Australian timber industry news

Inter IKEA Group has signed an agreement to acquire its first set of forestlands in Latvia. This acquisition will allow IKEA to govern a part of its wood supply in the Baltics and contribute to the development of new methods for responsible forest management within the IKEA value chain. Source: Timberbiz The seller is Skogsfond Baltikum AB (publ). The acquisition is expected to be closed in December 2024. “With this investment, we further strengthen our commitment to responsible forest management and securing responsibly managed raw material sources for our supply chain. By managing our forestland, we are committed to ensuring that our operations foster a positive contribution to the environment and local economies, in close collaboration with local businesses and communities,” says Bruno Mariani Piana, Global Forest Investments Manager at Inter IKEA Group. The land, approximately 8,080 hectares in size, is situated in various parts of Latvia. The acquisition will enable regional suppliers and sub-suppliers to have long-term access to responsibly sourced wood materials, which will provide better opportunities for future growth. Additionally, the acquisition provides an opportunity to explore how innovative forest management practices can enhance climate resilience and biodiversity. Partnering with local communities, businesses, academia, authorities, and NGOs to make responsible forest management the global norm is a crucial part of the IKEA Forest Agenda. IKEA is collaborating with researchers and NGOs to establish a pilot project involving our own forestland. “Owning forestland gives us great opportunities to drive projects promoting responsible forest management such as climate- and biodiversity-smart forestry. This is a part of our commitment to invest in further development of responsible forest management. It will enable us to explore and demonstrate innovative forest management practices in the coming years,” says Mikhail Tarasov, Global Head of Forestry at Inter IKEA Group. For all wood used in the IKEA supply chain, Inter IKEA Group will apply strict requirements to secure responsible forest management practices on the acquired land, ensuring that the forest management is FSC-certified and complies with IWAY standards, the IKEA supplier code of conduct. FSC certification ensures that forest management practises will not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation and will be based on a balance of economic, social, and environmental interests, including the identification of areas of high conservation value where forest management should be limited or restricted.

It has been reported that Ziegler sawmilling group, a part of one of Europe’s largest wood companies has filed for insolvency, it is ranked at the 10th largest sawmill group in Europe with the largest sawmill in Germany. However, none of Ziegler’s subsidiaries have filed for bankruptcy. Source: Timberbiz German media OberpflazECHO reported the insolvency. The company’s annual report in 2022 showed that it had debts of Euro 326 million. Over the past few years, it has led a push into production expansion. But due to a drop in demand from the construction sector and problems with supply chains it has struggled to meet its debts. The Zeighler Group has more than 3000 employees in Germany, Sweden and Romania.

In a world increasingly defined by its environmental challenges, a gathering of experts at the Climate Conference in Baku (COP 29) shed light on the intricate dance between regulation and sustainability. Source: Timberbiz The side event, titled “Regulation and Beyond Opportunities & Challenges,” brought together leading voices in forestry and environmental policy to explore how regulations like the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are shaping the future of our planet. Moderated by Sara Bray, Senior Policy Manager at the Australian Forest Products Association, the event featured insightful contributions from Françoise Van de Ven, President of ATIBT; Jennifer Conje, Director of the Division of Forest Management at ITTO; and Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International. Françoise Van de Ven opened the discussion by addressing the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), highlighting its recent postponement and the ambiguities surrounding its amendments. She emphasized that while certified companies were prepared for the EUDR, the lack of readiness among customs and information systems posed significant challenges. Françoise also pointed out the potential adverse effects of additional EU-imposed criteria on imports, which could undermine local economies and sustainable practices. Jennifer Conje highlighted that regulations drive change within business supply chains, citing the impacts of the EU Timber Regulation and the Lacey Act. However, she stressed the importance of creating regulations that are sustainable and balanced across environmental, economic, and social goals. Ms Conje emphasized the critical role of sustainable forestry and certification in maintaining economic value and supporting local livelihoods, especially in regions where forests are integral to the community’s survival. Thorsten Arndt highlighted that PEFC simplifies complex EUDR requirements by translating them into clear, understandable steps, using the familiar language of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard. He emphasized that PEFC certification is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about fostering a culture of sustainability that benefits both the environment and local communities. By setting high standards and ensuring rigorous compliance through independent audits, PEFC helps forest owners and managers implement best practices that go beyond mere legal compliance. This approach ensures that forests are managed responsibly, preserving biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on them. Mr Thorsten highlighted that PEFC’s comprehensive certification system addresses not only deforestation but also the broader social and economic impacts of forestry. This holistic approach makes PEFC a vital partner in achieving sustainable development goals and combating climate change. Moderator Ms Bray set the stage by acknowledging the complexity of achieving biodiversity, carbon, and equity outcomes through regulation. She noted, “Governments are grappling with how to achieve these goals, often looking to regulation at various levels – international, federal, state, and local. Unfortunately, these regulations don’t always knit together seamlessly.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the discussion, emphasizing the need for cohesive and well-coordinated policies. The panelists collectively emphasized the need for nuanced and well-implemented policies that involve local stakeholders. They argued that regulations should not only aim to prevent negative outcomes but also promote positive environmental and social impacts. The discussion highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the role of certification in bridging the gap between regulatory frameworks and practical implementation. The event concluded with a call for ongoing dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, businesses, and certification systems. The panelists expressed hope that the insights shared would inform future regulatory developments, ensuring that environmental regulations achieve their intended goals without unintended negative consequences. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and deforestation, events like “Regulation and Beyond” play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future. The insights and recommendations from this discussion underscore the importance of thoughtful, inclusive, and effective environmental governance.  

New research measuring access to nature for eight major global cities, including central Melbourne and Sydney, found most have inadequate canopy cover despite access to an abundance of trees. Source: Timberbiz Just 3% of buildings in Melbourne’s innermost suburbs had adequate neighbourhood canopy cover, despite 44% of them having views of at least three trees. Central Sydney fared better, although only 17% of city buildings were shaded enough despite 84% having views of at least three trees. Lead researcher Dr Thami Croeser said better canopy cover was urgently needed to cool down our cities. “We know depression, anxiety, obesity and heatstroke are more prevalent in urban areas lacking access to shady tree canopy and green open spaces,” said Dr Croeser, from the Centre for Urban Research. The study, published in Nature Communications, looked at over 2.5 million buildings across eight cities using an emerging sustainable cities measure, known as the ‘3-30-300′ rule. The rule states every house, school and workplace should have a view of at least three trees, be in a neighbourhood with at least 30% canopy cover, and be within 300 metres of a park. While most buildings across the eight cities had views of at least three trees, the study found almost all cities fell short on the 30% canopy cover test. Only Seattle and Singapore passed the 30% canopy benchmark, with 45% and 75% of buildings in these cities enjoying adequate shade, respectively. Dr Croeser said trees can give poor canopy cover if they are planted in conditions that stunt their growth, such as asphalt covering roots and reducing access to rainwater. “Too often, we put trees last in our streetscapes. We plant them in very tough conditions, and then the moment there’s a conflict, they’re out. Whether it’s for construction access, a resident complaining or an underground cable, we’re very quick to remove street trees and replace them with saplings. “Trees in urban environments are also pruned very heavily, so not many trees get the opportunity to grow into big old canopy trees except in a few lucky areas.” Dr Croeser said canopy cover doesn’t just increase cooling; it can also reduce flood risk as well as benefit mental and physical health and support urban biodiversity. “Studies say we actually need at least 40% canopy cover to substantially lower daytime air temperatures, so the ‘30’ metric is the bare minimum; most buildings we studied don’t even reach that goal,” he said. Dr Croeser said he would like to see state and federal government take charge of a canopy taskforce to retrofit streets to prioritise canopy cover. “Councils are already strapped for funding and resources, so we need government to step in to fund and fast track the process to make an impact on canopy goals,” he said. While the ‘3-30-300′ rule, devised by Dutch urban forestry expert Professor Cecil Konijnendijk, is still relatively new in Australia, it is gaining momentum internationally, with at least six cities in Europe, the US and Canada implementing the measure in their urban forestry strategies. Mr Konijnendijk said he devised the benchmark to help set a ‘bare minimum’ for nature in cities. “Getting more parks and trees into cities is complicated work, and I realised that a simple metric could take the mystery out of it and set a proper benchmark based on evidence,” he said. “I reviewed decades of science linking nature to human health – and found that views to nature, canopy cover and parks are all really essential if we want to be mentally healthy, physically active and safe from heatwave impacts.” Technical University of Munich Professor Wolfgang Weisser said metrics benchmarking neighbourhoods’ green infrastructure against human wellbeing were rare. “Some of the metrics we use now are not really sufficient whereas the ‘3-30-300′ metric really demands that nature is brought to the areas that people actually live and work in,” Mr Weisser said. “A municipality with almost treeless streets and a few large, well-forested parks may score well on aggregated metrics of canopy and per-capita greenery but will be exposed as inadequate by the highly local ‘3’ and ‘30’ requirements.” The researchers collaborated with Dutch firm Cobra Groeninzicht (Green Insights) to visualise the results. “With the techniques our team has developed, we can calculate the ‘3-30-300’ benchmark for any city in the world,” said Dirk Voets, Senior Advisor Geospatial at Cobra Groeninzicht.  

Situated on the outskirts of New Plymouth in New Zealand on 60ha of farmland, there is a school that serves as an inspiration, challenging not only the country’s educational norms but showcasing the possibilities of design and construction using wood. This was recognised when the school’s newest structure, the Kina, received the top accolade at the Timber Design Awards. Source: Timberbiz What was merely a paddock in 2018 has been transformed into a place of deep learning. Three Waka, or pod-like classrooms, were the first structures to be built, designed to be sustainable and blend harmoniously with the natural environment. One Waka is New Zealand’s largest and tallest zero-concrete building constructed using wood and minimal steel. Yet, it’s the school’s latest addition, the Kina, that has proven to be the groundbreaking benchmark for learning facilities of the future. Honoured with the Supreme Award at Timber Unlimited’s Timber Design Awards in November last year, the Kina represents a biophilic-inspired building comprising classrooms and communal spaces crafted to enhance cognitive function and emotional wellbeing. Founded by long-time entrepreneurs Michael and Rachel Perrett, Green School New Zealand is part of a global education movement beginning in Bali in 2008. Schools have since opened in South Africa and soon, Tulum, Mexico. By blending traditional principles with a holistic, child-led approach, the schools foster green leaders equipped for real-life challenges through community-integrated learning and sustainability practices. Describing Green School as their passion project, the Perretts aim to revolutionise education by providing an alternative that speaks to the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s leaders. “Education often feels outdated, industrialised, or simply ineffective,” Michael Perrett said. “We believe there is a better way, one that places children at the centre and breaks free from outdated norms. With the rapidly changing demands of the world, we’re left in a new era with an old playbook.” New Plymouth architects, BOON, were enlisted for their expertise after successfully collaborating on the original Waka classrooms. Glenn Brebner, BOON’s managing director, emphasises their mission to invoke curiosity and infuse beauty into the campus, showcasing a commitment to children’s learning environments. “This deliberate aesthetic consideration contrasts sharply with traditional classroom designs,” he says. Judges of the Supreme Award were quick to remark on the school’s allure. “This project quickly bubbled to the top as an exemplary project that set an example of the beauty, efficiency and sustainability that can be achieved using timber,” one judge noted. “The full life cycle of the building was considered during the design process with the result being a series of stunning organic forms that sit lightly upon the landscape and wrap around the young minds who are occupying the learning spaces.” Laminated timber curves and perforated interiors create a stunning focal point. Green School dismantles the confines of conventional education, replacing concrete walls and boxed windows with sprawling acres of land and structures that surrender to the environment. Its design not only connects visually and sensually with the natural surroundings, aligning with the school’s curriculum, but also cultivates a deep physical and emotional connection between he tangata and whenua. The Kina’s main feature is its 24 eyebrow-shaped structures arranged in a circular form looking out towards views of the maunga, awa, and the school’s existing buildings. Built mainly using timber, an absolute minimum of concrete has been used – reserved only for the four atrium foundations, all others are timber driven piles. The floor structure is parallel laminated timber (PLT) panel, joinery is Accoya timber, decking is New Zealand beech and macrocarpa weatherboards are used on the external walls. From conceptualisation of the waka classrooms, it was clear to us that timber would serve as our primary building material,” “Its distinguished profile, renewable nature, capacity to sequester carbon, and local availability were all key factors in our decision-making process,” said Michael Perrett. “Wood also provided BOON the opportunity to embrace the form and patterns associated with kina. By wrapping laminated timber along the curves, they created a perforated interior lining, resulting in a captivating kina spot design. “This feature is not only widely complimented but also serves as an acoustic blanket, welcoming our school’s new entrants.” Rachel Perrett says timber has biophilic advantages – resulting in a connection with nature – and an ability to promote wellbeing while enhancing the natural warmth and beauty of spaces. “Incorporating biophilic principles into the design is more than just mimicking nature; it’s about integrating biology into architecture intentionally. Rather than merely emulating natural systems, there’s a deliberate effort to reference and incorporate biological elements. While this presented its own challenges, it’s crucial for creating environments that prioritise beauty, nature, and innovation,” she said. The project used Building Information Modelling to communicate complex 3D form to engineers and structural timber fabricators, reducing the amount of waste from materials being cut and measured onsite; a significant portion was pre-fabricated off site and assembled in situ. Mr Brebner says engineered timber offers previously unattainable levels of accuracy. “It allows for the creation of shapes that were once out of reach. “Much of the timber industry has historically relied on covering up the approximations inherent in traditional wood products. However, engineered timber is consistently precise, resulting in a final product that seamlessly combines technical accuracy with aesthetic beauty,” he said. Technology contributed to the school diverting 70% of all construction waste from the landfill. In doing so, they influenced many of their suppliers to prioritise sustainability, including a century-old construction company. A second judge commended the project’s use of innovation and technology: “The combination of timber and engineered wood products makes the most of locally available resources and cutting-edge manufacturing methods which also allow for meaningful textures to be included with the complex curves and structural rhythms. “This project sets a high standard for what can be achieved using timber sourced and fabricated within Aotearoa New Zealand and is something we can all look to for inspiration for a sustainable future.” Robert Finch, whose visionary leadership at Timber Unlimited has spearheaded transformative changes over […]

Since its establishment in 1994, Mechanised Logging Pty Ltd (MechLog), has grown to become one of Australia’s most forward-thinking and sustainable timber harvesting service providers. Source: Timberbiz With an enduring commitment to environmental stewardship and operational efficiency, MechLog has continually set benchmarks in adopting new technology, transforming the timber industry into a more modern and sustainable enterprise. This philosophy, cantered on ‘Forestry with Care,’ serves as a guiding principle for harvesting operations as well as influencing the company’s communication strategies and stakeholder engagement. MechLog CEO, Jillian Aylett Brown, is acutely aware of the importance of effective communication and the role it plays in strengthening trust with stakeholders. This includes how the company interacts with clients, suppliers, employees, the wider forestry community, and the general public. “We are living and working in an information age where information consumption increasingly occurs through digital means. As we have in all areas of our business from training through to actual on-the-ground operations, MechLog has adopted a proactive approach to information gathering and dissemination,” Ms Aylett Brown said. “We subscribe to industry platforms and digital newsletters, actively engage with social media networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, and make extensive use of the MechLog website. “We even leverage advanced tools such as ChatGPT for research purposes. MechLog’s commitment to staying informed, being innovative, and adopting positions that vary from other timber industry thought leaders, is one of the foundations of our success.” To remain agile and responsive in the ever-evolving forestry industry, MechLog relies on a strategic combination of traditional and digital information sources. “Employees are encouraged to access information from established forestry and environmental platforms, while the company itself subscribes to digital newsletters to keep abreast of the latest trends and challenges. Ms Aylett Brown, even commented that the company’s leadership team, highly values data-driven insights sourced from platforms such as LinkedIn, because they facilitate professional engagement and industry discourse. “Staying informed is more than convenience, for MechLog it is a strategic imperative. Our reliance on multiple information sources ensures that we remain leaders, not followers, in the forestry sector,” she said.  

Exports of Engineered Wood Products (EWPs) from major Asia surged 58% year-ended August 2024, totalling USDFob243 million, according to new analysis from IndustryEdge. Source: IndustryEdge The big lift in EWP exports was led by China, whose trade leaped 142% compared with the prior year. Indonesia exported the second highest value of EWPs for the year, shifted from first place by the stellar lift in Chinese exports. In this short analysis, we provide an overview of the exports from these leading Asian nations. The chart and table below provide headline export details. Much attention will be paid to China’s lift in exports – more on that later – while others will be surprised by the continued strength of Indonesian exports. Major Asia – Total EWP Exports by Country: Jan ’22[i] – Aug ’24 (USDM) Beyond the headline analysis, the detailed data, which covers exports and imports consistently for the major countries, has plenty more to offer. Some will be surprised, but it is GLT not LVL that rules Asia’s GLT exports. As the chart and table below demonstrate, of all the EWPs, the consistent powerhouse is GLT, which accounted for 53% of total regional exports year-ended August 2024. GLT exports were valued at around USD129 million for the year, on a free-on-board basis. Major Asia – Total EWP Exports by Type: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USDM) Despite the dominance of GLT, the real story of this data lies in the explosive growth in LVL – Hardwood (at least one outer ply must be hardwood). Growth in exports over the last year was astounding, commencing July 2023, and subsequently maintaining strength. Asia’s Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) exports are dominated by shipments from Indonesia. Valued at USDFob86.5 million year-ended August 2024, Indonesia’s GLT shipments were to a range of countries, including Australia. To emphasise the power of the datasets available, in the table below, we specify the volume or quantity of exports, rather than the export values (measured in tonnes and no, before you ask, there is no density information available!). As the table demonstrates, other than Asia, Indonesia supplies go far and wide, dominated by shipments to the Netherlands. Indonesia – GLT Exports by Main Country: YE Aug ’23 v YE Aug ’24 (Tonnes & %) There is reasonable excitement about GLT in Australia right now, as an option for local manufacturing that offers some seriously high value. The chart and table below give some clues about that, with Indonesia’s weighted average export price in August 2024 near its peak at USDFob2,603/t. However, greatest interest will be in the price points for exports to Australia, which routinely hit USDFob4,000/t, or say AUD6,000/t landed. Industry intelligence tells us the higher-priced products are mainly posts. Indonesia – GLT Exports by Major Country: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USDFob/t) These export prices alone have some excited about the prospects for consistent and reliable supplies of hardwood GLT in Australia. Just two countries export a significant supply of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): China and Indonesia. Year-ended August 2024, China exported LVL valued at USD63.4 million on a free-on-board basis, a 464% increase on the prior year, as the chart below demonstrates. LVL Exports by Major Country: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) The curiosity with this data starts in July 2023, when China’s exports exploded and stayed high. China’s total EWP exports hit USD129 million – mainly hardwood LVL! Over the year-ended August 2024, Chinese exports of EWP’s lifted 142% to USDFob129 million. Exports were dominated by LVL – Hardwood (where at least one outer layer must be hardwood).China – EWP Exports by Type: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) To understand the Chinese export situation better, we also analysed the volume of exports by type, which shows the dominance of LVL – Hardwood and GLT. China – EWP Exports by Type: Jan ’22 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) Drilling deeper, here we show China’s LVL – Hardwood exports by country, first by tonnes and second by price. The nearly 500% increase in shipments to Japan over the last year should be of interest from many perspectives and the weighted average price explains how that has been achieved! China – LVL – Hardwood Exports by Country: YE Aug ‘23 – YE Aug ’24 (Tonnes & %) Japan is the largest importer in Asia – main products? GLT and hardwood LVL Finally, we delved into the import data for major Asian countries and could not go past Japan. Though its imports have slowed over the last year or more, they routinely top USD40 million per month and are dominated by GLT and LVL – Hardwood, as the previous data implied would be the case. However, countries of supply are a different matter. China is obviously part of the mix and appears to be delivering the majority of the hardwood EWP supply to Japan, supported by Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam. Interestingly, the regional GLT powerhouse, Indonesia, struggles in the Japanese market. On the (mainly) softwood side, Austria, Finland, Estonia, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia and Sweden all have solid positions in Japan. Japan – EWP Imports by Type: YE Aug ’23 – Aug ’24 (USD Million) As demand for wood fibre tightens around the world, improved recovery to finished products is being pursued with increasing vigour throughout the supply chain. Coupling that pressure with the need to reduce the embodied energy and emissions from products like steel and concrete, IndustryEdge’s view is demand for wood-based building products will grow faster over the next decade than over the last decade. Understanding the major markets and trading locations provides growers, producers, importers, merchants and others with the opportunity to consider their next move in this fast-moving and critical sector. There are many insights to be gleaned from multi-country analysis. One that should be of interest to plantation owners in Australia is the apparent opportunity to manufacture and supply hardwood-based EWPs into some of the highest value markets in the world. In a fibre-scarce world, the most abundant […]

A symposium in Rotorua is bringing together recent research on tropical cyclone ecology, with a special focus on the ecological impacts of last year’s Cyclone Gabrielle. Source: Timberbiz The symposium is part of the 2024 New Zealand Ecological Society Conference, which is on from 25 to 29 November, where experts will speak on a wide variety of topics including Mātauranga Māori and ecology, how biological invasions misshape our world, Aotearoa’s own pekapeka/bats, and many more. The Science Media Centre asked symposium speakers to provide a preview of their talks. “Many impacts of tropical cyclones on ecosystems are immediately obvious, such as the windfall of trees, erosion of hillsides, and deposition of sediment and debris across the landscape. However, cyclones can also have indirect effects on species and ecosystems via their impacts on conservation projects, such as ecosanctuaries,” Warwick Allen, Community Ecologist, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research said. “Ecosanctuaries are conservation projects larger than 25 hectares, where multi-species, pest mammal control is implemented for ecosystem recovery objectives, with substantial community involvement. They are a vital part of the conservation infrastructure of New Zealand, providing a refuge for threatened native biodiversity, a place for the community to connect with nature, and represent a subset of conservation projects throughout the country. “We interviewed representatives from 65 North Island ecosanctuaries about the types of damage and range of impacts that Cyclone Gabrielle had on conservation infrastructure and activities. “Damage from wind (91% of affected ecosanctuaries) and erosion (85%) were widespread, with inundation (47%) and sediment deposition (32%) less prevalent. Impacts on infrastructure (pest-fences, buildings, roads, walking tracks) were most widely reported and often paired with disruption to conservation activities such as pest control, native species monitoring, and restoration plantings. Of particular concern, 40% of pest fences (often called ‘predator-proof fences’) were damaged during the cyclone, with rapid pest incursions detected in most cases. “The cyclone damage may also lead to longer term problems, including the ongoing management of pest incursions, loss of access to management areas, reduced capacity of the conservation workforce, and opportunity costs associated with recovery instead of progress.” Dr Peter Bellingham, Senior Researcher, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research said that tropical cyclones shape the structure, composition, and function of ecosystems in the latitudes where they occur frequently. “At those latitudes, ecosystems from coral reefs to tropical rainforests have adapted to cyclone disturbance and are resilient to them. “New Zealand is outside the zone of frequent cyclone disturbance so that we, as people, are apt to treat the effects of any given cyclone as catastrophic. However, for many New Zealand ecosystems, such as its native forests, these infrequent disturbances are important agents in promoting their regeneration. “However, we can ill afford to be complacent about tropical cyclone effects on our native forests now and in future. Climate change and warmer oceans are taking cyclones of unprecedented intensity to higher latitudes, including New Zealand, where a new cyclone disturbance regime could transform our forests. “The viability of our highly fragmented forests to cyclone disturbance is unknown, especially because of interactions with surrounding land uses that often have poor cyclone resilience. After cyclones, the forests dominated by native trees could be undermined by interactions among nutrient-rich sediment deposits, weed invasions, effects of browsing mammals, and subsequent disturbances like fire and ongoing erosion. “The resilience of native forests to future cyclones could be similarly undermined by logging of snapped and uprooted trees. To predict the effects of a future cyclone disturbance regime on our ecosystems we need to learn from our own history of cyclones, to learn from cyclone studies internationally, and to expect interactive effects with biological invasions and other kinds of disturbance.”  

Dean Anderson has been appointed chairman of the Softwoods Working Group. SWG Executive Officer Carlie Porteous said that Mr Anderson brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the job and has dedicated more than 40 years to the forestry industry across Australia. Source: Timberbiz “Under his leadership, we are confident the SWG will continue to thrive and further its mission of fostering sustainable growth and resilience within the forestry sector. “Dean holds a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) from the Australian National University, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a qualified Incident Controller,” Ms Porteous said. “Throughout his career, Mr Anderson has held senior roles in commercial operations, natural forest management, environmental assessment, and plantation management. His experience is predominantly in New South Wales but includes stints in South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Scotland.” Ms Porteous said Mr Anderson has served as either an Incident Controller or Deputy Incident Controller for multiple state-significant bushfire emergencies. “Notably, he was part of Australia’s first deployment of forest firefighters to North America in 2000. Dean and others were awarded the National Emergency Medal for their contributions during the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires,” she said. “Dean also has a strong background in governance, having served on the board of the Timber Development Association for 15 years, including five years as Chair, promoting timber use and addressing technical aspects of timber construction. “Dean steps into the role following the remarkable 37-year tenure of Peter Crowe OAM, who was recently celebrated for his outstanding contributions.” Ms Porteous said in recognition of his service, Mr Crowe has been honoured with the title of Chair Emeritus of SWG. Mr Anderson said he was privileged to be elected Chair by the members of SWG. “I look forward to working with our diverse membership, which includes representatives from local government, forest product processors, and plantation growers, as well as the wider community. “Together, we will continue to ensure that our region prospers from the softwood plantations that are vital to our economy and environment,” he said. “SWG’s ongoing focus on key priorities will include the protection of softwood plantations from fire; coordinated and effective weed control, especially blackberry; supporting Australia’s forest product needs while addressing climate change and land competition; and advocating for improved infrastructure and showcasing the benefits of softwood plantations.”

The rollout of a new bushfire detection camera network using artificial intelligence (AI) to protect the state’s forest plantations and communities in the South East of South Australia has been completed in time for fire danger season. Industry is now in conversations about trials across other parts of the state. Source: Timberbiz The Pano AI system – introduced for the first time commercially in Australia – aims to improve early fire detection and is part of the State Government’s $2.346 million upgrade of the region’s fire tower network. The program also receives significant support and funding from the state’s forest industries. The network of eight cameras, overseen by the Green Triangle Fire Alliance (GTFA), strengthens extensive fire management and surveillance measures in place across the region, helping to ensure local communities and planation forests are protected. The AI-powered bushfire detection and monitoring system uses ultra-HD 360-degree panoramic cameras, AI, and satellite technology to detect the first signs of fire and assist industry and emergency services’ response to an incident. The network detected 25 unplanned fires in SA during the 2023–24 fire danger season as the cameras were being rolled out, with key incidents detected including the German Flat fire in January and a vehicle arson in Tantanoola in April. The system also provided real time intelligence to aid fire suppression activities. Other measures supporting South Australian communities this fire season include the stationing of a new Blackhawk helicopter at Parafield Airport with more than 30 aircraft in place, as well as the Alert SA app expanding to a multi-hazard platform. The eight camera stations operating across the Limestone Coast contribute to the 15-camera station detection network managed by the forestry industries throughout the wider Green Triangle region into Victoria. A Pano analyst provides first-hand validation of the fire detection, after which notifications are sent to the GTFA and CFS. Incident notification is via an online user interface, Pano360, which includes features like asset and weather map layers to increase situational awareness. Staffed fire towers will continue to operate in the South East to ensure the region’s 130,000 hectares of plantation estate and surrounding community benefit from early fire detection. Analysis of the roll out across the Limestone Coast will be important in considering the AI system’s suitability across other areas of the state.

When a raging forest fire is approaching a community, a good rainfall greatly reduces the chances of the flames reaching buildings. But if rain isn’t in the forecast … well, that’s where the RainStream tower is designed to come in. Sources: New Atlas, Wildfire Innovations Manufactured by Canadian company Wildfire Innovations Inc, the device takes the form of a telescoping steel tower that lies on its side (and shortened down) on an integrated trailer when not in use. It can be towed to the point of deployment – such as the outskirts of a town near a forest fire – by a 1-ton pickup truck. Upon reaching that destination, the trailer’s four stabilizing legs are extended, the tower pivots on the trailer to stand vertically, then it extends to its full height of 100 ft (30.5 m). Its ground crew proceed to run a hose from its diesel-powered pump to a fire hydrant, lake, river or other source of water. Once the pump is started up, the RainStream starts spraying water out of its rotary-lawn-sprinkler-like “rain head” at the top of the tower. That head can be set to rotate 360 degrees as it sprays, or to spray in just one direction. In either case, the water forms a fire-thwarting mist that drifts down to wet and cool the trees and buildings over an area of 8 to 20 acres (3.25 to 8 hectares) depending on the prevailing winds. Set-up reportedly takes a little under 40 minutes with a two-person crew, or half that with four people. One tankful of diesel should be good for up to 40 hours of runtime. And needless to say, more than one tower can be deployed per fire. “The normal operating procedure is to position a RainStream fleet upwind of communities or critical infrastructure to create a ‘Wall of Water’ and provide a protective mist,” Wildfire Innovations CEO Rolf Wenzel tells us. “However, it can be placed in any location at any time to support firefighting efforts.” Wenzel adds that the company is starting production of the towers this year, for delivery to clients next spring (Northern Hemisphere). A permanent version of the RainStream tower is also in the works. It can be installed at locations such as wilderness lodges, oil refineries or ecologically sensitive areas, and remotely activated if necessary.

Every fourth seedling planted in Sweden comes from SCA’s tree nurseries. And to get seedlings, you need seeds – lots of seeds. SCA has several fully owned and part-owned seed cultures around Sweden, from which cones are harvested each year. Source: Timberbiz “Our business year begins with cone picking,” said Ove Einberg, at NorrPlant and responsible for SCA’s seed cultures. “Only the best possible seed is good enough,” is written in a SCA brochure from 1958, which describes the SCA’s pine seed cultures at that time. It’s a slogan that still holds true today. “That’s right. If we are to produce seedlings of good quality and high growth rate, we need the best possible seed material adapted to different regional growing conditions. This is why we have seed cultures in various locations across both northern and southern Sweden for spruce, pine, and lodgepole pine,” Mr Einberg said. To produce half a kilo of seeds, you need about 100 litres of cones. Each year, NorrPlant collects around 100,000 litres of cones to meet SCA’s annual seedling production of approximately 110 million seedlings. “The pine and lodgepole pine cultures often yield good harvests every year. Spruce, however, is a bit more challenging because it doesn’t bloom as frequently. But in those years it does bloom, we can get a lot of seeds. We can freeze seeds and keep them in stock, and we also purchase some seeds,” Mr Einberg said. One of SCA’s pine seed culture is called Skeppsholmen and is located next to Sundsvall-Timrå Airport. On the 12-hectare area, there are approximately 3,800 pines in long rows, but they don’t quite look like the pines you see in the forest. “They are more shrub-like because we top and prune the trees regularly to make picking easier and to promote the growth of cones,” Mr Einberg explains. “These trees are also not real trees but so-called grafts.” Producing the right seeds and the right trees is an art in itself, where grafting plays a central role. Today’s tree breeding dates back to the 1940s when researchers realized that forestry had much to learn from agriculture, which had been working on breeding for thousands of years to increase growth and quality of various crops. It started with selecting the very best trees. Then, seedlings were raised from their seeds and the offspring were planted in test areas to monitor how they were coping. The test areas have different conditions regarding climate and other factors. Some trees thrive better in one environment but worse in another. “To get many specimens of the selected trees, they are grafted onto ‘ordinary seedlings,’ just as you do when grafting apple trees. They are then placed in seed cultures. When the grafts grow into trees and start to bloom, they naturally cross-pollinate with each other, although there is also some background pollination from the surrounding forest,” said Anders Tolblad, group leader for seeds and sowing at NorrPlant. It takes about 20 years to produce one generation of seeds, from the selection of parent trees until seeds are available. “Today, we can offer seeds from third-generation seed cultures, which means that these seedlings produce forests that grow 25 percent better than non-bred trees. Last year, we established our first seed orchard for fourth-generation seeds,” Mr Tolblad said. Managing seed orchards takes more time than you might think. “Pruning and topping the trees takes time. Then we clear away brush and other vegetation around all the trees and monitor the vole protection along the trunks. We also need to ensure that the fences around the orchards keep out hungry moose,” Mr Eiberg said. All seed and plant breeding are conducted under strict controls. The main responsibility lies with Skogforsk, the forestry research institute, which guides everyone with seed cultures and tree nurseries. “Quality is incredibly important when it comes to seeds. We always send cone samples to Skogforsk before we start picking. Each seed culture also has its own registration and pedigree letter to keep track of the seed’s origin. Every harvest must also be registered and approved by the Swedish Forest Agency before the seeds can be used for sowing. There are also various plant samples,” Mr Einberg said. “It’s quite fascinating with the time perspective because the cones and seeds we collect now will produce trees that will be harvested in 80 to 100 years.”

What do paper towels, tribal leaders collaborating with engineering students, a board game, and one million acres of forest managed by a community-based non-profit have in common? They are all winners of a 2024 FSC Leadership Award. Source: Timberbiz The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is proud to recognize how this year’s winners demonstrate advancement in sustainable forest management and forest conservation for organizational success. “These remarkable organizations are leading the charge from forest stewardship to final product, inspiring us all with their commitment to responsible forest management. Their work sets a powerful example for sustainable practices across the entire supply chain, paving the way for a future where forests and the people who depend on them thrive for generations to come,” said Sarah Billig, FSC US President. The 2024 FSC Leadership Award Winners: Elk Creek Forest Products for being the largest and longest-standing supplier of FSC-certified Douglas Fir construction materials in the Pacific Northwest. Green Diamond Resource Company – California Timberlands for producing over 1-billion board feet of FSC certified logs since obtaining certification in 2013 on 440,662 acres of predominately Redwood and Douglas-fir forests in California. Kruger Products Inc. for Bonterra household paper products, made in Canada with 100% FSC-certified recycled paper and wrapped in recyclable, plastic-free paper packaging. Life in Reterra by Hasbro, Inc. board game, which incorporates strong sustainability themes and artwork that are relatable and resonate with both parents and children. All paper and wood used in Life in Reterra are FSC-certified. Menominee Tribal Enterprises and the Milwaukee School of Engineering for collaborating on The Giving Forest Game, a video game that teaches players about sustainable forestry. It can be downloaded by scanning the QR code at www.mtewood.com on the home page. Model No. furniture company for their regenerative manufacturing processes, uses only FSC-certified or reclaimed hardwoods, and non-toxic materials in all of their products. The Ross Foundation, an Arkansas charitable trust that supports philanthropic programs by revenue generated from its timberland. Established in 1966, they have given over $22m through their grants program. Villanti Printers, FSC-certified in 2005, became the first certified printer in Vermont and the ninth in North America. Villanti has one of Vermont’s largest solar arrays and recycles over 175 tons of material annually. Westwind Forest Stewardship, Inc., a not-for-profit forest management company governed by a community-based Board of Directors, including Indigenous, and FSC-certified in 2002. The French-Severn Forest was the first forest on Crown land in Ontario to be certified. In addition, the following building projects were awarded a 2024 FSC Leadership Award: Centennial College, DIALOG, Smoke Architecture, and EllisDon for 100% FSC-certified mass timber in the A-Building Expansion Project at Centennial College, a 133,000 square foot, LEED Gold, WELL-certified higher education building in Scarborough, Ontario. Muhlenberg College, Re:Vision Architecture, and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation. Achieving Living Future Core Green Building Certification, 98% of wood products are FSC-certified or were intentionally harvested and reused onsite in the first new building project on the Muhlenberg campus since 2006. West Penn Energy Fund, Moshier Studio, and Inscale Architects for Six&Kane, a renovation of a 100+year old vacant building in Kane, PA. The interior of the building features 100% locally sourced and milled FSC-certified hardwood maple flooring, trim, stairs, handrails, and customized cabinetry. Six&Kane earned Passive House EnerPHit Plus.

The University of Melbourne recently hosted the International Conference on Decarbonising the Building Industry, bringing together global leaders, researchers and industry professionals, including leaders in forestry, timber production and sustainability. Source: Timberbiz A standout session of the conference was the panel discussion on “How to Maximise the Use of Australian Forest Resources to Decarbonise the Building Industry.” Moderated by Dr. Bill Leggate from the Department of Primary Industries, the session explored the pivotal role of Australia’s unique and sustainably managed forests in providing timber – a strong, versatile, cost-effective, and carbon-negative building material – to support housing and construction industries in addressing climate challenges. “Australian forests are not only unique in their biodiversity but also hold the key to achieving significant carbon reductions in our built environment,” Dr Leggate said in his opening remarks. “Our panel today is an incredible lineup of experts who will delve into the innovative ways we can leverage forest resources sustainably.” Shona Heading from HQ Plantations emphasised the importance of sustainable forest management as the foundation of a low-carbon construction industry. “When forests are responsibly managed, we can achieve a balance that supports biodiversity, produces high-quality timber, and sequesters carbon,” Ms Heading said. “The first step in decarbonising the building industry is ensuring our forests continue to be well-managed for generations to come.” Katie Fowden from the Hyne Group highlighted the role of engineered wood products in replacing emissions-intensive materials like steel and concrete. “Engineered timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) are game-changers. They not only reduce embodied carbon but also enable faster and more efficient construction processes,” Ms Fowden said. “This was further supported during the recent visit of His Majesty, King Charles III to the XLam supplied Cowper Street Development in Sydney. The King, through the Kings Trust Australia, very much focuses on environmental credentials.” Ms Fowden urged the construction industry to prioritise homegrown, certified timber products to amplify environmental and economic benefits. Professor Tripti Singh from the Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life focused on the importance of advancing timber durability and Circularity to increase its adoption in large-scale projects. She highlighted how circularity principles, such as designing for reuse, recycling, and minimising waste, can significantly extend the lifecycle of timber products, “Investing in research and innovation to enhance the longevity of timber structures is crucial,” Ms Singh said. “When we ensure that timber products are durable and adaptable to Australia’s climate conditions, we not only make them a more attractive option for construction on every scale but also align with sustainable practices by reducing environmental impact and supporting a circular economy.” Chris McEvoy of Radial Timbers offered a perspective on timber’s versatility. “Australian forests provide us with hardwoods and softwoods that meet a wide range of construction needs,” he said. “From structural beams to flooring and cladding, our timber products are adaptable to the modern architect’s vision while helping reduce carbon footprints.” Matt de Jongh from Responsible Wood underscored the importance of certification in ensuring that timber is sourced sustainably and responsibly. “Certification is not just a label; it’s a commitment to protecting our forests while supporting a sustainable timber industry,” Mr de Jongh said. “It gives architects, builders, and consumers’ confidence that the materials they’re using contribute positively to the environment.” He also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across the supply chain to address challenges such as embodied carbon measurement and consumer awareness. “Our industry has a tremendous opportunity to lead in sustainability, but it requires all of us – forest managers, manufacturers, researchers, and policymakers to work together.” Rhianna Robinson from the Department of Primary Industries, who played a key role in organising the session, reflected on the importance of the conference in bringing experts together. “This session showcased the best of what Australian forestry and timber sectors have to offer,” she said. “The insights from the panellists demonstrated we have the capability, skills and the products to significantly decarbonise the building industry today.” The panel concluded with a resounding call to action: to unlock the full potential of Australian forest resources while maintaining a steadfast commitment to sustainability. “Australia has the resources and expertise, to support decarbonisation in the building sector,” Dr Leggate said in closing. “If we continue to innovate, collaborate, and champion sustainable practices, our forests can continue to supply strong, versatile, cost effective and carbon negative timber to manufacture residential and commercial buildings.” This session illuminated the vital connection between Australia’s sustainably managed forests and the urgent need to reduce the building industry’s carbon footprint. It also underscored the potential of timber as a cornerstone for sustainable construction, paving the way for a greener, more resilient future.

Registration is open and delegates from around the world are invited to Brisbane, Australia to attend the 2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering, June 22 – 26. Source: Timberbiz WCTE is the world’s premier scientific dissemination forum for presenting and discussing the latest technical and architectural developments and innovations in timber engineering and construction. The scope covers research, education, and practice topics from all over the world. There is a rise in engineering and architectural firms, developers and investors, now emphasizing timber engineering as a preferred solution for many projects, providing further relevance and importance to the research carried out by the timber design and construction community. A number of exemplar buildings and structures are located within Brisbane, providing an ideal opportunity for site visits as part of WCTE 2025; whilst some stunning examples of modern timber buildings can also be seen in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. More information at https://www.wcte2025.org/event/df0d5655-c16d-47df-b4a6-457a7dc63d96/summary

Deakin University’s Truckwise Roadshow will receive crucial funding from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the Australian Government. Source: Timberbiz The Roadshow will provide invaluable heavy vehicle education for young drivers. Project lead and Deakin University Head of the School of Engineering and Director of the CADET Virtual Reality lab Professor Ben Horan said. “The Roadshow aims to increase awareness of safety around heavy vehicles through virtual reality experiences where young drivers can learn to interact in ways not achievable in the real-world,” he said. A continuation of an earlier program that started in 2022, the project will be delivered over the next two years. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said Deakin University is one of 16 grantees that will receive funding as part of a $3.9 million investment towards HVSI projects. “The delivery of Deakin University’s project will contribute towards making Australia’s roads safer for all users,” said Mr Petroccitto. “Each project is designed to improve heavy vehicle safety, such as heavy vehicle driver education training technologies, first aid safety training, and recruitment campaigns to entice young people into a career in trucking.” For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi

Two research projects supported by Growers Research Advisory Committee (GRAC) members have been selected among eight projects to receive funding through Australian Forest and Wood Innovations’ (AFWI) inaugural $5 million National Open Call for research. Source: Timberbiz Funded through cash and in-kind investments, both projects seek to improve the resilience and adaptability of Australian plantations, and to support growers in maintaining and increasing plantation productivity in the face of changing climate and weather conditions. These projects are: Developing more productive plantation trees better adapted to changing environments, through Tree Breeding Australia. Enhancing fire resilience in Australian plantations, through The University of Melbourne. The GRAC represents Australian forest growers and managers and is managed by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) in its role as an Industry Services Company. The following growers have committed voluntary funding through FWPA’s Grower Collaborative Commitment (GCC) process. Their significant financial contributions support research projects expected to deliver high value for grower members and the wider forestry and wood products industry.

Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS) announced it proposes to take further action to stabilise and strengthen the company, by simplifying operations at Kinleith Mill in New Zealand, its largest facility that manufactures pulp and paper. Source: Timberbiz “After extensive work and considering a variety of options, we are proposing to simplify Kinleith Mill’s operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing loss-making paper production. Therefore, we are consulting on a plan to permanently shut the Kinleith PM6 paper machine and move to a paper import model for our packaging operations,” Chief Executive Officer Dr Jon Ryder said. “Manufacturing paper has become unprofitable. Paper production at Kinleith Mill has suffered significant losses for several years and we see no prospect of the situation improving. “Due to the complexities of operational changes required at the mill for this proposal, the exact number of potential job losses is unknown at this stage. However, we anticipate approximately 230 roles may be affected. The wider impacts will become clearer as we work through the consultation period, through to final decision and into next year. “This proposal takes into account our ability to continue to serve our customers with as little disruption as possible. We propose to continue producing paper at Kinleith Mill through to the end of June 2025, to ensure we meet our packaging customer obligations and provide a smooth transition to new paper supply arrangements. “Under this proposal, there would be no change to the wastepaper collection service provided by OjiFS Fullcircle, which will continue to collect, sort and bale wastepaper throughout New Zealand for recycling. “This is a difficult change to propose because of the impact on our hard-working team. We acknowledge the history and importance of Kinleith Mill in the local community and region and have made every effort to ensure we continue operating at the site. “Our need for change is in no way a reflection of the experience, skills, and dedication of all the team and leadership at Kinleith Mill. “We will now enter a consultation period with employees at Kinleith Mill, through to early January, to see if there is an alternative we have not yet considered. We anticipate announcing a decision by end of January 2025.” This comes only weeks after Oji Fibre announced the closure of its Penrose recycling plant with the loss of 75 jobs. Workers at Oji Fibre Solutions’ Kinleith mill in Tokoroa were hugely disappointed to learn about the company proposal to end paper manufacturing, which would result in the loss of 230 jobs. The workers, who are members of E tū, FIRST Union, and AWUNZ, were told about the proposal in a meeting. Head delegate Ian Farall said the proposal demonstrates the failures of the company. “I think it’s been a long time in the making, but the company has known it was going to get to this point, and have mismanaged the whole process,” Mr Farall said. “We’re all very disappointed by their inability to turn it around. They can’t control what the market does, but they could have been much better prepared for this point in the cycle. “There have been many problems at the mill, they have not kept up with maintenance, and they have not made the right investments to secure a future for paper production. Union members had a near-unanimous vote of no-confidence in the management and many chose to simply walk out. “It’s not just the directly impacted workers who are angry. We’re in unity here, and we know the downstream effects will harm the whole community. It’s the truck drivers, the local cafes and other businesses – many people locally rely on the mill as the heartbeat of south Waikato,” Mr Farall said. E tū Negotiation Specialist, Joe Gallagher, has been meeting with the members and management and called on the company to do better by their workers. “Oji have got themselves into this situation, and they can’t just hang the workers out to dry,” Mr Gallagher said. “We don’t believe the company has done everything they can to avoid this outcome. It’s a hell of a thing to tell people with Christmas just around the corner, and we need a longer period of consultation to really understand the potential alternatives to stopping paper production completely.” Mr Gallagher said that the Government must also step up to support domestic manufacturing. “The crisis in manufacturing is not simply about unstoppable global market forces. It’s the result of an ineffective energy market, a lack of planning for a just transition, and a Government asleep at the wheel,” he said. “We will not become a high-skill, high-wage economy while our political leadership continues with such a hands-off approach to our industries. Kinleith is not the first plant to be in this position recently and it may not be the last. “Now’s the time for both businesses and the Government to get real about the crisis before us and work to reverse it. That’s the leadership communities like Tokoroa deserve.”

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) has welcomed news that TasPorts will construct a new ship loader at Bell Bay – assisting the transport of goods to expanding overseas markets from our sustainable forestry industry. Source: Timberbiz Speaking at the announcement of the new ship loader, TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said the new ship loader was long overdue at Bell Bay. “The provision of essential public infrastructure such as road, rail and wharf access are key for the continued viability of the forest industry,” Mr Steel said. “For years, the TFPA has been pushing for the construction of the new loader. In fact, we started lobbying for its construction as part of our 2021 State Budget submission. “Forestry relies on the State’s main ports, as they are essential in receiving and sending forest and wood products to interstate and overseas markets. “There is huge demand for Tasmania’s sustainable and responsibly sourced forest products, including our wood chips,” Mr Steel said. “Tasmanian wood chips are essential in the production of cardboard and paper that we need and use every day. Wood chips are also vital for the creation of new energy sources – such as biomass. “This new ship loader will open bigger and more markets to our Tasmanian businesses, address our industry’s need for greater efficiency and biosecurity, and reinforce the port’s role in the state’s export economy. “The TFPA congratulates TasPorts and the Tasmanian Government for committing to this vitally important piece of infrastructure, which will support the sustainable Tasmanian forestry industry, the state’s communities, and the greater Tasmanian economy.”  

A new ship loader at the Port of Bell Bay is set to enhance Tasmania’s forestry export capabilities, increase TasPorts’ capacity and strengthen the State’s economic infrastructure. Source: Timberbiz A $15 million investment in the new ship loader has been announced by the Tasmanian Liberal Government as it delivers the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said that Bell Bay enables Tasmania to take its world-class forestry products to the world. “This investment in sophisticated infrastructure is about securing forestry jobs right across Tasmania,” Minister Abetz said. “The new ship loader will deliver advanced automation, increased capacity and enhanced biosecurity measures enabling the faster and more efficient loading of larger vessels. “Importantly, this state-of-the-art equipment can seamlessly sample and fumigate wood chips during the loading process which will save time and improve product quality, delivering significant benefits for Tasmanian businesses and exporters. “As global demand for sustainable timber grows, these upgrades will provide greater reliability and position Bell Bay for future growth. “This significant investment reflects the Government’s strong support of Tasmania’s sustainable forestry sector securing jobs for families across our great State.” The new ship loader will replace equipment that has served the port since 1992, delivering modern features such as advanced automation, increased capacity, and improved biosecurity measures. TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said the investment demonstrates TasPorts’ commitment to supporting Tasmania’s forestry sector and ensuring the Port of Bell Bay continues to play a key role in the state’s export economy. “This project is a game-changer for Bell Bay and our forestry customers,” Mr Donald said. “The new ship loader will provide greater reach, improved clearance for larger vessels, and increased reliability, ensuring we can meet the growing demands of the forestry industry. “We’ve worked closely with our customers to design a solution that improves efficiency while also addressing key priorities like safety, energy savings, and biosecurity compliance.” The project includes the installation of an automatic chip sampler, which will replace manual sampling processes, delivering faster and more accurate analysis. Additional equipment will enable fumigation during the loading process, improving biosecurity compliance and saving time for exporters. Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent, welcomed TasPorts’ commitment to supporting Tasmania’s forestry industry and the significant contribution it makes to the state’s economy. “This investment by TasPorts responds directly to the needs of the industry. It will ensure faster, more efficient loading of larger vessels now regularly visiting Bell Bay and provide benefits such as enhanced safety features, energy efficiencies, and cyber security advancements,” Minister Vincent said. The forestry sector is critical to Tasmania, supporting 3,000 jobs and contributing $1.2 billion annually to the economy. The upgrades will provide greater reliability and position Bell Bay for future growth as global demand for Tasmanian forest products continues to rise.