Forest Products Industry

An official report into the collapse of a 10-year-old mass-timber bridge in Norway in August 2022 has criticised the structure’s design and construction. Source: Dezeen Two drivers had to be rescued after the Tretten Bridge, over the Gudbrandsdalslågen river in the Øyer area of southern Norway, gave way as a heavy goods vehicle was crossing. Completed in only 2012, the glulam-and-steel truss bridge was designed by Norwegian architecture studio Plan Arkitekter and engineering firm Norconsult for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA). A recent report by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) was critical of parties involved in the bridge’s construction and management. “The investigation has shown that inadequate caution was exercised in the planning, design, inspection and approval of Tretten Bridge, with respect to the risk factors linked to its unconventional design,” the report said. “A short construction period, span lengths and reuse of existing foundation were framework conditions for the planning of the bridge,” it continued. “These framework conditions, combined with the choice of material and a strong focus on aesthetics, contributed to the structure not being robust.” An earlier report concluded that the bridge most likely collapsed as a result of block shear failure – a type of fracture – in one of its timber diagonal members that had become weak over time. Tretten Bridge was designed while building regulations in Norway were in transition from a national system to European codes. Provisions for this transitional period enabled the project to follow the older national standards, which unlike the Eurocodes did not account for block shear failure. “In retrospect, all the involved parties can be criticised for selecting and accepting regulations that proved to have a serious shortcoming (block shear failure),” the NSIA said. The report also dealt with investigations of Tretten Bridge carried out after the collapse of the similarly constructed Perkolo Bridge in 2016. It found that despite “serious faults” being identified at Tretten Bridge around that time, little action was taken by the Norwegian road’s authority. “This represents a system failure in the NPRA, reflecting a lack of knowledge about block shear failure, as well as shortcomings in the bridge management system and risk management,” the report said. “The NSIA believes that Tretten Bridge should either immediately have been closed or traffic restrictions imposed in 2016 when finding over-utilisation in relation to block shear in several of the bridge’s connections,” it added. Six safety recommendations have been issued based on the investigation, which the NSIA said provide lessons for relevant organisations in Norway and abroad. These include reviewing the process for regulating and approving road-related structures and their materials in Norway and clarification of building regulations. Tretten Bridge was 148 metres long and 10.5 metres wide, with a main span of 70 metres. A report produced by Plan Arkitekter and Norconsult in 2013 gave the bridge a life expectancy of 100 years. “As far as the Accident Investigation Board is aware, there are no wooden and steel truss bridges in the world that are comparable to Tretten Bridge,” said the NSIA report (translated from Norwegian). “The bridge was special both in terms of span length and asymmetry, trusses in the same direction and the combination of wood and steel.” The NPRA is currently undertaking steps to improve bridge safety. Four similar bridges to Tretten Bridge will reportedly be rebuilt following inspections carried out after its collapse. Nine of 14 timber bridges that were closed following the incident remained shut or still had restrictions in place as of last month. Plan Arkitetker has designed many of Norway’s wooden bridges. “If you read the conclusion from NSIA you will see that the collapse of the Tretten Bridge was caused by deficient regulations (national code) for building timber structures at the time of planning/construction,” the studio’s Yngve Aartun told Dezeen in a statement. Tretten Bridge was 148 metres long and 10.5 metres wide, with a main span of 70 metres. A report produced by Plan Arkitekter and Norconsult in 2013 gave the bridge a life expectancy of 100 years. “As far as the Accident Investigation Board is aware, there are no wooden and steel truss bridges in the world that are comparable to Tretten Bridge,” said the NSIA report (translated from Norwegian). “The bridge was special both in terms of span length and asymmetry, trusses in the same direction and the combination of wood and steel.” The NPRA is currently undertaking steps to improve bridge safety. Four similar bridges to Tretten Bridge will reportedly be rebuilt following inspections carried out after its collapse. Nine of 14 timber bridges that were closed following the incident remained shut or still had restrictions in place as of last month. Plan Arkitetker has designed many of Norway’s wooden bridges. “If you read the conclusion from NSIA you will see that the collapse of the Tretten Bridge was caused by deficient regulations (national code) for building timber structures at the time of planning/construction,” the studio’s Yngve Aartun told Dezeen in a statement.

Seppi has released its all new “E20 direct” for excavators weighing from 12 to 21 tons – the forestry mulcher head for excavators marks a breakthrough in green management technology, promising increased efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and improved performance for forestry and earthmoving professionals. Source: Timberbiz “E20 direct” represents the first model of a new family of forestry mulchers designed for excavators. Recognizing the diverse applications of forestry mulchers, Seppi has designed the “E20 direct” to excel in construction site clearing, vegetation management along highways, railways, and power lines, as well as in wetlands maintenance and agricultural field reclamation. The heart of “E20 direct” is the rotor with fixed tools featuring the cut control system, driven by the innovative direct drive hydraulic transmission. The machine can mulch vegetation up to 20 cm in diameter. Its cutting-edge design partially integrates the hydraulic motor into the rotor, eliminating belt transmission and reducing power losses due to friction by approximately 50%. The result is improved efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and increased available power – all contributing to enhanced productivity. With four different working widths, ranging from 100 to 200 cm, “E20 direct” is recommended for excavators weighing between 12 and 21 tons, offering versatility and performance in a variety of applications. Furthermore, its compact design and reduced weight, thanks to the use of durable materials such as AR400 steel, make it more universal and easy to use and mount on various excavators. “With the introduction of ‘E20 direct,’ we achieve a significant milestone in vegetation management technology,” stated Lorenz Seppi, the president of SEPPI M. “We are committed to revolutionizing the industry by providing innovative solutions that not only increase productivity but also reduce operational costs and environmental impact.”

Metsä has decided to start a pre-engineering project for the first commercial factory producing a new packaging solution, Muoto. Muoto products are wood-based alternatives to plastic packaging. Source: Timberbiz Muoto packages are renewable and recyclable bioproducts that can be utilised in, e.g., takeaway, berry, tray, and combo packaging. Pre-engineering is a key planning phase, after which Metsä Group will have the conditions of factory planning in place to consider deciding on the factory investment, and it is expected to be completed in early 2025. Based on the outcome of pre-engineering and the continued work in the demo phase, mainly using a unique demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland, Metsä Group will assess the possibility of starting this new business and investing in a factory to support that business. Metsä Group has already decided that the possible factory would be located at its Rauma site in Finland. “Taking an idea to industrial scale is a long road with multiple different phases. Deciding to start the pre-engineering project is a big milestone for us. Although many areas still need further development, we have now gathered enough proof to initiate this very important factory planning stage. The Muoto project has reached this point very quickly, considering that the project started almost from scratch for us in 2020. A big thank you goes to our project team and our main partner Valmet,” says Niklas von Weymarn, CEO at Metsä Spring. The technology applied in Muoto products converts wet wood pulp into 3-dimensional packages without any intermediate steps, meaning that the new products would be ready to be shipped to end customers as such. In addition to being easy to mould into different shapes, Muoto is lightweight, strong, and recyclable. The first usage cases ready for mass production will likely be light takeaway and lunch packages, berry containers, trays, and combo packaging. The final Muoto product catalogue will be decided when the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation has been finalised. Earlier in the year, Metsä Spring appointed Veli-Pekka Kyllönen as Project Director, who will lead the pre-engineering project. His team will eventually comprise 5-10 experts, with recruitment currently ongoing.

Work is expected to begin soon on Western Australia’s largest timber frame apartment complex. Source: Timberbiz The Western Australian development body sold the land to developer Bluerock Projects for its Tuohy Garden Apartments plans in Midland, 16km east of the capital. Tuohy Garden Apartments will yield up to 51 apartments and will be available through an affordable build-to-rent initiative. Development approval has already been obtained for the site with construction anticipated to commence in the first half of 2024, with the first residents expected to be welcomed towards the end of 2025. The development will also incorporate 650 square meters of ground floor commercial space. “Tuohy Garden Apartments is expected to be Western Australia’s largest timber frame apartment complex and will feature a range of sustainability features to further reduce the cost of living such as the inclusion of solar panels and a smart metering system, alongside batteries utilising Powerledger Artificial Intelligence power trading technology,” Housing and Lands Minister John Carey said. “Other sustainable technologies include permeable paving systems for natural drainage, low carbon concrete and EV charging bays for visitors and residents.”

A new video has documented the impact that myrtle rust has on indigenous communities and the environment, reinforcing the need to maintain momentum in breeding for resistance and monitoring its spread. Source: Timberbiz Whakakotahitanga i te Kaupapa | Unity of Purpose, released by Scion and Rotoiti 15 Trust, is a video capturing activity from a cultural exchange in November last year that aimed to discuss the challenges posed by myrtle rust in New Zealand and Australia. Hosted in Rotorua, the exchange welcomed representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Queensland and New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water; the University of Tasmania; the Butchulla Nation (K’gari Queensland); the Gumbaynggirr Nation (Coffs Harbour, New South Wales) and the Bundjalung Nations (New South Wales). It offered a unique opportunity for cultures and researchers on both sides of the Tasman to connect and learn from each other. The eight-day visit highlighted the importance of sharing traditional knowledge and Western science between indigenous communities and researchers in both countries, and how they each have a role to play in protecting our environment from exotic diseases, such as myrtle rust. The short film weaves together First Nations’ and Māori perspectives on kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and the interconnectedness of all living things. It reveals the strong respect that both cultures have for the bush and takes viewers inside the ngahere around Rotorua, Scion’s nursery and to the trust’s marae on the shore of Lake Rotoiti, reinforcing the vital link between healthy forests and healthy people. The film also illustrates the work that Scion is doing in partnership with Rotoiti 15 Trust to monitor the spread of myrtle rust around the lakes area and efforts to breed more disease-tolerant species, starting with ramarama, rōhutu and their hybrids. The research is delivered through Te Rātā Whakamaru, a Jobs for Nature | Mahi mō te Taiao programme funded by the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai. With support from Scion scientists, the programme employs 10 full-time staff who have been trained as technicians (hōmiromiro) to collect field monitoring data and develop protocols for long-term resistance breeding trials. The challenge facing researchers is the time it takes to breed for resistance. Trees are slow growing, and the current research is only on small trees in pots. A multi-year programme is required to ensure the resistance is enduring. Both Scion and Rotoiti 15 Trust are exploring strategies for how the program will continue after the Jobs for Nature funding contract ends in December 2024. Scion forest geneticist Dr Heidi Dungey says there is a desire to see mana whenua (Ngāti Pikiao) and Rotoiti 15 Trust take greater ownership of the programme as part of their journey to reconnect people to nature and build a passion for conservation. In the video trust chairman Arapeta Tahana shares his vision for the future, adding that the goal of Ngāti Pikiao is to become guardians of their own rohe and whenua. “That essentially means that we need rangers on the ground…that are monitoring and supporting restoration efforts.” The visit to Rotorua followed an earlier trip to Queensland and New South Wales last year by representatives from Rotoiti 15 Trust and Scion. The cultural exchange was captured in a video called Roots of Resilience released last month across all six Australian States. Dr Geoff Pegg, senior principal forest pathologist at Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, says Australia’s forests are valued for their diverse ecosystems and unique biodiversity, adding that exotic diseases, such as myrtle rust, were a constant threat. “Endeavours like this cultural exchange underscore the vital importance of global collaboration and unified actions aimed at preserving biodiversity and strengthening ecological resilience. Traditional knowledge and Western Science must walk together to protect our Country and the unique forests in New Zealand too.” The exchange was funded by Catalyst Seeding funding provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Myrtle rust was first discovered on mainland New Zealand in 2017. Since then, Scion scientists have been involved in a suite of research aimed at protecting our most vulnerable myrtle species from the infectious airborne fungus. The disease targets new leaf growth and repeated infection causes trees to die back, affecting natural regeneration in the forest. View the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR2fExDRWYU

Despite a myriad of Federal Government housing initiatives, Australia is on track to fall over 110,000 homes short of its National Housing Accord target. Source: Timberbiz Master Builders Australia has released its 2024 building and construction industry forecasts which, for the first time, cover the full five-year period of the Accord. From 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2029, Master Builders forecasts 1,087,325 new home starts. Master Builders Chief Economist Shane Garrett said work started on just 163,285 new homes during 2023, a 10.5% reduction on the previous year. “During 2023, detached house starts dropped by 16.4% to 99,443. This is the lowest in a decade. “The final three months of the 2023 quarter saw higher density home starts drop for the third consecutive quarter. “A total of 62,720 higher density homes were commenced during 2023 overall – the worst performance in 12 years. “The mismatch between the supply of new homes to the rental market and demand for rental accommodation is particularly worrying. “Rental inflation continues to accelerate at a time when price pressures across the rest of the economy have been abating,” Mr Garrett said. Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn said that we were seeing inflation starting to near its target range and we can expect a fall in interest rates which will lead to a more favourable investment market. “The Federal Government has also announced a number of significant housing measures that focus on increasing supply in social and affordable housing and the rental market. “However, constraints on the supply side like workforce shortages, industrial relations changes and a poor planning system counter the full effectiveness of these measures,” Ms Wawn said. “Productivity in the industry has fallen 18% over the last decade. It’s clear that governments need to expedite the rollout of planning reforms to reduce the high costs and time it takes to build. “Concerningly, the full impact of the Closing Loopholes Bills and union pattern bargaining negotiations underway in several states has not been factored into these forecasts. “Workforce shortages continue to be the biggest challenge for the industry across all sectors. “At a federal level, the government’s priority should be growing the building and construction workforce. “We heard only recently from BuildSkills Australia that the industry needs 90,000 workers in the next 90 days. “Domestically, we cannot fill this gap. We need to think outside of the box with better apprenticeship incentives, reskilling migrants already in Australia, and a targeted international campaign to bring in skilled migrants. “Investment and support in the whole built environment is important. While the commercial and civil construction sectors have helped shield the economy from periods of negative economic growth, this is coming to an end. “We can’t build the homes we need without the appropriate commercial and civil infrastructure to support it. This includes critical infrastructure such as utilities. “Builders are up to the challenge to reach these targets but the barriers on the road need to be cleared to get the job done,” Ms Wawn said. Full forecasts can be purchased here: https://masterbuilders.com.au/product-category/forecasts/

A mass sandalwood supplier with NT roots has entered receivership after a lengthy period of turmoil. Quintis Australia leases land for sandalwood plantations in the NT, Queensland, and Western Australia. Source: NT News The company’s NT holdings are in the Douglas Daly area. Quintis Australia is the largest sandalwood supplier in the world – selling oil, powder, logs, and chips – but appointed FTI Consulting as receivers on April 2. An FTI Consulting spokesperson said they were now in control of the majority of Quintis Australia’s businesses, assets, and operations. “This includes sandalwood plantations and real estate in the Kimberley and Northern Territory, an operations centre in Kununurra, a small plantation and land in Queensland, and the Mt Romance oil distillation facility and shop near Albany,” the spokesperson said. “[We] will urgently call for expressions of interest in the sale and/or recapitalisation of the business and are currently working closely with key stakeholders to quickly conduct an independent assessment of the financial position of the entities that are the subject of their appointment and their ongoing and future viability.” Quintis Australia’s dealings in the NT were previously granted Major Project status, but said status was revoked in 2018. The company went into voluntary administration in January 2018. The move came after Federal Court proceedings were brought against ex-Quintis director Frank Wilson for allegedly misleading the market about terminated contracts with Swiss giant Nestle, and allegedly failing to discharge his duties as a director in 2017. The Federal Court in 2023 found Mr Wilson did not breach his duties regarding disclosure of the termination of key contracts.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has queried whether Premier Jacinta Allan, who is overseeing the shutdown of the native timber industry, even knows the difference between hardwood and softwood. Source: Timberbiz “In Parliament last year I asked the Premier a simple question, which read as follows: With the close of the native hardwood timber industry on 1 January 2024 and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommending the use of timber as the best climate change mitigation measure we can take, resulting in consumer demand increasing, can the Premier provide details on where Victoria’s supply of hardwood timber will now come from? “However, in her response, the Premier made no mention of hardwood whatsoever, and stated new plantations in Victoria would focus on softwood timber, and softwood sawlog production will boost the state’s supplies of pine plantation building products,” Mr Bull said. “The question never mentioned softwood, only hardwood and it was relating to where the supply of it would come from for our flooring and furniture, as well as a host of other items Victorian manufacturers produce. “The answer indicates one of two things; either the Premier does not know where the hardwood our industries need is coming from, or she does not know the difference between the two products.” Mr Bull said the final comment in the answer from Premier Allan was galling, where she stated, “we have listened to the timber industry and the support we are providing aims to ensure certainty of work for harvest contractors, their families, communities, and local businesses”. Mr Bull said there would be timber industry workers infuriated to read this. “This sustainable industry did not want to shut down, so they certainly were not listened to,” he said. “In addition, many have been left with offers that do not provide the security required, and other down the line businesses that have been promised support and have received none. “Sadly, the Premier may have changed, but we get the same old political nonsense in the answers they provide us,” Mr Bull said.

Walk out your front door and look down the street.  If you are in the regions or in suburbia, then you will look at a tall wooden pole that carries the cables that gives you electricity. Have you taken much notice of them?  Probably not, but the pole is native hardwood harvested from a native forest where, through the application of science, it was encouraged to grow that straight. Timber power poles are selectively harvested from regrowth or working forests. On 7 March 2024, the NSW ALP Minister for the Environment in NSW Budget Estimates had the following exchange with the Hon Wes Fang, National Party. The exchange reveals how uninformed the Minister is, who is a strong environmentalist. In the same Budget Estimates hearing, the Minister was boasting about the Great Koala National Park process she commenced. A process that is like that of a kangaroo court with a pre-determined outcome (but that is for another day). The Minister for the Environment is also the Minister for Energy. The Chair of the Committee is The Hon Sue Higginson, Greens MLC. The Hon. WES FANG: Minister, how many hardwood utility poles will be needed as part of the new network infrastructure for the transition to renewable energy in New South Wales? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Good question. I don’t know. I’ll take it on notice. The Hon. WES FANG: Have you done any planning around how many poles you’ll need for the next 20 years? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: There will have been some. There’s obviously different types of poles. We’re also looking at non-wooden poles. There are steel poles. There’s a whole range. There’s concrete poles. Some of that work’s being undertaken. I’ll take it on notice and I’m happy to provide it to you. The Hon. WES FANG: I note you’ve talked about the other sorts of poles. Do you know why we use hardwood poles over some of the other poles, such as steel and concrete? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Different uses for different applications. The Hon. WES FANG: Minister, do you agree that there are environmental and practical benefits to using hardwood poles over those other types of poles, such as concrete, steel, softwood poles and composite poles? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: I wouldn’t pretend to be an expert in the types of poles and the ways in which they’re best used, but I’m happy to accept on value that they’ve been chosen for a reason and there’s probably some benefits – sure. The Hon. WES FANG: Do you know where we source the majority of our poles in New South Wales? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Yes, in the State forest. The Hon. WES FANG: Minister, given the majority of the poles do come from the New South Wales mid-coast and are processed on the mid-coast, would you agree that the public native forestry industry is critical to the electrical supply industry and the renewable energy transition of your Government? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: First, I’d say I have taken a lot on notice in terms of the assessment of the need for poles, where they’re coming from and how they need to be used. If this is a question around the impact on pole supply as a result of the creation of the Great Koala National Park, which is what I think you’re trying to get to – The Hon. WES FANG: It’s very much where I’m going to, yes. The CHAIR: They come from plantations. The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Yes, fantastic. The process is currently underway around the creation of the Great Koala National Park and all of those issues are being worked through. The Hon. WES FANG: Have you put any safeguards in place to make sure that we continue to have a private native forestry industry in New South Wales whilst the Great Koala National Park is implemented? The CHAIR: Private? Public? Plantation? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: I’m not quite sure where you’re trying to get to there. I’m not the forestry Minister. The Hon. WES FANG: You’re the environment Minister. The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Yes, I’m aware, and I’m very pleased to be. The Hon. WES FANG: Are you putting some safeguards in to make sure that your Great Koala National Park isn’t going to shut down our forestry industry? The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: You should know better than most about this. The Great Koala National Park has been talked about for a long time. It’s this Government’s most significant national park that I believe we’ll create, although I do think that all national parks are important, just to be clear. It is a big area that we’re assessing. That’s why we’re doing the environmental, economic and social assessment in relation to the impact of the creation of the park. It is why we have three different panels, including an industry panel. They’re examining all of that work. We have done two things. One is obviously create the koala hubs in the area, which is about 5% of the park. The rest of the work is being assessed. That is what we’re doing and that’s the way we’re managing it, in a mature and thoughtful way. The Hon. WES FANG: But you would agree that the hardwood timber industry is a key stakeholder for you as the energy Minister, particularly around that issue of – The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: Yes. It’s why I’ve met with people, it’s why I’ve been on people’s farms. It’s why there is an industry panel in relation to the Great Koala National Park. As I said, one of the things that I think is extremely important in the work that we do, particularly in the environment, is that we misunderstand a lot of stakeholder’s concern and their desire to be part of the solution, and we have them at the table, and that has been a priority for me, as well as having others. The Hon. WES FANG: Prior to the election your colleague, who was […]