issue 229 timber and forestry
DESCRIPTION
Weekly news for the Timber & Forestry IndustriesTRANSCRIPT
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] 1issuE 229 | 09.07.12 | PAgE
AFS/01-10-01
www.forestrystandard.org.au
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6781
issuE 229 | 09.07.12 | PAgE 1
More trickery
Cont Page 3
Koala death stunt another vengefulattack on sound forest management
• Recycled timbers dominate sydney complex
• Anti-dumping Bill reforms welcomed
• Architects lack education in use of wood
• European carbon credits flood NZ
• Forestry Tasmania cleared on harvest practices
• Wood panels win EITE classification
This issuE
Phascolarctos cinereus .. scapegoat in green campaign against forestry.
BY JIM BOWDENGRAPHIC images of koala remains attributed to timber harvesting presented by environmental group Markets for Change, and sucked up by the mainstream media last week, has nothing to do with conservation – it’s a vengeance attack on the forest industry.The koala’s death, claimed to be a result of logging, was from a previous investigation that had already determined the injuries were the result of a dog attack.The koala image used was taken in forest 15 km away from the area Markets for Change refers to in its report. Further, it was taken five years ago in a plantation area – not native forest – some time after
harvesting had finished.Markets for Change – with its operations bolstered by charity status – has devastated its own credibility with this biased report.Public and private forests in New South Wales are responsibly and sustainably harvested under the Australian Forestry Standard which is endorsed by the international Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).Shadow parliamentry spokesman for forestry Senator Richard Colbek said the misinformation stunt by Markets for Change was another example of why environmental activist groups should not have “charity” status
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Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.122
MANUFACTURERS of wood-based panels have qualified for emissions intensive trade exposed (EITE) status under the federal government’s Clean Energy Legislative Package.“This has been a long and expensive process but it effectively adds $10 million to the bottom line for our members,” the general manager of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia Simon Dorries said.“We now will receive 65% free carbon permits after demonstrating our emissions intensities were above a certain threshold which was quite a technical challenge.“Once we achieved that, we were able have audits carried out on about 12 sites by energy and financial auditors.”The classification was signed into the Clean Energy Amendment Regulation 2012 by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet. The regulation, under the Jobs and Competitive Program (JCP), amends the Clean Energy Regulations 2011 to assist with compliance with the Clean Energy Act 2011 and administration issues associated with the carbon pricing mechanism.The JCP program assists businesses that undertake eligible EITE activities through the allocation of free carbon units in relation to an EITE activity carried on at a facility.The basis for the issue of free carbon units for manufacturers
of reconstituted wood-based panels (particleboard and medium density fibreboard) is by a tonne of raw reconstituted wood-based panel that has a density of greater than 500 kg a cubic metre, has individual wood particles or fibres with an average maximum dimension of no more than 30 mm and is produced by carrying on the emissions-intensive trade-exposed activity.The manufacture of reconstituted wood-based panels is the physical and chemical transformation of wood, including wood particles and residues (such as chips, shavings and sawdust) into a reconstituted wood-based panel product.The federal government has committed to reduce carbon pollution by 5% from 2000 levels by 2020 irrespective of what other countries do, and by up to 15/% or 25%t depending on the scale of global action. These targets will require cutting pollution in 2020 by at least 23% from the level it would otherwise be expected to be.The government has also committed to a new 2050 target to reduce emissions by 80% compared with 2000 levels, in line with targets announced by the UK and Germany.
INDUSTRY NEWS
ForestWorks performsa range of industry
wide functions acting as the channel
between industry, Government and the Australian Vocational
Education and Training (VET) system
VICTORIAPO Box 612, North Melbourne 3051Tel: (03) 9321 3500Email: [email protected]
NEW SOUTH WALESPO Box 486, Parramatta 2124Tel: (02) 8898 6990Email: [email protected]
TASMANIAPO Box 2146, Launceston 7250Tel: (03) 6331 6077Email: [email protected]
BRISBANEPO Box 2014 Fortitude Valley 4006Tel: (07) 3358 5169Email: [email protected]
SOUTH AUSTRALIAUnit 2/191 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide 5006Tel: (08) 8219 9028Email: [email protected]
LearningSkills
ResearchAdvice
Innovation
Wood panels winEITE classificationfor clean energy
Simon Dorries .. good news for wood-based panel manufacturers.
The government has committed to a new 2050
target to reduce emissions by 80%
compared with 2000 levels
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from the Australian Tax Office.The use of false images has become the ‘norm’ for green groups. There is an image circulating that purports to be forest destruction in the Upper Derwent catchment, when in fact it is the upper end of Lake King William showing an exposed area normally under water that was logged prior to inundation for the hydro electricity scheme.In addition, Markets for Change is quoting Peter Hitchcock, a former consultant for the Wilderness Society, who wrote a report for the Tasmanian Intergovernmental Agreement as an independent person. His report on forestry effects on the Tasmanian wilderness world heritage area were rejected by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.Also, clear fell images used by Markets for Change on the logged area at Catamaran in southern Tasmania, purporting to show complete forest destruction, are also misleading. [The pictures were used for the ‘No Harvey No’ campaign].It claims surrounding forests are high conservation value, which may well be the case.
However, Markets for Change fails to recognise these forests were almost completely obliterated early last century for a local sawmill and a coal mine located in the area. The recently harvested forest was in fact regrowth following these operations, which usually involved intensive fire to clear the undergrowth and selective harvest of sawlogs.The excellent regrowth forest was a result, not of any plan, but the fact that the intense fire resulted in an excellent seed bed for regeneration, which shows that despite intensive forest disturbance caused by man, conservation values can
still be maintained.Consumers might get more for their charity dollar if Markets for Change focused on the imports of tropical rainforest timber and furniture as a result of land use conversion and illegal activity,
or the pillage of 400-year-old white pine from eastern Russia which is being sold as dressed timber in Australia for less than the price of local radiata.“Their priorities are not anything to do with conservation but are all about a vengeance attack on the local forest industry,” was one comment from a professional forester.“They are taking advantage of the one time in history when they have some political allies in power in Canberra. They hide behind charitable organisation status and utilise a network of cashed-up wealthy do-gooders, who have made their wealth from direct or indirect resource exploitation.“Once they have ruined the native forest sector they will turn their focus to plantations.”The ‘success’ of green campaigns against forestry have been substantially assisted by elements of the city-based media which has virtually promoted their cause almost without question.The visual and moral imagery of ‘saving’ beautiful forests – and koalas – from the grim, albeit temporary, devastation of logging, appeals to the media’s need for sensationalism.
Clear fell images on logged areasin southern Tasmania misleading
From Page 1
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Set-up image used by Markets for Change in the ‘No Harvey No’ anti-forestry campaign.
green groups are taking advantage of the one time in history when they have some political allies
in power in Canberra
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.124
BUILDING approval figures released last week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the housing sector, but an interest rate cut is still warranted.Total dwelling units approved increased 27.3% and private sector houses increased 8.7% from April to May 2012.Chief economist for Master Builders Australia Peter Jones said the figures were welcome relief for industry but it was too early to confirm the results as the beginning of a sustained recovery.“The figures are certainly good news for an industry in survival mode,” he said. “They suggest the recent Reserve Bank interest rate cuts and various state government housing incentives may be starting to take hold.“Despite the positive signs, it is too early to declare the industry on the recovery path from what has been a prolonged period of downturn. Key forward indicators remain down and the multi-unit sector is notoriously volatile.”The Master Builders Association’s June quarter survey of more than 500 builders and contractors revealed that levels of sales, inquiries, display centre traffic, and profits were at global financial crisis lows, with the availability of finance still a significant barrier in the building and construction industry.“The ABS figures are a welcome sign, but more easing of monetary policy is required to further boost confidence and encourage a return of new home buyers into the market,” Mr Jones said.Meanwhile, a survey of the building and construction industry has found a massive
88%t of those polled believe the carbon tax will hurt their business over the next 12 months.This comes as the building and construction industry continues to confront a further deterioration in business conditions.“The timing for the carbon tax’s introduction on July 1 could not have come at a worse time for the building industry,” according to Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia.“Industry is trying to come to terms with a host of unknown factors. This includes how to deal with supply cost increases and how they can be recovered in new and existing building contracts.“Further, new homebuyers are
delaying their decisions as they assess the impact of the carbon tax. This confirms other surveys that show consumers are already exercising even greater caution over fears of increased cost of living. The increased cost of home ownership and of living flowing from the carbon tax will only make matters worse.“We are already getting loud and clear messages from the building industry, that work in the pipeline is at very low levels and profit margins are low to non-existent. Builders and contractors have no capacity to absorb any cost increases incurred as a consequence of the carbon tax.
“Housing is already highly unaffordable in many parts of Australia – not just capital cities, but also many major regional areas. The last thing homebuyers need is the cost of new home ownership, and of living, to increase.”Mr Harnisch said the federal government had tried to assure the building and construction industry the carbon tax would have little to no impact.“This is at odds with consumer behaviour and consumer confidence – and it is at odds with Treasury’s own modelling,” he said.Treasury’s carbon tax modelling indicates that the carbon tax will reduce the gross output in the building and construction industry by 5.6% by 2050. This impact is considerably higher than negative impacts on mining and manufacturing, which are anticipated to go down 4.3% and 2.8% respectively.“While the percentage reduction sounds small, it equates to just over $24 billion in lost output in cumulative terms, between 2013 and 2020,” Mr Harnisch said.“The government response so far has been to downplay the negative impact of the carbon tax on the building and construction industry.”The MBA has called on Greg Combet, Minister for Industry and Innovation, to open dialogue and work with industry during the transformation period.The industry nervousness is reflected in the results of the survey conducted by Master Builders in May. The survey included 526 builders and contractors operating in the commercial, residential and engineering construction sectors.
INDUSTRY NEWS
interest cut still warranted despiteboost in building approvals: MBA
Figures good news for an industry in survival mode
More easing of monetary policy is required to boost housing activity.
Wilhelm Harnisch .. new homebuyers are delaying their decisions as they assess the impact of the carbon tax.
‘The timing for the carbon tax’s
introduction could not have come at a worse time for the building
industry’ – Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO, Master Builders
Australia
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] 5issuE 229 | 09.07.12 | PAgE
EVENTS
WHAT’S ON?Australia’s forest, wood, pulp and paper products industry now has a stronger voice in dealings with government, the community and in key negotiations on the industry’s future, as two peak associations have merged to form a single national association.
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has been formed through the merger of the Australian Plantations Products and Paper Industry Council (A3P) and the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI).
AFPA was established to cover all aspects of Australia’s forest industry:
- Forest growing; - Harvest and haulage; - Sawmilling and other
wood processing; - Pulp and paper processing; and
- Forest product exporting.
For more information on the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) or to enquire about membership , please call (02) 6285 3833.
JULY1-4: NZIF 2012 Conference Engineering Value growing and Harvesting Forests for Novel Wood Structures, Christchurch, NZ. EventMergers +64 9 428 4783 or email Carlene Martin [email protected]: Australia India Skill Conference: Partners for Prosperity. Brings together business leaders to showcase the successes and opportunities of international skills partnerships. Central Institute of Technology, East Perth Campus, 140 Royal Street, Perth. Contact Jaclyn Lane. Email: [email protected]: Australian Timber Trainers Association annual workshop. Albany, WA. Visit www.atta.org.au 20: National Carpenters Day.Tel: (03) 9597 0948. Fax: (03)9597 0958. Email: [email protected]: Australian Timber importers Federation board meeting.Morning meeting in Qantas meeting rooms, Adelaide Airport, followed by lunch and the 2012 AGM. South Australian ATIF members and guests have been invited to lunch with the board before the AGM. Lou Boffo of Le Messurier Timber is the local coordinator for inquiries on (08) 8447 0400). AGM inquiries to John Halkett (02) 9356 AugusT13-15: Australian Window Association’s annual conference and exhibition. Fenestration Australia 2012
at The Esplanade Hotel, Largest gathering of local and international organisations associated with the window industry, bringing together more than 300 delegates from right across the value chain. Inquiries to conference secretariat on (08) 9381 9281 or email [email protected]: Carbon Forestry2012. Auckland NZ. Forestry is New Zealand’s largest potential carbon sink and, as the ETS continues to grow in importance to NZ businesses,so does its investmentfuture. A raft of new legislation,a dramatic drop-off in carbon trading and pricing during 2011, thsome international emissions units and uncertainty around the future alignment of New Zealand and Australia’s trading schemes has changed the landscape significantly. It’s led to uncertainty in the marketplace about the immediate future and opportunities that exist in carbon forestry.Visit www.carbonforestryevents. comOCTOBER3-4: Joint ISCs and Skills Australia conference: The Future of Work In 2011, Australia’s 11 industry skills councils and Skills Australia held their inaugural joint conference. Join MC Kerry O’Brien, Q&A panel moderator Tony Jones and a range of industry identities to explore the future of work, and its implications for building Australia’s human capital. Sydney Convention and
Exhibition Centre, Darling Drive, Darling Harbour, NSW.30-31: Industry Development Conference hosted by ForestWorks in Canbrerra.Following overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the opportunities for high-level political engagement afforded by holding the dinner at Parliament House, ForestWorks has moved quickly to secure one of the few remaining available dates during sitting weeks. Speakers, topics and themes will be available soon.10-11 (Rotorua) and 16-17 (Melbourne). Improving international cost competitiveness through smart science, research and technology. New Zealand and Australian forest products companies face increasing competition from low cost producers, and from lower cost, better performing non-wood products. Low costs and high fibre recovery,achieved through processinnovation, are prerequisites tocompeting in today’s global forestproduct markets. This Australasiantechnology event will provide local forest products, wood processing and manufacturing companies with a unique opportunity. Visit www.woodinnovationsevents.comNOVEMBER3: Queensland Timber industry Awards Night – Victoria ParkFunction Centre, Brisbane.28-29: ForestTech 2012 – Improving Wood Transport and Logistics. Melbourne and Rotorua
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.126
MORE than 300 presentations from 36 countries are listed for the 9th World Conference on Timber Engineering in Auckland, NZ, from July 15 to 19.This is a ‘must attend’ event for engineers, architects, building designers and other design and build professionals interested in wood and wood products.Keynote speakers include Professor Hans Blass, a European research and consulting engineer who is the world leader in large screw fastener technology for commercial construction. His contributions to international standards have resulted in a
400% increase in commercial timber construction in Europe in less than a decade.The development and
introduction of efficient connections which are easy to install make it possible to construct large timber
structures and save timber material while offering attractive logistic solutions by use of prefabricated elements.The developments made by Prof. Blass have been of importance for the increased use of larger wood based construction elements such as glulam, which in Europe has increased in use by more than four times since the mid-1990s. They have also contributed to the significant increase in the timber frame market share of new housing, which in UK has more than doubled over the last decade.Robert Malczyk, a Canadian
EVENTS
Glulam .. big growth in Europe.
Prof. Hans Blass Robert Malczyk Michael Green Prof. Naoto Ando
international focus on Auckland forconference on timber engineering
Presentations on CLT, glulam, timber plastics
Cont Page 11
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MARKETING
www.tanalised.com
Dragon babies in China sleep incots made from NZ radiata pine
IT’S the year of the dragon in China, a particularly auspicious time to have a baby – someone who is destined to be self-assured, clever, generous and loyal.Such a special child deserves only the best and that means a cot made from New Zealand radiata pine.High quality pruned radiata logs are currently in high demand from China, with prices 50% higher than similar logs from unpruned trees, says NZ Forest Owners Association chief executive David Rhodes.“Cots for year-of-the-dragon babies are a major driver of this, along with furniture fashion trends generally,” he said.“In China, as elsewhere, the preference is for furniture made from light-coloured knot-free timbers. Wood from pruned New Zealand radiata is ideal for this.”Although the logs seen on logging trucks and in stacks on wharves come in a wide range of sizes, all are carefully sorted and graded before export to China and other markets in Asia. Quality pruned logs, the cream of the crop, are used for furniture; unpruned logs are sorted into four or five grades, depending on the market. In China, where very few houses are built from wood, most unpruned radiata is used for packaging, plywood and concrete boxing. “Prices for quality pruned logs are higher than they have been for years, whereas prices for the unpruned logs that make up the bulk – about 80% – of the crop are back about 15% on the market peak in 2010,” Mr Rhodes said.“For a range of reasons, some of them temporary, world markets are awash with unpruned softwood logs and this has put a dampener on the market. In contrast, Chinese
importers wanting appearance grade logs have few supply options.”
Top grade pruned logs, debarked treated to prevent sapstain, are now priced at
around $US150 FOB/jasm3 (per cubic metre loaded on the ship), about $50 more than equivalent unpruned logs. But even this premium is marginal for the forest owner, who has to carry the cost of pruning forward more than 20 years until harvest. However, this may change. There are now large areas of plantation coming forward for harvest where little of the crop has been pruned.The year of the dragon runs until 9 February 2013.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.128
FORESTRY Tasmania has been cleared of unsustainable harvesting practices.An investigation was launched after claims the state-owned company had been logging native forest at double the sustainable yield.It has been re-certified for a further three years under the Australian Forestry Standard.It comes just months after it was claimed Professor Jonathan West had found Forestry Tasmania had been logging native forest at double the sustainable yield.Forestry Tasmania’s forest management general manager John Hickey said the recertification was a positive for staff that had been working in a complex and challenging environment. “To have this strong third-party auditing and certification is a positive boost for the staff, but I think it’s also really good for Tasmanians,” he said.“Their professionalism has been endorsed by the audit and the company has been vindicated.”The recertification follows a comprehensive audit of Forestry Tasmania’s forest management systems by the JAS-ANZ accredited certifying
body NCSI.After completing the scheduled three-year audit last month, NCSI praised Forestry Tasmania’s professionalism.The auditors noted the high level of professionalism and commitment from staff involved in the audit process. It was clear that the staff took pride in their work and endeavoured to deliver the highest possible, standards in all aspects of forest management. Where opportunities for improvement were identified, staff responded positively and constructively.”A simultaneous investigation requested by PEFC International into assertions by the chair of the Independent
Verification Group Professor Jonathon West has cleared Forestry Tasmania of over-
harvesting.NCSI determined that “FT has applied best-practice in the determination of its sustainable yield”.Australia’s foremost expert in forest sustainability, Professor Emeritus of Forest Science (University of Melbourne) Prof. Ian Ferguson led the investigation.“In terms of the Australian Forestry Standard, I am unable to determine a rational basis in the Independent Verification Group reports, or related documentation, for the West (2012) assertions about the unsustainability of Forestry Tasmania sustainable yield calculations or practices,” Prof. Ferguson said.“They do not appear to be founded on the facts pertaining to the Australian Forestry Standard and the evaluations of the Forestry Tasmania process of calculating the sustainable yield and regulating the annual harvest.“From an AFS viewpoint, they reflect an unfortunate confusion in the use of the term ‘sustainable yield’.”
NEWS
John Hickey .. professionalism of staff endorsed and the company has been vindicated.
Prof. Ian Ferguson .. unfortunate confusion in the use of the term ‘sustainable yield’.
Forestry Tasmania is cleared ofunsustainable harvest practicesHigh level of professionalism and commitment from staff
A simultaneous investigation requested by
PEFC International into assertions by the chair of
the Independent Verification Group
Professor Jonathon West
has cleared Forestry Tasmania of over-harvesting
Stay of execution for CRC for Forestry?WORK is set to continue under the government’s, yet to be decided, extension of the closure deadline of CRC for Forestry.Chief executive of the current CRC for Forestry Gordon Duff said there were now two new initiatives set to continue the work in this area. A new National Centre for Future Forest Industries (NCFFI) is
budgeted for establishment and another alliance is set to be created in Queensland by CRC research manager Mark Brown.The CRC for Forestry has reached the end of the seven-year federal contract, having successfully delivered against all contracted outputs and milestones.Meanwhile the federal Department of Industry,
Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education has agreed to provide $2.5 million of seed funding to help establish the national centre.The new centre will initially focus on three main themes – future options; productivity; and risk mitigation.Mark Brown has been working towards the establishment of the Australian Forest
Operations Research Alliance which grew out of the CRC for Forestry Program 3 – Harvesting and Operations.AFORA is similarly national in scope, with headquarters at the University of the Sunshine Coast. A close affiliation between AFORA and the new centre is expected.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] 9issuE 229 | 09.07.12 | PAgE
A CALL for the federal government to attract investment to the Latrobe Valley has been welcomed by Australian Paper as the company assesses a $90 million investment for a recycling plant and associated equipment at its Maryvale Mill.In its report to the Victorian and federal governments, the Latrobe Valley Transition Committee has recommended strong action to grow the Latrobe Valley economy.“We believe in operating sustainably and can significantly increase our recycled paper output with community support,” Australian Paper chief executive Jim Henneberry said.“To make this a reality, we recently announced a feasibility study for a wastepaper recycling plant at Maryvale Mill.“We need a clear commitment of support for Australian-made recycled paper from the community, as well as local, state and federal government, as part of our feasibility study.Mr Henneberry said Australian Paper was calling on all Australians to take a stand for recycled paper and register their support for the project at www.onpaper.com.au We’ll be recording the total number of signatures as part of our feasibility study to show
that Australians want this investment to happen,” he said.As the largest private employer in the Latrobe Valley, Australian Paper Maryvale directly employs around 900 people and has a proud history of local capital investment and manufactures the majority of recycled office paper sold in Australia each year.“If our feasibility study is successful, we would more than triple our use of de-inked recycled fibre and divert up to 80,000 tonnes of waste paper from Australian landfill every year,” Mr Henneberry said.As the only local maker of office paper, Australian Paper currently estimates that the plant would support up to 20 direct jobs ongoing and around 60 in supply chain and collection. Up to 60 jobs would be created during the construction phase.Australia Paper’s production facilities operate with certification to the ISO 9001 Quality System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standards and have implemented measures, including FSC and PEFC duel certification mills.The chief executive of the
INDUSTRY NEWS
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$90m investmentbrings support callfor Latrobe Valley
Jim Henneberry .. clear commitment of support for Australian-made recycled paper needed.
‘We could more than triple our
use of de-inked recycled fibre
and divert up to 80,000 tonnes of
waste paper from Australian landfill every year’ – Jim
henneberrry Cont Page 14
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.1210
FOREST owners say the government appears to be unconcerned about the tide of European carbon credits flooding onto the New Zealand market.“Their decision to honour the commitment to pay compensation to owners of pre-1990 forests for the liabilities they will face if they ever change their land-use is very welcome,” says Forest Owners Association chief executive David Rhodes.“But the July 2 announcements will not stimulate the new carbon-absorbing forestry planting the country needs,” he said.“The government is making sure the carbon price doesn’t get too high, in order to protect
jobs and exports at a time of global economic turmoil. But what about those who invest in low carbon technologies or plant carbon forests? They need protection from the price getting too low.” Mr Rhodes says carbon markets exist only because governments see them as being effective tools for bringing about change. Left to their own devices the NZETS and other national carbon markets would fail. “Getting the balance right between encouraging change and protecting emitters is tricky, but it isn’t all about finding the least cost short-term fix,” he said.“The reason China, Korea, Japan and others are
developing carbon markets is partly about saving the planet, and partly about future-proofing their industries so they can thrive in tomorrow’s green growth, carbon-constrained world.”He says controlling both the supply and demand for carbon credits is important whether through auctioning or other mechanisms.Australia and the EU recognise the importance of restricting the
supply of international carbon units and have struck a balance between what mitigation they will allow to be done offshore and what they expect to be done on-shore.“Given New Zealand’s wish to align itself with these markets, we will eventually need to do the same,” Mr Rhodes said.“We are confident the government recognises the importance of forestry in offsetting national emissions. But we do not believe the NZETS in the form in which it exists is likely to deliver new forest investment, even taking into account the changes announced.”Mr Rhodes says the compensation paid to owners of pre-1990 forests is for the liability they face should they ever change their land-use. These people have no opportunity to earn carbon credits and while they can relocate their forests after harvest, the deforestation liability stays with them forever and reduces the value of their land.“Honouring this commitment will help restore the confidence of forest owners that if the government limits their right to manage their land responsibly in the interests of their business, they will be compensated,” Mr Rhodes added.
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InSurAnce..It’S All In the SelectIon
ETS changes don’t address tide of‘European carbon’ flooding into NZ
‘We are confident the government recognises the importance of
forestry in offsetting national
emissions’ – David Rhodes
David Rhodes .. getting the balance right between encouraging change and protecting emitters is tricky.
TABMA field officers appointedMATT Thomas has been appointed field officer South Australia for TABMA Australia, following the resignation of Jason Howse.Chief executive Colin Fitzpatrick said Matt would bring vast experience to the timber industry and was well experienced in the placement of trainees and apprentices. He will join TABMA on July 16.
“To fill a void in Western Australia, we have appointed Kristina Holdorf to handle our affairs in that state,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. “Kristina has enormous experience in sales and marketing as well as knowledge of chain of custody auditing and consulting.”Kristina will take up her role on July 9.
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Anti-dumping Billreforms welcomedby forest industry
INDUSTRY NEWS
THE Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed the reforms included in the fourth anti-dumping Bill, seeing them as a positive step to address this complex and important issue.The Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare introduced to the fourth anti-dumping Bill ‘Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Improvements) Bill (No. 3) 2012’ in to the House of Representatives on June 27.The new legislation provides for three additional reforms to the existing anti-dumping systems:• Aligning subsidies provisions with the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.• Allowing Australian industry or the Minister to initiate an anti-circumvention inquiry.• Strengthening provisions to address non-cooperative parties (in sampling exercises, continuation inquiries or reviews);Many of the proposed changes
are key areas where AFPA has previously called for specific action.The success of these measures will depend on them being implemented in a cost, resource and operationally effective way.However, even with these new measures being in place, it will still be difficult, costly and time consuming for an Australian manufacturer to bring a successful anti-dumping or countervailing action, says AFPA.This is due in part to the lack of information and transparency in many international markets and the continued presence of subsidies unfairly benefiting some products entering Australia.AFPA has been active on this issue on behalf of members and looks forward to working with the government and other stakeholders to continue the development and implementation of additional reform and improved practices.
Timber engineering conference
design and construction engineer and leader in cross- laminated construction in seismic areas will discuss CLT’s application in the New Zealand market.Michael Green, a Canadian architect who founded Vancouver’s Michael Green Architecture in 2012 after nine years leading design at MGB Architecture + Design will make a presentation by video link outlining what is needed for an innovative 30 storey wooden tower for Vancouver.Including in the keynote panel of speakers is Naoto Ando,
emeritus professor and project professor at the University of Tokyo’s timber engineering and construction department. He is current chairman of Japan’s Lumber Export Association, and former chairman of Japan’s Timber Engineering Society.Prof. Ando is uniquely positioned, being embedded in the research, architectural application, engineering and commercial development of timber products. His research program at the university also explores potential timber future products and ‘whole-of-tree’ use and includes the development of ‘timber plastics’ for the manufacturing industry.
From Page 6
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Engineered wood products manufactured by EWPAA member companies top the list
* Independently tested to the highest standard; guaranteed to comply with Australian standards; certified under JAS-ANZ accredited product certification scheme; guaranteed to be safe and to carry the designated design load; complies with the Building Code of Australia; meets safety and quality requirements accepted by unions; meets all Workplace Health & Safety requirements.
Engineered Wood Products Association of AustralasiaPlywood House, 3 Dunlop Street, Newstead 4006, Queensland, Australia
Tel: 61 7 3250 3700 Fax: 61 7 3252 4769 Email: [email protected]: www.ewp.asn.au
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AFTER 48 years in the insurance business, industry identity Alan Jones is “retiring to the farm”.Mr Jones, who was a partner in Brisbane-based Austbrokers Premier, was farewelled at a special evening function at the St Lucia Golf Club last Thursday, attended by more than 150 friends, clients and representatives of the insurance and banking industries who
travelled from as far as Perth to enjoy the celebrations.Members of Brisbane Timber Industry Hoo-Hoo Club 218 were also among well-wishers and club vice-president Jim Bowden praised the contributions Mr Jones had made to the organisation as club president for the past two years.“He was a major force in putting
the club back on track and we are heartened to hear he will continue as club president for another year,” he said.“Alan is a man of great ethics and dedication and easily ticks all the boxes of the nine ideals of the Hoo-Hoo movement.After 28 years with insurance companies in Sydney and Brisbane and 20 years as a private insurance broker, Mr
Jones will now find extra time to enjoy his favourite game of golf and spend enjoyable hours on the tractor at the family’s farm at Tallegalla, near Rosewood in the Bremer Valley, 60 km west of Brisbane.He will also take part as a co-driver in this year’s Queensland Variety Bush Bash, a major children’s charity project for Hoo-Hoo Club 218.
EVENTS
See the latest technology for your futureAWISA PANEL AWISA DESIGN AWISA SOLID WOOD
The trade show for the cabinet, joinery, furniture, timber and panel industries.
Register at www.awisa.com
11-14 July 2012SYDNEY EXHIBITION CENTRE
DARLING HARBOUR SYDNEY
ORGANISED BY THE AUSTRALIAN WOODWORKING INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION LIMITED. T: 02 9918 3661 E: [email protected]
Alan retires after 48 years in the insurance business
At the St Lucia Golf Club .. Alan Jones (centre) who is retiring after 48 years in the insurance business with well-wishers, from left, Louise and Scott Hastings (director of Austbrokers Premier), wife Yvonne Jones, and Libby and Paul Hogan (director of Austbrokers Premier).
Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club president Alan Jones (left) with the Governor of Queensland Penelope Wensley who ‘flagged’ the start of the club’s Variety Bush Bash project for children’ charitieson World Forestry Day. Looking on are committee members Don Towerton and Tim Evans.
Sandalwood trees – alternative crop during drought?SANDALWOOD trees may give Eyre Peninsula and west coast farmers in South Australia an alternative crop during drought. A demonstration site at Ceduna is proving successful.Project team member Paul
Hodges points out the threatened species was once abundant on upper Eyre Peninsula. He said sandalwood trees grown in Western Australia were in high demand in Asia.
“The trees are suitable for poor soils,” Mr Hodges said. “In Western Australia, sandalwood was used quite extensively as an alternative source of income and this came on the back of a number of droughts.
“This isn’t designed to replace cropping; it just gives another source of income for the farmers so it might help them get through some of the droughts.”
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THE low use of hardwoods by architects and designers is a cross-continent issue, according to noted UK building designer Luke Hughes.“This is not a problem that exists only in Asia; it applies to Europe and the US as well,” he told delegates at the American Hardwood Export Council’s 17th Southeast Asia and Greater China Convention in Singapore last month.“This is mostly due to the lack of education or training. For instance, diploma courses in the region now have barely any mention of wood,” Mr Hughes said.Mr Hughes, whose work can be seen in prestigious settings including Hampton Court Palace and St John’s College, Cambridge, in addition to many hotels such as the Ritz Carlton Live in LA and the Peninsula in Hong Kong, went on to add:“We need to educate future architects and designers on the benefits of wood, especially hardwood, so as to encourage the wide adoption of wood as the naturally green material to create a better global environment to live in, not only for us but to sustain it for our
future generations”.The convention was co-organised with the Singapore Institute of Architects and the Singapore Furniture Industry Council and was attended by more than 400 delegates from across the region.At the convention, Michael Snow, AHEC’s executive director, presented an update on the council’s near complete life cycle analysis (LCA)
project, the largest and most comprehensive study ever undertaken in the international hardwood sector. The study has adopted a science-based approach that shows wood to outperform all other building products from a carbon footprint perspective.President of the Singapore Institute of Architects Theodore Chan said the institute planned to explore more government
support to incentivise architects and building professionals to incorporate eco-friendly hardwood for green buildings.“More programs to educate the use of green certified materials and products are also necessary to catalyse the process to green 80% of buildings by 2030,” he said.These sentiments drew agreement from the resident of the SFIC James Goh.“There is definitely a need for more education and assistance for furniture manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly production methods including the use of truly green materials, such as American hardwood, so that they can meet the more stringent EU regulations on timber products,” Mr Goh said.“We will continue to encourage greater green consciousness among our members and work with AHEC on projects and initiatives to propel the industry to greater heights.”A number of Australian delegates attended the convention. Roderick Wiles, AHEC’s director for Oceania, commented:“We tend to find Australian architects and designers to be very knowledgeable regarding sustainable design, although still some misconceptions exist as to the particular role American hardwoods can play,” he said.The LCA data will allow us to prove the environmental credentials of American hardwoods and we will be sharing this information when we visit Australia in November to deliver a number of training seminars.”
EVENTS
Architects, designers lack trainingand education in the use of wood400 delegates at Singapore hardwood convention
‘We need to educate future architects and designers on
the benefits of wood, especially hardwood, so as to encourage the
wide adoption of wood as the naturally green
material’ – Luke Hughes
Luke Hughes .. low use of hardwoods a cross-continent issue.
Michael Snow .. complete life cycle analysis update.
London’s Southbank Centre features an 8 m x 5 m elliptical structure formed of two circular chambers made of American tulipwood.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.1214
WE’RE GOING BUSHWe’re doing it for the kids .. and we need your help!
Brisbane Timber IndustryHoo-Hoo Club 218 has entered the 2012 Variety Club of Queensland Bush Bash to raise funds for disadvantaged children and has purchased a veteran Bush Bash performer– a 1977 Holden Kingswood.The Variety Bush Bash in the club’s major children’s charity event this year.Please support it and show how the forest and forest products industry can enrich the lives of underprivileged children.Your sponsorship will attract wide media coverage and is tax deductible.SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS$3000 Gold Sponsorship:Four company logos or badges – two on the bonnet of the car and two on the boot or roof rack and inclusion in all the club’s editorial andadvertising programs.$2000 Silver Sponsorship: Two company logos or badges on the side of the car and sponsorship recognition in the club’s media programs.$1000 Bronze Sponsorship:One company logo or badge on the side of the car and sponsorship recognition in the club’s media programs.All other contributing sponsorships will be recognised.We sincerely thanks the following sponsors do date:Silver sponsorsKennedy’s Classic Aged TimbersJohn Crooke (Queensland Sawmills)Bronze sponsorsThora Wholesale TimbersAlan Jones (president,Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Timber Industry Club 218)Contributing sponsorsContributing sponsors: Bill Philip; CGU Insurance, Brisbane; Colin Wilson; Bank of Queensland, Ashgrove, Brisbane; Austbrokers Premier Insurance, Brisbane; Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Timber Industry Club 218 Inc; Tim Evans (Coast to Coast Pacifi c); Timber&Forestry enews; RACQ Caloundra; John Paul (BOQ Ashgrove); Contract Electrics Pty Ltd; Eden & Son Body Works; Wilson Timbers (Nigel Shaw); Advanced Timber Systems (Ian Watkins).For more information and to discuss sponsorship options – and a chance to join the Bush Bash team on the road – contact one of the committee members:Alan Jones 0419 754 681 Don Towerton 0428 745 455Tim Evans 0417 726 741 Jim Bowden 0401 312 087
Getting into the action ..Brisbane Timber Industry Hoo-Hoo Club 218’s ’77 Holden Kingswood is ready for the 2012 Queensland Variety Club Bush Bash from Dalby one the Darling Downs to Mackay in North Queensland.
The Governor of Queensland Penelope Wensley ‘fl ags’ the start of Brisbane Timber Industry Hoo-Hoo Club’s Variety Bush Bash project for children’s charities during World Forestry Day celebrations in Brisbane. Looking on are committee members Alan Jones (club president), Don Towerton and Tim Evans.
INDUSTRY NEWS
gunns suggests aforced revaluationof its forestry asset
TASMANIAN timber company Gunns says it has been forced to revalue its forestry assets because of the ailing woodchip market.The revaluing of assets includes its 200,000-ha Tasmanian forest estate.The company has told the Australian Securities Exchange the declining woodchip market has forced a review of the value of the asset.The review is still under way and the company has not said how long it will take.It is unclear what sort of impact it will have on the company’s bottom line.Gunns shares have been in trading halt for more than three months as the company negotiates a plan to raise about $400 million.Financial analyst Matthew Torenius says it is bad news for shareholders.“The capital raising was looking like being done quite quickly
and has now dragged out substantially,” he said.“You would imagine the terms of any capital raising would have worsened for existing shareholders.”The company says the woodchip market has also impacted on its capital raising efforts but confidential negotiations are continuing with “various potential investors”.Pulp and paper analyst Robert Eastment says there is currently an over supply of woodchips.“The greatest competition that Gunns has is coming from Australia, not from overseas,” he said.“Extensive plantations have been developed in Victoria, Western Australia and even Tasmania.“Those plantations are being harvested and they are actually selling directly across Gunns, into the same market as Gunns.
From Page 9Sustainability the core aim
Victorian Association of Forest Industries Lisa Marty said it was important Australian Paper, the largest private employer in the Latrobe Valley, received wide community support for its proposed $90 million wastepaper recycling plant at its Maryvale Mill.“Sustainability is a core aim of the forest and wood products industry and Australian Paper’s goal to increase the amount of recycled paper it produces is evidence of this,” she said.Ms Marty said the impending closure of the Fairfield recycled pulp mill meant that without the development of new productive capacity, Victoria would not
have a source of locally made recycled office paper using local waste paper.“If undertaken, the Australian Paper recycled pulp mill not only replaces the loss of the Fairfield mill, it would triple the use of de-inked recycled fibre at Maryvale and increase the options Australian’s have to buy locally made recycled office paper,” Ms Marty said.Australian Paper is the only local maker of office paper. Up to 60 jobs would be created during the construction phase of the wastepaper recycling plant, with a further 20 direct ongoing jobs supported by plant operations and about 60 indirect jobs.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] 15issuE 229 | 09.07.12 | PAgE
By JIM BOWDEN“PUTTING the massive timber structures together 4 m above ground was like the clockwork precision of connecting a giant Meccano set – engineered like steel but with all the benefits of a natural product.”This is one of the passionate comments about the use of recycled timber by Sydney architect Brian Mann who is watching the final construction stages of Australia’s newest retail and residential development the Crown Group’s Top Ryde City, 14 km from Sydney’s city centre.Mr Mann of Robertson and Marks Architects, Surry Hills, who has designed the development in collaboration with two other architectural firms, said the heavy recycled timbers were wonderful to work with and easy to connect because of their age and stability.The timbers are predominantly ironbark and Queensland spotted gum supplied by Kennedy’s Classic Aged Timbers at Narangba, north of Brisbane.They comprise old bridge and wharf timbers with the biggest sections taken from an old flour mill in the Riverina town of Cootamundra, NSW.“These were support beams for the mill, each 11.5 m long,” Michael Kennedy said.“We joined them together to make one big 18.5 m long beam 600 mm x 300 mm, comprising bottom piece 350 mm x 300 mm and the top piece 250 mm x 300 mm. “They were bolted at 400mm centres using 2 M20 bolts, glued and black-resin filled and then coated with Cutex CD 50.”
Each beam weighs about 4200 kg. The transport of the beams and other materials in six semi-loads represents about 200 cub m of timber.Brian Mann said the recycled timbers were being used to create a massive pergola structure and high lattice sections that each weighed a couple of tonnes.“It’s all up in the air, about 4
m off the ground and forms the centrepiece of the Top Ryde retail and residential development – a landscaped podium with swimming pool, seated area and barbecue facilities,” he said.“The structure will have five towers and two of these are now completed in the first stage of the development. The second stage is now under construction, again using recycled timbers from Kennedy’s.”The Ryde Town Centre, also referred to as Top Ryde, is located northwest of Sydney, about 14 km from the CBD and 10 km from Parramatta. The town centre is home to significant heritage buildings such as St Anne’s Church, the Wesleyan Church and Church Hall, the former Court House, Ryde Police Station and Willandra, Addington and Westward houses along with Ryde Public School.Top Ryde City commands a striking presence in the town centre. It occupies a 3.5 ha site on the corner of Devlin Street and Blaxland Road. The retail component incorporates 78,215 sq m housing about 290 retailers with 3055 car spaces. Construction includes two pedestrian bridges and three tunnels under Devlin Street to provide uninterrupted access to the centre’s car park.
Recycled hardwoods dominateSydney’s Top Ryde development
AGED TIMBERS
Locked together like a giant Meccano set
‘The heavy recycled timbers were wonderful
to work with and easy to connect because of their age and stability’
– architect Brian Mann
The finishing touches .. preparing the hardwood beams for transport to Sydney at Kennedy’s Timbers at Narangba.
Cont Page 16
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.1216
When 4 sticks of timber equal a full
semi-load!
AGED TIMBERS
From Page 15
The giant 18.5 m recycled hardwood beam is unloaded on the Top Rye site in Sydney.
The 18.5 m beam is fitted into place at the Top Ryde City development.
Ironbark beams .. ready for the road.
• More than 6700 deliveries and 15,000 viewers each week
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] 17issuE 229 | 09.07.12 | PAgE
THERE’S a typically British quip that Brits only excel in sports where they can sit down, such as sailing and cycling. If it’s true, then the nation’s eyes will not only be trained on the new Pringle velodrome in London’s Olympic Park, but on an inescapable advertisement for Canada’s wood industry.The stunning exterior of the new cycle track, visible from many kilometres away, is encased in 24,000 pieces – or 280 cub m – of western red cedar from the province of British Columbia.Initiated by the UK division of the New Westminster-based Probyn Group, which employs 250 staff in custom cutting, sawmilling, exports and timberland management, the deal is one of the largest commissions – around five times a normal order of cladding – in the company’s 30-year history.“We initially thought the wood was for the inside walls or ceiling, so this is an even better result, given the exposure from the outside,” UK manager Mike Chong says of the building, already nicknamed the Pringle for its curves.With the Games being broadcast to some 3.8 billion viewers, he adds, “It’s certainly going to help in the marketing of the province from a business perspective.”Western red cedar is found only in British Columbia and parts of Washington state, he explains, so with the exposure the velodrome is giving to western red cedar, “architects and builders must look to BC as a source.”The proliferation of the wood in Vancouver and Whistler during the 2010 Winter Olympics
likely played a part in the rise of its popularity, and now cedar is gaining traction in the UK, which has traditionally been mostly known for brick construction.Mike Chong attributes the wood’s rising popularity to its sustainability credentials (including chain-of-custody certification) and “its beauty, durability and resistance to decay.”From a major department store’s building in Cheshire to a seniors’ home in Surrey, the Probyn Group is currently supplying cedar for projects in the UK to the tune of around $6 million annually. Although the volume of wood Probyn supplied to the UK dipped slightly during the recession, the value of contracts there has risen, due to an increase in value-added finished products.After landing the confirmed purchase order for the cladding via contacts in the UK, Probyn turned to Surrey’s Power Wood Corp. to supply the particular cedar required, and to cut it into two precise patterns. Four 40-ft container loads were shipped from Power Wood’s
2-ha acre site in mid-2010, explains owner Jake Power.Echoing Chong, he adds: “This wood is all us – it’s all British Columbia.”The two companies hope to build on the potential boost to business long after the Games have headed to Rio. Whether western red cedar becomes the wood of choice for velodromes remains to be seen, but Probyn is hoping the high-profile project will build on one particular change. “Traditionally, we were shipping rough-sawn lumber to the UK,” Mr Chong said.“We would like to gain a reputation as a supplier of finished products, rather than raw material to be remanufactured over there.”Luckily, unlike a number of the Olympic buildings such as the basketball arena, the velodrome – and the British Columbia cedar – will remain as part of the new Lee Valley VeloPark.To have seen it dismantled after the event “would have been heartbreaking,” Jake Power said.Western red cedar is large softwood that grows in British Columbia and some of the nearby western states of the USA including Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho.The timber remains dimensionally stable under most weather conditions and is not prone to shrinkage or swelling. Due to its versatility, it can be used for both internal and external applications such as cladding, linings, joinery, windows and roofing shingles.Natural preservatives in cedar provide resistance to fungus and insect attack,
Giant Pringle glowing ad for western red cedar
The Pringle velodrome in London’s Olympic Park .. an inescapable advertisement for the western red cedar industry in British Columbia.
BC lumber goes for Olympic gold
‘We initially thought the wood was for the inside walls or ceiling,
so this is an even better result, given the exposure from
the outside’ – Probyn group UK manager Mike Chong
The new cycle track at London’s Pringle velodrome.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3266 1429 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 229 | 09.07.1218
COPYRIGHT NOTICE Items provided in this section of Timber & Forestry E news are drawn from a number of sources. The source of the item is quoted, either by publication or organizations in line with the practice of fair reporting.
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
Thinning of Douglas firs in Oregon could help increase the lumber supply.
THE US Forest Service has made forest thinning one of its top priorities, particularly in fire-prone and unhealthy dry forests.But environmental groups say dense Douglas fir plantations on the wet side of the Cascades in western Oregon need to be thinned, too. And that could help increase the lumber supply.On a steep slope in the Siuslaw national forests, Douglas fir trees are packed in like matchsticks. Dan Segotta, the US Forest Service’s timber operations manager in the Siuslaw, says these woods were clear-cut in 1965, and then densely replanted. Twenty years ago, forest managers in the Siuslaw began a thinning experiment on the site. They left this stand alone to serve as an experimental control.Although a winter wren’s song can be heard, Dan Segotta says this stand is poor habitat for most bird species. Too much competition has weakened the firs, leaving them spindly and unable to grow real branches.“The green crowns are very small up in the trees; they’re only green up there where they can get the sunlight,” he says.In another part of the experiment, in a stand that was thinned 20 years ago, about 80% of the young firs were cut down and sold. That may sound drastic. But the trees that were left behind have enough room and light to grow limbs.“You’re seeing large green canopies in the trees that extend from just a few feet off the ground up into the tops,” Mr Segotta said.This kind of forest thinning and
restoration isn’t a new idea. But environmental groups are pointing to the Siuslaw as an example of just how many Doug fir logs restoration thinning could produce.Randi Spivak, a policy analyst with the Geos Institute, says this is exactly the kind of work needed to see much more widespread because it will yield a significant increase in timber volume.The Geos Institute and three other environmental non-profits have published a report that inventories how much lumber could be produced by thinning younger stands in about two dozen federal forests in the northwest.Ms Spivak says thinning could generate 774 million board feet a year for twenty years. That’s roughly 150 million two-by-fours each year.“That is stability, predictability, um, a good wood supply for jobs in the woods, all while protecting water salmon and
wildlife,” she says.There’s a caveat to Ms Spivak’s numbers though – the groups found the greatest potential for new thinning projects in Washington and California, and less in Oregon.Gordon Culbertson, an industry analyst with the company Forest2Market agrees thinning is a good tool.“It can produce valuable small logs that can be used in the production of Douglas fir lumber and veneer,” he says.But he does not think thinning
on federal land will support a healthy timber industry for the long haul. It’s just less profitable. He says traditional clear-cut harvesting might give you eight loads of logs a day.“Thinning is more difficult to do and complicated. And you only get two loads of logs a day. It costs the same amount of money but you produce less,” Mr Culbertson said.Eventually, Mr Culbertson says, the Forest Service will run out of younger stands that need thinning. He thinks that will happen sooner than the conservation groups predict. And, he worries, once those thinned forests have matured, their value as wildlife habitat will arm environmental groups in the battle to restrict logging on public lands.“The problem with the way that thinning is being promoted today is that it’s not growing that will be harvested at a later date, it’s simply to thin to grow trees to produce habitat in older forests,” he says.“When that’s completed, there won’t be any commercial opportunities for timber harvest on federal lands.”Meanwhile, forester Dan Segotta isn’t worried about running out of plantations to thin.“In 28 years, we will have been through and looked at initially thinning of all the plantations in the forest,” he says. “And in 28 years it will be up to the next generation to decide how much to cut.” – EarthFix Public Media.
Douglas fir cut in fire-prone, unhealthy dry forests
Thinning on US federal landsproduces steady timber supply
Environmental groups are
pointing to the siuslaw as an
example of just how many
Doug fir logs restoration
thinning could produce
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Nominations Nominations
Excellence :: Recognition :: CelebrationExcellence :: Recognition :: Celebration
The Queensland Timber Industry Awards are an important means of highlighting excellence in our industry and rewarding organisations who are leading the way in terms of service, innovation and commitment to improving both their business and the industry as a whole. The gala evening when these awards are presented is the only event of its kind; it provides a platform to celebrate our industry, our state and recognise our top performers. This evening is set for Saturday 3 November 2012 at Victoria Park Function Centre, Brisbane.
To maintain the credibility of these awards and therefore the prestige and honour they represent for finalists and winners, the judging criteria for 2012 have been adjusted to reflect recent ideals and trends as well as give greater weight to operational areas of importance. The criteria for each category is available to view on the website, www.tabma.com.au - Queensland - Information Sheets - 2012 QTI Awards Criteria.
Award Categories 2012Award Categories 2012 Best Specialist Timber Merchant
Best Building Materials Centre (Metro)
Best Building Materials Centre (Regional)
Best Timber Wholesale Operation
Best Specialist Service Operation
Best Training Culture
Best Wholesale Sales Representative
Best Frame & Truss Operation (Metro)
Best Frame & Truss Operation (Regional)
Best Timber Manufacturing Operation
Best Sawmilling Operation
Trainee of the Year
Apprentice of the Year
Recognising Women In Forest & Timber
If you wish to nominate please visit www.tabma.com.au - Queensland - News and Events - 2012 QLD Timber Industry Awards Nomination Form and complete an entry for each nomination. All nominations will be kept confidential and only be seen by TABMA Queensland management and judges. Nominations close 15 June 2012.
Introducing the Sponsor’s...
Sponsorship packages are still available.
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