Australian timber industry news

Safeguarding the biodiversity of forest nature requires, in addition to forest protection, the promotion of practices that strengthen the state of nature in commercial forests. Metsä Group has set a goal of verifiably strengthening the state of nature by 2030. Source: Timberbiz “Forest protection and strengthening the state of nature in commercial forests support each other. It is important that the boundaries of protected areas and commercial forests become clearer than at the moment, as it also stabilizes the operating environment for wood procurement and forest ownership,” says Ilkka Hämälä, President and CEO of Metsä Group. According to the biodiversity strategy published by the European Union in 2020, the remaining primary and old-growth forests must be protected by 2030. The member states, including Finland, are committed to this objective as part of a broader goal to stop the biodiversity loss. The national criteria set for the protection of primary and old-growth forests is being prepared under the guidance of the authorities, and it is important to set the criteria quickly. The completed set of criteria is the starting point for the forest mapping work, which can be used to expand the network of protected areas on scientific grounds. It is also particularly important that the criteria cover all groups of forest owners, such as private forest owners. At the same time, property protection and adequate and fair protection funding must be ensured. Safeguarding biodiversity and forest protection initiatives are important for Finland and Finns in many ways. Stopping the biodiversity loss and strengthening the state of nature is also important for economic life, regardless of industry. Vibrant forest nature creates a strong foundation for a developing forest-based bioeconomy. “We are ready for a fair sustainability transition and strengthening the state of forest nature in our own operations. In terms of forest protection, this means a clear set of national criteria, mapping of sites to be protected and financial compensation for forest owners,” Hämälä said.

The first lumber packages were loaded in Spruce Product Limited’s (SPL) new continuous kiln from Swedish Valutecwith that has eight drying zones and a yearly capacity of approximately 60 MMBF. Source: Timberbiz “We enjoyed a truly great collaboration where we were able to work together with extremely capable employees on site,” says Andreas Lövgren, Production Manager at Valutec in charge of commissioning along with commissioning technician William Marklund. Canadian SPL, located near Swan River, Manitoba, is a manufacturer of premium lumber and wood products for the construction industry and the integrated wood products industry. Using the latest technology available, every aspect of the log is used in the product lines. SPL has been supplying products for Canadian and International markets since 1942. “Actually, there’s no difference between commissioning a kiln in Canada from one an hour away from our head office in the north of Sweden. We staff projects to provide the customer with the best solution possible and to make sure we deliver on everything we’ve agreed upon,” says Lövgren. Since introduced Valutec’s TC continuous kiln has achieved great success on the world’s sawmiling markets. It is a kiln type that comes with distinguishing features such as low energy consumption, high flexibility and superior capacity. It gives the operator the possibility to create the ultimate drying process with unlimited freedom to mix dimensions, minimal moisture content variation and reduced risk of checking. Annual capacity can reach 125 MMBF with target moisture contents down to around 12-18%. The installation of the dryer, which has a capacity of close to 60 MMBF, began last spring and was led by Valutec’s assembly manager Mattias Henriksson together with a Canadian assembly team. “Delivering to other countries and working with local assembly teams is part of our everyday lives. We have built up a great deal of experience in projects in other countries and know what it takes, from design to planning of logistics and on-site work. As long as we have capable, committed people to do the work, we achieve good results. And this was no exception to that rule,” said Henriksson. The differences that exist concern optimization issues and new opportunities created by Valutec’s drying process. “Our TC model continuous kilns represent an entirely different product compared to the existing lumber kilns on the North American market,” Henriksson said.  “What’s more, we also offer world-leading process control with our Valmatics 4.0 control system. It invites discussions on issues such as drying schedules for specific types of lumber, or managing situations where we need to optimize the energy load as other parts of the sawmill are also operating near capacity.” The TC kiln is probably the market’s most sustainable timber kiln. Constructed in stainless steel, resistant to thermal expansion and fatigue, the kiln has superior longevity and requires minimal maintenance. Studies shows that Valutec’s stainless steel TC continuous kiln emits 23 tons less CO2 per year than the correspondent kiln built in aluminum. 23 tons of CO2 is about as much as three hectares of coniferous forest absorb in a year.  

Mining activity at a nickel industrial park linked to mainly Chinese companies has contributed to mass deforestation in Indonesia, a non-governmental group said in a report. Source: Reuters The report of ecological damage in the nickel industry comes as Indonesia, home to the world’s largest nickel ore reserves, seeks to extract more value from the mineral by attracting investment into its processing and in the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries. The country has also set a production target of some 600,000 electric vehicles (EV) by 2030 – more than 100 times the number of EVs sold in Indonesia in the first half of 2023. In the report, US-based Climate Rights International (CRI) documented activity at the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), one of the country’s largest nickel processing hubs, whose investors include China’s Tsingshan Holding Group and France’s Eramet. The operator of the park, on Halmahera Island in the Maluku region, is a joint venture between China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt (603799.SS), Zhenshi Holding Group and Tsingshan. IWIP, Tsingshan, Eramet, Huayou, Zhenshi and the forestry ministry did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. CRI said companies, which had permits, have cut down more than 5,300 hectares of tropical forest within the park’s concession since 2018, citing geospatial analysis of satellite imagery conducted by the group and researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States. That is roughly the size of over 6,000 soccer pitches. Experts have raised concerns the nickel industry could worsen deforestation in Indonesia, a resource-rich country that is also home to massive rainforests. After years of rampant deforestation, Indonesia has had success in slowing the rate at which forests are cleared for plantations and other industrial activity. From 2020 through 2022, Indonesia reduced its average primary forest loss by 64% compared with 2015-2017, showed, opens new tab data from research group World Resources Institute. You can view the report at: https://cri.org/reports/nickel-unearthed/  

The implementation plan to assist in delivery of Australia’s first National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS), a collaborative, national approach to protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases backed by all government agriculture ministers, has been released. Source: Timberbiz First Assistant Secretary for Biosecurity Strategy and Reform with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Bronwen Jaggers said the implementation plan would inform the delivery of the NBS and reinforce the shared responsibility across government, industry, and the community of biosecurity as a national priority. “The implementation plan reinforces the commitments to action all agriculture ministers made under the NBS and will allow stakeholders to better understand how the strategy will progress and roll out over its 10-year life span,” Ms Jaggers said. “Biosecurity is a shared national responsibility, and it affects all Australians. A foundational element of the NBS is to ensure we build stronger partnerships between all levels of governments, industry, and stakeholders to achieve the most robust biosecurity system for the country, and by providing a clear implementation plan, we are doing just that. “With changing trade and travel patterns and growing biosecurity risks in our region, managing biosecurity is increasingly complex, but any breach of our system could have significant consequences on Australia’s unique flora, fauna and way of life as well as our agricultural sector and access to international markets. It is important all the key players are aligned to counter biosecurity threats. “The implementation plan will assist and guide development of national action plans and monitor progress to ensure that rollout of the NBS supports a connected, resilient and shared national biosecurity system that protects Australia in the long-term.” Australia’s federal, state and territory agricultural ministers endorsed the 10-year NBS in August 2022. Significant effort into a collaborative approach to deliver the strategy has included focused engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the biosecurity system, including industry, landowners and managers, environmental groups and the community. The implementation plan has been developed in consultation with National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee (NIC) and Working Group, overseen by the National Biosecurity Committee. The NIC and Working Group were established in 2023 to support the delivery of the National Implementation Plan and National Action Plan, to bring a range of commercial and technical insights to shaping and driving practical delivery of the plan. “I would like to thank the members of the NBS Implementation Committee for leading development of the implementation plan, while drawing in a wide variety of new stakeholder insights into shaping where best we can target our collective efforts. It’s a great reminder that biosecurity is a team sport, and we achieve more by working together,” Ms Jaggers said. Work to deliver the first National Action Plan, including surveys, focus groups and consultation with stakeholders with relevant expertise and interest, has also been underway. A draft of the National Action Plan, comprising an initial set of actions for implementation under the strategy is planned to be released for public consultation in early 2024. In parallel to the NBS implementation and action planning, work continues to progress on several fronts to further strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system. The National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan can be accessed online at www.biosecurity.gov.au/about/national-biosecurity-committee/nbs

The City of Port Lincoln is inviting applications from community groups, private individuals and businesses interested in utilising or repurposing salvaged timber from the recently refurbished Port Lincoln Town Jetty. Source: Timberbiz “We’ve had considerable interest from community members keen to acquire some of the town jetty timber,” Port Lincoln’s Mayor Diana Mislov said. “Encouraging the reuse and repurposing of this salvaged timber not only promotes sustainability but also ensures that this valuable resource doesn’t go to waste. It can find new life and purpose in various community and individual projects. “The community is often keen to retain a piece of history, and incorporating the jetty timbers and salvage items into community art or household features will make for interesting talking points in the future – a tangible way of keeping our history alive.” The salvaged timber, which includes old decking, kerbing, girders, and various components of the old Port Lincoln Town Jetty, varies in quality and has been graded into four categories ranging from excellent to poor condition. It’s important to note that some pieces may contain metal pins, nails and bolts. Additionally, certain timber has been treated with oils, solvents, chemicals, and substances, including creosote, making it unsuitable for firewood. The salvaged timber is also not certified for structural use and must not be used in the construction of buildings. “In November 2023, the Council approved a process for the disposal of salvaged timber, offering it at no cost for eligible community projects demonstrating local community benefit and public accessibility,” said Mayor Mislov. For private individuals and businesses, the cost of the timber will be determined by its quality. Timber graded as excellent or in good condition will be available at a commercial price.  Timber suitable for domestic or creative purposes (fair condition) will be sold at market value and poor condition timber will be offered at an affordable $150 per domestic trailer load (6’x 4’). The timber can be inspected at the City of Port Lincoln’s Council Depot, 33 Bel-Air Drive, Port Lincoln, on Friday 23 February between 9am to 3pm, and Saturday 24 February, 10am to 3pm. Applications close at 12 noon on Tuesday 12 March 2024. For further details about the salvaged timber and the application process, an FAQ, and application documents are available on Council’s website at www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au/tenders from Monday 12 February 2024.

TAFE NSW apprentice carpenter Yasmin Anderson is encouraging school-leavers and job seekers to use National Apprenticeship Week as the inspiration to consider a future in a hands-on career. Source: Timberbiz National Apprenticeship Week (12-18 February) promotes the value of apprenticeships to employers, job seekers, industry, and government, and advances the role apprenticeships play in building workforce skills, knowledge, and a robust Australian economy. As the demand continues for people with the skills to work in construction, a group of young Shoalhaven women are building careers for themselves in the traditionally male-dominated building sector. TAFE NSW carpentry student Yasmin Anderson from Kangaro Valley is a second-year apprentice who thinks young people who are unsure about their career options should consider a trade. “After school I knew I didn’t want an office job, I always thought I’d go to uni, then I took a gap year and ended up doing a trade,” Ms Anderson said. “I went with carpentry because it offers so much variety, I’m pretty much doing something different on the job every day from flooring and roofing to fix-outs.” Ms Anderson, who said she’s learned a lot over the past year both at TAFE NSW and on the job. “I’ve got carpentry skills now that are second nature,” she said. I enjoy the fine work involved in fix-outs, adding those finishing touches to the job. “Doing a carpentry apprenticeship means I get to work outdoors and hands-on. I get a real sense of accomplishment when I drive past a house we’ve built. It feels good to be able to say I helped build that.” TAFE NSW Director Infrastructure, Energy and Construction Iain McNiven started his working life as an apprentice plumber and is now proud to be working in the organisation that got his career started. “As the largest provider of skills training in the country, TAFE NSW is playing a key role in helping address areas of high skills demand by training apprentices across the state. “To meet the infrastructure and housing needs of the community we need more sparkies, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, and construction managers. “I know from my own experience how valuable an apprenticeship can be in kick-starting a career. They offer the chance to earn a wage while learning and once qualified, tradies have the potential to earn above average incomes.” “Apprenticeships are a path to full-time employment and can set a person up to move into a leadership role or even to take the exciting step of running their own business,” Mr McNiven said.

New Zealand’s Government has announced ministerial delegations to support key areas across the Primary sector to deliver for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. Sources: Timberbiz, RNZ “I will be supported in my roles as Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Hunting and Fishing, by three Associate Agriculture Ministers, Nicola Grigg (National), Andrew Hoggard (ACT), and Mark Patterson (New Zealand First), who will each have delegated areas of responsibility to provide focus and ministerial dedication. “These delegations will allow the coalition Government to focus attention on key areas of the Primary sector, providing them the resource and support they deserve. “New Zealand’s food and fibre sector makes a critically important contribution to our economy and the fabric of our rural and regional communities. “Taking our lead from the agricultural sector that continues to provide for New Zealand; our team is committed to rebuilding confidence, reducing the burden on farmers caused by unworkable central government policies, meeting farmers and their concerns at the farm gate, and working alongside industry to achieve tangible outcomes for New Zealand’s rural communities over the coming Parliamentary term, so our farmers can spend more time farming,” Mr McClay said. Just recently Mr McClay said that New Zealand and India were working together to improve trade and address market access issues for timber exports to the South Asian nation. Easing access for timber exports to India was a key talking point on McClay’s pre-Christmas trip to India, during which he spoke with India’s minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal. In a 20 December statement following Mr McClay’s visit, the Indian government acknowledged the joint need to streamline trade processes, reduce barriers and promote a conducive business environment in New Delhi. “The trade minister of New Zealand appreciated the efforts made by India to sort out the issue related to [the] export of wooden logs to India,” the statement said. McClay detailed the steps both countries had taken to resolve the issue so far. “The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority prohibited ship hold methyl bromide fumigation of logs for export, which took effect on 1 January 2023. This was the fumigation method used for log exports from New Zealand to India,” McClay said. “Biosecurity New Zealand worked with India on an interim phytosanitary option for log exports from New Zealand, which allows fumigation on arrival into India. This ensures trade can continue while New Zealand and India work on other treatment options.”

Big River Group, a leading supplier of building materials and panels across ANZ, has announced a strategic rebranding initiative aimed at fortifying its market position. Source: Timberbiz John Lorente, CEO of Big River Group, said the rebranding is a proactive step to streamline operations, create unity across the business and unlock new opportunities for growth. “By aligning our local service excellence with our national scale, we aim to enhance our operational efficiencies while driving excellence and innovation in our solutions to better serve our customers, suppliers, and shareholders,” he said. With a legacy spanning over 120 years, Big River Group is positioned for future growth while remaining steadfast in its commitment to stakeholders. “We understand the importance of clarity and consistency in how we represent ourselves to the market,” Mr Lorente said. “Our rebranding effort signifies more than just a visual transformation; it leverages our extensive experience and service autonomy across the group, empowering the company to adapt swiftly to evolving market dynamics while maintaining a steadfast focus on customer satisfaction. By consolidating our resources and expertise under a cohesive brand identity, Big River Group is poised to capitalise on synergies and drive sustained growth in the years to come. “There is a need to be representing ourselves as one Big River team showcasing our capability for our customers and suppliers.  Our mission, ‘Committed to doing good business with good people to build better projects,’ serves as a testament to our commitment to operating as one team, delivering exceptional value and product solutions to the market,” he said. Key highlights of the rebranding initiative: Brand Architecture: Big River Group’s brand structure will adopt a hybrid approach featuring five key brands: Big River Group as the Masterbrand, with Big River Commercial and Big River Trade Centre as sub-brands, and Timberwood Panels and Plytech Panels as endorsed brands. Unified Values: The rebranding initiative will align all Big River Group brands under shared common values, ensuring consistency in delivering exceptional products and services. This unified approach will reinforce the company’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. Visual Identity: The rebrand encompasses a new logo, website design, and name changes to existing brands, maintaining visual coherence to the Masterbrand, while reflecting the company’s renewed focus on synergy and cohesiveness. As Big River Group embarks on this journey, daily operations will not be affected, its wide product range, services and exceptional team remain unaffected, ensuring a seamless transition for customers and stakeholders. Big River Group remains committed to delivering innovative products and services without interruption. The phased roll-out of the rebranding initiative will commence with the introduction of the new logo, followed by subsequent brand assets throughout the year.  

Aurecon has committed $200,000 in funding and in-kind support as a Principal Partner of the $16.5 million ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub to Advance Timber for Australia’s Future Built Environment, administered by the University of Queensland. Source: Timberbiz The aim of the hub is to develop the resources, enablers, and drivers to advance timber, as a natural resource, to be the material of choice, leading towards a net zero future for Australia’s built environment. Aurecon is involved in various nodes including Performance of Building Components, Manufacturing Innovation, Towards a Low Carbon and Circular Economy and Building Performance for Occupants. Aurecon’s Major Project Director, Ralph Belperio, who is on the Hub’s Executive Board and Hub Partner Investigator, said that Aurecon has identified that timber has a key role to play in decreasing both embodied and operational carbon as we move towards a net-zero future. “Several of the research nodes that the Hub is tackling are directly relevant to the decarbonisation pursuits of many of our key clients,” Mr Belperio said. “We have assembled a team of our most eminent practitioners to focus on each of the relevant nodes that can help guide the research strategies to ensure that the outcomes remain industry focussed and meet the needs of the broader construction community. “Our significant investment is key to our desire to remain at the forefront of innovation, both in the efficient and effective use of timber in our efforts to decarbonise the built environment, and in our broader drive for more sustainable outcomes”. Aurecon has an enviable track record of designing and delivering mass engineered timber structures, including Murdoch University’s Boola Katitjin, which won the 2023 Engineers Australia Project of the Year; 25 King St, which is Australia’s tallest mass-engineered timber commercial building; and Gaia, one of the largest mass-engineered timber buildings in Asia. Aurecon also contributes to mass-engineered timber advocacy as a partner of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership Coalition on Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood and the Materials Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance. The research support for the ARC Advance Timber Hub is just one of a number of research and development commitments that Aurecon is currently undertaking, including the development of sustainable alternatives for sand in shotcrete, improving design through AI-assisted stakeholder engagements, and reducing wastage through a circular economy approach to building retrofits.

  Effective collaboration across the timber industry and learning the lessons from past fire salvage efforts have been highlighted as key factors underpinning the success of the record salvage program in the Tumut and Tumbarumba regions following the Black Summer fires in a report commissioned by Forestry Corporation of NSW. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation’s Sales and Procurement Manager Peter Stiles said the report summarised the challenges, successes and lessons from the timber salvage program and was being shared with the industry to inform future fire recovery. “The Black Summer fires were devastating for the local community and the region’s softwood timber industry was severely impacted, with about 50 per cent of the pine plantations in the south west slopes burnt,” Mr Stiles said. “Unlike many native species, pine trees die when they are burnt, but the industry was able to mobilise quickly and in numbers against the backdrop of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic to salvage a remarkable 2.7 million tonnes of timber in the two years following the fire. “This was the biggest ever salvage effort in this country’s history and there is a lot to be proud of in what the industry achieved. The salvage program kept the lights on for our local processors immediately following the fires and created a boom in harvest and haulage work across the region, but importantly, it also maintained a quality supply of essential structural lumber and packaging products to the broader industry at a time of high demand. “The lessons from past fires underpinned the success of this salvage program, so while we hope fires like this will never be experienced again, it is important for us to share the lessons from the Black Summer salvage with the industry for the future.” Report author Damien O’Reilly from Mayday Hill Consulting said the review made it clear that collaboration across the timber supply chain was a key to the salvage program’s success. “Forestry Corporation of NSW is a plantation manager that engages contractors to harvest timber and supply it to third party processors and close collaboration across the supply chain and with local and interstate forest growers was an essential ingredient in the salvage program’s success,” Mr O’Reilly said. “The timber industry as a whole shares the objective of maintaining a sustainable supply of timber not just for today but also for the future, so the industry worked to balance immediate and long-term timber needs in the decisions that were made following the fires. “The salvage program benefited from experiences in assessing damage and managing the processing of burnt timber that were learnt following past fires in NSW such as the Billo Road fire in 2006 and Jananee fire in 2014, as well as invaluable advice and support from the industry across Victoria and South Australia, and through Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). “This salvage program demonstrated the effectiveness of remote sensing technology and estate modelling in prioritising salvage operations, and informing processors, contractors and the community about the medium and long-term impacts on the resource.” There was also significant investigation into log storage options under water or sprinklers, including a trial that provided useful lessons should long-term storage of burnt timber be required following fires in future. Overwhelmingly, the report found collaboration with customers and contractors was a fundamental reason underpinning the success of the program. Flexibility from customers, coordination of contractor capacity and engaging with other growers enabled the industry to both maximise the salvage of burnt timber and minimise the harvesting of unburnt timber to allow it to grow on to deliver timber in future years. The report is specifically focused on the salvage of softwood timber from the Tumut and Tumbarumba regions and has been published on the Forestry Corporation website to assist the timber industry. Several inquiries and inquests have looked into the 2019-20 fires and Forestry Corporation continues to work with the NSW Rural Fire Service and other government agencies to implement improvements recommended by those inquiries.

Canadians worried about their carbon footprint now have access to a new app that tracks and helps reduce how much carbon dioxide they emit as they go about their day. Source: Coast Reporter Developed by a Canadian tech company for the national non-profit Tree Canada, the free “Carbon Tracker app” allows Canadians to break down the environmental footprint of things like a daily commute, diet choices, energy use, and air travel. “People sometimes need help to know where to start to make changes,” said Robert Henri, spokesperson for Tree Canada. “The app is meant to give you some actual data to help you make more enlightened decisions.” When you first download the app, Henri says it will offer you a questionnaire that will allow you to input how you get around and what kind of heating your home has, among other categories. You can either manually input or turn on tracking so the app records your trips throughout the day. At night, you can then tag your trips with the kind of transportation you used. The app then calculates a net carbon output for the day, which you can compare with the Canadian average. “There are many ways to address climate change. We’re trying to do it in a very positive way,” Henri said. There are many ways to calculate an individual’s carbon footprint. Some take Canada’s total carbon greenhouse gas output and divide it by its 40 million-plus population. That method would mean Canadians produced 14.2 tonnes of carbon-equivalent emissions in 2020 — placing Canada among the highest per capita emitters in the Western world, only surpassed by the United States and Australia. Some critics say carving up Canada’s emissions into 40 million pieces can blind people to the role of the oil and gas industry, which produced 28% of the country’s carbon pollution in 2021 (the most of any sector). At over a quarter of Canada’s emissions, the fossil fuel industry is the country’s largest single contributor of atmospheric carbon. Another way to look at one’s carbon footprint is through actual lifestyle emissions. An October 2021 study from the Hot or Cool Institute found that of the 10 countries surveyed Canada had the biggest lifestyle carbon footprint of any country studied (other slightly higher emitters, like Australia and the United States, were not included). Canadians, found the study, need to reduce their personal emissions by 82% from 2019 levels by 2030 if they want to do their part to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 C — the threshold scientists say will lead to catastrophic damage to the world climate system. Avoiding fossil-fuel powered travel, like international flights and gas-powered (petrol/diesel) vehicles, is among the biggest changes one can make, found the study. If you can’t get rid of a car and can’t find or afford an EV, the next best thing is to switch from an SUV or pickup truck to the most efficient car you can find. Alternatively, finds the Hot or Cool report, you could drop your travel by about 6,900 kilometres per year to meet the 2030 target. Housing and the energy to heat and cool a living space was the next big source of individual Canadian emissions, though it varies by province depending on the source of energy utilities rely on. Reducing meat and cheese consumption, followed by eliminating regular purchase of clothes from fast-fashion brands and adjusting leisure activities were found to be the next largest sources of emissions for the average Canadian. The Tree Canada app, available for both iOS and Google platforms, says it helps to quantify those choices, and includes tips to reduce individual carbon output and leaderboards to offer a sense of “friendly competition” with friends, colleagues or strangers. “It’s very flexible for different kinds of lifestyles,” Henri said. The app also calculates how many trees would need to be planted to help offset your emissions. If desired, users can donate money to plant trees in urban areas or those hit by wildfire, while indirectly offsetting their emissions. “The point is not to guilt anyone,” he said. “It’s to encourage people to think about this on a more regular basis.”

As the author of a book on deforestation in Canada, I feel I have some qualification to comment on recent claims made by an alliance of environmental groups that the (Canadian) federal government is “spinning” the truth on the subject. Unfortunately, there is widespread public (and media) confusion about what deforestation is and isn’t. From a dictionary point of view, it would be easy to conclude that deforestation is simply about removing trees, and that reforestation is about growing them back again. That’s what the commonly displayed images all show: a stark clear-cut, or a young green spruce stretching skyward. But for people whose job it is to track deforestation and to do something about it, it’s a lot more complicated than that. The world’s forest scientists through the United Nations make a key distinction when it comes to removing trees from forest land. When trees are removed and replaced by agricultural crops, grazing land, residential subdivisions, or flooded to make hydro reservoirs, the forest is unlikely to come back to forest. That is called deforestation. But if that forest land is regenerated as forest either naturally or artificially through tree planting or direct seeding then that is not considered to be deforestation. The land remains forest land where trees will be grown again. Logging by itself, then, is not deforestation. Only if the land is not returned to forest. This is not an “industry” definition nor a “Canadian” one. It is how 236 nations report data to the United Nations so that global and individual country rates of deforestation can be uniformly tracked, assessments made, and remedial action taken. Canada has one of the lowest rates in the world (0.01%). The major cause in this Canada (almost half of it) is the conversion of forest land to agriculture, followed by mining, oil and gas exploration, and what’s called “built-up” (industrial/commercial and municipal development including residential subdivisions). Forestry’s specific contribution is minimal (2%), mainly through the creation of permanent forest access roads. This national and global tracking exercise includes guidelines on how countries should measure deforestation. And environmental groups can legitimately point to an instance where some logging scars in part of Ontario have not sufficiently reverted to forest over many years. For that failure, the land owner, the province, is clearly responsible. The logging scars in question arise from what are called landing areas where full trees are sometimes dragged from the stump to the roadside so that merchantable logs can be separated from the waste wood. But forestry experts say that extrapolating estimates from 27 study sites in one region to the total harvest area of Ontario is problematic. That’s because most of these study sites were harvested using full-tree harvesting two or even three decades ago when stroke de-limbers first came into use. Today, waste wood (tops and branches) is piled and burned instead, or chipped for pulp and energy in a nearby mill. It should also be noted that not all harvested areas in Ontario are forests that have never been harvested before. The forest losses claimed in the study, then, should not be extrapolated to the whole of Ontario, and especially not to those areas that already have an existing road network. There’s a reason why these landing areas are not included in Ontario’s deforestation estimates in the first place. They are on forest land, and deforestation technically occurs only when forest land is converted to non-forest land. They are also small areas, and Canada follows the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines on measuring these too. Any small “change events” (less than one hectare in size, such as landings) are to be excluded from deforestation estimates. A few smaller European countries have chosen to adopt smaller minimal areas (0.5 hectare) but this level of detail is just not economically or practically feasible in a country the size of Canada. This exclusion of small areas works both ways, however. If new forest is added, but the area is not large enough to meet the guidelines, it too is excluded from the estimates. Even if the assumptions about the Ontario landing scars in question were valid and included in the current deforestation estimates, and could be extrapolated nationally, preliminary research indicates that Canada’s overall annual rate would still be less than half of one per cent (0.4 per cent). That doesn’t let Canadians off the hook. Canadians share responsibility for the major causes of global deforestation: consuming palm oil, soy, and cattle and wood products provided by supply chains linked to deforestation in other (mainly tropical) countries. We can and should be doing a lot more about that. John Mullinder is the author of Little Green Lies and Other BS: From “Ancient” Forests to “Zero” Waste, and Deforestation in Canada and Other Fake News. A former TV reporter in his native New Zealand and foreign correspondent for Maclean’s magazine and the Financial Post, Mullinder ran Canada’s Paper & Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) for 30 years, achieving a number of North American firsts in waste reduction and recycling.

The Wood Dragon year comes once every 60 years in the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is associated with incredible strength, positive transformation, and challenges. And, the element wood, symbolises creativity and adaptability. Source: Timberbiz The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle that links each year to an animal sign, of which there are 12 and their order is fixed. Each year is also associated with an element of which there are five, this year it is wood. Hence the Year of the Wood Dragon. The Year of the Wood Dragon sounds surprisingly like it may be lead to a mass timber expansion. Wood is replacing climate-damaging concrete with each new build/renovation. Overall, the construction industry is transforming in a nature- positive direction. While we are witnessing a rise of sustainable buildings with climate-smart, creative, and flexible adaptable designs, this progress has challenges. This year is predicted to be one of the hottest years, if not the hottest, on Earth. We are seeing resource depletion, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation like we have not seen before. Whether you believe in zodiacs or not, to celebrate the new year, we wanted to share with you some of the important low-carbon buildings of 2024. These climate-resilient buildings showcase some of the latest in wood architecture and herald a design future that fully embraces renewable materials, integrates nature, and reuses existing fabric. They are all made with inclusive community in mind and thanks to advances in collaborative design processes, many involved community stakeholders during the design process. Integrating nature: Arboretum, Paris, France Biophilic designs maximising natural light, vegetation, and exposed wood materials are taking off all over 2024, but Arboretum will be doing it at scale when it opens later in the year. We can contemplate many of the benefits as one of the world’s largest wood projects takes shape creating a creative, nurturing and productive atmosphere in the heart of Paris. Adaptive reuse chic: Arding & Hobbs, London, UK Opening its doors any day now, this well-loved department store got a 27,432 m² makeover. It’s a spectacular sustainable mix of retail leisure and contemporary workspace with a biodiverse rooftop extension. Part of the building was already opened in late ‘23. Energy efficiency show-offs: Katajanokan Laituri ∣ Stora Enso HQ, Helsinki, Finland A milestone in the race to net-zero energy building is Stora Enso’s new HQ and Varma’s mixed-use landscraper on Helsinki’s harbourfront, with one of the smallest construction footprints yet. Set to open in ‘24. The World of Volvo, Gothenburg, Sweden Say goodbye to commercial car lots and hello to community-centric, creative spaces that encourage social interaction and well-being. The World of Volvo is designed on Swedish principles of “allemansrätten”: the fundamental right that all citizens share to nature and roam freely on any land (public or private), showing consideration for nature and for others.

New Zealand’s largest modern timber office building is taking shape in the heart of Tauranga’s CBD as the region undergoes a desperately needed transformation. Source: 1News The building situated at 90 Devonport Rd will be eight storeys once completed and will be leased by Tauranga City Council. It’s being built by property development and investment company Willis Bond, and LT McGuinness. It will feature rainwater harvesting, electric charging and is about 2500 tonnes lighter than an equivalent sized building. Mark McGuinness told 1News it’s basically a “hybrid structure” which will reduce its carbon footprint by about 50%. “The guys on site are telling us that it’s quieter, it’s cleaner and it’s a heck of a lot more civilised than a normal building site where you’ve got a lot of noise a lot of banging and crashing.” Recently the CBD has been labelled a ghost town, and 1News counted 20 shops for lease along Devonport Rd in 2020. There are still vacant shops, but not as many. Tauranga City Council’s Sarah Omundsen said with $1.5 billion of private and public investment, this project and others will help improve the CBD. “Council is really committed to revitalising Tauranga’s city centre and this building is a really important part of that. “So, bringing the bulk of our staff right into the heart of the city means that those 1000 people will be a part of local business, part of the vibrancy and just bringing the heart back,” she said. She told 1News mana whenua has also been consulted through the design and build. “What you’ll see once the building is complete both inside and out, it will really speak to our connection with Tauranga moana.” The new building is using wood from Rotorua and Nelson and is employing locally.  

Mick Harrington, Executive Officer of Forest and Wood Communities Australia (FWCA) says the battle between unhinged and ill-informed false conservation and responsible forestry has reached a critical juncture, with recent events exposing many group’s attempts to undermine an industry that plays a vital role in the economic and ecological balance of New South Wales. Source: Timberbiz He says the focal point in their campaign is the alleged impact of timber operations on wildlife, notably the Greater Glider. However, recent revelations challenge their narrative. After the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) received a complaint from the community it investigated an area of Tallaganda State Forest and issued a 40-day order to halt harvesting and haulage operations in place in parts of the forest. Via an anonymous source, FWCA understands an autopsy conducted on the deceased Greater Glider found approximately 50m outside the harvest area revealed it had been dead for only two weeks, contradicting claims of an immediate link to logging activities. No operations had occurred in the region for six months, raising questions about the integrity of the accusations. It remains strongly possible perhaps that the individual glider in question died of unknown causes or fell prey to a Powerful Owl or Goanna – two common predator species of the Greater Glider. Despite the doubts surrounding the legitimacy of the deceased Glider, the NSW EPA has increased requirements for protecting potential habitat trees with NSW EPA CEO Tony Chappel fully supportive of the new requirements. “This ensures the critical habitats of some of our most endangered and much-loved native animals are protected,” he said. “We have reviewed extensive research, sought expert views and believe this change strikes the right balance, resulting in significant ecological and regulatory improvement to the current arrangements.” The Greater Glider has a home range of up to three hectares and uses up to 18 hollow bearing trees for shelter in that range. When speaking to Forest Scientist and FWCA director Steve Dobbyns, he gave clarity to the issue. “Tree hollows capable of housing a Greater Glider are usually quite obvious from the ground and the EPA’s decision creates the requirement for additional hollow bearing trees to be retained in the areas in which they would most likely occur. “There is no removal of protection for gliders, rather an enhancement of these protections – alongside a recognition that conservation is about the species as a whole, at the landscape level, not at the individual level”. Mr Harrington says that data illustrates the sustainable nature of current timber harvesting levels. No mammal species in Australian history has become extinct due to forestry operations. The careful management of timber resources, coupled with evolving conservation practices, has allowed timber harvesting and our ecosystems to coexist harmoniously. He states that this fact challenges the extreme views of these dishonest organizations that use sweeping generalizations in their attempt to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working families around the state with no improvements to the environment of New South Wales. The statistical realities and the exhaustive regulations present in our timber harvesting sector present a compelling case for the industry’s responsible practices.

Hyne Timber is supporting 15 Tumbarumba High School students who plan to walk the Kokoda Trail following a three-year stoppage due to Covid. Source: Timberbiz Hyne Timber CEO Jim Bindon and Tumbarumba Site Manager Kristina Kaminski presented a $10,000 cheque to the Tumbarumba Rotary Club who facilitate the annual initiative in partnership with the Tumbarumba High School. CEO Jim Bindon said he welcomed the opportunity to meet the high school participants in person and hear firsthand about their preparation, “Being the new CEO of Hyne Timber, I learnt of this initiative for the first time and appreciate this is a unique and incredible opportunity for high school students in Tumbarumba. “The preparation, training and fundraising which is underway ahead of the trek, is experience in teamwork, determination, commitment, and community engagement. “I can only imagine the full experience including the cultural and historical learnings, make this an opportunity of a lifetime.” Mr Bindon said. Hyne Timber has supported this initiative since its inception in 2007 and has several team members who are directly linked to this opportunity whether through their own children participating, volunteering and financially supporting, or having completed the trek themselves during their high school days. Hyne Timber Fitter, Gus Taylor is one of the team members who cannot speak highly enough about the opportunity he had back in 2019. “The experience was unforgettable. The locals were very kind and helpful, as well as impressive on the ukelele!  I’m glad the program is up and running again for more people to have the experience and learn some of the history,” Mr Taylor said. Hyne Timber fellow Fitter, Tyler Wooden echoed Mr Taylor’s sentiment from his own experience in 2017, “The Kokoda trek was something I will never forget. It is great that more high schoolers will get the opportunity to accomplish all the program has to offer,” Mr Wooden said. Tumbarumba Rotary Club spokesperson, Bruce Wright, has been involved with all the 132 Tumbarumba High School students who have completed the Kokoda Trek or are currently in training. “Having been personally involved in fundraising, training and completing the trek itself with the students, I see the impact it has on them during this significant, formative time in their lives,” Mr Wright said. “From both a physical and mental health perspective, as well as appreciation for the life we have here in Tumbarumba, the experience is positively transformational. “The Tumbarumba community involvement is exceptional, and we are very fortunate to have this kind of positive energy and support to provide such a unique opportunity without financial burden or exclusion for individuals wanting to participate. “We are thankful for the ongoing financial support provided by Hyne Timber which assists towards the increasing costs of airfares and equipment.” The year 11 and 12 students will walk the Kokoda Trail while experiencing local villages, exploring the Isurava Battlefield Memorial, the Eora Creek battle site, the Brigade Hill Memorial and many other historic sites. Upon completion, the students visit Bomana War Cemetery and the sights of Port Moresby.

Scion, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, the University of Canterbury, and Christchurch City Council are joining forces to host Urban Forest Futures New Zealand, a first of its kind, two-day symposium. Source: Timberbiz This event will see researchers, urban planners and foresters, council and government officials come together in Christchurch in April to discuss how best to address the challenges in establishing and maintaining green spaces across Aotearoa. Discussion will focus on highlighting the importance of urban forests in mitigating the effects of climate change, enhancing city living, improving environmental health and safeguarding biodiversity. Urban Forest Futures New Zealand will be hosted at the University of Canterbury. The first day will feature conference-style talks from invited speakers and cover a range of topics, including the current state of urban forests in New Zealand and around the world. The benefits of urban forests to human health, ecosystems, conservation and the economy will also be explored. Mana whenua, councils, urban planners, civil engineers and landscape architects will share their perspectives as well. The second day will feature field trips around iconic Christchurch urban forest sites, highlighting culturally significant rongoā as well as areas of ecological success. Dr Justin Morgenroth, an associate professor of urban forestry at the University of Canterbury, will cover the current state of urban forests in New Zealand. He says prioritising urban forest research is crucial, not only to protect biodiversity but also to ensure the wellbeing of our communities. “With further research and support from government, urban planners and iwi, we have an opportunity to create sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments that benefit both people and the planet.” Limited registrations for the symposium, to held on 10-11April 2024, are open. Organisers are hoping to attract experts from a range of groups to ensure that all voices are heard and to brainstorm the challenges and opportunities relating to urban forest greening. “Urban forests will not only help mitigate the effects of climate change but are also a key element in creating equitable, healthy and vibrant cities,” said Dr Thomas Carlin, an ecologist with Scion in Christchurch. “Aotearoa has a wealth of knowledge and experts working in this area, and a valuable resource in Mātauranga Māori as well. We need to bring all our resources together to identify and solve the biggest issues slowing urban forest research and drive some new initiatives.” Investment in urban forests across New Zealand is highly variable. Some areas, such as Christchurch, are leading the way in initiatives to promote afforestation, provide valuable areas for threatened species, and ensure that our cities can be clean, green, and environmentally sustainable. Dr Carlin says some other parts of Aotearoa are still grappling with these issues, resulting in some social inequality in access to green spaces. This often affects the most vulnerable groups of people, including Māori and Pasifika communities. Researchers acknowledge a need to address these disparities and cultivate more equitable urban green spaces. “In some ways, Aotearoa is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of its adoption of green and blue infrastructure,” Dr Carlin said. “We want to ensure this becomes a priority as cities continue to expand to accommodate a growing population in the face of a looming climate crisis.” He adds that the traditional “clean, green Kiwi outlook”, combined with kaitiakitanga values linked to the environment expressed by Māori communities, are strong indicators of support for urban greening. “We just need to give it an extra push to become a research and policy priority.” In the face of extreme weather events linked to climate change, cities are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Green and blue infrastructure, encompassing trees and waterways, act as carbon sinks and reduce the urban heat island effect during heatwaves. Trees can also provide windbreaks and suck up water during storms, while waterways provide outlets to help prevent flooding. Register here.  

As the Australian economy navigates a complex landscape, Master Builders Australia has used its pre-budget submission to remind the Federal Government of the critical importance of the building and construction industry. Source: Timberbiz The industry which employs more than 1.3 million Australians and is made up of around 450,000 businesses, more than any other sector, has been left unsupported and hamstrung by conflicting policy decisions. CEO Denita Wawn said the Federal Budget serves as a vital tool to coordinate and ensure policy levers are pulling in the right direction, alongside the Reserve Bank’s efforts to combat inflation. “A strong building industry means a strong economy. For every dollar invested in the building sector, three dollars are injected back into the Australian economy,” she said. “Australia finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a housing and cost of living crisis that is putting immense pressure on families and the sector. “Master Builders is an enthusiastic signatory to the Housing Accord. However, we believe that the target of 1.2 million homes over five years is not an ambition but a must-do. “While governments are starting to make inroads in planning reform and attracting private investment through mechanisms such as the Housing Australia Future Fund, there has been a disregard for the businesses that will be relied upon to deliver these housing targets. “Productivity is more than a buzzword. It is the key to lowering the cost and time it takes to build homes, roads, and hospitals. “The building industry is facing a shortage of tradespeople, high building costs, construction time blowouts and complex regulatory regimes that do nothing to improve safety or building standards. “Master Builders is advocating for measures that enhance productivity and grow our workforce while prioritising sustainable building practices and regulatory efficiency. “While we must tackle the immediate challenges before us, we cannot lose sight of where we want to be over the next few decades. The built environment must meet new goals, with longevity and sustainability at the core of all building and construction work. “Master Builders acknowledges that large-scale reform cannot happen overnight or in isolation. “The building and construction industry is made up overwhelmingly of small businesses. The time it takes for these businesses to recruit and train staff, implement regulatory and legislative requirements, manage a business and keep up with changing policy priorities is significant. “It is paramount that the government aligns its policies with the long-term objectives of the building and construction industry. The earlier these foundations are laid, the less pain will be felt down the track,” Ms Wawn said. Master Builders Australia submits the Government focuses on measures that: Lift productivity; Deliver Australia’s housing needs; Better connect communities; Build up local defence capabilities; Grow and support the workforce; Ensure safety and wellbeing in the workplace; Support investment; Improve regulatory barriers; Support sustainable building practices and a resilient built environment; and Enhance the federation.

The South Australian Opposition has been accused of walking away from the feral deer culling policy in the State’s South East. Source: Timberbiz Forest Industries Minister Clare Scriven said Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Nicola Centofanti and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional South Australia, Ben Hood are seemingly walking away from the feral deer culling policy, which is strongly supported by both landowners and local Landscape Boards. She said information provided to the Government from attendees at a meeting in Naracoorte involving an interstate MP representing shooters and other recreational shooters from around the state indicates that Ms Centofanti questioned the value and effectiveness of the feral deer eradication policy, while also spreading misinformation that Government Ministers were invited and chose not to attend. “Ms Centofanti seems to have conveniently forgotten the fact that under the former Marshall Liberal Government, now Liberal Leader and former Environment Minister, David Speirs introduced legislation to ensure that concerns raised by landowners about the impacts of feral deer could be addressed,” Ms Scriven said. “I urge the Shadow Minister to stop waging a war with Limestone Coast farmers who are working incredibly hard and simply want to work with Government to minimise the damage that is being done to their properties by the vast number of feral deer. “I have written to David Speirs to bring this important issue to his attention and urge him to counsel his Shadow Minister about joining with a minor party NSW MP to undermine the deer culling policy and failing to stand up for our hardworking farmers. “If feral deer populations continue to increase, farmers in the Limestone Coast are facing a quarter of a billion dollars in lost agricultural productivity in less than a decade from now.” Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Forest Products Association, said Feral Deer Eradication Program was a critical service to protect, support and empower the State’s agricultural industries in the Limestone Coast, particularly the forest and timber industries. “Without this program, our industry would be at risk of suffering significant long-term financial and property loss, as these feral animals destroy or damage our crop and plantation trees,” Mr Paine said. “Over the past 10 years, South Australia’s forest industries have lost a total of 30,000 hectares due to unfair policies such as water allocations, and an additional 20,000 hectares lost due to bushfires, we simply cannot afford more loss due to feral pests such as feral deer. We applaud the State Government and the Landscape Board for delivering this program to protect our industry specifically and all agricultural industries and regional communities generally. “The forest industries were grateful to have the aerial culling program in the South East forestry estate, which in 2023 removed a total of 2,239 feral deer from the southern forestry estate, predominantly through the aerial culling program which removed 1610 feral deer,” he said. “We need to ensure that every seedling we plant today has the best chance to grow into a tree tomorrow that can be harvested and processed into critical fibre products such as house frames.”  

The second round of grants for the $74 million Support Plantation Establishment Program is now open for applications. Source: Timberbiz Farm foresters, First Nations businesses and the forestry industry are among those who will benefit from funding to support more new plantation forests in Australia. Acting Deputy Secretary of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Group Dr Jared Greenville said the grants aimed to increase domestic timber supply, particularly construction and manufacturing timber. “Australia’s plantation forest estate has been in decline for over a decade,” Dr Greenville said. “Estimates from 2019 predict a shortfall in domestic production of softwood logs of 3.4 million m3 by 2050 based on 2015–16 production levels. “That’s why this grant opportunity continues to play an important role to increase Australia’s future timber supply and reduce our dependence on imported timber. “It’s also an important investment in regional and rural jobs and the new plantations will continue to contribute to Australia’s carbon emission reduction targets.” The first round of the program has awarded more than $3.2 million across seven projects in New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. It is expected that a further announcement of successful projects from the first round, which closed on 24 January, will be made shortly. “The Australian Government is providing funding of $2,000 (GST exclusive) per hectare of new long-rotation plantation forest established,” Dr Greenville said. “It can take some tree species 20 to 30 years of growing before they are suitable for harvest and can be processed into structural timber. “This growing time is even longer for some hardwood species.” Projects can run for 1, 2 or 3 years and must be concluded no later than 30 June 2027. For more information or to apply for a grant, visit: Current Grant Opportunity View – GO6728: GrantConnect www.grants.gov.au