Issue 111

6387

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issue 111 | 08.02.10 | Page 1

Burning issue

This Issue • New 10-year forest plan for Tasmania • TABMA on the move with a new title

VAFI fires shots for industry at bushfire royal commission

By JIM BOWDEN

THE forest industry’s case on fuel reduction and land management will be put to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, possibly before the end of this month.

The appearance at the commission by the Victorian Association of Forest Industries, representing the whole Australian forest sector, comes on the anniversary of the September 2009 Black Saturday fires that claimed 173 lives – the highest ever loss of life from a bushfire – and burnt out 450,000 ha, including more than 7000 ha of forest plantations.

The National Association of

gifts his timber treasures • Forestry’s key role in climate package • Andy McNaught back at EWPAA • CHH shrinks LVL production in Australia • Hardwood seminars push ‘green alternative’ • What’s on for 2010?

 Bill

Forest fires .. industry’s day in court. Inset: Justice Bernard Teague

Forest Industries is contributing to the submissions from VAFI. But the appearance of VAFI before the royal commission

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comes at a cost – expected to be upwards of $40,000 Cont Page 3

issue 111 | 08.02.10 | Page 1

industry news

New forest plan aims to give Tasmania $4 billion industry TASMANIA’S forest industry has launched its New Forest Industry Plan – a blueprint for future growth, innovation and wealth creation.

The chairman of the Forests and Forest Industry Council of Tasmania Rob Woolley said the plan outlined the way forward for the industry and that it would ensure it maintained its leading role as an iconic Tasmanian success story into the 21st century.

“The plan identifies new investment opportunities requiring $2.5 billion in private capital, with the potential to create 2000 highly-skilled career opportunities,” Mr Woolley said.

“Combined with existing businesses, these investments

would broaden the economic contribution by the industry to the state to $4 billion annually, double its current contribution.”

The plan identifies new opportunities: • More than $2.1 billion of private investments in processing, directly creating up to an additional 850 longterm, highly-technical jobs and generating an extra $1.26 billion a year for the state.

• Investments over 10 years in new harvesting and transport machinery of $365 million will support more than 650 careers and generate revenues of $240 million annually.

• An internationally competitive engineered strand lumber (ESL) mill would require investments

You can rely on EWPAA certified products – other certifications are just not the same

Rob Woolley .. huge investment opportunities

of $225 million and utilising pulpwood, generate 240,000 cub m of product, provide 150 direct career opportunities and $290 million in direct income annually.

Opportunities include the use

of biomass residues to produce bio-energy, wood pellets and briquettes. Biomass energy production creates wealth from waste products. A single wood pellet plant would require an investment of $25 million to establish, use 200,000 cub m of waste wood annually, employ 15 people and generate $44 million in annual income.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck has welcomed the 10-year plan but says forest contractors need financial support in the short term.

Senator Colbeck says regardless of the plan, up to 100 forest contractors could soon lose their jobs because of ongoing closures at wood chip mills.

They meet Australian standards that are tested, certified and

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Carter Holt Harvey Wesbeam Pty Ltd Juken New Zealand Ltd Nelson Pine Industries Ltd

EWPAA Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia Plywood House, 3 Dunlop Street, Newstead 4006, Queensland, Australia Tel: 61 7 3250 3700. Fax: 61 7 3252 4769 Email: inbox@paaa.asn.au

Web: www.ewp.asn.au Page 2 | issue 111 | 08.02.10

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INDUSTRY news

Forestry industry case to focus on land management, fire prevention From Page 1

to provide the information requested by the commission.

The royal commission, which resumed last week, is chaired

by Justice Bernard Teague, a former judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria and was set up by Premier John Brumby to examine “all aspects of the government’s bushfire strategy”.

VAFI has been invited to describe losses suffered in the fires by the forest industry and to compare these with losses in previous major fires in Victoria and other states and territories.

“This is going to be a very expensive exercise,” VAFI chief executive Philip Dalidakis told T&F enews.

‘Questions posed by the commission will be provided as quickly as possible’ – Philip Dalidakis.

“We are seeking contributions to the cost to ensure that we have the appropriate responses to requests from the commission.

“But we must do what we have to do – cometh the hour, cometh the man.”

Mr Dalidakis said the industry’s case has a local focus but a global reference.

“Victoria is not the only jurisdiction across Australia that suffers from forest fires; there have been disastrous fires in recent times in New South Wales, Western Australia and the ACT.” Mr Dalidakis said the issues touched on all parts of Australia and it was gratifying that VAFI had been recognised as an eminent body to provide the level of material requested by the commission and that the commission was prepared to rely on this in preparing its body of evidence.

Professor Ian Ferguson .. valuable witness.

Philip Dalidakis .. implications for national forest industry.

Referring to the challenge the industry faced on the cost of representation at the commission, Mr Dalidakis said the Wilderness Society could drawn on $15 million of public funding [see story, Page 8]. “We wish industry had that sort of war chest.”

The forest industry case will focus on land management for bushfire prevention and suppression on private land and in plantations. VAFI has been invited to give evidence before the commission when the topic of fuel reduction and land management is considered, most likely between February 17 and 24.

The commission seeks the forest industry’s position on prescribed burning relating to matters that include: • How and when can prescribed burning effect fire intensity, burn severity and assist in suppression?

• What is the best or preferred approach to prescribed burning?

• Should private land be included in a prescribed burning program?

• Are there different considerations (including legislative or regulatory restrictions) which apply in the case of private land?

Importantly, the industry, through the VAFI witness statements, has been asked to comment on the use of forest management tools on private and public land (including conservation reserves) to

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mange fuel loads whether through prescribed burning programs or other measures.

The industry has been asked to explain the role of timber harvesting operations in managing forest landscapes and serviced road networks in terms of prevention and preparedness for and recovery from wildfires.

Comments are sought on whether specified considerations apply to prescribed burning in areas where private and public land meet, namely at the interface between public land and private forests.

Comment is invited on the impact of fuel reduction burns and roadside maintenance Cont Page 4

issue 111 | 08.02.10 | Page 3

industry news

Commission’s timeline poses challenges as industry addresses a raft of complex issues From Page 3

when state forest is designated as national park land and on fire management in multiple use forests and the extent to which old growth versus young trees are prone to bushfires.

Philip Dalidakis said responses to the questions posed by the commission would be provided as quickly as possible.

“Meeting the commission’s timeline may pose some challenges due to the depth and complexity surrounding the issues,” Mr Dalidakis said.

“We appreciate the rigorous and demanding timeline set and will do what we can to accommodate the requests of the royal commission.”

VAFI has had preliminary discussions with Ian Ferguson, Professor Emeritus of forest

Page 4 | issue 111 | 08.02.10

Timber salvage after forest fires.

and ecosystem science at the University of Melbourne, who has signalled his willingness to

be a forest industry witness at the hearings.

“A witness of the calibre and

pre-eminent stature without peer of Professor Ferguson will be very valuable,” Mr Dalidakis said.

Professor Ferguson taught at the Australian National University from 1971 to 1981, prior to taking up the foundation chair of forest science at Melbourne, where he continued teaching and research in forest management and economics until he retired from the university in 2003.

He was head of department, Dean of Faculty and president of the Academic Board and Pro-Vice Chancellor at various times and has served on one royal commission in Tasmania, a board of inquiry in Victoria, and numerous other formal reviews.

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events

WHAT’S ON? 11: Timber Certification: Are You Ready? Timber Merchants Association (Vic) industry breakfast.

Venue: Hotel Bruce County, 445 Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley, just off the Monash Freeway.

Time: 7.30-9.30am. Cost: $55 pp (members); $60 pp (non-members).

Guest speaker: Kayt Watts, CEO, Australian Forestry Standard.

Contact: Ingrida Matulis on (03) 9875 5000 or email ingridam@ timber.asn.au RSVP: January 28.

21-24: Green Cities Building Conference. Venue: Melbourne Conference Centre. A joint initiative of the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia. Contact: HI Event Management (07) 3210 1646 or greencities@hievents.com. au Program available at www. greencities.com.au 21-27: Truck Week. Contact Australian Trucking Association, 25 National Circuit, Forrest ACT 2603.

Tel: (02) 6253 6900. www.atatruck.net.au 23: American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) free half-day seminar. The International of Brighton, Melbourne. Keynote speaker: Luke Hughes, international furniture and interior designer.

AHEC will also launch its sustainability Green Card at the seminar. Seminar registrations: Email events@neilsonpromotions. com 25: American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) free half-day seminar. Fale Pasifika, Auckland University, NZ. Keynote speaker: Luke Hughes, international furniture and interior designer. AHEC will also launch its sustainability Green

Card at the seminar. Seminar registrations: Email events@ neilsonpromotions.com

MARCH 2010 1-2: Future Forestry Finance Conference. Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney.

Contact: 1800 125 388 (free call in Australia) or web sties www.fiea.org.nz or www. forestryfinanceevents.com 2-3: National Outlook Conference (ABARE) Canberra, ACT. www.abare.gov.au 9: Sydney Timber Industry Institute and TABMA golf day.

Arthur Clegg Timber Trade Cup. Muirfield Golf Club, Perry St, North Rocks (off Barclay Road).

Golfers $90 p.p., includes sausage sizzle, light lunch, buffet dinner and presentation. Diners $45 p.p., includes buffet dinner and presentation. RSVP February 26.

Contact: Maurie Parsons.

Tel: (02) 9871 1219 15-17: Industry bus tour of Northern New South Wales.

Contact: Karen Johnston at TABMA Queensland.

Tel: (07) 3254 3166.

Email: karen@tabma.com.au 16-17: 4th Global Wood Fibre Trade Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Visit www. pulpwoodconference.com 21: World Forestry Day 22: World Water Day 24-26: International Wood Products Association annual convention Miami Beach, Florida, USA www.iwpawood.org 25: Annual Timber Merchants Association charity dinner supporting the Burns Unit of the Royal Childrens Hospital. Keynote

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speaker: Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry. Venue: River Room at the Crown Casino, Southbank, Melbourne.

Cost (GST inc) including predinner drink, 3-course meal and beverages: $165 pp (members); $175 (non-members). Payment no later than February 25.

SUSTAINABLE. RESPONSIBLE. The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) is striving for an ecologically sustainable Australian society achieved through dynamic, internationally competitive forest industries.

Non-members who book a table of 10 will be eligible for member pricing of $1650. Bookings to Ingrida Matulis on (03) 9875 5000 or email ingridam@timber.asn.au 31: International wood composites symposium and technical workshop 2010 Seattle, Washington, USA. www. woodsymposium.wsu.edu

APRIL 2010 7-10: Australian Trucking Convention. Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Tel: (02) 6253 6900. Email: ata@ atatruck.net.au Download full program from www.ataevents.net.au 15: Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show Dubai. www.dubaiwoodshow.com 18-21: APPITA Annual Conference and Exhibition/Pan Pacific Conference Melbourne. www.appita.com.au

MAY 2010

2010

february 2010

18: Victorian Timber Industry Supply Chain Seminar: Connecting the Pieces for Business Success. Radisson Hotel, 380 William Street, Melbourne.

Contact: Peter Roberts, Timber Merchants Association on (03) 9875 5000 or John Halkett, Australian Timber Importers Federation on (02) 9356 3826.

NAFI’s mission is to represent the interests of members by promoting the environmental sustainability and the prosperity of Australian forest industries.

National Association of Forest Industries Ltd (Est. 1987) PO Box 239, Deakin ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6285 3833.

Fax: (02) 6285 3855 Web: www.nafi.com.au

issue 111 | 08.02.10 | Page 5

industry news

Bill Kranenburg (left) hands over his collective work in the industry to chief executives Karen Johnston of TABMA Queensland and Rod McInnes of Timber Queensland. “We are happy and honoured to preserve a big slice of Bill’s life in timber at Timber House,” Mr McInnes said.

Bill parts with his timber treasures A TREASURE trove of technical notes, training manuals and timber samples from around the world handed over to two timber organisations in Brisbane last week represent 25 years’ work put into the industry in Australia and the Pacific region by independent consultant Bill Kranenburg.

Mr Kranenburg, who operated Kranenburg International Timber Training from 1991 to 2008, gifted his valuable instructional material to Timber Queensland and TABMA Queensland.

A respected timber grader and trainer, Mr Kranenburg has retired after more than 50 years in the wood industry in Australia and the Netherlands, his home country.

He arrived in Australia in 1972 and worked in the design and construction industries before joining the Queensland Timber Industry Training Council in Brisbane in 1984 to help with the introduction of F ratings for timber and new bracing standards.

The wealth of information Mr Kranenburg delivered to Timber

Page 6 | issue 111 | 08.02.10

House includes material relating to training and stress grading programs, sales courses, liaison with DPI Forestry, conferences he has addressed in Australia, China and North America, and his advisory work on timber construction in the Pacific islands. All of this is packaged with an extensive collection of colour slides and samples of timber species collected around the world.

Mr Kranenburg and his wife Willy say they have enjoyed their long association with the industry and their new life-style change will see them move from their lovely ‘Kranenburg-renovated’ Queenslander home at The Gap to a villa-style residence at Samford, one of the closest semi-rural acreage townships to Brisbane, adjacent to the 26,500 ha Brisbane Forest Park.

The writer takes this opportunity to thank Bill for his friendship and assistance over the past 25 years and wishes him health, happiness and long life in his retirement. – JIM BOWDEN

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industry news

The Wilderness Society in protest action to protect forests in a logging coupe in Victoria’s Central Highlands forests.

Green group in disarray over power struggle Wilderness Society in turmoil ONE of Australia’s richest and most powerful environment groups is in crisis following a toxic power struggle that has split the organisation amid claims of bullying, financial mismanagement and secret board meetings.

The Wilderness Society, which has grown rapidly in recent years and now has 45,000 members, is in disarray after 144 staff members signed a petition on Christmas Eve to dump executive director Alec Marr, one of the most influential figures in the environment movement.

The society, the biggest environment group founded in Australia, has built a reputation over 34 years for fighting to protect old-growth forests and stop land clearing.

A report in the Melbourne Age says that while the dispute centres on Mr Marr’s decisions and style of management, it is partly also a generational divide,

with younger environmentalists disillusioned with old-style campaigning and unwillingness to take risks after forestry giant Gunns sued the organisation over protests in Tasmania’s forests.

The Tasmanian-based Wilderness Society Inc – which oversees membership and $15 million in public donations – has resigned from the national umbrella group, taking financial resources away from the state groups Other environment groups are watching with dismay, as environmental issues are likely to be critical in both the Victorian and national elections this year, says the article.

Disillusioned staff and long-term members of the Wilderness Society have called a meeting in Melbourne on February 13

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Alec Marr .. time for change?

in an attempt to remove Mr Marr and his board. In a written appeal to members to ‘’Help Save the Wilderness Society’’, the meeting organisers claimed that ‘’high staff turnover, bullying behaviour towards staff and a failure to deliver a powerful national campaign agenda are all issues of concern’’.

Peter Robertson, the West Australian campaign manager, said most of the Wilderness Society’s staff, volunteers and campaign centres had reached the conclusion that it was time for change.

Mr Marr, a formidable old-style campaigner who became the focus of Gunns’ attempts to destroy the Wilderness Society, has dug in, reacting to the staff dissent by cutting funds to state-based campaign teams.

The report in the Age says the Tasmanian-based Wilderness Society Inc – which oversees membership and $15 million in public donations – has resigned from the national umbrella group, taking financial resources away from the state groups.

The bitter dispute has been going on for months, but most have been until now unwilling to speak, fearful it would bolster their enemies, including mining companies, Gunns and Aboriginal leaders critical of the society’s conservation stance in Cape York. ‘’We don’t want to lose members over this and we don’t want to lose support, but we can’t have this huge internal rift continue,’’ said one senior campaigner.

issue 111 | 08.02.10 | Page 7

industry news

CHH shrinks LVL production in Australia

Government, unions address redundancies at Nangwarry CARTER Holt Harvey, one of the mainstays of Australia’s LVL manufacturing industry, has massively downsized its operations at Nangwarry in South Australia.

More than 130 employees last week were made redundant at the mill, which had an annual production capacity of 65,000 cub m of LVL and produced up to 40,000 cub m of hyJoist product from the engineered I-joist line.

Nangwarry products also include hySpan structural LVL beams and hyChord LVL for truss chords.

CHH will retain just 30 employees and it will import raw product from plants in New Zealand and America.

The decision cuts its workforce from 400 people five years ago and is expected to decimate Nangwarry’s community of 500 people who rely on the mill for work.

CFMEU official Brad Coates

Carter Holt Harvey reduces production of LVL products.

said the bad news came on top of almost 90 redundancies last year, with the latest 130 workers to finish by March 26.

“The union will be working with the community, the company and the state and federal governments to try to ensure

the best possible assistance is available for the affected workers,” Mr Coates said.

He has accused the SA Government of failing to address problems in the timber industry, saying the decision to cut more jobs at Nangwarry was an inevitable result of the region’s resource not being managed correctly.

“Unfortunately, this announcement is in a large part the inevitable outcome of Government inaction, which is why we need the active involvement of both State and Federal Governments to provide assistance to this timber community,’’ he said.

SA Forestry Minister Paul Caica said the loss of jobs at Carter Holt Harvey was very unfortunate and State Government agencies would be working with employer representatives, the forestry union and the local regional development body to develop

a support package.

“We will be looking at offering employment and outplacement services, access to additional skills training, personal support services, careers advice and links to local jobs,’’ he said.

A total of 130 employees were made redundant in September 2008 when CHH closed its Dartmoor mill in southwest Victoria offering job transfers to South Australia.

Paul Caica .. developing support packages for redundant

Hardwood seminars push ‘green alternative’ message THE American hardwood industry is coming to Australia and New Zealand this month with a persuasive new promotional campaign built around ‘The Green Alternative’ slogan.

Rapidly changed market dynamics at home and abroad have encouraged US hardwood producers to look well beyond their traditional client base for fresh opportunities – including Australasia.

The industry’s export promotions arm, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), is hosting half-day seminars in Melbourne and Auckland at the end of this month as part of a year-long program of educational and profiling activities aimed at specifiers, importers and designers.

Page 8 | issue 111 | 08.02.10

Both February seminars are being organised by Neilson Promotions (publishers of In-Wood and timberDESIGN magazines), and managing director Tony Neilson says the US hardwood industry wants to emphasise the “specified legal” nature of its products.

“Most US hardwood comes from privately owned forests of less than 20 ha each – not corporates, but about four million family owners – and most will only harvest once or twice in a generation,” he says.

“While FSC or PEFC certification of such small operations is clearly uneconomic, there is no doubt about the legality of the American hardwood harvest.”

AHEC recently commissioned an Assessment of Lawful Harvesting and Sustainability of US Hardwoods, which

American red oak joinery .. part of the American hardwood industry message.

confirmed that ‘stolen’ timber represents less than 1% of the country’s total hardwood production.

“But that’s only part of the story, as people attending these free seminars will discover,” says Tony Neilson. “AHEC is bringing one of the UK’s leading furniture designer/makers to Australia

and it will also launch its ‘Green Card’ guide to sustainability.”

The free seminars are in Melbourne on Tuesday, February 23, and Auckland two days later. For full seminar details and event registration information email: events@ neilsonpromotions.com

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industry news

Forestry plays a key role in climate change package DIRECT forestry measures have been included as part of the climate change policy package announced by the Federal Opposition last week.

“These measures reflect the important role forestry can play in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as well as the green energy that can be produced from wood wastes that are a by-product of tree growing and processing activities”, the chief executive of the National Association of Forest Industries Allan Hansard said.

He said forestry could play an important role in climate change policy through the carbon stored in growing forests; the carbon stored in durable wood products and substitution for high emission intensive building materials such as steel and concrete; and the renewable green energy produced from wood wastes that can displace emissions from fossil fuel based energy.

“NAFI is committed to working with the Government and the Coalition to promote climate change policies that recognise the full contribution forestry can make to a lower emissions future.

“We are therefore interested in pursuing further details about

Timber & Forestry e-news is the most authoritative and quickest deliverer of news and special features to the forest and forest products industries in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.

Weekly distribution is over 6,000 copies, delivered every Monday. Advertising rates are the most competitive of any industry magazine in the region.

Timber&Forestry e-news hits your target market – every week, every Monday!

HEAD OFFICE Custom Publishing Group Unit 2- 3986 Pacific Highway Loganholme 4129 Qld, Australia Tel: +61 7 3392 9810 Forests .. green energy for climate change.

the package and emissions reduction fund.

“In addition to climate mitigation benefits, the promotion of renewable industries such as forestry can provide a range of economic, social and environmental benefits, particularly in rural and regional Australia.

“Not only does commercial forestry create jobs and rural income, the planting of trees in the landscape can enhance agricultural productivity and diversify regional economies.”

PUBLISHER Dennis Macready admin@industryenews.com.au CONSULTING EDITOR Jim Bowden Tel: +61 7 3256 1779 Mob: 0401 312 087 cancon@bigpond.net.au ADVERTISING Tel: +61 7 3256 1779 cancon@bigpond.net.au PRODUCTION MANAGER Leigh Macready Tel: +61 7 3392 9810 production@industryenews.com.au

Exporting forestry expertise FORESTRY Tasmania is taking its expertise to the world through its consultancy arm Forest Technical Services.

Managing director Bob Gordon said the new service, which provides expert technical advice to domestic and international markets, was a positive for both the government owned corporation and its clients.

“Forest Technical Services capitalises on FT’s extensive expertise in assessment and planning, stand management, product development and marketing,” he said. “For 90 years, we have managed state forests on behalf of the people of Tasmania, and over that time we have developed the skills, expertise and forest research capability.”

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Opinions expressed on Timber & Forestry e news are not necessarily the opinions of the editor, publisher or staff. We do not accept responsibility for any damage resulting from inaccuracies in editorial or advertising.

The Publisher is therefore indemnified against all actions, suits, claims or damages resulting from content on this e news. Content cannot be reproduced without the prior consent of the Publisher- Custom Publishing Group.

issue 111 | 08.02.10 | Page 9

industry news

Andy McNaught back at the EWPAA Key role in laboratory testing, certification services EXPERIENCED timber products technician Andy McNaught has been appointed technical manger of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia.

Mr McNaught, who has a Forestry Degree from ANU, majoring in Wood Science, will oversee the integration of laboratory testing and certification services following the merger last year of the Australian Wood Panels Association (AWPA) with EWPAA. The merger creates a new body to promote the use of wood panels in Australasia and represents plywood, LVL, particleboard and MDF member producers in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

The AWPA test centre laboratories are located at West Burleigh on the Gold Coast and Mr McNaught will supervise these operations and those of EWPAA in Brisbane.

Mr McNaught said it was proposed that in the longer term both facilities would be located on one site in Brisbane.

“This will provide better opportunities for staff training and improved economies for members,” he said.

Return to EWPAA .. Andy McNaught confers with general manager Simon Dorries.

“The joining together of EWPAA and AWPA creates a very efficient technical unit while at the same time maintaining all the accreditations necessary for members to trade easily in domestic and export markets.”

The AWPA laboratory is a NATA-accredited facility able to do most of the wood panel (particleboard, MDF, plywood and LVL) tests specified in AS/ NZS, EN and JIS. The centre, established in 1998, operates three product certification schemes in accordance with ISO Guide 65.

These schemes are governed by an independent board, the ATCA Quality Council, which comprises representatives of

various industry sectors.

The schemes allow manufacturers to be independently assessed to comply with national standards.

The certification schemes include AWPA JAS-ANZ; JIS Mark certification [ATCA is accredited by METI, Japan]; and CARB certification (ATCA is approved by the California Air Resources Board).

The new appointment means a return to the EWPAA (formerly the Plywood Association of Australasia) for Mr McNaught; he was CEO of PAA from 20042006, joining the organisation after working with Weyerhaeuser in America.

Mr McNaught has worked

across all Weyerhaeuser operations and re-joined the group in 2006 at Weyerhaeuser Australia’s Brisbane office.

“I very much wanted to return to the technical side of the industry – hands-on R&D and process improvement, so the EWPAA appointment fulfils those needs,” Mr McNaught said.

The EWPAA is an incorporated association which benefits its members by providing technical, promotion and other services on an industry-wide basis. Membership comprises plywood, LVL, particleboard and fibreboard manufacturers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Josh Zervos sets up a formaldehyde test on imported board at the AWPA laboratory.

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Page 10 | issue 111 | 08.02.10

Contact Alan Jones Email: alan.jones@premier.austbrokers.com (Licence No. 238123)

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industry news

TABMA on move with a new title TO reflect its national expansion, TABMA NSW has changed its name to the Timber & Building Materials Association (Aust) Ltd. “With the Sydney office formed in 1940 and the addition of an independently operated Queensland office opened in 2001, the directors of TABMA NSW decided that with the dearth of a truly national merchant association the opportunity existed to expand TABMA beyond these two states,” chief executive Colin Fitzpatrick said.

“As such an office in Perth was established in 2005 and last year offices were opened in Adelaide, Melbourne and

Hobart predominantly to allow for the exclusive arrangement that TABMA has with FWPA to promote the Wood, Naturally Better program.”

The opening of the Adelaide office coincided with the void left by the demise of TDA in South Australia. The state manager is Mark Agars who can be contacted on 0407 102 244.

The Tasmanian office is being run by Gary Walker (0411 422 438) while in Melbourne an office has been established at South Yarra to promote group training, industry recruitment, OH&S and WNB. The Melbourne office is headed by Justin Dwyer who is

on 0424 014 510.

“TABMA has a harmonious working relationship with other timber associations such as TDA (NSW), the NSW Forest Products Association, TTIA and FWPA,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Colin Fitzpatrick .. TABMA in expansion mode.

contactable on 0417 236 707.

The Perth office is manned by Lynn Gabriel who has been with TABMA WA for almost 12 months. Lynn can be contacted

“Our 2010 agenda includes working towards combined association events culminating in an industry dinner at the end of the year with involvement from at least three other associations. “ TABMA moved from its Surry Hills premises to Level 6, 486 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, in August last year.

Building approvals moving in right direction BUILDING approvals in Australia grew by 2.2% December 2009 and the December quarter was a remarkable 34.9% stronger than a year earlier.

“This is a positive sign that the new home building recovery is well under way,” Housing Industry Association senior economist Ben Phillips said.

“The growth in building approvals was led by continued strength in private sector detached housing which grew by a seasonally adjusted 3.1%. Private sector ‘other dwelling’ approvals continued to claw back ground following a disastrous 2008-09, growing by 9.1%.

“The recovery in building approvals now appears broadbased with all states and territories recording solid gains over the last quarter of 2009.

The strong growth over the last quarter in New South Wales and Queensland, the two recent laggards, is most pleasing.”

Mr Phillips said the strong result in approvals was no doubt driven by the combined impacts of the federal government’s social housing stimulus, low

interest rates through 2009, and the last wave of the first home buyer boost approvals filtering through.

“The strength of the final quarter masks the reality that 2009 was a very weak year for the housing industry,” Mr Phillips said. “Over the entire year, only 144,992 dwellings were approved, down 2.1% over 2008 and well below the 190,000 dwellings required to satisfy Australia’s growing population.”

Victoria outperformed the rest of the states with strong growth of 17.5% over 2009. Both the territories also performed well.

Queensland had a disastrous year, sliding 22.7% to just 28,515 dwelling approvals.

The sustainability of a broadbased housing recovery will be challenged through 2010 as the positive impact of federal stimulus and very low interest rates wanes. The removal of the first home buyers boost and the potential for higher interest rates could prevent further sustained growth in approvals through the year.

“The fundamentals of strong

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population and employment growth can be expected to push high housing demand,” Mr Phillips said. “Without an adequate supply response, price pressures and further erosion of housing affordability will be inevitable.

“The strong headline result for December approvals is a positive for the industry and supports HIA’s long-held forecast for healthy growth in housing starts in 2010.”

Building approvals increased in all states and territories with the

exception of New South Wales in December 2009.

The number of seasonally adjusted residential dwelling approvals increased in December by 11.1% in Victoria, 4% in Queensland, 0.1% in South Australia, 1.3% in Western Australia and 22% in Tasmania.

Approvals fell by 12.7% in New South Wales. The trend number of approvals increased by 10.9% in the Northern Territory and by 4.9% in the ACT.

US sets pace on illegal timber THE Forest Owners Association says New Zealand should be looking to the US for inspiration on policy for illegally-sourced timber imports.

Mandatory labelling of imported timber was due to be put in place this year, but the Government has decided to revert to a voluntary labelling system.

The aim of mandatory labelling was to make it easier to identify illegally harvested tropical

hardwood timber coming into the country.

FOA chief executive David Rhodes points to a move in the US where in 2008 legislation was amended, effectively banning the import and export of illegally sourced plant material.

He says the New Zealand industry would benefit by hundreds of millions of dollars if illegal logging was ended.

issue 111 | 08.02.10 | Page 11

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