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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.