Australian timber industry news

Canadians worried about their carbon footprint now have access to a new app that tracks and helps reduce how much carbon dioxide they emit as they go about their day. Source: Coast Reporter Developed by a Canadian tech company for the national non-profit Tree Canada, the free “Carbon Tracker app” allows Canadians to break down the environmental footprint of things like a daily commute, diet choices, energy use, and air travel. “People sometimes need help to know where to start to make changes,” said Robert Henri, spokesperson for Tree Canada. “The app is meant to give you some actual data to help you make more enlightened decisions.” When you first download the app, Henri says it will offer you a questionnaire that will allow you to input how you get around and what kind of heating your home has, among other categories. You can either manually input or turn on tracking so the app records your trips throughout the day. At night, you can then tag your trips with the kind of transportation you used. The app then calculates a net carbon output for the day, which you can compare with the Canadian average. “There are many ways to address climate change. We’re trying to do it in a very positive way,” Henri said. There are many ways to calculate an individual’s carbon footprint. Some take Canada’s total carbon greenhouse gas output and divide it by its 40 million-plus population. That method would mean Canadians produced 14.2 tonnes of carbon-equivalent emissions in 2020 — placing Canada among the highest per capita emitters in the Western world, only surpassed by the United States and Australia. Some critics say carving up Canada’s emissions into 40 million pieces can blind people to the role of the oil and gas industry, which produced 28% of the country’s carbon pollution in 2021 (the most of any sector). At over a quarter of Canada’s emissions, the fossil fuel industry is the country’s largest single contributor of atmospheric carbon. Another way to look at one’s carbon footprint is through actual lifestyle emissions. An October 2021 study from the Hot or Cool Institute found that of the 10 countries surveyed Canada had the biggest lifestyle carbon footprint of any country studied (other slightly higher emitters, like Australia and the United States, were not included). Canadians, found the study, need to reduce their personal emissions by 82% from 2019 levels by 2030 if they want to do their part to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 C — the threshold scientists say will lead to catastrophic damage to the world climate system. Avoiding fossil-fuel powered travel, like international flights and gas-powered (petrol/diesel) vehicles, is among the biggest changes one can make, found the study. If you can’t get rid of a car and can’t find or afford an EV, the next best thing is to switch from an SUV or pickup truck to the most efficient car you can find. Alternatively, finds the Hot or Cool report, you could drop your travel by about 6,900 kilometres per year to meet the 2030 target. Housing and the energy to heat and cool a living space was the next big source of individual Canadian emissions, though it varies by province depending on the source of energy utilities rely on. Reducing meat and cheese consumption, followed by eliminating regular purchase of clothes from fast-fashion brands and adjusting leisure activities were found to be the next largest sources of emissions for the average Canadian. The Tree Canada app, available for both iOS and Google platforms, says it helps to quantify those choices, and includes tips to reduce individual carbon output and leaderboards to offer a sense of “friendly competition” with friends, colleagues or strangers. “It’s very flexible for different kinds of lifestyles,” Henri said. The app also calculates how many trees would need to be planted to help offset your emissions. If desired, users can donate money to plant trees in urban areas or those hit by wildfire, while indirectly offsetting their emissions. “The point is not to guilt anyone,” he said. “It’s to encourage people to think about this on a more regular basis.”

As the author of a book on deforestation in Canada, I feel I have some qualification to comment on recent claims made by an alliance of environmental groups that the (Canadian) federal government is “spinning” the truth on the subject. Unfortunately, there is widespread public (and media) confusion about what deforestation is and isn’t. From a dictionary point of view, it would be easy to conclude that deforestation is simply about removing trees, and that reforestation is about growing them back again. That’s what the commonly displayed images all show: a stark clear-cut, or a young green spruce stretching skyward. But for people whose job it is to track deforestation and to do something about it, it’s a lot more complicated than that. The world’s forest scientists through the United Nations make a key distinction when it comes to removing trees from forest land. When trees are removed and replaced by agricultural crops, grazing land, residential subdivisions, or flooded to make hydro reservoirs, the forest is unlikely to come back to forest. That is called deforestation. But if that forest land is regenerated as forest either naturally or artificially through tree planting or direct seeding then that is not considered to be deforestation. The land remains forest land where trees will be grown again. Logging by itself, then, is not deforestation. Only if the land is not returned to forest. This is not an “industry” definition nor a “Canadian” one. It is how 236 nations report data to the United Nations so that global and individual country rates of deforestation can be uniformly tracked, assessments made, and remedial action taken. Canada has one of the lowest rates in the world (0.01%). The major cause in this Canada (almost half of it) is the conversion of forest land to agriculture, followed by mining, oil and gas exploration, and what’s called “built-up” (industrial/commercial and municipal development including residential subdivisions). Forestry’s specific contribution is minimal (2%), mainly through the creation of permanent forest access roads. This national and global tracking exercise includes guidelines on how countries should measure deforestation. And environmental groups can legitimately point to an instance where some logging scars in part of Ontario have not sufficiently reverted to forest over many years. For that failure, the land owner, the province, is clearly responsible. The logging scars in question arise from what are called landing areas where full trees are sometimes dragged from the stump to the roadside so that merchantable logs can be separated from the waste wood. But forestry experts say that extrapolating estimates from 27 study sites in one region to the total harvest area of Ontario is problematic. That’s because most of these study sites were harvested using full-tree harvesting two or even three decades ago when stroke de-limbers first came into use. Today, waste wood (tops and branches) is piled and burned instead, or chipped for pulp and energy in a nearby mill. It should also be noted that not all harvested areas in Ontario are forests that have never been harvested before. The forest losses claimed in the study, then, should not be extrapolated to the whole of Ontario, and especially not to those areas that already have an existing road network. There’s a reason why these landing areas are not included in Ontario’s deforestation estimates in the first place. They are on forest land, and deforestation technically occurs only when forest land is converted to non-forest land. They are also small areas, and Canada follows the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines on measuring these too. Any small “change events” (less than one hectare in size, such as landings) are to be excluded from deforestation estimates. A few smaller European countries have chosen to adopt smaller minimal areas (0.5 hectare) but this level of detail is just not economically or practically feasible in a country the size of Canada. This exclusion of small areas works both ways, however. If new forest is added, but the area is not large enough to meet the guidelines, it too is excluded from the estimates. Even if the assumptions about the Ontario landing scars in question were valid and included in the current deforestation estimates, and could be extrapolated nationally, preliminary research indicates that Canada’s overall annual rate would still be less than half of one per cent (0.4 per cent). That doesn’t let Canadians off the hook. Canadians share responsibility for the major causes of global deforestation: consuming palm oil, soy, and cattle and wood products provided by supply chains linked to deforestation in other (mainly tropical) countries. We can and should be doing a lot more about that. John Mullinder is the author of Little Green Lies and Other BS: From “Ancient” Forests to “Zero” Waste, and Deforestation in Canada and Other Fake News. A former TV reporter in his native New Zealand and foreign correspondent for Maclean’s magazine and the Financial Post, Mullinder ran Canada’s Paper & Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) for 30 years, achieving a number of North American firsts in waste reduction and recycling.

The Wood Dragon year comes once every 60 years in the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is associated with incredible strength, positive transformation, and challenges. And, the element wood, symbolises creativity and adaptability. Source: Timberbiz The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle that links each year to an animal sign, of which there are 12 and their order is fixed. Each year is also associated with an element of which there are five, this year it is wood. Hence the Year of the Wood Dragon. The Year of the Wood Dragon sounds surprisingly like it may be lead to a mass timber expansion. Wood is replacing climate-damaging concrete with each new build/renovation. Overall, the construction industry is transforming in a nature- positive direction. While we are witnessing a rise of sustainable buildings with climate-smart, creative, and flexible adaptable designs, this progress has challenges. This year is predicted to be one of the hottest years, if not the hottest, on Earth. We are seeing resource depletion, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation like we have not seen before. Whether you believe in zodiacs or not, to celebrate the new year, we wanted to share with you some of the important low-carbon buildings of 2024. These climate-resilient buildings showcase some of the latest in wood architecture and herald a design future that fully embraces renewable materials, integrates nature, and reuses existing fabric. They are all made with inclusive community in mind and thanks to advances in collaborative design processes, many involved community stakeholders during the design process. Integrating nature: Arboretum, Paris, France Biophilic designs maximising natural light, vegetation, and exposed wood materials are taking off all over 2024, but Arboretum will be doing it at scale when it opens later in the year. We can contemplate many of the benefits as one of the world’s largest wood projects takes shape creating a creative, nurturing and productive atmosphere in the heart of Paris. Adaptive reuse chic: Arding & Hobbs, London, UK Opening its doors any day now, this well-loved department store got a 27,432 m² makeover. It’s a spectacular sustainable mix of retail leisure and contemporary workspace with a biodiverse rooftop extension. Part of the building was already opened in late ‘23. Energy efficiency show-offs: Katajanokan Laituri ∣ Stora Enso HQ, Helsinki, Finland A milestone in the race to net-zero energy building is Stora Enso’s new HQ and Varma’s mixed-use landscraper on Helsinki’s harbourfront, with one of the smallest construction footprints yet. Set to open in ‘24. The World of Volvo, Gothenburg, Sweden Say goodbye to commercial car lots and hello to community-centric, creative spaces that encourage social interaction and well-being. The World of Volvo is designed on Swedish principles of “allemansrätten”: the fundamental right that all citizens share to nature and roam freely on any land (public or private), showing consideration for nature and for others.

New Zealand’s largest modern timber office building is taking shape in the heart of Tauranga’s CBD as the region undergoes a desperately needed transformation. Source: 1News The building situated at 90 Devonport Rd will be eight storeys once completed and will be leased by Tauranga City Council. It’s being built by property development and investment company Willis Bond, and LT McGuinness. It will feature rainwater harvesting, electric charging and is about 2500 tonnes lighter than an equivalent sized building. Mark McGuinness told 1News it’s basically a “hybrid structure” which will reduce its carbon footprint by about 50%. “The guys on site are telling us that it’s quieter, it’s cleaner and it’s a heck of a lot more civilised than a normal building site where you’ve got a lot of noise a lot of banging and crashing.” Recently the CBD has been labelled a ghost town, and 1News counted 20 shops for lease along Devonport Rd in 2020. There are still vacant shops, but not as many. Tauranga City Council’s Sarah Omundsen said with $1.5 billion of private and public investment, this project and others will help improve the CBD. “Council is really committed to revitalising Tauranga’s city centre and this building is a really important part of that. “So, bringing the bulk of our staff right into the heart of the city means that those 1000 people will be a part of local business, part of the vibrancy and just bringing the heart back,” she said. She told 1News mana whenua has also been consulted through the design and build. “What you’ll see once the building is complete both inside and out, it will really speak to our connection with Tauranga moana.” The new building is using wood from Rotorua and Nelson and is employing locally.  

Mick Harrington, Executive Officer of Forest and Wood Communities Australia (FWCA) says the battle between unhinged and ill-informed false conservation and responsible forestry has reached a critical juncture, with recent events exposing many group’s attempts to undermine an industry that plays a vital role in the economic and ecological balance of New South Wales. Source: Timberbiz He says the focal point in their campaign is the alleged impact of timber operations on wildlife, notably the Greater Glider. However, recent revelations challenge their narrative. After the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) received a complaint from the community it investigated an area of Tallaganda State Forest and issued a 40-day order to halt harvesting and haulage operations in place in parts of the forest. Via an anonymous source, FWCA understands an autopsy conducted on the deceased Greater Glider found approximately 50m outside the harvest area revealed it had been dead for only two weeks, contradicting claims of an immediate link to logging activities. No operations had occurred in the region for six months, raising questions about the integrity of the accusations. It remains strongly possible perhaps that the individual glider in question died of unknown causes or fell prey to a Powerful Owl or Goanna – two common predator species of the Greater Glider. Despite the doubts surrounding the legitimacy of the deceased Glider, the NSW EPA has increased requirements for protecting potential habitat trees with NSW EPA CEO Tony Chappel fully supportive of the new requirements. “This ensures the critical habitats of some of our most endangered and much-loved native animals are protected,” he said. “We have reviewed extensive research, sought expert views and believe this change strikes the right balance, resulting in significant ecological and regulatory improvement to the current arrangements.” The Greater Glider has a home range of up to three hectares and uses up to 18 hollow bearing trees for shelter in that range. When speaking to Forest Scientist and FWCA director Steve Dobbyns, he gave clarity to the issue. “Tree hollows capable of housing a Greater Glider are usually quite obvious from the ground and the EPA’s decision creates the requirement for additional hollow bearing trees to be retained in the areas in which they would most likely occur. “There is no removal of protection for gliders, rather an enhancement of these protections – alongside a recognition that conservation is about the species as a whole, at the landscape level, not at the individual level”. Mr Harrington says that data illustrates the sustainable nature of current timber harvesting levels. No mammal species in Australian history has become extinct due to forestry operations. The careful management of timber resources, coupled with evolving conservation practices, has allowed timber harvesting and our ecosystems to coexist harmoniously. He states that this fact challenges the extreme views of these dishonest organizations that use sweeping generalizations in their attempt to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working families around the state with no improvements to the environment of New South Wales. The statistical realities and the exhaustive regulations present in our timber harvesting sector present a compelling case for the industry’s responsible practices.

Hyne Timber is supporting 15 Tumbarumba High School students who plan to walk the Kokoda Trail following a three-year stoppage due to Covid. Source: Timberbiz Hyne Timber CEO Jim Bindon and Tumbarumba Site Manager Kristina Kaminski presented a $10,000 cheque to the Tumbarumba Rotary Club who facilitate the annual initiative in partnership with the Tumbarumba High School. CEO Jim Bindon said he welcomed the opportunity to meet the high school participants in person and hear firsthand about their preparation, “Being the new CEO of Hyne Timber, I learnt of this initiative for the first time and appreciate this is a unique and incredible opportunity for high school students in Tumbarumba. “The preparation, training and fundraising which is underway ahead of the trek, is experience in teamwork, determination, commitment, and community engagement. “I can only imagine the full experience including the cultural and historical learnings, make this an opportunity of a lifetime.” Mr Bindon said. Hyne Timber has supported this initiative since its inception in 2007 and has several team members who are directly linked to this opportunity whether through their own children participating, volunteering and financially supporting, or having completed the trek themselves during their high school days. Hyne Timber Fitter, Gus Taylor is one of the team members who cannot speak highly enough about the opportunity he had back in 2019. “The experience was unforgettable. The locals were very kind and helpful, as well as impressive on the ukelele!  I’m glad the program is up and running again for more people to have the experience and learn some of the history,” Mr Taylor said. Hyne Timber fellow Fitter, Tyler Wooden echoed Mr Taylor’s sentiment from his own experience in 2017, “The Kokoda trek was something I will never forget. It is great that more high schoolers will get the opportunity to accomplish all the program has to offer,” Mr Wooden said. Tumbarumba Rotary Club spokesperson, Bruce Wright, has been involved with all the 132 Tumbarumba High School students who have completed the Kokoda Trek or are currently in training. “Having been personally involved in fundraising, training and completing the trek itself with the students, I see the impact it has on them during this significant, formative time in their lives,” Mr Wright said. “From both a physical and mental health perspective, as well as appreciation for the life we have here in Tumbarumba, the experience is positively transformational. “The Tumbarumba community involvement is exceptional, and we are very fortunate to have this kind of positive energy and support to provide such a unique opportunity without financial burden or exclusion for individuals wanting to participate. “We are thankful for the ongoing financial support provided by Hyne Timber which assists towards the increasing costs of airfares and equipment.” The year 11 and 12 students will walk the Kokoda Trail while experiencing local villages, exploring the Isurava Battlefield Memorial, the Eora Creek battle site, the Brigade Hill Memorial and many other historic sites. Upon completion, the students visit Bomana War Cemetery and the sights of Port Moresby.

Scion, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, the University of Canterbury, and Christchurch City Council are joining forces to host Urban Forest Futures New Zealand, a first of its kind, two-day symposium. Source: Timberbiz This event will see researchers, urban planners and foresters, council and government officials come together in Christchurch in April to discuss how best to address the challenges in establishing and maintaining green spaces across Aotearoa. Discussion will focus on highlighting the importance of urban forests in mitigating the effects of climate change, enhancing city living, improving environmental health and safeguarding biodiversity. Urban Forest Futures New Zealand will be hosted at the University of Canterbury. The first day will feature conference-style talks from invited speakers and cover a range of topics, including the current state of urban forests in New Zealand and around the world. The benefits of urban forests to human health, ecosystems, conservation and the economy will also be explored. Mana whenua, councils, urban planners, civil engineers and landscape architects will share their perspectives as well. The second day will feature field trips around iconic Christchurch urban forest sites, highlighting culturally significant rongoā as well as areas of ecological success. Dr Justin Morgenroth, an associate professor of urban forestry at the University of Canterbury, will cover the current state of urban forests in New Zealand. He says prioritising urban forest research is crucial, not only to protect biodiversity but also to ensure the wellbeing of our communities. “With further research and support from government, urban planners and iwi, we have an opportunity to create sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments that benefit both people and the planet.” Limited registrations for the symposium, to held on 10-11April 2024, are open. Organisers are hoping to attract experts from a range of groups to ensure that all voices are heard and to brainstorm the challenges and opportunities relating to urban forest greening. “Urban forests will not only help mitigate the effects of climate change but are also a key element in creating equitable, healthy and vibrant cities,” said Dr Thomas Carlin, an ecologist with Scion in Christchurch. “Aotearoa has a wealth of knowledge and experts working in this area, and a valuable resource in Mātauranga Māori as well. We need to bring all our resources together to identify and solve the biggest issues slowing urban forest research and drive some new initiatives.” Investment in urban forests across New Zealand is highly variable. Some areas, such as Christchurch, are leading the way in initiatives to promote afforestation, provide valuable areas for threatened species, and ensure that our cities can be clean, green, and environmentally sustainable. Dr Carlin says some other parts of Aotearoa are still grappling with these issues, resulting in some social inequality in access to green spaces. This often affects the most vulnerable groups of people, including Māori and Pasifika communities. Researchers acknowledge a need to address these disparities and cultivate more equitable urban green spaces. “In some ways, Aotearoa is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of its adoption of green and blue infrastructure,” Dr Carlin said. “We want to ensure this becomes a priority as cities continue to expand to accommodate a growing population in the face of a looming climate crisis.” He adds that the traditional “clean, green Kiwi outlook”, combined with kaitiakitanga values linked to the environment expressed by Māori communities, are strong indicators of support for urban greening. “We just need to give it an extra push to become a research and policy priority.” In the face of extreme weather events linked to climate change, cities are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Green and blue infrastructure, encompassing trees and waterways, act as carbon sinks and reduce the urban heat island effect during heatwaves. Trees can also provide windbreaks and suck up water during storms, while waterways provide outlets to help prevent flooding. Register here.  

As the Australian economy navigates a complex landscape, Master Builders Australia has used its pre-budget submission to remind the Federal Government of the critical importance of the building and construction industry. Source: Timberbiz The industry which employs more than 1.3 million Australians and is made up of around 450,000 businesses, more than any other sector, has been left unsupported and hamstrung by conflicting policy decisions. CEO Denita Wawn said the Federal Budget serves as a vital tool to coordinate and ensure policy levers are pulling in the right direction, alongside the Reserve Bank’s efforts to combat inflation. “A strong building industry means a strong economy. For every dollar invested in the building sector, three dollars are injected back into the Australian economy,” she said. “Australia finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a housing and cost of living crisis that is putting immense pressure on families and the sector. “Master Builders is an enthusiastic signatory to the Housing Accord. However, we believe that the target of 1.2 million homes over five years is not an ambition but a must-do. “While governments are starting to make inroads in planning reform and attracting private investment through mechanisms such as the Housing Australia Future Fund, there has been a disregard for the businesses that will be relied upon to deliver these housing targets. “Productivity is more than a buzzword. It is the key to lowering the cost and time it takes to build homes, roads, and hospitals. “The building industry is facing a shortage of tradespeople, high building costs, construction time blowouts and complex regulatory regimes that do nothing to improve safety or building standards. “Master Builders is advocating for measures that enhance productivity and grow our workforce while prioritising sustainable building practices and regulatory efficiency. “While we must tackle the immediate challenges before us, we cannot lose sight of where we want to be over the next few decades. The built environment must meet new goals, with longevity and sustainability at the core of all building and construction work. “Master Builders acknowledges that large-scale reform cannot happen overnight or in isolation. “The building and construction industry is made up overwhelmingly of small businesses. The time it takes for these businesses to recruit and train staff, implement regulatory and legislative requirements, manage a business and keep up with changing policy priorities is significant. “It is paramount that the government aligns its policies with the long-term objectives of the building and construction industry. The earlier these foundations are laid, the less pain will be felt down the track,” Ms Wawn said. Master Builders Australia submits the Government focuses on measures that: Lift productivity; Deliver Australia’s housing needs; Better connect communities; Build up local defence capabilities; Grow and support the workforce; Ensure safety and wellbeing in the workplace; Support investment; Improve regulatory barriers; Support sustainable building practices and a resilient built environment; and Enhance the federation.

The South Australian Opposition has been accused of walking away from the feral deer culling policy in the State’s South East. Source: Timberbiz Forest Industries Minister Clare Scriven said Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Nicola Centofanti and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional South Australia, Ben Hood are seemingly walking away from the feral deer culling policy, which is strongly supported by both landowners and local Landscape Boards. She said information provided to the Government from attendees at a meeting in Naracoorte involving an interstate MP representing shooters and other recreational shooters from around the state indicates that Ms Centofanti questioned the value and effectiveness of the feral deer eradication policy, while also spreading misinformation that Government Ministers were invited and chose not to attend. “Ms Centofanti seems to have conveniently forgotten the fact that under the former Marshall Liberal Government, now Liberal Leader and former Environment Minister, David Speirs introduced legislation to ensure that concerns raised by landowners about the impacts of feral deer could be addressed,” Ms Scriven said. “I urge the Shadow Minister to stop waging a war with Limestone Coast farmers who are working incredibly hard and simply want to work with Government to minimise the damage that is being done to their properties by the vast number of feral deer. “I have written to David Speirs to bring this important issue to his attention and urge him to counsel his Shadow Minister about joining with a minor party NSW MP to undermine the deer culling policy and failing to stand up for our hardworking farmers. “If feral deer populations continue to increase, farmers in the Limestone Coast are facing a quarter of a billion dollars in lost agricultural productivity in less than a decade from now.” Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Forest Products Association, said Feral Deer Eradication Program was a critical service to protect, support and empower the State’s agricultural industries in the Limestone Coast, particularly the forest and timber industries. “Without this program, our industry would be at risk of suffering significant long-term financial and property loss, as these feral animals destroy or damage our crop and plantation trees,” Mr Paine said. “Over the past 10 years, South Australia’s forest industries have lost a total of 30,000 hectares due to unfair policies such as water allocations, and an additional 20,000 hectares lost due to bushfires, we simply cannot afford more loss due to feral pests such as feral deer. We applaud the State Government and the Landscape Board for delivering this program to protect our industry specifically and all agricultural industries and regional communities generally. “The forest industries were grateful to have the aerial culling program in the South East forestry estate, which in 2023 removed a total of 2,239 feral deer from the southern forestry estate, predominantly through the aerial culling program which removed 1610 feral deer,” he said. “We need to ensure that every seedling we plant today has the best chance to grow into a tree tomorrow that can be harvested and processed into critical fibre products such as house frames.”  

The second round of grants for the $74 million Support Plantation Establishment Program is now open for applications. Source: Timberbiz Farm foresters, First Nations businesses and the forestry industry are among those who will benefit from funding to support more new plantation forests in Australia. Acting Deputy Secretary of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Group Dr Jared Greenville said the grants aimed to increase domestic timber supply, particularly construction and manufacturing timber. “Australia’s plantation forest estate has been in decline for over a decade,” Dr Greenville said. “Estimates from 2019 predict a shortfall in domestic production of softwood logs of 3.4 million m3 by 2050 based on 2015–16 production levels. “That’s why this grant opportunity continues to play an important role to increase Australia’s future timber supply and reduce our dependence on imported timber. “It’s also an important investment in regional and rural jobs and the new plantations will continue to contribute to Australia’s carbon emission reduction targets.” The first round of the program has awarded more than $3.2 million across seven projects in New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. It is expected that a further announcement of successful projects from the first round, which closed on 24 January, will be made shortly. “The Australian Government is providing funding of $2,000 (GST exclusive) per hectare of new long-rotation plantation forest established,” Dr Greenville said. “It can take some tree species 20 to 30 years of growing before they are suitable for harvest and can be processed into structural timber. “This growing time is even longer for some hardwood species.” Projects can run for 1, 2 or 3 years and must be concluded no later than 30 June 2027. For more information or to apply for a grant, visit: Current Grant Opportunity View – GO6728: GrantConnect www.grants.gov.au

Australia’s professional association for forest scientists, managers and growers is using Sunday’s International Day for Women and Girls in Science on Sunday as a call for the next generation to join forestry science. “Forestry across Australia has so many tremendous women who are at the forefront of the science that underpins the skilful management of our forests and broader environment,” Forestry Australia President Dr Michelle Freeman said. “On February 11 we celebrate all of these women, and we want to encourage the next generation of women and girls to follow in their footsteps too. “If you ask someone to imagine a typical person who works in forest and fire management, they tend to picture a very narrow stereotype, but the reality is very different. We have incredible scientists across our country doing the most innovative and creative work for the betterment of our environment, community and economy – and that’s the definition of career goals. “There’s so many opportunities for the next generation of women and girls to lead the science in our sector, promoting evidence-based decision making from carbon capture, forest fire management, conservation and renewables and to them I say: do it, you’ll love it.” Some of the women from across Forestry Australia have shared their thoughts and experiences on this International Day for Women and Girls in Science: Dr Tegan Brown, Victoria “Vegetation is the fuel that burns in grassland and forest fires. In my current role as a Research Scientist for CFA, I use climate models and landscape data to predict future vegetation and fuel types. We will then use these data to predict future fire activity, and model the number and type of fire management resources that Victorian fire agencies will require. Data isn’t neutral, and is interpreted by scientists through a lens built from context and lived experiences. Having more diverse people contributing to and making decisions in land, forest, and fire management will enhance our organisations and our contribution to communities.” Molly Marshall, Tasmania “I believe that now is the perfect opportunity for women to work within the forest, fire and land management sector. Every one of us has and will continue to have an integral role to play in the combat against climate change and our sector provides no better platform to be at the forefront of mitigation, adaptation and resilience.” Emily Post, New South Wales “Forestry science is a unique blend of natural, physical, and social sciences; it is a privilege to work in a science that can contribute so much to the wellbeing of people and the planet. Forests and their benefits are so diverse in nature, and I want to encourage the continued diversification of the community of stewards who are working to nurture our vital forest ecosystems.” Dr Danielle Wiseman, WA “Working in forestry science is great as I get to collaborate with scientists across Australia and sometimes the world.  An example of this is a recent success story for scientists and blue gum plantation growers.  Some time in the 1990s its thought that a damaging snout weevil (Gonipterus spp.) was introduced to Western Australia from eastern Australia.  By the early 2000s plantation growers were starting to notice damage and branch death in the growing tips of trees in blue gum plantations.  This damage made trees unprofitable.  Initially, damage from the snout weevil was controlled using insecticides.  However using insecticides kills all insects, including beneficial insects.  Another approach was developed where insecticide was applied to the roots where its absorbed by the trees.  This method meant only insects feeding on the trees were affected by the insecticide.  This worked well, but plantation growers would prefer not to use insecticides at all.   A research collaboration was established between scientists from around Australia to find a solution.  Simon Lawson and Helen Nahrung (USC) and Treena Burgess (Murdoch Univ.) decided to look for a natural enemy of the Snout weevil.  The prime candidate was Anaphes nitens a type of fairy fly.  The fairy fly lays its eggs in the eggs of the snout weevil.  This is actually pretty gross as the Snout weevil lays its eggs in a blob of its own poo.  The fairy flies larvae feed on the Snout weevils larvae so they don’t grow into adults.  After many years of work by forest health scientists, last year we released a matched fairy fly into a plantation south of Rocky Gully to target the Snout weevils.   We hope that it doesn’t find laying its eggs in Snout weevil poo as gross as we do and is able to stop the snout weevil from damaging the blue gum plantations.”

A study published in the Journal of Field Robotics has assessed the world’s first unmanned machine designed for autonomous forestry operations. Source: Timberbiz Investigators demonstrated that using computer vision, autonomous navigation, and manipulator control algorithms, their newly developed machine can safely, accurately, and efficiently pick up logs from the ground and manoeuvre through various forest terrains without the need for human intervention. The autonomous terrain vehicle was designed and built at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden. It is the first time in world history that forwarding is done completely without human intervention. The researchers behind the successful trial see it as an important step towards more sustainable forestry. “This will redraw the map for the industry and how other players in the area view operations such as these. We have worked extremely intensively with this test, and it feels very nice that it actually works,” Magnus Karlberg, professor at Luleå University of Technology said. The research represents a significant milestone in the field of autonomous outdoor robotics, which could reduce the need for human labour, thereby increasing productivity and reducing labour costs, while also minimizing the environmental impact of timber harvesting. The autonomous shovelling took place in Hörnefors in Västerbotten, in collaboration with the Forestry Technology Cluster and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. By being programmed to perform the work on its own, the forestry machine was able to pick up and transport logs to the intended collection point. A job usually performed by forwarder drivers in machines built for the purpose, but this time the people could stand by and watch. The 10-ton machine, which is now also used in the Arctic Off-Road Robotics Laboratory, can be controlled with a remote control but is also programmed to perform work entirely on its own, as in the test with autonomous forwarding. The machine is currently powered by biodiesel and is built without a cab, but with a hydrostatic driveline, forest crane, pendulum arms and sensors. As early as 2014, researchers began sketching the machine, or off-road vehicle platform, which is a more correct name. Since then, the research team has worked to make the self-propelled vehicle as smart and robust as possible. A work that is now beginning to bear fruit. “That a self-driving forest machine can handle such an advanced task is world-unique and opens up for major changes in the forest industry,” Prof Karlberg said. “Even though it is still many years away, and will take place gradually, we are convinced that the technical development with smart autonomous forest machines is the future of forestry. We have shown that the technology exists, but there is of course a difference for us who look at this from a research perspective and commercial activities. We researchers can step into the future in a completely different way.” The development of self-propelled forest machines is also an important step for more sustainable forestry thanks to the possibility of smaller and more energy-efficient machines that can also work much more gently in forest and land. “Besides its short-term effect on forestry, the technological advancements that come with autonomous forestry machines have the potential to address current environmental issues. As demonstrated in this study, by embracing cutting-edge technologies like autonomous navigation and manipulation algorithms, the unmanned machine provides not only timber harvesting with greater efficiency but also promotes sustainable forestry,” said corresponding author Pedro La Hera, PhD, of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. “Automated operations can be highly accurate and effective in terms of collateral damage to adjacent ecosystems, which helps us to be more ecologically friendly than we currently are.”

PONSSE Manager 2.0 is a next-generation digital service platform and forest machine management system that provides customers valuable data of machines’ location, productivity figures and fuel consumption, among others. The PONSSE Manager monitors the progress of stands, plans, and manages machine transportation, keep track of machine outputs according to assortment and print out measuring certificates. Source: Timberbiz “We want to support our customers, so that they can run their business successfully,” said Miika Soininen, Chief Digital Officer of Ponsse “This has been the guiding principle, how we have designed new Ponsse Manager. All the development has been based on customer feedback and customer needs from all over the world”. In Ponsse Manager 2.0, the user can create a personalized home page focusing on the most important data. Every important information is visible immediately, variations can be discovered quickly, and corrective action can be taken directly. With the single sign-on, all digital solutions required to improve operational efficiency and productivity are at the user’s disposal in one web address. PONSSE Manager keeps customers up to date on data that affects their machines’ profitability and helps improve operations’ efficiency. One of the new key features is the possibility to download all reports and combine them in a spreadsheet with other data to create new valuable views of operations. Mobile applications will also be available to download for free from the app store. “The mobile app is easy to use on site, with all required functionalities available for professionals working in different roles” said Jenni Pulkkinen, Product Owner Digital Solutions. Ponsse is developing its digital solutions together with its customers. The digital innovations address the right issues and provide relevant support for both professionals working on-site and those responsible for smooth and efficient fleet management.

One of the world’s largest home improvement retailers, The Home Depot has released its 2023 Sustainable Forestry Report stating that it works to promote sustainability by enhancing its operations and by purchasing from responsible suppliers across a global supply chain. Source: Timberbiz The company says it understands the critical role that global forests play in the sustainability of the planet’s biodiversity and the potential impact of deforestation on climate change. The Home Depot first issued its Wood Purchasing Policy in 1999 and the most recent is its Sustainable Forestry Report published January 2024. The vast majority of wood sourced by The Home Depot comes from regions with sustainable forests. Nonetheless, the company says it is committed to continuing to manage and mitigate, across its diverse and growing product assortment, the risk that products it sells or suppliers it selects may contribute to deforestation. The Home Depot has supported third-party certification of wood and wood products. Certified wood and wood products come from forests that are actively managed under strict guidelines developed by third parties that monitor compliance to ensure sustainable forest practices are followed. For this reason, the company strives to select suppliers that have obtained one or more recognized certifications, including certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), and others. The Home Depot has stocked and sold FSC-certified wood since 1994 and began giving preferential treatment to FSC-certified products in 1999. It says it has worked closely with domestic and international suppliers to help develop a supply chain that enables consumers to purchase FSC-certified wood products. The company currently offers FSC-certified products in numerous categories, including board lumber, plywood, doors, moulding, and patio furniture. The Home Depot continues to seek out opportunities to expand the availability of FSC-certified wood products as well as wood products bearing other recognized certifications. Moreover, The Home Depot has since 2018, required FSC certification for wood sourced from regions most at risk for deforestation: specifically, the Amazon basin, the Congo basin, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Taking a regional, risk-based approach to sustainable forestry allows The Home Depot to closely monitor wood sourced from regions of the world where the risk of deforestation is greatest. Looking ahead, the company says it is focused on ways to expand its regional, risk-based approach to deepen its understanding of risks beyond the four regions have previously identified as highest risk. Home Depot will continue to require FSC certification from the Amazon basin, the Congo basin, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, while increasing due diligence and other mitigation measures to protect forests in regions that also are at risk of deforestation. Accordingly, in addition to requiring that all wood from the Amazon basin, the Congo basin, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands be FSC-certified, The Home Depot will require that, by the end of fiscal year 2026, all wood sourced from the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Choco Darien, Ecuador, Gran Chaco, East African and Miombo, Greater Mekong, Sumatra and Borneo, Eastern Australia, and Russian Far East Forest regions by its US and Canadian Lumber, Building Materials, and Millwork departments must either bear third-party certification as sustainably grown or be verified as plantation- grown. In addition, Home Depot expects all of its wood suppliers to maintain a wood sourcing policy that supports sustainable forestry management and transparency. Home Depot also encourages its suppliers to enhance biodiversity considerations and support efforts to promote ecological balance. Further, The Home Depot encourages its suppliers to find alternatives to high-risk wood species and support the development and use of wood alternative products. To better understand and monitor risks connected to the global supply chain for wood products, The Home Depot is committed to an ongoing risk-based assessment that ensures it maintains appropriate diligence requirements regarding the wood products sourced. As has been the case since the initial publication of its Wood Purchasing Policy in 1999, Home Depot expects to draw on the expertise of and partner with not only suppliers, but also the government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that are committed to the continual development of best practices in sustainable forestry. Home Depot will continue to encourage meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities by relevant government authorities and forestry companies to advance sustainable forestry practices. Home Depot’s policy is outlined below. The Home Depot and all of its suppliers offering wood and wood products for resale shall adhere to the following principles: The Home Depot will give preference to the purchase of wood and wood products originating from third-party certified, well-managed forests. The Home Depot will not purchase wood and wood products from regions around the world at greatest risk of deforestation unless responsible sourcing conditions are met. Specifically: The Home Depot will not offer products for sale that contain wood from the Amazon basin, the Congo basin, Papua New Guinea, or the Solomon Islands unless it is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. By the end of fiscal year 2026, The Home Depot will not offer for sale any wood for its US and Canadian Lumber, Building Materials, or Millwork departments from the following regions unless that wood is either third-party certified as sustainable or plantation-grown: Atlantic Forest East African and Miombo Cerrado Greater Mekong Choco Darien Sumatra and Borneo Ecuador Eastern Australia Gran Chaco Russian Far East Forest The Home Depot requires that its suppliers of wood and wood products maintain detailed information regarding their wood sourcing and that they participate as requested in The Home Depot’s wood sourcing surveys and any inquiries by the company. The Home Depot requires that its suppliers of wood and wood products maintain compliance with this policy as well as the laws and regulations pertaining to their operations and the products they manufacture.

Private Forests Tasmania is leading a $450,000 co-investment grant program to support farmers to plant and grow commercial trees on their private properties in Tasmania. Source: Timberbiz The Stems for CO2 2024 Grant Program is supported by the State Government’s Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania. It will support successful applicants with upfront establishment costs to enable them to integrate trees into their agricultural enterprise. The program supports the implementation of commercial tree plantings in the agricultural landscape for modelling carbon abatement levels, improved farm productivity, water quality, biodiversity, reducing soil erosion, creating a future wood resource, and communicating and educating the Tasmanian community on the benefit of trees on farms. PFT Chief Executive Officer Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski encourages landowners not to miss out on this opportunity to be supported in joining or a advancing their farm forestry opportunities. “The program has been developed to assist farmers with up front establishment costs to successfully integrate trees into their agricultural enterprise,” she said. “Key objectives are to establish commercial tree plantings into the agricultural landscape and to conduct carbon modelling on the successful grant recipient planting. “The modelling will identify the expected carbon abatement of the plantings and their planned length of rotation. “We will also communicate the carbon benefits of commercial trees to farmers, producers and landowners.” “PFT has a $450,000 funding pool to allocate with the maximum amount a grant recipient can receive is $2,500 per hectare.” An assessment panel comprising of representatives with forestry and agricultural expertise will competitively assess each application against the program objectives and assessment criteria. Expressions of interest are now open and close at 5pm on 1 March 2024. Interested landowners can call Private Forests Tasmania’s Helpline on 1300 661 009 or email admin@pft.tas.gov.au

New Zealand’s Forest Industry Contractors Association has announced the appointment of Rowan Struthers as its new CEO. Source: Timberbiz An experienced professional who has worked across the forestry sector in various roles including senior leadership and forest management, Mr Struthers will take over the job from departing CEO Prue Younger who finishes up in March. Having graduated from Canterbury University Forestry School, Mr Struthers has more than 30 years of experience working in forestry. He has worked in most facets of the industry including silviculture, woodflow/supply chain management, harvesting, log trading, human resource management, sales and marketing of processed products, building supplies management, forest procurement and general management. Mr Struthers has held senior leadership roles in a diverse number of companies that include Fletcher Challenge Forests, Umbraco (a privately owned building suppliers company managing multiple sites), Hancock/Manulife and most recently Chief Operations Officer at China Forestry Group. He has also been a member of the NZFOA executive. FICA Chair Nick Tombleson says the FICA Board is delighted to have Mr Struthers on board, who will take the organisation forward into its next stage. “Rowan has a huge amount of knowledge across so many parts of our industry. That will be of huge benefit to our forestry contractor members and we’re looking forward to drawing on his experience as we take FICA into the next period,” Mr Tombleson said. Mr Struthers says that he is ready to take on the new challenge and will be focused on building a professional, efficient and sustainable contractor workforce. “Over the 30 years I have spent in the industry, a key part of my success has been the collaborative relationships I have been able to develop with Contractors,” he said. “A professional, efficient, and sustainable contractor workforce is key to ensuring the long-term future of the NZ Forest Industry. This role is a great opportunity to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to further the good work that has already been done by many. I look forward to the challenge.”

The Australian Forest Products Association will talk up the need for timber to be at the centre of policy development solutions for Australia’s housing crisis at today’s National Regional Housing Summit 2024. Source: Timberbiz Hosted by the Regional Australia Institute, Real Estate Institute of Australia and Masters Builders Australia, the National Regional Housing Summit 2024 will draw policy experts and political decision makers to Old Parliament House in Canberra for high level discussions around increasing the availability and affordability of housing in regional Australia. “You cannot build the carbon friendly housing Australia needs for the future without timber, which is why AFPA is sponsoring and actively participating in tomorrow’s summit to promote the important role of both construction and furnishing timber in new and existing housing,” , acting AFPA Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett said. “Right now, our sector has Aussie grown timber on the shelf ready to go and build the homes of tomorrow, along with the hopes and dreams of many Australians who want a home to live in that meets their needs, whether they have a growing family or downsizing. “Furthermore, as the Commonwealth and State governments look to identify how they reduce emissions and meet ambitious climate targets, they need to more closely consider the role of embodied carbon in timber products as a major solution,” he said. “(The) summit will be yet another opportunity for AFPA to remind Ministers, MPs and Senators, senior public sector administrators and other senior decision makers across the housing construction supply chain, how important the increased take up of timber will be to solve Australia’s housing crisis and help Australia fight climate change,” Mr Hyett said.  

Alpine Truss, one of Wangaratta’s three largest employers, has sold to national Independent Hardware Group (IHG), with the business changing hands on 1 March. George Prothero, who will remain in his role as managing director, sold the business to the IHG, which has supported local communities and family-owned businesses for more than 60 years. Source: Wangaratta Chronicle IHG is one of Australia’s leading wholesalers and Alpine Truss will be its first truss company based in Victoria. It supports the largest independent network of hardware operators with more than 600 branded stores and a further 950 Independent family businesses, located in metro and regional areas across Australia. Mr Prothero, who built the Alpine Truss business from the ground up 22 years ago, started with three staff including himself, today there are 110 employees. He assured the community that even though the business will change hands, there will be no change to how Alpine Truss operates today. “Our priority is to continue to service your needs to the highest of standards and with the same familiar faces and relationships you know today,” he said. “In fact, it is absolutely business as usual where I will continue in my role.” Over the last two decades, Alpine Truss has invested in the latest computerised sawing and pressing equipment to deliver to its customers tailored requirements. “We’ve also seen significant growth having added additional yard space, a mechanics shed, and frame shed,” Mr Prothero said. “Today, Alpine Truss employs 110 staff and operates 12 trucks, helping to build in excess of 3000 homes each year. “Looking into the future, this is an exciting opportunity that opens doors for us within IHG’s expanding Frame & Truss manufacturing business, to grow Alpine Truss across multiple locations in Victoria and Southern NSW sites. “We will be able to expand our capability and see more value-added offers that can only benefit our customers over time.” IHG said its network supports the growth of Independents within the hardware sector through IHG’s purpose ‘building successful independents’. “The culture of IHG is built on being a low cost and transparent business partner with an unwavering commitment to protect and grow a sustainable independent hardware sector for the long term,” Mr Prothero said.  

Australian Forest Products Association chairman Joel Fitzgibbon has resigned and been replaced by Pentarch executive director Stephen Dadd. Source: Timberbiz Mr Fitzgibbon informed the board of his intention on Sunday, and on Monday the board accepted his decision effective immediately. Acting CEO Natasa Sikman has also resigned. Richard Hyett has stepped into the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer. Mr Dadd, who was officially elected on Tuesday, is also Chair of AFPA NSW and a Director of Forest Wood Products Australia. Jean-Yves Nouaze will continue as Deputy Chair. Mr Fitzgibbon has been on the AFPA board since June 2022 and took on the role of Chair in 2023. In that time, he also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from January to September 2023. Mr Nouaze thanked Mr Fitzgibbon for his service to the forest products sector as well as his long-term support for the industry. “AFPA has been fortunate to have Joel’s support for the sector over many years. As Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Joel passionately represented the importance of our industry to Members of Parliament for Australian communities. “It is testament to Joel’s commitment to the industry, that following a distinguished career in Australian politics, he agreed to serve as Director and Chair of AFPA. “Throughout his time as Chair, Joel has guided AFPA and the Board through government relations as well as national and international climate policy decisions and CEO recruitment,” Mr Nouaze said. “We look forward to our ongoing positive relationship with Joel as he pursues a range of other commitments. “We wish Joel well for his future endeavours.” An announcement regarding a new CEO is expected soon. The Softwoods Working Group has extended its heartfelt appreciation to Mr Fitzgibbon for his exceptional leadership as both CEO and Chair of the Australian Forest Products Association. SWG executive officer Carlie Porteous said Mr Fitzgibbon played a pivotal role in steering the organization through a transitional phase, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment. She said he had worked tirelessly to elevate the profile of the forest products industry, championing its cause and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. His passion for the sector had left an indelible mark, and the Softwoods Working Group expressed its deepest gratitude for his contribution. Ms Porteous said the new chairman would bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the industry to his new role. “He is highly respected by all in the industry, and we look forward to his contribution and leadership as Chair,” Ms Porteous said. “The Softwoods Working Group looks forward to working closely with Stephen Dadd in his new capacity as Chair of AFPA and is confident that his leadership will further strengthen the industry’s position and foster continued collaboration among industry stakeholders.”

As we commence the year 2024, we are confronted with the demise of our industry in Victoria. This deliberate course of events has sparked intense emotions within our community. Although some may celebrate its exit, many of us appreciate the deep-seated connection and historical significance that the industry retains in Victoria’s high country. We comprehend that the removal of professional timber workers will not only create financial difficulties, but it will also deprive the community of their invaluable expertise in managing the constant threat of devastating bushfires. Since 2003, 60% of the old growth forest has been lost to these fires, raising a legitimate concern that a further reduction in timber workers will accelerate the forest’s decline and yet again put our people and homes in danger. Our community has already endured the tragic loss of loved ones in these catastrophic events. It’s puzzling why the government overlooks not only the financial burden for the state and rural communities with the loss of timber workers, but also the impact on the environment. A common view I’ve heard is that we should lock up our forests to keep them safe. This would have been the case with our original old growth forest. This is no longer the case after 200 years of interference. The bushlands of Victoria today are vastly different from those before Europeans arrived. When they settled here, they had to cut wind tunnels into the old growth forests as the terrain and trees were too damp to burn. These wind tunnels were essential when wind conditions were favourable for forest fires. Clearing the land this way was the only option due to the forest’s natural fire-retardant properties. However, as we have learned from recent fires, a young, dense forest can no longer stop the spread of fire. The landscape has changed significantly and no longer holds water as it once did. Without proper rehabilitation, the risk of future bushfires continues to rise. If we fail to protect the remaining old growth forest, it will have long-term effects on the endangered species that inhabit these areas, including us, since most of our water supply originates from these remaining areas. By commencing rehabilitation efforts around the remaining 40% of old growth forest and water catchments, we may be able to protect them from the increasing likelihood of bushfires in the future. The undeniable fact is that the young forest we have now, compared to a complete old growth forest, is overpopulated with trees. These overcrowded trees vie for water and sunlight, making them more prone to burning due to their insufficient internal water storage. This condition causes the environment beneath them to become drier and more susceptible to igniting severe bushfires. If we do not address this issue by removing these surplus trees, we are likely to witness more massive and destructive bushfires, as we did in the past and as predicted with the escalating impact of climate change. In the 2019-20 fires alone, five unrehabilitated national parks in Victoria were entirely burnt, with 60% of the forest exposed to extreme bushfire, permanently changing this environment and releasing 56 million tons of carbon in one devastating event. These occurrences are prime examples of the repercussions when rehabilitation work is neglected to be done before making these areas parks. The suffering and loss of life to our native forests and animals in these areas was horrendous. The way the animals would have suffered is unimaginable. The few survivors are now exposed to feral predators like wild dogs and cats. The feral deer eat most of the forest’s natural regeneration after the fires, removing more of the native wildlife food source. Sadly, moving forward without the timber industry makes it impossible for the government to afford the necessary funding for our forestry. Our forestry needs to generate income to make it viable to carry out the essential rehabilitation work. The problematic trees need to be selectively removed in a low-impact manner and used for renewable building materials so as not to release more carbon into our atmosphere. If the government had the foresight when they came into power, they could have initiated a transition into a more sustainable and beneficial forestry practice. However, it seems that emotional politics have clouded their judgment, demonising the timber workers and failing to recognize their potential in preserving the forest and helping us combat climate change. Instead, they have deliberately and gradually dismantled the industry and the businesses involved, without properly managing the forest, leading to more environmental damage. The effect of the industry shutdown on hundreds of timber workers has been equally devastating. The knee-jerk closure – instead of the eight years transition the government had us all planning for – has disrupted small businesses across Victoria. The stress and uncertainty faced by the frontline industry workers and their families are overwhelming, leaving them in limbo. With some of them, myself included, not having been paid for months with no sign of compensation as yet. The future looks uncertain, casting a shadow of doubt over the entire community. The timber industry has undeniably left a lasting impact on the area, but its legacy will forever be tarnished by its sudden and unexplained end. The unanswered questions and unheard pleas of those involved leave a bitter taste. Why was the industry closed without proper transparency and communication? Why is there a need to withhold and redact information if the intention is to protect the environment? These circumstances give rise to suspicions of corruption or incompetence, further reinforcing the belief that the industry was set up to fail. It is evident that the promised deadline of 2030 was unattainable from the start because it was a lie. A lie that led us timber workers to invest in our businesses and family homes, believing we had time to repay our debts before the closure occurred. A deceitful trap set by our government leaders, playing politics with the rural community, families, and businesses. As the bittersweet reality sets in […]