Department of Agriculture’s decision to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule is one step towards reversing decades of forest neglect that has left millions of acres vulnerable to severe wildfire, insect infestations, and disease according to Healthy Forests Healthy Communities. Source: Timberbiz Enacted during the final hours of Bill Clinton’s presidency, the Roadless Rule unilaterally imposed sweeping restrictions on road construction and timber access across nearly 60 million acres, or nearly one-third of all National Forest System lands. The Roadless Rule was never passed by Congress. Instead, it was implemented administratively, bypassing the legislative process required to designate new Wilderness areas under the 1964 Wilderness Act. While Congress has formally designated 36 million acres as Wilderness, the Roadless Rule locked up an additional 59 million acres as “de facto wilderness” where active forest management is effectively barred. Today, many forests in roadless areas are overstocked and choked with dead and dying trees. Nearly half of all roadless acres are now located in areas rated at high or very high wildfire risk. Since the rule was enacted, more than 8 million acres of roadless forests have burned, and wildfire suppression costs have skyrocketed. Contrary to some claims, rescinding the rule does not mean that 60 million acres will suddenly be opened to logging.  It does not repeal any environmental laws, override local forest plans, or eliminate the need for site-specific environmental review. All projects on federal lands, including those in former roadless areas, must still comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and many other regulations. Each national forest also operates under a management plan developed with public input, which continues to guide decisions on what activities are appropriate and where. What the rescission does achieve is the removal of a rigid, one-size-fits-all policy that has restricted even the most basic access needed to manage forests safely and responsibly. It restores the Forest Service’s ability to consider building temporary or permanent roads where necessary for fuels reduction, forest restoration, emergency response, or critical infrastructure work. Access to public lands also supports safe and effective firefighting.  Without roads, firefighters can’t reach ignition points, build fire lines, or safely evacuate. Better access means faster response, safer operations, and a greater chance of stopping fires before they threaten our communities. The Forest Service will soon undergo a public rulemaking process before any final rescission of the Roadless Rule. This will include an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunities for public comment, and the publication of a final rule. The agency will also conduct a full environmental review under NEPA, consult with Tribes, and work closely with state governments throughout the process.  

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In June PEFC welcomed experts from across the globe to the first in-person gathering of accreditation bodies and certification bodies. The event fostered open collaboration and sharing of insights on the implementation of the standards. Source: Timberbiz PEFC also introduced new data projects and strategy led by three core values: Data Integrity – ensuring all required data is captured and accurate. Data Access – verifying certification and demonstrating impact. Data Efficiency – Improved data user experience and interfaces. Forty-eight participants from around the world, including representatives from certification bodies including Preferred by Nature, Control Union, SGS, Intertek, DNVGL, BM Certification SIA, BMC Assurance , NSF, GFA, FCBA, BV France, HW-Zert, BM Trada, SCS Global Services, Soil Association, Holzforschung Austria and Wood.be attended. Representatives from accreditation bodies who joined included Accredia, COFRAC, CAI and TUNAC. “Working closely with accreditation bodies and certification bodies on the development and implementation of our standards is a key for our success,” Rob Shaw, Head of Standards and Integrity at PEFC International said. “I particularly appreciated the open and honest dialogue allowing us to explore challenges, such as attracting new generations to the audit profession, and how we can address them together.” The transition from RED II to RED III and the upcoming accreditation requirements sparked serious discussions in the PEFC RED standards session, especially around how biomass can be audited using PEFC’s framework. Participants showed great interest in PEFC RED certification and recognised its significant potential to support companies. PEFC technology partners CommonShare, LiveEO, and Osapiens gave presentations on how digital tools, satellite data, and smarter systems can make auditing and information sharing more reliable and transparent. Technology has an important role to play in the future of certification. Digital innovations being introduced at PEFC were shown by walking participants through the development of the new RED database, FREDII. This database is bringing PEFC into a new digital area, and PEFC is working on applying these innovations to the full certification system in a new database. Significant emphasis was given to the crucial role of stakeholders including PEFC national members, certification and accreditation bodies, and organisations throughout the development process. The representative from Accredia introduced the accreditability evaluation for international standards, which enables certification bodies to be accredited under the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA). An update was given on the accreditation status of the PEFC EUDR DDS standard, with the final evaluation expected by the end of July. Once finalised, certification bodies based in EA countries can apply to their accreditation bodies to extend their 17065 accreditation scope to cover the PEFC EUDR DDS module. Speakers shared updates on ongoing projects on circular economy, project certification, new requirements for certification bodies providing sustainable forest management certification, trees outside forests, and approaches to demonstrate positive impact in plantation forests This face-to-face meeting was a unique chance to connect, exchange ideas, and lay the foundation for even stronger collaboration in the future.

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Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is a serious plant disease that impacts New Zealand native species like pōhutukawa, rātā, maire tawake and ramarama. In New Zealand, there is only biotype – pandemic – present but there are several different biotypes of the myrtle rust fungus that infect different host species overseas. Source: Timberbiz A biotype is a group of organisms having the same or nearly the same genotype. These biotypes found overseas pose a significant biosecurity threat. In a paper published in January, Scion researchers collected seed from North Island populations of kānuka, mānuka and pōhutukawa and plants were grown overseas to investigate their susceptibility. There was only a Iimited amount of Lophomyrtus (ramarama, rōhutu) seed available, so it wasn’t tested. Seedlings were screened against Eucalyptus and other biotypes to check for susceptibility and resistance. All of the myrtle species screened developed symptoms following exposure to each of the biotypes tested. A similar pattern of relative susceptibility was found among the myrtle species tested. Pōhutukawa was the most susceptible species tested, followed by mānuka, then kānuka. Some seedlings showed evidence of full resistance (more so in kānuka and mānuka). The myrtle rust fungus produced its sexual spore stage on all the NZ myrtles tested, indicating that sexual reproduction between different biotypes of the pathogen might be possible. These findings highlight the need for development of tools to differentiate between strains and biotypes of myrtle rust for rapid diagnostics to monitor for and respond to incursions. Identifying host ranges for different biotypes could be used to investigate the connection between host associations and virulence and improve our understanding of the evolution of virulence towards or away from multiple hosts. This program exemplifies Scion’s connections with national and international researchers, including Plant and Food Research and Manaaki Whenua (both groups in the Bioeconomy Science Institute), and researchers in Australia, South Africa, Uruguay and USA. Scion’s expertise in forest pathology and biosecurity research enables it to protect not only commercial forest species but extends to native species. For more information visit https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-024-03465-5

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Forico’s Sustainability Manager Simon Cook has always been passionate about sustainable forest management. In the early 1990s, during his undergraduate studies in Forestry Management at Aberdeen University, he distinctly recalls a lecturer introducing the concept of global certification standards. In 1994, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was founded as a voluntary certification for sustainable forestry. Source: Timberbiz Thirty years later, Mr Cook was elected to the Board of the Forest Stewardship Council Australian and New Zealand (FSC ANZ), where he now represents the Economic Chamber. Over the decades, Mr Cook has built a distinguished career promoting sustainability and robust certification in forest management across both hemispheres. In his current position at Forico, he has played a key role in ensuring Forico’s plantation estate and natural forest areas are managed with a focus on sustainable stewardship. He has been instrumental in driving the development of the company’s award-winning Natural Capital Reports and its Reconciliation Action Plan. More recently, Mr Cook served as a member of the FSC ANZ’s Standards Development Group, helping to ensure the Standard meets contemporary requirements and remains relevant and accurate in response to global developments in climate, forest and supply chain management. “Simon brings extensive forestry experience and a strong commitment to responsible practice,” said Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC ANZ. “He played a leading role in Forico’s delivery of Australia’s first Natural Capital Report and in Forico becoming the first FSC-certified organisation in Australia to implement the FSC Ecosystem Services Procedure, demonstrating positive outcomes in biodiversity conservation. “He also contributed significantly to our Standards Development Group, helping shape the first draft of the revised Forest Stewardship Standard for Australia. We’ve greatly valued his insights and are excited to welcome his leadership and perspective on the Board.” On his recent appointment to the FSC ANZ Board, Mr Cook reflected that “Certification is critical for businesses pursuing the gold standard for sustainable forestry in Australia and New Zealand. With challenges like climate change and nature loss, which are offset by emerging opportunities in carbon markets and biodiversity credits, it’s more important than ever to ensure that our certification systems remain robust, credible and evolve with time. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to governance and best practice for our industry at FSC ANZ during such an exciting time.”  

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Planet Ark is calling on individuals, schools, community groups, and businesses across Australia to take part in the nation’s biggest community tree-planting event on Sunday 27 July. Source: Timberbiz Since its inception in 1996, more than 28 million native trees, shrubs, and grasses have been planted by millions of volunteers, contributing to the restoration and preservation of Australia’s ecosystems. Planet Ark’s research has consistently highlighted the positive impacts of spending time in nature and participating in activities like tree planting on human health and wellbeing. Reports published as part of the National Tree Day program show that time spent in green spaces is linked to reduced stress, improved mental health, increased physical activity, and a lower risk of chronic diseases. Tree planting events have also been shown to foster social cohesion and enhance feelings of purpose and satisfaction within communities, providing an important opportunity to strengthen community bonds while supporting the local environment. Rebecca Gilling, Planet Ark CEO, emphasised that National Tree Day shows the potential collective impact of many individual actions taken together. “National Tree Day brings together people of all ages – from young children to grandparents – with the shared purpose of nurturing the environment and each other. It’s a meaningful reminder that when we take collective action, even small acts like planting a single tree can grow into something truly transformative,” Ms Gilling said. Planet Ark encourages all Australians to get involved by : Hosting an event: Gather friends, family, or colleagues to plan and register a planting event, contributing directly to your local environment. Joining a local planting event: Connect with community groups or local councils hosting tree-planting activities in your area. Supporting The Seedling Bank: Consider donating to The Seedling Bank, which provides financial support to schools and community groups for their plantings. For more information visit www.treeday.planetark.org

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The Tasmanian Forest & Forest Products Network (TFFPN) has advised that its Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 5 September at the Tailrace Centre, Launceston prior to the 2025 TFFPN Tasmanian Timber Awards. Source: Timberbiz The TFFPN in accordance with section 13.4 of its Constitution, is calling for nominations to serve as a director on the TFFPN board. Two director vacancies currently exist. The TFFPN welcomes nominations from individuals with experience in treasury, company secretary responsibilities, and governance. All nominees must complete and submit a Director Nomination Form by 5:00pm on 4 August 2025. For more information visit: https://www.tffpn.com.au/

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New Zealand company NILO has reached a significant technical milestone on its journey toward commercialisation. NILO has developed a sprayable adhesive made from plastic waste that significantly reduces the emission of formaldehyde and the carbon footprint of engineered wood products. Source: Timberbiz Rigorous internal validation testing over the last month has confirmed NILO’s formulation meets key performance standards for furniture-grade products, which make up approximately 60% of the global particle board market. NILO’s adhesive is derived from hard-to-recycle plastic waste streams, specifically polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), that would otherwise be incinerated or end up in landfill. These plastics are commonly used in products like agricultural and industrial shrink-wrap. Using a patented process, NILO transforms the plastic waste into an industrial adhesive that is clean, safe and cost-competitive. Developed by NILO’s Auckland-based team, led by Chief Technical Officer Simon Oakley, the adhesive can be used with a wide range of fibre sources to produce engineered wood products in a heated press. In keeping with NILO’s circular model, products made using its adhesive can be reground and reused as feedstock for new board production. Using NILO adhesive helps global manufacturers move away from hazardous traditional adhesives, particularly urea formaldehyde (UF), melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), while lowering the overall carbon footprint of the final product. NILO adhesive can be blended with existing adhesive formulations, increasing the speed to market and enabling a strong customer adoption pathway. “Our aim is to ultimately replace UF, MUF and MDI adhesives entirely,” NILO CEO Michael Maunsell said. “But right now, we’re offering a real, workable solution that integrates with existing manufacturing processes, which is critical for the sector to make meaningful progress on emissions.” Adhesives are one of the most emissions-intensive components in the manufacture of engineered wood products, which are used globally in furniture, cabinetry, interiors and construction. Reducing the use of UF, MUF and MDI, which are derived from fossil fuels and associated with health, safety and emissions concerns, is a growing priority for global manufacturers under pressure to meet environmental targets. NILO’s formulation is compatible with standard production lines and designed to be used as a drop-in component, supporting the transition to cleaner, lower-emission adhesive systems. Independent third-party testing will take place in the coming months, with full-scale production trials at international facilities scheduled for 2026. Backed by global investors such as IKEA that invested in NILO in May 2023 and has a seat on the board. NILO is one of a small number of companies globally working to decarbonise the adhesives that hold engineered wood products together.

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Murrindindi Shire Council in Victoria has welcomed the announcement of $130,000 in Victorian Government funding to support the work of the Farm Forestry Innovation Working Group, part of Council’s broader Shaping Murrindindi’s Future program. Source: Timberbiz The funding will enable delivery of the Murrindindi Farm Forestry Project, a strategic initiative to assess the current state of farm forestry across the Shire, identify opportunities for growth and innovation, and build on the region’s deep expertise in forestry and land management, the Council says. The project will explore the potential for small to medium-scale plantations on farming land, supporting income diversification through products such as sustainably harvested timber, firewood, carbon offset credits, eucalyptus oils and native food production. A proposed pilot Farm Forestry Interpretive Centre will also be developed to share knowledge, showcase innovation and support best practice across the industry. The investment builds on the foundations of Shaping Murrindindi’s Future, a community-led initiative supporting the region’s economic diversification in response to the Victorian Government’s phase-out of native timber harvesting. The Council says farm forestry is emerging as a key opportunity for innovation, aligning with Council’s environmental values and the community’s aspirations for a more resilient and sustainable future. “This investment will help our community explore the economic and environmental potential of farm forestry. It supports our vision for a stronger, more diversified local economy, and Council looks forward to working with the community and industry partners to explore how farm forestry can deliver long-term benefits for Murrindindi Shire,” said Council’s Economic Development Portfolio Councillor, Sandice McAulay. For more information on Council’s Farm Forestry project, visit www.shapingmurrindindisfuture.com.au/farm-forestry  

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The Forest Products Commission (the FPC) invites new, established and emerging businesses to purchase Western Australian plantation and native forest timbers. Source: Timberbiz The FPC is establishing a panel of buyers to purchase residues and industrial wood salvaged from native forest and plantation activities until 2033. These timbers are typically processed as fibre for pulp, paper, fibreboard, wood composites and energy markets. The FPC’s Request for Proposal calls for businesses to become panel members. At the same time, the FPC is seeking offers for the first plantation and native forest timber parcels: Request for Quote 1 – Plantation Timber Softwood – Up to 420,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of Industrial Wood and 100,000 tpa of Residues between WA’s South West, Albany and Esperance regions. Hardwood – up to 200,000 tonnes of various species Industrial Wood and Residue in the south west Wheatbelt  region.   Request for Quote 2 – Native Forest Timber Up to 100,000 tpa of Recovery Log from Ecological Thinning. Over the term of the panel, new panel members can be appointed and additional timber parcels released for the panel to consider. Please visit TendersWA to view the tender documents here.

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A new paper published in Nature Communications reveals how the way tree species are arranged in a forest can help optimise ecosystem functioning and productivity. Source: Timberbiz The study was conducted using empirical field data combined with advanced computer models and simulations by researchers at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig University, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). The researchers found that the way tree species are arranged in a forest, whether clustered or randomly spread out, impacts productivity. This so-called species spatial heterogeneity, which refers to the patterns of species distribution within a forest, such as block or line planting, affects how nutrients cycle through the ecosystem. “For decades, biodiversity research has emphasised the benefits of mixing species for productivity and carbon storage. However, this approach is rarely implemented, largely due to the absence of practical guidelines that account for real-world forestry constraints”, first author Rémy Beugnon and postdoc at iDiv said. The models show that random planting designs increased tree biomass by 11% compared with clustered layouts. A more even spread of tree species helps promote the even distribution of the fallen leaves, boosting nutrients and organic matter recycling, according to the authors. The rate of carbon decomposition after nine months also increased with greater spatial heterogeneity, rising from 36.5% of carbon being decomposed in block designs to 47.1% in random designs. Notably, line planting where alternating rows of different tree species are used, provided a middle ground between ecological benefits and ease of forest management, achieving 40.4% of carbon being decomposed after nine months. Another key factor is the overall diversity and number of species present in a given forest stand, regardless of their arrangement. More diverse forests, with a wide range of species present, showed higher nitrogen and carbon cycling compared to less diverse configurations. This provides a more diverse mix of resources for decomposers and promotes decomposition. “The combination of experimental analyses and predictive modelling could be used to evaluate different scenarios of forest management. Besides the experimental validation of these findings, an important next step will be to know how general our conclusions are and whether they apply to different types of forests,” co-author Benoit Gauzens of iDiv and the University of Jena said. From a practical standpoint, the researchers note the balance required between securing ecological benefits and forest management. While random planting designs maximise ecological outcomes including more biodiversity, enhanced nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, line planting offers a manageable compromise, simplifying tasks like thinning and harvesting. Looking ahead, researchers envision extending these computer-based findings by conducting long-term field experiments to validate the study’s results in real-world contexts. Such trials would further investigate the interaction between tree species diversity, spatial arrangement, and ecosystem function, helping develop new approaches to reforestation and sustainable forestry. “This study is an important example of how basic research can inform management applications under field conditions: we can leverage biodiversity in forests if we arrange it in the right way,” said Nico Eisenhauer, professor at Leipzig University and group head at iDiv. “Moreover, we see how local interactions between trees, their microclimate, and soil biodiversity can scale up to enhance multiple ecosystem services in forests.” The paper can be downloaded at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61389-7    

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The global pulp and paper industry has moved through 2025 with more signs of strain thus far as mill closures and production curtailments continue to mount. These shutdowns both permanent and temporary, are unfolding across regions. They are affecting a wide range of operations, from containerboard mills in North America to pulp and specialty facilities in Europe and the South Pacific. Sources: Timberbiz, Resource Wise This wave of closures follows a similar pattern seen in recent years but appears to be intensifying. Companies are citing a variety of reasons for the decision such as rising costs, shifting demand, aging assets. Global Mill Closures in 2025 Several significant closures have been announced or implemented in 2025: International Paper: Shut down its Campti, Louisiana containerboard mill in April, citing decreased demand for packaging products and efforts to streamline operations. Georgia-Pacific: Announced the closure of its containerboard mill in Cedar Springs, Georgia, effective August, as part of a strategic move to optimize its manufacturing footprint. Smurfit WestRock: Closed its St. Paul, Minnesota CRB mill and ceased production at the Forney, Texas containerboard mill, focusing on more efficient facilities post-merger. Greif: Permanently closed its Fitchburg, Massachusetts and Los Angeles, California recycled paperboard mills due to high operating costs and limited integration opportunities. Metsä Board: Closed its Tako board mill in Tampere, Finland, in response to weakened market demand and rising operational costs. UPM Communication Papers: Announced the closure of its Ettringen, Germany paper mill by July, aligning capacity with profitable demand amid market overcapacities. Oji Fibre Solutions: Ceased operations of Paper Machine 6 at its Kinleith Mill in Tokoroa, New Zealand, by the end of June, as the paper production line was loss-making. In this environment, the ability to anticipate and strategically respond to mill closures is essential. This holds true not just for producers, but for suppliers, customers, and investors across the value chain. That’s where advanced benchmarking tools like FisherSolve’s Viability Benchmarking Module come in. This powerful module evaluates mills based on factors like: Cost Position Technical Age Carbon and Environmental Performance Mill Integration and Logistics Capital Needs The pulp and paper industry is undergoing structural transformation. Energy, labour, environmental expectations, and consumer behaviour are all evolving, and mills that can’t keep up are increasingly being retired.

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Irish-based global manufacturer Combilift, a leader in multi-directional and customised handling solutions, has been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design 2025 for its Combi-CB70E, high-capacity, electric-powered multidirectional forklift. Source: Timberbiz The Red Dot Award, one of the most internationally renowned design competitions, recognises excellence in design quality and innovation. This award completes a hat trick for Combilift who previously won a Red Dot for the Combi-WR and ‘Best of the Best’ for the Combi-CB4. Combilift’s Combi-CB70E impressed the international jury with its new ergonomic design, environmental credentials, and ability to enhance operator comfort and productivity in demanding industrial settings. “We are delighted to receive our third Red Dot Award this year for the Combi-CB70E. Our design and engineering teams have been striving to provide solutions that are not only functional and safe but also reflect excellence in industrial design. Our customers increasingly demand electric alternatives that don’t compromise on performance, and the CB70E is exactly that,” Martin McVicar, CEO and Co-founder of Combilift, said. The multidirectional Combi-CB70E is a 7-tonne capacity electric counterbalance forklift, specifically designed for handling long and bulky loads in confined or challenging spaces. Equipped with Combilift’s patented Independent Traction Control System and large elastic rubber tyres, it provides all-terrain capability while maintaining zero-emission operation. The spacious gas strut suspension cab and floor to ceiling glazing offers enhanced visibility and comfort, while the Auto Swivel Seat, which automatically swivels 15 degrees to the left or right, depending on the direction of travel, ensures optimal ergonomics and comfort for operators, even during extended shifts. This Red Dot recognition comes in an exceptional 11 months of success for Combilift, which has also received multiple international accolades for its products and leadership, including Product of the Year and Ergonomics Award at the UKMHA Archies Awards, as well as Design Team of the Year and Industry Leader awards from the UK’s Engineering & Manufacturing Awards. View the Combi-CB70E at https://youtu.be/94jdFGAJ7fA

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Following the announcement of proposed upgrades in 2023, works have now commenced in the Redwood Forest at Yarra Ranges National Park in Victoria. Source: Timberbiz Parks Victoria has collaborated with Melbourne Water, Yarra Ranges Council, and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, to ensure that the upgrades to the iconic forest are delivered to the highest standard. Visitors can look forward to several upgrades, including additional car parking, a safety gate, accessible public toilets, and a visitor shelter. We will also be formalising sections of the existing trial network, which will further efforts to protect the environment and growth of the surrounding fauna. The funding for these upgrades has become available in part due to the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund. This fund supports new and innovative tourism infrastructure projects that increase visitation, drive private investment and deliver more jobs to Victorians. Melbourne Water has also invested an additional $400,000 to deliver their portion of work, which will help to improve the river health of the Yarra. This will run concurrently to the works that Parks Victoria is delivering. “The Redwoods project has been many years in the making with a lot of planning that has gone into this very complex site. Did you know that the Redwoods was never designed as a visitor site? The visitation grew organically and at an incredibly fast pace, largely due to social media promoting the beauty of the plantation and its surrounds.” Conrad Annal, the Chief Area Ranger for Yarra Rangers said. “With the funding secured, and the necessary planning and approvals completed – it’s really exciting to see construction commencing. “Having these upgrades and new facilities will provide tangible benefits to the visitor experience and to the environment.” We expect these works to be finished in late 2025, subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions. The project includes environmental protection works from both Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water to minimise the impacts of visitation to the site. Works delivered by Parks Victoria will include formalising sections of the existing trail network, and closing some informal trails, which will reduce the site’s exposure to foot traffic. This will help protect the forest understorey and replenish important habitat that provides a home for plants and wildlife. Works delivered by Melbourne Water will include the construction of boardwalks, viewing platforms and fencing, as well as re-vegetation, along the Cement Creek and the Yarra River. These improvements will reduce the impacts of foot traffic, improve river health and provide and protect native habitat.

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Guulabaa – Place of Koala has been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2025 Awards, recognised in the Completed Buildings: Civic and Community category. Featured alongside some of the world’s most significant architectural works, this honour places the project among the most outstanding examples of built design that serve community and the environment. Source: Timberbiz Held annually, the WAF is one of the world’s most respected design events, celebrating the best in built and future architecture across a broad range of categories. This year’s shortlist includes over 460 projects selected from more than 780 entries worldwide, with Guulabaa among a select group of Australian projects to make the list. Designed by Gensler in partnership with the Forestry Corporation of NSW, Guulabaa in Cowarra State Forest is the world’s first purpose-built wild koala breeding and rehabilitation centre. Realised through strong cross-sector collaboration, including support from the NSW timber industry, which supplied a diverse range of responsibly sourced, durable Australian hardwoods that anchor the design in performance and sustainability. Its WAF shortlisting follows a recent win at the ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence, where it was recognised for design quality, environmental leadership, and community impact. “Being recognised by both the ULI Awards for Excellence and now the World Architecture Festival is deeply meaningful,” said Kathy Lyons, Senior Manager at Forestry Corporation of NSW. “It affirms that design rooted in collaboration with community and conservation at its core, can resonate globally and offer a blueprint for how architecture can restore and regenerate.” The WAF shortlisting further strengthens Guulabaa’s growing international profile and underscores its role as a model for sustainable tourism and conservation-led design. Its integration of storytelling, ecology, and architecture demonstrates how the built environment can support both environmental restoration and community empowerment. “Guulabaa demonstrates what’s possible when design is guided by purpose and grounded in Country,” said Ken McBryde, Design Director at Gensler Australia. “To have it recognised on the world stage is a powerful acknowledgement of the role nature-based design can play in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.” The World Architecture Festival 2025 will take place in Miami Beach this November, where shortlisted teams will present their projects live to an international jury of leading architects, designers and urban thinkers.  

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FSC is inviting proposals for the review and revision of existing national and centralised risk assessments related to forest products. The objective is to align these assessments with the FSC-PRO-60-006b Risk Assessment Framework. Source: Timberbiz Australia is among the 22 countries included in this phase of the work. FSC strongly encourages local organisations with relevant experience in forestry, supply chain due diligence, legality verification, Indigenous rights, and stakeholder engagement to consider applying. Risk assessments are essential to FSC’s mission. They help determine the risk of sourcing unacceptable material in a given country or region and provide guidance for implementing due diligence under FSC Controlled Wood requirements. These assessments are used by certificate holders, certification bodies and supply chain actors to ensure that FSC-certified products are not linked to illegal logging, human rights violations or other unacceptable activities. While existing risk assessments provide a valuable foundation, they must now be reviewed, updated and aligned with the revised risk assessment framework to ensure consistency and robustness across the system. This assignment involves: Reviewing the current NRA or CNRA for the country Identifying any information gaps or inconsistencies Conducting independent research to close those gaps Consulting relevant stakeholders Preparing revised draft assessments for FSC review and approval The following countries are included in this round of work: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Guatemala, Honduras, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay. If you or your organisation possess the required qualifications and experience for this type of work, FSC would like you to submit a proposal in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP). You can also find Annexes, which include: FSC Service Agreement Template. The contract that will be signed between the vendor and FSC, if the award is granted. The template is provided for your information and consideration. FSC RFP Clarifications Template. Please use the template in case further clarifications to the RfP are needed from your part. FSC Price Sheet Template. Please fill out the Price Sheet for each deliverable stated in the DELIVERABLES section and submit it in both, PDF (signed) and XLS format. In the same file please also indicate your availability for interview in the provided schedule. Applications are due by 10 September 2025. More information is at https://anz.fsc.org If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity in the Australian or New Zealand context, please don’t hesitate to contact the FSC team via info@au.fsc.org.

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The influence of raw logs on the forestry sector’s exports has surged in the past decade, with the commodity now accounting for over half the sector’s total export earnings. Source: FarmersWeekly Data from Figure.NZ shows export log income dependency has grown by a third since 2015, when logs made up only 42% of export income. Last year they accounted for 56%, with forecasts estimating this proportion will level off in coming years. Mark Ross, CEO of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association, said the “log effect” on the sector has been driven particularly strongly since 2019 by the removal of Chinese tariffs on all wood products under the terms of the New Zealand-China free trade agreement. “For forest owners the best price for a commercial decision has been to export logs. We are, however, hoping this will start to turn in the coming years.” He said with the sector’s longer-term goal of doubling exports over 10 years there is no chance it could be achieved under existing forested areas through logs alone. He said the sector wrestles with a perception in overseas markets that pinus radiata is not a quality timber product. There is a need for wider industry promotion of “NZ Inc” timber to grow awareness of its inherent quality. “This is something we have done in the United States, and it needs to be done in more markets.” He said this could include a certified label, or simply having the industry work better together on promotional efforts. “Unlike some sectors, take for example kiwifruit or dairy, we do not have people on the ground in markets to promote our timber. It’s something we have spoken about, particularly if we want to double our exports.” Wood processors do not contribute to an industry levy fund, Mr Ross said, and there has not been a lot of enthusiasm for this despite its potential value. There are now few markets where tariffs themselves are insurmountable obstacles to building volumes, but there are ongoing challenges of non-tariff barriers like building regulations. For example, Australian building regulations for timber “stiffness” limit the ability of NZ to supply the market. Meantime Australian state and federal governments offer attractive grants to timber processors. This includes a $110 million federal grant funding option as part of a $300m industry support package. Mr Ross said it is welcome news to hear how much support NZ is getting from the building industry in the United States as its government considers new tariff levels. Even the US Chamber of Commerce is recommending that timber and timber products remain tariff free. “And they are often on the right side of US trade decisions, so we stay hopeful.” A report on timber imports into the US is due late November, and US President Donald Trump is supposed to wait for the report before enacting levies. This takes the timeline to early next March to decide on measures. Here at home, Mr Ross is hopeful the flatter log returns are prompting more log suppliers to consider meeting demand from local mills and processors. “It’s been hard to get longer term contracts for supply locally with so many logs going to export. We are hoping this is turning around a little now.”  

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The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) says the state government and Hydro Tasmania are sending mixed messages about whether there is enough power for Boyer Mill’s proposed electrification project. Source: Pulse Tasmania AMWU State Organiser Jacob Batt has warned the confusion is putting hundreds of jobs and Tasmania’s industrial future at risk. Mr Batt said workers are “concerned and confused” after hearing conflicting claims that extra power is both available and not available for the mill’s plan to switch its boilers from coal to electricity. “It’s extremely difficult to understand, is there enough power, isn’t there enough power, when the government is saying one thing and Hydro Tasmania are saying another,” Batt said. The dispute centres on Boyer Mill’s plan to replace its coal-fired boilers with electric alternatives as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions. The mill, which has operated for more than 80 years and directly employs over 300 people, needs extra power to make the transition stack up. Batt believes Hydro is failing to live up to its ministerial charter to provide affordable power, support jobs and help grow the state’s economy. He claimed the state-owned utility was “putting its nose at the Tasmanian government” and placing commercial interests ahead of local industry. “By Hydro Tasmania not offering Tasmanian prices of cheap energy for additional energy to Boyer Mill is in direct conflict with the ministerial charter,” he said. The union is calling for urgent action to resolve the pricing dispute and set a clear energy policy to attract major industrial investment to Tasmania. The AMWU says it will seek commitments from all parties before the state election to make sure Hydro follows its charter and backs Tasmanian industry with competitive power prices. Hydro Tasmania previously told Pulse that extra power is available and can be sourced for the mill and that discussions are ongoing.

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The Murray Region Forestry Hub has welcomed the release of the Australian Government’s Timber Fibre Strategy, commending it as a future-focused and science-backed plan that supports the sustainable growth of Australia’s forestry and fibre sector. Source: Timberbiz “Congratulations to the Government for delivering on its commitment to deliver this strategy, and to those who worked to bring this important strategy together – particularly members of the Partnership and the Department,” said Carlie Porteous, Hub Manager. The Strategy has been developed with strong collaboration across government, industry, and the workforce. It is supported by both employers and unions alike, reflecting a shared vision for a resilient and forward-thinking timber and fibre industry that continues to supply Australian builders and businesses with the wood products they need and use every day. The members of the Hub voice their strong support for the Strategy, particularly its focus on enabling the expansion of existing industries and encouraging long-term investment and innovation. “The Hub is ready to support any work that contributes to meeting the goals outlined in the Strategy,” Rab Green, Vice Chair SWG said. “We’re especially encouraged by its alignment with industry priorities and the recognition of the role regional forestry hubs can play in delivering practical, on-the-ground outcomes.” The Hub encourages the Government to commit to keeping the Strategy an active, living document – with regular check-ins, updates, and engagement mechanisms to avoid it becoming something that “sits on the shelf.” “This Strategy represents a real opportunity to shape the future of forestry in Australia. Let’s make sure it’s implemented with purpose and remains responsive to the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Mr Green said.

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Tasmania is fortunate to have large areas of ‘Wilderness’ where nature takes care of its own. These are globally recognised World Heritage Areas. Some 58.7% of Tasmania’s forests are in some form of formal or informal reserves. However, reserves are usually poorly managed for bio (and genetic) diversity, being at the mercy of wildfire or chance events. All eggs should not be placed in one basket (reservation). There is equal conservation value in creating large areas of actively managed forest with some control and planning over the frequency and intensity of disturbances that shape these forests, especially fire dependent forest communities. A diversity of forest stages of development across both space and time is also critical. Regrowth forests can become old growth! Currently, only around 20% of Tasmania’s public forests are available for production forestry. It is acknowledged that temperate rainforest communities require extensive periods without disturbance and are excluded from forest harvesting in Tasmania. Eucalypt forest lockup favours the later stages of the forest cycle, at the expense of earlier phases characterised by a greater proportion of smaller shrubs and herbaceous plants. Eucalypt forest lockup also encourages fuel build up resulting in the inevitable, intense, uncontrolled wildfire potentially burning out hundreds of thousands of hectares in a single fire season. For example, at the beginning of 2025 the West Coast fire burnt out some 94,000 ha including areas of National Park (Source TFS.), and the 2018- 2019 fires on the central plateau and western Tasmania burnt out some 205,000 ha, some 16% being fire sensitive communities. (Source PWS) In rural communities there is increased threat to life and property from wildfire. Green policy has failed to value regrowth forests. Talk is only of the value of ‘old growth’ or ‘ancient’ forests. However, today’s regrowth forests, allowed to mature, are tomorrow’s old growth, or ‘ancient’ forests. Remember, forest species are dynamic, many requiring fire or disturbance to complete their lifecycles. Diversity in forest age is an important component of biodiversity conservation that appears to have escaped the attention of many. Total forest lock-up policy is akin to us valuing only the elderly our community, with no value placed on our children (and producing them for the next generation!) or working adults (taxpayers!) – complete forest lockup policy makes no sense. Ending native forest harvesting and active native forest management amounts to ecological madness, has no scientific basis, and are driven by political aspiration and self-interest, with no regard to forest ecology, forest conservation or regional economies. David Bower is a graduate in biological sciences, a professional forester and carbon asset manager.

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