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Ponsse extends the life of its machinery recycling and reusing

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:53

Ponsse is launching the ExtendedLIFE project, funded by the EU’s LIFE Program. The project aims to extend the service life of used forest machines and increase the reuse of machine components. As part of the project, Ponsse will establish a Refactory in Iisalmi, Finland, where used machines can be refurbished or dismantled and recycled on an industrial scale. Source: Timberbiz “Our goal is to significantly extend the lifetime of forest machine components and improve the efficient use of materials. We aim to even double the service life of key components and achieve substantial environmental benefits in line with our sustainability targets,” Katja Paananen, Chief Responsibility Officer at Ponsse said. The ExtendedLIFE project develops new solutions that enable more efficient refurbishment, reuse and recycling of forest machine components. Ponsse has already established circular economy processes for forest machine components. In 2010, a remanufacturing unit was established in Iisalmi, where components are refurbished for reuse. The operation has gradually expanded. In 2025, the volume of refurbished or reused spare parts reached 222 tonnes. Through the ExtendedLIFE project, these operations will be further expanded and developed on an industrial scale. The project also includes the development of a digital marketplace for remanufactured components and training for personnel, dealers and value chain partners in circular economy and remanufacturing practices. “As a result of the development work, a new Refactory concept will be created, enabling forest machines to be refurbished, dismantled and recycled as efficiently as possible. The Refactory will be established near Ponsse’s service and logistics centre in Iisalmi during 2026. The project is expected to increase employment in Iisalmi in areas such as machine dismantling and installation work,” said Ville Ohukainen, Circular Economy Coordinator at Ponsse. Ponsse is utilising digital tools and AI-based solutions in the project to anticipate maintenance needs and direct components for refurbishment, reuse or recycling. “For Ponsse customers, the project will primarily be visible through improved availability of refurbished and remanufactured spare parts. This will provide more cost-effective options for machine maintenance and support the long service life of forest machines,” Ohukainen said. ExtendedLIFE is a project funded by the EU’s LIFE Program in which Ponsse develops the remanufacturing and recycling of forest machine components on an industrial scale. The aim is to extend component lifetimes and significantly reduce the use of materials and emissions. The project’s total budget is approximately EUR 5 million, of which 60% is funded by the EU’s LIFE Program.

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Global sustainable market reflects robust expansion

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:52

According to Growth Market Report, a market research firm based in India and USA, the global sustainable timber chain-of-custody platform market size reached $US1.15 billion in 2025, reflecting robust expansion driven by rising demand for traceable and eco-friendly timber products. Source: Growth Market Reports The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% from 2026 to 2034, with the market size expected to reach $US3.64 billion by 2034. This impressive growth is primarily fuelled by stringent regulatory frameworks, increasing consumer and corporate awareness about sustainability, and the proliferation of digital transformation initiatives within the global forestry sector. As per Growth Market Report’s latest research, the market is undergoing significant transformation as stakeholders across the value chain prioritize transparency and accountability in timber sourcing, processing, and distribution. The enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) beginning in 2025 has served as a major catalyst, compelling businesses across the supply chain to invest urgently in credible, auditable digital chain of custody solutions. The Sustainable Timber Chain-of-Custody Platform Market is emerging as one of the most influential segments supporting responsible forestry and transparent global trade. As governments strengthen environmental regulations, consumers demand ethically sourced wood products, and corporations commit to sustainability targets, digital chain-of-custody platforms have become essential tools rather than optional technologies. These platforms document every stage of a timber product’s journey—from certified forests and sawmills to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and end users—ensuring that sustainability claims can be verified with confidence. Modern timber supply chains often span multiple countries and involve dozens of stakeholders. Without digital visibility, verifying legal harvesting practices, certification compliance, and product authenticity becomes increasingly difficult. Sustainable chain-of-custody platforms solve this challenge by creating secure, traceable, and auditable records that improve accountability while reducing fraud and operational inefficiencies. A sustainable timber chain-of-custody platform is a digital ecosystem that tracks certified wood products throughout every phase of the supply chain. Instead of relying on fragmented paperwork and disconnected databases, these platforms consolidate information into a centralized or distributed digital environment where authorized stakeholders can monitor product movement, verify certifications, and demonstrate compliance. Each transaction, including harvesting, transportation, processing, manufacturing, storage, export, and retail, is digitally recorded. The result is a complete lifecycle history that helps organizations prove responsible sourcing while simplifying audits and regulatory reporting. Rather than replacing certification programs, these platforms strengthen them by making certification records easier to validate and significantly more difficult to manipulate. Global timber markets are evolving beyond price and product quality. Buyers increasingly evaluate suppliers based on sustainability credentials, legal compliance, biodiversity protection, and environmental responsibility. Illegal logging continues to threaten forests, wildlife habitats, and local communities. Consequently, regulators are introducing stricter due diligence requirements for imported timber products. Businesses now require accurate documentation demonstrating legal origin and sustainable harvesting practices. Digital chain-of-custody platforms provide the transparency needed to meet these expectations while building trust among manufacturers, retailers, investors, and environmentally conscious consumers. Traditional recordkeeping methods often involve manual documentation that is vulnerable to human error, delays, and document loss. Digital platforms modernize forest management by integrating technologies such as cloud computing, GPS mapping, mobile applications, digital certificates, and automated reporting. Field inspectors can upload harvesting data directly from forests using mobile devices. Transportation companies can update shipment status in real time. Processing facilities can record material transformations instantly, creating uninterrupted digital records from forest to finished product. This continuous information flow improves operational efficiency while significantly reducing administrative complexity Blockchain technology has become an important innovation within sustainable timber tracking. Because blockchain records cannot easily be altered once validated, they provide a highly secure digital ledger for documenting timber transactions. Every movement of certified wood can be recorded with timestamps, participant identities, and verification data. This creates a trusted audit trail that strengthens confidence among buyers, regulators, certification agencies, and financial institutions. Although blockchain is not mandatory for every chain-of-custody platform, its ability to enhance data integrity makes it increasingly attractive for complex international supply chains. Artificial Intelligence is transforming timber traceability beyond simple tracking. Advanced analytics can identify unusual transaction patterns, predict compliance risks, detect documentation inconsistencies, and optimize logistics planning. Machine learning algorithms analyse thousands of supply chain records to identify anomalies that may indicate fraud or certification irregularities. AI-powered forecasting also helps manufacturers estimate timber availability, optimize procurement strategies, and reduce material shortages. As datasets continue expanding, predictive intelligence will become an increasingly valuable competitive advantage. Environmental legislation across many regions is becoming more comprehensive. Authorities increasingly require importers, manufacturers, and distributors to demonstrate legal sourcing through verifiable documentation. Digital chain-of-custody platforms simplify regulatory compliance by generating standardized audit reports, maintaining secure transaction histories, and reducing manual paperwork. Government-supported digital forestry initiatives are also encouraging modernization among forest operators, helping accelerate market adoption while improving national resource management. Corporate sustainability reporting has evolved from voluntary disclosure into a strategic business function. Investors, financial institutions, procurement teams, and consumers now expect measurable evidence supporting environmental commitments. Chain-of-custody platforms generate reliable sustainability data that organizations can incorporate into environmental reporting frameworks. Metrics related to certified sourcing, carbon impact, supplier compliance, and responsible procurement become significantly easier to monitor and communicate. This capability enhances organizational credibility while strengthening relationships with environmentally focused stakeholders. Cloud computing has made advanced timber traceability systems accessible to organizations of all sizes. Small forestry businesses, independent sawmills, exporters, and furniture manufacturers can implement scalable digital solutions without investing heavily in on-premise infrastructure. Cloud deployment enables secure collaboration among geographically distributed participants while supporting automatic software updates, centralized data management, and remote accessibility. As cloud technologies mature, implementation costs continue declining, encouraging wider market participation. Despite strong momentum, several operational challenges remain. Many forestry operations continue relying on legacy documentation systems that require significant modernization. Data standardization across international supply chains can also be difficult because participants often use different software environments and reporting formats. Digital literacy varies considerably among smaller suppliers, particularly in developing regions. Initial implementation costs, cybersecurity concerns, and integration with existing enterprise systems also require careful planning. However, continuous technological improvements and increasing […]

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Four certificate holders blocked by FSC for false claims

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:52

FSC has blocked four certificate holders for making false claims and engaging in fraudulent activities. These blockages are based on evidence gathered during the birch plywood transaction verification (TV) loop. Source: Timberbiz In May 2026, FSC blocked these certificate holders, in addition to the four certificate holders blocked in October 2025. The blocked companies are: Xuzhou Discover International Import & Export CO., LTD (FSC-C159783) for selling non-conforming birch plywood to customers while reporting zero sales of FSC materials to their certification body between 2020 and July 2024. Xuzhou Huayu Wood Industry Co., Ltd (FSC-C181040) for selling non-conforming birch plywood to customers while reporting zero sales with FSC claims to the certification body, including during the TV period between July 2022 and June 2023. Xuzhou Shelter Import & Export Co. LTD (FSC-C180645) (henceforth referred to as Xuzhou Shelter) for selling plywood products with false FSC claims in 2023 to Shelter Forest International Acquisition, Inc. (FSC-C146872), even though they declared no sale of FSC materials in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Furthermore, the organization repeatedly failed to cooperate with required oversight activities, including refusing to provide the required TV data, limiting access to Assurance Services International (ASI) during the October 2024 assessment, and subsequently becoming unreachable to their certification body and ASI. Shelter Forest International Acquisition, Inc. (FSC-C146872) (henceforth referred to as Shelter International) for knowingly purchasing materials with false FSC claims from Xuzhou Shelter Import & Export Co. Ltd. (FSC-C180645), the organization identified in the preceding bullet. Shelter International also hindered the investigation by repeatedly refusing to provide the required transaction documents to its certification body and was eventually terminated by their certification body.   Originally launched by Assurance Services International (ASI) in 2023, the birch plywood TV loop included 78 certificate holders and analysed transaction data from July 2022 to June 2023. This TV loop started with traders and downstream buyers and then expanded to include the supplying sectors. It is a part of FSC’s Eurasia Integrity Workplan, which focuses on identifying and addressing various integrity risks in FSC-certified birch supply chains in the Eurasian region. Within the Eurasia Integrity Workplan, FSC and ASI initiated another TV loop in 2024 with a focus on birch wood panels for certificate holders with physical possession of certified material in the Eurasian region. Findings from the Eurasia birch wood panel TV loop supported the observations from the birch plywood TV loop. To protect the integrity of FSC certified birch plywood supply chains, FSC is implementing measures to strengthen the certification system. For instance: Delivering on the Advice Note, Public disclosure of ‘no FSC sales’ (ADV-STD-20-011_15_V1-0), FSC has introduced a new feature FSC Public Search, which lists the certificate holders who reported ‘No FSC Sales’ to their certification bodies during a specified evaluation period. Strengthening the supply chains of solid wood, veneer, or wood panels, as well as FSC-certified bamboo products in China by making annual audits mandatory for all certificate holders even if they did not buy or sell any FSC-certified materials through the Advice Note Remove option for waiving surveillance audit (ADV-STD-20-011-12_V2-1), available in page 10 of this document. FSC encourages certificate holders and stakeholders to strengthen due diligence by checking FSC Public Search for organizations declaring ‘No FSC Sales’ and confirming this with their suppliers. This way, any potentially fraudulent activities will be detected, thereby ensuring that non-certified birch products do not enter FSC-certified supply chains.

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Certificate III in prefab installation to train students in Melbourne

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:52

The first accredited, long-form Prefabrication Installation qualification delivered through Melbourne Polytechnic’s Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence was launched yesterday. Source: Timberbiz The Certificate III in Prefabrication Installation will train students for careers building prefabricated homes. Students will receive hands-on training and flexible blended learning. These skills are needed to work with modern methods of construction (MMC). The qualification was developed in consultation with industry through the Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence. It will be hosted at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Heidelberg West campus. “The Certificate III in Prefabrication Installation is the first-of-its-kind in Australia, established to prepare workers with the right tools and confidence needed for a career in modern methods of construction,” Melbourne Polytechnic CEO Frances Coppolillo said. The Centre of Excellence is a national hub for training, research and innovation across Australia’s building industry. Victoria is already home to more than 200 companies specialising in MMC, spanning design, manufacturing, transport, assembly and installation. Alongside the new Certificate III qualification, the Centre of Excellence is already delivering four industry-designed short courses. These help existing workers and businesses adopt modern methods of construction. The $50 million Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence is jointly funded by the Federal and State governments. “Building more homes, more efficiently starts with building the skilled workforce Australia needs,” Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles said. “This new qualification will help more Australians develop the practical skills needed to embrace modern construction methods and deliver more homes, faster.” To find out more about national TAFE Centres of Excellence, visit www.vic.gov.au/national-tafe-centres-excellence  

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Expressions of interest invited to build faster homes in NSW

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:51

The world’s best and brightest in housing are invited to help build more high-quality homes, faster for the people of NSW using Modern Methods of Construction. Source: Timberbiz An Expression of Interest (EOI) is now open for businesses to establish or expand a manufacturing facility in NSW to produce prefabricated building components or large-scale modular housing, specifically for higher density housing types, including developing designs from the mid-rise pattern book. The State Government is set to turbocharge the way homes are built in NSW, unlocking the potential of MMC and lifting productivity in the building sector. Through the Modern Methods of Construction Industry Expansion Program (MMCIEP), the State Government is inviting businesses with expertise in advanced manufacturing, prefabrication and modular construction to invest in NSW and help transform the way homes are built. The program aims to grow local manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, create skilled jobs and accelerate the delivery of more homes across the state. The State Government will consider supporting the development of the facility through financial support, through the provision of suitable land, by agreement to purchase output from the facility, including housing and other public facilities, as well as considering alternative proposals where these represent value for money for taxpayers and will support the development of a sustainable industry in NSW. The EOI is the first stage of a two-stage procurement process, and proposals will be assessed on commercial readiness, demonstrated capability and capacity to deliver at scale. The launch follows the opening of the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund and Housing Innovation Network Grants Program, representing almost $4 million in investment to help grow the local MMC sector, commercialise new technologies and bring more innovative manufacturers into the NSW housing market. The Government is also investing $1.6 million to establish a new regulatory framework and introduce a certification system for MMC, formally recognising prefabricated buildings in NSW law and integrating MMC into the planning approvals system, as well as reforming procurement to open up more opportunities for MMC projects in NSW, using the Government’s purchasing power to help grow a strong and sustainable MMC industry. Together, these reforms are designed to give industry the confidence to invest in NSW, expand manufacturing capability and build a sustainable pipeline of modern construction projects for years to come. This is part of the State Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more high-quality homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live in the communities they choose. The EOI closes at 3:00pm AEST on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. Businesses can access the EOI documentation and apply through the NSW Government’s tendering portal.

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Riding for Col McCulloch’s fight with MND

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:50

When Komatsu’s Nigel Howard found out that his friend and mentor, forest industry icon Col McCulloch had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease it didn’t take him long to realise that being frustrated couldn’t help. The best thing he could do was to get on his bike and do something useful. Source: Timberbiz Next month, Mr Howard will set off on his BMW GS 1300 Adventure to undertake a 20,000 km, 38-day motorbike trip around Australia aiming to raise $150,000 for the fight against MND. As well as raising vital funds, Mr Howard is looking to start conversations and bring the timber and forestry community together. “Col told me about his diagnosis over a coffee. Like a lot of people I’d heard of MND but the reality didn’t really set in until we talked” he said. “When I started having conversations with other people in the industry, I discovered Col’s story isn’t unique – far too many people have a mate, a parent, a colleague or a spouse afflicted by the beast.” Mr Howard said it was an easy decision to bring together his passions of motorbike riding and the forest and timber community to plan the MND Beast Challenge. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned working in forestry, it’s that people show up when they’re needed. Every kilometre I ride is for people like Col, for families living with MND and for the hope that one day research can provide the answers we’re looking for,” he said. Mr Howard knows that one bloke on a motorbike isn’t going to cure the disease. But if the MND Beast Challenge can raise awareness, raise funds and get more people talking about the disease, then it will be worth every kilometre. He sets off from Daylesford on Thursday 20 August. To learn more about the MND Beast Challenge and to make a donation, head to https://www.mndbeastchallenge.com.au/

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Northland Mill closure imminent as it fails to find a buyer

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:49

Juken New Zealand (JNZ) has concluded consultation with employees regarding the future of Northland Mill and has made the difficult decision to proceed with the closure of the mill Yasufumi Tsuchiya Director of Juken New Zealand said in a statement. Source: Timberbiz This decision follows an extensive process to identify a buyer or alternative arrangement that would allow the mill to continue operating in a financially sustainable way. Over recent months, Mr Tsuchiya said the company explored a range of options, including a sale process and other potential business arrangements. Despite those efforts, we were unable to identify a viable pathway forward. The decision relates to Northland Mill only. The Northland Mill produces veneer only. Triboard and Strandboard produced at Triboard Mill and J-frame, J-ply and solid wood produced at Wairarapa Mill are not impacted by this announcement. The process to explore a potential sale of Triboard as a going concern remains ongoing. Mr Tsuchiya said in the statement that before reaching the decision about the Northland Mill, the company undertook a formal consultation process with employees and union representatives. He said they carefully considered the feedback received and would like to thank everyone who participated in that process. Mr Tsuchiya said that the company recognised the significance of this announcement for its employees, their whānau and the wider Northland community. Many people have dedicated years of service to Northland Mill, and he acknowledged the impact this decision will have. The focus now is supporting affected employees through the next stage of the process. This includes discussions about redeployment opportunities across JNL, as well as access to a range of services including financial advice, wellbeing support, and employment and training opportunities. The current plan is for the mill to close by 21 August 2026. Production activity will gradually reduce over the coming weeks as remaining work is completed. While the decision has been made to close Northland Mill, the company remains open to conversations with potential buyers and continues to explore opportunities relating to the land and assets. Further updates will be forthcoming if there are any developments. JNL said that it remains committed to New Zealand and to maintaining a sustainable forestry and manufacturing business here. Decisions relating to the Kaitaia mills have been made with the long-term viability of the wider business in mind.

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Rushy Lagoon is not a choice between food and forestry

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:48

The new owners of one of Tasmania’s largest farms, which they plan to turn over to a pine plantation claim the property, is “low-quality, degraded land” and not currently being used for food production. Source: Timberbiz Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers last week announced the approval of the sale of Tasmania’s largest farm, Rushy Lagoon, to UK-based forestry investor Gresham House. The 22,000-hectare property will be converted from an agricultural estate into a $142 million pine plantation and carbon project. The Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed the sale, saying the plantation project will expand Australia’s sovereign capability in sustainable timber production. The project will combine commercial softwood plantations on low productive land with large-scale conservation and ecological restoration and sustainable grazing. This is expected to provide a major boost to Tasmania’s forestry industry. The Radiata Pine trees produced by the project are expected to be processed locally by Tasmanian-based sawmills and supplied into the Australian market. This will alleviate some of Tasmania’s wood supply pressures and help divert harvesting away from native forests. It is expected to stimulate the local economy, creating jobs for contractors, sawmill operators, field surveyors and planting crews. In addition, sustainable agricultural activities will continue in designated areas across the property. Direct benefits are expected to include: More than 190 new jobs over the life of the project. Production of approximately five million tonnes of timber and 3.2 million ACCUs. Timber will be grown under Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certification or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and be processed by Tasmanian sawmills to help offset a critical shortage of construction timber in the Australian housing market.   However, farmers groups have criticised approval of the sale, claiming the project would turn productive farmland into a monoculture pine plantation in return for carbon credits. TasFarmers will hold a community meeting on Friday, 17 July at the Scottsdale Mechanics Institute, and have invited concerned members of the public to help send a message to the Prime Minister that they want the deal reversed. But a spokesman for the Tasmania Natural Asset Trust, an investment platform managed by UK forestry giant Gresham House, told The Mercury in Hobart “This is low-quality, degraded agricultural land, not prime farmland, and it isn’t currently in broad food production: dairy operations have historically used around 14% of the property, with current use around 5% of the land.” The areas proposed for plantation forestry on Rushy Lagoon are on areas classified as marginal, Class 5 and 6 under the Tasmanian Land Capability Classification System (Class 7 being the poorest), by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Tasmania.” The spokesman told The Mercury the operation would combine commercial softwood (Radiata Pine) plantations on low-productivity land with large-scale conservation, ecological restoration, sustainable grazing and potentially other agricultural opportunities. The spokesman said agriculture would remain an important part of the property. “Sustainable grazing will continue on land best suited to farming, and additional agricultural opportunities are also being explored. “This is not a choice between food and timber – Australia needs both.” The spokesman also addressed claims that a local buyer was locked out of the sales process for the 21,744ha property. “The property was widely marketed to the agricultural sector on several occasions from 2018 onwards. However, the vendor [the estate of New Zealand farmer Allan Pye] was unable to secure a sale at independently assessed market value,” he said. “Following these unsuccessful sales processes, Gresham House entered into a purchase agreement with the vendor. “Gresham House itself did attempt a separate sale process for the dairy operation but received no conforming bids.” The spokesman said agronomist and technical advisers attributed the limited interest to poor infrastructure, soil quality and distance to market, and supported a change in land use to forestry. But the National Farmers’ Federation has questioned the approval process behind the sale which it says has left stakeholders questioning the logic behind the decision. “We’re concerned that there were buyers that were potentially disadvantaged in the process of allowing the sale to a foreign forestry fund,” Mr Guerin said. “We are calling for a review of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s (CEFC) mandate. “It’s imperative that these processes are transparent. “We need to understand whether various conflicts of interest were addressed through the appropriate mechanisms, including the fact that a CEFC Director sits on the Foreign Investment Review Board which is supposed to assess the decision independently.” Mr Guerin said the community’s desires had not been respected. “We echo TasFarmers’ concerns that the decision goes against what 99% per cent of surveyed Tasmanians wanted for Rushy Lagoon,” Mr Guerin said. “Australian farmers must be consulted, given choices, and listened to. “There must be a balance between emissions goals, food security, and farm profitability. “We always want to see agricultural land being used for its best purpose. We must ensure that is the case in the sale of Rushy Lagoon,” Mr Guerin said.  

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Neville Smith Group to stop accepting old-growth logs

Australian timber industry news - Fri, 17/07/2026 - 02:48

The Neville Smith Group has confirmed its full support for the Forest Congress Shared Vision Statement, joining Palawa Elders, scientists, environmentalists, industry and community leaders in a common position on the future of Tasmania’s forests. Source: Timberbiz The statement calls for an immediate end to old-growth logging, responding to a Palawa-led call to protect these forests as enduring cultural treasures, alongside the ongoing, responsible management of Tasmania’s native forest resources. “After three years of collaborative Forest Congress stakeholder engagement, the Neville Smith Group (NSG) has formalised its commitment to the shared future vision for Tasmanian forestry,” Andrew Walker, CEO of Neville Smith Group, said. “We support a Palawa-led, whole-of-landscape, pragmatic, science-backed, long-term proposition for native forestry in Tasmania, not an ideological one. Indigenous voices were absent from previous agreements, including the Tasmanian Forest Agreement, and Palawa leadership belongs at the centre of forest management going forward, alongside forest scientists, growers, landowners, processors and local communities. “This finds the right balance between protecting old-growth forests as cultural and ecological treasures, whilst securing the long-term future for native forestry, meeting national timber demand, and supporting regional Tasmanian communities. “NSG is a majority plantation and ongoing regrowth native business, established 25 years ago, on the basis of processing smaller, younger certified logs. The Plantation Nitens logs were previously destined only for wood chip export, now elevated up the value chain via cutting edge technology. “After a deliberate 4-year transition period to majority plantation supply, our native regrowth log supply has now been re-balanced to align with our Tasmanian sawmilling capacity. “We have recently advised our former Victorian customer, that the previous short-term surplus of native regrowth logs will not be available from 31st July 2026 onwards. “By ending old-growth supply (currently less than 3% of total supply to NSG), it removes a remaining point of contention, paves the way for innovation, investment and additional on-island processing in Tasmania. “We have formally notified Sustainable Timber Tasmania of our decision to not receive old-growth logs, with immediate effect. “Australia is a net annual importer of timber products, and we must ensure that native forests in lower regulatory global jurisdictions are not deforested, to meet our insatiable national timber demand. Tasmania manages its forests as well as anywhere in the world, and the regeneration of our native forests after harvest is testament to our sustainable practices. “The continuation of renewable native regrowth and plantation resource bases underpins the perpetual supply of wood-based products for housing, commercial projects, manufacturing sector, and strengthens our national resilience. As the largest plantation hardwood sawn timber processor in Australia, future investment and further industry transition is only possible with log supply security. “Wood is the ultimate renewable, healthy forests mean healthy communities. “We call on the Tasmanian and Australian Governments to join communities and industry in supporting a lasting transition, one that backs Palawa-led cultural practice, restores landscapes, supports regional communities and secures the future of the best-managed native forests in the world.”

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