Australian timber industry news

A record-breaking summer that saw more than 1,000 wildfires has torched some 540,000 hectares of land across the European Union since mid-June, according to official data – an area more than twice the size of Luxembourg. Source: AFP France Multiple back-to-back heatwaves fuelled by climate change scorched Europe, causing more than 30,000 excess deaths, widespread drought and devastating wildfires that forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, particularly in Spain and France. Temperature records across the continent were smashed, triggering dangerous blazes even in normally cool, wet areas such as Belgium and Scotland. The total area affected by fire between June 18 and September 2 is well above the average for the previous 20 years, according to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). But it remains below the record set in 2025, when fires consumed more than 800,000 hectares between those dates. Four of the EU’s 15 largest fires of the last 10 years occurred this summer, according to EFFIS data. Fires that broke out between July 16 and 22 consumed nearly 190,000 hectares of forest, the most for that week-long period since at least 2006, according to harmonised weekly data from EFFIS. Three massive fires erupted in succession during this period: two in Spain and one in France. One in the Spanish province of Avila, near Madrid, broke out on July 22 and went on to destroy more than 42,000 hectares. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes, and the Spanish government said it considered the blaze the worst in the country’s modern history. Another fire in the Andalusia region of southern Spain in July led to more than a dozen deaths. Before the end of July, France had already broken its record for the total area burned in a single year since records began. Meanwhile, Spain has been hovering near its cumulative record for the same point in the year for weeks – briefly surpassing it in mid-August before dropping back below. Greece, Portugal and Italy are among the other southern EU nations that experienced an active fire season, a common summer phenomenon in the region. Further north, Belgium faced its worst wildfire in over a century in August, a blaze that consumed thousands of hectares in the east of the country. This single fire caused the country to break its record for the total area burned in a year since at least 2006. EFFIS figures only include fires covering a minimum of 30 hectares. The figures may differ from reported national data due to methodological differences, and the totals are subject to change as new satellite imagery becomes available.

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Kesla’s new grapple has been engineered to meet the needs of professional timber crane operators who require a robust attachment capable of efficient loading, unloading, and timber sorting in all working conditions. Source: Timberbiz As forestry operations continue to prioritise productivity, durability and efficient handling of increasingly larger timber assortments, the demand for robust and high-capacity grapples has grown. Developed in response to these market needs, the KESLA proG60 offers enhanced strength, wear resistance and ease of maintenance for intensive everyday use. At the heart of the KESLA proG60 is a wider and reinforced grapple frame, providing excellent durability and stability when handling large timber. The grapple also features a connector rod made from cut-to-shape steel, enhancing structural strength and ensuring long service life under heavy use. Durability has been further increased through the use of 20 mm thick wear-resistant Hardox steel grapple jaws. The strong jaw construction ensures reliable performance and resistance to wear, even in intensive daily operations. Ease of maintenance has also been a key design priority. The lubrication points are clearly visible and easily accessible when the grapple is in the closed position, helping operators carry out routine maintenance quickly and efficiently. The proG60’s carefully rounded grapple jaws are designed to penetrate wood stacks smoothly and efficiently, improving timber handling performance and making loading operations faster and more productive. “Today’s timber handling professionals need equipment that not only delivers high performance but also stands up to demanding conditions year after year. The KESLA proG60 has been designed to meet these expectations with a reinforced structure, premium wear-resistant materials and practical maintenance solutions,” said Jouni Kainulainen, Kesla’s Truck and Stationary Cranes Product Manager. Key Features of the KESLA proG60 Designed specifically for large logs and pulpwood Wider and reinforced grapple frame for increased durability Connector rod manufactured from cut-to-shape steel 20 mm thick wear-resistant Hardox grapple jaws Clearly visible lubrication points in closed position for easy maintenance Carefully rounded grapple jaws for efficient penetration into wood stacks.

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A lignin-derived phenolic resin provides wood with intrinsic flame retardancy while acting as a robust bio-based adhesive and coating. Source: Timberbiz Researchers have developed a phosphorus-free and formaldehyde-free lignin-derived phenolic resin that combines intrinsic flame retardancy, robust adhesion and effective fire protection when applied as a coating on wood. The material offers a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based phenolic resins. Conventional petroleum-derived phenolic resins face growing scrutiny due to sustainability concerns, inherent flammability and limited adhesion durability. In response, a recent study introduces a lignin-derived phenolic resin, designated SALG-PR, that is both phosphorus-free and formaldehyde-free. The material was synthesised through taurine grafting via Mannich chemistry combined with glyoxal-mediated cross-linking, delivering a fully bio-based network with multifunctional performance. The resin exhibits notable intrinsic flame retardancy, reaching a UL-94 V-0 rating and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 62.4 %, values comparable to established petroleum-based resins and to previously reported bio-based flame-retardant materials. Direct exposure to a butane torch for 300 s did not lead to burn-through, and infrared thermography confirmed effective localisation of heat within the flame-impinged region, indicating a strong barrier effect. Beyond flame retardancy, SALG-PR displayed robust adhesion to both wood and aluminium substrates, with bond strengths of 3.78 MPa and 3.42 MPa, respectively. The adhesive performance remained stable after exposure to extreme temperatures, organic solvents and acidic or alkaline environments. The authors also report potential for underwater repair applications, further extending the material’s application scope. When applied as a fire-safe coating on wood, SALG-PR increased the LOI of the treated substrate to 42.5 % and prevented burn-through during 300 s of direct torch exposure. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TG-MS) confirmed that SALG-PR releases only trace amounts of formaldehyde compared with commercial phenolic resins, addressing a persistent health and regulatory concern for indoor applications. The work outlines a lignin upcycling strategy for the development of high-performance bio-based adhesives, intrinsically flame-retardant materials and eco-friendly fire-safe coatings, with particular relevance for wood protection. Source: Tan, W. et al., Sustainable lignin upcycling into formaldehyde-free bio-based phenolic networks: intrinsic flame retardancy, robust adhesion and fire-safe coating performance. Green Chem. 28, 13894–13912 (2026).

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Established at Wilks Avenue Park on an open urban space on the eastern side of Willans Hill in Kooringal, the Tiny Forests are a small, densely packed patch of bushland that establishes 10 times quicker than a traditional forest. Source: Timberbiz The compact space encourages plant competition and accelerates the establishment of beneficial soil fungi which supports rapid plant growth. Council’s Natural Resource Management Officer Catherine Conroy said Tiny Forests help create cooler, greener urban spaces, with trees and vegetation reducing temperatures by providing shade and cooling benefits as much as 6°C on hot days. “The growth over the last year has been wonderful, especially after such a dry summer,” Ms Conroy said. “Even after experiencing several days above 40°C, the tube stock has grown four-to-five times their original height. “And because it’s been such a mild winter, the little bit of rain we’ve had over the last few weeks has seen around 25 per cent growth.” Just over 500 plants of 21 different native species were originally planted in the two garden beds, which are each around 500m2 in size. Ms Conroy said the forests had been well received by the local community. The Tiny Forest on the side of Willans Hill, where the original seedlings have grown four-fold over the last 12 months. “We placed a bench seat in the forest, and I’ve seen residents using it. It gives a great view over east Wagga. “When we held a working bee to do some weeding and mulching back in May, over 20 people turned up to help out for a couple of hours, and it was great hearing them talking about where they lived in relation to the forest and each other. “We have another working bee coming up on 12 September, mainly for some weeding and replacing some of the plants – about 5% of the total – that didn’t make it through the year. “We invite members of the community to visit the Tiny Forest, and while they enjoy the space, maybe take some water from the bucket provided and spend a few minutes watering a few of the plants.” It is hoped that after three years the forests will be self-sustaining. “We’d like to see more Tiny Forests, but we want to make them community-driven projects as happens in other cities like Canberra,” Ms Conroy said. Tiny Forests are a positive initiative that help address the objectives of both the Wagga Wagga Urban Cooling Strategy 2022-2052 and the Wagga Wagga Biodiversity Strategy 2030: Maldhangilanha.

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Recent Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao research has provided valuable insights into how forest soils absorb methane. Source: Timberbiz Run over two years, the research looked at the methane uptake of soils in three planted forests – Orton Bradley Park and McLeans Island in Canterbury and Kaingaroa (New Zealand’s largest commercial pine plantation, in the Bay of Plenty) – that represent ‘typical’ New Zealand forests. This is the first time methane uptake in soils has been measured at multiple sites with sampling spanning all four seasons. Supported by Lincoln University and funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, the study aimed to help the agricultural sector addressing the continued challenge of reducing emissions. Planted forest soils are good habitats for the types of bacteria that absorb methane (CH4) as a source of carbon and energy. By quantifying how much methane is consumed by the bacteria at field sites, researchers can better understand the role planted forest soils play in New Zealand’s drive to meet emission-reduction goals. Methane flux chambers were installed at each site and samples were taken every month for a year to measure methane exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. Research lead Dr Kathryn Walker says the work is timely as New Zealand works toward meeting its emissions reductions targets. Monitoring showed soils absorbed 2.5 – 2.8kg CH4 per hectare each year, with uptake reaching up to 15g CH4 per hectare per day. There was variation in uptake rates across sites and seasons. “Considering New Zealand has 1.8 million hectares of planted forests, that’s a significant amount of methane being removed by forests each year,” Dr Walker says. “The research has helped us learn more about forestry’s capability to offset methane emissions and can be used to paint a more accurate picture of New Zealand’s total net carbon budget. For example, it shows the amount of methane uptake could offset almost all CO2 from all liquid fuels used for rail in New Zealand in 2022, or about 80 percent of CH4 emissions from natural gas production. “This study has provided a strong background to support future research,” she says. “We’ve shown New Zealand’s planted forest soils are significant methane sinks and are a promising resource that could be managed to help meet emissions reduction targets. However, there are still a lot of unknowns about methane cycling in our planted forests. There are other parts of the forest such as the tree litter on the forest floor, tree stems and needles that could influence or be involved in methane flux in the forest. “These other components need to be considered and measured before methane uptake by forest soils is included in national greenhouse gas budgeting.” The research team now has further funding from the Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) to look at whether methane uptake in forests could be increased through nutrient addition or litter layer management. “There is little understanding of the role of the litter layer in methane cycling, yet it sits right on the soil-atmosphere interface where methane uptake is occurring,” Dr Walker says. “We want to find out whether there is potential to manage this to increase methane uptake.” Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 28–35 times stronger than CO₂ and responsible for about 30 percent of global warming. Its strong warming influence but short-lived nature means tackling methane emissions offers an immediate opportunity to slow climate change.

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The chairman of two forest companies at the centre of legal action related to slash on hillsides says they were meeting industry standards as they understood them but agrees that clean-ups are needed. Source: Stuff NZ Ngāti Porou Forests Ltd (NPFL) harvested the Awatere Forest, owned by Summit Forest NZ Ltd, and is one of the parties named in an application for an enforcement order from Gisborne District Council. The enforcement order, if granted by the Environment Court, would require the company and its directors to clean up the mess the council says was left on the land. NPFL also managed and harvested Tokararangi Forest for the Ministry for Primary Industries. That application also applies to NPFL and its directors, as well as the ministry. Another enforcement order application currently before the court relates to Harakeke Forest, which, like the other two, is also near Te Araroa, about 185km northeast of Gisborne. Harakeke Forest was a joint venture owned by Hansol NZ Ltd and Ngāti Porou Whanui Forests Ltd (NPWFL). That application also applies to NPFL and its directors, as well as the ministry. Another enforcement order application currently before the court relates to Harakeke Forest, which, like the other two, is also near Te Araroa, about 185km northeast of Gisborne. Harakeke Forest was a joint venture owned by Hansol NZ Ltd and Ngāti Porou Whanui Forests Ltd (NPWFL). The application lists the companies and their directors. Harakeke Forest sits on Harakeke Station, which is Māori freehold land with 317 owners. It’s a 256-hectare pine plantation that was planted after Cyclone Bola in 1988 in an attempt to prevent further erosion on steep hillsides. It was harvested between 2017 and 2020. The resource consent granted by the council for the harvesting required the joint venture to replant the areas that were harvested, but the council says this has never been done. Slash, debris and sediment has washed off the hillsides leading to “significant environmental effects”, according to the council which inspected the site after severe storms early this year. NPFL and NPWFL have the same directors, Selwyn Parata, Tina Porou, Hayden Swann and Teepa Wawatai. Whaimutu Dewes is chair of both companies, which are based in Ruatoria. He said he “could comment on behalf of both companies in terms of the roles we have”. “We have, from the start, been co-operating with the council and its enforcement people and also with the other parties, and we are committed to remediate the damage that has been done,” he said. “Whether we can stop it is a whole other story. “We’re owned by Ngāti Porou landowners so we’re committed to make sure we can do the best job we can.” He said the companies did not feel an enforcement order was necessary and “would have preferred an abatement notice”. An abatement notice is a compliance direction made by a council whereas an enforcement order is a formal directive issued by the Environment Court. “We’re not in favour of enforcement orders. We would have preferred a more co-operative approach,” he said. Dewes said the companies had been working to address issues in the forests, but weather and other events prevented teams from “going in and blitzing the thing”. He said the company had sought an extension of time to carry out the work, but in the council’s view it had taken too long already. He said the companies did not accept that required standards had not been met, as claimed by the council. “It’s not our understanding. We’ve got people who are council-qualified experts, etc. The thing we can’t control is weather events.” Dewes said the council was requiring “a level of clean-up of harvest land and drainage, etc, which is several steps further ahead, and more complex, than had been our understanding”. “Our people that were on the ground and supervising those crews were doing it to the standard as they understood it in industry practice. “If we had a clear idea that what we were doing wasn’t up to standard, then we would have done our best to do what was needed, if we could,” he said. “This is going to take a long time to address. It can’t be done in two or three months.” The remediation work would come at a cost to the companies “but we’ll do our best and carry on”. Dewes said the companies were likely to be involved in replanting the harvested forests. “Our approach has always been that old mantra ‘right tree, right place’… In some places, natives will be the best option. That is something we will talk with landowners about. The reason we planted pine trees was because it was farmland that was sliding out to sea. “Pine trees grow more quickly and give you better root mass and more canopy cover, which are all better for holding soil. “We’re going to be doing the best job we can to deliver on expectations that the land will be in a sustainable form for the next generations. That’s our driver,” he said. The three enforcement order applications will go to mediation, after which it will be determined if hearings are required. Stuff has approached Hansol NZ Ltd, an offshoot of Korea-based Hansol Homedeco Co Ltd, and its director, Juhyun Bang, for comment.

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A new peer-reviewed study analysing six decades of fire history across the entire public native forest of three regions, South west WA (WA), Victoria and NSW, has found that WA’s long-standing commitment to forest fuel reduction (prescribed burning) has delivered substantially better wildfire (bushfire) outcomes than the restricted area programs in Victoria and NSW. Sources: John N. Cameron, David R. Packham, Glen A. Kile & Neil D. Burrow The research, published in Australian Forestry, compared prescribed burning rates and wildfire losses in public native forests from 1965 to 2024. Over that period, WA treated an average of 9.2% of its forest estate with prescribed fire each year, compared with 1.9% in Victoria and 0.7% in NSW. The difference in outcomes was significant and greatest between WA and Victoria. Per capita wildfire deaths were 18 times higher, and houses burnt five times higher in Victoria than in WA. Across the 60-year study, wildfire burnt 60% of WA’s forest estate, compared with 112% in Victoria and 141% in NSW — with large areas of Victorian and NSW forest burnt up to four times in the past 25 years. WA’s higher prescribed burning program, reduces fuel loads, lowers fire intensity, and critically assists with the effectiveness and safety of wildfire suppression. The authors demonstrated similarity in fire proneness between the three regions for key wildfire conditions of fuel accumulation, drought, fire day relative humidity and fire day wind speed. In Victoria and NSW, where broad scale prescribed burning has been insufficient, localized fuel reduction has protected some towns and infrastructure, however, greater protection could have been delivered with more fuel reduction across the landscape to ensure more fuel reduced area close to ignition points. There was an inverse relationship between the proportion of the forest treated with prescribed fire and the proportion of the forest subsequently burnt by wildfire. For prescribed burning at least 8% of the forest each year as practised in WA this relationship was very strong, but there was no relationship below 4% of the forest as practised in Victoria and NSW. Why does this matter beyond the statistics? Because low-intensity, well-planned prescribed burning is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly tool to minimise loss of life, property and infrastructure and damage to forest health in fire prone forests. Wildfires that ignite in old, heavy fuel loads do not behave like the low, patchy burns our drier forests evolved with. They incinerate tree canopies, damage soils, cause erosion and stream siltation and can push fragile ecosystems into a more flammable dense shrubland (scrub) that primes the landscape for the next catastrophic fire. Initial attack on bushfires in such shrublands are twice as likely to fail as in the tall forests they replaced. By contrast, well executed frequent, cool and patchy prescribed burns are conducted under mild conditions with substantially lower carbon emissions and no long-term damage to the forest. These fires cause little tree canopy scorch, and they preserve the duff layer that protects soil and its store of carbon and leave refuges for wildlife. This is, a modern ‘analogue’ of the cultural burning practised by Aboriginal peoples for tens of thousands of years that kept the country “clean” and resilient, rather than allowing fuel to accumulate into a ‘fuel bomb’ waiting for an ignition source such as lightning. The findings support lifting prescribed burning rates to at least 5% as recommended by the 2010 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission. ‘Rapid suppression’ has failed on extreme fire days particularly with multiple fire ignitions, as suppression resources are quickly overwhelmed, in spite of the advent of aerial suppression and best the efforts of firefighters. Suppression resources have been continually being overwhelmed in Victoria with devastating outcomes e.g. in 1983, 2003, 2006-7, 2009, 2019-20, 2026. None of this means prescribed burning is a silver bullet.  It needs to be well planned and strategic — targeted at property interfaces and high fire risk areas in the broader landscape to protect life, property and regional economies, and reduce wildfire suppression and recovery costs. And it needs to be integrated with good detection, suppression and community preparedness. After 60 years and three States’ worth of evidence, the pattern is hard to ignore: the region that has invested seriously in landscape-scale fuel management has suffered dramatically fewer deaths, less property losses and less economic loss than those that have not. This is in spite of the similar extreme fire weather and a long-term drying trend for south west Western Australia. If we are serious about protecting lives, homes and forests and reducing the risk to those who fight fires, we need more low intensity fire in the landscape to reduce the damage from catastrophic wildfires. Prescribed burning can reduce wildfire losses including under climatic scenarios resulting from climate action. John N. Cameron, David R. Packham, Glen A. Kile & Neil D. Burrows (31 Aug 2026): Contrasting regional prescribed burning regimes effects the extent and impact of forest wildfire, Australian Forestry, DOI: 10.1080/00049158.2026.2711913 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2026.2711913 Or download the complete article here.

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Forestry is deeply embedded in the economies of several New Zealand regions, with new NZIER research showing how strongly some regional economies depend on the sector and how widely a drop in activity can flow through jobs, wages, household spending and exports. Source: Timberbiz New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the research shows how closely local jobs and businesses are tied to forestry in parts of the country. “Forestry contributes $NZ5.4 billion to New Zealand’s GDP, and in some regions, it makes up a big part of the local economy. In Tairāwhiti, it accounts for 7.9% of GDP, the highest share anywhere in the country. “In some regions it is also one of the biggest contributors among land-based industries. Forestry contributes more to the regional economy than beef cattle in Tairāwhiti and Nelson-Marlborough, and more than sheep farming in Northland and Nelson-Marlborough.” “Forestry keeps crews, contractors, truck drivers and mills working, along with processors, manufacturers and the local businesses that supply and support them. Those wages are spent locally, so the impact reaches well beyond the forest.” NZIER modelling in Tairāwhiti shows how lower forestry activity can spread through a regional economy. “NZIER found that a 10% drop in forestry output in Tairāwhiti would cut household spending by 1.4% and exports by 4.4%, with jobs and wages also falling,” Dr Heeg says. The research also shows that keeping forests operating has become more expensive. NZIER found regulatory costs have increased across most areas since national environmental standards came into force, with smaller growers carrying a greater share of the burden. “A small grower can pay almost as much to prepare a resource consent as an operator with a forest 100 times the size, and monitoring fees can add another 20% to 50% of the original consent cost in some regions,” Dr Heeg says. “For a small business, that’s a massive hit. Growers expect to meet high environmental standards, but costs also have to reflect the size of the forest and the risk involved. Otherwise, they start affecting decisions about whether people keep investing and replanting.” Those decisions also affect what environmental benefits forests provide. NZIER estimates production forests provide around $NZ1.6 billion a year in carbon capture and $NZ312 million in avoided soil erosion. The research also identifies benefits for water quality, biodiversity and recreation, including walking, mountain biking and hunting in production forests. “So, when we make decisions about where forestry belongs and how it is managed, we’re talking about jobs and businesses, but we’re also talking about what that forest is doing on the land.” Dr Heeg says forestry decisions made now will shape regional economies for decades. “A decision about whether a forest is planted or replanted affects future work for contractors, the wood available to processors, the businesses built around the sector and the investment that stays in a region. “We want forestry to keep providing long-term work and investment in regions where communities have built businesses around it, while continuing to improve how forests are managed and environmental risks are reduced.” Download the NZIER reports: Economic contribution of forestry Environmental contribution of forestry Forestry: Cost of compliance  

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PrefabAUS has launched a new standard form contract for prefabricated homes, designed for use across the industry and available to builders, manufacturers, customers and lenders – regardless of which lender provides the finance. Source: Timberbiz The contract, developed through sponsorship by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, addresses a key barrier to the growth of prefabricated housing: existing contracts are designed for traditional construction, not homes that are manufactured offsite. PrefabAUS Executive Chairman, Damien Crough, said the absence of a dedicated prefab construction contract that aligns payments and financing to factory-built timelines and recognises Modern Method of Construction’s (MMC) unique parameters has contributed to slowing the broader adoption of prefab housing in Australia. “For too long, prefabricated construction has been constrained by contracts designed for traditional, site-based delivery,” Mr Crough said. “This new standard form contract provides the clarity and structure needed to better support how these homes are delivered, helping unlock investment, improve productivity and scale the growth of the modern construction industry in Australia.” The new contract is designed to better reflect how prefab homes are built – in factories and delivered in weeks, rather than constructed on-site over many months. For home buyers, it helps: Provide greater clarity on how prefabricated homes are designed, manufactured offsite, transported and completed Make payments easier to understand, with defined stages that reflect how prefab homes are built Improve transparency around costs, inclusions, responsibilities and key consumer protection. For manufacturers and builders, it helps: Provide a clearer framework for factory-built delivery, from design and manufacturing through to placement and completion Align payments to prefab production milestones, supporting more predictable cash flow and project planning Reduce contract complexity and improve consistency across projects, customers and lenders.   Prefabricated housing currently represents a small share of the Australian market, but has significant growth potential, particularly as Australia looks to deliver 1.2 million new homes by 1 July 2029. Prefab homes can be built in as little as 8–12 weeks, compared with 12–24 months for traditional construction, highlighting their potential to help increase housing supply in a shorter time period. CommBank sponsored the development of the contract as part of its broader efforts to improve access to prefabricated housing. In addition to the contract sponsorship, CommBank was the first major lender in Australia to introduce a prefabricated housing policy that allows customers to access funding earlier in the construction process – reducing the need for large upfront payments and helping more Australians consider this type of build. “Modern methods of construction have the potential to help address Australia’s housing shortage by delivering homes faster and more efficiently,” CommBank Home Buying General Manager Rebecca Markwell said. “We’ve already introduced changes to our lending policy to better support prefabricated housing, including enabling progress payments during the offsite construction phase. “Working with the industry to support innovation in construction and remove barriers for adoption of modern methods of construction, including sponsoring the development of a standardised contract, is all part of how CommBank is supporting the delivery of more housing supply to the market.” The PrefabAUS Standard Form Contract for Class 1 Domestic Construction, such as residential single detached homes is now available to industry participants, with further work underway to digitise the contract and streamline its use across projects. The release of the contract directly supports key priorities outlined in the prefabAUS Industry Roadmap 2023–2033: Building the Future We Want, particularly: Embedding Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) into mainstream delivery Leveraging procurement and contracting reform to build industry scale Improving access to finance for MMC projects.

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The Housing Industry Association has welcomed the Federal Government’s $150 million investment in Australia’s forestry industry, saying secure timber supply is critical to building the homes Australia desperately needs. Source: Timberbiz Under the $150 million program, grants and initiatives will be delivered across five key streams focused on modernising the sector, supporting secure and well-paid jobs, strengthening innovation, securing sustainable fibre supply and increasing Australia’s sovereign capability. HIA Chief Executive Industry & Policy Simon Croft said the Forestry Growth Fund investment in plantations, timber processing, innovation and workforce capacity was a welcome recognition that housing targets must be backed by the materials needed to deliver them. “You can’t build 1.2 million homes without securing the materials needed to build them,” Mr Croft said. “Timber remains one of the most important building materials in Australian housing, with more than 70% of house frames constructed using timber. “The $15 million investment in plantation establishment is particularly welcome. The trees we plant today will determine the timber available to Australian builders in the decades ahead. “Equally important is the $115 million investment in modern processing and innovation to strengthen local manufacturing and get more value from Australia’s timber resources. “Recent supply chain disruptions demonstrated the consequences when critical building materials become scarce, costs rise, construction slows and ultimately builders and home buyers pay more. “Strengthening domestic timber production and processing will help reduce Australia’s exposure to international supply shocks while supporting manufacturing and regional jobs. “HIA has consistently called for a long-term national approach to timber and building material security. “The Government’s Forestry Growth Fund and Timber Fibre Strategy are positive steps towards that goal and HIA welcomes the strong focus on supporting Australia’s sovereign capability. “Australia has an enormous task ahead to build enough homes for a growing population. That means planning not just for the homes we need tomorrow, but the timber, trades and manufacturing capacity required to build them. This investment is a welcome step towards ensuring Australian builders have reliable access to Australian timber to get those homes built,” Mr Croft said.

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What is the most exciting wood innovation of the year? You can have your say by voting for your favourite in the New Wood public vote throughout September. The public vote organised by the New Wood initiative, which showcases new wood-based materials and solutions, is now open. Source: Forest Fi What the nominated solutions have in common is their innovative use of wood and their contribution to sustainable development goals. The wood-based material itself may already be well known, but the commercial product or application must be new. “The new solutions included in the public vote will also be featured in the New Wood exhibition, which travels to events for decision-makers and other influential figures in Finland and around the world. Last spring, even King Charles took an interest in sustainable wood-based solutions when he visited the New Wood exhibition in London”, says Virpi Korhonen, Project Manager of the New Wood initiative. The public vote features eight new products. They replace fossil-based raw materials and use wood as a renewable raw material. Most aim to reduce the product’s carbon footprint compared with other potential materials. Almost all the nominated solutions also stand out for their Finnish origin and recyclability. The innovations featured by New Wood are presented on Forest.fi’s Innovation section, which also includes articles on the solutions nominated for the public vote. A video featuring the nominees can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pivhjt6pDNYY You can cast your vote directly at https://www.lyyti.fi/questions/a8fb909510 Everyone who votes will be entered into a raffle to win a Mysoda Glassy sparkling water maker made from wood composite, worth EUR 239. Voting is open until the end of September 2026. “Through the New Wood public vote, we want to highlight the unique wood-based products being developed in Finland. The forest bioeconomy is a sector where new, competitive products are constantly emerging”, said Mr Korhonen. The public’s favourite will be announced at the national Metsäpäivät event on 22 October 2026 at Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport. The solutions will also be on display at the Metsäpäivät exhibition on 22–23 October 2026. The solutions nominated for the New Wood 2026 public vote are: Cellulose-based gel for low-chemical cosmetics / ChemLess Technologies Food packaging paper made of fossil-free raw materials / Metsä Tissue, Greaseproof Papers Renewable black pigment / UPM Lignin-based epoxy adhesive and coating / LignoSphere Company Knitted dress made from shipwreck / Aalto University Lignin-based interior tile / MO6 Fibre-based, recyclable and home compostable single use cutlery / Fiberdom Wood-based acoustic panel / Fiberwood

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The growing importance of short-rotation eucalyptus and acacia plantations is increasing the demand for cost-effective, durable harvesting solutions capable of sustaining high utilisation rates. The market has lacked solutions specifically suited for smaller base machines that can withstand demanding 24/7 plantation operations while maintaining low operating costs. Source: Timberbiz Kesla’s new KESLA 15RH and 15RH twinAX harvester heads have been developed to meet precisely this market need. The all-new KESLA 15RH and 15RH twinAX harvester heads have been specifically designed for harvesting small-diameter timber, particularly in eucalyptus and acacia plantations, where high utilisation rates, reliability and low operating costs are key productivity factors. The design focus has not been on achieving the lightest possible structure, but rather on durability and reliability in demanding operating conditions. The heads are engineered to withstand the stresses of excavator-based operation and continuous around-the-clock work. The hydraulics of the 15RH and 15RH twinAX heads, including valves and feed motors, can be configured in several different ways depending on the hydraulic capacity of the base machine and whether the primary objective is maximum delimbing force for challenging trees or high feeding speed for applications such as debarking. The feeding and cutting geometry has been specifically designed for so-called one-pass debarking. The head’s structures, shafts and bearings are exceptionally robust for their size class. As a result, it is the only head in its size and weight category designed to withstand continuous eucalyptus and acacia debarking operations in demanding working conditions. Thanks to its size and timber-handling capacity, the head is also well suited to light thinning harvesters. However, due to the weight resulting from its robust construction, the ideal base machine is a 6-8 tonne excavator. The KESLA 15RH is equipped with the well-proven KESLA saw unit, while the 15RH twinAX features the virtually maintenance-free twinAX cutting system. Operating costs for this shear-type cutting system are extremely low, as there are no conventional chainsaw-related expenses such as saw chains, guide bars or lubricants. Shear cutting also offers safety benefits, as there is no risk of chain shot. “As the market-leading manufacturer of independent harvesting heads, our strategy guides us towards developing products for growing market segments. We see strong growth in the cultivation and harvesting of short-rotation eucalyptus and acacia plantations, yet there has been a lack of sufficiently cost-effective mechanised harvesting solutions for this application,” said Mika Tahvanainen, Product Management Director at Kesla Oyj. “The superior cost-efficiency of our solution is based on the use of a small and affordable excavator as the base machine, combined with the KESLA twinAX cutting system, which delivers exceptionally low operating costs. Our strong presence in plantation markets and extensive expertise in excavator-based harvesting solutions enable both us and our partners to succeed in this new market segment.”

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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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