Australian timber industry news

Did you get your heart broken this Valentine’s Day? Now researchers have invented a new hydrogel that can be used to heal damaged heart tissue and improve cancer treatments.  Source: Timberbiz University of Waterloo chemical engineering researcher Dr Elisabeth Prince teamed up with researchers from the University of Toronto and Duke University to design the synthetic material made using cellulose nanocrystals, which are derived from wood pulp. The material is engineered to replicate the fibrous nanostructures and properties of human tissues, thereby recreating its unique biomechanical properties. “Cancer is a diverse disease and two patients with the same type of cancer will often respond to the same treatment in very different ways,” Dr Prince said. “Tumour organoids are essentially a miniaturized version of an individual patient’s tumour that can be used for drug testing, which could allow researchers to develop personalized therapies for a specific patient.” As director of the Prince Polymer Materials Lab, Dr Prince designs synthetic biomimetic hydrogels for biomedical applications. The hydrogels have a nanofibrous architecture with large pores for nutrient and waste transport, which affect mechanical properties and cell interaction. Dr Prince, a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Chemical Engineering, utilized these human-tissue mimetic hydrogels to promote the growth of small-scale tumour replicas derived from donated tumour tissue. She aims to test the effectiveness of cancer treatments on the mini-tumour organoids before administering the treatment to patients, potentially allowing for personalized cancer therapies. This research was conducted alongside Professor David Cescon at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center. Dr Prince’s research group at Waterloo is developing similar biomimetic hydrogels to be injectable for drug delivery and regenerative medical applications as Waterloo researchers continue to lead health innovation in Canada. Her research aims to use injected filamentous hydrogel material to regrow heart tissue damaged after a heart attack. She used nanofibers as a scaffolding for the regrowth and healing of damaged heart tissue. “We are building on the work that I started during my PhD to design human-tissue mimetic hydrogels that can be injected into the human body to deliver therapeutics and repair the damage caused to the heart when a patient suffers a heart attack,” Dr Prince said. Prince’s research is unique as most gels currently used in tissue engineering or 3D cell culture don’t possess this nanofibrous architecture. Dr Prince’s group uses nanoparticles and polymers as building blocks for materials and develops chemistry for nanostructures that accurately mimic human tissues. The next step in the research is to use conductive nanoparticles to make electrically conductive nanofibrous gels that can be used to heal heart and skeletal muscle tissue.

Vimek has launched a brand-new harvester model, the Vimek 470. This new harvester is stronger, bigger, and more efficient than ever. Source: Timberbiz The Vimek 470 is built on the same NextGen platform as the Vimek 870 Forwarder and therefore has many common technical features. Vimek believes in higher quality first thinning with in-stand operating methods. The company believes that in-stand thinning provides the best results for the driver and the best quality thinning. In-stand operating thinning requires an agile and light harvester with good all-around visibility and high capacity, all these features are found in the Vimek 470. Used in conjunction with the Vimek 870 forwarder, you get the benefit of minimum strip road area and a machine that allows operators the best opportunity to make active decisions about which trees should be harvested and which should be retained and to grow further to enhance the timber quality and increase future yield. “This provides the conditions for high growth of profitable assortments and reduces the risk of damage to the stand,” Johannes Nilsson, CEO of Vimek said. Vimek’s Next Generation machines the Vimek 470 and Vimek 870 are bigger and stronger than their predecessors but still gentle on the environment. The machines are designed specifically to work with thinning trees and causing minimal damage to the ground and remaining trees. The engines are Stage V certified, can run on HVO fuel and have very low diesel consumption and thus low CO2 emissions. The weight of the machine is low and is distributed well on all wheels. The driver sits low for good visibility in the young forest and the cabin offers a good driver environment.

Enviva, the largest US wood pellet exporter, is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy following substantial losses resulting from an ill-fated speculation on future commodity prices.  Source: Benzinga The company is facing nine-figure losses and initiated a 30-day grace period after missing a US$24 million interest payment to bondholders. Enviva, anticipating a bankruptcy filing by the end of the week, might delay if bondholders agree to extend the grace period. A faction of Enviva’s bondholders is proposing financing for the Chapter 11 process, offering a potential lifeline, the Wall Street Journal noted. Enviva’s shares, once resilient during the pandemic and the European energy crisis, have plummeted by 99% over the past 12 months. Establishing its manufacturing and export network in 2010 with financial support from energy-focused private-equity firm Riverstone, Enviva has grown to be the nation’s leading wood pellet seller. Riverstone holds over 40% of the company’s stake. In a stark reversal of fortune, last year, Enviva’s strategy to purchase pellets for resale backfired, leaving the company obligated to pay US$296.3 million for 800,000 metric tons of wood pellets worth only US$156.9 million on the open market, according to a November securities filing. Anticipating an additional US$140 million in losses over the next two years, the company expressed doubts about its ability to persist as a going concern due to the adverse impact on profitability and liquidity. Enviva, which markets its wood pellets as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, operates ten plants across the South and six marine terminals. Although metric tons sold increased in the latest quarter, which ended September 30, revenue dwindled, and net losses expanded due to lower prices. In January, Enviva received notification that the company no longer complies with NYSE’s continued listing criteria.

Australia has a significant under supply of housing which is universally recognised. And to address this the Federal, State and Territory Governments have committed to a ‘Housing Accord’ to build 1.2 million much needed homes over the next five years. Source: Timberbiz HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said the HIA had welcomed this announcement, and its members stood ready, willing and able to build these homes. “However, the current commentary and ‘threats’ on further changes to tax settings is acting as a significant deterrent to productivity and increasing housing supply,” Ms Martin said. “This is coupled with the uncertainty from interest rate rises, new complex industrial relations reforms on businesses, the introduction of widespread changes to the building code and layers of approvals and regulatory change. “This is all coming together to substantially affect market confidence and is reflected in building activity data which is indicating decade low numbers for future new home construction.” Ms Martin said that building businesses were feeling swamped and heavily weighed down by this constant attack on changing rules and increasing complexity, and at a time when more skilled workers were needed as more people left the industry than entered it. “It is time all parts of Government came together, to work in a coordinated way, to commit to providing stable and reliable policies and measures to support and grow the building industry – with the ultimate goal of building these much-needed homes,” Ms Martin said. “New housing is already one of the most highly taxed and regulated sectors in the economy, and any further increases to tax settings or increased regulatory complexity would only make that situation worse and ultimately result in less homes being built. “Increasing the supply of housing is the key to addressing affordability. This will involve adequate release of land for new dwellings, increasing the density of housing in metropolitan areas, unlocking further land and infrastructure investment in regional areas and supporting investment in new housing. “The focus needs to be on how we get more slabs poured that will result in the keys getting in the front doors of buyers’ and indeed renters’ pockets quicker,” she said.

Scion has become a member of The Australian Research Council (ARC) Advance Timber Hub. This five-year, $16.5 million research initiative was recently launched at The University of Queensland, Australia in the presence of industry leaders, academic partners, and government officials including Senator Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Education and Assistant Minister for Regional Development. Source: Timberbiz The primary objective of the ARC Advance Timber Hub is to drive innovation in the Australian mid-rise building market, which represents a significant portion of the country’s construction industry valued at approximately $80 billion annually. This initiative has the potential to revolutionize both timber processing and construction sectors. By leveraging international expertise in advanced timber manufacturing, the Hub also presents substantial opportunities for optimizing forestry resources, including those in Aotearoa New Zealand. At Scion, Henri Bailleres and his team, comprising Tripti Singh, Romain Meot, and Diego Elustondo, are eager to collaborate with the Advance Timber Hub to explore avenues that can benefit both the industry and forests of Aotearoa New Zealand. Their goal is to foster strong partnerships with the Australian timber building sector, fostering synergy between our nations in a shared market. Administered by The University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering, the ARC Advance Timber Hub brings together a diverse range of stakeholders including innovators, developers, technology providers, designers, fire engineers, forestry experts, and government representatives. With participation from 12 Australian universities and five international universities and research institutes, the Hub is poised to drive significant advancements in timber processing and construction technologies. Scion sees immense value in joining the Hub, as it provides a platform to contribute our innovative expertise and secure opportunities for our resources and timber products. Together, we look forward to shaping the future of timber innovation and sustainable construction practices in Australia and beyond. To learn more please visit www.advance-timber-hub.org

FSC is organising a webinar Navigating Compliance with Australia’s Illegal Logging Prohibition Laws in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and SCS Global Services. Source: Timberbiz This session is tailored for importers and processors sourcing FSC-certified materials, offering crucial insights to ensure compliance. The webinar is relevant to FSC certificate holders. It is also relevant to non-certified organisations that import and/or process material sourced from FSC-certified suppliers and need to verify that the certification applies to the particular product. This webinar is designed to provide importers and processors of FSC-certified material with crucial information to ensure compliance with Australia’s illegal logging laws. Participants will gain insights into various aspects of the intersection between Australia’s illegal logging laws and FSC certification such as: Obligations of importers and processors under Australia’s illegal logging laws when sourcing material from FSC-certified suppliers. Understanding FSC chain of custody certification, including requirements for compliance with timber legality legislation Clarifying how importers and processors can utilise FSC claims to support compliance Identifying parts of the laws where FSC certificate holders can rely on their current procedures for compliance Determining areas where importers and processors are required to undertake further due diligence for compliance Verifying suppliers of FSC-certified material Receiving and handling FSC-certified material, including receiving FSC claims on sales materials and transferring material between sites. The webinar will be held on 21 March at 2pm EST Australia. You can register here.  

All Tasmanian political parties are being urged to throw their support behind the state’s sustainable forestry industry, ahead of the 23 March State election. Source: Timberbiz Speaking at the launch of the Tasmanian Forest Products Association Election Wishlist, TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said the forest industry is vital for the state’s economic, social and environmental success. “Over 5,500 Tasmanians are employed directly and indirectly by the Tasmanian forestry industry,” Mr Steel said. “The Tasmanian forestry industry is vital to secure our rural communities, for our economic prosperity and to help meet the state’s ambitious climate change targets. “In the coming weeks, the TFPA will be reviewing the promises made by all parties and candidates, and assessing them against the Election Wishlist. “Our wishlist prioritises the key election policies needed to ensure that our sustainable industry can continue to thrive in years to come,” Mr Steel said. The TFPA Election Wishlist focuses on four key priorities. They are: timber trees and productivity supporting Tasmanian businesses reducing red tape climate change and the fire threat. “Closer to the election the TFPA will release an Election Scorecard which will rate all parties’ policies against their support of the Tasmanian forestry industry,” Mr Steel said. “That score card will allow Tasmanians who care about our sustainable industry to determine where their vote can go, to truly support our industry. “I urge all political parties to work with the TFPA to ensure that their policies can ensure the Tasmanian forestry industry can continue being successful and sustainable for many years to come.” The TFPA election wishlist is available here: https://bit.ly/4bPyfDF

The Australian Forest Products Association has appointed experienced government relations professional Diana Hallam as its new Chief Executive Officer. Source: Timberbiz Ms Hallam has a long and distinguished career working at senior levels of the Australian public service, as Chief of Staff to a former Deputy Prime Minister and in other senior political advisory and corporate roles with a focus on infrastructure, transport and agriculture. “Diana’s breadth of experience across senior levels of government, politics and the corporate sector will stand her in excellent stead to manage the challenges and opportunities facing our sector,” AFPA Chair Stephen Dadd said. “On behalf of the board, staff and membership, I congratulate Diana and welcome her to the team.” Ms Hallam will leave her current role as a First Assistant Secretary in the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to commence as AFPA CEO on 12 March 2024. Ms Hallam served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce from 2014 to 2017 and prior to that occupied senior roles at both Toll Group and Singapore Airlines. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Master of Science and Technology (Aviation) from the University of NSW, a Master of International Law from the Australian National University, a Graduate Diploma of Professional Communications from the University of Southern Queensland and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Ms Hallam said she was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to become AFPA’s CEO. “I look forward to meeting AFPA’s membership and working with everyone across the forest products supply chain,” she said. “The industry is at the forefront of key policy challenges from climate change to economic development and sovereign capability. I look forward to getting out on the ground and talking to stakeholders about the industry’s issues and opportunities.”

February has kicked off with a hiss and a roar with log exporters pulling out the pencil sharpeners and publishing prices in the mid to highNZ$130’s for A grade (except for Bluff and Lyttleton where you poor folks are between NZ$10 and NZ$20/m3 less). This price level has given forest owners a grin that rivals Chloe Swarbricks’ after James Shaws’ resignation and gives numbers that are at least NZ$10/m3 over both the three- and five-year averages. This lift is courtesy of an increased CFR price, lower foreign exchange, and steady shipping rates. It’s not all beer and skittles though and anyone that reads the news will be well aware of the continued issues with the Chinese economy and the embattled construction sector. The Chinese Evergrande debacle continues to unfold with an order from a Hong Kong court to liquidate the company which currently holds the crown of the worlds most indebted developer with over 300 billion yuan in total liabilities. An attempt by Fengtao Property Company, one of Evergrande’s offshoots, to auction off some of its assets was met with zero bids, which indicates the level of demand in the property sector. There are some glimmers of light through the dark CCP clouds as Reuters reported that the average Chinese city house price rose 0.15% in January, not really a ‘wow moment’ but it is the fastest gain since mid-2021 with growth occurring in half of the surveyed cities. It was also noted that government land sale revenue also gained 1.8% from the previous year which is the first-time sales have risen in two years. How this is happening when there’s 10 years’ housing supply still in the system is anyone’s guess, but sentiment is a huge driver of the Chinese economy which doesn’t really conform to economics 101. The China market is even more important to NZ now as a number of sawmills in South Korea have closed their doors. While South Korea isn’t a massive player in terms of volume, it is especially significant in that South Korea accepts non-fumigated cargo from NZ. Most of the NZ log cargo is shipped on vessels that have approximately a third of the cargo ‘on deck’ and therefore this cargo must be fumigated on port prior to loading if going to China. The ‘under deck’ cargo in the holds is fumigated enroute which is reasonably straight forward but following the NZ EPA’s effective banning of Methyl Bromide as a fumigant (by requiring large buffer zones), on deck cargos that cannot be fumigated are now mostly de-barked if destined for China. Delivering top deck cargos to South Korea is a good option for those exporters from ports that don’t have de-barkers or the ability to fumigate, and therefore any reduction in Korean demand also reduces the optionality for NZ exporters. Chinese log inventories have crept up around 50Km3 in the past month and now sit at around 2.6Mm3 which is approximately 40 days’ supply. Chinese New Year celebrations kick off next week and many sawmills have shut early which explains the inventory build and it’s likely that we will see total inventory at the mid 3Mm3 level by the time everyone returns to work. Total log imports into China for 2024 will likely be similar to 2023 at a shade under 40Mm3 which is around 60% of the 2021 levels. NZ has increased its share and currently accounts for around 45% of this total, which is an increase in terms of market share but a decrease in total volume. Supply from Europe and the US has reduced significantly with the Red Sea scuffle potentially keeping the lid on this for the mean time. Australia has recommenced log exports to China however, only in smaller volumes (once bitten twice shy) with the majority of their export volume destined for India. Carbon prices have rallied somewhat with current spot prices at NZ$73.35. This equates to around NZ$2,200/ha/yr and will likely have many sheep farmers looking at trees as a form of succession planning, despite the negative press from the noisy few. The next Govt NZU auction is scheduled for March, and it will be interesting to see if any bids clear the floor price following the failures of 2023. Nicola Willis will be watching very carefully as the auction revenue will probably be factored into the 2024 books to help fill the Roberston fiscal hole. So, all in all 2024 is shaping up pretty well with solid export prices, strong domestic demand, (especially pruned logs) and a reasonable general outlook. All eyes will be on China demand once everyone returns from new year celebrations and hopefully a few weeks R&R will have them return to work with renewed fizziness about building things with wood. NZ supply will be interesting over the next few months as weather and prices increase woodlot activity, and the Taupo windthrow salvage starts to wind down. Whether we can hold the price gains through into Q2 is yet to be seen but like any good commodity trader, we’ll take what we can get. Marcus Musson is a Forest360 Director. He holds a Bachelor of Forest Science with Honours from Canterbury University, New Zealand, and specialises in steep slope cable harvesting, marketing and value recovery initiatives.

The timber industry in Australia plays a significant role in the nation’s economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to various sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and forestry. Within this industry, apprenticeships hold particular importance, serving as a cornerstone for skill development, knowledge transfer, and sustainability. This week’s National Apprenticeship Week (12-18 February) has been promoting the value of apprenticeships to employers, job seekers, industry, and government, and advances the role apprenticeships play in building workforce skills, knowledge, and a robust Australian economy. There are of course many good reasons to consider employing an apprentice. Australia’s timber industry, like many others, faces skills shortages due to factors such as an aging workforce and evolving technological advancements. Apprenticeships help address these shortages by actively recruiting and training new talent, ensuring a steady supply of skilled workers to meet industry demands. Apprenticeships play a crucial role in preserving traditional craftsmanship within the timber industry. By passing down skills from experienced artisans to the next generation of apprentices, valuable techniques and craftsmanship are retained, contributing to the cultural heritage of woodworking and timber-related trades. But apprenticeships also provide a platform for innovation and adaptation within the timber industry. As apprentices learn from experienced mentors, they also bring fresh perspectives and ideas, driving innovation in processes, techniques, and product development to keep pace with changing market demands and technological advancements. Apprenticeships offer clear career pathways and opportunities for advancement within the timber industry. Upon completing their training, apprentices often transition into full-time employment with the same company or pursue further education and specialization, contributing to a skilled and versatile workforce. Apprenticeships are integral to the sustainability, growth, and competitiveness of Australia’s timber industry. By nurturing talent, preserving traditional craftsmanship, fostering innovation, and providing career pathways, apprenticeships ensure the industry’s continued success and relevance in the modern economy. Australia’s timber industry can’t live without them.

Safeguarding the biodiversity of forest nature requires, in addition to forest protection, the promotion of practices that strengthen the state of nature in commercial forests. Metsä Group has set a goal of verifiably strengthening the state of nature by 2030. Source: Timberbiz “Forest protection and strengthening the state of nature in commercial forests support each other. It is important that the boundaries of protected areas and commercial forests become clearer than at the moment, as it also stabilizes the operating environment for wood procurement and forest ownership,” says Ilkka Hämälä, President and CEO of Metsä Group. According to the biodiversity strategy published by the European Union in 2020, the remaining primary and old-growth forests must be protected by 2030. The member states, including Finland, are committed to this objective as part of a broader goal to stop the biodiversity loss. The national criteria set for the protection of primary and old-growth forests is being prepared under the guidance of the authorities, and it is important to set the criteria quickly. The completed set of criteria is the starting point for the forest mapping work, which can be used to expand the network of protected areas on scientific grounds. It is also particularly important that the criteria cover all groups of forest owners, such as private forest owners. At the same time, property protection and adequate and fair protection funding must be ensured. Safeguarding biodiversity and forest protection initiatives are important for Finland and Finns in many ways. Stopping the biodiversity loss and strengthening the state of nature is also important for economic life, regardless of industry. Vibrant forest nature creates a strong foundation for a developing forest-based bioeconomy. “We are ready for a fair sustainability transition and strengthening the state of forest nature in our own operations. In terms of forest protection, this means a clear set of national criteria, mapping of sites to be protected and financial compensation for forest owners,” Hämälä said.

The first lumber packages were loaded in Spruce Product Limited’s (SPL) new continuous kiln from Swedish Valutecwith that has eight drying zones and a yearly capacity of approximately 60 MMBF. Source: Timberbiz “We enjoyed a truly great collaboration where we were able to work together with extremely capable employees on site,” says Andreas Lövgren, Production Manager at Valutec in charge of commissioning along with commissioning technician William Marklund. Canadian SPL, located near Swan River, Manitoba, is a manufacturer of premium lumber and wood products for the construction industry and the integrated wood products industry. Using the latest technology available, every aspect of the log is used in the product lines. SPL has been supplying products for Canadian and International markets since 1942. “Actually, there’s no difference between commissioning a kiln in Canada from one an hour away from our head office in the north of Sweden. We staff projects to provide the customer with the best solution possible and to make sure we deliver on everything we’ve agreed upon,” says Lövgren. Since introduced Valutec’s TC continuous kiln has achieved great success on the world’s sawmiling markets. It is a kiln type that comes with distinguishing features such as low energy consumption, high flexibility and superior capacity. It gives the operator the possibility to create the ultimate drying process with unlimited freedom to mix dimensions, minimal moisture content variation and reduced risk of checking. Annual capacity can reach 125 MMBF with target moisture contents down to around 12-18%. The installation of the dryer, which has a capacity of close to 60 MMBF, began last spring and was led by Valutec’s assembly manager Mattias Henriksson together with a Canadian assembly team. “Delivering to other countries and working with local assembly teams is part of our everyday lives. We have built up a great deal of experience in projects in other countries and know what it takes, from design to planning of logistics and on-site work. As long as we have capable, committed people to do the work, we achieve good results. And this was no exception to that rule,” said Henriksson. The differences that exist concern optimization issues and new opportunities created by Valutec’s drying process. “Our TC model continuous kilns represent an entirely different product compared to the existing lumber kilns on the North American market,” Henriksson said.  “What’s more, we also offer world-leading process control with our Valmatics 4.0 control system. It invites discussions on issues such as drying schedules for specific types of lumber, or managing situations where we need to optimize the energy load as other parts of the sawmill are also operating near capacity.” The TC kiln is probably the market’s most sustainable timber kiln. Constructed in stainless steel, resistant to thermal expansion and fatigue, the kiln has superior longevity and requires minimal maintenance. Studies shows that Valutec’s stainless steel TC continuous kiln emits 23 tons less CO2 per year than the correspondent kiln built in aluminum. 23 tons of CO2 is about as much as three hectares of coniferous forest absorb in a year.  

Mining activity at a nickel industrial park linked to mainly Chinese companies has contributed to mass deforestation in Indonesia, a non-governmental group said in a report. Source: Reuters The report of ecological damage in the nickel industry comes as Indonesia, home to the world’s largest nickel ore reserves, seeks to extract more value from the mineral by attracting investment into its processing and in the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries. The country has also set a production target of some 600,000 electric vehicles (EV) by 2030 – more than 100 times the number of EVs sold in Indonesia in the first half of 2023. In the report, US-based Climate Rights International (CRI) documented activity at the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), one of the country’s largest nickel processing hubs, whose investors include China’s Tsingshan Holding Group and France’s Eramet. The operator of the park, on Halmahera Island in the Maluku region, is a joint venture between China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt (603799.SS), Zhenshi Holding Group and Tsingshan. IWIP, Tsingshan, Eramet, Huayou, Zhenshi and the forestry ministry did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. CRI said companies, which had permits, have cut down more than 5,300 hectares of tropical forest within the park’s concession since 2018, citing geospatial analysis of satellite imagery conducted by the group and researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States. That is roughly the size of over 6,000 soccer pitches. Experts have raised concerns the nickel industry could worsen deforestation in Indonesia, a resource-rich country that is also home to massive rainforests. After years of rampant deforestation, Indonesia has had success in slowing the rate at which forests are cleared for plantations and other industrial activity. From 2020 through 2022, Indonesia reduced its average primary forest loss by 64% compared with 2015-2017, showed, opens new tab data from research group World Resources Institute. You can view the report at: https://cri.org/reports/nickel-unearthed/  

The implementation plan to assist in delivery of Australia’s first National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS), a collaborative, national approach to protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases backed by all government agriculture ministers, has been released. Source: Timberbiz First Assistant Secretary for Biosecurity Strategy and Reform with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Bronwen Jaggers said the implementation plan would inform the delivery of the NBS and reinforce the shared responsibility across government, industry, and the community of biosecurity as a national priority. “The implementation plan reinforces the commitments to action all agriculture ministers made under the NBS and will allow stakeholders to better understand how the strategy will progress and roll out over its 10-year life span,” Ms Jaggers said. “Biosecurity is a shared national responsibility, and it affects all Australians. A foundational element of the NBS is to ensure we build stronger partnerships between all levels of governments, industry, and stakeholders to achieve the most robust biosecurity system for the country, and by providing a clear implementation plan, we are doing just that. “With changing trade and travel patterns and growing biosecurity risks in our region, managing biosecurity is increasingly complex, but any breach of our system could have significant consequences on Australia’s unique flora, fauna and way of life as well as our agricultural sector and access to international markets. It is important all the key players are aligned to counter biosecurity threats. “The implementation plan will assist and guide development of national action plans and monitor progress to ensure that rollout of the NBS supports a connected, resilient and shared national biosecurity system that protects Australia in the long-term.” Australia’s federal, state and territory agricultural ministers endorsed the 10-year NBS in August 2022. Significant effort into a collaborative approach to deliver the strategy has included focused engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the biosecurity system, including industry, landowners and managers, environmental groups and the community. The implementation plan has been developed in consultation with National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Committee (NIC) and Working Group, overseen by the National Biosecurity Committee. The NIC and Working Group were established in 2023 to support the delivery of the National Implementation Plan and National Action Plan, to bring a range of commercial and technical insights to shaping and driving practical delivery of the plan. “I would like to thank the members of the NBS Implementation Committee for leading development of the implementation plan, while drawing in a wide variety of new stakeholder insights into shaping where best we can target our collective efforts. It’s a great reminder that biosecurity is a team sport, and we achieve more by working together,” Ms Jaggers said. Work to deliver the first National Action Plan, including surveys, focus groups and consultation with stakeholders with relevant expertise and interest, has also been underway. A draft of the National Action Plan, comprising an initial set of actions for implementation under the strategy is planned to be released for public consultation in early 2024. In parallel to the NBS implementation and action planning, work continues to progress on several fronts to further strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system. The National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan can be accessed online at www.biosecurity.gov.au/about/national-biosecurity-committee/nbs

The City of Port Lincoln is inviting applications from community groups, private individuals and businesses interested in utilising or repurposing salvaged timber from the recently refurbished Port Lincoln Town Jetty. Source: Timberbiz “We’ve had considerable interest from community members keen to acquire some of the town jetty timber,” Port Lincoln’s Mayor Diana Mislov said. “Encouraging the reuse and repurposing of this salvaged timber not only promotes sustainability but also ensures that this valuable resource doesn’t go to waste. It can find new life and purpose in various community and individual projects. “The community is often keen to retain a piece of history, and incorporating the jetty timbers and salvage items into community art or household features will make for interesting talking points in the future – a tangible way of keeping our history alive.” The salvaged timber, which includes old decking, kerbing, girders, and various components of the old Port Lincoln Town Jetty, varies in quality and has been graded into four categories ranging from excellent to poor condition. It’s important to note that some pieces may contain metal pins, nails and bolts. Additionally, certain timber has been treated with oils, solvents, chemicals, and substances, including creosote, making it unsuitable for firewood. The salvaged timber is also not certified for structural use and must not be used in the construction of buildings. “In November 2023, the Council approved a process for the disposal of salvaged timber, offering it at no cost for eligible community projects demonstrating local community benefit and public accessibility,” said Mayor Mislov. For private individuals and businesses, the cost of the timber will be determined by its quality. Timber graded as excellent or in good condition will be available at a commercial price.  Timber suitable for domestic or creative purposes (fair condition) will be sold at market value and poor condition timber will be offered at an affordable $150 per domestic trailer load (6’x 4’). The timber can be inspected at the City of Port Lincoln’s Council Depot, 33 Bel-Air Drive, Port Lincoln, on Friday 23 February between 9am to 3pm, and Saturday 24 February, 10am to 3pm. Applications close at 12 noon on Tuesday 12 March 2024. For further details about the salvaged timber and the application process, an FAQ, and application documents are available on Council’s website at www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au/tenders from Monday 12 February 2024.

TAFE NSW apprentice carpenter Yasmin Anderson is encouraging school-leavers and job seekers to use National Apprenticeship Week as the inspiration to consider a future in a hands-on career. Source: Timberbiz National Apprenticeship Week (12-18 February) promotes the value of apprenticeships to employers, job seekers, industry, and government, and advances the role apprenticeships play in building workforce skills, knowledge, and a robust Australian economy. As the demand continues for people with the skills to work in construction, a group of young Shoalhaven women are building careers for themselves in the traditionally male-dominated building sector. TAFE NSW carpentry student Yasmin Anderson from Kangaro Valley is a second-year apprentice who thinks young people who are unsure about their career options should consider a trade. “After school I knew I didn’t want an office job, I always thought I’d go to uni, then I took a gap year and ended up doing a trade,” Ms Anderson said. “I went with carpentry because it offers so much variety, I’m pretty much doing something different on the job every day from flooring and roofing to fix-outs.” Ms Anderson, who said she’s learned a lot over the past year both at TAFE NSW and on the job. “I’ve got carpentry skills now that are second nature,” she said. I enjoy the fine work involved in fix-outs, adding those finishing touches to the job. “Doing a carpentry apprenticeship means I get to work outdoors and hands-on. I get a real sense of accomplishment when I drive past a house we’ve built. It feels good to be able to say I helped build that.” TAFE NSW Director Infrastructure, Energy and Construction Iain McNiven started his working life as an apprentice plumber and is now proud to be working in the organisation that got his career started. “As the largest provider of skills training in the country, TAFE NSW is playing a key role in helping address areas of high skills demand by training apprentices across the state. “To meet the infrastructure and housing needs of the community we need more sparkies, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, and construction managers. “I know from my own experience how valuable an apprenticeship can be in kick-starting a career. They offer the chance to earn a wage while learning and once qualified, tradies have the potential to earn above average incomes.” “Apprenticeships are a path to full-time employment and can set a person up to move into a leadership role or even to take the exciting step of running their own business,” Mr McNiven said.

New Zealand’s Government has announced ministerial delegations to support key areas across the Primary sector to deliver for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. Sources: Timberbiz, RNZ “I will be supported in my roles as Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Hunting and Fishing, by three Associate Agriculture Ministers, Nicola Grigg (National), Andrew Hoggard (ACT), and Mark Patterson (New Zealand First), who will each have delegated areas of responsibility to provide focus and ministerial dedication. “These delegations will allow the coalition Government to focus attention on key areas of the Primary sector, providing them the resource and support they deserve. “New Zealand’s food and fibre sector makes a critically important contribution to our economy and the fabric of our rural and regional communities. “Taking our lead from the agricultural sector that continues to provide for New Zealand; our team is committed to rebuilding confidence, reducing the burden on farmers caused by unworkable central government policies, meeting farmers and their concerns at the farm gate, and working alongside industry to achieve tangible outcomes for New Zealand’s rural communities over the coming Parliamentary term, so our farmers can spend more time farming,” Mr McClay said. Just recently Mr McClay said that New Zealand and India were working together to improve trade and address market access issues for timber exports to the South Asian nation. Easing access for timber exports to India was a key talking point on McClay’s pre-Christmas trip to India, during which he spoke with India’s minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal. In a 20 December statement following Mr McClay’s visit, the Indian government acknowledged the joint need to streamline trade processes, reduce barriers and promote a conducive business environment in New Delhi. “The trade minister of New Zealand appreciated the efforts made by India to sort out the issue related to [the] export of wooden logs to India,” the statement said. McClay detailed the steps both countries had taken to resolve the issue so far. “The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority prohibited ship hold methyl bromide fumigation of logs for export, which took effect on 1 January 2023. This was the fumigation method used for log exports from New Zealand to India,” McClay said. “Biosecurity New Zealand worked with India on an interim phytosanitary option for log exports from New Zealand, which allows fumigation on arrival into India. This ensures trade can continue while New Zealand and India work on other treatment options.”

Big River Group, a leading supplier of building materials and panels across ANZ, has announced a strategic rebranding initiative aimed at fortifying its market position. Source: Timberbiz John Lorente, CEO of Big River Group, said the rebranding is a proactive step to streamline operations, create unity across the business and unlock new opportunities for growth. “By aligning our local service excellence with our national scale, we aim to enhance our operational efficiencies while driving excellence and innovation in our solutions to better serve our customers, suppliers, and shareholders,” he said. With a legacy spanning over 120 years, Big River Group is positioned for future growth while remaining steadfast in its commitment to stakeholders. “We understand the importance of clarity and consistency in how we represent ourselves to the market,” Mr Lorente said. “Our rebranding effort signifies more than just a visual transformation; it leverages our extensive experience and service autonomy across the group, empowering the company to adapt swiftly to evolving market dynamics while maintaining a steadfast focus on customer satisfaction. By consolidating our resources and expertise under a cohesive brand identity, Big River Group is poised to capitalise on synergies and drive sustained growth in the years to come. “There is a need to be representing ourselves as one Big River team showcasing our capability for our customers and suppliers.  Our mission, ‘Committed to doing good business with good people to build better projects,’ serves as a testament to our commitment to operating as one team, delivering exceptional value and product solutions to the market,” he said. Key highlights of the rebranding initiative: Brand Architecture: Big River Group’s brand structure will adopt a hybrid approach featuring five key brands: Big River Group as the Masterbrand, with Big River Commercial and Big River Trade Centre as sub-brands, and Timberwood Panels and Plytech Panels as endorsed brands. Unified Values: The rebranding initiative will align all Big River Group brands under shared common values, ensuring consistency in delivering exceptional products and services. This unified approach will reinforce the company’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. Visual Identity: The rebrand encompasses a new logo, website design, and name changes to existing brands, maintaining visual coherence to the Masterbrand, while reflecting the company’s renewed focus on synergy and cohesiveness. As Big River Group embarks on this journey, daily operations will not be affected, its wide product range, services and exceptional team remain unaffected, ensuring a seamless transition for customers and stakeholders. Big River Group remains committed to delivering innovative products and services without interruption. The phased roll-out of the rebranding initiative will commence with the introduction of the new logo, followed by subsequent brand assets throughout the year.  

Aurecon has committed $200,000 in funding and in-kind support as a Principal Partner of the $16.5 million ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub to Advance Timber for Australia’s Future Built Environment, administered by the University of Queensland. Source: Timberbiz The aim of the hub is to develop the resources, enablers, and drivers to advance timber, as a natural resource, to be the material of choice, leading towards a net zero future for Australia’s built environment. Aurecon is involved in various nodes including Performance of Building Components, Manufacturing Innovation, Towards a Low Carbon and Circular Economy and Building Performance for Occupants. Aurecon’s Major Project Director, Ralph Belperio, who is on the Hub’s Executive Board and Hub Partner Investigator, said that Aurecon has identified that timber has a key role to play in decreasing both embodied and operational carbon as we move towards a net-zero future. “Several of the research nodes that the Hub is tackling are directly relevant to the decarbonisation pursuits of many of our key clients,” Mr Belperio said. “We have assembled a team of our most eminent practitioners to focus on each of the relevant nodes that can help guide the research strategies to ensure that the outcomes remain industry focussed and meet the needs of the broader construction community. “Our significant investment is key to our desire to remain at the forefront of innovation, both in the efficient and effective use of timber in our efforts to decarbonise the built environment, and in our broader drive for more sustainable outcomes”. Aurecon has an enviable track record of designing and delivering mass engineered timber structures, including Murdoch University’s Boola Katitjin, which won the 2023 Engineers Australia Project of the Year; 25 King St, which is Australia’s tallest mass-engineered timber commercial building; and Gaia, one of the largest mass-engineered timber buildings in Asia. Aurecon also contributes to mass-engineered timber advocacy as a partner of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership Coalition on Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood and the Materials Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance. The research support for the ARC Advance Timber Hub is just one of a number of research and development commitments that Aurecon is currently undertaking, including the development of sustainable alternatives for sand in shotcrete, improving design through AI-assisted stakeholder engagements, and reducing wastage through a circular economy approach to building retrofits.

  Effective collaboration across the timber industry and learning the lessons from past fire salvage efforts have been highlighted as key factors underpinning the success of the record salvage program in the Tumut and Tumbarumba regions following the Black Summer fires in a report commissioned by Forestry Corporation of NSW. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation’s Sales and Procurement Manager Peter Stiles said the report summarised the challenges, successes and lessons from the timber salvage program and was being shared with the industry to inform future fire recovery. “The Black Summer fires were devastating for the local community and the region’s softwood timber industry was severely impacted, with about 50 per cent of the pine plantations in the south west slopes burnt,” Mr Stiles said. “Unlike many native species, pine trees die when they are burnt, but the industry was able to mobilise quickly and in numbers against the backdrop of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic to salvage a remarkable 2.7 million tonnes of timber in the two years following the fire. “This was the biggest ever salvage effort in this country’s history and there is a lot to be proud of in what the industry achieved. The salvage program kept the lights on for our local processors immediately following the fires and created a boom in harvest and haulage work across the region, but importantly, it also maintained a quality supply of essential structural lumber and packaging products to the broader industry at a time of high demand. “The lessons from past fires underpinned the success of this salvage program, so while we hope fires like this will never be experienced again, it is important for us to share the lessons from the Black Summer salvage with the industry for the future.” Report author Damien O’Reilly from Mayday Hill Consulting said the review made it clear that collaboration across the timber supply chain was a key to the salvage program’s success. “Forestry Corporation of NSW is a plantation manager that engages contractors to harvest timber and supply it to third party processors and close collaboration across the supply chain and with local and interstate forest growers was an essential ingredient in the salvage program’s success,” Mr O’Reilly said. “The timber industry as a whole shares the objective of maintaining a sustainable supply of timber not just for today but also for the future, so the industry worked to balance immediate and long-term timber needs in the decisions that were made following the fires. “The salvage program benefited from experiences in assessing damage and managing the processing of burnt timber that were learnt following past fires in NSW such as the Billo Road fire in 2006 and Jananee fire in 2014, as well as invaluable advice and support from the industry across Victoria and South Australia, and through Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). “This salvage program demonstrated the effectiveness of remote sensing technology and estate modelling in prioritising salvage operations, and informing processors, contractors and the community about the medium and long-term impacts on the resource.” There was also significant investigation into log storage options under water or sprinklers, including a trial that provided useful lessons should long-term storage of burnt timber be required following fires in future. Overwhelmingly, the report found collaboration with customers and contractors was a fundamental reason underpinning the success of the program. Flexibility from customers, coordination of contractor capacity and engaging with other growers enabled the industry to both maximise the salvage of burnt timber and minimise the harvesting of unburnt timber to allow it to grow on to deliver timber in future years. The report is specifically focused on the salvage of softwood timber from the Tumut and Tumbarumba regions and has been published on the Forestry Corporation website to assist the timber industry. Several inquiries and inquests have looked into the 2019-20 fires and Forestry Corporation continues to work with the NSW Rural Fire Service and other government agencies to implement improvements recommended by those inquiries.