Australian timber industry news

The first Ponsse Mammoth Road Show event in Brazil highlighted the qualities of this robust forwarder for the high-demand work. After weeks operating in Bahia, owned by Veracel, the equipment is now heading to another challenge, in Minas Gerais, at Cenibra. Source: Timberbiz The PONSSE Mammoth is the brand’s largest forwarder, with a capacity of 25 tons, and has proven to be very efficient for the high production demands of Brazilian companies. The Road Show consists of a traveling event organized by Ponsse, which visits several of the company’s clients and aims to put this giant to the test in the different realities of transloading operations found in Brazilian companies. The challenge is to operate for a few weeks in each of these companies in order to observe its performance in different situations. This was the first time that Veracel hosted an event like this. Veracel’s Operational Excellence Coordinator, Pedro Paulo Almeida, highlighted the high performance of the equipment on the flat lands of Bahia. According to him, the gains in productivity and energy efficiency, compared to the PONSSE Elephant King (20-ton forwarder), were 20% to 30%. “This is a solution that allows us to think about optimizing not only the harvesting process, but also the supply chain, such as roads, timber transportation and land use by forestry companies,” Mr Almeida said. Ponsse Brazil Sales Manager Rodrigo Marangoni said that since its launch, they have seen that it would have a high level of acceptance in the Brazilian market due to its characteristics. “We already have other results that indicate that it really allows for better planning of the entire forestry chain, adding reliability, efficiency and productivity. Not to mention greater safety and ergonomics for operators,” he said. In the next challenge, in Minas Gerais, the Ponsse Mammoth will encounter operational situations that are different from those in Bahia, such as steep areas. “Our goal is to test the equipment from different perspectives so that we can have comparative elements and thus prove that it can adapt to the different realities of our country,” Mr Marangoni said. During the test period of a few weeks, the company will receive full support from the Ponsse team, from technical training to maintenance service support, as well as comprehensive data management. At the end of this period, a field day will be held at each customer to share the results obtained, providing detailed analysis and valuable insights into the performance of the Ponsse Mammoth.  

The carbon dioxide generated by pulp mills is a valuable, largely untapped side stream that could be captured and used as a raw material for products replacing fossil-based materials and fuels as the technology and markets develop. Source: Timberbiz “Carbon capture offers Finland a major opportunity to build a new industry – and to undertake significant climate action, as the use of wood-based carbon dioxide reduces fossil raw material consumption and the related carbon dioxide emissions. It also promotes the EU’s climate targets,” says Kaija Pehu-Lehtonen, project director of Metsä Group’s carbon capture project. Metsä Group is a forerunner in capturing carbon dioxide generated by pulp mills. Its production units generate around 12 million tonnes of wood-based carbon dioxide annually, and the company is increasingly focusing on exploring its large-scale capture. According to Pehu-Lehtonen, Metsä Group aims to develop its mills in accordance with the bioproduct mill concept. This means making ever greater use of pulp mill side streams to resource efficiently convert wood into increasingly valuable bioproducts. Harnessing carbon dioxide as a raw material is one example. This autumn, Metsä Group and ANDRITZ, a technology company, completed their first survey examining what the capture of some four million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the flue gases of a mill the size of the Kemi bioproduct mill would mean in terms of technology and energy. Carbon capture requires a great deal of heat energy. To account for this, the survey specifically explored ways to integrate carbon capture into the bioproduct mill as energy-efficiently as possible. According to Pehu-Lehtonen, the survey demonstrated that it is possible to capture all the carbon dioxide generated by a large bioproduct mill but that it requires major investments and developments in the related technology and market before it can result in a profitable business. “Twenty percent of the heat energy required for carbon capture can be obtained from the bioproduct mill’s current heat flows. New technological solutions are needed for the remainder,” Pehu-Lehtonen explains. Metsä Group is proceeding stage by stage in the carbon capture project and will pilot carbon capture next summer at the Rauma pulp mill with ANDRITZ. The pilot stage will be followed by plans for a potential demo plant. If carbon capture proves viable, it will provide the forest industry with a new high-volume wood-based raw material giving rise to investments, workplaces and tax revenue – not to mention climate impacts.

Combilift has been awarded Company of the Year at the prestigious Business & Finance Awards 2024, in association with KPMG Ireland. This remarkable achievement marks Combilift’s 9th major award in the last three months. Source: Timberbiz The Company of the Year award, presented to Combilift’s CEO Martin McVicar by Seamus Hand from KPMG at the 50th Business & Finance Awards ceremony held in Dublin, is a testament to the company’s significant impact on both the Irish economy and the global market. “This award reflects the bold vision and relentless drive that has been at the heart of Combilift since Robert Moffett and I started in 1998,” Martin McVicar, CEO of Combilift, said. “Every forklift, every innovation, and every milestone, reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries and transforming material handling worldwide. This moment belongs to our employees, our dealers, and our customers, who rely on us to deliver quality material handling solutions to optimise their warehouse space.” Winning this award places Combilift among an elite group of previous winners, including industry giants Glen Dimplex, Kingspan, Primark, Google, and Intel. As a homegrown Irish business with a global footprint, this latest recognition serves as a powerful reminder of the company’s ongoing success and its critical role in shaping the future of the material handling industry. Combilift, with annual revenue exceeding €500 million, has continued to thrive with its export-focused business model, with 98% of its operations serving international markets. Since its founding in 1998, Combilift has built a global reputation as the largest manufacturer of multi-directional, articulated, and sideloading forklifts, as well as large material handling equipment such as straddle carriers, with over 85,000 units in operation across 85 countries. The company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and research and development has been pivotal to its exceptional growth, making it a true leader in the material handling industry.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has been preparing for summer with upgrades to Australia’s largest firefighting helicopter, including increased water-holding capacity and new night-time capabilities. Source: Timberbiz The CH-47 Chinook helicopter can now hold 11,000 litres of water in an internal tank, making it an even better asset in firefighting efforts. With the tank upgrade, the helicopter can fill faster, deploy more effectively, and conduct night-time operations when fire intensity is typically lower. Previously, the Chinook had a bucket that made it too dangerous to be used at night-time or over densely populated areas. Added to the RFS aerial fleet last year, the Chinook has been instrumental in firefighting efforts in NSW and is one of only a few Chinook helicopters in use for firefighting activity globally, with the heavy transport helicopter mostly used by defence forces. NSW has the most aerial firefighting aircraft of any state and territory in Australia. In addition to the Chinook, the fleet this season includes the Boeing 737 Large Air Tanker ‘Marie Bashir’, two Cessna Citations, one King Air fixed-wing aircraft and six Bell 412 helicopters. The new tank was fitted out locally and is a permanent solution that replaces a temporary 10,000-litre bucket. It allows the Chinook to carry the largest water payload of any firefighting helicopter in Australia and second only to the ‘Marie Bashir’ in the RFS fleet. This expanded capability builds on the RFS’s strategic partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, with the aircraft operating out of RAAF Base Richmond. Operating from bases across the state, including Richmond, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour and Cooma, the RFS fleet is further supported by more than 200 additional aircraft available on an as-needed basis through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) and other agreements. “We can never be too prepared for summer and the upgraded Chinook makes the RFS aerial fleet even stronger in the fight against fires,” the Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said. “This new capability to safely conduct aerial waterbombing at night is a game-changer for our response, allowing for faster turnarounds and greater capacity to protect people and properties. “Our aerial fleet includes crucial assets that support our RFS volunteers and personnel on the ground to keep communities as safe as possible, and I thank them for everything they do for our state. “As we enter the warmer months and as the RFS and other fire agencies prepare, communities across the state should also do their bit by checking the readiness of their properties and their plan in the event of an emergency.” Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service Rob Rogers said the addition meant that the Chinook can directly attack fires with precision when conditions were typically more favourable such as at night. “The RFS is prepared to deploy our robust and versatile fleet wherever and whenever needed to protect communities and respond swiftly to fires across NSW,” he said.

Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy has been appointed as the new chair of the Climate Change Commission, the independent Crown entity that provides the Government advice, monitoring and reporting to support New Zealand’s transition to a climate-resilient, low emissions future, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. Source: Timberbiz “I’m pleased that Dame Patsy is joining the Commission. As former Governor-General, she will come to the role with an extensive and distinguished career in law and governance,” Mr Watts said. Dame Patsy was the 21st Governor-General of New Zealand from 2016 to 2021. In 2014, she became a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the arts and business and in 2016 she was made a Dame Grand Companion of the Order for services to the state. She is currently Chair of the New Zealand Rugy Union and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Foundation. She is also a trustee of the Malaghan Institute and the Aspen Institute New Zealand. Dame Patsy’s appointment will take effect in February 2025. In the meantime, Commissioner and Deputy Chair Lisa Tumahai will be acting chair. Dame Patsy’s appointment follows the conclusion of Dr Rod Carr’s term, which ends in early December. Mr Watts has also appointed Felicity Underhill and Devon McLean as Commissioners from December 2024 until September 2028, replacing Catherine Leining and Professor James Renwick. “Ms Underhill has worked in the energy industry for over twenty years and will bring significant experience in decarbonisation of the energy, transport and industrial sectors. She has also been actively involved in future fuel transition programmes around hydrogen,” Mr Watts said. “Mr McLean has had a long executive and governance career in the forestry and conservation fields. The Commission Board will benefit from Mr McLean’s forestry industry experience and governance expertise. “I want to thank Dr Carr, Ms Leining and Professor Renwick for their service to the Commission, and welcome Dame Patsy, Ms Underhill and Mr McLean.”

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has raised concerns about changes to the Government’s new skilled visa program. Source: Timberbiz While AFPA welcomes the addition of some forest sector roles to the Skills in Demand Visa list, the decision to leave critical industry occupations including Forest Science/Forester off the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), is baffling, according to AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam. “Like many Australian industries, the supply chain for forestry and forest products is experiencing skills shortages across numerous jobs and occupations that are critical for us. Therefore, importing those skills from overseas is essential to keep our operations functioning properly,” Diana Hallam said. “The Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Council has released an updated CSOL which informs access for temporary skilled migration. Unfortunately, several roles that AFPA advocated for and are necessary to fill skills gaps haven’t been included – Forest Science/Forester, Saw Maker and Repairer, Saw Technician and Aquaculture, crop and forestry worker. “Of greatest concern is the removal of Forest Science/Forester from the list. With no undergraduate forest science degree currently on offer anywhere in Australia, the decision to remove this occupation from the CSOL is particularly confusing. “Without foresters, there is no forestry and if Australia’s tertiary institutions are not producing the next generation of forest scientists, then we have no option but to source them from overseas. Any model that suggested it was appropriate to exclude skill 234113 from the CSOL is clearly broken. “We know there are genuine shortages of these critical skills in the local workforce and many forest sector operations need these gaps filled through migrant visa holders. Saw Makers and Repairers for example are critically important to processing facilities ensuring equipment runs efficiently. Furthermore, many of these in demand jobs are located in regional areas which adds to the difficulty in filling them. “While we were pleased that Production Manager (Forestry) and Other Spatial Scientist are on the list, and Wood Machinist has been added to the list, the exclusion of the other professions will mean adverse impacts for industry. “AFPA will continue to work with the Albanese Government to highlight the problem these shortages create for a sector so important to the Australian economy and environment and will advocate to get more critical roles included on the visa list for skilled migrants,” Diana Hallam concluded.  

The final fire tower on the Limestone Coast at Penola has gone fully operational in time for the 2024-25 bushfire season. Source: Timberbiz This is the final leg of a partnership between the State Government and the forest industry which has seen an investment of almost $5 million in landscape level fire detection. This will help protect the forest estate and over 21,300 direct and indirect jobs it supports, and importantly, the community and landscape in the South East. To celebrate the occasion, Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven travelled up the 13-storey tower to formally declare the fire tower open. The Penola tower completes the State Government’s $2.346 million election commitment, including 8 new fire detection camera systems and an upgrade of the Green Triangle’s fire tower network to provide a landscape level fire detection program. The new tower, which has been constructed using local businesses, has been delivered in collaboration with the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH) and OneFortyOne Plantations, with a total cost of $1.1 million. It follows upgrade works and repairs undertaken in the lead up to the 2023-24 bushfire danger season at Comaum, Mount Burr, Mount Edward, Furner, and Mount Benson. The staffed Penola tower will complement the eight new AI-powered bushfire detection and monitoring cameras located at Comaum, Mount Benson, The Bluff, Furner, Mount Burr, Carpenter Rocks, Lucindale South, and Cave Range, installed to work in conjunction with the upgraded fire tower network. Powered by Pano AI, the monitoring system is Australia’s first fully integrated bushfire detection platform utilising ultra-HD 360-degree panoramic cameras and aimed at improving the early detection of fires. The initial cameras commenced operations in the Green Triangle during the 2023-24 fire danger season, with the system detecting 25 unplanned fires in the region, along with providing real time intelligence to aid fire suppression activities. The Limestone Coast network of eight cameras, overseen by the Green Triangle Fire Alliance (GTFA), strengthens the region’s extensive fire management and surveillance measures in place, ensuring ongoing protection of the Green Triangle’s forestry assets and communities. With the additional government investment in aerial appliances, fires can be detected earlier, with locations pinpointed more accurately, and responded to swiftly, helping reduce the risk of small fires escalating into catastrophic events. The Limestone Coast system contributes to a broader 15-camera station detection network managed by the forestry industries throughout the wider Green Triangle region into Victoria.  

Ministers responsible for Climate Change, Forestry, Conservation and Land Information in New Zealand have announced that Cabinet has agreed to explore public-private partnerships to plant trees on Crown land, supporting New Zealand’s climate change targets and creating more jobs. Source: Timberbiz Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that nature-based solutions are a key part to the Government’s climate strategy and represents a significant step forward in achieving our climate targets including Net Zero by 2050. “New Zealand is well positioned to leverage its natural assets to drive progress in both climate action and economic growth. Partnerships to plant native and exotic trees on Crown-owned land represents a cost-effective approach to reducing net emissions while also delivering tangible benefits to local communities.” Forestry Minister Todd McClay says forestry is critical to New Zealand’s economic future. “These partnerships would drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, provide more wood for domestic processing and over time boost the value of exports,” Minister McClay said. “This policy strikes the right balance between planting more production and native forests and making better use of Crown assets without impacting productive farmland or compromising high value conservation land.” Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says potential partnerships could help improve biodiversity and water quality. “While native forests store carbon and support a low emissions future for our whenua, they’re also important for biodiversity and can strengthen environmental resilience to floods, droughts, and storms,” Minister Potaka said. “We will ensure commitments are upheld where land is subject to Treaty of Waitangi settlement obligations or being held for potential future Treaty settlement redress. “We are also keen to explore potential Iwi collaboration through public-private partnerships.” Land Information Minister Chris Penk says the Government is focused on getting good value from Crown land. “The Crown holds significant land across New Zealand, and we have a responsibility to use it productively. Whether it’s contributing to climate goals, generating returns, or improving environmental and conservation efforts, our focus is on delivering value to the public,” Minister Penk said. “We are excluding National Parks, high value farming land and high value conservation land and only focusing on land which is not otherwise in use. Making full use of your assets is good commonsense.” The Government will soon release a request for information (RFI) that will help clarify the conditions under which potential partners could work with the Crown. This will help the Government understand what land may be suitable to offer for partnership. The RFI will be publicly released on 18 December on the Ministry for Primary Industry’s website (www.mpi.govt.nz) alongside information on how people can participate in the process.

A Tasmanian carbon forestry initiative has marked a major milestone, with more than one million trees planted on almost 1,000 hectares of land across the state, estimated to sequester more than 300,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere. Source: Timberbiz The ActivAcre program, delivered by Tasmanian plantation and natural asset management company SFM, collaborates with farmers to identify opportunities for them to lease land for tree planting. SFM Managing Director Andrew Morgan said the local initiative allowed farmers to optimise their land and diversify their on-farm revenue, providing them with a reliable source of income. “But of course the benefits of ActivAcre flow well beyond the farmer – plantation forestry is recognised globally as a key tool to mitigate climate change, capturing carbon in soil and vegetation,” Mr Morgan said. “Further to this, Australia currently has a $4 billion trade deficit in wood products, yet we have a skilled workforce with world-class infrastructure and high-quality governance, so we have a real opportunity to turn the situation around.” Mr Morgan said across Australia, sourcing larger parcels of suitable land was becoming harder, making aggregation essential, where multiple smaller land holdings are classed together to make one asset. “With the successful completion of our first full year of planting and our 2025 program nearing capacity, we are now seeking expressions of interest from landowners for our 2026 planting” he said. “Today we held an open ‘field’ day on the Bloomfield property in Gretna for interested landowners and farmers to learn more, ask questions and see a plantation carbon project first-hand.” Bloomfield owners Susie and Michael Parsons signed up to the ActivAcre program earlier this year. Susie Parsons said the seven-generation farming family was already benefiting from the financial return of leasing their land and could see the future opportunities it presented, both for their own property and for the environment. “The additional value proposition of planting trees is the creation of shade and shelter belts, which can increase pasture production as well as improving water efficiency, soil quality and reducing salinity, waterlogging and erosion,” Mrs Parsons said. Mr Morgan said the future-focused land management program worked closely with farmers to create unique and flexible agreements to maximises their land’s potential and ensure an ongoing, reliable income every year from planting to harvesting. “ActivAcre is unique in that every aspect of the project, from initial enquiry to carbon project registration to final plantation harvesting, is managed by SFM’s local team of highly experienced foresters, land management professionals and carbon project experts, all of whom have a deep understanding of the Tasmanian agricultural landscape,” he said. Tasmanian farmers and landowners can find out more at: www.activacre.com.au

Local contractors in Eastern Victoria who undertake important pre-summer fire preparation work have been shunned by the Labor State Government. Source: Timberbiz The panel of workers undertakes such tasks as vegetation clearing, hazardous tree removal, and maintaining fire tracks, but this year have not been engaged to anywhere near the level of past years and in some cases, not at all. Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said that apart from leaving us more vulnerable to the upcoming fire season, these families rely on this income and have now been left struggling after regular work volumes have failed to materialise. “There was concern that the timber industry harvest and haulage contractors who were employed by the government would push the contractor panel out of work, but the government emphatically stated several months ago it had a separate funding pool and contractors would receive ‘similar volumes of forest and fire management works’,” said Mr Bull “However, that simply hasn’t occurred. Some who have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts for major works over recent years, have simply not been engaged as their machines sits idle. “Several have raised with my office their alarm about the significant discrepancy between DEECA’s promises and the actual allocation of work. “Many are too scared to speak out as they know how vindictive this government can be. “Not only has this government shut down our timber industry, but they are now forcing these contractors out of work, at the same time our fire access tracks are overgrown and there is so much pre-fire season work to be done. “I suspect this is simply yet another case of Labor running out of money and making cutbacks to country services we rely on, to service their debt, which is headed to $187 billion by 2026 with interest repayments of $26 million per day. “I have asked Minister Dimopoulos in parliament several questions around the allocation of work compared to previous years and I look forward to his responses,” said Mr Bull.

The new Tigercat 120 cable assist is Tigercat’s second model in the cable systems product line. With the release of the 180 swing yarder and now, the 120 winch assist, Tigercat is leveraging its deep experience in steep slope harvesting systems to create cable systems that complement the ground based machines. Source: Timberbiz It is now possible to assemble a fully mechanized Tigercat steep slope harvesting system with the option for cable assisted feller bunchers, shovel loggers, track and wheel harvesters, skidders and forwarders, as well as the very capable 180 swing yarder. The 120 winch assist is fully integrated with all the latest generation Tigercat steep slope capable carriers, providing seamless communications and optimal hydraulic efficiency. The 120 is also designed to work without travel signal integration. The basic installation, requiring only the in-cab control unit and antennas, allows the 120 to be mated to any carrier. The 120 sits on a full forest duty F8 undercarriage for excellent durability and mobility. The upper assembly has a sloped tail for added manoeuvrability on narrow mountain roads. Access to daily service points and major components is convenient with large swing out doors for the engine and pump enclosures and prop-up roof sections to access winch system components. All machine functions are actuated with an ergonomic and intuitive remote-control system. The powerful, heavy duty boom system with choice of a bucket or other attachments firmly anchors the machine and can take on basic roadbuilding duties. With ample below grade capability, the boom can extend over the road bank to firmly anchor the machine. High-capacity cooling combined with a secondary hydraulic braking circuit provides highly effective braking assistance and heat dissipation for higher-speed rubber tire machines such as skidders, forwarders and harvesters. The relatively long distance between the boom-mounted sheave and the winch, and the powered cable tension system combine to provide neat and reliable rope spooling. With the boom anchor system planted firmly in the ground, the cable can be operated off to the side of the machine, thanks to the pivoting sheave.

Enviva announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic transformation. Source: Business Wire Enviva is well-positioned for long-term growth and consistent operating performance, allowing the company to serve its customers as a market leader and critical partner in meeting their demand for renewable fuel. Enviva’s Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) was confirmed by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, with overwhelming support from the company’s key stakeholders and business partners. As part of its financial restructuring, Enviva has equitized more than US$1 billion of indebtedness and American Industrial Partners Capital Fund VIII (“AIP”) has become the largest shareholder of the company. To support ongoing operations and future growth initiatives, Enviva is capitalized at emergence with an attractive exit loan facility, as well as access to further capital through a delayed draw term loan. As part of the Plan, stakeholders provided US$250 million of new money financing through an Equity Rights Offering to help fund the recapitalization of the company. As a result of this, the company’s liquidity and financial profile is very strong, and the company has no near-term debt maturities. The secured funding also fully finances completion of the company’s 11th production plant, under construction in Epes, Alabama, which is anticipated to produce its first pellets in May 2025. Once fully ramped, the company expects the new plant to produce ~1 million metric tons of wood pellets per year, providing a significant opportunity to sell into new and existing markets. Glenn Nunziata, who most recently served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, and James Geraghty, who formerly served as Executive Vice President of Finance, has been named Chief Financial Officer. In connection with emergence, Enviva will operate as a private company with a new board of managers comprising representatives from key shareholders, including AIP, Keyframe Capital Partners, L.P., and Ares Management funds, who bring valuable financial, operational, and end-market experience to support Enviva’s operations and future growth.

As the year draws to a close, take a moment to look back at some of the impressive moments in mass timber design and construction that have made 2024 the ‘Year of the Wood Dragon’ truly unforgettable. Source: Timberbiz Record-breaking number of architectural awards for buildings designed and constructed with wood. Highlights include: Wisdome Stockholm, Dezeen, Kasper Salin, Canadian Wood Council Stora Enso Head Office, Finnish Wood Award and inclusion in the inaugural UN Bio & Earth-Based Materials Compendium that was launched at COP29 11 Belgrave Road, Retrofit Building of the Year 2024 Building Magazine Awards (G-frame Structures Ltd) Bezirksbauernkammer, Austria Archello (Innovoholz) Hope Street, 2024 RIBA MacEwen Award (EURBAN) Mediavaert ∣ DPG Media’s new HQ, The Netherlands Timber Awards (WIEHAG Timber Construction) EcoDataCenter, Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence (ByggPartner) 2024 was also the inaugural year for the Built by Nature Prize Several major cities carried out urban planning and placemaking with engineered wood. President Macron opened Arboretum in Paris and Stora Enso delivered the mass timber kit of parts for the first building at Stockholm Wood City and Sydney’s Green City, near the new airport. Paris, Lyon, and Vancouver (to name just a few) developed affordable housing projects with mass timber, citing cost-effectiveness, speed and sustainability as the primary drivers. It wasn’t just buildings that were woodified, 2024 saw more wood-based telecom towers using laminated veneer lumber and other infrastructure, including wind turbine towers. Everything from road signs to satellites are going the woodway. More than a hundred new schools and educational extensions were built with prefabricated Sylva kits, and GenZero Designed with Nature (a design for the disassembly (Dfd) initiative in the UK) also improved state schools. Some of the best of 2024 timber educational facilities included: B&K’s Stephenson Building, Newcastle University Madergia’s UPNA Health Sciences Building Pöchhacker’s VERBUND Hydropower – Apprentice Campus The EU building sector was told loud and clear to get serious about low-emission and carbon-storing materials (aka wood) with the EU taking its boldest step yet to regulate the vast amounts of emissions in building materials. New legislation requires life cycle assessments (LCAs) for all new buildings, starting with large buildings in 2028, and requires all EU countries to set emission limits for new buildings from 2030. Supported by France’s Environmental Regulation 2020 (RE2020), prominent developers increasingly turned to mass timber to meet those legal requirements and also likely to satisfy customer sustainability demands too. The Paris Olympic venues showcased demountable wood products and Falu Rödfärg pigment by Stora Enso. In Germany, the new Model Timber Construction Directive is on track to simplify the construction of wood buildings. The federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia has already applied this directive. In Canada, the Mass Timber Roadmap was introduced to increase the mass timber market to Can$2.4 billion by 2035, with Can$4.2 million allocated for mass timber demonstration projects and research now. Provincial building codes were also updated to enable mass timber buildings up to 18 floors. The US increased funding to US$74 million to spark innovation, create new markets for wood products, and expand wood processing facilities. (USDA) The Australian government’s $300 million fund launched in 2022 to accelerate the use of mass timber in medium and high-rise buildings started to take shape. Stora Enso and WIEHAG Timber Construction are shipping elements now to build the 39-storey Atlassian HQ in Sydney set to be the world’s tallest commercial hybrid timber tower as this is written. Czechia approved the National Raw Materials Policy for Wood, which aims to accelerate the adoption of timber buildings. Lifecycle assessments went mainstream, boosting demand for carbon-storing, low-energy, and traceable building products; learn more about this in the Mass timber LCA-led design and construction case study. Demand for more detailed carbon footprint information resulted in a wealth of new carbon counters, with Stora Enso’s calculator widely celebrated for showcasing their impressively small carbon footprint in a user-friendly way. Other standouts included Siemens’ Participatory research initiatives, financial incentives and public awareness campaigns for building with wood captured our hearts and attention with stand-out examples, including Czechia’s pavilion at the World Expo in Japan (A2 Timber) Wood Circles, Alliance for Sustainable Buildings Map Project, European Wood Policy Platform (WoodPoP), New York City’s Mass Timber Studio. Climate Cleanup launched a methodology to certify the carbon stored in timber buildings (and Timber Finance Initiative made big strides with its soon-to-launch similar methodology). Under such approaches, developers can financially benefit from their buildings’ stored carbon if anyone still needs a reason to build in wood. Green building badges: More mass timber buildings received prestigious sustainability certifications, such as LEED and BREEAM, recognizing their environmental performance and setting benchmarks for future projects. More than 70 countries committed to the Chaillot Declaration to make near-zero emission and climate-resilient buildings the new global standard. This is particularly encouraging given that 2025 is the year we’ll all learn if greenhouse gases have peaked or not, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. While that remains a big question mark, the year of the Wood Dragon has delivered with many bold and beautiful examples of how we can and are resisting climate change with sustainable wood products.

When livestock and forestry come together it can be the best of both worlds, leading to resilience against climate change, productive landscapes into the future and improved animal welfare. Source: Timberbiz Scion researchers and partners are on a mission to demonstrate the environmental, economic, cultural and social benefits of an integrated system during the three-year Taking risk out of next generation silvopastoral systems research programme. Agroforestry blends agriculture and forestry in a way that addresses environmental, economic and social pressures. Silvopastoral systems are the form of agroforestry involving livestock grazing on pasture.There has been little new research on silvopastoral systems in New Zealand for more than 30 years and there is a gap in current knowledge and lack of demonstrated systems. This project aims to change that. During the research program, which started in August 2024, the team will hold co-design workshops with research partners and landowners to identify sites where trees can either be planted into established farms or existing stands of trees can be modified. Animal and plant monitoring will ideally be done across trials on sheep, beef, and dairy farms. Engagement with landowners occurred pre-proposal and will continue throughout ensuring research, infrastructure and project objectives are collaboratively developed, project lead Peter Clinton says. “Co-design is a key requirement to ensure objectives are met and research is relevant to the needs and aspirations of landowners.” Animal welfare and climate change are at the project’s core. Clinton, a microbial ecology and soil systems principal researcher, says trees on farms create more natural shelter for animals from the elements. Other benefits include less erosion, potentially more biodiversity and increased carbon sequestration. Mr Clinton hopes the trials can continue beyond the life of the research project. Simon Van Haandel, a Forestry Business Manager at Pāmu, one of Scion’s research partners, says deciduous silvopastoral systems could be a viable land use option on vulnerable land types across New Zealand. He says climate modelling shows extreme weather events will worsen over time which will reduce productivity and increase the risks to both stock and the land. Trees can help mitigate the effects of erosion and minimise the impacts of extreme weather by cooling air and regulating water flows. “Historical silvopastoral trials under radiata pine were not economically viable however, other values such as erosion control, animal health, shade and shelter, timber and carbon are becoming increasingly important for farm resilience in the face of climate change. “Pāmu hopes that through the project we can show the conditions under which silvopastoral systems can work in New Zealand to provide farmers with another option for their tool kit.” Dane Tamepo (The Proprietors of Orete ll & Other Blocks Incorporated) believes science is pivotal in addressing climate change and building resilience across the Incorporation’s dairy operation and other land uses. Central to their discussions are the priorities of people, climate, animal welfare, water quality, and adapting farming systems to support long-term land-use sustainability. The Incorporation also has an interwoven relationship with other whenua landowners within Te Whānau a Pararaki hapū, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Iwi. “With this in mind our intention is to share the research so that our whānau, hapū and Iwi can benefit. Understanding our unique challenges and bringing to the table our Te Ao Māori worldview, are key outcomes for us and why we are involved in this research,” Mr Tamepo said. Senior scientist Karin Schutz of AgResearch’s Animal Behaviour and Welfare team says she is excited about the project as it incorporates a One Welfare perspective — the concept that animal welfare depends on and influences human wellbeing, biodiversity and the environment, and is therefore interconnected. “Cows and sheep are very good at seeking out microclimates that help them thermoregulate and stay comfortable, so it is good for their welfare. It is also good for the farmer because animals that do not have to spend energy to thermoregulate produce more, so it is good for the wallet as well. It is a win-win for both animals and farmers.” Short-term, the project aims to develop new systems infrastructure to promote farming practice changes. In the medium-term it aims to develop methods for quantifying the benefits of silvopastoral systems. Long-term, the aim is for local communities to have increased confidence in the future of silvopastoral systems, for the public to have greater confidence in intergenerational sustainability of New Zealand agriculture and the Government to have greater confidence in the farming community’s ability to adapt to climate change and other global pressures. The project is funded through MPI’s Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change fund. Scion’s research partners include Pāmu and Orete No. 2 and Other Blocks Incorporation and AgResearch. For more details visit https://www.scionresearch.com/science/sustainable-forest-and-land-management/next-generation-silvopastoral-systems  

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

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

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

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

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

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