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Two new research centres have been identified as the preferred candidates to receive funding under the Albanese Government funded Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) program after a competitive expressions of interest process. Source: Timberbiz Last year, it was announced that the University of Tasmania (UTAS) would host AFWI, a national research institute committed to advancing research and innovation to support Australia’s vital forest and wood product industries, by drawing on the best researchers and facilities across Australia. The University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Melbourne will be invited to form AFWI research centres, joining a third research centre being established at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) in Launceston. Each research centre will have access to $24.5 million in funding as part of the more than $100 million AFWI grant agreement with UTAS. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said that the three research centres in combination will provide good coverage of forest and wood products research. “The three research centres will help us to enhance our wood products and systems, manage and sustainably expand our Australian forestry resources, transform wood residues into renewable products and energy solutions – all while helping to address the threat of climate change.” Minister Watt said. “These research centres will help to transition the Australian forestry industry into a low emissions future. “Innovation is key to progress and efficiency and this funding will allow these centres to look at new ways to ensure our forestry industries keep sustainability at their core.” The University of Melbourne Research Centre will be based at the Burnley Campus in Richmond, Victoria and University of the Sunshine Coast’s Research Centre will be based at the Sunshine Coast Campus in Sippy Downs, Queensland.  

Fennell Forestry will receive a $200,000 cash injection from the state government to commence phase two of an electric log truck trial. Source: The Border Watch The funding for phase two of the Fennell Forestry project will examine how heavy vehicle decarbonisation can contribute towards a green circular economy. It will build on the outcomes of a phase one trial run from last year when Fennell Forestry tested the nation’s first electric heavy vehicle. A further $70,000 in funding will be handed to the South Australian Forest Products Association to develop a State of the Industry Report. The funding announcements followed the release of the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Masterplan. The plan aims to provide a vision to further grow and develop the state’s $1.4 billion forest and timber industry with three main goals identified aiming to strengthen the industry, domestic manufacturing and infrastructure capability. These goals include the right resource and capability, a “future focused” workforce and a “clean and green” circular economy. It has been developed by the Forest Industries Advisory Council of South Australia in consultation with the Minister for Forestry Clare Scriven and will be reviewed annually. This will be done to keep pace with the socioeconomic and environmental changes influencing the industry including international trade, climate change and technological developments. Fennell Forestry Managing Director Wendy Fennell said the region had a great fibre resource in the Green Triangle region. “We are looking forward to working with the government on this,“ she said. “These are the steps we have to take to see how we can meet those targets and we are working out if it is operationally suitable.“ South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said as the “birthplace” of Australian plantation forestry, the state’s industries had a “long and distinguished history” of nurturing a “forward thinking” and “innovative” mindset. “Today is an important day for the forestry industry for locals and the nation,“ Mr Malinauskas said. “This is an industry of the future and it is true Green Triangle Forestry is home to serious plantations and is an industry of tomorrow.“ He praised Ms Fennell and Fennell Forestry for their vision and risk-taking. “Decarbonising is an important endeavour and I recognise Fennel Forestry for their leadership,“ he said. “Wendy is a demonstration that risks can take off.“ Chair of the South Australian Forest Products Association Governing Council Tammy Auld said the Masterplan has been developed in consultation with stakeholders from the forest and timber industries through the revitalised Forest Industries Advisory Council with an aim to work towards a future where all fibre grown in the region will be locally processed. “South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) are grateful to the state government, especially the Minister for Forest Industries, Clare Scriven, for listening and working in collaboration with the industry to deliver this Master Plan,“ she said. “We know that if we can process all the fibre grown in the region, we have the ability to create over 20,000 new jobs, ensuring that South Australia has sovereign fiber capacity at the same time as decarbonizing our economy. “With projects such as the Fennell Forestry electric log truck, the government isn’t just talking about change, but supporting transformation and innovation within the region. “Our industry certainly believes that the forest industries have a big role at the heart of the government’s ambition for re-industralisation, and we look forward to continuing our working relationship with the Minister, Premier and all members of Parliament to protect, enhance and innovate our beloved forest industries.” Ms Scriven said the forestry industries remained a “significant contributor” to the state’s economy with the master plan presenting the “vision to be a future focused circular economy” as well as “sustainably driving the state’s economic prosperity” with “globally recognised skills and innovation”. “I am delighted that government has worked side by side with a broad section of the forest industries to deliver this election commitment, and this plan will be of significant benefit to this vital industry,” Ms Scriven said. “Collaboration has been a key part in the development of this master plan and I look forward to the ongoing partnership with industry through FIAC-SA as the associated projects are implemented to ensure that all South Australians continue to benefit from the sustainable growth and future success of South Australia’s forest industries.” Other projects identified as priorities through the master plan are expected to be developed and implemented over the coming three years.

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has accused the Liberal Party of using the timber industry as a political football. And the CFMEU says it is flabbergasted by the short-sighted approach of the Tasmanian Liberal party to jobs and communities reliant on the forestry industry. Source: Timberbiz “The Liberals have been government for a decade and could have solved our wood supply issue at any time. But instead, they have decided to make it an election issue,” TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said. The CFMEU said that timber communities deserve an industry strategy developed with workers and employers but instead have been dished up a political election strategy which serves nobody but the Liberal Party, Bob Brown, and the Greens. The State Government yesterday said that if re-elected on 23 March it would unlock Tasmania’s native forestry “Wood Bank”, providing an up to 10% boost in the annual supply of high-quality sawlog to Tasmanian sawmillers. “The Liberals are the strongest supporters of Tasmania’s high-value native forestry industry, backing in Tasmanian sawmillers, contractors, and local jobs,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said. “Under the devastating Labor-Greens Tasmanian Forestry Agreement signed in 2011, the area of production forest land in Tasmania was nearly halved and wood supply to local sawmillers was gutted. “Timber communities across the State were decimated and two out of every three jobs in the sector were sacrificed by Labor seeking to appease the Greens. “Following our election in 2014, we rescued 356,000 hectares of production native forest from being permanently locked up and set it aside in a “Wood Bank” – the Future Potential Production Forest – for a rainy day. “That rainy day has now arrived. “As a result of both the closure of native forest industries in Western Australia and Victoria under Labor Governments, as well as growing global demand for sustainably produced wood and fibre products, now is the right time to open this Wood Bank.” A re-elected majority Liberal Government would: Make available up to 40,000 hectares of the Future Potential Production Forest “Wood Bank” Make available an additional wood basket of up to 158,000 cubic metres of high-quality sawlog to Tasmanian industry – that’s an up to 10% increase annually and Make this new supply exclusively available to existing Tasmanian customers. “Importantly, by making this additional timber available exclusively to existing Tasmanian customers of Sustainable Timber Tasmania, this will ensure that Tasmania’s native forestry sawmillers have more of the timber they need,” Mr Rockliff said. Mr Steel said the TFPA and others in the industry have been working with the government on developing a policy for the management of the state’s Future Potential Production Forest (FPPF) land. “The TFPA has been talking to the government for a long time about active management of FPPF land, and what has been released (yesterday) is nothing like our plan,” Mr Steel said. “The TFPA believes in total land use management. Not all the FPPF land is suitable for production forestry. “The TFPA is calling for a full examination of the land, with input from a range of groups – including forestry, aboriginal bodies and environmental agencies. “We look forward to working with the next elected government on how we can grow forestry and actively manage this land,” Mr Steel said. Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said that Tasmania’s forest industry supported over 5,700 direct and indirect jobs, not just in harvesting but also across transport, associated support industries and sawmills around the State. “Sawlog from our native forests is of high value and used in products ranging from high-quality floorboards to feature walls to bespoke furniture,” Mr Ellis said. “It’s important to remember, more than 50%, or 3.43 million hectares, of Tasmania is in formal reserves, making Tasmania one of the most protected places on earth. This includes around 58% of the State’s native forests and over 85% of its old-growth forests. “Within 100 days of re-election, we will commence the process to unlock the Wood Bank as outlined in Section 7 of the Rebuilding the Forestry Industry Act 2014.” Mr Ellis said the Government had already identified 27 parcels of FPPF land totalling approximately 39,000 hectares of largely regrowth forest in the northeast and northwest, which was suitable for conversion back to production forest. “The parcels have been identified on the basis that the State’s comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system is not compromised, that there is no negative impact on STT’s current and future certification and that maximise carbon carrying capacity, fire protection and recreational opportunities,” he said. Additionally, areas of regrowth forests with previous forest management and roading activity had been prioritised. “We will work closely with industry to implement this process of unlocking the Wood Bank within the first 100 days of a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government,” Mr Ellis said. “Once opened, the timber from this Wood Bank will be made available through Sustainable Timber Tasmania exclusively to existing Tasmanian-based customers. “This process will make available up to an additional 158,000 cubic metres of high-quality sawlog to Tasmanian sawmillers. It is expected that this will provide an up to 10% boost in annual supply to the industry. “Only a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government has a 2030 Strong Plan to keep Tasmania’s native forest industry strong.” The CFMEU echoed the Tasmanian Forest Products Association’s disappointment with the Liberals for using the industry as a political football and backed the association’s alternative plan for active and adaptive management of ‘Future Potential Production Forest’. “The Liberals’ reckless approach risks the jobs of thousands of Tasmanian timber workers,” CFMEU Manufacturing National Secretary Mr Michael O’Connor said: “Timber workers, their families and communities will see this announcement for what it is: An irresponsible gambit which risks their livelihoods. “While the industry is advocating an approach which provides both resource and market security, the Liberals are trying to inflame tensions to paper over their disunity and 10 years of incompetence and mismanagement.” The State’s Shadow Resources Minister Shane Broad said that instead of giving the timber industry […]

Timberlink has officially opened its NeXTimber by Timberlink manufacturing facility and upgraded its green mill located in Tarpeena, South Australia. Timberlink CEO Paul O’Keefe said the company was well positioned to play its part in supporting the Australian government’s COP28 commitment to increase the use of timber in the built environment by 2030. Source: Timberbiz The launch event yesterday was attended by more than 300 people, including South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, the Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development and Forest Industries Clare Scriven, District Council of Grant Mayor Kylie Boston, District Council of Grant CEO Darryl Whicker, Member for Mackillop, Nick McBride and CEO of the South Australian Forest Products Association, Nathan Paine. “This unique facility in South Australia’s Limestone Coast presents tremendous opportunities for value adding, product diversification and market expansion for the state’s $1.4 billion forest industries as well as the ability to contribute to the construction of taller and more complex timber buildings,” Mr Malinauskas said. “I congratulate the Timberlink team, and everyone involved in delivering this project which will have significant flow on benefits for the Limestone Coast economy and that of the whole state. “The State Government is committed to a smart, sustainable and inclusive economic path for increase resilience and competitiveness for our forest industries and is why we were pleased to contribute $2 million of funding towards this new state of the art facility.” The newly commissioned NeXTimber facility is Australia’s only combined CLT and GLT (Cross Laminated and Glue Laminated Timber) radiata pine mass timber facility, and the first in Australia to be integrated with a structural timber manufacturing plant. The facility can produce CLT panels up to 16M long and 3.5M wide, and GLT beams up to 12M long. Mass timber products offer an exciting alternative to traditional construction materials and can help to reduce the embodied carbon of a project. These timber structures can be built up to 12 stories and even taller when combined with other materials in a hybrid timber construction. Timberlink’s $70M capital investment to build a mass timber production facility was announced in 2020, supported by a $2m grant awarded by the SA government under the Strategic Business Round 2020 of the Government of South Australia’s Regional Growth Fund. The NeXTimber brand was announced in 2021 with the tagline “It’s what better tomorrows are built on.” Ground was broken with the first sod turn in Tarpeena in 2022 and construction of the site continued until late 2023. The facility has been taking orders since November 2023, a testament to the hard work of many. The NeXTimber facility has created new jobs not only during the construction phase, but on an ongoing basis with over 30 new full-time positions. “South Australia’s forest industries have a long and proud history of sustainably growing and utilising our local resources to address the growing demands for timber, both domestically and internationally,” Ms Scriven said. “This new facility at Tarpeena continues that tradition of innovation, both by showcasing some of the world’s best new innovations and supporting greener, secure and modern employment opportunities, all critical ingredients towards ensuring Limestone Coast communities continue to thrive. “This initiative, which the State Government is proud to support, links in with other government commitments to the industry including a $15 million investment towards the establishment of the Forestry Centre of Excellence in Mount Gambier, the $2.346 million upgrade of the South East fire tower network including the installation of ground breaking artificial intelligence based bushfire detection and monitoring system and the $2 million contribution to assist the rollout of projects identified in the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan,” she said. “It certainly is an exciting time for the Limestone Coast and South Australian Forest industries as a whole.” Timberlink’s NeXTimber facility development followed their 2019 announcement of a major timber manufacturing upgrade, with over $90M invested over the following 3 years, installing a new saw line, stacker and edger, contraflow kiln and batch kiln and drying building. This project created over 200 jobs in the construction phase. “This upgrade to the Tarpeena green mill is a testament to Timberlink’s commitment to innovation through timber manufacturing. By increasing the amount of timber that we can process here in the Limestone Coast region, we are directly supporting the local economy and jobs in the region,” Timberlink Chief Sales, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer David Oliver said. South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine said innovative technologies such as engineered wood products were a clear example of how timber was influencing the future of the construction industry whilst contributing to a net-zero economy. “South Australia’s forest products industries are already building the nation through growing and processing 35 per cent of the nation’s locally produced house framing timbers, 25 per cent of the nation’s particle board and now this new facility will deliver CLT and GLT products that offer a greener, more sustainable alternative to steel and concrete in mid and high-rise construction projects,” Mr Paine said. “Each year, the South Australian plantation estate sequesters 4.64 million tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere, making timber the Ultimate Renewable. The CLT and GLT timber products that will be processed by NeXTimber will provide carbon negative mass timber products for use in mid and high-rise constrictions helping create a cleaner, greener future,” he said. “It is investments like this which generate economic, environmental and social opportunities for the South East, further empowering the forest and timber industries in South Australia.”  

Brendon and Rachel Clark are facing an unprecedented and unfair challenge, stemming from a confluence of unnecessary events that have left their lives in disarray. At the heart of their struggle is the abrupt downturn in the family seed collection business, a venture they dedicated years to building. First, there were the lawsuits from extremists, creating a legal quagmire that after a succession of legal battles by fringe anti-forestry groups against VicForests, meant that being shut out of going to work in the bush became the norm. Adding to the already challenging situation was a workplace accident that had a profound impact on Brendon Clark. The incident left him with a broken neck, broken ribs, and a brain injury. The physical toll on Brendon not only disrupted his ability to contribute to the business but also created a substantial layer of hardship in a time the Clark family business was already suffering. As if these challenges weren’t enough, the global pandemic, COVID-19, struck, further crippling the family seed collection business. Lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties created an environment where operating the business as usual became much harder. Then came the announcement, eight years early, that the timber industry (which funds the seed collection program for bushfire regeneration) was to be shut down. This was announced after the government had directed and persuaded Brendon, and other similar contractors, to invest all of his remaining savings and finances into the Transition Program and into 2030, with the promise of new avenues of work as a result of the investment. With the industry abruptly closing, interest in continuing the seed program disappeared as people clamoured to save their own jobs, which led to a drastic drop in the business’s ability to generate income from March 2023 onwards, pushing the Clarks to the brink of financial ruin. As a part of the Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program delivered by ForestWorks, Brendon Clark’s wife Rachel applied for a redundancy package, seeking a reasonable compensation reflective of her 17 years of service and the tumultuous circumstances that had befallen the family business. The amount she was seeking was in accordance with the Government guidelines for this package: an average weekly income of the best two years since 2018. However, the government’s response has been nothing short of disappointing. Instead of recognising the extraordinary challenges faced by the Clarks, the offered redundancy amount mirrors close to the lowest income level they experienced – a year marked by extreme adversity. According to Brendon, the lack of empathy shown by the State Labor Government has been staggering. “We don’t know how they’ve worked the redundancy amount out as there has been no consultation before the redundancy offer, we assume it is based on lower wages that were being taken as the industry was forced to grind to a halt by extreme activists and the Labor Government”. This situation highlights the systemic issues in the current support mechanisms for native timber sector businesses facing unprecedented challenges caused by a State Labor Government at the behest of anti-forestry extremists. Putting aside the of the lack of any justifiable reason to close the sustainable native hardwood industry in Victoria. the government’s failure to provide a fair and compassionate response leaves families like the Clarks in a precarious position, grappling with the aftermath of circumstances beyond their control alongside the very real possibility of having to sell the family home to pay bills that had the transition been handled in the correct way would never have had to happen. The plight of Brendon Clark and his wife underscores the need for a more nuanced and just approach to business support and employee compensation during times of crisis. It calls for a re-evaluation of policies to ensure that those who have dedicated their lives to building and sustaining businesses are not left to bear the brunt of unforeseen hardships without adequate assistance and understanding from the authorities. To put it plainly – it is the job of the Victorian Labor Government to fix the astounding mess it has made without further insulting and degrading the families, businesses and communities that they say they want to support.

At a time when environmental consciousness has become paramount, industries are continuously seeking innovative ways to minimize their ecological footprint. Timberlink, a leading player in the timber industry, has taken a bold step forward with NeXTimber, a revolutionary product that epitomizes sustainability and versatility. The NeXTimber by Timberlink facility in Tarpeena in the Green Triangle, officially opened yesterday by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, will manufacture cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT) products, providing an Australian-made renewable and carbon-positive timber building solution for commercial, residential, and public projects. The project stands as a testament to Timberlink’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Made from responsibly sourced timber, this engineered wood product not only reduces reliance on traditional hardwoods but also mitigates deforestation. Timberlink’s stringent adherence to sustainable forestry practices ensures that NeXTimber is a renewable resource, contributing to the preservation of our planet’s invaluable ecosystems. Timberlink CEO Paul O’Keefe said the company was well positioned to play its part in supporting the Australian government’s COP28 commitment to increase the use of timber in the built environment by 2030. However, NeXTimber’s appeal transcends its eco-friendly attributes. Its innovative engineering imbues it with unparalleled strength, durability, and dimensional stability, surpassing that of conventional timber. Through a meticulous process of compression and bonding, Timberlink enhances the inherent properties of wood, resulting in a product that is resistant to warping, cracking, and decay. This superior performance makes NeXTimber suitable for a myriad of applications, ranging from structural framing to interior finishes. Moreover, NeXTimber’s versatility knows no bounds. Its customizable nature allows for a myriad of design possibilities, catering to the unique requirements of architects, designers, and builders. Whether it’s crafting intricate furniture pieces or constructing sustainable buildings, NeXTimber offers limitless potential for creativity and innovation. Beyond its practical benefits, NeXTimber fosters a sense of aesthetic elegance. With its natural warmth and timeless beauty, it evokes a sense of connection to nature, creating inviting spaces that inspire and rejuvenate. Furthermore, NeXTimber’s uniform appearance and consistent quality ensure a cohesive aesthetic, elevating the visual appeal of any project. Timberlink’s unwavering dedication to quality is reflected in every aspect of NeXTimber’s production. Rigorous testing and quality control measures guarantee that each piece meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. As a result, builders and designers can trust NeXTimber to deliver exceptional results, time and time again. In essence, NeXTimber by Timberlink represents a paradigm shift in the timber industry. By marrying sustainability with innovation, Timberlink has not only redefined the possibilities of engineered wood products but has also set a new standard for environmental responsibility. As the demand for sustainable building materials continues to grow, NeXTimber stands poised to lead the way, paving the path towards a greener, more sustainable future.