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Encouraging a wider variety of applicants to apply for government boards is the focus of a new online tool, launched by the Australian Government. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio Boards Register enables eligible applicants to register their interest to be on one of the boards. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said it was a chance for motivated and passionate applicants of all backgrounds that have an interest in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector to roll their sleeves up and have a go. “There are 18 different portfolio boards that fall under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sector,” Minister Watt said. “They reflect the different needs of the portfolio – from primary producers, to research and development corporations, to examining drought preparedness across the food and fibre industry. “Given the broad cross-section of topics these boards look after, we’re hoping to see a wider range of Australians putting their hands up and get involved on these boards. “This includes more women, more young people and more indigenous Australians. Minister Watt said he hoped to see new and upcoming talent who have an interest to shape the future of agricultural work stepping forward. “Working on a portfolio board is a great opportunity to participate in setting strategic direction, engage with stakeholders and are to work with the Government on growing our agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. “Since taking up my role as Agriculture Minister, I’ve met people from all walks of life who work to create more sustainable, productive and profitable food and fibre industries. “These individuals have shared wonderful insights into topics such as promoting better resource management practices, innovation, sovereign capability, and improved access to international markets. “It would be great to see this breadth of the public and the industry reflected in the portfolio boards. If you’re involved in the sector, then you should embrace the opportunity to have a say in its future.” To register your interest, visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/boards

Private Forests Tasmania’s new chair Jim Wilson is no stranger to Tasmania’s, or Australia’s, forestry industry. Mr Wilson is a respected and innovated forestry leader with a background in rural industries and specialises in plantation forestry. Source: Timberbiz Upon his appointment as Chair, Mr Wilson said Private Forests Tasmania was uniquely placed to lead a new era in the development of the state’s private forest estate. “The envy of national counterparts, Private Forests Tasmania is a partnership between private growers and Government with a legislated responsibility to facilitate and expand the sustainable development of the private forest estate,” he said. “And it’s a big opportunity. Already Tasmania’s private forest estate produces more than 70% of Tasmania’s wood supply, but the bigger opportunity is to more actively engage with private native forests, as part of the farm enterprise, and to sensibly integrate plantation forests on farm, such that farm enterprises and farm businesses are more resilient in our changing climate.” Mr Wilson recognised the efforts and dedication of PFT’s previous Chair, Evan Rolley. “Private Forests Tasmania has in recent years laid a foundation for success with the Tree Alliance, and I pay tribute to outgoing Chair Mr Evan Rolley who has championed great work at Private Forests Tasmania, leveraging experience from a lifelong career in Tasmania’s forest sector.” “Looking forward, I am delighted to be working alongside Non-Executive Directors Dr Jo Jones, Mr Robert O’Connor, Ms Alice Herbon, and most recently Mr Bob Rutherford. Together a great base of skills and perspectives to support the team led by newly appointed Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski. “For these reasons, I am enthusiastic about the role Private Forests Tasmania has, and the value proposition the team of associated stakeholders has in making good things happen.” Mr Wilson joined the Board as a director on 1 August 2021 and has been named as Chair for the length of his term. He is a Registered Forestry Professional and graduated from the AICD and Australian Rural Leadership Program. In 2023, he was elected as vice president of Forestry Australia – the professional association for forest scientists, professionals, managers and growers.

Forestry Australia has appointed South Australia’s Monique Blason and Victoria’s Ruth Ryan as new board members. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Australia CEO Jacquie Martin said Ms Blason and Ms Ryan would bring exceptional experience in filling the casual vacancy positions. “Monique and Ruth’s experience in softwood plantations, fire management, stakeholder engagement, policy and regulation will make a valuable addition to the board’s skillset,” Ms Martin said. “Monique has a 30-year career covering policy and regulation development, focused on public land, fire and biodiversity management, community and stakeholder engagement as well as developing and coordinating whole of government emergency management, crisis resilience, public safety regulation in South Australia. “Ruth is a Forestry Australia Fellow and has more than 40 years’ experience in forestry and fire in Australia, with a focus on commercial softwood plantation management in Victoria and was appointed to the European Union funded FIRE-RES research project and The Commonwealth’s Wildfire Resilient Landscapes Network.” Ms Blason said she was honoured to have been asked to join the Forestry Australia Board. “I look forward to contributing to the collective knowledge and leadership of the Board to advocate for sustainable forest management and to support and develop our members,” she said. Ms Ryan said she had a long-time member of Forestry Australia and was proud to be amongst the early cohort of Registered Forestry Professionals. “I have always believed in the sense and purpose of the organisation to promote professionalism and dialogue to ensure wise management of our forests,” she said. “I am excited by the recent revitalisation of the organisation and look forward to growing Forestry Australia’s future.” Forestry Australia has also announced the appointment of Emily Post as an additional Board Observer. Ms Martin said the Board Observer position provides a broader point of view and diversity at Board meetings, as well as facilitating pathways for younger members with an interest gaining executive level experience and developing their leadership and governance skills. “We look forward to incorporating and capitalising on Monique, Ruth and Emily’s contribution as we work to increase recognition of the value of sustainable forestry in modern Australian society,” Ms Martin said. Ms Post said that Forestry Australia and the broader forestry community had shown her unwavering support throughout the formative years of her career. “I am humbled and delighted to have been offered an opportunity to contribute to the continued success of Forestry Australia and the professionals it represents,” she said.

The NSW Forestry Corporation will no longer be required to search for endangered greater gliders and their den trees in known habitat areas, under changes to NSW Environment Protection Authority protocols. Source: Timberbiz Instead, loggers will be compelled to protect 14 trees with hollows in them per hectare of forest, an increase from eight under previous rules, in a change the EPA chief executive Tony Chappel said would more effectively protect the animal. He said conducting surveys of the shy nocturnal animal in the past had proven difficult and unreliable. “We have found these surveys to be challenging to adequately capture the location and extent of these den trees,” Mr Chappel said. “So, informed by the scientific literature on gliders, we’ve made a move through this protocol change to protecting what are called hollow bearing trees, which are the most critical element of habitat for the glider.” Environment groups and the Greens have criticised the changes, saying they will lead to the deaths of more gliders, which were once common in Australia’s east coast forests but are now classified as endangered. Mr Chappel said the change was a significant step-forward in the long-term protection of gliders as well as other native animals reliant on hollow-bearing trees such as possums, owls and parrots. “This change means that instead of depending on unreliable point in time surveys to find the habitat of the gliders, we will assume the species is present and conserve their habitat,” Mr Chappel said. “This ensures the critical habitats of some of our most endangered and much-loved native animals are protected. “We have reviewed extensive research, sought expert views and believe this change strikes the right balance, resulting in significant ecological and regulatory improvement to the current arrangements. “We have also consulted FCNSW to ensure any potential timber supply impacts are known and managed. “If non-compliances with these new conditions are found, the EPA will not hesitate to take appropriate regulatory action to ensure greater gliders are being protected in forestry operations.” The new CIFOA requirements include: A 50-metre exclusion zone around known recorded locations of greater glider dens. Protection of extra greater glider trees in addition to existing hollow bearing and giant tree requirements: Six trees per hectare greater than 80cm in diameter in high greater glider density areas, in addition to the eight hollow bearing trees currently required to be protected. Four trees per hectare greater than 50cm in diameter in lower density areas, in addition to the eight hollow bearing trees currently required to be protected. The retention of additional hollows and future hollow-bearing trees in areas where greater gliders are less likely to occur. Greater glider trees must prioritise hollows (especially ones with evidence of use) where they exist. Undertaking of a monitoring program to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of these new rules for greater gliders.

Metcash’s move to buy three businesses for a combined $560 million is a long-term play aimed at bolstering the ASX-listed company’s operations across food distribution and hardware, chief executive Doug Jones said. Sources: Brisbane Times, Timberbiz The operator of retailers including IGA, Mitre 10 and Cellarbrations suspended trading in its shares on Monday to announce the acquisition of foodservice distribution business Superior Food Group, Bianco Construction Supplies and framing and truss operator Alpine Truss. The purchases will be funded through a $300 million capital raising and up to $278 million from existing cash and debt. The $82.2 million acquisition of Bianco Construction Supplies and the $64 million purchase of Alpine Truss will bolster Metcash’s hardware portfolio, which consists of Mitre 10, Home Timber & Hardware, and Total Tools. Making up 42% of total earnings, its hardware portfolio has become a growth and profit driver for Metcash. Bianco and Alpine “align completely” and are “highly complementary” to Metcash’s broader hardware strategy, the company stated in a presentation deck to investors, pointing to broader customer offerings, higher market share and greater network expansion. Acquisition rationale Supports IHG’s ‘Whole of House’ growth strategy Expanding Frame & Truss (F&T) operations into Victoria and in South Australia/Northern Territory adding a large trade operation with a strong focus on foundation stage of a house Accelerates IHG’s network expansion Increases market share in the attractive trade hardware category, through the addition of one Alpine Truss location and 10 Bianco locations. Alpine Frame & Truss is one of Australia’s largest Frame & Truss operations, operating since 2002 and located in Wangaratta, Victoria. It is a well-equipped, well-run operation with a long history of capital investment and services small to large volume builders across Victoria and Southern New South Wales. George Prothero will remain as managing director of Alpine Frame & Truss. Bunnings, which is owned by Wesfarmers, has more than 50% of the total market share of the Australian hardware and DIY market and has been active in gaining a better foothold in the frame and truss market.