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issue 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 1
$7m to finance timber boycott
This Issue • Forest leader’s path to growth • IRG in NZ .. the ‘friendly games’
Hardwood retailers targeted in deceptive consumer campaign By MARK POYNTER
Markets for Change .. attack on native hardwoods.
comprised mostly current and former Greenpeace activists, several of whom live overseas.
Just Go t ood W
r sm
A Better Earth Idea from Osmose
sm ®
September 5-7
Cont Page 3
ne ree
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It is reportedly being funded to the tune of $7 million
• Switch to forests for summer jobs • Tropical forests a new opportunity • Greens bid to stop pulp mill fails
G
MicroPro
Treated
A NEW environmental activist group is urging Australians to boycott locally-made hardwood furniture, flooring, and paper products largely on the basis of the grossly exaggerated premise that “logging is still permitted in 76% of Australia’s native forests”. Markets for Change, launched this month, has a former national forests campaign coordinator of the Wilderness Society as its chief executive. Its activities are being overseen by a board of management
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issue 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 1
INDUSTRY NEWS
Forest industry leader outlines ‘path to growth’ The Victorian
Public hearing in Canberra
GalaDinner & Awards Night
Forest Industries, representing 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 175 | 30.05.11
2011 TABMA
Association of
interests of the
A date for your diaries!
The AFPA’s Allan Hansard and Mick Stephens prepare to face the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Canberra.
A FOREST industry leader mapped-out a clear path to growth in the Australian forest industry at a public hearing of the Inquiry into the Australian forestry industry in Canberra last Thursday night. Transitional chief executive of the Australian Forest Products Association Allan Hansard was appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. “This inquiry is critically important, at a time when the Australian forest industry is at a significant crossroad in terms of its long term future,” Mr Hansard said. “There is likely to be a looming shortage of home-grown wood products to meet our future building needs, particularly given forecasts of strong population growth. “Short term challenges include the fallout from the GFC, a historically high Australian dollar and the collapse of several plantation companies in recent years. Contraction in overseas demand for some forest products is hurting exporters.
“The situation in Tasmania is an example of how these shortterm issues have affected the forest industries. “In the long term, we must address the looming shortage of softwood resource to underpin growth in the processing sector. We could also face decreasing international competitiveness from lack of scale in plantation resources.” Mr Hansard said there was also the threat of worsening resource security for the native forest processing sector – exacerbated by continued pressures from environmental groups. “Climate change policy presents opportunities,” he said. “If the carbon positive nature of forestry is appropriately recognised, the industry can play a key role in moving the economy to a low emissions future. “We not only want a commitment from the government to partner the industry in developing a comprehensive plan but a commitment to implement the plan. We want outcomes.”
The 2011 Timber Industry Dinner, incorporating the TABMA Awards, will be held in Sydney on Friday, October 28, at Doltone House – Darling Island Wharf. The dinner will be supported by TDA NSW, the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia, the NSW Forest Products Association, the Timber Trade Industrial Association, WADIC, the Australian Timber Importers Federation and TABMA Australia. This year, for the first time, the TABMA Awards will include nominations from states outside New South Wales Invitations will be sent out early in September.
Contact us on Sydney – (02) 9277 3100 Adelaide – 0407 102 244 Perth – 0414 908 465 Brisbane – (07) 3254 3166 Hobart – 0407 102 244
www.tabma.com.au
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issues
Group’s threat: stop selling native hardwoods – or else From Page 1
by anonymous local and international donors. The group’s first campaign, ‘Retailing the Forests: Confronting the Australian Retail Sector’s Involvement in Native Forest Destruction’, is supported by a glossy 40page publication that argues there is a direct link between ‘’the destruction of Australia’s native forests and the everyday consumer products on the shelves and showroom floors of many of Australia’s top retailers’’. [Australia has 147.4 million ha of native forests and woodlands. Timber is mostly produced from a 4.1 million ha slice comprising
less than half of the publiclyowned, multiple use state forests. This, plus a smaller area of private land and leased public land which is also used for timber production, equates to around 5% of Australia’s forests]. Under the guise of hypothetical examples, the Retailing the Forests publication details how a range of social media could be used to direct and encourage consumer boycotts of targeted timber retailers. This effectively amounts to threatening those retailers with significant financial hardship unless they desist from selling products made from Australian native hardwoods. Perhaps eco-based consumer
Mark Poynter .. consumer boycotts based on false premises will not help the environment.
boycotts of this nature could be justified where there is irrefutable evidence of resource use causing significant
environmental damage. However, inciting consumer boycotts by deliberately promulgating misinformation to manufacture an unwarranted imperative for change constitutes a form of extortion. The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (formerly the Trade Practices Act) normally protects retailers from campaigns to incite consumer boycotts designed to unfairly restrict trade. However, the 2010 Act allows an exemption for consumer boycotts which ‘relate to environmental protection’ thereby denying targeted companies their right to complain to the Australian Competition and Consumer Cont Page12
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 175 | 30.05.11 | 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 175 | 30.05.11
www.fi2011.co.nz
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events
WHAT’S ON?
MAY
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 21-13: SawTECH 2011: Sawing technologies to improve mill performance. Rotorua, NZ. www. sawtechevents.com 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 6-7: BNZ Forest Industries Tech Clinics 2011. Rotorua, NZ www. forestevents.co.nz 7: BNZ Forest Industries 2011 Conference: Innovative products, designs and new developments for timber building. Rotorua, NZ. www.forestevents.co.nz
October 16-19: SilviLaser 2011. University of Tasmania, Hobart. Visit www.
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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
5, 6, 8: WoodSolutions 2011.
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.
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
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).
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
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
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 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 5
EDUCATION
Switch to forests for summer jobs
Campaign targets students
Eyes on jobs in forestry .. campaign targets university students.
A NATIONAL marketing campaign across the top 10 universities in Australia has encouraged students to ‘switch to forestry’. More than 900 students registered their interest and 40 summer jobs were filled after the campaign last September, run by Forest and Wood Products Australia. FWPA has invited industry to work with a similar program this year to promote summer jobs. “The aim of the campaign is to widen this potential pool of students by increasing awareness of these summer work opportunities,” FWPA managing director Ric Sinclair said. “Companies that employ students over the summer period and show them the best of what the sector has to offer will have access to a talented pool of potential recruits upon graduation.” The campaign commencing on August 1 will target science, agriculture and environment students across 10 universities. The campaign will be promoted using student ambassadors on campus, campus posters, online advertising through student specific websites, lecture announcements and
Page 6 | issue 175 | 30.05.11
social media. Students will be encouraged to visit Growingcareers.com.au to check out all the positions available for the summer period. FWPA acts as the driver to the job applications which will go directly to nominated human resource contacts who will be responsible for managing the recruitment process and the jobs. “For this summer job campaign to be a success, we need a significant number of quality jobs to be listed on the growingcareers site,” Mr Sinclair said. “So if you are thinking of having students participate in a summer jobs program, please think of listing your positions with us – all available free of charge. “This is a campaign where industry working together (by pooling the available summer jobs) can increase the pool of possible candidates and also promote the benefits of the sector as a career. Everyone is a winner.” Interested parties should contact Melissa Houghton on 0412 811 450 or email melissa@ sustainabilityatwork.com.au by Friday, July 15.
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EVENTS
IRG in NZ .. the ‘friendly games’
Snapshot of what’s happening in wood protection
By JIM BOWDEN
MORE than 180 delegates from 25 countries voted the 42nd meeting of the International Research Group on Wood Protection in Queenstown, NZ, this month “the friendly games”. At least 100 scientific papers delivered at the meeting from May 8 to 12 addressed a diverse range of subjects from wood biology, test methodology and chemical treatment effectiveness to sustainability and the environment. “The meeting was a really good snapshot of what’s happening around the world with wood protection science,” IRG meeting chair Jeanette Drysdale said. “Emails already received from across the globe have praised the friendly atmosphere of the meeting – a family if you like – and the collaboration and networking on new science by different research groups from different countries tackling everything from life cycle analysis to how wood stacks up against steel and concrete.” Ms Drysdale said delegates representing commercial interests gained from the meeting, developing many valuable contacts in the international field of science. “All agreed it was a compact meeting with close networking, an outstanding venue and with good New Zealand food – and plenty of it!” Jack Norton, now entering his second term in three-year tenure as IRG president, said the organisation would move forward in a year of greater communication. “The communications committee is driving that by getting our web site up to speed and developing an organisational Facebook page to encourage discussion,
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debate and interaction between members,” he said. “We’re looking for a greater impact at an international level. We need to communicate outwards to people who should know more about us. “IRG is the best of the best – you Cont Page 8 IRG 42 meeting chair Jeanette Drysdale catches up with Max Kennedy from the NZ Ministry of Science and Innovation, and Dr Tripti Singh from Scion (NZ).
issue 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 7
EVENTS
Foundations help funding of IRG award From Page 7
don’t get any better than IRG as an international organisation representing wood protection.” [Jack Norton became a grandfather during the meeting, his daughter giving birth to twins, a boy and girl, in Brisbane]. As life arrives, so life leaves us. Delegates, saddened by the recent death of longstanding IRG member Mick Hedley, paid tribute to the New Zealand scientist who was given the first posthumous honorary membership of IRG. The honour was accepted in Queenstown by Mr Hedley’s partner Maureen Bray. The IRG, with more than 350 members in 53 countries, moved its secretariat from the UK to Sweden in 1979 where with the help of the Swedish Wood Preservation Institute it was supported by a research
IRG president Jack Norton (left) chats with vice-president Jeff Lloyd of Nisus Corp, ISA
project from the Swedish National Board for Technical Development until 1985. Since then, it has been self financing, relying entirely on the support of its members and sponsors.
One of the initiatives of IRG has been the Ron Cockcroft Award, intended primarily to assist post-graduate research students and active scientists, who, for financial reasons, might otherwise be unable to attend an IRG meeting. The award, which recognises a past secretary-general of IRG, allocates 140,000 Swedish krona (about $A21,000), divided each year among students to help them attend meetings and further promote wood protection internationally. Jack Norton said the IRG was considering establishing a number of individual foundations for on-going funding of the award. The coveted $US1000 Gareth Williams Scholarship Award at the IRG meeting this year was presented to Ms Wei Xue, a Chinese student at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Sponsored by Arch Chemicals, Inc, USA, the award and plaque are dedicated to Dr Gareth Williams, a respected wood preservation scientist, who was an active IRG member since 1998, and reward the best oral or poster presentation by a student. BC University Student wins coveted scholarship award Jack Norton, a senior principal scientist at Queensland’s ecoscience precinct, will continue as IRG president to the next meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,from May 6 to 10, 2012. “Jeanette Drysdale and the organising committee on the ground in New Zealand deserve all the accolades for a brilliant conference and a stunning venue,” Mr Norton said.
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Page 8 | issue 175 | 30.05.11
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NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
Tropical forests study highlights new opportunity THE study examining opportunities for the forestry and forest products industry in northern Australia is close to completion. A draft study report that incorporates the deliberations of a stakeholder forum held at Cairns in April has been submitted to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). The study was conducted by the Australian Tropical Forestry Initiative and Forestlands Consulting. Director John Halkett said that in addition to the invaluable assistance provided by RIRDC and FWPA, the study was supported by Queensland’s DEEDI, Timber Queensland and the Cape York Land Council. “This assistance was greatly appreciated,” Mr Halkett said. “Within ‘theme’ areas, the final study report will provide guidance as to how
Opportunities in northern Australia .. four-year-old African mahogany.
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!
John Halkett .. refocusing on temperate forestry research.
opportunities to advance a commercially robust forestry and forest products industry in northern Australia might be realised. “The report is directed at a wide range of forest and related industry stakeholders, including federal and state government agencies, researchers, private sector companies, Aboriginal land councils and industry advocates in northern Australia and elsewhere.” Mr Halkett said the study made it apparent that there was merit in refocusing some of the emphasis and effort presently directed at temperate forest industry research and developmental activities towards northern Australia. “Doing so is likely to realise opportunities identified in the study to expand tropical forestry industry activity based on sound commercial, planning, advocacy and research foundations,” he said. Key papers presented at the April tropical forestry forum are available on the Australia Tropical Forestry Initiative website: www.atfi.com.au under news & reports
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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 3266 1429 Mob: 0401 312 087 cancon@bigpond.net.au ADVERTISING Tel: +61 7 3266 1429 cancon@bigpond.net.au PRODUCTION MANAGER Leigh Macready production@industryenews.com.au
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issue 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 9
TIMBER PRESERVATION
Treaters’ forum focuses on standards compliance and effective QA schemes
Jack Norton
Colin MacKenzie
TIMBER treatment quality assurance standards compliance issues will be examined at a treaters’ forum in Brisbane this week. Organised by Timber Queensland, the forum on June 2 will provide insights into the level of compliance with current standards as well as the potential implications
InSurAnce.. It’S All In the SelectIon
Simon Dorries
of non-compliance. Speakers are Jack Norton of DEEDI and Colin MacKenzie, Timber Queensland. The general manager of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia Simon Dorries will give an overview of EWPAA QA schemes and outline the fundamentals of an effective QA scheme.
Selecting the right equipment to maximise your production output is similar to selecting the right people to maximise your insurance protection. Austbrokers Premier has been working with the timber industry for over 25 years and we know what insurance best suits your industry and risks. Whether it’s a complicated business interruption loss or a burnt out frontend loader we work hard to get you the right outcome.
You can expect superior outcomes from Austbrokers Premier in the following key areas: • Focus on premium value and insurer security • Expert advice for Business Interruption • Premiums + claims + deductibles – self insurance option analysis • Committed claims management & settlement negotiations. • On-going service and advice, not just at renewal time. Call Alan Jones 0419 754 681 or Scott Hastings 0406 382 582 today.
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Page 10 | issue 175 | 30.05.11
Peter Webb
IVS Timber Preservation’s chief executive Peter Webb and operations manager Paul Norris will detail their QA program which was established in New Zealand and is now finding clients in Australia. Greg Jensen, technical manager, Arch Wood Protection, and TPAA technical committee member, will detail TPAA’s recommended process guidelines, currently in development, and how these can be promoted to encourage improved compliance with timber treatment standards. Other subjects at the forum include CCA listing as a Restricted Chemical Product – implications for treaters; and treated timber wood waste – implications of the Queensland Waste Strategy. Under close discussion at the forum will be restrictions for the use of CCA. Following its 2006 review of CCA preservative treatment for timber, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority indicated its intention to designate CCA a restricted chemical product (RCP). This meant CCA chemicals would only be able to be supplied to or used by authorised persons having the necessary accredited training and where special equipment was employed, such as a preservative treatment plant. The treatment industry has, effectively, been ‘on notice’
Greg Jensen
since the original review and the APVMA is now acting to address this matter with the designation of CCA as an RCP expected in the coming months. AFPA is liaising with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to achieve adequate coordination between APVMA and relevant state and territory authorities to ensure a smooth transition. A licence or permit from the relevant authority is required for a treatment plant to use an RCP. These authorities are currently considering how they will legislate, regulate or authorise the use of CCA chemical. A plant largely complying with AS/NZS 2843:2006 will most likely be seen as the bench mark for such operations. Appropriate documentation will be required to demonstrate compliance with the standard. Treatment companies should be aware of and, if necessary, prepare for this impending change to the status of CCA chemical use. The relevant state and territory authorities are listed in the standard. Forum inquiries should be directed to Jim Burgess at Timber Queensland on (07) 3358 7904 or email jim@ timberqueensland.com.au
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EVENTS
Opening a green door: seminar points to latest sustainable building practices MELBOURNE-based architects and designers gathered at the city’s Convention Centre this month for ‘Opening the Green Door’, an exclusive seminar giving insight into green building best practice, products and rating tools. Green Star is fast becoming not only a leading consideration in building design but a necessity. Hosted by The Laminex Group in collaboration with the Green Building Council of Australia, the seminar was one of 13 held across Australia to offer attendees a unique opportunity to increase their knowledge of the latest sustainable building practices. The last of the seminar series was held in Sydney last Thursday.
Talking green building products in Melbourne .. Anna Lindstad of Hayball Architects, Lucia Lord from The Laminex Group and David Castro of Hayball Architects.
Esteemed member of the Melbourne design community Trudy-Ann King from the GBCA presented an engaging, interactive and informative presentation to representatives from Designinc, Lyons,
Woods Baggot, Hayball, Plus Architects, Baldasso Cortese and Geyer. Since its inception in 2002, there has been a rapid up take of Green Star, with 13% of Australia’s CBD floor space
Green Star certified. Ms King said companies that agreed during tender phase to deliver a certain rating yet didn’t understand the system and required steps, ran the risk of at worst failing to deliver on their contractual agreement or at best under estimating the hours required for the project. The Melbourne presentation gave an in-depth and tailored view of Green Star, a voluntary national environmental rating system that evaluates the sustainable design and construction of buildings. Attendees were taken through examples of how to maximise Green Star points and specifically how The Laminex Group’s products can incur valuable Green Star rating Cont Page 12
Conference focuses on forests in the Pacific
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issue 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 11
issues
Plantations unable to meet consumer demands for hardwood sawn timbers From Page 3
Commission (ACCC). This exemption effectively gives environmental activists carte blanche to prosecute consumer boycotts by distorting or exaggerating the nature of environmental threats posed by targeted products and misrepresenting the availability of alternatives. This is evident in the Retailing the Forests campaign, which: • Wrongly asserts that Australia has sufficient plantations to supply all its timber and wood product requirements without having to log native forests, when in reality there is a lack of plantations capable of meeting the demand for hardwood sawn timber. • Falsely asserts that consumers have a choice between furniture made from Australian native hardwood and plantationgrown hardwood of the same species, with equivalent quality and price, when they clearly do not.
Australian hardwoods .. under new threat from environmental activists
• Implies that Australian native forest wood production is akin to forest ‘destruction’ and ‘loss’ when, in reality, logged Australian forests are regenerated with the intention of supplying wood in perpetuity. • Infers that logging is akin to the extinction of flora and
fauna when this is not the case in Australia. Biodiversity has been primarily damaged by permanent habitat loss for settlement and agricultural development, the introduction of feral carnivores, and changed fire regimes. • Grossly overstates the actual
environmental impact of wood production by focusing only on the immediate aftermath of the most intensive harvesting system, while ignoring the next 80 to 100 years of regrowth during which wood production forests recover their biodiversity in much the same way as occurs after natural disturbance, such as fire. Indeed, most High Conservation Value forests identified for protection by forest activists in Tasmania have produced timber over the 200 years of European settlement. • Ignores the reality that substantial volumes of native forest timber products are derived from low intensity harvesting systems. While the Retailing the Forests publication superficially presents as being plausible and well referenced, it selectively uses official figures out of context or deceptively draws unwarranted conclusions from Cont Page 13
Green products: avoiding costly mistakes From Page 11
points. A member of the Engineered Woods Products Association of Australasia, Laminex manufactures low emission products – low formaldehyde (E0, Super E0 and NAF (no added formaldehyde) and low volatile organic compound (VOCs). Laminex’s greenfirst manager Andrew Hripko said the seminar series was a ‘first’ for the group and provided a valuable forum to communicate with key influencers as the industry experienced a shift towards sustainable building processes and procedures as standard practice.
Page 12 | issue 175 | 30.05.11
importantly,
architects
and
designers learnt how to avoid costly mistakes and revelled in the opportunity to have their tricky questions answered by an expert,” Mr Hripko said. The group’s timber certifications include
Forest
Stewardship
Council chain of custody and Australian Forestry Standard/ PEFC forest certification sites. The company also maintains an ISO 14001 certification for Andrew Hripko .. shift to sustainable building practices.
“Guests found the seminar valuable; it gave them the opportunity to learn more about
our products, understand the various ‘green’ verification categories, and most
most sites and is progressively embarking on a number of waste and emission reduction initiatives to reduce the overall environmental impact.
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industry news
Councils ‘ignored’ Fabricators keyed up on building regulations in Tas forest talks MEMBERS of Timber changing building regulations management, credit control, LOCAL councils in Tasmania believe their needs have been ignored in the forestry peace talks process. About half of the state’s 29 councils have met in Campbell Town to discuss their concerns. Several mayors are concerned about the flow-on effects if there is an end to most native forest logging. They say the uncertainty facing the forest industry is impacting on hundreds of families and many have moved interstate to find work. The group is sending a delegation to Melbourne to meet peace talks facilitator Bill Kelty. The Campbell Town meeting was convened by the Local Government Association of Tasmania.
Queensland’s truss and frame division met in Brisbane last week for an update on
in the state. Invited speakers discussed business issues such as risk
Brisbane-based Michael Noon, principal of SRJ, accountants and business advisors (left) confers with Langs Building Supplies representatives from Yatala David Wuiske, general manager, Greg Drummer, and Neil Whinton, general manager, fabrication.
training and skills knowledge and insurance cover.
Talking frames and trusses are John Ryan, Forsyth and Romano, Tim Isaacs, general manager, FITEC timber training, Buranda, and Peter Crooke and Danny Lake of Bretts Timber and Hardware, Windsor.
Decisions about the future use of natural resource must be based on real evidence From Page 12
government publications. In addition, it is heavily reliant on previous reports funded or prepared by anti-logging activists or their supporters. Some specific instances of this are: • The misuse of land tenure statistics from a government publication to imply that huge areas of forest will be logged simply because they are not contained in formal nature conservation reserves. In reality, the vast majority of Australian forest that is not formally reserved, such as most of the 103 million ha of privatelyowned or leased public forest, will never be logged. This is because it comprises unsuitable forest types that are too small, too defective, or contains noncommercial species; is too remote or topographically-
challenged to be economically accessible; or is owned and managed by people with no intention of logging. • The heavy reliance on a flawed publication that was funded by the Wilderness Society to underpin the discussion about logging and climate change. • The heavy reliance on the work of an economist who has for 20-years advocated closing the native forest timber industry to underpin discussion about Australia’s future wood requirements. • Drawing erroneous conclusions from research by the Department of Sustainability and Environment to assert that, “logging is having a deleterious effect on Melbourne’s water supplies”. In reality, just 12% of Melbourne’s forested water catchments are available for timber production, with just 250 ha (or 0.15% of the total
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catchment area) being logged and regenerated each year. This has little effect on water supplies. • Claims that logging in public state forests are exempt from commonwealth threatened species legislation when a 2009 review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 found that this was not the case. • Referring to Victoria’s mountain ash forests as “threatened” despite them still occupying over 90% of their original extent with about 70% residing in water catchments and conservation reserves that will not be used for wood production. Most natural resource use involves complex local and distant cost/benefit tradeoffs that, if disturbed, may actually worsen environmental outcomes.
This is particularly the case in Australia where resource use is highly evolved and operates within strong planning and regulatory frameworks, designed specifically to minimise environmental impacts. Decisions about the future of Australian natural resource use need to be carefully considered and evidence-based to avoid consequences which can lead to perverse, unintended outcomes.
Mark Poynter is a professional forester with 30 years’
experience. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Foresters of Australia and acts for it in a voluntary capacity as a media spokesperson. His book Saving Australia’s Forests and its Implications was published in 2007.
issue 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 13
INDUSTRY NEWS
Pressure eased on forest contractors as logs are loaded for Chinese market FORESTRY Tasmania has begun loading a 23,000 tonne shipment of export peeler logs for the Chinese market. The ship, Global Nextage, arrived in Hobart last week and contractors have started trucking the logs to the wharf. The shipment, the first of several planned by Forestry Tasmania, eases the pressure on contractors, who have been worried about the lack of pulpwood exports since the closure of the Triabunna mill. Managing director Bob Gordon said the shipment partially honoured a commitment by Forestry Tasmania to the industry to find new customers and to get around the lack of export facilities caused by the temporary closure of Triabunna. “We have been able to keep our contractors operating at about 80% capacity, but it has been a worrying time,” Mr Gordon said. “This shipment will restore confidence that there is still a strong market for Tasmanian timber products. “We have said previously that we will not spare any effort in finding alternative markets and that effort is now paying off. “Demand in the Chinese market is strong, and the market price is rising. We are not out of the danger zone yet, but by working together with our contractors, we can pull through.” Some of FT’s contractors, Rodney Bye from Select Logging, Helen Wright from Muskett and Sons, and Phil Voss, have echoed Mr Gordon’s sentiments, describing the shipment as a relief after several months of bad news. Mr Bye said the shipment was critical to his business and its six workers. “We are relying on Forestry Tasmania finding export
Page 14 | issue 175 | 30.05.11
markets for this pulpwood. I don’t think people understand what it means to us, and the benefits for the industry, having this shipment going out. “People need to understand that a quantity of pulpwood is produced whenever you harvest for sawlog or peelers, and markets have to be found for that pulpwood. If it’s not being exported as woodchips, then we need to find customers that can use it for other purposes. In this case, it is the Chinese that can use the wood to make rotary peeled veneer.” Helen Wright from Muskett and Sons said the shipment should be welcomed by everyone, especially those living in small rural communities. “Muskett and Sons is a sixth generation family owned business. Without exports, not only will we struggle, but small communities will too. “While we would like to get on with our jobs, we need to
stand up and help the public understand that our livelihoods and the future of our country towns are dependent on the timber industry. It’s not just contractors that are being affected, it’s small business like butchers and hairdressers. “It is our understanding that a large percentage of Tasmanian forest is already locked up. We as contractors need Tasmania to be a positive state so that employment can continue for all Tasmanians. We need to have positive growth, which is not happening today. “Tasmanians need to understand that if this industry closes, so will Tasmania.” Phil Voss has worked in the forest industry for 40 years and fears that continued uncertainty will cause his business to close in a matter of months. “Tough doesn’t even begin to describe what we are going through as contractors. We recognise the right for groups
to oppose native logging, but not when it is sending families broke for no environmental gain.” Mr Gordon said the temporary closure of the Triabunna mill was a major hurdle to achieving a new value added future. “The Tasmanian forest industry can create new jobs by moving away from woodchip exports and into new high value down-stream processing opportunities, but it first needs to deal with the short-term crisis caused by the lack of demand for pulpwood residues. “While there are opportunities to use some of that resource for new products like biomass, pellets for wood heating and laminated veneer lumber, it can’t happen overnight. “Until those manufacturing facilities can be developed, we will for the time being need to export pulpwood either as wood chip, or as peelers.”
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NEW PRODUCTS
Timbeck faces up to conceal-fixed cladding TIMBECK, Australia’s largest manufacturer of western red cedar products, has completed a full product review and released a new series of conceal-fixed cladding profiles. In Australia, most profiled claddings have traditionally been face-fixed where the biggest disadvantage of having to penetrate the main face has become more significant with the growing trend towards precoated products. As a specialist in precoated timbers, Timbeck acknowledged the necessity to address this issue. Apart from reconfiguring profile detailing to accommodate concealing the fixing, there was also a requirement to analyse the structural properties of the new fixing recommendations to
ensure compliance with building code requirements. Timbeck engaged Colin MacKenzie of Timber Queensland to crunch those numbers. The recommendations cover all of the new profiles in all regions of Australia – cyclonic and non-cyclonic. The data is comprehensively presented on the company’s web site, www. timbeck.com.au The full range of Timbeck shiplap claddings are now also machined with a light easing on all corners. This attribute provides a slightly softer appearance and also contributes significantly to the adhesion of coating materials, important particularly with products exposed to external weather conditions.
Conceal-fixed cladding profiles .. growing trend to pre-coated products.
Industry conference to address investment, international competitiveness and skills crisis THE forest industry annual conference in Canberra on September 14 will hear from Government, Opposition and industry leaders and seek to map a future course for this critical regional industry that addresses investment, international competitiveness and carbon pricing. This year’s conference will have ‘Productivity and International Competitiveness’ as its theme and will explore global trade dynamics, currency and exchange rates and investment in productivity, technology, labour and trees. The conference is organised by ForestWorks, the Industry Skills Council for the forest industry. ForestWorks chief executive Michael Hartman said the style of event had been developed over the past three years, with topics developed from comprehensive industry consultations over the previous 12 months to produce agendas
policy to address concerns, access to current opportunities and ways to secure a viable future.” ‘Everyone is committed to building a sustainable forest industry and the conference is designed to assist in the achievement of that goal’ – Michael Hartman
Michael Hartman .. conference will review industry policies.
that reflect industry-wide challenges facing the industry in Australia. “Our annual conference attracts a wide range of participants, from corporate CEOs, leaders and managers, workers and their representatives. Everyone is committed to building a sustainable forest industry and
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the conference is designed to assist in the achievement of that goal,” Mr Hartman said. “Our industry employs more than 110,000 Australians and has a turnover of $23 billion, so the stakes are high. “The conference aims to assist the industry with positioning regarding the development of
Other topics for discussion at the conference include investment in resources, scale, employment (skill and labour shortages, immigration), a price on carbon and the effect on traditional and emerging (non traditional) products and markets, monetising nonwood forest and tree values, carbon sequestration and energy, global market trends, and the effect of a carbon price on domestic timber product manufacturing and the broader industry.
issue 175 | 30.05.11 | Page 15
SITE WITH LOG YARD, SAWMILL, DRYMILL, REMAN, HEAT PLANT, KILNS, AND 50 ACRES OF LAND AS A GOING CONCERN We have available a fully operational hardwood facility processing approx 60,000m3 log intake per annum. Included is a Log Yard, Green Mill, Heat plant & Kilns. Drymill Processing, lamination plant and Gang Nail Presses. With this is the Freehold Land including Buildings, Office Complex, Weighbridge, Amenities and 10t gantry over the Green mill. MAIN MACHINE CENTRES Greenmill Integrated Engineering Primary Breakdown MEM Primary Breakdown MEM EndDogger MEM Twin Resaw Isle Forge 60” chipper Acrowood rotating screen ScanMeg log Scanner Techman stacker AE Gibson Stacker 10t and 20t overhead gantry crane Heat plant & Kilns 11 x even flow CSIRO design low temp kilns 2 x aluminium reconditioners 6 x 400m cube Mahild pre drying front fork loading pack kilns 2 x Norman J Hurl & Co Solid fuel steam boilers Dai type RUUD gas fired boiler Log Yard Weighbridge Log yard watering system
Drymill & Reman Mckeeko tilt hoist and stick removal with sling type hopper 2 x Newman Whitney top and bottom cutter planners 282-24 type Scancore 2D scanner MEM Cobra manual feed edger with laser setworks – P1010829 Weinig Rainman multirip KR 450 M Paul Docker 14KE type Opticut 450 line docker Bruks drum chipper and site fabricated rotating chip screen BK-DH365x560 Other items are not being used are Weinig 22 B Moulder Weinig U22 E Moulder 1985 6 head Gubisch 1563 7 head moulder ( previously used for laminated beams) Wadkin 4 head mach# FBP 632 Rex Moulder HOMS 410K 6 head 6.om Laminated beam press Brook Finger jointer Numerous docking saws Varoius air compressors – condition unknown Dust extraction system & baghouse overhead bin SCM sander machine model LC 110 End matcher Jonsered moulder
For more information please contact: Skookum Technology Darren Ousey +61 407 041 947 1 800 600 053 darreno@skookum.com.au John McLachlan +64 276 932 612 +64 9 276 2402 john@skookum.co.nz Greg McCormack gmccormack@mdtimber.com.au Page 16 | issue 175 | 30.05.11
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Classifieds Why taking an ad with us is the best value for you! NATIONAL STANDARDS MANAGER A senior manager is required to coordinate the ongoing development and review of Australian timber standards and associated building standards and codes. The Standards Manager will be required to develop and implement a Board approved strategy to address the industry’s needs and engagement with the standards development process. This is a hands-on role and reports to the Managing Director. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: •
Understanding and practical experience with the standards development process (preferably in building systems) and how they link to commercial, technical and public policy outcomes.
• Ability to understand complex technical information and translate to a non-technical audience. • Strong team leadership and team membership skills. • Workshop facilitation and good listening skills. • Ability to build and maintain strong professional networks. Direct experience in the Australian building industry sector and key agencies (e.g. ABCB, Standards Australia) and an understanding of the forest and wood products sector would be desirable. The role is based in the Melbourne CBD and limited relocation expenses will be reimbursed. Enquiries and applications for this pivotal role can be directed to: Ric Sinclair, Managing Director (0407) 329 372 ric.sinclair@fwpa.com.au Applications close Friday 3rd June 2011
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