Issue 163

6498

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issue 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 1

Eco-wood city?

This Issue

Support swells to include more timber in Christchurch re-build

– Page 13

Shaken, not stirred .. rebuilding with new timber technologies

heart of New Zealand’s secondmost populous city.

At least 755 central city buildings face demolition according to current estimates and many thousands of residential homes

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A Better Earth Idea from Osmose

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Cont Page 3

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will need to be replaced.

Mr Moore, who ran Christchurch for nearly 10 years until 2007, says if it were up to him, a new

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TWO former Christchurch mayors believe their city will rise from the February earthquake better, and safer, than ever, but there is one stipulation – New Zealand’s oldest established city should be rebuilt with wood.

“We lost a lot of our beauty and that has to be rebuilt, in a modern way,” former Christchurch mayor Garry Moore says.

“That will mean timber, eco, three-storeyed buildings. I don’t want to see a brick building ever again.”

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Canterbury region in the South Island at 12:51 pm on February 22 causing widespread damage and multiple fatalities in the business

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Visit: www.osmose.com.au or phone: 1800 088 809 Osmose® and MicroPro® are registered trademarks of Osmose, Inc. or its subsidiaries. A Better Earth Idea from Osmose sm and Treated Wood Just Got Greener sm are slogan marks of Osmose Inc and its subsidiaries. MicroPro timber products are produced by independently owned and operated wood preserving facilities. GREENGUARD® is a registered trademark of GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. * See MicroPro fastener and hardware information sheet. © 2011 Osmose, Inc.

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issue 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 1

INDUSTRY NEWS

Industry leaders call for calm over moratorium issue The Victorian Association of Forest Industries, representing the interests of the Victorian timber Industry

THE forest industry has called for calm among signatories to the Tasmanian principles agreement, backing calls by state premier Lara Giddings and minister Bryan Green to allow the process being overseen by former ACTU secretary Bill Kelty to run its course.

The National Association of Forest Industries and the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania are disappointed that Greens leader Nick McKim and environmental groups are jeopardising the Kelty process by pushing their call for a moratorium on logging in high conservation value forests outside the agreed Kelty process.

NAFI chief executive Allan Hansard said industry groups had entered into the agreement in good faith, on the clear understanding that the moratorium and maintaining wood supply to industry were inextricably linked.

“It has always been very clear that the Statement of Principles contains a number of inconsistent, aspirational targets and conflicting principles. It has been for this reason that Mr Kelty was appointed,” he said.

“We call for the negotiations by media to cease and for the signatories to return to the table to get on with the job.”

TRUST TABMA Bill Kelty .. arbitor.

An interim report by Mr Kelty is due this week and all signatories have been urged to reserve further public comment on the moratorium.

“We also call on politicians to let the Kelty process run its course,” Mr Hansard said.

FIAT chief executive Terry Edwards said the agreement very clearly stated that no principle could be applied that would require any party to breach any contractual or statutory obligation, including Forestry Tasmania.

It was clear that any move to implement the 600,000 ha moratorium at this time would lead to a situation where Forestry Tasmania would be required to breach its contracts for wood supply to sawmills, veneer mills and to harvest and haulage contractors.

US buys illegal Peru mahogany 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 163 | 07.03.11

PERU’S government has secretly admitted that 70-90% of its mahogany exports were illegally felled, according to a US embassy cable revealed by Wikileaks.

Furthermore, Peru’s government is aware that the illegal timber is being ‘laundered’ using ‘document falsification, timber extraction outside the

concession boundaries links to bribes’.

and

The revelation will embarrass several US DIY stores who have all admitted they continue to import Amazonian hardwoods.

Home Depot, Lowe’s and Lumber Liquidators have all confirmed they use the timber in their products.

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A CITY REBUILDS

Proper city re-build needs changes in planning laws A conference of building design experts?

From Page 1

Christchurch would be built of wood rather than stone and bricks, and with three-storey limits on new buildings.

He isn’t advocating that the city go back to the future; rather, he is excited by emerging new building technologies such as laminated wood, which, he says, on some measures can be stronger than steel.

Christchurch now had an opportunity to build a model city that would attract people from around the world, Mr Moore said. Some people would leave Christchurch, but many homeowners could not afford to and others would

Garry Moore .. ‘I don’t want to see a brick building ever again’.

eventually return.

To rebuild Christchurch properly a change in planning law was

needed so it did not become the pawn of developers, planners and lawyers. The new city would be a petri dish for the government to change the way planning was done.

“We do have a chance to do the new, green, environmentally sound, fantastically state-ofthe-art, 21st-century place that will attract the brains and the thinkers of the world to come and live here.”

Mr Moore has suggested an international conference be held in Christchurch with people experienced in rebuilding after disasters, such as from Darwin and Kobe, Japan.

He also suggested the Government create a bond scheme that would allow people to invest their savings in the rebuilding of the city.

A national levy, collected alongside income tax, was needed to help fund the rebuild of Christchurch and replenish the Earthquake Commission’s coffers. The levy would probably be needed for the next 10 years, Mr Moore said.

“We all need to put our hand in our pocket to help Christchurch.

“Just as we all contribute towards the building of Auckland’s roading structure, we’ll do the same thing in Christchurch.”

Another former Christchurch mayor Vicki Buck said Christchurch would be rebuilt, though it might look different. There needed to be radically different buildings and earthquake codes, and Christchurch people would be “very wary of tall buildings” from now on.

The government and city

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Cont Page 4

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issue 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 3

A CITY REBUILDS

National levy over 10 years is needed to help fund a rebuild From Page 3

councils are refusing to commit to a tighter national building code and more stringent local body earthquake-strengthening regulations, despite calls from engineers for a tougher line on New Zealand had good building codes, but Christchurch wasn’t covered by them earthquake risk in the aftermath of Christchurch building collapses.

Wellington City Council, which decided to review its earthquake-risk building policy after the September earthquake in Christchurch, has indicated it may lift building standards.

The capital has long been considered a prime contender for a major earthquake.

Neither the Auckland nor Hamilton councils will reveal which buildings in their areas are particularly at risk; nor will they disclose specific details about their current earthquake strengthening policies and requirements.

Wellington has provided a spreadsheet showing the buildings in its central business district but it is not immediately clear which are most at risk.

Wellington mayor Celia WadeBrown says her council is reviewing potentially earthquake-risk buildings, as required by the Building Act 2004.

She says 3800 potentially

Professor Andy Buchanan .. large span and multi-storey timber buildings.

earthquake-risk buildings had earlier been identified in the city.

Dr Peter Skinner, associate professor of the School of Architecture at the University of Queensland, a strong advocate of prefabricated house concepts, said New Zealand had very good building codes – “but Christchurch wasn’t covered by them.”

He said a lot of the city’s constructions were built with steel frames – ‘K’ frames – where they use a little ductility in the steel to absorb movement.

“But you can do the same thing with a plywood panel,” he said.

“I think a lot could be done with cross-laminations. When Cont Page 6

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Page 4 | issue 163 | 07.03.11

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events

WHAT’S ON?

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 22-24: Domotex Asia-China Floor Fair. Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China.

Leading world fair for floor coverings provides a complete overview of the Asian and global market. Showcases a wide array of high quality products. Contacts: Australia – Terry J. Newman Pty Ltd, PO Box 4091, Manuka ACT 2603. Tel: 61 2 6100 8698. Mob: 61 409 407 877. China – Ecquality Timber Products Co. Ltd, Building 1, Balidian Industrial Zone, Balidian Town Wuxing District, Huzhou City.

Zhejiang Province, China. Tel: 86572-228-3097, 86-572-228-3098. www.ecqualitytimber.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 9-12: 42nd annual meeting International Research Group on Wood Protection. Queenstown, New Zealand. Venue: Moonlight Country, 15 minutes from Queenstown and 8 minutes from both Arrowtown and Queenstown Airport. Contacts: New Zealand – Jeanette Drysdale +64 9 299 9435.

Australia – Jack Norton +61 7 3255 4420.

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

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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).

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

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 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 5

A CITY REBUILDS

Wellington aims to review its earthquake risk From Page 4

you see buildings crumble in one part of the world and get washed away in another part of the world, you begin to realise the advantages of the continuity of a timber structure.”

Dr Skinner’s research involves the assembly of house components in a prefabricated format which are then transported to the building site.

“Instead of using them as horizontal members to stack them, there could be a two or three-storey vertical stack of, say, bathrooms, stairs, and kitchens that could be delivered in one unit as a way of constructing multi-storey buildings without needing external scaffolding,” he said.

Some NZ timber engineers believe they can probably go higher than three storeys in wood these days. One of the misconceptions about wood is the perceived fire risk. But with good plaster board protection of light framing timber, the fire risk is probably not much greater than in reinforced concrete or steel buildings. Heavy wooden beams don’t actually burn that easily.

A $10 million research program approved by the NZ Foundation for Research Science and Technology, based on pioneering timber engineering research undertaken at the University of Canterbury, has established the Structural Timber Innovation Co. Ltd (STIC), co-funded by government and industry, with initial funding over five years.

The company is developing large-span timber buildings for a wide range of uses in New Zealand, Australia and further afield.

Page 6 | issue 163 | 07.03.11

Dr Peter Skinner .. realising the advantages of the continuity of a timber structures.

Professor of Timber Design at Canterbury University Andy Buchanan says primary applications would include commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Flexible design would allow for occupancies to change several times during the life of the buildings.

The new pre-stressed timber building systems developed

by Professor Buchanan and Dr Stefano Pampanin will also be resistant to major earthquakes and safe in extreme weather, fires or other emergencies.

The large span and multistorey timber buildings will be pre-manufactured from high quality engineered timber including glulam and LVL. Initial developments will be large span low-rise buildings, moving on to open plan buildings up to 10 storeys or more.

Professor Pierre Quenneville, the chair of timber design at Auckland’s Faculty of Engineering, is thrilled to be involved.

“We believe that developing multi-storey, earthquake Cont Page 9

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PASSAGES

Charlie Herbert was the ‘chief’ of high timber protection standards IF anyone deserved an Australian Standards Award it was Charlie Herbert,” reflected Dr Harry Greaves about his friend Charlie Herbert.

Mr Herbert, 64, who retired as chief timber inspector for Forests NSW four years ago, died in Sydney last week. He was revered as one of the most astute and reliable guardians of the timber preservation industry.

“Charlie was a knowledgeable, helpful and committed individual who put all his time and effort into the protection of timber,” Dr Greaves said.

“He certainly put a lot of time and effort into our TPAA [Timber Preservers Association of Australia] technical committee and also other Standards Association committees.

“Charlie was one of the most committed individuals I have come across.”

In recent years, Mr Herbert was a part-time consultant to the Timber Development Association of NSW and FWPA and was also involved in the rewriting of standards for heavy structural elements such as sleepers, piles and poles.

Mr Herbert signed up with the then NSW Forestry Commission in 1965 as a cadet timber inspector. He knew he wanted to work in the bush and also that he wanted to work for the Forestry Commission.

“So for me, it was a choice of becoming a timber inspector or a forester,” he once said.

“The life of a cadet was one of almost constant change.”

His early work ranged from strength testing of various timbers through to identifying insect pests and he was sent off to the bush to work with logging foremen at operations in all types of state forests across New South Wales.

Four years after coming into

Charlie Herbert .. committed to the protection of timber.

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his cadetship, Mr Herbert became a qualified inspector and started working around Eden. He moved to Sydney, then Wollongong and returned to Sydney as chief timber inspector in 1981.

After more than 40 years working on the preservation of timber, he was just as enthusiastic about his profession as he was as a young man.

He work involved the regulated sale of treated timbers and other functions under the NSW

Timber Marketing Act. Mr Herbert cited the Act as an example of some of the earliest consumer protection laws in Australia.

“The Act ensures that buyers are getting what they pay for.

It’s about ensuring the grade and strength, preservative treatment, appearance and lyctid susceptibility are all appropriate for end use,” he would say.

Cont Page 8

issue 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 7

INDUSTRY NEWS

Willmott big Korea move for Dongwah

Green light for $68m Bombala softwood sawmill KOREAN wood-based panel manufacturer Dongwha Holdings has acquired Willmott Timber at Bombala, NSW. Timber and plantation investment company Willmott Forests went into receivership last September, owing around $120 million to its bankers.

Member for Monaro and NSW forest resources minister Steve Whan said the purchase was good news for the Monaro timber industry; construction of a new $68 million sawmill could start within weeks.

“It is an outcome that we have been working towards with the company and Mayor Bob Stewart for some time,” Mr Whan said.

Dongwha purchased 50% of Willmott from the receivers and now owns 100%.

“This means the new $68 million sawmill development at Bombala, which has been 15 years in the making, can now go ahead,” Mr Whan said.

“The government has put a tremendous amount of work into an infrastructure package of electricity and roads to support the planned new sawmill and Dongwha has indicated the sawmill should be operational by the end of 2012.

Mr Whan said the acquisition was very timely; the market for softwoods was strong across a range of customers both export and domestic.

now and into the future,” Mr Whan said.

Dongwha Holdings was founded in 1948 as a sawmilling company in Seoul. In 1968, it went into wood importing and reclamation of timber industry waste. Since the completion of its large sawmilling facility and its wood drying and furniture manufacturing facilities, it has grown remarkably.

Dongwah acquires 100% of Willmott Forests.

Steve Whan .. strong domestic and export market for softwoods.

“It should be noted that it is Forests NSW extensive softwood timber resource in the Monaro Region that has given Dongwha the opportunity to invest in the new sawmill,” he said.

Forests NSW has allocated

250,000 cub m a year of plantation radiata across the next 20 years to the new sawmill. It manages 36,000 ha of pine plantation in the Monaro region, supplying more than 600,000 tonnes of sawlog and pulplog products to domestic and export customers.

Forests NSW is about to enter a tender process for the harvest and haulage of about 500,000 tonnes a year of plantation softwood timber in the Monaro region, across a four to six-year period.

“The tender is worth about $13 million annually and highlights the significance of the plantation industry in the region both and

The group established PT.Innidongwha Development in Indonesia as a stepping stone for export and in preparation for the growth of its timber business.

Dongwha is a leader among wood-based panel manufacturers in Asia, starting with its construction of Korea’s first MDF plant.

Founded in May 2007 as a result of Dongwha’s acquisition of Kumpulan Gutherie Bhd.’s subsidiary Guthrie MDF Sdn. Bhd., Dongwah MDF (M) Sdn. Bhd.MM has an annual production capacity of 130,000 cub m and has obtained the ISO 9001:2000 certification from SIRIM QAS International for its quality assurance system.

‘Chief’ of timber standards From Page 7

Twenty years ago he started to look at the appropriate use of timber sleepers, forest red gum sleepers in particular.

Mr Herbert had key roles in a number of industry and Standards Australia committees and was a well-known face at seminars as he campaigned

Page 8 | issue 163 | 07.03.11

to educate the industry and consumers on the latest legislation and developments relating to treated timber products.

He is survived by his wife Caroline and three sons, Charlie, Robert and Jim. A private family funeral was held last Friday in Sydney.

Big output .. Dongwah has production capacity of 130,000 cub m a year.

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A CITY REBUILDS

Engineers believe they can go higher than three storeys From Page 6

resistant timber buildings is going to put New Zealand at the leading edge of international timber research,” he said.

“Timber has many advantages as a building material. It is light, easier to transport, reduces construction time, and it is sustainable.” The Auckland University research program is concentrating on largespan timber roofs and timber connections.

Researchers are using the new methods to improve timber materials, fabrication methods and connections in engineered timber roof structures.

The chief executive of the NZ Pine Manufacturers Association Lawrie Halkett said STIC had created a step change in New Zealand’s wood manufacturing and construction industries.

“It will enhance the international competitiveness of the wood manufacturing sector and will develop innovative building concepts.

A two-third scale pre-stressed LVL timber building has been designed, specified and constructed at the University of Canterbury. The building has been subjected to rigorous earthquake testing for nine months and after more than 30 simulated earthquakes it remains structurally undamaged.

After much research, a new ‘quick-connect’ knee-joint for long-span engineered timber portal frame buildings has been developed at the University of Auckland. This new system enables large member timber portal frames to be easily designed and pre-fabricated off-site, then rapidly erected and connected during the onsite construction phase. This will enable structural timber

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Lawrie Halkett .. step change in New Zealand’s wood manufacturing and construction industries

to effectively compete with other building materials in the industrial construction market.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Hyogo Earthquake Engineering Research Centre has conducted the world’s largest earthquake shake table test for timberframed towers to ascertain if seven-storey structures can survive high magnitude earthquakes.

Tested on the world’s largest shake table measuring 19.5 m x 15.25 m in Miki City, Japan, the E-Defense system, which can recreate the conditions of large earthquakes, tests to 7.5 on the Richter scale. The tests were conducted to ascertain if a six-storey, timber-framed condominium block, atop onestorey of concrete and steel representing the ground level retail, could survive intact in the face of a strong earthquake.

The structure of the sevenstorey building, measuring at 1300 sq m with 23 residential one and two-bedroom units for living space, was designed specifically not to exceed certain inter-storey drift limits.

This correlated strongly Cont Page 10

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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

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 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 9

A CITY REBUILDS

Shake testing experiment uses timber for earthquake-proof building projects From Page 9

with damage and loss, and was tested three times with simulated earthquakes, ranging from magnitudes of 6.7 to 7.5.

Carefully examining the building for signs of damage, including cracks and ruined stairs, the researchers found only cosmetic damage to the building.

The shake test is part of a larger experiment in which engineers are trying to use wood for earthquake-proof construction projects.

With earthquake research typically focusing on testing high-tech materials, such as flexible concrete or metal alloys, a group of researchers from five universities is trying to earthquake-proof wood midrise buildings, as wood is more

Shake tests in Japan .. can seven-storey structures survive high magnitude earthquakes?

prevalent in the construction business.

The first design changed the pattern of nails in a building to better distribute stiffness among

different floors. John van de Lindt, an engineer at Colorado State University, US, explains that tall wood buildings in an earthquake are vulnerable to

Grocon no ‘small beer’ for all-timber buildings AUSTRALIA’S first high-rise timber building from timber is to be built at the old Carlton & United Breweries site in Swanston Street, Melbourne.

The $100 million building will be made from softwood panels imported from Europe and fitted together in weeks to make 50 apartments more than 10 storeys.

The Grocon building, including its lift shafts, will be all timber, and will use similar technology to the nine-storey residential Stadthaus at Hackney, East London. The building, to be known as Delta, will be carbon neutral and have its own gas-fired electrical generator powered by waste woodchips, and a rain-water and a grey-

water recycling system.

Delta, to be built on top of the old brewery’s bluestone fire station, will use shredded newspaper as insulation and spruce softwood. All materials will be made fire resistant.

The building is part of Grocon’s $1.2 billion redevelopment of the brewery site that is expected to be finished by 2014.

what can be called ‘soft storey’, a phenomenon in which one storey does not remain as stiff as the floors above it.

Though engineers previously took into consideration only a building’s initial stiffness, this new model is based on measurements of how stiffness changes in a building during an earthquake. After looking at the pressure points around the building, engineers changed the nail patterns to make points of strength that coincided with the structural pressures experienced during a quake.

To add stability, the researchers also used 63 anchor tiedown systems. Running from the building’s steel-frame foundation to the roof, these steel-rod systems work to prevent the building from rocking. Steel straps and plates were attached at adjacent levels to resist shearing – the tendency for different levels to slide sideways relative to each other, and come apart.

The quake is simulated by forcing large amounts of fluid in and out of hydraulic pistons.

Those pistons, placed under the table, move it up and down, while others cause left and right, as well as front and back motions.

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Page 10 | issue 163 | 07.03.11

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Carbon tax plan would benefit the forestry sector Transforming rural land use THE federal government’s climate change adviser Ross Garnaut has released a longawaited report recommending the inclusion of forestry and agriculture in any new carbon price regime.

Professor Garnaut’s recommendation runs counter to the stated intention of prime minister Julia Gillard to exclude the forestry and agricultural sectors from a nationwide greenhouse gas emissions, carbon trading or carbon tax plan.

He believes the inclusion of forestry and agriculture would reap large economic and environmental benefits.

‘Forestry will reap economic benefits’ His report finds that if a carbon price was set at between $15 and $25 a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions a value that could be recouped by forest managers and farmers, “landholders would retain native vegetation that otherwise would have been cleared”.

But Prof. Garnaut also points out that other farmers may conclude it is better to clear forests or native vegetation on their land until carbon prices rise.

The report, the fourth in a series of eight focusing on harmful climate change, looked at reducing harmful greenhouse gas or carbon emissions by transforming rural land use.

Prof. Garnaut concluded that there was great potential for gas emission abatement by allowing forest managers and farmers to participate fully in a carbon price scheme, largely by

EWPs that tick ALL the boxes Engineered wood products manufactured

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selling offset credits.

In Tasmania, the Garnaut report is timely as environmentalists

Professor Ross Garnaut .. wants forestry included in new carbon price regime.

and the forest industry negotiate an immediate moratorium on logging as much as 600,000 ha of high-conservation-value forest.

“In Tasmania, governments, forest industries and environmental organisations are working through the details of a proposed agreement that could see a substantial reduction in native forest logging on public land,” the report notes. “If the agreement proceeds, it could deliver [carbon emission] mitigation benefits”.

Key ways forest managers and farmers are likely to change their habits and practices once carbon is processed at about $20 a tonne include planting tree belts for carbon storage on farms; preserving rather than harvesting native forests; greater establishment of plantations with the express purpose of carbon storage; and greater incorporation of carbon into farm soils as a biosequestration store.

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issue 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 11

CERTIFICATION

Membership boost for AFS assures industry is prepared for certification A REVITALISED membership campaign by Australian Forestry Standard Ltd is off to a good start in 2011 following entry into and support for the scheme by three new members – TABMA Australia, Forest Plantations Queensland and Hancock Victoria Plantations.

Welcoming these memberships, AFS chief executive Kayt Watts said organisations that were considering certification, and those who had not been aware of its benefits, should consider starting the process now.

The federal government will introduce legislation this year to restrict illegally logged timber imports. Timber suppliers will be required to undertake a process of due diligence by verifying the legal origins of timber products and disclosing species, country of harvest and any certification at the first point of entry of timber products onto the Australian market.

This multi–faceted approach will ensure the removal of unfair competition on the Australian industry from illegally logged timber imports and will enhance the momentum for combating illegal logging initiated by the US and the European Union “I am concerned that the current accredited certification bodies are already under pressure as more and more organisations seek certification,” Ms Watts said.

“If others wait thinking they have time before the close of the twoyear review of the legislation, they may find a large backlog of organisations all waiting as well.”

AFS chain of custody certification covers the due diligence and code of conduct required to meet the new proposed legislation.

AS 4707, the Australian standard for wood products chain of custody, is an inventory system ensuring traceability of wood and wood products back to their

Page 12 | issue 163 | 07.03.11

Kayt Watts .. maintaining a credible and robust Australian standard.

Colin Fitzpatrick .. chain of custody not the bogeyman some people think it is.

source, the sustainably managed forest.

Ms Watts said invitations had gone to other industry stakeholders to partner through membership with AFSL. “It is an important time to stand by the standard-setting body for forest management in Australia as we focus on all the key issues facing the forestry industry and the wood and wood products supply chain,” she said.

“By increasing our membership base and diversity, the AFSL board can look to members to assist in the development of AFS strategies and future directions.”

Forestry, timber and wood products and environmental organisations, associations and government agencies, both state and federal, and individuals who have a vested interest in the forestry industry, are invited to join the AFSL stakeholder membership group.

These stakeholders, through their membership fees, provide AFSL the funding needed to continually develop and maintain the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme (AFCS) and its elements. This ensures current and topical issues are addressed and reviewed in regards to the standards and where necessary to establish research and development projects and

develop consultation forums of the current standards.

The stakeholder group provides members the opportunity to be involved through collaboration and the ability to contribute to the direction and requirements of improving the standards and/ or developing new standards aligned to AFCS. Four membership classes in AFSL comprise government; the forestry and wood products sector; employee representative organisations; general.

Membership as at June 2010 includes 25 organisations or individuals.

There are eight directors on the board – government (4); forest and wood products (3); employee representative organisations (1); and general (1).

“AFSL promotes and encourages stakeholder and public consultation to maintain an open and transparent process for the development and maintenance of the AFCS,” Kayt Watts said.

“By becoming a stakeholder member, through your organisation, you can ensure that the AFCS aligns with industry needs and requirements, and/ or addresses any environmental and political issues, while helping to maintain a credible and robust Australian standard through the consultation process.

“Additional benefits include correspondence, newsletters, access to AFSL web blogs, AFSL help line, distributions and publications.”

TABMA Australia chief executive Colin Fitzpatrick said taking out membership of AFS was very worthwhile.

“We have appointed our own lead CoC auditor, Darrel Jones, on the recommendation of Kayt Watts,” he said.

“In turn, AFS has become a member of TABMA Australia.”

Mr Fitzpatrick said TABMA’s CoC service was provided under a sub-contract arrangement with the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia and the CEO Simon Dorries had expertly smoothed the transition.

He said accompanied by Kayt Watts he had visited TABMA members in New South Wales and South Australia to explain certification and the chain of custody process.

“We reassured them that this was not the ‘bogeyman’ that a lot of people thought it was.”

Mr Fitzpatrick has set up discussions with Lawrie Halkett of the NZ Pine Manufacturers Association, offering assistance from TABMA Australia and its members after the Christchurch earthquake.

“We stand ready to help after this crisis, if and when needed,” he said.

Mr Fitzpatrick and his wife leave for a holiday in West Coast USA and Canada this week. While there he will visit Vancouver Island for talks with Western Forest Products, a Canadian lumber company, and discussions on the trans-Pacific sea trade with Swire Shipping.

“I will also fulfil a lifelong dream to visit the Museum of Flight, an air and space museum at Boeing Field in Washington state,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

ATIF pays tribute to Paul Elsmore Timber importers gather in Brisbane THE many years devoted to the timber industry, particularly the import sector and forest and product certification, by respected timber trader Paul Elsmore were recognised at a meeting of the Australian Timber Importers Federation in Brisbane last Thursday.

Mr Elsmore recently retired as an ATIF board member and has stepped down as chief executive of Simmonds Lumber Pty Ltd. He will continue to work as a consultant for the company developing certification programs in southeast Asia.

Presenting a rosewood case to Mr Elsmore, ATIF chairman Nils Koren paid tribute to Mr Elsmore’s valuable contribution to the industry, in particular his incredible attention to detail.

Mr Elsmore said it had been a great journey – “but it’s not

Chairman of the Australian Timber Importers Federation Nils Koren (left) makes a presentation to retiring board member Paul Elsmore during an ATIF meeting at Timber House in Brisbane last Thursday.

Looking on is ATIF technical manager John Halkett.

finished yet,” he said, referring to his on-going commitment to tracking down illegal wood and promoting accredited certification.

Mr Koren said ATIF’s invited input into new federal

Getting together at the ATIF meeting in Brisbane are Lou Buffo, strategic supply manager, Le Messurier Timber & Building Products, Port Adelaide, Graeme Ferrow, managing director, Timbeck Cedar Products, Brisbane, and Michael Swan, managing director, Swan Le Messurier Pty Ltd, Sydney.

legislation on illegal logging was an exciting opportunity for the industry.

“We welcome the government’s reaffirmation of its illegal logging policy and the supporting legislation,” Mr Koren said.

Karen Johnston, chief executive, TABMA Queensland, catches up with TABMA vicepresident Keith Maitland, sales manager, Tasman KB Pty Ltd, Brisbane, and Chris Woodhouse, managing director, Woodhouse Timbers, Brisbane, and president of the Queensland Timber Importers Exporters and Wholesalers Association.

“ATIF appreciates critical aspects of the policy, such as transition arrangements and industry support.

“This will allow the industry to continue to work closely with Canberra on policy, legislation and implementation details.

It is also anticipated that the government will continue to assist and support industry measures directed at the same outcome.”

Mr Koren said imported timber products would continue to be an increasingly critical ingredient in Australia’s house construction industry.

“A strong timber importing sector will enable the country to work its way out of a substantial housing shortage, providing a wide range of certified building materials.”

Robert Cairns, sales manager, Tasman KB Pty Ltd, Melbourne, chats with Sanctuary Covebased Norm Tilling of Tilling Timber, Melbourne.

Expanded program for Frame Australia 2012 FRAME Australia’s 2012 conference program will be expanded to include innovative software technology and emerging business model concepts that will create major changes to timber product supplier and builder-customer relationships.

The major national event for engineered timber and building

pre-fabrication since 1998, Frame Australia 2012 will be held on June 18 and 19 next year in Melbourne.

Jointly founded by TimberTrader News publisher Greg King and industry marketer Kevin Ezard, Frame Australia has continued to generate a strong national following with the conference and exhibition display held

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every two years.

After a change in ownership, Greg King has stepped aside leaving Kevin Ezard to manage the ongoing event.

Frame Australia topics will continue to deliver vital information on developments in timber frame and roof truss design and manufacturing, with

greater participation by the building industry on housing trends and future supply chain requirements.

Details of the conference program and sponsorship opportunities will be available from July 2011, and for further information or to register interest visit www.frameaustralia.com.au

issue 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 13

Gala Dinner - UN International Year of Forests 2011 7.00 pm 8.00 pm

Guest Details

Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra 21 March Cocktail Reception sponsored by Forestry Tasmania Address by Rebecca White MP, Tasmanian Ambassador IYOF Gala Dinner Keynote Address - Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry MC - Glenn Milne, Political Commentator Presentation of Industry Awards CONFIRMATION OF RSVP IS ESSENTIAL

Name:

Title:

Organisation: Position Held: Address:

Phone:

Email:

Special Dietary requirements: Please note that all payments of $195.00 inc GST per person must be received prior to the dinner

□ Credit Card - VISA / MASTERCARD Name on card: Card Number: Expiry Date: □ Bank Transfer - option available

□ Cheque - payable to National Association of Forest Industries Please return this form by Friday 11 March to: Attention Alice Logan Edwards Or alternatively email to: National Association of Forest Industries enquiries@nafi.com.au PO Box 239 Deakin West Or fax to: 02 6285 3855 ACT 2600

Page 14 | issue 163 | 07.03.11

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issue 163 | 07.03.11 | Page 15

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