Australian timber industry news

The proposed Academic Wood Tower build at the University of Toronto, Canada will be an iconic, precedent-setting building at a unique site on St. George campus. The tower will be the Canada’s tallest academic timber building. It is intended that the tower become a prototype for the use of mass timber both nationally and worldwide. Source: Timberbiz Given the prominent sustainable effort driving the project, the design approach will both reveal this unique timber structure to the street, while also responsibly designing the building envelope to respond to its four unique solar conditions via a passive design strategy. The intent is one that responds specifically to its context, while also delivering the highest energy performance and thermal comfort solution. The site offers a strong, highly visible location. A fully glazed façade to the north will showcase a timber structure to great effect along the Bloor St corridor. The ability to expose underside of timber decks will provide an attractive finished ceiling, with a resulting interior character evocative of Toronto loft buildings. The Academic Wood Tower will primarily accommodate the academic and research requirements of three groups: Rotman School of Management, the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education. Even prior to construction, the Academic Wood Tower was attracting significant attention for its innovative design. Designed by award-winning Canadian firms Patkau Architects and MJMA Architecture & Design with consulting from Blackwell Structural Engineers and Smith+Andersen, the Academic Wood Tower’s unique and sustainable structure has already won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence. The same team worked on U of T’s Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, which included the tower’s foundation and basement as part of its construction. Now, with the first deliveries of mass-timber components to the site, construction of the Academic Wood Tower is proceeding under the management of industry leader Pomerleau. The university anticipates completing the building in 2026. The building is expected to serve as a case study for designers and engineers who can analyze this milestone achievement and potentially apply the tower’s best practices to their own projects.

Indonesia’s 2019 wildfires burned 3.1 million hectares, an area bigger than Belgium, blanketed six other countries in smoky haze, released almost 604 million tonnes of CO2 and caused some 900,000 people to report respiratory illnesses. The fires also inflicted US$5.2 billion in losses in Indonesia, according to the World Bank, adding to the US$16 billion caused by even larger fires in 2015. Source: Timberbiz According to the UN Environment Program (UNEP) worse is still to come; the UN body expects a 14% increase in forest fires globally by 2030 due to a mixture of climate change and changing land use. But in Indonesia, a UNEP-led integrated fire management pilot project, financed by USAID, has, since 2021, helped build greater fire resistance in three of the country’s most fire-prone districts. It draws inspiration from a “cluster-based” approach towards land management practiced in South Africa bringing together the knowhow of community fire-fighting brigades like Marlizar’s, the reach of government agencies, and the resources of some of Indonesia’s largest private companies. The project’s aim of enhancing coordination between community, government, and private land users could hold lessons for fire-prone countries around the world. “Forest fires inflict massive humanitarian, environmental and economic costs, especially when they occur on carbon-rich peatlands, so it’s in everyone’s interest to prevent them from breaking out,” says UNEPs program officer Johan Kief. “Indonesia has set ambitious goals on halting deforestation and reducing carbon emissions—reducing the risk of fires is a key component of achieving them.” After UNEP began forming fire prevention clusters in 2021, no fire hotspots were found in the first pilot district, Central Kalimantan’s Pulang Pisau, in the 2022 dry season. In Riau’s Pelalawan district, where Teluk Maranti is located, the number of reported fires decreased from 139 in 2021 to 88 in 2022. In South Sumatra’s Ogan Komering Ilir district, the third pilot area, the number of reported fires declined from 345 to 109. Based on the results achieved in the initial three pilot districts, the project is expanding to a further six priority districts, with the aim of eventually implementing the approach nationwide. “The efficacy of collaborative approaches to fire prevention has been proven through these clusters. Sharing the experience of these three districts not just in Indonesia, but also to other peat-rich and fire-prone countries in Latin America and southern Africa, is a contribution from Indonesia to the world,” said Bambang Suryaputra, Head of the Centre for Operation Control at Indonesia’s disaster prevention agency, BNPB. Indonesia has the third largest area of forest cover in the world, behind only Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But as with elsewhere on an archipelago that was 84% forest in 1900, the road that leads from Riau’s provincial capital Pekabaru to the UNEP pilot district Palalawan, tells the story of how industry and agriculture has led the forest to recede. Kilometre after kilometre, the cacophony of jungle has been replaced with uniform blocks of squat glossy green oil palm, spindly brown acacia, and white dappled rubber. At least 14 companies hold concessions in Palalawan district. One of the largest is paper and pulp maker APRIL, with some 150,000 hectares of acacia estate. Most fires in Palalawan break out on community rather than company land, APRIL’s deputy chief of fire and emergency response, Mr. Yuneldi says, but even when fires occur outside the company’s estate, APRIL has sent its ample resources, equipment, and personnel to assist the police and military in putting down fires. Equipped with satellite imaging and real time weather tracking technology, the resources at APRIL’s fire centre are a far cry from those available to community firefighters like Marlizar and his team, who gauge the dryness of the peatland they patrol by the way it falls through their fingers. It is these differences in resources that UNEP’s cluster approach is designed to address, through developing an integrated strategy to take on a challenge that affects everyone. In Teluk Meranti, community-based awareness raising efforts are paying off: new signage cautions fishers and bird hunters against tossing cigarette butts or starting cooking fires, and farmers have a better understand of the risks involved in burning dry peatland.

Forestry and wood industry jobs were up 1.4% from 2012 to 2022 in Europe. In 2022, 3.6 million people worked in different fields in forestry and wood-based industry in the EU, a 1.4% increase compared with 2012. Source: Timberbiz Total employment in all areas in the EU increased by 8.4% between 2012 and 2022. In terms of employment status, 3.2 million people were employed in activities related to forestry and wood-based industry in 2022 (classified by NACE Rev. 2), and another 411 000 people were self-employed in that sector. The activity that employed the most people in the forestry and wood-based industry was the manufacture of furniture, which recorded a total of 1.1 million employed people and 165 000 self-employed people. From 2012 to 2022, employment in this field increased 0.9%.

In the small town of Killarney, in Queensland, where the whispers of timber mingle with the hum of machinery, Ralph Affleck crafted a symphony of industry all on his own. His sawmill wasn’t just a place of work; it was a testament to determination, craftsmanship, and a life lived with purpose. Source: Warwick Today Timber ran deep in Ralph’s veins, his journey beginning at the age of 16 in the timber industry. From driving steam log winders to crafting his own double-sided skidder tractor decades later, Ralph’s passion for woodworking knew no bounds. His solo-operational sawmill was more than a retirement project; it was a manifestation of a lifetime’s dedication to the timber trade. With meticulous planning and countless hours among the sawdust, Ralph brought his vision to life, sketching designs in 3D with a 30cm ruler to ensure every piece fit seamlessly together. Ralph was a unique man whose drive and commitment influenced everyone around him especially his son Bruce Affleck. “He was a really good role model, who instilled good life and work values into us,“ Bruce said. “The timber industry was his life, so to see him push to fruition a project he was so passionate about even so late in his life was heartening.” On top of creating one of the only solo-operating sawmills, Ralph’s hard work also became a popular tourist spot. Visitors could come and watch one man transform timber with a smile and a laugh. Despite numerous accidents and setbacks, Ralph’s commitment never wavered. In a Landline documentary, Ralph happily supplied the story of his now nine toes while showing off all 10 fingers. “Dad has had numerous accidents in his logging career, he was constantly getting badly injured but it never stopped him,” Bruce said. “He always went back because that was where he was happy.” Bruce recalled his favourite memories with his dad to be centred around logging. “As a kid, I used to go logging with him in the bush and watch him pull the logs on his tractor then as I grew up I worked with him,” Bruce said. Even in his late 80s, Ralph refused to retire. It was only after a fall left him unconscious that he reluctantly stepped away from his beloved mill. A few years later, Ralph passed away at 94. His passing left a void in everyone he has touched, but his legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew him. As his family sorts through the remnants of his workshop, the future of the sawmill remains uncertain. Insurance hurdles and logistical challenges cloud the path forward, leaving the mill dormant for now. Yet, amidst the silence of the saw blades, Ralph’s spirit endures—a reminder that age is no barrier to creativity, and commitment knows no bounds. The sawmill in Killarney may no longer echo with the sounds of industry, but it stands as a monument to Ralph’s indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication.

Poplars and willows offer a host of benefits including stabilising land which helps hold fertile soil in place instead of running into waterways and estuaries during storm events. Source: Timberbiz Northland Regional Council (NRC) member Rick Stolwerk says the benefits the two species offer is one of the reasons it subsidises both trees from the Mata nursery near Whangarei in New Zealand. “Keeping fertile soils on the land is in the interest of all Northlanders and without the protection poplars and other trees afford, hills can simply erode and wash away in severe rainstorms.” Councillor Stolwerk says eroded sediment is Northland’s biggest natural pollutant, research showing the Bay of Islands alone has lost an average of 500,000 tonnes annually for the past century. “Preventing erosion at source, for both environmental and economic reasons – is one of the reasons the regional council has invested heavily in its poplar and willow nursery.” He describes poplars and willows as the ‘unsung heroes’ of our rural environment as without the protection the trees offer, many of our hills would seriously erode in bad storms. The councillor (who represents the NRC’s Coastal South constituency the Flyger Rd nursery sits in) says poplars and willows offer a host of benefits. “They stabilise pastoral hill country, sequester carbon, provide timber, reduce sediment runoff, improve water quality, provide stock shade and enhance the farm environment.” Every year about this time the NRC invites landowners with erosion-prone properties from Topuni north to order subsidised poplar and willow material from the Flyger Rd nursery for the approaching winter planting season. Orders are open now and the council’s nursery manager John Ballinger says a poplar or willow will cost between NZ$1.15 to NZ$45.00 (GST exclusive) depending on size and whether it’s planted for erosion control or another purpose. Mr Ballinger says protective sleeves for 3m poles (largest size of tree) are NZ$7.50 (GST excl) each and depending on contractor availability, the regional council is also heavily subsidising the planting of poplars and willows up to an additional NZ $7.00 (GST excl) per tree. Mr Ballinger says due to cyclone damage last year, there are a limited number of 3m poles this year, but an abundance of 1m wands. Wands are cheaper than poles and are a good alternative for areas that can be easily fenced (temporarily or permanently). Demand usually outstrips supply, so people are being urged to order them sooner rather than later. “While payment doesn’t have to be made until 20 June, we will stop taking orders on 13 May or when stocks are all sold, whichever comes sooner.” Anyone interested in securing trees should contact a member of the council’s land management staff on (0800) 002 004 or email: nursery@nrc.govt.nz to arrange a consultation. Councillor Stolwerk says the fast-growing trees have broad and binding root systems and have been widely used for years in Northland to prevent and control erosion and cut waterway sediment pollution. “Although neither species is native, their rapid growth rates mean they can control erosion quickly, enabling grazing to continue without the need to retire the entire paddock.” Furthermore, in summer they provide shade for livestock and in winter drop their leaves allowing the grass to grow making them ideal trees for pastoral farming. He says general information about establishing poplars and willows is also available from the council’s website via: www.nrc.govt.nz/poplars Meanwhile, Cr Stolwerk says if a property is located within the Kaipara Catchment, either the Northland or Auckland part of the Kaipara Catchment – Kaipara Moana Remediation is now supplying poplar poles and wand material for soil conservation and erosion control. (KMR does not supply willow material.) If you are interested in accessing materials with expert advice, please express your interest at our website https://kmr.org.nz/landowner-expression-of-interest/ or email hono@kmr.org.nz “If you are currently working with KMR please discuss this with your field advisor.” “Kaipara Moana Remediation will send experts out to help you make a planting plan and place your order from the NRC nursery.”

The Hyne Community Trust will once again, open for applications in June 2024 for this year’s round of grants. Eligible community organisations are encouraged to consider how the Hyne Community Trust can support them to deliver lasting benefits to the Tumbarumba region. Source: Timberbiz An example of a successful project is the Tumbarumba Tennis Club who applied for a grant in 2022 to replace the leaky roof and install a new ceiling for the clubhouse. Hyne Community Trust Chair, Kerrie Downes said the Tumbarumba Tennis Club has been at the heart of the community for over 50 years as the only tennis facility in the region. “Utilised by individuals and school groups alike, restoration of the club house was a stand-out application. “None of the local schools have tennis courts so the club is the only place for our youth, and people of all ages to learn and enjoy the sport. “Fixing the roof to enable better use of the clubhouse is a project which the Trust considered lasting benefit, a key-criteria for any applicant! “Like many projects nationwide, Tumbarumba is certainly not immune to the trades shortages, and we have been able to support the Tennis Club to extend their grant timeframe. “I am pleased to see the work now completed and we intend to utilise the club house ourselves for some of our future committee meetings.” Ms Downes said. Club Publicity Officer and Treasurer, Michael Schwab said on behalf of the committee that they are pleasantly surprised at the level of interest in tennis from the Tumbarumba community and beyond. “Having a safe and well-sheltered clubhouse for the children is important during hot summer months. “We are thrilled to host the hundreds of children that have enjoyed tennis coaching over the tennis seasons under new coach Brock Dixon. “The lovely surroundings and good facilities at the club ensure that tennis remains an enjoyable, social sport, and one of the key summer activities in Tumbarumba. “The Committee is grateful for the patience and generosity of the Hyne Community Trust and their continuing support of local sport in the community.” Mr Schwab said. Tumbarumba regional community groups are reminded the Hyne Community Trust will open for applications on 1 June and close 30 June 2024. Community groups considering applying for a Hyne Community Trust grant should start reviewing the 2024 guidelines available here: https://www.hyne.com.au/about/community Projects must be valued over $10,000 to meet the criteria. The application form will be made available once the 2024 round is open on 1 June. The Hyne Community Trust was established in 2007and has provided approximately $800,000 to the Tumbarumba region to date.

According to the New Zealand ASB Rural Quarterly report dairy rebounds, forestry is looking up as meat prices lag, but overall, there was a more positive outlook for the sector. Source: Timberbiz ASB’s latest Rural Quarterly report out contained a more positive outlook for the sector compared with previous quarters, as prices for key commodities have rebounded and forecasts have been nudged upwards. The downturn in forestry prices came earlier and hit harder than the softening in other commodities, particularly given the concentration of the sector in China. “With Chinese economic activity projected to slow in 2024 (albeit not as much as previously expected), and the Chinese property market not looking particularly flash, we are expecting modest support from the export market. “However, we are anticipating a slightly more supportive environment domestically. With OCR cuts likely in the second half of the year, we expect house prices to gain ground over the course of the year somewhere in the region of 7-8%. “That’s a much slower upswing than during the last house price cycle, but should bolster construction activity and ultimately domestic demand for New Zealand forestry products to some degree.” ASB General Manager Rural Banking Aidan Gent says the bank’s farmers and growers have shown great resilience, and ASB is committed to backing food and fibre. “The combination of fluctuating commodity prices, on-farm inflation, Official Cash Rate rises and some extreme weather events have tested the resilience of our farmers and growers. The food and fibre sector, as always, has shown great resilience. We have been proud to both continue to support our existing customers through these challenging times, as well as welcome new customers to ASB. “We are excited about the future of food and fibre in New Zealand and committed to providing support to the sector to enable it to continue to be productive and profitable. There are always challenges, but we believe from challenge comes opportunity and we are backing the sector all the way.” ASB Economist Nathaniel Keall says the more bullish growth outlook has a lot to do with changing expectations around what monetary policy will do. “Markets have become more bullish that rates won’t need to move as high, and the global economy might manage the fabled ‘soft landing.’ Traditionally ‘safe’ assets like government bonds and the US dollar are out of favour, and ‘risk’ assets like equities and commodities are back in vogue.” Dairy prices have managed a decent rebound of about 22% since their lowest point earlier in the season but are still around 30% below the peaks they enjoyed the previous year. “The main feature of recent auctions has been the enduring absence of Chinese purchases. Over the past three months, the world’s largest dairy importer has purchased less than 40% of the Whole Milk Powder (WMP) on offer at each auction, versus a historical average of 55-60%. While a weaker global economy curbed commodity prices in general in 2023, meat consumption looks to have been harder hit than some other staple commodities. “Accounting for adverse currency movement given the higher NZD, the average producer is earning a little over 9% less than they were at this point in the previous season – and as much as 21% below what they could hope to be paid at this stage in the 2022 season. “Lower demand has crashed into stronger meat supply in many parts of the world. Oversupply has been an acute issue in the Australasian lamb market, explaining the sustained weakness in lamb prices. “Australian lamb production rose a whopping 13% to record highs in calendar year 2023, releasing a glut of supply onto global meat markets and placing downward pressure on wholesale prices.  

Mick Harrington of Forest and Wood Communities Australia has shone the spotlight on the Australian Greens and celebrity activist Leonardo DiCaprio in an opinion piece that asks them to practice what they preach. Source: Timberbiz Mr Harrington says: In the ongoing debate over calls for the banning of native timber harvesting, voices like Adam Bandt, leader of the Australian Greens, and celebrity activist Leonardo DiCaprio often take center stage, championing environmental causes and preaching about the urgency of protecting our planet via banning native timber harvesting in Australia. However, their lofty rhetoric is tainted by a glaring hypocrisy – their own extravagant lifestyles, characterized by emissions-heavy habits that directly contradict their environmental idiocy. Adam Bandt, the alleged self-proclaimed messiah of environmentalism, stands accused of egregious hypocrisy as reports reveal his extensive use of private jets, racking up a staggering bill of $23,000 in taxpayer funds for these emissions-intensive flights. Furthermore, his staff’s travel expenses, totalling a whopping $372,000, paint a picture of lavishness at odds with the low-emissions frugality preached by the Greens. Similarly, Leonardo DiCaprio, a vocal advocate for climate action, has come under scrutiny for his lavish lifestyle, which includes frequent use of private jets and indulgence in luxury yachting. DiCaprio’s choice of transportation, including the infamous Topaz, a 147-meter-long super yacht known for its prodigious fuel consumption of approximately 800 litres of diesel per hour, stands in stark contrast to his impassioned calls for improving worldwide environmental outcomes. It would also be interesting to know what DiCaprio thinks of the practically unregulated timber harvesting happening in countries such as the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Borneo and Brazil (amongst many others). The irony is palpable – while Bandt and DiCaprio launch ill-informed lectures at the public regarding the necessity of banning native timber harvesting to protect the environment, their own extravagant lifestyles emit copious amounts of greenhouse gases, contributing to the very environmental degradation they claim to abhor. This hypocrisy becomes especially egregious when considering the impact of their advocacy on timber communities. By advocating for policies that would devastate livelihoods in these communities – ironically using a renewable and carbon storing material, Bandt and ill-informed celebrities like DiCaprio demonstrate a shocking lack of empathy and understanding of the real-world consequences of their actions. The proposed ban on native timber harvesting, championed by Bandt and echoed by DiCaprio, would deal a severe blow to timber-dependent communities, robbing hardworking Australians of their livelihoods and exacerbating socio-economic disparities in regional areas. Furthermore, the disconnect between Bandt, DiCaprio, and the everyday people in timber communities underscores the elitism inherent in their environmental extremism. While they jet-set around the globe in luxury, enjoying the trappings of extreme privilege, it is the working-class Australians in timber communities who would bear the brunt of the policies they advocate for. It is high time for Bandt, DiCaprio, and their ilk to practice what they preach. If they truly believe in the urgency of addressing climate change and protecting the environment, they must lead by example and make tangible changes to their own lifestyles. This includes eschewing private jets and luxury yachts in favor of more sustainable modes of transportation and embracing a more modest way of living. Moreover, they must listen to the voices of those directly impacted by their advocacy – the hardworking Australians whose livelihoods hang in the balance. Instead of dictating policies from a position of privilege, they should engage in meaningful dialogue with timber communities, seeking solutions that balance environmental conservation with economic prosperity. As it stands, the hypocrisy of Bandt, DiCaprio, and other misguided environmental crusaders is a stark reminder of the dangers of elitism in activism. As they lecture the public on the need for environmental stewardship, their own extravagant lifestyles betray an incredulous disconnect from the everyday realities faced by timber communities, and a near complete disregard for their long-standing love and stewardship of the natural environs they are surrounded by. It’s time for them to practice what they preach and acknowledge the devastating consequences of their advocacy turned attack – on the lives of hardworking Australians.  

The University of Tasmania in collaboration with WoodSolutions has launched a pilot micro-credential course on Timber Design for Residential Construction. Source: Timberbiz The micro-credential is a structured to make upskilling and stacking credentialed education accessible to busy professionals and students. The course incorporates materials and knowledge from leading industry experts to enable students to learn through real-world case studies and models. Ideal for engineers, architects, building designers, and other professionals involved in construction planning and coordination, the micro-credential is delivered online with flexible options for self-paced learning and opportunities for networking with industry professionals. This collaboration between the University of Tasmania, WoodSolutions, and other industry experts provides access to all the latest knowledge and practices for a cutting-edge curriculum. It also provides up-to-date information on industry standards for students to complete the course with practical knowledge that can be applied on the job. Timber design in residential construction is an ever-growing field of work that aligns with core sustainability principles required across construction professions. Working in this field affords the opportunity to participate in rewarding careers that work toward a resilient and more sustainable future for residential construction in Australia. And students don’t have to stop there. Completion of the micro-credential opens pathways to further studies at the University of Tasmania, including credit options for engineering degrees. The micro-credential units are designed to accommodate the busy lives of professionals and to ease the financial strain of traditional education and upskilling. The micro-credential equips individuals with specialised skills and knowledge in timber design for residential construction to meet the demands of the sector. This certification can help address professional shortages in Australia by providing a pool of qualified individuals ready to contribute effectively and efficiently to projects. The micro-credential course is funded by the Australian Government Micro-credentials Pilot in Higher Education. This means zero fees for students. You can find more information and register your interest for the course at https://www.utas.edu.au/study/short-courses/micro-credentials/timber-design-for-residential-construction-micro-credential

Innovation and safety are the key drivers behind OneFortyOne’s $8 million nursery redevelopment, with a new state-of-the-art undercover handling system leading a number of major upgrades for the Glencoe facility. Source: Timberbiz The two automated handling lines, designed in Europe and installed on-site, will see millions of radiata pines trees sown, lifted and dispatched under controlled conditions annually, significantly increasing workforce conditions and safety. This month, as the industry marks International Day of Forests on 21 March 21, flags a milestone for the 3-year redevelopment project, as the new systems become operational. Nursery Manager Craig Torney said the new infrastructure investment will substantially increase efficiency and signals a major shift away from traditional intensive in-field growing. “The line has the ability to sow about 1-million trees per week, so it’s a lot cleaner and a lot more efficient,” Mr Torney said. “This work would normally be done on the back of a tractor in the elements. Now, from the time the container is introduced to the machine to the time that the finished product is pushed through the wall automatically out into the nursery, there is no human intervention, apart from overseers.” A new irrigation system is also part of the upgrades, improving efficiency at the establishment stage by decreasing water and chemical usage. In operation since 1983, the Glencoe nursery is central to OneFortyOne’s Australian operations, growing around 7.5 million trees annually for the company and other Green Triangle forest growers. Employee safety and wellbeing is at the heart of the changes, Craig said, with infrastructure upgrades set to protect the predominantly outdoor workforce from the elements. “It’s important to provide our team of people with a better work environment. The new infrastructure is entirely undercover and set to bench-top height, so workers will now enjoy a safer, more ergonomic workplace,” Mr Torney said. “We’ve had team members out here for 25-years plus, so the safety and long-time sustainability of the nursery’s workforce was a major factor in the decision to upgrade the facility.” OneFortyOne Chief Executive Officer Wendy Norris said the key components of the upgrade share a strong alignment with this year’s theme for International Day of Forests – ‘Forests and Innovation’. “Innovation is at the centre of the upgrades, as the work will ultimately result in a better and more efficient end product for forest growers and OneFortyOne’s customer base,” Ms Norris said. “By investing in long-term safety and efficiency measures at the nursery site, which is an essential supplier of trees across the Green Triangle forestry sector, OneFortyOne demonstrates our commitment to the future of the industry, our people who have been with us for a long time, and also, our local communities.”

Since its beginning as a small forestry equipment manufacturing shop in 1989, Quadco has built its reputation on a single promise: to never compromise on quality or service. That means listening to customers and dealers on its products’ ability to withstand heavy applications on the job site and adjusting its designs accordingly. That’s how the newest addition to its line of forestry mulchers was born. Source: Timberbiz The brand new Quadco 32-inch Drum Mulcher (32QDM) pairs innovation with value to offer forestry professionals their new go-to, versatile solution for tree and brush clearing. As the latest addition to Quadco’s line of rugged forestry mulching attachments, the 32QDM is surprisingly compact, without compromising on toughness. Built to run on 8 to 15 ton excavators, 32QDM takes productivity and ground material processing to the next level. Rather than offering a lateral tilt as a costly add-on feature, the 32QDM comes with a next-level 100-degree lateral tilt as the standard. This attachment also features a spiralized drum to help distribute material evenly over the cutters and serve as a bite limiter. The 32QDM is compatible with a variety of Quadco teeth and includes a fixed heel with replaceable bucket teeth for added productivity. Like all Quadco attachments, 32QDM is built to stand the test of time and perform like new after years of heavy-duty applications. Manufactured especially for professional contractors, 32QDM features a built-in universal boom adapter to provide equipment dealers and rental fleets with the flexibility they require to meet the needs of their clients. Changing carriers is as simple as replacing the pins and sleeves, saving you valuable time and money.

There’s something highly unusual about the new Olympic Aquatics Centre on the outskirts of Paris. It’s not just the building’s striking form, with its massive, Pringle-shaped solar roof. It’s not solely that the 5,000-seat venue, constructed mainly from wood, was pieced together like a Lego set. Source: Bloomberg It’s also the fact that the centre, designed by architecture firms Ateliers 2/3/4/ and VenhoevenCS, will be the main architectural icon for a Summer Games that is actively trying not to build them. Every host city of the Summer Olympics tries to use them to power some major transformative project. It might be a huge expansion of a metro system (as in Athens in 2004), the redevelopment of a large tract of derelict land (which London undertook in 2012) or the re-planning of an underused seafront (like the one Barcelona carried out in 1992). But Paris 2024 wants to make sustainability, rather than monumental construction, its chief legacy. Compared to the pharaonic projects of the past, the aspiration might seem almost perverse. There are still some new projects: The Olympic Village, north of Paris, will be an eco-quarter where all buildings under eight floors will be made from wood and glass, and all energy will be sustainably sourced via heat pumps and renewables. An 8,000-capacity arena at Porte de la Chapelle, comprised of a recycled aluminum façade around a wooden structure, is destined to live on as the home for Paris’ basketball team, as well as two public gyms. But overall, 95% of the Olympics venues will be facilities that either already existed or that will be dismantled for reuse after the Games. This make-do-and-mend approach could, organizers hope, help provide a springboard for a green transformation of France’s construction industry. France hopes to cut carbon in the building sector as the European Union strives to reduce the bloc’s overall emissions by 55% by 2030. That will primarily mean retrofitting existing structures but using more wood in new construction — including the advanced wood components known as mass timber is expected to play a significant role as well. (A French government proposal in 2020 to require all new public buildings to use 50% wood or other biomaterials was, however, ultimately dropped.) Industry experts are optimistic about France’s willingness to manage this swing, even if it lags behind some neighbours in areas such as renewable energy. “While our wood construction industry is not as developed as, say, Austria or Germany,” says Luc Floissac, an environmental adviser and researcher at Toulouse University, “our use of bio-based materials such as straw for buildings is already ahead of all the other European countries combined.” Investment has also backed up official enthusiasm, Floissac says. The government has so far issued around €200 million ($218 million) in subsidies to projects using wood and other biomaterials. This push has already powered some growth. The wood construction market reached €4.6 billion last year, an increase of 14% since 2020, according to a July report from timber and forestry industry group France Bois Forêt. The proportion of new buildings constructed in wood has still not risen dramatically, however. They comprised 18.3% of new non-residential buildings in 2022, up only slightly over 16.8% in 2020. Wood-built residential structures remained at around 6% over the same period. The sector is nonetheless targeting a total construction-market share of 20% to 30% by 2030, wresting some of that away from the currently dominant material, concrete. And it’s ramping up its industrial capacities in order to meet that goal. “Industrial equipment in France is undersized,” says Dominique Cottineau, director of the Wood Construction Industry Union (UICB). “But the trajectory is changing, and we’re going to be building with a lot more wood than before.” The new Aquatics Center wasn’t primarily built near Paris but hundreds of miles away, in a bucolic, half-timbered village near the German border. The structure was prefabricated at a distance by wood construction company Mathis, which has been sawing and whittling timber for buildings on the same site in Alsace since 1809. Each piece of the final building was planned, cut, glued, and bent into shape in Mathis’ yard before being shipped to Paris for assembly on site. The potential advantages of building in wood are legion. For many architects, its beauty without extra finishing provides both practical and aesthetic benefits. “We wanted to use the least amount of material possible, and wood means we don’t have to use drywall or other fixes used in construction to hide structural elements,” says Laure Mériaud, partner at Ateliers 2/3/4/. That can in turn give wooden buildings an extra sensual charm, according to Cécilia Gross, partner at VenhoevenCS. “We don’t have to paint it,” she says. “It has warmth, it has colour and it has a scent. You can smell it when you’re in the pool.” Harvested wood is generally considered carbon neutral if all trees felled are replaced with new saplings that are allowed to grow to the same age. Despite being able to withstand considerable pressure and wear, wood is relatively light, further reducing emissions by lessening the load on construction machinery. Mass timber isn’t even particularly flammable when used carefully. It is actually harder to ignite and conducts heat less rapidly than a steel frame, testing has showed. Visiting Mathis in Alsace, other clear advantages to wood construction become evident. The structures the company builds can be vast and complex in design, with computers programmed to dictate the shape and volume of components to be cut, and with precise scheduling of work so that the right pieces are ready for shipment in the correct order for construction. But from there, things get easier. The hangars of Mathis’ woodyard are committed to relatively straightforward processes, with spaces for drying wood, cutting planks into pieces and gluing them together. The only grand-scale machinery is a press that bends huge pieces of laminated wood — of up to 45 meters (148 feet) in length into arch shapes for roof supports. Even here the material is […]

The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation’s traceability requirements will be “nearly impossible” for the US paper and wood pulp industry to meet, 27 US senators have told US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, pressing her to push to ensure the EU’s rules target countries where deforestation is likely to occur. Source: Industry Intelligence The EUDR bans certain commodities from entering the bloc unless exporters can prove they were not sourced from recently deforested land or contributed to forest degradation. Companies that cannot comply with the law’s traceability rules, set to take effect at the end of the year, will be subject to fines and other penalties. In a 8 March letter to Ms Tai, Sens. Angus King (I-ME) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), along with 25 other senators (19 Republicans and six Democrats), warned that EUDR’s traceability rules will be “nearly impossible for a significant segment of the US paper and pulp industry to comply with.” “The EUDR imposes a geolocation traceability requirement that mandates sourcing to the individual plot of land for every shipment of timber product to the EU,” the senators write. “In the US, 42% of the wood fibre used by pulp and paper mills comes from wood chips, forest residuals, and sawmill manufacturing residues, wood sources that cannot be traced back to an individual forest plot.” Deforestation is not an issue in US forests, but the EUDR may still impose “costly requirements on US exporters that will limit market access for the US$3.5 billion in US forest-derived products” entering the EU annually, they add. American forests are “healthy and growing,” the lawmakers assert, calling the US paper and pulp industry a global leader in sustainably managing forests and noting that more than one billion trees are planted in the US annually. “That is why we urge USTR to engage with their EU counterparts to ensure that EUDR implementation focuses on countries in which illegal deforestation is occurring,” the lawmakers said. “As USTR continues to engage with European regulators, we urge the agency to seek clarity on the EUDR’s traceability requirements, data reporting, and country benchmarking.” USTR must also push the bloc to recognize the US’ “robust regulatory standards” to protect the health of US forests, which could in turn help US paper and pulp producers comply with EUDR rules, the lawmakers argue. Sen Josh Hawley (R-MO) earlier this month pushed USTR to engage with the EU over the pending deforestation regulation, calling it a “non-tariff trade barrier poised to devastate soybean farmers in my state.” “You must make this right by seeking appropriate revisions to the EUDR that will allow Missouri farmers to continue to access global markets, while managing their farms in accordance with best practices,” Hawley said in a 1 March letter to Ms Tai. The law’s “expansive” definition of deforestation would consider typical farm practices like roadbuilding and clearing dead trees as acts of deforestation, he added. Others in Congress have sought to advance legislation aimed at reducing deforestation in US supply chains. House Ways & Means trade subcommittee ranking member Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Brian Schatz (D-HI) in December re-introduced a bill that would ban imports produced on illegally deforested land. The “Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade Act,” would also direct USTR to create “action plans” to end deforestation in countries without “adequate and effective protection against illegal deforestation,” according to bill text. The FOREST Act would only cover illegal deforestation, while the EUDR tackles all forms of deforestation.  

New Zealand’s DOC (Department of Conservation) has identified Chilean Myrtle (Luma apiculata) as an emerging pest plant and has requested a voluntary approach to remove it from sale. Source: Timberbiz Chilean myrtle (Luma apiculata) from the Myrtaceae family, is a hardy, evergreen tree with distinctive orange bark, native to Chile and Argentina. Invasive populations have been found in New Zealand native bush, primarily in the Tasman area. But wild seedlings have also been found across Aotearoa. Looking internationally, this tree species has naturalised in several areas outside of its native range including Great Britain, Ireland and the United States. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is under revision and this species is likely to be included in the revised list, which is expected in 2026. In the meantime, DOC is recommending that businesses voluntarily discontinue propagation and sale of this species due to its emerging weed potential. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact NZPPI Biosecurity & Technical Manager, Kathryn Hurr kathryn@nzppi.co.nz

The Timber Construct 2024 program has been released, the event is aimed at those who design and construct timber and mass wood buildings. It will be held on 12 -13 August at Rydges Hotel, Melbourne. Source: Timberbiz The Timber Construct Conference and Exhibition is owned and organised by the Timber Development Association (TDA), the industry body representing Australian forestry, timber manufacturing, and timber construction interests. It was previously known as Frame Australia and Timber Offsite Construction. The annual conference’s initial focus was on timber supply chain topics. It progressively widened its scope to cover the complete construction spectrum from materials and design to prefabrication and building techniques. The program starts on Monday 12 August 2024: Architectural Excellence ‘Setting the Scene’ ‘Timber Takes On Housing Shortfall’ ‘Excellence in Timber Project Examples – Part One’ ‘Unlocking Timber’s Full Potential: New Markets – New Tools’ Networking Event Tuesday 13 August 2024: Timber Innovation: Leading the Way ‘Breaking Down Barriers: Unlocking the Potential of Timber’ ‘Advances in Timber Construction’ ‘Excellence in Timber Project Examples – Part Two’ ‘Global Analysis’ For more information and registration visit: https://timberconstruct.org  

  Women are hugely under-represented in the building and construction sector. In New Zealand less than 16% of tradespeople are women, with only 3.8% on the tools. Source: Timberbiz Given that, Fletcher Living’s innovative BUILDhers project had a dual purpose. They wanted to achieve a New Zealand first by building a home with an entirely female crew, and in doing so, spark a frank conversation about the lack of female representation in the building and construction industry and why that needs to change. “Fletcher Living, with the backing of Fletcher Building, is ideally placed to challenge the way people think about the industry and normalise the presence of women on-site. “In an industry with an extreme skills shortage, the lack of female participation is unfathomable. By failing to engage women effectively, the industry is essentially ruling out over half of the workforce and limiting its talent pool,” Aurelie Le Gall, Fletcher Living Branch Manager Auckland North, and the woman behind making BUILDhers a reality, said. With that motivation came the foundations of BUILDhers, a project challenging stereotypes by providing female tradespeople with a platform to show what is possible and encourage women interested in a career in building and construction to give it a go. In Auckland’s Whenuapai, the first BUILDhers project has been completed. A four-bedroom, two and a half-bathroom home, planned, designed, engineered, and built by a team of more than 40 women. “It’s been incredibly rewarding seeing the women showcase their skills and grow in confidence as they worked alongside each other. Female apprentices who have been mentored by more experienced builders on the site, have also been given a boost with the opportunity to take on more responsibility than they would usually get,” Ms Le Gall said. BUILDhers aimed to be a 100% female build, but the point they set out to highlight that a severe lack of female inclusion in the industry was the hurdle they couldn’t overcome. Finding women with the right level of experience in key trades such as scaffolding, meant the project finished up being an approximately 75% female build. “We could have pushed out delivery of the build to keep it all female – every nail driven in by a woman, but the point of the project was to be a real build, with real timelines and budgets – otherwise what point would we actually be making. “As I reflect on what we have achieved, yes, we built a house, but what we have really built is the foundations of a community of capable, experienced women who will inspire the next generation of females to consider a career in trades. This will also see many find a pathway to financial independence,” Ms Le Gall said. “BUILDhers has successfully captured the imagination of the industry – the conversation can only grow from here,” Ms Le Gall said. The first BUILDhers home will be sold at auction, by a female auctioneer on site, 56 Samuel Marsden Place, Whenuapai on Saturday 23 March 2024.

Skills verification is essential in forestry and broader industries as it validates and confirms an individual’s required knowledge, experience, and proficiencies, as they pertain to a specific role or job function. Skill verification matters because it serves as a safeguard against potential mismatches between an individual’s professed abilities and their actual competencies. Source: Kaye Tyter, Training and Skills Specialist Manager, ForestWorks The skill verification process may include: Assessing existing skills and knowledge of workers who have previously completed a unit of competency, a module, or mandatory training (such as a work licence, industry ticket, or induction white card) and now require reassessment to confirm their current competency to ensure they are still competent in a specific role or work task. This is known as recognition of current competency or verification of currency. Assessing and acknowledging skills and knowledge acquired through prior informal or formal training, workplace experience, or other activities, known as recognition of prior learning. This can lead to credit in a subject or module and may result in obtaining a full qualification. The verification process involves assessing (verifying) the worker’s skills and knowledge against established benchmarks, such as units of competency, work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) regulations or codes of practice. The individual conducting the verification must have a clear understanding of the job function for which the skills are being assessed and adhere to the principles of objective assessment and evidence-based decision-making. These conditions are essential to ensure that the assessment process measures a candidate’s proficiency accurately. This individual may be a qualified trainer or assessor or a suitably qualified workplace supervisor participating in the assessment process under a supervision arrangement with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). In this arrangement, the workplace supervisor assists the trainer or assessor in conducting the verification. Importance of Skills Verification Verification of skills is essential for workplace safety and compliance with health and safety regulations. By verifying worker’s competencies, employers can confirm their skills and knowledge, identify areas of improvement, and ensure role suitability. This process allows workers to demonstrate their skills, enables employers to assign tasks confidently, and ensures skill validation by qualified individuals through RTOs. The transfer and application of skills across different settings are fundamental to Australia’s training system and economy, depending on the recognition and verification of competencies. However, the potential of these skills to be applied in various workplaces is often overlooked until formally acknowledged. Failure to recognise, record, and capture these skills results in significant financial and time losses due to unnecessary retraining. Skills verification is an indispensable and multifaceted process, playing a critical role in ensuring workplace safety, legal compliance, workers’ competence, and the mobility of skilled workers across different settings, including related industries, especially in scenarios involving large-scale redundancies. For more information or inquiries about the skills verification process, contact your local RTO. Skills verification arise in various scenarios, such as when an individual seeks recognition of prior learning for a qualification or applies for a job that requires specific skills. It may also be prompted by events such as forced redundancy observed across industries, including the native forestry sector more recently. Additionally, skill verification helps employers comply with the Work Health and Safety and Occupational Health and Safety Acts, which mandate responsibilities for workers to be trained and competent in performing their work duties. Here are some scenarios of where skills verification is applied: Scenario 1: Within the Country Fire Authority (CFA) structure, operational members must demonstrate their proficiency in basic skills annually. This process, known as skills maintenance, requires members to show their training officer that they can still perform their essential tasks. This ensures they remain competent and ready to respond effectively in emergency situations. Scenario 2: A worker who has been operating an excavator on a worksite for several years may decide to change jobs. To prove competency to the new employer, the worker undergoes an assessment process. An assessor evaluates the worker’s skills and, if deemed proficient, issues a Statement of Attainment for operating an excavator. This formal recognition allows the worker to demonstrate their vocational qualifications to potential employers. Scenario 3: Consider a scenario where a forklift operator at a manufacturing plant undergoes skills verification following an incident, ensuring their continued safety and competence in operating the forklift, even though their WorkSafe High Risk Licence remains in place. “John works in a large manufacturing plant, operating a forklift. The workplace has numerous instructions and procedures, including those related to forklift movement and pedestrian safety. Yellow lines mark pedestrian exclusion zones, and there are designated loading and safe zones for drivers. One morning, while loading a truck, a pedestrian unexpectedly crossed John’s path. In avoiding the pedestrian, John collided with a barrier, damaging both the forklift and the barrier. The workplace policy requires recording and investigating any forklift accidents. The investigation concluded that John was not at fault, as he was evading a pedestrian. However, due to the incident, policy dictates that John must undergo a skills verification to ensure ongoing competence.” Understanding employee competence is essential for ensuring they can perform their roles safely and effectively. Competence, acquired from completing an accredited training program and assessment, reflects the individual’s demonstrated ability at a specific time. It is important to acknowledge that competence can evolve or degrade over time. It’s essential to recognise these stages to effectively assess and develop an employee’s abilities, ensuring they meet the performance and safety requirements of their role.

New Zealand’s Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan has been officially launched, a key document in bringing together much of the work that has been completed in the past, highlighting the importance of the forestry sector to Rotorua. Source: Timberbiz This innovative and practical plan recognises Rotorua’s natural strengths in the sector and highlights key focus areas, emphasising the importance of community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic development. Development of the Action Plan was a collaborative effort, led by an oversight group made up of seven Rotorua-based organisations: CNI Wood Council, Scion, Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service, Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga, Rotorua Lakes Council, RotoruaNZ, and Whenua Oho. The action plan contains 32 different actions with a series of different action owners. Key highlights of the Action Plan: Moving to carbon zero: With a strong focus on sustainability, the Action Plan aims to contribute to climate change mitigation through increased tree planting and the adoption of carbon-zero practices. This aligns with broader environmental goals and the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. The Action Plan outlines a commitment to diverse planting, supporting a mix of species that contribute to ecological resilience and economic viability. This approach ensures forests are more adaptable to changing climates and market demands. Māori and forests: Central to the plan is the incorporation of te ao Māori perspectives, ensuring that practices are aligned with Māori values and the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship). This includes initiatives designed by Māori for Māori, supporting their significant role in the forestry sector. Research, science, innovation and commercialisation: The plan highlights the role of forestry in driving economic growth, with a focus on innovation, research, and the development of a circular bioeconomy. This includes investments in wood processing and technology that leverage Rotorua’s position as a hub for forestry excellence. Engaged communities: Recognising the vital role of the community, the plan emphasises engagement and education to ensure that the benefits of forestry are widely understood and shared. This includes efforts to enhance recreational access to forests and educational programs to inspire the next generation of forestry professionals. The Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan is not just a document but a call to action for all stakeholders to work together towards a shared vision. It represents a significant opportunity to shape the future of forestry in Rotorua, ensuring it is sustainable, inclusive, and economically vibrant.

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has called on all political parties and candidates in the 2024 Tasmanian election to further embrace the industry’s Election Wishlist and its Home-Grown Timber Future Policy. Source: Timberbiz The policy encourages more on island processing, growing the value of our timber and wood products and increasing regional jobs in our industry. TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said one of the best ways to support our Home-Grown Timber Future Policy is to commit to establishing a dedicated long rotation plantation forestry conversion fund of up to $2.5 million annually for 10 years. “As the industry extends the rotation cycle of the hardwood plantation estate, we will need assistance to ensure a seamless transition, and protect the thousands of jobs our industry creates,” Mr Steel said. “Moving our plantation estates to a longer rotation means the industry will allow its estate to grow for longer periods, allowing us to find new and innovative ways to use larger logs from our plantation hardwood, and value add to our timber on-island. “Of course, to do this takes time, and to protect the thousands of Tasmanians our industry employs, we’re asking the government to assist us to find ways of innovatively improving our products. “An added bonus of allowing a longer rotation in our estate will be the increased ability to process more logs in Tasmania, which will then create even more jobs and see more investment in the Tasmanian economy.” The Home-Grown Timber Future Policy is part of the TFPA’s Supporting Tasmanian Businesses priority in the 2024 Tasmanian election wish list. The wish list can be downloaded at: https://bit.ly/4bPyfDF

Following the recent pledge by the Australian Government and 16 other nations during COP28 in Dubai to enhance timber usage in construction, the Forest Stewardship Council says attention has now been drawn to the significant environmental benefits of timber. Source: Timberbiz The FSC says timber’s renewable nature and role as a carbon sink holds immense promise for combating climate change. However, responsible sourcing is paramount, with FSC certification ensuring timber originates from sustainably managed forests, safeguarding biodiversity and the rights of local communities and workers. Embracing FSC-certified timber aligns with global sustainability goals, reinforcing the resilience of our built environment for future generations. As we mark International Day of Forests on 21 March with this year’s theme of ‘Forests and Innovation,’ the FSC is celebrating its journey of FSC-certified engineered wood products and mass timber with Timberlink Australia, reflecting the innovative spirit driving sustainable forest management practices within the timber manufacturing industry. The FSC says Timberlink’s dedication to transforming sustainably grown FSC-certified plantation pine into quality timber products embodies a fusion of environmental considerations and modern manufacturing methods. Since securing FSC Chain of Custody certification in 2013, Timberlink has cemented its role as a staunch supporter of sustainable forestry. With an estimated 80% of Australian detached houses built with timber framing and Timberlink’s advocacy for responsibly sourced timber, the company is helping to drive a shift towards sustainable construction practices and mitigating the environmental impact of urban development. Moreover, Timberlink’s FSC certification not only validates its commitment to sustainable forestry but also assists consumers in making environmentally conscious choices that contribute to the preservation of global forests. The FSC says Timberlink’s latest endeavour, a world-class facility in Tarpeena, South Australia, reflects its commitment to innovation and support for sustainable forestry. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this facility heralds a new era of timber production in Australia, capable of producing NeXTimber Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) with efficiency and precision. Beyond its technological prowess, the Tarpeena facility embodies FSC’s vision for a future where sustainability and innovation converge to create tangible solutions to global environmental challenges. The FSC ANZ team was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the opening of the facility on the 29 February. “We are well positioned to play our part in supporting the Australian government’s COP28 commitment to increase the use of timber in the built environment by 2030”, said Timberlink’s CEO, Paul O’Keefe. The FSC says that as Timberlink continues to push the boundaries of sustainable timber manufacturing, its journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for industries worldwide. It says that by prioritising sustainability, embracing innovation, and upholding the highest standards of responsible forest management, Timberlink exemplifies the transformative power of businesses committed to leaving a positive impact on the planet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRReSEIqV1o