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The National Timber and Hardware Association (NTHA) team is hitting the road with a game-changing free safety roadshow, bringing vital workplace health and safety advice straight to towns across New South Wales this August and September. Source: Timberbiz The workshops will arm attendees with practical WH&S knowledge, a suite of customisable safety tools, and exclusive access to a new WH&S mobile app, all at no cost. In a powerful segment, one member will share their real-life experience of how quickly things can go wrong on the job, a sobering reminder of the importance of staying safety-savvy. “Many businesses don’t realise the extent of their legal WH&S responsibilities until it’s too late,” said an NTHA spokesperson. “This roadshow is about changing that.” Members are encouraged to express their interest by clicking here.    

The Timberlink team was excited to spend time at two recent trade events; the Clennett’s Mitre 10 Expo in Hobart, Tasmania, and the Independent Hardware Group (IHG) Expo in Adelaide, SA. The company says that these events are a valuable way to interact with customers and others in the industry. Source: Timberbiz At the February IHG Expo in Adelaide, the team enjoyed a jam-packed couple of days discussing Timberlink’s product range with everyone who visited the stand. “The IHG expo is always a really exciting atmosphere, and our team appreciate the opportunity to represent Timberlink every year,” Sue Wood, Timberlink National Key Account Manager, said. At the April Clennett’s Mitre 10 expo in Hobart, the Tassie team promoted Timberlink’s Made of Tasmania campaign. On display was Timberlink’s range of Everdeck wood composite decking, which is manufactured at Timberlink’s Bell Bay facility. It is currently the only facility in Tasmania to manufacture these products. “I always really enjoy coming to the Clennett’s Expo. It was fantastic getting to interact with everyone and talk about our wide range of Tasmanian made timber products,” Gareth Watson, Timberlink® State Sales Manager (TAS), said.  

A new research report, Co-benefits of Trees on Farms, is shedding light on the environmental and economic benefits of planting trees on farms in southeast Australia. The study, published by Dr Rachelle Meyer from the University of Melbourne, explores how tree planting can support farmers to reduce their operation’s carbon balance, improve productivity and support sustainability in the face of a changing climate. Source: Timberbiz The study found that planting trees on farms can significantly reduce net carbon emissions over time. On the high-productivity farms studied as part of the research project, planting trees offset total emissions from between 20% and 33% over the 30-year analysis period. These reductions are much greater than any that could be achieved by other currently available mitigation options. This is an important finding for farmers who are facing increasing pressure to reduce their operations emissions to meet market and government sustainability targets, including the Australian Red Meat Industry’s CN30 goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. Interviews with farmers as part of the study showed that potential return on investment is an important part of the decision to grow trees. For two of the three case study farms, the research found a 10% annual rate of return was possible. For the third, the rate of return was between 3% and 7%. Figures were impacted by factors like how much shelter the trees provided, the quality of pasture replaced by trees and carbon project costs. A scenario with timber production provided returns that were less variable across differing productivity benefits or carbon project costs. Dr Meyer encourages landowners to consider tree planting as part of an integrated whole-farm plan to maximise these benefits. “Given that planting trees is a long-term commitment, it’s important that trees are incorporated in a way that assists in achieving goals on farm,” says Dr Meyer. “This allows for net emissions reductions that are straight-forward since they align with existing farm objectives. “Timber revenue can also boost returns. It can change a planting from a cost or a low return to one that is providing a good return.” For farmers considering tree planting, relevant and reliable information about the benefits and risks is vital to support decision making. Planting trees based on individual objectives means that farmers can get the most out of their plantations and realise the many benefits of trees on farms.

Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS) has announced management changes to align with its new business model, with its CEO stepping aside to lead the company as Transition Chair and appointing a reduced leadership team, effective 1 July 2025. Source: Timberbiz “The plan to cease papermaking at Kinleith Mill, announced earlier this year, means Oji Fibre solutions will become a simpler organisation with two manufacturing Business Units operating independently,” CEO Dr Jon Ryder said. “Our Central North Island operations will focus on market pulp for export, and our packaging facilities will continue to produce fibre-based packaging for the local primary sector.” The leadership changes include the appointment of two executives leading each business unit and reporting directly to the OjiFS Board of Directors. The announcement also outlines changes to right-size the OjiFS head office, with streamlined corporate services to support the manufacturing units. “These changes are another step in our plan to improve our financial position. They also reflect the changing needs of our new structure,” said Dr Ryder. “I am very proud of the efforts of my leadership team, particularly over the past year. We have worked hard to restructure the business, while continuing to supply our customers. “There is more work to do before we fully return the company to profit, but the end of June will mark a significant milestone in our plan,” said Dr Ryder.  

OneFortyOne’s fire season has officially concluded, marked by notably drier conditions and an increased number of very high fire danger days. Source: Timberbiz OneFortyOne Green Triangle Forests General Manager, Deon Kriek, commended the efforts of all crews and highlighted the collaboration between industry brigades, the Country Fire Service (CFS), and the Country Fire Authority (CFA). “The cooperation and readiness of our fire crews was excellent throughout this challenging season,” Mr Kriek said. “Collaboration with the CFS, CFA, and industry brigades has been vital in managing risk throughout the season and minimised the impact of the fires we did have. “The entire crew’s commitment to working together to protecting the forest and the broader community should be acknowledged.” The new Penola fire tower was finished ready for the season’s start. “Our fire tower operators were crucial in detecting and monitoring fires early,” Mr Kriek said. “They were also supported by the Green Triangle Fire Alliance’s AI fire detection cameras, which operated around the clock.” Reflecting on the season, Mr Kriek noted the region experienced significantly drier conditions than average, which elevated the risk and severity of fires. “There were more very high fire danger days compared to the average,” he said. “OneFortyOne fire crews were on standby for 132 days, a substantial increase from the average of 88 days. “During this time, we responded to 66 fires in our forests and other areas across the region. “Despite the high number of fires, less than two hectares of OneFortyOne forests were impacted, and most importantly our people went home safe and well.” To celebrate the end of the fire season, an event was held in Mount Gambier last week, bringing the fire crew back together. “The end of season wrap up was a great chance to get everyone back together, reflect, and recognise the work of all crews over what was a challenging season,” Mr Kriek said. Fire management activity including crew training exercises, prescribed burning, and fire break maintenance will continue throughout the year.

Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2024, Australia’s trade in logs and wood products both imports and exportshas experienced notable shifts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic years. Sources: Timberbiz, FWPA’s Statistics & Economics Program Despite these fluctuations, our primary trading partners for softwood and hardwood have remained consistent. Key countries such as China, New Zealand, and several Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia and Indonesia, continue to play significant roles in Australia’s timber trade. In this context, attention is now toward the United States, especially in light of recent policy changes. Under the US laws in the section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the wood products industry has been designated as a critical manufacturing sector essential to the national security, economic strength, and industrial resilience. This industry plays a vital role in key downstream, including construction. Therefore, the new tariff is viewed as a protective measure in the domestic wood supply chain against imported products. In the new tariff measures introduced by the US government, Australia faces a 10% tariff on all exported goods to the US, including logs and wood products. This policy presents a significant challenge to Australian exporters and raises questions about reciprocal trade measures. Given the impact of this tariff, a key policy question arises: Should Australia respond by imposing an equivalent 10% tariff on logs and wood products imported from the United States? This decision will require careful consideration of trade balances, the broader implications for the timber and forestry industries, and Australia’s long-term economic relationship with the US. The tables below summarise export and import activities in the last 10 years. Key points: Logs and wood products exported from Australia to the US are not substantial, with an average value of AUD10 million and less than one percent of the total export. In terms of imports, some products from the US to the Australian market include builders’ joinery, carpentry wood, plywood, and veneer. In the last ten years (2015-2024), Australia imported around AUD130 million from the US. However, the US import trend has been declining over the last ten years, with the proportion of US imports out of all imports dropping from 7% in 2015 to 4% in 2024. Overall, the Australian trade balance of logs and wood products with the US has consistently shown a deficit over the past ten years, although this trend is declining from approximately $137 million in 2015 to around $85 million in 2024. The 10% tariff imposed by the United States on Australian wood products is expected to have several implications for trade dynamics and consumer markets. For the US domestic market, this tariff will likely result in higher prices for wood products sourced from Australia, as the additional cost is anticipated to be passed on to end consumers. This could pressure the US housing and construction sectors, particularly for projects that rely on imported timber to supplement the domestic supply. Conversely, any reciprocal move by Australia, such as imposing a matching 10% tariff on wood and log imports from the US, would similarly raise prices for Australian consumers. However, the impact of such a policy would be disproportionate. This is primarily due to the significant imbalance in trade value: Australia imports more than ten times the value of wood products from the United States than it exports to them. As a result, Australian industries and consumers would likely bear a more significant economic burden if a reciprocal tariff were implemented.  

The Crisafulli Government’s regeneration of the timber industry is gaining momentum as Queensland leaders meet to shape the State’s future timber supply.  For the first time, the Timber Supply Chain Ministerial Roundtable has met to progress the Crisafulli Government’s election commitment to grow the industry through a timber action plan. Source: Timberbiz The Queensland Future Timber Plan (QFTP) will ensure the State has access to local timber required to build one million homes by 2044. The Roundtable includes representatives from Timber Queensland, AgForce, Queensland Farmers’ Federation, the Housing Industry Association, Forestry Australia, HQPlantations, Australian Forest Contractors Association and leading timber companies. The meeting marks a fresh start for the timber industry which has spent the last decade subjected to Labor’s anti-timber and anti-forestry agenda, which was full of hollow promises. The former Labor Government failed to deliver its timber action plan, which they committed to in 2019 and was meant to be completed in 2021 it resulted in a timber shortage in the middle of Labor’s Housing Crisis. The Roundtable will support the Crisafulli Government’s 25-year blueprint for primary industries, which aims to increase the State’s primary industries production output to $30 billion by 2030. Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government is up to the task of getting the timber industry back on track and this meeting is a critical first step in delivering a QFTP. “We’re serious about securing Queensland’s timber future, and that starts by working directly with the people who grow, harvest and process our timber,” Minister Perrett said. “This is about protecting jobs, building regional economies, and making sure we have the materials needed for the homes and infrastructure of tomorrow. “The Roundtable will provide practical advice on how we can meet growing construction demand while supporting innovation and sustainability across the supply chain. “This is a landmark opportunity to rebuild future of one of Queensland’s most important and environmentally sustainable industries starting with the people who know it best.” CEO of Timber Queensland Mick Stephens welcomed the establishment of the Roundtable and the opportunity for industry to provide direct input into the QFTP. “The timber industry already plays a key role in ensuring we have local sustainable materials for housing and construction and through this plan we aim to unlock the barriers and opportunities to further increase the supply of timber to help meet the Government’s target of 1 million new homes over the next two decades,” Mr Stephens said. “Investment security for both the plantation softwood and native forestry sectors will be critical to bolster growing, harvesting and processing activities across the supply chain.” The Roundtable will operate for 12 months in line with the QFTP development timeline.