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Agri Investor has ranked the world’s biggest food, forestry and natural capital fund managers according to the capital raised. Those in the AFF 20 raised more than US$35 billion during a five-year period. Source: Timberbiz While first and second spots went to Paine Schwartz Partners and Manulife Investment Management third and fourth were forestry companies BTG Pactual and New Forests. In total five forestry companies made the top 20 list. 1          Paine Schwartz Partners                     New York 2          Manulife Investment Management    Toronto 3          BTG Pactual                                         São Paulo 4          New Forests                                        Sydney 5          Butterfly Equity                                   California 6          Gresham House                                  London 7          Stafford Capital Partners                     London 8          PGIM Real Estate                                New Jersey 9          Arbor Investments                              Chicago 10        Nuveen Natural Capital                      Chicago 11        Equilibrium                                         Portland 12        Ceres Partners                                    Indiana 13        Fiera Comox                                        Montreal 14        Homestead Capital                             California 15        Proterra Investment Partners             Minnesota 16        Cibus Capital                                       London 17        Hosen Capital                                      Beijing 18        Renewable Resources Group              California 19        Solum Partners                                   Massachusetts 20        Climate Asset Management               London     18        Renewable Resources Group              California 19        Solum Partners                                   Massachusetts 20        Climate Asset Management               London

As part of National Safe Work Month, the Hyne Group had the honour of hosting Dan Kennedy, a dedicated Safety Advocate for WorkSafe Queensland, at its Tuan and Glulam sites. Source: Timberbiz Mr Kennedy’s visit, presented as part of Safe Work Australia’s SafeTea initiative, brought a deeply moving and significant message about workplace safety. His advocacy is born from personal tragedy. In 2012, his son, Dale Kennedy, tragically lost his life at work. Dale, a 20-year-old apprentice, was fatally electrocuted after coming into contact with non-compliant wiring while working in the ceiling space of a Cairns school. His death is a devastating reminder of the dangers that can exist in the workplace and the preventable nature of such incidents. Since Dale’s passing, Dan and his wife, Debbie, have dedicated their lives to sharing Dale’s story, emphasising the importance of safety and the devastating impact a workplace fatality can have on families and communities. Their mission is to raise awareness and ensure that no other family has to endure the pain and loss they have faced. During his Hyne Group visit, Dan shared his deeply personal story, urging all team members to take responsibility for creating safer work environments. His message reinforced that safety is not just about compliance, but about protecting lives and making sure every worker returns home safely at the end of each day. “If you have been asked to do something unsafe just say no, it’s not worth it. You’re a stronger person if you stand up for your own safety, we want you to go home at the end of the day to your loved ones,” Dan said. Dan’s sessions at the Hyne Group encouraged our team members to pause, reflect, and engage in meaningful discussions about safety. His words left a lasting impact on everyone present, inspiring the teams to prioritise safety in every task and decision. Watch Dan and Debbie Kennedy’s story in the film, “I love you, Dad” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49CkBVIkWbY

Experts at Master Builders Australia have warned that low apprenticeship numbers will worsen the nation’s housing crisis if action is not taken immediately.  Source: Timberbiz The warning comes after new Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed that 2023-24 was the worst year for home building in more than a decade, dropping 8.8% to 158,690 new starts. “Detached house starts fell by 10.1%, while higher density commencements were down by 6.0%,” said Master Builders Chief Economist Shane Garrett. “If building continues at this pace, we’ll be in for less than 800,000 new home starts over the next five years.” “This would mean a shortfall of over 400,000 homes compared with the National Housing Accord target.” The data release, revealing a drop to numbers not seen since 2011-12, coincided with fresh data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research which showed declines in apprenticeship numbers. Apprenticeship completions fell 8.6% from 24,545 in the year to March 2023 to 22,420 to March 2024. In the same period, apprenticeship commencements dropped 11.8% from 47,110 to 41,520, and the number of apprentices in training declined 2.2% from 124,280 to 121,530. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the new data painted a concerning picture for Australia’s housing crisis. “Today’s data releases aren’t unrelated. To bring Australia out of the housing crisis we need to drastically increase the supply of housing,” said Ms Wawn. “And we can’t do that while we’re simultaneously suffering through a labour shortage. “Low apprentice numbers reflect a shortage of skilled workers across all trades, and until we’re able to address the challenges facing the future of the workforce, we won’t be able to increase building activity and reduce the impact of supply conditions in the residential building market on Australia’s inflation problem. “It’s no longer appropriate to call for a return to pre-Covid levels, we need more tradies now than we’ve ever had. “We urgently need governments to look at solutions to increase the number of tradies, increase the number of apprentices, and help Australian builders increase supply so we can come out the other side of this housing crisis,” Ms Wawn said. Master Builders Australia’s “Future of the Workforce: Building and Construction Industry” report, which highlights the growing need for action to increase the workforce. To read the full report go to https://masterbuilders.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Workforce-Blueprint_Final-1.pdf

The number of housing loans issued for the purchase and construction of a new home in the three months to August was 9.1% higher than at the same time in the previous year. Source: Timberbiz The ABS released the Lending Indicators data for August 2024 which provides the latest statistics on housing finance commitments. “This increase in lending comes off a very low base, with lending for new home purchase and construction remaining about the lowest levels since 2002,” HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon said. “Market confidence in new home building has been improving with a pause in interest rate changes for eleven months, low levels of unemployment and an acute shortage of housing,” he said “First home buyers are increasingly active as buying a home provides protection from the acute shortage of rental homes. The Government should be looking at removing the restrictions that prevent many first-time home buyers from getting a loan.” In its recent submission to the Senate inquiry into the financial regulatory framework and home ownership, HIA identified that a decade of additional costs has restricted competition among banks and made it increasingly expensive for them to lend to first home buyers. “A decade of increased prudential restrictions has reduced competition among banks and added additional barriers to first home buyers gaining access to a loan,” Mr Reardon said. “HIA has recommended that the Government should establish an RBA-style Board to oversee APRA to balance the goals of financial system stability and homeownership.” This should include an RBA-style target for mortgage arrears. “Just as zero inflation is not the RBA’s goal, zero mortgage arrears is an unattainable and undesirable goal for APRA,” Mr Reardon said. “Mortgage arrears in Australia have remained exceptionally close to zero, even though the GFC and the pandemic. Yet, APRA continues to impose additional constraints on lending, competition among banks and thereby restricting housing supply. “The problem is that ongoing regulations have forced banks to eliminate much of the flexibility and competition in the mortgage market that made home ownership accessible for households with variable access to capital, such as first home buyers. “Ensuring that home ownership remains an attainable goal for Australian households is an equally important objective that has not received adequate recognition among financial regulators. “Banks should be making the decision on who is able to service a mortgage, not the Australian Government. Banks are well placed to make this assessment and are protected from delinquency through mortgage insurance,” Mr Reardon said. The number of owner-occupier loans issued for the purchase or construction of a new home in the three months to August 2024 increased by 34.4% in the Northern Territory (from a very low base), followed by Western Australia (+27.1%), the Australian Capital Territory (+26.8%), Queensland (+24.8%), South Australia (+16.8%) and Tasmania (+3.0%). The two largest states recorded a decline over the same period, led by Victoria (-5.2%), followed by New South Wales (-3.7%).  

The Federal Government has opened applications for the third round of the $74 million Support Plantation Establishment program. Farm foresters, First Nations businesses and the forestry industry are among those who will benefit from funding to support more plantation forests in Australia. Source: Timberbiz The Support Plantation Establishment program is providing grant funding to help establish up to 36,000 hectares of new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests across Australia. The Government will provide up to $2,000 per hectare of new long-rotation plantation forest established. To date rounds one and two of the program have awarded more than $15 million to 27 projects across Australia that will establish over 8,200 hectares of new plantations. Round three is open for applications from 11 October 2024 to 5 November 2025. Changes to the program have been made for round 3 following widespread stakeholder consultation. Grants will range from one to three years, and projects must be concluded no later than 30 June 2027. Further information about the program’s requirements can be found in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. “This program underscores the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to supporting the forestry industry and regional communities, while reducing our carbon footprint,” Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, said. “By stimulating new growth in Australia’s plantation forest estate, we are helping meet our future demand for timber, creating regional employment opportunities, and building a sustainable and prosperous future while helping to meet our international emissions reduction commitments. “That’s why this grant opportunity continues to play an important role to increase Australia’s future timber supply and reduce our dependence on imported timber. Australia doesn’t have enough timber,” she said. “The Albanese Labor Government supports sustainable forestry, and is investing in forest industry innovation, manufacturing and skills. “We are delivering the most significant forest industry support package in Australia’s history, including more than $300 million to help improve the capacity and capability of the sector.” For more information or to apply, visit https://www.grants.gov.au/