Australian timber industry news

The Greens’ reluctance to condemn deliberate damage caused to several Sustainable Timber Tasmania firefighting vehicles has been attacked by Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz. Source: Timberbiz Several STT firefighting vehicle fleets had their tyres tampered with, police confirm, in a so-called “deplorable” attack. The incidents, described by STT as “malicious”, occurred at its Derwent Park and Hobart offices. “We have shared security footage with Tasmania Police and an investigation is currently underway,” SST said. “As a result, several critical vehicles – including fire trucks and utes with firefighting apparatus – were temporarily taken out of service. This disruption not only affects our operations but also impacts the broader community.” Mr Abetz described the attacks as disgraceful. “The deplorable attack on STT’s vehicle fleet must be condemned,” he said. “The Greens’ condemnation of these unacceptable actions is welcome however, the silence from the Bob Brown Foundation is deafening. “We are in peak fire season and these vehicles are vital to our response,” Mr Abetz said. “These actions have put lives at risk. “By remaining silent the Bob Brown Foundation is creating concern and doubt as to their attitude to this anti-social behaviour. “It needs to immediately condemn the behaviour and explain its tardiness in coming out if they do condemn the vandalism,” he said. STT said that regardless of opinions on forestry, trespassing and tampering with property is never acceptable. “The safety and security of our employees is our top priority, and these actions pose a direct threat to both,” STT said. “Our fleet is vital to Tasmania’s firefighting efforts and must always be ready to respond quickly during fire season. The availability of these vehicles is crucial for protecting our communities and forests.” Tasmania Police confirmed they were investigating the reports. The Bob Brown Foundation in a statement later said damage to property was condemned by the foundation. “The alleged letting down of tyres of Forestry Tasmania vehicles is a matter for the police and we know nothing about the incidents,” the foundation said. The foundation said if Mr Abetz has consideration for the safety of Tasmanians from bushfires, he should end native forest logging, as science proves that logging increases bushfire risk and severity. “If Minister Abetz is concerned with deplorable acts, he should condemn the consistent acts of violence and damage to property that have put lives at risk and that our foundation’s staff and volunteers have experienced,” the statement said.

Opal took the unprecedented step of locking out more than 300 CFMEU Manufacturing Division production members indefinitely from their Maryvale mill in the Latrobe Valley.  This action was in response to seven workers taking a 6-hour work stoppage as part of a protected industrial action – the first by production workers in more than two decades.  Source: Timberbiz Opal is currently engaged in Enterprise Agreement discussions with its Maryvale Mill production team members and the CFMEU. The current production agreement expired at the end of December 2024. Opal’s total lockout is completely disproportionate to the action taken by the employees, it displays a total disregard for the employees, their families and communities according to the CFMEU. In a statement Opal said it continued to negotiate in good faith with the CFMEU and its production team members. Industrial parties have been in bargaining since October 2024 and the CFMEU said Opal was aiming to strip ‘the hard-won wages and conditions of their employees’. “We are focused on reaching an Enterprise Agreement with our team members and the union that is fair and allows us to supply our customers with quality paper in an extremely competitive and evolving market,” Opal said in a statement. “Unfortunately, given the protected industrial action taken and upcoming notified action by the CFMEU, which includes planned rolling shutdowns of the Mill’s infrastructure, we cannot operate our paper production facilities. “We are disappointed to announce that we have been forced to make the decision under the Fair Work Act to undertake a legal lockout of our production team members covered by the CFMEU Agreement. “Given our commitment to good faith bargaining and the ultimate success of our Maryvale Mill, we remain confident that the Enterprise Agreement negotiations will be successfully resolved so that our team members can return to work. “As has been well documented, the Maryvale Mill’s operations have been severely impacted by the loss of wood supply from VicForests and the subsequent end to white paper manufacturing.” As a result, the site lost almost half of its production volumes and suffered significant and continued financial impacts and Opal says the new Enterprise Agreement needs to reflect these significant changes. Opal said that the terms and conditions that were appropriate many years ago in previous Enterprise Agreements were not relevant to the Mill’s operations today, nor did they reflect the way Australian paper mills operate in 2025. As a result of these challenges and changes to its operating conditions, Opal is seeking to make changes to its operations and embody these in a ‘simpler, fair and competitive Enterprise Agreement’. The CFMEU says that Opal wants a ‘fair outcome’ but this seems to mean workers must start by giving up their current conditions and Opal wants to increase employees ordinary working hours; reclassify their roles again; treat them like casual employees and remove checks and balances around rostering; crewing numbers and career progression. In 2016 production employees accepted a 5% pay cut and a resetting of wages to secure the future of the mill. This outcome was achieved with no industrial action. Management did not take a reduction in wages. The Maryvale Mill has been in operation since 1937. It is part of the fabric of the Latrobe Valley, employing generations of locals and driving economic activity for local industries and thousands of Victorians.

Being on board a wooden boat certainly feels good, but is it true it’s better for our health? Since the noxious whiff of curing fibreglass first triggered alarm in a shipwright’s nose, protagonists of production boatbuilding have been dissing talk of wood’s better smell, feel or look as mere stick-in-the-mud nostalgia. But there is mounting scientific evidence that working and living with wood is actually better for our health. Source: Classic Boat UK Recent experiments monitoring brain activity, cardiovascular and endocrine functions have shown that volatile organic terpenes given off by resinous softwoods pass directly into the bloodstream leading to measurable reductions in stress, even enhancing immunity through increasing lymphocyte ‘killer cells’ active against disease. The sense of well-being commonly felt among fragrant conifers and their timbers being planed-up for spars or planking is real, not imagined. Below deck, where the compartmentalised interior of even a large yacht can stir unease, natural wood’s tactile and visual qualities are especially beneficial. Finger-tip touch experiments comparing furniture materials found that wood’s minutely ridged and furrowed texture has a significant and lasting calming effect after only brief exposure. Wood surfaces cut glare, reduce eye fatigue under artificial light and improve cognitive performance, but if the natural material is entombed beneath a glass-smooth finish these benefits are lost. A wooden boat’s intrinsic qualities pay forwards even to the future restorer working sympathetically with saw, plane and chisel, pausing to savour the forest fragrance built into her by a past generation.  

On the first anniversary of the state government’s closure of Gippsland’s native forest industry, France’s rebuilt historic Notre-Dame Cathedral has been completed in all its glory – and French timber was at the heart of this historic project. Source: Philip Hopkins, Latrobe Valley Express The oak hardwood timber used came from trees in French forests between 80-150 years old, with some more than 200-years-old. The rebuilding of Notre Dame received PEFC certification, the world’s largest forest certification standard, which certified the sustainability of the solid oak used to rebuild the cathedral’s roof structure. Oak is regarded as the queen of the French forest. PEFC, founded in 1999, is present in 56 countries. Victoria’s hardwood native forest, and native forests in Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland, are certified to PEFC standard through Responsible Wood and the Australian Forestry Standard. However, France’s achievement stands in contrast to Victoria, where the state government closed the native forest industry due to a mix of factors, which some believe was little more than political malice and cowardice, environmental hysteria, and intellectual ignorance and naivete. The government claimed native forest harvesting was unsustainable. The medieval frames of Notre Dame’s nave and choir, built in the 13th century, and those of the spire designed by French architect Viollet-le-Duc, and both arms of the transept, dating from the 19th century, were destroyed in the fire on April 15, 2019. They were restored identically, using the same techniques and materials as the original, solid oak. The contracting authority for the restoration project, ‘Rebatir Notre-Dame de Paris’, noted in a statement that by rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris’ roof structure in wood, part of which – the great roof – is also known as “the forest”, the shared history of the cathedral and French forests would continue to be written for centuries to come. “Like Notre-Dame de Paris, France’s forests are living symbols of our tangible and intangible cultural heritage, so it’s important to preserve them to ensure their longevity for future generations,” said the authority’s president, Philippe Jost. The certification from PEFC and the FCBA Institute of Technology (Forêt Cellulose Bois-construction Ameublement) confirms the sustainable origin of the solid oak wood materials used, and the responsible nature of the work carried out by the contracting authority, chief architects of historic monuments and project managers. The mission of the FCBA, founded in 1952, is to promote technical progress and contribute to improving efficiency and quality assurance in industry. The institute’s scope covers the entire forestry-wood and furniture sector: forestry, pulp and paper, logging, sawmills, carpentry, joinery, structures, wood-based panels, furniture, packaging and miscellaneous products. The entire French forestry and timber industry mobilised to supply the wood needed to meet the specifications of the project. Actors from state-owned forests, community forests, forestry cooperatives, forestry experts, private owners and processing companies were all involved in ensuring that each stage of the reconstruction of the frameworks was carried out using a sustainable forest management approach, which is maintaining the balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the forest. This systemic approach enables the renewal of the forests from which the timber was sourced, thereby maintaining their multifunctionality, while preserving diversity, vitality, productivity, and regeneration capacity. According to PEFC, sustainably managed forest is a forest where biodiversity, soil health, water courses and wetlands are preserved. “It is healthy and able to renew itself, whilst providing a range of benefits including timber and timber products, carbon sequestration and opportunities for leisure activities.” PEFC project certification stipulates that at least 70% of the total volume of wood used is PEFC-certified, ensuring that PEFC’s forest certification requirements, which define and control a set of forest management rules applicable to all forest stakeholders (forest owners, forest managers, forest operators, forestry contractors), have been implemented. Additionally, the implementation of PEFC chain of custody in project certification certifies that all parties involved in a construction or renovation project, whether certified companies or subcontractors, have applied the control principles defined by PEFC, making it possible to track the flow of certified wood at every stage of the supply chain. The Notre Dame project involved 35 PEFC-certified sawmills, 175 PEFC-certified forests, and the use of more than 80% PEFC-certified logs. PEFC’s rules for sustainable forest management and chain of custody enabled PEFC certification for the entire Notre-Dame de Paris timber reconstruction project. The tree selection process began in early 2021. Chief architects from historic monuments aimed to find the straightest trees possible. This enabled restorers to work on logs measuring 7-20 metres, with diameters ranging from 50-110cm, while still having the strength required to support several hundred tonnes. The trees had to be between 80-150-years-old, with some more than 200-years-old. The final trees were selected, but they had to be harvested in a way that respected the existing area. For example, PEFC said the trees cut for Notre Dame had reached maturity and had already seeded the surrounding soil, enabling a new generation of trees to replace those harvested. Most of the selected oak trees came from either state-owned, communal or privately owned PEFC-certified forests. The first trees were felled on March 5, 2021, and the final oak on February 8, 2023. Once harvested, the logs, each weighing 10-15 tonnes, were transported to their destination – sawmill, warehouse or processing site. Sawmilling into structural sections took place between September 2021 and June 2022. In all, more than 2000 oak trees, the equivalent of 4000 cubic metres of logs, were needed to rebuild the spire and the framework of the choir and nave. According to PEFC, these 2000 harvested trees made up less than 0.2% of the oak trees harvested annually in France. FCBA calculations show that France’s oak forests regenerate 1500 cubic metres of wood per hour. The first phase of the project began with the reconstruction of the spire and two transept arms designed by Viollet-le-Duc, using 19th century techniques. The second phase of the choir and the nave involved rebuilding the medieval frameworks. This required mastery of traditional, […]

University of Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub in the US will receive an additional US$22 million to position Maine as a global leader in forest-based biomaterial production and manufacturing, the university is advancing plans to launch its Forest Bioproducts Technology Maturation Program, a critical component of the Tech Hub. Source: Timberbiz The Forest Bioproducts Tech Hub’s goal is to accelerate research and development of natural polymers and other wood fiber bioproducts that can sequester carbon and replace plastics and toxic chemicals, while bolstering “Made in America” supply chain goals. Launched in 2023, the Tech Hub is led by the Maine Technology Institute and the Mills Administration, and supported by more than 70 partners, including Sappi, IDEXX, Thornton Tomasetti, FOR/Maine, the Maine Forest Products Council, the Manufacturers Association of Maine and the Maine Venture Fund. As a primary Tech Hub partner, UMaine will provide world-class innovation expertise, cutting-edge bioproducts equipment and infrastructure, and intellectual property to build talent pipelines and help private sector companies rapidly accelerate product commercialization and operational growth. “Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub represents the future of sustainable innovation, building on two centuries of forest industry leadership and 160 years of University of Maine excellence in research, development and education along with world-class facilities,” said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the University of Maine and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias, as well as vice chancellor for research and innovation for the University of Maine System. “This investment will transform cutting-edge ideas into real-world solutions, powered by the expertise of our talented faculty, staff and students. Together with our partners, we are charting a bold course to position Maine as a global leader in sustainable materials, economic growth and innovation.” UMaine’s Forest Bioproducts Technology Maturation Program, funded at US$10.5 million in the award announced this week, will support startups and established companies in the forest bioproducts space. “The technology maturation program will provide companies with the talent, expertise and access to equipment to demonstrate new technologies and manufacturing processes at commercial scale, unlocking the potential for forest biomaterials to reach new high-value markets such as plastics and fuels replacements, textiles, building materials, biomedical applications and packaging, and create new economic development opportunities in Maine and beyond,” said Renee Kelly, associate vice president for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources, and Engagement. From tailored work plans that include specific technical and business development milestones to access to a robust network of companies and research institutions and facilities, companies who participate in the Technology Maturation Program will receive wraparound support from UMaine. In addition to facilitating technology development for individual companies, UMaine will work with companies with similar technical barriers to help reach new markets. The opportunity to work directly with experts at UMaine facilities, including the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC), Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and Process Development Center (PDC), will allow companies to test and validate new bioproducts and processes, focusing on scaling production and meeting safety standards. Finally, students, including undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level innovation fellows, will be embedded with participating companies to support their growth. “UMaine’s near-commercial scale Process Development Centre has a decades-long history of advancing biobased technologies,” said Colleen Walker, director of the PDC. “Our team is very excited to expand our work with emerging companies and offer access to our expertise and facilities to propel the development of forest-based bioproducts through the Forest Bioproducts Technology Maturation Program.” Melissa LaCasse, co-founder and CEO of Tanbark Molded Fiber Products said that Tanbark is excited to be part of the Tech Hub network. “We see many opportunities to accelerate new forest biomaterials applications in collaboration with UMaine, and to work with talented students who are the future of our skilled workforce,” she said. Maine is one of just six Tech Hubs selected to receive an award under new funding for the Tech Hubs Program included in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The rise of increasingly sought after, timber framed lifestyle dwellings is helping to free up housing stock across Australia. In the Fraser Coast, home to Hyne Timber, one of Australia’s oldest and largest softwood manufacturers, their framing is currently being used for almost 800 new lifestyle dwellings being built by Brighton Homes alone. Source: Timberbiz These are located across three village developments on behalf of Brighton Homes clients, Ingenia, Stockwell Group and Green Fort Capital. Typically, over 50s homeowners sell their home to move into a ‘right size’ lifestyle village without a mortgage – thereby freeing up housing stock for next generations. According to the 2021 ABS Census, 250,000 Australians reside in retirement communities which is a 23% increase from the 2016 data. This number is expected to exponentially grow with our aging population and 458 operators of retirement communities across the country. According to the Retirement Living Council ‘Better Housing for Better Health’ report, the current pipeline of retirement communities will reduce the housing shortage by 18%. Further growth of this pipeline to meet the ongoing demand, could further reduce Australia’s housing shortage by 67% by 2030. (Source: https://www.propertycouncil.com.au/submissions/better-housing-for-better-health) Brighton Homes Business Development Manager, Patrick Cumner, said their own pipeline for retirement villages will deliver almost 12,000 dwellings across Queensland in the next few years. “Lifestyle villages have been hugely popular across America for many years and this model is taking off here in Australia. “These centrally located villages can have hundreds of low maintenance dwellings along with the popular, shared facilities, services and social programs which make these communities so desirable for healthy and active retirees. “In the most part, homeowners do not own the village land on which their home sits, and therefore, by law, the home must be relocatable. This type of construction lends itself to timber while also delivering the many user-friendly and environmental benefits our locally grown timber provides. “Evidence demonstrates that his shift to lifestyle villages can only have a very positive impact on our retirees, the broader community and the Australian economy including housing availability for our next generations.” Mr Cumner concluded. James Hyne, Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the Hyne Group said this is a great step in the right direction for housing availability, “With the housing and land availability challenges here in Australia, this type of lifestyle model is contributing positively to our communities in many ways. “Not only are these lifestyle villages in hot demand, but they’re also being largely built using timber for a range of benefits including the ability to relocate them, quieter buildings, locally grown, locally manufactured and locally processed into frames and trusses at companies such as Brett’s Timber and Hardware and CQ Building Supplies. “From a pine seedling to a new home, thousands of local jobs make up these dwellings, further supporting our regional economy.” With an estimated 3,500m3 of timber to be used for the three Hervey Bay lifestyle villages, this volume of timber will sequester approximately 2,500 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere which is the equivalent to 1,270 cars off the road for a year. This volume of structural graded, softwood plantation pine will have regrown across the Australian softwood plantation estate in just 10 hours. Construction doesn’t get more renewable than that.

A Malaysian-born forestry giant, Ernslaw One, continues to remain at the centre of the storm after wreaking havoc on Te Tairāwhiti’s fragile environment with forestry debris. Source: New Zealand Herald Despite being fined for the catastrophic destruction caused during the 2018 cyclones, the company is yet to fully rectify its forestry processes as ordered. Now, it has left the Environment Court with no choice but to extend deadlines, further delaying peace of mind for a region heading into cyclone season. Ernslaw, a dominant force in New Zealand’s forestry industry, commands an empire of 100,000ha of forest, including vast holdings in Ūawa/Tolaga Bay and the West Ho forest within the Gisborne District. The company is headed by the Oregon investment company owned by the Tiong family, who also own New Zealand King Salmon and The Neil Group. Following a severe storm during Queen’s Birthday weekend in June 2018, substantial environmental damage occurred with sediment, slash and logging debris from the Ūawa Forest entering water bodies, streams, rivers and ultimately Tolaga Bay. Around 47,000 cubic metres of woody debris washed up on Tolaga Bay with an estimated 4000,000 cubic metres left through the Ūawa catchment. The Gisborne District Court charged Ernslaw with a breach of the Resource Management Act 1991 and in 2022 they were fined $225,000 and ordered to pay $130,000 reparation to locally affected families. In August last year, the Environment Court imposed enforcement on Ernslaw, Timbergrow and Chiong Yong Tiong to comply with a number of orders specifically in the West Ho Forest of Tolaga Bay. The conditions set by the Environment Court had a deadline of December 2024, however when the Gisborne District Council conducted a site visit in November, it noted areas of the forest remained non-compliant and still had high-risk issues. The council told the Environment Court that although some work had been done, the work was “piecemeal” and representatives for Ernslaw who also attended the site visit expressed surprise at the minimalist nature of the works completed. The council found woody debris remained at a number of locations, waste logging material had not been pulled back from skid sites (generally the side of hills) and water controls were inadequate. When the respondents advised the council the orders would not be complied with by December, they proposed no optional dates, forcing the council to apply for extensions due to the lack of compliance. The council also raised throughout the remediation period that the group had no director, manager or employee taking responsibility for overseeing the project, making it difficult to gain any feedback. The respondents acknowledged they had not fully complied but said the work that had been implemented had significantly improved West Ho Forest over time. Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti (MTT) submitted to the court that every additional day granted to the organisations to rectify issues posed additional risk with disastrous consequences. MTT said as long as the work remains incomplete, “the burden of fear weighs heavy on the communities”. Chief Environment Court Judge David Kirkpatrick made an extension of the order relating to the West Ho Forest for a number of compliance targets to be met the end of August. Judge Kirkpatrick directed all slash and waste logging at the edge of skid sites be removed by February 14. Water controls to eliminate risk of erosion must be completed by February 28. Ernslaw chief executive Darren Munn has since been assigned as fulfilling the monitoring role until the works in the order are complete.

A pilot international exchange program between Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Australia has been developed to offer participants an opportunity to gain diverse perspectives as well as foster personal and professional growth. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Australia CEO, Jacquie Martin, said Australia is delighted to be part of a pilot international exchange program with the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada, the Institute of Chartered Foresters, United Kingdom and the New Zealand Institute of Forestry. “The pilot international exchange program offers a unique opportunity for emerging leaders in forestry and forest management to participate in a 3-month paid international work placement,” Ms Martin said. “It allows participants to build global networks, exchange knowledge and gain hands on experience. “Participants will be able to immerse themselves in a new environment, assisting them develop adaptability, broadening expertise, and collaborating on shared opportunities and challenges.” Prue Crundall, Forestry Corporation NSW will be hosted by the Duchy of Cornwall in the UK. Ms Crundall said she is relatively new to the forestry industry and participating in this program will give her an opportunity to enhance her understanding of forestry practices and expand her professional network. Sean Boucher, of Sustainable Timber Tasmania will work with Strategic Natural Resource Consultants, a trailblazer in forest management and resource consulting, in British Columbia, Canada. Mr Boucher said he was looking to participate in this forestry exchange program to enhance his understanding of sustainable forest management and to view and learn different forestry techniques and practices. “In addition, by opening their doors to young professionals from overseas, Sustainable Timber Tasmania and Forestry Corporation of NSW are providing life-changing opportunities and showcasing the exceptional forestry expertise and innovation within their organisations,” Ms Martin said. Australia will welcome Hope Rebonne from Canada, who will gain experience with Sustainable Timber Tasmania in Australia. Ms Rebonne said she recently graduated with a forestry diploma in April 2024. “I applied to this exchange program because I see it as a fantastic opportunity to deepen my understanding of forestry on a global scale, while I am still discovering all the forestry job opportunities here in Canada. “I am excited to explore the diverse practices and approaches in Tasmania’s forest sector and to compare them with forestry in Canada,” Ms Rebonne said. Alex Donaldson, Regeneration Program Manager with Zulu Ecosystems, UK will be working for Forest Corporation of New South Wales. Mr Donaldson said joining Australia’s international forestry sector is an unmissable opportunity. “I’m eager to exchange insights from the UK and immerse myself in their unique industry,” Mr Donaldson said.  

New Forests, a global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies, has announced the final close of the Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZLAFF), raising approximately A$600 million from institutional investors from across Europe and Asia-Pacific, including three new investors. Source: Timberbiz ANZLAFF provides exposure to integrated forest, land, carbon and agriculture markets in Australia and New Zealand targeting investments in core forestry plantations alongside processing and related infrastructure, with some targeted exposure to agriculture assets. The Fund aims to maximise the value of the whole landscape by positioning investors to benefit from the best use of the landscape across forestry and agriculture, while combining additional revenue streams such as carbon, biodiversity, and renewable energy such as solar and wind. It will also seek to enhance climate mitigation through carbon sequestration and emissions reduction opportunities across its investments. Among the new investors in the Fund’s final close are Evli, an investment management business spanning Finland and Sweden; Kyushu Electric Power, a Japanese energy company; and a German insurance company. “It is exciting to see investors globally are increasingly considering how they can gain exposure to natural capital through an integrated investment into land, forestry, agriculture, carbon and biodiversity,” David Shelton, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand at New Forests said. “Investors are looking to allocate capital to these areas for strong returns and option value on future strategies, combined with a desire to contribute to net zero goals, conservation, and the growth of the circular bioeconomy. “We are particularly pleased that existing clients have re-invested with us again, while we are also excited to welcome a cohort of new clients to New Forests via this Fund. Some of these have come from the relationship with our new owners, Nomura Asset Management and Mitsui. We are looking forward to continuing to expand these relationships with all of our valued clients.” Roger Naylor, Portfolio Manager, Evli Fund Management Company Ltd said that Evli’s forestry fund of funds invests globally in sustainable commercial forestry and offers investors a well-diversified portfolio with low correlation to other asset classes. “We are excited to make our first investment in the Australia and New Zealand region. This move not only enhances our portfolio diversification but also positions us to capitalise on the significant growth opportunities in both the domestic and Asian markets,” he said. “New Forests is a proven and highly reputable local manager we regard as amongst the best in class for responsible investing. We are confident that by taking a landscape approach, the investment will deliver strong returns while meeting our high standards for ESG performance.” Kenjiro Miura, Chief Group Manager of Industrial Creation Group at Kyushu Electric Power said: “We are proud to announce our first-ever investment in a forestry fund, a significant step aligned with our mission to contribute to the development of a sustainable society. By partnering with New Forests, a global leader in sustainable forestry management, we aim to create value not only through stable returns but also through meaningful environmental contributions, including CO2 sequestration and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.” The final close comes 12 months after New Forests announced the first close of ANZLAFF with commitments from five investors including Swedish pension fund Andra AP-fonden (AP2); German pension group Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK); the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC); along with an Australian and a German insurer.

The Federal Coalition is renewing its calls for the Federal Labor Government to stand by its commitment to Tasmania’s native forestry sector and not let businesses and jobs be killed off by stealth. Source: Timberbiz This comes after Bendigo Bank has recently indicated that it would not lend to a Tasmanian business involved in sustainable native forestry practices for ‘ESG’ reasons, putting at risk its viability and the viability of all businesses to responsibly conserve forests within the state and, importantly, employ Tasmanians. The Prime Minister made a commitment to Tasmanians that forestry industry workers would “have a better future” under his government. Federal Shadow Environment, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Senator Jonno Duniam, argues that this has not been the case. “Tasmania’s native forestry sector has never been in greater danger over the last 20 years than it has been under the current Federal Labor Government. Businesses are under threat while the Federal Forestry Minister, a Tasmanian no less, stands idly by and lets activists bully them towards administration,” Senator Duniam said. “I encourage the Federal Labor Government to honour its commitment to support our state’s workers. They need to do all that they can to ensure that businesses are able to obtain finance so that they can continue their world-leading, sustainable practices. Anything short of that is a failure in its mandate and responsibility to Tasmanians. “We manage our forests better than anywhere else in the world. Under Labor, and especially after their bans on native timber harvesting in Victoria and Western Australia, more and more timber is being imported from counties that don’t share our high environmental standards. This has the perverse effect of being worse for the environment,” he said. “The Federal Coalition will not take a backward step in supporting Tasmania’s forestry industry. That will again be evidenced by the policies we will take to the Federal election.” In a doorstop interview with Peter Dutton during the week he said that he applauded Eric Abetz for calling this bad behaviour out by the banks. “There are a lot of Australians who would say that big banking executives on multi-million dollar pay packets, frankly, have less values and standing than people do in the forestry industry. So why are they backed? Minister Dutton asked. “Let’s get serious, the banks are there to provide finance to creditworthy customers. If a business is legal and it has the ability to service the loan and it’s creditworthy, then the banks should not be discriminating on any other basis. “I think this whole woke agenda and the approach of chief executives trying to please industry super funds and proxy voters and the rest of it has to come to an end. If there is a customer of Bendigo Bank who is an employee within the forestry industry, are they going to stop banking that customer? Do they want to stop taking the fees that are paid by that customer working in the forestry or the salmon industry? “The banks have a moral and social responsibility to consumers, and they have a social licence which they need to honour. That social licence includes not discriminating against people who are involved in an absolutely essential and critical industry. “If Labor had their way, the salmon industry, forestry would close down tomorrow, and the Tasmanian economy would be bankrupt, and tens of thousands of people would be out of work. If the banks want to subscribe to that sort of theory, they should be called out for it – and we will call them out for it.”

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) believes the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank needs to look at the facts, acknowledge the sustainable nature of Australian native forestry and end its ban on lending to businesses in the sector. Source: Timberbiz AFPA CEO Diana Hallam said Australia’s native forestry was world leading environmentally, responsible for essential everyday products and formed the lifeblood for thousands of people in rural and regional Australia. AFPA’s call joins with the Tasmanian Forest Products Association and Tasmanian Government Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz who have both this week highlighted the Bank’s decision to withdraw its lending to family forestry contracting business T P Bennett and Sons. AFPA has heard of further examples of the bank failing to support valued community businesses in the sector. “Bendigo and Adelaide Bank needs to stick to banking and stay away from greenwashing,” Ms Hallam said. “If the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledges the science behind the sustainable management of native forests, then surely the bank can also. “The bank is treating native forestry as an extractive industry, not what it is, a renewable industry,” Ms Hallam said. She said Australia’s native forestry operations and the businesses that work in the supply chain were part of an essential and sustainable sector that harvests and replaces just six in every 10,000 trees in Australia’s native forests. Whether they be forest managers, contractors, harvesters, in transportation, or processing and manufacturing in mills – this sector was clean and green – and it needed long-term committed financiers to support the regional communities it underpins. “Communities Bendigo and Adelaide Bank purports to support,” Ms Hallam said. “The fact is if native forestry ceases to exist in Australia, we will be forced to import all of our hardwood timber and fibre for products like home furnishings, decking and furniture from places with lower environmental standards than Australia, and that means worse environmental outcomes for the planet. “We will have replaced an industry governed by world leading environmental standards and substituted it for one with worse environmental credentials. “Hopefully the 62% of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s corporate staff who completed climate change training in 2024 understand the perverse outcome their policy is promoting. “Possibly, that training could also have included the findings of the IPCC’s 4th Assessment that states ‘a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit’. “This ill-informed, virtue signalling must end. Leaving the lights burning throughout the night in any of the Bank’s offices, flying directors to meetings and driving fuel motor vehicles is far more a risk to the environment than the work Australia’s family forestry contractors are involved in,” Ms Hallam said. “The science is clear, managed native forests support the climate, communities and the economy. I challenge Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to reverse its decision on native forestry finance.”

The debate on the “right” materials to use when building homes in bushfire-prone areas often sparks fierce opinions and misguided claims. While some advocate for alternative materials, timber framing remains a viable, safe, reliable and effective option when designed and built in accordance with modern practices. It’s time to set the record straight and address some of the myths that have driven unnecessary fear about building with timber. One common misconception is that timber frames ignite easily and pose a higher risk of destruction in bushfires compared to steel. However, this oversimplified view ignores the science. Timber-framed houses built in bushfire-prone areas must be designed and constructed in accordance with the Australian Standard AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. AS 3959 provides solutions for timber-framed houses from lower bushfire threats through to an extreme threat referred to as Flame Zone. AS 3959 makes no distinction between using a timber-framed or steel-framed building. However, from a basic material science perspective, timber, unlike steel, does not lose its structural integrity at lower temperatures. Steel, on the other hand, begins to lose strength and can melt or buckle well before reaching the extreme heat generated by a bushfire. This was seen during the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria and countless other events—steel was no more invincible than timber, and many steel homes suffered the same fate in the face of ferocious flames. Another important factor is the role of the surrounding environment. Studies and expert analysis repeatedly confirm that the fuel load around a property, the dry vegetation, debris, and landscape management is a significant determinant of whether a home survives a bushfire. Building materials alone do not dictate safety. A home surrounded by cleared defensible space and properly managed vegetation is far more likely to survive than a steel-framed house that is overgrown with combustible plants. It’s time we stopped stigmatising timber and started focusing on smarter overall designs and landscape strategies. What’s more, guidelines for building in bushfire-prone areas, such as using ember guards, managed building sites, and strategic design methodologies are applicable to all construction types. Timber homes, when constructed to meet the AS 3959 Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) requirements, are every bit as capable as steel or other materials at resisting a bushfire. Claims to the contrary often originate from industries with vested interests, perpetuating myths for commercial gain. The growing intensity and frequency of fires globally can no longer be ignored, and climate change is a significant driving factor behind this alarming trend. By continuing to rely heavily on materials like steel and concrete, which are produced through energy-intensive processes that emit vast amounts of carbon dioxide, we are exacerbating the very crisis that fuels these catastrophic bushfires. Conversely, timber offers a sustainable alternative that actively combats climate change by storing carbon throughout its lifecycle. Utilising timber for construction not only reduces our carbon footprint but also aligns with long-term climate action goals. By choosing timber, we are not just building safer, smarter homes in bushfire-prone areas—we are investing in a solution that mitigates the climate crisis and the rising severity of bushfire events it continues to create. The reality is that no building material, steel included, can stand up to the full force of a catastrophic bushfire fuelled by high winds, extreme temperatures, and towering flames. The Santa Ana winds in California or the blazing infernos wrought by Australia’s Black Summer are clear demonstrations that environmental factors outweigh material choice in the scale of destruction. It is building design, adherence to bushfire construction standards, and proactive land management that provide real solutions, not uninformed material bias. Timber-framed homes have a place in bushfire-prone areas, and their use should not automatically raise alarm bells. What matters is how we design and build them, as well as how we manage surrounding vegetation and community preparedness. Blanket statements dismissing timber are both scientifically inaccurate and counterproductive. The focus must be on promoting practical, evidence-based strategies instead of politicised fearmongering about building materials. The way forward for communities in bushfire-prone areas should be based on thoughtful planning, sustainable practices, and respect for fire-smart guidelines. Timber is not the enemy; mismanagement, reckless land practices, and misinformation are. It’s time to embrace timber as part of the solution to combat climate change not unfairly condemn it as part of the problem. Kersten Gentle is Chief Executive Officer of the Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia.

Metsä Group and 4H in Finland have signed a new cooperation agreement for the period 2025-2026, with the aim of improving young people’s knowledge of forests and strengthening the relationship with forests. Source: Timberbiz A key part of the cooperation will be Metsä Group Forest Days for secondary school students, where forest use themes and contents will be examined from ecological, economic, social and cultural perspectives. The Forest Days are organised in cooperation with schools, either in the school’s local forests or on commercial forest sites throughout Finland. “In cooperation with Metsä Group, we are taking thousands of secondary school students into the forest to learn about Finnish forests and forest use. The Forest Days will introduce them to tree growth, the carbon cycle, climate issues and the life cycle of wood products. In the spring we plant tree saplings and in the autumn we get behind the wheel of a forestry machine,” said Sampo Juhajoki, manager in 4H. “The lessons learned at Forest Day complement what we learnt at school and support the development of young people’s relationship with the forest.” National Metsä Group Forest Days have been organised since 2021, and the aim is to organise 40 Forest Days for 2,500 young people annually in various parts of Finland. “It is important for Metsä Group that young people understand the importance of forests and see how sustainable forest use promotes well-being, combats climate change, safeguards biodiversity and prevents deforestation. “At the same time, we want to raise young people’s awareness of the economic importance of the forest sector both locally and globally. Cooperation with the 4H League provides an excellent opportunity to concretise these important themes,” said Katariina Saelan, SVP communications.

The pulp and paper industry is at the forefront of sustainability efforts, playing a crucial role in the transition towards a circular economy. As environmental concerns continue to rise, the industry is innovating to reduce waste and enhance recyclability, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and responsibly. Source: Timberbiz ResourceWise has highlighted the latest developments announced over the past month, showcasing significant strides made by companies and organizations in their commitment to sustainable practices and eco-friendly solutions. Toy Manufacturer Lego Starts Using Paper-Based Bags Lego, the toy manufacturer, is switching to paper-based bags for its sets, aligning with its dedication to sustainable packaging. This change aims to eliminate single-use plastics. Lego’s factories have begun producing the new packaging. Sets in Europe and Asia already feature paper-based bags, with plans to extend the rollout to the Americas. These bags are sturdy, easy to fold, and confirmed recyclable in the European Union, the US, and Canada. Minnesota packaging changes The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), together with local officials and business leaders, is exploring methods to eliminate packaging in Minnesota that is not refillable, reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2032. In 2024, Minnesota became the fifth state in the nation to enact the Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act. This legislation includes an Extended Producer Responsibility policy that encourages sustainable practices and holds manufacturers accountable for the materials they produce. The new law covers most packaging and paper products sold, offered for sale, distributed, or used to ship products within or into Minnesota, including online purchases and shipments. Exceptions are made for packaging related to infant formula, drugs or medical devices, and certain hazardous products. Stora Enso Develops Sustainable Packaging for Wilfa’s ProBaker Product Stora Enso has created protective inserts for Wilfa’s ProBaker kitchen mixer by combining Papira and corrugated board. Papira is a biobased, biodegradable foam derived from wood fibers harvested from sustainably managed forests. The redesigned packaging for the ProBaker cuts foam usage by 50% and reduces the overall box volume by 11%. Climate-Focused Frontier Coalition to Buy US$80 Million of Carbon Credits Google, H&M, Stripe, and other members of the climate-focused Frontier coalition are set to purchase US$80 million worth of carbon credits. These credits will be sourced from a company employing oil industry technology to capture emissions from paper mills and another firm using rocks to capture emissions at sewage plants. Frontier reports that buyers have committed to paying US$48 million, or US$214 per ton, for credits covering 224,500 tons of emissions from 2028 to 2030, developed by CO280. Additionally, US$32.1 million, or US$447 per ton, will be spent on 71,878 tons from startup CREW. CO280 utilizes carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology from oil field services company SLB, applied to the smokestack of a paper mill, capturing carbon initially absorbed by the trees used in paper production. Smurfit Westrock Provides Recyclable Packaging to Mindful Chef Smurfit Westrock has delivered fully recyclable packaging to Mindful Chef, reducing waste and ensuring complete traceability throughout the process. To ensure their fresh produce and ingredients arrived in optimal condition, the packaging’s durability was thoroughly tested in various ways. The Smurfit Westrock team adjusted the box sizes to maximize the number of boxes per lorry, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. To further enhance the boxes’ sustainability, Smurfit Westrock employs a glue seal on the recipe boxes, minimizing the use of plastic tape and decreasing its environmental impact. Dobis Brings Out Lightweight Shopping Bags with Mondi’s Recycled Papers Dobis, a producer of paper bags, baking papers, and wrapping papers, is leveraging Mondi’s selection of paper grades with recycled fibers to create paper bags for the fashion, fast food, and retail sectors. Dobis has introduced: Eco/Vantage Kraft Pro for fast food and grocery uses, featuring ISEGA food approval and 20% recycled content Eco/Vantage Light Fashion, crafted entirely from recycled fibers, is designed for fashion and gift bags Eco/Vantage Kraft Classic, which combines 50% recycled content with a focus on strength and printability for food and fashion packaging. This initiative has resulted in lightweight packaging that reduces material usage while preserving strength and print quality. 39% of People Are Inclined to Recycle Paper and Cardboard Products, Reveals PAMSA According to a recent survey conducted by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), approximately 39% of participants reported that they consistently recycle their paper and cardboard products, while 36% do so occasionally. Meanwhile, 20% expressed a desire to recycle despite not currently doing so. Overall, in 2023, South Africa responsibly recycled 1.2 million tons of paper and paper packaging, conserving 3.6 million cubic meters of landfill space. Termotécnica Brings out DaColheita Bio Packaging to Export Fruits Termotécnica, a producer of EPS packaging, has recently introduced its DaColheita bio packaging solution. This marks the company’s initial move towards diversifying its raw material base with a sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable option. Termotécnica claims that DaColheita packaging is 60% lighter than corrugated boxes, potentially lowering air freight expenses by up to 6%, leading to substantial savings across the supply chain and decreasing CO₂ emissions. Additionally, it aids in maintaining a stable temperature for transported goods, which is beneficial for items like premium grapes. Download ResourceWise’s paper In the Green: profitability and sustainability in pulp and paper here.

Södra’s mission is focused on members’ forests and to process their raw material, thereby creating value for these forest estates. Södra has therefore, as a step in implementing its strategy, decided to initiate a process to divest its forest holding and related activities in the Baltics. Source: Timberbiz The company said that in order to do what’s best for forest estates and Södra’s long-term competitiveness, the holding is routinely evaluated against business needs. “Our mission is focused on members’ forests, not to actually own forests. We have therefore initiated a divestment of the forest holding in the Baltics and a process is under way to find the right buyer. But we are not in a hurry,” said Peter Karlsson, President of the Södra Skog business area. The process means that Södra is now looking at potential interested parties with the aim of moving forward with a divestment in 2025. Södra owns approximately 153 000 hectares land in Estonia and Latvia, where the majority is in Latvia.

Amazon has stopped packing products in single-use plastic delivery bags and envelopes in its Australian distribution network. Customers will now be receiving packages in flexible paper bags and padded envelopes, which are more easily recyclable in household recycling across Australia. Source: Timberbiz This means all delivery packaging for customer orders shipped from an Australian fulfilment centre is household recyclable and can go straight in the bin – the bags, envelopes and boxes including the tape and protective filler. Amazon is also increasing the number of products that can be shipped in their original packaging provided by the manufacturer, with only an address label added. While Amazon controls the packaging for items shipped to customers direct from its own fulfilment centres, third party sellers can ship directly to customers themselves, in which case Amazon does not control the packaging. When a product comes in a single-use plastic bag from the manufacturer and the bag is suitable, Amazon will deliver the product to the customer in the manufacturer-supplied bag. This avoids the addition of extra packaging. Plastic preparation material such as bubble wrap may still be used where necessary, for example to protect fragile items like glass or to seal liquid products such as shampoo and soaps. In 2021, Amazon Australia replaced single-use plastic air pillows with recyclable paper filler to protect goods during shipping, and in 2023 it reduced box weights by 25% and label sizes by 50%, to minimise waste. As part of its ongoing commitment to reduce packaging, Amazon Australia recently invested in three automated paper packaging machines that pack single products in paper bags that are made on demand for the item. These unpadded, durable and flexible paper bags are up to 77% lighter than similar-sized plastic padded envelopes and help optimise and reduce packaging weight and shipped air, minimising waste while maintaining security. Amazon’s ‘Ships in Product Packaging’ program is another way the company is delivering an increasing number of essential items – such as nappies, toilet rolls and cases of drinks – to shoppers without additional delivery packaging, such as a box or paper bag. Eligible items are shipped in the manufacturer’s original packaging with just an address label added, avoiding unnecessary material use and reducing the weight of deliveries. Globally since 2015, Amazon has reduced the weight of outbound packaging per shipment by 43% on average and avoided more than three million metric tons of packaging material. Since 2021, the number of products shipped without additional Amazon packaging has more than tripled in Australia.  

In partnership with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire and Emergency), Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury (UC) students George Hamilton and Renee Martin were part of a team that examined the effects of factors such as fuel load, vegetation type, and proximity, on fire risk. Source: Timberbiz “Our research focused on identifying and mapping hedgerows and shelterbelts in rural Canterbury, analysing their characteristics, and understanding how these features influence fire behavior,” Mr Hamilton said. The research held personal significance for him. “My childhood neighbour’s house burnt down due to a hedgerow fire that spread for about two kilometres. That experience stayed with me and motivated my interest in this topic,” he said. Supervised by Associate Professor Marwan Katurji from UC’s School of Earth and Environment, the Science students began by mapping West Melton hedgerows and shelterbelts to understand their geospatial relationship with infrastructure. “This student project is contributing to understanding the risk of wildfire in the household environment, using fuel distribution and potential fire behaviour to inform safe living. The students’ methodology was informed by geospatial data analysis and community and stakeholder engagement to assess and communicate the risk better,” Associate Professor Katurji said. “This pilot research aligns well with Fire and Emergency’s ongoing national wildfire threat analysis programme. Identifying new fuel types in our rural-urban landscape will help in fire behaviour prediction and firefighting resource allocation.” Mr Hamilton says Canterbury has a significant number of hedgerows and shelterbelts near rural infrastructure but, despite this, there is limited research on their role in fire risk. Part of the research project was to create mitigation strategies based on their findings, Ms Martin explains. “We discovered that native plantings, creating breaks in shelterbelts and planting hedgerows and shelterbelts further from buildings are key to reducing fire risk.” In addition to this the team created a risk index to help identify high-risk areas. “By understanding the patterns and characteristics of hedgerows, communities can reduce fire impact before it starts and respond quicker when fires start,” Mr Hamilton said. As part of a compulsory third-year course, Research for Resilient Environments and Communities, for Bachelor of Science students majoring in Geography and Environmental Science, the project challenged students to tackle real-world issues, something Martin says she found particularly rewarding. “One of my key takeaways was learning to collaborate with a community partner, which required adaptability and delegation,” Ms Martin said. “The project highlighted the value of working with partners like Fire and Emergency. It allowed us to apply classroom and lab knowledge to real-world situations while also upskilling our data analysis skills.” Fire and Emergency Wildfire Scientist Grant Pearce said that student projects like this are a great way to initiate new research. “The students provide new ideas and approaches that we may not be aware of, and which can lead to better outcomes. Fire and Emergency will look to use this partnership approach again next year.” The team sees significant potential for scaling up the research nationally and internationally. “We looked at our research limitations and found that with more skills, time, and technology we could enable more precise differentiation of hedgerows from other vegetation and structures,” Mr Hamilton said.

The Housing Industry Association wants all political parties contesting the 2025 Federal Election to take immediate and decisive action to address what is now widely accepted as a worsening housing affordability crisis. Source: Timberbiz HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin warned of the stark realities facing the country, unprecedented levels of homelessness, impossible access to rental accommodation and a growing view that home ownership is a thing of the past. “We are simply not building enough homes to keep up with demand,” Ms Martin said. “Australia needs to build around 240,000 new homes per year, every year, to meet demand and put downward pressure on affordability but in the last 12 months under 180,000 were completed. Not only is this shortfall driving up prices, worsening affordability, and placing enormous pressure on renters and families across the country but also means we are set to fall well below the Government’s commitment to build 1.2 million homes over five years,” Ms Martin said. “In the coming weeks and months, we will be asking both sides to stop politicising housing and consider the pressing challenges confronting Australians and the building industry. While the recipe to building more homes is not new, we need our leaders to own the housing supply problem and to work together with industry for solutions.” She said the recognition of construction industry skill shortages and recent infrastructure announcements were positive but to really move the dial on building activity long term action was needed to address the structural issues confronting the housing industry. “Taxation policies are playing a major role in driving up costs,” she said. “Taxes now account for up to 50% of the cost of a new home in most major cities. Immediate reforms are needed to remove inefficiencies like stamp duty cascading onto GST, which unfairly inflate housing prices and make affordability even harder to achieve.” Land supply remained another significant hurdle, with a lack of development-ready land stalling housing projects across the country. “We have hundreds of housing sites ready to go but held back due to inadequate infrastructure,” Ms Martin said. “The Federal Government must invest in the roads, water, and services needed to deliver these projects. “In 2025 we ask all political parties to be outraged over the status quo and be bold, be courageous and prioritise initiatives which directly improve housing supply. Let’s build the homes Australians need and ensure everyone has a place to call home,” Ms Martin said.

The Labor Government’s Environment Minister Penny Sharpe’s tenuous grip on scientific truth has finally been broken, now allowing real, scientific based research to reveal what political agendas have long suppressed in the fight over koala populations and sustainable forestry in NSW, according to the Member for Oxley Miles Kemp. Source: Timberbiz Dr Bradley Law, the NSW Government’s own Principal Research Scientist has presented findings that challenge decades of political ideology, proving that sustainable forestry and koala conservation can co-exist. “The Minns Labor Government has long pandered to ideological interests rather than following the facts. Now that the real experts are being heard, it’s clear their scare tactics were nothing more than politically driven nonsense,” Mr Kemp said. “For years, an anti-forestry agenda has been pushed, ignoring evidence and stifling progress. This research finally gives us the facts: sustainable forestry is not the enemy of koalas, urban encroachment, extreme fire and disease is.” Dr Law’s research, which surveyed over 220 sites, revealed that 60% to 70% of surveyed sites were populated by koalas, far exceeding previous assumptions about koala numbers in forestry areas. Dr Law stated that koala’s presence at the surveyed sites were unaffected by forestry timber harvesting. Control experiments within National Parks showed no difference of koala occupation between National Parks and State Forests. “Science has proven that balance is possible, ideology should never be used to drive policy,” Mr Kemp said. “Labor’s own recent drone survey backs up Dr Law’s research, identifying over 12,000 koalas living within the assessment area of the Great Koala National Park. It’s time they conduct similar surveys in National Parks to definitively prove whether responsible, sustainable forestry impacts koala populations at all.” The research pointed to bushfires as the primary threat to koala populations, not forestry. The findings reinforce that current protections in place during harvesting are effective. “NSW koala numbers are stronger than activists would have us believe, and sustainable forestry provides much-needed habitat support while mitigating the dangers posed by fire,” Mr Kemp said. “Labor needs to face reality and protect our managed forests. After all, 88% of our forested land in NSW is already unable to be harvested due to being held by National Park or protected for Riparian, flora, or fauna regulations. “Based on the evidence from Dr Law, we need to increase the size of State Forests as they are much better at managing land and much cheaper per hectare,” he said.

The Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed Australian Forest and Wood Innovation’s newly appointed Executive Director, Dr Joseph Lawrence to the role ahead of what the AFPA sees as an exciting phase for forestry sector research and development. Source: Timberbiz “AFPA and the broader forestry sector are excited to have Dr Lawrence start as AFWI’s Executive Director this week,” AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam said. “Dr Lawrence brings extensive experience in research, innovation and industry development through an array of roles at universities, government agencies and across a number of industries, including manufacturing, agrifood, health, digital, energy and construction,” Ms Hallam said. “Dr Lawrence’s appointment marks an important new phase for AFWI as it embarks on a program of transformative research that will help Australia’s forestry sector find new avenues of innovation and enterprise, at the same time the world is looking for ways to decarbonise. “There are enormous opportunities for our industries to hone the scope of use for sustainable timber and wood fibre – and AFWI has a central and exciting role in this space.” “AFPA had a key role delivering AFWI and we’re looking forward to working with Dr Lawrence as he takes the reins to facilitate research and development that matters for the Australian forestry industry. Part of the formula for success is to ensure local industry participation, so forestry can get the most from AFWI as a research and development institution for our future-focused sector,” Ms Hallam said.