Australian timber industry news

Metsä Group will construct a demo plant for lignin refining in connection with its Äänekoski bioproduct mill. The equipment will be supplied by technology group ANDRITZ. Construction will begin in Summer 2024, and the demo plant will be completed in late 2025. The plant’s daily capacity will be two tonnes of the lignin product. Source: Timberbiz Lignin is a substance in wood that binds wood fibres together. In pulp production, lignin is separated from the fibres into black liquor in the chemical cycle and used as bioenergy. Lignin could also be used in chemical and material applications. Metsä Group and ANDRITZ will focus on developing the production process of the new lignin product and its integration with the bioproduct mill, as well as the product properties suitable for various end uses. The demo plant project also involves Dow, a leading material science company, which will develop high-performance bio-dispersant plasticizers for concrete and gypsum applications, based on the lignin product produced at the plant. “Our goal is to efficiently use the side streams of pulp production and ensure they produce the greatest possible added value. We want to develop new products made from renewable natural resources that can replace fossil-based raw materials and products,” says Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group. ANDRITZ has been developing lignin recovery and modification technology concepts as part of its initiative to enable pulp mills to convert side streams into value-added products. Kari Tuominen, CEO & President of ANDRITZ Oy, states: “We are thrilled to be able to test this technology in continuous process conditions at the Äänekoski bioproduct mill. In addition to validating markets for the new lignin product, the demo scale gives us valuable insights for integrating the LigniOx process into a bioproduct mill and scaling it up for industrial use.” “At Dow, we are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to innovate and bring more sustainable solutions to the market,” says Raquel Fortes, Global Business Director of Dow Construction Chemicals. “This new technology would further expand Dow’s bio-based product offerings to meet the future needs of the building and construction industry.” In a pilot-scale EU project coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Metsä Group, ANDRITZ and Dow have already demonstrated the suitability of modified lignin as a replacement for fossil-based chemicals in concrete production. The Äänekoski mill area is Metsä Group’s largest, housing a paperboard, veneer and bioproduct mill. Äänekoski is also home to Metsä Group’s demo plants for the Kuura textile fibre and Muoto fibre product.

A team of researchers has unveiled a novel approach to accurately characterizing tree height composition in forests using the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. Sources: The Journal of Remote Sensing, Phys Org This study marks a significant advancement in our understanding of forest ecosystems, shedding light on the intricacies of tree height variability and their implications for ecological studies and climate change mitigation efforts. Tree height composition, a vital ecological attribute, plays a significant role in influencing forest ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, carbon storage, and energy fluxes. Limitations have historically hindered the challenge of accurately mapping this structural diversity in scale and detail. However, the advent of recent advancements in remote sensing technologies, particularly the introduction of the spaceborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology known as the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), has opened new pathways for detailed canopy height mapping. Tree height composition, a vital ecological attribute, plays a significant role in influencing forest ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, carbon storage, and energy fluxes. Limitations have historically hindered the challenge of accurately mapping this structural diversity in scale and detail. However, the advent of recent advancements in remote sensing technologies, particularly the introduction of the spaceborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology known as the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), has opened new pathways for detailed canopy height mapping. This method allowed for the accurate mapping of tree heights and canopy structures across a spectrum of forest conditions, showcasing the tool’s ability to capture the nuanced details of forest structures, from the towering trees to the dense underbrush. A key innovation of the study was the development of Tree generation based on Asymmetric Generalized Gaussian (TAG) method, which markedly improved the modeling of forest scenes by precisely replicating the physical characteristics of trees within diverse ecosystems. The simulation results confirmed that GEDI waveforms are capable of reflecting complex variations within forest stands, including the differences in tree heights and canopy layer density. This revelation holds profound implications for our understanding of forest structure, providing a fresh perspective on forest biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem processes with a level of detail previously beyond reach. Dr. Yao Zhang, the lead author of the study, emphasized the critical nature of understanding tree height composition in efforts to preserve biodiversity and tackle climate change. “The precision offered by GEDI LiDAR technology,” Dr. Zhang stated, “[it] heralds new possibilities for ecological research and forest management, unveiling the vertical complexity of forests in a manner that was once impossible.” The implications of this research are vast, touching upon ecosystem research, land surface modelling, and climate change studies. By offering a more accurate estimate of aboveground biomass and carbon storage, the findings promise to deepen our understanding of the crucial role forests play in the global carbon cycle, guiding strategies for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

Seaman Paper, a global manufacturer of environmentally sustainable specialty paper and packaging solutions, has announced the launch of SeaStretch, a patented lightweight paper-based alternative to single-use plastic stretch film used to wrap and contain shipping and storage loads. Source: Timberbiz Amidst growing concerns about plastic pollution and pending legislation aiming to curb single-use plastics, such as SB 54 in California, which mandates all single-use packaging must be recyclable or compostable by 2032, SeaStretch emerges as a timely and innovative solution. SeaStretch is a fully recyclable, FSC certified, crepe paper solution that is compatible with existing hand-wrapping, semi-automated, and automated pallet wrapping machines. SeaStretch is incredibly lightweight (42 gsm) and incredibly durable, stretchable, and highly resistant to tearing, making it the ideal packaging solution for pallet wrapping. “SeaStretch is a game-changer for the packaging industry, as it offers a viable and cost-effective way to reduce plastic waste while ensuring product safety and security,” said Ken Winterhalter, CEO of Seaman Paper. “We are proud to introduce this innovative and environmentally friendly product to the market, as part of our commitment to creating paper-based, sustainable solutions while further living our motto, ‘People, Paper, Packaging, for a Sustainable World.’” SeaStretch is available in natural kraft and white colors, and in various roll size sand weights to suit different applications and requirements.

In the heart of Devonport, New Zealand, two friends, Nicky Robinson and Kate Moffat, found themselves shivering on the sidelines of their kids’ football games, their feet cold and wet in the muddy terrain. It was amidst these chilly moments that the seed of an idea took root, sprouting into what would become a transformative venture in the realm of sustainable fashion. Source: Timberbiz Marlo, the brainchild of Nicky and Kate, is a brand that epitomises innovation, responsible production, and environmental consciousness within the New Zealand fashion industry. Together, Nicky and Kate have brought to life a gumboot that not only offers protection from the elements but also champions responsible sourcing amidst an industry often marred by supply chains riddled with environmental degradation and social injustice. While the production of natural rubber provides an income for millions of people in developing countries, it can also have negative impacts on forests, communities, and workers when it is not managed responsibly. In some cases, the expansion of rubber production can be a driver of deforestation and forest degradation, including areas of high conservation value. Marlo CEO and co-founder Nicky pointed out another concern, “Most gumboots are made out of various synthetic and petroleum-based materials that make them non-biodegradable, hard to recycle, and highly toxic to the environment as they break down.” In their quest for a more sustainable solution, Nicky and Kate turned to FSC-certified rubber plantations in Sri Lanka. Here, they discovered a pathway that could ensure a supply chain with integrity and verifiable responsible practices. By sourcing rubber from FSC-certified forests, Marlo not only addresses issues like deforestation and biodiversity loss but also uplifts local communities and supports FSC’s rigorous standards of social responsibility. “We aimed to set a new standard with Marlo, acknowledging our customers’ growing concerns regarding the environmental and social impacts of their purchases,” shared Kate Moffat, co-founder of Marlo. “The rubber used in our boots is locally and sustainably sourced from FSC-certified rubber plantations in Sri Lanka, and our manufacturing partner recycles the rubber sheet offcuts, producing jandals, rubber soles, and other rubber footwear to minimize wastage,” added Kate. By ensuring that the rubber in their boots is FSC certified, Marlo provides customers with the assurance that their purchase doesn’t contribute to illegal logging, habitat loss, and poor working conditions. In April, Marlo elevated its dedication to sustainable forestry by becoming a signatory of FSC’s Fashion Forever Green Pact, making it the first New Zealand fashion label to join. Marlo’s FSC-certified gumboots exemplify their efforts to raise industry awareness and combat issues like deforestation and human rights abuses within natural rubber production. By ensuring their supply chain adheres to FSC’s rigorous standards, Marlo confirms that the natural rubber used in their boots is responsibly sourced, safeguarding biodiversity, supporting local communities, and upholding workers’ rights.

Scientists Sarah Addison, Dr Steve Wakelin and Simeon Smaill are among authors who have written an invitation only review article in the scientific journal Trends in Plant Science (TIPS). This journal is highly respected, with articles prioritising and setting the direction of future research in plant sciences globally. Source: Timberbiz Their research paper, titled ‘Partner or perish: Tree microbiomes and climate change’, was led by Ms Addison at Scion. The paper is a collaborative publication between researchers from Scion, Wright State University (Ohio) and the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment at Western Sydney University where Ms Addison is undertaking a PhD. “With an invitation only review article, your work must sit at the forefront of scientific knowledge in the discipline,” Ms Addison said. “TIPS requires you to pitch your idea for a review article as well as your scientific CV. All of these factors are taken on board even before you submit an article for consideration via peer review. “We were ecstatic to get the invitation to submit an article and even more elated when we got the email to say our work would be published. It demonstrates we are at the leading edge of our work in plant-microbiome-environmental interactions.” Their research paper reviewed the current landscape of the complex relationships between plants, their microbiomes and the environmental changes happening with climate change. With the long lifecycle of trees, they might not evolve at a pace that matches the rapid environmental changes that climate change brings. But, like humans and our microbiomes, trees have also evolved with microbiomes. These tree-microbiome relationships have developed over millions of years and have endured through previous cycles of environmental change. It’s hoped these relationships will shed light on how trees can survive in a rapidly changing future. “Climate change has happened before, however the rate of change we are experiencing is unprecedented in recent history,” Ms Addison said. “As trees live for a long time and can’t easily migrate, the plants established today could be stranded in an unsuitable climate. We need new tools to support trees facing change in the future.” Microbiome associations that have been successful in helping trees in the past may be a new tool for establishing resilient, future-proof forests. “It’s about relationships. Ensuring the right relationship between the tree, the microbiome, the soil and the climate.” After reviewing the existing literature surrounding trees and their microbiomes, they identified key gaps that need further research. One of these gaps centres around more research exploring the tree and microbiome as a single entity, or a ‘holobiont’. “We need to shift our perspective from ‘trees and their microbiomes’ to one of a single, co-evolved entity interacting dynamically within and as part of the environment,” Ms Addison said. Not only are these biological systems incredibly diverse, but their relationship within the environment and changing climate has layers of complexity. “Predicting outcomes such as climate resilience, aren’t readily predictable from individual behaviours. We need approaches founded in complex systems science to advance this. We have to embrace the complexity, the systems within systems, integrate scalability, and so on.” Furthermore, the paper explores climate change mitigation with the microbiome altering and evolving to benefit both the tree and the microbiome. This work provides the knowledge to enhance tree adaptability and mitigate adverse impacts of climate change on trees. The literature and understanding that has been unearthed with this review article is currently being explored in the MBIE-funded Tree-root Microbiome Project lead by Dr Wakelin. The main aim of this large collaborative project is to understand how trees and their microbiomes work together and can be used to counter climate change by using Pinus radiata as a model. This research can then be applied to other tree species to help maintain global tree diversity.

An estimated 3000-year-old, three-tonne log has been discovered deep in a Tasmanian forest, with the item expected to fetch a whopping $120-$140,000 by the time it is crafted into furniture and other parts. Due to this scarcity, the three-tonne remains of the Huon pine are believed to have set the record for the most expensive log in the country according to Pulse Tasmania. Sources: Yahoo News, Pulse Tasmania Bronte Booth, the managing director of Timber World who is milling the log on behalf of its current owner, said the salvaged log of Huon pine is one of only a small amount left – its rarity contributing to its immense price. Speaking to 7 Tasmania News, Mr Booth said the pine’s new owners paid around $21,000. “It’s a beautiful timber and it has some really nice properties … it’s durable and it’s also ancient,” he said. “But it’s priceless really because it takes so long to grow.” On the west coast of Tasmania along the King River, Huon pine, which has been around for at least 100 million years, was once harvested commercially in the early 1800s. According to Bronte, the piners would chop the ancient trees down and leave the tops and stumps behind due to them being too heavy for horses to take. These leftover parts have since been salvaged over recent years, with numbers dwindling. The tops and stumps of Huon pine have been found by timber specialists half-buried in the ground along the forest floor near Teepookana plateau and floating in bays since the early harvesting ended, though slowly there are fewer and fewer to be found. “Recently, it’s been exhausted and there are only about eight log trucks left,” Mr Booth said. Due to this scarcity, the three-tonne remains of the Huon pine are believed to have set the record for the most expensive log in the country according to Pulse Tasmania. The tops and stumps of Huon pine have been found by timber specialists half-buried in the ground along the forest floor near Teepookana plateau and floating in bays since the early harvesting ended, though slowly there are fewer and fewer to be found. “Recently, it’s been exhausted and there are only about eight log trucks left,” Mr Booth said.

The future of forestry has been officially unveiled this week at OneFortyOne’s Glencoe Nursery to state and local representatives, following the completion of an $8m redevelopment project for the site. Source: Timberbiz South Australian Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven joined OneFortyOne Board Director Angie Davis and CEO Wendy Norris in officially opening the upgrades on Wednesday morning and witnessing the new state-of-the-art handling systems in action. The three-year redevelopment project includes undercover automated handling lines, new irrigation and ergonomic systems and major infrastructure upgrades, which will improve employee safety and wellbeing at the site. Also in attendance were Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, Rob Robinson, Director of Forest Industries, Department of Primary Industries, Regions, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional South Australia Ben Hood and Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub Executive General Manager Tony Wright. South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine and the Australian Forest Products Association CEO Di Hallam also attended the event. OneFortyOne Board Director Angie Davis said the redevelopment demonstrates OneFortyOne’s “commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the future of forestry in the Green Triangle”. “The Glencoe Nursery has been a cornerstone of the region’s forestry operations for 40 years, growing 7.5 million trees annually to support not only OneFortyOne, but other forest growers in the region,” she said. “Innovation and safety are the key drivers of this redevelopment with a new state of the art undercover handling system that enhances seedling growth whilst reducing chemical and water use. “We can now grow an additional 4 million seedlings per season, significantly bolstering our capacity to meet the demand for timber resources in South Australia and beyond.” Ms Davis also commended Nursery Manager Craig Torney, for his long-term vision for the site and for leading the project over the last three years. “The safety and wellbeing of the nursery’s workforce was a major factor in the decision to upgrade the facility, helping enhance the safety of people and making it a better place to work, Ms Davis said. “The infrastructure upgrades are not a replacement for workers but are designed to complement our existing nursery workforce.” Ms Scriven heralded the redevelopments as “significant for the future of the Green Triangle forestry sector”. “This region is the powerhouse of the Australian forest industry with 140 years of innovation and experience in growing and producing world recognised products,” she said. “The Glencoe Nursery, which supports both OneFortyOne and other local growers, is at the very heart of a supply chain which sustains multiple major industries, from construction to plantations and logistics, which, in turn, supports the jobs of thousands of South Australians. “Today, in seeing these new systems in action and streamlining traditional operations, we are seeing the future of our forestry sector – a major economic driver for our state.”

Labor has offered to join the Liberals to find a bipartisan way to boost the Tasmanian forestry industry and head off a repeat of the forest wars. Source: The Mercury The Liberals pledged to release 40,000ha of native forest from 356,000ha set aside as Future Potential Production Forest in 2014. But the plan has the industry concerned that the strategy runs the risk of reigniting the forest wars and return to large-scale protests not seen in more than a decade. Labor leader Dean Winter said Labor was happy to work with the government to find a way ahead for the industry which included boosting local producers. “We need to make sure that industry has the confidence that it needs to go forward and that’s why I’m making sure today that Tasmania and the forest industry know that Tasmanian Labor is strongly supporting the Tasmanian native forest sector and timber mills like this right across Tasmania,” he said. “Our offer to the Tasmanian government and Jeremy Rockliff is that we are prepared to work in a bipartisan way we then going forward around future timber supply. “We don’t want to see the Tasmanian forest wars start again – the last thing that the industry needs is for the forest wars to start again.” Tasmanian Forest Products Association CEO Nick Steel said industry wanted a nuanced approach instead of fresh conflict. “We now have two major parties supporting our industry, providing certainty and confidence for our industry going forward and for the 5500 people that are employed within it,” he said. “We’ve certainly made our position clear in terms of the future potential production forest land, we see it’s better to actually review that 356,000ha as a block, instead of just targeting the production forest, to consider what best land use that may be. “That may be for conservation, that could be in terms of Aboriginal management, or there could be opportunities for productive forestry.” Torenius Timber general manager Matthew Torenius agreed that co-operation was the way forward. “There has been a lot of talk about forestry wars and I think on behalf of the Sawmillers Association, I’d like to say that we’re lovers, not haters. “We don’t want a situation where we have Tasmanians pitted against Tasmanians. “We have a sustainable industry in this state, it should be used to do as much value-adding as we can in this state as possible and provide security of supply within Tasmania so we can look after our furniture makers, our home builders, our backyard project-doers. Former Labor leader Bryan Green, who is running as a candidate for the Legislative Council in Prosser, negotiated a forest peace deal that the Liberals threw out when they came to power in 2014. “I’m very concerned that we’re going to go down the path now of forest wars that set the industry back years. What we need to be thinking about in this industry is consolidating the jobs that we’ve got, ensuring that the contracts are extended and making sure that we don’t export our jobs future to Victoria and other places,” he said. “The wood in Tasmania should be processed in Tasmania and as a result of that the work and communities that survive on that can flourish on into the future.” Liberal MP Felix Ellis denied the his party was were playing politics with forestry. “We need to grow the timber industry in Tasmania because this is a such an exciting industry for a future that is climate constrained, that is carbon constrained. “We know that Labor sadly tried to shut down the timber industry here in Tasmania, destroyed hundreds of jobs and regional communities.”

It’s all a bit gloomy really, daylight savings has finished, lambs and logs are worth bugger all, the media has lost its social license, and the economy is in the cart. No matter who you talk to in the primary and wider sectors, most are facing some significant headwinds in terms of rising costs and reducing sales prices. The days of discussions around the water cooler about what size engine you are putting on your new boat have been replaced by bemoaning about having to sell the boat to recapitalize your business. These discussions are probably no surprise as good old uncle Adrian Orr has allowed inflation to run away over the post covid era and the countries that we supply our wonderful commodities to (primarily China) have had inflation rates that barely register. This means our costs are higher and our customers don’t have the ability to pay more, which all adds up to margin squeeze and, as primary producers, we are the ones facing the squeeziest of it. The state of the China property market is old news now but still incredibly important to our industry. Current Chinese housing starts are back at post GFC 2008 levels which is down 61% from the peak level in 2021. There is a big discrepancy between starts and ‘under construction’ figures which are only down 11% over the same period, something that Goldman Sachs has labelled the ‘completions cliff’. This is explained by the time lag between kicking a project off and completion and does indicate that, once the current builds are finished, the Chinese construction industry will look vastly different. The sentiment of this is playing out in the Iron ore futures markets with a slide that would make Tesla shares look good. What has manifested with global log trade is the reduction in non-NZ log supply into China with Europe and North America significantly reducing deliveries. NZ now has a much larger share of the softwood pie, which is great, but the problem is the pie is now the size of a savory so to keep things in balance we must keep a lid on the amount of mince and cheese we try to shovel into the savory. April export prices are down around $20/m3 from March at approximately $105/m3 and, although not as bad as some have expected, it’s still low enough to see many harvest crews parked up and many of those that are still operating being slowed to minimize the pain. High Chinese port inventory and low demand are the main culprits with increased shipping costs also playing a part. Demand has started to lift post the lunar holiday shutdown and NZ supply will start to reduce both seasonally and in reaction to the lower log prices. In addition, the Gabrielle windthrow salvage in Taupo has slowed and will likely stop in the next few months which will take around 15,000m3 of supply out of the system daily. There is the expectation that we have seen the bottom of the cycle and some very faint glimmer of hope that May will see better pricing levels with softer shipping costs and increased demand, although any increase is likely to be marginal. Fixed term export prices and other averaging based price structures have enabled many forest owners to keep the gates open and this method of pricing is becoming more popular every time we have a price ‘correction’. Domestic sawlog markets continue to tick over and while not breaking any records, they are continuing to hold price and volume. There will likely be some pressure on this market as numbers from Statistics NZ show 2023 dwelling consents were down 26% on 2022 figures. Pruned logs continue to buck the trend in terms of demand and price and have led to a resurgence in demand for pruning which was almost non-existent in the private sector a few years ago. Carbon prices fell off the chair following the govt NZU auction in March and following a bit of a rebound have dipped in recent days to $55/NZU. There’s not much of an appetite from larger emitters to engage at present as most have enough to offset their obligations already and won’t need to re-enter the market for some time. As with any market, the NZU price is a victim of supply and demand economics. So, in summary, April is bad, not as bad as we thought it would be but that’s cold comfort if you’re a forest owner or out-of-work contractor. The market will bounce, as it always does, but this time it may be reminiscent of a half flat Swiss ball, it’ll still bounce but not as high as we would like and will depend on supply levels from NZ. On a positive note, at least we don’t deal in iron ore… Marcus Musson is a Forest360 Director. He holds a Bachelor of Forest Science with Honours from Canterbury University, New Zealand, and specialises in steep slope cable harvesting, marketing and value recovery initiatives.

The Forest Wars (author David Lindenmayer) purports to portray the ‘ugly truth’ about what happens in wood production forests – specifically Victoria’s tall wet forests where the author has concentrated much of his research. Given that wood production in Victoria has now ceased – albeit that the author can’t quite believe it – the book is now a somewhat academic exercise. Presumably, its purpose is to maintain outrage that can aid campaigns that are now focused on ending timber production in NSW and Tasmanian native forests. Perhaps this is why the book appears to have been put together with some urgency. Nevertheless, it is easily readable in a short, sharp, but often simplistic myth-busting style. Unfortunately, it lacks an index which would make it easier to find particular areas of interest. The writing exudes a strident, ‘I’m-the-expert’ tone. While this may be appropriate to areas of the book that address the author’s primary fields of expertise, it can fall flat when the book strays onto topics of which the author has an obviously limited practical understanding. Such topics include fire management, forest carbon, timber harvesting, resource economics, plantations, timber imports, and eco-tourism. In places, the writing is loose with put-downs. The worst is the book’s blatant misrepresentation of Forestry Australia (formerly the Institute of Foresters) as a timber industry body and ‘cheer squad’ when it is in fact a professional association for the nation’s forest scientists, who are collectively the foremost experts on practical forest management. Irrespective of such misconceptions, any book authored by a prominent scientist will – deservedly or not – be automatically anointed with a high level of credibility and trust. However, in this case, any readers expecting a scholarly, balanced and objectively considered analysis are likely to be somewhat disappointed. Instead, the book primarily reads as an exercise in finding arguments to justify the author’s long-standing belief that native forest wood production is exceedingly damaging, unviable, unnecessary, and must end. The book is comprised of 12 chapters, of which eight are specifically devoted to “busting the myths peddled by industry”. Within these eight chapters, a total of 37 “myths” have been nominated, briefly described, and summarily debunked, leading to a short “reality” statement. The problem with this myth-busting approach is that it often ignores important context and dumbs-down the subject matter leading to simple, absolutist ‘realities’ that take no account of the complexities and nuances inherent to native forest management. Unfortunately, many of the book’s so-called “industry myths” are cleverly-worded inventions perhaps designed to divert attention away from important areas of discussion. Others amongst these “industry myths” are bizarre. Indeed, from the perspective of my 45-year career in forest science and field forestry, I can only accept that a couple of the 37 so-called “myths” actually fit that label and find that the book’s supposedly myth-busting statements of “reality” are more often the real myths. Some notable examples of the book’s wrong or spurious ‘realities’ are: Logging increases the risk of high severity fire; Thinning has no effect or may even make fires worse; Only 4% of the biomass in a logged native forest ends up as sawn timber; Native forest logging is value subtracting; Logging is a loss maker; Numbers of jobs in native forest logging are small; and Breaches of Australian logging laws can be widespread. All of these can be shown to be largely false or highly contestable. Largely they have a basis in flawed research featuring the omission of important context, a reliance on wrong or misplaced assumptions, selective use of evidence, or misinterpretation of source references. For example, on the topic of sawn timber percentage, initial errors from early papers have cascaded to deliver a figure that is wrong by at least a magnitude of four. Indeed, some flawed foundation papers have been a subject of formal complaint to the author’s home institution, the ANU Fenner School, as far back as 2015. Unfortunately, countering the book’s glaring deficiencies in these areas is beyond a brief book review. Suffice to say that there are rational explanations, including peer reviewed science, that can counter or cast doubt on virtually all of the book’s many allegations This includes recollections from intimately involved foresters that are at odds with some of the author’s personal anecdotes that demonise timber production, including in relation to the multiple, concurrent activist-led court cases that have crippled the Victorian native forestry sector in recent years. To cite just one example, the book’s frequent allegation that “native forest logging” is financially unviable is based only on the accounts of the government agency that sells logs and the numbers of forestry contractors working to harvest and haul those logs. It inexplicably ignores that this in-forest activity leads to at least 10 times as many jobs.

Outside the forest in log processing and wood products manufacture, and the substantial revenue that this generates. In 2015, when Victoria’s Central Highlands native timber industry was operating with far less interference from eco-activist legal challenges, Deloitte Access Economics valued the whole industry at $0.57 billion per annum. Hardly a “loss making” activity. In keeping with most vilification of ‘native forest logging’, the book credits it with dire environmental consequences that are way out-of-step with the small proportion of public forest that is actually used for timber production. Allegations, such as extinction threats or water yield reduction, must by their nature, be strongly correlated with the extent to which forests and their values are directly exposed to logging. Yet, the book provides no specific details of proportional forest use, even though such information is easily obtainable. As if keenly aware of the potential for this major omission to be levelled against it, the book dances around it by suggesting that logging’s impacts are “about more than simply the proportion of the total forest estate that is logged… It matters what is being logged… places targeted for logging are often the most productive parts of the landscape”. While there is certainly some truth in that, the book’s reluctance to […]

The Mobile Catalyst (MO.CA) is an advanced and ecological mobile home built using ‘zero-kilometre’ natural materials and digital construction techniques produced by the students and researchers of the Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities program at Valldaura Labs, Spain. Source: Timberbiz The brief was extended from its initial definition of a home and developed to comprise an experiential engagement facilitator – a mobile catalyst – and thus the design was named MOCA. The main limitations arose from the trailer on which the home rests and local regulations. The final solution includes a platform 5.4 long and 2.4 wide on which the 3.6 m high house rests. The regulations also establish that the total weight of the construction (together with the trailer) cannot exceed 3,500 kg, and that the driver of the vehicle transporting the trailer must have Permit B96; values that became references and factors that influenced many design decisions. The design of MO.CA consists of two anchoring, solid toolboxes that contain tools and surfaces designed to initiate different activities in the central ‘reaction chamber’. The Toolbox A or Utility Toolbox is towards the front of the trailer and is the heavier toolbox. It includes all necessary utilities for a home; a kitchen, a shower area, a toilet, and a utility cabinet for electric and water metabolic systems. The Toolbox B or Activity Toolbox contains surfaces and tools that aid in activating the central space. An entrance door is provided on the Toolbox B side. It serves as the main access when the facade is closed or otherwise. The walls of the toolboxes are made with dowel laminated timber (DLT) panels of 4 cm thickness, mitigating the need for conventional toxic adhesives and maintaining the potential for circular reuse. The operable facade of the mobile home consists of two complementary layers – a set of glass doors and a fabric facade – that together make it possible to adapt the degree of enclosure of the central space, adapting to the weather conditions, the time of day and the activity happening within. The glass doors (four on each side) are designed to be either open, semi-open or closed. When closed, the central space is sheltered from the outside environment. When open, the interior/exterior boundary is dissolved. The outer layer is designed as lightweight timber frameworks covered with a water-resistant cotton fabric, secured with threaded cord. On the two long sides, the facade slides and folds up with the mechanical advantage of pulleys. The mobile home obtains all of its energy from the sun and is equipped to sustain 24 hours of use without recharging. The energy consumption majorly consists of the media-related activities taking place inside and some basic home appliances. In line with the light fabric envelope placed on the roof, a set of 3 light-flexible monocrystalline solar panels connect to a MultiPlus inverter (which can also be connected to an external grid) and a battery backup. The interior and envelope are lit with LED strips, accentuating the textile enclosure with an internal glow. Two beds (or sleeping shelves) are included on the mezzanine floor to leverage the verticality of the toolboxes (one of them extendable to two places). It comes with an extendable mattress that allows space for two people. A movable ladder accompanies the bed and is attached to the edge of the bed frame, which can be inclined for easier accessibility. The kitchen includes a sink, a one-burner stove and drawers under the kitchen counter. A fridge is also provided along with spaces to hang utensils. Indicators for the battery level and tank water level are fitted at the kitchen wall. The washroom includes a waterless humus toilet box and a shower area. The humus toilet system does not include water for flushing, thus, eliminating any blackwater produced except that from cooking or cleaning. This saves the hassle of disposing of or treating black water. The shower water is collected in a catchment basin and stored in the grey water tank. It is then filtered and pumped to the recycled water tank and reintroduced to the system. The water is treated through a three-stage filter system, followed by a UV filter. The faucet handles permit inhabitants to switch between the water from the fresh water tank or the recycled water tank depending on their intended use. An inlet allows water to be pumped from external sources as well. The water from the kitchen sink is stored in the black water tank. This water is drained to external infrastructures for treatment. All water tanks are placed beneath the flooring, connected to the trailer, freeing up space for other utilities. The system works on a 12 V battery charged by solar energy, powering three circulatory pumps. Ball float sensors in tanks and a tank water level indicator have also been included for efficient maintenance. Toolbox B features a wardrobe storing the custom furniture. When outside, the furniture activates the space to host a variety of activities, for instance an office, workshops, exhibitions or concerts. The furniture is designed to fold and to occupy minimal space in this tiny home. The design is a combination of timber, fabric and dowels making for a lightweight setup. The integrated set includes a table, six stools, two lounge chairs and six Fab-kits. A pair of fabric belt straps are used to secure the furniture when the mobile home is on the road. The doors of the wardrobe are made with timber and fabric. These doors are also lightweight and follow a similar design style as the rest of the furniture with the fabric being a key element. Fab-kits, stored behind the mezzanine ladder and at the entrance door, include a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and space for books, footwear, laundry and other objects. Underneath, 3 entrance ladders can be stored when not in use.

British Columbia (BC), Canada is celebrating the 10-billionth tree planted since reforestation programs began in 1930, with two billion of those trees planted in the past seven years. Source: Timberbiz “Throughout the province, people are seeing the impacts of climate change on our forests,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “To support healthy forests for people and communities, we are accelerating tree planting and building on decades of work restoring our forests that provide clean air, recreation, local jobs and so much more. Today’s tremendous achievement is a culmination of those efforts, in partnership with many forest licensees and hard-working tree planters.” Last year, 305 million seedlings were planted in BC forests. One of these seedlings was the 10-billionth planted since work began almost a century ago. In honour of this milestone, Ralston planted a ceremonial tree in Surrey’s Green Timbers Urban Forest Park. The park, dubbed the “birthplace of reforestation,” is home to the Province’s first reforestation eff orts in 1930. Forest tenure holders have been legally required to undertake reforestation efforts since 1987. In 2024, 235 million of the 290 million seedlings expected to be planted will be done through forestry companies, with an additional five million planted by First Nations. “Ten billion seedlings planted is a remarkable achievement in making sure our forests are with us for generations to come,” Ralston said. “It’s easy to get lost in the number, but there’s a very human story here, too. Planting 10 billion trees means 10billion carefully wielded shovels by 20 billion hands across almost 100 years. This is an accomplishment we can all be proud of, and it’s an honour to play a small part in that number by planting this tree today.” In addition to legislated reforestation efforts, the province will plant an additional 50 million trees this year through several provincial and federal programs. These initiatives focus reforestation efforts on areas that have been adversely affected by natural disturbances, such as mountain pine beetle infestations and wildfire. “The planting of 10 billion trees in our province is one of B.C.’s most important mega projects,” said John Betts, executive director, Western Forestry Contractors’ Association. “Besides the hard work involved, it’s an act of optimism where the full benefits won’t be realized until well into the future. It’s a fi ne legacy for all the thousands of nursery workers, planters and foresters involved over the years.” Included in the 10 billion is a milestone from the Ministry of Forests’ BC Timber Sales (BCTS), which is marking its one-billionth tree planted since the organization was founded in 2003. BCTS issues approximately 40 tree-planting contracts to local and small business operators throughout the province every season. By partnering with other Ministry of Forests branches, as well as industry and the planting contract community, it contributes to the successful planting of millions of seedlings each year. The province’s research and investment programs continue to work improving silviculture practices to boost the success of every seedling and help make sure BC’s forests are resilient in a changing climate. Climate resiliency is one reason why the province provided the Bulkley Valley Centre for Natural Resources Research and Management – a world-class research institute based in Smithers – with Can$10 million in 2023. Its new Silviculture Innovation Program will support research and innovative practices that better address forest and ecosystem health.

France’s agriculture ministry plans to subsidise tree felling and ease regulations on biomass burning as part of a push to stop the spread of bark beetle, a voracious pest decimating French forests whose spread has been boosted by global warming. Source: Reuters Since 2018, successive droughts and high temperatures in northeast France have made trees more vulnerable to beetle attacks, sparking massive mortality of spruce and fir, with an estimated 110,000 of the 520,000 hectares of forest in that region infested, the agriculture ministry said. To contain the insects’ spread, France will finance preventive felling of trees and debarking equipment, make it easier to burn infested wood for biomass, and help sell timber that has been infested but is still usable, the ministry said. Debarking felled trees in at-risk areas can help stop the beetles’ spread by preventing freshly felled healthy trees from becoming new breeding grounds. The government will subsidise timber companies’ acquisition of felling-debarking equipment, which debarks trees as they are cut, funding up to 65% of the cost up to 8,000 euros per unit. “The more advanced the infestation is, the less effective control measures are,” the ministry said in a statement. The government is also setting up national and regional crisis units to better map and control the insects’ spread. Spruce and pine are widely used for construction, furniture and paper. The ministry said that when identified at an early stage and felled at the right time, bark-beetle infested wood is perfectly suitable for construction. For wood that can no longer be used as timber, the government will ease regulations on burning it in biomass-fuelled power or heating plants, allowing wood to come from regions further away from the burning site. It will also boost state support for replanting forests.

New Zealand Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay concluded discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing this week, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. Source: Timberbiz “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its core,” Mr McClay said. “We discussed progress made on implementation of the 2022 FTA Upgrade provisions, and areas of bilateral cooperation including in support of business environment reforms in China and intellectual property rights protection.” Regional and multilateral trade developments were also discussed, following on a previous meeting on the margins of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. Mr McClay also met with Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian. “New Zealand and China have a long-standing and close agricultural relationship,” Mr McClay says. “I welcomed the opportunity to meet Minister Tang to discuss our cooperation programmes, and to underline my commitment to strengthening the collaborative programme of work between our countries’ agricultural sectors.” Mr McClay’s meeting with the Administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Guan Zhi’ou was an opportunity to advance the bilateral forestry relationship, including areas of cooperation under a refreshed bilateral forestry cooperation arrangement. “Growing our trade relationships and exports will boost New Zealand’s economy, and it is only through a strong economy we can lift incomes, reduce the cost of living and afford the public services Kiwis deserve.” Mr McClay now travels to Harbin and Shanghai. While in Harbin, Mr McClay will meet with the Governor of Heilongjiang Province and Chinese partners in the agriculture sector. The program in Shanghai will include engagements with New Zealand businesses in-market, including small and medium enterprises in the food and beverage, health and nutrition, services, and manufacturing sectors. Mr McClay will also meet with the Mayor of Shanghai, Gong Zheng.

Forest & Wood Products Australia has launched a new webinar series to address ongoing housing challenges in Australia and support the forestry industry in responding to supply chain challenges to plan for future housing needs. Source: Timberbiz The three-part webinar series covers presentations, panel discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions, offering participants the opportunity to engage with leading experts and contribute to the dialogue on shaping the future of housing and sustainable construction. “We are looking forward to hosting this webinar series to facilitate meaningful conversations through insights and challenges around the future of housing and the vital role the wood products industry plays” said FWPA Statistics and Economics Manager, Erick Hansnata. Session Overview Webinar 1: Australia’s Future Housing Affordability Tuesday, 30 April, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Speakers include Nerida Conisbee (Chief Economist at Ray White), Dr Liz Allen (Demographer and Senior Lecturer at the ANU Centre for Social Research Methods) and Dr. Tom Alves (Head of Development at AHURI). Register here. Webinar 2: Timber Supply Chain Challenges & Opportunities in the Future of Housing Tuesday, 7 May, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Register here. Webinar 3: Bridging the Housing Issues and the Timber Industry: A Policy Perspective Tuesday, 14 May,10:00 am – 12:00 pm Register here.

The prospect of a pick-up in home building activity in 2024 is not likely given the low volume of new homes sales in the first three months of 2024, according to the HIA. Source: Timberbiz The HIA New Home Sales report is a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states and is a leading indicator of future detached home construction. “New home sales increased by 4.9% in March compared to the previous month. This increase kept sales flat in the first three months of 2024 compared to the previous quarter,” HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said. “Concerningly, sales in the first three months of this year remain 41.3% below the same quarter in 2021, 18.2% below the same quarter in 2020, and 18.9% below the same quarter in 2019. “There is an increasing divergence at a state level, as those markets with higher land prices endure a larger downturn in home sales,” he said. Sales in New South Wales and Victoria in the first three months of 2024 remained down significantly compared with recent years, including sales falling by 48.7% and 32.7% respectively, compared with the same quarter in 2019. “The higher land costs in New South Wales and Victoria is the principal reason why sales in these markets are more significantly affected by the rise in the cash rate,” Mr Devitt said. “Lowering the cost of delivering new homes to market is essential to achieving the Australian government’s target of 1.2 million new homes over the next five years.” New home sales in the month of March declined only in New South Wales (-21.6%). The rest of the large states saw monthly increases, led by South Australia (+14.2%), followed by Western Australia (+10.3%), Victoria (+10.1%) and Queensland (+2.3%). Sales in the three months to March 2024 increased compared to the previous year in Queensland (+41.0%), Western Australia (+25.6%), New South Wales (+21.3%) and South Australia (+4.4%). Victoria was flat (-0.2%) over the same period.  

The New Zealand Forest Owners Association says the just-released NZIER report commissioned by the Helen Clark Foundation on New Zealand’s food and fibre exports, fails to appreciate the economic, social and environmental benefits of production forestry. Source: Timberbiz The Pathways to Prosperity report clings to forestry misconceptions, claiming the sector is a pine ‘monoculture’, producing woody material and sediment in waterways and having a negative impact on rural communities. Forest Owners Association chief executive, Dr Elizabeth Heeg, says there is evidence to the contrary. “Forestry shows the greatest growth potential of all primary industries with an increasingly important role in strengthening our rural communities,” Dr Heeg says. “A report from PwC in 2020 found that forestry generated twice the number of jobs per hectare than hill country farming. That’s way outside any margin of error.” “New Zealand’s production forest estate is arguably also the only tool our country has available to meet its 2050 climate change targets.” “Our trees currently offset more than half of the nation’s total carbon emissions. These plantation forests have been solely responsible for reducing gross emissions from 76.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide down to 55.7 million tonnes.” The lack of appreciation for the scope of worldwide demand for timber and timber products in the future is perhaps the largest failure of the Clark Foundation report. “Not only will the worldwide demand for timber to replace carbon emitting concrete and steel, rise rapidly in the near future, but so too will the demand for wood-based biofuels and other plastic substitute products increase too,” Dr Heeg says. “This shift from log exports to higher value forestry bio-products is anticipated to increase the sector’s export value by approximately $12 to $19 billion according to the 2023 NZ Product Accelerator report.” The report’s undue emphasis on popular forestry misconceptions also downplays the important role of trees in maintaining a healthy environment. “The widespread belief there is a monoculture of pines is simply not true,” Dr Heeg says. “Both forestry and pastoral farming hold important roles in maintaining a mosaic of land uses and both are increasingly planting native vegetation along riparian strips, including sites where it’s too steep to plant trees or farm animals.” “Both industries have about 15 percent of their area in native vegetation. There is hardly any difference.” “Production forests are important habitats for supporting Aotearoa’s wildlife too,” Dr Heeg says. “There is strong evidence that native birds such as falcons and kiwi, prefer plantation forests due to greater food availability and the lack of predators, making it a safer environment.” “Forestry also has a unique role to play in minimising erosion. Research shows trees and their root systems stabilise the land for long periods, bind the soil and slow slip movement, decrease water runoff and erosion, and help in draining and improving soils.” “Likewise, our forests effectively filter out water contamination from other land use. These are major issues noted by the Clark Foundation report, but forestry’s role as a water purifier goes unrecognised.” “It is disappointing that the Helen Clark Foundation and NZIER are exacerbating misconceptions about forestry and missing a major productivity opportunity for New Zealand and its bioeconomy.”

With an ageing population placing increased strain on New Zealand’s public services, the country must earn more to maintain current living standards in the years ahead, a new discussion paper has found. Source: Timberbiz Released by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, Pathways to prosperity: Capturing more of the value of our food and fibre sector exports for New Zealand calls for “investment and policies that do not demand immediate results” to boost productivity in the food and fibre sector. The sector, which includes agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fishing and associated processing, accounts for 80% of New Zealand’s goods exports and is one of the main sources of income and tax revenue that fund public services. But it needs to earn more, says Peter Davis, Chair of the Helen Clark Foundation, which commissioned the discussion paper. “This country faces a key challenge in providing an ageing population with the quality healthcare, education and superannuation New Zealanders rightly expect,” Davis says. “New Zealand clearly needs to earn more as a country in the decades ahead to meet these expectations.” However, many New Zealand firms do not have the skills and scale necessary to compete effectively in unforgiving global markets, the paper’s authors Todd Krieble and Bill Kaye-Blake say. “We need to ensure we’re doing everything we can as a country to support the sector to grow its productivity and earn more from exports without putting more pressure on our people or our environment. “The good news is that our paper finds clear pathways New Zealand can take to achieve this.” Pathways include developing a more skilled workforce; consumer-driven marketing and product development; better investment, especially in processing; improving management and governance; and strategic collaboration to create scale and larger investment pools. The paper’s authors also identify key challenges to achieving greater productivity in the sector, which include lower levels of investment and technology in food and fibre processing compared to similar economies, and the risk-averse nature of firms (sometimes resulting from organisational structure, such as co-ops) and the mindsets of senior managers and directors. Krieble and Kaye-Blake suggest “time and patient money – that is, investment and policies that do not demand immediate results” could enable the sector to overcome these disadvantages. “Improving productivity will be hard, but maintaining the status quo will leave us with a middling economic performance and increasing anxiety about how New Zealand will pay its way in the future,” they say. “The sector’s challenges, especially in processing, have existed for decades and the underlying issues are not amenable to quick fixes. “We hope this paper provides a jumping off point for further discussions about the strengths of the sector, and how it can adapt and grow despite the challenges of the 21st Century.” Pathways to prosperity: Capturing more of the value of our food and fibre sector exports for New Zealand The discussion paper’s recommendations for the sector and for the Government include: Food and fibre exporters should be supported to be “mini-multinationals” – extracting more value from competitive export markets means companies, even small ones, have to do everything that bigger multinationals do: market research, product development, supply chain management, export clearance, and financial arrangements. Most food and fibre companies do not yet have all these capabilities and will need support in developing them. Government could identify businesses with the right set of capabilities and potential, and work with them proactively to build their exporting capabilities. Building on insights developed by MBIE and other agencies to focus government resources on those firms most likely to lift export intensity would mean working with firms that meet identified predictive characteristics of success rather than simply seeking to pick winners. Government with industry to understand what kind of investments would best support export growth and devise a long-term investment strategy. This approach could identify processes, technologies, training that would benefit both a company and the wider economy, helping New Zealand to develop the sorts of mini-multinationals that are needed to extract more value from export markets. Industry and government could collaborate to develop mechanisms that reduce investment risks in the food and fibre sector, given the sector’s importance to New Zealand and the higher risk profile it faces. For example, a government fund with an equity stake that invests at below-market rates could provide funding but capture the upside from ventures that succeed. More investment should be made into research the practice of management in New Zealand, given the importance of managerial capability in building export-capable firms. Consideration should also be given to subsidies or tax credits for managerial training for qualifying management and governance roles in the food and fibre sector. Government should consider requiring a minimum level of vocational training per year, and should ensure existing policies and programmes that incentivise businesses to undertake workforce training are working effectively and efficiently. Industry and Government should collaborate to explore options for more strategic collaboration among key players in the food and fibre sector. This should include investigation of the mechanisms and policies necessary to facilitate effective collaboration, while being mindful of limits set by competition and trade law. Funding could be directed to academic and applied research to determine the most promising forms of collaboration for the food and fibre sector. You can download the report here.

  The National Timber & Hardware Association has opened its 2024 State awards season, inviting nominations from businesses across all states and territories in Australia. Source: Timberbiz The NTHA Timber & Hardware Industry State awards occur bi-annually, serving as a platform to recognise outstanding contributions and inspire excellence throughout the industry. NTHA encourages businesses to take the opportunity to spotlight their achievements, elevate their brand, and contribute to the advancement of the timber and hardware sector collectively. “I am continually inspired by the exceptional calibre of our industry members. The NTHA Timber & Hardware Industry Awards stand as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence within our industry,” NTHA CEO, David Little said. “Through these awards, we celebrate both organisational and individual achievements, showcasing the collective brilliance that propels our industry forward. Each nominee represents a story of dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence.” Nominations are now open for the following categories: NTHA Trainee/Apprentice of the Year NTHA Student of the Year Emerging Leader The REAL Difference Award 30+ Years Industry Service Trade Store of the Year Retail Store of the Year Under 2500sqm Retail Store of the Year Over 2500sqm Best Garden Centre Best Frame & Truss Operation Trade Supplier of the Year Retail Supplier of the Year Garden & Outdoor Supplier of the Year Safety Culture Award The time to nominate is limited, with deadlines varying across different states and territories. Winners will be announced at the State or Territory awards ceremonies for which they are nominated. Winners from the NTHA State Awards will continue to the national awards final in 2025. Dates and locations for the award finals are as follows: 14 June 2024 Victoria & Tasmania 27 July 2024 Queensland 9 August 2024 South Australia & Northern Territory 13 September 2024 New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory 11 October 2024 Western Australia “Our 2023 award win was a great morale boost for our management team and staff. The award recognition was encouragement to continue our journey of business transformation,” said Philip MacGregor, Managing Director, Hardware & General Supplies (Brookvale), the 2023 national award winner for Best Timber & Building Materials Store. “We have used the award in our advertising to our customers.  We have used the award in evidence to our staff that we are going in the right direction, a customer-focused business aiming to make it a great place to work and a great place to shop, to consolidate our profitability and to lead our markets.” To nominate for one or more of the 2024 award categories, visit: https://www.ntha.com.au/events/2024-state-awards/ For more information on nominations and award categories, visit: https://www.ntha.com.au/about-us/ntha-timber-hardware-industry-awards/  

Pentarch executive director Steve Dadd has rejected claims he favours an orderly transition away from native forest logging in New South Wales. Source: Timberbiz Mr Dadd, who is also Australian Forest Products Association Chairman, issued a statement yesterday clarifying statements attributed to him in an Australian Associated Press media release issued last week. In that media release businessman and activist Geoff Cousins was reported as supporting a campaign against the New South Wales government’s continued support for native forest logging. Mr Cousins was reported as saying he had recently met with Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, and that they both “accept that the status quo cannot continue”. Mr Cousins also claimed the Forestry Corporation’s two biggest customers, Pentarch Holdings and Brambles recently contacted him. Mr Cousins says both companies needed to understand that buying Forestry Corporation products resulting from the destruction of koala habitat is like supporting multinational companies that pay sweatshop workers a pittance. He claimed both companies expressed the desire for an orderly transition away from native forest logging to avoid the “shambles” Victoria saw when the government abruptly shut its business down, years earlier than expected. “The chair of the Forest Products Association, he said ‘yeah the last thing we want is what happened in Victoria’. I said Well you’re going to get it unless you take a lead.” But Mr Dadd said Mr Cousins’ claim that he expressed the desire for an orderly transition away from native forest logging was false. “I made no such statement about a transition out of native forestry,” Mr Dadd said. “We do not support any form of transition away from native forest harvesting.” Mr Dadd also clarified other statements made in the media release. “I did indeed meet with Mr Cousins in good faith to hear his views and invite him to visit our operations and unfortunately found him unwilling to engage on the many benefits of native forestry or acknowledge scientific evidence,” he said. “He is either denying the irrefutable science that native forestry has little impact on koala populations or is ignorant of the facts which are clearly stated on the Natural Resource Commission website. “To scurrilously compare native forestry to sweatshops is clever spin from an experienced advertising executive to further corrupt public opinion about the sustainable harvesting and regrowing of hardwood from just 1% of our forests. “Mr Cousins does not appear to recognise the benefits of carbon stored in hardwood products or the sequestration of carbon in regrowing forests where wildlife thrives. “He refuses to acknowledge the $1.1billion benefit the industry brings to the State of NSW or the 8900 families directly supported by the industry. “So, it’s difficult to understand how Mr Cousins can consider himself to have a balanced view on native forestry and we hope the NSW Government sees his opinions for what they are. “We accept the commitment to establishing a Great Koala National Park and are working with the NSW Government to ensure it achieves both a sustainable future for our business, the people and communities who rely on us and maximises benefits for the climate and koalas. “We are also hopeful that native forestry is recognised for its many scientifically proven benefits for the environment, as expressed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “We should accept our global responsibility in supplying ethically and fully certified hardwood rather than rely on imports from countries which do not have in place the same checks and balances as we do here.” Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam said the group reached out to Mr Cousins after recent media reports about his views on native forests. “As Australia’s peak forest products industry advocacy body, we appreciate hearing people’s views and concerns,” she said. “Those who campaign against Australia’s native forestry sector are campaigning for worse environmental and climate outcomes. Our objective is to make sure more people understand that.”