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On 14-16 May 2024 the SINTETIC Project annual meeting took place in Brașov (Romania) hosted by two project partners, the Transilvania University of Brașov and ASFOR. SINTETIC – single item identification for forest production, protection, and management – is the second largest project funded by Horizon Europe in the field of forestry. Source: Timberbiz It aims to maximise the benefits of digitalisation in the timber value chain simultaneously improving efficiency, sustainability and transparency (thus avoiding the illegal entry of wood in the value chain). The identification system developed by SINTETIC can start with a physical marking approach using a log hammer or with an RFID tag, allowing for the traceability of each log from forest-site to further-processing companies. The adoption of timber quality sensors allows to integrate the tracking data with added-value information, enhancing the efficiency of the whole value chain. The project will develop a new system that will enable customers buying wood products to track them all the way back to the individual trees in the forest from which they were made. The ambition of SINTETIC is to develop and implement a digital platform that can deliver a comprehensive data management scheme for the whole forest value chain. The core of the proposed system is a ground-breaking solution for the complete traceability of forest products based on the first-ever integration of five state-of-the-art technologies. The systems feasibility will be demonstrated at eight sites found in Finland (2), Romania (2), Sweden, France, Spain, and Italy. Each individual item will be allocated and have attached a unique ID which in turn will be digitally transmitted to a central geodatabase. This will enable each item to be tracked as it moves along the forest value chain. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) system will also enable measurements of yield and output to be related to any earlier point in the value chain. Historical climate data, silviculture treatments, and forest stand descriptors will also be included. Central to the working of SINTETIC will be the integration of five separate tracking technologies, namely: Radio Frequency Identification which will allow standing trees as well as round wood to be tagged, a punching code impressed directly onto the wood with a hammer, a CT log scanner at the sawmill, optical vision scanners (fingerprinting) and finally after production a bar/QR code that will enable identification through the retail process. The last step is crucial as it will enable operators and customers to trace the wood element in the finished product back to a specific forest and an individual tree.

Dr Murry Cave, Principal Scientist at Gisborne District Council, New Zealand will share his groundbreaking research on the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and the role of Large Woody Debris (LWD) in Tairāwhiti. His findings will be presented at the 5th International Wood in World Rivers Conference in Gaspe, Quebec. Source: Timberbiz Dr Cave’s work gained international attention after a presentation at the New Zealand Rivers Conference in late 2023. Professor Ian Rutherford from the University of Melbourne was in the audience and was particularly struck by the significance of LWD during cyclones Hale and Gabrielle including the loss and damage to bridges, community impact, and the tragic death of a young boy on Waikanae Beach after Cyclone Hale. “Professor Rutherford felt this story needed to be told to an international audience and I was invited to present two papers at the conference,” Dr Cave said. The first is on the impact of LWD on Tairāwhiti and the second outlines a novel methodology for determining the relative contribution of various woody types to LWD in NZ. Dr Cave says he developed this methodology after Cyclone Cook in 2017, which left a trail of woody debris from the forests to the sea, particularly in Ūawa and Tolaga Bay Beach. In addition to the conference, Dr Cave plans to visit the British Columbia Ministry of Forestry and the Forest Protection Agency and look at a forest land debris flow predictor tool developed by a major British Columbia geotechnical engineering consultancy on his way to Quebec. “There is a lot we can learn from the British Columbia experience. In particular, the parallels between Canada’s First Nations role in forestry and the role of Whenua Maori in Tairāwhiti.” The 5th International Wood in World Rivers Conference will take place from June 10 to June 14, 2024, in Gaspe, Quebec. Dr Cave hopes his research can contribute significantly to the global understanding of LWD dynamics and its implications for river ecosystems.

Building approvals for new homes remained relatively flat in April, falling by 0.3% from already-depressed levels. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday released its monthly building approvals data for April 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. “A 1.1% increase in multi-unit approvals was offset by a 1.0% decline in detached housing approvals,” HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said. “These depressed approvals volumes don’t foreshadow a rapid recovery from the weakest volume of new home commencements in the 2023/24 financial year, in over a decade. “At the same time, Australia is seeing record population growth and acute shortages of housing that are expected to persist for at least the next few years,” he said. Mr Devitt said that with recent inflation data casting further doubt on the prospect of any reduction in interest rates this year, government policymakers needed to pull the levers within their reach. “The recent re-acceleration of residential lot prices in some markets suggests the industry could re-encounter land constraints, even as materials and labour constraints ease,” he said. “State and federal policymakers need to incentivise local authorities to accelerate the release of shovel-ready land and permit higher density development in existing suburbs near jobs and transport. “Addressing tax, planning, land and regulatory constraints on the housing industry is the only hope of reaching state and national housing targets in coming years and addressing the country’s housing crisis,” concluded Mr Devitt. In seasonally adjusted terms, dwelling approvals in the three months to April increased in Western Australia, up by 39.4% compared to the previous year, and in Victoria (+2.8%). New South Wales was flat (+0.0%) over the period, while other jurisdictions saw declines in approvals, led by Queensland (-16.6%), followed by Tasmania (-12.2%) and South Australia (-11.3%). In original terms, dwelling approvals declined in the Northern Territory (-38.2%) and increased in the Australian Capital Territory (+4.1%).

New Zealand Forest owners say the repeal of legislation surrounding log traders and forest advisors will provide relief and assurance to growers facing increased regulatory cost and complexities. Source: Timberbiz The repeal, announced by Minister of Forestry Hon Todd McClay, will do away with the compulsory registration required of log traders and forestry advisors under the Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forest Advisors) Amendment Act (2020), and refund any fees or levies paid this season. New Zealand Forest Owners Association chief executive, Dr Elizabeth Heeg, says assurance schemes are important for maintaining integrity throughout the supply chain, but that the introduction of the registration scheme through the Act was an unnecessary and costly intervention for growers. “The registration scheme was meant to improve information across the forestry and wood processing supply chain, improve professional standards, and build greater confidence in the sector,” Dr Heeg said. “Unfortunately, it has achieved the opposite – delivering added cost rather than added value.” Forest owners and employees required to register ended up paying fees for a system duplicating the work of pre-existing schemes. Those fees were also passed onto small forest owners with smaller revenue streams. “Fees were imposed without a sufficient consultation period with forest owners, and the scheme was overbuilt – landing the sector with a costly registration scheme that didn’t deliver.” Dr Heeg says the issue is not about having an agreed standard, it’s about ensuring regulation does not duplicate or undercut the assurance systems, standards or services that are already available. “Forest owners are very supportive of ensuring a high degree of performance standards across the supply chain and often opt into voluntary schemes to achieve that,” she said. “The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) is one such example, maintaining a robust Code of Ethics and strong performance standards that all members who register must follow to ensure they provide the best service. “Forest owners understand that to be a valued part of rural communities, they must uphold those high professional standards. “Minister McClay’s decision will restore forest owners’ confidence and ensure continued sector growth without burgeoning regulatory costs. “We look forward to having further conversations with the Minister on helping forestry achieve its potential domestically and abroad.” The repeal is said to come into effect by July 2024.  

Nationals Member for Cootamundra and Shadow Minister for Crown Lands Steph Cooke has visited the Tumut region to meet forestry industry stakeholders and discuss the progress being made as the region continues to recover from the Black Summer bushfires. Source: Timberbiz Ms Cooke said the Forestry Corporation of NSW manages 92,000 hectares of plantation in the Tumut Tumbarumba area. The region lost approximately one third of the plantation estate in the 2019-2020 fires. “The damage was absolutely devastating so I was very keen to return and get an update on how the recovery is going,” Ms Cooke said. “While there was a level of success in terms of salvaging trees following the fires, the planting program that’s been underway has certainly helped restore the area, with millions of trees planted as part of the recovery process. “This program is nearing completion, but of course these things don’t happen overnight, given that a tree takes close to 30 years to grow to full sawlog production,” she said. Ms Cooke toured High Country logging operations and was briefed on a first-thinning harvesting operation at Bondo State Forest. She said it was heartening to see the vibrancy of the operations, given the industry contributes more than $2 billion to the local economy. “Whether it’s the nurseries, the plantations, or the processors, the forestry industry is vitally important to this region,” Ms Cooke said. “During my visit I saw first-hand the supply chain at work, from the plantations through to the harvesting and haulage operations, and then the processors,” she said. Ms Cooke was also briefed on the use of camera technology to detect future fires. “Early detection and rapid responses are vital in containing fires and preventing widespread damage to forestry assets,” Ms Cooke said. “AI technology is being used to enhance the traditional fire detection process; it has the capability to pick up differences in the landscape, on a minute-to-minute basis, and alert emergency responders. “Harnessing AI camera technology will not only help detect fires on the plantations themselves, but also fires on nearby properties on private land,” she said. Ms Cooke said given its importance to the health and sustainability of the local economy, it is vital the forestry industry remains strong.  

Victoria’s Labor Government is continuing to provide support to local businesses and workers in timber industry communities with applications for Round 3 of the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund (VTIF) open. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced that eligible native timber businesses are able to access up to $1 million in grant funding per business to diversify away from native timber harvesting and create new jobs in their communities. For the first time as part of Round 3, support will include a Grant Application Assistance Service. Businesses can apply for vouchers of up to $7,500 which will provide them with access to a panel of Registered Service Providers. These Providers will help businesses to prepare and submit strong submissions for the grants program. Eligibility for Round 3 has also been extended to harvest and haulage sub-contractors, chip truck drivers and other businesses which were heavily dependent on the native timber industry. Businesses who take up other forestry transition support packages can still access the VTIF. Round 2 of the Timber Innovation Fund will support 29 successful applications from 28 native timber businesses totalling over $7 million. Gippsland Logging and Earth Moving received $330,000 of VTIF funding to transition from native hardwood haulage to plantation haulage and retain their current workers. They have modified their existing heavy equipment, including installing a new crane system to their prime mover. Pyrenees Timber, based in Beaufort, is using its $86,000 of VTIF funding to support the business to modify the existing storage shed, upgrade the loading pad and purchase a purpose-built auger enabling the company to store olive pits that will be used by the Beaufort & Skipton Health Service to fuel their biomass heating system. VTIF supports businesses to transition away from the native timber industry and diversify their business operations to pursue opportunities in other industries that will support jobs and the communities that depended on the native timber industry. This can include businesses switching their operations to plantation timber, construction and earthmoving services to both maintain existing jobs and create new sustainable jobs. “The variety of projects which businesses are putting forward shows their innovative approach to moving away from a sole reliance on the native timber industry and diversifying into new and exciting opportunities,” Minister Spence said. “We are providing crucial support to empower businesses and workers to take advantage of new opportunities within their communities as they transition away from the native timber industry into a new sustainable future.” For more information on the Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program, call 1800 318 182 or visit www.deeca.vic.gov.au/forestry

The Softwoods Working Group has welcomed the announcement of a $13 million forestry funding package aimed at protecting critical timber supplies in the Murray region ahead of the 2024/25 bushfire season. Source: Timberbiz This funding will support critical fire prevention, detection, and response initiatives in the Murray Region. The package was developed after extensive consultation with forestry industry groups and government agencies. The funding announcement significantly improves the region’s readiness for bushfire season. SWG Chairperson, Peter Crowe commended the Minister on the well-considered funding. “The Softwoods Working Group (SWG) commends the minister for well targeted funding for essential projects which will significantly enhance fire protection for the valuable plantation in the NSW Murray,” he said. The SWG and its members look forward aiding the Minister and the department on the most valuable infrastructure investments for communities, industry and the region broadly.” Ms Porteous, Executive Officer of the SWG commented on the need for future proofing the region. “The 2019/2020 fires are still too fresh for many community members. This funding will allow the industry, communities and critical RFS volunteers to be better prepared and react to future fire events,” she said.

The NSW Government has announced a $13 million forestry funding package to provide much needed protection of critical timber supplies in the Murray region in the lead up to the next bushfire season. Source: Timberbiz This package will build a better resilience into this important regional industry. The measures will deliver fire prevention, detection and response works that have been developed following consultation with forestry industry groups and government agencies. The NSW Government has a plan for developing regional NSW and a plan for delivering more housing. Protecting softwood forests and production is critical to delivering on both of those plans. Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty made the funding announcement in the Murraguldrie State Forest, 60km from Wagga Wagga, with Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr and representatives of the NSW timber industry. Feedback from industry highlighted three key focus areas to ensure the forestry sector is better prepared for the next bushfire season and the package delivers on these as follows: Prevent bushfires occurring or spreading by constructing new and maintaining established strategic fire trails and asset protection zones. Build rapid response capability and suppress fires and prevent their spread such as towers, remote sensing and camera technology to detect fires early. Improve tactical and operational response with additional fire tankers, equipment and infrastructure. This funding announcement puts the region in a much better position to focus on these preparedness measures. During the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires, it is estimated up to 65,000 hectares of softwood plantation were affected across NSW representing around a quarter of the softwood resource state-wide. “Sadly, the horrific memories of the Black Summer fires are still fresh in local memories and now is the time to do all we can to reduce the risk of a repeat,” Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said. “Our softwoods industries are crucial to the future of the entire region, and especially to the Snowy Valleys, so I applaud government and industry measures to prevent bushfires in the first place, and to improve response capabilities when fires do start. “Thousands of jobs and many millions of dollars in economic activity depend on secure, stable softwoods supplies and I congratulate industry groups and the government for this important investment in protecting the industry’s future.” Softwood plantation forestry in southern NSW injects some $3 billion in economic value annually and provides more than 11,000 jobs. “The clearest message we have received from forestry industry representatives in the region is that all effort needs to be put into protecting the forests from bushfires. This package demonstrates how the Government is responding – get the job done and protect our forests and communities,” Minister Moriarty said. “The NSW Government has made it clear we are focused on expanding plantation assets, and we are boosting protection of the existing and future plantation resources. “I want to thank the Forest Industries Advisory Council, the Softwoods Working Group, the Australian Forest Products Association, Forestry Corporation and other NSW agencies and industry representatives for their input and efforts in this important area.”