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New Zealand forest owners say reforms of resource management instruments announced last week will deliver clearer, more consistent environmental standards for production forests nationwide. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced his plan to revise settings within the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF) at the New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF). The reform will look to change the clause giving effect to regional freshwater management rules and remove the afforestation clause which allows councils to impose different planting rules on production forests from those stated in the NES-CF. New Zealand Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the reform will reduce the regulatory complexities faced by growers and streamline forestry’s environmental controls. “The departure from the National Standard and introduction of various councils’ environmental rules has created conflicting standards and confusion among growers as to which takes precedence,” Elizabeth says. “These rule variations have placed significant pressures on growers, many of whom have had to apply for resource consents for new planting in low or no-risk areas, without any demonstrable need for these new rules. “Today’s announcement is a promising step towards addressing the issue and creating more consistent and outcome-based environmental regulations for forestry across the regions.” The NES-CF provides a nationally consistent set of legal obligations that aim to maintain or improve environmental outcomes related to commercial forestry activities. Not only will growers have greater certainty that the environmental rules set out under the NES-CF are appropriate for use across the country, the reform will also address the issue of rules being introduced without justifiable evidence that more stringency is needed. “In the instance of Canterbury’s Plan Change 7 (PC7), there was a lack of evidence to justify the introduction of a more stringent local sediment discharge rule in place of what was already set out by the NES-CF,” Elizabeth says. “The reform will ensure forest owners are operating to the same environmental rules across New Zealand irrespective of which jurisdiction they fall under. “Councils will be bound to deal with stringency through the NES-CF first and foremost.” While these changes will go some way to restoring the sector’s confidence in the regulatory framework, Elizabeth says ensuring policy remains evidence-based will be critical when it comes to implementing risk management tools. “Forest owners take their duty to be responsible landowners very seriously and go to great lengths to ensure good environmental outcomes for all concerned,” Elizabeth says. “The sector is supportive of improvement to risk management tools, particularly where there is a need, however, it is important that these tools are supported by science. “Forest owners want to see the foundations of the NES-CF remain evidence-based. Any proposed amendments, such as McClay’s intention to improve slash management standards, must have strong scientific grounds to justify change. “Forest owners look forward to working closely with the Minister, councils and the community to ensure the new NES-CF settings are fit for purpose.” Reform of forestry’s resource management system will undergo consultation before any formal changes are made.

The Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed the Sector Pathways Review released by the Climate Change Authority (CCA). Source: Timberbiz The Review which considers decarbonisation pathways for a range of sectors, suggests forestry as a key means to increase removal of carbon, AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said. The Review states with regards to carbon:  Increased land based removals, including through reforestation, will be needed if emissions do not reduce significantly in energy intensive sectors elsewhere in the economy. There is an opportunity to increase these removals by:  Establishing new forests for timber, carbon sequestration, agroforestry … and,  Protecting existing forests and other native vegetation from deforestation and degradation. “This is excellent recognition from the CCA about what forest industries have known for a long time – that growing and managing sustainable production trees is a major solution to tackling carbon, fighting climate change and helping Australia meets its emissions reduction targets,” Ms Hallam said. “We create these benefits while producing essential products.” The Review however highlights the barriers to new tree plantings. Establishment of new tree plantings can have high upfront costs and opportunity costs associated with shifting from agricultural production to timber, carbon or environmental plantings (CSIRO, 2022a). High land prices in productive agricultural areas and relatively low carbon prices are a barrier to landholders from establishing forest projects (CSIRO, 2022a), due to the potential opportunity cost of switching from one type of production to another. “These are real challenges in realising the potential of forest industries and AFPA will continue working with the Albanese Government and Opposition on how best we can make our contribution to the climate, economy and communities,” Ms Hallam said.

The audit requirements for low-risk plantation forestry projects in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme have been reduced to one scheduled audit. Source: Timberbiz This aligns with the Clean Energy Regulator’s risk-based approach to manage compliance. It ensures that audits are targeted to situations where they can provide the greatest value in supporting the integrity of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. Low-risk plantation forestry projects that opt-in are instead subject to alternative assurance arrangements. These arrangements reduce administrative burden and incentivise scheme participation by lowering costs. Private Forests Tasmania made a submission in early 2024 in support of the change, which could potentially save eligible plantation forestry projects tens of thousands of dollars in audit costs. The project must: be covered by either or both Schedule 1 (new plantations) and Schedule 2 (conversion of short to long rotation plantation forests) of the 2022 plantation forestry method have an anticipated and reported carbon estimation area of no more than 200 hectares agree to be subject to geospatial monitoring and other compliance checks by the Clean Energy Regulator. Existing and new projects are both eligible for the new arrangements. Eligible projects registered under the 2017 plantation forestry method must vary to the 2022 method to apply for alternative assurance arrangements. Approved low-risk plantation forestry projects undertake an initial audit only. Primarily, this ensures the project follows the method and checks that the calculation tool, FullCAM, is calibrated correctly. To support the reduced number of audits, the Clean Energy Regulator will use geospatial tools and other measures, including site visits and inspections, to verify carbon abatement is being achieved. The Clean Energy Regulator said it has a high degree of confidence in using these tools to monitor the integrity of these projects because a plantation: is readily observable is planted uniformly typically, consists of one species. Participants will be able to opt-in to the alternative assurance arrangements for eligible projects through the Clean Energy Regulator’s website soon.

As forest owners, we have a valuable asset to protect. From ensuring fire breaks are cleared and maintained to conducting fuel reduction burns. When it comes to bushfire, we all have a part to play to make summer safer, and ensure our assets, homes and communities are prepared and protected. Source: Timberbiz Fuel reduction burning reduces the rate of spread and the intensity of fires minimising damage, bushfire risk, and providing firefighters with safer opportunities to contain and extinguish the blaze. Private Forests Tasmania has compiled a list of resources to assist in managing your Bushfire risk. From Plantation Insurance, programs to educate and support farmers and landholders, Bushfire Ready Challenges, Bushfire Protection Plans, Emergency Alerts, Recovery and more. Spring is the ideal time to conduct fuel reduction burns on your properties. Red Hot Tips are a free one-stop service for farmers and rural landholders. The Program educates and supports farmers and landholders in rural Tasmania to actively manage their bushfire risk; encouraging collaborative vegetation fire management and ecological sustainability across the landscape. Facilitators work with individuals, or groups of farmers and landholders, who manage large tracts of land in rural Tasmania and want help managing their bushfire risk through: Farm visits to discuss fuel reduction options. Planned burn training and on-ground mentoring. Developing burn plans and assistance with permits. Identifying equipment needs. Help with legislation requirements – navigating the red tape. Advice on alternative fuel reduction treatments. Opportunities for private and public landholders to work together with coordinated and effective burning. Phone and online support. Practical materials and resources like the SFMC booklet Planned Burning for Farmers and Landholders. You can register your interest by completing the Red Hot Tips – Expression of Interest form or email redhottips@fire.tas.gov.au Established in the early 1990’s, the FIFMC’s aim is to minimise the risk of wildfire resulting from forest operations and to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Endorsed by the Tasmanian Fire Service, procedures outline minimum fire equipment requirements and procedures to follow to reduce the risk of fire in both high and low risk hazard forest activity. Read more here Fire Prevention at Forest Operations Procedures and equipment Audit. The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) is a diverse organisation made up of career firefighters and State Service Employees. TFS is the operational arm of the State Fire Commission working alongside emergency management partners of Tasmanian State Emergency Service (SES), Tasmania Police and Ambulance Tasmania to respond to a range of emergencies across the State. TFS work with partnered organisations, Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) to educate communities on bushfire preparedness and fire safety, and work to prevent, resource, manage and respond to bushfires. Every summer, bushfires threaten homes and businesses throughout Tasmania. In January 2013, a series of devastating bushfires impacted several rural communities, with significant loss of property, livelihood and our natural environment. The Tasmanian Bushfire Inquiry that followed recommended the Tasmanian Government establish a coordinated program of fuel reduction burns across the entire State, to target areas that pose the greatest risk of future catastrophic fires. Bushfires respect no boundaries. The TFS works with the Parks and Wildlife Service, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, local government and private landowners to implement the Fuel Reduction Program on both public and private land. Private landowners must still take responsibility for their own property, but the TFS will work with them. Spring is the time for fuel reduction burning The Fuel Reduction Program will not prevent bushfires, but it can make them easier and safer to fight. This will reduce damage to homes, businesses and the environment. To achieve this, Tasmania must conduct more fuel reduction burns every year, in a strategic and coordinated manner that focuses the TFS resources where they are needed the most. Source: Timberbiz You can learn more about the fuel reduction program here and stay up to date with the current burn schedule here. The Fuel Reduction Program is managed by the Bushfire Risk Unit of the TFS. You can contact the Fuel Reduction Unit during business hours on 1800 000 699. The Tasmania Fire Service Bushfire-Ready Challenge is an immersive bushfire preparedness experience available to all Tasmanians. Take part in this Challenge at your own pace to ensure you can get to know your bushfire risk, create a bushfire plan, prepare your property and much, much more! The Challenge kicks off in Spring. Register now to participate. Plantation trees are valuable and increase in value over their lifetime. You may want to consider plantation insurance prior to this next fire season to ensure your plantation is covered for not only its value, but also for any potential clean-up costs. Forest insurance is a specialised service offered by only a few insurers, but your own insurance broker may be able to assist and would be worthwhile contacting. Read more HERE.

The Victorian Forest Products Association wants the forest and wood products sector to take part in a survey to capture ideas and support the development of a Future Wood Fibre Roadmap for Victoria. Source: Timberbiz Victoria has approximately 22% of Australia’s plantations – more than any other state. It is home to a traditional wood fibre supply chain that is highly valued and a cornerstone of a sector supplying value added wood fibre products. Victoria also consumes around 30% of the nation’s timber supply. Furthermore, both the Victorian and Australian Governments have committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and reducing waste through the adoption of circular economy principles. In this context, Victoria should now be looking towards 2050 and beyond, identifying the required pathway to future applications that promote circularity and a low carbon bioeconomy, and while supporting the existing sawlog driven value chain as an important industry cornerstone. The VFPA roadmap will identify priority opportunities for the improved use of wood fibre resources, along forest product value chains from forest management through to end-of-life and repurposing, and the policy and regulatory settings needed to realise the potential of Victoria’s wood fibre industry. The survey responses will provide invaluable insights in conjunction with broader targeted engagement to support key considerations and priorities. The survey will close on 23 September 2024. SURVEY FORM CLICK TO OPEN

A report prepared by Greenwood Strategy Solutions Pty Ltd on behalf of the Tasmanian Forestry Hub finds Tasmania’s Forest and Wood products sector is primed for growth and better placed than any other Australian jurisdiction to transition to a new economy characterised by fibre, energy and carbon constraints. Source: Timberbiz It is defined by world class forest resources a responsive and innovative wood processing sector, work underway to respond to new and emerging technologies and markets and a supportive policy framework. Australia’s forest and wood products sector is facing considerable change across multiple fronts and Tasmania is no different. There are both opportunities and challenges. Importantly, the industry in Tasmania is very well positioned to manage and benefit from the evolution of its operating environment, and the influence of local, national and global change drivers. Tasmania has world class forest resources, a responsive and innovative wood processing sector and a supportive policy framework. It also has significant work already undertaken around industry transition to a new economy which will be characterised by fibre, energy and carbon constraints. Tasmania’s forest and wood products sector is primed for growth and transformation, continuing its long legacy as a powerhouse of forest management and timber products innovation in Australia. To fully realise this potential and continue its significant contribution to Tasmania’s economy, the industry will need to work closely and collaboratively with policy and decision-makers at all levels of government and in complementary industries. The situation analysis provides a starting point for that collaborative work. It presents an overview of the current state of play for the Tasmanian forest and wood products sector and details emerging opportunities and barriers. It considers a range of future potential scenarios and what they might mean for commercial and policy settings for the sector. It is intended as advice for the Australian Government, in line with the Tasmania Forestry Hub’s remit. Read the situation analysis HERE