Australian timber industry news

It’s time Federal Government funding of the Environmental Defenders Office was turned off. Just last week it lost the case brought by the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) against the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of NSW with its lawyers arguing that the RFA should not have been renewed without assessment and approval under federal environment laws. And this week it lost a landmark case against Santos’s $5.3bn Barossa LNG project, with claims the company’s proposed 262km pipeline would cause irreparable damage to First Nations people and their sites being rejected. The EDO, which again began receiving money – $10 million from Labor last year after a 10-year funding drought initiated by the Abbott government, is carrying out four additional cases in the Federal Court, one involving Woodside’s $16.5bn Scarborough offshore gas field and another relating to the federal government’s $13bn Murray-Darling Basin water plan. AFPA chair Joel Fitzgibbon told The Australian this week that legal aid for activists was “hurting” the Australian economy and called on the federal government to scrap taxpayer funds from the service. “Hopefully the broader community is beginning to see activist lawfare for what it is, ideological and a threat to our living standards,” he said. Mr Fitzgibbon said legal aid for green activists “makes no sense, there is no case for public funding”. He also wants the EDO to disclose a list of its donors. “It was another spurious claim by the EDO, a body constantly in search of a cause rather than one championing the national interest,” he said. “Legal aid for activists is hurting our economy and our reputation as an attractive place to invest. “There should be mandatory disclosure of donations. How else can we be confident there aren’t commercial interests at play?” It echoes a call by Senator Jonno Duniam and Senator Susan McDonald who late last year said in a joint statement that alarm bells should be ringing for the Albanese Government to defund the EDO. “The Albanese Government is enabling green lawfare and stifling billions in investment by funding the EDO. The need to revisit this arrangement couldn’t be more urgent,” Senator Duniam said. “The Government is out of touch. They are on the side of niche activists, not Australian workers and communities that would benefit from investment.” “When the Government’s own union backers and the WA Labor Government are questioning the regulations and power of environmental activists, alarm bells should be ringing for Federal Labor to change the way they are governing.” Shadow Resources Minister Susan McDonald said Labor’s divided, shambolic Cabinet was sending mixed signals to industry and crippling investment. “It is clear Labor doesn’t value mining and resources, and the fact even the unions are now criticising the government should prompt a serious rethink of how they are treating our most important industry,” she said. All three are of course right. Why should any Federal Government fund with taxpayer money an organisation which seems to do little more than use the courts to seek to block legitimate value-creating businesses from operating, or even starting up? The Santos case, according to respected financial journalist Peter Switzer, draws into question the tactics of environmentalists, who do have a right to question all projects and what impact they could have on the environment. “We can’t assume all miners and other businesses are great corporate citizens, but the law courts shouldn’t be used to screw big businesses that employ people, pay taxes, and help the share prices of stocks in our super funds,” he wrote. The delays are said to have cost Santos $800 million, and Switzer points out that while we should be thankful that our courts can play the fair referee (as we’ve seen with the Santos and RFA decisions), there are calls for the Albanese Government to pay a more active role in making sure regulatory actions are not one-sided and anti-business. This, he wrote, should be what you expect of a government that represents all our interests, which not only looks like common sense but also is fair. There is no doubt about that. No doubt at all.  

Global furniture retailer XXXLutz Group is taking pioneering steps towards the goal of climate neutrality and sustainability. Teaming up with Stora Enso the company is exploring game-changing alternatives to conventional packaging materials – Fibrease and Papira. Source: Timberbiz The collaboration is a milestone in the quest for eco-conscious packaging solutions and is a part of Stora Enso´s strategy to partner up with market leaders. By substituting traditional polymeric foams with lightweight wood-based alternatives, significant reductions in CO₂ emissions are possible. Similar to other used materials, like paper and cardboard, the foam materials are recyclable and can be disposed with paper and thus returned to the cycle. “These characteristics alone are reason enough to be even more motivated to start the testing phase. This affects packaging for our entire product range – from dinner plates to cabinets,” said Sascha Matzner, the XXXLutz Group’s head of ESG. ”All of us, retailers as well as manufacturers, are aware of the climate change issue and the heavy burden future generations will have to shoulder under current projections.” Stora Enso and XXXLutz Group’s collaboration heralds a promising era of eco-conscious practices in the furniture industry, setting the stage for widespread adoption of renewable and recyclable materials. Fibrease is a lightweight wood fibre composite foam made of wood from sustainably managed forests. It is flexible and has great damping and insulation capacity, whilst being recyclable in paper and board streams according to PTS assessment. The material is designed to replace PU foams in packaging solutions and is an excellent substitute to EPS in cold chain management. Papira is a bio-based and biodegradable foam made from wood sourced from sustainably managed forests. It is fully recyclable in regular paper and board streams, making it an ideal choice for protective packaging applications. Papira is highly shock absorbing, providing excellent protection for fragile and high value products. The lightweight and rigid foam can replace EPS and PE foams.

The Forest Stewardship Council is fundamentally changing its risk evaluations for forests. The next generation of risk assessments will replace the current way of assessing risks in forestry as part of the current controlled wood concept. Source: Timberbiz In an enhanced approach the new risk assessments will be of use for the production of FSC Mix products within the current controlled wood concept; but will also serve as a tool for risk evaluation in regard to new legal requirements such as the EUDR. These new risk assessments will therefore become an invaluable tool for companies to efficiently assess and mitigate risks. While doing so, FSC is going one step further by aiming for an alliance between partners facing similar challenges. This Risk Information Alliance will foster global sustainability leadership by collaborating with other sustainability leaders. The focus is on developing a single, standardized Risk Assessment framework that will benefit both certified and non-certified companies. The establishment of the Risk Information Alliance marks a transformative step for FSC, positioning it as a global leader in sustainability practices. The collaborative approach, streamlined processes, and standardized framework demonstrate a commitment to efficient risk assessment and mitigation, ultimately contributing to the preservation and responsible management of global forests. Establishing risk assessments to be used for various commodities will dramatically reduce effort needed by companies for due diligence practices. Risk Assessments from the Risk Information Alliance will be a key tool for supporting EUDR compliance, as both certified and non-certified companies will be able use them for implementing strong due diligence practices by showcasing risk assessment and mitigation for competent authorities. This development builds on the risk assessment work already in motion as part of FSC EUDR Aligned. The Risk Information Alliance aims to streamline the development of requirements and decision-making processes. By collaborating with other sustainability leaders, FSC can draw on collective expertise, ensuring that the Risk Assessment approach is comprehensive and aligned with global best practices. Through collaboration, FSC intends to maintain its leadership role in multi-stakeholder discussions. By actively engaging with other sustainability leaders, FSC can influence and shape global policies and practices related to risk assessment and mitigation. The alliance positions FSC as a leader not only within its own certification scheme but also in the broader field of risk assessment and mitigation. This leadership extends beyond FSC, contributing to the development of sustainable practices across various industries. The partnership allows FSC to address time constraints and capacity challenges by diversifying the processes involved in risk assessment. This reduces dependency on FSC alone, enabling a more efficient and timely completion of risk assessments. The alliance facilitates the sharing of FSC values, such as the assessment of High Conservation Value (HCV) protection and the exclusion of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), with other sustainability schemes. This collaborative approach enhances the overall effectiveness of risk assessment requirements. The new approach for FSC Risk Assessments will be applicable to Forest Management and Chain of Custody, including Controlled Wood, aligning with EUDR requirements. The changes and proposals for the risk assessments will be published for public consultation from 1 February 2024 – 1 March 2024. The Risk Assessments are one element among others to comply with the EUDR through FSC EUDR Aligned, and specifically the FSC Regulatory Module which forms part of it. The new Risk Assessment framework introduces several significant changes, differentiating it from the current system. FSC plans to expedite the development and maintenance of Risk Assessments, especially in response to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The goal is to update existing Risk Assessments quickly and efficiently through the Risk Assessment Alliance, ensuring compliance and sustainability.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a new phase of work supported with US$2 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to assist developing countries in monitoring and reporting data on both the state and changes in their forest cover more effectively and transparently. Source: Timberbiz The three-year project ‘Building global capacity to increase transparency in the forest sector: accelerating capacity-building, knowledge-sharing and awareness raising’ will build understanding of the importance of transparent forest data and strengthen capacities in developing countries to enhance the quality, timeliness, accessibility, and usability of their forest-related data. The project will directly benefit at least 20 countries and more broadly support 236 countries and territories that are part of the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment national correspondent network. “Forest data transparency is a cornerstone of effective climate action and sustainable forest management,” said Tiina Vähänen, Deputy Director of FAO’s Forestry Division. “It enables us to make informed decisions and achieve ambitious forest commitments such as Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life onLand” and the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use, where over 140 countries committed to stop and reverse forest loss by 2030.” The project is the second phase of FAO’s work on forest data transparency supported by the GEF’s Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) fund, set up to help developing countries meet the requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement for enhanced transparency in how they report progress towards national targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and halting deforestation. Forests and land use are key components of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), providing a quarter of emission reductions planned by countries. Ensuring transparent tracking and reporting of these efforts necessitates enhanced data on forests and emission reductions, greater accessibility to advanced technical and innovative methods, and the strengthening of national forest monitoring systems. However, many developing countries lack the institutional or technical capacity to gather and share complete, reliable and timely data and face logistical challenges to monitor forests, especially in remote areas. ’The new project builds on the work of CBIT-Forest, from 2020-2022, aiming to address outstanding barriers and accelerate progress towards a world where forest data is transparent, accessible and continually monitored through cutting edge technology. The project will focus on developing capacities to champion open and transparent data at the national, regional and global levels through innovative global composite learning programs, combining virtual and in-person training. It will also work to cement regional networks with new partners including women, youth groups and academia to ensure sustainability and transparency of forest reporting. The project is set to enhance the Global Forest Resources Assessment platform, increase technical capacities and platforms for National Forest Monitoring Systems, and boost the development and dissemination of knowledge products related to forest data transparency.

Motivated by their own love of the environment, Pippa, Eli, Tyson and Ethan wanted to inspire other young people to care about the natural world as much as they do. The four Yahl Primary School students, with some help from their teacher Mel Holtz, chose storytelling as their medium and worked together to author and illustrate ‘Who will help? as part of a project through the Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s Young Environmental Leaders Program. Source: Timberbiz Who will help? is a story about a magpie, named Pippa, and a copperhead snake, named Eli, tasked with the search and rescue of two young swamp wallabies who go missing in The Valley Lakes. The creation process was a truly collaborative effort by the young Yahl Primary leaders, but it wasn’t without challenge. “It was a team effort,” Pippa said. “It was really fun and we got along. We only had one real argument. The challenge I guess was ‘creative differences’…” The student group did everything from creating characters and developing the story, to painting and illustrating every page. “We thought instead of coming up with random character names, we’d use our own names,” Eli said. “Ms Holtz’ favourite animal is the magpie, so we included that, and we researched what other native animals live around the area as well.” “We did the ink wash backgrounds together for each of the pages, decided where the images would go, then drew and created the pictures.” Consulting with local Boandik Elder Uncle Ken Jones and author Jo Watson, the students said they wanted to create a story that was local with places people would recognise but would resonate with anyone no matter where they were from. “Uncle Ken helped us with Boandik language, so we could include Boandik words in the story,” Pippa said. “At the back there’s a list of the words and the English translation. This made the book relevant to local people, but even if you’re from somewhere else, you can enjoy the story and learn about local culture and places.” “The book is aimed at younger kids, and really anyone, to inspire people stop littering, and to learn how actually care about the environment and animals.” Yahl Primary teacher Mel Holtz oversaw the project and was committed to supporting the students work by making sure the book was finished in a quality way. “Without the OneFortyOne grant, we would have just had to limit ourselves to photocopied versions,” Mel said. “I knew if we wanted the project to be successful and the students to feel like they’ve made something with a lasting impact, it needed to be good quality.” “We brainstormed organisations within the community that might support the project, and came across the OneFortyOne grants program.” The limited copies have been distributed to those who worked with the group to bring the story to life. A copy is also available at to loan from the Mount Gambier Public Library. “It feels really rewarding that the book is done, and we can share it with everyone,” Pippa said. “Creating the book and being a part of YELP was a great experience, took lots of effort, but it was worth it to achieve our goals.” “Hopefully it reaches lots of kids. If it gets a lot of interest we’ll do a softcover version.” “We hope everyone enjoys the story and that it inspires them to look after nature.”  

While global leaders discussed how to respond to “climate tipping points” at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland, one young science leader at Scion has emerged as an ambassador for the bioeconomy. Source: Timberbiz Dr Angelique Greene has been appointed as a Bioeconomy Youth Champion for the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy (IACGB) in the Asia-Pacific region – and she’s now on a mission to gather more like-minded young people to grow awareness about the benefits of the bioeconomy for communities, the climate and the environment. She joins Kokuke Shiraishi from Kyoto University in Japan in co-leading the IACGB’s regional bioeconomy group for youth. Working together, they are recruiting researchers and young leaders to learn more about how youth are involved, understand and engage with bioeconomies in their own countries. Two workshops are on the horizon for the group. It’s hoped the first can be held this year in Rotorua, setting the stage for a second workshop in Kyoto, Japan, in 2025. The first workshop will focus on developing strategies for surveying and collecting data from young people across the Asia-Pacific region. The goal for the second is to create a culturally relevant and impactful study that can guide policy decisions and the transition to a bioeconomy. Insights gathered will be instrumental in helping countries respond to the changes that are already underway. Bioeconomy is not just a buzzword; it encompasses technologies such as biotechnology and sustainable agriculture that are crucial for solving the pressing issues related to climate change. With Scion helping New Zealand transition to a circular bioeconomy, Dr Greene and fellow Bioeconomy Youth Champions will help to assess the workforce pipeline, bioresource availability, and training needs in different regions. Dr Greene says her role reflects her commitment as a scientist to create a more sustainable future, while also highlighting the importance of involving the younger generation in shaping global policies that will affect their future. “The issues we’re focused on matter a lot to everyone around the world, but specifically to those who are most impacted by the effects of climate change. “In our Asia-Pacific region, Asia is the most populated area of the planet, and the Pacific Islands are often underrepresented on global issues. I’m strongly advocating for diverse indigenous populations that would traditionally be marginalised to be part of the conversation and have a voice.” Scientist Ki-Taurangi Bradford from Scion’s Te Ao Māori Research Group is the latest to join Dr Greene and her group who are actively recruiting members from countries such as Samoa, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Philippines and Fiji. These countries represent a range of cultures, customs, and economic situations. Their indigenous communities also possess valuable knowledge about sustainable living and resource use, which can inform global bioeconomy strategies. Ms Bradford says she feels very motivated to contribute to the team. “I believe that the bioeconomy, with its potential to address climate change, promote inclusivity, and empower indigenous communities, aligns with my values and aspirations for a more equitable and sustainable future.” Before embarking on the youth survey, Dr Greene says a focus for the group will be asking if the terminology being used is correct for particular countries. “You might go into one country and say ‘bioeconomy’ and people will laugh and tell you they’ve been actively living the principles of a bioeconomy for thousands of years. It’s not a new concept for indigenous cultures. “Even a few hundred years ago, people lived off the resources of the land and used every part of things. In places like Samoa, it’s still how many people live their lives. This is why it’s important to have diverse global voices in the group.” In addition to workshops, Dr Greene and Ms Shiraishi will attend the Global Bioeconomy Summit hosted by the IACGB in late 2024 where they will share their work and experiences from the Asia-Pacific group. These global gatherings foster a sense of community, underlining the importance of collaboration in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. Dr Greene’s work extends beyond her role as a Youth Champion. She is the project leader for the Waikato University-led MBIE-funded Amiomio Aotearoa project at Scion. This project focuses on building a circular economy in New Zealand by exploring sustainable recycling strategies for plastics. A key aspect of her research involves enzymatic plastic degradation, which offers a more sustainable and cleaner method for recycling plastics. Current mechanical or chemical recycling methods can only be repeated a limited number of times or can require harsh chemicals. Greene’s approach uses enzymes as bio-catalysts to break down plastics into their monomer components. These monomers can be used for energy production or to create new bioplastics, significantly reducing waste and environmental impact. “It’s work in the biotechnology space that we know will become increasingly important as we aim to move away from being so dependent on fossil fuels to create products,” Dr Greene said.

The NSW Rural Fire Service 2022/2023 Annual Report is now on the web it notes that there are a number of achievements to be considered. Source: John O’Donnell Hazard reduction burning and mechanical removal totalled 45,642 hectares for NSW (Appendix page 100): 82,393 ha burning. 7,696 ha mechanical. Unfortunately, areas of annual hazard reduction burning and mechanical reduction in NSW are both at very low rates and vary by year.  The areas of fuel reduction in NSW and estimated percentage of forested area based on 20 million hectares of forest in NSW were: 147,625 hectares in 2017/ 18 (estimated 0.7 % of NSW forested area); 199,248 hectares in 2018/ 19 (estimated 1 % of NSW forested area); 55,548 hectares in 2019/ 20 (estimated 0.3 % of NSW forested area); 176,499 hectares in 2020/ 21 (estimated 0.9 % of NSW forested area) and 44,642 hectares in 2021/ 22 (estimated 0.2 % of NSW forested area). 90,089 hectares in 2022/ 23 (estimated 0.5 % (actually 0.045 %) of NSW forested area. Over time, shortfalls and inadequate fuel reduction add up and result in build-up of very high fuel loads and strata across landscapes. Only 3.6 % of the NSW forested landscape has received fuel treatment over six years, this is extremely low and inadequate to reduce bushfire areas and risk. Native and plantation forests continue to be heavily exposed to lack of low intensity burns across landscapes, as highlighted in the photos below from the 2019/ 20 bushfires.  The data above over six years highlights ongoing miniscule rates of prescribed burning, which is very likely lower in landscapes away from communities. In addition, where intense bushfires have occurred, such as fuels resulting from the 2019/ 20 bushfires, there are large areas heavy undergrowth fuels, dead fuels and heavy grass fuel, this makes the conditions worse for firefighting, especially in adverse conditions. In relation to the risk remaining for future fire seasons, it is critical the bushfire risks for future fire seasons are soundly addressed, potentially including increased programs to manage fuels to catch up on shortfall seasons, fully using the additional fire mitigation employees identified in earlier NSW media releases, expanded maintenance burning and other available measures. There are large opportunities to expand the use of small aircraft, helicopters and drones for low intensity burning operations, using placed grid patterns for fires to join up in the cool of the evening and unburnt patches.   There are potential opportunities for a number of prescribed burning drones with individual brigades/ mitigation officers and fire regions. There are apparent opportunities to increase low intensity burning and mechanical treatment operations by NSW NPWS, noting a level of 71,768 hectares in 2022/23.   Noting a land area of 7.6 million hectares, this represents 0.9 % of area treated per year.  Using a forest area of 4,812,045, this represents 1.5 % of area treated per year if treatments only addressed forested areas. There are apparent opportunities to increase low intensity burning and mechanical treatment operations across private lands, noting a level of 4,270 hectares treated across NSW in 2022/23.  Using a forest area of 6,937,308 hectares on private lands, this represents 0.06 % of forest area treated per year.  There are major apparent opportunities for cooperative fuel reduction and maintenance programs between private landholders and government. There are apparent opportunities to increase low intensity burning and mechanical treatment operations by local government, noting a level of 4,254 hectares by NSW local government in 2022/23.  This had increased from 2021/ 22. Further detail that highlights low levels of prescribed burning across Australian states is a 2022 article titled “Review of prescribed burning and wildfire burning areas across Australia” which is available at: https://arr.news/2022/05/18/review-of-prescribed-burning-and-wildfire-burning-across-australia-john-odonnell/ Resilient safe, healthy landscapes is a critical issue being considered in many countries across the world, including work in the US on resilient landscapes in relation to bushfires.  Considering the extent of chronic eucalypt decline and thick understories in many NSW forests, strategies and actions to address these major issues across NSW landscapes and reduce intense bushfire risks are opportune but overdue, using low intensity maintenance burning and mechanical treatment of forests. The safety of fire fighters entering forested areas, particularly where there are high fuel loads, is a critical issue, and is a major risk area and has been for a long time. These matters are raised in order to optimise the safety of firefighting and communities and optimise protection of infrastructure/ assets, forests and the environment. The report is available at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/publications/annual-reports

Forest and Wood Communities Australia Executive Officer and renowned Australian singer-songwriter Mick Harrington has released a heartfelt anthem, “Cutting Down Our Town,” shedding light on the challenges faced by sustainable native timber towns in Victoria. Source: Timberbiz This emotive song serves as a rallying cry for those with timber in their blood, fighting for the survival of their communities amidst the shutdown. The poignant lyrics capture the essence of the ill-informed activist class, highlighting their lack of understanding of the hardships faced by country people. “Cutting Down Our Town” is more than just a song; it’s a powerful narrative amplifying the voices of timber communities, emphasizing the need for empathy and informed decision-making. Mr Harrington, with a deep connection to the cause, says all proceeds from the song will go towards his advocacy work for timber towns across Australia. Through his dedicated work with Forest and Wood Communities Australia, he aims to create awareness about the challenges these communities endure and champion their cause on a national scale. The song is available on Mick Harrington’s Bandcamp page: https://mickharrington.bandcamp.com/track/cutting-down-our-town “We’re standing up for the heart of our towns, for the generations with timber in their blood,” Mr Harrington said. “‘Cutting Down Our Town’ is not just a song; it’s a call to action. “Let’s join forces to support these communities and ensure their voices are heard,” he said.

Albioma has purchased the Tuan wood pellet plant in Queensland. The business, previously owned by Altus Renewables, went into administration in late 2023. Source: Timberbiz The plant’s raw material is formed of residues supplied under long-term agreements by the region’s main sawmills, which process wood from sustainably-managed forests. The plant, which has been in operation since 2014, produces 60,000 tonnes of high-quality wood pellets each year. The transaction also includes a 35,000-tonne storage facility in the port of Bundaberg and a 57-ha site in South Australia, near Mount Gambier, for a prospective wood pellet plant that could produce 300,000 tonnes per year. A construction permit has been secured for the site. Ideally positioned at the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, these facilities will supply the Group’s biomass power stations on La Réunion. The acquisition serves Albioma’s objective of strengthening its security of supply of high-quality sustainable biomass. Albioma is a France-based independent renewable energy producer. It is mainly active in the biomass and solar photovoltaic sectors, mainly in mainland France and the French overseas territories. It is listed on the Euronext Paris. “We welcome the teams at Tuan, who are bringing all their expertise to Albioma,” Frédéric Moyne, Chairman of Albioma, said. “This operation will enable us to diversify our pellet supply portfolio, which meets the most stringent requirements on sustainable development. “In addition to locally sourced biomass, which is naturally given priority in order to promote the circular economy, this supply is essential to guarantee the continued production of renewable energy in the French Overseas Territories,” he said. “This acquisition steps up Albioma’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region, where we have been deeply rooted for decades”.  

The Federal Court decision to dismiss a challenge by environmental activists to the North East New South Wales Regional Forest Agreement meant that more than 5000 workers across the North Coast can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their livelihoods aren’t facing an imminent threat, according to the Nationals Member for Oxley Michael Kemp. Source: Timberbiz The Court rejected the claims brought by environmental groups that the Regional Forest Agreement governing the industry was out of date and did not take into account current environmental issues. Mr Kemp said that after a year-long battle, common sense has prevailed, with the application by the North East Forest Alliance dismissed. “Hardwood timber is the backbone of the Mid North Coast and contributes significantly to the $2.9 billion industry,” he said. “There is no substitute for products like timber pallets that transport our groceries and put food on our tables. Hardwood is utilised in building materials, power poles, and essential transportation like bridges and railway tracks.” Mr Kemp said hardwood timber can coexist within the parameters of conservation. NSW forestry operations follow some of the strictest regulations and environmental standards across the world. “In 20 million hectares of State Forest, only 30,000 hectares are available for selective harvesting, equating to less than 0.1 percent or just 14 in 10,000 trees. Once an area is harvested, measures are in place to ensure regrowth and regeneration,” he said. “Shutting down the native timber industry will allow for poor harvesting practices overseas and create a global conservation concern. The ideological rhetoric behind ‘stop logging to save our species’ is hypocritical and serves to endanger forests offshore because those industries do not share our Australian standards.” Mr Kemp said the court’s verdict is a landmark decision in protecting our most sustainable industries. He said the NSW Government must follow the same line of common sense and support timber, keep it onshore, and protect flora and fauna while also protecting regional jobs.

Western Victoria’s hardwood plantation sector has engaged respected regional advocate and communications specialist Liz McKinnon to act as its shared external affairs manager to coordinate communication with government and community stakeholders. Source: Timberbiz Global forest companies Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP), Midway Limited and New Forests, who control about 90% of western Victoria’s hardwood (eucalyptus globulus) estate, have engaged the recognised government figure to manage its aligned external affairs. The contract role will coordinate strategic communication, government relations and policy development, aimed to enhance and support the work of existing industry advocacy groups. Ms McKinnon has extensive industry experience as the founding CEO of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub prior to taking on the role of South Australia’s first Cross Border Commissioner, acting as an advocate for the state’s border communities. She joins the hardwood collective with more than two decades experience in media and communications, including senior management experience in government relations and stakeholder management. With growing interest from investors and government, ABP CEO Russ Hughes said the companies recognised the value of engaging a “communications specialist” to promote the hardwood sectors focus on plantation investment and domestic value-add, including trials to create new hardwood structural timber products and use of hardwood in the creation of biofuel. Mr Hughes said a key emphasis of the role was building closer partnership with the broader agriculture industry in western Victoria, promoting the value of the carbon market and the sector’s sustainable management practices. “Liz has worked across jurisdictions dealing with complex policy and challenging stakeholder management environments. She has a strong understanding of the industry’s strategic direction and business operations ensuring she is well positioned to promote the hardwood sector’s future, building trusted relationships, and recognising areas for new partnership,” Mr Hughes said. Midway Limited managing director Tony McKenna said Ms McKinnon would be responsible for identifying, managing, and facilitating coordination of key issues, with an initial focus on investments in the Geelong, Otway and Heytesbury regions. “Our relationship with the media, broader industry, government, and community stakeholders is important to growing our business. This collaboration will support a more consistent and transparent voice for the plantation hardwood sector in western Victoria,” Mr McKenna said. New Forests global head of asset management Matt Crapp said a primary focus of the external affairs role was community education, supporting greater understanding of the sector’s sustainable management practices and focus on new domestic value add. “Liz will play an important role managing the coordination of messaging for our three companies, reflecting how we can better align our public engagement to enhance the economic, social and environmental understanding of the role our sector plays not only to the local economy but the nation’s economy,” Mr Crapp said. Ms McKinnon has been employed in the role as a contractor via her business EHM Advisory.

Effect of wooden floorboards on the vibration of timber floor is a study is aimed at investigating those parameters related to timber flooring that can affect the acceptability of vibration behaviour of a timber floor in a residential building in view of the criteria stated in Eurocode EC5. Source: Timberbiz The timber floor investigated is made of OSB/3 floorboards and timber joists. The parameters that are investigated in this study are thickness of flooring, floor joist span, joist spacing and connection of floorboards to the joists. In this context, two cases are considered. First: the flooring is nailed or screwed to the joists and no composite action or interaction is obtained between joists and floorboards. Second: the flooring is glued sufficiently to the joists and full interaction is obtained. The result suggests that glued floorboards perform much better with respect to natural frequency, static deflection and peak floor velocity than nailed or screwed floorboards. In almost all cases of glued floorboards, the result complies fully with the Eurocode 5 design vibration requirements. However, as floor lengths increase, the static deflection will increase beyond the allowable limit, especially for relatively thin floor panels and relatively widely spread joists. For both cases, increasing floorboards thickness and decreasing the joist span by adding more beams can yield even better results to satisfy the requirement of vibration comfort. You can download the paper here.

The Nokian Tyres Tractor King tyre family is designed for forestry, earthmoving and road construction jobs. A wide range of available sizes ensures the best match with the machine and the job at hand. This is why the Nokian Tyres Tractor King family is expanded with three new sizes, 600/65R28 for front axle as well as 710/70R38 and 800/70R38 for rear axle. Source: Timberbiz When the Nokian Tyres Tractor King Tyre family was released in 2018, it was especially welcomed by the people doing heavy tractor work in harsh terrains. Its all-new tread pattern with more tractive edges provides excellent grip while the fortified carcass and special forestry compound add reliability. With the three new sizes, even more tractors can benefit from these properties. Big machinery, heavy loads and powerful work attachments call for high load-bearing capacity from a tyre. The biggest of the new rear tyre options, 800/70R38, raises the load-bearing capacity to a new level. “The new tyre boasts the highest load carrying capacity in the Nokian Tyres Tractor King product family with a Load Index (LI) of 183,” said Teemu Vainionpää. “The wider rear tyres offer increased traction and durability, particularly beneficial for high horsepower earthmoving pulling tasks.” The Tractor King family has proven its worth in countless sites around the world. In Spain, Juan Vicente, working for Nivelanciones Hnos Cabanillas, is impressed with the tyre’s durability, traction and load capacity. “We have tested countless tyres on the market and without a doubt the hourly performance and high reliability provided by Nokian Tyres Tractor King, makes our work more profitable and safer,” Juan Vicente said. Juan Vicente also welcomes the new sizes. “They give us the opportunity to install Nokian Tyres Tractor King on all machines we have in the company,” he said. The three new sizes of Tractor King – 600/65R28, 710/70R38, and 800/70R38 – are available for order.  

Metsä Board was one of the winners of 2024 WorldStar awards for their ultralight pizza box concept developed together with Adara Pakkaus and other industry experts. A total of 435 entries from 41 countries were included in this year’s competition. Source: Timberbiz An expert panel of international judges compared the entries to similar solutions from around the world and awarded the ones that were superior in their category and market and were better in execution or innovation, in comparison to others. The awarded ultralight pizza box solution, made of Metsä Board Natural WKL Bright, uses considerably less material than traditional solutions without compromising rigidity, function or print quality. The pizza box was about 38% lighter and according to the life cycle analysis the pizza box’s carbon footprint was up to 50% lower than those of traditional solutions made of recycled fibre. The environmental impact comparison was carried out on material and its production. The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has been organising the WorldStar awards since 1970 to recognise the best of the best in packaging innovations from across the globe. The objective is to bring forth advancements in packaging design and technology especially in responding to new challenges and global trends such as sustainability. Only packaging solutions that have been previously awarded in a recognised national or regional competition are eligible to participate. Previous to the WorldStar recognition, Metsä Board’s pizza box concept was awarded a ScanStar in a competition organised by the Nordic packaging industry associations in late 2023.

Deforestation refers to both the intentional and accidental or natural removal of trees and can occur in any area that is densely populated with trees and other plants. Source: Timberbiz The loss of trees and other vegetation causes desertification, soil erosion, decreased crop yields, flooding and increased greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. It is also one of the factors that negatively affects climate change and leads to many problems for both people, especially indigenous peoples, and biodiversity. Traditional agricultural practices have negative impacts on the environment, including deforestation. The slash-and-burn farming approach plays a significant role in this environmental issue. It involves burning vast swathes of forest to make way for agriculture, with the ash as a natural fertilizer. However, this practice leads to soil infertility in a short time, requiring the farmers to clear more land for cultivation. Food production system in Australia faces enormous challenges due to extreme climate events, including recurring droughts, heat stress, floods, and temperature variations. At the same time, outdated or unsustainable agricultural practices lead the industry in Australia to problems such as ongoing erosion, loss and destruction of soil structure and salinity. These challenges threaten the viability of many rural communities and the country’s food security. Deforestation Problems in Australia Australia’s forests undergo irrevocable changes yearly due to fires, logging and clearings. The nature of this continent is unique. However, at the moment, about 1,900 species of plants and animals are under threat of extinction. As a result of logging, millions of native animals suffer and lose their habitat. Over the past 200 years, about 50% of Australia’s forest cover has been destroyed. Between 2000 and 2017, over 7.7 million hectares of forests and bushes were destroyed due to land clearing. To put that into perspective, it’s an area as large as Ireland. Australia is the only country on the list of developed countries that is also among the global deforestation hotspots. Restoration requires much effort and time, hundreds and even thousands of years. In connection with this fact, it is necessary to emphasize that forests are not such a quickly renewable resource that they can be wasted without regard to the consequences. The main reasons for the crisis in the country are land development, agriculture and forestry. In Queensland alone, over a million hectares of forest and bushland were destroyed in five years as a result of the expansion of the meat industry. Much of the clearing of forest land in Queensland is aimed at creating pasture for grazing livestock, particularly cattle raised for beef. It is also worth noting that deforestation in Queensland is negatively impacting the Great Barrier Reef, leading to degradation and destruction of the ecosystem. Satellite Technologies in Deforestation Problems Satellite remote sensing provides forest ecological environment monitoring today, which is much more profitable than labor-intensive ground-based observations, which are also quite expensive. Information received from orbit ensures transparency and accountability. Thanks to this, scientists, non-governmental organizations and the public can obtain comprehensive information about the events and state of the woodlands. Forest monitoring satellites are being used to slow down deforestation. The availability of Earth observation and forest stands monitoring data enables effective deforestation control. This information includes identifying logging in wild and protected woodlands, changes in commercial logging, and legal violations. Thus, there are more opportunities to ensure safety and improve the management of economic activities in the logging area, as well as an in-depth analysis of the consequences. Several satellite missions have been launched specifically for forest health monitoring and land use changes. Among them is the Landsat program, thanks to which it has been possible to continuously obtain consistent data on the surface of our planet since 1972. This mission is a joint initiative be-tween NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). There is also a European Space Agency (ESA) program in which Sentinel satellites provide valuable information on land cover changes and forest degradation. In addition to deforestation and forest vegetation monitoring, space data can help combat this problem. Real-time satellite data can detect illegal logging and alert law enforcement, so they can take timely action. Satellite early warning systems also help identify high deforestation risks in certain areas. Case Study: Forico, Tasmania’s leader in forest management In June 2020, Forico, Tasmania’s leading private forestry company, introduced monthly automated harvest progress reporting developed by EOSDA Forest Monitoring. The company pays great attention to preserving the environment and strives for the sustainable use of natural resources, relying on expertise and innovation. The timber market, including Forico’s exports, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. How-ever, this issue was temporal. Demand for wood is growing, and it is expected to quadruple in the next 30 years. Sustainability is crucial in business today. Customers demand 100% plantation-sourced wood, preferring recycled waste and timber from short-growing plantations. Certified producers like Forico are the preferred choice. Thanks to the solution from EOS Data Analytics, Forico has increased the efficiency of logging monitoring. Automated reports provide reliable and accurate information collected in a short period of time. This solution also helps save time and improve crew planning. EOS Data Analytics Forest Monitoring Features and Application EOSDA Forest Monitoring is a solution for sustainable forest management created by EOS Data Analytics. A variety of users, including landowners, logging companies and research institutes, can re-motely gain valuable forest health information, monitor changes and manage forestry lands on a single platform. This sustainable management solution allows you to determine forest cover and deforestation in specified areas and analyse progress in forest restoration. With the Tree Species feature, users can remotely identify and differentiate between different tree species for targeted management. Using the Burned Area solution, the user can assess fire damage and classify the extent of damage. EOSDA Forest Monitoring provides businesses with accurate information on which to base decisions for sustainable forest management. Sustainable Forestry and Practices Poor forest management can lead to a significant reduction in the number of trees or the complete disappearance of forests. Sustainable forestry […]

New house building approvals decreased by 1.9% in November. According to HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon the fall in this month’s figures sees approvals in the three months to November lower by 8.0% compared with the same period in the previous year. Source: Timberbiz “The low volume of building approvals throughout 2023 will see the volume of homes commencing construction continue to slow this year. “Other leading indicators of activity in the housing market, such as new home sales and housing finance data, are also consistent with their confirmation of this projected slowdown. “The rise in the cash rate is the primary cause of this slowdown in approvals,” he said. “A continued fall in the number of new homes approved indicates a slow start to the Australian government’s ambition to build 1.2 million new homes in five years starting mid-2024.” In seasonally adjusted terms, decreases in house approvals in the three months to November compared with the same period in the previous year were led by New South Wales (-16.0%), Victoria (-7.2%), South Australia (-6.6%) and Queensland (-6.0%). Western Australia saw a 5.4% increase over the same period. In original terms, detached approvals in the same period fell in the Northern Territory (-30.5%) and in Tasmania (-21.9%), while the Australian Capital Territory saw an increase (+3.0%).

In 2023 the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life entered an exciting new stage in its evolution with the appointment of its new Director, Professor Tripti Singh. Source: Timberbiz With more than 20 years of experience in managing collaborative, multi-million-dollar research programs, Professor Singh is a leading figure in wood protection research. She also has a long history with the Centre, having served on its international advisory committee since its launch in 2017. Operating out of the University of the Sunshine Coast, the mission of the Centre has always been to return Australia to the forefront of international best practice, underpinning consumer confidence in timber product performance. Since its establishment, it has made important inroads in working with industry to ensure Australia has access to the world’s leading research, building strong links between industry, academia and customers. As well as overseeing vital research projects of significant value to the sector, it continues to educate the next generation of durability scientists, boosting Australian research capacity. In the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series, listeners will hear from Professor Singh as she discusses her plans and vision for the future of the Centre, and how she’s found the first few months in her new role. “Taking over the leadership of such a vital centre for research into timber durability is a privilege, particularly during a time where so many opportunities existed for expanding timber use in Australia,” Prof. Singh said. “Industry collaboration on vital research projects will be key to ensuring the ongoing success of the centre. “At its core, I believe nurturing relationships with industry and strengthening linkages with re-search groups in the domestic and global durability community will help align centre research with industry needs and result in practical solutions ready for implementation in real-world settings.” Listeners will also hear from the lead researchers of two key projects currently being conduct-ed in collaboration with the centre. First up, Scott Kleinschmidt, Director at Australian Timber & Pest Research provides an update on his work in assessing the termite resistance of fast-grown plantation heartwood timber species. Meanwhile, Dr Pene Mitchell of the University of the Sunshine Coast discusses efforts to im-prove the environmental profile of treated timber by identifying appropriate alternative uses at end-of-life. This episode is the latest entry into the WoodChat canon which has evolved into a fascinating library of diverse information on vital forestry-related topics, neatly packaged in an engaging audio format. Other recent WoodChat episodes include a focus on work to protect Australia’s forests from the threat of exotic pests and diseases, and efforts to create a culture of smart manufacturing for wood products in Australia. Another recent entry is a two-part focus on the FWPA-supported ForestLearning education program for school children, covering everything from resources that utilise the latest technologies, to award wins, and outstanding feedback from kids and teachers. WoodChat is an example of FWPA’s ongoing commitment to harnessing a broad range of mod-ern communication methods to ensure the industry and community can easily access details of noteworthy developments in the sector. Each episode contains insights from leading industry experts on timely topics and exciting innovations relevant to the forestry and wood products space. You can listen to WoodChat on Soundcloud, iTunes and Spotify.

The Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) has been ordered to pay a fine and legal costs totalling $104,000 after it illegally took down protected trees in a South Coast state forest. Source: About Regional A logging operation had taken place in March 2020 at Mogo State Forest, which is south of Batemans Bay. In 2022, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued three $15,000 penalty infringement notices to FCNSW for allegedly felling hollow-bearing trees across three areas in the forest. The FCNSW challenged one of these notices in the Bega Local Court last year, before Magistrate Doug Dick handed down his decision in the Batemans Bay Local Court in December. Under the site-specific operating conditions that followed the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, FCNSW was required to permanently retain all hollow-bearing trees to prevent the loss of habitat for hollow-dependent species, the EPA said. “Following the challenge, FCNSW was found guilty of the offence under the Forestry Act 2012 in Bega Local Court in November 2023,” the EPA said. “The magistrate was satisfied all four trees had visible hollows before they were cut down.” FCNSW was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 as well as $84,340 to the EPA as legal costs. A spokesperson for the corporation said that during the operation, Forestry undertook searches and identified and preserved hundreds of hollow-bearing trees. “Forestry Corporation and the EPA had differing opinions as to whether the hollows in four trees were visible from the ground before they were felled,” the FCNSW spokesperson said. “Forestry Corporation is committed to complying with the ruleset and ensuring habitat is protected during its operations.” EPA executive director of regulatory operations Jason Gordon said the court’s decision supported the EPA’s position that the visibility of tree hollows must be assessed broadly and requires scrutiny from several angles. “All hollow-bearing trees, living or dead, are important because they provide vital habitat for endangered and native species,” he said. “They can take decades to naturally form and provide a necessary refuge for animals from the weather and predators, as well as safe sites for roosting and breeding. “Any decrease in the availability and variety of tree hollows can lead to a significant loss of species diversity and abundance.” Mr Gordon said the decision was a great result for the EPA and signified the care needed when conducting forestry operations to comply with conditions and ensure homes for wildlife were protected. Magistrate Dick also ordered FCNSW to publicise the orders made against it in media outlets to send a message of deterrence.  

Victorian residents who rely on firewood are being warned to brace for more shortages and higher prices in the coming winter. Source: Timberbiz General Manager for the Australian Forest Contractors Association Tim Lester said firewood users are facing limited supplies due to the closure of the native timber industry in Victoria and flooding in New South Wales. “Firewood supplies in Victoria have been impacted by the closure of commercial native timber harvesting from the state’s forests which officially came into effect on 1 January 2024 but which was restricted due to court-imposed injunctions since November 2022,” Mr Lester said. “And now timber businesses undertaking Community Forestry operations have been told that their activities in Victoria will cease by 5 February 2024, almost five months before the government’s revised deadline of 30 June 2024 and six years before the original deadline in 2030. Community Forestry was a key source of firewood for large parts of the state. “Industry has struggled to adjust in the face of these rapidly amended timelines, whether imposed by the government or through court actions. “But people who are just trying to heat their homes and stay warm, are also impacted here, particularly given the current cost of living crunch. “The Victorian Government’s own Better Health website says that moderate cold kills more Australians every year than extreme heat or extreme cold. The most vulnerable members of our society are the most at risk. “Wood heating is preferenced internationally for the use of renewable fuel, lower operating expenses, high quality heat and, with modern technology and standards, low emissions and al-most no smoke. “Meanwhile, a growing, regenerative and managed forest used as a resource for all its benefits including timber and firewood offers the best mitigation pathway for climate change according to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). “Last year Victoria saw an increase in the illegal collection of wood from parks and reserves, while firewood businesses were bringing in truck loads from as far away as northern NSW. “An approach of relying on someone else and somewhere else to meet our basic needs is inherently risky, as we now see with flooding in the redgum forests which will further disrupt and limit supplies. Victorian firewood users need to be prepared to pay more because the wood will now be coming from much further away if it comes at all.”

Shadow Forestry Minister Jono Duniam stated that the Federal Court decision was another vindication of a science-based and sustainable industry. Source: Timberbiz The Court rejected the claims brought by environmental groups that the North East New South Wales Regional Forest Agreement governing the industry is out of date and doesn’t take into account current environmental issues. These claims were dismissed, confirming this industry is world leading and its practices are conducted to the highest standard Minister Duniam said in a statement. In welcoming this decision, Shadow Forestry Minister Duniam said it provided a clear message from the Court to environmental groups that the facts and science stack up – native forestry is sustainable and should continue. He said that instead of repeated and vexatious attempts to shut down this industry and to interfere with decisions and laws made by the country’s parliaments, environmental groups would be better actually doing on-ground works, and conserving and repairing the environment, than clogging up our courts and wasting taxpayers’ money on green lawfare. This includes Labor’s taxpayer-funded Environmental Defenders Office, who were a party to this case.