Issue 187

6546

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

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issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 1

Gunning for Ms Giddings

This Issue • New blood for timber imports group • Japanese audit of JAS scheme in Brisbane

Reduced compensation reflects Gunns decision to exit native forest harvesting

Managing director Greg L’Estrange has accused the government of misleading the company during the forest peace talks.

“When the Intergovernmental Agreement was announced, Ms Giddings said it would take seven days to resolve the financial outcomes,” he said.

“It has now taken two weeks to reach what is essentially a nondecision.”

Greg L’Estrange .. crossing swords with government.

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• Engineered wood choice for prefab flood home design • Chain of custody service for TABMA members • Ecoustic grader boosts production at Tarpeena • Carbon benefit of forests must not be overlooked

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THE future of the $1.7 billion Bell Bay pulp mill – probably the most scrutinised project in Tasmania’s history – is in doubt after a state government audit has recommended $83 million be cut from the compensation figure sought by Gunns Ltd to exit native forest harvesting.

Premier Lara Giddings made it clear the maximum compensation will be $23 million, not the $106 million Gunns says is needed to further develop the pulp mill.

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issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 1

INDUSTRY NEWS

Industry stakeholders have lost faith in the process – but ‘will stick with it’ From Page 1

The Victorian Association of Forest Industries, representing the interests of the Victorian timber Industry

Victorian Association of Forest Industries Level 2, 2 Market Street Melbourne 3000 Tel: +61 3 9611 9000 Fax: +61 3 9611 9011 Email: info@vafi.org.au Web: www.vafi.org.au

Page 2 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

Gunns has sought up to $106 million in exchange for exiting native forests and had its shares suspended for two weeks awaiting clarity on the issue.

“We feel misled,” Mr L’Estrange said. “We were asked to take part in a process to end the 30year conflict over Tasmania’s native forestry. We were encouraged by all parties to stay in there with the explicit understanding of funding for a smooth transition out of native forestry.

“We chose to stick with an open, collaborative process and now it appears that we are being punished for that.”

In response, Ms Giddings says she recognises that for many in the community there is little appetite for payments of any kind to be made to Gunns, especially among workers affected by the company’s decision to exit native forest harvesting.

“I have sympathy for this view,” she said.

In further tension over the Bell Bay project, Gunns has less than two weeks to make a substantial commencement to the pulp mill before permits lapse. It is understood that no earthworks tenders have been let and there have been reports that the company is behind in payments to timber companies.

Lara Giddings says the probity process would include discussions with Gunns over a sum of more than $25 million that Forestry Tasmania claims it is owed by Gunns.

Compensation to forestry workers and the setting aside of up to 430,000 ha under the $276 million agreement cannot proceed until the Gunns issue is settled.

Ms Giddings is hopeful of an outcome within two weeks.

She said the Intergovernmental

Lara Giddings .. little appetite for payments of any kind.

agreement could collapse and that Gunns could go back into native forest if no agreement was found.

Liberal leader Will Hodgman says the Premier should abandon the agreement rather than pay money to Gunns for contracts voluntarily given up.

“In her haste to appease the Greens, Ms Giddings has agreed to lock up at least 430,000 ha of production forest without first having back in her hands the wood supply contracts from Gunns she needed in order to take those forests out of production,” Mr Hodgman said.

Also, a four-page report from Professor Jonathon West, which was the basis for the decision that 430,000 ha could be set aside without affecting logging contracts, was tabled in the Senate.

Meanwhile, with the first meeting of stakeholders since the release of the Intergovernmental Agreement for Tasmania’s forests, the Australian Forest Products Association and the Forest Cont Page 15

Hosted by Hyatt Hotel and Parliament House, Canberra Tuesday 13 September

Forests and Timber – Women’s Forum Industry Briefing – carbon pricing and carbon initiatives

Wednesday 14 September Conference - Productivity & Competitiveness • • •

International competitiveness Investment in productivity Carbon - the game changer for the industry

Industry Liaison Dinner at Parliament House Thursday 15 September

First Super Investors Seminar Skills and Employment Council (SEC) meeting

More information and to register Web: www.forestworks.com.au/conference Tel: 1800 177 001

Registrations Now Open

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Engineered wood choice for prefab flood home design

gottstein trust applications for 2012 awards

the Joseph william Gottstein Memorial trust invites The Joseph William Gottstein Memorial applications from interested persons for Gottstein Trust invites applications from interested fellowships and Gottstein industry awards. persons for Gottstein Fellowships

and FELLOWSHIPS Gottstein Industry Awards.

GOTTSTEIN Fellowships are awarded to people from or associated with Australian forest industries to further their experience, education or GOTTSTEIN FELLOWSHIPS training either within or outside Australia. Project proposals on any Fellowships awarded to people from or associated relevant topic are are welcome.

Candidates will be selected on the value of the project, and on their ability to complete and disseminate the with Australian forest industries to further their information acquired.

experience, education or training, either within or outside

Australia. Project proposals AWARDS on any relevant topic are GOTTSTEIN INDUSTRY welcome. Candidates will be selected on the value

These awards are available to assist workers in the Australian forest of the project, and on their ability to complete and industries to improve their industry knowledge and work skills. disseminate the on information acquired.

Applications focusing small group study tours will be favourably viewed, although any relevant project topic may be proposed.

Candidates will be selected on the value of the project.

GOTTSTEIN INDUSTRY AWARDS

A flood of ideas .. Simon Dorries, general manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (left) discusses prefabricated building concepts with flood home design winner Dion Seminara and architect Claus Ejlertsen at Dion Seminara Architecture in Brisbane.

A THREE-bedroom pre-built house on stilts costing less than $200,000 has become a showcase solution to dealing with the threat facing properties in flood-prone regions.

The model home has been promoted to governments and consumers as an affordable and appropriate form of construction above flood levels.

Designed by Brisbane architect Dion Seminara, it was the winning entry in the LJ Hooker Flood Home Design Competition, which was cosponsored by L J Hooker, industry think tank the Future Housing Task Force and Australian Institute of Architects subsidiary Archicentre.

Archicentre has offices around Australia with access to more than 800 accredited architects and inspectors and has recently expanded overseas with a joint venture in Malaysia.

The house design, with both the architect and builder considering prefabricated engineered wood products for the construction, comes in the

wake of the December-January Queensland floods and cyclone, which left the state with a $6.8 billion damage bill, and a report by the Australian Department of Climate Change that says up to $63 billion worth of existing residential buildings are at risk of flooding this century.

The house features a flood clearance level of 4.5 m above the first floor, allowing floodwater to flow through the building without placing pressure on the structure.

The ground floor is constructed out of materials and finishes that can be hosed down without damage and is suitable for both urban and bush environments.

The design allows the house to be built offsite and transported in two parts.

“One of the main aims of the design was to provide for an easy clean-up after the flood, with a flexible multipurpose use of the ground level for vehicles or storage,” Dion Seminara said.

“The concept home is built

INTERVIEWS These awards are available to assist workers in the Australian industries to improve industry Applications forforest each category will be consideredtheir by the Trustees and promising applicants be selected for interviewsfocusing in Octoberon 2011. knowledge and will work skills. Applications small groupINFORMATION study tours will be favourably viewed, FURTHER

although any relevant project topic may be proposed.

Further details may be obtained from the Trust’s website at Candidates will be selected on the value of the project. www.gottsteintrust.org, or from the Secretary.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS INTERVIEWS TheApplications closing date for is 9th September 2011. forapplications each category will be considered by the Applications should be forwarded to: Trustees and promising applicants will be selected for Dr Silvia Pongracic, Secretary, interviews in October 2011.

J. W. Gottstein Memorial Trust Fund, Private Bag 10, Clayton South, VIC 3169 Telephone: 0418 764 954 Fax: 03 9545 2139 FURTHER INFORMATION Email: secretary@gottsteintrust.org

Further details may be obtained from the Trust’s website at www.gottsteintrust.org or from the Secretary.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS The closing date for applications is 9th September 2011.

Applications should be forwarded to: Dr Silvia Pongracic, Secretary, J. W. Gottstein Memorial Trust Fund, Private Bag 10, Clayton South, VIC 3169 Telephone: 0418 764 954 Fax: 03 9545 2139 Email: secretary@gottsteintrust.org

Cont Page 13

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issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 3

industry news

New blood for timber imports group

Work continues on illegal logging legislation NEW appointments to the Australian Timber Importers Federation board were a highlight of the annual general meeting in Melbourne last week.

Three new directors – Gerry Gardiner, managing director, Asian Pacific Timber Marketing, Brisbane, John Simon, managing director Simmonds Lumber, Sydney, and Glen Tilling, managing director, Tilling Timber, Melbourne, will replace retiring members Norm Long, Paul Elsmore and Ashley Wright.

ATIF chairman Nils Koren said

Meeting in Melbourne .. John Simon, managing director, Simmonds Lumber, Ashley Wright, retiring ATIF board member, Nils Koren, ATIF chairman, and Glen Tilling, managing director, Tilling Timber.

WHAT DOES TABMA DO FOR MEMBERS? • TABMA, through information, advice and services, provides its members with practical solutions to improve business management, growth and profitability • TABMA members include merchants, retailers, joiners, manufacturers, frame & truss fabricators, importers, suppliers and carpenters • TABMA places trainees or apprentices that are recruited, inducted, trained and monitored by us • TABMA offers debtors control and collection through its wholly owned subsidiary, Building Trade Credit • TABMA offers trade credit insurance through, IMC Newbury, at extremely cost effective rates.

• TABMA recruitment saves you time by advertising, vetting and interviewing for new staff at competitive rates • TABMA offers industrial relations support • TABMA provides industry specific short training courses • TABMA provides OH&S auditing by specialist staff • TABMA offers Chain of Custody consulting and auditing at minimal cost • TABMA offers technical advice • TABMA offers legal advice • TABMA provides members with significant savings on fuel through Caltex and 7-ELEVEN outlets

the appointments reflected in part a “generational change” in the timber importing sector.

“The appointment strengthen our capacity to deal with issues of critical business concern to the timber importing sector, such as the federal government’s illegal logging policy and the broad economic environment,” Mr Koren said.

He stressed the importance of continuing recent efforts to work with the government and other stakeholders now that the illegal logging legislation has been introduced into the Parliament.

Mr Koren also identified the need for ATIF to be represented on a range of standards, technical and government committees and industry bodies.

“Recent appointments to key standards committees of ATIF representatives and close engagement with Forest and Wood Products Australia advisory groups are positive initiatives,” he said.

Mr Koren said the expansion of ATIF membership “was very pleasing”.

“We are flagging to timber importers that we will be putting additional effort on several other fronts, including border phytosanitary issues and wharf operational issues, notably in Melbourne.”

ATIF has been established for more than 40 years and represents the interests of the timber importer / wholesaler sector of the national timber industry.

New ATIF director Gerry Gardiner is a founding member of the Queensland Timber Importers Exporters and Wholesalers Association, formerly the Queensland Timber Importers and Exporters Association established in 1986.

Asian Pacific Timber Marketing, established the same year, employs more than 30 people across the east coast and holds product worth in excess of $6 million under 15,000 sq m of warehouse space in Brisbane, turning over 40,000 cub m of timber products annually.

EWPs win on carbon credentials

TABMA has representation in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

If we can assist you, please contact us on 02 9277 3100.

CANADA’S University of British Columbia is to use crosslaminated timber (CLT) and glulam for the construction of a biomass power plant in Vancouver in order to reduce its carbon footprint.

The new building is being constructed to demonstrate the commercial and technical viability of a 1.9MW biomass

Page 4 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

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• TABMA offers general insurance advice • TABMA offers significant travel benefits • TABMA holds a gala industry annual dinner

energy system. UBC plans to use waste from Vancouver’s parks and recreations department to fuel the generator.

The building will contain about 600 cub m of engineered wood, including CLT and glulam. The university chose timber because of the speed of construction and its carbon credentials.

events

WHAT’S ON? AUGUST 28-27: Vareity Club Bush Bash, Queensland. Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218 has entered the event to raise funds for children’s charities.

Contact: Alan Jones (07) 3010 1823.

SEPTEMBER 2: Women of Timber High Tea. Curvee Lounge, The Sofitel, Brisbane. The aim of the event is to gather as many women of industry, representing a variety of roles and organisational sectors, to get together and share their knowledge, experience and ideas.

Ticket price $55 p.p. (inc. gst).

RSVP August 26. Tel: (07) 3254 3166. Email: karen@tabma.com.au 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.woodsolutions2011.com.au 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 13: Women in Forests meeting and carbon pricing and carbon initiatives briefing – Hyatt Hotel , Canberra. Visit: www.forestworks. com.au/conference Tel: 1800 177 001 14-15: ForestWorks Annual Industry Development Conference: Productivity and Competitiveness. Hyatt Hotel, Canberra. Evening: Industry liaison dinner at Parliament House.

Visit: www.forestworks.com.au/ conference Tel: 1800 177 001.

The conference will provide an in-depth exploration of the many impacts and opportunities facing the industry in 2011 and beyond. The conference has been specifically scheduled to coincide with parliamentary sitting week, providing a great chance for industry players, union representatives, policy makers and MPs to gather, network and share ideas. Tel: (03) 9321 3500. www. forestworks.com.au/conference 20: Industry dinner.Fratelli Restaurant, 103 Crosby Road, Albion, Brisbane (Crosby Park Rugby Club grounds). 6.30 pm for 7.pm. Guest speaker

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Simon Dorries, general manger, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia – The Impact of the Carbon Tax on Wood Product Manufacturers and Distributors. Supported by Timber Queensland and TABMA Queensland. Organised by Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218.

Evening includes recognition of past presidents of Club 218.

Cost $70 p.p. or $650 table of 10 (includes hors d’oeuvres, two-course dinner, wine and soft drinks). Wives and partners welcome. RSVP: September 12.

Contact: Jim Bowden on 07 3266 1429. Mob: 0401 312 087 or John Muller (07) 5494 2723. Mob 0418 871 94

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 28: Timber Industry Dinner, incorporating the TABMA awards. Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Sydney. Supported 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, TABMA Australia, and WoodSolutions. Contacts: Sydney – (02) 9277 3100. Adelaide – 0407 102 244. Perth – 0414 908 465.

Brisbane – (07) 3254 3166. Hobart – 0407 102 244.

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 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 5

INDUSTRY NEWS

ITEM: BOARD LENGTH: 4489.67 MM WIDTH: 104.42 MM THICKNESS: 52.43 MM WEIGHT: 23.74 KG VOLUME: 0.02 M3 DENSITY: 972 KG/M3 MoE: 10.8 GPA WORST VISUAL DEFECT: THROUGH KNOT 20% KAR GRADE: MSG10

Chain of custody service offered to TABMA members TABMA Australia is offering chain of custody certification to its members at “very moderate rates” in an arrangement with Green Marketing Concepts, the Australian representative for global leader Scientific Certification Systems.

Certifications will be issued

by Nick Capobianco of Green Marketing Concepts who has been carrying out chain of custody audits for FSC and PEFC in Australia since 2008.

Mr Capobianco was formerly national product marketing manager with the Laminex Group, based in Melbourne, before an interest in environmental factors and ecolabelling took him to his present role.

TABMA Australia chief executive Colin Fitzpatrick said many members in New South Wales and South Australia had expressed interest in obtaining chain of custody.

“With the much talked about Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill set to progress through Parliament and government departments, architects and specifiers now requesting certified timber, there has been an upsurge in suppliers and merchants seeking timber certification,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

TABMA is offering a consultancy service to members if required and will be happy to discuss certification, including what is involved, how to go about obtaining it and the costs, with any member at any time.”

Mr Fitzpatrick can be contacted on (02) 9277 3133 to arrange a site visit.

Scientific Certification Systems is a leading thirdparty certification body for independent certification and

Page 6 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

Nick Capobianco .. chain of custody auditing for TABMA members.

verification of environmental, sustainability, stewardship, food quality, food safety and food purity claims. It has more than 70 clients in Australia for programs including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest management and FSC and PEFC chain of custody For more than 25 years, SCS has developed internationally recognised standards and certification programs in pursuit of the highest level of environmental performance and social accountability. Many assessments undertaken by SCS are based on innovative life cycle assessment methodologies.

SCS assessments lead to the recognition of accomplishments in greenhouse gas inventories and offsets, forestry, agricultural production, plants and green buildings.

Mr Capobianco, who has carried out CoC industry audits for printers and paper manufacturers through to furniture manufacturers and sawmillers, says the interest in certification is growing in all sectors.

Cont Page 7

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Japanese audit of JAS scheme in Brisbane REPRESENTATIVES of the Japanese Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Centre (FAMIC) were in Brisbane last week for the annual audit of the JAS standards program that certifies plywood and LVL use in Japan.

The JAS (Japan Agricultural Standard) program refers to the certification system that attaches the JAS marks to products inspected in accordance with requirements of Japan’s Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

FAMIC was created in 2007 with the task of improving the quality and labelling of agricultural and forest products and to ensure the quality and safety of fertiliser, agricultural chemicals, feed and feed additives and soil improvement materials in the interests of consumers. The centre works in close collaboration with the

EWPAA technical officer Susanne Steiger briefs representatives of the Japanese Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Centre on the Shimadzu testing instrument at EWPAA’s laboratory in Brisbane. Looking on, from left, are Masatoshi Tomoi, Tomoi Timber Engineering, and FAMIC technical staff Tomohiro Ishikawa and Toshiyuki Ohmura.

Japanese government, other national agencies, prefecture governments and international organisations.

The EWPAA has just received JAS-ANZ accreditation for sawn timber and wood packaging.

This will expand the services EWPAA can provide to the wood product manufacturing industry and allow Australianmade wood products to meet international phytosanitary requirements.

The accreditation will also make it far easier for EWPAA members to market wood products in a number of different applications.

TABMA offers service on CoC From Page 6

“Widespread inquiries from the timber merchant sector suggests many in the industry really want to get their heads around the certification issue and what it will mean for them,” he said.

“They also have accepted the need for due diligence on imports and chain of custody certification offers the mechanism to prove the legality of wood.

“The trick is, there could be three or more suppliers in the supply chain and although a merchant has acquired the wood legally and the first and even second supplier may have legality, we must also be sure the forest is a legal source.”

Mr Capobianco said the SCS was providing a legal harvest certification standard in the US and this could be available to Australian customers for their chain of custody program.

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issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 7

EVENTS

Pre-fab systems lead global topics at next Frame Australia conference NEW developments in prefabricated timber and wood panel construction systems will be a major topic at the national Frame Australia 2012 conference and exhibition on June 18 and 19 at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.

International acceptance, particularly in Europe and Canada, is growing rapidly for the construction of apartment buildings up to 15 storeys using cross-laminated timber and other panellised timber systems.

Now Australia has adopted the concept with high-rise timber framed dwellings up to 12 storeys currently planned in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

Major benefits from using timber frame and wood panel

Ezard said that in addition to conference sessions on ‘pre-fabricated construction systems’ covering medium to high rise developments, the sessions on ‘sustainability and carbon in housing’ plus ‘engineered wood and structural timber’ would contain a range of topics on trends in residential housing construction.

“International speakers will also cover the supply balance of structural timber and wood Kevin Ezard .. trends in residential housing construction.

systems include carbon-neutral buildings with low energy usage, very quick construction times to significantly reduce project costs, and earthquake resistance in affected areas.

Conference director Kevin

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Page 8 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

fibre demand; global influences emerging in dwelling design and construction methods; and timber frame design software integration with BIM database technology,” Mr Ezard said.

In its 14th year, Frame Australia will incorporate new features including a greatly enlarged sponsor displays area, and workshop discussion forums for delegate participation.

Visit website www. frameaustralia.com

Forest scientists first to go in state job cuts

THE NSW government has embarked on its first round of public-service job cuts, announcing it will slash the number of positions at a research facility within the Department of Primary Industries by more than a third.

It has been reported that 11 of 31 positions at the Forest Science Centre, which is associated with Forests NSW, will be abolished.

A number of senior scientists were told they could reapply for a reduced number of positions within the unit. Others were told they had two weeks to apply for voluntary redundancy.

Alternatively, they could seek redeployment within three months after which they would be forced to take redundancy.

Industry observers say they are stunned that the science unit has been targeted – and during national science week.

The centre is the only unit undertaking research into the ecological sustainability of forests and agriculture.

It also employs biodiversity researchers who look at species threatened by logging. This will decimate the state’s capacity for research in these areas.

Katrina Hodgkinson .. job cuts under consideration for four years.

Confirmation of the job cuts comes a week after the NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson denied reports there would be cuts of 25% across her department.

She said the cuts had been under consideration for four years after ‘’benchmarking’’ was carried out by Forests NSW against similar forestry companies. She said $1.5 million would still be spent on forestry research by Forests NSW and that two new positions had been created.

The government has been warning of a ‘’tough budget.

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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

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www.fi2011.co.nz issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 9

BUILDING TRENDS

Green buildings gaining significant share of global construction market IN only a handful of years, green building has moved from obscurity to a significant trend in the global construction market.

US capital markets and investment banking adviser Canaccord Genuity expects green building’s share of the world construction market to be more than 20% by 2013.

Longer-term, it expects green building practices to become the norm in the construction industry.

Currently, the US green building market is estimated at $36$49 billion, representing about 10%-12% of total construction dollars spent annually.

While green building historically has represented little more than an interesting niche market

InSurAnce..

It’S All In the SelectIon

Steady market shift to energy-efficient green building systems.

driven by forward-thinking architects and builders, the mainstream building industry is opening up to these practices given accelerated demand and

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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Insuring it all stacks up.

Page 10 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

attractive tangible returns, says Canaccord.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes a green building as one that reduces its “direct and indirect impact on the environment throughout its life – from the time construction begins, during occupancy, and eventually, when it’s decommissioned.”

Multiple factors are driving the green building market, including the proliferation of green building standards.

The economic benefits of green, energy-efficient buildings are compelling, encouraging a steady market shift toward these practices. Various research studies conclude that green buildings can achieve higher

market values, higher rental rates and tenant occupancy levels compared to traditional non-green counterparts.

In fact, the US Green Building Council states that sale prices for energy-efficient buildings are as much as 10% higher per square metre than conventional buildings.

Legislative mandates/incentives and regulatory requirements are among the main reasons that firms integrate sustainable practices. Incentives such as accelerated permits, tax credits, and rebates on green technology make building green an attractive and cost effective choice.

As green building technologies have become more mainstream and widely used, costs have fallen significantly and are now comparable to legacy products in many cases.

Volatile energy prices, with energy costs continuing to increase, cause companies and governmental organisations to be increasingly concerned with becoming more energyefficient. While the focus has largely been on pollution levels from the transportation and utility sectors, buildings are significant consumers of energy and emitters of CO2.

Brazil forestry fund to raise $350m A BRAZILIAN firm is launching a fund to help meet the booming demand for timber while delivering high returns for institutional investors.

The VBI Timberland fund is structured as a 15-year closed-end fund and hopes to raise $350 million to invest in sustainable plantation forestry – mostly eucalyptus – in Brazil.

The fund managers say there

is growing appetite for such investments from major US pension funds and endowments that see forestry investments as a way to diversify their portfolios and provide a hedge against inflation while generating healthy returns.

The fund is targeting a 14% annual internal rate of return, net of local taxes and management fees.

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ISSUES

‘Carbon benefit of our forests must not be overlooked’

Call for resource security THE Victorian Association of Forest Industries says the federal government should help ensure a sustainable future for forestry through the renewal of regional forest agreements and recognition of forestry’s carbon benefits.

Given in evidence to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry last week, VAFI chief executive CEO Lisa Marty said Australia’s native and plantationbased forest industries were part of the solution to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.

“It is important that the government recognise the role of productive forests and the use of wood and wood products in reducing carbon emissions, as outlined by the IPCC, while supporting jobs and local renewable industries,” Ms Marty said.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that “a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit” in the long term.

Ms Marty said this was essential to ensure ongoing viability for the 24,000 direct jobs in the industry, and the 42-52,000 indirect jobs it supported.

“The forest and wood products industry makes significant

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Lisa Marty .. government must recognise role of productive forests in reducing carbon emissions.

socio-economic contributions to Australia; and there is a role for the federal government in ensuring the industry has the confidence to continue investing in regional communities,” she said.

“Resource availability is also fundamental issue for the industry.

“A shortage of locally grown timber will undermine our ability to meet future building needs, despite wood being one of the most sustainable building materials available.

“We already have a $4 billion trade deficit in primary and secondary timber and paper products.

“Good forest management under the RFAs into the future, as well as development of plantations, farm forestry and private native forestry, are essential.”

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issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 11

WOODCHOPPING

Jim, 25, cutting his way to dad’s record Young axemen draw crowds at Brisbane Royal DETERMINATION and a sharp axe are all that strapping Jim Head, 25, of Redcliffe needs to break his father’s record in the wood chopping arena.

Kerry Head, 11 times winner of the Queensland champion of champion axeman’s trophy, proudly looked on at Brisbane Royal Show last week as his son was presented with the trophy for the second time.

So did Phil Hillcoat, 76, of Bundaberg, who was the first to win the trophy in 1978.

Jim Head last year became the youngest competitor to win the state’s most coveted axeman’s trophy, which is presented at Brisbane Show to the highest points-scorer in competition on the Queensland show circuit.

Jim Head, the youngest axeman to win the coveted Queensland champion of champions trophy (second from right) is pictured at Brisbane Show with his father Kerry Head (trophy winner 11 times), Phil Hillcoat, first winner of the trophy (left), and Jim Bowden, who has taken part in every trophy presentation since 1978.

Legendary axeman Bruce Winkel returned after five years in retirement and won applause from the crowd when he missed winning the standing block handicap by only two hits after starting on the highest handicap of 30 The perpetual trophy, a white cedar figure, has been presented every year since it was created 33 years ago by legendary wood craftsman Robert Dunlop.

Jim’s father was awarded the trophy outright in 2002 after winning it 10 times, scoring his 11th championship in 2007.

Although Kerry retains the trophy, the Queensland Axemens Association continues to present it on his behalf each year to a new champion. Kerry still regards the trophy as “the Queensland timber industry award”, which recognises the original sponsor.

Meanwhile, his son Jim, who won his first woodchop competition when he was eight years old, is chasing his father’s performance of 11 trophywinning championships. Jim

Page 12 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

Taking the prize was Tasmanian sawmiller Glen Bakes of Sheffield. In third place was plucky 17-year-old James Geiger of Canungra. His mother, Andrea, told us her son started wood chopping at an earlier age than any of the show’s competitors.

“James really did start wood chopping early,” she said. She showed us a photo of James at 18 months old with his hand on an axe and sucking his thumb.

We wonder if James will ever forgive his mum for showing us this.

“Yes, he’s crazy about wood chopping,” Andrea said. “He has represented Australia and has won world titles.”

Pictures by Tina Mitchell

Hard to beat .. champion axeman at Brisbane Royal Glen Bakes, sawmiller of Sheffied, Tas (right) and Bruce Winkel of Mount Mee. They were first and second respectively in the standing block handicap.

won his first open competition at the age of 19 and has done so every year for the last six years, training at the gym before each show.

Congratulating the young winner was veteran Phil Hillcoat, a former railway bridge log cutter, who waited until he was 42 before he started competitive wood chopping. Although now

retired, he coaches and judges at various events and “joins in the occasional chop”.

Another legendary axeman Bruce Winkel of Mount Mee, returning after five years in retirement, won applause from the crowd when he missed winning a $1000 standing block handicap by only two hits on the highest handicap of 30.

Becky Lumlock, general manager of liquefied natural gas group QCLNG Expansion, presents the blue ribbon to Tasmanian sawmiller Glen Bakes of Sheffield in the $1000 standing block handicap event at Brisbane Show. To his right are James Geiger, Canungra (third) and Andrew Wiseman, Hacket, ACT (fourth). Bruce Winkel of Mount Mee was second off a handicap of 30.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Flood house will have the flexibility to expand using interlocking extensions From Page 3

on posts, making it suitable for any sloping site, and has the flexibility to be expanded through interlocking pavilion extensions.”

Mr Seminara’s winning entry also met the following requirements: • Successfully integrate flood resistant, energy efficient and sustainable design.

• Meet or provide a wellsubstantiated challenge to requirements set by the Building Code of Australia along with local and statutory authorities.

• Provide three bedrooms and not exceed 220 sq m in size.

• Provide undercover accommodation for two cars.

• Able to be constructed on a site with up to a 1:4 slope.

Ken Mitchell .. building prefabricated flood house in devastated Grantham district.

• Built from 80% lightweight materials.

• Construction budget not exceeding $200,000, excluding consultants and authorities fees

and permits, site preparation costs, service connections, site allowances, landscaping works and contingency.

According to Climate Change Risks to Australia’s Coast, published by the Australian Department of Climate Change, as many as 247,600 individual buildings are potentially at risk of inundation in Australia this century.

The winning design will be built at Grantham in the Locker Valley about 100 km from Brisbane, which was devastated by the January floods.

Builder of the demonstration project Ken Mitchell is a director of the Queensland Lifestyle Development Group, which comprises a guild of builders involved in the renovation and building of about 1000

Architect Dion Seminar’s winning flood house design .. promoted to governments and consumers as an affordable form of construction above flood levels

homes for the Queensland Government.

Conference focuses on forests in the Pacific

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issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 13

SAWMILLING TECHNOLOGY

Ecoustic grader boosts production, lifts profits at Tarpeena green mill

Sorting timber boards for density and stiffness ELIMINATING costs associated with drying and planing low-grade timber boards are maximising production efficiencies in the green mill thanks to the installation of a Calibre ‘Ecoustic’ board grader at Gunns Ltd’s Tarpeena mill near Mount Gambier, SA. “The grader has performed brilliantly since it was commissioned more than six months ago with no down time – it keeps on going and we’ve put through almost two million boards in just over six months,” Gunns national technical manager Dr Trevor Innes said.

“It’s a fantastic bit of gear and we intend to duplicate the machine at the Bell Bay mill in Tasmania.”

Tarpeena is Gunns’ premier manufacturing facility with sawlog capacity of 540,000 tonnes, supplied mostly by the company’s radiata plantation resource in the Green Triangle region.

Calibre Equipment’s general manger Hayden Frew said the grader at Tarpeena sorted boards for density which streamlined kiln drying efficiency and minimised drying variability

‘Fantastic bit of gear’ … the Ecoustic timber trader boosts production at Tarpeena mill.

and energy consumption.

Tarpeena uses a MMI (managed medical imaging) density sorter to transfer density information to the Ecoustic grader before it grades boards for stiffness (MoE).

“This allows us to avoid unnecessary processing costs by easily identifying and rejecting low-density boards,” Dr Innes said.

“The grader sorts timber for density and stiffness and assesses random dimension and random length timber in the green condition.”

Grading boards at the start

Grading boards at the start of production has lifted production efficiency and profits.

Page 14 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

Calibre Equipment managing director Andrew Chung (right) confers with general manager Hayden Frew.

of production has lifted production efficiency and profits at Tarpeena, eliminating the costs of drying and planing of low-grade, low-value timber boards.

Sound waves emitted from the board following impact with a mechanical hammer in the grader are analysed in conjunction with the density of boards to determine stiffness.

Density is determined by weight and volume, the weight captured as the board moves along the processing chain over

a weigh bridge.

Volume is a function of board length, width and thickness and is measured by a laser measurement system.

Trevor Innes said the Calibre grader was fully automated; green mill operators were able to work uninterrupted during normal duties on the production chain.

The grader is installed into a standard lugged processing chain so there is no need for additional in-feed and out-feed conveying system or additional floor space.

The grader also collects and stores information for every board graded, giving excellent traceability for production tallying and auditing. This information can be used to analyse log resource.

The Ecoustic timber grader, designed by Calibre Equipment’s managing director Andrew Chung, based in Wellington, NZ, has been widely accepted by sawmills in Australia and New Zealand since it was released in January 2008.

Gunns operational involvement in the South East arose from its strategic purchase in February 2008 of Auspine Ltd which included, among other assets, the Green Triangle forest plantation assets and manufacturing facilities located at Tarpeena, 22 km north of Mount Gambier, and Kalangadoo, a further 20 km northwest of Tarpeena.

The Green Triangle region incorporates both the southeast of South Australia and southwest of Victoria.

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industry news

Industry takes step-by-step approach From Page 2

Industries Association of Tasmania say they have lost faith in the process, but will monitor progress towards resolution of industry concerns.

“It’s clear that the IGA released last week was a political decision by both governments based on flimsy advice that was taken out of context,” AFPA transitional CEO Allan Hansard said.

“However, industry has invested a lot of time and effort in this process to date and doesn’t want to see it wasted. We cannot have any confidence about where it currently sits,” he said.

FIAT CEO Terry Edwards said: “We are not prepared to accept the current situation. We’ve had dialogue with government at

the highest level with a view to address key concerns aimed at resorting industry confidence in the veracity and robustness of the process,” he said.

The industry’s key concerns surround: • The legitimacy of the West report, particularly given the weight it has carried in influencing government policy development.

• The lack of legislated resource security for industry in the IGA. • The structure of the process to implement the IGA , including the makeup of the Independent Verification Group (IVG); the terms of reference for the IVG; and providing resource supply during the verification process.

• No certainty for residue utilisation.

• The lack of potential for ‘peace’

Allan Hansard .. decision based on flimsy advice.

in the forest in order to address ongoing and unlawful protest actions, including legislation if necessary.

“Industry is taking a step-bystep approach in this process and will make a decision on its ongoing involvement as each

step is made and the extent to which our concerns are actually addressed,” Mr Hansard said.

Opposition spokesman on forestry and North-West Coast senator Richard Colbeck will move two motions condemning the Intergovernmental Agreement on the next day of sitting.

Mr Colbeck will seek to condemn payment of any money to Gunns as a result of its withdrawal from native forest logging.

The Opposition has argued that Gunns voluntarily withdrew from native forest logging and was not entitled to compensation.

The forestry industry has also claimed Professor West’s report caused significant change to the final agreement compared to the draft agreement it witnessed.

‘The CARBON TAX and its effect on the timber manufacturing industry’ Special Industry Dinner

Timber Queensland, TABMA Queensland, Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218 (Supporting children’s charities)

September 20, 2011 6.29pm for 6.59pm Fratelli Restaurant, 103 Crosby Road, Albion, Brisbane (Crosby Park Rugby Club)

Speaker: SIMON DORRIES,

General Manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia

Booking confirmations to: Alicia (07) 3254 3166.

Email: Alicia@tabma.com.au Invoices will be issued for payments Contact Company

$70 p.p. or $650 table of 10 (includes hors d’oeuvres, two-course dinner, wine and softdrinks).

Wives and partners welcome.

RSVP: September 12.

Simon Dorries is General Manager of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA).

The EWPAA is a manufacturers’ association representing plywood, laminated veneer lumber and other glued structural wood product manufacturers with operations in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Simon holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and has worked at the EWPAA for more than 20 years. His extensive experience has included product testing and assessment, research and development, development of certification systems for engineered wood products and extensive experience in the development of training programs and product standards.

Email Address Name Name Name Name Phone

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issue 187 | 22.08.11 | Page 15

Classifieds For Auction Details go to www.graysonline.com

SAWMILLING EQUIPMENT & KILN – VIC PICKUP Under instructions from A Major Finance Company

Online Auction Opens: Tuesday 30th August at 12pm Online Auction Closes: Tuesday 6th September at 4pm Glueing Press: 2006 Dimter Weinig Profipress L2500 Radio frequency glueing press (2500 x 1200mm x 50mm maximum capacity) complete with automatic board infeed system; 2006 Elettronic Cavallo Model 30. 30kw Radio frequency power supply and safety cages.

Drying Kiln: 2009 Mahilo Drying Kiln (12m x 9m x 4.5m), Aluminium Clad, 3 sides only, Hook lift sliding door.

Note: A Buyers Premium of 13.5% + 10% GST applies to all lots purchased in this auction.

Inspection: Wednesday 31st August, 9am - 4pm or by appointment.

Enquiries: Scott Matthews scottm@grays.com.au or 0400 827 333 Full details at www.graysonline.com SALE # 3000404

Blaze147948

Location: 455 Birregurra Road, Birregurra VIC

www.graysonline.com Page 16 | issue 187 | 22.08.11

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