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Norm Arkell runs beef cattle and Boer goats on his 420ha property in Mendooran near Dubbo, in Central NSW. The property has been in his family since 1978. The family run a diversified operation with just over half the property managed under a Private Native Forestry plan (PNF plan) and the remainder grazed for beef cattle and Boer goats. Source: Timberbiz In the past, drought reduced the carrying capacity of Pine Ridge and the family were hand-feeding their stock for more than two years. With the help of Local Land Services, Norm implemented a PNF plan to manage his private native forest. He was able to develop an additional income stream that helped pay for improved watering systems and fodder for his livestock, while improving forest health and reducing overcrowding. To increase the productivity of Pine Ridge in a sustainable manner so the property is better prepared for dry times. During a past drought event, the productivity at Pine Ridge was significantly affected, requiring de-stocking of their cattle and goats. Dams on the property were running low and the Arkells were handfeeding their remaining stock for two years. The ongoing drought affected the health of the private native forest area which was exacerbated by overcrowding due to an absence of forest management. Competition for nutrient and water resources meant trees were of poorer quality for timber production. Some species were struggling from the continuing conditions, including a species of She-oaks (Allocasurina) used as a feed source for a colony of vulnerable Glossy-black-cockatoos known to frequent the property. Local Land Services supported Pine Ridge to gain approval for and utilise harvesting on the private native forest which covers almost half of their property. The PNF plan on Pine Ridge operates under the Cypress and Western Hardwood PNF Code. The timber, mainly Ironbark, is harvested for fencing, decking and firewood. Through this process, good forest management was put into place, in part due to the strong relationship developed between the Arkells and harvesting contractor, Dan Clissold of Pilliga Natural Timbers. Harvesting is done sustainably with the aim of improving the forest’s long-term quality and health. At each event: a low-intensity approach ensures a profitable amount of timber is removed but not overharvested younger or smaller trees are identified and retained for future harvests the thinning effect of the harvesting provides light and space for trees to grow to a viable size existing and potential habitat trees are marked and conserved. Using a PNF plan at Pine Ridge improved: income streams and cash flow for Pine Ridge ongoing timber and jobs for Pilliga Natural Timbers health and growth of protected She-oaks at Pine Ridge. The income stream from the forest harvesting is very important to the overall viability of the property, helping fund fodder and extra water troughs during drought and other farm improvements in good years. The low-intensity approach to harvesting ensures harvesting and the income it provides is long-term. Sustainable management of the private native forest will produce a regular harvesting event every 20-30 years. This provides an ongoing timber source for Tamworth-based company, Pilliga Natural Timbers and jobs for several of its employees during a two-to-three-week harvest period on Pine Ridge. A section of the private native forest was excluded from harvesting because it had a high concentration of She-oaks (Allocasurina) which are a key feed source for Glossy-black Cockatoos. All She-oaks within the harvesting area were also retained as a requirement of the PNF Code. These She-oaks have been impacted by drought and overcrowding of the forest, however harvesting adjacent to these trees will not only encourage germination of new seedlings but will also promote the health and growth of the existing trees, providing ongoing food resources for the cockatoos. The Arkells have worked with Local Land Services to help reverse some of the historical impacts of overgrazing including poor soil fertility and high acidity levels and have attended courses on livestock management methods like cell grazing. Further work supported by Local Land Services includes: managing and integrating their forest and farming resources to become more profitable and sustainable succession planning and transferring ownership of PNF plan from one generation to the next. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JjhtL423H0&t=5s

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A dozen of the world’s top timber engineers toured one of Australia’s largest commercial pine plantations, HQPlantations, as part of a Queensland mass timber and forestry tour before the WCTE in Brisbane last week. Source: Jason Ross WoodCentral Hosted by Simon Dorries, CEO of Responsible Wood – the country’s largest forest certification scheme – Dorries took WCTE delegates on a tour of the HQPlantation Southern Pine Plantation, where they visited Wild Horse Mountain look out and a harvest site. “More than 300,000 hectares of HQ Plantations is currently certified under the Responsible Wood scheme, which is endorsed by PEFC International,” Mr Dorries said. “In addition, we toured the University of Sunshine Coast’s (UniSC) Moreton Bay Campus Mass Timber Extension project, where we spoke to one of the project architects, Dr Andrew Magub from Kirk Studio and Callum Lillywhite from Aurcon.” Opened last year, the $100m mass timber extension is part of more than $300m in capital works that have been spent on the UniSC Moreton Bay Campus to date. Built by Badge Construction, the three buildings feature a prefabricated mass timber superstructure, combining HESS Timber’s PEFC-certified glulam and Xlam’s PEFC-certified cross-laminated timber. According to Richard Kirk, the principal of KIRK Studio, using both prefabrication and mass timber “has proven to sequester carbon using renewable timber feedstock to significantly reduce construction time, reduce waste, and support safer and quieter construction sites.” Mr Kirk, who has been responsible for designing almost all mass timber buildings in Queensland said “the exposed timber structure, generous windows and large light-filled atriums produce an entirely new open typology for UniSC — fit for a young university unconstrained by traditional ways,” adding that “the design showcases the University as an active, growing campus and produces a sense of gravity – drawing in students, staff and community members alike.”

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Ikea has bought up more South Island farmland to plant in pine forest, as the Government moves to stop the emissions trading scheme slashing food production. Source: The Press The Swedish-founded global furniture and homewares giant, which will open its first New Zealand store in Auckland this year, is one of the world’s biggest users of timber. Through its subsidiary Ingka Investments, the Ikea Group has bought almost 1500 hectares of land in Marlborough and Otago in the past few months after gaining permission from the Overseas Investment Office (OIO). It has paid about NZ$18 million for the farmland. The purchases bring the total amount of rural New Zealand land owned by Ikea to 27,000 hectares, which accounts for about 8.5% of all its forestry land globally. Most of the company’s timber is grown in Europe. Last month the Government introduced its Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Bill to Parliament, which is expected to take effect from October, with some rules retrospective. The new law would tighten rules allowing productive farmland to qualify for the carbon emissions trading scheme when planted in non-native forest. Recent research shows more than 300,000ha of New Zealand farmland have been converted to forestry since January 2017, resulting in the loss of more than two million stock units. Conversions have accelerated as farmers rush to plant forest or sell land to beat the law change. Ikea’s Marlborough farmland purchase is a 1282ha block of land on Saltwater Rd in the Wairau Valley. While the exact price has not yet been disclosed, it is understood to be in the region of NZ$11m. Most of the property is in use as a sheep and beef grazing farm. According to the OIO report, Ingka Investments will convert 1136ha into a commercial radiata pine plantation. Ingka has also bought 812ha of a property called Skyeburn Farm, in the Owaka Valley in Clutha District in Otago. The price paid was NZ$6.84m. The property includes 643ha used for sheep and beef breeding and as a finishing station. Ingka will plant 657 hectares in pinus radiata. Planting on both the Wairau Valley and Owaki Valley blocks will begin this year. Ikea spokesman Felix Őstman told The Press they will sell the timber harvested in New Zealand on the open market, and only some of it will go into Ikea products. He said they have chosen New Zealand because it presents a good inter-generational investment opportunity, “but also to take a leadership position in responsible forest management in the country”. Őstman said while Ikea mostly buys existing forests, it has recently bought farmland when established forestry is scarce. It was planting mostly pine but would set aside about 10% of forest for other species it would not fell including redwood, beech, totara and manuka, he said. “We do not purchase or plant forests to participate in carbon farming to generate and sell carbon credits from its forestland. “We are not in it for carbon credits. Our focus is on ensuring these forests are managed responsibly and contribute positively to the local environment and communities.” “We do not purchase or plant forests to participate in carbon farming to generate and sell carbon credits from its forestland. “We are not in it for carbon credits. Our focus is on ensuring these forests are managed responsibly and contribute positively to the local environment and communities.”

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Efforts to decarbonise freight transport in the South East of South Australia are being accelerated through a State Government supported project aimed at helping the State’s forest industries to reach net zero targets. Source: SE Voice The State Government is investing $200,000 towards the Decarbonising the Freight Task – Driving to Net Zero project, a joint South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) and Tabeel Trading Nominees venture. The funding, provided under the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan, supports the State Government’s vision of decarbonising forest freight to further reduce carbon emissions across one of the hardest-to-abate sectors – heavy freight transport. Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven said at a time when economies around the world and in Australia are seeking to decarbonise, the forest industry has a key role to play. “Electrification of the freight network is a fantastic potential opportunity, obviously South Australia, Australia more broadly and around the world is trying to decarbonise and move towards net zero here in SA and decarbonising the freight task is a significant part of that,” she said. “Through Tabeel Trading and South Australian Forest Products Association’s proposed project they are going to be looking at what is needed for that to be able to occur. “We know that electric vehicles are the way of the future, the question is ‘can they be applied to the forest industry and if so, how soon?’ “Having a vision to be a future-focused, circular industry with globally recognised skills and innovation will ensure that our forest industries are ideally placed to grow and thrive in the coming decades, benefitting all South Australians.” The project will include new technologies aimed at reducing reliance on diesel, with the end goal to decarbonise forestry’s freight trucks through electrification, which will deliver substantial carbon savings. Funding will support stage one of the project by developing an evidence-based decarbonisation roadmap for South Australia’s forest freight fleet, detailed cost-benefit analysis of alternative freight technologies including the modelling of emission reductions, a freight logistics and charging/refuelling infrastructure blueprint and policy, regulatory and investment recommendations aligned to state and national climate targets and Master Plan priorities. Subject to the findings from stage one and the availability of vehicles and infrastructure, stage two will see the project progress to a live demonstration phase to validate modelling results under operational forest freight conditions. South Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Nathan Paine said the project has the potential to drive transformative change, supporting the decarbonisation of heavy vehicles not only in forestry but right across South Australia, the nation and even globally. “This is almost stage two of the industry looking to decarbonise, stage one was Fennell Forestry’s electric log truck trial and that showed some really great promise,” he said. “This next piece is really about industry coming together and figuring out what that next road map is for decarbonising. “It is not just looking at electrification, it is also looking at the other alternative fuels as the trajectory towards electrification … this project funded by Minister Scriven is looking at everything from biofuel to alternative renewable diesel. “The learnings and solutions we develop will not just help our industry – they can accelerate decarbonisation throughout the broader heavy vehicle freight sector. “Importantly, we are also involving Primary Producers South Australia as the peak state farming organisation, the South Australian Freight Council and the South Australian Road Transport Association so obviously we will start in the Green Triangle with the forest industries, but we want to make sure the benefits, and the learnings are shared across the state and across the industries. “Stage one is envisaged to take up to 12 months and then the ambitious plan is to get some trucks on the road in about 12 months’ time. “We would have liked them a little bit earlier but speaking to OEM manufacturers like Scania there is significant demand for these trucks in Europe and actually getting us into their production schedule is important, but that conversation is already under way.” Tabeel Trading Nominees (TTN) general manager Adrian Flowers added that TTN’s trucks travel over 3.3 million kilometres every year meaning even modest improvements in emissions can deliver significant carbon savings. “This project is not just about understanding how electric trucks operate in our region; it’s about creating a practical roadmap for how South Australia – and indeed Australia – can decarbonise freight in complex regional operations,” he said. “Australia is a big place and as soon as you move away from the cities and the distances that we travel, the overall net weight that we fall on our heavy vehicle combinations, it is much higher than what it is anywhere else in the world so the sheer size and distance that we travel is probably the biggest obstacle we need to overcome. “Here in the South East of South Australia we’re very, very fortunate the distance between our resource; the forest, and to our various mills here locally enables us to come up with strategic plans to limit the distance, get creative about what our shifts look like in our trucks and that will eliminate some of those challenges.” The Decarbonising the Freight Task project aligns with the Master Plan’s goal of developing a clean and green circular economy. The South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan, launched in February 2024, was developed by the Forest Industries Advisory Council of South Australia (FIAC-SA) as part of a State Government election commitment to provide a vision to further grow and develop South Australia’s $3b forest industry.

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Dr Dean Meason, a senior scientist with the Scion group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, has been named New Zealand Institute of Forestry’s 2025 Forester of the Year. Source: Timberbiz The award recognises Dean’s outstanding contribution to forest hydrology research, which has provided insights that are shaping the future of forestry and water management around New Zealand. From 2019 – 2024, Dr Meason led Scion’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded Forest Flows research programme, which provides a more accurate picture of what’s happening to the water in New Zealand’s forests and helps inform regional freshwater policy development and land-use decisions in a changing climate. Post-2024 support from Forest Growers Research is focussed on developing a forest hydrology toolkit for foresters. Dr Meason and his team have further MBIE funding (through the Catalyst fund) to collaborate with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on continued research. This new program, focussed on the Aupōuri Peninsula’s Te Hiku region (Northland), will use data from NASA satellite missions to find a new way to accurately measure water use for different land uses and how it varies across the region. This research will provide new insights for freshwater management at scales previously not thought possible. Dr Meason has a PhD from the University of Hawaii, a Master of Science from the University of Georgia in the US and a forestry science honours degree from the University of Canterbury. He has been with Scion since 2009.

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AFPA CEO Diana Hallam said the delivery of a Timber Fibre Strategy was a key commitment of the Labor Party at the 2022 Federal Election. Australian Forests and Wood Innovations’ Dr Joseph Lawrence says the strategy highlights the importance of science in addressing challenges. Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia, said the Strategy provides a clear signal that science-led forest management and a resilient forest sector are central. Source: Timberbiz “So, we’re happy that it’s come to fruition after three years of work from the Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership that was created to inform its development,” Ms Hallam said. “We welcome (the) recognition that the strategy points to a bigger role for the forestry sector in tackling national housing challenges and the Government’s housing agenda. “This is a major issue of the times, and we stand ready to increase our contribution to the national effort. “Australia and other countries around the world are seeking to replace more emissions-intensive building materials with sustainable timber to achieve their climate targets. “More recognition of the environmental benefits of timber will ensure the industry can grow and succeed, sustaining many local jobs and boosting regional economies. “A strong future for both plantation and native forestry along with the rest of the supply chain in processing and manufacturing is key to the Timber Fibre Strategy. AFPA will work with all levels of government and industry stakeholders to progress the Strategy’s actions going forward.” AFWI Executive Director Dr Joseph Lawrence said the strategy highlights the importance of science-informed innovation in addressing challenges such as housing supply, fibre availability, and the transition to a low-emissions economy. “The Timber Fibre Strategy recognises the need for coordinated, research-backed solutions to support the future of Australia’s forest and wood products sector,” Dr Lawrence said. “AFWI is committed to delivering practical, transformative solutions that helps meet the evolving needs of industry and Australia more broadly. “Our role is to ensure that research investment supports innovation across the full value chain, from growing and processing, to product development and market end use.” The strategy identifies six national priorities for the sector: building sovereign manufacturing capability and capacity; meeting demand for timber fibre resources; healthy forests, actively managed; attracting and engaging people and other industry enablers; supporting and growing regional communities; and innovating the timber fibre value chain. These priorities closely align with AFWI’s focus – AFWI’s research is strongly informed by the needs of industry and shaped through ongoing collaboration with stakeholders. “We’re fuelled and ready to help turn the vision of the Timber Fibre Strategy into action,” Dr Lawrence said. Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia, said the strategy provides a clear signal that science-led forest management and a resilient forest sector are central to Australia’s future. “As the professional association representing forest scientists and professionals, we are particularly encouraged by the Strategy’s strong emphasis on science, good ecological practice and evidence-based decision-making,” Dr Freeman said. “It rightly recognises that active, well-informed forest management is vital for healthy, resilient forests and that these forests provide essential benefits not just for the wood products sector, but for biodiversity, communities and the climate.” Forestry Australia said the Strategy represents a roadmap to capitalise on the vast opportunities held within the forest sector to support healthy forests, solve the housing crisis and deliver a future made in Australia. It builds on the Australian government’s recent welcome investments in research, development and future workforce capacity — including $10 million for the Forestry Workforce Training Program, and support through the Support Plantation Establishment Program. “Forestry Australia is proud to be delivering the Women in Forestry and Forest Industries Mentoring Program as part of the Forestry Workforce Training Program investment — a practical initiative supporting diversity, professional development and the next generation of forest sector leaders,” Dr Freeman said. “We commend the Government for backing innovation, skills and long-term capacity.” The Strategy acknowledges the vital role that healthy forests and carbon-storing wood products play in meeting Australia’s emissions reduction targets and addressing climate change — a recognition warmly welcomed by Forestry Australia. “Forests and forest science are key to a climate-positive future. We look forward to continuing to work with government and stakeholders to deliver the best possible outcomes for forests, people and the planet,” Dr Freeman said. Australian Forest Contractors Association CEO Tim Lester said the Strategy recognised that future success would draw together products, production and people. “The Strategy highlights that there are opportunities and challenges facing the sector. It also shows how governments and all parts of the industry can work together to deliver healthy forests, thriving regional communities and successful businesses. “Pleasingly the document acknowledges the importance of forest services businesses as critical participants in the supply chain, and that their success is key for a sustainable and growing timber fibre sector. “We also note the acknowledgement of the role played by forestry certification, such as AFCA’s world-leading ForestFit standard and certification scheme, to support responsible and ethical supply chains while also providing assurance of environmental, social and economic sustainability. “Our congratulations to Minister Collins and the members of the Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership for this significant piece of work. “AFCA looks forward to continuing to work with government and industry colleagues to achieve the aims of this Strategy and keep delivering the sustainable products that Australians want and need.” “Our forest products sector has a unique opportunity to provide sustainable, high-quality, carbon-sequestering products that Australians need,” the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said. She said the $300 million investment was already delivering on some of the objectives outlined in the Strategy. But she said the Government understands there is more that can be done. “I’m excited to use the Timber Fibre Strategy to work with the industry, and with states and territories, to maximise the benefits of this investment, and to leverage other opportunities across government to lift the productivity of the forestry sector. “I have already provided a copy of the Timber Fibre […]

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The Federal Government will invest $300 million in the future of the forestry industry as part of a Timber Fibre Strategy which sets out a pathway for the future growth of the industry. Source: Timberbiz The Timber Fibre Strategy sets out 128 ambitious actions for industry and governments to help build a sustainable, world leading sector with products that are in demand domestically and internationally. The Strategy’s development was led by the Government’s Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership and guided by close consultation across the forestry sector. The Timber Fibre Strategy charts a course for the forestry industry to embrace the future and help solve challenges facing the forestry industry, and the nation. A key opportunity identified in the Strategy is for the forestry sector to play a bigger role in tackling Australia’s housing challenges and delivering on the Government’s ambitious housing agenda. The $300 million investment includes: More than $100 million for transformative research, development and innovation for the timber industry through Australian Forest and Wood Innovations, More than $100 million to support the medium and long-term sustainability of our wood processing sector through the Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation program, More than $73 million to expand Australia’s future wood supply through the Support Plantation Establishment program, and $10 million in the industry’s training needs through the Forestry Workforce Training Program. The Strategy also includes six priority areas and sets out 128 actions which cover and address key issues facing the sector: Building sovereign timber fibre manufacturing capability and capacity Meeting demand for timber fibre resources Healthy forests, actively managed Attracting and engaging people and other industry enablers Supporting and growing regional communities Innovating the timber fibre value chain The Government will work closely with the industry, and with states and territories, to respond to the Strategy. The Timber Fibre Strategy is available at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry/industries/strategic-forest-and-renewable-materials-partnership/timber-fibre-strategy

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