Australian timber industry news

A team developing an aerospace and environmental project based in Montreal is currently working at the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base, testing its technology. Source: CTV News The SAFARI-APEX project team from Montreal’s École de technologie supérieure has developed a prototype that uses cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor forests from above. The system is designed to spot conditions that could make an area more vulnerable to fire before one actually starts. “We are trying to just map all the forest and with this, we would be able to predict the risk of a fire happening in those areas,” said Serguei Markov, an IT engineer and one of the people behind the project. Markov said the system analyses factors such as vegetation, soil and humidity, information that could help focus fire prevention efforts where the risk is highest. “If we see that our risk is really high in this area, we could send a team over there, trying to cut some trees, maybe trying to diversify the type of plantation in those areas,” he said. A prototype, called Borealis, was sent into the atmosphere on a Canadian Space Agency stratospheric balloon in Timmins. The team plans to continue testing the technology, with the goal of getting this vital information to emergency services faster. Alex Vaillancourt, another member of the SAFARI-APEX team, said the project is also about young people taking on a problem that could affect future generations. “We kind of want to put the youth up front for a problem that is concerning us and our children and grandchildren,” Vaillancourt said. “Just to make a difference in what seems to be a super imminent threat.” The team has already won an Innovation in Research Award and was a finalist in the University Programs category of the Space Tech Challenge in California. The team hopes this is just the beginning.

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Logset Oy has a series of new products and upgrades across its harvesting range. The new Harvester 4.0 and the new generation of two-roller harvester heads and transmission upgrades bring improvements in operator comfort, serviceability, machine performance and harvesting technology. Source: Timberbiz The new products will be at FinnMETKO 2026 in Jämsä, Finland, from September 3–5. Customers, contractors and forestry professionals will have the opportunity to discover the latest Logset developments at stand 76. These developments are the result of Logset’s ongoing cooperation with operators, customers and its international dealer network. Feedback continues to play an important role in product development, from the operator’s working environment and machine serviceability to performance and harvester head technology. With Harvester 4.0, Logset introduces a completely renewed harvester cabin, designed around one of the most important factors in professional forestry: the operator. Larger front and side windows provide improved visibility of the working area and the surroundings of the machine. The redesigned cabin also offers more space for a passenger, increased storage capacity and improved integration of frequently used equipment. The new cabin concept includes integrated optional solutions for equipment such as an electronic measuring calliper, food heater and refrigerator, creating a more practical and comfortable working environment. Other new options include a heated windscreen and smooth HiFi, with a subwoofer and multiple speakers. The radio controls have also been upgraded for easier use. A significant reduction in cabin noise further improves operator comfort. A quieter working environment helps reduce fatigue during shifts and supports concentration throughout the day, which result in higher productivity. The interior has also been upgraded with a higher level of finishing and a more refined overall design. At the same time, materials and surfaces have been selected for the realities of forestry work, making the cabin easier to clean and maintain. Increased air-conditioning capacity provides better climate control in challenging working conditions. The new Smooth Ride option further enhances operator comfort by reducing vibrations generated during crane and harvester head operation, as well as the effects of machine movement. The result is a smoother working environment throughout the harvesting cycle. The technology has already proven its reliability over several years on Logset forwarders and is now available for Logset harvesters. The Harvester 4.0 generation also introduces a new electrical architecture across the machine. The redesigned system improves serviceability and provides easier access to the engine and other key components. Increased CAN communication capacity also provides a foundation for future functions and reliable machine operation. Cooling capacity has been increased by 15%, supporting reliable operation and machine performance in challenging working conditions. The Harvester 4.0 generation also introduces a new electrical architecture across the machine. The redesigned system improves serviceability and provides easier access to the engine and other key components. Increased CAN communication capacity also provides a foundation for future functions and reliable machine operation. Cooling capacity has been increased by 15%, supporting reliable operation and machine performance in challenging working conditions. The two-roller feeding concept combines a compact design with straightforward construction. The compact dimensions help keep the head agile and easy to handle, while the simplified structure supports reliability and ease of maintenance. Selected models also feature dual-speed feeding, allowing higher feeding speeds within an optimised diameter range to support productivity. The new generation harvester heads are now available with 360 rotator as an option. The 360 rotator is provided by Black Bruin and is fully integrated in the tilt arch with optimised hose routing. The 360 rotator is mainly intended for loose heads in processor use but is also available together with Logset harvesters. Alongside the new product launches, Logset continues to develop its existing machine range. The latest drivetrain upgrades are designed to increase transmission capacity, durability and performance. The transmission system receives a significant upgrade with a new heavy-duty (HD) differential combined with a revised transmission ratio. The new configuration increases transmission power capacity and will be introduced on 4F GT to 8F GT forwarders and 6HP to 8H GTE Hybrid harvesters. The 6F GT and 8F GT also receive a larger drive pump. The increased pump capacity complements the drivetrain upgrades and provides improved driving performance for demanding forestry operations. These upgrades reflect Logset’s approach to continuous product development: introducing new technologies while continuing to improve the performance, reliability and efficiency of the existing machine range.

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British Columbia’s forestry industry expects it will be one of the hardest-hit sectors by the United States’ new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods. Source: CBC https://www.cbc.ca/ BC is the largest producer of lumber in Canada, and the industry plays a large role in the province’s economy. Most wood and forest products exported by B.C. are sold to the US, valued at about CAN$6.7 billion by the provincial government in 2024. “This is clearly an attack on Canada,” said Derek Nighbor, president of the Forest Products Association of Canada. Nighbor said the most recent trade action by the US government captures more than CAN$4 billion in Canadian lumber products that include not only raw materials, but also value-added and processed goods like fibreboard, particleboard, paper packaging, and wood moulding products. “We have billions of dollars worth of product that are caught up in this. We’re among the hardest-hit [industries],” said Nighbor. “It makes buying from Canada more expensive for American consumers.” He said the new tariffs come in addition to existing duties and tariffs, which have already weakened the softwood lumber industry. More than 20 mills have closed across BC since 2023, with three ending operations in just the last month. David Elstone, a strategic advisor to the forestry industry, said the trade negotiations that fell apart between Canada and the US come at a very tough time. “Unequivocally, this is the worst, absolutely worst situation we’ve ever been in,” said Elstone. Kim Haakstad, CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries, said the lumber industry as a whole is deeply invested in developing international markets and relationships overseas, but cannot compete on a global stage. “[What] we’re hearing is that Canadian products are getting a bit more expensive than some of our global competitors,” said Haakstad. She said the high cost of Canadian lumber is driven by both federal and provincial harvesting regulations, which drive up the cost to harvest and make it difficult to diversify to markets beyond the United States. Haakstad said the additional tariffs are going to make it even more difficult for the forestry and lumber industries, and that while she expects job losses as a result of the trade war, she hopes to prevent it. On Saturday, after he suspended trade talks with the US, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a speech that the decades-long process of increasing integration and collaboration between the Canadian and American economies was over. On Monday, he said Canada will return to the negotiating table when the US shows the “right attitude” and treats the country as a sovereign nation.

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The Tasmanian Government has released its nation-leading Modular Housing Finance Guarantee legislation for public consultation. The scheme will guarantee construction loans while homes are being built off-site, where limited collateral has historically restricted lending. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government is removing one of the biggest barriers to faster, more affordable housing with a nation-leading Finance Guarantee. “The draft Modular Housing Finance Guarantee Bill 2026 sets out the framework to partner with banks to unlock finance for modular homes during the construction phase, where traditional lending models fall short,” Mr Rockliff said. “Modular homes can be built in months, not years, and this reform ensures financing keeps pace with that innovation.” Treasurer Eric Abetz said the Government’s guarantee will reduce as construction progresses and cease once homes are installed and become standard mortgage security. “By addressing the financing gap, the initiative will accelerate housing supply, lower upfront costs, and improve access for first-home buyers,” the Treasurer said. “As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we are making targeted investments to deliver more homes across the State. “We will continue to work with industry and lenders as we progress the legislation.” Consultation will close on September 4.

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Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has launched a new industry research archive – the largest collection of research reports spanning the last two decades bringing together decades of valuable research to make it easier for the forest and wood products sector to access and apply knowledge that drives innovation. Source: Timberbiz The FWPA Industry Research Archive represents the largest collection of industry research spanning the last two decades. It consolidates hundreds of reports, technical papers and findings into one central, searchable platform, streamlining access to information, and ensuring research investments continue to deliver value long after publication. Phase one The first phase of the project brings together more than 40 research reports from the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI) and combines them with FWPA’s existing research. The result is a collection of more than 350 reports, making it by far the most comprehensive industry knowledge base in Australia. FWPA CEO Andrew Leighton said the initiative reflects FWPA’s ongoing role in supporting evidence-based decision-making and driving collaboration across the sector. “FWPA’s role as the enduring organisation supporting the forestry and wood products sector places us in the best position to serve as custodian of these outputs,” Mr Leighton said. “This initiative will help industry partners make better-informed decisions, accelerate innovation, and make past research outputs easier to find and adopt.” The new platform has been designed with usability and longevity in mind. Its advanced search and filtering tools make it easy to locate relevant information, while reports are categorised by topic, date, and research theme. Long-term archival functions ensure valuable data is preserved and accessible well into the future. FWPA’s Head of Research, Development and Extension, Ian Blanden, said the resource will help researchers and industry stakeholders work more strategically. “By consolidating decades of research in one place, we’re helping people find what’s already been done, identify knowledge gaps and focus new investment where it’s most needed,” Mr Blanden said. “It’s about making the most of the work that’s come before to deliver real outcomes for the industry.” Phase two The next phase of the project will see the addition of more than 120 completed reports from Australia’s Regional Forestry Hubs and the integration of AI technology to support data mining and deeper analysis. These enhancements will allow users to uncover insights into both research gaps and areas where existing knowledge can be rapidly applied. By centralising access to research outputs, FWPA is helping the sector harness its collective knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and continue building a sustainable future for Australia’s forest and wood products sector. The FWPA Industry Research Archive is now live and can be accessed via National Institute for Forest Products Innovation – Forest & Wood Products Australia. https://fwpa.com.au/resources-hub/nifpi-reports/

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New Zealand’s forest owners spent almost NZ$4 million controlling more than 160,000 pest animals across 1.4 million hectares of plantation forest in 2025, with pest-control activity reported across 77% of the national forest estate, according to a new survey. Source: Timberbiz The New Zealand Forest Owners Association says the sector’s contribution is often overlooked in the national debate about who is responsible for controlling pests across private land. The survey comes as Federated Farmers calls for greater responsibility from forestry and other land managers, identifying neighbouring forestry and Crown land among sources of pest reinvasion onto farms. NZFOA chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says forest owners already take a proactive role in tackling pests that affect both production forests and the wider environment. “These figures show forest owners’ significant investment in reducing pest pressure, often in places where neighbouring farms, waterways, reserves and native bush also benefit,” Dr Heeg said. “Pest control at this scale not only protects forests, but reduces pressure on native vegetation, wildlife and adjacent land.” The survey found larger forestry companies spent almost NZ$4 million on pest animal control during 2025. Possums made up the largest recorded group, with nearly 90,000 controlled during 2025. The survey also recorded nearly 30,000 goats, 15,000 pigs and 11,000 deer, alongside 17,000 rats, mustelids, chamois and other pests. Deer, goats and other browsing animals can damage plantation forests – particularly young trees – affecting tree establishment and growth; while pests such as possums, rats and mustelids can also affect native wildlife and vegetation within and around plantation forests. Smaller-scale forest owners, including farm foresters and woodlot owners, are likely to add further to the overall figures, with the survey not fully capturing the contribution of this group. The survey findings therefore likely understate the forestry sector’s overall pest-control effort and investment, as well as in-kind contributions. NZFOA environment manager Rachel Millar says pest control cannot be treated as an isolated property-by-property problem. “Pests don’t recognise property boundaries, so neither should pest control,” Ms Millar said. “Forest owners are already doing substantial work, but there is an opportunity to make that work more effective by coordinating it across neighbouring properties and the wider landscape. “This new data provides forest owners a better way to track progress, identify gaps and work more closely with councils, neighbours, contractors, hunting clubs and conservation groups.” Hunting is another significant part of pest control in forests, with forestry companies issuing more than 8000 hunting permits during 2025, according to the survey. “Managed hunting access is an important part of pest control on forestry land,” Dr Heeg said. “When it’s well managed, hunting gives companies a practical way to reduce pest numbers while keeping people safe around forestry operations.” Better coordination between forest owners, farmers, councils, conservation groups, hunting organisations and other land managers could help prevent pests simply moving from one controlled area into another. “Forestry companies are already investing millions of dollars and putting substantial resources into pest control,” Dr Heeg said. “The next step is making sure that effort connects with what is happening on neighbouring land.” The survey provides a clearer picture of forestry’s contribution to national pest-control efforts, but Dr Heeg says this is only one component of a much larger landscape issue requiring collective attention. “Forest owners are already doing their part. The challenge now is to make pest control more coordinated across the landscape, so that the work being done on one property isn’t undermined by reinvasion from another,” she said.

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OneFortyOne’s 2026 planting season has wrapped up, marking the start of the next generation of forests across the Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Supported by favourable seasonal rainfall, the Glencoe Nursery dispatched almost 6.5million seedlings to forest growers across the region, including OneFortyOne’s own estate. Estate manager Marcel Griffiths said the planting operation was bigger than ever, with five planting crews working across 45 days, reestablishing 3,143 hectares of land – including OneFortyOne’s recently acquired Limestone Estate in South Western Victoria. “This year we sent 2,635,200 seedlings across the border to re-establish parts of Limestone Estate,” Mr Griffiths said. “This established new radiata pine forests across 1,470 hectares of the estate.” Nursery manager Craig Torney said the busy season needed a team effort across the supply chain. “What stood out this season was the great communication across the entire process, from the Glencoe Nursery team through to delivery drivers and planting contractors,” Craig said. “It’s always rewarding to see the nursery alive with action, and everyone working together and powering through another season.” The nursery delivered a total of 6,467,500 seedlings, of which 5,597,855 were planted in OneFortyOne forests. “The team did an amazing job coordinating an already full schedule while bringing Limestone Estate into the planting program,” Mr Griffiths said. “Their professionalism and commitment ensured a safe and efficient operation and laid the foundations for the next generation of forests.”

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Timber NSW is calling on the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation to release details of its latest marketing campaign including the opening statement, full list of questions, sample size, and margin of error from its latest push-polling effort to end timber harvesting in NSW. Source: Timberbiz About Regional, a widely read online news source, reports that Ken Henry’s Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation commissioned a poll which apparently suggests overwhelming support among South Coast voters for converting state forests into national parks and significant support for ending native forest logging in the region. The Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation says polling found 67% of NSW voters would support the creation of large, protected areas like the Great Southern Forest National Park proposal. The foundation says that for residents of the South Coast electorate, this number jumped to 72%, while 63% of voters in Bega supported the proposal. And it says the pollsters found the support held fairly strong across party lines. According to Timber NSW Chief Executive Maree McCaskill, the published headline figures could not be judged as reliable measures of informed support for the park proposal. “This was nothing more than a push poll to support Ken Henry’s campaign to destroy the timber industry in Australia,” Ms McCaskill said. “The skewed polling was released by the National Parks Association to further muddy the waters as to the true intention of this campaign in which respondents were asked about large new protected areas without being given a detailed description of the boundaries, effects on forestry or park-access. “An enormous amount of what we do is trying to educate people about forestry. Our job is made much harder when we have to counter the false narratives perpetrated by people and organisations trying to ruin Australian industry by disguising their intent and wilfully ignoring hard facts and proven statistics,” she said. “The obsession with destroying the timber industry in Australia has already led to bizarre outcomes – Australia now relies on imported hardwood from questionable sources. This includes Merbau, a listed threatened species imported from unregulated forestry operations across Asia.” Timber NSW says some other information some commentators and numerous politicians ignore is: 90% of publicly owned forests are already in national parks and conservation reserves in NSW (nearly 8M ha) State forests cost less than a tenth of the cost of managing National Parks State forests contribute to an industry that generates $1.1b annually in value added to the NSW economy. State forests that have been well managed for timber over 100 years remain full of native species.

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PEFC is strengthening its presence in New Zealand, with a refreshed national governing body, a new board representing experience from across the forestry and timber supply chain, and a clear ambition to grow certification in step with the markets it serves. Source: Timberbiz Formerly the New Zealand Forest Certification Association, PEFC’s national member has been renewed and revitalised as PEFC New Zealand. The renewal was launched publicly at the New Zealand Timber Design Awards in Auckland in June, bringing the announcement to an audience of designers, engineers, manufacturers and forest owners. It marked not just a change of name, but a signal of intent: to strengthen PEFC’s presence in New Zealand, grow certification and continue adapting the PEFC approach to the country’s needs. Chaired by Mark Ross, the new board brings together experience from across New Zealand’s forestry and timber supply chain. Its early priorities are already clear. “One of PEFC New Zealand’s first priorities is supporting the current revision of the Australian/New Zealand Sustainable Forest Management Standard,” said Mr Ross. PEFC New Zealand’s renewal is a living example of the PEFC approach: national systems, built and governed locally, endorsed against shared PEFC’s international Sustainability Benchmarks rather than imposed from the top down. It is a model designed to fit each country’s own forests, ownership structures and communities, and to evolve as those needs evolve. Central to New Zealand’s next chapter is its trans-Tasman partnership. “As part of the global PEFC alliance, PEFC New Zealand is working closely with Responsible Wood, the PEFC member for Australia, which continues to provide technical and administrative support as the New Zealand scheme grows,” said PEFC South Pacific Programme Manager, Richard Laity. “By drawing on shared experience across the Tasman, we are helping ensure the scheme remains credible, cost-effective and fit for purpose, while meeting the needs of both New Zealand businesses and their customers.” New Zealand’s renewal comes as businesses and specifiers face growing expectations for transparency about the sourcing of forest and tree-based materials. Architects, specifiers and buyers are increasingly looking for credible information and independent assurance to support responsible sourcing decisions. PEFC certification can help respond to this demand by providing independently verified assurance of responsible forest management and traceability of forest and tree-based materials through the supply chain. PEFC New Zealand’s renewal offers a useful reference point for other national members navigating change. It shows how renewed governance, stronger market focus and collaboration across the PEFC Alliance can help a national member prepare for its next stage of development, while remaining firmly rooted in local context.

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A new Senate Committee report highlighting the need for stronger action and tougher reforms to prevent Russian timber products entering Australia has been welcomed by AFPA. Source: Timberbiz The Senate report featured strong recommendations to combat conflict timber entering Australia, including urging the Federal Government to explore tighter sanctions against Russia and ensure penalties evolve with global developments to keep pace with circumvention efforts. AFPA Acting CEO Richard Hyett said sanctions had stopped direct imports from Russia but there has been increased timber imports from third countries known to be using Russian fibre. “Russia has the largest forest estate in the world, and timber is an important economic driver, so it beggars’ belief that a resource of this scale could simply be turned off and replaced by other sources,” Mr Hyett said. Mr Hyett said recent forensic testing by Source Certain continued to identify Russian fibre in timber products around the world, often with documentation that mislabelled or misrepresented the product’s origin. “Addressing this imports issue is vital for Australia’s $6 billion timber manufacturing industry, which supports around 80,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs and supplies essential materials for hundreds of thousands of Australian homes every day,” Mr Hyett said. Mr Hyett said stronger testing and enforcement was also needed to protect Australian jobs, manufacturers and consumers while ensuring sanctions against Russian timber were genuinely effective. “It’s time for the Government to act and implement a testing program that can tell Australians what is actually being imported, and not just rely on paperwork from high-risk importers,” Mr Hyett said. “We also need to introduce Country of Origin labelling. “As part of the Senate inquiry, we sincerely thank Senator Raff Ciccone for his support by encouraging producers to seek an Anti-Dumping Commission investigation into Russian timber entering Australian markets.  We appreciate Senator Ross Cadell and Senator Susan McDonald for supporting industry and raising serious concerns about the lack of policing of timber imports. “Enforcing stronger sanctions will ultimately support Australian manufacturers, uphold our international commitments and ensure a level playing field for domestic producers.”

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A landmark partnership between the Wet’suwet’en First Nation and the University of British Columbia (UBC) is pioneering a made-in-BC solution to the global plastic crisis, turning local forestry waste into biodegradable foam packaging. Source: University of British Columbia Inside a new facility at Main Street and Terminal Avenue, wood fibre is moving through a production line and emerging, transformed, as a block of lightweight “wood foam.” For Dr Feng Jiang, who first developed the material in his laboratory at the University of British Columbia, the moment is years in the making. For Reg Ogen, president and CEO of Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership (YLP) and a leader of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, it signals a shift in the Canadian bioeconomy: a new economic relationship between Indigenous communities and the forests they have stewarded for generations. Millions of tonnes of plastic foam packaging end up in landfills each year, where they can persist for more than 500 years. This new facility aims to change that. By transforming wood waste resulting from logging or forest fires, material that might otherwise be burned or discarded into biodegradable packaging and insulation, the partnership is turning a costly liability for the forestry sector into a high-value, sustainable product. The pilot plant is operated by DicinFoam, a majority-owned subsidiary of YLP, the business arm of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Dicin (pronounced DIH-chun), the Wet’suwet’en word for wood, reflects the company’s connection to both the forest and Wet’suwet’en culture. The underlying intellectual property is co-owned by UBC and YLP. “This partnership is a blueprint for the future of the forestry industry,” said Mr Ogen. “Today’s forestry industrialization models have extracted value from all forest dwellers, communities, and our Indigenous cultures. Our project will maximize utilization to add value and respect to each harvested tree and land. Our wood-based biodegradable foam products will help protect Mother Earth for future generations.” The plant converts softwoods such as spruce, pine and fir into a lightweight wood foam using heat, mechanical processing and minimal chemical additives. In packaging applications, the material is designed to break down in soil within months. The facility also produces insulation panels treated to meet building performance requirements, a market that currently relies heavily on imported wood-based products. The technology originated in the lab of Dr Jiang, a professor in UBC’s faculty of forestry and environmental stewardship whose research focuses on turning underused forest biomass into high-value bio-based materials. His lab continues to support DicinFoam’s scale-up, testing new feedstock combinations and expanding the range of applications as the company grows. “With this pilot we’re creating opportunities to train the next generation of talent, including Indigenous students, in sustainable materials development and business,” said Dr Jiang. “This will help to build a stronger and more inclusive Canadian bioeconomy.” The bridge between lab and plant is Dr. Yeling Zhu, DicinFoam’s chief technology officer. Dr Zhu completed his postdoctoral research in Dr. Jiang’s lab before joining another company, but when the opportunity came to return and lead the scale-up, he took it. “As an inventor, it is rewarding to see green technologies move from the lab into pilot-scale production,” said Dr Zhu. “Now we can prove performance, validate the process and begin building the market for a made-in-BC material.” The plant currently produces 150 to 200 kilograms of wood foam per day, allowing potential customers to test the material and evaluate its performance. The company shares the site with Plantee, a manufacturer of wood-based construction materials, whose industrial expertise is helping inform the scale-up. The next phase targets an annual capacity of 1,000 tonnes of biodegradable foam per year at a larger facility in Burns Lake, located within Wet’suwet’en territory. This expansion will anchor a forest-based innovation hub and is expected to create up to 15 jobs in a rural community, plus an additional 35 to 60 after a planned move into a larger, 15,000-tonne facility on Vancouver Island. Two members of Huu-ay-aht First Nation on Vancouver Island, William Dennis and Shaun Dennis, are currently training at the Vancouver plant to support future operations close to home.  

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PEFC’s new Project Sourcing Certification Standard has been shortlisted for the Product/System Innovation Award at the UK’s Structural Timber Awards 2026. Source: Timberbiz Being held at a gala ceremony on 7 October 2026 at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham, the Awards celebrate excellence in timber construction across the UK, and recognise innovation, sustainability, and outstanding design. “It’s wonderful to be shortlisted for this important industry Award,” said Marta Martinez Pardo, Certification Program Senior Manager at PEFC International who oversaw the development of the new requirements. “A lot of work has gone into the new Standard from across PEFC globally. It replaces the previous Project Certification guidance document that was published in 2014 and has been developed over an 18-month period by an international task force comprising staff from PEFC International’s Standards and Integrity team, construction and technical experts from across the PEFC global alliance, including Australia, Japan and the UK, certification bodies and representatives from the construction sector,” she explained. “We were also able to pilot the requirements on two projects in the UK. This development process has allowed us to develop a set of requirements that meet the demands of the construction sector.” The Project Sourcing Certification Standard provides a practical framework for built environment professionals to demonstrate the responsible sourcing and traceability of forest- and tree-based products used in construction projects. The Project Sourcing Certification Standard can be applied to all timber elements that are sourced and used within parts of specific buildings and entire construction projects, and provides a practical management system that enables developers, contractors and project teams, to demonstrate that timber specified within a project has been sourced from PEFC-certified or PEFC-controlled sources from other recognised forest certification schemes, using independent, third-party audited procurement procedures. This provides project teams with greater procurement flexibility while maintaining a high threshold for responsible sourcing in line with commonly used overarching green building standards such as BREEAM and LEED. “One of the most significant innovations is its flexibility,” Ms Martinez said. “Certification can cover either an individual project or operate as a continuous certification programme, allowing organisations managing multiple projects to bring them under a single management system, which presents a more practical and straightforward approach to PEFC certification. “Also, the project sourcing management system will be certified after the initial successful certification body audit at the start of the project. On-going projects will be registered on the public database as applicant projects, and once completed, they will be listed as finished projects creating greater transparency for clients, investors and stakeholders.” With increasing emphasis on embodied carbon, sustainable sourcing and ESG reporting in the construction sector, the Standard has the potential to become an important tool for developers, contractors and clients seeking credible evidence of responsible timber and forest product sourcing across the built environment. You can find out more at: www.pefc.org/news/pefc-project-sourcing-certification-supports-responsible-sourcing-in-construction

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A new US Forest Service wood innovation grant will enable Dovetail Partners, MassTimber@MSU (Michigan State University), and Team Pennsylvania to accelerate the next phase of the Great Lakes Mass Timber Collaborative (GLMTC). Source: Timberbiz The multi-state effort advances mass timber markets, manufacturing capacity, and forest health aligned wood products across the region. The award is part of the Forest Service’s national investment of US$105.5 million in wood innovation, community wood, and wood products infrastructure grants, supporting 177 projects that strengthen rural economies, expand markets for low value wood, and improve forest health. The Wood Innovations Grant Program is investing in proposals that expand traditional wood utilization projects, promote the use of wood as a construction material in commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings, and expand wood energy markets. Healthy forests depend on a healthy forest products economy, and these investments support local economies while directly contributing to improving forest health and reducing wildfire risks to communities. The Great Lakes Mass Timber Collaborative — founded in 2024 by MassTimber@MSU — brings together leaders from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York to build a coordinated regional mass timber economy. More than 100 participants convened in April 2026 to mark the release of the Collaborative’s Regional Vision, outlining priorities for supply chain development, manufacturing expansion, workforce training, and project level technical assistance. “The Regional Vision reflects the knowledge, goals, and analysis of people across the mass timber chain — from forests to manufacture to research to buildings — in all eight Great Lakes states,” said Sandra Lupien, director, MassTimber@MSU. “This wood innovation grant enables us to start implementing that vision on the ground by identifying priorities in forests and matching them with opportunities in products and construction.” Ms Lupien founded and will continue to lead the Collaborative into its next phase. As the Collaborative’s fiscal sponsor, Dovetail Partners provides administrative and financial oversight, as well as staff expertise, to support implementation of this regional strategy. “It is an honour for Dovetail Partners to be able to provide a home for this work to continue,” said Kathryn Fernholz, president and CEO. “We’ve been involved with supporting the realization of benefits from mass timber since the early days, and we’re excited to see momentum continue to build.” The US Endowment for Forestry and Communities is strengthening the Great Lakes region’s mass timber ecosystem through a $300,000 matching commitment that complements the US$300,000 grant. Together, this US$600,000 investment enables Dovetail, MassTimber@MSU, Team Pennsylvania, and GLMTC partners to advance coordinated supply-chain mapping, provide technical assistance for emerging mass timber projects, assess manufacturing expansion opportunities including hardwood mass timber products and develop shared tools and case studies that reduce barriers to adoption. These efforts position the Great Lakes region to lead a national transformation in sustainable construction and forest-aligned economic development. “Pennsylvania is positioned to be a leader in the growing mass timber economy by connecting our forest resources, manufacturing expertise, workforce and innovation assets,” said Abby Smith, president and CEO of Team Pennsylvania. “The Great Lakes Mass Timber Collaborative is exactly the kind of partnership that can turn that opportunity into action. By working across state lines and bringing together leaders from industry, government and academia, we can establish lasting economic opportunities for communities across the commonwealth.”

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Soil testing has confirmed the presence of Phytophora agathidicida (PA), the pathogen that causes kauri dieback disease, at the site of the oldest kauri at Long Bay Kauri Walk, near Coromandel town in New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz Waikato Regional Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council (the landowner) and local iwi have been monitoring the 1200-year-old tree since 2023 after receiving several reports that the tree was visibly unwell. Waikato Regional Council Biosecurity and Biodiversity Manager Patrick Whaley says confirmation of PA is incredibly disapppointing. “The Coromandel Peninsula has relatively few recorded cases of kauri disease, and none as publicly accessible as Long Bay Kauri Walk,” says Mr Whaley. “Southern kauri forests are vital to the future of kauri, as they have been largely free from disease compared to forests in the north. “Preserving kauri on the Coromandel Peninsula really depends on everyone playing their part in stopping the spread of PA.” Phytophthora agathidicida is microscopic and spread through the movement of contaminated soil, including on dirty footwear, equipment, vehicles and animals. It infects kauri through their roots, preventing them from taking up water and nutrients which eventually starves the tree. Infected trees weaken over time and may eventually die. Symptoms include bleeding gum at the base of the trunk, yellowing leaves, thinning canopy and dead branches. The council has been testing for PA in Long Bay Kauri Walk and other areas of the Coromandel Peninsula for many years. However, detecting the pathogen can be difficult. “PA lives in the soil and can occur in very small, patchy pockets,” says Mr Whaley. “That means you can miss it completely in a soil sample, even if it’s present nearby. “We had suspected this tree might have kauri disease based on its symptoms, but kauri can become unwell for a range of reasons. Unfortunately, we now have confirmed the diagnosis.” Mr Whaley says the Long Bay kauri has received phosphite injections to help suppress the pathogen and boost the tree’s natural defences. Another round would be done later this year. However, the tree may not survive, he says. “The health of the tree has declined significantly over the past 12 months. Phosphite is not a cure, but a treatment that can help with long-term survival if it’s done early enough. All we can do is try to prolong the tree’s life and stop further spread of PA.” Phytophthora agathidicida can survive in soil for over eight years, and it can take years to decades for an infected tree to show visible symptoms. The pathogen was first discovered in Auckland and Northland in the early 2000s. It led to a significant biosecurity response, including the widespread closures of kauri forests in the infected areas while popular walking tracks were upgraded to manage the risk of spread. At Long Bay Kauri Walk, Waikato Regional Council and Thames-Coromandel District Council, with advice from local iwi, have worked together to mitigate risk. Over the years, this has included: upgrading the track by installing wooden boardwalks and rails, and using gravel substrate in other areas, to protect kauri roots and stop soil from sticking to shoes fencing off neighbouring farmland to keep stock out installing a cleaning station at the site entrance and kauri hygiene signage (and educational signage) funding a summer track ambassador programme, to educate visitors about protecting kauri. Waikato Regional Council Chair Warren Maher says the most important thing people can do to help protect the remaining kauri in the reserve is stay on the tracks, respect the barriers, and arrive and leave with clean footwear. “Protecting kauri is a major regional and national priority – and a responsibility we all share. “Waikato kauri are one of this region’s greatest natural treasures. These ancient trees are not only an iconic part of our landscape, but they help create and support the habitats that many of our native plants and animals rely on.” Further surveillance and soil sampling has been carried out in the reserve and additional signage is being planned to educate the public about what they can do to help protect kauri.

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A recent national heavy vehicle fatigue operation has uncovered a concerning rise in false and misleading records, as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) warns drivers and operators there is no room for complacency when it comes to managing fatigue. Source: Timberbiz More than 6,100 heavy vehicles were intercepted during Operation Ambit II with more than 1 in 10 heavy vehicles found to be non-compliant overall. The fatigue non-compliance rate rose from 4.7% to 5.3%, compared with the previous national operation (held in November 2025). Of the close to 150 fatigue-related offences, nearly half were deemed critical breaches, with the number of false and misleading offences increasing by more than 42%. NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said there was no excuse for this troubling increase, particularly given fatigue remained a critical safety risk for the heavy vehicle industry. “Fatigue-related offences have increased in both number and severity over the past three years, while driver fatigue continues to be one of the three primary contributors to heavy vehicle fatal crashes,” Mr Salvati said. “What is particularly concerning is the increase in false and misleading records. The NHVR and our Safety and Compliance Officers spend significant efforts in educating industry about fatigue rules and deliberately breaking these rules can be the difference between someone getting home safely or not. “It is crucial drivers and operators are ensuring they meet their work and rest requirements. Failing to do this could not only puts themselves in harm’s way, but other drivers and road users as well.” Administrative fatigue offences, like not carrying a work diary or not recording start times, were also on the rise, with breaches up more than 10%. “These types of offences are often precursors to more serious offences and can ultimately lead to a driver working more than the prescribed hours,” Mr Salvati said. “Failing to adhere to these regulations can set off a chain of non-compliant offences which could ultimately lead to a crash or even fatality.” The NHVR worked closely with police agencies in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania to conduct the national fatigue operations. Mr Salvati said although police intercept activities varied across jurisdictions, this collaboration demonstrated the strength of existing partnerships and the value of combining capabilities to deliver effective heavy vehicle compliance outcomes. If a heavy vehicle driver is concerned about their safety or feels pressured to drive, they are encouraged to contact the NHVR’s anonymous Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line on 1800 931 785.

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More than 280 modular homes have now been delivered under the Tasmanian Government’s ModHomes Program. Source: Timberbiz The ModHomes Program is a Tasmanian Government initiative managed by Homes Tasmania to fast-track social and affordable housing using pre-fabricated modular construction. Housing and Planning Minister Kerry Vincent said the State Government was continuing to expand modular housing construction to deliver more high-quality homes for Tasmanians. “Modular construction is an important part of increasing housing supply and getting people into safe, secure and affordable homes sooner,” Mr Vincent said. “The team at Podmatrix is working hard to deliver more homes for Tasmanians under the ModHomes Program. “Seeing the factory in action is a great example of how we can think differently about housing delivery – and, importantly, how we can get more homes on the ground faster. “Every home completed is another place to call home for Tasmanians,” Mr Vincent said. “Our government has already delivered more than 280 modular homes across the State, with a further 271 units our construction pipeline.” The modular homes being built by Podmatrix will soon be delivered to the State’s North West, where the State Government is delivering 13 units in Romaine. Two of the units have already been installed, with the rest to be installed in coming weeks. “Increasing our housing supply is a key part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. The ModHomes Program is helping deliver that,” Mr Vincent said. Building homes in a factory provides significant advantages, including reduced weather-related delays and greater efficiency, and it also helps us manage costs by reducing wasted time and materials and making more efficient use of labour and resources. This approach also supports jobs, skills and training opportunities for Tasmanians, helping grow the skilled construction workforce needed to meet future housing demand. “This shows what is possible when government, industry and skilled workers work together to build more homes, faster, without compromising on quality,” Mr Vincent said.

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Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels comprise multi-layered, orthogonally glued-laminated structural timber boards (lamellas) and are used as structural building components in applications including floors, roofs, stairs, soffits, balconies, and internal and external walls. Source: Timberbiz As the use of CLT continues to expand in Australian construction, industry requires nationally consistent design methods that provide confidence for engineers, certifiers, regulators and building practitioners. This draft FWPA Standard, D02 Cross Laminated Timber Design Methods, has been developed by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) to provide a dedicated framework for the structural design of CLT elements. The Standard has undergone independent technical review and provides comprehensive design methods for structural CLT components, subject to the requirements and limitations described in the Scope. Developed through collaboration with industry, researchers and technical experts, the Standard is intended to support consistent engineering practice and will form the basis of a proposal to incorporate CLT design provisions into a future revision of AS 1720.1 Timber Structures. Industry Benefits of FWPA Standard D02 Provides recognised design methods for structural CLT elements. Promotes consistency across engineering, manufacturing and certification practices. Supports the growing use of CLT and mass timber construction in Australia. Consolidates CLT-specific design guidance into a dedicated technical document. Provides an independently reviewed basis for CLT structural design. Establishes a pathway for the future incorporation of CLT design provisions into AS 1720.1 Timber Structures. The public comment period for this Standard is open for a six-week period from 18 August 2026 to 29 September, allowing industry stakeholders and potential users to review the draft Standard and provide feedback. Comments can be provided via the FWPA public comments online form or downloading the excel spreadsheet when providing more detailed comments. Save the completed excel spreadsheet to your computer and email to: jacqui.bates@fwpa.com.au The online form and spreadsheet are available at https://fwpa.com.au/standards-activities/draft-standard-cross-laminated-timber-design-methods-d02/  

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Plans to fund a massive koala sanctuary in northern NSW with a new type of carbon credit is threatening to split the federal Greens, who were unable to agree on a position this week on whether to back a Nationals-led motion to derail the scheme. Source: The Financial Review The Minns government last month announced its new Great Koala National Park would be funded with carbon credits, which are tradeable instruments generated by nature projects that can be used to offset emissions elsewhere in the economy. Supporters of the credits, including former Treasury secretary Ken Henry, argued they created an economic incentive to keep trees in the ground and permanently end the logging of native forests in the state. But the move was opposed by both the logging industry and a huge swathe of environmental groups, who said the credits lacked integrity and should not be used to offset the burning of fossil fuels in other industries. A federal Nationals plan for a Senate vote to block the new rules was delayed on Tuesday after the Greens indicated they needed more time to reach a final position. The vote will instead take place on September 15 but cannot be delayed again. Henry, who chairs the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, said it was “inconceivable” that the Greens would consider backing a Nationals motion brought on behalf of the logging industry. “The loggers must be beside themselves with amazement that there is even a small chance that the Greens vote this regulation down and give the industry its biggest fillip in a decade,” he said. “I do understand that the Greens find themselves in a bind. They have been the most steadfast of supporters of forest protection for years and their unhappiness with the rate of emissions reduction is well documented. “However, surely it is inconceivable that the Greens could side with the Nationals and One Nation to keep native forest logging going whilst torpedoing the most rigorous and high-integrity carbon proposal that has ever been placed before the Australian parliament?” A Minns government stipulation that the credits would be off limits to coal and gas companies put extra pressure on the Greens, who historically criticised the use of offsets to cancel out emissions from fossil fuel projects. Former NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service head Atticus Fleming, who helped design the new anti-logging measure, told The Australian Financial Review in July the credits would probably raise more than $1 billion for the state government. Greens, crossbench and Coalition senators were aggressively lobbied this week over the Nationals “disallowance” motion. Both renegade Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan and independent David Pocock intend to vote in favour of the new koala park credits. A spokesman for Greens leader Larissa Waters said the party was still discussing the issue with climate and environmental groups. “The Greens want to make sure that forests and the climate are both protected. We’ll take this motion through our usual process.” Australia’s oldest and most influential green lobby group, the Australian Conservation Foundation, led by former Greens leader Adam Bandt, has been unable to declare a position on the motion amid internal disagreement between its members. However, ACF is a signatory to a set of “Forest Protection Principles” agreed in August which include “an end to carbon and biodiversity offsets generated from public native forests”. Pocock said his support of the scheme was separate from his objection to the uncapped use of carbon credits in Labor’s safeguard mechanism, which regulates the emissions of Australia’s biggest industrial companies, including coal and gas. “Offsets shouldn’t license coal and gas facilities to keep polluting and mustn’t be used by heavy industry as an excuse not to decarbonise,” he said. “But disallowing the [carbon credits method] won’t fix issues with the safeguard mechanism and would come at the cost of forest protection. The Nationals and the native forest logging industry oppose the method because it would replace an unprofitable small industry with income to protect our incredible native forests.” The federal government launched a review of the safeguard this, which will consider capping the unlimited use of carbon credits to encourage big coal, gas and manufacturing companies to find more emissions cuts on site. Lobbying to block the koala park credits was led by left-wing think tank The Australia Institute. Chief executive Richard Denniss said the issue was a litmus test for the safeguard mechanism. “It would be inconceivable that the Greens would support the creation of even dodgier offsets. It’s really surprising that it’s even a conversation,” he said. Nationals senator Ross Cadell said the forest credits would do nothing for emissions reduction and were effectively a type of subsidy. “The Greens are at a crossroads – do they want rigour and accountability in the carbon credit market or convenience and political deals to lower the value?” he said.

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Influential forestry investment leader Dr David Brand will headline an Investor Symposium hosted by The Precinct in Melbourne this October as investors explore an initial $200 million-plus opportunity to establish large-scale engineered wood product manufacturing in Victoria’s Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Dr Brand, founder of global forestry investment manager New Forests, will deliver a keynote address on 14 October 2026, drawing on more than four decades of experience across forestry investment, forest management and natural capital. Russ Hughes, chair of The Precinct and former CEO of Australian Bluegum Plantations, will host the invite-only event as investors assess the commercial pathway, market opportunity and investment case for the world scale Precinct development, proposed for Portland in south-west Victoria. The event marks a return to the investment origins of Dr Brand’s work in Australia. He founded New Forests in 2005 with a single forestry asset in the Green Triangle with the goal of bringing institutional capital into the plantation sector. The business has since grown into a global operation with $10.6 billion in assets under management with a portfolio covering plantations, timber processing, agriculture, conservation, carbon and natural capital. From the outset, Dr Brand recognised that the value of a forest extended well beyond the sale of wood fibre. His work helped advance a more sophisticated view of forestry as an asset class, capable of delivering additional value through carbon, biodiversity, conservation and broader landscape outcomes. Just as carbon created a new way to value plantations, Dr Brand will explore the next evolution of the sector, transforming established plantation resources, traditionally exported as raw fibre, to be the feedstock for higher-value, domestically produced engineered wood products and prefabricated construction systems – markets experiencing strong domestic demand and constrained supply. The symposium follows the completion of the Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub feasibility study, which confirmed the technical and commercial pathway for the initial stage of The Precinct development. The proposed initial stage, earmarked close to port and transport infrastructure, represents more than $200 million in investment and would establish a large-scale Glue-Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing facility, supported by a state-of-the-art sawmill and major log merchandising facility. It will use locally grown plantation hardwood, creating an estimated 74 permanent jobs and anchoring future stages of engineered wood product manufacturing, including Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and prefabricated building component manufacturing. The market opportunity is significant, with Australia importing close to $1 billion of engineered wood products and wood panels each year, including significant volumes of LVL, GLT and plywood used extensively in housing construction. The Precinct Chair Russ Hughes said the symposium came at pivotal moment for investors and the region’s forestry sector. “Victoria has an established plantation resource, but too much of its poten(al value leaves the region before it is converted into higher-value products,” Mr Hughes said. “The opportunity is to connect the resource we already grow with engineered wood manufacturing and prefabrication capability, so more of the economic value, skilled employment and industrial capability is retained in Australia, helping to meet our growing housing needs. “Dr Brand has been at the forefront of forestry investment for decades. His experience, including the early New Forests investment in the Green Triangle, gives him a particularly relevant perspective on the opportunity now emerging for this globally recognised region.” Under the theme “From Plantation to Product to Prefabrication”, the invitation-only symposium will bring together institutional investors, industry leaders, government representatives and project partners to consider the investment case, market opportunity and pathway to delivery. The Precinct is supported by major industry contributions and the Commonwealth Government’s Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) and the Victorian State Government. To learn more about the development visit www.theprecinctportland.com.au

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Two research projects worth $1.43 million are building the first commercial case for native hardwood forestry at the scale between small farm woodlots and large industrial plantations. Source: Timberbiz The AFWI Centre for Climate-Smart Forestry at the University of Melbourne leads both, using existing commercial plantations in Gippsland, Victoria, as case studies. Australian Forest and Wood Innovations is investing $333,251 in the first project and $380,880 in the second, across total values of $669,635 and $762,578, with Radial Timbers and Heartwood Unlimited co-investing and supplying the working sites. The economics, ecology and social licence of medium-sized native hardwood plantations, which sit between small farm forests and large industrial estates, are not well understood. The projects measure the financial performance of current plantation management and local wood product manufacturing, quantify the natural capital the estates hold, and apply life-cycle analysis to the carbon footprint of production and processing. Victoria ended harvesting in its public native forests on 1 January 2024, and both case studies are built on plantation estates already trading in the region. The findings will inform investment decisions about medium-scale native hardwood forestry and processing infrastructure in comparable regions nationally. Jon Lambert, Managing Director of Heartwood Unlimited, said the work opened a new avenue for medium-scale private forestry. “We are delighted to be partnering in a project that is investigating a new avenue for medium-scale private forestry in Australia. This project has the potential to open many new doors via a platform of solid new data, being collected and analysed by a great team of researchers,” Lambert said in the AFWI Highlights Report 2024-2026, released in Canberra on Tuesday. Radial Timbers already runs the model the researchers will document. The company saws durable Victorian hardwoods at its mill at Yarram in South Gippsland using a radial cut that takes each log apart in wedges, cutting waste and handling the smaller diameter logs that plantations yield, and its integrated operation covers growing, milling, engineered wood manufacture and residue use. “Radial Timbers Australia is very excited to be partnering with this AFWI project as it will provide valuable, documented information on key pillars of our circular economy model which we have put into commercial practice,” Chris McEvoy, Managing Director of Radial Timbers, said. The Gippsland work sits inside a wider AFWI portfolio of 39 active projects worth more than $67.6 million at 30 June 2026, supported by a $101.5 million Commonwealth investment and hosted by the University of Tasmania. Both Gippsland projects run to February 2027.

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