Australian timber industry news

As autumn officially arrives, Forestry England is asking people across England to become “autumn spotters” and help track how the season unfolds across the nation’s forests. Source: Timberbiz The new autumn leaf watch citizen science project invites people to record the changing colours they see using Forestry England’s new autumn colour tracker. By collecting observations over the coming weeks and in future years, Forestry England hopes to build a valuable long-term picture of when and how autumn colour develops across different regions, habitats and tree species. People taking part can record the overall colour they’re seeing or get more involved by looking out for five easily recognisable tree species: beech, horse chestnut, oak, rowan and silver birch. The project will allow people to follow the progress of autumn across England, while contributing observations that could help Forestry England better under-stand how the timing and development of autumn colour varies from year to year. Early observations submitted to Forestry England’s autumn colour tracker suggest autumn is still in its early stages across the nation’s forests, with the vast majority of reports showing woodland canopies remain green. However, early submissions to the tracker are already recording the first signs of seasonal change, with yellow and orange leaves being recorded at sites including Forestry England’s Wyre Forest and Haughmond Hill in West England, and Delamere Forest in Central England. Silver birch and beech are among the species showing some of the earliest colour change, while oak remains predominantly green across much of the country. With autumn now officially beginning, visitors to the nation’s forests may already be starting to see the first signs of seasonal change. The timing of autumn colour varies depending on factors including daylight, temperature, rainfall, soil moisture and the health of individual trees. This year’s unusually hot and dry summer has already caused some trees to shed their leaves earlier than usual. While it is too early to predict exactly what autumn will look like, conditions in the coming weeks will influence how the season develops. “Autumn is one of the most spectacular changes we see in our forests, but it is also a fasci-nating time to observe how trees respond to the conditions around them,” Chris Sorenson, Forest Management Advisor at Forestry England, said. “By asking people to record what they see, we’re hoping to build a much better picture of how autumn colour develops across England, both this year and in the years to come. “The more observations we collect over time, the more we can learn about the timing and progression of autumn across different parts of the country and different tree species. “This year’s hot and dry summer makes it particularly interesting to see how the season unfolds. Some trees have already shed leaves early, but there’s still plenty of autumn to come, and we want people to get outside, look closely at the trees around them and help us track it.” Autumn colour develops as trees prepare for winter. As daylight hours shorten and temperatures change, trees gradually stop producing chlorophyll, revealing yellow and orange pigments already present in their leaves. Some species also produce red pigments during autumn. The timing and intensity of the change can vary considerably between species and locations, making observations from across the country particularly valuable.

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Södra’s Research Foundation is inviting applications for research projects that can contribute new knowledge on diverse forestry. The focus is on how different forest management practices affect forest development, biodiversity and other values, and how forest management can be adapted to a changing climate. Source: Timberbiz Diverse forestry creates forests with a variety of structures, characteristics and values, which is important for family forestry and forest industry operations in southern Sweden. Increased variation can contribute to biodiversity, recreational and aesthetic values, and strengthen forests’ resilience to a changing climate. At the same time, it can contribute to a stable and diversified raw material base for the forest industry of the future. “We need more knowledge about how different ways of managing forests affect both forest development and the values forests create. With this call, we want to contribute to research that provides a better basis for the continued development of diverse forestry,” said Henric Brage, Head of Innovation at Södra. The call highlights research on biodiversity, nature conservation, aesthetic and recreational values, and climate adaptation, among other areas. Methods for measuring and monitoring biodiversity and other effects of diverse forestry are of particular interest. In the coming year, Södra’s Research Foundation will also open a call for proposals on the theme The value-creating forest industry of the future.

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Forest and landscape restoration is a cost-effective response to food security, biodiversity, climate, and other development challenges, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which warns that scaling up action will require greater investment, inclusive governance and sustained political commitment. Source: Timberbiz The flagship State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) 2026 report was published as part of FAO’s 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) and its 10th World Forest Week. The 2026 edition examines how forest and landscape restoration can be expanded to deliver lasting benefits for people and the environment. Drawing on evidence and experiences from around the world, it identifies four pathways for accelerating progress: empowering people and strengthening rights; implementing restoration at the landscape scale; mobilizing finance and business models that support restoration; and creating coherent policies, institutions and laws. “The State of the World’s Forests 2026 makes clear that forest and landscape restoration is more than an environmental priority – it is a strategic investment in resilient agrifood systems and rural development,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu wrote in the report’s Foreword. “The window for action is narrowing and delayed, or poorly designed restoration will increase long-term costs, exacerbate inequalities and risk locking landscapes into unsustainable trajectories,” he added. Forests cover 4.14 billion hectares (about 32% of the Earth’s land surface), store 714 gigatonnes of carbon and host up to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. They also underpin resilient agrifood systems, with nearly one-third of the global population depending on forests and trees for food security and livelihoods. However, an estimated 489 million hectares of forest were lost between 1990 and 2025 through deforestation, while more than 460 million hectares are degraded worldwide. In total, 1.56 billion hectares of land are degraded, driven by population growth, land-use change and rising demand for natural resources. At the same time, threats are intensifying. Every year, around 127 million hectares of forest are affected by fires, with further damage caused by insects, diseases and severe weather events. As demand for forest products rises and competing land uses increases pressure on natural resources, SOFO argues for the need to restore degraded forest and landscapes at scale, emphasizing that inaction carries a far greater economic burden than restoration. Worldwide, the annual impact of failing to restore degraded ecosystems is estimated at US$878 billion to $6.3 trillion, equivalent to 2% to 8.3% of annual GDP, depending on the scope of valuation. Restoring more than 1 billion hectares of degraded land, on the other hand, could generate $1.8 trillion per year in benefits, including enhanced biodiversity, improved water regulation and healthier soils. The report notes that investing US$2.6 trillion over 15 years in land degradation and drought mitigation could yield an eight-to-one social return. Under favourable conditions, restoration can generate returns of up to US$30 for every US$1 invested. Restoration also creates jobs, revitalizes production systems and supports resilient growth. Benefits extend beyond income to improved well-being, stronger social cohesion and the preservation of cultural identity and knowledge systems. Scaling up solutions Progress is underway, with large-scale restoration increasingly recognized as crucial for achieving global targets on land degradation neutrality, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation and ending hunger. According to the report, governments across 91 countries and areas have pledged more than 190 million hectares for forest restoration. Examples of notable restoration projects among the 18 case studies analysed in the report include the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative, the Three North Programme of China, and the Trinational Atlantic Forest Pact across Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. However, progress remains insufficient, with only 206.5 million hectares of forests currently under restoration. The report points to four mutually reinforcing pathways to scale up high-quality restoration: People must be at the centre, ensuring that their rights, knowledge and priorities shape restoration outcomes; Restoration must be planned and implemented at the landscape scale, balancing conservation, production and livelihoods through context-specific approaches; Financing must be aligned with the realities of restoration; public and private resources need to be mobilized to support long-term, high-quality outcomes; Coherent policy, law and institutional frameworks are crucial for enabling restoration at scale and ensuring its sustainability over time. “The remaining years to 2030 must be defined by high-quality implementation – scaling up forest and landscape restoration that is people-centred, science-based and supported by coherent policies. I am confident that through collective action and shared commitment we can restore degraded lands at scale and build a better future for all,” the FAO Director-General wrote. You can download the report at https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/3758005c-1267-40be-a267-75d442633f62

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Darryl Heron’s journey into science started at the movies. As a teenager growing up in South Africa, he was captivated by the 1995 film Outbreak, which tells the tale of scientists racing to contain a deadly virus. Source: Timberbiz Picturing a future studying viruses such as HIV and Ebola, he started a microbiology degree at the University of Pretoria. But partway through his studies he discovered the hidden world of fungi that cause plant diseases, and his focus shifted. Now, as New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute’s team lead for pathogen diagnostics and collections, he spends his days looking at what’s going wrong inside plants and trees and how to stop small problems becoming big ones. His work sits at the frontline of forest and plant health, helping land managers and biosecurity teams respond quickly when something doesn’t look right. Mr Heron is particularly interested in diseases affecting trees such as pine and eucalyptus that can undermine entire industries and landscapes. “Plants get sick too,” he says. “When they do, the consequences can ripple through ecosystems, industries and communities. Protecting plant health is essential for food, fibre and the environment.” Based in the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s Rotorua campus, Mr Heron also researches issues linked to fungal pathogens and insects such as bark and ambrosia beetles, which can act as carriers for disease. Sometimes that means examining dying plants or fungal cultures under a microscope, while on other days it involves analysing DNA to identify what organisms are present or translating complex science into clear advice for people on the ground. “I enjoy talking to growers, landowners, managers and colleagues about their issues with plant diseases, and then working with my team in the Forest Health Reference Laboratory to identify or rule out pathogenic causes,” he said. Mr Heron completed his BSc with honours and went on to do a master’s and PhD in microbiology, also at the University of Pretoria. His postgraduate research focused on Fusarium – a group of fungi responsible for serious plant diseases worldwide – and the plant pathogenic species that affect forestry crops. This PhD, he said, is a career highlight. “My PhD journey began more than a decade ago, and I managed to complete it despite doing almost everything they advise against – studying part-time, moving to another country away from my advisors and taking on a job outside university. Mr Heron started with Scion, which has now merged into the Bioeconomy Science Institute – six years ago, working remotely from South Africa for his first year. He is now exploring the prospect of growing and consolidating the plant diagnostic services the Bioeconomy Science Organisation provides to the primary sector and those managing the native estate. “Some sectors have lost access to specialist diagnostic expertise, and there is significant potential within our organisation to bring together the right people, partners and infrastructure to build and maintain critical diagnostic capability for New Zealand.” he said. He’s also involved in projects using molecular tools to better understand microbial communities associated with nurseries, forests, orchards and the fungi carrying beetles found within these systems. “Upskilling in this area has been challenging, but it has also been rewarding and is an important step toward strengthening our diagnostic and research capacity. Every new method we learn strengthens our ability to respond to future threats,” Mr Heron said.

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  A new benchmark in hybrid civic and sporting infrastructure, the revitalised Australian Grand Prix Precinct will redefine how elite events and community needs can co-exist. Source: Timberbiz, photos Woods Bagot Woods Bagot has been appointed to lead the architectural vision for the redevelopment of the Albert Park Pit Building (APPB), with ASPECT Studios leading the landscape architecture. The project is being delivered in collaboration with Icon, AECOM, Development Victoria, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. The transformation will secure Melbourne’s place on the global Formula One calendar through to 2037, while creating a lasting civic legacy for the Albert Park precinct and local community. Originally constructed in 1995, the existing pit building no longer meets contemporary standards for global motorsport. The new APPB will feature 14 state-of-the-art team garages, world-class race control, administration and media suites, premium hospitality and viewing areas for 5,000 Paddock Club guests, delivering the performance, precision and spectacle expected at the top tier of the sport. Designed for dual performance, the facility transforms beyond race mode into a community sporting hub with seven indoor courts and clubrooms for local clubs. The hybrid nature of the design makes the APPB a rare piece of infrastructure, supporting global events while actively serving local needs every day of the year. The bold use of mass timber throughout the structure isn’t just a sustainable design choice it’s a structural strategy. Timber enables faster delivery, smarter construction, and a civic-quality finish that elevates the building’s character and purpose. Its architectural language is informed by flexibility, lightness and longevity designed to adapt and evolve with the future of sport in Melbourne. Woods Bagot director and project design lead Bruno Mendes said the APPB demonstrates how civic thinking can transform elite event infrastructure. “What excites us most about this design is how it elevates both elite motorsport and grassroots community sport under one roof,” Mr Mendes said.  “We’ve engineered a facility that doesn’t just host one of the world’s premier racing events – it actively gives back to the local sporting community every day of the year.” Construction is planned to commence following the 2026 Formula One Australian Grand Prix, with completion scheduled ahead of the 2028 event. The redevelopment of the Albert Park Pit Building is part of the broader Albert Park Masterplan, which aims to enhance public amenity, ecological health, and long-term sustainability in one of Melbourne’s most iconic parks, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a global sporting capital.

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An innovative feasibility study has highlighted an exciting opportunity to produce renewable bioenergy at Opal Australian Paper’s Maryvale Mill in Gippsland, marking a step toward more sustainable manufacturing. Source: Timberbiz Partnering with Delorean Corporation ASX:DEL, an Australian bioenergy company, the feasibility study con-firmed the possibility of constructing a large-scale anaerobic digestion facility, which would use other organic residues and potentially bi-products from paper manufacturing and convert it into renewable biogas. The biogas would replace natural gas used by the rotary lime kiln at the Mill and is aligned with Opal’s net zero strategy. The next phase of the project involves the front end engineering and design to complete the project proposal, regulatory approvals and source the necessary organic feedstock and residue off-take agreements. These activities will enable a final investment decision to be evaluated. Subject to the engineering and design, the project is estimated to require a $35 million investment for construction and design and could create approximately eight FTEs in addition to flow on jobs. Joseph Oliver, Managing Director of Delorean, said the outcome of the study was very promising. “Delorean is committed to a pipeline of new, renewable energy projects across Australia and New Zealand. Subject to the outcome of the front-end engineering and design for the proposed project, the same model could be used to roll out more projects for Opal at a number of its other sites,” Mr Oliver said. David Jettner, General Manager Environment and Sustainability at Opal said the biogas project had the potential to bring another new energy industry to the Latrobe Valley. “Exploring the feasibility of replacing natural gas with biogas is aligned to Opal’s drive towards a new energy future. The outcome of the study is exciting because it has the potential to be replicated across other Opal sites that have traditionally been high consumers of natural gas,” he said. “We’re optimistic about the potential of biogas as a renewable alternative to gas.”

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Forest & Wood Products Australia has appointed Marina Milić to the role of Forest Research Project Manager. Source: Timberbiz Ms Milić holds a Bachelor of Arts in Wood Processing Engineering from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Belgrade, Serbia, and is certified by Engineers Australia. Since moving to Australia 10 years ago, Ms Milić has built extensive experience across the sector, including the past eight years at AKD in national technical roles spanning research, process improvement, quality, compliance and technology adaptation. This background has given Ms Milić a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry, particularly in plantation softwoods, as well as experience across technical, industry and advisory settings. Ms Milić joins FWPA with a strong value chain perspective. Through work in timber treatment, structural performance, quality control and research and development at the mill end, she has seen how closely raw resource characteristics shape final product outcomes. In this role, Ms Milić will bring that downstream perspective to upstream forestry research, helping ensure projects remain grounded in commercial processing realities and aligned with end-market needs.

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Southern Limestone Coast Council will seek community consultation to sell a portion of Marte Siding Road to a major timber industry firm. Source: The Border Watch AAM Timber has made a formal proposal to council to extend its operations which would include obtaining a portion of the road. Originally wanting about 266 metres of the road, AAM Timber first introduced the expansion to council in May 2024. Elected members discussed its options during this week’s meeting, coming to the conclusion to gain community consultation on selling the entire North-South part of the road. Concerns for the complete closure include forestry access for plantations made by Green Triangle Forest Products as well as Timberlands Pacific Plantations. It was noted in a council document presented to elected members the entrance was important under potential emergency situations including fires. It was also an important access point for maintaining efficient access for heavy machinery and minimising travel distances. Southern Limestone Coast Council chief executive officer Gary Button said AAM Timber approached council which elected members had now considered. “It could have been one of three things, either council could just say no to their request, agrees to that portion but where council has landed is considering the road would then in the future be only access to one business location, the consideration is that the entire road north-south between Casadio Road and the rail reserve be sold,” Mr Button said. “That will go out to community consultation.” He said council would “certainly take everything” into consideration with community consultation lasting 28 days. “We will make sure we do targeted consultation so those in the immediate area are very much aware of this proposal and the general public as well,” he said. “Once we receive that consultation council will consider what comes back from that and we will then have to put in a proposal to the minister to consider what that looks like.” Mr Button said council would then form a position based on what consultation would come back to them with the overall decision up to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs. “Any costs are all paid for by the business, so all costs would be incurred by that, and an independent valuation would be obtained should there be the consideration for the sale of that road,” Mr Button said. “I think from an elected member point of view we want to see vibrant businesses doing well and creating employment opportunities in our council area and the support of looking at AAM’s proposal is a really important part of doing that work with them. “We value the feedback we get and from a safety perspective we will also be seeking feedback to ensure there is still emergency access to the site and into the precinct.”

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Dozens of jobs are set to be lost at the Arbex Millicent Mill according to multiple sources associated with the plant. Source: SE Voice The SE Voice has been told that 37 blue collar and white-collar jobs across all departments are set to be cut along with an unspecified number of local staff positions and employees at the Sydney headquarters. This newspaper understands the rationalisation is set to be completed by the upcoming Easter which falls in March in 2027. Management addressed a gathering of 100 rank and file workers on-site on Thursday afternoon. After senior management left, a senior union official took to the podium. She is based at the Melbourne HQ of the Timber, Furnishing and Textile Union which has 270 members at the Millicent mill. It is understood Arbex will now invite applications for voluntary separation packages. Established in 1960, the mill has a current workforce of 400 company employees and contractors. Numbers have steadily fallen since a high of 1000 in the 1980s. Arbex was formed on July 1 by the international creation of a joint venture involving the Kimberly-Clark Corporation of the USA (holding 49%) and Brazilian company Suzano (51%). Arbex spokesperson Lini Zulkiply said her company was not yet ready to provide detailed comment on the Millicent Mill. “‘We can confirm that consultation with employees and their representatives has commenced on proposed organisational changes aimed at improving productivity, operational effectiveness and the mill’s long-term sustainability,” she said. “As consultation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on potential impacts or outcomes at this stage, until that process has concluded.”  

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From eye-catching website banners and office herb gardens made from FSC-certified toilet rolls to videos highlighting businesses’ commitments to responsible sourcing and social media campaigns that sparked conversations across Australia and New Zealand, FSC Forest Week showcased the many creative ways people can take action for forests and champion responsible forest management. Source: Timberbiz Running from 21-27 September, the FSC Forest Week campaign brought together brands, manufacturers, forest managers, consumers, NGOs and industry groups to highlight the importance of responsible forest management and its vital role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Here are just a few highlights from some incredible and creative ways our community put this year’s “Do One Thing for Forests” theme into action: FSC-certified forest management company Kaingaroa Tipu hosted a community native planting day along Waipa Stream in Whakarewarewa Forest, part of the Puarenga catchment. The event brought people together to support biodiversity, improve water quality and restore native habitat, while raising awareness of the role responsible forest management plays in supporting healthy forests and communities. Synergy Pacific, an FSC Chain of Custody certificate holder, turned empty toilet paper rolls into planters for herbs and other plants, creating the beginnings of a kitchen garden in their office. It was a simple way to put the “Do One Thing for Forests” message into practice while giving the team a daily reminder of their commitment to FSC and responsible sourcing. Promotional licence holder Merry People used social media to share highlights from the team’s recent FSC Forest Walk in Tasmania, held in partnership with FSC-certified forest manager Timberlands Pacific. The posts also helped educate customers about the importance of responsible forestry and why FSC-certified natural rubber is used in the brand’s iconic footwear. FSC-certified flooring company Havwoods celebrated Forest Week across its showrooms and online channels by creating inspiring mood boards featuring FSC-certified products and launching a dedicated FSC-certified timber collection on its website. Through these initiatives, Havwoods raised awareness of responsible for-est management and helped clients who specifically want to do one thing for forests by buying FSC-certified timber for interiors. To see a full list of companies involved internationally in Forest Week visit https://fsc.org/en/fsc-forest-week-social-wall

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Seppi has released its new F50 turbo, the evolution of the Starforst, developed for professional mulching applications with tractors from 200 to 350 HP. Source: Timberbiz The new model introduces a series of updates and technical solutions affecting the machine frame, cutting rotor, drive system, tractor connection, and wear components. With working widths from 210 to 260 cm, the F50 turbo is designed for tractors with power ratings from 200 to 350 HP. The rotor can be equipped with 63-77 V-LOCK tools, while machine weight is around 3,400 kg, depending on configuration. The F50 turbo features a frame made from S420 steel, designed to provide high strength and durability. Internal wear components are made from AR400 wear-resistant steel; the complete shell around the rotor is bolted on and can be replaced easily when worn. The machine is also equipped with five rows of replaceable counter cutters to ensure the best shredding quality. The casing has an attractive and functional design, well-sealed against the entrance of debris and dust during work, but in case of maintenance easily accessible to reach the interior. The F50 turbo rotor comes standard with Mini duo V-lock tools, designed to be used in the usual land clearing application. For big diameter material, such as stumps and large-diameter wood, the machine can be equipped with the high-density rotor Opt 5578 Mono Hit V-lock tools where it develops a higher productivity. Special lateral tools called Extreme V-lock, in combination with the Duo Defender, protect the rotor on the extremes, where the wear conditions are always severe. One of the key features of the F50 turbo is its hydrodynamic coupling, which provides a smooth and progressive rotor start-up and decouples engine and rotor in the event of excessive power demand. M-TURBO helps to protect the tractor from torque peaks, by absorbing impact loads caused by sudden stumps and hard material. The tractor will never stall. The guide skids have also been redesigned. They are individually adjustable to several positions and feature a new replaceable wear sole, to minimize the cost of the wear exposed components.

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Indonesia’s 2026 wildfires have raised concerns about the availability of wood fibre for its pulp mills. As Indonesia is a major pulp producer and ex-porter, the wildfires could have a broad impact. Source: Resource Wise Although there has been no confirmed widespread damage to commercial pulpwood plantations, the fires are raging amid high demand from the industry for more wood fibre. This raises a pressing question for buyers and producers across Asia: can a market already strained by limited fibre supply withstand a major disruption? Indonesia produces approximately 11 million metric tons of pulp a year, making it one of the world’s largest producers. As Indonesia’s pulp output has grown substantially over the past decade, the industry’s demand for pulpwood has increased. The availability of wood fibre has become an increasingly important issue for Indonesian mills. This year’s fires add to the uncertainty for producers securing pulpwood, and ultimately for customers who depend on their pulp. Since they began early this year, the fires have swept through several regions connected to pulpwood sourcing. Major Indonesian pulp producers have strengthened fire prevention and response efforts. As of mid-September, however, there was no confirmed widespread destruction of their commercial acacia and eucalyptus plantations. Whether that situation changes is central to the market outlook. Any significant loss of usable pulpwood could force some reduction in pulp production. Indonesia’s Forestry Minister has stated that the wildfires could go on until early November. The ministry has also cautioned that satellite hotspots are indications of heat, not confirmed individual fires. Peat fires can continue burning below the surface after visible hotspots decline, and conditions on the ground require verification. For pulp buyers, the key question is whether the fires are affecting timber plantations and the fibre flows that supply operating mills. Indonesia’s expanding pulp industry was already placing greater demands on domestic wood fibre supplies before this fire season. Mills need enough fibre to support current output while preparing for additional capacity. If domestic supply becomes harder to secure, producers may seek more imported woodchips. That could help sustain pulp production, but it would also increase their exposure to import availability, higher input costs, and competition for fibre from other buyers. The fires warrant attention even before a major plantation loss or mill curtailment is confirmed because they could compound an existing supply challenge. Buyers could seek replacement hardwood pulp from other suppliers, potentially changing trade flows and putting pressure on prices in markets that rely on Indonesian output. China, for example, is a major destination for Indonesian pulp. A price response is not inevitable or necessarily immediate. Buyers and producers will be watching whether fire exposure turns into measurable changes in fibre procurement, mill operations, and pulp shipments. Demand and available supply from other producing regions will also shape the outcome. The signals to monitor are confirmation of any significant wildfire damage to pulpwood sourcing areas, changes in woodchip imports, reported fibre constraints, and any adjustments to mill production. ResourceWise’s latest Market Insights report, Wildfires Heighten Wood Fiber Supply Risks in Indonesia, looks more closely at where Indonesia’s wildfire risk intersects with pulpwood supply. It examines the country’s growing fibre needs, the role of imported woodchips, and the conditions under which a domestic supply issue could reach the wider hardwood pulp market. The report can be downloaded here.  

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This year’s harvest is expected to be 2.4 million cubic metres lower than the harvest in 2025. This is shown by a new forecast from the Swedish Forest Agency. If the forecast is correct, it is the lowest level in almost 15 years. Source: Timberbiz Swedish logging has decreased for several years in a row, and this trend seems to continue. You need to go back to 2012 to find a logging level as low as the forecast shows for 2026, says Jonas Paulsson, statistician at the Swedish Forest Agency. The forecast shows that gross felling in 2026 is estimated to be approximately 84.6 million cubic metres of forest. This is a decrease of 3% compared with 2025, when felling was 87.0 million cubic metres. The estimated decrease is explained by changes in wood supply and industry’s need for wood raw material. The 2026 harvest has also been affected by changed wood flows as a result of the disposal of trees that fell in storms Johannes and Dave. The harvesting of softwood sawn timber is estimated to decrease by 1.3 million cubic metres, which corresponds to a decrease of 4% compared with 2025. This year’s production of sawn timber in the Swedish forest industry is expected to decrease by 4.5%, but as exports of sawn timber are expected to increase, the result is that domestic felling of sawn timber will not decrease to the same extent. This year’s pulpwood harvesting is expected to decrease by 0.8 million cubic metres, which corresponds to a decrease of 2% compared with 2025. Pulpwood harvesting is decreasing even though the forest industry’s pulp production is estimated to be relatively unchanged in 2025. The pulp industry’s need for wood raw material is expected to be maintained through inventory reductions and imports. The Swedish Forestry Agency’s forecast is based, among other things, on assessments of how production will develop in the Swedish sawmill industry and in the pulp and paper industry. “The current market situation, external factors and changed raw material flows as a result of storms Johannes and Dave have made this year’s forecast more uncertain than in previous years,” said Mr Paulsson. Gross felling refers to the total volume of trunks harvested, including what is left in the forest. It is measured in forest cubic metres (m3), which means the trunk volume above the stump cut, including the top and bark.

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Since 2020, OneFortyOne NZ Forests has supported kea conservation projects through its partnership with the Kea Conservation Trust. During that time, the focus of the work has evolved from understanding how kea use plantation forests to investigating the threats they face within those landscapes and exploring practical ways to improve their long-term survival. Source: Timberbiz Over six years, the work has covered: understanding interactions between kea and forestry operations, including developing guidelines for forestry operations in kea habitat and identifying opportunities to work with plantation forestry crews to reduce conflict and support coexistence, understanding how kea use plantation forests, building knowledge about their behaviour, movements, nesting and food sources, investigating the threats kea face within plantation landscapes, particularly introduced predators, and how forestry management can help improve outcomes for the species.   The result is a better understanding of how forestry crews can work alongside kea, a much clearer picture of how plantation forests fit within the wider landscape used by kea and the role forestry can play in supporting their conservation. Kea are one of New Zealand’s most recognisable native birds, known for their intelligence, curiosity and adaptability. However, they are also nationally endangered, with populations facing ongoing pressure from introduced predators, habitat change and interactions with people. While kea are often associated with alpine and native forest environments, relatively little was known about their use of plantation forests when OneFortyOne first partnered with the Kea Conservation Trust. Forestry workers regularly reported sightings, but there was limited scientific evidence showing how these landscapes fitted into the birds’ wider ecology. Research led by Lincoln University researcher Jodanne Aitken began in 2020 and sought to better understand how kea use plantation forests in the Nelson Tasman region. Using GPS tracking, field observations and diet analysis, the research showed that kea were regular users of plantation forests rather than occasional visitors. The study found that kea used plantation forests for feeding and movement throughout the forest landscape. Researchers observed birds feeding on pine seed, huhu grubs and other invertebrates, demonstrating that plantation forests provide resources that kea actively utilise. The research also showed how plantation and native forests function together as part of a wider habitat network used by kea. These findings challenged assumptions about kea habitat use and confirmed that plantation forests can play an important role within the landscapes occupied by kea. Alongside the ecological research, the program also helped improve understanding of how forestry operations and kea can coexist. Kea are notorious for investigating machinery, vehicles and equipment, which can sometimes create challenges on operational sites. Over the years, researchers worked alongside forestry staff and contractors, sharing information about kea behaviour and providing practical advice to help reduce interactions. While conflict management was never the focus of a dedicated research project, it remained an important part of the partnership. According to Aitken, one of the positive outcomes has been the willingness of forestry crews to support conservation efforts despite the challenges that can arise when kea are present on site. “The crews still see the joy in having kea at their sites, even though not all parts of them being there are ideal. The crews have been really good to work with.” The OneFortyOne partnership with the Kea Conservation Trust also supported the development of the Kea Guidelines for Plantation Forestry, helping other forestry companies manage kea habitat and interactions within plantation forests. The guidelines recognise that many kea encountered on forestry sites are juvenile birds, which often gather in groups and are more likely to investigate machinery, vehicles and other equipment. The partnership has also supported practical innovation in the field. In recent years, trial work has explored deterrent devices designed to discourage kea from approaching machinery and equipment, providing additional tools to help reduce conflict while protecting bird welfare. As knowledge of kea behaviour grew, so too did understanding of the opportunities plantation forests provide. Kea proved highly adaptable birds capable of finding food and moving through a range of habitats. Plantation forests are now recognised as part of the broader habitat mosaic used by kea in the top of the South Island. As researchers spent more time monitoring kea within plantation forests, they began observing signs that introduced predators may pose a greater threat to kea than previously understood. During her fieldwork, Aitken encountered evidence of possible cat predation on kea and began noticing signs that predator pressure may be influencing kea survival within plantation forests. These observations prompted a shift in focus. Rather than continuing to concentrate solely on where kea occur and how they use plantation forests, researchers began investigating the factors that may influence their survival. The presence of predators raised questions about what was happening to kea once they were there. “There’s no point in continuously counting these birds or recording their diet if they’re actually just getting nailed by predators. That’s the system we need to understand better if we want to do good by kea,” Aitken said. Work led by researcher Corey Mosen provided a bridge between Aitken’s earlier habitat-use research and the current predator programme. Monitoring undertaken in 2024 confirmed that cats and other predators were common within plantation forests, with feral cats recorded at five of the six sites monitored. The findings suggested that kea nesting within these areas would likely be vulnerable to predation and disturbance. In 2025/26, the research focus narrowed to a catchment within OneFortyOne’s estate where kea had been consistently observed. Trail cameras and traps were deployed throughout the catchment to better understand predator activity and explore what predator management could look like within an actively managed plantation forest. OneFortyOne supported feral cat and stoat control within the catchment, resulting in the removal of twelve feral cats from the study area. The project provided a clearer picture of predator activity while demonstrating what predator management could look like within a commercial forestry environment. Future recommendations include continuing predator control and monitoring, while exploring what a larger-scale predator management programme could look like within plantation […]

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The 2026 Forestry Australia Symposium will close with a panel about what comes next for Australian forestry, and registrations are still open. Source: Timberbiz More than 250 delegates will be in Canberra in under a fortnight for the 2026 Forestry Australia Symposium, and the program builds towards a single question: where does Australian forestry go next? That question belongs to the closing plenary on Thursday 8 October, Taking the Forestry Story Forward: What’s Next? Five of the profession’s most experienced figures will use it to map the decade ahead, and the floor gets its turn in an open question and answer session. The morning before it looks the other way, with a panel on lessons from the past. On the panel are Forestry Australia President Dr Michelle Freeman, who also appears in that morning session; Bob Gordon, inaugural chair of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) and a former Forestry Australia president; Jenna Hammond from Private Forests Tasmania; Leon Holt from Forestry Australia; and Dr Robert Waterworth from FLINTpro and AFWI. Underneath it all sits this year’s theme, The forestry story: strategies for improved awareness, social licence and effective engagement. Forestry Australia puts the stakes well past the forest gate, in housing, farm incomes, trade, security, climate adaptation and nature repair. Its position is that without successful forestry, Australia cannot meet its goals. Forestry Australia CEO Jacquie Martin put it plainly in May. “Social licence is not something our sector can take for granted. It depends on a genuine connection, trust, accountability and a shared commitment to the long-term stewardship of Australia’s forests,” she said. Symposium convenor and forester Matt de Jongh, said communication has been unfinished business for decades. “As a proud forester, this has been an issue for the forestry sector for a long time, and it is great that Forestry Australia is playing a lead role in addressing effective communication,” he said. “It is an honour to be the convenor for the Symposium, but my job is made easy by the hard work, dedication and support of the Forestry Australia staff and the event organising committee.” The program opens on Wednesday 7 October with Prof Stan Grant, announced in May as the headline act. A three-time Walkley Award winner, former senior CNN correspondent and Professor of Journalism at Monash University, Grant speaks on the nature of public debate: social licence, media and contentious issues. Dr Simon Longstaff AO, Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, takes Thursday’s keynote. Much of the rest of the program comes from outside forestry, with speakers drawn from salmon, farming, mining, energy and politics. Dr Tyron Venn of The University of Queensland makes the Wednesday case for why forestry matters so much to Australia. “The Symposium has so many great sessions, and it is pleasing to have so many speakers and attendees who work outside of forestry, bringing their perspectives,” Mr de Jongh said. Pushed to name a favourite, Mr de Jongh chose Breakout 4, A Stronger Forestry Narrative: Shared Concepts and Adapted Messages, a facilitated workshop built for communication, marketing and engagement professionals. “I am passionate about communicating the positive benefits of forestry, and this session will provide some valuable learnings, not only for dedicated marketing and communications experts, but others who want to learn about adapting the forestry narrative,” he said. AFWI turns up repeatedly. Beyond Gordon and Waterworth on the closing panel, it supports Breakout 1 on First Nations knowledge, leadership, enterprise and engagement, where AFWI’s Tolita Davis-Angeles is among the speakers. Breakout 2, Planting the Seed, hands the floor to the next generation, with Mia Cassidy from Hurford Hardwoods, Kate Battishall from the Forest Education Foundation and Paul McCartan from Ryde Secondary College. Thursday finishes with the Symposium Dinner at the National Arboretum. Friday 9 October brings five field trips, running from urban forestry in Canberra to alpine ash and snow gums under a new climate. The symposium builds on Forestry Australia’s 2025 conference in Adelaide and the 2024 symposium in Ballarat. MORE INFORMATION Registration: https://www.forestryconference.com.au/registration/ Program: https://www.forestryconference.com.au/program/ Field trips: https://www.forestryconference.com.au/field-trips/

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Kaingaroa Tipu has revealed details of a NZ$2 million partnership agreement with Hawke’s Bay-based Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust (FLRT) to support long-term ecological restoration and protection across 11,359 hectares of indigenous forest in inland Hawke’s Bay, mid-way between Taupō and Napier in New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz The partnership is based on an initial 10-year commitment that will give the time needed to prove significant improvements in forest health and species recovery. Both organisations have agreed to a formal progress review after five years, with the possibility of extending the collaboration further. It is formalised through a comprehensive 10-year ecological management plan (2026-2036) that unites the proven conservation expertise of the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust with the extensive operational resources of Kaingaroa Tipu. Together, the organisations will manage ecological and environmental restoration work on the Trust’s Pohokura property north of the Napier-Taupo Highway, ensuring the preservation of one of the region’s most significant natural assets. Pohokura is a site of exceptional ecological value, featuring an uninterrupted sequence of indigenous vegetation progressing from lowland to subalpine bioclimatic zones. It serves as an important ecological corridor within the mountain ranges of the central North Island and provides critical habitat for many threatened and at-risk species of plants and animals. The partners will implement an ambitious work program designed to enhance the site’s status as an area of High Conservation Value. Priorities include: Intensive Pest Management: Expanding the existing predator control network to cover nearly 90% of the property. This includes the installation and maintenance of over 500 DOC 250 traps and additional Sentinel possum traps to protect vulnerable fauna such as the North Island brown kiwi (eastern form), whio (blue duck), and kākāriki. Threatened Species Recovery: Continuation of the highly successful kiwi restoration project, which has already seen over 300 birds released at Pohokura. The plan also focuses on the recovery of the nationally threatened Pittosporum turneri (Turner’s kohuhu), in conjunction with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, with new deer exclusion fencing and propagation programmes aimed at bolstering population numbers. Ecosystem Protection: Active control of invasive pest plants, including wilding conifers and gorse, to protect critically endangered frost flat ecosystems – an uncommon habitat type that requires rigorous protection to survive. Research and Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring of indigenous biodiversity, including surveys for long-tailed and short-tailed bats, terrestrial invertebrates and freshwater fish populations, ensuring that management decisions are guided by the best available science.   This strategic alliance is a cornerstone of Kaingaroa Tipu’s broader sustainability strategy. As the manager of approximately 200,000 hectares of plantation in the central North Island, the forestry management company is committed to maintaining Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. This requires that natural areas within forestry management units be managed for conservation purposes to reflect the diversity of local habitats. “Pohokura represents a significant opportunity to enhance our ecological footprint,” said Colin Maunder, Kaingaroa Tipu’s General Manager of Sustainability. “By partnering with the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust, we are not only meeting our FSC requirements but actively contributing to the restoration of this country’s indigenous biodiversity on a landscape scale.” The Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust has been at the forefront of private conservation in New Zealand since 2006. With a proven track record in restoration initiatives across 23,000 hectares, the Trust’s deep understanding of the Pohokura landscape, gained through decades of on-the-ground management, will ensure the partnership delivers tangible, long-term results. “We are delighted and very grateful to welcome Kaingaroa Tipu as our partner in this vital work,” said Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust Chair Simon Hall. “Our goal has always been to achieve the maximum amount of ecological restoration possible in the most cost-effective way. This partnership provides the stability and resources needed to scale up our efforts, ensuring that the work we started nearly two decades ago will continue to have an impact for generations to come.” Mr Maunder described the partnership as a promise to the future of New Zealand’s natural heritage. “By combining corporate responsibility with dedicated conservation action, the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust and Kaingaroa Tipu are setting a new standard for collaborative environmental stewardship in Aotearoa.”

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The Pentarch Forestry Mill in Kyogle, New South Wales, is closing at the end of October, and 25 workers will be made redundant. Five Pentarch staff will stay on to decommission the Summerland Way site and make it safe – this will take about a month. Source: IndyNR It’s a huge blow for a town the size of Kyogle to lose that many jobs in one go. (There is some confusion between the union and other reports on whether 25 or 31 workers are being laid off as the five staying on may have been counted twice). The Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU) NSW secretary Alison Rudman blames the layoffs on the State Government decision to create the Great Koala National Park. “The wood supply stopped the day the koala park was announced on Father’s Day, 2025,” Ms Rudman said. The picture may be more complicated. Pentarch reported log shortfalls at its Koolkhan mill six months before the moratorium. If the mill closure is a result of the government’s moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed park boundary – the moratorium covers 176,000 hectares of state forest from Kempsey to Grafton – it means a government support package for the laid off workers. IndyNR.com has asked State MP Janelle Saffin and Pentarch Head Office for comment. Pentarch Head Office said it was unable to assist with our enquiry at this time when we asked questions about the Kyogle closure. That’s a no comment from them at a time when information is needed. Ms Rudman confirmed that the support package for Kyogle redundancies will be handled by the government. The government redundancy package includes four weeks of base pay for each year of employment with an impacted mill capped at $150,000. This amount includes the employer’s own redundancy payment; it isn’t paid on top of it. The package includes extra for workers over 45 with three more weeks of pay for every year of service after age 45, capped at $50,000 and calculated separately from the top-up. Other offers include retraining money up to $9,000 and a relocation amount up to $45,000 for workers who move more than 50 kilometres for a new job. The package covers North Coast workers (full-time, part-time or casual) who were employed on September 7, 2025, and are made redundant by March 7, 2027. However, eligibility to this package also depends on the employer being a wood supply agreement holder with demonstrated impacts from the moratorium. Each worker needs a separation certificate or a letter from the employer saying the redundancy was because of the Great Koala National Park moratorium. So whether Kyogle workers get the government money depends largely on how Pentarch describes the reason for the closure. The package was originally framed around the six mills directly affected by the moratorium. When the State Government imposed a temporary moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed park boundary from September 8 last year, it said it would affect six of more than 25 mills in the region and about 300 jobs. In early July this year, Pentarch closed one of its mills at Herons Creek, south west of Port Macquarie, with then Pentarch director Stephen Dadd saying the operation had been running on stockpiles that had now run out. In March last year, 38 workers were stood down at Pentarch’s Koolkhan sawmill near Grafton. At the time Pentarch cited a shortfall in logs from Forestry Corporation. Kyogle sits well north of the Great Koala Park. Pentarch clearly runs a sizeable operation at 13056 Summerland Way and as recently as April this year it was still advertising permanent roles at the Kyogle sawmill. Information about the closure is still coming in and IndyNR.com will update and offer more stories on this news that will affect all of Kyogle, not only the workers who are laid off. According to the 2021 Census, the town of Kyogle had a population of 2804 and the wider Kyogle Council area had 9359 people.

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A Canberra company has shuttered its 62-year-old timber truss and frame manufacturing unit due to a perfect storm of market, economic and cost pressures. Source: Region CRT Building Products announced it would no longer produce timber trusses and frames at its Mitchell factory for Canberra home builders, sparking fears, fuelled by a misleading social media post from Opposition Leader Mark Parton, that the business itself was closing. The “structured exit” would mean the loss of 20 jobs, but general manager Richard Gianatti stressed that this was only one part of the business, which still employed more than 30 people, had a long history and still had a long future ahead of it. “It was a decision not taken lightly because we’ve been in that industry since 1964,” Mr Gianatti said. “It’s a commercial decision we made so as not to put the business into distress because we just didn’t see that [side of the business] was going to be profitable.” A combination of the ongoing high cost of timber, competition from cheaper steel products, and a downturn in standalone home construction forced the company’s hand. Mr Gianatti said the industry has never recovered from the 2019 bushfires, which wiped out pine plantations and sent timber costs through the roof. The post-COVID construction boom that peaked in 2022 generated sufficient demand to absorb that higher cost, but since then rising inflation and interest rate rises have eroded housing affordability and dampened demand for new detached homes. At the same time, the ACT Government wound back land releases for standalone housing and the market favoured high-rise residential towers that, of course, had no use for timber trusses or frames. Mr Gianatti said the government was trying to keep land prices at the peak, but people couldn’t afford it. “You pay $700,000 or whatever for a tiny block, you’ve got to at least spend that building on it, and people say ‘I can’t get the money, I don’t see the value’,” he said. Mr Gianatti said standalone housing and townhouses were the company’s bread and butter, and while the former had slowed, the latter had dropped off significantly. The Federal Government’s tax changes in the last budget also hadn’t helped. “It might be well-intentioned but possibly timed pretty poorly on the back of everything else,” Mr Gianatti said. As if that wasn’t enough, the switch to cheaper steel along with cut-rate supply and install packages meant timber could not compete. Canberra used to be a 95 per cent timber frame and truss market, but two large steel players now operated in the Territory that didn’t exist in 2019. Mr Gianatti said the business was unlikely to restart the timber frame and truss operation even if conditions improved. It needed to sell the equipment and repurpose the large shed housing it. But CRT Building Products was still a substantial business and had plans to expand, Mr Gianatti said. It had its own steel operation, Steeline Canberra, and was probably the biggest manufacturer of Colorbond roofing, guttering and fencing products in Canberra, as well as sheds. It also dealt in other products such as insulation. “We’re a Canberra success story,” Mr Gianatti said. “The other side of the business is strong and will continue.” CRT’s decision comes as confidence across the ACT property industry fell to the lowest level in Australia, with new survey results highlighting growing concerns about future investment, project activity and economic conditions. The latest Procore/Property Council Confidence Survey shows the ACT’s confidence index has fallen to 55.6, well below the neutral benchmark of 100 and the lowest result recorded by any Australian jurisdiction. Property Council ACT & Capital Region Executive Director Ashlee Berry said the results were a wake-up call for policymakers about the importance of maintaining a competitive and investment-friendly environment. “The property sector wants to invest in Canberra, build the homes our growing city needs and create jobs, but this survey shows confidence has been significantly shaken,” Ms Berry said. Ms Berry said the findings reflect growing concern about the cumulative impact of costs, regulation and uncertainty on development feasibility.

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A Victorian timber wholesaler and importer, Bayswood Timber Wholesalers Pty Ltd, has paid a penalty of $19,800 for making allegedly false or misleading statements about the suitability of its timber to be used in certain building applications in defined bushfire-prone areas. Source: Timberbiz The ACCC issued Bayswood with an infringement notice after investigating concerns that Bayswood marketed its Meranti timber product as having a certain density and being suitable for defined bushfire-prone areas. In fact, the Meranti timber was insufficiently dense to meet the density requirements for the stated bushfire standard for some building applications. Making false or misleading statements about features such as the quality or composition of goods is a breach of the Australian Consumer Law. “It is important that businesses supplying timber for use in bushfire-prone areas understand the timber’s properties and ensure any claims they make about the timber are accurate,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said. “It is crucial that builders and homeowners can rely on the accuracy of claims about building products, including because they may need to use timbers with certain characteristics to comply with building standards.” The Australian Standard 3959-2018 for ‘Construction for buildings in bushfire-prone areas’ requires timber used in those areas to have a specified minimum density depending on how it is used, for example in window assemblies, door frames and external cladding. These minimum density requirements are important to ensure buildings have proper resistance to bushfire attack. Construction requirements are categorised by ‘Bushfire Attack Levels’ or ‘BALs’, starting from ‘BAL-LOW’ and ‘BAL-12.5’ for lower-risk areas, and increasing to ‘BAL-19’ and ‘BAL-FZ’ for the high-risk areas. During October 2025, Bayswood provided a price list to its customers stating that its Meranti timber had a density of 400kg per cubic metre, and representing it was suitable for use in building applications where ‘BAL-12.5’ specifies a minimum timber density requirement. However, the ACCC alleges that Bayswood’s Meranti timber was not suitable for BAL-12.5 applications which specify a minimum density requirement, such as door frames, or for window assemblies or external cladding which were less than 400mm from the ground. During its investigation, the ACCC engaged with other timber suppliers about potentially misleading BAL claims regarding their timber products. These traders promptly changed their public material to remove the concerning BAL claims. The ACCC understands that timbers of the same species but sourced from different locations can have different densities due to the different growing conditions. This may affect whether a certain timber product meets the minimum density requirements under the applicable BAL-rating of the Australian Standard. “We are concerned that it is possible that some builders may have inadvertently used timber that did not meet building standards when they relied on the statements made by timber suppliers,” Mr Keogh said. “While the ACCC’s involvement in this matter has been as the consumer regulator, we understand that this issue may raise concerns for homeowners and builders. We have informed state and territory building regulators of the results of our investigation, so they can assist consumers with concerns about individual building projects,” Mr Keogh said. “Many areas in Australia are not bushfire-prone and therefore not subject to these timber density requirements.” The National Construction Code incorporates the Australian ‘Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas’ Standard. The Standard is included in state and territory planning and building legislation and regulations. Therefore, anyone building in designated bushfire-prone areas must comply with the Standard as part of their building permits. The Standard outlines minimum density requirements for timber used in particular parts of a building, such as window assemblies and door frames, as denser timber is better for resisting ember attack. These construction requirements are important to ensure buildings have proper resistance to bushfire attack. They only apply to buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Construction requirements are informed by the location’s ‘Bushfire Attack Levels’, or BAL. The BAL is an Australian standard system that measures a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. It determines the minimum density requirements for timber to be used in specific parts of a building in that location. The BAL ratings range from the lowest level of ‘BAL-LOW’ and the second lowest of ‘BAL-12.5’ where the risk is primarily from embers during a fire, to the highest level of ‘BAL-FZ’ for the most-at-risk areas.

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Entries have closed for the 2026 Timber Design Awards, and the judges have settled on their finalists – leading the way is Flooded Gums, a one-bedroom cabin designed by Marker Architecture for a farming property at Millers Forest, north-west of Newcastle. Source: Timberbiz In all, 36 projects share 45 finalist places across the 11 categories judged by the panel, with the People’s Choice and the Grand Prix completing the 13 awards to be presented in Sydney on Wednesday 21 October. With less than four weeks to go, more than 85% of tickets to the gala dinner have been sold. Flooded Gums sits on what was once a horse dressage area, on a plain bounded by the Hunter and Williams rivers, and Marker raised it on stilts and a formed-earth and gabion embankment to withstand a 100-year flood, with a timber bridge back to the main house. Its structure is recycled hardwood, left exposed as a grid against thermally treated cladding outside and spotted gum ply linings inside, for owners who asked for a building their family would still be using generations from now. Because the Grand Prix is drawn from the category winners, at least one project leaves the gala holding two awards every year, and Kylan Low, the Timber Development Association structural engineer who is organising this year’s program, says three would be a first in his memory. The People’s Choice adds one more award to the night, with more than 2,000 votes cast before the poll closed on 4 September and every project entered in the running, and its winner will be revealed alongside the category winners. Sustainability is the largest shortlist this year, with six finalists, including Putty Passiv, along-side five projects that are also finalists in another category. Joining them are some of the most celebrated timber projects of the past year, the Sydney Fish Market in Commercial Building, the Cutaway at Barangaroo in Fitout Commercial and Public, the West Gate Tunnel in Public Building and the Adelaide Aquatic Centre in Sports and Recreation, on a list that runs from a grain-matched record unit and a lamella chair to a harbourside market. The 2026 finalists EXCELLENCE IN TIMBER DESIGN Residential Class 1, New Building Enclave House, Flooded Gums, Gingkin, Leura Tree Haven Residential Class 1, Alterations and Additions Wilsons Cottage, Not Firewood, Princes Hill House Fitout, Residential Flooded Gums, Babylonia, Bank Street House Commercial Building Sydney Fish Market, Gosford Central, Optus O Pavilion, Grace Village ELC Public Building Hoskins Building, The Forest, Tonsley Technical College, West Gate Tunnel Fitout, Commercial and Public The Cutaway Barangaroo, 500 Bourke St, Aesop Canberra Centre, Bunjil Wellbeing Place Furniture and Joinery Curved Grainmatched Record Unit, ANZAC Park East Concierge Desks, Reclaim Mosaico, The Lamella Chair Sports and Recreation Dendy Beach Pavilion and Brighton SLC, Adelaide Aquatic Centre, John Paul College, Roleystone Community College   EXCELLENCE IN THE USE OF TIMBER PRODUCTS Recycled Timber Wilsons Cottage, Batten House, Aesop Canberra Centre, Birkenstock at the Maltstore, Flooded Gums Australian Certified Timber Ora House, Swift Walk Arcade, CIT Woden, The Foundation Tree Sustainability Hoskins Building, Ora House, Tonsley Technical College, The Forest, Enclave House, Putty Passiv

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