Australian timber industry news

Since mid-2022 when interest rates, especially mortgage lending rates started going up, home builders and lumber buyers became extremely cautious in purchasing of manufactured wood products. Source: Madisons Lumber Reporter In general players avoided stocking up on lumber inventory, mostly out of concern that prices might fall, and they might get stuck with expensive material they would have to sell at a loss. Specifically veteran players, who were accustomed to prices at much lower levels than currently, chose to hold off buying to see if prices would drop back to what was historic. The fact is, however, that since 2020 to 2022 there is a new floor, and lumber prices will never return to what were the lows in 2010. This is because the cost-of-production for sawmills has essentially doubled in the past five years. The ongoing uncertainty of macroeconomic conditions nationally and warfare globally is doing nothing to restore confidence. For the time being customer demand is served promptly by sawmills and lumber manufacturers; however, if there is a bounce — even a small one — in sales of wood, either for new home building or for reconstruction after storms, shortages will appear almost immediately. Should this happen, anyone caught without wood they need for ongoing projects could be facing quite a price shock. Key points: Overall sentiment remained uncertain to negative Mild discounts were prevalent as producers looked to move some of their built-up material Supply was palpably ahead of subpar demand Field inventories remained exceptionally lean Opportunistic buyers flitted from supplier to supplier, feeling they had the upper hand Producers did their best to hold the line in terms of price, often not succeeding Sawmill order files continued to shrink as it remained a struggle to extend lead times on anything.  

About two-thirds of Japan is covered completely with trees, with around 40% being artificially planted. To maintain the forest’s health, trees must be routinely harvested and replanted, however declining import costs have resulted in little incentive to use the country’s wood, meaning forests are left unharvested and unmaintained, increasing the risk of disasters such as landslides. Sources: Timberbiz, Playfool In response, Playfool wanted to create a unique and scalable use for wood that can not only motivate the country to upkeep and sustain the forests, but also inspire a new appreciation of the trees to future generations. The result is Forest Crayons: an innovative use for wood that transforms Japanese trees into a beautiful palette of naturally coloured crayons. While the colour of wood is often thought of as simply ‘brown’, Forest Crayons reveals the vast spectrum of hues that exist in the forest. From the light green of magnolia to the deep turquoise of fungus-stained wood, each crayon exhibits a distinct colour determined not only by the species of tree but also the conditions in which it is grown. No matter what its shape, composition or defect, any piece of wood from the lumber yard can be transformed into a crayon, embracing the natural inconsistencies of the material to make each set of Forest Crayons truly unique. Developed as part of a program supported by the Japanese Forestry Agency, the hope is to not only breathe new life into Japanese wood, but also ignite a new appreciation for the country’s forests. Each set includes 10 crayons, each with a colour derived solely from a different species of tree native to Japan such as cedar, hazenoki and katsura. By repurposing Japan’s otherwise wasted timber as a source of pigment, Forest Crayons breathes new life into the country’s abundant wood resources, allowing one to appreciate and create with the forest like never before.

The Forest Stewardship Council has released its flagship publication, Forest Futures. This pivotal work leverages current scientific research to assess the state of the world’s forests and explore their potential for profound change. It underscores the vital role of forest stewardship in fostering resilient and healthy ecosystems. Source: Timberbiz Forest Futures provides an in-depth analysis of today’s forests, addressing critical issues such as biodiversity loss, the ability of forests to support livelihoods, and the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis. It sheds light on the shared understanding of forest stewardship and highlights how this approach has been undervalued by many decision-makers as a viable solution to these global challenges. To explore three potential trajectories for the world’s forests by 2050, FSC collaborated with Reos Partners, renowned for their expertise in systems-change studies and transformative scenarios mapping. Input from over 200 stakeholders helped identify four key drivers influencing forest management, conservation, and sustainable use. Leveraging these drivers, the three distinct trajectories were outlined and mapped out. These drivers are (1) Forests & Planet, (2) People, (3) Economy & Markets, and (4) Governance. These trajectories, developed through an innovative modelling exercise, demonstrate the profound impact that different levels of commitment to forest stewardship can have on our planet. “Forests are at the heart of our environmental and socio-economic future,” said Kim Carstensen, Director General of FSC. “Our flagship publication demonstrates that by embracing forest stewardship, we can unlock their potential for positive change. This is not just about preserving forests, but about enhancing their role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity”. FSC continues to lead the way toward a future where forests can thrive, advocating for responsible forest management practices that meet societal needs while preserving ecological integrity. Forest Futures calls for transformative change, offering a tangible strategy for achieving environmental targets. It urges governments, businesses, NGOs, and other key actors to join in creating a future where forests flourish, communities thrive, and our planet achieves harmony. Read the full publication at https://fsc.org/en/media/fsc-forest-futures-full-0

Austral Plywoods has long been a staple in the Australian forest and wood products industry, known for supplying premium appearance-grade plywood for almost a century. Source: Timberbiz From its Brisbane mill, the company has been operational since 1925, manufacturing products exclusively produced from Araucaria cunninghamii (hoop pine) – a premium domestic species 100% sourced from the sustainable plantations of Queensland’s South Burnett region. As Austral Plywoods approaches its 100-year anniversary, the team has no intentions of slowing down and is excited to share some significant changes and expansions to its product range. The biggest development is the transition towards producing ‘multiply’ panels across its entire plywood range, in response to customer demand. ‘Multiply’ panels are manufactured with veneers of the same thickness, giving additional strength and flatness as well as providing an attractive edge to the panel. Additionally, the company’s Interior plywood range has been upgraded to ‘AB’ grade, featuring an ‘A’ grade face, ‘B’ grade back and a 100% ‘A’ grade core. This adjustment is in response to requests from architects and cabinet makers for panels suited to joinery, CNC cutting, and laser work. These changes will provide customers with plywood panels that excel in value, appearance, workability, and environmental sustainability. Another exciting development is Austral’s involvement with the recent launch of its Austral CrocPly product, made for the most demanding floor applications, using hoop pine plywood overlaid with a hard wearing, waterproof and slip resistant film. Austral CrocPly features a multiply marine plywood core with a wire mesh and film-faced surface, providing an Australian-made alternative to imported products like Hexa Plywood. This construction meets the Australian Marine standard. The versatile material is suitable for various applications, including: truck and trailer decking vehicle floors scaffolding pedestrian platforms stair treads ship decking stage platforms.

From endemic species to sacred sites, all natural habitats, especially forests, hold inherent conservation values. Those known as ‘high conservation values’ (HCVs) reserves encompass high biological, ecological, social, and cultural significance. Source: Timberbiz Timberlands Pacific Pty Ltd (TPPL), an FSC-certified forestry organisation spanning Tasmania and the Green Triangle region of South Australia and Victoria, demonstrates its dedication to preserving these values. Through meticulous assessments, TPPL identifies and safeguards the ecological importance of its diverse forest estates, underscoring its leadership in sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. The HCV approach, developed by FSC in the 1990s, serves to identify and manage critical values within production landscapes like TPPL’s forests. This framework spans six categories – species diversity, landscape-level ecosystems, habitats, ecosystem services, community needs, and cultural values adopted across forestry and other sectors. Under FSC Principle 9, all certified forestry organisations are required to maintain and/or enhance these HCVs through a precautionary approach, ensuring proactive conservation and responsible resource management practices. At the core of TPPL’s operations lies the Penola Plantations, blending Pinus radiata plantations with natural vegetation pockets. Designated HCVs and other reserve types harbour a diverse array of flora and fauna, including rare or threatened species. TPPL’s dedicated experts conduct thorough assessments to ascertain the ecological significance of these sites, highlighting their critical role in biodiversity conservation. TPPL’s approach to managing HCVs is guided by a profound respect for nature. Under the umbrella of FSC Principle 9, TPPL identifies and manages HCVs potentially impacted by their activities. This proactive stance involves setting clear management objectives, implementing stringent operational controls, and instituting robust verification and monitoring programs to ensure continual maintenance and/or improvement in conservation outcomes. Six HCVs have been identified within the Penola Plantations estate, all falling under HCV class 3; forest areas containing rare, threatened, or endangered ecosystems. TPPL has recently undertaken enhancement efforts at the Werrikoo HCV in Western Victoria near Casterton, classified as ‘Damp Heathland’ within a 62-hectare depleted Ecological Vegetation Class. Flora assessments indicated the heath was aging and required controlled burning for regeneration. Since 2014, monitoring efforts at Werrikoo, including hair-tubes, camera surveys, and small mammal trapping, have revealed significant wildlife presence. Notably, the nationally vulnerable Swamp Antechinus and the endangered Heath Mouse have been documented. The Swamp Antechinus thrives in long-unburnt habitats but faces threats from frequent burning. Conversely, the Heath Mouse adapts to environments shaped by regular fires, with studies showing population declines as heath habitats mature. To balance the needs of these species, TPPL collaborated with local experts to develop a mosaic burning strategy across Werrikoo. This approach involves planned burns at different times and locations within the reserve to create diverse habitats. Targeted surveys, field assessments, and controlled burns were conducted in 2017, 2022, and most recently in autumn 2024. The Nature Glenelg Trust, partnering with TPPL, conducted preparatory trapping and surveys ahead of the 2024 autumn burn. TPPL exemplifies the transformative impact of responsible forest management under the banner of FSC certification. Through their dedication to preserving HCVs and supporting biodiversity, TPPL not only protects Australia’s native wildlife but also inspires a movement towards harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world. In this way, TPPL ensures that future generations inherit a planet rich in ecological wonders and sustainable resources.

New Zealand’s Gisborne Council’s Landslide Susceptibility and Connectivity Model will soon be applied to land use planning in Tairāwhiti. This is part of the work underway to improve forestry and farming practices across the region. Source: Timberbiz The model, completed by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, aims to identify which areas have a high likelihood of landslides occurring and the likelihood that these landslides will affect the waterways. It will play an important role in shaping land use rules across the region. The model will help inform the Land Overlay 3B, an extension of the current land overlay framework in the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan (TRMP). Land Overlay 3B will identify the worst eroding land across the region, which will need to transition out of plantation forestry and/or pastoral farming and into permanent vegetation cover. Gisborne District Council Executive Nedine Thatcher Swann emphasised the importance of this data. “This marks the beginning of more accurate identification and management of erosion risks across Tairāwhiti. “The model utilises advanced technology and builds on previous regional research,” Ms Swann said. “It analyses where landslides occur and their potential to impact waterways, drawing on data collected across the region.” As a part of this work, Council remains committed to working with tangata whenua, landowners, and communities before confirming which land falls into Overlay 3B and proposing options for land management in Land Overlay 3B.

New Zealand has concluded a groundbreaking trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland, to remove tariffs on hundreds of products that benefit sustainability and the environment, Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said. Source: Timberbiz “The Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) opens up commercial opportunities for New Zealand businesses by focusing on trade in sustainable goods and services. Crucially for New Zealand, it will see tariffs removed on key exports including 41 wood products and wool. Under brand New Zealand we have a leading story to tell as to the value our wood products and timber used in construction play in addressing climate change and sustainability challenges, says Mark Ross, Chief Executive of the Wood Processing and Manufacturers Association ‘not only will this new trade agreement deliver commercial benefits for New Zealand, but it will send a strong environmental message to our trading partners’. As new countries join the collective formed by New Zealand, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Iceland, the potential to grow a commercial benefit to the wood products industry over time is significant. Wood provides multiple benefits to New Zealand, and it is positive to see the government backing our industry in removing unnecessary barriers and implementing new trade Agreements’ Mr Ross said. “Export growth will help fund the wood processing industry, with value added wood products encouraging greater onshore processing of logs, more employment in our regions, and increasing our global contribution to embodied carbon storage.” This Agreement also provides support to the renewable energy sector by establishing rules to prevent harmful fossil fuel subsides and sets guidelines for ecolabelling. Tariffs will be eliminated on over 300 environmental goods on entry into force of the Agreement, including wind and hydraulic turbines, electric vehicles, wool fibre, recycled paper, and wood products offering a more environmental alternative to carbon-intensive construction materials, such as steel and concrete. Tariff elimination will make such products more competitive, thereby incentivising use and investment in related technologies. This trade agreement is the first New Zealand has concluded with these countries outside of the WTO, and is set to deliver new, high-quality, trade opportunities while tackling climate and sustainability challenges.

Greenhill Energy and KSI Sawmills have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support both company’s commitment to sustainability and underpin supply of sustainable biomass at scale to Riverbend Energy Hub. Source: Timberbiz Under the MOU, subject to regulatory approvals KSI Sawmills will supply Greenhill Energy’s Riverbend Energy Hub with timber residues from its proposed new sawmill site at Monarto, in South Australia’s Murraylands region. The sawmill is currently progressing through local government development approvals and subject to receiving these approvals, is expected to commence construction in 2024 and operations in 2025. Timber for the sawmill will come from sustainably certified plantation grown sources, primarily throughout the Mt Lofty Ranges, with the timber residues from sawmill operations available for sustainable biomass supply in multiple tranches over time to match the planned development stages of Riverbend Energy Hub. Greenhill Energy Managing Director Nicholas Mumford said the proposed sawmill development would be a welcome nearby Murraylands regional partner in Greenhill Energy’s circular economy supply chain, importantly with the potential to supply certified renewable and sustainable biomass feedstock at scale. “We’re looking forward to working with KSI Sawmills. As we progress the development of Riverbend Energy Hub, we’re securing sustainable biomass sources to meet our targets to manufacture clean hydrogen, urea fertiliser and other high value products such as synthetic fuels,” Mr Mumford said. “The timber residues from a sustainable timber plantation will be another ideal and consistent source of sustainable biomass for our manufacturing plant and will provide security as we grow production in line with our staged development program. “KSI Sawmills joins our portfolio of key supply partners including Solo Resource Recovery and Peats Soil and Garden Supplies, which together broadly meet our initial feedstock design capacity requirements. KSI Sawmills’ Managing Director Victor Kyriakou said Greenhill Energy was also the perfect fit for their business. “We’re really excited to work with another sustainably driven business in the rapidly developing Murraylands region, and Greenhill Energy’s Riverbend Energy Hub shares the same commitment to the environment as we do,” Mr Kyriakou said. “We source one 100% sustainable plantation timber for our operations and the potential to have off cuts and timber residue be upcycled to assist in the production of green hydrogen is a pleasing result for our business.” Both Greenhill Energy and KSI Sawmills are working closely with Regional Development Australia to progress their projects and ensure local communities also benefit from these large-scale business investments. Regional Development Australia Murraylands & Riverland Chief Executive Ben Fee said companies working together in the region creates more opportunities and connects our region to a resilient and sustainable future. “The partnership between Greenhill Energy and KSI Sawmills is exactly the type of lateral benefits we want to encourage in the Murraylands and Riverland,” Mr Fee said. “We’re attracting some great new companies to this vibrant region and this new partnership offers great circular economy opportunities with significant social and environmental benefits. Greenhill Energy and KSI Sawmills will progress under the MOU towards more detailed feedstock supply and other arrangements as they continue to move through regulatory approval processes for their respective projects.”  

Sustainable Timber Tasmania has released the annual update to its Three Year Wood Production Plan 2024-2025 to 2026-2027 to the Tasmanian community. Source: Timberbiz The Three Year Wood Production Plan can be accessed on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at www.sttas.com.au The plan identifies forest coupes across Tasmania’s public production forests that may be available across a three-year period from which a schedule of harvesting, roading and regeneration operations will be developed. The release of the plan provides the community with an opportunity to identify which forest coupes and future operations may be of interest to them. Inviting community feedback on the plan is part of Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s commitment to engaging with local stakeholders. Feedback will then be considered during detailed operational planning and decision-making processes. Sustainable Timber Tasmanian encourages the community to: Visit sttas.com.au Read the Three Year Wood Production Plan View the access map to identify which forest coupes may be of interest to them Contact Sustainable Timber Tasmania with their feedback at stakeholder@sttas.com.au or (03) 6169 2800. The Three Year Plan is developed from modelling and spatial data and includes coupe names, provisional coupe sizes (not final harvest boundaries), location coordinates, suggested harvest type and method, suggested regeneration and future use and an estimation of anticipated volumes of log products for potential recovery. The plan contains a significant amount of information, so to make it easier for people to read and understand, a spatial layer is developed and available to view on a map of Tasmania. This can be viewed on the access map on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at https://sttas.com.au/ourresponsibilities/operations/three-year-wood-production-plan It’s important to understand that not all forest coupes listed in the Three Year Plan will be harvested, and final harvesting and regeneration details for each coupe may be different from what is listed in the Plan. This is because Sustainable Timber Tasmania has not yet undertaken its detailed operational planning process, including consideration of stakeholder feedback. A list of frequently asked questions regarding the Three Year Plan has been made available for reading on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at www.sttas.com.au

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is set to spearhead an initiative highlighting the advantages of timber framing in construction, promising a significant boost to its promotion efforts. Source: Timberbiz First established in the Australian Forest Products Association’s Softwood Manufacturing Chamber and funded by the Timber Framing Collective, the ‘Timber Framing: The Ultimate Renewable’ campaign will continue its success with a WoodSolutions rebrand and be managed by FWPA. To oversee the effort, FWPA has appointed former board member and Timber Framing Collective founding member, Christine Briggs, as campaign manager. Ms Briggs brings a wealth of sales and marketing experience along with a breadth of industry knowledge, ensuring the campaign’s ongoing success. FWPA’s Head of Build Environment and WoodSolutions Program, Kevin Peachey, said this campaign plays an important role in supporting the forest and wood products industry. “Timber framing is a cost-effective, long-lasting and sustainable option for framing in construction, and we believe it should remain a part of the DNA of Australian homes,” said Mr Peachey. “The timber framing industry employs over 45,000 people across the supply chain, providing significant job opportunities. By highlighting these advantages and promoting timber framing as the preferred material among builders, we can support our members and expand the market share of timber framing in Australia. “Under Christine’s guidance, FWPA can enhance its creative and strategic efforts to communicate this story to builders, developers, and the broader construction industry.” Ms Briggs expressed her enthusiasm for the campaign and the benefits it would have for suppliers, builders and consumers alike. “From bolstering jobs and the supply chain to delivering cost-effective, renewable materials and creating high-quality, durable homes, timber framing is a success story from beginning to end. “I am eager to spotlight this valuable product and highlight its essential role in Australian homes.” In addition to existing campaign funding provided by the Timber Framing Collective funding partners, FWPA has committed further investment to ensure the ongoing success of the campaign. FWPA Head of Marketing and Communications, Sarah Downey, said FWPA was uniquely placed to use its well-established reach and influence to champion this message. “FWPA’s WoodSolutions program is a recognised brand across industry, with established connections and authority in the building design and construction sector,” said Ms Downey. “By bringing the timber framing campaign under the WoodSolutions umbrella, we can expand its reach and increase funding opportunities.” FWPA began management of the campaign from 1 July 2024.

Komatsu’s Smart Forestry gives you access to a collection of digital services that help make the workplace safe, smart, productive and sustainable, whether you have one or a hundred forest machines. You can keep track of your machines, collaborate with colleagues, and make wise decisions based on facts. Source: Timberbiz Smart Forestry consists of three different applications, making it easy for you to find the one that suits you and your business. Fleet Monitoring Fleet Monitoring opens new doors for preparing and planning work tasks for harvesters and forwarders alike. As the service is cloud-based, you can plan your work wherever you like and use any device with internet access. You can register identities, products, areas, maps, GIS data and other important information. This ensures that the operator has the correct information even before they start working and having the correct information also minimises the risk of unnecessary driving and mistakes. Fleet Monitoring gathers all machine information about your fleet and continually provides insights into each individual machine. You can see the utilisation, operating status, and exact geographic location of each machine. This entails no extra work for the operator as all data are logged and saved automatically. It’s easy to compare fuel consumption and production and the stored operation and production data are easy to tally, reducing your monthly accounts workload. Fleet Monitoring gives you remote access to many practical functions: check the battery status, monitor the temperature in the cab or start the diesel heater. Access to remote support where Komatsu Forest’s experts connect to your machine offers additional peace of mind. You can even allow a technician to remote control the machine, troubleshoot any problems and update the settings and software. This minimises downtime and saves both time and money – not least by avoiding costly service callout expenses. Technicians can provide remote training as well. Komatsu Vision With Vision it’s easy to share information with each other. The harvester operator plans suitable access roads, log roads and landings based on the worksite conditions. The forwarder operator can see the production in each working zone and optimise their forwarding to avoid unnecessary detours. Once the timber has been forwarded to the landing, the operator can mark the zone complete, simplifying follow-ups. Functions for marking particular areas and boundaries on the map and writing messages enable the team to help each other do a better job. You can also share information with other teams or companies. All information is updated in real-time. Vision helps you to work more efficiently and with less impact on the forest. You get area maps with up-to-date information. You can plan the forwarding based on the harvester’s tracks, thereby saving time, diesel and the environment. You gain a good overview and reliable production data that make it easy to adjust your planning as needed. The map functions also make it easy to send an easily understood final report once an area has been completed. Komatsu Precision Precision uses the latest satellite positioning technology to determine the machine’s position with a margin of error of just a few centimetres. This opens up possibilities for a productive and smart way of working where you as an operator get important information and support to make wise decisions. You can create digital boundaries around the work area or around protected areas and receive warnings if the machine comes too close to the boundary. Thanks to the high precision, machine tracks and stem codes can be clearly visualised, and you can also show the exact position of the processed logs, making it easier to see which assortment is in the log pile. When planning thinning routes, line following with navigation support is a great help, as it helps you stay on the planned route. It is also important that the user experience is as smooth and intuitive as possible, so there are many opportunities to customise both appearance and functionality.

Tigercat Industries has released the 6040 carbonizer. This long-awaited product replaces the 6050 carbonator that Tigercat marketed for a brief time after acquiring the product through the purchase of ROI in 2019. The mobile onsite wood conversion system is once again available in the marketplace after a comprehensive, ground-up redesign. Source: Timberbiz The 6040 is one of the most environmentally friendly wood debris reduction and conversion systems available on the market. The machine inputs woody debris and produces a high quality organic carbon with up to 90% material reduction. It is an ideal solution for converting unwanted logging and agriculture residue into a useful, high grade organic carbon that can be left onsite as a soil additive or marketed for many different commercial uses. The process captures 20% to 30% of the available carbon in the feedstock and sequesters it for thousands of years, furthering the goals of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. The innovative conversion process operates at high throughput levels and produces very low emissions because the gasses are combusted in the controlled combustion zone. The 6040 redesign addresses performance related issues experienced in the original design and represents the knowledge of the applications that Tigercat engineers and field support personnel have gained over the past five years. Great care has been taken to create a machine that allows modular replacement over time. For instance, the grates in the carbonizing chamber are now made up of seven different sections that can be rotated 180 degrees to balance wear and extend life. Individual sections can be replaced as required. The undercarriage, auger trough, and conveyor system are all bolt-on sections to the main carbonizing chamber frame. Everything can be separated for service and replacement if required. The modular bolt-on design also allows for differing expansion rates of these major components. The replaceable thermal-ceramic panel seal plate design has been improved, reducing panel wear. The composition of the panels has been altered to decrease back-face temperature while storing and utilizing more of the heat energy produced during the carbonizing process. This provides a more stable and sustained temperature within the carbonizing chamber. The result is increased efficiency, higher infeed rates, reduced emissions, and a greater yield of higher quality organic carbon. The auger trough is designed for minimal air leakage, assisting with under-air efficiency, further defining the secondary combustion zone, while reducing hotspots that could form from an inefficient base pressure or vacuum. Unlike the 6050, the auger trough, where the quenching process takes place, is entirely sealed. Once the organic carbon drops through the grates, it is fully quenched by the water bath. An onboard hydraulic water supply pump and integrated automatic water level control system reduces water consumption by about 50% compared with the 6050. Automated water fill, level control, and water retention provides the operator a window of time to replenish the water supply if required. The adjustable conveyor simplifies handling and management of the organic carbon product. It pivots 105 degrees from side to side and can be raised or lowered. The conveyor easily folds for transport and does not have to be detached from the machine frame. Temperature control sensors are located throughout the machine. This, coupled with the Tigercat designed operating software and telematics system, improves data access and customer support. The 6040 developments also emphasized parts commonality among other Tigercat products including pumps, motors, valves and filters, simplifying parts inventory management at the dealer and end user level. The overall machine weight has been reduced from 43,550 kg to 37,650 kg. Extended track frames improve load distribution on the trailer and reduce soil compaction on the ground.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has shared the latest tools and techniques to support data collection from satellite imagery for monitoring forests with experts across Southeast Asia, including for the subregion’s mangroves. Source: Timberbiz Participants will contribute to the Remote Sensing Survey of FAO’s 2025 Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), which provides essential information for understanding the extent of forest resources, their condition, management and uses across the globe. Experts from Bhutan, Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Viet Nam attended the training week from 24 to 28 June 2024 in Bangkok, which was organized with the assistance of the European Union and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative. Trainers provided an overview of methodology, implementation and definitions as well as lessons on the physics of remote sensing, theory of photo interpretation and utilizing FAO’s dedicated platform, Collect Earth Online (CEO), for data collection. “The extensive field knowledge of the region’s experts is essential for better capturing complex land-use change patterns in Southeast Asia, such as shifting cultivation,” said Adolfo Kindgard, FAO Forestry Officer. Experts also compared satellite images from the FRA 2025 Remote Sensing Survey with the actual conditions on the ground in the Royal Thai Army Nature Study Center, Bang Pu, Samut Prakan Province, for further practical instruction in image interpretation, with a special focus on Bang Pu’s mangroves. As of 2020, nearly 44% (6.48 million hectares) of the total global area of mangroves (14.8 million hectares) is found in South and Southeast Asia, which also hosts the highest mangrove species diversity. However, this subregion also has the highest rate of net mangrove loss due to primary drivers such as the conversion to aquaculture and agriculture, losing 0.11% of mangrove cover per year from 2010 to 2020. Mangroves provide hundreds of millions of people living along coastal areas with services such as protection from natural disasters, timber and non/wood forest products, and pollution control. They also protect and conserve biodiversity by providing homes, breeding grounds and food for diverse types of animals, and are key to combating climate change through carbon storage.  

Two Scion research projects have been awarded Catalyst: Seeding funding for projects in collaboration with United States and United Kingdom research organisations. Source: Timberbiz Principal scientists Dr Michael Watt and Dr Brian Richardson were behind the successful projects which will both run for two years and involve international exchanges. Catalyst: Seeding facilitates pre-research strategic partnerships to develop into full collaborations. The fund covers expenses related to travel, workshops, accommodation, and some research. Fourteen of the 94 applications in the recent funding round were successful. Scion received two of these. Dr Richardson’s project is titled New models to underpin the potential of precision aerial agrichemical application. It aims to develop a new generation of aerial agrichemical modelling tools. Existing models for aerial application of agrichemicals like fertiliser and pesticides do not have the resolution needed to support highly accurate unmanned aerial spraying systems (UASS). The project team wants to develop new modelling tools to help transition aerial agrichemical application to precision technologies like UASS. The new tools will balance enhanced environmental protection with the need for cost-effective pest management and primary production systems, reduce agrichemical use and increase precision and improve results. The project is in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS). ARS manages a spray application simulation model released in the late 1980s and the project will develop a new and enduring collaboration between ARS and Scion. This collaboration will underpin the development of new models and facilitate knowledge exchanges. The project has been awarded funds over two years to facilitate a workshop in Houston, Texas involving Scion, ARS researchers and other collaborators, as well as exchanges to contribute to developing a research program to advance the science behind a new model. Alongside Dr Richardson, Tara Strand, Wayne Schou and Justin Nairn are the other Scion staff who will go to Texas, while Scion will host Harold Thistle, Heping Zhu, Stephen Foster and Bradley Fritz from ARS. Other potential collaborators will also be invited to attend this first workshop. It will ultimately lead to more cost-effective use of agrichemicals, less off-target drift, new tools to sustain productivity, improved management options and more cost-effective regulatory processes. Dr Watt’s project is titled Simulating wind and disease risk using digital twins in New Zealand forests. It explores how to mitigate wind risk and damage in key New Zealand plantation species using wind-risk models combined with a digital twin. Scion will collaborate with Forest Research in Roslin, United Kingdom on the project, drawing on their expertise constructing digital twins. Advanced wind-risk models from Forest Research will be integrated into digital twin models of forests to explore how things like varied plantation layout and stand density can mitigate wind risk in two key plantation species in New Zealand. The digital twin approach will also be used to simulate the impact of disease on growth and how this interacts with wind risk and stand structure. This could be used to guide specific management changes that could lead to disease resilience. The project was awarded $60,000 over two years to facilitate Scion hosting two visits from Dr Juan Suarez and Tom Locatelli from Forest Research and sending Remote Sensing and GIS scientists Michael and Nicolo Camarretta to Forest Research to develop models. Scion will draw on Forest Research’s expertise in digital twin construction through the project to develop a common methodology applicable to both NZ and the UK.  

Through a collaboration between the Central Coast Council and Sustainable Timber Tasmania, the future of Castra Falls has been confirmed for the benefit of the local community. Source: Timberbiz The Central Coast Council has signed a lease agreement with Sustainable Timber Tasmania, allocating responsibility for the care and management of Castra Falls and its surrounding area, totalling approximately 48 hectares, to the Council. This arrangement establishes the area as a public recreational reserve for the community’s enjoyment. Situated on Permanent Timber Production Zone land managed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania, the area’s lease spans ten years, granting the Central Coast Council the option for renewal to maintain ongoing stewardship. Mayor Cheryl Fuller of the Central Coast Council expressed her delight with the favourable outcome, emphasising the Council’s appreciation for Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s willingness to consider the lease and collaborate in this partnership. Mayor Fuller said she recently walked the Castra Falls circuit with CEO Barry Omundson and members of the North West Walking Club. “Castra Falls is a very special place that holds important natural values.” “Five waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife and flora are just a few of the many reasons why this place is so highly valued and appreciated by the community.” “The area forms part of the Coast to Canyon Pathway alongside Leven Canyon and Preston Falls, all of which are extraordinary places and enjoyed by both residents and visitors.” “I will be reaching out to those who have voiced their concerns to me regarding the area and look forward to providing further details about next steps and keeping the community informed,” said Mayor Fuller. Sustainable Timber Tasmania has confirmed that it has no plans to conduct forest operations at Castra Falls and is pleased with this positive outcome for the Central Coast community. Suzette Weeding, Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s General Manager Conservation and Land Management said the organisation is proud to continue providing value to local communities as the manager of Tasmania’s public production forests. Ms Weeding highlighted that “Sustainable Timber Tasmania understands the significance of Castra Falls as an important location for the local community and visitors to explore and enjoy.”

A field demonstration of the Auto Hydraulic Quick Coupler was held recently at Loggabull’s harvesting operation in Kinleith Forest on New Zealand’s north island, showing how one machine and operator can carry out multiple tasks. Source: Timberbiz This project and field demonstration of the Automated Quick Coupler was part of the FGR Automation & Robotics Primary Growth Partnership led by FGR Program Manager Keith Raymond. This project developed an Automatic Quick Coupler for rapid changeover of machine attachments without the operator having to leave the cab. Using the Automatic Quick Coupler with multiple attachments, only one based machine is required for log processing, sorting and loading, resulting in reduced capital cost, higher machine utilisation and lower operating costs. The Quick Coupler is suited to lower production operations where there is spare capacity. The demonstration was positively received and attended by close to 60 attendees, from forest management companies and logging contractors from both corporate and woodlot scenarios, who saw the huge potential and advantages of what the Quick Coupler provides. Anyone interested in purchasing the demo machine with attachments can contact Phillip McKenzie at AB Equipment Ltd, Taupo phil.mckenzie@abequipment.co.nz  

On Saturday 20 July HQP will hold its Fraser Coast Plantation Community Day to show what it takes to grow a sustainable forest. Source: Timberbiz HQP’s pine plantations on the Fraser Coast are among the biggest in the southern hemisphere and grow up to 10 million seedling a year. Local houses are built from renewable timber that’s grown and milled locally. Growing for generations supports a thriving economy of large and small local businesses and their employees including sawmills, civil construction, hauliers, harvesters, scientists, foresters, fire fighters, nursery workers and labourers even helicopters pilots and drone operators. This work is mostly done quietly and unseen, but on 20 July, with help from industry and community partners, it will be on display at the Toolara Forest Office on Tin Can Bay Road from 9am until 2pm. You’ll see every aspect of the plantation lifecycle and some of the machines and technology used from seedling to sawmill on display from HQP and: Wood processors and major employers Hyne Timber and Laminex Harvest and hauliers Sunchip, Ashers and GMT Logging Roading construction contractors including McKenna’s Silviculture operators who undertake planting and maintenance such as K&S Contracting, Crossing Works, Butchulla Indigenous Industries Group and Wide Bay Drones Other suppliers including EXCI artificial intelligence fire detection Local First Nations groups Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation and Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, current and traditional custodians Community and environment partners including local rural fire brigades, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, Gympie Landcare, Glenwood Wildlife Awareness and Cooloola Nature.

FWPA is excited to provide opportunities to enhance engagement on the sustainable nature of forestry at industry events by using virtual reality (VR) to transport attendees into the heart of the forest. Source: Timberbiz Six new VR headsets have been made available for use by stakeholders to provide immersive experiences during events including conferences, trade shows and career expos. Using the award-winning suite of ForestVRTM resources the headsets take users on virtual tours of a variety of Australian forest and processing mill environments, as well as guiding them along the timber product supply chain from seed to shelter. Developed by FWPA’s ForestLearning program, the ForestVRTM resources have already made an impressive impact on teachers and students in Australian classrooms. Now they are proving equally as popular at industry events, having been met with enthusiasm from attendees at the recent Balingup Small Farm Field Day in Western Australia, Mid Coast Careers Market in New South Wales, and Royal Darwin Show in the Northern Territory. The headsets are available on loan, free-of charge through ForestLearning. They don’t require a Wi-Fi connection, meaning they offer an easy and effective way to engage with attendees in any setting. Beth Welden, ForestLearning Program Manager, said ForestVRTM is the perfect way to share the unique story of Australian sustainable forestry. “These highly immersive experiences guide the user through the forest and timber processing journey, showcasing the use of renewable forest products in everything from buildings to everyday items such as paper,” Ms Welden said. “We have already helped countless students Australia-wide to appreciate the complexity and breadth of our sustainable forest management systems, and we’re looking forward to helping industry bring the vibrant world of forestry and wood products to life for even more Australians.”More information on the ForestVRTM resources can be found at https://forestlearning.edu.au/forestvr/ Industry members interested in borrowing a headset to use at an upcoming event are invited to make a request by filling out at form at https://forms.monday.com/forms/d4f6792b9bc7195b69a5aa5969b67971?r=use1

Forico has purchased two New Generation Wagner L90 Logstackers for its mills in northern Tasmania, the first of the new generation machines to be commissioned in Australia. Source: Timberbiz The two new ‘Wagners’ arrived at Long Reach Mill in the East Tamar and Surrey Hills Mill in Hampshire, Tasmania in May 2024. After assembly and training by the North American manufacturer Allied Systems and specialist cargo handling company Quality Marshalling of New Zealand, the machines were commissioned and put into use in the log-yards in early June. Recognising the need to update their fleet, the Forico Board had approved the purchase in April 2022, a significant capital expenditure outlay and investment in supply chain. The machines in use until that time had been purchased in 2015 and had been in service for in excess of 26,000 hours. “The Wagners are also considerably more fuel efficient and have lower overall maintenance costs compared to front end loader machines used over the same operating period,” said Tim Duncombe, manager at Forico’s Long Reach Mill. The New Generation L90s were transported from America by sea and road after a lead time of around 18 months on delivery due to demand for machines and worldwide challenges on the availability of components. Making the journey from Portland USA to Melbourne, on to the port at Devonport and then on to the mill sites by road, the unique machines would have caused some ‘head scratching’ as they were driven under escort to their final destination, said Mr Duncombe. Manager at Forico’s Surrey Hills Mill Paul Sturzaker said the operational teams had identified the need for additional handrailing to protect operators exiting the cab, but beyond that the newly designed Wagner unit would significantly improve visibility and handling.

Rob de Fégely, co-founder and director of Margules Groome, retired on 30 June 2024. Source: Timberbiz Mr de Fégely’s career in consulting began in the 1980s when he joined Ray Margules, a pioneer in forestry consulting in Australia. Over the past four decades he undertook a countless number of consulting assignments for both the private sector in Australia and government with a keen interest in strategy and policy. Apart from consulting in recent years Mr de Fégely was appointed Chair of the Board of Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT, formerly Forestry Tasmania), he is also an Advisory Board member of the Forestry Investment Trust of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation in Canada, and as a Board member of Forestry Corporation of New South Wales (FCNSW). Mr de Fégely has held several notable positions, including Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) from 2015 to 2023, National President of Forestry Australia (formerly the Institute of Foresters of Australia) from 2012 to 2017, and Non-Executive Director of VicForests from 2012 to 2015. He was the founding Chair of Cape York Timber, an indigenous-based sawmilling enterprise in far north Queensland. Furthermore, he has advised Greening Australia, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Natural Resources Commission. With more than 40 years of experience, Mr de Fégely has worked on projects across Australia and throughout most of the Asia-Pacific region. Throughout his career, he has been passionate about promoting sustainable forestry practices and advocating for the forestry profession. He has also contributed to the education and training of future forestry professionals and capacity building within the sector.