Feed aggregator

Bushfires pose a significant threat to Australia and New Zealand’s environment, economy, and communities, with traditional detection methods often failing to provide timely warnings. Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered bushfire detection systems are emerging as a vital tool to enhance early intervention, protect forests, and safeguard lives and infrastructure in response to this challenge. Source: Timberbiz These smart systems use advanced technology to identify fires at their initial smouldering stage, giving emergency services and communities crucial minutes that can significantly change the outcome of bushfire events, according to Dryad Networks. “AI-powered bushfire detection systems with ultra-early detection capabilities give emergency responders a decisive headstart in the event of a bushfire,” Sohan Domingo, VP of Sales, Technology, and Operations, Dryad Networks, said. “This lets them mobilise more rapidly and strategically to the precise location of the burn. This means that response teams can contain outbreaks at their nascent stage, preventing them from escalating into uncontrollable blazes that devastate large areas of wilderness and inhabited regions and directly contributes to the safety and preservation of Australia and New Zealand’s diverse ecosystems and communities.” AI-powered systems begin monitoring long before fires are visibly established, unlike conventional detection methods that rely on visible flames or satellite imagery. The core of this capability is distributed networks of solar-powered sensors placed across bushland, which detect the chemical signatures of fire during its earliest smouldering stage. This raises the alert well in advance of visible flames, giving emergency services more time to act. Smart sensor networks help land managers cover vast areas that would otherwise go unwatched by monitoring even remote and rugged landscapes continuously so that no region remains unprotected. This is crucial in areas where accessibility and visibility are limited. The result is faster, more localised intervention that can stop bushfires before they spread out of control. Smart sensor networks are strengthened by complementing autonomous drones equipped with advanced AI, which can respond rapidly to detected threats and further enhance the effectiveness of emergency operations. Drones arrive at the precise location of the fire swiftly once alerted, giving responders an accurate, real-time view of the situation. This immediate insight lets firefighting teams act decisively, preventing fires from spreading and causing widespread devastation. Future drone advancements will actively suppress fires through innovative methods such as foam dispersal or acoustic technology. This will further decrease the reliance on human crews in high-risk situations, improving the safety and effectiveness of bushfire management. “The environmental implications of adopting AI-powered bushfire detection systems are significant,” Mr Domingo said. “Early bushfire containment protects people and communities, preserves biodiversity and ecosystems, and curtails carbon emissions associated with widespread bushfires significantly. “Reducing emissions through effective fire management becomes increasingly critical as climate change continues to exacerbate fire conditions across Australia and New Zealand. AI-driven systems can play an instrumental role in both countries’ broader climate mitigation and adaptation strategies by preventing extensive environmental destruction.” These detection and response technologies also integrate seamlessly with existing emergency management frameworks. Data from AI sensors and drone surveillance systems feed directly into emergency response platforms and fire analytics tools, creating a cohesive operational picture for firefighting authorities. This seamless integration supports efficient coordination among multiple response units, including ground crews and aerial firefighting teams, enhancing the effectiveness of fire suppression efforts. The Australian and New Zealand Federal Governments have both recognised the need for greater disaster preparedness. The Australian Federal Government committed $28.8 million to disaster preparedness in the 2025-2026 Federal Budget, including $17.7 million for the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Program. (1) In New Zealand, the government has committed NZ$70 million over seven years (2024–2031) to the Natural Hazards and Resilience Platform, an initiative designed to strengthen national resilience to natural disasters by supporting science across the four Rs: reduction, readiness, response, and recovery. (2) AI-powered bushfire detection technologies align closely with Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to proactive disaster resilience. Reducing reaction times and improving accuracy in identifying and locating fire threats gives communities a vital protective barrier against increasingly frequent and severe bushfire events. Businesses and critical infrastructure operators also benefit directly from improved asset protection, minimising the disruption and financial impact associated with large-scale bushfires. AI detection systems can be customised to accommodate specific regional conditions and management strategies, incorporating local expertise into broader technological solutions. Collaborating with local communities and Indigenous groups, especially those with traditional knowledge of land management and fire practices, can make the rollout of detection technologies more adaptive and effective in practice. “The integration of AI technology into bushfire detection and suppression systems represents a critical advancement toward a more resilient Australasia. Authorities and communities can reduce the destructive impacts of bushfires significantly by embracing these innovations to better protect lives, ecosystems, and economic assets,” Mr Domingo said. “Continued investment and development in these AI-driven solutions will remain essential in shaping a safer, more sustainable future for the forests and communities of Australia and New Zealand as climate challenges intensify.” References: (1): https://budget.gov.au/ (2): https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/funding-information-and-opportunities/investment-funds/strategic-science-investment-fund/ssif-funded-programmes/natural-hazards-and-resilience-platform

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the newest tool in the arsenal to prevent the degradation and depletion of forests, with new research revealing how the technology can help protect the ecosystem. Source: Timberbiz Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers collaborated on an international study, led by the University of Sri Lanka, to develop an AI model which detects changes in forest cover, or the amount of land surface covered by trees. According to the United Nations, between 2000 and 2022 there was a net forest area loss of 100 million hectares. Researchers took U-Net architecture, which is used for image segmentation often in biomedical image analysis and adapted it to compare past and present pictures of the ecosystem and detect where forest loss has occurred. This custom model was fed a dataset of images from Google Earth and was able to detect forest cover changes with an accuracy of 94.37%. Researchers also tested the model on other datasets, which had an accuracy rate of 97.82% and 98.44% respectively. Co-author and CDU Associate Professor in Information Technology Bharanidharan Shanmugam said the model was ideal for real-world applications because it produced high accuracy rates despite needing fewer training samples. “Traditional methods for forest cover monitoring often struggle with accuracy and efficiency. Many rely on manual interpretation, which is time-consuming and prone to errors,” Associate Professor Shanmugam said. “Our research provides a powerful tool for governments, environmental agencies and conservationists to detect and monitor deforestation more effectively. “By leveraging deep-learning techniques, our model enables rapid analysis of satellite images, allowing authorities to identify high-risk areas and respond to deforestation before irreversible damage occurs. “Unlike traditional approaches that require extensive manual effort, our method automates the process, making large-scale monitoring more feasible and cost effective.” The study was a collaboration between the University of Sri Lanka, CDU, Friedrich-Alexander University in Germany, University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, and the University of Otago in New Zealand. Co-author and CDU Lecturer in Information Technology Dr Thuseethan Selvarajah said another advantage was the model can function with limited labelled data. “This makes it highly adaptable for use in regions where high-quality training datasets may not be available,” Dr Selvarajah said. “Whether deployed in tropical rainforests, boreal forests, or temperate woodlands, the model can provide valuable insights for conservation efforts. “By integrating this technology into existing environmental monitoring frameworks, governments and conservation organisations can enhance their ability to protect forests, enforce regulations, and mitigate the long-term impacts of deforestation. “In the broader context, this research contributes to global efforts in combating climate change and preserving biodiversity.” Change Detection for Forest Ecosystems Using Remote Sensing Images with Siamese Attention U-Net was published in the international journal Technologies.

The Australian Forest Contractors Association is leading the Optimising RTO Training and Assessment Methods for Harvesting Operators project, one of 22 projects under the Forest Workforce Training Program being managed by ForestWorks with funding from the Australian Government. Source: Timberbiz The project is focusing on workplace-integrated training solutions to improve the delivery of training and assessment, to contribute to a sustainable and skilled workforce. Through pilot projects with three training organisations the project will aim to develop a scalable model to streamline the training and assessment process for harvesting operators, improving safety, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in workforce development. The first step in the project is to seek views of the forestry services businesses owners and workers about how training and assessment is currently delivered, and where improvements could be made. You can complete the survey here. This will provide important baseline data to inform the project. The Forest Worker Training Program also is also looking at diversity in the forestry sector workshop, and particularly how to attract more women into the industry. Forestry Australia is also conducting a survey on behalf of the organisations leading and delivering the women-focused projects. Insights from this survey will be used to inform the development of initiatives to promote gender equity to support increased participation and advancement of women in our industry. If you would like to be added to a mailing list to be kept up to date with developments of the Forest Worker Training program, or if you have questions about our project or the program, call 0437 524 933 or email tim@afca.asn.au

Since its major upgrade in 2024, Forest and Wood Products Australia’s Data Dashboard has set a new benchmark in how the forest and wood products sector accesses reliable market intelligence. Discover the New Forecasting Tool on FWPA’s Data Dashboard in a live webinar on Monday 12 May with Erick Hansnata, Statistics & Economics Program Manager at FWPA. Source: Timberbiz Designed to support evidence-based decision-making, and managed by FWPA’s Statistics and Economics team, the FWPA Data Dashboard brings together a comprehensive suite of datasets that are essential for business planning and market forecasting. The current version of the Data Dashboard includes: The FWPA Softwood Data Series Monthly timber trade data and forward projections ABARES Australian Forest and Wood Product Statistics Building activity trends and forecasts Macroeconomic indicators impacting the sector International forest production and sustainability data Regular research and insights from FWPA’s Statistics and Economics team Now, the platform has expanded further with the release of the FWPA Australian Dwelling Forecast Dataset, a new feature offering deep insights into Australia’s residential construction sector. What’s Included in the Australian New Dwelling Forecast Dataset: Forecasts of dwelling approvals, commencements, and completions through to 2035 Projections for the value of Alterations & Additions (A&A) in private dwellings Monthly and quarterly data, including trend and seasonally adjusted figures Coverage at both the national and state levels This dataset is powered by an econometric model that integrates FWPA softwood sales data to deliver a clear, reliable outlook on future residential building activity. It is updated monthly and includes full documentation of the methodology to ensure transparency and confidence in the results. The FWPA is offering an exclusive walkthrough of the latest enhancement to the FWPA Data Dashboard, the Australian Dwelling Forecast Dataset. This powerful new tool delivers monthly projections of residential building activity out to 2035, designed to support better planning and forecasting across Australia’s forest and wood products industry. In this session, you’ll learn: What’s included in the new dwelling forecast dataset The robust econometric model sitting behind it How to access and use the dashboard effectively The broader benefits of FWPA’s Data Dashboard for your business Hear directly from Erick Hansnata, FWPA’s Statistics and Economics Program Manager, and get your questions answered live. The event is on Monday 12 May from 12:30 to1:00pm you can register for this Zoom meeting here. To access the dashboard click here.

Following significant engagement over the last month, the first in-person round of negotiations towards a comprehensive India New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will take place in India this week. Source: Timberbiz This follows the successful visit to India last year by Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters and the formal launch of negotiations by Minster for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal during the Prime Minister’s large trade mission to New Delhi in April. “This is an important step in our trade relationship with India and signals the two Governments’ intent to deliver a high-quality outcome that benefits both countries,” Mr McClay said. “With a population of 1.4 billion and a GDP estimated to grow to US$5.2 trillion by 2030, India offers significant opportunity for New Zealand exporters. “Strengthening ties with India across the board is a key part of the Government’s broader strategy to diversify and grow New Zealand’s export markets and double trade by value in 10 years. In March New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon kickstarted free trade negotiations with India after talks in earlier years had stalled.  Mr Luxon had promised that New Zealand would sign a free trade agreement with India during its first term in office. The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation and Export NZ made submissions to support the proposed trade deal.

Australia’s forest products industries have congratulated the re-elected Albanese Government and all members and senators of the new 48th Parliament who they will work with to achieve improved sector-wide outcomes. Source: Timberbiz “We congratulate Prime Minister Albanese on Labor’s election victory and increased majority, and we’ll now get down to business working with the new Government on a range of issues impacting forestry and the supply chain,” Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said. “We also welcome all the new and re-elected MPs and senators of the new 48th Parliament and will continue our tradition of advocacy with them. “We are eager to get straight to business with the new Government on policies announced during the campaign including the new ReMade in Australia brand and housing sector initiatives, and the soon-to-be-released Timber Fibre Strategy developed during the first term of Government by the Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership. “Our sector faces many challenges, from long-term timber and wood-fibre supply to immediate construction market issues, ensuring we have a skilled workforce geared to needs, illegal imports, social licence to operate and making sure Australians understand the importance of what the sector does. AFPA will continue lead advocacy for the supply chain, addressing these issues in Canberra,” Ms Hallam said. “We thank the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Julie Collins, along with Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Jonno Duniam, for their ongoing support and all other parliamentarians who represent our industries across the Parliament. “Forestry and the supply chain directly employs 80,000 Australians, indirectly another 100,000 and creates essential products for our everyday lives, while fighting climate change. AFPA will ensure it gets the attention the sector deserves in Canberra,” she said. The Australian Forest Contractor’s Association also congratulated the Australian Labor Party led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for winning the Federal Election. “Congratulations to Prime Minister Albanese and his team for this election result,” AFCA CEO Tim Lester said. “During the campaign we welcomed a commitment from Forestry Minister Julie Collins who wrote to us stating that the Prime Minister and the Minister were strong advocates for plantation and native forestry sectors. “She confirmed that the Government’s position on native forestry is unchanged and that ‘An Albanese Government will never walk away from timber workers and communities’,” Mr Lester said. “Forestry services businesses are generally small, multi-generational family businesses providing specialist equipment and skills to ensure the supply of timber and wood fibre to processing and export facilities. Security of contracts, viability of arrangements and surety for resource availability are all critical for long term business success. “These businesses are the employers of an essential workforce who have high quality jobs in rural and regional Australia. The World Bank says forestry industries have an economic impact two and a half times the amount of money directly generated. A strong forestry sector means more local economic activity, which means stronger communities. “The alternative is exporting our jobs, importing more timber and Australian taxpayers spending more to manage our forests. “There is a lot of misinformation circulating so we would like to extend an invitation to all Parliamentarians to come and see how our forests are managed particularly through harvesting and regeneration. “We look forward to working with the Labor government to promote certainty and security for forestry services businesses who are providing the foundation for Australia’s $24 billion forest products sector,” Mr Lester said.  

The Hyne Group has announced as expansion of its Pallets division with the acquisition of Pallet & Bin Pty Ltd located in Shepparton, Victoria. Source: Timberbiz Pallet & Bin manufactures a range of products for some of Australia’s largest food producers, including a significant amount for the export markets. Hyne Group CEO Jim Bindon said Pallet & Bin was a well-regarded, local business that had been operating for more than 20 years and was a significant supplier for freighting food, “Clients include five of Australia’s largest food producers and this offers further diversity opportunities for our national pallet customer base,” he said. “Shepparton is also strategically located between Hyne Timber’s Tumbarumba sawmill and key Melbourne metropolitan markets, offering some solid locational synergies for both raw material timber supply and freight efficiencies.” This announcement follows the Group’s expansion in 2024 of its pallet manufacturing divisions through the acquisition of Rodpak Pallets & Packaging (VIC), Express Pallets & Crates (QLD) and Pinetec Pty (WA). The Group also expanded its Australian Garden Care division last year with the acquisition, through its Rocky Point Pty Ltd subsidiary, of Bassett Barks on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. In parallel, the Hyne Group’s majority owners in the UK, James Jones and Sons Ltd, has announced the acquisition of United Box Ltd. United Box Ltd was originally formed as a joint venture in 2003 by James Jones & Sons Ltd and Scott Group Ltd. United Box manufactures and distributes agricultural boxes and is a valued supplier to the food industry across the UK and Ireland. “Our recent acquisitions, combined with a progressive investment philosophy, are part of our disciplined global strategy and these two additions to our Group demonstrates our strong support of the rural and farming communities in the UK and Australia,” Tom Bruce-Jones, Chairman of James Jones & Sons Group, said. “This broadens our product portfolio and provides confidence to all our end users of our vertically integrated local supply chains, particularly given the current global trade war.”