Forest Products Industry

The US Forest Service has completed its national review of regional offices and research and development facilities, identifying more than US$16 million in cost savings through local facility consolidation while minimizing impacts to employees and preserving the agency’s critical work across the country. Source: Timberbiz The review responds to a significant long-term facilities challenge facing the agency. The Forest Service owns more than 16,000 facilities and holds more than 500 leases and space-occupancy agreements. Half are rated in “poor” condition and deferred maintenance exceeds $3 billion. Currently, a third of agency office space falls below the 60% utilization standard set by the USE IT Act. “For too long, the Forest Service has carried the burden of underutilized space and buildings that sit partially vacant – square footage that drains resources without advancing the agency’s work,” said Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden. “This review gives us a path to put more of those dollars to work, supporting our employees, our mission and the American people.” As part of the agency’s broader reorganization effort, the Forest Service undertook a national evaluation of its regional and research facilities to determine where its footprint could be consolidated without disrupting mission delivery or unnecessarily moving employees as the agency begins its transition to a state-based model. In March 2026, the Forest Service announced retention of 20 research and development facilities and the evaluation of 57 facilities for potential closure, and that more would be considered as the review progressed. Sixty-four locations were ultimately reviewed, and, after careful evaluation, the agency determined that 41 additional facilities will be retained. Twenty-three sites with little to no staffing were identified for closure. Employees at these affected locations will transition to other facilities within local commuting areas, allowing the agency to consolidate its physical footprint while retaining the people, the research, and the expertise needed to carry out its mission. Retained agency facilities are locations that will host state office or service centres in the future Forest Service organization, that are a primary space for the National Forest System, operate under zero-cost arrangements, have critical research and infrastructure, and/or are part of the Experimental Forest network. The decision addresses building and maintenance costs but does not affect the science that happens in the field, in the lab, and in collaboration with partners. The agency’s place-based research and development activities will continue as planned throughout the nation. The Forest Service will also proceed with the previously announced regional office shifts in Atlanta, Milwaukee and Portland. As with research facilities, employees will continue their work at local facilities. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz emphasized the closures and consolidations will not result in any forced staff reductions and that work will continue without interruption. “This announcement reflects our commitment to retain the staff our mission requires while responsibly reducing our facilities costs. Local facility consolidation will help us put more of our funding toward mission delivery and cutting-edge research, rather than brick and mortar we no longer need. “This puts us on a sustainable path, retains our employees, and ensures we have the right geographic distribution of labs and duty stations across the agency. And importantly, this produces more than $8.8 million in annual lease savings and more than $8 million in deferred maintenance savings – ensuring American taxpayers receive the maximum value for every dollar entrusted to us,” Mr Schultz said. In addition to the reorganization decisions for facilities, the Forest Service is currently completing its evaluation of other facilities associated with the National Forest System and other operations of the agency as part of our broader facilities review. Reducing facilities and prioritizing cost-effective locations for agency buildings will improve the fiscal solvency of the agency’s facility portfolio. The reorganization facilities decisions announced today can be implemented using existing authorities and currently available resources.

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The Tumbarumba Men’s Shed and the Tumbarumba Golf Club are this year’s recipients of the Hyne Community Trust 2026 round of grants. The Men’s Shed will receive funding, while the Golf Club will receive funding for replacement doors at the training and main function rooms. Source: Timberbiz Trust Chair Kerrie Downes said 2026, once again, saw a high calibre of applications as part of the competitive selection process, “The Committee’s assessment and selection meeting is the most challenging meeting of the year with consideration for budget, and maximum benefit to the broader community,” she said. “With several eligible applications received this year, robust discussion and tough decisions have resulted in what we believe, will be a great outcome for the community. “The Tumbarumba Men’s Shed is held in extremely high regard for the products they make and, the important mental health benefits in keeping people connected and engaged in the community,” Ms Downes said. “They are limited by capacity so by supporting the funding of a new, additional shed, the Trust can make a real lasting benefit for our community. “The Tumbarumba Golf Club is also recognised as a multiple use facility for our community, run by volunteers and delivering much needed training, services and events. The Trust is, once again, pleased to be supporting the improvements to the Club. “On behalf of the Trust, I congratulate the Tumbarumba Men’s Shed and the Tumbarumba Golf Club on their successful Trust applications and we look forward to the progress of their respective initiatives.” The Hyne Community Trust was established in 2007 and to date, has delivered more than $1,000,000 in funding for the Tumbarumba community. The next round of grants is scheduled to open in June 2027 and ahead of this time, the Trust will be engaging in public consultation to ensure the eligibility guidelines remain the best fit for Tumbarumba organisations. Further details on this public consultation will be released in due course.

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Year 9 and 10 students from schools across the Green Triangle recently stepped into the world of science through the OneFortyOne Science Experience at Adelaide University in Mount Gambier. Source: Timberbiz Held over three days, the program gave 63 students from eight schools across South Australia and Victoria the opportunity to participate in hands-on, curriculum-linked activities designed to showcase the diverse opportunities available through science education and careers. Delivered by Adelaide University and The Science Experience, with support from OneFortyOne, the program gave students hands-on experience in STEM disciplines, including DNA profiling, electronics, coding, and civil engineering, while showcasing their applications in industries such as forestry. Adelaide University Senior Outreach Coordinator Anita Trenwith said The Science Experience helped increase STEM engagement among regional students by connecting classroom learning with real-world applications. “The program delivers activities linked to the curriculum while giving students access to equipment that isn’t always readily available in schools,” Ms Trenwith said. “Through practical activities and conversations with industry professionals, students can see how STEM skills are applied in the real world in fields such as forestry. “OneFortyOne has been a long-term supporter of the program, and that continued support has allowed The Science Experience to remain in the region. “It’s always rewarding to see students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering and mathematics realise they have career opportunities in these fields right on their doorstep.” OneFortyOne planning and resources forester Chloe Mackenzie opened each day of the program with a presentation about the forestry and sawmilling industries, and her own career journey in forestry. Having attended The Science Experience as a student in 2017, Ms Mackenzie said she was impressed by how much the program had grown over the years. “It was a bit surreal to be returning as a presenter,” Ms Mackenzie said. “The program has come so far, and it was great to see the number of students participating. “We only had about 20 kids total in our session back in 2017, so to see three days’ worth of students from all over the Green Triangle was amazing and a great sign for the future. “I love working in a sustainable industry that allows us to have a real positive impact on local communities & the environment, so it was great to share that.” One of the largest groups attending the program came from St Martins Lutheran College, with students participating in the final day of activities. Student Penny said the experience helped her develop practical skills and consider future career options. “I enjoyed the soldering and getting to make something for myself, as well as learning to code – which was a lot of effort but was fun,” Penny said. “I want to study some sort of teaching degree and possibly teach science or maths.” With demand continuing to grow, the program is set to return in 2027.  

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Councils are increasingly imposing differential rates on the primary sector to fund road maintenance, resulting in proposed rate increases of between 200% and 1200%. Source: Farmers Weekly Forestry owner and investment banker Lewis Tucker faces a potential 1200% differential rate increase from the Carterton District Council for a forestry block, in addition to a 570% rate increase from the Wairoa District Council on another forest block. “It’s spreading around the country at the moment, and it is targeting forestry, and there is nothing stopping councils turning their attention to any other industry,” said Lewis Tucker executive director Colin Jacobs. As proposed, a large Carterton dairy farm would face an extra $47,000 in differential rates while pastoral farms face a 20-30% increase to fund road maintenance. Differential rates allow local authorities to levy differing amounts on sectors based on their impact, such as on roads. Carterton mayor Steve Cretney said these rate increases are the worst-case scenario, prompting Jacobs to ask why it was the only option provided. “We are committed to paying our fair share and covering costs we incur, but using differential rates is an excuse to raise revenue by penalising legitimate businesses that employ people and stimulate regional growth,” said Jacobs His company faces these higher rates for road maintenance even though the forests are 20 years away from being harvested. Jacobs said while the government has a imposed 4% general rates cap from 2029, there is no limit on differential rate increases, something he thinks the government should address. Annual rates on the company’s five-year-old Wairoa forest have increased from NZ$30,000 to NZ$200,000, he said. The Carterton proposal will see rates for one block rise from NZ$13,759 in 2026-27 to NZ$183,548. Cretney said the intention of the proposed rate increase is to provide transparency and for sectors to pay for their wear and tear on the council’s 886km of roads. “I don’t ever believe it will be 1000% on forestry,” he said. Cretney said the council needs an equitable rating system. “We are not targeting forestry or farmers. This is about being fair across a broad spectrum of ratepayers, which has been unsustainable in the past.” Wairoa District Council mayor Craig Little said one logging truck does the same amount of damage to roads as 40 cars. He noted that 45% of the logs shipped through the Port of Napier are trucked from Wairoa. He accepts differential rates are a blunt tool that has made forest owners “grumpy”, but said Wairoa ratepayers want the sector to pay its share. “All we have done is spread the cost to those who make the damage. “We don’t get any more money.” Little said forestry expansion in Wairoa has slowed since the differential rate. The Southland District Council manages about 5000km of roads and apportions the cost according to land use and freight tonnage, a fixed charge, and a portion based on a property’s capital value. Mayor Rob Scott said in 2024-25 the three largest contributors to the roading rate were dairy, 33.6%, forestry, 6.5%, and pastoral farming 31.4%. “It’s ended up being the fairest way to cover the costs of our infrastructure, with the very blunt instruments, rates, that we have available to us.” Forest Owners Association vice president Sean McBride accepts his industry damages roads but said councils need to recognise the sector’s wider benefits. Transporting New Zealand’s head of policy and advocacy, James McDevitt, said he commends the Carterton council’s different thinking on road funding, but said using freight tonnage is too simplistic a measure by which to gauge the impact. “We’re concerned that this proposal could end up treating farmers and forestry as the only road users placing pressure on the network.” More certainty is needed on road maintenance funding, especially rural roads, but targeting primary production in one district risks incentivising production to shift to another, adding more freight movements. Federated Farmers Wairarapa president Robert Hickson said the proposal would disproportionately collect more from farming and forestry but ignore the fact that the capital value of the non-residential component of the farm was already included in the general rates calculation. “This proposal is worth discussion, but there are big holes in [the] council’s explanatory notes underpinning the figures,” said Hickson.

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The South Australian Government has supported the delivery of a new fire tower at Mount Burr on the Limestone Coast ahead of the 2026/27 fire danger season. Source: The SE Voice The new tower is one of the most critical in the state’s fire tower network, with expansive views to assist early fire detection on the Limestone Coast and help protect regional communities and industries. Built by local contractors, the new $1.1m fire tower at Mount Burr has been part-funded using $450,000 from a $2.34m State Government investment into the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub. This funding was provided to the Hub during the previous term of government to help deliver the Future Fire Detection Program in SA. Under an agreement with the State Government, the tower replaces an older tower that has reached the end of its useful life and will be managed and maintained by OneFortyOne. It builds on prior upgrades and repairs to fire towers across the Limestone Coast that were delivered at Comaum, Mount Benson, Furner and Penola in the lead-up to the 2023-24 fire danger season. The new tower is also positioned adjacent to a communications tower that features one of eight AI-powered bushfire detection and monitoring cameras located across the Limestone Coast forestry region. This camera network and monitoring system is powered by bushfire detection and intelligence provider Pano AI and has to date successfully detected nearly 90 unplanned fires early over the past three fire danger seasons, delivering valuable intel to fire responders and demonstrating value as an early bushfire detection system. Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven said the technology complements the network of new and renewed fire tower infrastructure and additional government investment in aerial firefighting capacity, assisting the Limestone Coast forestry industry and local regional communities to respond to fires more quickly and effectively, helping to reduce the risk of smaller fires escalating into catastrophic events. “Bushfires are among the greatest threats to regional communities, industries, and the environment, particularly when the fire danger season is under way,” she said. “The new Mount Burr fire tower is an important addition to a suite of investments our government has already delivered to strengthen the Limestone Coast forestry region’s early fire detection capabilities. “The Malinauskas Government is delivering on our commitment to help protect lives, property, and livelihoods across the state, while also helping to keep our state’s valuable timber plantations safe.” OneFortyOne general manager forests Deon Kriek said the safety of the company’s people, neighbours and communities was always the company’s highest priority. “Early detection is one of the most effective tools we have in reducing the impact of bushfires,” he said. “We welcome the State Government’s support through the Future Fire Detection Program, which highlights the importance of working together to keep regional communities safe. “The new tower improves safety for operators and ensures this critical link in the Green Triangle’s fire detection network remains strong into the future.”

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Highly respected agribusiness leader John McKillop has been appointed Independent Chair of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) board. Source: Timberbiz Mr McKillop brings more than 25 years of senior executive experience, alongside an extensive governance portfolio across peak national industry bodies, member-owned structures, commercial agribusinesses, and environmental ventures. His leadership background includes serving as Independent Chair of the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) – Australia’s peak policy body for the red meat industry, as well as Chair of Sea Forest, Manor Estates Holdings, and Compass Agribusiness Management. He has also served on the boards of key national bodies such as Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Dairy Australia. At the executive level, Mr McKillop has managed large-scale primary production operations, environmental land management, and significant asset portfolios across Australia. His past leadership roles include CEO of Kidman and Co, CEO of Hassad Australia, Managing Director of AgCap, and Managing Director of Clyde Agriculture. His broader governance and commercial background include executive leadership at Herron Todd White Agribusiness, covering land valuation and biodiversity credits. Mr McKillop is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), holds a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School. “It’s a privilege to take on the role of Independent Chair for the Australian Forest Products Association,” Mr McKillop said. “The forestry and forest products sector play a vital role in Australia’s economy, regional communities, and transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. “I look forward to working closely with the Board, CEO, members, policy makers, and industry stakeholders to build on AFPA’s strong advocacy and ensure the sector’s long-term prosperity.” Mr McKillop will begin the role in October this year.

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More than 190 people have already registered for the 2026 Forestry Australia Symposium, where the sector will spend three days on the question of how forestry can strengthen public awareness, build social licence and communicate more effectively with people beyond the sector. Source: Timberbiz The Symposium runs at the Rex Hotel in Canberra from Wednesday, 7 to Friday 9 October. The theme for this year is The forestry story: strategies for improved awareness, social licence and effective engagement. Registrations have come from foresters, scientists, growers, researchers, educators and communications professionals across the country. Standard registration rates apply until Friday, 11 September. Final-tier rates apply from Saturday, 12 September. “It’s a strong program focused on a critical issue for the future of the sector. How we communicate, engage and build trust with the broader community is increasingly important, and the Symposium gives us an opportunity to look critically at what works, what needs to change and how we can do better,” Forestry Australia Chief Executive Jacquie Martin said. Four sessions are drawing particular interest. Insights from other rural sectors. A Wednesday afternoon plenary brings in people who have run the same argument elsewhere, in salmon, farming, mining and energy. Speakers include a former chief executive from Tasmania’s salmon industry, Alexandra Gartmann of the Australian Farm Institute, Janina Gawler, a former Rio Tinto executive and Sarah Norris of Snowy Hydro. Building influence and politics. A Wednesday panel on advocacy and the political process, with the Hon Nichole Overall MLC alongside speakers from the union movement and the corporate sector. The communications workshop. A facilitated session on Thursday will bring communications and engagement professionals together to identify the key messages and themes the sector can align around, while exploring how those messages can be adapted and delivered in ways that are authentic and relevant to each organisation’s brand, mission and stakeholders. Lessons for what comes next. A closing panel on where the sector goes from here. The programme opens with a plenary from journalist and commentator Professor Stan Grant exploring the nature of public debate and the challenges of discussing complex issues. Thursday opens with Dr Simon Longstaff AO of The Ethics Centre.   Friday has five field trips. All five depart from and return to the Rex, and delegates choose one: urban forestry in Canberra; research and legacy at the Australian National University; community access and plantation forestry with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service; native silviculture, thinning and fire management at Tallaganda State Forest; and alpine ash and snow gums under a changing climate. Members attending the Symposium earn 15 CPD points. Full registration covers all sessions on 7 and 8 October, the Welcome Reception, the Symposium Dinner at the National Arboretum, and one field trip. More information about the symposium is at https://www.forestryconference.com.au/  

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Forest & Wood Communities Australia has formally asked the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee to review the Federal Government’s controversial Improved Native Forest Management carbon-credit method, warning that substantial unresolved questions remain over leakage, additionality and potential over-crediting. Source: Timberbiz FWCA has lodged a formal request under section 255AA of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, requiring ERAC to consider whether it should undertake a statutory review of the INFM Method. FWCA has also asked ERAC to consider using its section 27A powers to temporarily suspend processing of new projects under the Method while those integrity questions are examined. FWCA Chair Steve Dobbyns said the application was based on specific statutory and technical issues rather than competing views about forest policy. “This is now an ACCU integrity question. If Australian taxpayers and businesses are going to buy carbon credits generated by shutting down timber production, the claimed carbon abatement has to withstand rigorous scrutiny.” The FWCA request identifies six major areas requiring review: the Method’s 40% ceiling on indirect leakage, treatment of international timber imports, additionality of projects linked to pre-existing government commitments, FullCAM modelling and potential over-crediting, different provisions applying to State and non-State project proponents, and substantial changes introduced after public consultation. Leakage cap demands explanation The final Method requires an independent expert to assess indirect carbon leakage caused when Australian timber production is reduced, including impacts occurring overseas, but prevents the deduction exceeding 40%. That ceiling is difficult to reconcile with new Australian research finding that 81.3% of reductions in Australian native forest timber production have been displaced into imports. The same research found 86.8 % of displaced demand was supplied from countries with elevated illegal-logging risk profiles. The study did not directly calculate carbon leakage but concluded that the observed timber displacement demonstrates potentially substantial international carbon and biodiversity consequences. Mr Dobbyns said FWCA was not claiming that 81.3% timber leakage automatically meant an 81.3% carbon deduction. “But if an independent assessor concludes the real carbon leakage is 50, 60 or 70%, the Method appears to force that assessor back to 40%. ERAC should explain how an artificial ceiling can still satisfy the legal requirement for conservative carbon accounting.” Forestry Australia had already warned ERAC during consultation that published forest-carbon leakage estimates ranged from about 42 to 95% and that the proposed leakage treatment was insufficiently conservative. FWCA is also challenging the Method’s treatment of the Great Koala National Park. ERAC acknowledged concerns arising from the NSW Government’s pre-election park commitment but concluded that it was reasonable for a state government to pursue an ACCU project as a means of delivering an election commitment and enhancing its longevity. However, NSW Labor’s December 2022 election costing had already committed $80 million to support establishment of the Great Koala National Park, with the funding expressly identified as coming from the Snowy Hydro fund. “The statutory test is not whether carbon credits make a government policy cheaper or easier to fund,” Mr Dobbyns said. “The test is whether the claimed abatement was unlikely to occur in the ordinary course of events without the carbon-credit scheme. ERAC needs to explain how a pre-existing park commitment with an identified public funding source satisfies that test.” FullCAM and post-consultation changes also under scrutiny FWCA has asked ERAC to independently examine Forestry Australia’s technical concerns that the prescribed FullCAM modelling may systematically overstate the carbon benefit of stopping selective native forest harvesting. Forestry Australia has argued that the Method was not supported by sufficiently clear and convincing evidence and that important modelling assumptions could produce material over-crediting. ERAC itself acknowledged that significant changes were required following consultation, including replacing the original fixed 5% leakage deduction with the final project-specific 0–40% system. FWCA has simultaneously lodged Freedom of Information and other information-access requests seeking the technical basis for the 40% cap, the exact Method version considered by ERAC, post-consultation drafting changes, additionality assessments and other records underlying approval of the Method. Mr Dobbyns said transparency was now critical. “If the Method is robust, an independent statutory review and release of the underlying evidence should strengthen confidence in it.” “If it cannot survive that scrutiny, projects should not be registered and ACCUs should not be issued under it until the defects are corrected.”  

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