Australian timber industry news

Optoppen is a Dutch word which translates as “topping up”. It is also the name of an online resource that will help anyone interested in airspace development – adding storeys to a building’s roof. Source: Timberbiz Using timber to extend upwards makes sense: it is a much lighter construction material than most. This means it can potentially add storeys without the need for strengthening the building’s foundations. The Optoppen website hosts an interactive tool to help clients identify the opportunity of their site for additional floors. This tool allows asset owners and urban planners to quickly assess the potential a building has for a rooftop extension. It provides a high-level structural assessment and reports the possible amount of floor space that could be created – together with the amount of carbon sequestered in the mass timber, as well as the structural embodied carbon of the construction. It also provides useful examples of existing Optoppen extensions, and it has a fascinating library of timber-based rooftop extension projects from a healthy mix of countries. You can also read about the various policies in Europe that are relevant to this kind of project. One intriguing part of the Optoppen site is its interactive ‘City Opportunities’ page. There you can read about the new units that timber rooftop extensions could create in the cities of London, Rotterdam and Barcelona. The existing buildings in those cities were assessed in terms of numbers, heights and typologies; numbers were crunched; and some promising conclusions were reached about Optoppen’s potential. In London, Optoppen could deliver 515,000 new flats. That amounts to 45,752,900m2 of internal area: an increase of some 7.7%. The timber used would sequester 4,330,400 tonnes of CO2e, that’s the equivalent of over 5.5 million Sitka Spruce trees. Similar studies found that up to 125,000 flats could be added to Rotterdam’s rooftops; and over 195,000 to Barcelona’s. London has a hugely varied range of building typologies, from low-rise terraces to Edwardian mansion blocks, to more modern office buildings and high-rise blocks of flats. All of these typologies have potential for adding storeys, with different boroughs presenting different scales of opportunities. The study breaks that 515,000 total down by borough. You can select a particular London borough to see at a glance what Optoppen gains could be made there. Southwark could gain 24,800 new flats (2,010,200m2), while Westminster could gain 48,300 (4,059,200m2). The assessment of all this for London was based upon available information on parameters for urban density, for each borough, to assess opportunities for adding flats to those over 3 floors. “We took our data from public information published by the Greater London Authority (GLA) on buildings in each London borough,” explains Kelly Harrison a Director at Whitby Wood. “Using information on building heights, we could determine the number of storeys. We then used available statistical data on each borough’s building use and typologies. “A borough might be comprised of 20% residential and 80% commercial or industrial, for example. For each borough, we took the average building height and number of storeys for each use type, to estimate how much timber you could add on top using the Optoppen tool.” The information is therefore based on a few assumptions, but with some conservatism, the overall picture that it gives remains a reliable estimation. “For Rotterdam, we could calculate that Optoppen could provide a 16% increase in units,” Ms Kelly said. “But for London, we had to be very conservative in our assumptions, as the data wasn’t as good, and the size of the city much greater.” The conclusions about London’s Optoppen potential were based on buildings of three storeys or more, and less than 20. That is because buildings lower than that would likely require foundation strengthening, and those over could give large additional area results, which could be unreliable and skew results. “That limitation assumes we don’t touch any foundations,” Ms Kelly said. “You could add many more if you were strengthening or adding new foundations, but this adds embodied carbon and is almost impossible to quantify, so is a limitation of the study.” While the Optoppen website does talk about these numbers in terms of “flats”, the point is more about the sheer amount of new useable space that Optoppen could provide. “Really, it is about adding a percentage of floor area, but talking purely in terms of square metres is not necessarily meaningful to everyone,” Ms Kelly said. “So, we’ve tried to contextualise it for people by suggesting how many tw obedroom flats that space could be.” The particular use, and the viability, of an Optoppen project will vary from area to area. “Viability is of course a crucial part of any development,” Ms Kelly said. “The whole point of the Optoppen website is to demonstrate that it can be done: to show what it could mean for a building asset in terms of unlocking all that space. “The tool helps early decisions making, to give a clear brief to the design team, who need to all be on the same page to make this work, as found in our stakeholder roundtable discussions. “ The case studies give precedent, and the deep dive research studies in the Netherlands show how you can overcome the detail. We have recently also included a Swedish Design Guide, also translated to English to give further detail.” Ms Kelly suggests that councils in particular are increasingly interested in this work. They have ambitious new housing targets, and many of them are already stretched in terms of need. The organisation Trust for London has highlighted that every London borough (bar Hounslow) has a higher proportion of households in temporary accommodation (TA) than the England average. In nine London boroughs, the proportion of residents in TA is five times the rest of England. For a council, adding storeys to a four-storey council block would be much more cost-effective than the enormous monthly costs of housing those without homes in TA or hotels. Ms Kelly also points out that in areas […]

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Misiones, Argentina, is home to the world’s only edible tree: The Yacaratia, a species that you can eat as it is perfectly safe for human consumption. Source: Columbia One According to a Misiones local tour guide and expert naturalist, Gloria Gomez the yacaratiá is a plant that belongs to the papaya family, native to the Paraná jungle. “Here we call it mamón del monte. I understand that might be a rude word in Spain [sucker], but here papaya is known as mamón,” she said. Wood from trees is not edible anywhere else in the world, this phenomenon is exclusive to the Jacaratia Spinosa tree in Misiones, Argentina. What makes this more intriguing, however, is the fact that its wood is edible because it doesn’t contain cellulose, and it also has a high water content (moisture). Its high concentration of water does not make it automatically edible, however. Ms Gomez explains that before consumption, the wood has to be harvested for 24 hours in order for it to be safe for humans. This is what makes the Yacaratia so unique, as there are trees whose bark a human can eat, like the willow, pine, or poplar, but not the wood. The Yacaratia tree was discovered by Argentina’s Guarani indigenous people. This tree was rediscovered relatively recently. In 1991, Argentinian forest engineer Roberto Pascutti found a manuscript written by a Jesuit named Basaldua, which mentioned a rather odd custom from the Guarani people, which involved eating worms off the Yacaratia’s wood. “The Guaraní used to eat it raw or lightly roasted over embers,” but it was “the forestry engineer Pascutti who patented the project for making this wood edible,” Ms Gomez said. Mr Pascutti spent five years in the jungle with Guarani communities. He created and patented the process in which the wood of the Yacaratia tree became edible. According to the tourist guide from the El Soberbio municipality, the Yacaratia wood is prepared in the middle of the Argentinian jungle by removing the outer bark and cooking the inner part of the wood. Others claim, however, that boiling the wood is enough. There are some who eat it raw. People often eat the wood with caramels and other sweets. It is also commercialized as a sort of wood jam. Recently, influencers from Argentina went viral as they prepared the Yacaratia as a Milanesa, a national dish, naming it “Wooden Milanesa” (Milanesa de Madera). According to the tourist guide from the El Soberbio municipality, the Yacaratia wood is prepared in the middle of the Argentinian jungle by removing the outer bark and cooking the inner part of the wood.

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FSC and Assurance Services International (ASI) have concluded the Vietnam Forest Management Transaction Verification (TV) loop. The TV loop introduced an additional level of scrutiny, leading to the voluntary exit or mandated removal of non diligent organizations by certification bodies. Source: Timberbiz FSC and ASI launched the Vietnam Forest Management TV loop in 2023 to trace the trade patterns and volume of timber-based feedstock originating from FSC-certified forests and ending in wood pellet manufacturing certificate holders. ASI collected transaction data between January to December 2022 from 56 Forest Management and 368 Chain of Custody certificate holders, covering an area of over 241,600 hectares of forest in Vietnam. Based on the high-risk volume mismatches and other integrity risks identified in the first phase of the TV loop, ASI conducted further investigations into 10 supply chain clusters, taking into consideration information earlier submitted to ASI by whistleblowers and insights from previous investigations in the regional pellet market. During the TV loop, six certificate holders were terminated by their certification body because they did not respond to the request for transaction data submission. A handful of certificate holders also voluntarily withdrew their certificates, particularly in cases where withdrawal potentially helped them avoid scrutiny. Main findings and actions Actions resulting in blockage: ASI has recommended FSC to suspend and block three certificate holders from the FSC system. FSC is currently examining the evidence ASI has provided to initiate the blockage process. Additionally, one certificate holder who deliberately impeded the investigation is also being considered for blockage. Self-billing integrity risk: Many of the Forest Management certificate holders participating in this TV loop were group entities. ASI observed that some of these group entities let the group members handle sales with buyers directly, with the buyer preparing the invoices and associated documents. However, the group entity (who holds the FSC certificate) is not aware of the sales and does not manage them as required. While sales by group members are permitted under FSC-STD-30-005 V2-1  (Standard Forest Management Groups), certain risks may arise as identified in this TV Loop, particularly in ensuring full conformity with FSC requirements. Clarification on harvesting practices: FSC standards require that harvesting of products and services be conducted at levels that are permanently sustained. In this investigation, ASI identified that some acacia plantations in Vietnam are operating on shortened harvest cycles. While these operations may be certified, FSC acknowledges the potential environmental considerations associated with shortened rotation period and emphasizes the importance of consistent interpretation and application of the requirements by both certification bodies and certificate holders. Further exploration of this issue may be warranted where relevant. The wood pellet sector is dynamic and fast growing. With a global push on emission reduction, especially from fossil-fuel generated emissions, government policy is encouraging energy companies to switch to wood pellets and other biomass fuels. In the Asia Pacific region, both the Republic of Korea and Japan have provided subsidies to further this agenda. While the Republic of Korea revoked their policy in January 2025, Japan continues to incentivise the use of biomass fuels. Vietnamese wood pellet manufacturers trade extensively with Japan, hence the demand for FSC-certified wood pellets is high. Therefore, it is very important for FSC and ASI to monitor trade and volume patterns of FSC-certified wood pellets – from forest to pellet. The insights gained from the Vietnam Forest Management TV loop present an opportunity to further strengthen transparency and reinforce good practices across supply chains. FSC will continue to engage with stakeholders, certification bodies, and certificate holders to support the consistent implementation of FSC requirements and promote ongoing system improvements.

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High electricity costs and the insecurity of future gas availability are key drivers for the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA) to provide support for the Protecting industry, jobs and household budgets as the gas runs out research report released by the Green Building Council. Source: Timberbiz While various options to solve future energy shortfalls have been mooted, this report goes a step further and outlines a well-defined case based on the acceleration of heat pumps in our homes to free up gas and electricity for industry growth. “The uncertainty created by energy demands is a serious threat to manufacturing growth within New Zealand and we need to ensure there is positive action, especially from Government,” said Mark Ross, WPMA Chief Executive. “The closure of three wood manufacturing mills in 2024 due to escalating electricity and gas prices has scarred local communities and the economy leaving our industry energy exposed.” Although not outright future energy solutions on their own, the recommendations within the Green Building Councils’ report, such as requiring new buildings to be ‘all-electric’ and expanding the Warmer Kiwi Homes to include a wider range of insulation products and retrofit for the least energy efficient low-income homes, are well argued and require further consideration by Government. “Enabling secure and affordable energy for our industry will assist in encouraging further investment in pulp, paperboard and value-added wood processing production within New Zealand,” said Mr Ross. “It is pleasing to see the Green Building Council rise to the Prime Ministers challenge of finding new energy solutions, potentially freeing up additional electricity and gas for our industry.” New Zealand’s energy prices for manufacturers are significantly higher than in countries where our major competitors reside. The opportunities to fix the energy problem are out there, with WPMA promoting this report and a long-term dual-party energy strategy to keep our businesses open, protect jobs, and build a more secure and affordable future. The full report can be found at https://wpma.org.nz/assets/Reports/NZGBC-Protecting-Our-Gas-Supply-Report-Single-Pages.pdf

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Responsible Wood has renewed its support for WoodSolutions’ Renewable Timber Framing Campaign for the year ahead. The campaign provides builders and construction businesses with free promotional resources to bridge the gap between industry knowledge and client understanding. Source: Timberbiz By highlighting the sustainability, wellness, sturdiness and durability benefits of timber, the campaign helps architects, builders and other timber users empower clients with a powerful ‘why’ for selecting timber framing for their home or project. “We’re proud to support WoodSolutions’ Renewable Timber Framing Campaign, particularly given its capacity to communicate the benefits of timber from responsibly managed forests,” said Responsible Wood CEO, Simon Dorries. “By promoting the use of certified timber framing, the campaign encourages sustainable choices that benefit both the environment and the quality of construction. “This aligns with our goal to grow awareness around sustainably certified timber, from Sustainable Forest Management through to Chain of Custody Certification that gives industry and end users the confidence they’re making a responsible choice with their material selection,” he said. The Timber Framing Campaign offers a wide range of free resources—from client brochures and social media assets to videos and case studies—all designed to help construction professionals confidently promote timber as a superior framing material. With growing awareness of timber’s environmental benefits and proven performance, the campaign strengthens the connection between sustainable forest products and modern building needs. To learn more about the campaign, and access the suite of free materials, here: https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-framing.  

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  Forestry Corporation is deploying early fire detection cameras across NSW State forests in the largest rollout of this groundbreaking technology in Australia. The network will be installed across the state’s major softwood growing regions, covering 1.2 million hectares of land from Northern NSW to the NSW-Victoria border with cameras installed at 22 strategic locations. Source: Timberbiz Key regions monitored by the cameras include Tumut, Moss Vale, Bombala, Walcha, and Bathurst, including three wind farm development zones near Bathurst and Tumut. The cameras will not only help protect critical plantation assets but also neighbouring communities, national parks and privately-owned agricultural land. The cameras will be provided by technology provider Pano AI. Powered by artificial intelligence, these cameras scan the landscape, track changes in pixel colour detecting smoke columns, delivering real-time alerts to fire crews and allowing rapid fire response. Land Management & Innovation Manager Jamie Carter said the cameras will enhance Forestry Corporation’s existing fire tower network, which is the largest in the country, by providing additional coverage and extending fire detection during overnight hours and in low-visibility conditions. “This is a significant milestone after four years of trialing and refining our approach to early fire detection,” Mr Carter said. “Following the significant impact of the 2019–2020 Black Summer fires where 25% of the pine plantation estate was burnt, Forestry Corporation has focused on aligning technological advancement with the needs of the NSW softwood estate. “This solution provides a critical edge in the crucial first 30 minutes after ignition, which is hugely important from a firefighting perspective,” he said. Fire detection technology has been extensively trialled in the US, South Africa and Europe and here in Australia trained to local conditions. Pano AI’s Head of Australia GTM Andrew Prolov said the partnership with Forestry Corporation was a clear signal that the technology is now mature and accepted by industry and emergency services, playing a key role in protecting lives and livelihoods. “Pano’s solution is trained on billions of images from diverse landscapes, micro-climates, and seasons across Australia and internationally,” Mr Prolov said. “By combining AI detection with advanced geospatial insights, it helps Forestry Corporation understand the full context of each fire detected,” he said. Research shows that 80–85% of the area monitored by Forestry Corporation’s fire towers also includes surrounding private property and public lands providing a significant and wide-reaching community benefit. In regions like Bathurst, tower operators detect and report more than half of all fires, often placing the first call to emergency services across these land tenures. “This technology won’t replace our highly skilled fire tower operators, but it’s a powerful addition to our early detection suite. We’re proud to lead the way in this field,” Mr Carter said. The rollout directly responds to key recommendations from the Independent NSW Bushfire Inquiry that followed the 2019 /2020 Black Summer fires, calling for enhanced remote fire detection capabilities. Over the last two decades, approximately 70,000 hectares of softwood forests in NSW have been impacted by fire. With State forests producing enough timber each year to build 40,000 new homes, strengthening early fire detection is critical to safeguarding the state’s timber supply. For more information visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

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The Australian Forest Products Association is renewing calls for governments nationally to maintain more multiple-use public forests, better recognise their community amenity benefits and their critical provision for sustainably sourced timber and wood-fibre resources to build the nation. Source: Timberbiz “The NSW Parliament has been inquiring into access restrictions to public lands and waterways. This is a timely opportunity to remind policy and decision makers of the benefits multiple-use public forests provide for the community, through recreation and other uses and through sustainable forestry,” Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Richard Hyett said. “It’s also an opportunity to call out the worrying trend of more forest lockups and conversion to national parks.” NSW [1] has a very large conservation reserve network including a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve network encompassing more than 7.5 million hectares of national parks and reserves. In NSW alone over the past 30 years, more than 1.2 million hectares of state forests have been converted to national parks, meaning nearly 10% of NSW’s total area has become national park. At the same time, Australia’s total forest area grew by 2.8 million hectares from 2008 to 2021, while total multiple-use public native forest area, has more than halved since the mid-1990s, equating now to about three per cent of Australia’s total forest area. “This is miniscule compared with the European Union where 84% of the Native (Natural) forest is available for sustainable wood production and it needs to be considered in that context,” Mr Hyett said. “Despite this, activists continue to demand that well managed multiple-use public native forests be locked up instead of demanding that under resourced National Parks be better managed to deliver the appropriate protections for biodiversity and threatened species for which they were created.” Multiple-use public forests provide an enormous array of benefits, including: Sustainable timber and wood-fibre resources Recreational and educational opportunities for bush users An active management style that encourages carbon sequestration Flexibility to manage for fire, disease and other risks Often, better biodiversity and habitat outcomes “In many cases, the revenue generated from activities in these forests, helps contribute to their conservation and ongoing management. We should also remember and acknowledge that many of Australia’s private forestry estates are made available for recreational activities, broadening the benefits these forests provide to the community,” Mr Hyett said. Furthermore, the recently released Federal Government’s Timber Fibre Strategy points to the growing gap between domestic sawn timber demand, for activities like housing construction, and domestic supply capacity – already exacerbated by reduced access to sustainable native forest timber. “Sadly, multiple-use public forests have become a soft target for governments to satisfy misguided activists who irresponsibly demand that forests sit under lock and key,” Mr Hyett said. “It’s time for governments to better recognise the value of forests that are open for use, including sustainable forestry, and give them better consideration, rather than the lazy approach of lockups and conversion to national parks.” [1] https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/about/our-strategy

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Trade with China and Thailand will become easier following an agreement with the Federal Government to transition to paperless certification on agricultural goods. Source: Timberbiz The move will allow for faster processing at the border, while creating greater information security. China and Australia signed a memorandum of understanding during the Prime Minister Mr Albanese’s recent visit to China, which will see paper sanitary and phytosanitary certificates replaced with paperless eCertificate exchange. In 2023-24, exports of agriculture, fisheries and forestry products to China were valued at over $17 billion dollars, with this modernisation to simplify and help grow exports with our largest trading partner. This reflects the benefit of the Federal Government removing trade impediments with China, including lobster, wine, barley, coal, cotton, timber logs, oaten hay, copper ores and concentrates and red meat exports. The agreement with Thailand will initially extend to plant imports to both countries, with the new e-certification system to support future implementation of Australia and Thailand’s commitments to paperless trade, as part of broader trade cooperation. This includes under the Thailand Australia Free Trade Agreement, which has seen two-way trade more than double during its 20 years in force. The streamlined certification process will support Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports to Thailand, worth $1.5 billion in 2023-24, to grow. These two new paperless certification agreements are part of the Federal Government’s ongoing work to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve two-way trade, and to unlock more export opportunities for Australia’s farmers and producers.

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Timber Queensland has backed the release of the Prosper 2050 blueprint at the Ekka in Brisbane this week. “What we like about the blueprint is that growing the primary industries sector for both food and fibre also creates direct downstream benefits for the built environment,” Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said. Source: Timberbiz “This is not only about producing the best clean, green food across the state, but also the best timber as a renewable and green building material for housing and infrastructure projects,” Mr Stephens said. Launching the blueprint at the Ekka, set to become the site of the Athletes’ Village and a major precinct upgrade for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, reinforced the case for Queensland timber as a cornerstone of iconic, sustainable infrastructure that delivers value well beyond 2032. “The launch of Prosper 2050 and the draft Queensland Future Timber Plan by the Primary Industries Minister during Ekka week is laying the groundwork for the timber industry to work collaboratively with the Government on long-term solutions to meet growing building demand,” Mr Stephens said. “The announcement on the transformation of the Brisbane showgrounds and development of the Athletes Village at the Bowen Hills site as part of the 2032 Olympics represents a significant opportunity for such collaboration. “Queensland has a long and rich heritage of using durable and sustainable local timber for its housing and public building needs. Incorporating this heritage into new iconic projects such as the Athletes Village and sporting venues can showcase both modern innovation with timber building systems and their biophilic health benefits for athletes and future occupants alike. “At the Paris Olympics for example, the Athletes Village and Aquatics Centre were both built using mass timber systems as part of a dedicated program for sustainability.” Mr Stephens said that procurement policies that preference sustainable construction materials such as timber could play an important role in delivering future infrastructure solutions in terms of sustainability, on-site workplace safety and total project cost-savings through prefabrication systems. “These opportunities will be fully explored as part of the proactive agenda with the Government for the forestry and timber construction industry,” he said. Industry trends and opportunities from farm forestry incorporating timber and beef production through to housing demand and modern methods of timber construction will be a focus of the Doing Timber Business in Queensland Conference to be held in Brisbane September 2-3, 2025. Watch the video here.

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The adversarial politics of the past can no longer exist. We need both sides to learn to reach across the aisle and look for the values they share, not the ones they disagree, writes Nick Steel. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Tasmania has once again elected a hung parliament. After the July election, with neither of the major parties reaching the 18 seats needed for a majority, who will lead the state, and how long this parliament will last is anyone’s guess. But that’s why this is a moment for genuine collaboration. In this parliament, governing will not be a solo sport. To make it work will require teamwork, negotiation, and a willingness to set aside political ego in favour of long-term outcomes. Both major parties need to step up, work with each other and the crossbench, and find the common ground that can drive our state forward. One place to start is with traditional industries – the backbone of regional Tasmania. Forestry, aquaculture, mining, energy and farming have long supported thousands of jobs and underpinned local economies. They are not relics of the past. When managed sustainably, these industries can generate the economic activity Tasmania desperately needs. The state’s finances are under strain. Net debt has tripled in three years and could reach $13 billion by 2027-28. In this environment, the choice is clear. We either build the industries that can carry their own weight and create jobs, or we resign ourselves to shrinking opportunity. Forestry can be both economically valuable and environmentally responsible. Collaboration could make it happen. The Liberals value economic growth. Labor recognises the importance of jobs in traditional sectors. Both parties have come out and supported traditional industries in this recent election. Together, they could agree on a sustainable forestry framework that protects jobs, supports regional communities, and encourages innovation in processing and value-adding. The alternative is political gridlock. The risk of policy inflexibility from both sides could stall decision-making and lead to yet another election. Tasmanians are tired of that cycle. We want stability, real action, and policies that deliver for all Tasmanians. The way forward is clear. The Liberals and Labor must put pragmatism ahead of posturing, work together, and build consensus on industries that matter. Supporting forestry and other traditional sectors is not just good politics, it is essential for Tasmania’s future. In this hung parliament, collaboration is not a luxury. It is the only way to get things done. Nick Steel is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Forest Products Association.

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Scotland’s First Minister opened a new £26 million facility to help grow more trees for Scotland’s forests and woodlands. Source: Timberbiz Newton Tree Nursery, near Elgin, will support Forestry and Land Scotland to almost treble their tree production – from seven million to nearly 20 million trees per year by 2029. It will help support the sustainable management of Scotland’s national forests and land and help tackle the climate emergency, while also supporting the rural economy. Seedling operations at the redeveloped tree nursery began in March 2025 and 12 million trees have already been established within the glasshouse. The new nursery is the UK’s largest and most advanced tree-growing glasshouse and sets a new standard for bio secure, sustainable, and high-volume forest nursery production. The facility ensures that an adequate supply of high-quality trees is available to supply the publicly managed forests of Scotland with those forests supporting rural economies, providing flood mitigation, improving biodiversity and sequestering carbon. “Scotland’s world-renowned forests and woodlands are a natural powerhouse, and one of the most important resources we have to tackle the climate emergency,” First Minister John Swinney said. “Our investment in this state-of-the-art glasshouse will not only contribute to environmental sustainability and help to restore habitats, but it will also support rural jobs and the sustainable use of timber in the construction industry. The Newton Tree Nursery project is a national asset, powering Scotland’s green recovery, forestry resilience, and environmental goals for decades to come. “Tackling the climate emergency and growing Scotland’s economy are two of my government’s top priorities and together they go hand in hand. We cannot do one without the other and innovative, industry leading facilities like the Newton Tree Nursery will play a vital role in achieving these goals.” Forestry and Land Scotland CEO Kevin Quinlan said that the Newton Nursery represents a major investment by the Scottish Government in the future of forestry in Scotland. “It strengthens Forestry and Land Scotland’s ability to supply young trees at the scale and standard needed to support a resilient, productive and sustainable forest resource. “This is especially important for the timber industry – which continues to grow as Scotland looks to reduce reliance on imports and embrace timber as a low-carbon material of the future. By increasing capacity at Newton, we’re investing at the very start of that supply chain – ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality planting stock for years to come.”

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Arauco Sucuriú, the world’s largest single-phase pulp mill project, is under construction in Brazil. A project of this scale is a true marathon in which meticulous planning, good equipment, and excellent cooperation are key to successful execution. Source: Timberbiz The Sucuriú project in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, has strategic importance for Arauco as they diversify their pulp production’s locations. “Arauco has been looking into expanding pulp production in Brazil for years. Our target was to enhance our competitive position, and Brazil has the required conditions, including logistics infrastructure, skilled people, and the right environment for trees to grow. We selected Mato Grosso do Sul state and the city of Inocencia as the location for our project,” explains Iván Chamorro, Senior Vice-President Forestry & Woodpulp Business for the Arauco Group. “Valmet is a key player in this project, delivering all the key process areas in an EPC model. We’re very happy so far with our relationship and Valmet’s commitment. We’re very confident that together we’ll be able to deliver the best mill. We know we’re going to face challenges, but with strong communication between the technical teams and at the management level, we can face these challenges and be successful together,” Mr Chamorro said. The new Arauco Sucuriú pulp mill will include the world’s largest recovery boiler. “Sucuriú will be a state-of-the-art mill with low water consumption and low emissions. We’re basically targeting a zero-waste mill that doesn’t send any residues to landfill. Additionally, we’re going to use gasified biomass instead of fossil fuel for the lime kiln. The mill will produce more than 400 megawatts of renewable energy, of which about 50 percent will be sold to the national Brazilian grid,” Carlos Altimiras, CEO of Arauco Brazil said. The mill automation system will be Valmet’s latest distributed control system, Valmet DNAe, supported with remote connectivity and Industrial Internet solutions. “With Valmet’s automation systems, mill-wide optimization and advanced process controls, we’re building a base for autonomous operations,” Mr Altimiras said. Hector Araneda, Operations Manager, Pulp and Energy Business at Arauco said that to be competitive now and in the future, they need to make the process more efficient and more stable, and mill automation will help achieve this. “We already have experience from our MAPA project, with several technology suppliers, but Valmet mill-wide optimization will look at optimal production for the mill as a whole.” In addition to environmental performance, Arauco is focusing specially on social and economic sustainability for both the project phase and as a long-term commitment to the community. “The Sucuriú project will bring dynamism to the local economy,” Mr Chamorro said. “We’re going to have more than 15,000 people working on site during construction, and during the operation phase we’ll have about 6,000 people working in the forestry, logistics, mill, and support services. These are stable long-term quality jobs.” The project is also strategic for Valmet – it is Valmet’s largest project, involving hundreds of throughout the world. Harri Pakkanen, Valmet’s Nordic Project Director, said that the project has been proceeding at full speed since November last year. “We’re now moving to the detailed engineering phase. We’ve already procured all the long lead items and critical equipment. Some of the equipment will be produced in Valmet’s own workshops, and some will be manufactured by our trusted partners,” he said. “The first parts are already ready, and the first shipments – pulp drying equipment and pressure parts for the world’s largest recovery boiler – will begin their journey to Brazil from China in July.”

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REI Habitat officially launched ‘Wood Up’, a pioneering 50m high wooden tower in Paris’s 13th arrondissement. With 132 residential units, the building stands as one of Europe’s tallest timber buildings, a landmark in sustainable architecture and a showcase for bio-based materials. Sources: Timberbiz, photo credit PEFC France Designed by LAN Architecture and constructed using beechwood from French forests, Wood Up is a flagship project demonstrating REI Habitat’s mission to transform real estate through ecological innovation. As the first PEFC-certified developer in France, REI Habitat sources wood from sustainably managed forests. The event was attended by key figures including Jacques Baudrier, Deputy Mayor of Paris for Housing and Ecological Transition, Jérôme Coumet, Mayor of the 13th arrondissement, Paul Jarquin, founder of REI Habitat and Christine de Neuville, President of PEFC France. “The use of wood, a renewable material and natural carbon sink, is emerging as a solution for the future, but also raises questions about the ability to meet demand while preserving our forests,” said Christine de Neuville. “PEFC certification is essential to attest to sustainable forest management and harvesting that meets today’s challenges. It is through certification that we can take concrete action to meet climate challenges.” Wood Up reflects REI Habitat’s 15-year commitment to low-carbon construction. Using 387m³ of French Beech – an underused species in large-scale building – the project reduces carbon emissions by 60% compared to traditional concrete construction. Beech from Normandy was transported by river to minimise its environmental footprint. The project also reused wood offcuts to create modular furniture, crafted by REI Habitat’s reuse subsidiary, Remake. Paul Jarquin, founder and president of REI Habitat said: “The use of beech, a hardwood species still rarely used for buildings of this size, shipped by river, is a world first. In collaboration with engineering firms and the Efectis Laboratory, we have helped to advance scientific knowledge on the fire resistance of this species in construction.” The tower, owned by Gecina and located in the Paris Rive Gauche development zone, spans 8,935m² and includes a commercial ground floor, 132 apartments, and extensive communal amenities such as outdoor walkways, bicycle and vehicle parking, and shared terraces. Its design promotes community living, with standout features like a 300m² 8th-floor terrace for gatherings and a 700m² rooftop garden on the 16th floor, offering panoramic views of Paris. Technically and architecturally innovative, Wood Up is a winner of the Wooden Living Building initiative by ADIVbois and SEMAPA. It meets top-tier sustainability certifications, including NF Habitat HQE Excellent, BBCA, BiodiverCity, and Effinergie+. The project also contributed to R&D on fire resistance in hardwood construction, keeping wood visibly integrated within the structure despite regulatory challenges. The project aligns with Paris’s goal to lower emissions, boost affordable housing, and green the city. Wood Up also launches the ‘Un Immeuble, Une Forêt’ (One Building, One Forest) initiative, linking real estate projects to afforestation and reforestation programs as part of a voluntary carbon offset strategy, reflecting REI Habitat’s broader vision of ecological and socially responsible urbanism.

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An AI tool using satellite imagery has been developed in the wake of the Nelson Tasman floods to deliver near real-time insights into forest damage. Source: Timberbiz The collaborative tool is helping the forestry sector and other land users assess impacts more quickly and plan recovery efforts with greater confidence. The Scion Group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) worked with Indufor on the tool’s development, to support recovery efforts. Using satellite data, the tool detects and maps storm-related damage to planted forests and the wider environment. Using freely available Sentinel satellite imagery and radar, the team was able to detect windthrow and storm-related damage. The result: near real-time intelligence that helped forestry stakeholders understand the extent and location of the impacts. Michael Watt, the Scion Group’s New Value Digital Forests and Wood Sector portfolio lead, says the lightweight app transforms complex remote sensing data into accessible insights, such as the estimated area and severity of affected forest blocks. “The tool equips the forestry industry with timely insights, making tasks such as damage assessment, operational planning and processing logistics significantly easier,” he said. “Councils, forestry companies and landowners can use the data we generate to quickly pinpoint impacted areas across the region. This supports rapid response and recovery across forests, croplands, orchards, farms and other land uses, as well as critical infrastructure.” This technology was first operationalised following Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, when the Scion Group used it to assess storm damage across severely impacted areas within Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. Indufor subsequently used similar methods to map windthrow throughout the entire Gisborne region within plantation boundaries identified using ForestInsights. “Cyclone Gabrielle was the first real-world opportunity to deploy this system at scale following a natural disaster,” Mr Watt said. “Since then, the methods we use have been refined. The increasing frequency of events such as the Nelson Tasman storms shows how essential this rapid response capability is becoming. “We now have validated models that can be deployed to rapidly detect and map regional windthrow from satellites, even under cloudy conditions.”

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Fire and Emergency New Zealand is welcoming 50 firefighters home this week from Canada, where they’ve been combating severe wildfires in Cross Lake, Manitoba. Source: Timberbiz Deputy National Commander Steph Rotarangi says the crews have spent the past five weeks working in tough and challenging conditions alongside firefighters from Canada and several other countries. “This has been an arduous deployment for our people, where they have often been living and working in remote areas and contending with the local wildlife as well as the normal hazards of a fireground,” she says. “Our Kiwi firefighters are known for their ability to get the tough jobs done and we welcome them home with great pride in the work they have done, and the way they have represented Fire and Emergency and Aotearoa.” A seven-person specialist team arrived back in New Zealand today (13 August) and will be followed later in the week by the 43-person taskforce of firefighters. Two further deployments have been confirmed in response to additional requests from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. A team of four specialists departed for Alberta, Canada last week as part of New Zealand’s ongoing support to Canada and another team of four will leave for Manitoba today (13 August). Those going to Manitoba are part of an eight-person Incident Management Team comprising experienced personnel from New Zealand and Australia. “These deployments strengthen our international partnerships and provide our people with valuable experience fighting forest wildfires, which will benefit their work during the upcoming New Zealand wildfire season,” Steph Rotarangi says. Fire and Emergency has agreements with both Canada and the United States to provide mutual assistance.

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Two experienced firefighters from Forestry Corporation have deployed to assist with the escalating wildfire emergency in Alberta, Canada. Australian assistance to Canada forms part of an international support effort to help authorities manage severe fire conditions that have threatened communities across the province. Source: Timberbiz A deployment of 54 NSW firefighting specialists departed Sydney to support Canadian authorities battling more than 200 wildfires across the country, which have already burned over 2.3 million hectares. Forestry Corporation’s Matt Model of Bonny Hills will take up the position of Divisional Supervisor and Joel Dawson from Eden the position of Safety Officer taking their expertise in bushfire suppression and incident management to the frontlines. Mr Dawson is undertaking his first firefighting deployment to Canada. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to head over and assist the Canadian wild firefighters,” Mr Dawson said. “I look forward to working with other forestry and fire agencies in Alberta and seeing a different forest to what I work in every day.” Mr Model returns to Canada having completed a 42-day firefighting deployment there two years ago. “I’m pretty lucky to be given a second call up to represent Forestry Corporation of NSW and Australia on another firefighting deployment to assist our friends in Canada in what’s shaping up to be another big fire season across the provinces,” he said. “Being deployed in 2023 as an arduous firefighter was a great experience and now being deployed as a Divisional Commander is a big step up into a new experience, but I am excited for the opportunity and experience. “Thank you to all of my friends and family for the support especially Teneale, my partner.” The deployment follows a formal request for assistance through international firefighting agreements and highlights the strong collaboration between Australia and Canada in emergency response. The firefighters will be based in Alberta for four weeks, working in challenging conditions alongside local and international crews. Forestry Corporation continues to support bushfire preparedness and response efforts both at home and abroad, ensuring its fire specialists are ready to assist wherever they are needed most.

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A Parliamentary Intern Report into the state of biodiversity in Victoria’s National Parks has found that urgent reform is needed. Source: Timberbiz The research topic was commissioned by Nationals’ MP and Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath through the Victorian Parliamentary Internship Program, and was completed by University of Melbourne student Anastasia Scarpaci. Following the report’s release, Ms Bath called for urgent reform to address the declining biodiversity in Victoria’s national parks. “This compelling report lays bare the reality that our national parks are struggling to protect the very biodiversity they were created to conserve,” said Ms Bath. “Underfunding, a stretched frontline workforce, and the retention of volunteers have left our parks vulnerable. “The report identified invasive pests and weeds, inappropriate fire regimes, and habitat fragmentation as major threats to native species, warning that without proper fire management and ecological monitoring, our wildlife will face even greater risk. “Monitoring must be more than a tick-box exercise, we need active frameworks that trigger real action. “Our frontline ranger workforce is stretched too thin after successive cuts to Parks Victoria. “Expanding Victoria’s ranger force and ensuring their permanent presence in our parks is an essential mechanism to protect biodiversity. “Community and volunteer groups do incredible work, but they need more support.” Ms Bath congratulated Anastasia Scarpaci on her report “Biodiversity in the National Parks Estate: The Effectiveness of Current Systems in Protecting Victoria’s Biodiversity” which saw her awarded with first class honours. “This report is well-researched, drawing from academic, government, and community sources – its rigorous methodology brings credibility to its findings. “The practical, evidence-based recommendations must be taken seriously by the Allan Labor Government.” A copy of the report can be downloaded at https://www.melinabath.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Final-Report-Biodiversity-in-the-National-Parks-Estate-The-Effectiveness-of-Current-Systems-in-Protecting-Victorias-Biodiversity.pdf

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The Australian Forest Products Association’s National Forestry Day is now just one week away. National Forestry Day on Tuesday the 19 August is a day worth celebrating according to AFPA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett. Source: Timberbiz “It’s a day to recognise our forestry and forest products sector that contributes so much in terms of jobs, essential products, economic activity, enhancing our environment and fighting climate change,” Mr Hyett said. The National Forestry Day concept was developed by AFPA in 2022 to celebrate all that’s great about Australia’s forest industries and to help raise the profile of the sector among Australia’s governments, elected representatives, consumers and the broader community. “Think about all of the forestry products you love and need to use. The timber house-frame inside the walls of your home, the cardboard boxes your latest delivery arrived in, the hardwood dining table in your living area and of course the toilet paper in your bathroom! Without Australia’s sustainable and renewable forest products sector, we wouldn’t have these locally made products,” Mr Hyett said. “Furthermore, Australia’s forest products sector supports approximately 180,000 direct and indirect jobs. Our people are highly experienced professionals who understand the science behind growing productive and healthy forest ecosystems with multi-value benefits. “Our sector contributes $24 billion to the national economy annually. Many of our sector’s operations are naturally located in regional Australia, underpinning hundreds of communities, many for generations on end. We are also critical for the environment and fighting climate change. “As production trees grow they absorb carbon, which then continues to be stored in timber and wood-fibre products and the built environment, long after the trees are sustainably harvested. We are a big part of the answer to Australia reaching its net zero goals. “We encourage all Australians to stop and reflect on the importance of our forestry and forest products sector and what it provides for the country this coming National Forestry Day next Tuesday the 19th of August.”

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A new firefighting unit designed and built by Bombala-based Rodwell Logging will be put through its paces in the Green Triangle next week. Source: Timberbiz The unit, which has been designed around a Komatsu 895 Forwarder, will go on display at Rennick, east of Mount Gambier on the Victorian border on 21 August. Following the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires Peter Rodwell, MD of Rodwell Logging, saw a need to mobilise existing forestry equipment to aid in firefighting with the obvious resource being a forestry forwarder. They had recently purchased a Komatsu 895 Forwarder for timber salvage operations after the fires, and this new purchase prompted Mr Rodwell to proceed with his concept of a fire tanker. “The 2020 fires were that serious we had to change the way we were going about things. The best thing for us was to use the existing industry,” Mr Rodwell said. Rodwell Logging applied for a grant under the Protecting Our Communities (Disaster Resilience) Program, securing $1.25 million in funding. Combined with the company investment, this enabled the design and construction of four specialised firefighting tanker units, specifically engineered to be mounted on Komatsu 895 Forwarders. These powerful forwarders can access fires and hotspots in rugged terrain inaccessible by conventional firefighting equipment. Mr Rodwell’s design features a custom 20,000-litre water tank fitted within the forwarder’s log bunk, equipped with a high-pressure pump to supply dual water cannons fitted on either side of the headgate. The cannons are capable of delivering up to 450 litres per minute, with up to 40-metre range. For emergency situations, an additional 3000-litre reserve tank can be operated by the driver to aim the canons on the engine compartment and cabin. “This means if the operator gets in a tricky spot, he has the ability to protect himself and reach a safe distance.” Mr Rodwell said. Peter and Mark Rodwell as well as the tank manufacturer Garry Kennedy will attend the demonstration at Rennick which will start at 10:30am EST. To RSVP go to http://forms.office.com/e/Nb5k2SF5KJ

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After 17 years of dedicated service to the construction industry and Snowy Monaro community, the team at High Country Truss and Frames has made the difficult decision to close its doors. Source: Monaro Post The move comes as the economic downturn gripping the building and construction sector worsens, along with the increased use of steel in the ACT building sector. The decision to close the factory marks the end of an era for a company highly regarded for its craftsmanship, local employment and community support. High Country Truss and Frames was started nearly two decades ago. It quickly became a cornerstone of the local building and supply landscape. The factory specialised in the design and manufacturing of timber roof trusses, wall frames and floor systems. This provided support for residential and commercial construction projects throughout the Snowy Monaro, South Coast and ACT. Over the years, the company run by David, Elizabeth and Jannene Van der Plaat developed a reputation for its reliability, technical expertise and strong commitment to customer satisfaction. For many local builders and tradespeople, High Country Truss and Frames has been more than a supplier, it was a partner, and the builders would head into the office and work through the job together. The company will still offer frames, trusses and floor systems to local builders through Cooma H Hardware, using a third party the owners have a strong relationship with. The decision to close the factory did not come lightly, the owners said. The construction industry has faced significant headwinds in recent years, with the rising cost of materials, labour shortages and building times blowing out. The ripple effects of increased interest rates, and uncertain times have added to the difficulties faced by many companies. High Country Truss and Frames has weathered previous uncertain times, adapting its business model and finding innovative ways to serve its customers. The prolonged downturn has proven insurmountable. The management of High Country Truss and Frames has expressed gratitude to the current staff, acknowledging their dedication and hard work. High Country Truss and Frames has been more than just a company. It has been an important part of the community. The company has provided stable employment for dozens of locals, offered work to day release prisoners and fostered the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The company has long sponsored community events, groups and sporting organisations, including the Cooma and Adaminaby Races, and Cooma Stallions. The loss will be felt beyond the factory gates.

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