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The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has appointed Drew Freeman as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Freeman has had executive leadership experience across several of Tasmania’s key industries, including retail, transport, logistics and forestry. Source: Timberbiz Most recently, Mr Freeman served as Chief Executive Officer of Tasmanian Independent Retailers, where he led statewide advocacy, policy engagement and industry representation on behalf of more than 150 retailers. TFPA Independent Chair Sarah Courtney said that Mr Freeman brings a wealth of experience in political engagement, policy development, stakeholder management, leadership and industry advocacy. “Drew is an experienced senior executive, industry advocate and regional leader with more than 25 years’ experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder organisations across Tasmania,” she said. “He has an unwavering commitment to evidence-based advocacy and long-term industry sustainability, together with a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.” Ms Courtney said Mr Freman’s previous senior roles within the forestry sector provided him with a strong understanding of the forestry value chain, market dynamics and regulatory environment. “Drew has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build trusted relationships with government, industry, regional communities and peak bodies,” she said. “His experience and leadership make him exceptionally well placed to lead TFPA into its next chapter.” Mr Freeman will start with TFPA on 27 July, working alongside outgoing CEO Nick Steel during a planned one-month transition period. Mr Steel, who announced earlier this year he intended to leave TFPA, will finish his tenure with TFPA on 21 August, following a structured handover that will ensure continuity for members, stakeholders and the organisation. Ms Courtney thanked Mr Steel for his outstanding leadership and significant contribution to the Association. “Nick has played a pivotal role in strengthening TFPA’s position as the trusted voice of Tasmania’s forest industry,” she said. “Under his leadership, the Association has built strong relationships across government, industry and the broader community, creating a solid foundation for the future. We sincerely thank Nick for his dedication and wish him every success in his next chapter.” Mr Freeman said he was excited to return to the forestry sector and work alongside TFPA’s members. “I am looking forward to once again working across the forest industry alongside our members and the Tasmanian businesses and communities connected to it,” he said. “With the ever-increasing demand for sustainable, high-quality Tasmanian timber, I am committed to uniting the full forestry value chain as the industry continues to evolve and advance towards a bright and sustainable future.” Mr Freeman said he was committed to building on the strong legacy established by Mr Steel. “Nick has done a tremendous job developing deep and trusted relationships across industry, government and the community. I look forward to building on that work by continuing to strengthen member representation, enhancing collaboration with State and Federal Governments, and helping our members navigate the significant regulatory changes facing the sector,” he said.

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Low-carbon liquid fuels company HAMR Energy, which is planning to turn Green Triangle forestry residues into jet fuel, has received a $32 million investment boost from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Source: Timberbiz Under the scheme residue from plantation forestry residues in the Green Triangle will be turned into green methanol in Portland. The green methanol will then be processed into sustainable aviation fuel at a facility in Gillman in Adelaide. It plans to process 300,000 tons of biomass per year from the Green Triangle to produce 200,000 tonnes of green methanol per year. The methanol would be then shipped to Melbourne and bunkered at the Port of Melbourne for use as fuel by the international shipping industry. OneFortyOne and HAMR Energy have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the supply of sustainable biomass. ARENA’s funding is in two stages, with $12.5 million available for the early Front End Engineering Design phase, and a further $19.5 million subject to HAMR Energy securing the necessary co-funding to commence the detailed design phase. Liquid fuels make up around half of Australia’s national energy use, and replacing these fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives can deliver a significant climate and economic opportunity. Sustainable aviation fuel is one of the best ways of reducing emissions from aviation, particularly on long-haul flights where alternatives are limited. Crucially, this volume of SAF could displace approximately 140 million litres of fossil fuels, abate around 390,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per annum and also facilitate approximately 4.5 million economy passenger trips between Adelaide and Melbourne each year. Feasibility work has been completed and HAMR Energy is progressing into Front-End Engineering Design and further development activities across the supply chain. ARENA will provide $12.5 million for the initial phase, with a further $19.5 million to support detailed FEED once HAMR has secured required project co-funding. HAMR Energy expects to create hundreds of construction jobs and more than 200 ongoing roles, while supporting new opportunities across plantation forestry, renewable energy, engineering, manufacturing and regional supply chains. HAMR Energy estimates that SAF produced from plantation forestry residues through its projects could reduce emissions by approximately 85 per cent compared with fossil fuels, offering some of the best carbon abatement of any feedstock. “This funding is a significant milestone in Australia building globally competitive domestic SAF industry,” HAMR Energy’s Co-founder, David Stribley, said. “Our projects bring together plantation forestry residues from the Green Triangle, Australian renewable energy and hydrogen, and proven methanol and refining technologies to produce lower-emissions aviation fuel at commercial scale. “The projects have the potential to strengthen Australia’s fuel security, reduce aviation emissions and create skilled jobs across construction, engineering, manufacturing and regional supply chains,” he said “We thank ARENA and the Australian Government for supporting the next stage of engineering and development work required to bring this nationally significant and strategically critical project closer to delivery.” SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said many were familiar with the substantial investments the state government had made in the Green Triangle and across the South East to ensure “every last ounce” of fibre produced was used productively and efficiently. “Taking that bio mass and turning it into sustainable aviation fuel represents one of the front end peak opportunities that we have to see yet more economic value added not just in regional South Australia but across the state more broadly using our incredible renewable energy resource,” Mr Malinauskas said. “This is using our fibre from the South East, trees being grown in and around Mount Gambier combining with our renewable energy to produce sustainable aviation fuel here in South Australia fuelling long-term jobs and a better outcome for our environment so it ticks every box. “The idea that a pine tree in Mount Gambier can be transformed into jet fuel to power planes is amazing.” He said Australia could not afford to rely indefinitely on imported liquid fuels with developing sovereign and sustainable aviation fuel production about “building greater national resilience” while also supporting the aviation industry and ensuring more of the “economic benefits” from the energy transition which would be created here at home. Federal minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said Australia’s foresters have always been innovators. “That is why our government is backing new opportunities through significant investments in low-carbon liquid fuel,” Ms Collins said. “This will mean more opportunities taking flight for our proud forestry industry, backing jobs in regional communities. “Producing more low-carbon liquid fuels right here in Australia doesn’t just benefit our fuel security and emissions reduction, it supports Australian foresters and our regions.”

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Portland looks set to be home to Australia’s first Blue Gum glue-laminated timber. Grown in sustainable plantations across the Portland region, Blue Gum is currently processed into woodchips for wood pulp and paper markets internationally. Source: Timberbiz The Future Portland Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub feasibility study shows that Blue Gum could be used in-higher value construction products. Portland could create up to 74 full-time ongoing jobs and 150 construction jobs through this type of timber. Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora on Thursday announced the completion of the Future Portland Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub feasibility study and the Future Portland dashboard. This was made possible by more than $500,000 from the Portland Diversification Fund. The findings will help the next stage of Portland’s Precinct development, backed by $1.75 million from the Victorian State Government, as well as funding from the Federal Labor Government. Glenelg Shire Council Mayor Karen Stephens said the completion of the Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub Feasibility Study, alongside Council’s Future Portland Project, demonstrated a proactive approach to understanding and preparing for future opportunities across Glenelg Shire. Portland is at the heart of the Green Triangle – Australia’s largest sustainable plantation forestry region, which stretches across the Victoria South Australia border. The new study will explore what could become Australia’s largest plantation hardwood and softwood processing precinct, with a hardwood peeling trial already underway. More than $50 billion has been delivered through the Allan Labor Government over the past decade to make our regions even better places to live, work, visit and study. Precinct Chair Russ Hughes said the project represented a “once-in-a-genera on opportunity for regional Victoria”. “This feasibility study demonstrates that the Green Triangle has a high-quality planta on resource available, industry capability and strategic location to become a leading centre for engineered timber manufacturing,” he said “Phase one of The Precinct has built a compelling investment case that creates greater value from our sustainably grown hardwood planta on resource while delivering long-term economic and manufacturing benefits for Victoria, and indeed the nation.” The project builds on more than five years of research managed by the GTFIH and supported by the Federal Government, focused on deriving more local value from traditionally exported wood fibre resources, both softwood and hardwood. Mr Hughes said the Victorian Government’s commitment had been instrumental in progressing the project from concept to investment readiness. “The Victorian Government has been a key partner throughout this journey, helping transform an ambitious idea into an investment-ready project that strengthens regional manufacturing, creating skilled local jobs for future generations,” Mr Hughes said. The next stage of The Precinct – supported by major Australian industry partners, funding from Australian Forest & Wood Innovations and additional funding support from the Victorian Government – will focus on the development of Laminated Veneer Lumber product, with production trials due to begin in August. Work is also ongoing to attract investment and advance detailed development planning for the site. “Portland has everything needed to become a major hub for advanced timber manufacturing – a skilled workforce, a strong forestry industry and a community ready to grow,” Regional Development and Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle said. “Victoria’s plantation forestry industry has enormous potential, and this study is an important step towards unlocking new markets for locally grown timber and creating jobs.” Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub Independent Chair Dr Ruth Schubert said the completion of the Advanced Timber Manufacturing Hub Feasibility Study was an important milestone for both the Green Triangle and its communities.

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The New Zealand Government’s recent “Domestic Cement Production Secured” media announcement highlighted their view on the strategic importance of maintaining New Zealand’s domestic cement manufacturing capability. In explaining its decision to support Golden Bay Cement, the Government stated within the release that “Cement has no practical substitutes” and is needed for the construction of homes, hospitals, schools, roads, and other nationally significant infrastructure. Govt Press Release – Domestic Cement Production Secured While cement undoubtedly remains an important construction material, the assertion that it has no practical substitutes does not reflect the growing role of mass timber, lumber, and engineered wood products in modern construction. Across New Zealand and internationally, mass timber technologies such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam), and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are increasingly being used as viable alternatives to concrete and steel in a wide range of building types. Homes, schools, healthcare facilities, offices, and multi-storey commercial buildings are already being successfully delivered in New Zealand using locally manufactured timber-based structural systems. Importantly, the very building categories cited in the Government’s announcement – homes, hospitals, and schools are among those where timber solutions are proving particularly effective within New Zealand. Timber construction offers faster build times, reduced embodied carbon, lower building weight, and strong seismic performance, while also supporting domestic wood manufacturing, the economy and regional employment. Roads, foundations, and many infrastructure projects will continue to require concrete and cement. However, it is equally important for this Government to recognise that for many building projects, timber and wood products are already a proven and practical substitute. The continued growth of mass timber demonstrates that innovation is expanding the range of options available to designers, builders, and building owners and that, in many cases, there are practical alternatives to cement already in use today. Our message to the Government is simple. When it comes to building homes, hospitals, schools, and multi-storey buildings, there is a practical, proven, and readily available alternative to construction materials such as concrete and cement. That alternative is New Zealand grown, harvested, and manufactured wood products. Supporting wood in construction is not about picking winners. It is about making the most of one of our country’s most important renewable resources, supporting our regions, and retaining hundreds of millions of dollars in additional economic value within New Zealand. WMPA – Wood Manufacturers and Processors Association New Zealand

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