Australian timber industry news

There is a Tigercat telematics firmware upgrade now available for added functionality, improved user interface, and to take advantage of the latest advanced engine diagnostics capabilities. Source: Timberbiz The update offers enhanced features for a more comprehensive telematics experience. For instance, a new display has been added to the information tab that displays information reported from TPMS, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. This update is available for all wheeled machines. Tigercat has developed more advanced and comprehensive tools for troubleshooting. The LogOn interface provides easy-to-understand steps to diagnose issues, directly referencing the appropriate section of the service manual. Several diagnostic tests can be initiated directly from LogOn to further diagnose the underlying reason for the fault code. Compression, runup, and high-pressure rail engine diagnostic tests have been added to this important new update plus a more intuitive and user-friendly interface for easier navigation. For example, colour coding has been added to the Engine Diagnostics reporting screen to make it easier to comprehend the status of the test. This applies to all the tests available in Engine Diagnostics. The upgrade also improves system stability and performance with resolved issues.  

Rising CO2 levels will spur the growth of forests, which store carbon, but an experiment suggests this effect could be restricted by the availability of phosphorus in the soil. Soil microbes can outcompete plants for vital nutrients, which could limit the amount of carbon dioxide forests are able to remove from the atmosphere. Source: New Scientist Higher levels of CO2 generally increase plant growth by stimulating photosynthesis, but this CO2 fertilisation effect boosts growth only up to a point. Eventually, growth is limited by available nutrients in the soil. In between a third and half of all ecosystems, the limiting nutrient is phosphorus, says Kristine Crous at Western Sydney University in Australia. However, researchers remain uncertain about where those phosphorus limits are. One key unknown is how the amount of available phosphorus might change as plants and soil microorganisms respond to rising levels of CO2. Ms Crous and her colleagues collected six years of data on changing phosphorus levels in a mature forest in New South Wales, Australia, as part of a long-standing experiment called the Eucalyptus Free Air CO2 Enrichment. Plots there are exposed to artificially increased levels of CO2 using long pipes hanging around the trees. The team found that the amount of available phosphorus didn’t increase with added CO2, despite the plants releasing more carbon into the soil through their roots. Some had thought this would spur soil microbes to recycle more phosphorus from dead and decaying matter, says Peter Reich at the University of Michigan, a member of the team. The researchers attribute this to the microbes outcompeting the plants for any available phosphorus: the microbes contained more than triple the amount of phosphorus held within the plants. If this microbe-driven phosphorus limit is widespread, forests might respond less than expected to CO2 fertilisation, says Crous. “Most models do not take the effects of low phosphorus into account and therefore overestimate ecosystem productivity.” Nutrients may need to be added to some ecosystems to allow them to reach their full carbon storage potential, she says. However, it is an open question how much these results apply to forests elsewhere, says César Terrer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. And nutrients are just part of the picture. Increased drought, heat and fires associated with climate change are changing carbon storage in forests more than their direct response to CO2, says Mr Terrer.  

Stora Enso has partnered with Altris, a Swedish developer of sodium-ion batteries. The two companies aim to further advance the development and commercialisation of a sustainable battery value chain in Europe. Source: Timberbiz Together, the two companies will drive the adaptation of Stora Enso’s hard carbon solution Lignode as an anode material in Altris’ sodium-ion battery cells. Lignode by Stora Enso is a sustainable hard carbon derived from lignin, a product from the manufacturing of pulp, to be used as an anode material in both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. It serves as a more sustainable alternative to current incumbent anode solutions. In addition to its sustainability benefits, lignin makes up 20-30% of a tree, which makes it abundantly available already today. Lignin being a product from pulp manufacturing ensures a stable and consistent raw material supply for anode material manufacturing. Lignode is developed in Stora Enso’s pilot plant in Kotka, Finland. Stora Enso is currently upgrading the plant from a technical point of view. Today, the significant majority of battery materials are sourced from outside Europe. The partnership between Stora Enso and Altris aims to support the establishment of a European battery value chain, fostering the continent’s sustainable electrification. Stora Enso’s European-based operations offer a localised solution that minimises environmental impact and promotes energy independence. “Bio-based materials are key to improving the sustainability of battery cells. With Lignode® having the potential to become the most sustainable anode material in the world, this partnership with Altris aligns perfectly with our common commitment to support the ambition on more sustainable electrification,” said Juuso Konttinen, Senior Vice President & Head of Biomaterials Growth at Stora Enso.

TracPlus, a global leader in aerial firefighting software solutions, has launched TracPlus Beacon, an innovative mobile application that transforms smartphones into advanced tracking devices. Source: Timberbiz Integrated seamlessly with the TracPlus Cloud platform, this solution extends the trusted tracking, operational oversight and safety to more asset types across land, sea, and air. It is designed to meet the needs of diverse and complex environments, providing scalable, cost-effective tracking capabilities without the need for additional hardware for assets within cellular reception. As the only commercial provider delivering a complete country-wide tracking solution for the aerial firefighting market, TracPlus continues to redefine emergency management worldwide. By leveraging a team’s smartphone, leaders can now utilise these devices as sophisticated safety tools, providing real-time location updates directly within the trusted TracPlus Cloud platform. With just a tap, users can activate real-time tracking and use the phone’s GPS to send continuous location data, even caching data when out of cellular range to upload later and ensure uninterrupted tracking. Todd O’Hara, TracPlus’ Head of Product says that this new capability is a game-changer because it extends the trusted TracPlus service to a connection that teams already carry with them—their smartphones. “The future of our industry hinges on connectivity and embracing ‘cellular over satellite’ technology is a key step. The acceleration towards ubiquitous data access, even over fire fronts, is becoming more feasible and TracPlus Beacon represents our first step to capitalise on this shift,” he said. “Looking ahead, it’s not unrealistic to see an app like TracPlus Beacon to become AFF-compatible, providing critical firefighting data including images and streaming video from fires, alongside other telemetry and analytics at volumes that existing satellite infrastructures simply cannot support.” With TracPlus Beacon, the company broadens accessibility to vital safety features by providing a straightforward way for customers to engage with the valuable insights and oversight capabilities of TracPlus Cloud. This integration with TracPlus Cloud delivers a unified operational view, offering real-time visibility that is crucial for managing remote field teams or coordinating complex logistics. As a result, customers gain a consistent and accurate overview of their operations, enabling effective safety management and operational efficiency across diverse environments. TracPlus Beacon is now universally available to all organisations, regardless of their current aircraft tracking system provider. To showcase the groundbreaking advantages and ease of integration of TracPlus Beacon, TracPlus is offering one free license to any organisation that operates aircraft anywhere in the world, including those that do not yet use the TracPlus system. This initiative invites entities to experience a major advancement in tracking technology that sets a new standard in the industry. With its commitment to innovation, TracPlus continues to redefine what’s possible in operational management and safety.

A lone rātā that appears to be striding across the landscape has taken gold in New Zealand’s tree of the year competition. Source: The Guardian The New Zealand Arboricultural Association, which runs the competition to celebrate New Zealand’s trees, said the “extraordinary” northern rātā had earned the name The Walking Tree because of its resemblance to one of JRR Tolkien’s sentient tree-like Ents. The 32-metre-tall tree, which grows near Karamea, on the west coast of the South Island, captivated the hearts and imaginations of New Zealanders with its unique appearance and fascinating life story, the association said. The tree was the clear winner in the third annual competition, gaining 42% of the total votes and beating out other well-known favourites, including the country’s most photographed tree – a willow that emerges out of Lake Wānaka and has become so recognisable it has gained its own social media hashtag: #thatwanakatree. The northern rātā is one of New Zealand’s tallest flowering trees. It begins life as an epiphyte, attached to another host tree. Eventually, its roots reach the ground and it envelops the original host. The species can live for 1,000 years. It is unclear how old the Walking Tree is, but its existence was known about as far back as 1875. Karamea local Pete Curry said his family cleared the land of trees when they arrived in the region in 1875. “The land was dense bush and my great-grandfather, and his brothers cleared it for farming,” Curry told Christchurch newspaper The Press. But they left the Walking Tree standing. “They must have thought the tree was unique because they didn’t leave anything else. They slashed and burned everything in those days.” The association’s president, Richie Hill, said the Walking Tree was a prime example of some of New Zealand’s remarkable trees. “This award recognises the significant role that trees play within our communities, not only enhancing our local environments but also providing a sense of place for past, present, and future generations.” Development West Coast chief executive, Heath Milne, said the region – largely made up of conservation land – is spoilt when it comes to trees. “But one tree stands a branch above the rest – Karamea’s Walking Tree”.  

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has launched its second discussion paper for the annual benchmark event for the construction industry, Foundations and Frontiers (FF24), focusing on the future workforce. Source: Timberbiz “At a time when industry productivity is at its lowest in 60 years, the demand for construction workers has never been higher,” ACA CEO Jon Davies said. “At the same time, the industry is facing significant workforce imbalances. “Just 12% of the construction workforce are women, highlighting a significant underutilisation of half of the potential workforce, and more people are leaving the industry than joining it. “In the eyes of the next generation of workers, construction is an industry that is stuck in the past. “If the construction industry is to survive and thrive, we need to find ways to attract more people into the industry, keep them in the industry for longer and deliver more projects with them when they are working.” The future workforce paper focuses on the themes of attraction, retention and productivity. The feedback from the discussion paper will shape the conversations at the FF24 event, set to take place in Sydney on 8 August 2024. “FF24 is more than just a platform for discussing challenges; it is dedicated to finding solutions and improved ways of working together within the industry,” said Mr Davies. “We invite all stakeholders to engage with the questions in the discussion paper and help shape the future of Australia’s construction industry at #FF24.” Download the discussion paper at FF24_Workforce-paper_Final.pdf (mymedia.delivery)  

Koondrook in the Victoria’s northwest is the latest community being assisted by the Allan Labor Government to plan a transition away from native timber harvesting. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced an investment of $500,000 for the town of Koondrook to develop a Local Development Strategy as a part of the Government’s Forestry Transition Program. “This is a chance for Koondrook to shape their future and build an economy that plays to their strengths and supports its community members. I look forward to seeing what great ideas come from them,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said. The Local Development Strategy grants program supports communities to diversify where native timber harvesting was a significant source of jobs and employment and to map out their future. The program is designed to be community led and reflect local priorities and ambitions. This approach will enable the community to plan their own future and take advantage of local skills and knowledge. Gannawarra Shire Council will enlist the support of experts to engage with locals, community groups and businesses to identify Koondrook’s strengths, assets, challenges and opportunities for innovation and economic development. This grant will enable Koondrook to undertake long-term diversification planning to support the local economy and adapt to new industries – increasing job opportunities for workers and ensuring the long-term prosperity of the community. “We identified 11 priority communities where native timber harvesting and processing has been an important source of jobs and economic activity and they have all taken up the opportunity to develop a plan for their future,” Minister Spence said. Koondrook joins 10 other Victorian towns and communities including Benalla, Noojee, and Nowa Nowa receiving support to transition and implement new strategies in their local economy. Noojee was one of towns that have received the Local Development Strategy Grant early in the program to help support the community and develop the local economy as they transitioned away from native forest timber industry. The Noojee Local Development Strategy has also received $38,500 from the Forestry Transition Program’s Community Development Fund to progress the town’s strategy work including a feasibility study for a Forestry Therapy Centre. The Local Development Strategy grants are key to the Allan Labor Government’s Forestry Transition Program, ensuring businesses, workers and communities can transition successfully away from native timber harvesting. For more information on the transition visit www.vic.gov.au/forestry  

South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mullighan delivered the Malinauskas Government’s third State Budget to Parliament with one of the key aspirations being to drive new housing for first home buyers which will be positive for South Australia’s forest industries. Source: Timberbiz “For South Australia’s forest industries, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan’s budget will drive new housing construction combined with a social housing drive that will support local manufacturers such as the forest industries and help support the over 21,000 South Australians that directly and indirectly work in the forest industries,” said Mr Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA). “The great news is the State Government is responding to the housing crisis through the abolishment of stamp duty for all first home buyers building or purchasing a newly built home, whilst also extending the first homeowner grant for another four years. “This presents an opportunity for the collaboration of the forest and construction industries to ensure these new homes are built with the ultimate renewable material – timber. “Not only will timber lower the costs of the build, but it is the only building product that can achieve a positive carbon outcome, with every cubic meter of finished softwood products sequestering a net 718kg of co2e and, so by building with timber you are not just getting a more sustainable house but supporting local jobs. “In addition, the Government has provided $24.4 million over five years to support net zero agriculture through the development and delivery of innovation, on-farm solutions and support for the upskilling of the agricultural sector to reduce emissions. “SAFPA is pleased with this commitment which is in line with our State Budget Submission request. We look forward to working with Government and PIRSA on the rollout of the important program.”

When the butter was crudely churned, it had no defined shape or size as the farmer invariably used it in their household or sold any excess to neighbours or the public at markets. It then had to be cut into the desired size. But when the factories began producing butter in commercial quantities, they began producing a standard size. A simple device made from wood and wire, a butter cutter cut a 9-pound slab (just over 4 kilograms) of butter into more manageable and saleable half-pound (just over 225 grams) blocks. Each half-pound block was wrapped in parchment paper for transport and sale. To transport the butter to various markets, factories looked for timber that didn’t taint the butter. Australian hardwoods were unsuitable because they contained tannins and oils known to taint the butter. Using a timber species that did not change the smell or taste of the butter packed inside was essential. In Victoria, they looked to New Zealand’s tallest tree, the white pine or kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides). Because white pine timber is soft, pale and odourless, it was considered ideal for butter boxes. Every three months, Victoria imported around 1,200 cubic metres of white pine from New Zealand. However, many white pine forests, which grew on accessible swamp lowlands, had already been cleared for agriculture. What remained was limited. As butter factories spread across New Zealand and export markets were secured, the country felled and milled what remained of this timber along the Waihou River. New South Wales and Queensland mainly used Australia’s hoop pine, which grew naturally in rainforests in both states. Like New Zealand’s white pine, it was known to be non-tainting. There was much controversy about the most suitable timber between the two species for butter boxes. The general opinion in Australia then was that white pine was the only timber that did not taint butter. However, they were more ambivalent overseas. The London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald wrote in 1906: “It is not the case that buyers and handlers of colonial butter here, bother themselves at all about the wood of which the boxes are made. I speak in reference to the frequent statements in the Australian papers regarding criticism of the Queensland pine boxes. I have spoken about this matter to several practical men, and they tell me that no objection has been raised to the use of these boxes, and there is no evidence that can be got at here that butter packed in Queensland pine boxes is ‘tainted’ on arrival after its long passage. English buyers prefer a white box, and the New Zealand kauri pine box would, if the point were raised, be preferred to the Queensland box, but the matter as regards this end of the business is of extreme insignificance”. In 1903-4, the newly formed Commonwealth government increased the butter export business. Queensland expected it would obtain the lion’s share of the manufacture of butter boxes because of the suitable properties of hoop pine. By 1918 of the 25 million super feet of pine required annually in Australia for butter boxes, most of it came from Queensland. The Queensland export trade in butter alone required over 1.25 million boxes per year. By 1920, as supplies of white pine dwindled due to an embargo of its export from New Zealand, the Queensland timber control authorities refused to make hoop pine available to Victorian butter box manufacturers. The Victorians were forced to substitute with hardwood. While possessing disadvantages, they believed they could meet immediate needs. Western District Co-operative Box Company, which owned the butter factory at Warrnambool, bought abandoned agricultural land in the Otways and began harvesting mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) for a short period after a neutral coating of casein was developed to reduce the risk of taint. Butter boxes were initially crudely made from wooden staves with nails holding the box together. They were continuously used until they fell into disrepair. They held 56 pounds (25.432 kilograms) of butter. As plywood manufacturing began, boxes were made with veneered wood, both band-sawn and rotary peeled and 3-plywood. They were strengthened by wire bindings. The machines used for stapling the box sides to the wire bindings were capable of producing 2,000 butter boxes every eight hours. During World War II, veneer and plywood companies were declared a Reserve Industry. Munro and Lever at Grevillea on the north coast of New South Wales made boxes using 3/16th of an inch hoop pine plywood. They produced 48,000 boxes annually, supplying butter factories at Kyogle, Ettrick, Cawongla, Wiangaree, Casino, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads and Lismore. The ply was cut to a specific size to make up the whole box, which had to be nailed onto a wooden frame about two by half an inch. E H F Swain described the uses of hoop pine in his book, The timbers and forest products of Queensland: “The pine is evenly grown, with only the mildest of growing differentiations. It is a firm, strong and fine textured coniferous softwood of the Kauri type…It has considerable toughness, but easy to cut, saw, nail, dress, glue, stain and polish, and is non-aromatic and tasteless…The hoop pine is particularly good for plys and veneers. Hoop pine is also used in the planking and decking of boats and small vessels, and with its absence of aroma is the wood par excellence for butter boxes”. As early as 1920, there were the first references in Queensland to the “grave limitations of the hoop pine forests – the chief wood asset of Queensland – the basis of its timber trade”. The major areas where hoop pine was harvested were the Yarraman, Nanango, Kilkivan, and Gympie areas. Sadly, the destruction of areas set aside as timber reservations was advocated as necessary for the agricultural development of those districts. The new Forestry Department raised a counter argument against permanently clearing hoop pine stands, stating that there were only 643 men employed in butter factories compared to 4,306 men employed in sawmills. Without hoop […]

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA) CEO, Andrew White to the role ahead of his commencement in late August 2024, AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said. Source: Timberbiz “On behalf of AFPA and the broader industry I welcome Andrew’s appointment as VFPA CEO and look forward to his advocacy for Victoria’s forest products sector as it seeks to meet numerous challenges and opportunities,” Diana Hallam said. “I also thank outgoing VFPA CEO Deb Kerr for her commitment to bettering the Victorian sector through some very challenging times for industry over the past few years. Deb has worked tirelessly on behalf of industry.” VFPA chair Rob Hescock said that Mr White brings considerable expertise in government and media relations, corporate strategy, crisis management and business development. “We are delighted to have Andrew on board,” he said. Mr White is an experienced senior executive who has spent his career in peak industry bodies and the NFP sector and has led teams to deliver numerous successful advocacy and communications campaigns of national significance, including influencing reforms to country-of-origin food labelling. As the former Deputy CEO for the national peak vegetable farming body, AUSVEG, he represented the interests of 9,000 Australian farmers for seven years, working alongside farmers all around Australia to deliver industry development programs and advocate on topics including access to labour, biosecurity, rising costs and market access. “I’m very much looking forward to joining VFPA and working with what is one of Victoria’s most important primary industry sectors. From growers through to processors and right across the supply chain, VFPA has an important role representing forestry industries that will only become more critical in the future,” Mr White said. Most recently, Mr White held the position of General Manager of Corporate Affairs at ANDHealth, Australia’s only dedicated commercialisation engine room for digital health businesses, supporting Australian-based small and medium sized enterprises, as they create and scale-up new health technologies. Mr White will commence as VFPA CEO on 26 August 2024.

The latest results for Scottish Woodlands Ltd show another successful and profitable year, with an increasing headcount and continued focus on graduate recruitment. Source: Timberbiz The company, 80%-owned by its employees, reported turnover of £111.6 million in the year to 30 September 2023, with operating profits remaining strong at £4.61 million. Scottish Woodlands Ltd is involved in the creation of around one-third of all new woodland in Scotland. Staff numbers have increased to more than 250, and six more recruits will join its Graduate Development Programme in 2024. Reflecting on the latest results, Managing Director Ian Robinson said: “The timber market, especially the demand for sawn logs, remained challenging – but all other areas of the business were strong. “Scottish Woodlands Ltd continues to be healthy, vibrant and adaptable to changing market conditions. The growing recognition of the significant environmental benefits of forestry has led to the creation of our five-strong carbon team over the last three years, with an increasing focus on peatland restoration.” He added: “The company expects to plant more than 3,000 hectares of new woodlands in Scotland in 2024 and we see a positive overall outlook with opportunities for continued business growth across the UK. Scottish Woodlands Ltd continues to invest in new staff and training programmes, as well as industry-leading equipment and technology.” “Our focus remains very clear: providing excellent service to our clients and great opportunities for our people to thrive in this vibrant industry.” Since the end of its financial year last September, Scottish Woodlands Ltd has bolstered its management structure to reflect the growth of the business with the appointment of 5 regional managers. It has also grown its carbon team, led by Carbon Manager Emma Kerr and now including Erin Stoll as Peatland Project Manager – the first appointment of its type by a mainstream forestry business. The report accompanying the results to 30 September 2023 says: “Our carbon assessment service has been strongly utilised as many businesses review their ESG [environmental, social and governance] requirements. Forestry and wood products can make a major contribution to the country in achieving net zero through tree planting, increased use of wood products and in energy production.” The new recruits to Scottish Woodlands’ Graduate Development Program this year will take the total number to 58 since the programme was launched in 2017. Mr Robinson said this focus on people – clients, customers, and suppliers, as well as staff – was at the root of Scottish Woodlands’ success. “Our graduate program is a vital part of our business, and bolstering our management team has also been a significant move which reflects the growth in the size and the breadth of the business,” he added.

The demand to use mass timber in construction is increasing as society seeks to build with more sustainable materials. Building codes and design guidance for using mass timber vary substantially country to country as does the foundation on which the local codes have been developed. Source: Timberbiz Canada, Australia, the US and some European countries have regulatory frameworks, many other countries don’t. Mass timber is a combustible construction material and may present a hazard for buildings. In a fire, exposed timber can contribute additional fuel to the fire, increasing the intensity and/or duration of the fire relative to a building of non-combustible construction and increasing the collapse risk. To support the fire safe design of mass timber buildings, Arup has developed a guide which proposes features to be incorporated into the design for residential, education and business occupancies (up to 50m tall for residential and business use and up to 25m tall for education use) which have a mass timber structure. From Arup’s experience, these types of buildings currently have the greatest demand for using mass timber in their construction. This document is primarily aimed at fire safety engineers, but also provides practical guidance for others involved in the design and construction of mass timber buildings, such as architects, clients, and contractors. To develop this guidance, Arup reviewed and analysed an extensive range of public documentation recording the fire dynamics in compartments of varying sizes and with differing degrees of exposed mass timber. Arup has previously co-funded compartment fire experiments and has undertaken a series of large-scale compartment experiments that have informed this document. Arup has also gained valuable experience through the development and statutory approval of mass timber building solutions worldwide. The Guide considers the different hazards that building users (for residential, education, and business occupancies) may experience, such as their familiarity with a building, and whether they are awake and alert or asleep. Additionally, the building height must be considered, as this can impact on firefighting operations and the time taken for occupants to evacuate. Using the existing compartment fire dynamics data available to Arup, combined with Arup’s experience in understanding the fire hazards for a building based upon the occupancy type and height, allows for a qualitative assessment of the resulting risk. Design features such as evacuation strategy, fire protection measures or encapsulation of timber, can be introduced to reduce the fire risk to occupants and firefighters. The recommendations within the Guide are applicable to CLT Panel Construction, Mass Timber Frame Construction and Timber Hybrid Structures. Other mass timber floor systems such as nail laminated timber and dowel laminated timber floor systems are not directly addressed, though this Guide may be suitable for use with these composite timber systems, and this would be at the discretion of the fire safety engineer using the Guide. The Guide is not applicable to lightweight timber frame construction. You can download the guide here.  

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced that the forestry sector has enacted two new laws to ensure the country gets maximum value from its forestry resources. Source: Loop PNG The laws, relating to the State Marketing Agency (SMA) and Purchase Option (PO) are among several initiatives that the PNG National Forestry Authority has undertaken during the last five years under the Marape Government. These laws aim to ensure that the resource owners, the people who own the land on which the trees are being harvested for export, receive greater benefits from their resources while contributing more to the county’s revenue, particularly through downstream processing. Marape highlighted these laws in a five-year anniversary report of his government presented to Parliament last week. “In forestry, we have enacted laws that will establish the SMA and PO to buy logs from permitted operators. This cuts down on other unfair trade practices, especially transfer pricing and tax evasion,” he said. “What we have done is foundational. Its impact will come given time. We’re dealing with issues in totality, not haphazardly, to achieve one outcome.” Currently, the vast majority of timber produced in the country and exported is in the form of raw logs, a trend the Marape government seeks to change by promoting downstream processing, thereby exporting finished products that fetch higher prices than raw materials, ultimately contributing to the country’s overall economic improvements.  

Stands of weather-worn macrocarpa and pine are still a common sight in rural Canterbury, New Zealand a growing number of farmers are planting native trees on their land. Conservation biologist Dr Sara Kross, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury (UC), is leading a series of projects aimed at better understanding this trend. Source: Timberbiz Her team is investigating how the conservation and rewilding potential of increased native planting can coexist alongside the commercial imperatives of farming. ‘Non-crop’ planting features such as shelterbelts, hedgerows, and bush blocks are of particular interest to the researchers. “These features provide shelter for crops and livestock, as well as preventing erosion and runoff,” Dr Kross says. “But they’re also important for biodiversity and because those habitats exist at the field margin there’s a lot more interaction with the farmland and the way it’s managed.” She sees huge potential for farmers to assist the establishment of ‘green corridors’ of native plantings across Canterbury. These pathways of habitats can provide food, water, nesting, breeding, and migration sites for native species including birds, lizards, and invertebrates. While this could significantly improve biodiversity on the plains, Dr Kross acknowledges this goal can be at odds with the commercial side of farming. “Most farmers are really passionate stewards of their land and want to leave it in better condition. At the same time, their farms are businesses and that creates a hierarchy of needs.” She hopes the new research will show that improving biodiversity and meeting economic goals needn’t be mutually exclusive. Encouragingly, similar research from around the world has shown an overall positive impact for farmers who develop native habitats on farm margins. “There aren’t just ethical or aesthetic reasons to plant natives,” says Dr Kross. “It has the potential to deliver real production and financial benefits in the long run.” While it’s not currently known how much Canterbury land is planted in non-crop features, an early part of the research will see UC PhD student Mary Buford Turnage use remote sensing technology to map existing plantings. “We’re hoping to use methods that will allow us to differentiate between the native hedgerows and the exotic shelterbelts,” says Dr Kross. “That will also help us to see where the gaps are and to map connectivity.” A number of plant nurseries now specialise in advising farmers in the choice of natives to suit their requirements. Dairy farmers might select low-growing natives like flaxes, coprosmas or pohuehue (muehlenbeckia) for hedgerows in the centre of pasture so that pivot irrigators are able to move across them. Fast growing natives can be used for shelterbelts at the edges of fields, to provide weather protection for stock and enable slower growing natives to become established. Though their research is still at the early stages, Dr Kross’s team has already discovered some farmers who want to bring native birdsong back to the plains. “We went door knocking in the Methven area in January and found two great locations that one farmer was managing,” says Dr Kross. “He’d put in native hedgerows around 10 years ago, and that level of maturity makes it an excellent field site for us.”

Big River Industries Ltd has acquired Specialised Laminators (SLQ), a renowned panel products company based in Brisbane. This strategic move enhances Big River’s panel product offerings and strengthens its presence in the industry. Source: Timberbiz SLQ, established in 1977, has earned a reputation for producing high-quality decorative and functional panel products. SLQ’s products are highly regarded in the construction and architectural sectors. The acquisition will allow customers to access an expanded range of premium panel solutions through Big River’s Timberwood Panels division nationally, combining the strengths of both companies to deliver superior products and services. “Bringing SLQ into the Big River family is a significant milestone in our mission to offer top-quality panel products to our customers,” said John Lorente, CEO of Big River Group. “This acquisition allows us to expand our specialised Panels Division, providing customers with a broader selection of innovative and high-performance panel solutions. The synergies between SLQ and Big River create exciting opportunities for growth and product development.” John Closter, one of SLQ’s founders, and Wayne Austin, General Manager, will continue to lead the business under the Big River umbrella, ensuring continuity and leveraging their expertise to drive future success. “Joining Big River Group is an exciting new chapter for SLQ. We are confident that our combined expertise and resources promise enhanced product availability, improved supply chain efficiencies, and innovative panel solutions tailored to meet diverse construction needs,” said Mr Closter. Big River has been operating for over 120 years, manufacturing and distributing timber and steel formwork products, timber flooring, building products, structural plywood and related timber products. It also distributes a broad range of other building products, including MaxiWall and MaxiFloor, primarily to the commercial, residential and infrastructure construction market segments. “We are thrilled to become part of Big River, a company that shares our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Our customers can look forward to an expanded product range and enhanced service capabilities,” Mr Austin said. For more information, visit www.bigrivergroup.com.au

New Zealand’s electricity sector could be transformed by a radical new approach to keeping trees off power lines, says a King Country-based energy distributor. The Lines Company (TLC), based in Te Kūiti, has undertaken its first successful trial of the heli-saw – a specialised tree-trimming saw hanging from a helicopter. Source: Timberbiz The heli-saw, owned by Lakeview Helicopters in Taupō, was trialled by TLC in a forestry block in Kuratau near Taupō last month. In just over an hour the heli-saw successfully trimmed 950 metres of radiata pine along a corridor housing a 33kV network line. Material was left at the base of the trees, leaving two blocks of trees – nine years and 14 years – undamaged. TLC’s vegetation manager Jason Gaukrodger said the trial was “sensational”, saving the company weeks and weeks of work and thousands of dollars. It proved the heli-saw technology had incredible potential, he said. “I had high expectations, but this blew me out of the water in terms of how efficient it was. It was much faster than I anticipated, and the pilots had incredible control. This technology has the potential to be transformational for electricity distribution companies like ours, as well as for the forestry sector.” TLC chief executive Mike Fox said for customers the potential benefits could be huge. TLC services 24,000 connections across some of New Zealand’s most challenging geographical terrain. Around 10% of its network – approximately 150,000 hectares – is covered in forestry blocks, some poorly maintained. The company had 269km of power lines running through forestry blocks as well as 106km of line through Department of Conservation (DoC) land. It was an ongoing battle to keep trees clear of power lines, making the network vulnerable to storms and weather events. “Cyclone Gabrielle is a good example of what can happen. Across our network we sustained around $1.65 million in damage just from that one event, and the vast majority of that cost was from trees falling into lines,” Mr Fox said. “In a normal year, we’d invest around NZ$1.6 million in vegetation management but in the future, we will need to invest more because of increasingly volatile weather patterns and the increase in commercial forestry. Over the next 10 years, we’ve budgeted a further NZ$200,000 to NZ$600,000 per annum to keep trees away from power lines and in some cases, reroute some lines away from trees completely. “Those costs are huge, and at TLC we don’t have a big customer base to spread them across. The financial impact is significant, costing each customer on average NZ$60 to NZ$90 per year.” TLC will continue to trial the heli-saw technology later this month in a plantation forest south of Piopio in the King Country. A 2.6km corridor through a commercial forest will be trimmed, with support from the forestry owners. Mr Gaukrodger said the forestry sector was invited to see the heli-saw in action at Kuratau and left impressed. TLC would continue to work alongside foresters, he said. “This technology helps both TLC and forestry owners manage the risk from trees and does so cost-effectively, especially in steep or hard-to-access terrain. The other option is felling the trees completely, but removing edge trees opens up forestry blocks to wind. We can send arborists in to trim trees but we are literally looking at weeks and weeks of work. With this technology, weather permitting, we’re talking hours.” Mr Gaukrodger said when considering the heli-saw, safety was TLC’s primary concern. Heli-saws from Lakeview Helicopters are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for use under H125 B3E and AS350 B2 helicopters. “We began looking at this technology a few years ago so have had time to think about every facet of safety. We’ve put a huge amount of time into health and safety documentation and into developing a helicopter guide for use on our network. The trial itself also involved a site-specific health and safety management plan,” he said. He is optimistic the upcoming trial at the end of this month will again showcase what can be achieved. “This is a tool desperately needed by our industry and none of us want it to fail. It has the potential to transform the way we manage vegetation and that’s important for TLC because across our network, more and more land is now going into commercial forest. It also allows us to reduce safety risk because we’re not having arborists up trees for extended periods of time, sometimes in challenging terrain.” Heli-saws have the potential to help distribution companies better manage faults, he said. “If a tree brings a line down and if weather permits, we could trim the whole corridor, doing the job once and doing it properly. We have to get ahead of the game and used appropriately, this could be a game-changer for us and the wider sector.” Mr Fox said TLC was keen to share its learnings and experience of the technology with other parts of the sector.

FSC ANZ hosted its 17th Annual General Meeting on 30 May, marking a significant milestone with the celebration of 30 years of FSC globally under the theme ‘ FSC for Life.’ The event, held in Canberra and attended by members both in person and online, highlighted the organisation’s achievements and set its future direction. Source: Timberbiz The meeting provided an opportunity to delve into FSC’s International and national priorities, explore the alignment with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and highlight the achievements of the FSC (ANZ) team across the organisation’s policy, promotional licencing, and brand awareness work. Discussions also focused on the challenges facing the organisation and its future direction, while the Board could present a remarkable financial turnaround for the organisation and a very positive outlook for the coming years. FSC ANZ celebrated the contributions of outgoing directors Mike Thompson and Alfred ‘Parry’ Aguis, for their support and guidance throughout such a successful year and welcomed new and returning directors, namely, Jon Dee and Stuart Blanch in the Environment Chamber, Suzanne Feary, Scott McLean and Rachael Cavanagh in the Social chamber and Michelle McAndrews and James Felton-Taylor in the Economic chamber. The current Board of Directors comprises: Social Chamber: Suzanne Feary, Scott McLean, Rachael Cavanagh Economic Chamber: James Felton-Taylor, Carlie Porteous, Michelle McAndrew Environment Chamber: Nicky Moffat, Stuart Blanch, Jon Dee The event featured special guest presenters Vanja Kitanovic from HVP Plantations, who explored the organisation’s 20 years of FSC certification and the collaborative work they have done with FSC. Michael Brand, Forestry Extension Officer at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade Northern Territory Government of Australia showed an incredible video showcasing the Birany Birany community forestry project led by the NT Government and University of Sunshine Coast with the support of FSC ANZ and other organisations.

Forestry Corporation has embarked on a seed collection program to safeguard some of the most iconic forests in New South Wales. The giant eucalypt forests of the NSW high country dominated by Alpine Ash were severely impacted by the Black Summer bushfires. Source: Timberbiz The species, despite its enormous dimensions is highly susceptible to fire and large tracts of mature trees died in more than half of the species’ distributions across the forest estate. A similar outcome was also recorded for the species White Ash, which occurs in tableland and coastal forests of southern NSW. Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis), growing up to 70-metres in height, and White Ash (Eucalyptus fraxinoides), growing up to 40-metres, are ‘obligate seeders’ meaning the trees die after exposure to fire, even where the fires are not hot or intense. The species regenerate solely on seeds stored in soil or the tree canopy. This means after a single fire, ash trees can regenerate in large numbers, however, the regenerating forest is vulnerable to future fires until it has matured to develop seed itself, which occurs after 20 years. Forestry Corporation’s Southern Resources Supervisor Joel Dawson said there is now a risk that future wildfires could impact both species’ survival. “Having a seed bank for these species will be crucial in the event of another fire. This is why it is so important that Forestry Corporation builds an insurance seed store,” Mr Dawson said. “The collection of Alpine Ash seed has centred around Bago and Maragle state forests near Tumbarumba as these populations are most of risk of repeat fires,” he said. To ensure these species will continue to inhabit our forests a seed program was initiated, which identifies where mature trees in the forest are carrying seed and flowering. “We have had staff conducting surveys of flowering for a couple of years now and we are expecting good seed crops in the coming years based on those surveys,” Mr Dawson said. Forestry Corporation has contracted trained arborists who specialise in seed collection and extraction to scale the ash trees and prune seed pods from the canopy. “We collect from healthy trees through a light pruning of about 30-50% of the canopy. It’s a one-time collection operation from each tree and then we record their location and exclude them from future seed collection programs,” Mr Dawson said. “We need to preserve these important species from not just fires, but also pests and weeds that threaten the health of the forest. “We will also look to use these seed stores to actively regenerate areas where we identify poor regeneration following the 2019/2020 bushfires.” So far this year, White Ash seed collection has occurred on the Far South Coast and Alpine Ash seed collection has been completed in Maragle State Forest. “We have monitored the forests over the past few years to pinpoint the flowering events and found and harvested these seeds collecting 25-kilograms of white ash seed to restore the stock,” Mr Dawson said. The seeds are extracted from pods through a drying process in a rotary kiln and then stored in a cool room at Eden. “It’s an extensive process where nearly a tonne of seed pods produces about 25 kilograms of seed, which is just enough to fill three buckets,” Mr Dawson said. “Eucalypt seeds are very small, and despite the massive size of the mature trees an Alpine Ash seed is only 2-3mm in size once extracted,” he said. After the 2019/2020 bushfires some harvesting occurred in the burnt Ash forests, which allowed some of the dead timber to be utilised before it degraded, but that harvesting has now finished. Regeneration surveys following the fires are being conducted by drones to determine if any additional rehabilitation and seed sowing might be required to regenerate the forest. Find out more about Forestry Corporation at www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Leading chainsaw brand, STIHL, has launched STIHL Chainsaw Safety Week in Australia from 3-9 June to build awareness of the necessary safety precautions for operating a chainsaw this winter and beyond. Source: Timberbiz With almost one thousand chainsaw injuries reported in Australia each year, STIHL Chainsaw Safety Week seeks to address a need for better education around safe chainsaw use. Managing Director of STIHL Australia, Leeson Brook, recognised the need for education tailored to Australian chainsaw users. “At STIHL, we’re committed to making sure that Australians are putting their safety first. As Australia’s most trusted brand for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment, we recognise we have a role to play to support the safe use of these essential tools,” Mr Brook said. “Through our dealerships across the country, STIHL Australia has been providing in-person education to Australians for years. We’re proud to make it even more accessible for users through online educating content to make sure all Australians are using the proper protective equipment when they’re operating a chainsaw.” STIHL launched the campaign with a donation to the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), supporting its Monash unit as one of the busiest VICSES units across Victoria. With more than 660 requests for assistance over ‘tree down’ emergencies in FY24, the Monash unit was the most heavily impacted following storms in mid-February this year. With chainsaw safety grounded in community engagement, the donation will help accredited VICSES crews to continue providing on-the-ground support to communities around Victoria, reducing the risk of Victorians tackling dangerous hazards. As the control agency of flood and storm, VICSES volunteers harness their extensive training and substantial experience of Chainsaw Operations, to safely support communities and remove trees down over roads and properties and help to repair building damage. The past three years have been three of the busiest years’ in VICSES history following severe storms, major flooding and numerous deployments supporting storms or flood ravaged communities across the country. VICSES Deputy Chief Officer Readiness and Response, Alistair Drayton, said that the donation is greatly appreciated in supporting communities around Victoria through difficult situations. “We’re pleased to support National Chainsaw Safety Week and are very grateful to STIHL for the donation of $10,000 worth of chainsaws which will go to some of our volunteer units across Victoria,” said Mr Drayton. STIHL has extended the impact of the safety awareness campaign nationally, rolling out educational resources and support online and via its dealership network. The resources include an interactive opportunity for chainsaw users around Australia to assess their knowledge of proper safety practices, with the opportunity to enter a prize draw for those committing to their safety. The major prize winner will receive a battery chainsaw and PPE package, valued up to $2,548, with five further winners winning a Chainsaw PPE kit worth $361. STIHL’s commitment to community further extends through its dealership network, providing professional advice and services to maintain a standard of care across over 600 dealerships nationwide. To find out more about STIHL Australia’s inaugural Chainsaw Safety Week, visit https://www.stihlchainsawsafety.com.au/

Australia’s forest industry can now celebrate the removal of the ‘water rule’ that for years has deterred new timber plantings participating in the Emissions Reduction Fund. Source: Timberbiz As of 1 June 2024, the water rule that had added conditions that plantation forestry needed to meet to participate in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme has been removed. The removal of the “water rule” was a Labor Party election promise prior to the 2022 Federal Election and following a consultation process 1 June 2024, was confirmed in July last year as the ‘rule’s’ end date. “This week is a great week for Australia’s forestry industry,” AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam said. “The removal of the water rule means plantation and farm forestry projects will now be treated the same as other carbon methods and not excluded from many areas that are suitable for tree planting,” she said. “The removal of the water rule will now enable farmers in many areas to invest in trees, diversify their income and create market options to help them achieve net zero. “It’s a Berlin Wall sized barrier coming down that for years has hindered new investment in much needed timber trees. Ms Hallam said the removal of the restrictions nationally was great news because Australia desperately needed new production tree plantings to grow future timber and wood fibre supply and decarbonise the economy. “Just last month, AFPA released How Timber Can Help Solve Australia’s Housing Crisis, a plan for how our sector can help supply the timber to build 50,000 much needed new homes, to help solve Australia’s housing crisis. “The removal of the water rule is one very important cog in the wheel of success towards this goal,” she said. “We thank the Albanese Government, in particular Ministers Murray Watt, Chris Bowen and Tanya Plibersek, for honoring its 2022 election commitment to remove the water rule, as well as the Coalition for taking the same policy to the election. This recognition and bipartisan support for industry investment is very important for our sector. “AFPA will continue to work with Minister Watt and the rest of the Government on how to leverage the removal of the water rule, including through the plantation establishment grants and other policies relevant the boosting the forestry sector,” Ms Hallam said.