Forest Products Industry

Inter IKEA Group has signed an agreement to acquire its first set of forestlands in Latvia. This acquisition will allow IKEA to govern a part of its wood supply in the Baltics and contribute to the development of new methods for responsible forest management within the IKEA value chain. Source: Timberbiz The seller is Skogsfond Baltikum AB (publ). The acquisition is expected to be closed in December 2024. “With this investment, we further strengthen our commitment to responsible forest management and securing responsibly managed raw material sources for our supply chain. By managing our forestland, we are committed to ensuring that our operations foster a positive contribution to the environment and local economies, in close collaboration with local businesses and communities,” says Bruno Mariani Piana, Global Forest Investments Manager at Inter IKEA Group. The land, approximately 8,080 hectares in size, is situated in various parts of Latvia. The acquisition will enable regional suppliers and sub-suppliers to have long-term access to responsibly sourced wood materials, which will provide better opportunities for future growth. Additionally, the acquisition provides an opportunity to explore how innovative forest management practices can enhance climate resilience and biodiversity. Partnering with local communities, businesses, academia, authorities, and NGOs to make responsible forest management the global norm is a crucial part of the IKEA Forest Agenda. IKEA is collaborating with researchers and NGOs to establish a pilot project involving our own forestland. “Owning forestland gives us great opportunities to drive projects promoting responsible forest management such as climate- and biodiversity-smart forestry. This is a part of our commitment to invest in further development of responsible forest management. It will enable us to explore and demonstrate innovative forest management practices in the coming years,” says Mikhail Tarasov, Global Head of Forestry at Inter IKEA Group. For all wood used in the IKEA supply chain, Inter IKEA Group will apply strict requirements to secure responsible forest management practices on the acquired land, ensuring that the forest management is FSC-certified and complies with IWAY standards, the IKEA supplier code of conduct. FSC certification ensures that forest management practises will not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation and will be based on a balance of economic, social, and environmental interests, including the identification of areas of high conservation value where forest management should be limited or restricted.

It has been reported that Ziegler sawmilling group, a part of one of Europe’s largest wood companies has filed for insolvency, it is ranked at the 10th largest sawmill group in Europe with the largest sawmill in Germany. However, none of Ziegler’s subsidiaries have filed for bankruptcy. Source: Timberbiz German media OberpflazECHO reported the insolvency. The company’s annual report in 2022 showed that it had debts of Euro 326 million. Over the past few years, it has led a push into production expansion. But due to a drop in demand from the construction sector and problems with supply chains it has struggled to meet its debts. The Zeighler Group has more than 3000 employees in Germany, Sweden and Romania.

In a world increasingly defined by its environmental challenges, a gathering of experts at the Climate Conference in Baku (COP 29) shed light on the intricate dance between regulation and sustainability. Source: Timberbiz The side event, titled “Regulation and Beyond Opportunities & Challenges,” brought together leading voices in forestry and environmental policy to explore how regulations like the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are shaping the future of our planet. Moderated by Sara Bray, Senior Policy Manager at the Australian Forest Products Association, the event featured insightful contributions from Françoise Van de Ven, President of ATIBT; Jennifer Conje, Director of the Division of Forest Management at ITTO; and Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International. Françoise Van de Ven opened the discussion by addressing the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), highlighting its recent postponement and the ambiguities surrounding its amendments. She emphasized that while certified companies were prepared for the EUDR, the lack of readiness among customs and information systems posed significant challenges. Françoise also pointed out the potential adverse effects of additional EU-imposed criteria on imports, which could undermine local economies and sustainable practices. Jennifer Conje highlighted that regulations drive change within business supply chains, citing the impacts of the EU Timber Regulation and the Lacey Act. However, she stressed the importance of creating regulations that are sustainable and balanced across environmental, economic, and social goals. Ms Conje emphasized the critical role of sustainable forestry and certification in maintaining economic value and supporting local livelihoods, especially in regions where forests are integral to the community’s survival. Thorsten Arndt highlighted that PEFC simplifies complex EUDR requirements by translating them into clear, understandable steps, using the familiar language of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard. He emphasized that PEFC certification is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about fostering a culture of sustainability that benefits both the environment and local communities. By setting high standards and ensuring rigorous compliance through independent audits, PEFC helps forest owners and managers implement best practices that go beyond mere legal compliance. This approach ensures that forests are managed responsibly, preserving biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on them. Mr Thorsten highlighted that PEFC’s comprehensive certification system addresses not only deforestation but also the broader social and economic impacts of forestry. This holistic approach makes PEFC a vital partner in achieving sustainable development goals and combating climate change. Moderator Ms Bray set the stage by acknowledging the complexity of achieving biodiversity, carbon, and equity outcomes through regulation. She noted, “Governments are grappling with how to achieve these goals, often looking to regulation at various levels – international, federal, state, and local. Unfortunately, these regulations don’t always knit together seamlessly.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the discussion, emphasizing the need for cohesive and well-coordinated policies. The panelists collectively emphasized the need for nuanced and well-implemented policies that involve local stakeholders. They argued that regulations should not only aim to prevent negative outcomes but also promote positive environmental and social impacts. The discussion highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the role of certification in bridging the gap between regulatory frameworks and practical implementation. The event concluded with a call for ongoing dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, businesses, and certification systems. The panelists expressed hope that the insights shared would inform future regulatory developments, ensuring that environmental regulations achieve their intended goals without unintended negative consequences. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and deforestation, events like “Regulation and Beyond” play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future. The insights and recommendations from this discussion underscore the importance of thoughtful, inclusive, and effective environmental governance.  

New research measuring access to nature for eight major global cities, including central Melbourne and Sydney, found most have inadequate canopy cover despite access to an abundance of trees. Source: Timberbiz Just 3% of buildings in Melbourne’s innermost suburbs had adequate neighbourhood canopy cover, despite 44% of them having views of at least three trees. Central Sydney fared better, although only 17% of city buildings were shaded enough despite 84% having views of at least three trees. Lead researcher Dr Thami Croeser said better canopy cover was urgently needed to cool down our cities. “We know depression, anxiety, obesity and heatstroke are more prevalent in urban areas lacking access to shady tree canopy and green open spaces,” said Dr Croeser, from the Centre for Urban Research. The study, published in Nature Communications, looked at over 2.5 million buildings across eight cities using an emerging sustainable cities measure, known as the ‘3-30-300′ rule. The rule states every house, school and workplace should have a view of at least three trees, be in a neighbourhood with at least 30% canopy cover, and be within 300 metres of a park. While most buildings across the eight cities had views of at least three trees, the study found almost all cities fell short on the 30% canopy cover test. Only Seattle and Singapore passed the 30% canopy benchmark, with 45% and 75% of buildings in these cities enjoying adequate shade, respectively. Dr Croeser said trees can give poor canopy cover if they are planted in conditions that stunt their growth, such as asphalt covering roots and reducing access to rainwater. “Too often, we put trees last in our streetscapes. We plant them in very tough conditions, and then the moment there’s a conflict, they’re out. Whether it’s for construction access, a resident complaining or an underground cable, we’re very quick to remove street trees and replace them with saplings. “Trees in urban environments are also pruned very heavily, so not many trees get the opportunity to grow into big old canopy trees except in a few lucky areas.” Dr Croeser said canopy cover doesn’t just increase cooling; it can also reduce flood risk as well as benefit mental and physical health and support urban biodiversity. “Studies say we actually need at least 40% canopy cover to substantially lower daytime air temperatures, so the ‘30’ metric is the bare minimum; most buildings we studied don’t even reach that goal,” he said. Dr Croeser said he would like to see state and federal government take charge of a canopy taskforce to retrofit streets to prioritise canopy cover. “Councils are already strapped for funding and resources, so we need government to step in to fund and fast track the process to make an impact on canopy goals,” he said. While the ‘3-30-300′ rule, devised by Dutch urban forestry expert Professor Cecil Konijnendijk, is still relatively new in Australia, it is gaining momentum internationally, with at least six cities in Europe, the US and Canada implementing the measure in their urban forestry strategies. Mr Konijnendijk said he devised the benchmark to help set a ‘bare minimum’ for nature in cities. “Getting more parks and trees into cities is complicated work, and I realised that a simple metric could take the mystery out of it and set a proper benchmark based on evidence,” he said. “I reviewed decades of science linking nature to human health – and found that views to nature, canopy cover and parks are all really essential if we want to be mentally healthy, physically active and safe from heatwave impacts.” Technical University of Munich Professor Wolfgang Weisser said metrics benchmarking neighbourhoods’ green infrastructure against human wellbeing were rare. “Some of the metrics we use now are not really sufficient whereas the ‘3-30-300′ metric really demands that nature is brought to the areas that people actually live and work in,” Mr Weisser said. “A municipality with almost treeless streets and a few large, well-forested parks may score well on aggregated metrics of canopy and per-capita greenery but will be exposed as inadequate by the highly local ‘3’ and ‘30’ requirements.” The researchers collaborated with Dutch firm Cobra Groeninzicht (Green Insights) to visualise the results. “With the techniques our team has developed, we can calculate the ‘3-30-300’ benchmark for any city in the world,” said Dirk Voets, Senior Advisor Geospatial at Cobra Groeninzicht.  

Situated on the outskirts of New Plymouth in New Zealand on 60ha of farmland, there is a school that serves as an inspiration, challenging not only the country’s educational norms but showcasing the possibilities of design and construction using wood. This was recognised when the school’s newest structure, the Kina, received the top accolade at the Timber Design Awards. Source: Timberbiz What was merely a paddock in 2018 has been transformed into a place of deep learning. Three Waka, or pod-like classrooms, were the first structures to be built, designed to be sustainable and blend harmoniously with the natural environment. One Waka is New Zealand’s largest and tallest zero-concrete building constructed using wood and minimal steel. Yet, it’s the school’s latest addition, the Kina, that has proven to be the groundbreaking benchmark for learning facilities of the future. Honoured with the Supreme Award at Timber Unlimited’s Timber Design Awards in November last year, the Kina represents a biophilic-inspired building comprising classrooms and communal spaces crafted to enhance cognitive function and emotional wellbeing. Founded by long-time entrepreneurs Michael and Rachel Perrett, Green School New Zealand is part of a global education movement beginning in Bali in 2008. Schools have since opened in South Africa and soon, Tulum, Mexico. By blending traditional principles with a holistic, child-led approach, the schools foster green leaders equipped for real-life challenges through community-integrated learning and sustainability practices. Describing Green School as their passion project, the Perretts aim to revolutionise education by providing an alternative that speaks to the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s leaders. “Education often feels outdated, industrialised, or simply ineffective,” Michael Perrett said. “We believe there is a better way, one that places children at the centre and breaks free from outdated norms. With the rapidly changing demands of the world, we’re left in a new era with an old playbook.” New Plymouth architects, BOON, were enlisted for their expertise after successfully collaborating on the original Waka classrooms. Glenn Brebner, BOON’s managing director, emphasises their mission to invoke curiosity and infuse beauty into the campus, showcasing a commitment to children’s learning environments. “This deliberate aesthetic consideration contrasts sharply with traditional classroom designs,” he says. Judges of the Supreme Award were quick to remark on the school’s allure. “This project quickly bubbled to the top as an exemplary project that set an example of the beauty, efficiency and sustainability that can be achieved using timber,” one judge noted. “The full life cycle of the building was considered during the design process with the result being a series of stunning organic forms that sit lightly upon the landscape and wrap around the young minds who are occupying the learning spaces.” Laminated timber curves and perforated interiors create a stunning focal point. Green School dismantles the confines of conventional education, replacing concrete walls and boxed windows with sprawling acres of land and structures that surrender to the environment. Its design not only connects visually and sensually with the natural surroundings, aligning with the school’s curriculum, but also cultivates a deep physical and emotional connection between he tangata and whenua. The Kina’s main feature is its 24 eyebrow-shaped structures arranged in a circular form looking out towards views of the maunga, awa, and the school’s existing buildings. Built mainly using timber, an absolute minimum of concrete has been used – reserved only for the four atrium foundations, all others are timber driven piles. The floor structure is parallel laminated timber (PLT) panel, joinery is Accoya timber, decking is New Zealand beech and macrocarpa weatherboards are used on the external walls. From conceptualisation of the waka classrooms, it was clear to us that timber would serve as our primary building material,” “Its distinguished profile, renewable nature, capacity to sequester carbon, and local availability were all key factors in our decision-making process,” said Michael Perrett. “Wood also provided BOON the opportunity to embrace the form and patterns associated with kina. By wrapping laminated timber along the curves, they created a perforated interior lining, resulting in a captivating kina spot design. “This feature is not only widely complimented but also serves as an acoustic blanket, welcoming our school’s new entrants.” Rachel Perrett says timber has biophilic advantages – resulting in a connection with nature – and an ability to promote wellbeing while enhancing the natural warmth and beauty of spaces. “Incorporating biophilic principles into the design is more than just mimicking nature; it’s about integrating biology into architecture intentionally. Rather than merely emulating natural systems, there’s a deliberate effort to reference and incorporate biological elements. While this presented its own challenges, it’s crucial for creating environments that prioritise beauty, nature, and innovation,” she said. The project used Building Information Modelling to communicate complex 3D form to engineers and structural timber fabricators, reducing the amount of waste from materials being cut and measured onsite; a significant portion was pre-fabricated off site and assembled in situ. Mr Brebner says engineered timber offers previously unattainable levels of accuracy. “It allows for the creation of shapes that were once out of reach. “Much of the timber industry has historically relied on covering up the approximations inherent in traditional wood products. However, engineered timber is consistently precise, resulting in a final product that seamlessly combines technical accuracy with aesthetic beauty,” he said. Technology contributed to the school diverting 70% of all construction waste from the landfill. In doing so, they influenced many of their suppliers to prioritise sustainability, including a century-old construction company. A second judge commended the project’s use of innovation and technology: “The combination of timber and engineered wood products makes the most of locally available resources and cutting-edge manufacturing methods which also allow for meaningful textures to be included with the complex curves and structural rhythms. “This project sets a high standard for what can be achieved using timber sourced and fabricated within Aotearoa New Zealand and is something we can all look to for inspiration for a sustainable future.” Robert Finch, whose visionary leadership at Timber Unlimited has spearheaded transformative changes over […]

Since its establishment in 1994, Mechanised Logging Pty Ltd (MechLog), has grown to become one of Australia’s most forward-thinking and sustainable timber harvesting service providers. Source: Timberbiz With an enduring commitment to environmental stewardship and operational efficiency, MechLog has continually set benchmarks in adopting new technology, transforming the timber industry into a more modern and sustainable enterprise. This philosophy, cantered on ‘Forestry with Care,’ serves as a guiding principle for harvesting operations as well as influencing the company’s communication strategies and stakeholder engagement. MechLog CEO, Jillian Aylett Brown, is acutely aware of the importance of effective communication and the role it plays in strengthening trust with stakeholders. This includes how the company interacts with clients, suppliers, employees, the wider forestry community, and the general public. “We are living and working in an information age where information consumption increasingly occurs through digital means. As we have in all areas of our business from training through to actual on-the-ground operations, MechLog has adopted a proactive approach to information gathering and dissemination,” Ms Aylett Brown said. “We subscribe to industry platforms and digital newsletters, actively engage with social media networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and make extensive use of the MechLog website. “We even leverage advanced tools such as ChatGPT for research purposes. MechLog’s commitment to staying informed, being innovative, and adopting positions that vary from other timber industry thought leaders, is one of the foundations of our success.” To remain agile and responsive in the ever-evolving forestry industry, MechLog relies on a strategic combination of traditional and digital information sources. “Employees are encouraged to access information from established forestry and environmental platforms, while the company itself subscribes to digital newsletters to keep abreast of the latest trends and challenges. Ms Aylett Brown, even commented that the company’s leadership team, highly values data-driven insights sourced from platforms such as LinkedIn, because they facilitate professional engagement and industry discourse. “Staying informed is more than convenience, for MechLog it is a strategic imperative. Our reliance on multiple information sources ensures that we remain leaders, not followers, in the forestry sector,” she said.  

Exports of Engineered Wood Products (EWPs) from major Asia surged 58% year-ended August 2024, totalling USDFob243 million, according to new analysis from IndustryEdge. Source: IndustryEdge The big lift in EWP exports was led by China, whose trade leaped 142% compared with the prior year. Indonesia exported the second highest value of EWPs for the year, shifted from first place by the stellar lift in Chinese exports. In this short analysis, we provide an overview of the exports from these leading Asian nations. The chart and table below provide headline export details. Much attention will be paid to China’s lift in exports – more on that later – while others will be surprised by the continued strength of Indonesian exports. Major Asia – Total EWP Exports by Country: Jan ’22[i] – Aug ’24 (USDM) Beyond the headline analysis, the detailed data, which covers exports and imports consistently for the major countries, has plenty more to offer. Some will be surprised, but it is GLT not LVL that rules Asia’s GLT exports. As the chart and table below demonstrate, of all the EWPs, the consistent powerhouse is GLT, which accounted for 53% of total regional exports year-ended August 2024. GLT exports were valued at around USD129 million for the year, on a free-on-board basis. Major Asia – Total EWP Exports by Type: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USDM) Despite the dominance of GLT, the real story of this data lies in the explosive growth in LVL – Hardwood (at least one outer ply must be hardwood). Growth in exports over the last year was astounding, commencing July 2023, and subsequently maintaining strength. Asia’s Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) exports are dominated by shipments from Indonesia. Valued at USDFob86.5 million year-ended August 2024, Indonesia’s GLT shipments were to a range of countries, including Australia. To emphasise the power of the datasets available, in the table below, we specify the volume or quantity of exports, rather than the export values (measured in tonnes and no, before you ask, there is no density information available!). As the table demonstrates, other than Asia, Indonesia supplies go far and wide, dominated by shipments to the Netherlands. Indonesia – GLT Exports by Main Country: YE Aug ’23 v YE Aug ’24 (Tonnes & %) There is reasonable excitement about GLT in Australia right now, as an option for local manufacturing that offers some seriously high value. The chart and table below give some clues about that, with Indonesia’s weighted average export price in August 2024 near its peak at USDFob2,603/t. However, greatest interest will be in the price points for exports to Australia, which routinely hit USDFob4,000/t, or say AUD6,000/t landed. Industry intelligence tells us the higher-priced products are mainly posts. Indonesia – GLT Exports by Major Country: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USDFob/t) These export prices alone have some excited about the prospects for consistent and reliable supplies of hardwood GLT in Australia. Just two countries export a significant supply of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): China and Indonesia. Year-ended August 2024, China exported LVL valued at USD63.4 million on a free-on-board basis, a 464% increase on the prior year, as the chart below demonstrates. LVL Exports by Major Country: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) The curiosity with this data starts in July 2023, when China’s exports exploded and stayed high. China’s total EWP exports hit USD129 million – mainly hardwood LVL! Over the year-ended August 2024, Chinese exports of EWP’s lifted 142% to USDFob129 million. Exports were dominated by LVL – Hardwood (where at least one outer layer must be hardwood).China – EWP Exports by Type: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) To understand the Chinese export situation better, we also analysed the volume of exports by type, which shows the dominance of LVL – Hardwood and GLT. China – EWP Exports by Type: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) Drilling deeper, here we show China’s LVL – Hardwood exports by country, first by tonnes and second by price. The nearly 500% increase in shipments to Japan over the last year should be of interest from many perspectives and the weighted average price explains how that has been achieved! China – LVL – Hardwood Exports by Country: YE Aug ‘23 – YE Aug ’24 (Tonnes & %) Japan is the largest importer in Asia – main products? GLT and hardwood LVL Finally, we delved into the import data for major Asian countries and could not go past Japan. Though its imports have slowed over the last year or more, they routinely top USD40 million per month and are dominated by GLT and LVL – Hardwood, as the previous data implied would be the case. However, countries of supply are a different matter. China is obviously part of the mix and appears to be delivering the majority of the hardwood EWP supply to Japan, supported by Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam. Interestingly, the regional GLT powerhouse, Indonesia, struggles in the Japanese market. On the (mainly) softwood side, Austria, Finland, Estonia, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia and Sweden all have solid positions in Japan. Japan – EWP Imports by Type: YE Aug ’23 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) As demand for wood fibre tightens around the world, improved recovery to finished products is being pursued with increasing vigour throughout the supply chain. Coupling that pressure with the need to reduce the embodied energy and emissions from products like steel and concrete, IndustryEdge’s view is demand for wood-based building products will grow faster over the next decade than over the last decade. Understanding the major markets and trading locations provides growers, producers, importers, merchants and others with the opportunity to consider their next move in this fast-moving and critical sector. There are many insights to be gleaned from multi-country analysis. One that should be of interest to plantation owners in Australia is the apparent opportunity to manufacture and supply hardwood-based EWPs into some of the highest value markets in the world. In a fibre-scarce world, the most abundant […]

A symposium in Rotorua is bringing together recent research on tropical cyclone ecology, with a special focus on the ecological impacts of last year’s Cyclone Gabrielle. Source: Timberbiz The symposium is part of the 2024 New Zealand Ecological Society Conference, which is on from 25 to 29 November, where experts will speak on a wide variety of topics including Mātauranga Māori and ecology, how biological invasions misshape our world, Aotearoa’s own pekapeka/bats, and many more. The Science Media Centre asked symposium speakers to provide a preview of their talks. “Many impacts of tropical cyclones on ecosystems are immediately obvious, such as the windfall of trees, erosion of hillsides, and deposition of sediment and debris across the landscape. However, cyclones can also have indirect effects on species and ecosystems via their impacts on conservation projects, such as ecosanctuaries,” Warwick Allen, Community Ecologist, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research said. “Ecosanctuaries are conservation projects larger than 25 hectares, where multi-species, pest mammal control is implemented for ecosystem recovery objectives, with substantial community involvement. They are a vital part of the conservation infrastructure of New Zealand, providing a refuge for threatened native biodiversity, a place for the community to connect with nature, and represent a subset of conservation projects throughout the country. “We interviewed representatives from 65 North Island ecosanctuaries about the types of damage and range of impacts that Cyclone Gabrielle had on conservation infrastructure and activities. “Damage from wind (91% of affected ecosanctuaries) and erosion (85%) were widespread, with inundation (47%) and sediment deposition (32%) less prevalent. Impacts on infrastructure (pest-fences, buildings, roads, walking tracks) were most widely reported and often paired with disruption to conservation activities such as pest control, native species monitoring, and restoration plantings. Of particular concern, 40% of pest fences (often called ‘predator-proof fences’) were damaged during the cyclone, with rapid pest incursions detected in most cases. “The cyclone damage may also lead to longer term problems, including the ongoing management of pest incursions, loss of access to management areas, reduced capacity of the conservation workforce, and opportunity costs associated with recovery instead of progress.” Dr Peter Bellingham, Senior Researcher, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research said that tropical cyclones shape the structure, composition, and function of ecosystems in the latitudes where they occur frequently. “At those latitudes, ecosystems from coral reefs to tropical rainforests have adapted to cyclone disturbance and are resilient to them. “New Zealand is outside the zone of frequent cyclone disturbance so that we, as people, are apt to treat the effects of any given cyclone as catastrophic. However, for many New Zealand ecosystems, such as its native forests, these infrequent disturbances are important agents in promoting their regeneration. “However, we can ill afford to be complacent about tropical cyclone effects on our native forests now and in future. Climate change and warmer oceans are taking cyclones of unprecedented intensity to higher latitudes, including New Zealand, where a new cyclone disturbance regime could transform our forests. “The viability of our highly fragmented forests to cyclone disturbance is unknown, especially because of interactions with surrounding land uses that often have poor cyclone resilience. After cyclones, the forests dominated by native trees could be undermined by interactions among nutrient-rich sediment deposits, weed invasions, effects of browsing mammals, and subsequent disturbances like fire and ongoing erosion. “The resilience of native forests to future cyclones could be similarly undermined by logging of snapped and uprooted trees. To predict the effects of a future cyclone disturbance regime on our ecosystems we need to learn from our own history of cyclones, to learn from cyclone studies internationally, and to expect interactive effects with biological invasions and other kinds of disturbance.”  

Dean Anderson has been appointed chairman of the Softwoods Working Group. SWG Executive Officer Carlie Porteous said that Mr Anderson brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the job and has dedicated more than 40 years to the forestry industry across Australia. Source: Timberbiz “Under his leadership, we are confident the SWG will continue to thrive and further its mission of fostering sustainable growth and resilience within the forestry sector. “Dean holds a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) from the Australian National University, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a qualified Incident Controller,” Ms Porteous said. “Throughout his career, Mr Anderson has held senior roles in commercial operations, natural forest management, environmental assessment, and plantation management. His experience is predominantly in New South Wales but includes stints in South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Scotland.” Ms Porteous said Mr Anderson has served as either an Incident Controller or Deputy Incident Controller for multiple state-significant bushfire emergencies. “Notably, he was part of Australia’s first deployment of forest firefighters to North America in 2000. Dean and others were awarded the National Emergency Medal for their contributions during the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires,” she said. “Dean also has a strong background in governance, having served on the board of the Timber Development Association for 15 years, including five years as Chair, promoting timber use and addressing technical aspects of timber construction. “Dean steps into the role following the remarkable 37-year tenure of Peter Crowe OAM, who was recently celebrated for his outstanding contributions.” Ms Porteous said in recognition of his service, Mr Crowe has been honoured with the title of Chair Emeritus of SWG. Mr Anderson said he was privileged to be elected Chair by the members of SWG. “I look forward to working with our diverse membership, which includes representatives from local government, forest product processors, and plantation growers, as well as the wider community. “Together, we will continue to ensure that our region prospers from the softwood plantations that are vital to our economy and environment,” he said. “SWG’s ongoing focus on key priorities will include the protection of softwood plantations from fire; coordinated and effective weed control, especially blackberry; supporting Australia’s forest product needs while addressing climate change and land competition; and advocating for improved infrastructure and showcasing the benefits of softwood plantations.”

The rollout of a new bushfire detection camera network using artificial intelligence (AI) to protect the state’s forest plantations and communities in the South East of South Australia has been completed in time for fire danger season. Industry is now in conversations about trials across other parts of the state. Source: Timberbiz The Pano AI system – introduced for the first time commercially in Australia – aims to improve early fire detection and is part of the State Government’s $2.346 million upgrade of the region’s fire tower network. The program also receives significant support and funding from the state’s forest industries. The network of eight cameras, overseen by the Green Triangle Fire Alliance (GTFA), strengthens extensive fire management and surveillance measures in place across the region, helping to ensure local communities and planation forests are protected. The AI-powered bushfire detection and monitoring system uses ultra-HD 360-degree panoramic cameras, AI, and satellite technology to detect the first signs of fire and assist industry and emergency services’ response to an incident. The network detected 25 unplanned fires in SA during the 2023–24 fire danger season as the cameras were being rolled out, with key incidents detected including the German Flat fire in January and a vehicle arson in Tantanoola in April. The system also provided real time intelligence to aid fire suppression activities. Other measures supporting South Australian communities this fire season include the stationing of a new Blackhawk helicopter at Parafield Airport with more than 30 aircraft in place, as well as the Alert SA app expanding to a multi-hazard platform. The eight camera stations operating across the Limestone Coast contribute to the 15-camera station detection network managed by the forestry industries throughout the wider Green Triangle region into Victoria. A Pano analyst provides first-hand validation of the fire detection, after which notifications are sent to the GTFA and CFS. Incident notification is via an online user interface, Pano360, which includes features like asset and weather map layers to increase situational awareness. Staffed fire towers will continue to operate in the South East to ensure the region’s 130,000 hectares of plantation estate and surrounding community benefit from early fire detection. Analysis of the roll out across the Limestone Coast will be important in considering the AI system’s suitability across other areas of the state.