Australian timber industry news

A groundbreaking international study revealed spruce trees not only respond to a solar eclipse but actively anticipate it by synchronising their bioelectrical signals hours in advance into a cohesive, forest-wide phenomenon. Source: Timberbiz The discovery, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, shows older trees exhibit a more pronounced early response, suggesting these ancient sentinels retain decades of environmental memory and may use it to inform younger trees of impending events. This study adds to the emerging evidence that plants are active, communicative participants in their ecosystems, capable of complex, coordinated behaviours akin to those seen in animal groups. The lead authors are Professor Alessandro Chiolerio of the Italian Institute of Technology and University of the West of England, and Professor Monica Gagliano from Southern Cross University, Australia. “This study illustrates the anticipatory and synchronized responses we observed are key to understanding how forests communicate and adapt, revealing a new layer of complexity in plant behaviour,” said Professor Gagliano. “Basically, we are watching the famous ‘wood wide web’ in action. “This discovery underscores the critical importance of protecting older forests, which serve as pillars of ecosystem resilience by preserving and transmitting invaluable eco-logical knowledge.” Using custom-built, ruggedised low-power sensors deployed across a forest in the Dolomites (Italy), the interdisciplinary team comprising experts from Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia, recorded simultaneous bioelectrical responses from multiple trees. Their analysis demonstrates that individual trees’ electrical activity became significantly more synchronised before and during the eclipse, indicating that trees function as a unified living system that coordinates its response to external events. “By applying advanced analytical methods—including complexity measures and quantum field theory, we have uncovered a deeper, previously unrecognised dynamic synchronisation not based on matter exchanges among trees,” said Professor Chiolerio. “We now see the forest not as a mere collection of individuals, but as an orchestra of phase correlated plants.” Professor Gagliano said the findings support calls for the preservation of wise old trees. “The fact that older trees respond first potentially guiding the collective response of the forest, speaks volumes about their role as memory banks of past environmental events. “This discovery underscores the critical importance of protecting older forests, which serve as pillars of ecosystem resilience by preserving and transmitting invaluable eco-logical knowledge.” This pioneering research is showcased in a feature-length documentary, Il Codice del Bosco (The Forest Code), released in May 2025 in Italy. For a glimpse into this fascinating study, watch the official trailer: https://vimeo.com/1065299976  

During excavations in the city of Lueven, Belgium, archaeologists have found a wooden water pipe from the Roman times. It is believed to date from around the second and third centuries. Sources: Timberbiz, The Smithsonian Magazine The fact that the wood of the water pipe has been exceptionally well preserved makes it a unique finding that contributes to the knowledge of Roman presence in Leuven. The wooden water pipe is now going to a conservation studio, where the artifact will be studied. The entire water pipe will then be freeze-dried so that it can be optimally preserved and possibly displayed later. The water pipe was found near what may be a water pumping system, the pipe likely dates to between the second and third centuries C.E. Researchers discovered the pipe in the city of Leuven, which is located some 15 miles east of Brussels, during an archaeological survey conducted ahead of construction for a university residence building, according to a statement from the Leuven government. The pipe was about 13 feet underground, and it was made of several tree trunk sections, each measuring about five feet long, as the Brussels Times reports. In total, the pipe ran between roughly 65 and 100 feet long. Due to the close proximity of the Dijle river, the soil was wet and muddy, leaving the pipe in exceptionally well-preserved condition. During the first century B.C.E., Julius Caesar conquered large swaths of Europe, including parts of modern-day Belgium. These lands became part of the Roman region of Gaul. Leuven may have been a Roman “diverticulum,” a settlement along a military road that connected modern-day France and Germany, according to a statement. The pipe may have supplied that settlement with water. The ancient Romans are remembered for their complex plumbing systems. They built large, elevated aqueducts as well as subterranean channels to transport water. Earlier this year, researchers announced the discovery of a brick under-ground aqueduct in Slovakia. As Vansina says in the statement, the recently found pipe is a unique discovery. Traces of ancient wooden pipes have been found at other Roman sites but in most cases, the wooden artifacts themselves have rotted away. “The fact that we found a water pipe indicates that the settlement must have enjoyed a certain degree of prosperity,” Ben Van Genechten, a project leader at the archaeology company BAAC Flanders, told the Brussels Times. Researchers plan to determine how old the timber was when it was cut via dendrochronology, the study of tree rings.

Ever wonder how many trees stand tall in North America’s vast boreal forest? A new University of Alberta study has the answer, and it could benefit climate mitigation. The tally came to 277 billion trees, including 30 billion in Alberta. Source: University of Alberta Estimated using a sophisticated machine learning algorithm, the numbers are 31% higher than a count made through an earlier attempt in a major 2015 global study. “Our research provides by far the most accurate and credible answer to the question of how many trees are in our boreal forests,” said study lead Fangliang He, a forest ecologist and Canada Research Chair in Biodiversity and Landscape Modelling in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences. The work fills a crucial knowledge gap that “reduces the uncertainty in estimating and managing tree density to promote forest productivity that enhances forest carbon sink potential,” he added. “Knowing that there are 31% more trees than previously estimated suggests our boreal forests have greater capacity to mitigate climate change.” The U of A researchers improved on the results of the 2015 work by compiling a record number of 4,367 tree plots across Canada and Alaska, compared with 346 plots used in the earlier study. “This provides a large set of data with extensive geographic coverage in North America,” Mr He said. To measure trees 10 centimetres or larger in diameter (the same as in 2015), He and his team used an AI algorithm to develop competition-based models that included height, an important indicator of tree competition as a major predictor of density. “These innovative models represent a major advance in improving the accuracy of estimating tree count.” Curious about how the North American boreal forest could fare under the ongoing assault of global warming, the researchers also projected tree density maps using various climate change scenarios. They found that under increasingly warmer climates, tree density in the boreal forest would rise overall by at least 11% by the year 2050. “This result suggests that boreal forests might be more resilient to climate change than we thought,” Mr He said. The study highlights the need for advanced and accurate data and models that can help with planning and policy development to support the boreal forest as it adapts and responds to climate change. Though efforts to cope with the impact of climate change, such as the Government of Canada’s commitment to planting two billion trees by 2030, are “laudable,” they still fall short of what’s needed. “That number only accounts for 0.83% of our estimated total number of 240 billion boreal trees in Canada, speaking to the mitigation challenge through tree-planting,” Mr He said. “Protection of natural forests is the best nature-based solution.” Co-authors on the study include former U of A PhD students Kun Xu, Jingye Li and Jian Zhang, and postdoctoral research fellow Dingliang Xing. The study, done in collaboration with Hubei Normal University and East China Normal University, was funded by the Alberta Land Institute and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Alliance grant. Xu’s work on the research was supported through the China Scholarship Council.

  Lending for the purchase or construction of new homes remained flat in the first quarter of 2025, likely the result of election uncertainty, according to the Housing Industry Association. Source: Timberbiz And HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt believes the data also reflected the situation prior to the effect of the RBA’s first interest rate cut. The ABS released the Lending Indicators data for the March quarter 2025 this week, which provides the latest statistics on housing finance commitments. “There were 91,790 loans issued in the 12 months to March 2025 for the purchase or construction of new housing across Australia, 8.5% greater than the previous year,” Mr Devitt said. “Investors have been leading the improvement in new home lending activity, with a 14.1% increase in loans over the last 12 months, compared to a 4.9% increase in owner occupier loans. “It is typical following a trough in housing activity that investors return to the market be-fore confidence spreads to owner occupiers and confidence is returning,” he said. Ongoing strong population growth, low unemployment rates and recovering household incomes had seen an increasing number of Australians return to the market. Mr Devitt said the home improvement trend also looked to be making a comeback, with the number of loans for renovations up by 3.9% on the same quarter last year, and over one-third greater than the levels in 2019. “Elections can easily create consumer uncertainty around major spending decisions like new home purchases, especially elections where housing policy is front and centre,” he said. “With the election behind us and the RBA expected to deliver this cycle’s second interest rate cut next week, more Australians are likely to return to the market and sign that contract for a new home build. “The outlook for renovations activity continues to be supported by a number of positive fundamentals, including ageing dwelling stock, the ongoing desire for home improvement, repairs from extreme weather events, and affordability issues in the new housing market.” Mr Devitt said the strength of the coming home building cycle would depend on the ability of each state and territory to prepare a pipeline of affordable shovel-ready land to meeting housing needs. “If the Albanese government wants to achieve its target of 1.2 million new homes over five years, significant reforms are required,” he said. “A few interest rate cuts won’t produce the kind of home building volumes that Australia needs.” The Northern Territory has been leading the improvement in lending for new homes, up by 50.6% compared to the previous year, followed by South Australia (+22.0%), Western Australia (+20.1%), Queensland (+15.0%), the Australian Capital Territory (+6.2%), New South Wales (+2.9%) and Victoria (+0.9%). Tasmania saw the only decline, down by 2.7%.

Forestry Corporation is again organising its annual delivery of koala food tree seedlings to support Koala Conservation Australia’s community koala tree giveaway, aimed at improving habitat on the Mid North Coast. Source: Timberbiz Tree seedlings grown at Forestry Corporation’s Grafton nursery have recently been delivered for the Koala Hospital’s annual koala food tree giveaway. The delivery comes as the KCA announced this week the first joey births at the Guulabaa – Place of Koala breeding facility. They will be the first koalas released into local forests. “A huge thank you again to Forestry for donating these much-needed trees,” Koala Conservation Australia spokesperson Scott Castle said. “The annual tree giveaway engages the wider community in planting koala food trees and goes some way to regenerating and connecting existing habitats,” he said. Private or public land holders with some open space for tree plantings can order trees on the KCA website, then collect their trees at Guulabaa, Place of Koala in Cowarra State Forest between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Saturday. Recipients will be asked to provide their details and the planting location, so in the future, KCA can contact them if they need to harvest food for koalas in its care. The seedlings include Tallowwood, Forest red gum, Swamp mahogany, Grey Gum ad Grey Box. Forestry Corporation Partnership Leader Leah Moncrieff, who organised the tree giveaway, said 25,000 seedlings would be donated this year. “These donations bring the total to 150,000 trees donated over the years,” Ms Moncrieff said. “These trees support local planting projects to provide sustenance for koala populations, improve connectivity between areas, afford future food and habitat and improve environmental value. “This joint enterprise between the Koala Conservation Australia and Forestry Corporation supports our wonderful ongoing partnership and long-standing collaboration, which includes the establishment of a Wild Koala Breeding Centre within Cowarra State Forest. “This program also allows the community to become involved and contribute to the health and wellbeing of koalas, supporting local wildlife and the environment. “Forestry Corporation is passionate about koalas and are very excited to support KCAs efforts by providing tree seedlings. We also offer easy-to-follow planting information and resources, which is available from the Tree Giveaway webpage and on site when you pick up seedlings. “These resources will assist in selecting the right species for the right location, when and how to plant, how to alleviate ongoing risks and maintaining the seedlings until they become established ensuring success,” she said.  

A journal article published in April highlights Scion’s work to improve propagation and increase the production of indigenous species in nurseries. Source: Timberbiz The article showcases a New Zealand-first study that investigated the impact of container grade size on the survival and field performance of 12 key native species to better understand the link between containers and post-planting seedling survival and growth performance. The study saw Scion raise seedlings from the 12 native species in different container sizes and testing how they performed in good or poor-quality sites. Scion col-aborated with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Minginui Nursery, CNI Iwi land Management, the Tumunui Land Trust, Timberlands, Rotorua Lakes Council and the Tipu Waiariki Charitable Trust (Tipu Wai), which provided the sites and helped with preparation and planting. Industry-standard pots were compared with other, smaller containers such as 7cm and 8cm paper Ellepots and forestry-grade pots. The effect of differences in length of time, type of container and tree spacing were monitored to determine the impact on survival rates and tree growth. Programme lead David Siqueira says results showed high-quality sites and larger container systems tended to promote higher survival and faster early growth. “Some species, such as Leptospermum scoparium (manuka), survived and grew well (>75%), even when raised in small containers, while others such as Sophora microphylla (kowhai) had very low survival rates (< 25%) even when raised in re-vegetation container grade sizes,” Mr Siqueira said. Other species such as Aristotelia serrata (wineberry), Cordyline australis (cabbage tree), Plagianthus regius (ribbonwood) and Podocarpus totara appeared to depend more on site quality. “The results show the importance of aligning the choice of container grade size to the needs of individual species,” Mr Siqueira said. “Nursery container systems for raising New Zealand native plants should be chosen based on the biology of the species, nursery management practices, quality of the planting site and a balance between cost and benefit for each situation.” Nurseries have traditionally used large containers to successfully establish native species, but this is labour-intensive at the planting stage and limits the rate of establishment. Seedlings raised in larger containers can suffer greater transplantation shock, which hinders post-planting survival and growth performance. “The conventional approach of sowing native seed, setting out and then growing in containers takes 12-36 months, adding significantly to native tree establishment costs over typical New Zealand-grown exotic forest trees,” Mr Sequeira said. “By building a better understanding of how container size affects native tree growth, we hope this research will result in more plantings of native forests, increasing New Zealand’s biodiversity and contributing to the mitigation of climate change.” This research supports forestry-scale deployment of indigenous species under New Zealand’s One Billion Trees (1BT) Program. The 12 native species selected for the research were: Aristotelia serrata (wineberry/makomako) Coprosma grandifolia (kanono/raurēkau Coprosma robusta (karamu) Cordyline australis (cabbage tree/tī kōuka) Dodonaea viscosa (hopbush/ake ake) Hoheria angustifolia (narrow-leaved lacebark/houhere) Kunzea ericoides (kānuka) Leptospermum scoparium (mānuka) Melicytus ramiflorus (whiteywood/mahoe) Plagianthus regius (ribbonwood/mānatu) Podocarpus totara (tōtara) Sophora microphylla (small-leaved kōwhai)

MiTek and the Housing Industry Association (HIA) have joined forces to launch She Builds The Future – a program designed to inspire, educate and promote diversity in the residential building industry. Source: Timberbiz The program was launched at HIA’s National Policy Congress in Melbourne this week. HIA has been working in partnership with MiTek to bring this program to life since International Women’s Day in March. “If we can inspire people of all ages to think about the range of jobs this amazing industry has to offer, we know we can increase the diversity of the industry and create a culture of inclusion,” said HIA Deputy Managing Director, Kristin Brookfield. The She Builds The Future website is aimed at girls and women interested in a career in house contruction. The website provides a unique way to learn more about the pathways into the industry. “Knowing what you want to do when you leave school can be daunting. The She Builds The Future website showcases a range of jobs, onsite and offsite, in construction, manufacturing and business management. “The website provides insights on the what the job involves, why you’d be interested in the job and what you need to do to get that job. This information is supported by wonderful stories and guidance from real women, working in the job today,” said Ms Brookfield. “While most people think of the well-known jobs like builders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers, there are so many more people and jobs involved in building a new home. Every new home is built on strong foundations using high quality building materials. “Engineers, designers, fabricators and many more amazing jobs make up this essential sector of the building industry. “As a trusted innovation partner in off-site construction and a passionate advocate for a more inclusive building industry, our partnership with MiTek is something HIA see as vital to expanding the information young women can find on manufacturing and design jobs. “The website will showcase a variety of these roles and showcase women already achieving success in their chosen careers. David Oliver, Managing Director – MiTek, Asia Pacific said that MiTek and HIA were working together to help open doors for the next generation of builders, tradespeople, manufacturers and fabricators. “As we launch this initiative, we are proud to create pathways that inspire and empower women and girls to consider careers in building,” he said. The program also includes the release of the Australian edition of The House that She Built, a children’s story books written to open the world of home building to our youngest minds. With women currently making up just 15% of the construction industry in Australia, the program serves as a call to action, encouraging young minds to building as a genuine pathway to explore and develop skills that build confidence and character. “By supporting initiatives like She Builds the Future and The Australian edition of The House That She Built, MiTek and HIA are paving the way for a more inclusive workforce where women and diverse talents are not just welcomed but empowered to lead, thrive and contribute meaningfully to the construction industry,” Ms Brookfield said. The website is live at https://hia.com.au/shebuildsthefuture  

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) has welcomed the announcement from the Tasmanian Government of the second round of their on-island processing program. Source: Timberbiz Speaking following the announcement, TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said the next round of grants will further support the state’s forestry industry to value-add to its timber in Tasmania. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said Tasmania’s increasing supply of plantation hardwood provided a major opportunity to grow the value of the wood and timber products sector. “Following the success of round 1 and given the importance of sustainable forestry to our economy, regional communities and local jobs, we have made an extra $5 million available through the program, taking the total round 2 funding to $8.5 million,” Minister Abetz said. “Processing locally grown timber right here in Tasmania not only value-adds but also creates jobs and opportunity, particularly in regional Tasmania.” Mr Steel said that continuing its on-island processing grants program will make a real difference to Tasmanian forestry businesses and their ability to adapt to future demands. “Grants such as this program encourage Tasmanian forestry businesses to invest in their businesses, which in turn employs local people, grows the local economy and strengthens many regional communities across the state – where our forestry businesses are located.” Mr Steel also welcomed news that this round of grants will be open all forestry businesses. “We welcome the $5 million set aside to assist our hardwood plantation estate, but we welcome the government’s decision to open up the program to all forestry businesses – allowing our softwood estate managers to access grants through the program,” he said. “Tasmanian forestry encompasses a wide range of timber, so it’s great to see that businesses from across the scope of Tasmanian forestry can benefit from this opportunity.” Mr Steel thanked the Government for its ongoing commitment to Tasmanian forestry businesses. “Tasmanian forestry is a respected, responsible and renewable industry, providing over 5,500 jobs across the state,” Mr Steel said. “By investing in our industry, the government is investing in the thousands of Tasmanian families who work across our many forestry businesses.” Applications for the next round of on-island processing grants are now open and will close on Thursday, 31 July 2025. For more information and to apply, go to the Department of State Growth website at www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/grants_and_funding_opportunities  

Public native forests in NSW and across the country provide enormous benefits for Australians and misleading claims around public balance sheet losses, don’t cut it, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said. Source: Timberbiz “Activist groups determined to end NSW’s sustainable native forestry industry are being deliberately misleading and completely ignore the sovereign capability, fire management and the major community and economic benefits of hardwood timber production as well as the recreational opportunities provided by NSW state forests, when making increasingly hysterical claims around the NSW Government-owned enterprise,” Ms Hallam said. Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) charges minimal fees for visitation and use of state forests, unlike the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and utilises revenue from their commercial native and plantation forests to offset the costs of managing almost two million hectares of public native forests on behalf of the State. “Activists are quick to point out FCNSW’s hardwood division earnings loss of $14.9 million – trying to link it with a completely inaccurate notion that native forestry is somehow economically unsustainable while ignoring the provision of land management services. Running this argument is akin to arguing that if state run schools and hospitals don’t make a profit, they should be closed down as well. It’s ridiculous,” Ms Hallam said. “FCNSW’s hardwood division financial outcomes can be attributed to a range of factors, including lower timber production, costs associated with regulatory changes and other management expenses. That’s the reality and activists need to stop pedalling lies that public native forestry isn’t economically or environmentally sustainable. “Activists should also remember that the suite of forest management services that FCNSW provides alongside harvesting, helps mitigate against bushfire risk, better manages pests and feral animals, providing additional benefits for the State. That’s not to mention the community service provided through free public access, camping, picnic areas and roads that facilitate a range of recreational activities. “It’s worth noting, the Victorian Government pays forest contractors $72 million dollars annually to actively manage forests and provide the fire management capacity that was previously being provided by Vicforests as part of its sustainable harvest program. “These are important services that FCNSW provides in house in NSW. What we saw in Victoria with the closure of native forestry was a major increase of imports from Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Brazil with a worse environmental outcome. “The provision of state forests for a range of uses, including sustainable timber production is important for NSW and Australia. Without it, the global environment would be far worse off because Australia would have to fill the hardwood timber supply gap with more imported timber from overseas that doesn’t come with the environmental and sustainability credentials Australia operates within.”

The illustrious Donald Trump has played havoc with the world order, the wood fibre sector has been impacted but not as badly as many other commodities. So much has been written of DT’s every move and every word, to the extent the whole fiasco in my opinion is a media frenzy times 100. Indeed, what is actually happening, on any given day, is likely much different to what we see and hear. But tariffs are tariffs and that has its own levels of abnormalities. Great to hear as at mid-April, if it is factually correct, that DT has reversed some of the China imposed tariffs. The realisation must be as I stated at the outset of this very sad and sorry affair, it is the US consumers and rampant inflation that will suffer at the hands of inane leadership. For NZ Forest Grower and our reliance on China as a primary destination for wood fibre, times are getting a little tougher. Whilst prices were higher in Q1, we were producing far more logs than were being consumed and that has taken us to the “here we go again” scenario. CFR prices are dropping with some commentators suggest further decreases likely. Importantly, log consumption in China is still chugging along at over 50,000 m3 per day. We need to remind ourselves this reflects about 85 hectares of mature NZ Radiata pine forests being consumed every day and that is when the market is off the boil. On the downside, the Eastern Seaboard inventory remains stubbornly around the 4mil m3 mark and likely to increase in April with 45 plus vessels planned from NZ. That is about 1.7 mil m3 of logs a month for a market that is using 1.35mil m3 per month. I doubt you will need your abacus to work out what happens next. On the upside, the tariff fiasco is having a net impact on shipping costs with NZ production slowly grinding down and plenty of vessels opening on NZ, Charterers have become the cat and the ship owners, the mouse. For Q1, it was the other way around. Reduced shipping costs apply for both China and India, chasing CFR prices down for both destinations. None of that helps Kiwi forest-owners, as it is the production bubble that needs to burst for us to help both markets to recover. The selling price (CFR) for the market indicator A grade in China is in a US110 – 112 per cubic metre band as at mid-April. LC’s and contracts are harder to get than tariff reductions out of DT and the market is in a nervously poised mode, waiting to see where the bottom is. For those of us focussed on the India market the news is more positive but not by a great margin. Current CFR prices for A grade are in a US$116 – 120 band, a US$8 to 10 reduction on prior levels. Demand is weak but the inventory, whilst high, is not as eye watering as China. For India the same story of over supply dominates, with NZ companies who have not been traditional players trying to find solutions outside China. The inventory situation was helped by the non-arrival in March of 2 vessels from Australia. These have now discharged with a total 9 vessels expected in April and 9 in May. In both cases this represents the only NZ Log destination Port in India, Kandla receiving 1 – 2 more vessels per month than the market is currently consuming. Market sentiment in India is weak currently, and what will be a surprise to many, labour shortages are reducing overall productivity. Many believe the market is close to bottom with many of the India economic fundamentals, including rampant middle class wealth growth, suggesting the current situation is a blip. It is certainly time for NZ Forestry Inc to start investing in market development away from China, India would be a great place to start. As it has been in the past our NZ domestic sawmills are chugging along, consuming good volumes of logs and at stable prices. Demand for logs to make house framing lumber is improving with good order books in the mix. As always, please remember the thoroughly important message, “despite the challenges, it remains, as always, fundamentally important, the only way forward for climate, country and the planet, is to get out there and plant more trees”! Allan Laurie, Managing Director, Laurie Forestry. Laurie Forestry is a leading Australasian forestry company that provides consultancy, management and marketing services to forest owners, farmers, sawmills and manufacturers.

Eight out of eleven indicators of gender equality in the Swedish forest sector show male dominance. This is shown by the first compilation of the Forest Sector’s gender equality indicators. At the same time, the Forest Sector’s Gender Equality Council has decided on a new multi-million-sek investment for increased gender equality in the forest. Source: Timberbiz The Forest Sector Gender Equality Council, with 35 organizations behind it, was formed in 2022. It is a unique industry initiative and national forum for dialogue and action with the aim of achieving a gender-equal forest sector. As part of this work, the council has for the first time compiled a series of indicators that show what gender equality looks like in areas such as education, individual ownership and working life. The statistics will be followed up once a year and will provide an overall picture of gender equality work in the sector, now and over time. According to the compilation, eight of the 11 indicators show gender inequality. For example, only 3% of machine operators are women, something for which there were no statistics before. The majority of timber buyers are men, and there is also an imbalance in training. Men also own larger areas on average. “Diversity and equality are a matter of competitiveness, and our industry has a job to do here. For example, only three percent of forest machine operators are women in forestry, while the transport sector has around 20%. With joint investments, we can achieve a change that is positive for both people and profitability,” Lotta Lyrå, CEO of Södra said. At the council meeting, the Gender Equality Council also decided on an extra investment worth one million kronor. Through a new financing model, the Gender Equality Council’s continued work as an umbrella for gender equality work in the sector can be secured. The co-financing strengthens and streamlines the work of developing, coordinating and communicating knowledge about gender equality work. “When so many actors together show will and power, I am convinced that we can also seriously bring about change. It is a matter of justice that everyone, regardless of gender, should have the same opportunities to influence forestry but also to train and work in the forest sector,” said Herman Sundqvist, Director General of the Swedish Forest Agency.  

Sterling Structural, a manufacturer of cost-effective, prefabricated mass timber and hybrid structural systems in North America, announced the availability of a new Mass Timber Mock-up training kit. The kit is designed to help vocational schools, training programs and unions educate and train the construction industry workforce on the emerging use of Mass Timber in a wide range of structures. Source: Timberbiz The kit includes everything needed to construct a mock-up of a small-scale mass timber building. It’s designed to educate and train installers on the fundamentals of mass timber construction. This hands-on learning tool showcases key components of prefabricated CLT and glulam systems, demonstrating best practices for installation, connection detailing, and material handling. “The launch of the training kit is part of our overall commitment to making Mass Timber for the Masses,” said Michaela Harms, Vice President of Mass Timber at Sterling Structural. “Training carpenters and other construction industry professionals on Mass Timber techniques will improve outcomes which will lead to greater adoption, which will benefit everyone.” Built to reflect real-world construction scenarios, the mock-up provides experience that helps installers gain confidence working with mass timber in preparation for the growing demand in sustainable, high-performance building solutions. It includes: CLT Panels – The large majority of mass timber projects include CLT panels, the mock-up features both 3-ply and 5-ply CLT to familiarize teams with different panel weights and handling requirements. Floor & Roof Systems – Users will learn panel-to-panel spline connections that are critical to a building’s lateral strength. The mock-up includes both recessed plywood splines and surface-mounted straps, as both are common in the industry. Lap Joints – A staple in wood construction, lap joints offer visual appeal and maintains necessary fire resistance in higher rated elements such as fire barrier shaft walls. The kit incorporates both horizontal and vertical lap joints to highlight their role in wall assemblies. Irregular Panel Lifting – Real projects rarely involve only standard panels. The mock-up includes a large penetration cutout, introducing best practices for safely lifting and installing irregular CLT elements. Glulam Column Connections – Projects require different connections based on structural loads, fire rating for the super structure, and aesthetics. The kit includes column base connections to include a raised stand-off typical with concrete topping slabs. Glulam Beam Connections – To demonstrate more advanced connection techniques, the kit includes knife plate connections and concealed hangers, both of which require precise installation. Exposed bucket connections are not featured, as they are simpler to install and require less specialized training. “We’re seeing an increase in interest from a range of architects, engineers and designers in using Mass Timber for projects,” said Pat Sowers, Coordinator at Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. “Our responsibility to our members is to ensure they are trained in all the latest construction materials and technologies, and Sterling’s training kit will be invaluable in our ability to meet that goal.”

Komatsu will begin a trial introduction of forestry machines manufactured by its wholly owned subsidiary, Komatsu Forest at customer job sites in Japan, starting in May 2025. The trial will assess the effectiveness of the Cut-to-Length (CTL) method in Japanese forestry operations, with the aim of the broader introduction of harvesters and forwarders adapted for CTL, into the Japanese market in the future. Source: Timberbiz Cut-to-Length (CTL) method: A common forestry method in Europe, involving felling standing trees, delimbing, and bucking them into logs of specified lengths in the forest, using two types of machines – a harvester for felling and processing, and a forwarder for transporting the logs. Komatsu is enhancing its forestry machinery business, a circular business that supports forest regeneration. Strengthening this business as the company’s third core pillar, following its construction and mining equipment businesses, Komatsu has expanded globally by promoting mechanization in harvesting, processing, forwarding, and planting operations, as well as the provision of fleet management and timber handling solutions. Japan boasts an expansive forested area, comparable to the Nordic forestry nations, and holds strong potential for timber production. However, excavator-based machines have long been mainstream in Japan, and multi-machine processes have been the norm. Because of the country’s steep terrains, wheeled forestry machines made overseas were traditionally considered unsuitable. Nonetheless, amid labour shortages and a declining forestry workforce, there is growing interest in more mechanized approaches. The CTL method enables the completion of all timber production processes with fewer machines and fewer operators, offering potential improvements in productivity, safety, and cost efficiency, compared to conventional Japanese practices. The trial will involve the Komatsu 931XC harvester (operating weight: 21.9 tons) and the Komatsu 855 forwarder (maximum load capacity: 14 tons). The trial will commence in May 2025 at customer job sites across Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu, and will continue for approximately one year. Some regions will also include comparative studies with traditional methods. In addition, Komatsu plans to evaluate ICT-based forestry solutions by combining machine data such as GPS location, production planning, and results with forest stand distribution information to optimize routing during harvesting and forwarding, aiming to further improve productivity through efficient operation management. The first test, starting in May, will be conducted jointly with Mitsui Bussan Forest on forests owned by Mitsui & Co in Hokkaido.

Changes to New Zealand’s Wildlife Act passed through Parliament and ensure important development projects, such as building new solar and wind farms, continue supporting a growing economy while protecting precious wildlife according to Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Source: Timberbiz The High Court recently decided it was unlawful for the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai to authorise the killing of wildlife unless there was a direct link between killing and protecting wildlife. Incidental harm to wildlife, while not desired, sometimes happens when carrying out a lawful activity, such as consented construction works or forestry operations. “This decision placed multiple projects, which previously received DOC authorisations, in a state of uncertainty,” Mr Potaka said. “Projects include activities for building new solar and wind farms, plantation forests, and powerline maintenance that are essential for supporting our growing economy. “Today’s improvements give certainty to authority holders that their projects can continue lawfully, whether it’s for important conservation work like pest control or development and infrastructure projects. “Today’s changes clarify how authorisations can be consistent with protecting wildlife, and that the Director-General of the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai can make authorisations. We are restoring the approach that DOC was taking for authorising activities before the Court’s decision and provide legal clarity. “These changes keep safeguards to protect wildlife. It’s important Aotearoa New Zealand’s wildlife continues to be protected, and that species can thrive as we support a strong and growing economy. “Under the amended Wildlife Act, authority holders are still expected to avoid and minimise harm to protected species. Examples include relocating animals before doing any construction work – to protect populations and support the ongoing viability of species,” Mr Potaka said. “Now the amendments have been enacted, we can turn to accelerating a comprehensive review of the Wildlife Act.”

OneFortyOne has announced the recipients of its latest round of community grants, supporting four local organisations making significant contributions to wellbeing, education, and environmental protection in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman regions of New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz The successful recipients are: Richmond Waimea Youth Trust (24-7 YouthWork) Awarded $3,000 to support their youth workers at Waimea College and Waimea Intermediate Schools, who spend 10 hours per week making themselves accessible to young people, building positive relationships, and promoting individual and community wellbeing. “This grant will allow our youth workers to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of students across both schools,” Lynda Rea, Funding Administrator said. “With over 2,300 students collectively at Waimea College and Waimea Intermediate, our relationship-based approach helps young people develop into healthy individuals who contribute positively to their communities. The support from OneFortyOne means we can maintain our presence where students need it most.” Kārearea Falcon Trust, Marlborough Awarded $3,000 to enhance health and safety measures at their falcon rescue and rehabilitation center, which houses 18 kārearea (New Zealand falcons) and welcomes over 1,000 visitors annually. “The grant from OneFortyOne will significantly improve safety for our visitors, staff, and volunteers,” Tracey Currie, Education & Administration Co-ordinator said. “As the only facility in the South Island directly boosting wild numbers of kārearea, ensuring we have proper emergency equipment like AEDs and fire extinguishers is essential. This support helps us continue our work protecting these threatened birds while providing safe, educational experiences for the Marlborough community.” House of Science NZ Charitable Trust Awarded $3,000 to provide bilingual science resource kits to primary and intermediate schools in the Nelson/Tasman region. “This grant will allow us to create one additional science resource kit, expanding our library of hands-on science materials for local schools.,” Sandra Kirikiri, Business Development Manager said. “With research showing children decide by age 10 what careers they’re not likely to pursue, these resources give students early exposure to science principles, building confidence in both teachers and students. OneFortyOne’s support helps us prepare young people for future STEM careers while making quality science education accessible to all schools in the region.” New Zealand Wildlife Rehabilitation Charitable Trust Awarded $2,000 to purchase veterinary medical supplies and specialist food for the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned native wildlife. “As a newly formed charity supporting wildlife rehabilitation in the Nelson region, this grant will directly benefit our native birds in need,” Mel Willmott, Trustee said. “Without a dedicated wildlife hospital in Nelson, wildlife rehabilitators provide this critical service from their homes, covering costs themselves.  OneFortyOne’s support means we can supply specialised food and veterinary supplies needed for different species, ensuring more birds receive the best possible care before returning to the wild.” OneFortyOne Corporate Affairs Manager Kylie Reeves said the company was proud to support such diverse and impactful community initiatives. “Each of these organisations is making a significant contribution to our regions, whether through youth development, environmental conservation, or education. We’re pleased to be able to support their valuable work through our community grants program,” Ms Reeves said. The next OneFortyOne NZ Community Grants Committee meeting will be held on 10 July 2025. Community organisations interested in applying can do so online at www.onefortyone.com/community/grants

Australia has just seen its two weakest years of new home commencements in over a decade, meaning ongoing shortages of skilled trades are not being caused by home building activity according to the Housing Industry Association. Source: Timberbiz The HIA Trades Report released this week provides a quarterly review of the availability of skilled trades and any demand pressures on trades operating in the residential building industry. “Despite the low volume of home building, skills shortages are persisting on the back of labour demands from other construction sectors and the wider economy,” HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said. “Excluding the extremes of the pandemic, one would have to go back to before the GFC to find trades shortages as acute as they are now,” he said. Mr Reardon said that home building was set to gain momentum across Australia as interest rates fell, and this would further add to demand for skilled labour. Activity had already been increasing in Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia on the back of strong population growth, low unemployment, tight rental markets and rising prices, and recovering real incomes. “The shortage of skilled trades across Australia persists in every capital city and region,” Mr Reardon said. “An increase in home building will further add to demand for skilled labour and put further upward pressure on labour prices. “Despite the expected increase in home building, commencements will remain well below those necessary to achieve 1.2 million homes over five years,” he said. “Home building activity has contracted significantly in the Sydney basin, Melbourne and the ACT, but even this has not been sufficient to arrest the rise in trades prices nationally.” Mr Reardon said the result of these shortages was that the price of trades had increased again by 5.5% in the 12 months to March 2025, compared with the broader Australian wage growth closer to 3%. “Reforms to skilled migration, including a dedicated construction visa, are needed to attract skilled tradespeople from overseas during cyclical peaks in activity. “Of the 166,830 temporary skilled workers (Visa Subclass 482) in Australia at the end of 2024, only 4,229 were in home building trade occupations,” he said. “Over the medium-to-long term, a domestic workforce development strategy is required that promotes careers in construction to students, recent leavers and Australians more broadly, male and female, young and old. “Greater support is also needed for apprentices, the public and private organisations that train them, and the businesses that provide them with supervision and on-site experience,” Mr Reardon said. Every market continues to have a shortage of skilled trades, with the worst shortages tending to be in the markets showing the strongest improvements in home building activity. Perth (-0.84) and Brisbane (-0.83) had the most acute shortages among the capital cities, with Sydney (-0.39), Adelaide (-0.38) and Melbourne (-0.35) more modest. Across the regions, the most acute shortage was in regional South Australia (-0.67), followed by regional Victoria (-0.55), regional Western Australia (-0.49), and regional New South Wales (-0.27), with regional Queensland (-0.04) very close to neutral. By trade, two occupations emerged with a surplus of trades for the first time since September 2020: electrical (+0.05) and plumbing (+0.03). Site preparation is also continuing to improve, with a modest shortage of -0.14, while the readings were more acute for other trades, especially bricklaying (-0.93) and ceramic tiling (-0.91).

Structural glulaminated timber manufacturer Techlam has partnered with Woodspan to ensure the continued availability of engineered timber products, following a recent operational disruption at Woodspan’s New Plymouth facility in New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz The new collaboration between Techlam, one of New Zealand’s largest glulam timber manufacturers and Woodspan, known for its innovative parallel laminated timber (PLT) panels, has been established to maintain a stable supply for customers and offer continuity during a time of change. Woodspan’s PLT panels, made from New Zealand-grown radiata pine, are used extensively in floor and roof structures thanks to their strength and quick installation. However, due to a fire that impacted their CNC machinery, Woodspan has temporarily closed its existing production site. “Partnering with Techlam is a strategic move that enables us to keep supplying our customers with the solutions they rely on,” Tom Boon, Chief Executive of Taranakipine Group and co-founder of Woodspan, said. “This partnership allows us to enhance our offerings and reach a broader audience.” Techlam, based in Levin, manufactures a full range of structural laminated timber products, widely recognised for their performance, aesthetics and versatility in both domestic and international markets. The company’s advanced 6-Axis CNC line will now be used to help deliver Woodspan orders with high accuracy and efficiency. “We are excited to partner with Woodspan to deliver exceptional wood products to our customers,” says Brett Hamilton, Managing Director of Techlam. “By combining our glulam expertise with Woodspan’s PLT solutions, we’re creating a stronger, more resilient supply model for timber construction.” Customers will benefit from streamlined procurement, improved design flexibility and integrated structural solutions that simplify project delivery. This alliance brings together two trusted New Zealand manufacturers with a shared focus on innovation, quality and customer service.

  The EPA in New South Wales has introduced a series of videos with more technical information to help landholders and harvesting contractors in applying the PNF Codes of Practice. Source: Timberbiz The technical series playlist expands on the concepts in the introductory clips, with more technical information to help landholders and harvesting contractors in applying the PNF Codes of Practice. The video playlist provides an overview of the legal framework underpinning PNF in NSW, introducing the PNF Code of Practice which sets environmental and operational standards for timber harvesting on private land. The video series provides information on a range of issues including constructing drainage features and roll-over cross banks, silviculture and protecting threatened ecological communities. Videos 1-5: Protecting threatened species and their habitat, old growth forest and rainforest. Videos 6-9: Threatened ecological communities Videos 10-13: Tips on constructing different types of drainage Video 14: Removing earth windrows to avoid soil erosion Videos 15-18: Constructing a roll-over cross bank Videos 19-22: Constructing and using simple infrastructure such as log and timber bridges Videos 23-25: Snig tracks and log dumps Videos 26-29: Silviculture and forest management There are also introductory videos for people getting started in private native forestry. You can access all videos here.    

The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the announcement of the new ministerial cabinet and in particular the expansion of the housing portfolio to take in the future cities planning and a separate special envoy focused on social housing and homelessness. Source: Timberbiz Clare O’Neil was appointed Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities following Labor’s win at the Federal Election. “HIA has called on the next term of government to specifically focus on increasing housing supply with dedicated programs targeted towards boosting private housing and rentals,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said. “By having a dedicated special envoy focused on social housing and homelessness, this will provide Housing Minister, Clare O’Neil with the ability to pull out all stops and focus on fast tracking the implementation of the key housing commitments set out in the lead up to the election to boost housing supply and increase home ownership rates. “HIA is additionally pleased to see the focus on industry, innovation, small business and productivity in the new Ministerial appointments.” Tim Ayres is the newly appointed Minister of Industry and Innovation, Anne Aly as Minister for Small Business and Andrew Charlton as the Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy and Andrew Leigh as the Assistant Minister for Productivity. “In February this year the Productivity Commission released a comprehensive housing construction productivity report titled – Can we fix it? Which outlined the policy directions needed for improving productivity including reducing regulatory burden, streamlining and speeding up approval processes, supporting innovation and improving workforce flexibility,” Ms Martin said. “This report provides a comprehensive policy blueprint for reform and HIA is calling on these new Ministerial appointments to action the recommendations from this report as part of their first order priorities. “In doing so it can substantially turn the dial to address the nation’s critical housing shortages and support our industry to build the homes Australia desperately needs.”

Australia’s forest industries welcome the reappointment of Julie Collins as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry following Labor’s win in the Federal Election. Source: Timberbiz “Minister Collins has been an ardent advocate for forestry and the supply chain, and we look forward to working with her again this term,” Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam said. Other key appointments for the forestry sector included Senator Murray Watt’s move to the Environment portfolio and the Clare O’Neil’s re-appointment as Minister for Housing. The AFPA also welcomed Senator Anthony Chisholm’s return as Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Senator Tim Ayres’ appointment as Minister for Industry and Innovation. “On behalf of Australia’s forest industries, I welcome back and congratulate Julie Collins on her re-appointment as our Minister,” Ms Hallam said. “Julie has an outstanding record of stewardship and delivery for our sector, and we look forward to continuing our positive and close working relationship. “We also welcome Murray Watt to the Environment portfolio. As a former Minister for Forestry, Senator Watt has an excellent understanding of our industries and regulatory framework, so we look forward to working constructively with him also,” she said. “It’s a very important time for the forestry portfolio, as the sector works to realise our climate and manufacturing potential while facing numerous challenges including securing resource supply, dealing with a depressed construction market along with ensuring we have a skilled workforce geared to needs.” Ms Hallam said the AFPA would now get back to work with Ms Collins and other key members of the Executive to discuss the soon-to-be-released Timber Fibre Strategy, how the forestry sector can maximise benefits provided by the new ReMade in Australia brand and be part of the solution on housing sector initiatives announced during the election campaign, and also to broadly ensure forestry and forest products is understood and decisions are made with the best interests of our sector in mind. Tasmanian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel said it was pleasing to see Ms Collins return to the portfolio that oversees the industry in Tasmania, which employs more than 5500 people across the state. “It’s also great news that the vital position of forestry minister will continue to be held by a Member of Parliament from Tasmania,” Mr Steel said. “Forestry is an essential industry in Tasmania, so we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that a Tasmanian MP will oversee the industry in Canberra. “As we saw in the last Parliament, Minister Collins brings a wealth of knowledge to the Ministry. In the last Parliament, Minister Collins provided excellent representation for our forest industry in Canberra. “Minister Collins worked closely with industry on the policy and funding that delivered for the sector. We look forward to working with Minister Collins over the coming months and years to continue to deliver for our respected, responsible and renewable industry,” Mr Steel said. “The forestry industry in Tasmania is still in a critical phase with the coming together of different areas of government policy, including climate change, the economy, jobs and housing. “The Tasmanian forestry industry is critical to all these national and international policy issues. We look forward to working with Minister Collins and the Albanese Government on the role our sector can play in moving Australia forward,” Mr Steel said.