Australian timber industry news

With the new C/3/MAX tooth, FAE boosts the productivity, efficiency, and strength of its top-tier forestry mulchers with Bite Limiter technology. Source: Timberbiz The new C/3/MAX tooth is the ultra-strong alternative to the BL/MAX blade for high-end FAE forestry mulchers featuring Bite Limiter technology. This technology reduces power demand and promotes a consistent working speed for excellent performance mulching any type of wood. The large cutting surface with tungsten carbide inserts and an optimized profile is made of specially heat-treated, ultra-strong materials, giving the new C/3/MAX tooth superior shredding ability and making it extraordinarily wear-resistant. The C/3/MAX tooth is excellent for shredding hardwood and softwood trees, above-ground stumps, shrubs, and branches. The new C/3/MAX is available as an optional tooth for BL4/SSL, BL4/EX, and BL5/EX forestry mulchers. The tooth can also be mounted on 200/U head with Bite Limiter rotor for special vehicles and FAE’s PT series tracked carriers.

The Engine is a coworking and shared lab space located in Building 750 on MIT’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where start-ups and technology entrepreneurs try to develop inventions that can tackle the world’s most challenging problems. Foray Bioscience, a company started by Ashley Beckwith, recently joined the fold. Her company aims to disrupt traditional manufacturing of wood products, which involves harvesting lots of trees. Source: Timberbiz Ms Beckwith has witnessed how the construction of new housing developments encroached on forests, which sparked her interest in plant research. She founded Foray in 2022, after completing her PhD in mechanical engineering at MIT. She explains how growing demand for wood products is driving the loss of natural forests, in the last 25 years the world has lost about 500,000 square miles. With Foray she hopes to change that, using a technology platform she’s developed that combines cell culture and tissue engineering. Foray’s process involves extracting live cells from the leaves of plants such as the black cottonwood, a popular species for making fibre products, which is used as a model plant for testing the company’s methods. Leaves are first cultured into a kind of liquid broth until the cells reproduce. Then cells are transferred into a gel containing two plant hormones, auxin and cytokinin, allowing researchers to coax the cells to grow into wood-like structures. In this phase, the cell cultures can also be tweaked to produce secondary products such as aromatics for making perfumes and embryos to generate seeds. In the lab, Foray has demonstrated the feasibility of making samples of fragrance products, and they’re working to refine their process to improve and scale production. But generating successful cell lines, finding the right recipe to turn on the production of target products in the cells, is especially challenging. And because fragrance products are largely derived from more than one compound, getting those in the correct proportions hasn’t been easy. “We’re bringing biomanufacturing to forestry, and leveraging its tools to protect and restore forests,” Ms Beckwith said. Applications could range from food and medical products to cosmetics and bioplastics. Trees are rich in useful chemicals with significant medicinal value: tree-sourced compounds serve as chemotherapeutics, vaccine adjuvants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Shawn Mansfield, a professor of forestry and tree biotechnology at the University of British Columbia, says he’s skeptical that the technology can have much impact in the big scheme of things. Mr Mansfield, who has worked with cottonwoods and plant tissue techniques, says the production of specialty chemicals “will not offset the harvest of trees.” But Ms Beckwith says that because she and her colleagues can grow tree cells in a controlled environment, they can grow the products up to “100 x faster” with less land than what’s possible with traditional methods. This means they can harvest what the trees make without cutting any trees down. Ms Beckwith and her team hope to commercialize Foray’s biomanufacturing technology and generate profit through the products that they’re developing. But it’s still early days; the company has yet to send any samples for external validation, and scaling the technology would require significant financial and research investment. They hope what they’re learning about the process could aid seed production to support forest restoration in the near future.

SCA’s electric timber truck continues to transport timber between Gimonäs timber terminal and Obbola paper mill outside Umeå, Sweden. It has now been in operation for more than 1.5 years. Source: Timberbiz Everything is working as intended, and we receive inquiries from haulage companies and others who want to learn more about heavy electric vehicle transport, according to Mikael Sundelin, Head of Business Development at Industrial Supply. Since SCA’s unique electric timber truck was put into operation in June 2022, it has covered a distance of 46,000 kilometres, equivalent to more than one lap around the globe. Over a year of operation, the electric timber truck contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 55,000 kg per year. With a capacity to carry 80 tons, the electric timber truck’s daily task is to transport timber between Gimonäs timber terminal and Obbola paper mill outside Umeå. The round trip covers a distance of 30 km, and it completes approximately six rounds per day. The truck needs to be charged about two times during a working day. The significant interest in the electric timber truck has led it to undertake some other tasks. In 2023, SCA drove it on a forest road with winter conditions outside Umeå to assess its ability to transport timber directly from the forest to Obbola paper mill. It also faced a more challenging environment during a few March days in Näsåker, together with Själander Åkeri AB, a partner of SCA Skog. “It has been fun and rewarding to be able to test the vehicle with both longer and heavier transports in proper winter conditions and in a more hilly landscape than we have around Umeå. All tests have gone very well,” Mr Sundelin said. SCA receives data, including electric consumption primarily, from Scania. “It is evident that consumption has decreased as our drivers become more experienced and learn to drive it in an optimal way. During winter, especially on extremely cold days, it consumes more electricity, but we already knew that – it’s the same for electric cars,” Mr Sundelin said. All driving and various tests provide SCA with valuable insights into electric propulsion for heavy transports. “This is, as mentioned, a first step towards electric propulsion in heavy road transport, which is incredibly significant. It’s exciting that SCA, together with innovative partners, can drive sustainability development. “We also receive inquiries from haulage companies and others who want to learn more about electric propulsion for heavy transports for goods other than timber,” he said. “Sustainability and reduced carbon dioxide emissions are important for SCA and the entire society. Our forests and forest products have long generated significant climate benefits, and our industries have made considerable progress towards fossil-free operations. Therefore, it is natural for us to have high climate ambitions for our transportation as well, says Susanne Rutqvist, SCA’s spokesperson on climate issues.

The planned new global operating model aims to strengthen Ponsse’s long-term competitiveness, efficiency and enable even better customer service and aims to create an organisation that focuses on sales and service, including both its own operations and dealers in planned five market areas: the Nordics, Europe, South America, North America and Asia, Australia and Africa.  Source: Timberbiz The operational model would be supported by global support functions with harmonised processes and policies. With this potential new operating model for the future, Ponsse wants to ensure an even better customer focus and a globally harmonised and efficient operations and creating sustainable organisation for the future. This potential planned change would apply across the Ponsse organisation. The current operating model does not support global ways of working and the cost structure of the current model is not sustainable. According to initial estimates, the planned measures could result in the reduction of approximately 120-140 jobs globally, additionally new roles could be generated. The planned measures could result in total annual savings of approximately €10M (approx $16.6M) from 2026 onwards. The new potential operating model is planned to be effective as of 1 June 2024, when the Ponsse Leadership team under the leadership of CEO Juho Nummela will establish the following operations: Sales & Service organisation, including market areas, led by Marko Mattila Technology & R&D, led by Juha Inberg Digital Services & IT, led by Miika Soininen Operations inc. Supply Chain, Procurement and Logistics, led by Tommi Väänänen Service Excellence, led by Tapio Mertanen Finance, by Petri Härkönen People Safety & Culture, led by Tiina Kautonen Responsibility & Environment, led by Katja Paananen. The proposed global operating model and related changes may be subject to local consultations in Ponsse countries and are not final until these processes are completed.  

OjiFS Packaging New Zealand has been awarded a prestigious World Packaging Organisation (WPO) WorldStar 2024 Award for EmGuard, its innovative plant guard design for customer, FuturEcology. Source: Timberbiz This premier global packaging award is a testament to the company’s in-house design talent, consistent excellence in packaging innovation and is a symbol for ‘creating sustainable solutions to make a difference every day’. OjiFS’ EmGuard plant guard was earlier awarded bronze in the ‘Outside of the Box’ category at the 2023 Australasian ‘Packaging Innovation and Design Awards’ (PIDA). The PIDA recognition allowed OjiFS to contend for the 2024 WorldStar Awards. OjiFS’ fibre-based plant guards embody innovation, sustainability and design intelligence. Crafted predominantly from recycled pulp, this product replaces plastic alternatives and demonstrates a commitment to replacing single-use plastics with renewable materials. The smart design of the plant guards forms a protective triangle around saplings, secured with a bamboo stake, which not only simplifies the planting process but provides key advantages. Protection: It safeguards young plants from chemicals, maintenance activities and wildlife; significantly increasing survival rates. Compliance with Standards: Fully aligned with the ANZ Regional 2025 Packaging Targets and Sustainable Packaging Design Principles. No Removal Needed: Designed to degrade naturally, eliminating the need for manual removal and reducing labour. This is the second WorldStar Award for OjiFS Packaging New Zealand, it was awarded a win in the 2020 food category for customer, RJ’s, Retail Ready Tray.

Timber expert Andrew Dunn will be leading a mass timber manufacturing and construction tour to Europe travelling from Austria to Germany, to visit pioneering factories, facilities and projects spotlighting CLT, glulam and other leading edge timber technologies. Source: Timberbiz As an added bonus you will stay at uniquely crafted wood hotels and residences showcasing clever architecture and interior design. The tour will allow participants the opportunity to network with local builders, engineers, and product specialists who are advancing renewable timber’s future across Europe’s built landscape. Whether you are an architect, engineer, developer or construction professional, this is your opportunity to step inside the origins and future of mass timber building. Witness first hand how European innovation is driving a modern, sustainable construction revolution using one of humanity’s oldest natural materials. The event goes for six days travelling from Vienna, Austria, to Milan, Italy by luxury coach. It starts on Sunday, 26 May and finishes Saturday, 1 June 2024, and is limited to 20 people. The tour costs $6,950 per person on a single room basis (twin share price on application), including applicable GST. Flights/travel to and from Vienna and Milan additional. More information here.  

WorkSafe is pulling out of funding safety programs to the tune of up to NZ$15 million a year, skittling a “really valuable” one in the high-risk forestry industry. ACC, which gives WorkSafe the money, says it stopping the funding will make no difference to the overall spend. Source: Radio New Zealand (RNZ) “This decision does not reduce the overall amount of funds that ACC allocates to injury prevention initiatives,” the two agencies told RNZ. But for the Forestry Industry Safety Council (FISC), the impact has been harsh. It has just found out that 35% to 40% of its NZ$1.1-2m annual funding will be hit. “So, the amount of work that FISC can do is clearly now reduced,” council chair Simon O’Grady said. The council was now preparing by 31 March to axe three jobs and a program in Gisborne and Northland that was at the fore of companies and others hearing from frontline workers about the risks they faced, and what to did about them, he said. “We wanted strategically to roll that out nationally, but that’s clearly not able to take place without funding.” WorkSafe has not said how many other agencies might be put in a similar position like the disruption facing the forestry council. WorkSafe is usually the lead agency on safety education, aimed at industries with the highest death and serious injury rates: forestry, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare and social assistance. However, it has been in a financial hole and cut more than 100 staff late last year, while facing regular criticism that it is too soft on lawbreakers. WorkSafe and ACC only confirmed the funding change when RNZ approached them, and then only provided the details on Thursday after repeated questioning over two days. Mr O’Grady said the rationale for the move had not been made clear to them. “I mean, if there is reduced funding going into the programs that directly affect health and safety in our forests and other industries, then you would imagine that that … would have a flow-on effect and we’re certainly concerned that might be the outcome.” The agencies said on Thursday the change was because the funding arrangement was for six years old and they were both now altering their strategies. “We’ll be shifting our approach to ensure the funds are invested in line with these strategies and have the greatest impact,” said a joint statement from deputy chief executives, Tane Cassidy at ACC, and Paula Collins at WorkSafe. The changes were “very recently” finalised, and it would tell its sector partners about “any potential impacts” WorkSafe told RNZ earlier. A final funding round under the outgoing arrangement would run from 1 July to March 2025. “ACC is now looking at opportunities to invest funds previously allocated to WorkSafe,” Cassidy and Collins said. O’Grady said they were seeking talks with ACC along these lines. In the meantime, they would tighten their belt to focus funds on their core safety certification work. ACC has direct funding contracts worth several million dollars each, and spanning several years, with Farmstrong, ShopCare, and CHASNZ (construction), and said these were not changing. Mr O’Grady said it appeared forestry was being treated differently for some reason. “We will look at aspects of the Toroawhi program that are most valuable and we will see if we can actually start to get those happening in other ways.” The government’s directives to public agencies to cut costs had not come into it as far as the council knew, he said. “I’m not drawing any connection between the government’s position and the actions that have been taken here.”

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed the announcement that the University of Sunshine Coast and University of Melbourne will be invited to form Australian Forest and Wood Innovations research centres, joining the third research centre being established at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. Source: Timberbiz The University of Melbourne Research Centre will be based at the Burnley Campus in Richmond, Victoria and University of the Sunshine Coast’s Research Centre will be based at the Sunshine Coast Campus in Sippy Downs, Queensland. “I congratulate both preferred candidates, in the University of Sunshine Coast and University of Melbourne. I also acknowledge the hard work put in by other institutions through a competitive expression of interest process,” AFPA Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett said. Each research centre will have access to $24.5 million in funding as part of the $100 million AFWI grant agreement with the University of Tasmania. “AFPA is very proud of the AFWI progress after playing a key role in its inception, based on the need for more varied and advanced forest products research in Australia,” Mr Hyett said. “I’m confident these new centres will offer groundbreaking research into how we can maximise value from resource, boost the credentials and uses of timber and fibre as a climate solution and boost the innovation agenda across industry.” The University of Sunshine Coast Research Centre will be complemented by the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, supported by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA).

Forestry Corporation is honouring the significant contribution that women make in the forestry industry. Friday marks International Women’s Day, this year carrying the theme of Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. Source: Timberbiz As a major player in Australian forestry – a traditionally male-dominated industry – Forestry Corporation stands proud of its gender equality in the workplace. Women currently make up a quarter of the workforce with many female leaders in management roles standing at the forefront of the industry. Forestry Corporation’s Talent & OD Business Partner Amba Addinsall said there has been a marked increase in female representation in Forestry Corporation’s executive and leadership teams. “Our executive leadership team has hit gender parity for the first time ever and 24% of our senior leaders are now women,” Ms Addinsall said. “This is an increase of 4% over two years and really celebrates the calibre of women that we have in the workplace.” “They are creating more inclusive teams and are role modelling what’s possible for our newer recruits.” Some of the women across Forestry Corporation have shared their thoughts and experiences for International Women’s Day giving an insight into their careers: Kirrily Oliver, Harvesting Supervisor, Bathurst: “My daily role involves supervising our harvesting contractors, making sure they stick to the outlines, processes and safety and environmental guidelines set for production in the field. This involves daily checks in the field with many kilometres travelled daily across our beautiful forests. Aside from our daily roles, we are also fully trained and certified firefighters when required working to protect our teammates and our great assets – our forests. I was stuck in typical office-based roles for nearly 20 years and one day thought what else could I be doing in my life in my early 40s. Until I started working in the role, I never knew how much went into the business regarding how in-depth the management of forests is and the huge amount of work that goes into the renewable side of the business, through to how everyone is welcomed as part of the broader teams, male or female. I am generally looking forward to starting Certificate III in Forestry Operations through TAFE. I feel this will broaden my knowledge within the corporation and hopefully give me a long career within Forestry as women make the same contribution in forestry daily. We are all equal and do a fabulous job in our roles within the industry.” Meg Clery: Field Ecologist, Eden: “I have been a field ecologist with Forestry Corporation for three years. Previously, I worked as a ranger with National Parks and Wildlife for eight years. I’ve always loved working outdoors in forests. As an ecologist I hold a strong interest in animals. Outside of my field work, I have a hobby of bird watching and painting birds. Mostly everything I do is animal or nature related. I love working in beautiful forests where there is so much biodiversity.” My field work takes me from the coast up into the tablelands and I enjoy being part of Forestry’s moves to increase its environmental credentials. The variety of work as an ecologist is amazing from fauna monitoring of small mammals, birds, frogs to floral surveys in being able to find beautiful orchids growing in nature. We also do night work, a lot of camera trapping studies spending a lot of time analysing interactions and images of animals and surveying threatened species. Generally, the ecology team is female-dominant in forestry across the state, and I guess that comes down to women finding the attraction of studying animals.” Kristen Coady: Land Access Officer, Dubbo: “A career in forestry is more than just trees and timber. Our forests have a wide range of social, ecological and cultural values and women have a huge role to play in the promotion and protection of these values and our natural assets. Women in forestry are hardworking and supportive of each other and passionate about the sustainability of the forests that we manage. My role as a Land Access Officer involves facilitating community use of our forests for many purposes including research, grazing, active and passive recreation and also pest and weed management across the cypress forests of Western NSW. I wanted a career that allowed me to spend time in the bush while also putting my environmental science degree and previous business experience to use. This job is the perfect balance and I encourage other women with similar interests to consider a career in forestry.” Madi Stewardson: Harvest Planner, Batemans Bay: “For me, International Women’s Day is a chance to reflect on the contributions of the past female figures that have inspired me to be where I am today. I work as a harvest planner in Batemans Bay, bringing together the working parts of a harvesting operation to see the forest utilised for wood product whilst maintaining its ecological, social, and cultural values. Having recently graduated with a Master of Research, Forestry has offered me a unique opportunity to further my practical skills whilst fostering a sense of custodianship to my patch. I place a high importance on the resilience a diverse team of people creates and look forward to the heights we may be able to achieve through gender parity.”  

A re-elected Liberal Government in Tasmania would extend all existing native wood supply contracts for 14 Tasmanian sawmillers beyond the current 2027 expiry date, to 2040. Source: Timberbiz Premier Jeremy Rockliff said that with State Labor Governments across the country ending native forestry and demand for wood increasing, the Liberals know that Tasmanian businesses need resource certainty for the future. “This is why we announced that we would make available up to 158,000 additional cubic metres of sawlog to industry by unlocking the State’s Wood Bank,” Mr Rockliff said. “With this additional volume coming online, we are now able to extend wood supply contracts which will provide new certainty for multi-generational Tasmanian businesses. “This is certainty to invest, grow and create jobs.” A re-elected Liberal Government would also update Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Ministerial Charter to focus on supporting the development of Tasmanian-based wood processing, as it has done in past years. The Tasmanian Forest Products Association welcomed the second day of forestry policy announcements by the Tasmanian Liberals ahead of the 23 March state election. TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said these policies would benefit the sustainable forestry industry, Tasmanian jobs, and the economy. “It’s pleasing to see the Liberals have recognised the importance of the first priority in the TFPA Election Wish List – Supporting Tasmanian Businesses,” Mr Steel said. “Continuing its commitment to the State’s On-Island Processing Grants program will make a real difference to Tasmanian forestry businesses and their ability to adapt to future demands. “And we welcome the Liberals commitment to updating Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s (STT) Ministerial Charter to focus on backing the industry and Tasmanian jobs. “We stand ready to continue to work with the Tasmanian Liberals to ensure the updating of STT’s Ministerial Charter will achieve the best benefit for all Tasmanians,” Me Steel said. However, Mr Steel said there was still more work to be done. “We look forward to working with the Liberals in developing its plantation forestry policy and are seeking a commitment to the retooling and reskilling of our processing businesses to make best use of that plantation resource as it becomes available,” Mr Steel said. “(Friday’s) announcement is a great start in protecting jobs, boosting the Tasmanian economy and allowing the forestry industry to continue to sequester carbon to meet Tasmania’s tough climate change ambitions. “Whilst there’s still more work to be done on the Liberal’s plan, the TFPA welcomes the chance to work with them to provide certainty for the industry, improve the lives of Tasmanian families and the economy in the years ahead,” Mr Steel said. Resources Minister Felix Ellis Ellis announced the policy on Friday during a visit to McKay Timber’s Glenorchy sawmill. He said the destruction of native forestry by State Labor Governments in mainland states had put new pressures on Tasmanian forestry. “Updating STT’s Ministerial Charter will ensure that its focus continues to be squarely on backing in Tasmanian industry because Tasmanian wood should support Tasmanian jobs,” Mr Ellis said. “All of this is on top of the support provided to help Tasmanian sawmillers and processers upgrade and move further up the value chain through our On-Island Processing Program. “A re-elected majority Liberal Government will build on the success of our On-Island Processing Program by committing an additional $5 million to this program. “Already, this program has supported upgrades and projects across Tasmania, helping local businesses turn existing wood supplies, as well as residues, into higher-value products,” he said. “This includes projects such as McKay Timber’s truss plant facilities for the manufacture of wall and roof trusses and upgraded finger jointing and laminating plant.” McKay Timber general manager Brett McKay welcomed the extended contracts. “Every business looks for certainty moving forward into the future, sovereign risk is always top of the list for anyone, we are very pleased to see the extension come forward to 2040,” he told the Mercury. However, Mr McKay was lukewarm on the government’s proposal to “unlock” 40,000ha of native forests. “None of us really want to go back to the old days,” Mr McKay said. Mr Ellis said that under the Liberals’ watch, forestry has had the confidence and security to invest and grow. Jobs, investment, wood production and exports are up. “It’s a far cry from the desperate days of the Labor-Green Government when forestry was gutted and two out of every three jobs in the sector lost. “Labor simply cannot be trusted on forestry,” he said. “Given half a chance they will do a deal again with the Greens and the Coalition of Chaos which would shut down an industry which is vital to our building sector and also providing fibre for a plastic-free future.”  

Valmet expanded its global social responsibility program with several area-specific local projects promoting science, nature and equal opportunities in 2022. After a year of successful implementation, the program now continues through six local projects. Source: Timberbiz Social responsibility program is part of Valmet’s sustainability agenda implementation. Some of the projects are selected by employee voting, increasing involvement and internal engagement. In 2024, the program continues with the following projects: In Asia Pacific, Valmet will initiate cooperation with Bumiterra, an organization in Indonesia dedicated to restoring the rainforest, protect biodiversity and empower local communities in Borneo. In 2023, Valmet collaborated with The Mirror Foundation in Thailand, successfully improving the living and learning conditions at three rural schools with more than 900 children. In the EMEA area, Valmet continues to support an orphanage in Jelenia Góra, Poland to enhance the orphanage children´s wellbeing and possibilities for education. This year’s donation will be used to renovate the orphanage’s sports field. In 2023, Valmet donated a vehicle to the orphanage to enable safe transportation to school, leisure time activities or specialist doctors. In South America, Valmet continues to support the Gerando Falcões network and its special program called Circuito Inclusão (Inclusion Circuit) in Brazil. It promotes inclusion of people with disabilities and their families through leisure activities and accessibility opportunities. In Chile, Valmet will initiate cooperation with a partner organization that supports the well-being and social inclusion of children with limited possibilities through education, sports and cultural activities. In China, Valmet continues to support industrial talent development and promote innovation and sustainable development in the pulp, paper and energy industry and grants scholarships to undergraduate students in three industry universities and to postgraduate students in five industry universities. In North America, Valmet continues to support Make-A-Wish that grants life-changing wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses. ”As a global company operating in over 40 countries, we have an impact on numerous communities around the world. Our global social responsibility program has been a remarkable journey so far, and all the projects have been successful in reaching their targets. We are eagerly looking forward to continuing the work with the familiar partners as well as expanding the cooperation to the new projects,” Reetta Loponen, Vice President, Sustainability, Valmet said.  

A report has called on ministers to scrap the huge subsidies and tax breaks given to conifer forests because they do too little to combat the climate crisis. The report from the Royal Society of Edinburgh said the tens of millions of pounds in subsidies given to the timber industry should instead be spent on longer-living native forests, which have greater and clearer climate and biodiversity benefits. Source: The Guardian It said the Scottish and UK governments are wrong to argue that public subsidies are needed to help plant more, larger conifer forests. These plantations are largely monocultures using a single species that have a relatively short lifespan. Instead, public subsidies should be diverted to planting millions of native broadleaf trees, including in urban areas, which capture and keep more CO, support more plant and animal species, store more carbon in the soil, and have a far longer lifespan. The RSE report found that: In Scotland, ministers have subsidised forestry by more than £390m over the last decade, with roughly 80% of that spent on commercial conifer plantations, as well as extra subsidies for haulage. Timber companies and landowners pay no corporation tax on their income from forests; profits from timber sales are tax-free; there is no capital gains tax on the value of the trees, and 100% inheritance tax relief on the forestry property. Forest owners were also able to sell carbon credits, adding to the attractiveness of forestry as an investment. These grants, tax breaks and carbon credits had helped to substantially drive-up land prices in Scotland, up by 73% in a single year, greatly distorting the land market and pricing people out. Government agencies are not properly enforcing policies which require environmental impact assessments on new forest projects; their approach is“inadequate” and “passive”. The RSE, Scotland’s national academy, said significant changes in government strategy were urgently needed at a time when governments are cutting public spending, including on nature recovery. “Our scarce public funds must be used to maximise benefits for both the public and our environment,” said Prof Pat Monaghan, regius professor of zoology at the University of Glasgow and one of the report’s authors. “We now face the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. We must ensure that our investments in tree planting are done in ways that reduce our carbon emissions without reducing our precious and fragile biodiversity.” The RSE said it was very surprised the Treasury had no data on how much tax the exchequer had foregone due to these tax breaks, even though these policies had been criticised repeatedly in recent decades. While tax breaks for forestry are the same as those for farming, this support for forestry appeared to be based on the notion that having a domestic timber supply was of strategic importance at time of war – a policy that had been scrapped in the 1950s. The Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, which oversees policy and funding for England, set aside £222m between 2020 and 2024for woodland on private land. But 77% of English woodland is native broadleaf, compared with 29% in Scotland. “The role of trees – the right trees in the right place – in improving biodiversity, carbon-capture, andwellbeing in both urban and rural environments cannot be overstated,” Prof Ian Wall, who chaired the RSE’s inquiry, said. Scottish Forestry, the government agency, and Confor, the timber industry body, said there was clear evidence that conifers stored up to four times more carbon at a faster pace than slower-growing hardwood trees. The timber industry in Scotland supported 20,000 jobs and generated £800m for the economy. Scottish Forestry said it would study the report but added: “Public forestry grants are a vital means to stimulating woodland creation and we will continue to support funding for both conifer and broadleaf planting.” Confor said modern regulations already required conifer forests to be multipurpose, with a greater mix of species and more emphasis on eco-tourism. The World Bank had forecast the move to use timber instead of carbon-intensive concrete and steel in construction would require four times as much timber by 2050. “Government grants provide a contribution to the cost of establishing a new forest and compensate for the loss of income from the previous land use. Once established no other grants are provided,” Confor added. “We simply don’t recognise the RSE’s assertions that public policy is driving the planting of as many trees as possible rather than ‘the right tree in the right place’. This is not supported by an analysis of what is being planted or the public policies that sit behind tree planting.” A Treasury spokesperson confirmed forestry enjoyed tax relief and exemptions, but said: “We are committed to keeping the tax system simple by not introducing different tax-treatments for all the different types of tree in the UK.”

Pirelli is the first company to produce a complete range of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified tyres for motorsport. Starting from this year, all the tyres used in the FIA Formula One World Championship will be marked with the FSC logo. Source: Timberbiz This logo certifies that all the natural rubber within the tyre complies with stringent environmental and social criteria required by the FSC, a world-leading non-governmental organisation for sustainable forestry. “The debut of our FSC-certified tyres in the world of motorsport represents a significant moment in Pirelli’s sustainability journey. In 2021 we were first to equip a road car with FSC-certified tyres, and now we are proud to be the first do so in motorsport as well,” Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli Executive Vice President Motorsport, Sustainability and Future Mobility said. “Formula One is an extraordinary open-air laboratory for us. It allows us not only to design and test new technology as well as improve research and development processes for roadgoing tyres, but also to unite maximum performance, typical of the demanding motorsport environment, with commitment towards an increasingly sustainable world.” This certification, announced on 10 October last year when Pirelli renewed its agreement as the Global Tyre Partner of Formula 1 until at least 2027, will apply to all the tyres used on track, throughout the season, including pre-season testing. The FSC-certified tyres have been introduced following an intense development program that began in 2022, which showed clear results in terms of both reliability and performance. The first free practice sessions at the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix hosted the debut of these certified tyres at a Grand Prix event. This marks a significant step, reflecting Pirelli’s commitment to delivering increasingly sustainable performance and solutions even within the special environment of motorsport, starting with its greatest technological and competitive expression, Formula One. Pirelli has been confirmed as one of the global leaders in the fight against climate change for the sixth consecutive year with a place in the 2023 Climate A list from the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), an international no-profit organisation that researches and promotes environmental information. Pirelli was also the first tyre manufacturer to be awarded a three-star rating on the FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Program. “Pirelli’s implementation of FSC-certified tyres in the FIA Formula One World Championship is a strong statement of the company’s commitment to sustainability not just to its own targets but also in its alignment with the goals of the FIA’s Environmental Strategy, which seeks to reduce motorsport impact and reinforce the sport as a catalyst for sustainable innovation and technology,” Sara Mariani, FIA Sustainability and D&I Director said. “Those ambitions were fundamental to the Formula One tyre supply tender launched last year by the FIA for 2025 and beyond and following its successful bid Pirelli has admirably already begun to innovate in pursuit of even greater sustainability with the introduction of FSC-certified tyres in 2024.” Together with the FIA and Formula One, the Italian firm has underlined its position in the front line of research and development into new technology, both on the technical and sporting side, to support the work that has already been done in reducing CO2 emissions throughout the entire life cycle of a Formula One tyre. FSC certification joins a number of initiatives already put in place for motorsport by Pirelli in recent years: all the tyres that Pirelli brings to the track during a Grand Prix weekend – used in F1, F2, F3 and F1 Academy – will be transformed into secondary raw materials after use, for multiple circular uses; the electrical energy used to make F1, F2, F3 and F1 Academy tyres comes exclusively from 100% renewable certified sources; the use of ‘virtual’ design technology for all tyres not only considerably reduces development time, but above all the number of physical prototypes needed, cutting down on materials used; the elimination of tyre warmers in Formula One for full wet covers, pioneered in Monaco last year, reduces the use of electrical energy; more streamlined logistics, with sea freight now the preferred method of transport over air freight, cuts down on logistics emissions. FSC certification of the natural rubber from certified plantations used by Pirelli to make tyres for the FIA Formula One World Championship is the latest step in the company’s long-running program to sustainably manage the natural rubber supply chain. This is achieved via a roadmap of best practice in the different countries of origin for natural rubber, in line with the principles and values set out in the Pirelli Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy from 2017. This document is the result of consultation with key stakeholders in the natural rubber value chain, including international NGOs, Pirelli’s main natural rubber suppliers, growers and sellers in the supply chain, automotive clients, and other global organisations.  

The New Zealand Forest Owners Association says the review of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) fees is a relief for foresters facing excessive costs and loss of climate change action. Source: Timberbiz Announced by NZ Forestry Minister, Hon Todd McClay, the review will re-evaluate the capital costs of the scheme’s IT system and the administrative costs of the ETS. A second phase of the review will evaluate whether the NZ$30 per hectare annual fee structure that forestry participants pay is fair. New Zealand Forest Owners chief executive (NZFOA), Dr Elizabeth Heeg, says the announcement gives foresters confidence that their concerns are being taken seriously by the new Government. “The ETS fees imposed last year saw foresters collectively landed with more than NZ$30 million in overheads,” Dr Heeg says. “That equates to a 1600% increase on the previous ETS charges. “Those fees were excessive, disproportionate, and unreasonable for a sector already struggling to meet the costs of operating their businesses following years of uncertainty.” Forestry does not object to paying its share of the costs for administering the ETS, however, these costs should be shared proportionately across the system given the scheme has benefits for all of New Zealand. “Foresters were not adequately consulted with upon introduction of the fees. Some companies now face a yearly charge of over NZ$1m just to continue in business,” Dr Heeg says. “In no other case do small or medium businesses face such extreme government fees just to participate in a business model that is of public benefit. “For small foresters and farmers, that increase simply isn’t viable. The result is that many are being forced to exit the scheme.” At present, New Zealand’s forests, plantation, native or otherwise, are the only credible means of achieving the Climate Change Commission’s emissions targets. Dr Heeg says the imposition of the latest ETS fees is having the opposite effect of what’s needed for climate change action. “The excessive cost recovery fees for the system has knocked investors’ confidence in the ETS disincentivising businesses from entering the scheme. “Planting intentions have diminished to a level that will be insufficient to meet our climate change commitments in 2050 and beyond. “Halting these fees will be a crucial step for enabling forestry to fulfil its role as the primary offsetting mechanism for New Zealand.” Forest owners look forward to fair and adequate consultation with the Minister and his team to ensure future ETS fees are reasonable, efficient, and necessary. The independent review will commence in March, with a report expected by the end of April.

Two new research centres have been identified as the preferred candidates to receive funding under the Albanese Government funded Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) program after a competitive expressions of interest process. Source: Timberbiz Last year, it was announced that the University of Tasmania (UTAS) would host AFWI, a national research institute committed to advancing research and innovation to support Australia’s vital forest and wood product industries, by drawing on the best researchers and facilities across Australia. The University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Melbourne will be invited to form AFWI research centres, joining a third research centre being established at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) in Launceston. Each research centre will have access to $24.5 million in funding as part of the more than $100 million AFWI grant agreement with UTAS. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said that the three research centres in combination will provide good coverage of forest and wood products research. “The three research centres will help us to enhance our wood products and systems, manage and sustainably expand our Australian forestry resources, transform wood residues into renewable products and energy solutions – all while helping to address the threat of climate change.” Minister Watt said. “These research centres will help to transition the Australian forestry industry into a low emissions future. “Innovation is key to progress and efficiency and this funding will allow these centres to look at new ways to ensure our forestry industries keep sustainability at their core.” The University of Melbourne Research Centre will be based at the Burnley Campus in Richmond, Victoria and University of the Sunshine Coast’s Research Centre will be based at the Sunshine Coast Campus in Sippy Downs, Queensland.  

Fennell Forestry will receive a $200,000 cash injection from the state government to commence phase two of an electric log truck trial. Source: The Border Watch The funding for phase two of the Fennell Forestry project will examine how heavy vehicle decarbonisation can contribute towards a green circular economy. It will build on the outcomes of a phase one trial run from last year when Fennell Forestry tested the nation’s first electric heavy vehicle. A further $70,000 in funding will be handed to the South Australian Forest Products Association to develop a State of the Industry Report. The funding announcements followed the release of the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Masterplan. The plan aims to provide a vision to further grow and develop the state’s $1.4 billion forest and timber industry with three main goals identified aiming to strengthen the industry, domestic manufacturing and infrastructure capability. These goals include the right resource and capability, a “future focused” workforce and a “clean and green” circular economy. It has been developed by the Forest Industries Advisory Council of South Australia in consultation with the Minister for Forestry Clare Scriven and will be reviewed annually. This will be done to keep pace with the socioeconomic and environmental changes influencing the industry including international trade, climate change and technological developments. Fennell Forestry Managing Director Wendy Fennell said the region had a great fibre resource in the Green Triangle region. “We are looking forward to working with the government on this,“ she said. “These are the steps we have to take to see how we can meet those targets and we are working out if it is operationally suitable.“ South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said as the “birthplace” of Australian plantation forestry, the state’s industries had a “long and distinguished history” of nurturing a “forward thinking” and “innovative” mindset. “Today is an important day for the forestry industry for locals and the nation,“ Mr Malinauskas said. “This is an industry of the future and it is true Green Triangle Forestry is home to serious plantations and is an industry of tomorrow.“ He praised Ms Fennell and Fennell Forestry for their vision and risk-taking. “Decarbonising is an important endeavour and I recognise Fennel Forestry for their leadership,“ he said. “Wendy is a demonstration that risks can take off.“ Chair of the South Australian Forest Products Association Governing Council Tammy Auld said the Masterplan has been developed in consultation with stakeholders from the forest and timber industries through the revitalised Forest Industries Advisory Council with an aim to work towards a future where all fibre grown in the region will be locally processed. “South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) are grateful to the state government, especially the Minister for Forest Industries, Clare Scriven, for listening and working in collaboration with the industry to deliver this Master Plan,“ she said. “We know that if we can process all the fibre grown in the region, we have the ability to create over 20,000 new jobs, ensuring that South Australia has sovereign fiber capacity at the same time as decarbonizing our economy. “With projects such as the Fennell Forestry electric log truck, the government isn’t just talking about change, but supporting transformation and innovation within the region. “Our industry certainly believes that the forest industries have a big role at the heart of the government’s ambition for re-industralisation, and we look forward to continuing our working relationship with the Minister, Premier and all members of Parliament to protect, enhance and innovate our beloved forest industries.” Ms Scriven said the forestry industries remained a “significant contributor” to the state’s economy with the master plan presenting the “vision to be a future focused circular economy” as well as “sustainably driving the state’s economic prosperity” with “globally recognised skills and innovation”. “I am delighted that government has worked side by side with a broad section of the forest industries to deliver this election commitment, and this plan will be of significant benefit to this vital industry,” Ms Scriven said. “Collaboration has been a key part in the development of this master plan and I look forward to the ongoing partnership with industry through FIAC-SA as the associated projects are implemented to ensure that all South Australians continue to benefit from the sustainable growth and future success of South Australia’s forest industries.” Other projects identified as priorities through the master plan are expected to be developed and implemented over the coming three years.

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has accused the Liberal Party of using the timber industry as a political football. And the CFMEU says it is flabbergasted by the short-sighted approach of the Tasmanian Liberal party to jobs and communities reliant on the forestry industry. Source: Timberbiz “The Liberals have been government for a decade and could have solved our wood supply issue at any time. But instead, they have decided to make it an election issue,” TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said. The CFMEU said that timber communities deserve an industry strategy developed with workers and employers but instead have been dished up a political election strategy which serves nobody but the Liberal Party, Bob Brown, and the Greens. The State Government yesterday said that if re-elected on 23 March it would unlock Tasmania’s native forestry “Wood Bank”, providing an up to 10% boost in the annual supply of high-quality sawlog to Tasmanian sawmillers. “The Liberals are the strongest supporters of Tasmania’s high-value native forestry industry, backing in Tasmanian sawmillers, contractors, and local jobs,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said. “Under the devastating Labor-Greens Tasmanian Forestry Agreement signed in 2011, the area of production forest land in Tasmania was nearly halved and wood supply to local sawmillers was gutted. “Timber communities across the State were decimated and two out of every three jobs in the sector were sacrificed by Labor seeking to appease the Greens. “Following our election in 2014, we rescued 356,000 hectares of production native forest from being permanently locked up and set it aside in a “Wood Bank” – the Future Potential Production Forest – for a rainy day. “That rainy day has now arrived. “As a result of both the closure of native forest industries in Western Australia and Victoria under Labor Governments, as well as growing global demand for sustainably produced wood and fibre products, now is the right time to open this Wood Bank.” A re-elected majority Liberal Government would: Make available up to 40,000 hectares of the Future Potential Production Forest “Wood Bank” Make available an additional wood basket of up to 158,000 cubic metres of high-quality sawlog to Tasmanian industry – that’s an up to 10% increase annually and Make this new supply exclusively available to existing Tasmanian customers. “Importantly, by making this additional timber available exclusively to existing Tasmanian customers of Sustainable Timber Tasmania, this will ensure that Tasmania’s native forestry sawmillers have more of the timber they need,” Mr Rockliff said. Mr Steel said the TFPA and others in the industry have been working with the government on developing a policy for the management of the state’s Future Potential Production Forest (FPPF) land. “The TFPA has been talking to the government for a long time about active management of FPPF land, and what has been released (yesterday) is nothing like our plan,” Mr Steel said. “The TFPA believes in total land use management. Not all the FPPF land is suitable for production forestry. “The TFPA is calling for a full examination of the land, with input from a range of groups – including forestry, aboriginal bodies and environmental agencies. “We look forward to working with the next elected government on how we can grow forestry and actively manage this land,” Mr Steel said. Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said that Tasmania’s forest industry supported over 5,700 direct and indirect jobs, not just in harvesting but also across transport, associated support industries and sawmills around the State. “Sawlog from our native forests is of high value and used in products ranging from high-quality floorboards to feature walls to bespoke furniture,” Mr Ellis said. “It’s important to remember, more than 50%, or 3.43 million hectares, of Tasmania is in formal reserves, making Tasmania one of the most protected places on earth. This includes around 58% of the State’s native forests and over 85% of its old-growth forests. “Within 100 days of re-election, we will commence the process to unlock the Wood Bank as outlined in Section 7 of the Rebuilding the Forestry Industry Act 2014.” Mr Ellis said the Government had already identified 27 parcels of FPPF land totalling approximately 39,000 hectares of largely regrowth forest in the northeast and northwest, which was suitable for conversion back to production forest. “The parcels have been identified on the basis that the State’s comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system is not compromised, that there is no negative impact on STT’s current and future certification and that maximise carbon carrying capacity, fire protection and recreational opportunities,” he said. Additionally, areas of regrowth forests with previous forest management and roading activity had been prioritised. “We will work closely with industry to implement this process of unlocking the Wood Bank within the first 100 days of a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government,” Mr Ellis said. “Once opened, the timber from this Wood Bank will be made available through Sustainable Timber Tasmania exclusively to existing Tasmanian-based customers. “This process will make available up to an additional 158,000 cubic metres of high-quality sawlog to Tasmanian sawmillers. It is expected that this will provide an up to 10% boost in annual supply to the industry. “Only a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government has a 2030 Strong Plan to keep Tasmania’s native forest industry strong.” The CFMEU echoed the Tasmanian Forest Products Association’s disappointment with the Liberals for using the industry as a political football and backed the association’s alternative plan for active and adaptive management of ‘Future Potential Production Forest’. “The Liberals’ reckless approach risks the jobs of thousands of Tasmanian timber workers,” CFMEU Manufacturing National Secretary Mr Michael O’Connor said: “Timber workers, their families and communities will see this announcement for what it is: An irresponsible gambit which risks their livelihoods. “While the industry is advocating an approach which provides both resource and market security, the Liberals are trying to inflame tensions to paper over their disunity and 10 years of incompetence and mismanagement.” The State’s Shadow Resources Minister Shane Broad said that instead of giving the timber industry […]

Timberlink has officially opened its NeXTimber by Timberlink manufacturing facility and upgraded its green mill located in Tarpeena, South Australia. Timberlink CEO Paul O’Keefe said the company was well positioned to play its part in supporting the Australian government’s COP28 commitment to increase the use of timber in the built environment by 2030. Source: Timberbiz The launch event yesterday was attended by more than 300 people, including South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, the Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development and Forest Industries Clare Scriven, District Council of Grant Mayor Kylie Boston, District Council of Grant CEO Darryl Whicker, Member for Mackillop, Nick McBride and CEO of the South Australian Forest Products Association, Nathan Paine. “This unique facility in South Australia’s Limestone Coast presents tremendous opportunities for value adding, product diversification and market expansion for the state’s $1.4 billion forest industries as well as the ability to contribute to the construction of taller and more complex timber buildings,” Mr Malinauskas said. “I congratulate the Timberlink team, and everyone involved in delivering this project which will have significant flow on benefits for the Limestone Coast economy and that of the whole state. “The State Government is committed to a smart, sustainable and inclusive economic path for increase resilience and competitiveness for our forest industries and is why we were pleased to contribute $2 million of funding towards this new state of the art facility.” The newly commissioned NeXTimber facility is Australia’s only combined CLT and GLT (Cross Laminated and Glue Laminated Timber) radiata pine mass timber facility, and the first in Australia to be integrated with a structural timber manufacturing plant. The facility can produce CLT panels up to 16M long and 3.5M wide, and GLT beams up to 12M long. Mass timber products offer an exciting alternative to traditional construction materials and can help to reduce the embodied carbon of a project. These timber structures can be built up to 12 stories and even taller when combined with other materials in a hybrid timber construction. Timberlink’s $70M capital investment to build a mass timber production facility was announced in 2020, supported by a $2m grant awarded by the SA government under the Strategic Business Round 2020 of the Government of South Australia’s Regional Growth Fund. The NeXTimber brand was announced in 2021 with the tagline “It’s what better tomorrows are built on.” Ground was broken with the first sod turn in Tarpeena in 2022 and construction of the site continued until late 2023. The facility has been taking orders since November 2023, a testament to the hard work of many. The NeXTimber facility has created new jobs not only during the construction phase, but on an ongoing basis with over 30 new full-time positions. “South Australia’s forest industries have a long and proud history of sustainably growing and utilising our local resources to address the growing demands for timber, both domestically and internationally,” Ms Scriven said. “This new facility at Tarpeena continues that tradition of innovation, both by showcasing some of the world’s best new innovations and supporting greener, secure and modern employment opportunities, all critical ingredients towards ensuring Limestone Coast communities continue to thrive. “This initiative, which the State Government is proud to support, links in with other government commitments to the industry including a $15 million investment towards the establishment of the Forestry Centre of Excellence in Mount Gambier, the $2.346 million upgrade of the South East fire tower network including the installation of ground breaking artificial intelligence based bushfire detection and monitoring system and the $2 million contribution to assist the rollout of projects identified in the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan,” she said. “It certainly is an exciting time for the Limestone Coast and South Australian Forest industries as a whole.” Timberlink’s NeXTimber facility development followed their 2019 announcement of a major timber manufacturing upgrade, with over $90M invested over the following 3 years, installing a new saw line, stacker and edger, contraflow kiln and batch kiln and drying building. This project created over 200 jobs in the construction phase. “This upgrade to the Tarpeena green mill is a testament to Timberlink’s commitment to innovation through timber manufacturing. By increasing the amount of timber that we can process here in the Limestone Coast region, we are directly supporting the local economy and jobs in the region,” Timberlink Chief Sales, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer David Oliver said. South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine said innovative technologies such as engineered wood products were a clear example of how timber was influencing the future of the construction industry whilst contributing to a net-zero economy. “South Australia’s forest products industries are already building the nation through growing and processing 35 per cent of the nation’s locally produced house framing timbers, 25 per cent of the nation’s particle board and now this new facility will deliver CLT and GLT products that offer a greener, more sustainable alternative to steel and concrete in mid and high-rise construction projects,” Mr Paine said. “Each year, the South Australian plantation estate sequesters 4.64 million tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere, making timber the Ultimate Renewable. The CLT and GLT timber products that will be processed by NeXTimber will provide carbon negative mass timber products for use in mid and high-rise constrictions helping create a cleaner, greener future,” he said. “It is investments like this which generate economic, environmental and social opportunities for the South East, further empowering the forest and timber industries in South Australia.”  

Brendon and Rachel Clark are facing an unprecedented and unfair challenge, stemming from a confluence of unnecessary events that have left their lives in disarray. At the heart of their struggle is the abrupt downturn in the family seed collection business, a venture they dedicated years to building. First, there were the lawsuits from extremists, creating a legal quagmire that after a succession of legal battles by fringe anti-forestry groups against VicForests, meant that being shut out of going to work in the bush became the norm. Adding to the already challenging situation was a workplace accident that had a profound impact on Brendon Clark. The incident left him with a broken neck, broken ribs, and a brain injury. The physical toll on Brendon not only disrupted his ability to contribute to the business but also created a substantial layer of hardship in a time the Clark family business was already suffering. As if these challenges weren’t enough, the global pandemic, COVID-19, struck, further crippling the family seed collection business. Lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties created an environment where operating the business as usual became much harder. Then came the announcement, eight years early, that the timber industry (which funds the seed collection program for bushfire regeneration) was to be shut down. This was announced after the government had directed and persuaded Brendon, and other similar contractors, to invest all of his remaining savings and finances into the Transition Program and into 2030, with the promise of new avenues of work as a result of the investment. With the industry abruptly closing, interest in continuing the seed program disappeared as people clamoured to save their own jobs, which led to a drastic drop in the business’s ability to generate income from March 2023 onwards, pushing the Clarks to the brink of financial ruin. As a part of the Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program delivered by ForestWorks, Brendon Clark’s wife Rachel applied for a redundancy package, seeking a reasonable compensation reflective of her 17 years of service and the tumultuous circumstances that had befallen the family business. The amount she was seeking was in accordance with the Government guidelines for this package: an average weekly income of the best two years since 2018. However, the government’s response has been nothing short of disappointing. Instead of recognising the extraordinary challenges faced by the Clarks, the offered redundancy amount mirrors close to the lowest income level they experienced – a year marked by extreme adversity. According to Brendon, the lack of empathy shown by the State Labor Government has been staggering. “We don’t know how they’ve worked the redundancy amount out as there has been no consultation before the redundancy offer, we assume it is based on lower wages that were being taken as the industry was forced to grind to a halt by extreme activists and the Labor Government”. This situation highlights the systemic issues in the current support mechanisms for native timber sector businesses facing unprecedented challenges caused by a State Labor Government at the behest of anti-forestry extremists. Putting aside the of the lack of any justifiable reason to close the sustainable native hardwood industry in Victoria. the government’s failure to provide a fair and compassionate response leaves families like the Clarks in a precarious position, grappling with the aftermath of circumstances beyond their control alongside the very real possibility of having to sell the family home to pay bills that had the transition been handled in the correct way would never have had to happen. The plight of Brendon Clark and his wife underscores the need for a more nuanced and just approach to business support and employee compensation during times of crisis. It calls for a re-evaluation of policies to ensure that those who have dedicated their lives to building and sustaining businesses are not left to bear the brunt of unforeseen hardships without adequate assistance and understanding from the authorities. To put it plainly – it is the job of the Victorian Labor Government to fix the astounding mess it has made without further insulting and degrading the families, businesses and communities that they say they want to support.

At a time when environmental consciousness has become paramount, industries are continuously seeking innovative ways to minimize their ecological footprint. Timberlink, a leading player in the timber industry, has taken a bold step forward with NeXTimber, a revolutionary product that epitomizes sustainability and versatility. The NeXTimber by Timberlink facility in Tarpeena in the Green Triangle, officially opened yesterday by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, will manufacture cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT) products, providing an Australian-made renewable and carbon-positive timber building solution for commercial, residential, and public projects. The project stands as a testament to Timberlink’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Made from responsibly sourced timber, this engineered wood product not only reduces reliance on traditional hardwoods but also mitigates deforestation. Timberlink’s stringent adherence to sustainable forestry practices ensures that NeXTimber is a renewable resource, contributing to the preservation of our planet’s invaluable ecosystems. Timberlink CEO Paul O’Keefe said the company was well positioned to play its part in supporting the Australian government’s COP28 commitment to increase the use of timber in the built environment by 2030. However, NeXTimber’s appeal transcends its eco-friendly attributes. Its innovative engineering imbues it with unparalleled strength, durability, and dimensional stability, surpassing that of conventional timber. Through a meticulous process of compression and bonding, Timberlink enhances the inherent properties of wood, resulting in a product that is resistant to warping, cracking, and decay. This superior performance makes NeXTimber suitable for a myriad of applications, ranging from structural framing to interior finishes. Moreover, NeXTimber’s versatility knows no bounds. Its customizable nature allows for a myriad of design possibilities, catering to the unique requirements of architects, designers, and builders. Whether it’s crafting intricate furniture pieces or constructing sustainable buildings, NeXTimber offers limitless potential for creativity and innovation. Beyond its practical benefits, NeXTimber fosters a sense of aesthetic elegance. With its natural warmth and timeless beauty, it evokes a sense of connection to nature, creating inviting spaces that inspire and rejuvenate. Furthermore, NeXTimber’s uniform appearance and consistent quality ensure a cohesive aesthetic, elevating the visual appeal of any project. Timberlink’s unwavering dedication to quality is reflected in every aspect of NeXTimber’s production. Rigorous testing and quality control measures guarantee that each piece meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. As a result, builders and designers can trust NeXTimber to deliver exceptional results, time and time again. In essence, NeXTimber by Timberlink represents a paradigm shift in the timber industry. By marrying sustainability with innovation, Timberlink has not only redefined the possibilities of engineered wood products but has also set a new standard for environmental responsibility. As the demand for sustainable building materials continues to grow, NeXTimber stands poised to lead the way, paving the path towards a greener, more sustainable future.