Issue 174

6521

AFS/01-10-01 www.forestrystandard.org.au

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issue 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 1

Wild ideas

This Issue • Federal Budget forgets forestry • Troubled waters in South Australia

Industry ‘held to ransom’ as TWS walks away from forest agreement

A bad sign for Tasmania’s forest agreement.

unfortunate in my mind.”

However, some forest industry groups involved in the

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• Illegal wood: fear of bogus legality licences • Guide book for sawmillers launched in Brisbane

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THE Wilderness Society has been accused of holding the signatories of Tasmania’s historic forest agreement to ransom.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said the agreement would survive after the society withdrew from negotiations last week, but that the state and federal governments were under pressure to intervene to save it.

“What it shows is that when the going gets tough The Wilderness Society walk out,” Ms Giddings said.

“To think you can just have everything your own way, and if you don’t you can pick up your bat and leave, is a little bit

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issue 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 1

INDUSTRY NEWS

Industry seeks to fill positions for senior executives The Victorian Association of Forest Industries, representing the interests of the Victorian timber Industry

APPOINTMENTS are expected soon to fill senior positions in two key industry organisations.

The Australian Forest Products Association, created by a merger of A3P and the National Association of Forest Industries, is advertising for a chief executive and Forest and Wood Products Australia is seeking a timber standards manager to replace Neil Evans who is leaving next month.

With the inaugural chair based in Melbourne, offices in Canberra and members in all major states, the AFPA board is relaxed as to the location of a new CEO. Applications for the position close on May 30.

Neil Evans leaves FWPA to take a senior role with a prominent building industry association.

He joined FWPA as timber standards manager in October 2009 bringing wide experience in the building sector.

“Neil will be leaving on June 7 but I’m sure he will maintain

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 174 | 23.05.11

INDUSTRY SEMINAR The Supply Chain: Obstacles and Opportunities Friday, October 28 Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont, Sydney

Neil Evans .. moving to building industry sector.

a soft spot for the timber industry in his new role,” FWPA managing director Ric Sinclair said.

“Over the last 20 months, Neil has done a great job establishing FWPA’s standards strategy. He has implemented a range of new processes and developed a cooperative working relationship with Standards Australia.”

Big jump in Russian log exports RUSSIA has increased its exports of hardwood logs by almost 40% this year.

When the country announced a log export tax of 25% in 2007 and the intention to increase this tax to 80% in 2009, many forest companies in Asia and Europe reduced their reliance on Russian logs. As a result, total log exports from Russia fell from 51 million cub m in 2006 to about 22 million cub m 2009 and 2010.

Wood Resource Quarterly says the jump in exports is expected to continue during 2011 and 2012 as Russian log export taxes are reduced.

Much of this increase in shipments has been to China,

A date for your diaries!

Finland and Japan.

It is still not clear exactly what the new log export taxes may be and when they will be implemented. Softwood log taxes may fall to somewhere between 5-10% and hardwood log taxes will probably be lower.

The lower tax rates are not likely to be instigated until Russia has been recognised as a full member in the World Trade Organisation, which may not be until early 2012.

Russia has not only increased its exports of logs but also of softwood lumber. From 2008 to 2010, exports were up 18%, reaching a record 17.5 million cub m last year, according to WRQ.

TABMA Australia and the Australian Timber Importers Federation are joining forces to stage the timber industry’s ‘must attend’ event for 2011.

The seminar will cover key political and operational aspects of the timber industry supply chain, together with wider timber industry business environment, wood-based product marketing and matters related to company-level business issues.

The event will appeal to the broad cross section of companies and organisations in the timber supply chain, their suppliers, supporters and related businesses and interests.

Early sponsorship of this high-profile industry event is invited to guarantee maximum exposure.

Watch for regular updates.

Seminar details and sponsorship packages available from: Colin Fitzpatrick, Timber and Building Materials Association Tel: 02 9277 3100 John Halkett, Australian Timber Importers Federation Tel: 02 9356 3826

www.tabma.com.au

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illegal logging

Fear of bogus legality licences if Illegal wood laws are not policed AN international authority on timber trading and forest management fears there could be an “explosion of bogus legality licences” if new laws on illegal timber imports were not properly policed.

Authorities in the European Union have taken the only practical option – to reinforce existing procurement policies developed by the private sector to reduce the risk of illegal wood entering supply chains, says Rupert Oliver is former adviser on forestry and environmental issues with the UK Timber Federation.

“Their option is not chain of custody systems for labelling specific product lines, but company procurement policies and management systems that

require scrutiny of 100% of wood purchases to assess the illegality risk,” Mr Oliver said.

His comments in the UK Timber Trades Journal relate to last week’s Senate Inquiry on the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011 (see Page 6).

Industry witnesses attending the inquiry last Monday included representatives of the Australian Forest Products Association, the Australian Timber Importers Federation, Australian Forestry Standard Ltd, the Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Association, the Window and Door Industry Council, the Decorative Wood Veneers Association, Timber Merchants Association (Vic) and Australian Forest Growers.

Submissions were also heard

Rupert Oliver .. illegal logging symptomatic of other deeper problem

from Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the Humane Society, the Australian Network of Environmental Defender’s

Office and the New Zealand High Commission.

A report from the Senate is expected by Friday, May 27.

Mr Oliver, a director of UKbased Forest Industries Intelligence Ltd, which promotes international trade in sustainable wood, and whose qualifications include a Master in Forest Business Administration and a BA (Hons) in Geography, said he had little confidence in the accuracy of figures bandied around on the percentage of wood imports or global production being derived from illegal sources at a cost of so many billions of dollars.

“I don’t think they have much Cont Page 8

The 2011 conference has been specifically scheduled to coincide with Parliamentary sitting week to maximise engagement opportunities with MPs. It is highly recommended that interested conference attendees to make travel arrangements early, as flights and accommodation are difficult to secure during Parliamentary sitting weeks.

Associated workshops and meetings will be held on September 13 and 15.

Registrations open soon.

ForestWorks performs a range of industry wide functions acting as the channel between industry, government and the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.

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

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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

issue 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 3

Celebrate innovation and advances in forestry, wood products and design just before the international rugby starts on 9 September. Be part of the forestry and wood processing revolution. If you have anything to do with wood you and your company must be there.

Book your place and get more information, www.fi2011.co.nz The PF Olsen Forest Industries Expo 2011 will showcase the latest equipment, technology and systems from New Zealand and around the world, to an international audience. You can book to attend or register for a display site indoors or outdoors through www.fi2011.co.nz The BNZ Forest Industries Tech Clinics will feature 14 practical and independent clinics that will cover every facet of the forestry sector, from new tools for improving efficiencies in forest management through to the very latest in timber design, construction and building practices. For more information go to www.fi2011.co.nz.

The BNZ Forest Industries Conference on 7 September will focus on innovation and design in timber construction following the tragic earthquakes in Japan and Christchurch (2011), Haiti (2010), Chile (2010) and Italy (2009).

International speakers will cover recent major advances in design, technology and construction. For more information go to www.fi2011.co.nz

Page 4 | issue 174 | 23.05.11

www.fi2011.co.nz

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events

WHAT’S ON?

MAY

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.

JUNE 15-17: SawTECH 2011. Sawing technologies to improve mill performance. Brisbane. Visit www. fiea.com.nz 17-19: Timber & Working with Wood Show. The Entertainment Quarter, Sydney. Contact: (02) 9974 1393. Fax: (02) 9974 3426, Email: info@eee.net.au 26-28: Build NZ. ASB Show grounds, Auckland.

JULY 7: HIA Industry Outlook Luncheon, HIA Home Ideas Centre, 28 Collie Street, Fyshwick ACT. Contact (02) 6285 7300.

13-14: Carbon Forestry 2011.

Key investment drivers and future business opportunities. Auckland, NZ. Visit www.fiea.com.nz 19-20: FTMA Australia National Conference, Newcastle. Join FTMA Australia members on Tuesday, July 29, and network over golf at the Newcastle Golf Club and other activities. Wednesday, July 20,FTMA Australia AGM prior to conference commencing at 10am.

21-22: Reinventing Wood. Pine Manufacturers Association and Wood Processors Association joint annual conference.

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Nelson, NZ. Participate and learn how industry intends to position itself, post-Canterbury earthquakes.

Reinventing Wood aims to lift the focus of participants from commodity production to highvalued manufactured and branded timber solutions in domestic and export markets. Strong emphasis on the potential for re-creating Christchurch with innovative wooden building. Registration form: www.pine.net.nz/annualconference/registration-2001 Program www.pine.net.nz/annualconferenceprogramme-2001.

Contact: NZPMA. Tel: +64 3 544 1086. Email: info@pine.net.nz Visit: www.pine.net.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.

Email: office@bawden.co.nz Website site: fi2010.co.nz

October 16-19: SilviLaser 2011. University of Tasmania, Hobart. Visit www. silvilaser2011.com 21-23: Timber & Working with Wood Show. Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale. Contact: (02) 9974 1393. Fax: (02) 9974 3426, Email: info@eee. net.au

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31-2 (Nov): 5th International Woodfibre Resources & Trade Conference. Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore.

Contact Pamela Richards on 61 3 5781 0069. Visit www. woodfibreconference.com

SEPTEMBER 5, 6, 8: WoodSolutions 2011.

Bringing together leading international and Australasian exponents of timber design.

Adelaide (Monday September 5), Intercontinental Adelaide, North Terrace. Sydney (Tuesday, September 6), Sydney Marriott Hotel, College Street. Melbourne (Thursday, September 8), The Windsor Hotel, Spring Street. Visit www.woodsolutions.com.au

NOVEMBER 8-11: IUFRO Forest Health Joint Meetings. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. Organised by the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) in Uruguay, the University of Uruguay (UDELAR) and the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO). Motivated by the massive development of the forestry sector in several countries in South America, including Uruguay, during the last decades, the increasing significance of the forest ecosystems worldwide and the preponderant role of the Forest Protection tasks in these ecosystems. Visit www. iufrouruguay2011.org

july 2012 11-14: AWISA 2012. Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Contact: Contact Exhibitions Pty Ltd, PO Box 925, Avalon NSW 2107. Tel: 612 9918 3661 Email: info@awisa.com Web: www.awisa.com

Australia’s forest, wood, pulp and paper products industry now has a stronger voice in dealings with government, the community and in key negotiations on the industry’s future, as two peak associations have merged to form a single national association.

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has been formed through the merger of the Australian Plantations Products and Paper Industry Council (A3P) and the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI).

AFPA was established to cover all aspects of Australia’s forest industry: - Forest growing; - Harvest and haulage; - Sawmilling and other wood processing; - Pulp and paper processing; and - Forest product exporting.

For more information on the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) or to enquire about membership , please call (02) 6285 3833.

issue 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 5

ILLEGAL LOGGING

Import policy must not impose costs on industry: AFPA IT was critical that any future policy on imports did not impose unnecessary and costly regulation on the domestic industry, which was already subject to high standards of legal compliance, Australian Forest Products Association policy manager Mick Stephens said.

Speaking ahead of AFPA’s appearance before Senate Inquiry on illegal logging last Monday, Mr Stephens said it was important that any requirements for domestic industry, as a result of the regulation of imports and World Trade Organisation rules, did not duplicate existing systems and impose unnecessary costs.

“Any added compliance costs would be a double hit for local exporters who are currently dealing with the high Australian dollar,” he said.

“Illegally sourced wood also distorts the market and can threaten the viability of Australia’s own forest industry and the livelihoods of employees and communities that depend on the industry.

“Australian governments should promote the economic and environmental benefits of using locally grown and sustainably produced wood products, including the high adoption of internationally recognised third party certification schemes and standards – which require chain of custody verification.

“Australia must also encourage sustainable management practices in overseas forestry operations to emulate the high standards we have in Australia.”

The draft Bill on illegal logging had caused timber businesses and some Australian trading

Page 6 | issue 174 | 23.05.11

Mick Stephens .. existing systems must not be duplicated.

partners, genuine concern, Opposition spokesman on forestry Senator Richard Colbeck said.

“A central theme of those concerns is that the Bill in its current form is overly bureaucratic and applies an unnecessary layer of cost to the import of timber and timber products,” Senator Colbeck said.

“In my view, the government has a lot more work to do on this piece of legislation.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman from the Papua New Guinea forest industry told the Senate Inquiry that the illegal logging problem has been overstated and the proposed solutions would harm producers.

The PNG Forest Industries Association in its submission to the inquiry made four key recommendations for the proposed legislation: • That it follows the Australian government’s own commissioned report and adopts a ‘quasi-regulatory’ approach.

• That it recognises the International Tropical Timber Cont Page 7

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ILLEGAL LOGGING

Legislation would have a negative impact on family foresters in PNG From Page 6

Organisation’s definition of illegal logging.

• That Australian efforts to reduce illegal logging focus on capacity development in partner countries.

• That independent thirdparty verification schemes be recognised by the government.

Chief executive Bob Tate also told the Senate committee that the proposed legislation would have a negative impact on family foresters in PNG that are operating legally but would not be able to absorb the costs of implementing a third-party legality verification system.

The issue of increasing costs was also highlighted in submissions from the Canadian and New Zealand government

and Australian producers.

New Zealand’s submission notes that the vast majority of exported timber products are sourced from plantations, with more than 50% of these certified under the Forest Stewardship Council.

The submission also points out that there are no laws in place governing harvesting of New Zealand’s plantations; the problem is that according to the Australian proposal, legality verification will be based on the

laws of the country of harvest.

Small forest growers, who generate about 10% of Australian timber, have similarly taken issue with the legislation on costs. The new laws could require them to certify their operations for legality, despite already having to comply with existing national, state and local council regulations.

Bob Tate .. legislation harmful to family foresters in PNG.

Laws ‘overly bureaucratic’ THE draft Bill on illegal logging had caused timber businesses and some Australian trading partners, genuine concern, Opposition spokesman on forestry Senator Richard Colbeck said.

“A central theme of those concerns is that the Bill in its current form is overly bureaucratic and applies an unnecessary layer of cost to the import of timber and timber products,” Senator Colbeck said.

“In my view, the government has a lot more work to do on this piece of legislation.”

He said the Coalition supported the broader principle of making it an offence to import timber products that have not been verified as legally harvested.

“This was a policy we took to the last federal election,” Senator Colbeck said.

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issue 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 7

illegal logging

Still no clear picture of the scale of illegal wood entering supply chains From Page 3

relevance to the discussion,” he said.

“The rhetoric has moved the agenda forward. But now the law is in place, it is time to put it in its true context.”

[The European Parliament and European Council have approved legislation which prohibits the sale of timber logged illegally under the rules of the country of origin. In addition, companies must use a system of ‘due diligence’ to ascertain that the timber they sell in the EU was harvested legally].

Mr Oliver said much of the dialogue to date had given the impression that there was a clear idea of the scale of the illegal logging problem, where it was occurring and why.

“I’m not sure we do,” he said. “The numbers on illegal logging levels are often poorly researched. In some instances ‘Much of the dialogue to date has given the impression that we have a clear idea of the scale of the illegal logging problem, where it is occurring and why. I’m not sure we do’ they are still heavily dependent on how the term is defined.

“The level of illegal wood exported from Papua New Guinea, for example, has been variously estimated at 0% or 100%. Which number you accept depends on your interpretation of the legal framework and bias regarding the legitimacy of industrial logging in tropical forests.

“That’s not to say that illegal logging is not a significant problem; there’s plenty of evidence indicating it is widespread and very damaging in parts of the humid tropics

Page 8 | issue 174 | 23.05.11

Essential to improve the quantitative data on the risk of illegal wood entering supply chains.

and eastern Europe.”

Mr Oliver said illegal logging was also symptomatic of other deeper problems. These included weak land tenure – acting as a disincentive for long-term forest management and an incentive for timber mining for short-term profit; pressure to convert forest land for more profitable uses, especially commercial agriculture; a lack of technical and administrative resources for forest law enforcement; corruption in government and forest and other agencies; and a democratic deficit leading to national governments imposing forest laws without proper consultation or consent.

He said there was little understanding of the technical or economic realities of forestry practice, or without considering the needs of local communities.

“What is often overlooked in this debate is that there are many areas where the combination of secure land tenure, a strong civil society, a wealthy and educated population, a free press and a lightly regulated timber trade has delivered not only legal, but also sustainable forestry practices,” Mr Oliver said.

He said illegal logging laws should not be seen as a mechanism to increase the level of state control over the wood trade. Rather it should create a level playing field.

Mr Oliver said it was essential to improve quantitative data on the risk of illegal wood entering supply chains in order best to target resources and avoid imposing unnecessary controls on wood from areas where risks of illegal supply are low.

“We also need to view new laws as an opportunity to develop an efficient riskbased model for environmental procurement. This could then be extended to other timberconsuming countries and other material sectors with a larger environmental footprint,” he said.

Mr Oliver said the central component of the EU Timber Regulation legislation was a prohibition on trading products derived from illegally harvested timber within the EU. “Rather than compelling operators to demonstrate legality, the obligation is on European authorities to prove that a timber product derives from an illegal source in order to pursue a prosecution,” he said.

“However, it does oblige importers to exercise due care to minimise the risk of any illegal wood entering their supply chains.

Mr Oliver asks, why focus on legality when the real prize is sustainability? And why introduce due diligence obligations for traders rather than simply demand government-endorsed legality certificates at point of delivery into the market?

He said the answer to these questions had much to do with national sovereignty and World Trade Organisation compliance.

‘Rather than compelling operators to demonstrate legality, the obligation is on authorities to prove that a timber product derives from an illegal source in order to pursue a prosecution’ “Consumer country laws demanding production standards different from those enshrined in the laws of producer countries are seen by producers as an infringement of national sovereignty,” Mr Oliver said. Unless conformance to rules for ‘sustainable timber’ can be demonstrated through internationally recognised standards and certification systems, all such measures risk a challenge under WTO rules.

“Systems like FSC and PEFC have considerable merit. But neither can claim to be built on a national consensus forestry standard within all the member states of the WTO. And less than 2% of forest in Asia, Latin America and Africa is FSC or PEFC certified.

“Even within North America and Europe, most non-industrial private forest owners are not yet Cont Page 9

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industry news

Global structure to regulate production From Page 8

engaged in forest certification.

So it is more acceptable and constructive for consuming countries to assist producer governments to enforce their own forest laws than to dictate sustainability standards.”

Mr Oliver suggested establishment of an international legality licensing system, which would require development of a global framework to regulate

the entire wood production chain from extraction through to entry into the market.

“Demanding legality licences for all imports would add unnecessary costs in supply of wood from regions where there is little risk. There would also be potential for discrimination against smaller non-industrial owners, given the difficulties of tracking wood where they predominate,” he said.

Budget forgets forestry THE Federal Budget is seriously underwhelming for Australia’s forest industries and fails to reveal the cost of Labor’s carbon tax on forest businesses, says Coalition forestry spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck.

“The neglect of forestry will no doubt disappoint the industry but it is not surprising given federal Labor has failed to devise any new policies or programs in this area since prior to the 2007 election,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Labor has let a number of forestry programs lapse without replacement and there is no new investment flagged for this year, or in the forward estimates.

“There was $40 million invested in programs to support the industry over the last three years, but in the three years ahead there is nothing.”

Senator Colbeck said the government’s failure to include carbon tax figures in the Budget meant forest businesses still did not know the real cost increases that lay ahead.

“Fuel and power are key expenses for people like haulage and harvest contractors and mill operators and Labor’s carbon tax is guaranteed to push up prices,” he said.

“Currently, wood exports are valued around at $2.3 billion but Labor’s carbon tax will make it much harder for Australian products to compete internationally.

“The only direct new spending in Labor’s Budget was a suspicious allocation of $300,000 towards Tasmania’s forest negotiations.”

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.

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Yasi wind speeds over-blown A REPORT in T&F enews last week, based on early Bureau of Meteorology estimates, overstates wind speeds over North Queensland from Cyclone Yasi.

Although the bureau estimated Category 5 winds for a 3-4 hour period from Ingham to Cairns, more reliable on-ground wind speeds measured by the Townsville cyclone testing

station show winds were more likely to be Cat 3 or 4 and did not exceed 240 km an hour.

The station’s post-cyclone report shows there was low incidence of damage in buildings constructed or extensively modified to post1980 timber building codes, which is expected as winds in the surveyed area were less than design wind speeds.

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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 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 9

INDUSTRY NEWS

Industry betters its safety record

Guide book for sawmillers launched in Brisbane THE collaborative spirit between industry and government needed to make real progress in safety was already flourishing within the timber sector, Queensland’s Minister for Industrial Relations Cameron Dick said in Brisbane.

He was speaking at the launch of the Sawmill Industry Health and Safety Guide 2011 at a timber Industry workplace health and safety workshop.

More than 60 delegates checked into Broncos Leagues Club for the workshop arranged in conjunction with Timber Queensland, TABMA Queensland, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WorkCover, Q-Comp and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

Mr Dick said the timber industry

InSurAnce..

It’S All In the SelectIon

Industry safety .. the Minister for Industrial Relations Cameron Dick (second from right) launches the Sawmill Industry Health and Safety Guide 2011 in Brisbane with Rod McInnes, chief executive, Timber Queensland, Jo Kitney, state safety manager, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland and Karen Johnston, chief executive, TABMA Queensland.

was one of the most dangerous in the state, with almost one injury recorded every single day of the year.

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“The better news is that the number of workers compensation claims in the industry reached its highest level in 2005-06 and has decreased since then,” he said.

“That is a good sign that the industry is working hard to improve its safety performance.”

The Sawmilling Industry Health and Safety Guide has been developed by the Queensland Government, through Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, after lengthy consultation with Timber Queensland and industry stakeholders.

It is an updated and revised version of a guide that was developed in the 1990s,

Representing Agri-Science Queensland .. Dan Field, research assistant, and Robbie McGavin, research facility and project manager.

and includes the very latest in safety advice. It includes sections on chainsaws, docking saws, chippers, conveyors, cranes, heavy machinery and plant, power tools, ladders, scaffolding and fire pits.

There are also tips for working under traditionally dangerous conditions such as height, confined spaces, hazardous substances and dangerous goods.

Mr Dick said the federal government and all states and territories were working to introduce a set of consistent workplace health and safety laws.

Legislation to implement the national model law was introduced into the Queensland Parliament last week and is likely to be debated soon, in time for the commencement date of January 1, 2012.

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Insuring it all stacks up.

Seminar speaker Alan Jones, managing director of Ausbrokers Premier Pty Ltd (left) and fellow director Paul Hogan chat with Sam Brooker, manager, manufacture strategy group, Workplace, Health and Safety (centre).

Page 10 | issue 174 | 23.05.11

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ISSUES

Logging moratorium has no regard to supply agreements From Page 1

they understood the society’s frustrations with government inaction on the pact.

Chief executive of the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania Terry Edwards said the forest industry groups understood the positions of state and federal governments.

“Given the fragile nature of the negotiation process we can understand their cautionary approach to the process. And given the recent behaviour of the TWS, this cautionary approach has been vindicated.

“They cannot and should not be expected to provide funding for anything that has not been agreed to by all the parties to the agreement,” Mr Edwards said.

“All parties are experiencing similar frustrations and tensions but have had the resolve to stay in the process. We believe little can be achieved through the TWS approach. It appears that rather than expressing frustration with the speed of the process, it is a tactic to pursue their own agenda which includes an immediate logging moratorium without regard to wood supply agreements.

The Australian Forest Products Association says the move by TWS was not a surprise given the form of ENGOs in previous forest negotiations.

Chief executive Allan Hansard said it was unfortunate that the TWS has acted in a similar fashion to ENGOs in previous

Terry Edwards .. little can be achieved through the TWS approach

forest negotiations such as the Regional Forest Agreements and Salamanca process.

“It is genuinely disappointing that The Wilderness Society

has shown that it is not truly committed to the forest principles process – and when the negotiations get tough or they don’t get their way, they walk away,” Mr Hansard said.

“It is also disappointing that we have seen these tactics before in previous negotiations such as the RFA process in the 1990s.

“The TWS have been duplicitous in its involvement in the forest negotiations. On one hand they have been in the negotiations talking about ‘peace in the forests’ while on the other hand they have been outwardly promoting protests against legitimate forest activities outside the process.

“The TWS actions in wanting to Cont Page 12

Conference focuses on forests in the Pacific

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issue 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 11

issues

Governments must back the agreement with cash and action: forest contractors From Page 11

be in and out of the process as they see fit is an abuse of the privilege of being at the forest negotiation table. There are numerous community groups who have just as much interest in forest issues as the TWS that have been excluded from the process. If the TWS do not want to be part of the process maybe the opportunity ought to be provided to another community organisation, one that will not abuse the privilege.”

The Forest Contractors Association said governments must back the agreement with cash and action.

“We are disappointed with The Wilderness Society’s actions in response to the lack of engagement by government, but our frustration is also very real,” association chief executive Ed Vincent said. “It’s time for governments to provide leadership. The need is real and urgent.”

Coalition forestry spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck said.

The Wilderness Society should only be welcomed back into Tasmania’s forestry talks if it agreed to certain conditions.

“Primarily, TWS must be prepared to cease its continued public misrepresentation of the process,” he said. “This includes distorting the intent and purpose of the moratorium on 560,000 ha of native forest.

“The society should also commit to entering into genuine negotiations rather than operating via threats and demands.

“It is well acknowledged this is a difficult process. Walking in and out of the negotiations as a tactic or on a whim is disrespectful to the other signatories.

“Some of the other participants may also have their own conditions for the Wilderness Society re-entering the process.”

Senator Colbeck said if the Wilderness Society did not

Richard Colbeck .. walk-out disrespectful to the other signatories.

agree to rejoin as a negotiator, rather than dictator, it should not have access to any of the $300,000 allocated by the commonwealth to parties involved in the negotiations.

“The $300,000 should be split equally between the nine remaining participants to increase the capacity of the genuine negotiators,” Senator Colbeck added.

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Page 12 | issue 174 | 23.05.11

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Meanwhile, a debate over the need to conserve forests versus converting them for industrial use grew heated at Australian National University forum recently.

The forum brought together policy experts, scientists, and a forestry lobbyist to discuss Australia’s role in overseas forestry. But an exchange between William Laurance, an ecologist at James Cook University, and Alan Oxley, a former Australian trade ambassador who lobbies on behalf of forestry interests, became the focus of the event.

Laurance blasted Oxley for representing himself as a moderate voice on forestry issues and portraying his World Growth International group as a humanitarian organisation. He said that Oxley took positions supporting large forestry interests, rather than the rural poor.

Oxley retorted that his groups never hid the fact they are supported by forestry interests, but added that he wouldn’t disclose specific funders.

Laurance took Oxley to task for “misrepresentation” and “corruption” of scientific data.

He cited examples where Oxley inaccurately claimed scientists and conservationists support his world view. Laurance also said Oxley is a well-known climate change denier.

Oxley responded by claiming tropical forest countries already have 25-55% of their land preserved and that there is no scientific proof further deforestation will harm biodiversity.

The hostile exchange ended with Oxley blasting the forum organisers, implying that he had been ambushed. He told Laurance “to get some legal advice”.

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ISSUES

Troubled waters: AFPA claims bias against plantations in SA THE Australian Forest Products Association is calling for a major review of the South Australian Department of Water over what is sees as “systematic bias against tree plantations” by the department.

As the Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan is developed and legislation is tabled in Parliament, the industry has identified a range of simple but serious errors in information put forward by the Department of Water consultation documents.

The association says the department has repeatedly demonstrated a systematic bias against tree plantations and as a result has based public policy on flawed information.

AFPA chief executive Allan Hansard said the concerns had been raised with the state government for almost two years without action.

The association had several examples of what it considered

Ducking the issue .. call for major water review in South Australia.

misleading information.

“We have uncovered gross errors in reporting the socioeconomic importance of the forestry industry to the southeast of the state,” he said.

“More seriously, there are grossly inappropriate assumptions in the ‘research’ underpinning the policy analysis. The research is lacking in necessary public policy rigour and objectivity.

“We have also had reports of poor consultation with the Stakeholder Reference Group.

“The Department just doesn’t listen. These are similar concerns to those being expressed by groups such as the farmers in Strathalbyn.”

Mr Hansard said the policy would have major impacts on regional communities in the southeast of the state, with impacts on investor certainty,

economic damage and job losses.

“It will also lead to perverse outcomes,” he said.

“The water policy, which is supposedly in the environment’s interest, could cause deforestation as trees will not be replanted. This is akin to increasing the state’s carbon emissions.

Mr Hansard said it was not too late for this process to be rectified. “We would like to see the water department change the way it operates and address the concerns we have raised.

The development of water policy in South Australia should be consistent with the National Water Initiative.

“We’d also like to see the Natural Resources Management (Commercial Forests) Amendment Bill 2010 amended or withdrawn to include all water affecting activities by dryland crops and highly modified pastures.”

Medals pinned for outstanding service to forestry TWO of Australia’s most respected foresters have been awarded the highest and most prestigious honour for outstanding service to their profession.

President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia Dr Peter Volker has announced that the 2011 N.W. Jolly Medal has been awarded to Robert L Newman OAM and Dr David Flinn.

‘David’s career spans over 45 years and Roberts career more than 60,” Dr Volker said.

“These two men have dedicated their forestry careers to research and practical management in government, private and international arenas.

“Both have shown a remarkable contribution to forestry and continue to provide great

In 1964, he was one of the first students to enter the private sector as a career in forestry and the forest industries

Robert Newman, OAM.

Dr David Flinn.

insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the industry and the profession.

Mr Newman is one of the leaders in the development of private forestry in Australia and has played a significant part in professional and industrial

associations.

He gained a B.Sc. (For) from Melbourne University in 1958 and a Diploma from the Australian Forestry School, Canberra, in 1955, followed by a qualification in Business Management.

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Dr David Flinn has spent his entire 45-year forestry career in the field of forestry research and development. Significant advances in Australian forestry knowledge and practice were made as a result of both his personal research and the work of his staff. These advances were particularly important in the field of the nutrition and growth of Pinus radiate.

Dr Flinn achieved his Diploma from the Victorian School of Forestry and a B.Sc. (For.) Hons from the University of Melbourne.

issue 174 | 23.05.11 | Page 13

MOTORING

Micra has style and macro economy Superb eco-credentials for Nissen’s super mini

STANDING beside a plaque that marked the first stage in the construction of the Tuan sawmill outside Maryborough, Lambert Hyne said: “We always feared we would run out of resource. Now take a look around you. Forestry has taken land that wouldn’t support a bandicoot and turned it into valuable, productive land, often in the face of harsh criticism from the media”.

It was a brisk day in July 1985 and I had enjoyed a trip up from Brisbane with then Forestry Minister Bill Glasson to celebrate the event with Mr Hyne and his three sons Warren, Richard and Christopher.

The mill, developed with the best European technology, would eventually have capacity exceeding 700,000 cub m of exotic softwood sawlogs.

A whole new crop of softwoods was sprouting up along the track to Tuan, taken 26 years ago in a Nissan Pulsar. This time we were in a new burnt orange Nissan Micra Ti, a ‘supermini’ with macro economy.

The original Micra was introduced in 1982 as a challenger to the highly successful Honda City. Four generations later, the Micra is more popular than ever.

The newest model expands on its predecessor’s attributes – town-friendly dimensions, equipment, comfort and technology levels beyond its class – by combining them with superb eco-credentials and even cheaper running costs.

The new Micra comes with a choice of two engines, two transmissions and three trim grades. It starts with the entry level ST 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, five-speed manual – offered this week by Nissan dealers at around $15,990 on road. There are also two 1.5-litre fourcylinder models – the ST-L and the Ti with all the options at a

Page 14 | issue 174 | 23.05.11

A visitor to the Tuan forests .. Micra 26 years later follows the treads of a Nissan Pulsar.

bargain price of $19,990.

The Micra ST gives a choice of either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission – with the smallest turning circle in its class of just 9 m and optional reverse parking sensors. Safety features include six air bags including dual front, dual side and dual curtain. It comes with vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The ST-L and Ti also have a standard five-door design for easy access plus a more powerful 1.5 litre engine with

the added features for the Ti of 15 in. alloy wheels, front fog lights and climate control air conditioning.

The Nissan Connect system uses ‘friendly’ technology to combine touch-screen satellite navigation, Bluetooth and MP3 compatibility.

With automatic, speedsensitive door locking and a new parking system, city driving was a joy in the Micra Ti, but it was also a breeze on the highway to Maryborough and along bitumen and gravel tracks to Tuan.

Quality .. the Micra feels solid inside and the curvy dash looks sharp.

We put this down to Micra’s suspension; it’s firmer than many rivals in this class but handles corrugations and speed bumps with minimal fuss. If things do go awry, there’s standard stability control and ABS with brake force distribution to get you back on track.

A clever interior means the Micra has room for five people; the roof is high, while the rear is notable for its leg room – ideal if you regularly carry more than one adult and we had three hulks on board. The boot space, measuring 251 litres with the rear seats up, comfortably accommodated our three sizeable travel bags with golf gear on top.

The contemporary cabin and generously equipped dashboard shows just how far the model has come – logical controls, simple-to-read dials and adjustable steering wheel.

Nissan claims the 56kW 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine achieves 5.9-litres per 100 km and emits 138g/km of CO2 in manual (6.5l/100 km and 154g/ km auto).

The new Nissan Micra’s combination of big-car standards, small-car running costs and user-friendly charm goes a long way to make city – and country – driving a pleasure.

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