Australian timber industry news

A rare Coastal Emu nest, containing nine eggs, has been discovered by Forestry Corporation staff in a State forest on the North Coast, giving hope to the future of the endangered population. Source: Timberbiz The discovery near Grafton was made by Forestry Corporation Lead Forestry Officer Kurt Holzhauser during a broad area habitat search for threatened and endangered species. The NSW Government, under Saving Our Species, has invested years of conservation and habitat protection work on the North Coast to save the Coastal Emu, after the population was classified as endangered. Forestry Corporation’s Senior Ecologist Chris Slade said the discovery of the nest was a significant ecological find and every effort will now be taken to ensure the nest contributes to recovery actions for the population. “It is estimated that there may be fewer than 50 Coastal Emus left on the North Coast, so to discover a nest bearing eggs, is a significant moment for that endangered population,” Mr Slade said. “It’s an amazing prospect as the timing of the discovery is perfect in the sense that every effort can now be taken to try and ensure those eggs hatch into emu chicks.” Genetically isolated from their western emu relatives, Coastal Emus have faced high mortality rates due to predation and car strikes. Loss of emus from the North Coast would have a serious impact on the environment, as the birds eat and spread fruits and seeds across a range of coastal habitats. The emu also has significant cultural value to Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung peoples. “The nest found by Kurt is within the distribution of the threatened emu population,” Mr Slade explained. “Forestry Corporation is now working with Saving Our Species on the best way to ensure this nest contributes to broader recovery actions,” he said. The Coastal Emu, (Dromaius novaehollandiae) was once widespread across north-eastern NSW, but is now only found within the Evans Head, Red Rock and Bungawalbin areas. To find out more about the Coastal Emu Population, contact Lia Hooper via:  Keeping up with coastal emu conservation | NSW DCCEW.

Private Forests Tasmania was delighted to participate in Rural Youth Tasmania’s Young Farmer of the Year competition, where our Farm and Forest Mapper tool was featured as a key module in the State finals. Source: Timberbiz The Farm and Forest Mapper, a new digital tool developed by Esk Spatial in collaboration with PFT and the Forest Practices Authority, is designed to transform the farm-planning process for landowners, consultants, planners, and contractors. This tool assists users in assessing the suitability of their land for a variety of crops, including commercial tree species, evaluating wind risk, identifying forest class, and enabling the detailed mapping, drawing, and planning of properties for optimal success. During the competition, the Farm and Forest Mapper was used to map paddocks, proposed shelterbelt plantings, existing forests, and planned fence lines across the Quercus Park property. Participants were required to utilise the Mapper’s analysis and planning tools to answer questions on crop suitability, wind exposure, and woodlot planning. They also had to interpret information related to plantation establishment and fencing requirements, all while demonstrating their ability to think holistically and critically evaluate the information during the farm planning process. The Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year competition, open to Tasmanians aged 15 to 30, consists of two stages. In the run-offs held in July, competitors faced a range of farm-related tasks, including sheep handling, soil health, sprayer calibration, first aid, machinery operation, and finance. The top 10 scorers from these activities advanced to the Finals, where they completed 10 modules. The top four finalists then participated in the final two modules, testing both their practical and theoretical agricultural knowledge. The highest point scorer from the State Final was crowned the Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year, taking home more than $40,000 in prizes. Private Forests Tasmania extends its congratulations to the 2024 winners: 1st – Dylan Bellchambers 2nd – Zac Leonard 3rd – Chelsea Rayner 4th – Jake Williams 5th – Charlton Skirving For more information on Rural Youth Tasmania’s Woolworths Tasmanian Young Farmer of the Year, or to get involved as a sponsor or participant, please contact Rural Youth Tasmania. To learn more about the Farm and Forest Mapper Tool, click HERE.

Researchers are developing machine learning methods to help mechanical harvesters to travel more lightly, use less fuel and leave less noticeable strip roads in the forest. Researchers at the University of Helsinki are developing machine learning methods enabling the harvester to assist the operator in choosing routes that are optimal for both harvesting and nature. The machine could then predict the relevant terrain characteristics even before the actual operation. Source: Forest fi “This information will help to optimize the route and assist the operator by telling, for example, where the ground is too soft,” said Professor Jukka Heikkonen, in charge of the project funded by the Research Council of Finland. Harvesting operations must be planned so as not to leave too invasive strip roads. The softer the ground, the more difficult it is for the harvester to travel and the more likely it will cause ground damage. “Harvesting operations must be planned so as not to leave too invasive strip roads. The softer the ground, the more difficult it is for the harvester to travel and the more likely it will cause ground damage,” Mr Heikkonen notes. Strip roads, or the tracks left by the harvester, are detrimental to forest growth, increase the risk of diseases and are an eyesore. Travelling across soft ground also increases the rolling resistance and therefore, the fuel consumption and cost. “The softer the ground, the more probably it will be damaged. The physical quantity used in the study is the rolling resistance factor of the harvester, which describes the ease of travel on a particular stretch of ground,” Mr Heikkonen says. According to the Finnish Forest Act, only one fifth of the length of a strip road created to reach a harvesting site may be over ten centimetres in depth. For peatlands, the corresponding depth is 20 centimetres. Using the figure for ease of travel and the harvester’s rolling resistance, it is possible to create a map showing the conditions most suitable for the strip roads. The map may be used to position the route of forwarders and to schedule the operation. Measurements of damage caused by strip roads may be combined with open-source forest data and harvester data. This will allow predictions of future damage from the strip roads in a harvesting operation. The predictions and modelling make use of machine learning, which is capable of combining open-source masses of data, measurement data from harvester sensors and physical models of the terrain. Combining measurements of strip road damage with open-source forest data and harvester data makes it possible to predict the degree of damage even before the operation. Research results show that the rolling resistance of the harvester is greatest in depressions and on loamy soils. Moist soils increase the resistance. Moistness, in turn, is affected by weather conditions, as well as rain, evaporation and the presence of meltwater. Data for the research was collected from actual forestry operations in southern Finland. Identifiers linked to geospatial data describing moistness and soil type indicate the ease of travel on a particular site. Using the soil moistness and the harvester’s rolling resistance data, it is possible to create a forest hydrology model for anywhere in Finland. The terrain data gathered by the harvester is generalized to cover other, corresponding terrains. “Using the soil moistness and the harvester’s rolling resistance data, it is possible to create a forest hydrology model for anywhere in Finland. The terrain data gathered by the harvester is generalized to cover other, corresponding terrains. This also makes use of forest resources data, among other things,” says Mr Heikkonen. The aim is to plan harvesting operations with the knowledge of ’where to go and when’. Knowing this would not only help the people planning the harvesting, but also the practical work of the harvester operator. The objective is to achieve an automatic route planning, which will serve as a basis for autonomous harvesters. Factors affecting the ease of travel include the load-bearing capacity of the soil, the steepness of slopes and areas where the harvester may not enter. Other important factors include type of terrain, vegetation, climate, weather, ground-level moistness and the machinery used in harvesting. Mr Heikkonen points out that once an operation has been scheduled, it must be implemented despite cold, rain, fog or rocky terrain. “For the harvester, forest is a challenging environment,” Mr Heikkonen concludes.

Seppi M USA, a leading manufacturer of mulching equipment, has introduced its new onsite balancing service. Whether you own a forestry mulcher with fixed knives or swinging hammers, Seppi M. USA has you covered. Source: Timberbiz Balancing is crucial for optimal performance and longevity of forestry mulchers. Unbalanced mulcher heads can cause excessive wear, reduced efficiency, and even damage to your equipment. Seppi M. USA’s on-site balancing service ensures that your mulcher operates smoothly, minimizing vibrations and maximizing productivity and the company can balance forestry rotors of any brand. Seppi M USA’s on-site balancing service is available across the entire US, the Cincinnati location serves as the hub for this specialized service.  

SCA’s new electric timber truck with a crane has now been premiered to a wide audience at the Elmia Lastbil fair. The truck, a collaborative project between SCA and Scania, will be the first electric timber truck in the world to collect timber in the forest for further transport to a timber terminal. Source: Timberbiz, Photo: Anton Ahlinder and Jonas Muhr/SCA “With the new truck, SCA takes the next step in sustainable timber transport. The truck has received a lot of positive feedback at Elmia,” said Anton Ahlinder, business developer at SCA Skog. Just over two years after SCA and Scania’s first electric timber truck was put into operation in Umeå, it’s time for the next big step in the work to electrify heavy transport in forestry. Unlike the truck in Umeå, which runs between a timber terminal and SCA’s paper mill in Obbola, the new electric timber truck is equipped with a crane and tandem drive so that it can load timber in the forest and transport it to a timber terminal. “We expect the truck to be in operation at the beginning of October. According to our calculations, it should have a range of just over 200 kilometres, although Scania’s calculations say 320 kilometres. Much depends on how much electricity it takes to operate the crane. We will test and see what works best,” Mr Ahlinder said. Rolf Lövgren Åkeri & Entreprenad AB owns the truck and will operate it with support from SCA. Rolf currently has two trucks and a total of five drivers, and he did not hesitate when asked by SCA to own and operate the truck. “No, I’d rather be first than last! That way, I get to be involved in the development. I haven’t actually seen the truck yet, as I couldn’t attend Elmia, but I’m looking forward to getting started and I think this will work well. I’m excited,” Mr Lövgren Åkeri said. “The truck will operate here in the Östavall area. Initially, I will be driving it, but then it will run in shifts, and by then I hope to find two more drivers.” The new electric timber truck is part of the forestry industry’s innovation project TREE, which aims for half of the forestry industry’s new trucks to be electric by 2030. “It’s exciting to be part of this important work and to contribute to a more sustainable society. When the truck is in operation, we expect it to result in 170 tons lower carbon dioxide emissions per year compared to a regular timber truck. All the attention and cheers we, Scania, and the truck received at Elmia, and also via LinkedIn, show that this is an important issue for many,” said Mr Ahlinder. “The fact that Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson came to see the truck was especially enjoyable. We managed to convey some requests, such as the need to allow higher vehicle weights and more flexible driving and rest times to facilitate electric vehicles. If the industry is to make a significant investment in electrification, we need the right support and reasonable conditions. For example, it’s not good if a driver has to stop for a break when there’s only fifteen minutes left to the charging station.” A significant investment in charging stations is also required for a substantial electrification of the forestry truck fleet to become a reality. “In the area where our new electric timber truck will operate, there will be four available charging stations, which reduces the risk of downtime. But if we are to have more electric timber trucks, many more charging stations are needed,” Mr Ahlinder added.

Vietnam is aiming to increase the export value of wood and wood products to US$20 billion by 2025 and US$25 billion by 2030 under the national forestry planning for 2021-20230 period, with a vision to 2050. Sources: VnEconomy, Timberbiz The planning was approved under a Prime Ministerial Decision and signed on 24 August by then Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang. Under the plan, Vietnam aims to have more than 15.8 million ha of forests and forestry land by 2030. This includes 15.5% allocated for special use forests, 33% for protective forests, and 51.5% for production forests. The goal is to maintain national forest coverage between 42-43% while significantly enhancing the quality of existing natural forests. Specific targets include an annual forestry production growth rate of 5-5.5%, planting an average of 238,000 ha of production forests each year, and restoring 22,500 ha of natural forests annually. More than one million hectares of forests are expected to be certified for sustainable management by 2030, according to the plan. Revenue from forest environmental services is anticipated to grow by 5% annually, with total annual earnings estimated at VND3.5 trillion (US$140 million) from 2021-2025, and VND4 trillion (US$160 million) from 2026-2030. It is estimated that these goals will require investment capital of over VND217.3 trillion (US$8.68 billion).

Remsoft has launched Carbon Management capabilities that extend its suite of intelligent forestry planning solutions powered by the company’s flagship Woodstock Optimization Studio. Source: Timberbiz These advanced capabilities seamlessly integrate with Remsoft’s Strategic Optimization solution, responding to the growing demand within the forest industry for intelligent technology that enhances global sustainability performance. The new Carbon Management solution improves how forestry companies manage carbon offsets, combining advanced algorithms and data-based calculations to produce faster, more accurate carbon estimations for forest carbon projects. Approved by the American Carbon Registry and adhering to leading carbon crediting standards, Remsoft’s Woodstock modelling technology ensures that clients can confidently meet their compliance requirements. Current carbon management practices are often manual, labour-intensive, and error-prone, leading to conservative estimations that undervalue the true potential of forest assets and revenue. This cautious approach is primarily driven by the risk of regulatory penalties and the potential need to repay miscalculated carbon credits. Remsoft’s solution streamlines and accelerates the carbon modelling process, enabling forest managers to produce carbon models with unprecedented accuracy. This efficiency reduces what used to take months into just days, thereby maximizing revenue, accelerating project timelines, and easing regulatory compliance all from one secure platform. “For those managing forests, our latest offering provides a way to simplify carbon modelling and more effectively balance sustainability, compliance, and profit,” said Doug Jones, Remsoft President. “Landowners, TIMOs, and forest managers can more precisely navigate the dual demands of environmental responsibility and financial performance to surpass their sustainability goals and unlock significant revenue opportunities.” Remsoft’s Carbon Management solution marks a significant advancement in improving the accuracy and efficiency of forest carbon management. Integrating these capabilities within Remsoft’s industry-standard Strategic Optimization solution empowers the industry’s continuing shift towards holistic forest management that effectively balances economic growth with forest health and sustainability.  

Using 3D printing technology and ultrasonic joining technique, researchers at TU Graz succeeded in attaining an extremely strong joining of the renewable raw material wood with metal and polymer composite. Source:  Timberbiz The renewable raw material wood is climate-neutral and at the same time light and strong, making it fundamentally attractive for use in vehicle manufacturing. One challenge to date has been joining the wood and the other materials in the vehicle, such as metals and polymer composites, in a robust way. The research team led by Sergio Amancio from the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming of Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) – Gean Marcatto, Awais Awan, Willian Carvalho and Stefan Herbst – has now successfully tested two techniques by which extremely strong joints can be achieved without using adhesives or screws. The application of the techniques to wood is patent pending and could be used in the aircraft, automotive and furniture industries. The two novel manufacturing techniques are suitable for their own areas of application. Beech, oak, carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide and polyphenylene sulphide, stainless steel 316L, and Ti-64 alloys, were used as test materials. “Our motivation is clearly environmental protection,” Mr Amancio said. With new manufacturing processes, the renewable raw material wood could replace components made from energy-intensive or difficult-to-recycle materials. With the AddJoining technique, a component made of polymer composite is affixed to and printed directly onto a surface – in this case wood – using a 3D printing process. The printed material penetrates into the wood pores, where a chemical reaction occurs, similar to the reaction of glue with wood. The resulting connections were highly successful in mechanical load tests. “After the joint fractured, we were able to find polymer in the wood pores and broken wood fibres in the polymer, which suggests that the fracture occurred in the wood and polymer, but not at the joint,” Mr Marcatto said, who works on this process as a postdoc at the institute. These successful tests were carried out on the untreated wood surface. Even more durable joints could be achieved by introducing a micro- or nano-structure into the wood through laser texturing or etching, which increases the pores and enhances the bonding surfaces. “But we wanted to work with as few steps as possible and, above all, without chemicals,” Mr Amancio, explained. “We can use this technology particularly well with complicated 3D geometries because the components are printed directly onto the surface – in whatever geometry is required.” In Ultrasonic Joining, high-frequency vibration with low amplitude is applied to the wooden component using a sonotrode. In contact with the base component – in this case, polymer or a polymer composite material – the friction generates heat at the interface which melts the surface of the polymer part. Molten polymer infiltrates into the naturally porous surface of the wood. In this way, a very stable spot joint can be achieved, from a mixture of mechanical interlocking (because the melted plastic solidifies again in the wood) and adhesion forces. “This technique is particularly suitable for large components and 2D structures since we achieve a precisely localized spot joint,” Mr Awan said. He has dedicated his doctorate to joining technology using ultrasonic energy. These spot joints were also mechanically tested with great success. The joints could also be further strengthened by pre-treatment of the wood surface such as laser texturing. In future, the team would like to work with partners from the automotive, aircraft and furniture industries to further refine the technologies.

Most Australians visiting Greece may be bewildered to find their iconic eucalyptus tree growing in this part of the world. With its aromatic leaves and outstretched branches, they provide a much-needed respite from the scorching Greek sun. Yet, true to its Greek name, these “blessed” trees have benefited Greece in significant ways. Source: Greek Reporter Theodoros G. Orphanides, a pioneering botanist committed to modernizing Greek botany, introduced the eucalyptus tree to Greece. Born in 1817, Orphanides was a respected academic who held a professorship at the University of Athens. He significantly contributed to the establishment of the university’s Botanical Museum. His goal was to align Greek botanical studies with those of leading European nations. He was particularly interested in how foreign plants could benefit Greece. Orphanides actively participated in the global exchange of botanical knowledge during the 19th century. This period was marked by European scientists and explorers collecting and introducing plant species from around the world to their native lands. Among these was the eucalyptus, a fast-growing tree known for its resilience and practical uses. The choice of the eucalyptus was deliberate. Native to Australia, this tree is renowned for its rapid growth and adaptability to different climates, making it ideal for introduction to other parts of the world. However, its true value in Greece lay in its ability to thrive in swampy areas and its reputed capacity to combat malaria—a major public health issue at the time. Malaria posed a serious threat in 19th-century Greece, especially in marshy regions where stagnant water provided the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. The eucalyptus tree, with its high rate of water absorption, helped drain these swamps. As a result, it reduced the mosquito population and the incidence of malaria. This health benefit, combined with the tree’s suitability for reforestation and timber production, made it an attractive option for Orphanides. Orphanides introduced eucalyptus to Greece as part of a broader strategy to enrich the country’s natural resources and tackle environmental challenges. He saw the potential of the eucalyptus as a solution to health issues and as a means to combat deforestation, which was a growing problem in several parts of the country. The first eucalyptus trees were planted in various regions of Greece, especially in areas where their water-draining properties could be most beneficial. Coastal regions, agricultural areas, and marshlands were among the primary locations for these initial plantings. The tree’s rapid growth and adaptability to different environments ensured its success across the country. The introduction of the eucalyptus to Greece had a profound impact on both the environment and public health. Over time, the tree became a common sight in many parts of the country. It contributed to reforestation efforts and provided valuable timber resources. Its presence in swampy areas also helped reduce malaria, improving public health in affected regions. Moreover, the eucalyptus tree symbolized the broader changes in Greek society during the 19th century. As Greece sought to modernize and align itself with European standards, its successful introduction of this foreign species reflected its openness to new ideas and willingness to adopt innovative solutions. The eucalyptus also added a new dimension to the Greek landscape’s beauty. Its tall, stately presence created picturesque groves and enhanced the diversity of local flora. The tree’s aromatic leaves and distinctive silhouette became familiar features of the Greek countryside, blending harmoniously with native species. With malaria at bay and thriving forests, this Australian tree continues to demonstrate the far-reaching impact of Orphanides’ vision. The eucalyptus tree exemplifies the extent of human ingenuity in harnessing nature for the benefit of humanity.  

With an official 30 years on the clock, and an extra eight pre-career break for kids, OneFortyOne Contractor Manager/EHSR Administrator Jenni Kain has dedicated almost four decades of her career to building relationships and helping people. Source: Timberbiz Ms Kain’s milestone is a celebration of her tenacity, an innovative spirit, and the pursuit of looking out for others. “As an administrator all-rounder, I began my career at Mt Gambier Pine Industries (MGPI) on Sturt Street progressing through the business ownership changes that is now OneFortyOne. “With a focus on customer service, this laid the groundwork for a decade in roundwood customer service and a further eight years as the account manager for roundwood, selling our treated posts. Our customers were from across South Australia, Victoria, and as far as Ceduna to the West & Griffith in NSW, to over 200 agricultural businesses, including the viticulture sector. “I had a great relationship with the sales team, and everyone in the office and sawmill at Jubilee always made me feel part of their team as well. “I developed wonderful relationships with the agricultural customers and community. Farming life is unpredictable with droughts, floods, and fires, so I made sure I was always accessible to my customer base. I used to listen to the farm reports on the radio while driving around the countryside to get a sense of what was going on in the local areas before arriving. It helped me relate to the customer when I was somewhat ‘in the know’.” During the 2020 Kangaroo Island fires, Ms Kain was waiting on a call from one of her customers, who was involved in the CFS, but she had not heard from them for some time. Eventually, their competitor called to say that they were safe, and to order some of the customer’s roundwood for them while they fought the fires. She said that it had always stuck with her – the camaraderie within the agricultural community. “After 18 years in sales, I decided I needed a change and  took on a Contractor Manager position at Jubilee, which I’ve been doing for almost three years now,” she said. “I love being part of the safety team and working with good people. The best way to describe this job is it’s like herding cats! (in a nice way). With so many contractors coming to our site, and so many projects on the go, making sure each one is compliant can be a challenge. “Over the years, the biggest change I have seen is safety and the way it is now at the forefront of people’s minds. It’s great working for a business where safety is hugely important. “Back in the old MGPI days it was one of my jobs to decorate for the mill Christmas party, it was a huge show. “Once the main kiln was turned off and emptied, we sent people up in a cherry picker to decorate the inside (this is where the party was held!). “If I could give any advice to anyone starting their career, it would be, “Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.”

NZDFI has recently produced a new 4-page brochure predominantly for growers, it summarises essential information around choosing a forestry regime, site/species selection, and NZDFI’s improved XyloGene planting stock. Source: Timberbiz New Zealand Dryland Forests Innovation’s tree breeding program has genetically improved two durable eucalypt species: Eucalyptus globoidea (White stringybark) – a species which grows productively across a range of sites and produces class 2 durable timber (expected in-ground service life of 15-25 years) which is strong, versatile, easy to machine with attractive grain. Eucalyptus bosistoana (Coast grey box) – a species which grows best on fertile, sheltered sites and produces class 1 durable timber (expected in-ground service life of 25-plus years) which is very hard and strong. These species provide landowners with the opportunity to start planting the 60,000 hectares of forest required over the next 30 years to establish a sustainable multi-regional hardwood industry in New Zealand. New Zealand Dryland Forests Innovation’s (NZDFI) breeding programis producing the first generation of XyloGene-branded improved seed and seedlings of both species. XyloGene seed lots offer growers a range of genetic improvement in adaptability, growth, form, heartwood volume and durability. To achieve genetic gains, elite trees have been selected for propagation. The trees have been tested in New Zealand environments with varying biotic and abiotic factors. NZDFI’s seedling and clonal seed orchards are designed to ensure outcrossing between diverse genotypes to produce nursery stock adapted to New Zealand conditions. XyloGene seed and seedlings are available to purchase and these offer superior performance to planting provenance collections imported from Australia or collected in New Zealand. Further information about the seed and seedlings available can be found on the XyloGene website. The brochure can be downloaded here.

Recognition of the value of the managed harvested native hardwood timber forests could be the answer to the ongoing efforts to save koala colonies on the Mid and North Coast of New South Wales. Source: Timberbiz This is the proposal the REEF Research Foundation’s (REEF) Forestry Awareness Program has put to the NSW Minns Labor Government as it considers the location, formulation and size of its planned Great Koala National Park in Northern NSW. REEF Forestry Awareness Program Chair Noel Atkins said it has advocated to the NSW Environment Minister the Hon Penny Sharpe MLC in early 2024 that the Great Koala National Park should include significant parts of existing National Park rather than carving out managed forests which are promoting koala rejuvenation and helping with the housing crisis. “The evidence is in that koalas are living well in harvested native hardwood timber forests for the simple reason their colonies are protected by regulation, the animals can easily walk along the managed forest floor and enjoy succulent leaves from new trees,” Mr Noel Atkins said. “Why increase the size of the Great Koala National Park into managed forests when significant numbers of koala live there, are protected, and their colonies are growing according to respected evidence? We believe this is a sensible position the NSW Government should adopt. “There is already 88% of NSW Forests preserved in National Parks and Crown Land available for all flora and fauna. Only 12 percent of NSW forests are available in the Managed Forest Estate, which is also available to flora and fauna. Of this 12%, less than 1% is harvested annually by strict regulation and is subjected to regeneration for our nation’s future timber needs.” The CSIRO’s National Koala Monitoring Program (NKMP), estimate that koala populations range between 287,830 and 628,010, ten times more than the most recent Australian Koala Foundation estimate. The CSIRO confirms that population estimates are larger than in 2012 when koalas were classified as “vulnerable”, not “endangered.” Published research by Dr Brad Law, the principal research scientist at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and supported by Leroy Gonsalves, Traecey Brassil and Isobel Kerr “demonstrate high occupancy (of Koalas) in northeast NSW and no difference in density between harvested forest in the state forest and controlled forest in the national park”. “REEF and its members are totally committed to protecting koalas and believe the Government should be committed to maintaining the managed forests where many koalas roam and call home, rather than turning it into a park that will be costly to manage,” Noel Atkins said. “The native hardwood timber forest sector fosters koala population rejuvenation prevents catastrophic bush fires and supports regional communities. Koalas are a vital part of the ecosystem of native hardwood timber forests on the NSW coast and it will remain so for REEF.” REEF is committed to the native hardwood forest sector and improving its environmental footprint, protecting jobs in the region and delivering economic benefits. REEF represents large and small family businesses that have been working in the forests gathering native hardwood timber for housing, mining, construction and railways for generations.

The Lismore App reported on the NSWRA’s (Reconstruction Authority) plans to recycle and reuse building materials from purchased homes through the Resilient Homes Program. Source: The Lismore App It was announced that a timber recycling trial is taking place in two locations in Lismore, led by Associate Professor at the UTS School of Design Berto Pandolfo, to identify any timber that has the potential to be reused. The Lismore App wanted to find out who Associate Professor (A/Prof) Berto Pandolfo is and what sort of expectations he has for this project and beyond as the removal of buyback houses continues. The latest statistics show that 575 houses have been approved for buyback in the Lismore LGA. “I’m an industrial designer, so I design products,” Mr Pandolfo said, “Over recent years, I’m an academic. My area of research has evolved into recovering materials for recycling, so finding ways not to let materials get lost either through landfill or incineration. “A lot of my work has been with petrochemical-based plastics. We’re running a project in the hospital system right now trying to implement a circular system of material recovery around non-woven polypropylene in the hope that we can collect homogeneous material, process it, and make it into products that go back into the hospital. The hospital has significant waste issues, massive waste issues with massive cost, and so this has huge implications for both the function of the hospital, and also, the environment. “This is project is sort of similar. It particularly struck a chord with me because my history is with timber. My grandfather was a cabinet maker. I’ve worked with timber all my life, so I know the sensibility woodies have. I’m no longer a full-time woody, but I’ve always been a woody with timber, and I’ve collected timber off buildings that have been pulled out. “So, when I was asked to think about what I would like to do in a post-recovery situation, I proposed a number of projects around material recovery, like white goods, for example, I know that in the post-recovery period, lots of stuff was just bulldozed into piles, put on trucks and buried. And that’s fine. There’s a time sensitive moment, and also because there are no systems in place to recover any of that material. “When the opportunity came for me to think about what I’d like to do, and I knew older houses would be made from timber that is hard to get a hold of, I thought, why don’t we try and focus on just that? So again, that homogeneous material focus. Just the timber for now. Let’s try and recover it. “I’m viewing this as a pilot study where we can establish some systems that we can then look at not just timber when we pull down the building, but also the sheet iron, the tiles, the PVC piping, any metals, you know, all of the materials. “Though, my project is only with timber. I should add, however, that the company contracted to assist in the deconstruction is addressing all of the other materials because we understand they already have some systems in place to recover some of the other materials.” Mr Pandolfo is based in Sydney at UTS and has been to Lismore three or four times and visited half a dozen homes listed for demolition. His observations have been extremely positive. “The timber was in fantastic condition. Something that I learnt being up there is that the floodplain, being quite damp, the threat of termite damage is far reduced. It’s up in the dry, hilly areas where the termites run amok. So, these buildings are just in fantastic condition, in terms of the timbers that I could see. So, the piers, the joists, the bearers, the noggins, roofing, it was just amazing,” he said. “We want to take the timber off. We want to deconstruct the building with great care. We’re testing a process by which the first step is an evaluation of the site where hazardous materials are identified and then removed. We need a clearance certificate before we can go any further. “Once the clearance certificate is given, in this pilot study, we are removing all non solid timber material, so tiles, plywood, iron sheeting, plumbing, wiring, that sort of thing. We are then left with the solid timber, after which we will then go in and carefully deconstruct that dwelling to recover as much as possible.” The old homes built from rainforest timbers were clad in weatherboard and painted with lead paint. What happens to the weatherboard? “So, the weatherboards that have been painted are, in every likelihood, painted with lead-based paints, will be removed, will be stacked and collected as is done in many other locations. Then, it will be made very clear to the person who wishes to purchase the timber that the material that’s been painted and potentially hazardous. “Because it’s timber, we’re collecting it, and because it has significant value in a restoration context because a lot of the profiles are difficult to find, we’re holding on to it. Our focus will be on the will be on the non-painted solid timbers, like the structural elements of the dwelling.” Once the timber is carefully dismantled, it is stored in a recently identified yet secretive place. “This is a trial to evaluate the system that we are proposing. After which, we will be able to quantify from the building how much material there actually is and then estimate…..well, if suddenly up to 400 homes that have been identified, 50 come online, then we’ll know what we need to do regarding, deconstructing, transporting to a safe site, storage in a safe location and so on and so forth. But at the moment, it’s all hypotheticals, and this is a small trial.” The process, so far, has been smooth, although behind schedule, with Mr Pandolfo able to view the bare structure and identify those valuable, heritage timbers. “We had an expert go in and identify […]

The Resources Energy & Environment Foundation (REEF) is urging the Albanese Labor Government to consider the environmental contribution to the nation made by those working in the native hardwood timber industry in NSW, when considering any changes to environmental legislation. Source: Timberbiz Workers in the NSW native hardwood timber sector create managed forests which encourage koalas to live and eat in them and prevent catastrophic bush fires. They produce around $2.9 billion of hardwood timber for Australian housing, construction, mining, railway and infrastructure. For every native hardwood tree harvested, more than one tree is replanted or regrown. REEF Forestry Awareness Program Chair Noel Atkins said retaining a sustainable and environmentally responsible native hardwood timber industry is essential for Australia’s future, its sovereignty and rural NSW communities. “Native hardwood timber forest workers are proud environmental custodians, sustaining a precious commodity for future generations. Native hardwood trees take 30-50 years to reach maturity before they can be harvested,” Mr Noel Atkins said. “Native hardwood timber is sustainably harvested in accordance with strict regulatory codes to protect the regrowth of forests for the benefit of flora and fauna. “Harvested trees are replaced with new ones through natural seeding, regrowth or plantation, which provides continual carbon storage. They are the ultimate renewal which can be continually regrown and harvested, reducing the high carbon input where steel, plastic and concrete are used.” A sustainable, responsibly maintained timber industry helps reduce reliance on overseas products. Australia imports more than $5 billion of timber and wood products, particularly from Southeast Asia. Hardwood Timber management in NSW is balanced and is responsibly managed. Decisions are made on how to meet the growing demand in the future. The Forestry Corporation of NSW manages around two million hectares of native hardwood forest, 35,000 hectares of hardwood plantations, and 225,000 hectares of softwood (pine) plantations. The available harvesting area of State Forests in NSW is less than 12%. Of this, a little more than 1% of the forest is subjected to selective harvesting each year, which is then regenerated for future use. Native plantation forests, while essential, are complimentary to the vast area of native hard wood forest currently available and essential to meet the timber resource needs. They have a different forest ecology (mono forest) and are not suitable for several hardwood species that grow in a natural hardwood multi-forest such as Tallowwoods. “It is estimated there are more than 8900 direct jobs in NSW and up to 22,000 people employed across the state considering the supply chain from forest management to retail products,” Mr Noel Atkins said. Tallowwood, Ironbark, Turpentine, Mahogany are only available in native hardwood forests. They are used in structural and infrastructure projects such as railways, mining, wharves, jetties, bridges, fencing, farming. Specialty hardwood native timbers such as Brush Box and Blackbutt are used as feature timbers in iconic buildings and structures like the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Darling Harbour Wharf Precinct at Barangaroo and Federal and NSW Parliaments. REEF is a not-for-profit research-based organisation, made up of people with a range of skills and interests from a diverse group of communities. Their common aim is to improve regional communities through the environment, its people and future growth.  

Forestry Australia has welcomed the publication of an academic paper looking at the issue of active management of forests. The paper, Active management: a definition and considerations for implementation in forests of temperate Australia (Bennett et al. 2024) has been published in Forestry Australia’s scientific journal, Australian Forestry. Source: Timberbiz Acting President of Forestry Australia Dr Bill Jackson said ‘active management’ is a common term in Government and forest stakeholder reports, policies, and strategies in Australia and around the world, but up until now has not been well defined. “The paper explores where active management sits in relation to a sometimes-confusing array of related concepts including passive management and adaptative management,” Dr Jackson said. Dr Jackson said the paper answers questions around active management – and how it relates to forest management – by stating that active management is principally about human engagement in shaping forests and is deliberate tending of forests by humans for diverse purposes and goals relating to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and function including resilience. “The definition reflects the need to ensure forests have ongoing attention and that appropriate management practices are applied,” Dr Jackson said. “The definition allows for broad and inclusive approaches (including more ‘minimal intervention’ approaches) to forest management, which is in contrast to more rigid forest management approaches which may otherwise exclude communities or social and cultural practices. “Australia’s changing social and environmental contexts and the shifting relationships of society with forests calls for a new vision for forests, clear definitions, and fresh, evidence-based approaches to forest management. “This paper and definition will serve as a valuable resource for all forest and land managers, policy makers and stakeholders looking to incorporate active management into their practice. “The authors note the importance of having an adaptive management framework to guide active management, delivering healthy and resilient forests and the environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits they provide in perpetuity,” Dr Jackson said. The paper can be read in full at Full article: Active management: a definition and considerations for implementation in forests of temperate Australia (tandfonline.com)  

Trials collecting data on forests using helicopter-mounted hi-tech 3D lasers are underway, which could have significant benefits for climate change mitigation and conservation. Source: Timberbiz “We need to make the most of the latest, most accurate and efficient tools for measuring forest carbon and forest health at a large scale,” Terry Greene, DOC Science Monitoring Advisor, said. “Trees absorb carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas – and store it as solid carbon in trunks, leaves, roots and branches. Therefore, knowing the size of the trees in our forests is crucial for our national carbon reporting and forest management. “Traditionally, we’ve used manual instruments to measure tree heights. Now we have more sophisticated measuring technology, such as remote sensing, at our disposal. “However, we need to do rigorous testing and ground-truthing to ensure the new technology is giving us accurate data on the size of trees.” Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance, typically from satellites, aircraft or drones. For this research, laser technology (known as LiDAR) from helicopters and light planes is used to produce high definition, 3D images of a landscape including the vegetation. DOC has contracted Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research scientists to do the trials. Manaaki Whenua recently established a one-hectare indigenous forest field test site in Waitutu Forest, Fiordland, working with Waitutu Incorporation and Interpine Innovation (a Rotorua-based forestry service). A second test site is currently being established in the Coromandel, and Manaaki Whenua will set up six more test sites across Aotearoa over the next two years. James Shepherd, lead researcher and Manaaki Whenua senior scientist, says joining up remotely sensed data and ground measurements is a challenge, especially in Aotearoa given the range of terrain, ecosystem types and tree species. “For all the test sites, on-the-ground teams will use LiDAR technology to obtain data across the forest floor, while either a helicopter or a fixed wing plane collects LiDAR data from above the same area. “Data from the ground and the air is stitched together creating digital images of the forest structure. It also provides positions of individual trees with a high degree of accuracy. “As a follow up, to test the effectiveness of the technology and collect valuable ground-based data, field teams will return to the forest and measure and identify all the trees within the plot.” This research will also help Manaaki Whenua produce maps to help researchers, landowners and businesses with the management of carbon storage and emissions in native ecosystems. Terry Greene says the research and data produced will mean any future remote sensing methods – not just LiDAR – can be ground-truthed at these sites. “Our goal is also to improve our interpretation and understanding of remote sensing of forest structure and composition information – whether obtained by satellite or aerial photographs.” The remote sensing trials on public conservation land are funded by DOC’s Maximising Carbon in Native Systems programme and are complemented by related remote sensing trials being undertaken by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Maximising Forest Carbon program.

As forests in Italy change, a revised standard is needed to respond to new challenges and opportunities to support innovative sustainable forest management, enhancing the importance of forests to society. The new standard will come into force on 1 December 2024. Source: Timberbiz Forests throughout Italy have been expanding in recent years and now cover more than 11 million hectares, about one third of the total land area. However, this expansion has been driven by land being abandoned rather than planned management. The result is a decline in timber harvesting and rising imports. Along with growing public interest in the many benefits of well-managed forests, these changes called for the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Italy, first adopted in 2017, to be revised. The process started in September 2021 with a thorough analysis of the current standard. Stakeholders, including certificate holders, experts, NGOs, researchers, and foresters met monthly to draw up a draft. Two public consultations were then followed by two field tests to evaluate the indicators of the revised standard. These indicators address issues such as forest management, High Conservation Values, and customary rights of local communities, and can be applied to all types of forests and plantations. The revision of the standard was characterized by a participatory process with members, experts, and other stakeholders. This allowed us to collect as many inputs as possible and translate them into effective actions, responding to challenges and opportunities from the sector. Other changes in the revised document relate to updates of relevant national legislation covering, for example, International Labour Organization guidelines for workers in forest management, and specific management recommendations for cork oak forests, poplar plantations, agroforestry systems and non-timber forest products. In addition, the new standard includes indicators for high-altitude forests and coppices, along with a guide for the identification and protection of High Conservation Value areas. “Italian forests are important for their biodiversity, timber resources, ecosystem services, and the rich human history and local traditions they encompass,” said Ilaria Dalla Vecchia, Coordinator of the Standard Development Group. “Over the centuries, they have played a crucial role in supporting the survival and prosperity of local economies and communities in mountainous and rural areas. “The revised Italian Forest Stewardship Standard will promote, disseminate, and support innovative sustainable forest management, enhancing the multifunctional role of forests and their importance to society.”  

The new PEFC 1004 standard, which sets the requirements for certification bodies carrying out PEFC forest management certification, has been published. Source: Timberbiz “With this new standard, we are fostering the harmonisation of requirements for certification bodies, ensuring consistency in the implementation of PEFC sustainable forest management certification worldwide,” said Marta Martinez Pardo, Certification Program Senior Manager. As the first of its kind, ST 1004 combines benchmark and international requirements. It sets up international requirements that PEFC national members will adopt within their systems, to be implemented directly by certification bodies. This will bring consistency to PEFC forest management audits conducted around the world. In parallel, for those topics where local adaption is key, such as audit time or risk assessment criteria, the standard establishes benchmark requirements that are further developed by PEFC-endorsed systems, following PEFC’s bottom-up approach. “The next step is now for the PEFC members to integrate these new requirements into their own PEFC-endorsed systems, and to guide the process for certification bodies to transition to the new requirements within their countries,” Ms Martinez Pardo said. PEFC ST 1004 was developed by a multi-stakeholder working group over several years. During this time, the draft standard went through two public consultations, receiving over 1300 comments, all of which were considered by the working group. The public consultation is a vital part of the PEFC standard development process, as it ensures everyone affected by the standard has the chance to give their feedback. Based on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and the capabilities afforded by recent technological developments, the standard includes a section with requirements for remote audits, elevating the certification process to a new level. Enabling remote audits enhances the certification process by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and providing greater flexibility. The ability to conduct audits remotely ensures continuity in the certification process during unforeseen circumstances, such as global pandemics or travel restrictions. Remote audits streamline the certification process, making it more adaptable and resilient while maintaining rigorous standards. The chapter on the audit process includes a dedicated section on stakeholder engagement, underscoring its importance for the implementation of the PEFC requirements. Stakeholder engagement enhances the social and economic benefits of forest management, helping to ensure that practices are not only environmentally sustainable but also broadly supported and beneficial to those directly impacted. The PEFC approach ensures that stakeholders are actively involved without imposing additional burdens on the certification process. This balanced method fosters meaningful participation while maintaining efficiency and effectiveness in achieving certification. The minimum education requirement for auditors has been established at the tertiary level, encompassing education from universities, technical schools, colleges, and similar institutions. Acknowledging the evolving landscape of education and working experiences, the criteria for relevant working experience have been expanded. Now, experience in fields such as forestry, biodiversity, and natural resource management is recognised, reflecting the broader range of expertise in today’s environment.

There are more than 240 special one-hectare forest sites called marteloscopes in 26 countries that are used for field-based training and education of forestry professionals, students, forest owners, policy makers and even the broader public. Source: Timberbiz This unique set of sites is brought together by the Integrated Network facilitated by the European Forest Institute (EFI). In a marteloscope, all trees are numbered and measured, and their locations are mapped. In addition, the sites are inventoried for microhabitats such as cavities, injuries and wounds, deadwood, as well as deformations, bird nests etc, which can serve as shelter or home for different plants and animals. The information collected in marteloscopes can be used in the Integrate+ Trainer mobile app which has been developed by EFI software developers and researchers. With the app, users can perform virtual management exercises and compare alternative forest management strategies in the forest. The user receives immediate feedback from the application on the effects of tree selection on both the harvested and remaining tree stand which illustrates the consequences of different management practices. The app thereby supports in educating its users on integrating biodiversity conservation in managed forests. In a recent project EFI used the app to enable forest owners to assess the impact of forest management decision on timber production, biodiversity and carbon storage. The app. Now calculates the volume, economic value, biodiversity impacts and carbon balance based on the data from the stand. It also predicts the development of the remaining tree stand after 20 years. The app is available from Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=integrate.trainer

In April 2024, Melbourne’s Brunt Road level crossing became the 76th consigned to history when a new road bridge opened to allow vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross the busy Pakenham Line. Source: Timberbiz With traffic flowing over the new road bridge, journeys are improved for the 8400 drivers passing through each day and the Pakenham Line is one step closer to being level crossing-free by 2025 – allowing more trains to run when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025. As part of the project’s commitment to sustainability, the Level Crossing Removal Project looked for a way to repurpose trees that could not be retained. It partnered with CERES Fair Wood, a not-for-profit social enterprise that buys and sells farm-forested, agroforestry and salvaged timber, with 100% of profits reinvested back into the community including the CERES environmental education programs. The project donated seven large Spotted Gum and Southern Mahogony logs to CERES Fair Wood, one of which has been made into a park bench, purchased by the project and donated back to Cardinia Shire Council to be installed in Dodson Reserve – where the tree originally grew. The other logs donated to CERES Fair Wood will be made into furniture and timber products that will be sold through its social enterprise business, with Brunt Road being the first level crossing removal project to have its donated logs to the social enterprise. Level Crossing Removal Project Sustainability Coordinator, Ashleigh Smith, said it’s wonderful to see trees that could not be retained being salvaged and repurposed on our projects. “We’re always looking for ways to make our projects more sustainable, so repurposing these logs into something useable for the community, like park benches, stools and mulch, is a great outcome,” Ms Smith said. CERES Fair Wood Urban Forestry Services Manager, Kate Sutton, said the social enterprise is running a pilot program that repurposes trees removed from major road and rail projects into high value timber. “The pilot has succeeded in embedding the best trees into future project planning and tendering processes and has demonstrated the return of sawn timber back to the community for playgrounds, landscaping and public buildings such as new train stations,” Ms Sutton said. As well as donating logs to CERES, the project also donated logs and mulch to many local businesses around the area, including an early learning centre, retirement village and secondary college for use in gardens, playgrounds and as kids’ stools. As part of the Brunt Road level crossing project, more than 50,000 plants, shrubs and grasses have been planted in the area. Across all the level crossing removal projects throughout Melbourne so far, more than 3.2 million trees, plants and shrubs have been planted.