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  The EPA in New South Wales has introduced a series of videos with more technical information to help landholders and harvesting contractors in applying the PNF Codes of Practice. Source: Timberbiz The technical series playlist expands on the concepts in the introductory clips, with more technical information to help landholders and harvesting contractors in applying the PNF Codes of Practice. The video playlist provides an overview of the legal framework underpinning PNF in NSW, introducing the PNF Code of Practice which sets environmental and operational standards for timber harvesting on private land. The video series provides information on a range of issues including constructing drainage features and roll-over cross banks, silviculture and protecting threatened ecological communities. Videos 1-5: Protecting threatened species and their habitat, old growth forest and rainforest. Videos 6-9: Threatened ecological communities Videos 10-13: Tips on constructing different types of drainage Video 14: Removing earth windrows to avoid soil erosion Videos 15-18: Constructing a roll-over cross bank Videos 19-22: Constructing and using simple infrastructure such as log and timber bridges Videos 23-25: Snig tracks and log dumps Videos 26-29: Silviculture and forest management There are also introductory videos for people getting started in private native forestry. You can access all videos here.    

The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the announcement of the new ministerial cabinet and in particular the expansion of the housing portfolio to take in the future cities planning and a separate special envoy focused on social housing and homelessness. Source: Timberbiz Clare O’Neil was appointed Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities following Labor’s win at the Federal Election. “HIA has called on the next term of government to specifically focus on increasing housing supply with dedicated programs targeted towards boosting private housing and rentals,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said. “By having a dedicated special envoy focused on social housing and homelessness, this will provide Housing Minister, Clare O’Neil with the ability to pull out all stops and focus on fast tracking the implementation of the key housing commitments set out in the lead up to the election to boost housing supply and increase home ownership rates. “HIA is additionally pleased to see the focus on industry, innovation, small business and productivity in the new Ministerial appointments.” Tim Ayres is the newly appointed Minister of Industry and Innovation, Anne Aly as Minister for Small Business and Andrew Charlton as the Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy and Andrew Leigh as the Assistant Minister for Productivity. “In February this year the Productivity Commission released a comprehensive housing construction productivity report titled – Can we fix it? Which outlined the policy directions needed for improving productivity including reducing regulatory burden, streamlining and speeding up approval processes, supporting innovation and improving workforce flexibility,” Ms Martin said. “This report provides a comprehensive policy blueprint for reform and HIA is calling on these new Ministerial appointments to action the recommendations from this report as part of their first order priorities. “In doing so it can substantially turn the dial to address the nation’s critical housing shortages and support our industry to build the homes Australia desperately needs.”

Australia’s forest industries welcome the reappointment of Julie Collins as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry following Labor’s win in the Federal Election. Source: Timberbiz “Minister Collins has been an ardent advocate for forestry and the supply chain, and we look forward to working with her again this term,” Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam said. Other key appointments for the forestry sector included Senator Murray Watt’s move to the Environment portfolio and the Clare O’Neil’s re-appointment as Minister for Housing. The AFPA also welcomed Senator Anthony Chisholm’s return as Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Senator Tim Ayres’ appointment as Minister for Industry and Innovation. “On behalf of Australia’s forest industries, I welcome back and congratulate Julie Collins on her re-appointment as our Minister,” Ms Hallam said. “Julie has an outstanding record of stewardship and delivery for our sector, and we look forward to continuing our positive and close working relationship. “We also welcome Murray Watt to the Environment portfolio. As a former Minister for Forestry, Senator Watt has an excellent understanding of our industries and regulatory framework, so we look forward to working constructively with him also,” she said. “It’s a very important time for the forestry portfolio, as the sector works to realise our climate and manufacturing potential while facing numerous challenges including securing resource supply, dealing with a depressed construction market along with ensuring we have a skilled workforce geared to needs.” Ms Hallam said the AFPA would now get back to work with Ms Collins and other key members of the Executive to discuss the soon-to-be-released Timber Fibre Strategy, how the forestry sector can maximise benefits provided by the new ReMade in Australia brand and be part of the solution on housing sector initiatives announced during the election campaign, and also to broadly ensure forestry and forest products is understood and decisions are made with the best interests of our sector in mind. Tasmanian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel said it was pleasing to see Ms Collins return to the portfolio that oversees the industry in Tasmania, which employs more than 5500 people across the state. “It’s also great news that the vital position of forestry minister will continue to be held by a Member of Parliament from Tasmania,” Mr Steel said. “Forestry is an essential industry in Tasmania, so we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that a Tasmanian MP will oversee the industry in Canberra. “As we saw in the last Parliament, Minister Collins brings a wealth of knowledge to the Ministry. In the last Parliament, Minister Collins provided excellent representation for our forest industry in Canberra. “Minister Collins worked closely with industry on the policy and funding that delivered for the sector. We look forward to working with Minister Collins over the coming months and years to continue to deliver for our respected, responsible and renewable industry,” Mr Steel said. “The forestry industry in Tasmania is still in a critical phase with the coming together of different areas of government policy, including climate change, the economy, jobs and housing. “The Tasmanian forestry industry is critical to all these national and international policy issues. We look forward to working with Minister Collins and the Albanese Government on the role our sector can play in moving Australia forward,” Mr Steel said.