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Two Scion research projects have been awarded Catalyst: Seeding funding for projects in collaboration with United States and United Kingdom research organisations. Source: Timberbiz Principal scientists Dr Michael Watt and Dr Brian Richardson were behind the successful projects which will both run for two years and involve international exchanges. Catalyst: Seeding facilitates pre-research strategic partnerships to develop into full collaborations. The fund covers expenses related to travel, workshops, accommodation, and some research. Fourteen of the 94 applications in the recent funding round were successful. Scion received two of these. Dr Richardson’s project is titled New models to underpin the potential of precision aerial agrichemical application. It aims to develop a new generation of aerial agrichemical modelling tools. Existing models for aerial application of agrichemicals like fertiliser and pesticides do not have the resolution needed to support highly accurate unmanned aerial spraying systems (UASS). The project team wants to develop new modelling tools to help transition aerial agrichemical application to precision technologies like UASS. The new tools will balance enhanced environmental protection with the need for cost-effective pest management and primary production systems, reduce agrichemical use and increase precision and improve results. The project is in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS). ARS manages a spray application simulation model released in the late 1980s and the project will develop a new and enduring collaboration between ARS and Scion. This collaboration will underpin the development of new models and facilitate knowledge exchanges. The project has been awarded funds over two years to facilitate a workshop in Houston, Texas involving Scion, ARS researchers and other collaborators, as well as exchanges to contribute to developing a research program to advance the science behind a new model. Alongside Dr Richardson, Tara Strand, Wayne Schou and Justin Nairn are the other Scion staff who will go to Texas, while Scion will host Harold Thistle, Heping Zhu, Stephen Foster and Bradley Fritz from ARS. Other potential collaborators will also be invited to attend this first workshop. It will ultimately lead to more cost-effective use of agrichemicals, less off-target drift, new tools to sustain productivity, improved management options and more cost-effective regulatory processes. Dr Watt’s project is titled Simulating wind and disease risk using digital twins in New Zealand forests. It explores how to mitigate wind risk and damage in key New Zealand plantation species using wind-risk models combined with a digital twin. Scion will collaborate with Forest Research in Roslin, United Kingdom on the project, drawing on their expertise constructing digital twins. Advanced wind-risk models from Forest Research will be integrated into digital twin models of forests to explore how things like varied plantation layout and stand density can mitigate wind risk in two key plantation species in New Zealand. The digital twin approach will also be used to simulate the impact of disease on growth and how this interacts with wind risk and stand structure. This could be used to guide specific management changes that could lead to disease resilience. The project was awarded $60,000 over two years to facilitate Scion hosting two visits from Dr Juan Suarez and Tom Locatelli from Forest Research and sending Remote Sensing and GIS scientists Michael and Nicolo Camarretta to Forest Research to develop models. Scion will draw on Forest Research’s expertise in digital twin construction through the project to develop a common methodology applicable to both NZ and the UK.  

Through a collaboration between the Central Coast Council and Sustainable Timber Tasmania, the future of Castra Falls has been confirmed for the benefit of the local community. Source: Timberbiz The Central Coast Council has signed a lease agreement with Sustainable Timber Tasmania, allocating responsibility for the care and management of Castra Falls and its surrounding area, totalling approximately 48 hectares, to the Council. This arrangement establishes the area as a public recreational reserve for the community’s enjoyment. Situated on Permanent Timber Production Zone land managed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania, the area’s lease spans ten years, granting the Central Coast Council the option for renewal to maintain ongoing stewardship. Mayor Cheryl Fuller of the Central Coast Council expressed her delight with the favourable outcome, emphasising the Council’s appreciation for Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s willingness to consider the lease and collaborate in this partnership. Mayor Fuller said she recently walked the Castra Falls circuit with CEO Barry Omundson and members of the North West Walking Club. “Castra Falls is a very special place that holds important natural values.” “Five waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife and flora are just a few of the many reasons why this place is so highly valued and appreciated by the community.” “The area forms part of the Coast to Canyon Pathway alongside Leven Canyon and Preston Falls, all of which are extraordinary places and enjoyed by both residents and visitors.” “I will be reaching out to those who have voiced their concerns to me regarding the area and look forward to providing further details about next steps and keeping the community informed,” said Mayor Fuller. Sustainable Timber Tasmania has confirmed that it has no plans to conduct forest operations at Castra Falls and is pleased with this positive outcome for the Central Coast community. Suzette Weeding, Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s General Manager Conservation and Land Management said the organisation is proud to continue providing value to local communities as the manager of Tasmania’s public production forests. Ms Weeding highlighted that “Sustainable Timber Tasmania understands the significance of Castra Falls as an important location for the local community and visitors to explore and enjoy.”

A field demonstration of the Auto Hydraulic Quick Coupler was held recently at Loggabull’s harvesting operation in Kinleith Forest on New Zealand’s north island, showing how one machine and operator can carry out multiple tasks. Source: Timberbiz This project and field demonstration of the Automated Quick Coupler was part of the FGR Automation & Robotics Primary Growth Partnership led by FGR Program Manager Keith Raymond. This project developed an Automatic Quick Coupler for rapid changeover of machine attachments without the operator having to leave the cab. Using the Automatic Quick Coupler with multiple attachments, only one based machine is required for log processing, sorting and loading, resulting in reduced capital cost, higher machine utilisation and lower operating costs. The Quick Coupler is suited to lower production operations where there is spare capacity. The demonstration was positively received and attended by close to 60 attendees, from forest management companies and logging contractors from both corporate and woodlot scenarios, who saw the huge potential and advantages of what the Quick Coupler provides. Anyone interested in purchasing the demo machine with attachments can contact Phillip McKenzie at AB Equipment Ltd, Taupo phil.mckenzie@abequipment.co.nz  

On Saturday 20 July HQP will hold its Fraser Coast Plantation Community Day to show what it takes to grow a sustainable forest. Source: Timberbiz HQP’s pine plantations on the Fraser Coast are among the biggest in the southern hemisphere and grow up to 10 million seedling a year. Local houses are built from renewable timber that’s grown and milled locally. Growing for generations supports a thriving economy of large and small local businesses and their employees including sawmills, civil construction, hauliers, harvesters, scientists, foresters, fire fighters, nursery workers and labourers even helicopters pilots and drone operators. This work is mostly done quietly and unseen, but on 20 July, with help from industry and community partners, it will be on display at the Toolara Forest Office on Tin Can Bay Road from 9am until 2pm. You’ll see every aspect of the plantation lifecycle and some of the machines and technology used from seedling to sawmill on display from HQP and: Wood processors and major employers Hyne Timber and Laminex Harvest and hauliers Sunchip, Ashers and GMT Logging Roading construction contractors including McKenna’s Silviculture operators who undertake planting and maintenance such as K&S Contracting, Crossing Works, Butchulla Indigenous Industries Group and Wide Bay Drones Other suppliers including EXCI artificial intelligence fire detection Local First Nations groups Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation and Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, current and traditional custodians Community and environment partners including local rural fire brigades, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, Gympie Landcare, Glenwood Wildlife Awareness and Cooloola Nature.

FWPA is excited to provide opportunities to enhance engagement on the sustainable nature of forestry at industry events by using virtual reality (VR) to transport attendees into the heart of the forest. Source: Timberbiz Six new VR headsets have been made available for use by stakeholders to provide immersive experiences during events including conferences, trade shows and career expos. Using the award-winning suite of ForestVRTM resources the headsets take users on virtual tours of a variety of Australian forest and processing mill environments, as well as guiding them along the timber product supply chain from seed to shelter. Developed by FWPA’s ForestLearning program, the ForestVRTM resources have already made an impressive impact on teachers and students in Australian classrooms. Now they are proving equally as popular at industry events, having been met with enthusiasm from attendees at the recent Balingup Small Farm Field Day in Western Australia, Mid Coast Careers Market in New South Wales, and Royal Darwin Show in the Northern Territory. The headsets are available on loan, free-of charge through ForestLearning. They don’t require a Wi-Fi connection, meaning they offer an easy and effective way to engage with attendees in any setting. Beth Welden, ForestLearning Program Manager, said ForestVRTM is the perfect way to share the unique story of Australian sustainable forestry. “These highly immersive experiences guide the user through the forest and timber processing journey, showcasing the use of renewable forest products in everything from buildings to everyday items such as paper,” Ms Welden said. “We have already helped countless students Australia-wide to appreciate the complexity and breadth of our sustainable forest management systems, and we’re looking forward to helping industry bring the vibrant world of forestry and wood products to life for even more Australians.”More information on the ForestVRTM resources can be found at https://forestlearning.edu.au/forestvr/ Industry members interested in borrowing a headset to use at an upcoming event are invited to make a request by filling out at form at https://forms.monday.com/forms/d4f6792b9bc7195b69a5aa5969b67971?r=use1

Forico has purchased two New Generation Wagner L90 Logstackers for its mills in northern Tasmania, the first of the new generation machines to be commissioned in Australia. Source: Timberbiz The two new ‘Wagners’ arrived at Long Reach Mill in the East Tamar and Surrey Hills Mill in Hampshire, Tasmania in May 2024. After assembly and training by the North American manufacturer Allied Systems and specialist cargo handling company Quality Marshalling of New Zealand, the machines were commissioned and put into use in the log-yards in early June. Recognising the need to update their fleet, the Forico Board had approved the purchase in April 2022, a significant capital expenditure outlay and investment in supply chain. The machines in use until that time had been purchased in 2015 and had been in service for in excess of 26,000 hours. “The Wagners are also considerably more fuel efficient and have lower overall maintenance costs compared to front end loader machines used over the same operating period,” said Tim Duncombe, manager at Forico’s Long Reach Mill. The New Generation L90s were transported from America by sea and road after a lead time of around 18 months on delivery due to demand for machines and worldwide challenges on the availability of components. Making the journey from Portland USA to Melbourne, on to the port at Devonport and then on to the mill sites by road, the unique machines would have caused some ‘head scratching’ as they were driven under escort to their final destination, said Mr Duncombe. Manager at Forico’s Surrey Hills Mill Paul Sturzaker said the operational teams had identified the need for additional handrailing to protect operators exiting the cab, but beyond that the newly designed Wagner unit would significantly improve visibility and handling.

Rob de Fégely, co-founder and director of Margules Groome, retired on 30 June 2024. Source: Timberbiz Mr de Fégely’s career in consulting began in the 1980s when he joined Ray Margules, a pioneer in forestry consulting in Australia. Over the past four decades he undertook a countless number of consulting assignments for both the private sector in Australia and government with a keen interest in strategy and policy. Apart from consulting in recent years Mr de Fégely was appointed Chair of the Board of Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT, formerly Forestry Tasmania), he is also an Advisory Board member of the Forestry Investment Trust of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation in Canada, and as a Board member of Forestry Corporation of New South Wales (FCNSW). Mr de Fégely has held several notable positions, including Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) from 2015 to 2023, National President of Forestry Australia (formerly the Institute of Foresters of Australia) from 2012 to 2017, and Non-Executive Director of VicForests from 2012 to 2015. He was the founding Chair of Cape York Timber, an indigenous-based sawmilling enterprise in far north Queensland. Furthermore, he has advised Greening Australia, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Natural Resources Commission. With more than 40 years of experience, Mr de Fégely has worked on projects across Australia and throughout most of the Asia-Pacific region. Throughout his career, he has been passionate about promoting sustainable forestry practices and advocating for the forestry profession. He has also contributed to the education and training of future forestry professionals and capacity building within the sector.