Australian timber industry news

Red Stag TimberLab (RSTL) supplied mass timber roof structures for a series of bus stations along the New Zealand’s Eastern Busway network between Pakūranga and Botany. The bus station structures have been architecturally designed using a modular ‘kit of parts’ approach with consistent components used across all four stations. Source: Timberbiz The four new bus stations are Pōhatu near Burswood, Te Taha Wai (near Edgewater), Koata (near Riverhills), and Pakūranga. The Eastern Busway is delivered by an alliance of Auckland Transport, Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM and Jacobs, in partnership with mana whenua. Aspec Construction was sub-contracted by the Eastern Busway Alliance who engaged RSTL as a supply partner for this project. The new Eastern Busway stations showcase the value of hybrid construction, where engineered timber and steel are combined to optimise structural performance, architectural expression, constructability, and material efficiency. The roof system integrates CLT panels supported by curved-cut glulam flitch rafters. The steel flitch rafters were formed from twin 65mm glulam members with an internal steel plate. Rather than relying on a single material, the design leverages the unique strengths of each component to achieve an efficient and highly buildable solution. The CLT roof panels provide a robust structural roof diaphragm while creating a clean, exposed timber soffit. Curved glulam rafters are angled diagonally in plan to enable the architectural form of the station canopies while efficiently carrying roof loads. The incorporation of steel flitch plates within the glulam assembly enhances the overall performance of the system, allowing the project team to optimise member sizes, simplify connection details, and achieve the desired structural and architectural outcomes. The result is a refined hybrid solution that balances efficiency, design flexibility, and constructability across a highly visible piece of public infrastructure. RSTL was engaged to manufacture and supply the engineered timber roof structures across multiple station locations. Working from the documentation supplied by the Eastern Busway team, RSTL developed fabrication-ready models and manufacturing information to support efficient production. Leveraging advanced digital modelling and CNC fabrication processes, RSTL translated the project’s design intent into precision-manufactured timber components ready for installation. This prefabricated approach significantly reduced on-site installation time across the various station sites. The Eastern Busways Stations project demonstrates how hybrid timber construction can unlock greater flexibility for infrastructure projects by combining the strengths of multiple materials within a single structural system.

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Global forest products markets experienced mixed conditions during the first half of 2026, with shifting trade flows, regional price differences, and contrasting demand trends across major commodities. Sources: Timberbiz, ResourceWise While global timber prices softened slightly, hardwood fibre costs increased, international lumber trade declined, and biomass markets recorded modest growth. According to ResourceWise’s WoodMarket Prices (WMP) market intelligence, these developments highlight the increasingly varied conditions shaping the global forest products industry. One of the most notable developments in H1 2026 was the divergence between global pricing and trade trends. In timber markets, the ResourceWise Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) declined by 2% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 but remained 3% higher year-over-year. Regional differences were also evident, with North American sawlog prices remaining substantially below European averages. Global hardwood fibre prices increased by 7% year-over-year, while softwood fibre prices declined by 4%. International trade patterns also shifted. Global softwood lumber exports declined by almost 9% year-over-year, with reduced import volumes in the United States and China. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom recorded an increase in softwood lumber imports. Biomass markets followed a different trajectory, with global wood pellet exports increasing modestly. However, demand trends varied across major importing countries, particularly in Asia. These developments illustrate how market conditions can differ considerably across commodities and geographic regions, creating distinct challenges and opportunities for industry participants. Understanding global forest products market movements goes beyond tracking price increases or decreases. These trends provide valuable context for evaluating supply availability, production costs, international competitiveness, and changing demand patterns. For producers, differences in regional raw material costs can influence manufacturing competitiveness and market positioning. For buyers, changes in international trade flows may signal shifts in sourcing opportunities and supplier relationships. Monitoring these developments over time can also help businesses identify emerging market changes and evaluate potential risks. For example, declining trade volumes in one region alongside growth in another may indicate changing demand patterns or opportunities to explore alternative markets. Similarly, diverging hardwood and softwood fibre prices can influence procurement considerations for companies dependent on these materials. While historical market movements do not necessarily predict future performance, they provide an important foundation for evaluating possible market scenarios and making more informed strategic decisions. The first half of 2026 highlighted the complexity of global forest products markets, with shifting prices, evolving trade relationships, and varying regional demand conditions. The full report can be accessed at: https://www.resourcewise.com/market-insights-report-a-summary-of-the-global-forest-industry-h1-2026?hsCtaTracking=052d096a-ba35-4b43-9a05-f4845888a585%7C50c3192b-c2eb-40f4-8718-da2fac34b5e9

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US Congresswoman Andrea Salinas and Congressman Glenn Thompson introduced the bipartisan Mass Timber Growth and Innovation Act, legislation to lower housing construction costs, strengthen American manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs in rural communities. Source: Timberbiz he bill would provide tax incentives to expand domestic production of mass timber, an innovative wood building material that can help builders construct homes faster and at a lower cost. As part of the bill rollout, Ms Salinas visited Timberlab in Portland to tour their mass timber production facility and discuss the details of the bill. “Every Oregon family deserves a home they can afford. Right now, Oregon needs to build nearly 500,000 new homes over the next 20 years to keep up with demand, but we simply aren’t building enough, and the restricted supply leads to increased prices,” she said. “Mass timber can help us build faster and more affordably. Oregon has led the wood products industry for generations, and this bill provides the opportunity for Oregon workers lead what comes next. That means more homes for working families and more good jobs in the rural towns that helped build this state. I look forward to working with Rep. Thompson to get this done.” Mass timber products are made from layers of wood bonded or fastened together to create strong structural components, including large panels and beams. These materials are particularly well-suited for mid-rise housing projects, where traditional wood framing may not be practical and other construction materials may not be economical. Because mass timber components can be manufactured off-site and assembled quickly, they can reduce construction timelines and therefore costs. Despite these advantages, manufacturers face significant barriers to expanding production. Building new facilities and purchasing specialized equipment require substantial upfront investments. Limited domestic manufacturing capacity has contributed to higher material prices, making it harder for builders to adopt mass timber construction. The Mass Timber Growth and Innovation Act would: Help manufacturers build new plants. The bill offers a 10% tax credit for investments in mass timber manufacturing facilities, including machinery, equipment, and buildings. It does this by adding mass timber to the existing Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit. Reward research that brings costs down. This bill creates a 20% credit that covers every dollar a company spends on mass timber research, from new products to better production methods.   For Oregon, expanding mass timber manufacturing presents an opportunity to build on the state’s timber and wood products industry while supporting economic growth in rural communities. Increased production could create new demand for American-grown wood, support family-wage manufacturing jobs, and help builders access more affordable construction materials. “Americans want lower costs, and housing is their biggest bill,” said Adam Kovacevich, CEO of Chamber of Progress. “Housing costs too much because building costs too much, but mass timber frames go up in weeks. The Mass Timber Growth and Innovation Act will help American factories make more of it so we can build more, build faster, and bring rents down.” The bill is endorsed by: American Wood Council, Chamber of Progress, Oregon Forest Industries Council, Washington Mass Timber Accelerator, and Weyerhaeuser.

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Geospatial information can show where forests are, where agricultural land begins or whether a farm overlaps with a protected area. But what happens when two land use maps give different answers about the same place? Source: Timberbiz This was one of the questions explored during a technical workshop on Geospatial Data for Due Diligence, held in Barcelona on 14–15 October 2026. The workshop brought together public authorities, research and technical organisations, companies and geospatial data providers to examine how geographic information can support due diligence under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EUDR has increased demand for geospatial information that can support assessments of deforestation and legality risks linked to specific plots of land. Relevant sources include satellite imagery, land-use and land-cover datasets, commodity and forest maps, protected-area boundaries and systems that alert users to changes in forest cover. But these datasets have been created for different purposes. They can use different definitions, analyse different periods and have different levels of detail and accuracy. For example, information showing tree cover is not necessarily the same as information showing how land is being used. Differences in how trees and croplands are classified can therefore affect how a particular plot is interpreted. Different providers may also use different methods to analyse the information. In some cases, the same plot can be classified as high risk by one system and low risk by another. This creates practical challenges for companies carrying out due diligence and for public authorities responsible for controls. Against this background, the workshop focused on what makes geospatial information sufficiently reliable and useful to support decisions. Participants first examined the existing geospatial data landscape, including differences in dataset scope and accuracy and the particular difficulty of mapping agroforestry systems. They then considered how these limitations affect risk assessment and access to information, especially for farmers and cooperatives. The discussion also highlighted the value of sharing intermediate products, such as ground-truth data and very-high-resolution satellite imagery, where appropriate. The audience also discussed data transparency, methodologies and their limitations, and how to use the data beyond compliance. One recurring question was how to move towards what the workshop described as “decision-grade” geospatial data: information that is reliable, consistent and suitable for a specific decision, while making its limitations clear. The second day shifted from identifying challenges to exploring potential solutions. Participants considered the characteristics of reliable data and how governments, companies, data providers and research organisations could improve it collaboratively. They also examined access: reliable information may exist without being readily available to those who need it, while privacy or sensitivity concerns may prevent some information from being made public. Discussions therefore focused on how data producers can make information more usable while maintaining appropriate safeguards. The discussions brought together perspectives from national institutions in producing countries, European competent authorities, international and research organisations, geospatial service providers and supply-chain actors. Participating organisations included JRC, FAO, GIZ, CIAT, national institutions from Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia and Uganda, competent authorities from Germany and Spain, and private-sector representatives from coffee, cocoa and rubber and technical service providers. The workshop aimed to improve shared understanding of how geospatial information is produced, interpreted and used, while identifying opportunities for greater transparency, consistency and collaboration. It also sought to identify priority areas for future work connected to the Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-free Value Chains. Across the data ecosystem, participants emphasised the importance of sharing data and metadata and ensuring that stakeholders have tools and systems they can use. They also highlighted the need for effective communication with smallholders in producing countries and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in consuming countries. Finally, participants noted that private-sector collaboration may be strengthened when improved maps support multiple objectives, including environmental services, emissions reductions and biodiversity.

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Revision of the joint Australia/New Zealand Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS/NZS 4708:2021) is entering the final approval stages, with publication expected in early 2027. Source: Timberbiz The Standard plays an important role in stewarding responsible forest management practices that support healthy forests, biodiversity, renewable timber supply, regional jobs, cultural values and community expectations. Conducted every five years, reviews deliver a draft Standard developed through a multi-stakeholder process. Along with public consultation, input is sought from a Standards Review Committee comprised of representatives from forest management, forest research, auditing, government, community organisations, environmental groups, Indigenous stakeholders, industry and labour unions across Australia and New Zealand. The regularity of the review and this broad stakeholder involvement both serve to underpin the integrity of the Standard. The ballot process for the Standards Review Committee is currently being finalised ahead of a concluding editorial review and formal approvals by the Responsible Wood Board. Subject to these approvals and the completion of administrative requirements and approvals from Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, the revised Standard is expected to be published in early 2027. Responsible Wood anticipates seeking re-endorsement by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) shortly after.

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The introduction of ForestFit’s membership framework marks an important milestone in the evolution of the accredited certification scheme, establishing a platform for broader stakeholder participation, representative governance and collective leadership. Source: Timberbiz ForestFit achieved an international first with establishing Forest Services Standards for responsible and sustainable forest operations and is inviting businesses, industry organisations, environmental and community groups, government and individuals to become members and help shape the future. The membership initiative reflects ForestFit’s commitment to ensuring its future development is informed by diverse perspectives, technical expertise and the environmental, social and economic interests of the broader community. “Having established nationally consistent Forest Services Standards and a credible, independent certification scheme, our next phase is about bringing together the people and organisations who share a commitment to responsible forest operations,” ForestFit CEO Dionne Olsen said. “Their collective expertise, leadership and commitment will be essential to ensuring ForestFit continues to evolve and deliver lasting benefits for our forests, people and communities.” Through participation in standing committees, consultation processes and collaborative forums, members will help ensure the Forest Services Standards remain technically robust, nationally relevant and responsive to emerging risks, industry practices and community expectations. This collective approach will strengthen transparency, accountability and representative decision-making while driving continuous improvement and meaningful environmental, social and economic sustainability outcomes. ForestFit certification provides a practical mechanism for translating environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments into measurable operational practices. Through independent, third-party certification and annual surveillance audits, the scheme strengthens critical risk management, environmental stewardship, workplace safety, business capability and continuous improvement. ForestFit is also progressing initiatives to improve the efficiency and accessibility of assurance, including integrated audit processes with ISO and Heavy Vehicle Accreditation frameworks, expanded digital services and opportunities to extend the scheme into aligned sectors and international markets. These initiatives aim to reduce duplication, strengthen supply-chain confidence and improve the commercial viability of businesses committed to responsible forest operations. Members will play an active role in shaping ForestFit’s future, contributing their expertise and perspectives to governance, standards development and strategic initiatives. “We invite those who share this vision to become part of ForestFit and contribute to a transparent, inclusive and credible certification scheme that delivers meaningful outcomes for generations to come,” Ms Olsen said. For membership application and supporting resources, visit www.forestfit.com.au/members

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A refocused advisory group and redirected funding aim to tackle woody debris, land use and forestry in Tairāwhiti. Source: The New Zealand Herald & Local Democrary Reporter Gisborne Herald While Government-appointed facilitation and a Gisborne District Council-ordered independent review take place, New Zealand Forestry Minister Todd McClay said the changes will co-ordinate regional work. The former Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group has been refocused as the Tairāwhiti Transition Advisory Group (TTAG), with a “wider mandate” to support regional resilience and land-use transition. “No one organisation can fix the challenges facing Tairāwhiti on its own. The group’s wider role will help join up the work across the region and keep it focused on the long term,” McClay said. The group had begun operating. The Government also redirected the remaining NZ$16.4 million from a NZ$27m Ministry for Primary Industries woody debris package towards debris clean-up and pilot projects. “Clearing it [debris] and catching what does come loose before it gets into the rivers, protects vital infrastructure. It’s also work for local contractors over the coming season,” he said. The pilots will explore sustainable logging on hillsides, land-use change and slash traps to reduce debris entering waterways. Initial work will prioritise high-risk areas and work with landowners to address barriers such as harvesting risks, consent requirements and establishment costs. The results would help inform future policy and funding decisions, he said. Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said it represented an important step towards addressing the challenges caused by vulnerable terrain and extreme weather. “We need a future where forestry can continue on appropriate land, harvesting is undertaken well, and land carrying the greatest risk has a realistic pathway to transition.” Council had worked closely with central government, mana whenua and regional partners to establish the refocused group. “It gives us an opportunity to build on the evidence, relationships and practical work already developed, strengthen co-ordination and move towards delivery. “The next step is testing different land-use options in real situations and identifying approaches that could be applied more widely across Tairāwhiti.” The council pointed to Te Ārai demonstration catchment as work underway, building off local efforts, and working with landowners to develop property plans and a catchment transition plan. “This is about finding the right land use for the right place, while supporting viable livelihoods and reducing risks to communities and the environment.” It said the issue required all parties to work together from the same evidence to find solutions to protect communities and support the economy. Eastland Wood Council chairman Julian Kohn said the region had been through tough years, and the council wanted a future with resilient communities and continued opportunities for local families in forestry. Some of the most erosion-prone land would need to transition, and he welcomed Government funding and recognition of a co-ordinated approach for land use changes. “We’ve already seen the pressure on local contractors, workers, businesses and families who depend on the hundreds of millions of dollars forestry and wood processing contribute to Tairāwhiti’s economy each year. “We can’t afford to lose more skilled workers and businesses while the region works towards a future that is enduring.” He said the refocused TTAG would bring all parties together to create a workable plan for community protection and a stronger future for forestry in Tairāwhiti. Henare Walker, interim chief executive of Ngāti Porou’s governance entity Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou, said broadening focus to long-term land use transition was something Ngāti Porou had called for and it was encouraging for the iwi and the wider region. “We have been saying that Ngāti Porou cannot keep focusing only on cleaning up after each major event. We have to deal with the bigger question of what land use should look like across the rohe and how we protect our whenua, our people and our economy for the future. “For Ngāti Porou, the important thing now is making sure we are part of shaping that transition from the outset, so the decisions being made today deliver lasting benefits for our whenua and our people.” He said the Government needed to consider existing commitments to Ngāti Porou and existing structures to determine the best response to the significant problem. Working with Ngāti Porou to decide what tests, priorities and success levels were in pilots would be important, he said. Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti spokesperson Manu Caddie welcomed recognition that land-use transition could reduce ongoing damage to the environment, infrastructure and properties. However, he said the advisory group needed representation from affected communities, clear links with existing work, including the Land Use Transition Business Case, and transparent measures of progress. “This could be a constructive first step, just a pity it has taken so long and is still not a comprehensive response from the minister.” A clear implementation timetable, details on funding distribution and long-term investment were needed, he said. “Communities deserve to know when the risk will actually start coming down.” He hoped the Government would build on the rejected Transition Business Case to implement pest control, scientific research and “fit-for-purpose regulation”. More evidence was needed on slash trap designs and placement, and how to remove mature trees from high-risk sites, he said. Sustained investment in permanent indigenous cover, pest and weed management, and supported employment was needed to give landowners confidence in the transition, Caddie said.

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Major projects in New South Wales should soon benefit from faster, more efficient environmental assessments under a new national environmental law, this is marking a milestone towards a new bilateral agreement between the Albanese and Minns Governments. Source: Timberbiz Public consultation has opened on the proposed assessment bilateral agreement, which will see projects assessed once, against Commonwealth and State environmental requirements, rather than separate assessments by both levels of government. This is the first new bilateral agreement to reach the public consultation phase following the Albanese Government’s landmark reforms to Australia’s national environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Bilateral agreements reduce complexity, support faster decision making, lower costs for proponents, all while delivering stronger environmental protections. “This new agreement with NSW is a big step forward in implementing our historic EPBC reforms,” Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt said. “It presents a significant opportunity to supercharge economic growth and progress key projects like renewable energy for the state, all while meeting our new, stronger environmental standards. “By working together, our governments are taking a significant step towards more streamlined environmental approvals while protecting NSW’s biodiversity and heritage. “NSW is a front-runner when it comes to signing bilateral agreements, and we strongly encourage other States to join us too.” The Federal Government will retain responsibility for the final approval decision under national environmental law, and projects will need to meet new tests introduced in the EPBC Act reforms, including new National Environmental Standards. The new agreement will replace existing arrangements, which pre-date the EPBC Act reforms passed at the end of last year. Consultation on the agreement is open on the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Have Your Say website until 5pm on 19 November 2026. “We want to protect the natural environment that makes our state so special, while speeding up approvals for things we need, like housing and renewable energy,” NSW Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe said. “This new agreement with the Federal Government will mean fewer separate processes that add years to approvals while ensuring strong and robust environmental standards are met to protect the habitats our wildlife needs to thrive.”

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One month to the day until the next Victorian State Election, Victoria’s timber towns are meeting on the Murray.  Councillors and officers from Timber Towns Victoria’s (TTV) member councils, the City of Ballarat and the shires of Baw Baw, Colac Otway, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Glenelg, Moorabool, Moyne, Wellington and West Wimmera, arrive in Koondrook today for the association’s 2026 three-day forum, field trip and annual general meeting. Source: Timberbiz Hosted by Gannawarra Shire Council from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October, the forum puts members on the ground in a working timber, farming and river community, and comes as TTV seeks commitments from every party on the three priorities in its 2026 Government Brief. TTV President Cr Karen Stephens, who is also Mayor of Glenelg Shire, said the itinerary had been chosen to show members what is at stake. “This week our members will see a sawmill that has operated since 1889 still investing in its future, forests being managed and regrown, and a town that knows what floods do to its roads. Every one of those stops speaks to what we are asking of the next Victorian Government,” she said. The forum opens tonight with a members’ dinner in Koondrook, where Paul Madden, CEO of Arbuthnot Sawmills, is guest speaker. On Thursday, members will walk through the Arbuthnot mill and tour its new sawmill facility before inspecting thinning and forest rehabilitation on Gunbower Island. The afternoon takes in two of the region’s leading dairies, including Victoria’s first robotic compost barn, and The Emu Farmers Co, Australia’s largest producer of emu products. The day ends in Kerang West, in a town that has recorded significant floods eight times since 1909, most recently in 2022, a reminder of the weather damage behind TTV’s call for road funding. Members then return to Koondrook for a dinner with guest speaker Thomas Chick, Chair of the Koondrook Development Committee. The forum closes on Friday with the annual general meeting at the Glass House in Kerang, where members will hear from Gannawarra Shire Council CEO Geoff Rollinson and Manager Economic Development Scott Wishart on ‘The Art of Gannawarra’, the University of Melbourne’s Dr Rob Waterworth on carbon market opportunities and challenges for the plantation sector, and IndustryEdge Managing Director Tim Woods on Portland’s Plantation Processing Precinct. Timber Towns Victoria’s election priorities TTV presented its 2026 Government Brief to six parties at Parliament House in May and is seeking a formal response on each priority before polling day: Roads and bridges: multi-year funding for rural road repairs and dedicated funding for freight-critical bridge upgrades. TTV’s Timber Industry Road Evaluation Study identifies 167 local roads needing $128.6 million in maintenance and upgrades. AI fire detection: a statewide expansion of AI-enabled fire detection cameras, with sustainable operational funding and integration with the CFA, FFMVic and the SES. The network detected 40 unplanned fires in Victoria in 2023-24 and 46 in 2024-25. Forestry and fibre: a whole-of-government forestry and fibre growth strategy aligned with the Australian Government’s Timber Fibre Strategy, including streamlined approvals for plantation and processing projects.   Roads sit at the top of that list. Logs cannot move by rail when forests and plantations are spread across rural Victoria, leaving timber communities like those members are visiting this week reliant on rural roads and bridges that TTV says are deteriorating under heavier freight loads. Cr Stephens said that was why TTV had asked every party in May to back long-term repairs rather than short-term fixes. “We ask for a commitment to strengthening Victoria’s regional transport network by increasing roads and bridges maintenance funding, and prioritising long-term, durable solutions that support community safety and economic resilience,” she said at the time.

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A Coalition government in Victoria would restore the native timber industry if elected next month, ecologically thinning 5000ha of native forests annually. Source: Timberbiz The Coalition says timber recovered would be processed locally and put to its highest-value use, from sawlogs to firewood, biochar and mulch, with the revenue reinvested in Victoria. Shadow Minister for Public Land Management Melina Bath said the plan would deliver healthier, more resilient forests, safer communities and more people managing public land. Ms Bath said it had been estimated that thinning and timber from salvaged trees could deliver up to 200,000 tonnes of timber each year. But she conceded that the Coalition would face legal challenges from environment groups if it won government and tried to introduce its “active forest management” strategy. A Coalition government would protect healthy forests and restore degraded ones through a Forest Management Program. The Program would: Double planned burning and expand cultural burning in partnership with Indigenous Victorians, Reduce fuel loads, Build and maintain a statewide firebreak network, Control invasive pests and weeds, Put more rangers on the ground, and Deliver increased public reporting every year on biodiversity and ecological outcomes.   “A Jess Wilson-led Liberal and Nationals Government will rebuild strategic fuel breaks, expand cultural burning in partnership with Indigenous Victorians and put more people back on the ground managing the land,” Ms Bath said. “We will double planned burning and work towards the Bushfires Royal Commission’s recommendation of treating five per cent of treatable public land every year. “Five thousand hectares of degraded public forest will be restored each year through targeted thinning and fuel reduction. “Timber recovered will be processed locally and put to its highest-value use, from sawlogs to firewood, biochar and mulch, with the revenue reinvested in Victoria.” Forests left unmanaged burn harder and recover more slowly. Active management makes forests more resilient and communities safer. A Liberal and Nationals Government would also invest $2.52 million over four years, alongside industry co-investment, to deliver an expanded $4.41 million bushfire detection camera network across 18 locations in eastern and western Victoria. Providing 24/7, 360-degree monitoring across more than 1.46 million hectares, the cameras will detect smoke early and deliver real-time intelligence to support faster firefighting responses, helping protect regional communities, farms, plantations, critical infrastructure and Victoria’s timber supply. “Under the Labor government, hazardous fuel loads have built up, forests have become dense and bushfires more destructive,” Ms Bath said. “Healthier forests, lower fuel loads and regional jobs are not competing priorities. Our practical plan restores active stewardship and protects communities.”

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European forest owners firmly believe that sustainable forest management, as defined by Forest Europe [1], is the proven and credible route to further resilient European forests. Source: Timberbiz Europe has large forest genetic resources, with substantial diversity within and among species. This diversity gives forests an important capacity to adapt, evolve, and withstand pressures such as drought, pests, and diseases. Genetic diversity should therefore be considered at all scales, from individual stands and landscapes to national and European levels, as an important element of a broader toolbox for building resilient forests. In this context, the Forest Reproductive Material legislation should enable access to high-quality genetic material across borders. However, genetic resources alone will not be enough. Better knowledge of the scope and scale of climate change impacts on forests, combined with active and well-adapted forest management, will be essential. Faster diagnosis of vulnerabilities and the development and uptake of new solutions will help forest owners respond more effectively to emerging challenges. To this aim, forest owners access to up-to-date research, long-term data, innovation, best practices and practical, user-friendly tools, together with education and training, will be essential for informed decision-making. Strong, accessible and high-quality advisory services have a particularly important role to play in translating scientific knowledge into practical options that forest owners can apply in their own forests. Resilience building must also be economically viable, so that forest owners have the capacity to invest in forest management and therefore support the provision of all forest ecosystem services. For this, support to active sustainable forest management is key. The adaptation of forest management practices must be embedded within a coherent approach to the adaptation of the forest and forest-based value chain. Locally adapted, long-term functioning value chains, accompanied by appropriate incentives, investments and innovations, are key for the continued sustainable production of renewable resources. Regarding the EU policy framework, it should set clear and coherent objectives with enabling conditions. It should focus on common long-term objectives rather than detailed short-term prescriptions to give forest owners the confidence to invest over the long term. Given the diversity of European forests, ownership structures, and management objectives, it is essential to give owners enough flexibility to choose practices suited to their local circumstances. The only certainty forest owners have is that their forests will change in ways that are hard to predict. Strengthening the resilience of European forests therefore depends on close cooperation between forest owners, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders, and on a framework that supports owners’ long-term commitment and investment. [1] Resolution H1 of the Helsinki Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, 1993, https://foresteurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MC_helsinki_resolutionH1.pdf  

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Building off the 610H cable skidder and the 620H grapple skidder, Tigercat Industries has released a more compact grapple skidder at a reduced capital cost. Source: Timberbiz The new 610H skidder is positioned as a compact and cost-effective grapple skidder aimed at contractors who appreciate the value of the Tigercat-TCi brand and require a machine matched to lower volume harvesting operations or high value selective felling extractions. The Tigercat FPT N6.7 engine delivers 151 kW (202 hp) to a field proven hydrostatic driveline that is optimized to balance speed and tractive effort. The machine is equipped with a 1,39 square metre (15 square foot) grapple and 620H sized axles for added durability. The operator’s cabin is simplified compared with the other H-series machines. Rather than Tigercat’s signature 220-degree Turnaround seat, the 610H is fitted with a fixed position seat angled at 30 degrees or an optional two-position mechanically actuated Turnaround seat.

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Harvesting at data centre construction sites has prompted discussion with the Metsä Group saying it has neither carried out nor commissioned harvesting operations at Google’s data centre construction sites in Kajaani or Muhos in Finland. Source: Timberbiz The company said that at no point has Metsä Group acted unlawfully, nor has it purchased wood or harvesting rights from Google. A supplier it had assessed as reliable had delivered a small volume of wood to Metsä Group before the issue came to light: approximately 5,000 cubic metres from Kajaani, and around 50 cubic metres from Muhos. Together, these volumes correspond to approximately 0.3% of Metsä Group’s monthly wood consumption. “The wood supplier did not comply with the terms of our agreement. We have therefore filed a complaint with the supplier and immediately suspended deliveries when the uncertainties came to our attention in mid-September,” said Juha Jumppanen, EVP, Metsä Group’s Wood Supply and Forest Services. The fellings were carried out by local forest management associations, which, as the holders of the felling rights, are responsible for ensuring that the operations comply with applicable legislation. Under all its wood supply agreements, Metsa says it requires that wood delivered to Metsä Group is legally sourced and meets requirements concerning the origin of wood. Each party in the wood supply chain is responsible for complying with applicable legislation and certification requirements. Metsa says it regularly assesses suppliers through audits, and certified suppliers are also subject to oversight by an independent third party. If wood whose origin is disputed has already been processed at a production site, Metsä Group removes an equivalent volume of wood from the certified volume in accordance with applicable guidelines. This ensures that the reported share of certified wood remains accurate. The company will continue to monitor the situation and act in accordance with the authorities’ guidance.

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Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) has welcomed the momentum behind The Precinct, the engineered timber manufacturing hub planned for Portland, after more than 120 representatives from the investment, government, forestry, manufacturing and construction sectors attended its Investor Symposium in Melbourne in October. Source: Timberbiz TTV President Cr Karen Stephens, who is also Mayor of Glenelg Shire, home to The Precinct’s planned site, attended the symposium as a special delegate. “Seeing more than 120 investors, industry leaders and government representatives in one room shows how far this project has come, and rewards years of preparation by our community and its partners. “The Precinct is proof of what timber communities can achieve when governments, industry and councils invest in a shared future,” Cr Stephens said. The symposium confirmed Timberlink Australia as The Precinct’s newest industry partner, joining Australian Bluegum Plantations, OneFortyOne, Finland’s Raute and WTIBeam. Tim Woods, who has led the project since its inception, will lead its next phase as the first chief executive. Mr Woods told delegates that Australian production covers just 26.5 per cent of local demand for laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and glue-laminated timber (glulam). LVL demand reached 400,000 cubic metres in 2025-26, up 35% on the year before, with the annual import total climbing for 30 months in a row. “Our sovereign housing needs will require us to have sovereign housing solutions,” Mr Woods said. Stage one, a hardwood sawmill, log yard and glulam line, is a proposed investment of more than $200 million, with the potential to create around 70 permanent operational jobs plus significant construction employment. Fully developed and running on a single shift, The Precinct would make structural components for 20,000 homes a year, Mr Woods said. Victorian Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle MP welcomed the symposium. “The Precinct is an exciting opportunity to create more value from Victorian-grown timber, attract new investment into our regions and support innovative building solutions that can help meet Victoria’s future housing needs,” Minister Settle said. Roumiana Vassileva, business development director for engineered wood products at Raute, said Australia exports 10 million cubic metres of softwood and hardwood logs and chips a year, whilst buying in an LVL market rather than creating one. “Australia is growing the timber, but Australia is importing the product,” Vassileva said. Timberlink chief executive Paul O’Keefe said Australia would need scale to build sovereign capability and warned that time was short. “I don’t think we’ve got five or 10 or 15 years. I think we’ve got probably three. Maybe five, to respond to this threat,” Mr O’Keefe said. In his keynote, New Forests founder Dr David Brand said strategic investors and government would need to share the early risk of an engineered wood hub at Portland. “Whenever you’re trying to drive something new like this, you have to have government on board,” Mr Brand said. Professor Dan Hill, director of the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne, said support for industry must be matched by governments committing to buy timber buildings at scale. “You can’t just do it from the industry side, and you can’t just do it from the government side,” Mr Hill said. Dr Corrie Williams, chief of public affairs at Master Builders Victoria, said steel framing had grown since it was added to the Certificate III in Carpentry in 2020. “Since then, it’s taken off because everyone’s been trained in it,” Ms Williams said. She said Victoria’s new registration class for prefabricated builders could be “fabulous” if it is set up right. The Precinct chair Russ Hughes closed the symposium with a challenge to delegates. “The question is no longer whether Australia needs its manufacturing capabilities. It’s whether we’re prepared to move fast enough to deliver it,” Mr Hughes said. For TTV, the message from Melbourne reaches well beyond Portland. Speakers repeatedly made the case that government and industry must move together, the same call TTV makes in its 2026 Government Brief, which urges governments to align forestry, housing, manufacturing and regional development policy so that every timber town has a pathway to value-adding its plantation resource. TTV members will hear more on Friday 30 October, when Mr Woods presents ‘Portland’s Plantation Processing Precinct: A Regional Sovereign Manufacturing Project’ at the association’s annual general meeting in Kerang. TTV has congratulated The Precinct, its industry partners and Glenelg Shire Council on reaching this stage.

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Forest & Wood Communities Australia (FWCA) has lodged a Freedom of Information request with the Clean Energy Regulator (CER), demanding access to the evidence behind its approval of Australia’s first Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) carbon project. Source: Timberbiz The NSW Government’s project covers more than 531,000 hectares of public native forests, including areas proposed for the Great Koala National Park. FWCA Chair Steve Dobbyns said the decision raised serious questions about carbon integrity, transparency and the future of Australia’s sustainable native forestry industry. “The regulator tells us the project has undergone rigorous assessment. That’s an assurance, not evidence,” Mr Dobbyns said. “We have lodged a formal FOI request seeking the assessment documents, the evidence supporting additionality, how timber displacement and emissions leakage were treated, who made the decision and whether any potential conflicts of interest were appropriately managed. “If the science and assessment are sound, they should withstand public scrutiny.” The NSW Government committed to establishing the Great Koala National Park well before the Commonwealth approved the INFM carbon method in June 2026. “How can governments claim carbon credits for stopping timber harvesting they had already committed to stopping?” Mr Dobbyns asked. “Making a political commitment conditional upon receiving carbon revenue doesn’t automatically make the resulting emissions reductions additional.” Forestry Australia has already warned that the INFM method risks overstating carbon abatement by 40%-100% even before fully accounting for displaced timber production and carbon stored in harvested wood products. “These are serious scientific concerns, not simply objections from the timber industry.” Despite being the world’s seventh-largest forested country by forest area, Australia already imports a substantial proportion of its timber requirements. “Stopping sustainable hardwood production doesn’t stop demand. It simply shifts production elsewhere, potentially to countries with weaker environmental safeguards,” Mr Dobbyns said. “You cannot export the environmental impacts of timber production and then claim the result as a climate victory.” The INFM method offers a 15-year crediting period but requires carbon protection commitments extending for 100 years. “Who pays for fire management, pests, weeds, roads and biodiversity protection for the remaining 85 years?” Mr Dobbyns asked. “Carbon revenue is temporary. Forest management obligations are not.” The CER has registered the project subject to conditions, but no Australian Carbon Credit Units can be issued until the required eligible-interest consents are obtained. “Registration doesn’t prove that the promised carbon benefits have been achieved,” Mr Dobbyns said. “Australia needs genuine emissions reductions, healthy forests and a sustainable domestic timber industry, not questionable carbon accounting that shifts jobs and environmental impacts offshore. “Simply changing the sign from State Forest to National Park doesn’t create a conservation outcome – and calling the change a carbon project doesn’t automatically create a climate benefit. “The CER must demonstrate that these credits will represent real, additional and accurately measured carbon benefits. That’s why we’re seeking the evidence.

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A 74-year-old timber company in Adelaide’s north west has gone into voluntary liquidation in hopes of covering a rental debt of more than $100,000. Source: The Advertiser Moyle Bendale Timber, which was first started as a business in 1952, was put into liquidation by its owner Dennis Moyle on October 14 after a rental dispute left him locked out of his business’ premises. The company was a major supplier of machined and imported timber in South Australia and also manufactured timber mouldings. Oracle Insolvency Services liquidator Nick Cooper told The Advertiser new locks had been put on the Cheltenham timber yard by the landowner because Moyle Bendale Timber owed about $120,000 in rent. The business was locked out of the premises, unable to fulfil orders and access any of the assets from within the yard, which the landowner could sell to recoup debts. Mr Cooper said he was aware of six workers, and six administration staff employed by the company, though finalised claims on lost wages or redundancy were yet to be made. Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union SA secretary David Kirner told The Advertiser employees were owed “around $400,000”. Liquidator Mr Cooper said the liquidation was in the benefit of the employees, who would be able to claim owed wages through the Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme. He said the owner chose to voluntarily liquidate the business, rather than by way of a court order. “I infer that he did that for the benefit of his employees so they can claim under the (Fair Entitlements Guarantee) scheme,” Mr Cooper said. After 74 years of operation, Mr Cooper said it was “unlikely” Moyle Bendale Timber would “continue on in business” once the liquidation process had been finalised. “It’s highly unlikely that the company will be able to get back in business,” he said. “There’s going to be some impacts on that. We certainly know there’s some customers who’ve placed orders that unfortunately won’t be able to be fulfilled because the company’s no longer trading.” Creditors and employees have until October 28 to report claims of money owed by Moyle Bendale Timber. Business owner Dennis Moyle declined to comment.

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The New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) has welcomed the Government announcements aimed at supporting forestry employment in Tairāwhiti while addressing the region’s land-use challenges. Source: Timberbiz The Government announced additional funding for Gisborne District Council to accelerate forestry harvest consents over a 12-week period, alongside plans to direct the remaining NZ$16.4 million in woody debris funding towards debris removal, mitigation and land-use transition. NZFOA chief operating officer Joseph Brolly says the announcements recognise the importance of keeping the industry operating while working towards a more resilient future for the region. “It’s encouraging to see the Government addressing both the immediate pressures facing forestry businesses and the longer-term challenges of managing Tairāwhiti’s steep and erosion-prone land,” he said. “The additional consenting resources are particularly welcome. With around 600 hectares of harvesting awaiting decisions, bringing in specialist forestry and consenting expertise will help council work through applications at pace, while maintaining strong environmental standards.” Eastland Wood Council Chair Julian Kohn says the announcements offer much-needed support for a region which endured years of severe weather and economic disruption. “Tairāwhiti has been through some incredibly tough years, and we want to see a future where our communities are more resilient, and where forestry continues to provide opportunities for local families,” Mr Kohn said. “We’ve already seen the pressure on local contractors, workers and businesses whose livelihoods depend on the hundreds of millions of dollars forestry and wood processing contribute to Tairāwhiti’s economy each year. We can’t afford to lose more skilled workers and businesses while the region works through its future. “Getting harvesting consents processed promptly is an important step towards getting crews back to work and supporting the businesses and communities depending on them.” Joseph says the refocused Tairāwhiti Transition Advisory Group also provides an opportunity to bring council, community and industry together around practical solutions. “These are welcome commitments, and we’re keen to see them translate into timely consenting decisions, more work for local crews and better protection for vulnerable land.”

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MiTek has officially opened its expanded Melbourne facility in Dandenong South, bringing its manufacturing, automation and office operations together with a new Experience Centre designed to give customers a closer look at the technology, expertise and solutions supporting their businesses. Source: Timberbiz The opening was celebrated with a tour of the facility for MiTek’s Frame & Truss manufacturing partners, showcasing the expanded manufacturing capabilities and the latest developments across software, engineering, automation and digital solutions. MiTek was also pleased to welcome Dan Tehan MP, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction and Manager of Opposition Business, as a special guest at the event. The expansion more than doubles MiTek’s Melbourne footprint, bringing the combined site to more than 15,000 square metres. The investment strengthens MiTek’s local manufacturing and automation capabilities whilst creating a central location for customers to experience its integrated solutions firsthand. “Today is about showing our customers what this investment means for them and how we can continue to support their businesses,” said David Oliver, Managing Director, Asia Pacific at MiTek. “By bringing our capabilities together in one location, we can demonstrate how software, engineering, manufacturing and automation work together across the building process. It also gives us more opportunities to work directly with our customers, understand their challenges and develop solutions that help them improve productivity, efficiency and building outcomes.” At the heart of the new facility is MiTek’s Experience Centre, showcasing how its integrated solutions support each stage of the building process from design and engineering through to manufacturing and construction. Customers can see how software, engineering expertise, building products and automation work together to streamline processes, improve productivity and deliver better building outcomes. The facility tour covered four key areas: Software innovation: The latest developments in MiTek’s software and digital solutions, demonstrating how they support design, engineering and production processes. Automation solutions: Machinery, equipment and automation technologies that can help improve manufacturing productivity, efficiency and consistency. MiTek manufacturing: A closer look at MiTek’s own manufacturing operations, production capabilities and investment in local capacity. Engineering and research and development: The technical expertise and ongoing development behind MiTek’s solutions, helping address changing customer requirements and industry challenges.   The expanded site also brings a significant increase in operational capacity. Pressing capacity is set to increase by more than one third, while Posi-Strut production capacity will double. Greater warehousing capacity and an expanded automation operation will also support equipment assembly, parts availability and customer integrations. Factory acceptance testing will be conducted in-house, helping streamline the process of testing equipment before it is deployed to customers. The Experience Centre will also provide a space for training, development and collaboration, supporting knowledge-sharing and helping customers get more from MiTek’s technology and services. “Opening the Experience Centre is an important step in making our capabilities more accessible to our customers,” Mr Oliver said. “We want customers to be able to see what is possible, talk through their specific needs with our teams and understand how different solutions can work together. Our role is to be a partner to the industry, and this facility gives us another way to put that into practice.” The Dandenong South expansion forms part of MiTek’s broader investment in its Asia Pacific operations, including the development of a new purpose-built facility in Auckland, New Zealand. These investments strengthen MiTek’s ability to support customers across Australia and New Zealand with locally delivered expertise, manufacturing capability and technology solutions. The Dandenong South facility has also been designed with safety in mind, providing a more efficient working environment for MiTek’s team and a welcoming space for customers and industry partners. “Ultimately, this investment is about making sure we have the people, facilities and capabilities to support our customers as their businesses evolve,” Mr Oliver said. “The building industry continues to change, and we are committed to working alongside our customers to help them meet those challenges and make the most of new opportunities.”

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One of regional Australia’s premier forestry and linehaul contract carriers, Greenfreight, issued redundancy notices to its logging truck drivers late last week following the loss of its contract with HVP. Source: Timberbiz The Wodonga-based company sold the majority of its highway and general linehaul business to an undisclosed national carrier in September citing rising fuel costs, January bushfires, economic pressure, and softer freight demands. According to the company’s website its logging division has branches in Myrtleford, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Wodonga, Mount Gambier, Morewell and Colac. The company’s General Manager Chris Jones told Big Rigs magazine Greenfreight had been informed that primary customer HVP would cease its Northern Region contract, with service requirements progressively reducing during a temporary wind-down period. Mr Jones told Big Rigs those requirements had now reduced to the point that Greenfreight had decided to cease trading across all its logging entities. Big Rigs reported that Greenfreight directors have decided to take formal steps to place Greenfreight Services Pty Ltd, Greenfreight Logging Pty Ltd and Greenfreight Logging NSW Pty Ltd into liquidation. Mr Jones said employees’ entitlements were being calculated, and details would be forwarded when complete. The total number of employees affected has not been confirmed. Greenfreight is a second-generation transport business which was founded in 1973 by Fred and Barbara Green. It continues to be a family-owned business with all three of Fred and Barbara’s children, Tony, Kate and Richard, performing various roles within the company, and committed to growing and developing the business into the future.  

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Victoria is expanding its network of AI-powered bushfire cameras, using advanced technology to detect fires earlier and help keep communities safer. Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle announced funding for the next three years to expand the bushfire detection camera network. Source: Timberbiz The $3.8 million project is jointly funded with Hancock Victorian Plantations and Green Triangle Fire Alliance. Hancock Victorian Plantations CEO Melanie Cook said the co-investment reflected HVP’s shared commitment to reducing the impact of bushfires across Victoria. “With advanced detection technology, we can identify fires earlier, and respond swiftly to help protect lives, livelihoods and plantation assets,” she said. “We depend on this resource to sustainably store carbon and produce timber to build homes and make wood fibre products we rely on every day.” Green Triangle Fire Alliance Chair Anthony Walsh said the expansion of the camera network was a significant step forward in protecting plantation forests, neighbouring communities and valuable regional assets from the growing threat of bushfires. “With the State Government’s support, the bushfire camera network will now expand to 18 sites
across regional Victoria,” said VFPA CEO, Andrew White. “With up to 85% coverage of non-plantation land, the camera network will help protect Victoria’s
rural communities and timber plantations from bushfires.” Using AI, the cameras provide a 24-hour digital lookout, scanning the landscape for signs of smoke and fire and flagging potential fires for further checking. The seven existing AI-powered bushfire cameras will be bolstered by an additional 11 cameras to be rolled out in western and eastern Victoria by November 2027. They will give emergency services and land managers more time to respond and protect communities, property and critical infrastructure. While the cameras will be installed on private plantations in western and eastern Victoria, their reach is much greater. The network will provide coverage across more than 1.4 million hectares of land, including 211,000 hectares of plantation. More than 85% of the monitored area is non-plantation land, providing early bushfire detection for nearby regional communities. The rollout builds on successful existing networks and industry-led pilot programs in regional Victoria. The existing cameras detected 40 fires during 2023–24 and 46 fires in 2024–25.

“The need for increased fire detection capability was devastatingly highlighted by the fires
affecting North-East and South-West Victoria earlier this year,” Mr White said. “Fire cameras act as smoke detectors in the sky, allowing fires to be detected earlier and
responders to deploy quicker. “Fire risk is escalating in Victoria as summers grow drier, with unpredictable weather and lightning strikes remaining the most common cause of ignition,” he said. The investment follows a Commonwealth and Victorian Government investment in a Remote Sensing Bushfire Detection trial to investigate the accuracy of commercially available AI bushfire detection technology. Victoria has the largest plantation forestry estate in Australia, accounting for around 23% of the national plantation estate and 29% of Australia’s wood production. “Victorian plantations underpin 17,000 regional jobs and supply essential products for housing
construction, as well as other wood-based products.  As a long rotation crop that is in the ground for up to 25 years, bushfire remains the single greatest threat to plantations and timber supply,” Mr White said. “The expansion of the Victorian bushfire detection camera network is a significant step towards
protecting regional jobs and livelihoods from the devastation of bushfire. “Industry has advocated strongly for the expansion of the bushfire detection camera network, and we’re pleased to see this commitment ahead of the election.”

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