Australian timber industry news

Trees provide myriad benefits, from being a source of food to absorbing carbon and even contributing to gender equity. But across the planet, tree and plant species face many threats, including from the climate crisis, disease and deforestation for urban development and agriculture. Source: Timberbiz More than 1 in 3 tree species worldwide are at risk of extinction, according to new research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Urgent action is needed to scale up local, national and international tree conservation efforts, says the report. And while this help will be vital, there are many examples of how trees themselves can be resilient or adapt to adverse conditions while providing multiple benefits to the ecosystems and people around them. These are three resilient trees. The baobabs For centuries, Africa’s baobabs have been an important source of food, fibre for ropes or clothing, and medicine; supporting rural communities across the continent. This includes creating a livelihood for many women who collect and sell the trees’ fruit. The tree is also important for carbon sequestration, soil health and biodiversity. Recent research suggests that adult populations of this iconic ‘upside-down tree’ are thriving and do not appear to be dying off any faster due to the climate crisis. They are vulnerable to animals, including livestock which are partial to their roots. But many baobabs live for a long time, with some of the oldest reaching 2,500 years of age. This means that they are used to surviving harsh conditions. Alongside having non-flammable bark that makes them resistant to wildfires, they store large amounts of water in their trunks to survive dry seasons. Experts have found they will likely have experienced extensive fluctuations in rainfall during the past 1,000 years. The baobab is among the trees identified for their environmental, social and market potential in Africa’s Sahel region by 1t.org, the World Economic Forum’s platform for the trillion trees community. The project works to mobilize the private sector to conserve, restore and grow a trillion trees by 2030. The Giant Sequoias The largest trees in the world by volume, giant sequoias are indigenous only to the US state of California. They can grow to heights of 90 metres and the oldest is more than 3,200 years old. Part of the secret to this long life is that sequoias are resistant to insects and disease and have thick bark and high canopies that protect them against fires. In fact, fire helps them reproduce by removing competitors for light, water and food and releasing the seeds from their fallen cones so they can reproduce. In recent years, however, the effects of drought on the land, as well as the taller trees around them, have made giant sequoias more vulnerable to fire. Giant sequoias also have an impressive ability to capture and store large amounts of carbon dioxide over their lengthy lifespans. Experts say one tree can pull about 85 kg of carbon out of the atmosphere per year. Scientists say the trees grow best in their home in the Sierra Nevada mountains. But a recent study in the United Kingdom has found that giant sequoias, introduced to the country 160 years ago, are well adapted to the milder climate and are growing at rates close to their native ranges. The researchers note, however, that long-term consideration should be given to how they will thrive in the UK’s changing climate in the coming years. Mangroves Mangroves are trees and shrubs that have adapted to live in intertidal zones – areas where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides. They can be found on tropical and subtropical shores everywhere from Florida to South America, Africa to South-East Asia, which is home to nearly a third of all mangroves. They have grown to survive in hot, muddy and salty conditions that would kill off most plants. And they bring many benefits. Mangrove forests are among the most biodiverse places on Earth, providing a home for many species, from fish and sharks to hummingbirds and even tigers. They have an important role in coastal communities too, acting as a barrier against waves and storm surges. In fact, they protect more than 15 million people globally and reduce property damage by $65 billion. And they are very effective at capturing and storing carbon, up to five times more carbon per acre than tropical rainforests. However, the world’s mangroves are under threat from human activity, with up to 35% estimated to have disappeared since 1980. Experts say large amounts of mangrove habitat loss is restorable and initiatives such as the Vida Manglar project in Colombia are working with communities to do so. This project is an example of how close cross-sector collaboration between non-profits, communities and governments can help restore thousands of acres of this invaluable species.

The EU’s climate and biodiversity policies have a very large impact on European forestry, according to the preliminary results of a research project by Maarit Kallio, professor of forest economics and forest policy. Source: Timberbiz According to preliminary results, achieving the LULUCF Regulation targets and the EU Biodiversity Strategy would require a reduction of 132 million cubic metres in felling in EU countries and Norway compared with the so-called baseline development in 2035. A quarter of the reduction would occur in the Nordic countries, the rest in the rest of the EU. In addition, sawmill and panel industry production in particular would decrease in the EU. Globally, logging would not decrease much, as 2/3 of the reduction in logging in the EU would be offset by increased logging elsewhere in the world. The largest logging outflow would be to North America (38%), South America (25%), and China and the rest of Asia (19%). Professor Kallio from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences presented the preliminary results of the research project “Leakage effects of EU biodiversity and climate policies on the global forest sector and its sustainability” at a seminar held in December 2024. The research project was funded by the Finnish Forest Foundation. “With the logging boom, the EU is losing the economic benefits of the forest sector to the rest of the world. At the same time, the risk of biodiversity and climate challenges spilling over outside the EU increases,” stated Professor Kallio at the seminar. Decreasing logging in the EU would result in a significant leakage of logging to countries where the risks of biodiversity loss are greater than in the EU. For example, these countries have higher species richness, lower coverage of protected areas and less controlled use of forests. “Assessing the overall impacts of policy measures is important and Kallio now brings a global perspective. Significant logging leakages from the EU to the rest of the world show the ineffectiveness of EU policy measures,” said Martta Fredrikson, CEO of the Finnish Forest Foundation. In the research project, Kallio used scenario analysis to compare the development of the forest sector with and without EU policy measures. The project compared the effects of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the LULUCF Regulation up to 2035. Driven by global demand, the EU and Norway’s logging volume is expected to increase from the more than 500 mil-lion cubic meters (FAO) in recent years to approximately 580 million cubic meters in 2035, according to the so-called baseline. The results on the biodiversity strategy are new and the article Potential impacts of the EU’s biodiversity strategy on the EU and global forest sector and biodiversity is under peer review. Kallio’s preliminary results on the impacts of the LULUCF Regulation are an update to previously published studies on the subject (2018 and 2022) and a corresponding article on these will be peer reviewed early this year.  

US real estate development company Neutral has secured $US133.3 million in construction financing for its development project, The Edison, a 378-unit, mass timber, luxury apartment project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Source: Timberbiz Bank OZK provided senior financing, and Pearlmark delivered the mezzanine financing, with JLL Capital Markets working on behalf of Neutral to facilitate the transaction. The Edison, located at 1005 North Edison Street in Milwaukee, will total 308,913 residential rentable square feet and 378 residential market-rate units (studio, one, two and three bedroom) as well as approximately 7,200 square feet of complementary retail space. The project will feature best-in-class amenities focused on residents’ wellness, including a cafe, fitness centre, spa, pool, sauna, demo kitchen, dog park, movie room, com-munity garden, entertainment deck with kitchens, and a top-floor sky lounge. The Edison represents Neutral’s commitment to redefining conventional development with innovation in sustainability and well-being: At 31 stories, The Edison is on track to be the tallest mass timber building in North America and one of the tallest mass timber structures globally. The Edison blends exposed mass timber with abundant natural materials and state-of-the-art ventilation systems, creating an environment that nurtures both resident well-being and environmental sustainability. The building’s materials are estimated to reduce embodied carbon footprint by 17% (without accounting for biogenic carbon) and 54% (with biogenic carbon), as well as reduce the operation carbon footprint and energy consumption by 45% compared to conventional buildings of the same typology and use. Edison will pursue Passive House certification from PHIUS 2021 Core Standard, one of the leading and strictest certifications for energy-efficient buildings. The Edison will also pursue Living Building Challenge 4.0. Core Certification, focused on regenerative buildings and overall resident well-being. The Neutral development team is led by CEO Nate Helbach, CPO Daniel Glaessl and CTO Matt Frazer. “We’re grateful to partner with Bank OZK and Pearlmark and for JLL Capital Markets’ leadership in facilitating this milestone financing. Successfully securing funding in to-day’s challenging financial market environment underscores the strength of the project’s fundamentals and our exceptional project team,” said Helbach. “With The Edison, we’re demonstrating that innovation in sustainable high-rise construction is both technologically and financially feasible. Edison will pursue some of the strictest sustainability standards, like passive house certification, by PHIUS 2021. We are also implementing design guidelines of LBC 4.0 Core Certification that focuses on the overall well-being and happiness of the people who will live and work in The Edison.” said Glaessl. Pearlmark team was led by Managing Director Mark Witt. “We are excited to be involved in the financing of this project with Neutral, a repeat sponsor of the firm. This project has a great location on the Milwaukee River and steps away from the Deer District, with its numerous entertainment and food options.” said Witt. The JLL Capital Markets team representing the borrower was led by Director Mike Brady, Associate Tara Hagerty and Analyst Merrick Evans. “We are thrilled to be a part of this team to not only add a unique luxury living option to Milwaukee but also advance mass timber developments. We believe this project will set a new standard for elevated living.” said Brady. Project construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025 and is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2027, Neutral officials said.  

A baby totara tree at the east end of Clarkville’s Silverstream Reserve in New Zealand has been entered in the Waimakariri Tree of the Year competition. Source: Star News The tree was nominated by Noelene Francis, of Clarkville, who in 2023 won the individual award at the Waimakariri District Council Community Service Awards for her volunteer work at the reserve. Ms Francis said the totara was planted in 2016, three years after volunteers began a concerted effort to plant and look after the reserve. It was planted among established pittosporums to provide the early protection totaras need and is now thriving. “It is very happy growing among its sheltering companions,” she said. She believes the totara is a worthy Waimakariri Tree of the Year candidate because it is a “true icon” in the making. “I know it is just a baby, and you can’t see it very well, but it will be magnificent and given the stony, dry area it is planted in it is doing well.” All entries for the 2025 Waimakariri Tree of the Year will go in a draw to win a copy of Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees the Illustrated Edition. The competition has been organised by the Waimakariri District Council’s greenspace team. Nominations can be sent to Mike Kwant at ParksandFacilities@wmk.govt.nz until Friday, 28 February 2025. The competition aims to identify trees to nominate for the New Zealand Tree of the Year. Entries for the New Zealand Tree of the Year competition can be made from mid-March to mid-April and an expert panel will select six finalists. Then from May 1, the public will be invited to vote for the tree they want to become New Zealand Tree of the Year from those finalists. The winner will be announced on 5 June 2025 – Arbor Day. The objective of the national competition is to celebrate New Zealand’s most interesting trees and acknowledge the stories that connect communities to them. Last year’s winner was named the ‘Walking Tree’. It is a northern rata on the South Island’s West Coast, near the Karamea Cemetery, with twin trunks stretched apart as if it was in mid-stride and wearing high heels. For more information about the New Zealand Tree of the Year competition and the Walking Tree, visit www.treeoftheyear.co.nz  

House of Science in New Zealand has launched an educational kit for primary school students, taking a mātauranga Māori approach to forest health and environmental issues such as myrtle rust and kauri dieback. Source: Timberbiz Activities in Te Ora o te Wao | Forest Health kit allow students to explore native forests through audio soundscapes, compare giant trees such as kauri and pōhutukawa and learn to conserve forests by dissecting seeds, studying tree growth and understanding diseases including kauri dieback. The kit also includes Scion’s interactive app E Heke e Heka! and the augmented reality tool Mātaihia Te Heka!, which help rangatahi identify other threats such as myrtle rust. House of Science CEO and founder Chris Duggan says the kits give young learners practical knowledge to understand and help protect New Zealand’s native ecosystems, inspiring the next generation to become stewards of our forests and environment. “By age 10, most children have formed a strong impression of careers they can see themselves doing. If science hasn’t been part of their lives by then, the chance they’ll follow this pathway is slim. “Empowering primary school teachers to deliver engaging science lessons will ensure a workforce with the necessary skills to embrace and support the future of work.” Te Ora o te Wao | Forest Health kit is part of a library of hands-on, bilingual science resource kits covering a range of topics, including electricity, climate change and soil. “Careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are at the heart of many future workforce requirements and underpin the transition to a climate-resilient, sustainable, low-emission economy,” Mr Duggan said. Katerina Pihera-Ridge, Scion’s Portfolio Lead for Restoration, Protection & Mauri o Te Waonui a Tane, says the inclusion of E Heke e Heka! and Mātaihia Te Heka! in the kit is significant. “It will make the app directly available to all House of Science member schools and kura, presenting myrtle rust science in Te Reo Māori and English and allowing young learners to engage with this environmental knowledge in a relevant and interactive way.” Ms Pihera-Ridge led the development of the app after recognising a significant gap in accessible resources about myrtle rust, particularly in Te Reo Māori. “We identified a need to make scientific knowledge more accessible to whānau, communities and rangatahi,” she said. “This app offers an interactive learning experience that helps young people understand the impact of myrtle rust and empowers them in their roles as kaitiaki.” The kit is guided by the BioHeritage National Science Challenge’s Oranga – Wellbeing program, which combines Māori perspectives on well-being with scientific strategies for biosecurity, ecosystem health and resilience. Thanks to sponsorship from the BioHeritage National Science Challenge and the Freemasons Foundation, most House of Science branches nationwide will have two copies of the kit. “We have 20 House of Science branches serving over 700 schools across most of the North Island and Christchurch, and our kits have the power to reach more than 170,000 schoolchildren each year,” Mr Duggan said. Andrea Acton, a teacher at Bethlehem School, who recently trialled Te Ora o te Wao | Forest Health kit, says it was an outstanding resource that captivated the students’ interest. “We integrated it seamlessly across the curriculum, which inspired some of the best creative writing students have done all year. They also created posters full of newly learned facts and are thoroughly enjoying this hands-on, science-based approach to learning.” Te Ora o te Wao | Forest Health kit marks the second collaboration between Scion and House of Science. In 2022, they partnered to create “A Load of Rubbish”, a kit that introduced students to the six Rs of resource management – rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and repair.  

Giant pine scale, or GPS, has been detected in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs following ongoing surveillance of an area where infected trees were removed in the Highbury Aqueduct Reserve and Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve last year. These sap-sucking pests have the potential to impact the state’s $1.4 billion forest industry. Source: Timberbiz The Department of Primary Industries and Regions is currently working with the Department for Environment and Water, SA Water, the South Australian forest industry and the City of Tea Tree Gully in managing this latest outbreak. Trees are being removed in the Highbury and Hope Valley areas, in order to protect both local street trees, surrounding urban forests and the South Australian forestry sector. Any wildlife found to be present, including protected animals and the eggs of protected animals, is being managed appropriately in accordance with relevant legislation. A spokesperson for the State Government said that they understood the loss of mature trees would have an impact on the Highbury community, and that the decision to undertake tree removal had not been made lightly. “Given the risk giant pine scale poses, it is important that all steps are taken to eliminate this pest insect,” the spokesperson said. “To protect street trees and the parks and gardens within the Highbury and Hope Valley areas, as well as South Australia’s $1.4 billion forest industry, there is an urgent need to contain the pest insect through the removal of affected and surrounding trees. “Other eradication options have been trialled in the area in an effort to reduce the impact of tree removal, however they have not been successful in full eradication of giant pine scale. As a result, the removal of trees remains the best-known option for eliminating the pest. “Previous giant pine scale detections at Dernancourt and North Adelaide in 2014 and Highbury in 2018 were successfully controlled through using this same approach and we are confident that the removal of these final known GPS-infected trees in SA will be again successful in mitigating this pest.” With human activity a known key driver of giant pine scale spread, particularly through the pest sticking onto shoes, clothing or equipment, a restricted area has been established around the infestation site, including the closure of the Aqueduct Trail. Visitors to Highbury Aqueduct Reserve are advised not to enter the restricted area or remove any wood material from the reserves. Once the tree removals are complete the restricted area will remain in place for up to three months to ensure that there are no live giant pine scale remaining onsite prior to re-opening for public access. The tree removal site will be remediated including revegetating with local native species of trees, shrubs and grasses when seasonal conditions are optimal for planting. Native to the eastern Mediterranean region, giant pine scale (Marchalina hellenica) causes branch dieback, gradual desiccation and tree death. It feeds exclusively on plants from the pine family, such as introduced pines, firs and spruces. “With surveillance so critical to this stage of the response, all agencies involved are calling on the public, particularly local residents, to report anything that looks suspicious,” the spokesperson said. Giant pine scale can be detected by looking for masses of the characteristic white cotton-like secretions on the trunks and branches of pine trees. If you see or suspect giant pine scale, report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Further information on the pest is also available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/giant-pine-scale For enquiries regarding the management of giant pine scale at Highbury Aqueduct Reserve, email NPWS-AMLR-PLS@sa.gov.au For enquiries regarding the management of giant pine scale at Hope Valley Reservoir Reserve, contact SA Water on 1300 SA WATER (1300 729 283).  

Two companies involved in an illegal forestry operation on a farming property south of Cooma have been fined a combined amount of almost $900,000. Source: The Riotact Whites Timber Products Pty Ltd was fined $600,000, and White’s Haulage Pty Ltd was fined $270,000 by the NSW Land and Environment Court in December 2024. This is the court’s second sentencing for the incident. Last year, farmer Michael James Green, who owned the farming property called ‘Doolondondale’ in Kybeyan, was convicted and fined $112,500 for his offences. Justice Nicola Pain said that the two companies had carried out the native forestry operations on Green’s property between September and November 2021. She said Whites Timber, the sole director of which was Dennis Gordon White, had been contracted by Green to undertake forestry operations on the property under a Timber Supply Agreement. Whites Timber then engaged White’s Haulage, run by Dennis’ son Justin Rodney White, as a subcontractor. According to the court, White’s Haulage conducted the day-to-day forestry operations under the instruction of Whites Timber, while both Justin and Dennis White were onsite managers. At least 8800 tonnes of pulpwood-grade timber and 985 cubic metres of sawlogs were harvested, and the two companies sold the harvested products to timber suppliers. However, in December 2021, Green contacted Local Land Services (LLS) and raised concerns about the condition of the harvesting areas after the operations. Dr Julian Wall, who has over 30 years’ experience in natural resource management, told the court that as a result of unauthorised harvesting, basal area and tree retention thresholds were breached and the vegetation had changed to a sparse woodland structure. “A substantial number of larger and older trees appear to have been harvested,” he said. “The small quantity of habitat remaining in the post-harvested forest following the forestry operations would not have been sufficient to support many species of native animals that previously resided in the forest.” Dr Wall said the operations resulted in a reduction of nesting, breeding and foraging habitat, ground moisture and “the capacity of the forest ecosystem to recover over the long term”. Justice Pain said that other than one tree with an eagle’s nest, no habitat trees had been marked during the companies’ survey of the harvesting areas. Whites Timber and White’s Haulage both pleaded guilty to three charges. These were one count of failing to retain the minimum number of habitat trees and two counts of reducing the stand basal area to a mean below the minimum limit. Justice Pain said, “The environmental harm caused by the offences viewed collectively was significant”. She said Dennis and Justin accepted they should have better understood the operation of the Private Native Forestry Code (PNF) Code. “The defendants’ directors made a significant mistake despite efforts to understand the regulatory context and, according to them, incorrect advice from LLS officers,” she said. She said one explanation for what happened was that previous methods applied by an experienced team were employed and these methods were not up to the standard now needed to comply with the PNF Code. Whites Timber hasn’t operated since November 2021 and Dennis, who is 72, does not propose to be involved in timber harvesting again. Justin said White’s Haulage had taken reasonable steps to minimise the occurrence of an event like this in future. “The defendants have shown genuine contrition and remorse and have already suffered significant financial impacts with flow on personal impacts to the directors,” Justice Pain said. She said Green received a large discount when he was sentenced due to his substantial assistance to authorities, as he reported the unlawful forestry operation on his property. However, she said the two companies had direct control over the offending conduct and were, therefore, in a better position to prevent the consequential environmental harm. Both companies were convicted of the offences, fined and ordered to pay the legal costs of the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

New data shows imported timber volumes increasing at the cost of Australian jobs and an urgent need for ‘country of origin’ timber labelling. Source: Timberbiz A sharp increase in the value of imported hardwood products from places like Indonesia and Malaysia into Australia over the past decade further demonstrates that Victoria’s and Western Australia’s misguided decisions to close down native forestry have needlessly exported local jobs and economic activity, while destroying local and world leading forestry management practices that fight climate change through enhanced carbon storage. It also highlights the need for Australians to be better informed about where the timber they buy, comes from, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said. “Australians need and love their hardwood products, and this new data shows that Aussies are increasingly getting them from overseas following the state based native forestry closures. “This is a tragedy because the state governments in Victoria and Western Australia have ignored the fact that local industry is operated to the highest global environmental standards and they’ve killed an industry that provided thousands of jobs in regional areas, and created essential and durable everyday products,” Ms Hallam said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows the value of hardwood imports from Indonesia increased from around $35.5 million in 2015 to a peak of $218 million in 2020 at the height of the housing boom and still at $137 million in 2024, despite the housing slump, while imported value from Malaysia increased by two and a half times over the same period. “Australians are still getting hardwood products, but they’re getting more from overseas and from places that don’t enforce the stringent environmental practices and regulations our industry operates to in Australia. “It raises the point that many Australians probably aren’t aware of where their timber products are coming from, highlighting the need for ‘country of origin’ labelling reform to inform consumers,” Ms Hallam said. “Australia needs to keep sustainable native forestry open because doing so supports local economies and communities and it helps Australia fight climate change because we know properly managed native forests provide enhanced carbon storage compared with unmanaged forests, as identified by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “This ABS data is further evidence that instead of supporting local and environmentally conscious industry that fights climate change and is the economic lifeblood of many regional areas, governments have chosen to replace our hardwood timber needs with imports that could be more environmentally damaging and that many Australians aren’t properly informed about,” Ms Hallam said.  

I had an email from a Queensland mate the other day. “I recently took a train trip from Brisbane to Charleville” he told me, “And there were huge piles of concrete sleepers beside the line to the Toowoomba Range and elsewhere.” Source: Australian Rural & Regional News I knew exactly what he was talking about. In September 2024 I travelled by train from Perth to Adelaide, from Ballarat to Melbourne and from Melbourne to Sydney. Alongside every railway line along this trip were piles of “used” concrete sleepers. Some of the piles were very large, containing hundreds of old, failed sleepers. It was obvious that the piles were growing, as I could spot the fresh additions. As everyone of my generation knows, the railway system of Australia was built on hard-wood timber sleepers, cut from our native forests. They were produced in their countless millions, initially hewed by sleeper cutters in the bush using a broadaxe, then cut in sawmills. Iconic sleeper timbers included the river red gum, jarrah, wandoo and ironbark. Jarrah sleepers (and crossings) were so good they also went in their thousands to India and to England. As recently as the 1970s, timber sleepers were still going into the great iron ore railways in the Pilbara and the coal railways in Queensland. Laying timber sleepers, and spiking down the rails with iron dogs, and replacing sleepers that had come to the end of their life, was one of the great Australian bush occupations, undertaken by “snake charmers” as the navvy gangs were always known. Timber sleepers had a lot going for them. They were relatively cheap to “manufacture”, they were relatively light, they bounced rather than shattered if they fell off the back of a truck, and they could be recycled. If nobody wanted a used timber sleeper, nature took care of that. Timber is biodegradable, and the old used timber sleeper gently disappeared, devoured by termites or fungi, or desiccated by wind and sun or converted to ash by a passing fire. Unfortunately, timber sleepers had enemies. Foremost among these were the “Save the Forest” environmentalists who thought that if timber sleepers were no longer used, the demise of the hated timber industry would be hastened, and our forests would sooner be “saved”. A campaign directed at the various State government railway departments was mounted. This was a wholly illogical and dishonest campaign. For one thing, the environmentalists claimed that using timber for fine furniture or craftwork was not a threat to the forest but using it for railway sleepers was. Needless to say, like so many green campaigns, the fact that it was silly did not matter, and it carried the day. Railway engineers were also complicit. They had always preferred a concrete (or steel) sleeper to one made of timber, but until they got support from the Greens, they had not succeeded in getting timber archived. To the engineer, concrete offered a significant advantage over timber: coming out of a mould, using specified ingredients and a standard process, the concrete sleeper was always exactly the same (perfect) dimension and exactly up to specification. They would no longer have to rely on timber inspectors at sawmills “passing” or rejecting timber sleepers in an often-subjective manner. The engineers also falsely promoted the idea that concrete was indestructible, resistant to white ants, fungi and the weather, and that sleepers made from concrete would never need replacement. The reality was different. Concrete sleepers often broke when being unloaded, and then eventually they always failed, sooner or later, especially on railways carrying very heavy loads. It is true that the average life of a concrete sleeper is longer than that of a timber sleeper, but not all that longer, and possibly shorter if we are talking economic life. Nothing more clearly puts the lie to the idea of concrete invincibility than the view from train windows: an unending litter of failed concrete sleepers lying willy-nilly along the trackside. Concrete can be recycled – crushed into gravel that can be used as road base but the process of collecting used sleepers at trackside in remote places seems to be too difficult, because it is not being done. I don’t understand why the same wagons and loaders that bring out the new concrete sleepers cannot be used to take away the old ones, but apparently not. The cost of crushing concrete is also great and energy intensive. Clearly there is no economic incentive to recycling concrete sleepers at present, or no means of turning them into a profit. If there was, they would not be accumulating. Old timber sleepers on the other hand are in great demand, especially from landscapers. I have seen whole farm buildings and yards built out of them. Unfortunately, they are a finite resource, no longer being produced. And if the old sleepers were not used, they would simply rot away or burn. When I was a young bloke working in the karri forest, the remnants of the old timber logging tramways could still be found in many parts of the forest. The rails had all been pulled up and reused, and all that was left of the sleepers was a slot in the formation, where the sleeper had once been and rotted away or consumed in a bushfire. The big push by the greens to do away with timber sleepers and replace them with concrete is an example of misplaced environmental do-goodism going astray. Australian hardwood forests were never threatened with destruction by the production of timber sleepers. This is amply demonstrated by the fact that the forests are still there today, after having millions and millions of sleepers cut from them over the years. Indeed, many of these forests are so nice that they are now national parks.  As every forester knew, as far back as the invention of the railway, both the sleepers and the forests from which they were cut were recyclable. Apart from being non-biodegradable, virtually non-recyclable and a blot on the […]

On 24 November 1939, the Coffs Harbour Advocate reported, among other things, that “now there are only 200 known koalas in the whole of New South Wales, including those in captivity”. NSW Environment Minister Sharpe’s media release of 3 December 2024 stated, “that our grandchildren will never get the chance to see koalas in the wild”. I thought she may have been a little behind in reading her ministerial briefings. But then the penny dropped! The current commitment to the Great Koala National Park is an example of political and activist NGO scare campaign, using out of date expert elicitations or population guestimates to mislead the public on the alleged need for more national parks to protect koalas. In the case of Minister Sharpe, it has become obvious that out of date koala population estimates suit her eco-political agenda. Prior to the last election, the now Environment Minster Sharpe announced that the Minns government would establish the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) – 300,000 hectares of koala habitat protected from logging, stretching from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour. Minister Shape is taking a lead role in the koala campaign to spend potentially hundreds of millions of dollars on koalas and the GKNP, while over a thousand more threatened species receive little or no funding. Why does the Minister and others never ask, if state forests have been managed for multiple uses, including timber production for over 100 years and have so much biodiversity, why do these forests need to be “protected” in national parks? The CSIRO national koala monitoring program April 2024 report provides koala population estimates for NSW, ACT and Qld ranging from 117,050 to 244,440. The Victorian and SA population is estimated to range from 170,780 to 383,570. This gives a national population estimate of 287,830 to 628,010 koalas, which suggests there is absolutely no risk of koala extinction by 2050. The reason there is so much fuss about the NSW, ACT and Qld populations, is the decision of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee to make the one-off use of the provisions of Section 517 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and split a genetically identical koala species into two species, based on state borders. It has not yet been revealed why Minister Sharpe and environment department bureaucrats continue to ignore the latest and much higher estimates from the koala population review by CSIRO. Using out of date guesstimates rather than more recent monitoring derived data does provide more justification for the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) proposal. This scare mongering may also explain why there was an attempt to add koalas to the list of species covered by the Environment Department’s severe and irreversible impact guidelines. See section 6.5 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The listing of koalas in the ACT, NSW and Queensland has been a boon for activist politicians and NGOs, to ramp up the use of koalas as a scare mongering political and fundraising tool. The political and activist campaigning around koalas is potentially misdirecting conservation spending by NSW government agencies. Excerpts from the NSW budget estimate hearings on 23 August 2022 give an insight into this issue. The Hon Penny Sharpe: “But the thing that I am very concerned about is that previously, at the end of 2020-21, the figures were that 262 species were on track to be secure in the wild. In this year’s budget papers, it’s down to 150.” Mr James Griffin: “The koala strategy, the single biggest investment in any species—” The Hon Penny Sharpe: “I’m aware of that $193 million. Thank you, Minister.” Dean Knudson: “The investment in Saving our Species is $15 million a year so, $75 million over the five years.” Meanwhile, in areas under the Minister’s portfolio the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NP&WS) September 2021 Zero Extinctions report, it states on page one: Our protected areas provide a vital refuge for many of these threatened species. In New South Wales (NSW), around 85% of all species threatened with extinction are represented on the national park estate. Most are endemic to Australia or NSW – found nowhere else in the world. However, even on the NSW national park estate, the future for these approximately 800 species is threatened by feral animals, weeds, altered fire regimes, the impact of climate change and other threats.” On page two the report states: “There is evidence that the overall decline in biodiversity in NSW is occurring even in the national park estate. Key threats affecting threatened species populations in national parks include feral predators and other feral animals; invasive weeds; changed fire regimes; and a range of impacts associated with climate change. On park declines are occurring, or have occurred, in a range of threatened species including small to medium-sized mammals, woodland birds, koalas and gliders, frogs and a range of plant species.” While all the media, activist and public attention is focused on koalas and denigrating anyone who is not wedded to the activist driven GKNP, the Minister gets a free pass for her failure to ensure threatened and other species receive appropriate funding and management. One of many species genuinely threatened with extinction is Eucalyptus Imlayensis, the Imlay Mallee. Mt Imlay National Park was dedicated in 1972, and the Imlay Mallee was discovered by white fellas in 1977. The population was surveyed in 2007, and the number of mature individuals was estimated to be about 80. The difficult terrain and the close proximity of some individuals (which may have been one or several plants) meant that a more accurate count could not be made. Twenty-three seedlings planted in 2011, and a smaller number planted in later years were all killed by a high intensity bushfire on 4 January 2020. Surviving mature Imlay Mallee were suckering from their lignotubers, after being burnt. Latest publicly available information is that there are 48 Imlay Mallee root masses with four-year-old coppice regrowth, down from an estimated 70 mature plants before the 2019-20 high intensity bushfire killed a […]

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on imported goods from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t curb the flow of illicit drugs and illegal migrants into the United States. Source: Timberbiz If he follows through with that threat, it could have economic consequences for the US lumber supply chain, according to Rajan Parajuli, an associate professor of forest economics and policy at NC State University. Canada is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of softwood lumber. In 2023, the US imported 28.1 million cubic metres of softwood lumber from Canada, primarily for residential and commercial construction. Trump’s proposed tariff would require US companies to pay a 25% tax to the US government when importing Canadian softwood lumber products, with the goal of encouraging those companies to invest in domestic production instead. US companies would likely attempt to recoup tariff-related losses by raising the price of Canadian softwood lumber, which would potentially impact the housing market by making building materials more expensive. “Tariffs unequivocally work towards pushing domestic lumber prices higher. When that happens, it usually adds up to higher costs for consumers,” Mr Parajuli said. When domestic lumber prices rise, US companies benefit from increased profits as US consumers have to pay more money for imported lumber, at least as long as demand for building materials and other lumber products remains steady. Mr Parajuli highlighted the 2006 US – Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement as an example of how tariffs can impact the supply chain. The agreement essentially allowed Canadian provinces to charge an export tax on softwood lumber purchased by US companies. Under the agreement, which was active until 2015, US lumber producers gained US$1.6 billion and US consumers lost US$2.3 billion as softwood lumber imports from Canada declined by 7.78% in the months when export taxes took effect. “US consumers not only paid producers’ gains, but also the losses that resulted from the export taxes,” Mr Parajuli said. Similar to the 2006 US – Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement, President-elect Trump’s proposed tariff would likely lead to a slight decline in softwood lumber imports from Canada because of increased prices domestically. US companies could increase softwood lumber imports from other trade partners, such as Germany and Sweden, to continue meeting domestic demand. Both countries have been exporting increasing amounts of lumber to the US in recent years. In the long term, the US would need to work with Canada to negotiate a new softwood lumber agreement, according to Parajuli. Germany, Sweden and other trade partners simply don’t have the inventory or capacity to displace Canada in lumber exports. Compared to the 28.1 million cubic meters of softwood lumber that Canada exported to the US in 2023, for example, Germany and Sweden only exported a combined 3.49 million cubic meters of softwood lumber to the US during the same period. “Up to 30% of softwood lumber consumed in the US each year comes from Canada. A small portion of the total market share is captured by other countries,” Mr Parajuli said. Mr Parajuli added that the US also lacks the capacity to meet domestic demand. While the US has plenty of land to harvest for softwood lumber, the forestry sector has struggled with workforce challenges in recent years. At the same time, Interfor and other companies have closed numerous sawmills across the southern US due to a combination of supply chain issues and weak demand caused by high interest rates. Mr Parajuli said the US lumber and the overall wood product markets may remain volatile given the uncertainty in trade and market policies under the Trump administration. “In an era where technological advancements are rapidly evolving, especially in the logging sector, the US should invest in upgrading the forest products supply chain,” Mr Parajuli said. “Sustainable markets are key to growing and conserving our forests.”

More young people are looking towards the forestry and wood sector as a career, according to the findings of a new Coillte commissioned survey, which revealed that 60% of respondents believed it to be an attractive option. Source: The Irish Examiner Coillte said this growing interest aligns with the industry’s pivotal role in addressing Ireland’s climate and housing challenges while meeting the increasing demand for sustainable timber. Public sentiment also strongly supports forestry’s role in addressing these challenges: Nearly 70% of the survey respondents favoured increased timber frame housing, reflecting a rise in support since 2022, while 80% believed Ireland should be self-sufficient in timber production. The forestry sector is recognised as a key driver of Ireland’s climate action objectives, requiring more than 1,700 skilled professionals by 2030 to meet the ambitions of the forest strategy. Coillte released the findings at the launch of its 2025 Forestry Scholarship Programme, which offers up to €20,000 per recipient across their degree, alongside paid summer placements and career opportunities with the company. The scholarship, created to address the growing need for skilled professionals to support Ireland’s environmental and economic sustainability, provides support for students pursuing a full-time, third-level forestry programme at University College Dublin (UCD) or South-East Technological University (SETU). Inaugural scholars Áine O’Dwyer (Donegal), Mia Sibbald (Kildare) and Alex Power (Waterford), now in their first semester at SETU, are already benefiting from the programme. Coillte Forest managing director Mark Carlin said forestry is essential to Ireland’s environmental and economic future, offering diverse careers in a wide variety of areas. He urged students to consider forestry as a meaningful career that contributes to a greener, more self-sufficient Ireland. “Forestry is not just about planting and harvesting trees – it is a dynamic, multifaceted sector,” he said, stressing that sustainability is at the heart of forestry today and technological innovation continues to transform the sector. Mr Carlin said there is a wide range of careers available, including planners who use sophisticated information technology to develop strategic forest management plans, ecologists working to protect and enhance biodiversity, supply-chain managers working to coordinate the supply of sustainable wood products, and recreation managers delivering trails and activities for people to enjoy. Inaugural scholar Alex Power said receiving the Coillte scholarship opened doors for him. “It’s not just the financial support—it’s being part of a sector that plays such an important role in tackling climate change and supporting rural communities.

Repairable and exchangeable skeleton modules with open load-bearing structures enable different types of use and uncomplicated adaptations in the event of future changes. Building heights of up to 24 storeys are possible. Source: Timberbiz The operating life and life span of buildings are often far apart. If a property is no longer fit for purpose, it is usually demolished even though it would still be perfectly usable. Even in the event of damage to individual parts of the building, the entire building usually has to make way. This is because in most cases it is cheaper to build a new building than to carry out a conversion or renovation of the existing one. However, this approach does not conserve resources. In the MOHOHO project, an interdisciplinary team from the Institute of Architectural Technology and the Institute of Timber Engineering and Wood Technology at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), together with corporate partners Kaufmann Bausysteme and KS Ingenieure, have developed a system for a modular wooden high-rise building, which is designed with the purpose of extending its operating life and life span thanks to its flexible adaptability. A patent application has been applied for this system. The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) has funded the project. “The construction industry is responsible for around 60 % of global resource consumption and almost half of global waste production and global emissions of climate-damaging gases,” said Christian Keuschnig from the Institute of Architectural Technology at TU Graz. “That’s why the circular R-strategies, such as refurbishment, repair or re-use, were very important for us in the MOHOHO project in order to develop a building system that offers a CO2-reduced alternative to conventional construction methods in high-rise construction and can be used for different purposes for as long as possible.” This was achieved by combining modular and skeleton construction. In modular construction, completely prefabricated 3D timber modules are used, which are stacked next to and on top of each other. The skeleton construction offers a supporting structure for free and therefore flexible floor plans that can be adapted by inserting or removing partition walls. These recyclable skeleton modules consist of cross-laminated timber floors and glulam columns and beams. The prefabricated skeleton modules can be joined quickly and securely using the connection node developed as part of the project. T he connection node also enables load redistribution, which means that the failure of individual columns does not lead to the collapse of the entire building. This firstly increases robustness and thus safety and secondly enables the targeted repair of individual modules. In addition, an elastomer bearing integrated into the node ensures a high level of sound insulation between the units. To replace a module or individual elements, it is necessary to disconnect the supply lines for electricity, water and heating and expose the connections. The node is designed so that a lifting cylinder can be inserted between the spacers, which slightly lifts the support above. This allows the spacers to be removed, and a shear plate redirects the forces after the lifting cylinder has been lowered. This relieves the pressure on the underlying components and creates the necessary space for the replacement process. In addition to accessibility, the individual elements must be able to be dismantled to ensure a repairable construction. In mathematical terms, a building with this construction system can be up to 24 storeys high, although from a height of more than six storeys a concrete core is absolutely essential, something which significantly increases the consumption of resources and CO2 emissions. “In MOHOHO, we have combined the advantages of modular wood construction, such as the high degree of prefabrication and the short construction time, with the advantages of skeleton construction,” said Mr Keuschnig. “The prefabrication of the modules in a production hall under controlled conditions enables higher quality and traceability of the joints compared to on-site assembly and ensures shorter construction times as well as reduced noise and dirt pollution. “The repairability and flexibility of the construction system should significantly extend the operating life and life span of the building. During dismantling, the modules can either be reused directly or separated by type. “We are already planning a follow-up project in which we want to test and scrutinise all of these things in practice.”

Scion Principal Scientist Brian Richardson was awarded the Minister’s Biosecurity Award in 2024 acknowledging his outstanding contributions to New Zealand Biosecurity. The award was presented by Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard in Wellington. Source: Timberbiz Sam Davidson was presented with the Forest Growers Research Young Scientist Award; recognising a promising young scientist who demonstrates passion, industry engagement, and communication skills Serajis Salekin was presented with The New Zealand Institute of Forestry Chavasse Travel Award, supporting international travel to increase their and the forestry sector’s experience and knowledge. Kiryn Dobbie was awarded the Australasian Plant Pathology Society Student and Early-Career Researcher Conference to support participation in the 2023 Australasian Plant Pathology Conference. Rosie Sargeant was presented with the Forest Growers Research Award for Contribution to a Science Team at the 2023 Forest Growers Research Annual Conference. Lisa Langer was presented with the Best Oral Presentation Award at the International Electronic Conference on Toxics for her presentation “Up-The-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste”. Roya Rezanavaz received Kiwi Innovation Network Emerging Innovator Funding. Scion scientists were celebrated at the annual Science New Zealand awards for work to help cut industrial CO2 emissions, reduce microplastics in the environment, and connect Māori communities with research and science. Early Career Researcher award – Dr Bing Song. Dr Song joined Scion in 2019 and leads the Solid Biofuel Project while also mentoring colleagues, leading and supporting funding bids, and reviewing papers for journals in his field. He has produced 40 publications in his career so far (31 during his time at Scion), including three book chapters and 37 research articles. Of the 37 published papers, 32 have been in Q1 journals – the highest ranking in a particular field. Individual/Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr Tanira Kingi. Dr Kingi’s 30-year career has covered management, consultancy, and academic positions across the primary sectors. Dr Kingi (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa) is a Climate Change Commissioner, an advisor to the Ministries for the Environment and Primary Industries and an independent research scientist. In his time at Scion, he worked collaboratively with teams across the organisation providing mentorship, and strategic advice while leading programs in climate mitigation and land use change scenario modelling. In 2021 he was made an emeritus scientist at Scion. Team Award – Microplastics Team. Scion’s microplastics team includes Dr Lloyd Donaldson, Beatrix Theobald, Ross Anderson, Ben Davy, Dr Kate Parker (project leader), Dr Robert Abbel, Anna de Lena, Maxime Barbier, Steph Davy, Dr Jamie Bridson, Queenie Tanjay and Regis Risani. They have been determining how much microplastic is in our environment, its source and environmental consequences. Their work has contributed to a wide range of projects including fundamental research, community engagement and outreach, and commercial projects which include determining the amount of microplastic in our food.

The Gippsland Forestry Hub has announced its 2024/25 committees, reflecting a dynamic blend of expertise across its executive and general committees. Source: Timberbiz The Executive Committee, led by Chair Trevor Nicklen, continues to focus on sustainable forestry initiatives, while the General Committee introduces fresh perspectives, including members from diverse sectors such as local government, education, and industry. This year’s appointments aim to strengthen the Hub’s mission of fostering innovation and sustainability in Gippsland’s forestry sector. Executive Committee Chair: Trevor Nicklen, DEECA Vice Chair: Simon Gatt, AKD Treasurer: Ian Reid, AusTimber Lou Bourke, HVP Tony Cantwell, Committee 4 Gippsland Tom Schraenkler, Sumitomo Forestry Australia Jon Lambert, Heartwood Unlimited Steven Zyhajlo, Opal Lesia Goodwin, Gippsland Forestry Hub   General Committee Mark Coleman, Wellington Shire Council Tony Britton, Radial Timber Angela & Luke Olarenshaw, Alberton Timber Julian Hay, AKD Linda Austin, TAFE GIPPSLAND Peter Devonshire, Gippsland Agroforestry Network  

Building approvals data reveals the ongoing strengthening in the new home building market and continue to point to a moderate-pace recovery in 2025. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its monthly building approvals data for November 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. HIA Senior Economist, Matt King, said that total dwelling approvals fell by 3.6% compared with the previous month but were still up 7.2% over the three-month period. Total dwelling approvals were up 5.4% in the three-month period compared with the corresponding period in 2023. And detached house approvals in the three months to November 2024 increased by a modest 0.7% on the previous three-month period and climbed 7.1% compared with the same period in the previous year. “Following a period of prolonged weakness, there are signs of life again in building approvals, which is pointing to a nascent recovery in new home building.” Mr King said. “November 2024 marked exactly one year since the RBA last raised interest rates. Unchanged interest rate settings have provided a welcomed degree of certainty for consumers. “Population growth rates have slowed across the country but remain elevated which is contributing to strong underlying demand for housing. “Detached house approvals continue to rebound off a very low base, further confirming that the trough of the cycle is now in the rear-view mirror,” he said. Multi-unit approvals rose by 20.1% in the three months to November 2024 and were up 2.6% on the corresponding period in 2023. Despite some observable improvement, approvals for multi-units have been trending at decade-low levels and remain subdued amid challenges with capacity. “For the entirety of 2024, multi-unit approval volumes were erratic and trending at decade-low levels,” Mr King said. “The sector is still reeling from a perfect storm of building material cost escalation resulting from supply chain bottlenecks, skilled labour shortages, credit constraints for businesses, and an elevated public sector infrastructure pipeline that is absorbing skilled trades. “The overall outlook for new home building is characterised by a multi-speed recovery with increasingly divergent trends across different regions and housing types.” Perth, Adelaide and South-East Queensland continue to lead the way in new home contract sales and building approvals. Meanwhile, activity in Sydney remains muted and there is no indication of a lasting recovery in either detached housing or the multi-unit sector, for now. “At the national level, market confidence is returning as the majority of capital city and regional markets now appear to have moved through the trough in new home building activity. A national recovery is in sight,” Mr King said. “Nevertheless, the size of the upswing in new home building activity will be heavily influenced by Federal and State Government housing policy settings. “Policy makers must double-down on the pursuit of efficiencies and improvement in industry red tape, the excessive taxation of home build, the availability of land for residential development, and the supply of skilled labour.” Detached house approvals in the three months to November 2024 rose by 40.8% in Western Australia compared to the same time in the previous year. This was followed by South Australia (+26.5%), Queensland (+14.6%), and the Northern Territory (+10.5%). The other states and territories recorded declines over the same period, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-34.6%), followed by New South Wales (-7.5%), Victoria (-4.5%), and Tasmania (-2.7%). Multi-unit approvals in the three months to November 2024 climbed significantly in Western Australia (+207.5%) compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. This was followed by Queensland (+16.0%), Victoria (+9.4%) and New South Wales (+1.6%). The Northern Territory registered a flat result. Declines were recorded in Tasmania (-85.7%), the Australian Capital Territory (-82.4%), and South Australia (-15.1%).  

The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC), the Institute of Chartered Foresters (United Kingdom), the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, and Forestry Australia, are offering a unique opportunity for rising leaders in forestry to participate in a 3-month paid international work placement, to share knowledge and gain hands on experience in international practices. Source: Timberbiz Host employer organisations in each of the four participating countries have stepped forward to support this program. By opening their doors to these young professionals, they are providing life-changing opportunities and showcasing the exceptional forestry expertise and innovation within their organisations. These are the successful candidates and their host organisations. Candidates from the UK Emyr Parker will be joining Juken NZ, a leader in sustainable forestry and wood product manufacturing, in New Zealand. Alex Donaldson MICFor will work for Forest Corporation of New South Wales in Australia.   Candidates from Canada Hope Rebonne will gain experience with Sustainable Timber Tasmania in Australia.   Candidates from Australia Prue Crundall will be hosted by the Duchy of Cornwall in the UK. Sean Boucher will work with Strategic Natural Resource Consultants, a trailblazer in forest management and resource consulting, in British Columbia, Canada.   Candidates from New Zealand Pheobe Milne will join the Ontario Woodlot Association, a champion of sustainable private forest management, in Canada. Tor Drummond will head to Tillhill Forestry, a leading sustainable forestry and timber harvesting company in the UK.   From March to May 2025, these young professionals will bring their expertise, curiosity, and passion to their host organisations. In turn, the host employers will gain fresh perspectives and insights from these emerging leaders in forestry. During their placements, candidates will maintain blogs, offering a glimpse into their experiences and the forestry practices of their host countries. They will also share their learnings in an article upon completion of the program. To learn more about the program, please visit: Institute of Chartered Foresters: www.charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/young-professional-foresters-exchange-programme Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada: www.cif-ifc.org/what-we-do/national-awards/young-professional-foresters-exchange-program/ New Zealand Institute of Forestry: https://nzif.org.nz/ Forestry Australia: www.forestry.org.au/

A Call for Proposals for the January 2025 Forestry Research Program is open. This program supports collaborative research, development, and extension (RD&E) activities designed to deliver measurable benefits to Australia’s commercial forest growers and drive industry innovation. Source: Timberbiz The Forestry Research Program provides a unique opportunity to advance the science of commercial forestry and its practical adoption. By addressing critical challenges and leveraging industry partnerships, this program aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience across the sector. “This program reflects FWPA’s ongoing commitment to supporting our forest grower members through research that drives productivity, sustainability, and innovation,” said Andrew Leighton, CEO of FWPA. “This program is about creating tangible value for Australia’s commercial forest growers,” said Jodie Mason, Head of Forest Research at FWPA. “Our focus is on fostering innovative research with strong industry support to address key priorities and deliver impactful outcomes. Collaboration is at the heart of this effort, ensuring the research is both practical and transformative.” Aligned with FWPA’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, the program focuses on key RD&E priorities that reduce risk, loss, and cost while increasing productivity across the sector. The specific industry priorities are articulated in FWPA’s grower RD&E investment plans, across the themes of: Climate Change Damage Agents Forest Operations & Supply Chain Impact of Fire Native Forest Silviculture Plantation Silviculture & Nutrition Tree Breeding & Genetic Improvement Proposals addressing topics outside these priorities may also be considered if strong support from the forest-growing industry is demonstrated. The Forestry Research Program follows a two-stage application process: Submission of Concept Notes (due Monday, 3 February 2025) Submission of Full Proposals (due Monday, 7 April 2025) Funded projects must commence in the 2025/26 financial year. Proposals will be assessed based on their alignment with FWPA’s Strategic Plan, demonstrated industry need and support, scientific merit, and a clear pathway to delivering measurable benefits for Australia’s commercial forest growers. FWPA encourages prospective applicants to engage early with potential industry partners to ensure meaningful collaboration and alignment with industry needs. A minimum of three industry partners is required for each project. Information and Support For more information, including application guidelines and templates, visit the Forestry Research Program webpage here.

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has announced the signing of a new Statutory Funding Agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) that is in effect from 1 January 2025 to 2034. Source: Timberbiz As a Rural Research and Development Corporation (RDC), the FWPA’s Statutory Funding Agreement (SFA) represents the renewal of a 10-year contract between the Australian Government and FWPA. The new contract is in response to changes in the levies legislation passed by Parliament. Key changes include: Streamlining and Modernisation: DAFF ‘s updates to the levies legislation aim to reduce complexity and inconsistencies, making it easier for stakeholders to understand and comply with these regulations. Future adjustments to levy settings will also be simplified. Under the new levies legislation, the new SFA defines FWPA as being the Declared Recipient Body under the Act for the forest and wood products industry. Focus on Clarity: The primary goal of these changes is to enhance comprehension and ease of compliance with the levies legislation, while maintaining the individual levy settings as they currently are. Government Commitment: The government remains dedicated to providing matching funding for eligible R&D activities conducted by RDCs, with the new legislation designed to streamline the current processes. Specifically for FWPA the new legislation provides access for full matching funding up to 0.5% of sector GVP. The levy system represents a long-standing collaboration between the Australian Government and industry. It is designed to bolster productivity and competitiveness in international markets by imposing statutory levies on producers, processors, and exporters. These levies are collected with industry input and are crucial for funding initiatives that benefit the agricultural sector. Australia’s rural R&D levy system is often regarded as a global benchmark for government and industry partnerships in agricultural innovation. It balances efficiency, inclusivity, and shared responsibility, driving improvements in productivity and sustainability while addressing industry-specific challenges. This new agreement and modernisation of the levies will empower FWPA to further enhance the services it can deliver to its members and other levy payers, providing substantial benefits to our members and the wider industry. “On behalf of FWPA, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for their support and partnership, demonstrated by the renewal of our SFA,” FWPA Board Chair Craig Taylor said. “This new contract is not only a testament to our collaborative efforts but also a commitment to the future of the forest and wood products research and development, and the industry in Australia. “Based on the 2023 GVP of the sector, this new contract makes available approximately $11.5 million per annum in matching payments for R&D investments made by the industry through FWPA,” he said. “As our sector grows, so will the matching funds available. We are excited about the opportunities this will create for innovation and growth, benefitting our members and the broader community.” For more on the levies go to https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/levies/rates#forestry

In a commentary in the Latrobe Valley Express, Victoria’s Forest and Fire Management Chief Fire Officer, Chris Hardman stated that: “…you should know that Victoria is prepared and that our land and fire agencies have worked all year to reduce bushfire risk. We are prepared and ready to respond”. Source: Latrobe Valley Express by John Cameron The truth is that Victoria is unprepared and is at risk of large catastrophic bushfires with potential to destroy life, property, livestock, environmental values and disrupt water supplies in both regional Victoria and greater metropolitan Melbourne. We risk a repeat of events like Black Friday (1939), Ash Wednesday (1983), Black Saturday (2009) and the Black Summer (2019/20). This risk is primarily because our key fire agencies have demonstrably failed to implement adequate fuel reduction, have a track record of untimely fire detection and delayed initial attack and have often failed to mount fire suppression with sufficient force. Mr Hardman talks up his agency’s fuel reduction on 90,000 hectares last year and 138,000 hectares of public forest this year. To put that in perspective, the area of public forest fuel reduced represents only 1.2% and 1.8% respectively of 7.5 million hectares of public forest land. This fuel reduced proportion is well short of the recommendation of the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission, which called for fuel reduction on greater than 5% of the forest each year (on a rolling average basis). Fire behaviour scientist in submissions and evidence to the Royal Commission, called for fuel reduction on 8% pa, consistent with the highly successful bushfire mitigation employed for more than 60 years in the forests of South West WA (only two lives lost to bushfire in their south-west forest over the last 60 years). Since 2009, our ‘responsible’ agency has been fuel reducing less than about 1.5% of the forest each year. Large areas of Victoria now have very high forest fuel levels (flammable dead bark, branches, leaves etc on the forest floor) of up to 40 tonnes per hectare. According to fire behaviour expert David Packham, the energy released by combustion in a bushfire of this amount of fuel (at about 10% moisture content) would be about 680,000 megajoules per hectare, resulting in a very severe bushfire under adverse weather conditions. This forest fuel load has the potential energy output of 14,000 litres per hectare of petrol, however, the forest fuel is potentially more dangerous than petrol because of the potential of burning bark shards to create new fires 10 to 20 kilometres ahead of the fire front. Because of very high forest fuel levels, Victoria is a ticking time bomb. The large 1.8 million hectares burnt as a result of Victoria’s 2019/20 bushfires has been attributed to insufficient fuel reduction in the burnt areas in the years preceding the fire – only 0.6% pa of the forest area was fuel reduced in prior years and the fuel reduced coupe size was too small and there was insufficient fuel reduction close to ignition points. Weather conditions and Forest Fire Danger Index were moderate for about two weeks after initial ignitions on 21 November. Other deficiencies included tardy fire detection, delayed initial attack (attack delayed to second and third day after ignition for two fires that went on to burn about one million hectares), and not mounting suppression with sufficient force, particularly early when fire weather was moderate and the fire perimeter was relatively small. John Cameron (Dip Hort. Burnley, MBA Monash, and tertiary units in economics, mathematics and statistics) is a forestry and business consultant previously holding positions in general management, corporate development and research in forestry and forest products.