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issue 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 1
Working group key to imports
Forums start ball rolling on federal government’s illegal logging policy
industry and others may take at least two years. More than 100 stakeholders representing the timber and paper industries, the furniture and joinery sectors, green groups and supermarket chains such as Woolworths attended the seminars which were addressed by officers of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. They appreciated the
By JIM BOWDEN
A ROUND of stakeholder seminars on illegal logging issues last week suggests new legislation on timber imports might be a paper tiger as industry and community and green groups grapple with the detail of the process. The federal government will introduce new laws on restricting the importation and sale of illegally logged timber as early as March but the seminars in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane indicated the consultative process with
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issue 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 1
CYCLONE AFTERMATH
The Victorian Association of Forest Industries, representing the interests of the Victorian timber Industry
Victorian Association of Forest Industries Level 2, 2 Market Street Melbourne 3000 Tel: +61 3 9611 9000 Fax: +61 3 9611 9011 Email: info@vafi.org.au Web: www.vafi.org.au
Page 2 | issue 160 | 14.02.11
Stripped .. Cyclone Yasi carved swathe through plantations in the Cardwell-Ingham region. – Picture supplied by Ernie Rider.
TRUST TABMA
Cyclone ravages if you pine, mahogany want .. plantations in NQ
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By JIM BOWDEN
FLATTENED forest plantations will add to an estimated $1 billion loss for rural industries ravaged by Cyclone Yasi in far north Queensland. The category 5 cyclone which came ashore on February 2 ripping forest and fruit plantations across a 350 km stretch of the coast could wipe more than $2 billion off Australia’s gross domestic product. Forest Plantations Queensland has closed plantation forests in the coastal areas between Ingham and Tully while it assesses expected widespread damage. FPQ manages 9400 ha of pine plantations in the area. Chief executive Brian Farmer said safety and good environmental management were now a priority. “FPQ will be working with a range of local and state government agencies to ensure that the assessment is carried out safely and efficiently to
achieve the best possible outcome for all stakeholders,” he said. The same region suffered extensive forest plantation damage from Cyclone Larry in 2006. Although plantation trees were pushed over 45 deg, tree roots remained intact and salvage operations were successful. It is too early to assess the full damage to softwood plantations hit by Yasi, however more than 4000 ha of maturing red mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera) solid wood plantations established in far north Queensland by Elders Forestry on behalf of investors suffered extensive damage. The estate with annual budgets up to $5 million was planted to produce structural and appearance grade timbers such as beams, flooring and furniture. The homes of a number of Elders’ forestry staff were damaged in the cyclone but Cont Page 6
Short or long-term staff recruitment OH&S training and independent audits WHS training and information Debtors control and collection Membership services
Contact us on Sydney – (02) 9277 3100 Adelaide – 0407 102 244 Perth – 0414 908 465 Brisbane – (07) 3254 3166 Hobart – 0407 102 244
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industry news
Government will continue to consult with industries From Page 1
government’s clear position on the issue and its efforts to stop unfair competition in Australia between illegal and legal timber suppliers. General manager of DAFF’s forestry branch John Talbot said the government would continue to consult with stakeholders as key aspects of the policy were developed. An industry working group now being assembled will be the linchpin to build the content of regulations that will support the legislation. The passage of the legislation through parliament will also be subject to the balance of power in the senate. [The full mix of the senate palette will not be known until July 1 when most newly elected
Conferring in Brisbane on government policies on illegal timber imports are, from left, Chris Whoodhouse of Woodhouse Timbers (president, Queensland Timber Importers Exporters and Wholesalers Association), Gerry Gardiner, Asia Pacific Timber Marketing, John Talbot, general manager, forestry branch, DAFF and Doug Bartlett (QTIEWA).
senators take their seats in the upper house. The Australian Greens will have the balance
of power, holding nine senate seats in total]. The working group will represent three industry streams - solid wood, plywood, veneers and wood panels; the furniture and windows and doors manufacturing sectors; and the pulp and paper sector.
ForestWorks performs a range of industry wide functions acting as the channel between industry, Government and the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. Core services: • Skill Standards • Material Development • Networks • Strategic Skills Planning
‘The chances of imported timber being illegal are zero, but that coffee table from China is a thousand times more likely to be of illegal origin’
• Project Management
The group, with about 14 members, will include DAFF officers John Talbot, general manger, forestry branch, and Tony Nicholson and Chris Powell (policy) who will make reference to an industry generic code of conduct process already completed. A number of stakeholders interviewed at the seminars believed details of the government’s illegal logging policy had not advanced since the first industry forum with industry in October 2009. “They still can’t define what is
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VICTORIA PO Box 612, North Melbourne 3051 Tel: (03)9321 3500 Email: forestworks@forestworks.com.au NEW SOUTH WALES PO Box 486, Parramatta 2124 Tel: (02)8898 6990 Email: smukherjee@forestworks.com.au TASMANIA PO Box 2146, Launceston 7250 Tel: (03)6331 6077 Email: wfoss@forestworks.com.au BRISBANE PO Box 2014 Fortitude Valley 4006 Tel: (07)3358 5169 Email: bharle@forestworks.com.au
Cont Page 4
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issue 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 3
industry news
‘Importers can tick all the boxes on the legal origin of their timber’ From Page 3
illegal and what is legal,” one importer said. “Also, the legislation will be meaningless for two or three years as a long consultative process gets under way. “The recent forums were unable to provide any specific details on the policy. In fact, there were no specific answers to any of the questions asked. “I would defy anybody to find six sticks of illegal timber in the yards of Australia’s timber importers. Wood imported from suppliers such as New Zealand, British Columbia (Canada), the US, Chile, Malaysia and New Guinea is all from forests certified to world standards.” But the forums agreed the problems of imported wood
Jim Burgess, forest resource manager, Timber Queensland (second from right) confers with Dale and Meyers representatives Marion Millard, chief financial officer, Curly Tatnell, managing director and Nigel Martin, manager of the company’s Tiaro sawmill.
products for the furniture industry was a separate issue. “The government hasn’t got its head around this one. The chances of imported timber being illegal are zero, but that
coffee table from China is a thousand times more likely to be of illegal origin. “We would hate to see Australian furniture manufacturers dudded on his one.
“Tracking and identifying the flood of furniture from places like China and Indonesia is going to be a long, hard process. But they deserve the protection of the law against any item produced from illegally logged timber. “Timber importers right now can tick all the boxes for legal origin, but we can’t leave the furniture industry out of this; it needs all the strength government can bring against illegal imports.” Note: The Australian industry must clearly verify the legal origin of all timber products according to the requirements set out in the new legislation on illegal logging, including products such as sawn timber, wood panels, pulp, paper, wooden furniture and composite products.
TimTech Chemicals! The locally owned company that brought competition back into the Australasian market is 10 years old. A big thank you to the Australasian timber industry for your support over the last 10 years! When we started in 2001 the big boys didn't want us in their cosy market and pulled a few dirty tricks. Fortunately they failed to get rid of us. It hasn’t been easy, but thanks to our loyal customers, our great team and innovative technology TimTech is still growing.
TimTech is 10 years old, better and stronger, with patented technology, top people and excellent service. TimTech.... Still putting Values and Value into timber protection on both sides of the Tasman.
Page 4 | issue 160 | 14.02.11
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events
WHAT’S ON? FEBRUARY 14-18: Wood Science Course. University of Melbourne and CSIRO, Melbourne. Contact Silvia Pongracic on 0418 764 954 or visit www.gottsteintrust.org
MARCH 4-5: Forest Industry Engineering Association Residues to Revenues Conference (incorporating Green Energy Expo), Bayview Eden Hotel, 6 Queens RoadMelbourne. Call 1800 126 398 to register or www.woodresiduesevents.com 30-31: Residues to Revenues. Technologies to improve wood wastes utilisation. Rotorua, NZ. Visit www.fiea.com.nz
APRIL 4-5: Residues to Revenues. Technologies to improve wood wastes utilisation. Melbourne. Visit www.fiea.com.nz 5-7 Dubai Woodshow. The premier wood and woodworking machinery show in the Middle East. National supply groups from France, Malaysia and other Asian countries and USA are exhibiting, as well as key regional distributors such as Chabros and Al Nibras, major machinery suppliers from Germany and Italy including Homag and Biesse among others and specialist surfaces producers such as Danzer and Schattdecor AG. Registration information www.dubaiwoodshow.com Contact: Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions. Tel: + 971 4 28 29
299. Fax: + 971 4 28 28 767. Email : sales@dubaiwoodshow.com / amiri@strategic.ae 8: South Eastern Australia 2011 Farm Forestry and Firewood Expo, Bendigo, Vic. City of Greater Bendigo’s Huntly plantation, north of Bendigo. NORTHERN United Forestry Group (NUFG) - a not-for-profit community group with a focus on growing trees for sawlogs and firewood - will host the expo at the Huntly plantation, north of Bendigo. Some trees (all hardwoods) within the Huntly plantation that need to be thinned will be available for demonstration purposes. Contact: Mal Brown, Northern United Forestry Group. Tel: (03) 54352588. Mob: 0419 108 817.
MAY May 21-June 5: Forest biomass four-nation industry study tour. New Zealand, Austria, Germany and Finland. Includes LIGNA Hannover Wood Fair, Germany. Email: francip@optusnet.com.au 25: Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) and New Zealand Institute of Forestry Conference (ANZIF 2011). Auckland NZ. Theme: ‘Pacific Forestry’. Visit www.anzifconference.co.nz 30-June 3: LIGNA Hannover Wood Fair. 25-June 4: LIGNA industry tour (Germany, Italy, Austria).
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JUNE 15-17: SawTECH 2011. Sawing technologies to improve mill performance. Brisbane. Visit www. fiea.com.nz 21-23: SawTECH 2011. Sawing technologies to improve mill performance. Rotorua, NZ. Visit www.fiea.com.nz
JULY 13-14: Carbon Forestry 2011. Key investment drivers and future business opportunities. Auckland, NZ. Visit www.fiea.com.nz
SEPTEMBER 5-7: NZ Forest Industries Expo 2011. Venue: Rotorua Energy Events Centre, Rotorua. Forest industry leaders and companies from across the world are booking their tickets to participate in the expo (FI2011) and make the most of the 2011 Rugby World Cup while they’re there. Exhibition sites have already been booked by a number of NZ and Australian companies, and inquiries being received from Canada, China, Vietnam and Austria. The expo will showcase the best that Rotorua, the wider Bay of Plenty region and the rest of New Zealand has to offer when it comes to forestry and wood products. Contact: Dell Bawden. Tel: +64 73627865. Mob: +64 274745485. Email: office@bawden.co.nz Website site: fi2010.co.nz 6-7: Wood Technology Clinic 2011. Series of clinics held within the NZ Forest Industries Expo. Rorotura, NZ. Visit www.fiea.com.nz
SUSTAINABLE. RESPONSIBLE. The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) is striving for an ecologically sustainable Australian society achieved through dynamic, internationally competitive forest industries. 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 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 5
INDUSTRY NEWS
Inquiry catalyst for a new forest policy AN inquiry into the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian forestry industry could provide the catalyst for a new forest policy platform at a national level. The National Association of Forest Industries says the House of Representatives Committee inquiry is long-overdue. “The inquiry provides the chance to identify barriers to industry growth so we can reduce Australia’s reliance on imported products and shrink the $2 billion trade deficit in forest and wood products,” NAFI chief executive Allan Hansard said. “Australia’s forest policy framework is also nearing the end of its shelf life since the National Forest Policy Statement (NFPS) was developed and agreed to by all state and territory governments in 1992. “NAFI welcomes the terms of reference of the inquiry, including the analysis of the relationship between forestry
and water resources and the industry’s ability to integrate with traditional agriculture in the landscape.” Mr Hansard said key priorities for the inquiry should include: • Addressing resource security for native forests and plantations to underpin investment. • Establishing an effective investment environment for developing long rotation sawlog plantations to complement investment from managed investment schemes. • Market access for carbon sequestration projects. “Forests provide the essentials of life including renewable wood and paper products for shelter and other needs,” Mr Hansard said. “On our current course, Australia will not have enough locally grown wood to meet our future needs. A growing population will require 7.1 million new dwellings and at least 64 million cub m of construction timber by 2050.”
Mareeba sawmill spared From Page 2
there were no injuries. Ravenshoe Timbers on the Atherton Tableland in far north Queensland was spared serious damage as Cyclone Yasi moved inland. Managing director Doug Simms said apart from power cuts, lifted roofs, broken windows and flying debris during the storm the sawmill lost little production time. The new Mareeba softwood mill nearing completion was also spared. Mr Simms said staff had plenty of warning. “We were prepared. It took us two days to remove vital equipment and stock and two days to put it back,” he said.
Page 6 | issue 160 | 14.02.11
“The mill will be in production soon when we get the electronics right and can negotiate forestry contracts that have been delayed by the storms.” Mr Simms said it was hard to understand why the region still had water restrictions .. “it’s the wettest place in the world!” He said the Tully-Millstream dam and hydro electric project, which was only half built, would be the answer to power and water restrictions. A government plan to divert water from the Tully River to a dam outside the world heritage listed area seems to have diminished as an issue.
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FOREST CERTIFICATION
No guarantees on FSC certification Companies agree to put in time and effort THREE companies outlined their progress on securing Forest Stewardship Council certification at an FSC Australia information session in Tasmania this month – but there are no guarantees the process will be successful. About 35 stakeholders representing industry and environmental and community groups exchanged information at the session at the University of Tasmania campus at Launceston. Gunns Ltd, Norske Skog and SFM Forest Products are working to gain FSC certification and are prepared to go the distance to achieve it. Gunns began work to secure both forest management and controlled wood certifications under the FSC standards early last year, a process all parties agree may take a number of years to complete. FSC Australia chief executive Michael Spencer said that from the outset the FSC made it clear to Gunns management that achieving the standards for forest management certification would take considerable time and effort. “There is no guarantee that a company embarking on a certification process will be successful, so it would be inappropriate to speculate on what the outcome of Gunn’s certification process might be,” Mr Spencer said. “At this point, Gunns have managed the process professionally, done what they have said they would do and have demonstrated commitment to the process.” Gunns has made the following progress in its efforts to achieve both FSC forest management certification and controlled wood certification. Controlled wood evaluation:
• The Rainforest Alliance’s FSC accredited SmartWood program has undertaken a controlled wood assessment (applying FSC standard 30-010 for forest management operations) of Gunns’ Green Triangle and Western Australian plantations. A report on this assessment is expected shortly. • If there are no further issues, then Gunns would expect to receive a controlled wood certificate for the mainland plantations. FCS certification in Tasmania .. no guarantees.
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Cont Page 8
issue 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 7
FOREST CERTIFICATION
ForestrySA seeks ForestrySA new Harvestseeks and ForestrySA seeks new Harvest and Transport services ForestrySA seeks new Harvest and Transport services in Green Triangle. new Harvest and ForestrySA seeks Transport services in Green Triangle. ForestrySA seeks Transport services new Harvest and in Green Triangle. new Harvest and in Green Triangle. Transport services Transport services in Green Triangle. in Green Triangle. ForestrySA is calling for proposals for the supply of harvest and transport services infor the Green ForestrySA is calling for proposals the supply Triangle region. of harvest and transport services in the Green ForestrySA is calling for proposals for the supply Triangle region. ForestrySA is calling for proposals supply of harvest and transport services infor thethe Green A briefing and field tour day will be held in Mount of harvest and transport services in the Green Triangle region. Gambier on Thursday 10 February 2011. ForestrySA is calling for proposals for the supply A briefingregion. and field tour day will be held in Mount Triangle ForestrySA is calling for proposals for of harveston and transport services thethe Green Gambier Thursday 10 February 2011. A briefing and field tour day will beinheld in supply Mount Up to 900,000 tonnes per annum is available for of harvest and transport services in the Green Triangle region. A briefing and field tour day will be held in Gambier on Thursday 10 February 2011. Mount harvest or for transport: Triangle region. Up to 900,000 tonnes per annum is2011. available for Gambier on Thursday 10 February A briefing and field tour day will be held in Mount harvest or for transport: Up to 900,000 tonnes per annum is available for A briefing and field tour day will be held in Mount Gambier on Thursday 10 February 2011. Up to 900,000 tonnes per annum is available for Chiplog (T1) 70,000 tonnes/pa harvest or for transport: Gambier on Thursday 10 February 2011. harvest or(T1) for transport: Chiplog 70,000 First thinning (T1) 60,000 tonnes/pa Up to 900,000 tonnes per annum is available for Chiplog 70,000 First (T1)(T2)per annum 60,000 Second thinning 100,000 Up to thinning 900,000 tonnes is tonnes/pa available for harvest or(T1) for transport: Chiplog (T1) 70,000 tonnes/pa First (T1) 60,000 harvest orthinning for transport: Second (T2) 100,000 Thirdthinning thinning (T3) 100,000 First thinning (T1) 60,000 Second thinning (T2) 100,000 Third thinning Chiplog (T1) 70,000 Clearfall (CF >(T3) 2.3m3) 360,000tonnes/pa Second thinning (T2) 100,000 Chiplog (T1) 70,000 Third thinning (T3) 100,000 First thinning (T1) 60,000 Clearfall (CF 2.3m3) Clearfall (CF >< 2.3m3) 360,000 210,000tonnes/pa Third thinning (T3) 100,000 First thinning 60,000 Clearfall (CF > 2.3m3) 360,000 Second thinning (T2) 100,000 <(T1) 210,000 (CF > 2.3m3) 360,000 ItClearfall is intended that separate harvest and transport Second thinning (T2) 100,000 Clearfall (CF < 2.3m3) 210,000 Third thinning (T3) 100,000 contracts will be awarded. This is planned to take ItClearfall is intended separate harvest (CFthat <(T3) 2.3m3) 210,000and transport Third thinning Clearfall (CFmid-2011, > 2.3m3)with 100,000 360,000 place during new contracts taking contracts will that be awarded. is planned to take ItClearfall is intended separateThis harvest and transport (CF > 2.3m3) 360,000 effect on 1(CF January 2012. Clearfall < 2.3m3) 210,000 place during mid-2011, with new contracts taking It is intended that separate harvest and transport contracts will be awarded. This is planned to take Clearfall (CF 2.3m3) 210,000 effect on 1will January 2012. contracts be< awarded. planned to take place during mid-2011, withThis newiscontracts taking To register for the briefing & fieldcontracts tour ontransport It is intended that separate harvest and place mid-2011, with new taking effect during on 1 January 2012. February and for & the issue ofontransport It10isregister intended that separate harvest and contracts be This istour planned to take To for2011 theawarded. briefing field effect on 1will January 2012. documentation, please contact Emma Bigham contracts will be awarded. This is planned take place during mid-2011, with new contracts taking 10 Februaryfor2011 and for the issue of on to To register the briefing & field tour at ForestrySA on +61 (8) 8724 2812. place during mid-2011, with contracts taking effect on 1 for January 2012. documentation, please contact Emma Bigham To register the briefing & new field tour 10 February 2011 and for the issue of on effect on 1 January 2012. at ForestrySA on +61 (8) 8724 2812. 10 February 2011 and for the issue of documentation, please contact Emma Bigham Forregister all otherforenquiries please call: To the briefing & field tour on documentation, please contact Emma Bigham at ForestrySA on +61 (8) 8724 2812. Mr Adrian Hatch, ForestrySA To register for the briefing & field tour 10 February 2011 and for the issue of on ForForestrySA all other enquiries please at on +61 (8) 8724call: 2812. General Manager -ForestrySA Sales, on issue 10 February 2011 and for the of Bigham documentation, please contact Emma Mr Adrian For all otherHatch, enquiries please call: +61 (8) 8724 2818 or email documentation, please contact Emma Bigham at ForestrySA on +61 (8) 8724 2812. General Manager -ForestrySA Sales, on call: For all other enquiries please Mr Adrian Hatch, hatch.adrian@forestrysa.com.au. at ForestrySA on +61 (8) 8724 2812. +61 (8) 8724 2818-ForestrySA or emailon Mr Adrian Hatch, General Manager Sales, www.forestrysa.com.au For all other enquiries please hatch.adrian@forestrysa.com.au. General Manager Sales, on call: +61 (8) 8724 2818 or email For all other enquiries please call: Mr Adrian Hatch, ForestrySA www.forestrysa.com.au +61 (8) 8724 2818 or email hatch.adrian@forestrysa.com.au. Mr Adrian Hatch, ForestrySA General Manager Sales, on hatch.adrian@forestrysa.com.au. www.forestrysa.com.au General Manager Sales, +61 (8) 8724 2818- or emailon www.forestrysa.com.au +61 (8) 8724 2818 or email hatch.adrian@forestrysa.com.au. hatch.adrian@forestrysa.com.au. www.forestrysa.com.au www.forestrysa.com.au
Page 8 | issue 160 | 14.02.11
Norse Skog .. leader in the production of newsprint and magazine paper.
Gunns required to undertake full audit of Tas plantations From Page 7
• For the Tasmanian plantations, Gunns is proceeding with controlled wood certification and is currently addressing corrective action requests issued by the Rainforest Alliance in its November 2010 report. • Required to undertake a new full audit of its Tasmanian plantations against the FSC controlled wood standard because it separated the Tasmanian plantations from the Australian mainland plantations for logistical reasons. Forest management evaluation: • Working to address gaps and issues identified in the Rainforest Alliance preassessment (a summary of findings by Rainforest Alliance has already been released to stakeholders). • Indicated that it intends to proceed and pursue FSC forest management certification, starting with mainland plantations, ahead of Tasmanian plantations. • Plans to undertake forest management assessment of mainland plantations in the second half of 2011 and Tasmanian forests and
Michael Spencer .. companies have demonstrated commitment to the process
plantations in late 2011 or early 2012. Gunns manages more than 275,000 ha of freehold land, with 200,000 ha under plantation. The estate includes about 150,000 ha of hardwood plantations in Tasmania and 50,000 ha of radiate plantations in the Green Triangle region of South Australia and Victoria. Norske Skog is a world leading producer of newsprint and magazine paper, with 14 paper mills around the world. Its Albury, NSW, mill commenced production in 1981 and has an annual capacity of around 274,000 tonnes.
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THE BIG RE-BUILD
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 6,400 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! Modern twist on an old concept .. high-rise timber buildings a solution to flood-prone housing in Queensland.
Timber structures ‘high and dry’ at Brisbane seminar
Return to the ‘Queenslander’ THE timber and engineered wood industries will have an opportunity to feed new structurally smart housing design ideas into a state “think tank” set up to help rebuild Queensland. The Queensland Reconstruction Authority, to be established by an act of parliament, will have powers to cut through bureaucratic red tape to get the state back on its feet. Economists have estimated the floods in Queensland will eventually cost more than $10 billion, mainly in rebuilding infrastructure. Taking the lead, Timber Queensland will run a ‘high and dry’ seminar in Brisbane on March 15 to encourage builders, designers, engineers and town planners to return to the high-set ‘Queenslander’ house style, but using modern
HEAD OFFICE Custom Publishing Group Unit 2- 3986 Pacific Highway Loganholme 4129 Qld, Australia 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 production@industryenews.com.au
Seminar opening .. Stirling Hinchliff, Queensland’s Minister for Infrastructure and Planning.
wood technologies such as modular two-storey, aboveground construction and prefabricated systems. The seminar, to be opened by the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliff, Cont Page 13
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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 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 9
CYCLONE AFTERMATH
Houses were ‘well-braced’ for Yasi Timber structures saved by modern building codes
EARLY reports from North Queensland cyclone testing station ground crews indicate many timber buildings “preformed brilliantly” in 250 km/hour wind gusts generated by Cyclone Yasi, which has left the tropical coast with a $1 billion repair bill. Modern building codes appear to have saved towns from total destruction. The reports suggest that buildings built to post-1980 cyclone requirements have shown no evidence of significant structural damage. Based at James Cook University and in partnership with the Australian Building Codes Board, the testing station has four teams of experts studying the performance of buildings after the category five cyclone and its storm surge battered towns along a 350 km strip from Cairns to Townsville. Team leader Dr Geoff Boughton, barely audible above blustering winds at Mission Beach, last week told T&F enews that timber houses built to modern cyclonic building requirements had performed well in the cyclone. As reports arrive progressively on the performance of buildings in the storms, Dr Boughton
Reliable .. structural plywood bracing provides a simple but extremely reliable way of bracing a building frame..
noted plywood bracing, installed to industry standards, had performed brilliantly on houses so far inspected. “It’s often hard to tell what buildings have plywood bracing, but those that we could see were in good shape,” he said. The teams will make assessments of wind speeds in affected communities using techniques refined in previous studies. “Particular attention will be paid to the performance of modern buildings built to the current standards,” Dr Broughton says. “There will be a focus on single
occupancy houses and resort style buildings, both of which can be found in the region of maximum winds.” Testing centre research director John Ginger said buildings impacted by Cyclone Larry in 2006 were also affected by Yasi. “The study will assess the effectiveness of the repairs to those buildings,” he said. Studies of building performance after Larry found that deterioration of structural elements compromised building performance, so the study will also be looking for signs that previous events (such as Larry) had weakened buildings. The investigation team will
release regular updates as information becomes available. Meanwhile, ongoing research by the cyclone testing station – working with the Australian Building Codes Board, Geosciences Australia and Emergency Management Queensland – is assessing the vulnerability of houses located in cyclonic and non-cyclonic regions. Existing houses and houses under construction have been surveyed and full scale houses and their components tested and analysed. Together with wind tunnel tests and full scale wind load data, vulnerability models that estimate damage to a range of house types are being produced. These models incorporate engineering theory and reliability analysis of housing performance and are validated from post-windstorm damage investigations. The outcomes from these studies are being expanded to align with the work at the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. One of the station’s major research projects has tested many full-scale structures ranging from a 1940s timber Cont Page 11
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Page 10 | issue 160 | 14.02.11
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CYCLONE AFTERMATH
Tests simulate effects of 4-hour tropical cyclone From Page 10
house to a split-level brick house and to a prefabricated kit home. While a house frame is functional and easy to build, it is very complex to analyse. The whole system is highly indeterminate with members supporting each other and sharing loads where necessary. As well as the classical structural members contributing to the strength of a house, testing has shown that cladding elements can contribute significantly to the overall strength. This is especially so in resisting lateral forces that can occur from wind or earthquake loading. However, even laboratory testing of large elements such as bracing walls does not take into account the interaction of these elements with other parts of the building. In the station’s house testing research program, full-size houses are constructed and tested to measure their response to simulated wind forces. Depending on a building’s design, these forces are applied to simulate the passage of a four-hour tropical cyclone or the effect of peak gusts associated with a thunder storm. From the results of testing full-size houses rather than components, the station can determine not only the overall strength, stiffness and resilience of the structure, but discover the weak links of the load paths, that is the path the applied loads take through the structure to get to the foundations. Also this testing can show how the different elements interact by way of load sharing where stiffer non-structural members, such as internal wall linings, attract some of the applied load away from more flexible members. The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia’s revised structural plywood
EWPs that tick ALL the boxes Engineered wood products manufactured by EWPAA member companies top the list
Blown away .. houses without a cyclonic rating suffered against Cyclone Yasi’s fury.
wall bracing manual explains to designers and builders how to utilise certified plywood to brace building framing in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and AS1684 Residential Timber-Framed Construction. [The manual is available at www. ewp.asn.au] The most significant change to the manual has been the removal of bracing systems using plywood less than 6 mm thick as EWPAA members no longer produce systems such as 4 mm or 4.5 mm F22 and F27 hardwood bracing. Four teams of experts are studying the performance of buildings after the category five cyclone and its storm surge battered towns along a 350 km coastal strip As a result of the trend to more efficient home building designs, the manual has been updated to ensure the safety of design and construction of all EWPAA certified bracing systems. The structural properties and wind racking design values of the common bracing systems have been retested and reconfirmed. In addition, the revised manual now has a viable new system utilising 7 mm F8 structural plywood.
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Consistent QUALITY LOWEST emissions Structurally SOUND and SAFE Wood from 100% LEGAL, CERTIFIED forests GUARANTEED to Australasian Standards JOBS security
EWPAA
guArAntEEd*
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@ewp.asn.au Web: www.ewp.asn.au
* 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.
issue 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 11
CYCLONE AFTERMATH
Rush on house building after floods could be serious health risk: EWPAA CONSUMERS rushing to buy wood panels to replace flood-damaged components and reports that Queensland homeless flood and cyclone refugees are set to move into caravans and demountables has brought a warning of the potential serious health risks of some commonly available products. “In the rush to buy products such as ‘flat-pack’ kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and shelving that might not meet Australian standards, these householders are threatened with exposure to dangerously high formaldehyde emissions,” the general manger of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia Simon Dorries said. Wood panelling from China with high formaldehyde emissions well above Environmental Protection Agency standards gained greater notoriety after they were implicated as the cause of serious respiratory and other health problems among people living in trailers provided by the US government after Hurricane Katrina. Some products available in the Australian market have been shown to perform poorly with respect to moisture resistance. Class-action lawsuits claimed that thousands of US Gulf Coast hurricane victims were exposed to potentially toxic fumes while living in government-issued trailers. Mr Dorries said some products available in the Australian market had been shown to perform poorly with respect to moisture resistance. “They should demand that trade outlets confirm and guarantee that these products are certified safe. Further,
Page 12 | issue 160 | 14.02.11
Re-building and renovation of flooded houses will need the assurance that materials are compliant with Australian standards.
reputable importers should be able to provide authoritative data showing that their products have been tested and meet all relevant safety standards,” he said. “Some imported products, including plywood panels and flat-pack furniture components, have failed to comply with Australian standards for formaldehyde emissions after accredited laboratory tests – and in some instances have been seven times above the emission limits (E0 and E1) recommended by the federal Department of Health.” Mr Dorries said consumers should be sure that the materials they were buying met
Top marks .. certified plywood products have performed well in the floods.
Simon Dorries .. warning on noncompliant building material.
Australian standards for low emissions. “They should demand that trade outlets confirm and guarantee that these products are certified safe (E0 and E1) and meet the Australian Standard,” he said. The US ‘toxic trailer’ action came on top of harsh legal warnings to the Australian timber industry that merchandising falsely represented products to consumers exposes them to the risk of claims for damages for personal injury. Wood panels used in imported kitchen componentry were identified as a significant contributor to unsafe formaldehyde levels found in portable buildings used in a
federal government portable rehousing project in the Northern Territory and were responsible for a number of serious work place claims. Mr. Dorries said all wood panels manufactured in Australia were independently tested for formaldehyde emissions. They met the most stringent levels for emissions and easily met all guidelines and recommendations of the Federal Department of Health. Formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used in building materials and many household products. It is used in pressedwood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fibreboard, glues and adhesives, permanent-press fabrics and paper product coatings. Meanwhile, certified plywood products have performed outstandingly in flood-ravaged buildings. Type A bond plywood using phenol formaldehyde resin is certified durable for 50 years in exposure to all weather conditions. Type A bond is specified in AS/ NZS 2272 for marine plywood, AS/NZS 4357 for structural LVL and AS/NZS 2271 for exterior plywood used under conditions of long term full exposure or under wet or damp conditions. “Plywood itself is structurally rated and undergoes a very intensive factory testing process,” Simon Dorries said. “The performance of certified plywood in the floods confirms why compliance to Australian standards is so important,” he said. Consumers who have doubts about the safety of these products should contact the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) on (07) 3250 3700.
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FARM FORESTRY
Re-forest.net project helps landholders establish commercial timber plantations THE Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country program has funded a new forestry extension and incentive program for southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The Re-forest.net project will run until June 2013, providing free adult training, education and demonstration to more than 500 landholders across the project region with the aim of increasing landholder capacity to establish and manage their planted timber resource. Re-forest.net will also help landholders to plant 180,000 commercial native eucalypt species by providing on-ground incentives and extension services. Farm forestry is a viable commercial alternative for landholders in southeast Queensland who have unproductive and weedinfested paddocks that are too small for livestock and too large for the ride-on mower. Farm forestry systems are a practical, cost-effective and successful method of reforesting degraded land. After the initial establishment phase,
By KAARA SHAW Farm Forestry Officer Private Forestry Service Queensland forests begin to look after themselves and the landscape; they reduce grass and weed growth, hold the soil profile together and provide cover for small birds and animals. Growing forests on private land provides a renewable and sustainable timber resource, a wealth of environmental benefits and creates new jobs for our rural areas. If you have an empty or weedinfested paddock and would like to learn how to successfully grow a forest, email pfsq@ bigpond.com or contact Kaara Shaw on 0488 080 566. Private Forestry Service Queensland (PFSQ) is an incorporated (not-for-profit) association whose primary function is to assist in the sustainable development of the private forest industry. PFSQ’s membership comprises farm forestry support groups,
Farm forestry systems .. practical, cost-effective method of reforesting degraded land.
industry and government representatives, landcare groups, academic institutions and individuals with an interest in private forestry. The group is overseen by a management board of six eminent forest industry
representatives from the timber processing, forest science, natural resource management and tertiary education sectors. For more information visit www. pfsq.net. Tel: (07) 5483 6535. Email: pfsq@bigpond.com
High and dry in Brisbane From Page 9
will refer to modern building codes and how they can be applied relative to the frequency of natural disasters. Timber Queensland chief executive Rod McInnes said the seminar would encourage high-set housing, particularly for flood plains and areas likely to flood; it would explain how timber could be used efficiently in these applications. Seminar speakers would include a representative from the Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning; Russell Brandon, executive director of the Building
Designers Association; and Colin MacKenzie, timber application and use manger, Timber Queensland. The seminar will also focus on the opportunities for prefab construction – giving credibility to the system and showing how these high-tech systems have risen above the old-fashioned, misguided concepts once associated with trailer parks and mining camps. The excessive time taken to construct residential homes in Australia using conventional building systems such as brick veneer is one of the most important challenges facing the housing market.
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issue 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 13
Classifieds Position Vacant
Structural Engineer
Position Vacant
Divisional Manager Brisbane A large Brisbane-based timber company is seeking a divisional manager with experience in the timber industry.
We require a mature minded, sales-focused, intelligent, energetic, creative thinker with sound leadership skills, good verbal and written communication skills and a high degree of integrity and common sense.
A generous salary package plus profit share will be offered to the right applicant.
Please apply in the first instance to: timber@gibsonpartners.com.au
Reports to General Manager Responsible for • Providing Technical support to the Australasian (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea) plywood, Laminated Veneer Lumber, Particleboard and Medium Density Fibreboard manufacturing industries. • Co-ordinating the EWPAA Research & Development activities • Development of Standards and Codes • Development of Technical Publications and Software • Answering of Technical enquiries from members, suppliers and general public • Providing design advice and undertaking basic structural design Location 3 Dunlop Street, Newstead, Queensland 4006 Purpose To provide high level Technical Support to meet the EWPAA Quality Policy, Goals and Objectives as established by the EWPAA Board of Directors Key Accountabilities • Technical Support • Research & Development • Standards and Codes • Maintenance / Development of Technical Publications and Software
Selection Criteria
Experience & Qualifications • Bachelor Degree in Structural Engineering or equivalent • Managerial Experience • Experience in the design of Timber Structures • Understanding of plywood and LVL as a building material • Knowledge on Wood Products manufacturing Personal Attributes • Strong communication and leadership skills • Ability to delegate efficiently • Capacity to plan and monitor personal work program • Ability to work unsupervised Competencies • Proven ability to speak / lecture in public • Proficient report writing skills • Ability to use Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access
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 14 | issue 160 | 14.02.11
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Classifieds TENDERS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FORESTS NSW Tender of six softwood plantation harvesting and haulage services contracts - Northern NSW Buy and Sell Description: Forests NSW is inviting tenders for softwood plantation harvest and haulage contracts in Northern NSW. Six (6) parcels totalling 125,000 tonnes per annum are offered. The contracts are offered for commencement 1 October 2011 with a maximum term of 6 years and are supported by existing long term log sales agreements.
Parcel Number
Contract Type
Tonnes Per Annum
Plantation Indicative Type Location
1
Harvest
50,000
Radiata & Southern pine
Casino
2
Harvest
50,000
Radiata & Southern pine
Grafton
Further information is available at www.sites. google.com/site/fnswtender, www.tenders. nsw.gov.au/nsw or via email to kelly.passaro@ sf.nsw.gov.au
3
Harvest
25,000
Hoop pine
Casino
4
Haulage
50,000
Radiata & Southern pine
Casino
Tenders close 2.00pm Thursday 24 March 2011.
5
Haulage
50,000
Radiata & Southern pine
Grafton
For more info Contact: Kelly Passaro E-mail: kelly.passaro@sf.nsw.gov.au
6
Haulage
25,000
Hoop pine
Casino
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issue 160 | 14.02.11 | Page 15
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