Australian timber industry news

Raute has deployed AI enhanced defect detection in production environments to improve how veneer, plywood and LVL production lines identify and utilize raw material. The solution enables earlier and more consistent production decisions, helping mills improve recovery, reduce waste, and optimize energy use. Source: Timberbiz Raute is a global leader in technology and services for the wood products industry specializing in supplying machinery, digital solutions, and plant-wide services for veneer, plywood, and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) production. In veneer based engineered wood production, defect detection has a direct impact on how efficiently raw material can be utilized. It influences grading, clipping, routing and repairing decisions throughout the process. When detection is inaccurate or inconsistent, it leads to unnecessary waste, reduced recovery and inefficient use of energy in downstream stages. Raute’s analysers are industrial systems used to measure, grade and classify veneer and panels at different stages of production. They provide real time quality data to support production decisions across the process. By combining visual defect detection with measurements such as moisture and strength properties, analysers create a consistent foundation for data driven and increasingly automated production. AI enhanced defect detection strengthens this role. By combining industrial machine vision with deep learning models developed specifically for veneer based engineered wood production, analysers can identify defects more consistently under different wood species, surface characteristics and production conditions. The systems generate detailed defect maps for individual sheets, supporting more precise and repeatable decisions. Demand for this capability is growing as manufacturers work with a wider mix of raw materials. AI based defect detection in Raute analyzers is built on more than 50 years of analyzer development and extensive experience from veneer processing across over 50 wood species. This provides a strong foundation for applying the same approach to both commonly used and more specialized materials. “More variable raw materials mean that mistakes made early in the process become increasingly costly later on,” said Markus Sirviö, responsible for analyser business development at Raute. “When detection becomes more consistent, mills can improve recovery and avoid inefficiencies that would otherwise carry through the entire production process.” Raute analysers can be applied at multiple points in production, including green veneer inspection after peeling, dry veneer grading after drying, and panel repairing and grading. Early-stage defect detection is particularly important, as it helps prevent low quality material from entering energy intensive processes such as drying and hot pressing. As engineered wood producers work to improve efficiency with increasingly variable raw materials, AI enhanced analysers are becoming an established part of production. Their role is shifting from inspection to enabling consistent, data driven decision making across the production process.

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Kazakhstan has developed a prototype of a new high-mobility firefighting vehicle designed specifically to combat forest fires, drawing on lessons from the devastating wildfire that swept through the Abai region in 2023, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources said. The Times Central Asia In June 2023, a major wildfire broke out in the Semey Ormany State Forest Nature Reserve in eastern Kazakhstan’s Abai region, killing 14 forestry workers and burning tens of thousands of hectares of forest. Authorities later estimated the damage at more than US$354 million. The disaster prompted forestry and emergency response specialists to conclude that Kazakhstan needed specialized equipment better suited to fighting large-scale forest fires. “Following an analysis of the events in the Abai region, it was decided to develop a prototype of a modern, manoeuvrable firefighting vehicle capable of responding rapidly to forest fires,” the Ministry of Ecology said. The prototype later underwent field testing in the Akmola, Karaganda, Pavlodar, and Abai regions. Engineers incorporated feedback from firefighters and forestry specialists, along with technical requirements identified during firefighting operations. “As a result, a firefighting vehicle was created that meets all the key operational requirements,” the ministry said. The new vehicle is built for off-road conditions and is powered by an engine producing approximately 300 horsepower. It carries a 3,000-litre water tank and is equipped with a high-capacity pump that allows firefighters to combat flames while stationary or moving. The pump system can be operated from inside the cab or directly from the firefighting compartment, providing greater flexibility during emergency operations. The vehicle is also fitted with a rear-view camera to improve manoeuvrability in low-visibility conditions and difficult terrain. One of the vehicle’s most notable features is an integrated self-protection system. In the event of approaching flames, the system creates a protective barrier around the vehicle, shielding the wheels, cab, and engine compartment from fire. According to the developers, the technology is particularly valuable during large forest fires, where rapidly changing conditions and extreme temperatures can place firefighting crews and equipment at significant risk. Officials say the vehicle has no direct equivalent elsewhere in the post-Soviet region and represents a modern solution tailored specifically to forest firefighting operations. Kazakhstan has increasingly focused on improving its wildfire response capabilities following recent disasters. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, engineers in the Karaganda region last year unveiled a prototype drone capable of detecting forest fire hotspots and supporting wildfire monitoring efforts.

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Ponsse Manager Pro has developed even further with a new feature – the Calibration Report. Other features also have been improved based on customer feedback. Source: Timberbiz The calibration report brings together key measurement accuracy data in one view, providing a clear overview. The data can be viewed both at the machine-specific and product-specific level, making it easier to identify potential deviations. The improved Map Tool feature now allows you to save routes for later review and makes them easier to analyse. In addition, important points of interest (POI) can be marked directly on the map, and the feature is now more efficient for sharing information and there is now a clearer view of work areas. The map tool allows you to see both the harvester’s route and production by type of timber in the map view. The driver can immediately see where the logs waiting to be transported are located and which trees are already at the felling site. Thanks to the map tools, the right timber types and quantities can be found quickly, and the work progresses efficiently and on schedule. With the Lasso selection tool in the map tools, the forwarder operator can plan his work more precisely by drawing a desired area on the map and see what types of goods are in the area and how much. The operator can move production to storage locations directly on the map, which speeds up work and makes picking planning more efficient. In turn, office staff and site management get a clear view of the logging sites, which makes it easier to monitor the progress of the work and enables logistics optimization – improving collaboration, visibility, efficiency and decision-making. In the forest, the harvester operator may encounter locations that are important to mark for the forwarder operator to consider – for example, obstacles, soft ground or other details that affect the work. With the help of map tools, these locations can be marked on the map, which improves communication between the harvester and the forwarder. The mapping tools work seamlessly on the jobsite, regardless of the manufacturer of forwarders used. Although a Ponsse harvester is required to collect data, any forwarder can be connected to the system – including subcontractors’ machines. This gives jobsites the freedom to utilize their entire fleet through one unified view and ensures that everyone is working on the same map, literally and figuratively. The emissions report feature calculates and displays the carbon dioxide emissions caused by harvesters and forwarders into the atmosphere at desired time intervals for each machine, construction site and forestry company. Tracking site-specific emissions helps reduce fuel consumption, effectively supporting both environmental compliance and business goals. Emissions reporting also helps identify which machines are best suited to different sites. Emissions can be viewed from different perspectives from individual machines to the entire company, by work method or over time. New subscribers to the Manager Pro service package can explore its features for three months completely free of charge. The trial period is not binding or obliging, but it gives you an excellent opportunity to try out for yourself how Manager Pro can make your work more efficient in many ways. Discover and start the trial period: https://manager2.ponsse.com/fi/

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Australia has an opportunity to lead the way in recovering valuable building materials, according to a new research report from Living Lab Northern Rivers, Circular Timber. Source: The Lismore App The report shows that carefully deconstructing buildings, rather than demolishing them, can save high-quality timber, reduce waste and create local jobs, and recommends national guidelines so the approach can be adopted more widely. After the 2022 floods, the NSW Government has approved offers to for over 900 flood damaged homes and currently owns more than 800 properties across the Northern Rivers through the Resilient Homes Program, part of Australia’s largest property buyback program. Led by Living Lab Northern Rivers with research delivered by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the Circular Timber pilot was funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, in response to community interest in recovering the valuable timber in these homes. At 125 and 127 Tweed Street, North Lismore, two uninhabitable homes were selectively deconstructed to recover their materials. The work recovered premium old-growth hardwoods – including ironbark, cedar, tallowwood and blackbutt from the region’s Big Scrub rainforest, timber that is prized today and effectively impossible to source. Local makers – builders, furniture-makers, artists and craftspeople, then transformed the salvaged timbers into more than 50 new pieces that honour their origin while demonstrating reuse. It was a small-scale example of what could be achieved with right infrastructure and support. The pilot worked through the steps of deconstruction, material storage, product design and manufacturing, to develop the recommendations made in the report. The pilot also showed why deconstruction isn’t yet standard practice. Without national guidelines, recovery facilities or an agreed way to compare costs, it’s difficult to contract deconstruction at scale, especially within the timeframes and budgets of a major recovery program. The report’s recommendations are aimed at closing that gap: Deconstruction guidelines. Australia has well-established standards for demolition, but nothing equivalent for deconstruction. Clear, practical guidelines would give councils, contractors and governments a shared way of working. Material recovery infrastructure. A facility to process, store and resell recovered materials would make deconstruction viable, and could in time grow into a regional hub for circular manufacturing and local jobs. A clear way to weigh the value of reuse. Deconstruction is often assumed to cost more than demolition, yet the report notes this has rarely been properly tested. A framework for comparing the real costs and benefits would help decision-makers see the full picture.   Australia’s construction and demolition sector is forecast to generate around 42 million tonnes of material by 2030. Current waste systems already do a good job of diverting material from landfill through recycling such as woodchipping. The pilot tested whether we could go one step further up the waste hierarchy from recycling to reuse, which keeps more of each piece of timber whole and useful. International research cited in the report indicates careful deconstruction can save an average of 7.6 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent per home, and that deconstruction programs overseas support several times more jobs than conventional demolition. “Demolition is fast, but it treats century-old hardwood the same as rubble,” said Associate Professor Berto Pandolfo, the project lead from UTS. “This pilot showed that with care, timber can be recovered intact and re-made into things people value. What’s missing isn’t capability or community will it’s the guidelines, infrastructure and assessment tools that would let deconstruction operate at scale.” Dan Etheridge, Engagement Director at Living Lab Northern Rivers, said the Northern Rivers has just lived through Australia’s largest property buyback program. “That gave us a rare chance to test these ideas in real conditions, and the makers proved the concept. The opportunity now is to build the systems so the next community facing this doesn’t have to start from scratch.” NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO, Kate Fitzgerald said as part of the Resilient Homes Program the NSW Reconstruction Authority has been prioritising the relocation, reuse and recycling of buyback properties wherever they can. “To date we have had 450 homeowners opting in buyback contracts to salvage materials and more than 400 buyback homes identified as suitable for reuse through relocation. We have also seen 74 per cent of material from demolished homes recycled to date, excluding material contaminated by asbestos,” she said. “By finding new uses for these homes and materials, we are reducing waste, preserving valuable housing stock and helping address housing challenges in flood-affected regions.” “This approach ensures the benefits of the program extend beyond risk reduction, supporting local communities, creating opportunities for vulnerable residents to access housing, and making the most of resources that would otherwise be lost.” Building on this project, Living Lab Northern Rivers and the RA are supporting Jagun Alliance to help turn this knowledge into practice through a First Nations lens. This Aboriginal-led initiative is assessing flood-affected homes for culturally significant timbers, seeking to develop a custodianship framework to ensure materials are returned to community in ways that reflect their cultural and environmental value. At the same time, the project will generate important scientific and practical insights into endemic timber species, helping inform future land use planning and revegetation across the Northern Rivers. Oli Costello, Executive Director, Jagun Alliance said many of these timbers are culturally significant species that reflect our cultural landscapes. “They were once ancient forests as far as the eye could see, cared for by our elders of this place. They hold ancestral memories of kinship and custodianship that could help us.” The report frames deconstruction as a way to strengthen existing waste systems rather than replace them, one that keeps cultural and material value within the community. With demolition and rebuilding activity rising across Australia, the report’s authors say there is a real opportunity to put these lessons to work. More information is at https://llnr.com.au/what-we-do/circular-timber

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The Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA) welcomes the commitment by Government and industry to develop a unified NZ Pine brand, as announced by Minister for Forestry and Trade, Hon Todd McClay, at Mystery Creek Fieldays. Source: Timberbiz WPMA Chief Executive, Mark Ross, says the NZ Pine brand represents an opportunity to grow and strengthen New Zealand’s position in global timber and lumber markets. “NZ Radiata Pine is a premium softwood — stable, versatile, sustainably grown, and backed by decades of research,’ Mr Ross said. “By unifying our story, we can strengthen market confidence and support higher value returns across the entire supply chain.” The NZ Pine brand will highlight Radiata Pine’s versatility and performance across a wide range of structural and appearance applications. Its ability to be efficiently kiln dried or treated makes it a reliable, long-lasting material for domestic and international customers. New Zealand’s renewable plantation forests thrive in the country’s temperate climate and support a year-round harvest. The sector is built on responsible production, with large areas independently certified under globally recognised sustainability programs. Built around simplicity, in market relevance, and sector wide unity, the NZ Pine brand will provide a strong foundation for individual companies to differentiate their products and reinforce New Zealand’s reputation for high quality, sustainably produced wood.

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Timber Queensland has highlighted the significant role plantations play in supporting housing and construction activity while at the same time supporting local jobs, regional economies and carbon capture and removal. Source: Timberbiz “Queensland has a well-established plantation base with over 190,000 hectares of high-quality softwood resources for timber manufacturing feeding directly into housing construction. The plantation resource supporting Queensland homes today is the result of investment decisions made decades ago using commercially suitable softwood species,” Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said. “As Queensland’s population grows, maintaining a strong pipeline of timber supply will require the same long-term commitment. If we want the same outcome for future Queenslanders, we need to continue investing in plantation expansion today. “Queensland’s plantations support timber production jobs, ancillary businesses and local communities across the state, including in such regional areas as Moreton Bay, Caboolture, Beerburrum, Maryborough, Gympie, Hervey Bay and Mareeba. “These plantations also deliver significant carbon benefits. In 2024-25, around 80% of Queensland’s new detached houses used renewable softwood framing, removing almost 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, equivalent to over 2.3 million one-way flights from Brisbane to Sydney. “Continuing to use timber to build our homes in place of more emissions-intensive materials like concrete and steel can reduce building emissions by up to 30 to 40 per cent, making it one of the most practical ways to decarbonise new housing.” Queensland has set an ambitious target of building one million new homes by 2044. Mr Stephens said that meeting that challenge would require long-term planning not only for housing, but also for the resources need to build those homes. Plantation expansion would play a pivotal role in the new timber plan announced by the State Government in November 2025, with the softwood sector already making a significant contribution to the state’s nearly $4 billion timber industry which supports over 23,000 jobs. “Providing the right incentives and removing barriers to investment will help achieve the goal of an additional 25,000 hectares of new plantation by 2050,” Mr Stephens said. “The new timber plan presents an opportunity to align future housing demand with future timber supply. Timber Queensland looks forward to working with the Government on co-designing plantation growth and timber manufacturing initiatives under the plan.” Key measures being advocated to lift softwood supply include: continuation of the Australian Governments’ Support Plantation Establishment Program (SPEP), which provides upfront support for new plantations; improvements to carbon methods including addressing anomalies in plantation wood product accounting and generation of ACCUs in the FullCam model, particularly for North Queensland; identifying public and private land available and suitable for plantation development; prioritising plantations as a preferred land use activity in the Land Restoration Fund, given their significant carbon benefits and broader economic, environmental and social co-benefits; facilitating sustainable investment models for landholders and investors that reduces risk and provides for public and private partnerships and other collective funding vehicles; support for greater resource recovery in downstream processing and innovation in timber building design solutions; genetic improvements and applied plantation management to lift productivity; and a world class private forestry extension program that can provide information and expertise for landowners to capture the benefits of plantations and related agroforestry activities.

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The New Zealand Government will spend NZ$3.2 million over three years in a new NZ$8m project to assess the feasibility of producing prefabricated, fully fitted mass timber modules for the New Zealand market and potentially Australia. Source: Timberbiz This will mean more timber is processed onshore creating greater value and more jobs. This work is funded in partnership with VoMo Limited, a Red Stag Investments company. “Greater land use flexibility results in prosperity through productivity, and new production methods and technologies are key to driving that step-change,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said. “Enabling this exemplifies the Government’s commitment to fixing the basics and building the future. “More than 39,000 Kiwis work in forestry, a sector that contributes $6.2 billion in export revenue – supporting regional economies and jobs. “This National-led Government is committed to backing farmers and growers, including through sensible regulatory reform and cutting of red tape and costs, combined with the latest science, technology and farming methods provides the opportunity for strong returns with a smaller environmental impact.” The project aims to convert industrial-grade logs into higher-value timber for a range of applications, including use in the construction of hotels, student housing, apartments and offices, multiplying the logs’ value 6.7 times. It will determine if this model of construction is likely to be successful in New Zealand, which includes analysing aspects such as design, technical performance, seismic resilience, productivity gains, cost efficiency, and carbon savings. Shifting supply from export to domestic markets also offers greater stability and encourages long-term investment in forestry and wood processing. “Data and information from this and similar projects will be shared with farmers and growers to give them further confidence to innovate and grow their businesses – supporting a more productive and responsive sector that is better positioned to supply New Zealand and the world with high-quality produce,” Mr McClay said. “The primary industries are the backbone of this economy and the lifeblood of rural communities. Supporting their success is a priority for this Government.”

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Forest managers, growers and timber processors are being urged to get across Australia’s national environmental law reforms, with a free webinar later this month unpacking what the EPBC Act changes mean on the ground for forestry operations. Source: Timberbiz Hosted by Forestry Australia and the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Centre for Climate-Smart Forestry (AFWI CCSF), the one-hour session will provide an overview of the reforms and explore their implications for forest management, with a particular focus on the private forest and plantation sectors. The reforms are reshaping the regulatory landscape across the country. Forestry operations will need to navigate new national environmental standards, statutory prohibitions on unacceptable impacts, and new obligations around net gain. At the same time, much remains uncertain — key standards and legislative definitions are still being developed, and questions remain around the role of certification, how forestry pathway agreements between governments may operate, and how the sector can meaningfully engage with the reform process. The webinar will be presented by: A/Prof Philippa McCormack, Policy, Economics and Society Theme Lead at AFWI CCSF and Research Fellow at the Adelaide Law School and Environment Institute, who has engaged closely with national environmental law reform, including as Vice President of the National Environmental Law Association (2021–24). David Bennett, Risk and Compliance Manager at PF Olsen Australia, an experienced forester with legal qualifications and expertise in forest certification, auditing and compliance management. Tom Schraenkler, Carbon and Forestry Manager at Sumitomo Forestry Australia, with extensive leadership and advisory experience across forestry, sawmilling and wood manufacturing supply chains.   Attendees will be invited to contribute to a follow-up survey and workshop to help shape the forestry sector’s ongoing engagement with the reform process. Everyone who registers will receive a link and joining instructions 24 hours before the webinar, along with a post-event recording, so those unable to tune in live can watch later. Registration is free but essential, and closes 10:00 am, Sunday 21 June. The event is on 22 June starting at 1pm AEST. Register at: https://www.forestry.org.au/webinar-understanding-australias-epbc-act-changes-implications-for-forest-managers/

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A local buyer has swooped on more than 1200ha in South Australia’s prized South East, snapped up in an eight-figure deal. Source: The Weekly Times Sydney-headquartered, nature-based global investment manager New Forests has sold the 1265ha Southern Aggregation from its broader 5485ha Wattle Range Portfolio, located 12km west of Penola. Wattle Range was listed for sale in January this year, comprising three parcels of land known as the Northern Aggregation (2769ha), Central Aggregation (1451ha) and Southern Aggregation (1265ha). The Wattle Range Portfolio was established to existing blue gum forestry plantations, which were to be retained under leaseback arrangements with varying timelines for investor possession between 2027 to 2030. This timing allowed New Forests to facilitate plantation harvests and undertake remediation works to ensure the land is fully cleared, ploughed and transitioned to agricultural use for the incoming buyer. The Wattle Range Portfolio was marketed to comprise 4524ha (82 per cent) of productive agricultural land and 961ha (18 per cent) of native vegetation and support land, once remediation was complete. It is understood the Southern Aggregation was acquired by an established South Australian farming family enterprise with an existing local footprint in the region. The Southern Aggregation is understood to align with their current farming operations and productive capacity, with the property to transition back to agricultural use following the harvest and remediation of existing forestry plantations. It is understood the Aggregation was sold for in excess of $10,000 a hectare, or more than $12.65m, based on ‘stumps in ground’ remediation. LAWD agents Erica Semmens and Danny Thomas handled the sale, with a renewed campaign to begin in late June for the remaining Northern and Central Aggregations. “The campaign generated strong interest from a broad cross-section of the market, including institutional capital and local farming groups,” Ms Semmens said. “We saw engagement from both aggregation-scale buyers and those targeting individual components, reinforcing the effectiveness of a flexible campaign approach. “Following the sale of the Southern Aggregation, we are refocusing on the balance of the holdings, to be offered on an individual basis in response to enquiry from well-capitalised local buyers seeking smaller parcels. “With competitively priced opportunities, we expect renewed and accelerated engagement from both existing parties and new entrants to the process.” New Forests is best known for its vast forestry holdings — a $10.5bn portfolio spanning 1.4 million hectares. In August 2022, the company broadened its scope with the creation of New Agriculture, a sister business established to manage its Australian farmland assets and build a global

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It is a peculiar kind of politics that pretends to be cautious and frugal while doing something deeply mischievous. The latest call from environmental campaigners, backed by the Greens and independents Peter George, Helen Burnet and Kristie Johnston, for Tasmania to halt long-term native forest timber contracts is exactly that. It is being dressed up as fiscal responsibility. It is not. It is a blatant attempt to close regional sawmills by stealth. The argument sounds simple enough – do not sign contracts until there is “certainty”. But anyone who has ever run, financed or worked in a real business knows that certainty is precisely what contracts are designed to provide. Without them, businesses cannot borrow, invest, employ, maintain equipment, train apprentices or plan production. Forestry is no different to any other capital-intensive industry. Dairy processors, farmers, freight companies and manufacturers all rely on long-term contracts to have the confidence to invest, employ and expand, often while policy and regulation shift around them. Our sawmills should be applauded for continuing to invest and adapt in uncertain conditions, not undermined by political slogans and activist pressure. A sawmill is not a pop-up operation. It is a specialised, high-cost regional business carrying expensive machinery, kilns, drying sheds, log yards, maintenance crews, safety systems, power costs, transport arrangements, finance costs and skilled workers who cannot simply be switched on and off at the convenience of an activist media release or political opportunity. A sawmiller needs to know that logs will arrive next year, and the year after that, just as builders and the community need to know that the timber they rely on will be there, year after year. Without that confidence, banks will not lend. Owners will not invest. Workers will leave. Apprenticeships will not be offered. Customers will look elsewhere. Equipment will not be replaced. And eventually, a business that took generations to build will quietly close. This campaign is focused on making it impossible for the industry to function. Starve processors of supply certainty. Frighten government away from contracts. Create enough sovereign risk that investment disappears. Then, when sawmills shut, claim it was the market. Tasmanians should see through that and through the politicians who stand by activists whose whole fundraising model appears to be built on closing down local Tasmanian industries. Of course, governments should manage risk. Of course, contracts should be responsible, lawful and based on sustainable supply. But the idea that the responsible course is to freeze the industry until every political and regulatory question is settled is naive in the extreme. In the real world, uncertainty is not solved by paralysis. It is managed through clear rules, proper planning and durable agreements that give both taxpayers and businesses confidence. In any case, should any government shut an industry down, the lesson from Victoria is that transition costs extend far beyond sawmill supply contracts. Compensation there included forestry transition programs, community support packages, business support, worker support, plant and equipment compensation, redundancy top-ups and loss-of-income payments. Tasmania’s priority should be maintaining certainty, backing regional jobs and avoiding unnecessary costs to taxpayers. Which is why it is disappointing seeing elected representatives lend their names to this campaign as though there are no consequences to their communities beyond sawmill contracts. These are not abstract debates. They affect workers in regional towns, contractors with mortgages, family-owned businesses, truck drivers, mechanics, mill hands, foresters, fabricators and the communities built around them. Politicians who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with activist organisations, while pretending they are merely protecting the budget are disingenuous and should be honest about what they are really doing. They are putting thousands of Tasmanian jobs at risk. They are undermining confidence in local businesses. They are jeopardising timber supply. And they are sending a message that any industry disliked by a well-organised pressure group can have its commercial foundations pulled away by political ambush. The irony is that this is happening at the very moment Australia is desperate for timber. We have a housing shortage. Builders need reliable supplies. Families need homes. Governments talk endlessly about housing targets, affordability and supply chain resilience, yet some of the same political voices are willing to weaken a local industry that produces renewable building materials and support the importing of timbers from highly questionable sources, such as Indonesia, Russia and East Africa. That is hypocritical and makes no sense. If Tasmania wants regional employment, domestic manufacturing, lower reliance on imports and enough timber to help build the homes we need, then it cannot treat sawmills as disposable. It cannot ask businesses to invest without contracts. It cannot demand jobs without giving employers the confidence to employ. Long-term supply contracts are not a favour to sawmillers. They are the basic commercial foundation that allows them to operate. Pull that foundation away and the result will be devastatingly obvious and entirely avoidable.   Tony Price is a professional forester with more than 40 years of experience in forestry across Australia.

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Ponsse has launched a global Operators Club for forest machine operators, with Finland being the first country where the club will begin its operations. Source: Timberbiz This unique community will offer its members, among other benefits, free events and training sessions, opportunities to network with other operators, and direct channel to the Ponsse Vieremä factory – all the way to the company’s owners and product development. The Ponsse Operators Club is a new global community for forest machine operators. It is open to those currently operating forest machines, students training to become operators, teachers at forest machine schools, and professionals working in forest machine education and training. The club will first take place in Finland. Later this year it will expand to Uruguay in South America. The club will then be rolled out to other Ponsse operating countries around the world. More detailed schedules and participating countries will be announced closer to the launch. By joining the club, members receive a wide range of free benefits. These include invitations to events and training sessions held at Ponsse’s premises, where participants can test Ponsse products and solutions. These events also offer opportunities to network with other forest machine operators, regardless of machine brand. “Operators now have the opportunity to influence the development of Ponsse products by sharing their experiences and insights during the events. We want to involve operators more strongly in our product development, and the club enables this on a larger scale,” said Marko Mattila, Chief, Sales, Service & Marketing Officer at Ponsse. “Our founder, Einari Vidgrén, said that forest machine operators are the best experts, and Ponsse wants to listen to them. Establishing this community is therefore a matter of honour for us.” Members of the Ponsse Operators Club will also receive useful information about work ergonomics, solutions that make daily work easier, and the technology behind Ponsse’s cut-to-length harvesting solutions. Finnish operators around the country can now join the club and read more about its benefits at www.ponsse.com/fi/operators-club

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The story of the first-ever Combilift C-Series demonstrates the lasting value of choosing the right tool for the job. Still in operation after 28 years at JG Kelly Supplies in Monaghan, Ireland, the original multi-directional forklift has helped transform the company’s handling of long loads, improving safety, increasing efficiency. Source: Timberbiz Still in operation after 28 years, the original multi-directional forklift has proved that purpose-built equipment can deliver exceptional returns for decades. Before the company started operating a Combilift, traditional forklift methods created significant operational and safety challenges. Long PVC stillages measuring up to six metres had to be moved through a doorway only four metres wide. Conventional counterbalance forklifts could not handle the task safely or efficiently. “Before, we just used to use counterbalance trucks. We had to reverse a lorry in here and we’re on a main busy road in the town,” Operator Tony McManus said. “But now, it just pulls up in the loading bay. We can offload it safely, both sides if needed, with minimal obstruction to traffic.” The C-Series’ multi-directional capability provided the ideal solution, allowing operators to move long loads sideways with greater control and stability, while navigating tight spaces and narrow doorways safely and efficiently. And the benefits extend beyond traffic disruption.  It has also shortened unloading times and significantly improved safety for operators, pedestrians, and passing vehicles. “With the C-Series, it’s less labour intensive than it used to be. It would take a lot of people to offload containers before, but now, one operator can offload a container in a short space of time compared to before,” Mr McManus aid. An additional safety feature is the forklift’s integrated platform, which has further enhanced load stability when handling such long products. Operators can now safely support lengthy stillages during transport, reducing the risks associated with moving oversized loads and making the entire process more controlled and efficient. Safety on site has been greatly improved by the introduction of the C-Series, but equally remarkable is the machine’s longevity. “I never expected we’d still be using the same forklift nearly three decades later. But it’s a testament to the build quality of the machine as it’s still running after 28 years,” JG Kelly Managing Director Paul Kelly said. While multiple conventional forklifts have come and gone over the same period, the original C-Series remains in operation. Its continued performance is attributed to robust engineering, regular preventative maintenance, and responsive local support. “It doesn’t really take much maintenance. We have changed filters or timing belts over the years, but it’s still got the original engine from when it arrived here,” Mr McManus said. Routine checks of oil, coolant, hydraulics, tyres, and greasing have helped keep the machine operating reliably, while major repairs have been rare throughout its 28-year lifespan. Having a machine out of action can have a major impact on day-to-day operations. However, according to Mr McManus, that has rarely been an issue. “In 28 years, it’s very rarely had to be taken away for repairs,” he said. “Any issues we’ve had have usually been fixed on site, and quickly. That’s the main thing, because if the machine is out of action for any length of time, we’re in trouble.”

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Urging industry to make better use of wood that is wasted or burned for energy, researchers have released the first structural tests of non-straight, forked, and double-curved roundwood logs used as columns. Source: Timberbiz In his mission to normalise the use of ‘misfit wood’, Aalto University (Finland) architect and researcher Jaakko Torvinen has shown how standard, business-as-usual calculation methods can predict load-bearing capacity for organically shaped logs. It’s actually a pretty simple equation that can be used to gauge its load-bearing capacity, says Mr Torvinen. What’s surprising is that nobody has done this earlier. According to Mr Torvinen, the timber and construction industries have for centuries been tied to the assumption that the best material is used for sawlogs. “We’re so used to thinking in terms of standardised planks or beams,” he said. “This explains why nobody has ever looked at a tree trunk and come up with an algorithm to gauge its strength.” The result is a level of material wastage that Mr Torvinen finds shocking. “If it’s not suitable as sawlogs, it goes to pulpwood or energy wood,’ he said. “But our assumption that ‘generic is best’ is old-school thinking and we’re wasting way too much good wood.” Mr Torvinen’s latest research is one step towards helping cut the millions of tonnes of imperfect wood that go to the scrap heap, instead of into use as functional, economically viable and aesthetically desirable options in construction. In presenting the first-ever load tests on organically shaped roundwood columns (curved, double-curved or forked, raw wood) from trees that would usually be deemed unfit for dressing, the study initially shows that current, typical methods can be used also for calculating their load-bearing capacity. Combined with digital design and fabrication methods, such studies open up opportunities to utilise overlooked materials in new ways, says Mr Torvinen. The end goal is to reduce the obstacles to mass-customisation being a realistic and financially viable option for the industry. “Using standard timber only is something that cash-strapped consumers are ready to abandon. So, I want to clear the path to industry embracing the possibilities of misfit wood too,” he said. Mr Torvinen’s high profile list of recent projects is testament to the visual appeal of using knotty, forked, or charred misfit pillars and whole-tree elements. The architect was responsible for the hauntingly beautiful outlines of Helsinki’s temporary Pikku Finlandia building and his architecturally atmospheric testament to slow-living, Puusauna, earned a prestigious 2026 Wallpaper Design Award. He hopes that his latest paper complements these stunning examples of misfit wood’s aesthetic potential by providing the first practical calculations to take us one step closer to recognising its viability in construction. “In future projects, when a designer or client wants misfit wood in a building, it won’t be laughed at as an icebreaker but considered as a legitimate design proposal like any other,” Mr Torvinen said. Read the full study: Torvinen Jaakko, Töpler Janusch, Fink Gerhard & Kuittinen Matti, (2026). ‘Structural Potential of Curved and Bifurcated Misfit Wood Logs’. Wood Material Science and Engineering https://doi.org/10.1080/17480272.2026.2679658

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A new collaborative approach to managing wild deer in Ruahine Forest Park in New Zealand aims to reduce pressure on native forests while recognising the important role hunters and local communities play in caring for this special place. Source: Timberbiz The newly finalised Ruahine Adaptive Wild Deer Management Plan (2025–2030) sets out a five-year, evidence-based program of work developed with iwi and supported by a locally representative advisory group. Monitoring shows deer numbers are above levels needed for forest recovery in parts of the park. Department of Conservation Manawatū Operations Manager Moana Smith-Dunlop says Ruahine Forest Park is highly valued for recreation, livelihoods and wellbeing, but its unique ecosystems are under increasing pressure. “Our forests give us clean water, healthy soils, and the beautiful places people love spending time naturing in,” she said. “In parts of Ruahine, high deer numbers are putting real pressure on forest regeneration. If we don’t act, we risk losing values that matter to all of us. “Deer tend to browse plants they prefer, and monitoring shows we’re not seeing those species coming through the understory. Overtime, that changes the composition of the forest.” Recreational hunting has long been part of the Ruahine, with hunters removing thousands of deer each year. Despite this effort, monitoring shows wild deer numbers remain too high in some areas, particularly where forest values are most at risk. DOC Wild Animals Manager Mike Perry says the plan brings people together around a shared goal to give forests a chance to recover and uses a coordinated mix of tools. “While the plan was being developed, this collaborative approach was trialled. Through a mix of organised management hunts, a commercial harvest trial, and targeted DOC led management, a further 951 deer were removed from the park alongside ongoing recreational hunting,” Mr Perry said. DOC led management is focused on the high value north-west part of the park, while recreational and commercial hunting will continue to contribute across the wider landscape. “This is adaptive management in action,” he said. “What we do each year will be guided by monitoring, shared learning and local knowledge. “Nature can and does recover when pressure is reduced. This plan is about people taking practical action for nature together. We won’t see change overnight, but when iwi, hunters, communities and DOC work together, the results are stronger, more visible and longer lasting.” The plan replaces outdated earlier planning documents, while existing access, concessions and statutory processes remain unchanged.  

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Victorians are being urged to ensure their firewood purchases this winter are not supporting a black market that is destroying wildlife habitat and removing thousands of trees from forests across the state. Source: Timberbiz Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Conservation Regulator have launched the Illegal Firewood: The Cost is Wild campaign, encouraging Victorians to check their firewood has been legally sourced and report suspicious activity. Around 9,000 trees are illegally removed from Victorian forests and national parks each year – clearing land equivalent to nearly 180 Melbourne Cricket Grounds, with much of that timber sold as firewood to unsuspecting buyers. Victorian Environment Minister Enver Erdogan said many Victorians may not realise the role they play when purchasing unverified firewood. “Our forests are home to unique wildlife and ecosystems that have taken generations to grow. Illegal firewood collection by criminal operators destroys these shared spaces, stripping landscapes of beauty and habitat and impacting the experience for all Victorians,” Mr Erdogan said. Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Stella Smith is asking Victorians to pause before buying firewood. “Saving money on cheap firewood is not worth contributing to the destruction of forests and wildlife habitat that should be protected for future generations,” Ms Smith said. “If you do not know where your firewood has come from, you cannot be sure it has been sourced legally. “People often think they are simply buying cheap firewood, but in some cases, they may be unknowingly supporting environmental crime or even organised crime.” Authorities warn the illegal firewood trade is more than theft. It is driving significant environmental harm by removing mature trees, destroying ecosystems, and damaging critical habitat for native wildlife. Recent footage captured in the Bow – Worrung State Forest north of Stratford highlights the impact, showing an example of once-established trees reduced to stumps and areas of native habitat left severely degraded. This campaign supports the Conservation Regulator’s ongoing efforts, through its statewide initiative Taskforce Ironbark, to target organised criminal syndicates removing commercial quantities of trees from Victoria’s forests and national parks. Content across Crime Stoppers Victoria’s social media platforms will direct Victorians to a campaign webpage with information on illegal firewood collection and how to report suspicious activity. Victorians are being encouraged to buy from reputable suppliers, ask where the firewood was sourced, and request a receipt with a business name and ABN. Illegal firewood activity is impacting forests across Victoria, particularly north of Shepparton, in the Otways, Grampians and parts of eastern Gippsland. Since July last year, Taskforce investigations into illegal firewood collection have led to 54 charges heard, with offenders facing court convictions, fines and the seizure of trailers and chainsaws. Acting Chief Conservation Regulator Callie Donaldson said community information plays an important role in identifying and disrupting illegal activity. “We’re targeting criminal networks that are cutting down commercial quantities of trees in our forests to sell on for firewood,” Ms Donaldson said. “These criminals are driven by profit, at the direct expense of our forests and the wildlife that rely on them. “By reporting suspicious firewood activity and choosing legally sourced firewood, the community can help us stop the damage being caused by illegal firewood operators.” Suspicious behaviour, including chainsaws operating in forests late at night, or sellers unable to verify where the wood was sourced, can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers. Legal firewood is typically sourced from plantations, commercial suppliers, or private land with appropriate permits.

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The New South Wales State Government is backing faster and smarter ways to deliver more homes with modular terraces taking shape at Landcom’s Schofields development. Source: Timberbiz The nine architecturally designed terraces are being delivered using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), with large sections of the homes built off-site before being transported and installed at the development in Sydney’s north-west. The project showcases how innovation technology can help tackle the housing crisis by reducing build times, boosting productivity and delivering high-quality homes faster. The Commonwealth Productivity Commission estimates MMC, including modular and prefabricated construction, has the potential to reduce overall construction costs by up to 20% and cut build times by up to 50% compared with traditional construction methods. The nine two-storey, three-bedroom terraces are being manufactured in a controlled factory environment with rigorous quality and safety checks before being craned into position onsite. The homes form part of Landcom’s broader Burdekin Road development, which will deliver around 140 new homes including terraces, manor homes and compact housing close to transport, jobs and services. Importantly, at least 30% of homes across the development will be affordable housing. The Schofields project comes as the State Government drives reforms to support MMC across NSW with the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 which includes landmark reforms to formally recognise prefabricated buildings in law, integrate MMC into the approvals system, and strengthen consumer protections. The reforms will help to boost confidence in MMC and encourage wider adoption of innovative construction methods that can help deliver more homes across NSW. This builds on Landcom’s long track record of partnering with the NSW Government to deliver well-planned communities that increase housing supply while creating great places to live. Current projects include: The Joinery at Annandale: transforming former WestConnex dive site land into a mixed-use precinct with up to 580 homes, including build-to-rent housing for essential workers, alongside shops, public spaces and improved pedestrian links. Regional Build to Rent projects in Lismore and Bomaderry: delivering over 100 apartments including 20% affordable housing close to transport and services in regional NSW. Construction on the Schofields terraces is expected to be completed in August 2026. “NSW needs to build more homes, and we need to build them faster, which is why the Minns Labor Government is backing innovation across the construction sector,” Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said. “Modern Methods of Construction have enormous potential to speed up housing delivery, boost productivity and help deliver quality homes more efficiently. “We’re pulling every lever available to tackle the housing crisis, from planning reforms through to supporting new construction technologies that can help deliver more homes for people across NSW.”

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The Forestry Hub returns to Fieldays in 2026 for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting the important role forestry and wood processing play in supporting New Zealand’s economy, environment, and regional communities. Source: Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatū Ahu Matua Each year, forest growers and sector organisations come together at Fieldays to connect with the public, share knowledge, and tell the story of modern forestry. In 2026, the Hub will highlight the role forestry and wood processing play in New Zealand’s economy, alongside the sector’s ongoing focus on innovation, workforce development, and environmental management. Visitors to the Forestry Hub can expect a dynamic mix of educational sessions and interactive exhibits. These will cover key topics including forest growing, climate change, innovative wood products, engineered timber solutions for mid‑rise construction, emerging bioenergy opportunities, biosecurity, and biodiversity. The Hub will also provide insights into the wide range of career pathways across the forestry and wood processing sectors, highlighting future workforce opportunities. A popular feature returning this year is the virtual reality forestry simulator, offering participants the chance to step into the operator’s seat of modern forestry machinery. Designed with job seekers and students in mind, the immersive experience provides practical insight into today’s forestry operations and the advanced technology driving the sector. Families and young people will find plenty to explore, with hands-on activities such as tree identification challenges, trying on personal protective equipment, and displays showcasing innovative uses of wood – including surfboards made from timber. These interactive experiences aim to help people build an understanding of forestry practices while reinforcing the importance of safety and wellbeing. Throughout the event, a wide range of sector representatives will be on hand to share their expertise and answer questions. This includes forest growers, wood processors, scientists, business leaders, volunteer organisations, membership and research bodies, and government agencies working across the forestry and wood processing landscape. The Growing Native Forests Champions Awards will be presented, to recognise individuals and groups leading efforts to establish native forests, share knowledge and support biodiversity and regenerative forestry outcomes. MPI Director Forestry Engagement and Advice Ray Hook says the annual event highlights the skill, pride, and professionalism of the people within the sector. “Fieldays offers us the chance to make the sector more visible, approachable and human, and to answer the public’s questions about forestry and wood processing,” Mr Hook said. “The Forestry Hub showcases the quality and innovation of New Zealand timber, from forest to finished product. It helps people understand how wood supports low‑carbon construction, high‑value manufacturing and sustainable land use, while creating regional jobs and supporting thriving communities.” Wood Processing and Manufacturers Association chief executive Mark Ross says Fieldays highlights the value derived from New Zealand’s sustainably managed forests. “By standing alongside farmers and industry leaders we emphasise the role wood products play in supporting on-farm productivity and innovation. New Zealand timber remains a preferred building material in rural communities — valued for its flexibility, resilience, cost-effectiveness, and availability.” New Zealand Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says forestry plays a critical role in New Zealand’s economy and regional communities, supporting jobs, investment and the supply of renewable, low-carbon building materials. “Fieldays is about showing the scale and reality of modern forestry – a sector that is highly skilled, increasingly technology-driven and central to how New Zealand produces and uses wood-based products,” she said. “It also reflects the diversity of forestry ownership across Aotearoa, including Māori landowners, who hold a significant share of forestry land and bring intergenerational perspectives on land use and long-term stewardship of whenua, as well as farm foresters who integrate trees into wider farming systems and rural economies. “Across the value chain – from establishing forests through to advanced wood processing and manufacturing – forestry continues to evolve in response to changing expectations around productivity, innovation and environmental outcomes. “Ultimately, forestry is a long-term sector shaped by the people behind it, and trees and forests will continue to play a central role in New Zealand’s future economy, land use and regional communities.” Visit this year’s Forestry Hub at Site G80, from 10–13 June at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand. For more information and the full event program, visit the Forestry Hub page at https://www.fieldays.co.nz/exhibit-at-fieldays/prospectus/fieldays-foresty-hub

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SafeWork NSW has updated eight Codes of Practice, including the Code of Practice for the sawmilling industry, with the revised documents now officially in effect across New South Wales. Source: NTHA The updates form part of SafeWork NSW’s ongoing efforts to support businesses in managing workplace health and safety risks and ensuring safety controls remain current and effective. For the timber processing sector, the updated Sawmilling Industry Code of Practice serves as an important reference point for businesses reviewing their existing safety systems, procedures and risk controls. SafeWork NSW is encouraging all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to review the updated codes and assess whether their current practices continue to meet the required standards. The eight updated Codes of Practice now in force are: Work on roofs – commercial and industrial buildings Working safely when cutting, drilling and grinding concrete and masonry products Worker accommodation Work near overhead and underground electric lines Transport and delivery of cash and valuable goods Sawmilling industry How to manage blood-borne virus exposure risks in the workplace – hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV Safe use and design of bulk storage silos and bins   While Codes of Practice do not replace work health and safety legislation, they provide practical guidance on achieving compliance with obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Importantly, inspectors may refer to a Code of Practice when issuing improvement or prohibition notices, and courts can use them as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or appropriate control measure when determining what is considered “reasonably practicable” in a workplace. The updates also come ahead of significant regulatory changes scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2026. From that date, businesses will be required to either comply with an applicable Code of Practice or demonstrate that they have implemented an equivalent or higher standard of health and safety. For sawmill operators and timber processors, the release of the updated code presents a timely opportunity to review workplace procedures, consult with workers, and ensure risk management systems remain aligned with current best-practice guidance. Access the updated Codes of Practice on the SafeWork NSW website and review any changes that may affect your operation ahead of the new compliance requirements taking effect on 1 July 2026.  

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Forester and landscape ecologist whose field surveys helped secure the Wet Tropics World Heritage listing, Dr Peter Stanton AM PSM, has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List. Source: Timberbiz The national honour comes just months after Forestry Australia awarded Dr Stanton the NW Jolly Medal for a career spanning more than five decades advancing forest science, particularly in Queensland’s tropical forests and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. “Peter Stanton’s career shows that foresters have led conservation in Australia for generations,” said Forestry Australia CEO Jacquie Martin. “A respected member of Forestry Australia for 60 years, Peter has shown lifelong commitment to the nation’s forests. “When we presented Peter with the NW Jolly Medal last year, we recognised more than five decades of work that transformed the understanding and conservation of Queensland’s forests and landscapes. Seeing that contribution recognised more broadly is a proud moment for the profession.” Dr Stanton began his career with the Queensland Forestry Department before transferring to the National Parks branch in 1967. He later spent two decades as a senior scientist with the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, moved to Cairns in 1979, and remained in Far North Queensland for the rest of his working life. In the 1960s and 1970s, his systematic surveys mapped ecosystems from the rainforests of Cape York Peninsula to the Wet Tropics between Townsville and Cooktown. His vegetation mapping of the Wet Tropics bioregion classified some 90,000 polygons across 4,000 aerial photographs into 250 distinct ecosystem types, each one verified on the ground. Published in 2005, the study has been described by the Wet Tropics Management Authority as the most comprehensive vegetation mapping ever undertaken in the region. Dr Stanton was the first Australian to receive the IUCN Fred M. Packard International Parks Merit Award in 1982. He later received the Public Service Medal in 1996, the Centenary Medal in 2001, and an honorary Doctor of Science from James Cook University in 2023, before receiving the NW Jolly Medal in 2025 and being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia this year. The 2026 Honours List recognised 949 Australians, including Adrian John Kloeden, former Chair of HVP Plantations and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

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The Federal and Tasmanian governments have officially committed to work together towards a bilateral agreement to support sustainable forestry in Tasmania into the future. Source: Timberbiz From1 July 2027 environmental law reforms will bring forestry operations covered by Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) under Federal environmental regulation. Forestry operations in RFA regions will be required to meet national environmental standards, bringing the sector into line with all other industries, while supporting a sustainable and well-regulated future. Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt has issued a Notice of Intention to develop a draft bilateral agreement that would accredit Tasmania’s forest management framework alongside new national environmental standards. “Formally commencing the bilateral negotiations marks a significant step forward in aligning Regional Forest Agreement forestry operations with the Australian Government’s landmark reformed national environment law, delivering stronger environmental protections alongside greater certainty for industry,” Senator Watt said. “We believe in a strong and environmentally sustainable future for Tasmania’s forestry industry, and these reforms will see the sector meet the same environmental standards we apply to every other industry across Australia. “We will be working with the Tasmanian Government over the coming months to develop and then formalise the bilateral agreement which will support the industry to operate in line with national environmental laws,” he said. “Once signed, a new bilateral agreement will support landscape-scale approval of forestry operations in Tasmania.” Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Felix Ellis said the State government welcomed the formal commitment to bilateral negotiations as an important step toward securing the long-term future of Tasmania’s sustainable forestry industry. “For decades, the Regional Forest Agreement has provided the foundation for a strong and sustainable forestry industry in Tasmania, supporting regional jobs, investment and responsible forest management,” Mr Ellis said. “It is important that accreditation of Tasmania’s Forest Practices System continues, providing strong environmental protections while avoiding unnecessary duplication and red tape. “We will continue working closely with the Australian Government to secure a practical and durable accreditation pathway that gives industry certainty, protects investment and ensures a sustainable source of timber products critical to our economy and future housing needs.” The Federal Government is working closely with all RFA states – Tasmania, New South Wales and Western Australia – to develop landscape-scale approvals for forestry under the reforms. To support this transition, the Australian Government announced $28 million over two years in the 2026-27 Budget to help states with RFAs align their forest management systems with new requirements under the national environment law. Up to $8.5 million is available to Tasmania to support this work, recognising the scale and importance of its public native forestry sector, alongside its plantation and private forestry industries. This funding builds on the Federal Government’s $600 million investment in the forestry sector since coming to government. This includes the recently announced $300 million Forestry Growth Fund which will help grow the forestry industry, support delivery of the Timber Fibre Strategy, and deliver long-term, sustainable impact to maximise forestry contributions to housing and net zero transformation. Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, said the federal government would continue working closely with industry, unions and the Tasmanian Government to support Tasmania’s forestry industry and the jobs it supports. “We have already delivered a $300 million record investment to back Australia’s forestry industry, because we know the critical contribution forestry makes in Tasmania and across the country,” she said. “We are continuing to back the future of the industry with a new $300 million Forestry Growth Fund which will bring our total investment to $600 million.”

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