Forest Products Industry

Detached house approvals across Australia rose by 6.1% in September to 9890, the highest monthly number of detached house approvals in two years. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Bureau of Statistics Thursday released its monthly building approvals data for September 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. “There were 28,970 detached house approvals nationally in the September quarter 2024. This is 4.1% higher than in the previous quarter and 12.9% higher than at the same time in the previous year,” HIA Economist Maurice Tapang said. “It has been a year since the RBA last raised interest rates. Unchanged cash rate settings, supported by strong population growth, low unemployment levels and acute housing shortages, have helped lift consumer sentiment. “The result seen in house approvals data continues to confirm that the market is past its trough, and more buyers are building a new home especially in those markets outside of Sydney,” he said. Detached house approvals in Melbourne were double that of approvals in Sydney, despite the two capital cities having comparatively similar population numbers and inflows. Mr Tapang said that detached house approvals in some areas of Regional NSW had also improved as home buyers in the state search for more affordable opportunities outside the capital city. “The cost of home building materials are growing at a more normal pace, while build times for houses are back to pre-pandemic levels. The price of shovel-ready land, however, remains prohibitively high especially in Sydney,” he said. “Multi-unit approvals rose by 8.5% in the month of September to 4,950. Approvals for multi-units have been bumpy and trending at decade-low levels amid challenges with capacity, labour availability and materials costs. “There were 14,890 multi-unit approvals in the September quarter 2024, which is 10.7% higher than in the previous quarter and 1.2% higher than at the same time in the previous year. “The volume of apartment construction needs to double current approvals numbers in order to achieve the Australian Government’s target of 1.2 million homes over five years,” Mr Tapang said. Detached house approvals in the September quarter 2024 rose by 49.9% in Western Australia compared to the same time in the previous year. This was followed by South Australia (+21.1%), Queensland (+17.8%), and Victoria (+9.3%). The other jurisdictions recorded a decline over the same period, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-20.9%), followed by Tasmania (-19.1%), New South Wales (-5.1%) and the Northern Territory (-1.9%). Muli-unit approvals in the September quarter 2024 rose by 179.1% in Western Australia compared to the previous year. This was followed by Queensland (+39.6%) and South Australia (+0.3%). The Northern Territory recorded no change over the same period, while declines were recorded in the Australian Capital Territory (-75.2%), Tasmania (-10.9%), New South Wales (-8.4%) and Victoria (-4.2%).

The 2025 Forest Carbon Summit will be held at Canberra’s National Press Club in April next year from 10- 11 April 2025 at the National Press Club of Australia in the ACT. Source: Timberbiz This 2-day event is designed to equip forest carbon practitioners, forest managers and a diverse range of stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully navigate the forest carbon landscape. The event aims to provide attendees with an improved understanding of the demand for forest carbon, ethics in the carbon market, and the technical and administrative requirements of forest carbon projects. The program will feature a range of speakers and panellists who are experts, practitioners, researchers and thought leaders in their field. Announcements on confirmed speakers will follow. Some key themes at the Summit include Intersection of carbon and natural capital markets Complexities in existing and emerging forest carbon accounting methods Opportunities in off-market carbon accounting Forest carbon and investment Ethics & risk Agroforestry, agriculture and environmental plantings Local and international best practice Future legislation and reporting requirements The Summit will feature breakout sessions, including ‘Carbon 101’for newcomers, and ‘Plantation project development and the role of the RFP’, essential for Registered Forestry Professionals. The Summit will also feature a social function, to facilitate networking and collaboration in an informal and relaxed environment. For more information visit https://www.forestry.org.au/2025-forest-carbon-summit/  

The first of 100 additional Biosecurity officers will start to hit the front line from December, as part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to strengthen Queensland’s agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors. Source: Timberbiz The officers will play a front-line role in detecting and responding to biosecurity threats, conducting inspections, monitoring activities, and enforcing Queensland’s world-leading biosecurity standards. The Crisafulli Government has set an ambitious target of increasing the state’s agriculture output to $30 billion by 2030, driving future investment, creating jobs, and unlocking opportunities for producers. Research and development will play a key role in driving the industry forward, with a $30 million Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund to promote new technologies and practices. This fund will focus on boosting efficiency and sustainability further across Queensland’s agriculture sector. In a clear demonstration of the commitment to supporting rural and regional Queensland, the Crisafulli Government will make a $12.5 million investment in the Mossman region and reaffirmed a commitment to working with all stakeholders to find a sustainable solution regarding the Mossman Mill. Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett made the revelations in a powerful keynote address at the Rural Press Club today. “Our agriculture, biosecurity, fisheries, and forestry industries are the backbone of this state,” Minister Perrett said. “They employ over 377,000 people, represent 13% of our workforce, and generate billions in export value each year. “We’re committed to making these industries more productive and profitable. “I will always have the back of our rural communities like Mossman. This is our promise – we are here for the people who make Queensland’s agriculture great,” Minister Perrett said.

AgCAREERSTART is a Federal Government program to place young people (17-25) in a gap year in rural industries. Source: Timberbiz AgCAREERSTART is a Federally funded program being delivered by the National Farmers Federation. Two applicants into the program this year have indicated that forestry is a preferred industry for them. One is a high school graduate, the other just graduated from university. Both have indicated a willingness to relocate and are looking for an opportunity to get hands on experience. Participants successfully matched with an employer received a $4,500 training allowance, and employers receive a $2,000 grant Placements cannot start before 1 January 2025, and standard employment processes apply including interview prior to appointment. The program does involve coordinated support for the participants provided by the project team. For more information about AgCAREERSTART visit: https://agcareerstart.com.au/

A recent trip to the Wide Bay-Burnett region saw the team from Canopy, Queensland’s forest and timber industry training and careers hub, lay groundwork for delivering the next generation of forest and timber workers though the Cutting Edge Program, a workforce initiative designed to address skilled labour shortages. Source: Timberbiz A two-week pre-employment training and work placement program, Cutting Edge equips jobseekers with meaningful skills while giving employers the chance to assess potential hires through work experience placements. This program bridges the gap between jobseekers and employers, fostering lasting workforce connections while addressing a critical need within the industry. During the road trip, which included hosting promotion events in Gympie and Maryborough, the team engaged key stakeholders to attract a strong talent pool for the next intake of the program, with Canopy Hub Project Lead Steve Worley noting the particularly strong engagement from local employment agencies recognising the value of the program’s capacity for creating job-ready skills. “Every industry is facing a competitive employment market at the moment, so the trip created a valuable opportunity for raising the profile of roles in the forest and timber sector. It also facilitated crucial connections with organisations uniquely positioned to identify and channel new talent into our industry,” said Mr Worley. “This collaborative approach is setting a benchmark for addressing workforce challenges in a highly competitive labour market.” The trip builds on the program’s proven past successes, which has seen a number of program graduates secure long-term employment within the industry. Andrew Davies from DTM Timber, a host of past cohorts, has found the initiative a valuable opportunity for employers and program participants alike. “It’s ‘try before you buy’, you get to have a good look at your potential employees, and insight from the program trainer into what they’ll be like as an employee, and where their skills and natural abilities will be best suited within your business,” said Mr Davies. “It’s been a worthwhile enterprise – we’ve gotten good people out of it and it’s in our best interests to keep the whole industry strong.” The next round of Cutting Edge will be delivered in early 2025, with local employers in the Gympie and Maryborough regions invited to reach out for more information on participating in this and future rounds. The Canopy Hub initiative is delivered by Timber Queensland with the support of the Workforce Connect Fund, powered by the Queensland Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.

Forestry Corporation firefighters are gearing up for the summer bushfire season in the New South Wales pine plantations. With the onset of warmer conditions solid fuel fire bans have been introduced in key pine growing regions in the Riverina and Central West. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation firefighters are currently preparing for summer with a series of fire camps across the state allowing staff to train and upskill on new and existing fireground equipment and appliances. “As a firefighting authority, Forestry Corporation takes firefighting seriously, we have a commitment to ensure we keep our people, our communities and our estates safe,” Bathurst-based Stewardship and Fire Supervisor Dave Anderson said. “We hold three fire camps each year in different locations across NSW to train new staff towards their initial certification and to advance our current staff,” he said. Fire camps are week-long, intensive training sessions that prepare staff and train new staff for the upcoming fire season. A recent fire camp in Wallerawang was attended by more than 40 people and eight staff members who trained, assessed and mentored the team. Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards Rebel Talbert said Forestry Corporation currently has trained firefighters across the state rostered on to respond to state forest fires across NSW. “Our staff are trained in forest firefighting and work really closely with the other agencies to respond to fires when they occur,” Ms Talbert said. Our statewide fleet includes fire appliances, pieces of heavy plant machinery, contracted aircraft and over a hundred drones and trained pilots,” Ms Talbert said. “Our fleet of fire tankers and light vehicles fitted with fire-fighting gear and heavy plant like bulldozers, which is used in forest operations in state forests, are also made available by the broader forest industry to fight fires in NSW.” Currently a major multi-year program is underway to upgrade Forestry Corporation’s firefighting fleet and improve safety for our firefighters. In response to a recommendation of the Independent Bushfire Inquiry, burn-over Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) protection systems are being retrofitted to all existing light firefighting fleet and installed standard on new vehicles. In addition, new fire tankers are being purchased to replace ageing vehicles. “As a statutory firefighting authority managing two million hectares of land and supporting community firefighting efforts across the landscape, it is vital that we maintain safe and efficient fleet and equipment and investments in our fleet will further enhance efforts made in recent years to improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of our fleet,” Ms Talbert said. To find out more about Forestry Corporation firefighting visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au