Australian timber industry news

Young forestry professionals shared their experiences and innovative solutions with senior leaders from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at the 9th World Forest Week (WFW) event designed to highlight the significant contributions of young professionals in the forestry sector. Source: Timberbiz At the Connecting forestry minds: youth and leaders dialogue, young professionals presented senior leaders with the outcomes of the first forestry-themed Youth Assembly, organized by the Committee on Forestry (COFO) Youth Task Force and the World Food Forum’s (WFF) Global Youth Action, which was held ahead of the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO27) and World Forest Week. These outcomes underlined the need for continued support for young professionals interested in a career in forestry, including career growth assistance, valuing young professionals through increased opportunities and responsibilities, improved collaboration between youth and senior employees and experts, and the creation of an innovative environment that incentivizes the use of new and open-source technologies. The presentation was followed by an informal, open discussion between FAO leaders and attendees, giving young professionals and students from the International Forestry Students Association a chance to highlight their contributions to FAO’s mandate. FAO Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina, FAO Forestry Division Director Zhimin Wu, and FAO Forestry Division Deputy Directors Tiina Vahanen and Ewald Rametsteiner participated in the event, underscoring FAO’s commitment to integrating youth perspectives into its strategic initiatives. “It is inspiring to learn about the work being led by youth in the forestry sector, and important to reflect on how we can continue to ensure the full potential of youth and young professionals to contribute to FAO’s mandate,” said Mr Martina in his opening remarks. The event was organized by the newly created COFO 27 Youth Task Force as part of FAO Forestry’s broader effort to engage, educate, and empower young professionals in the forestry sector. The recent Youth Assembly aimed to support the development of a Youth Roadmap on Forestry, which will advance the XV World Forestry Congress Youth Call for Action, and highlight  four key actions: ensuring inclusive and equitable access to forest education and training; providing decent work and career development opportunities; achieving gender equality and empowering young women in the forest sector; and ensuring political participation and representation for all youth in forestry. The collective efforts of the COFO Youth Task Force in the lead-up to COFO brought together young foresters, sparked discussions on creative ideas, and increased familiarity with the themes covered at COFO27 and WFW 2024. The Youth Task Force is set to organize further discussions at two other major forest events in 2024: a special event on the forestry and agriculture nexus during the 4th World Food Forum Flagship in October, and a Youth Dialogue with a focus on restoration event during the 8th Mediterranean Forest Week in November. These also represent key meeting points for global youth to discuss forest-related issues, focusing on different thematic areas and leading to a common way forward, with the goal to establish together a Youth Roadmap in Forestry for the next biennium, as a key outcome document of these three discussions.

Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission for a second term of five years. Prior to the vote by Members of the European Parliament she delivered a wide-ranging speech setting out her priorities if she were to be re-elected. Source: Timberbiz One of the strongest parts of her speech was on housing: “Europe faces a housing crisis, with people of all ages and families of all sizes affected. Prices and rents are soaring. People are struggling to find affordable homes. This is why, for the first time, I will appoint a commissioner with direct responsibility for housing. “We will develop a European Affordable Housing Plan, to look at all the drivers of the crisis and to help unlock the private and public investment needed. Typically, housing is not seen as a European issue. Some might say we should not get involved. But I want this Commission to support people where it matters the most. If it matters to Europeans, it matters to Europe.” Observers of the wider European political agenda will notice the synergy at play here with the UK’s newly elected government also intent on delivering polices that will tackle the UK’s housing crisis. For instance, these words from the King’s speech at Westminster delivered the same message as von der Leyen’s speech: “My Ministers will get Britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high quality infrastructure and housing”. An increase in the building of new homes across Europe will clearly be of direct benefit to the construction industry and in turn this will be a strong driver for the woodworking industry in general and for the sawmill industry in particular, given that timber products are essential in the construction of new homes. Additionally, the percentage of homes built using wood as the main structural component is rising in both the EU and the UK. Historically increasing housing starts has a strong correlation with increasing wood consumption but over the last few years European housing permits have massively shrunk, to the detriment of the timber industry, and there is no sign that this crisis will bottom out soon – unless there is government intervention. According to the latest available data in February 2024 the combined amount of housing permits in a few mostly large European countries has declined by over 7% (Source: Timber Exchange). This slowdown has been the situation since 2022. Hence the news that the re-elected von der Leyen intends to appoint a commissioner with responsibility for housing (and that the EU Parliament will have a special housing committee) is welcome news to the European woodworking industry who have had a difficult time in recent years and while the industry has displayed a commendable resilience the situation remains challenging. The woodworking industry believes that the most appropriate response to this ongoing challenge is a whole-of-society focus on increasing construction. Such an approach will be good for the economy in general including for the many sectors that depend on construction to thrive and also for wider society given the massive increase in real estate prices over the last few years which have over the long-term significantly exceeded both salary and inflation increases. Clearly the procedures allowing access to building permits need to be simplified and made faster across Europe including in the UK. In a similar vein the regulatory burdens on building need to be shrunk. Taken together these should be the first priorities of the Housing Commissioner, when appointed.

The growing role of AI has been widely discussed in society, and it has become a common interest area for science, civil society, and media in recent years. In science, researchers are using AI to map forest lands and monitor degradation and wildlife. Source: Timberbiz In civil society, a number of new startups and NGO initiatives are integrating AI in their tools and programs to, for example, inform field planning for land management practices. Since AI is shaping not only how we conduct our day-to-day work but also the way our society is exposed to forest-related themes, it is an area where science, civil society, and media are urged to explore further its implications. The European Forest Institute (EFI) is arranging a Young Scientists Session on AI and Forests at the EFI Annual Conference on 18 September 2024 in Bonn (Germany), to discuss how AI is used in current forest-related research and on-groundwork and discuss what the scientific and societal implications of AI might be in the forest context. A Hackathon on “Forests and generative AI” on 17 September in Bonn will bring together young forest science researchers, non-profit representatives and media professionals to “explore, experiment and exchange” how AI might impact the way our society perceives and understands forest-related issues. Participants will test how different generative AI text-to-image models interpret complex forest-related subject matter. The results will be presented during the Young Scientists Session on AI and Forests on 18 September. EFI is providing grants of 1,500 euros for Young Scientists from EFI Associate and Affiliate Member organisations to: Participate in person in the Hackathon on “Forests and generative AI” on 17 September in Bonn, and Participate in person in the Young Scientist Session on AI and forests at the EFI Annual Conference on 18 September in Bonn, in particular: support the presentation of the results of the Hackathon give a 10-minute presentation on their own research or project which has involved the use of AI tools, reflecting on the opportunities and challenges the tools offer for forestry research and innovation. Read the full grant call at https://efi.int/grants-training/grants/G-04-2024

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has opened public consultation on a new regulatory framework for the export of non-prescribed agricultural goods. Source: Timberbiz Head of Trade and Regulation, Tina Hutchison said the new framework would help to safeguard market access for exporters. “Australia has a reputation as a reliable supplier of safe and high-quality agricultural products,” Ms Hutchison said. “We want to maintain and enhance that reputation in the face of growing global demand and competition. “The reforms will enable the department to better provide government-to-government assurances and to trace, stop and recall exports if necessary. “They will also allow the department to charge fairly and appropriately for the services it provides, and to allocate costs to those who receive them. Ms Hutchison said improving and simplifying processes would also provide better support for market access negotiations and maintenance. “The new export assurance framework will help to instil greater confidence among our trading partners and further strengthen Australia’s position as a trusted source of premium agricultural products.” Have your say on the proposed reforms here: Export Assurance Reform for non-prescribed goods – Agriculture hub at https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/export-assurance-reform

The Horoeka Tree Pod, a unique 9-metre-high lantern, is an integral part of the Rotorua Redwoods Treewalk in New Zealand, offering visitors a suspended, immersive experience. Designed by David Trubridge, this structure enhances the walkway, transforming the daylight journey into a magical night time adventure through its integrated lighting. Sources: DesignBoom, David Trubridge Horoeka extended the existing light installation created by David Trubridge in 2016. Utilizing the same design language, it forms a larger, walk-through lit form or pod that integrates seamlessly into the suspended walkway. This pathway, composed of suspension bridges and circular platforms around tree trunks, minimizes ecological disruption. The final attraction, Horoeka, offers an introspective experience contrasting with the expansive nature of the rest of the tree walk. The timber structure of Horoeka harmonizes with the redwood forest, respecting its grandeur and ecological importance. Its cladding pattern mimics the draped leaves of the young lancewood tree (horoeka) found in the forest’s understory. The pod fully encases one platform, standing 9-meters high and weighing three tons. Constructed from 24 segments, each weighing about 130kg, the segments are bolted onto two steel rings, suspended from canvas straps around the tree trunk to avoid drilling into the tree. Each segment comprises CNC-cut panels attached to vertical timber beams. The panels are made from 18mm Tricoya, an outdoor-rated MDF known for its durability, and the vertical beams are Glulam H3.2 ‘visual grade’ radiata pine from Techlam, chosen for its dimensional stability. All wooden parts were manufactured in Hawke’s Bay and assembled in Rotorua, ensuring minimal damage to the forest understory. The steel components, fabricated by Ross MacKay, are galvanized and spray-painted black. Adjustable threaded rods and wooden blocks secure the structure against the tree, preventing movement. Durability was a key concern due to Rotorua’s corrosive sulfurous air and damp forest conditions, demanding a minimum lifespan of 20 years. The existing lights have proven resilient, with no signs of decay or breakages from falling branches. Over time, the Tricoya and pine components turn silver or green and blend into the forest environment, accumulating vegetative growths that integrate the structure by day while it remains a luminous feature by night. David Trubridge Studio‘s main design intent was the seamless integration into the forest landscape.

Planet Ark’s National Tree Day over the weekend had a plethora of events starting with Schools Tree Day on Friday, then National Tree Day on Sunday. According to reports around 300,000 people were involved over that time in planting trees particularly species that are threatened. Source: Timberbiz A State of the Environment report showed that around 1900 species are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act with a large proportion being plant species. Alongside the schools and communities that celebrated the event by planting trees was environmentalist Jon Dee who is the chair of FSC Australia and New Zealand. He was planting trees with students from AGBU Alexander Primary School in New South Wales. In Tasmania Bushcare volunteers went to the Hobart Rivulet on Sunday to celebrate National Tree Day and planted almost 1000 native trees, shrubs and grasses. The Hobart Rivulet Bushcare group will have put in more than 3500 native plants along the rivulet in just three years. An incredible milestone for the new Bushcare volunteer group. A Bush Adventures activity program was run for the kids. The National Tree Day event is part of work restoring the health of the Hobart Rivulet, removing environmental weeds and replacing them with local native plant species. Bushcare is the City of Hobart’s largest volunteer program, with more than 800 active participants. In just one year alone Bushcare volunteers carried out environmental restoration works worth more than $120 000, helping the City of Hobart rid its bushland parks and reserves of environmental weeds, restoring threatened native grasslands on the Queens Domain and restoring degraded bushland and wildlife habitat. The City of Newcastle celebrated National Tree Day by joining forces with residents to plant 7000 native wetland species at Tarro Reserve. Volunteers dug deep to add a range of grasses, shrubs, and trees to an area of around 1400 square metres, helping to improve the health of the wetland and restore habitat for local fauna. Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle has targeted areas in the western suburbs that experience hotter temperatures in summer for urban forest planting. “As part of City of Newcastle’s 10-year Environment Strategy we’re aiming for 40% canopy cover by 2045 to help cool our city,” Cr Nelmes said. “That’s why we planted more than 550 new street trees in Beresfield and Tarro in the past year, and also celebrated World Environment Day last month by planting 18 trees and 100 small native plants with students from Beresfield Public School.” Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said connecting with local residents to plant trees and learn about nature is a special way to mark the national event. “Today’s event has many benefits including adding to Newcastle’s biodiversity and vegetation cover, reducing urban heat, and beautifying a much-loved public space,” Cr Adamczyk said. “City of Newcastle celebrates National Tree Day at a different location in Newcastle every year, with local schools, community and City of Newcastle staff in 2024 again pitching in to plant thousands of trees to improve our city’s environmental health. Tarro Reserve is a valued community asset, with sports grounds, an off-leash dog area and recreation space for fishing and birdwatching, making it the ideal choice for our planting efforts to celebrate National Tree Day this year.” National Tree Day is just one of many occasions where City of Newcastle staff have pulled on their gardening gloves with the community to help protect and enhance our natural environment this year. During the past 12 months, Landcare volunteers, community members and City of Newcastle projects saw more than 125,000 native plants added to the city along the coast, creek lines, beside wetlands and in bushland.

We’re all familiar with animal disease vectors, such as mosquitoes that spread malaria parasites. The carrier and the disease agent work in a team of two. Pine Wilt Disease is a disease of pine trees. Its spread involves a complex interplay between a trio of characters. Source: Timberbiz In the popular science fiction novel, and now Netflix series, The Three-Body Problem involves celestial bodies the size of planets and suns. Our three-body problem is science, not fiction. It involves three much smaller bodies: a nematode, a fungus and a beetle. (There’s also bacteria involved, but let’s keep things simple for now). The nematode in our story is a tiny roundworm only one millimetre long. It’s called Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus). You might be able to guess from its names that Pine Wood Nematode is a problem for pine trees. It causes Pine Wilt Disease. When Pine Wilt Nematode is carried to a pine tree by a beetle, it feeds on cells inside the tree and multiplies very rapidly. Billions of nematodes and the tree’s response to them prevent water flow, causing the tree to wilt and die. The nematodes themselves vector strains of blue stain fungi, which can grow inside the tree and provide extra food for the nematodes once the tree dies. Trees killed by the nematodes are attractive to several species of beetles, which breed inside the damaged tree. The nematodes gather in the breeding chambers of the beetles, attach to the bodies of the beetles, and travel with them to new host trees. Dr Dan Huston is a postdoctoral researcher at the Australian National Insect Collection. Dan is so passionate about his work on parasites he named a marine trematode after his baby daughter, Petra. Enenterum petrae is a parasite that lives inside a species of marine fish, the Brassy Drummer. It’s an honour to have a species named after you. Dr Huston said Pine Wood Nematode is native to North America. It can take out a pine tree in as little as six weeks and is a huge threat to timber plantations. But it’s not currently found in Australia. “This nematode is a devastating pest of pine trees around the world and a biosecurity priority for Australia,” Dr Huston said. “It could enter Australia in shipping containers, wood chips or timber palettes. And although we don’t have the same species of beetles here, they may be picked up by a local species, as has happened when it invaded Asia and Europe. “The big problem with protecting Australia from Pine Wood Nematode is that it looks like a lot of other tiny nematodes.” Nematodes live just about everywhere on Earth. They are so abundant that all of them lined up head to tail would stretch across space beyond the home planet of the San-Ti (the aliens in The Three-Body Problem). But most nematodes are so small we don’t even think about them. Dr Huston and his colleague, Dr Mike Hodda, researched and wrote National Diagnostic Protocol for Pine Wood Nematode. It’s a huge achievement that provides the tools and information for Australia to diagnose Pine Wood Nematode. “The diagnostic protocol means that whenever there’s a suspected incursion of Pine Wood Nematode, it can be quickly identified and dealt with,” Dr Huston said. The work relied on specimens of nematodes held in our Australian National Insect Collection. Despite its name, this collection includes many kinds of invertebrates that aren’t insects, like nematodes. “There are lots of harmless native nematodes, many of them without scientific names. They are very difficult to tell apart from Pine Wood Nematode,” Dr Huston said. “We have a reference collection of hundreds of specimens related to this project. They are stored on microscope slides, which lets us zoom in on the details of different species.” Dr Huston is now working on another National Diagnostic Protocol for Cereal, Barley, Oat, Carrot and other Cyst Nematodes, which are destructive quarantine pests of grains and vegetables. Unlike Pine Wood Nematode, Cyst Nematodes live in the soil and severely damage plant roots. Their main vector is humans.

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has released a new report, “Housing for the Future and the Contribution of the Timber Industry“as part of its Statistics and Economics Program and recent webinar series to increase understanding of the timber industry’s market potential. Source: Timberbiz FWPA is dedicated to providing the forest and wood products industry with insightful and timely analysis; hence the webinar series and summary report feature contributions from leading experts in the fields of economics, demography, and urban planning, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to address the ongoing housing challenges in Australia. The report is designed as an overview and discussion starting point for the challenges and opportunities of housing through the lens of the forest and timber industry and its diverse stakeholders. Housing affordability worsened in 2023 when interest rates rose, on average, by 125 basis points. This rise affected many Australians, including mortgage holders, first-home buyers, renters, and builders. Now, as housing demand continues to rise amid a supply shortage, this new report and associated webinar series outline key discussion points around how the timber industry can play a pivotal role in supporting the government targets for new housing construction. The National Housing Accord aims to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years, and the forest and wood products industry is well-positioned to contribute through innovative construction methods and sustainable practices. “The timber industry is known for its association with housing construction. Recent data on ABS building activities and FWPA timber sales volume showed that there was a linear relationship between dwelling approval and sales of timber products.” said FWPA Statistics and Economics Program Manager, Erick Hansnata. The FWPA webinar series and summary report dive into housing issues from the perspectives of the property market, demography, the timber industry, and relevant associations. “The forest and wood products industry has the capacity to help meet targets through innovation and improved approaches to constructing detached houses, units, and low- and mid-rise residences that all store carbon. Applying best practices of modern construction methods, as well as expanded use of sawn timber and engineered wood products are just some of the opportunities our sector can provide for sustainable residential projects.” You can download the report here.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has said the appointment of a new Agriculture Minister won’t change the Albanese Labor Government’s litany of disastrous decisions that have impacted the agricultural sector in just two years. Source: Timberbiz Julie Collins has inherited the agriculture portfolio after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reshuffled his cabinet and moved Senator Murray Watt to Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. “During the past two years, Labor’s agenda has increased taxes, cut funding, abolished industries, and failed to stand up for farmers, which is driving up the cost of living for Australian families at the supermarket checkout,” Mr Littleproud said. “Julie Collins won’t change anything because agriculture is seen as a stepping stone into cabinet for Labor members and Minister Collins will toe the line. “When Julie Collins was last Shadow Minister for Agriculture, she visited farmers outside Tasmania on two occasions over 18 months and could not detail one Labor policy in the election debate. “Julie Collins has no interest in agriculture and has been punished for her poor performance in housing, so now not only farmers will pay but all Australians will pay through higher prices for their food and fibre from a government uninterested in agriculture. “This Labor Government’s treatment of farmers has caused the industry to take an extraordinary vote of no-confidence in this government, Murray Watt and Anthony Albanese which hasn’t been seen for more than 40 years. “Murray Watt and Anthony Albanese’s only lasting accomplishment was to unite ag industries in their disdain for the Albanese Government. “From being slow and weak to take action on major supermarket gouging, to trying to push through a Fresh Food Tax and abolishing the live sheep export industry, this Labor Government has failed farmers time and again, and I call on the new Agriculture Minister to step up in Cabinet and start reversing the wrongs of the past two years.” Mr Littleproud said amongst numerous policy issues impacting the agriculture sector, the 10 first priorities of the new Minister included: Reinstate the live sheep export industry that Labor abolished. Scrap Labor’s Fresh Food Tax, which taxes farmers for the biosecurity risks of foreign competitors. Take action against major supermarkets gouging farmers and families by delivering tougher penalties like divestiture. Reinstate the ag visa that Labor scrapped, and which deprived regional Australia of a critical workforce. Start protecting agricultural land against major renewable and transmission developers under Labor’s reckless race to 82 per cent renewables by 2030. Stand up in Cabinet against Labor’s Water Buybacks that will deprive river communities of food-producing water supplies. Bolster biosecurity measures against threats such as the Red Imported Fire Ants and Varroa Mite. Fix the damage that Labor has done to the PALM Scheme. Stand up against Labor’s financial policies that impact family farming operations, like proposed superannuation changes and financial carbon emission reporting. Advocate in Cabinet for reversing Labor’s cuts and delays to road and rail projects that underpin productivity. “Murray Watt has left a legacy of treating Australian farmers with contempt and ignoring their needs during his time as Agriculture Minister,” Mr Littleproud said. “There won’t be too many farmers sad to see Murray Watt’s departure and if this Labor Government’s track record over the past two years is anything to go by, his successor won’t treat farmers much differently.”

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry the Hon Julie Collins, who it says brings a wealth of knowledge to the role having held the portfolios in Opposition, as well as new Assistant Minister the Hon Anthony Chisholm. Source: Timberbiz The AFPA also thanks The Hon Murray Watt for his efforts improving the sector under the Albanese Government, with the rollout of several industry initiatives, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said. “We welcome Minister Julie Collins back to the forestry portfolio where she provided excellent representation for forest industries in the then Albanese Opposition, prior to the 2022 Federal Election. “Julie worked closely with industry on the policy and funding plan that has and is still being delivered for the sector. We look forward to working with Julie Collins and Anthony Chisholm to ensure forest industries realise their potential for the economy, climate and communities,” Ms Hallam said. “Furthermore, Minister Collins comes directly from the Housing portfolio and understands the critical connection between forestry, timber and climate friendly housing. As a Tasmanian also, Minister Collins also appreciates the value of our native, plantation and downstream manufacturing cogs in the forestry sector. “Forest industries also thank Murray Watt for his service since taking the reins in the portfolio following the 2022 Federal Election. As Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Murray Watt helped guide the industry through manufacturing and plantation grant processes that were set up, alongside delivery of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) and other initiatives like the Strategic Partnership. “We thank Minister Watt’s diligence and attention to our sector during his time as Minister, as well as his engagement with AFPA and broader industry. “Forest industries in Australia are still in a critical phase with the confluence of different areas of government policy, including climate change, the economy and jobs and of course housing. Forest industries are critical to all of these national and international policy issues. Under new Minister Collins and Assistant Minister Chisholm, we look forward to working further with the Albanese Government on the role our sector can play,” Ms Hallam concluded.

Caterpillar’s online web platform, VisionLink Productivity, has been enhanced with the introduction of three new features – Cat Grade and Compact, Operator Coaching, and E-Ticketing. Source:  Timberbiz This unified platform is designed to give managers insights into jobsite productivity and equipment utilization. The scalable cloud-based application collects and summarizes data from any subscribed machine equipped with a Cat Product Link device, ensuring that fleets with mixed OEM equipment can be seamlessly incorporated into one unified platform. VisionLink Productivity simplifies data management with its user-friendly dashboards. These include a comprehensive jobsite summary and detailed insights with key performance indicators (KPIs). The platform analyzes standard telematics data, such as machine location, fuel burn, and idle time, providing a clear overview of machine performance. For more in-depth analysis, advanced data from machines equipped with Cat Payload, Grade, and Compact systems provides more job-specific details. VisionLink Productivity now incorporates Cat Grade 3D and Cat Compact data into its robust reporting platform. Leveraging Cat Grade Connectivity, the platform enables 3D design files and updates to be seamlessly distributed to all machines at the jobsite, eliminating the need for USB uploads. VisionLink Productivity further improves accuracy through GNSS corrections for position validation rather than installing a base station with high set-up costs for short projects. Grade Connectivity also minimizes machine downtime by reducing the need to send a technician onsite to diagnose Grade related issues, improving overall jobsite productivity. Cat Compact summary dashboards show the amount of work completed for each day and calculate the fill volume. Using the Cat Compaction Algorithm (CCA) or Landfill Compaction Algorithm (LCA), it will also show the percent of covered area at target compaction. Landfill material compaction density can be viewed when operators enter weights per day. Operator Coaching is a powerful tool that empowers operators of all experience levels to enhance their skills, efficiency, and productivity. Two categories of operator coaching tips – Operating Efficiency and Machine Health – are tracked. During machine operation, the operator receives an onboard notification when an action with a corresponding tip is detected, putting them in the driver’s seat of their improvement journey. This helps to improve operational efficiency and increase machine longevity. When paired with the offboard VisionLink Productivity, managers can remotely view what coaching tips their operators have activated. This enables site managers to track improvements over time and focus training on areas specific to the operator’s needs and overall operations. Dashboards, lists, and maps allow quick views of each coaching tip’s count, time, and location. The new E-Ticketing feature brings convenience, eliminating the need for manual or printed tickets generated by onboard Cat Payload systems. Key personnel can now receive an electronic copy of the tickets via email, including detailed information on individual buckets, total payload, truck, and material type. Tickets can be quickly recalled using ID or number or filtering based on material type or truck name. Key performance indicators tracked by E-Ticketing include ticket count, average truck rate, pass count per ticket, and total ticket payload.

The US government is funding “blast testing” of mass timber construction systems, with the Department of Defence and the State Department keenly interested in using cross-laminated timber in various building environments. Source: Timberbiz That is, according to Kevin Naranjo, National Program Manager for Mass Timber at the US Forest Service Wood Innovations Program, who spoke to the Timber Construct MC, Jason Ross, about the future of timber construction in North America. “Surprisingly, cross-laminated timber is pretty blast resistant,” Mr Naranjo said, with both departments wanting to deploy technologies that make buildings more blast resistant. “Blast testing will be a game-changer, not just for the military but for construction more generally.” In November, the US Army Corps of Engineers has now mandated a policy that requires a “mass timber structural option be considered at the design phase in all of its vertical construction projects going forward.” In effect, it means that the US Army will become the first military organisation in the world to embrace mass timber in both on-site installations and civilian housing projects. Published last year, it requires “all US Army MILCON and Civil Works vertical construction projects to consider at least one option where mass timber is a substantial structural component when comparing structural systems during early design.” For Mr Naranjo, who will be travelling to Australia next month from Washington, DC, to attend TimberConstruct in person, mass timber construction systems have several advantages that make them ideal building materials for the next generation of buildings not only across America’s largest cities but also in urban, regional, and rural areas. “It creates a safer and quieter construction site,” Mr Naranjo said, “you bring a truck in, put the pieces in place, and the truck goes away. Most projects can shave two or more months off construction and occupy the building sooner.” “I hope it can solve the housing crisis,” he said, “here in the US, young people are not going into the trades anymore, and as more and more people are moving to urban areas, there are not a lot of trades away from the metropolitan cities.” “We have a lot of partners that are now banking on prefabricating parts and bringing them in “flat-pack” to solve housing in rural areas.” Mr Naranjo will fly from Washington, DC, to Melbourne, Australia, next month to present at TimberConstruct, Australia’s largest timber construction conference. There, he will participate in a panel discussion chaired by Andrew Dunn, the conference organiser. “I’m looking forward to it; I’ve never travelled below the equator before,” Mr Naranjo said. “I’m looking forward to the cross-pollination in learning that I will during my time in Melbourne, Australia,” he said. According to Mr Dunn, “Kevin Naranjo will join Boris Iskra, Codes and Standards Manager for the FWPA, George Konstadakos, the Development General Manager FOR Sumitomo Forestry Australia – who is now behind Australia’s largest timber-based build-to-rent scheme, and Russell Kilmartin, one of Australia’s top fire engineers.” Part of the conference’s final session “is probably the most important of all,” Mr Dunn said. “We will investigate the code changes adopted in Canada and the USA for fire design standards in buildings up to 18 storeys high.”

Canada’s Competition Bureau has published guidance on what might constitute corporate greenwashing as it begins consultations over how it will implement Ottawa’s contentious new measures aimed at preventing false and misleading environmental claims. Source: Business intelligence for BC (Can) The bureau said goals and timelines for achieving environmental objectives such as reducing carbon emissions must be supported by clear and specific plans, and not just be aspirational. It also warned companies against trying to shield their green assertions with disclaimers. The agency issued the commentary on Monday as it launched a request for feedback to help it formulate plans for implementing the new measures, which some companies, industry associations and provincial governments have criticized for being vague and heavy-handed. The consultation period runs to 27 September. Bill C-59 contains the controversial amendment to the Competition Act that puts companies at legal risk for making environmental assertions that do not stand up to scrutiny. The legislation received royal assent on 20 June. Under the legislation, corporate communications must be backed up by as-yet undefined international standards. Individuals and companies could face sizable fines if found liable. In response, several oil and gas companies and industry associations added disclaimers to their websites and social-media feeds or deleted content altogether, citing legal uncertainty. Alberta has been vocal in its opposition, calling the anti-greenwashing provision a “gag order.” The province’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz has said she intends to make a submission to the bureau. The federal agency does not have the authority to make changes to the policy itself as part of the process; only government has that power, said Competition Bureau spokesperson Marianne Blondin. “This consultation will inform what further guidance may be offered about environmental claims,” she said in an e-mail. The bureau should have been better prepared for implementation, after it made a submission to a House of Commons committee on finance earlier this year pushing for a stricter policy, said Peter Flynn, a competition specialist at the law firm Stikeman Elliott LLP. However, seeking input to help put the policy into effect is the next best option, Mr. Flynn said. To help avoid more confusion, the bureau should make clear that when ruling on the veracity of claims, it would set a high bar to substitute its own judgment for that of companies that are already relying on internationally recognized standards. On Monday, the bureau published some examples of corporate greenwashing, as well as complaints it has received. It said companies that set aggressive goals and timelines for cutting emissions and achieving carbon neutrality should be commended. But there are risks that such forecasts could become greenwashing, so companies must ensure they have concrete plans to achieve them. Even with clear strategies in place, companies must take care not to be misleading, the bureau said. For instance, a company should avoid creating the impression that it will abandon the use of fossil fuels to slash emissions, while maintaining consumption and buying carbon credits, it said. It also warned against believing that publishing disclaimers will protect against complaints. If a company’s claim creates a false or misleading impression of environmental benefits before any reference to a disclaimer, the “fine print may not help,” it said. The bureau said complaints often zero in on assertions that future investments and strategies will allow companies to reach environmental goals, when they lack credible plans. “Such claims often draw attention to environmental projects or other investments that are environmentally positive. But complainants allege that the projects or investments are token in nature, or pale in comparison to operations of the business that are not consistent with claimed objectives,” the bureau said. Mr Flynn said the legislation is not aimed at stopping companies from communicating their environmental plans, but it is pushing them to be specific. “For companies that are trying to get that green halo around them without actually doing the work, that’s the type of activity that’s going to draw, in our expectation, scrutiny or enforcement action from the bureau, and down the road, open them up potentially to private actions by individuals or groups,” he said. The bureau will lead the process until June 2025, when private parties will be able to go directly to the Competition Tribunal, which will rule on whether proceedings will be in the public interest. This story has been updated to clarify Peter Flynn’s views on how the Competition Bureau should take into account internationally recognized standards.  

Xu Fang, Director of the American Softwoods’ China Office Softwood Export Council, is the latest confirmed speaker for TimberConstruct, Australia’s largest timber construction conference and exhibition, to be held in Melbourne on 12-13. Sources: TimberConstruct, Timberbiz More than one-third of the speakers are international, flying to Melbourne or Zooming from the USA, Canada, China, Finland, and Japan. “So far this year, we have nine international speakers locked in,” according to Andrew Dunn, TimberConstruct’s conference organiser. “The bumper turnout is a record for Timber Construct.” Ms Fang will join Nick Milestone (from Mercer USA) and Yuichi Shinohara, from Shinohara Shoten Co Ltd (from Japan), to discuss Australasia and the Pacific Visionary Timber Projects. As glulam capacity improves, China, the world’s most important forest economy is now a global engine room for softwood connected to 30% of the world’s trade in forest products through its Belt and Road Initiative. “China is experiencing a Timber revolution thanks to a rapid rise in the construction of timber buildings,” Mr Dunn said, “as demand for housing and infrastructure skyrocketed, domestic timber production and imports have surged to meet the need for wood-based. “That’s why we are thrilled to have Xu Fang join us to discuss how China’s rapid rise as a timber economy.” Large-scale timber plantations and wood processing industries were established to supply the booming timber-building sector, transforming China into a global powerhouse for timber construction. TimberConstruct has more than 35 presenters locked in for the two-day conference and has a strong focus on materials and design, prefabrication, and building techniques. For more information on TimberConstruct visit: https://timberconstruct.org/

More than 2000 Tasmanian students are set to immerse themselves in the wonders of Tasmanian forests through a unique educational initiative. Source: Timberbiz Schools Tree Day is an opportunity for schools across Tasmania to engage in forest education alongside Sustainable Timber Tasmania and the Forest Education Foundation. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the yearly event encouraged students to get outside, learn new things and most importantly, have fun. “It was fantastic to spend Thursday morning engaging with Bothwell District High School students and teachers as they planted trees and deepened their understanding of forest ecosystems,” Minister Abetz said. “The Tasmanian Liberal Government is the biggest supporter of our State’s sustainably managed forests, and it’s pleasing to be able to share knowledge with students about this in a fun and informative way. “There is so much to explore about Tasmania’s rich forest industry, and we know that well-managed working forests will create jobs and opportunities for Tasmanians today, and for generations to come.” This year around 3,500 native seedlings, grown at Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Perth Nursery, will be gifted to more than 60 schools and 2000 students statewide. Many schools will host planting events throughout July and August, facilitated by Sustainable Timber Tasmania foresters alongside enthusiastic students and educators. Schools Tree Day is part of National Tree Day and gives Tasmanian students and teachers the opportunity to plant trees and learn about the forest while having fun. Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we’re keeping our economy strong to create the jobs Tasmanians need to ensure that our great State remains the best place to live, work and raise a family. Tasmania’s forestry sector is worth about $1.2 billion annually to the State’s economy which provides a livelihood to more than 5,000 Tasmanians, many living in our regional towns, and the Tasmanian Liberal Government has a goal to grow that even further.  

Short rotation forestry could provide a pathway for New Zealand to replace 6% of its fossil fuel use, while also providing farmers in difficult country a valued biofuel crop option. Source: Farmers Weekly (NZ) The latest work by Scion silviculture scientist Dr Alan Jones and his team estimates the reduction in fossil fuel use could be achieved with plantings over about 150,000 hectares of land, or less than 1% of New Zealand’s land area. Jones presented his team’s research findings to a Bioenergy NZ seminar series aimed at exploring NZ’s options on alternative energy pathways to help meet its Paris Accord obligations. He acknowledged short rotation forestry, which usually involves planting pines or eucalyptus, was an area that has been neglected for the past decade, after some intense interest prior to an international conference here in 2010. Typically, the trees would be harvested at year 16, with Pinus radiata and three types of eucalyptus being most suitable. The eucalypt variety was dependent upon the site’s altitude and average temperature. The researchers modelled the potential area needed based on valuations that ranged from placing a zero price on carbon through to NZ$150 per tonne of carbon. “We aimed to target land area that is ‘least cost’ or lowest value, particularly around Land Use Capability (LUC) 5-7.” High risk “red zone” erodible country has been excluded, along with Department of Conservation land, existing forest and high value arable land. When it comes to eucalyptus use, Jones acknowledged there is a North Island bias for the species, with a smaller economically viable area. At zero carbon payment that is about 90,000ha. “As the ETS carbon value increases, the potentially economic viable area increases.” The most suitable areas for short rotation plantation proved to be Northland, Central North Island, Hawke’s Bay, the east coast, Canterbury and Southland-Otago, based on distance and location relative to areas with higher energy demand. Jones said transport costs are an acknowledged challenge with biofuel sourcing, but decentralised processing of the raw material could also impact an otherwise unsuitable area’s viability. Biofuel plantations are reliant on investor confidence, and this could be boosted by the plantations still being capable of being pruned after year 10 and utilised in other applications including furniture making. Preliminary analysis indicates that when used, every one tonne of biofuel displaces 1.3t of emissions from coal. “It is effectively greater than that of carbon forestry, providing a fuel source carbon forestry does not.” The mechanics of planting short rotation forestry involve high densities at about 750-1250 stems a hectare with no pruning carried out. The type of tree required for biofuel is also placing quite different demands on tree geneticists and scientists, more acquainted with developing trees for high quality timber growth. “Instead, we are trying to increase the energy density of these trees.” The short rotation forests are expected to yield about 20-30t a hectare of biomass. A recent Farmers Weekly visit to Brazil highlighted how the FS Ethanol company is using a combination of harvested bamboo and eucalyptus to fuel its corn ethanol plants in the western state of Mato Grosso. That state faces an impending shortage of planted, sustainable forest fuel source by 2026 as corn ethanol production rockets. With all-bamboo fuel use, the company would be harvesting 25ha a day as biofuel. The next step for researchers here is to get more trees in the ground to trial and analyse. A partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries for trials has been established. Environment Canterbury has also expressed an interest in trial plots and outcomes. Jones said NZ is in the lucky position of being able to grow such trees relatively quickly, compared to its European counterparts. “It means we would be in a position to replace that fossil fuel carbon very quickly.” Brian Cox, executive officer of Bioenergy NZ, said short rotation forestry also provides a way to fill a gap in wood supply that would emerge from about 2030. NZ’s total wood production is expected to slide from 40 million cubic metres to 25 million cubic metres by 2038. “These species also fit to a market driver that wants biomass in less than 25-30 years. It’s also a neglected opportunity for trees to provide erosion control. Short rotation crops are a key part of that.” Scion has published a handbook for the industry on short rotation forestry.

Perth’s leafy western suburbs are bearing the brunt of an exotic pest that is threatening the future of the city’s already dismal urban tree canopy. Source: WA Today Data obtained by this masthead shows inner-city councils have logged the highest number of premises infected with polyphagous shot-hole borer with Nedlands leading the pack with 345 cases followed by Melville (145) and Claremont (105). Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development deputy director-general Mia Carbon said the $44 million response to the south-east Asian beetle was the single biggest biosecurity response undertaken in the department’s history. The pest kills trees via boring holds in trees, in which it plants a fungus that it farms for food – but which stops trees transferring nutrients, slowly killing them. More than 1200 infected premises are confirmed to have the pest that has yet to spread past the metropolitan area. An infected premise is an individual site which may have more than one tree confirmed as positive. “To date more than 3000 trees have been removed from across the metropolitan area to curb the spread of the pest and more than 850 trees have been pruned,” she said. “The department understands the significant value of trees to the community…DPIRD is ensuring everything is being done to contain the spread across the Perth metropolitan area.” But Opposition leader Libby Mettam said the epidemic could change the face of Perth forever and the state government needed to act more urgently to help local governments fight the pest “It is an agricultural disaster in waiting,” she said. “The Cook Labor government should have gone hard and should have gone early, but they have failed to effectively ensure that this epidemic is eradicated.” Perth Lord Mayor and Liberal candidate for Churchlands Basil Zempilas said the biosecurity emergency was the equivalent of “COVID for trees”. “To this point, the state government has dealt with it like it’s a cold, and only now, three years later, are popping off to the chemist to get some Codral,” he said. Zempilas said in the City of Perth alone the beetle could wipe out 60% of its 16,000 trees. City of Canning deputy mayor and Liberal candidate for Riverton Amanda Spencer-Teo said trees earmarked for removal months ago had yet to be chopped down prompting some councils to take matters into their own hands and hire arborists. But she warned the time would come when councils could no longer afford to fund the removal of affected trees. “DPIRD are doing a fantastic job with what little resources and funding they have, but they simply don’t have the resources to remove the trees fast enough and it seems to be their efforts are focused on detection, not removal,” she said. “It’s not a case of if this gets down to the south-west, but it’s a case of when and it will be an absolute agricultural nightmare.” Spencer-Teo said the pest was spreading at a “remarkable rate” as people transferred cuttings and soil to the south-west and the Hills, which were not currently in the quarantine zone. DPIRD confirmed the biggest threat to the spread of the pest was people transporting contaminated material outside of the quarantine area that covers 25 metropolitan councils. It said it was working closely with nurseries and growers, including Bunnings which had traps in some stores to monitor for borers. To date, no detections of the borer have been made in nursery stock. Mayor’s say the state government’s $3 million honey pot for 30 metropolitan councils to dip into to boost their tree canopy would not fund those lost due to shot-hole borer. Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said 1.8 million trees have been inspected on more than 60,000 properties. In response to claims the government hadn’t acted swiftly enough and local governments were carrying the financial burden of the biosecurity issue, Jarvis said she understood that local governments were nervous. “But I will make the point we’re in the middle of an emergency. We don’t yet know how many trees will have to be removed. “It’s a bit like talking about what it’s going to cost to rebuild your house while bushfire is still raging.” Jarvis said the $44m eradication fund would not replace lost trees. WALGA launched a campaign calling for a fighting fund to help councils pay for the removal and replacement of infected trees. A tree canopy symposium will be held on August 2 at the South Perth Bowling Club. Environmental lawyer Bronwyn Waugh said little appeared to have been done other than imposing quarantine restrictions and removing trees. “This clearly is not working. We must put funds into studying this disease.”

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins has appointed Tony Allison and Murray Sherwin CNZM to the board of Crown Research Institute Scion, effective July 1. They joined existing Board members and newly appointed Board Chair Richard Westlake for their first official meeting together in Rotorua on 25 July. Source: Timberbiz Mr Westlake says the latest appointments strengthen the governance and strategic direction of Scion. “Both individuals bring extensive experience and a wealth of business knowledge to the organisation. I look forward to working closely with them as we guide Scion through a period of change with the Science System Review underway. “What’s not changing is the value that our scientists continue to add to forestry, advanced manufacturing and industrial biotechnology sectors that drive economic growth for New Zealand, especially in the regions. Ensuring Scion’s people continue to deliver research that has a positive impact on the forestry sector and other partners remains a key focus for our board.” Tony Allison joins the Board with a career spanning various executive and governance roles. He is currently Managing Director and owner of Smiths City Finance. Previous roles include Chair of Otago Polytechnic where he successfully established the transition board and contributed positively to the creation of Te Pukenga. He has held other significant governance roles at Delta Utility Services, Dunedin International Airport, Mornington Health Centre, Night ‘n Day Foodstores and City Forests Limited. Tony is also a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Murray Sherwin CNZM is an economist with over four decades of experience in public policy and various leadership roles across national and international organisations. His professional history includes appointments with the OECD, the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Group, membership of the World Bank Board of Executive Directors, Deputy Governor and Deputy Chair of the Board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Director General and chief executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Chair of the New Zealand Productivity Commission and Chair of the Innovation Partnership, a Google-initiated collaboration which explored opportunities for smart application of internet technology in New Zealand. He was also a member of the Thought Leaders Group supporting Te Puna Whakaaronui – a Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) policy group exploring emerging technologies and their potential impact and opportunities for our food and fibre industries. Mr Sherwin’s current roles include Chair of the Plant Germplasm Import Council (a collaboration between MPI’s Biosecurity New Zealand group and the industries engaged in imports of plant germplasm), member of the Advisory Board of Iron Duke Partners and Trustee of the Reserve Bank Staff Superannuation Scheme. Scion chief executive Dr Julian Elder expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments. “We are delighted to welcome Tony Allison and Murray Sherwin to the Board. Their proven track records in governance and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation and excellence in our research and development activities. Tony’s hands-on experience in business transitions and Murray’s deep understanding of public policy and economic development will provide us with diverse perspectives and strategic insights,” he said. Dr Elder also took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank outgoing directors Greg Mann and Dr Jon Ryder, as well as former Board Chair Dr Helen Anderson, for their contributions after their terms ended on June 30. “Each one has played a crucial role in guiding Scion through a period of growth and transformation. We are grateful for the strong foundation they have helped build for our future endeavours,” Dr Elder said. The latest appointments mean Scion’s board is made of Richard Westlake, Stana Pezic, Brendon Green (Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāpuhi), Nicole Anderson (Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Te Aupōuri), Phil Taylor and Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell (Te Arawa – Ngati Whakaue, Tūhourangi Ngati Wāhiao, and Ngati Awa – Te Pahipoto), Murray Sherwin, Tony Allison, and Future Director Zara Morrison (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tūwharetoa).

Last month, 15 timber harvesting operations were suspended by the NSW timber industry controller Forestry Corporation. The Environment Protection Authority changed the habitat protection rules for the endangered greater gliders, making timber harvesting illegal. Environmental activists have deployed a Victorian-style lawfare in an effort to shut down native timber production. But no amount of marsupial propaganda masks the human toll inflicted by the government’s betrayal. Despite the NSW timber industry having more teeth than its Victorian counterparts and some sharp operators like ex-Labor Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, there is limited political interest in the arguments for sustainable management, homes, and sovereign capacity. Activist environmentalists are cunning; having crippled the Victorian timber industry, they have worked out a successful model and are now replicating it in NSW. They take legal action against government bodies that trigger ‘stop work’ orders. This forces businesses to suffer death by attrition – court actions take years to resolve, and even if they are successful, few businesses are left, and fewer financial institutions are willing to back them. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty barely rated a whimper when responding to the crisis, stating that her government was ‘committed to delivering the right balance between protecting the environment and sustaining our state forests’. As to what that means, who knows? The Australian Forestry Products Association CEO James Jooste called for an intervention into dispute resolution three months ago, likely knowing full well the impact of the strategy. ‘We need a better resolution-dispute mechanism so we’re not spending six months out of our forests where we have no environmental outcomes and no productive outcomes,’ he said. This fell on deaf ears, with neither the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, nor the Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos, offering a solution. A surprising betrayal considering Minister Houssos’ commitment prior to the NSW election, where she promised: ‘No net job losses and an independent skills audit to guide investment and incentives and encourage new economic opportunities in the forestry industry.’ The truth is Labor cannot be trusted on forestry. The party has been overrun by inner-city greens, while the political hard-heads of old Labor are too weak to stand up for their traditional base. This should not be the story for native forestry. The government should ensure that environmental activists cannot abuse the court process. If regulations need to change, then do so in a consultative manner over a period of time. Anything less is a calculated betrayal. If Labor wants to close the book on native forestry, they should do so with an industry transition over decades, not weeks. Chile and Uruguay fought deforestation by investing in hardwood plantations; today, they have a thriving industry exporting Australian timber species, Eucalyptus Grandis, to the world. The question NSW Labor should be asking is, why can’t we? Political parties on the centre-left have become unreliable for industry, because the unions which founded them are no longer run by workers. And as a result, Green morality has defined many industries as immoral and destructive. Blaming environmental activists for the final nail in the industry’s coffin is easy, but frankly, the timber industry helped build the box. Over the past decade, industry groups and unions ignored the signposts. Emotive and targeted messaging changed public opinion against the forestry industry, such that ultimately, dead koalas became more powerful than thousands of jobs and millions of homes. If the industry wants to survive in Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania, it must make an ongoing effort to change its reputation. This requires sharp and consistent communication to make the case for the importance of timber products to our economy, a demonstration of genuine outcome-driven conservation, and a long-term plan for industry transition. Several industry organisations are already seeing the light on this, but without the long-term bipartisan backing of government, it may all be too little too late. Marcus Bastiaan is a director at Specialty Doors   Source: Forestry Corporation has suspended 15 harvesting operations https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8654876/timber-industry-bleeding-cash-as-shutdown-bites/ “committed to delivering the right balance between protecting the environment and sustaining our state forests”. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-02/nsw-logging-industry-timber-worker-says-facing-bankruptcy/103581908 “We need a better resolution-dispute mechanism so we’re not spending six months out of our forests where we have no environmental outcomes and no productive outcomes,” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-02/nsw-logging-industry-timber-worker-says-facing-bankruptcy/103581908 “That includes a commitment to no net job losses and an independent skills audit to guide investment and incentives and encourage new economic opportunities in the forestry industry,” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/13/nsw-forests-face-uncertain-future-as-desperation-builds-over-major-parties-inaction-over-logging  

Australia’s world leading sustainable forestry practices, and an expanded innovation agenda will only become more important locally and globally as a new United Nations (UN) report highlights the need for innovative solutions on the world forest front, according to Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam. Source: Timberbiz The State of the World’s Forests 2024: Forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future (SOFO 2024) was launched at the 27th Committee on Forestry (COFO) at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) headquarters in Rome this week – emphasising the role of innovation to achieve a sustainable future for global forestry. “We can be proud in Australia that we are already a world leader in production forest management and downstream innovation,” Ms Hallam said. “Our plantations and native forests are managed to the highest environmental standards. We are a model for global best practice, and we are moving strides ahead on the technological innovation front across the forestry supply chain, especially through the inception of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI).” The SOFO 2024 report states that ‘although global deforestation is slowing, forests are under pressure from climate-related stressors and forest products demand is rising.’ Global wood production is at record levels at 4 billion cubic metres per year with roundwood demand projected to increase up to nearly 50 per cent by 2050. It also states that ‘innovation is required to scale up forest conservation, restoration and sustainable use as solutions to global challenges.’ “These pressures on global forests highlight the need for more sustainable forestry and more innovation,” Ms Hallam said. “In Australia we are a global leader on sustainability, and we innovate right across the supply chain, from the best environmental forest management and harvest practices, like replanting and regeneration, to advanced thinning, including using Indigenous practices. In the manufacturing stages we are rapidly innovating through the development of mass engineered timber products and increasing recycling of fibre.” In order to manage required innovation, the SOFO report also states the need to ‘boost skills, capabilities and knowledge to ensure that forest-sector stakeholders have the capacity to manage innovation, creation and adoption.’ “This emphasises the need for quality forestry education and underpins the value of our vocational and tertiary forestry skills providers in Australia,” Ms Hallam said. “SOFO also highlights that Australia is second globally for net gain in forest area between 2010 and 2020 adding an additional 4.4 million hectares, second only to China in area increased. In a world where deforestation continues to be a problem, this is a significant achievement. “Australia can help lead much of the rest of the world on forestry best practice and innovation. AFPA will continue working with the Government to cement our higher quality outcomes for the environment and industry, for the national and global population we serve,” she said.