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issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 1
Carbon positive
Colbeck supports inclusion of forest industry under the fuel credit scheme
AMENDMENTS sought by the Federal Coalition on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) fuel credit would see the forest industry treated in the same way as the agricultural and fishing sectors. The Coalition’s forestry spokesperson Senator Richard Colbeck (Tasmania) has confirmed support for the inclusion of forestry under the fuel credit scheme. “These amendments are a common sense response to encouraging a renewable and carbon positive forestry industry in the transition of the Australian economy to a low carbon future, the chief executive of the National Association of Forest Industries Allan Hansard said. The exclusion of forestry
This Issue • One hundred issues: T&F enews milestone • Martin Ferguson to address Forest Futures Conference
Forest
Getting a look in .. CPRS amendments would see forestry receive the same treatment as agriculture.
under the CPRS fuel credit Bill meant that the direct costs of any fuel price increases from the introduction of the CPRS would be directly passed on to industry ‘off-road’ activities,
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at an estimated average cost to each forestry contractor of $14,000 a year. “Many of these contractors are Cont Page 4
operations ‘eye opener’ for asset sales team • Regional winners in Australian Timber Design Awards • Illegal logging .. it’s about awareness • Broad and busy EWPAA conference agenda • Countdown for national timber design awards • Government no-show embarrasses forestry profession
issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 1
industry news
SE Queensland forest operations ‘eye-opener’ for asset sales team Plantation estate first in Bligh Government’s $15bn auction MEMBERS of the Bligh Government’s assets sales team have completed a whirlwind two-day inspection of timber processing operations in southeast Queensland ahead of the sale of Forest Plantations Queensland, which is expected to be the first cab off the rank in a controversial $15 billion selloff of public assets. “The group came away with a clear message about how the industry is investing in world-class technology to maximise recovery from the fibre resource,” said tour leader Rod McInnes, chief executive of Timber Queensland. A government-appointed consortium comprising the Royal Bank of Scotland, Rothschild and Merrill Lynch is currently crunching the numbers on the FPQ sale which includes more than 211,000 ha of plantation forests, mostly softwoods. Representatives of the consortium visited Northside Truss and Frame at Brendale, Carter Holt Harvey’s Caboolture sawmill and particleboard plant at Gympie, Hyne’s Tuan mill, Mary Valley hoop pine
On the block .. Queensland’s forest plantation estate.. Photo Forest Plantations Queensland
operations and glulam plant at Maryborough, and the Laminex plant at Gympie. Premier Anna Bligh says she won’t back down on the selloff despite public and party pressure and last week unveiled a $1.9 million advertising blitz. Rod McInnes said the $2 billion forest and timber industry which employed 20,000 workers needed a ‘roadmap to the future’ as the Government prepared to sell its forestry assets. “The state must commit to develop a long-term strategy for the industry and move from being the largest investor in the
Industry to one of the smallest,” Mr McInnes said. “Developing a 40-year strategy is an opportunity for the Government to exit the Industry yet still ensure the future economic, social and environmental benefits it can deliver are maximised.” He said among other details, the strategy would examine how to increase job opportunities in the industry and develop communities that could be supported by industry in rural and regional Queensland. Timber Queensland has asked Premier Anna Bligh to work together with the industry and
FOREST INDUSTRIES NATIONAL CONFERENCE & LIAISON DINNER Canberra -24-25 November 2009
other relevant stakeholders, in particular the Australian Workers Union, to develop this strategy. “All of these groups are keen and ready to start working to develop a long-term growth plan to provide Industry with security,” Mr McInnes said. “We encourage the Government to develop the strategy during the asset sale process to provide certainty to all about the future of the industry by the time ownership of this major plantation resource in Queensland changes hands.”
Rod McInnes .. government must work with industry.
Forest Futures
INNOVATION | JOBS | INVESTMENT 2009 Forest Industries Conference
Conference registration form and draft program is available from www.forestworks.com.au Page 2 | issue 100 | 02.11.09
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Illegal logging all about awareness
US Act mirrors industry concerns on Govt. policies By jim Bowden
A DRAFT regulatory impact statement on illegal logging – a further process in developing effective policies to combat the problem – has been produced by the independent Centre for International Economics (CIE) for consultation. But many industry sectors, such as downstream furniture and timber components manufacturers, are still confused, or worse, unaware of the ramifications of a process that the Rudd Government has delivered on an election commitment. The CIE looked at a range of policy options and their costs and benefits. The draft impact statement follows an issues paper released in April and initial consultation with industry, governments and nongovernment organisations. The CIE will present a final report on the consultation process in Canberra before the end of the year. The CIE effort adds to more papers on the subject now under way by URS and Pöyry and an industry code of conduct on illegally sourced timber, an industry-wide supported initiative that will be reviewed in an update by Stephen Mitchell
of TDA NSW at the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia conference this month. A key challenge is differentiating between illegally logged and legally logged timber. The Minister for Forestry Tony Burke welcomed the draft regulatory impact statement and said the Government would continue working on the issue. The Government has already negotiated agreements with Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and is in further discussions with Malaysia and China. Downstream manufacturers still don’t think that the illegal logging laws will affect them “We believe more than 90% of Australia’s timber imports are logged legally, but [the CIE draft] is another step forward in trying to find an effective way to restrict imports of illegally logged timber,” Mr Burke said. “Downstream manufacturers still don’t think that the illegal logging laws will affect them, or worse, don’t even know about it,” Sydney veneer producer Juel Briggs admitted to T&F enews. “The laws will affect them of
James Gould .. entire supply chain accountable for timber it chooses to cut, sell or buy.
course – if nothing else, by adding lots of paper work and tracking costs and complexities – and possibly adding a potentially criminal liability to what previously has been perfectly legal. “I know we don’t have the
legislation or regulation yet, but my concern is that it will hit businesses, especially the small and medium sized companies in the wood-processing, kitchen and fit-out sector, before they realise its implications.” If there is confusion over illegal logging policies, Australia is not alone on the issue. Last year, the US declared it would no longer be the primary market for illegally logged wood when it passed amendments to the 109-year-old Lacey Act. As the Act is phased in, the timber and wood processing industry is learning how to operate under its requirements but is doing so without much guidance on what actions will meet the standard of ‘due care’ imposed. The Act is the world’s most Cont Page 7
Know where the wood was harvested .. if it’s coming from a higher-risk country then realise the risk is greater.
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issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 3
industry news
Forestry activity provides way to offset emissions from agriculture From Page 1
small family-owned businesses and the impacts on these hard working Australians and flow-on effects to industry and local communities would be significant. This is a time we should be encouraging the contribution of forestry to Australia’s emissions abatement effort rather than providing costly obstacles,” Mr Hansard said. The CPRS in its current form doesn’t work for agriculture because it fails to recognise the carbon capture and storage that occurs in agricultural production and does not provide any viable abatement option. Chief executive of the National Farmers Federation Ben Fargher says that by 2050 there will be
Richard Colbeck .. .support for forestry under fuel credit scheme.
nine billion mouths to feed and bodies to clothe, so failure to account for agriculture’s needs would be economically and environmentally irresponsible. “For any government to enact a policy response to climate
change that threatens the competitiveness of Australian agriculture and fails to encourage/recognise nonforestry carbon sequestration is lacking at its core,” Mr Fargher said. Like Australia’s major competitors, the NFF contends that direct emissions from agriculture should be excluded permanently from the CPRS cap. Allan Hansard said forestry was recognised as Australia’s only carbon positive industry, and with the right legislative framework, would be able to contribute as much as 20% of emission reduction targets by 2020. “With the possibility of the agricultural sector, Australia’s second largest emitting sector,
being excluded from the CPRS, there is an even greater need to ensure the full carbon positive potential of forestry activities are recognised,” Mr Hansard said. “Providing the right incentives to incorporate trees and forestry activities within agricultural landscapes provides a way to offset the emissions from agricultural activities as well as emissions from other emitting sectors in our economy. “However, the rule sets to be developed for forestry and agricultural offsets need to be practical, cost-effective and measurable to promote their uptake.”
• • • • • •
• • • • • • • •
Page 4 | issue 100 | 02.11.09
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events
WHAT’S ON? 6: Gala TABMA Awards Night. Crystal Ballroom, Luna Park, Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Potts Point. 6.30 pm for 7 pm (formal/ cocktail). Contact Timber and Building Materials Association (Aust) Ltd. Tel: (02) 9277 3100. Fax: (02) 9437 1222. 6: Soils and Tree Nutrition Farm Forestry Research Seminar, DPI Attwood. Tel: (03) 5833 5957. Email: rhodey.bowman@dpi.vic. gov.au 6: Victorian Association of Forrest Industries annual dinner Crown Casino, Melbourne. Tel: (03) 9611 9000. 10-12: ForestTECH 2009. Tools and technologies to improve forest planning and operations, Rotorua, NZ. www.foresttechevents.com 12-13: Australasian Timber Drying Group (ATDG) 50th meeting, Lismore NSW. First day technical presentations. Second day site visits, including Boral’s engineered flooring plant at Murwillumbah and QDPI’s research facility in Brisbane. Contact: Lance Vinnell, PO Box 85, St Kilda, Vic. Tel: +61 419 895 358 (Australia) and +64 21 73 99 66 (NZ). Email: lancemv@bigpond.com 15-17: Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia annual conference and dinner. Gold Coast International Hotel, Surfers Paradise. Contact: Vicki Roberts, EWPAA,
PO Box 2108, Fortitude Valley BC Qld 4006. Tel: +61 7 3250 3700. Email: vicki.roberts@paa.asn.au web: www.ewp.asn.au 16: Australian Timber Design Awards. National winners announced at EWPAA conference, Gold Coast International Hotel, Surfers Paradise. Contact Laurel Clarke. Tel: (02) 9279 2366. 16-18: ForestTECH 2009, tools and technologies to improve forest planning and operations, Albury, NSW. www.foresttechevents.com 18-20: Managing Native Trees: Towards a National Strategy. Tane’s Tree Trust’s 10- year conference, University of Waikato, Hamilton,NZ. Workshops on the utilisation of totara and beech regeneration, the economical establishment of planted indigenous forest, eco-sourcing and the indigenous research program. Tel: +61 9 239 2049. Email ibtrees@wc.net.nz for a brochure. 20: NSW Forest Products Association annual conference and dinner. AGM 2pm; conference 2.30pm; dinner 7pm. Walsh Bay Room, Waters Edge, 1 Hickson Road, Sydney. Tel: (02) 9279 2344. Email: fpa.nswfpa.asn.au Note: From November 5, FPA’s new address will be: Level 6, 486 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065.
the Year, Rutherglen. Tel: 0409 964 283. philippa.noble@dpi.vic.gov.au
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The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) is striving for an ecologically sustainable Australian society achieved through dynamic, internationally competitive forest industries.
27: Construction Skills Queensland training excellence awards and dinner. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tickets $130 (including gst) or $1200 for a table of 10. Contact Leanne Baker or Luke Burrows at PPR. Tel: (07) 3309 4748 or 0416 764 424 or (07) 3309 4714 or 0410 620 202. Email: lbaker@ppr.com.au or lburrows@ppr.com.au Tickets available until November 6. Visit: www.csq.org.au/awards
DECEMBER 09 8-10: Bioenergy Australia 2009. Radisson Resort Gold Coast. Technical tour on December 8. Contact: Steve Schuck, Bioenergy Australia manager on (02) 9416 9246. Email: sschuck@bigpond.net.au
OCTOBER 2010
2009
21: Northeast Australian Forest Growers branch field day and meeting, Victorian Tree Farmer of
SUSTAINABLE. RESPONSIBLE.
24-25: Forest Futures: Innovation. Jobs. Investment. 2009 Forest Industries National Conference and Liaison Dinner – Canberra. Conference registration and program available from: www.forestworks.com.au
2010
NOVEMBER 09
10-13: Australian Forest Growers national conference, Mount Gambier, SA. Chief executive Warwick Ragg. Contact national office: (02) 6162 9000.
NAFI’s mission is to represent the interests of members by promoting the environmental sustainability and the prosperity of Australian forest industries. National Association of Forest Industries Ltd (Est. 1987) PO Box 239, Deakin ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6285 3833. Fax: (02) 6285 3855 Web: www.nafi.com.au
issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 5
ACHIEVEMENT
Batting for timber: for T&F enews it’s a hundred not out! TIMBER journalist Jim Bowden has been batting for the industry with the written word for 33 years and this week it’s a hundred not out for his popular online weekly magazine. The 100th edition of the Timber & Forestry enews, published by Bowden’s good friend Dennis Macready, now based in Tennessee, USA, today chalks up 6327 deliveries to industry in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region. “We’re not only reaching a wider audience than any other industry medium – we’re getting to them faster,” says Bowden who harks back to the oldfashioned hot-lead print days almost 50 years ago. “Enews allows us to report and comment on issues as they happen and helps drive wood’s message throughout the industry and beyond. And this information is instantly available – anywhere at any time.” Publisher Macready says online magazines allow for more detailed content such as background on articles, sidebars and instant access to advertisers’ websites. “These wouldn’t be possible on regular magazines, due to space and technology limitations. And enews offers added interactive content such as audio and video.” He says online magazines can generate more revenue for advertisers; they give instant market feedback. With today’s technology, publishers can find out which sections are most popular and which are largely ignored. They know how much time people spend reading their magazines. Based on a reliable onforwarding factor of 20%, the 6300-plus deliveries each week
Page 6 | issue 100 | 02.11.09
escalate to 4860, or around 20,000 a month. Research and feedback from advertisers shows their message, appearing weekly, has greater impact when available to their target audience every day. Advertisers are assured that their advertisements are viewed at a minimum of four times opposed to the standard print medium. ‘NAFI would like to congratulate Jim Bowden and the news team on the occasion of their 100th edition. The Timber and Forestry enews has become a critical industry information portal providing an exceptional service since its beginnings almost two years ago’ – Allan Hansard MORE MESSAGES, PAGES 10 AND 11 “While the overall advertising market has continued to be impacted by current economic conditions, marketers are allocating more of their dollars to digital media for its accountability and because consumers are spending more of their leisure time online,” David Silverman of PricewaterhouseCoopers said in a report on the growth of online media. “In recent years, the digital revolution has driven a transformation of how consumers experience advertising and media. As the economy improves, we’re confident that brands will devote an even greater share of their budgets to reaching consumers as they make interactive media a larger part of their lives.”
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industry news
Key challenge .. differentiating between illegally logged and legally logged timber.
Rarely possible to know for certain that wood is legal From Page 3
punitive and far-reaching ‘ban’ on illegally harvested forest products. It places the burden of compliance on the wood products supply chain and makes failure to comply a crime. “The law provides no guidance on what actions may satisfy the standard of ‘due care’ set by Congress,” the president of the US Floor Covering Institute, James Gould said. “The supply chain is left to determine that for itself. Consequently, some international suppliers continue to believe the Lacey Act is a tool to limit competition in the world’s largest wood market while some members of the US domestic channel are too complacent.” Concern, confusion and even anger were evident over the newly implemented Act at this year’s Sino-US-Europe wood flooring summit in Shanghai. This is due in part to a lack of understanding of the Act’s history and intent as well as how to continue trade under the spectre of Lacey. Lacey makes it a crime to receive, transport or sell timber products harvested in a manner contrary to the laws
of the country from which the timber originated. Once illegal wood enters the US supply chain, whether on domestic or international soil, a Lacey Act violation is triggered placing everyone in the downstream supply chain at risk of prosecution, fines and seizure. “There is no ‘innocent-owner’ defence,” Mr Gould revealed. “Anyone who knows or should have known that the wood was illegal is guilty of a crime. Some international suppliers believe the Lacey Act is a tool to limit competition in the world’s largest wood market “Essentially, the most punitive law against illegal logging ever realigns the risk-benefit equation along the supply chain by holding the entire chain accountable for timber it chooses to cut, sell or buy.” Mr Gould says the key to avoiding or minimising penalties is exercising due diligence in buying wood products. During its investigations, the US Department of Justice will evaluate the standard of care taken by parties in their wood trade and may hold some to a higher standard than
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others, depending upon the circumstances. Thus, relying solely upon someone else in the chain to meet the standard is not enough. The US Floor Covering Institute has advised its members on how to demonstrate due care. “The primary lesson here is that everyone needs to take an active role,” Mr Gould said. “No one should passively rely upon others to make the risk assessment for them. This is equally true for retailers, buying groups, distributors and manufacturers, alike. It seems prudent that everyone should set up some simple guidelines.” Here are some of Mr Gould’s suggestions: • Every business should create a written company policy stating the intent to buy/sell only legal wood products. Back that up with a standard operating procedure, checklist and questions for buyers to follow. • Do not allow wood products that have not passed those
standards into inventory. • Document actions. In the event of an investigation written policies, checklist and documented actions will be primary evidence that due care was exercised. Ask suppliers to explain the due diligence they exercised in sourcing the wood products. If the price is well below market, recognise there is a reason and ask more questions. • Know where the wood was harvested; if it’s coming from a higher-risk country then realise the risk is greater. If it comes from a low-risk country verify that it was not first imported from a high-risk area. Use third party certifications when you can. Mr Gould says given the difficulty of proving chain of custody, it may rarely be possible to know for certain that wood is legal but what is possible to prove is that you set standards, asked the right questions and did what a reasonable person would do to comply with the law.”
issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 7
industry news
Broad spectrum of industry issues to fill busy EWPAA conference agenda A BROAD cross-section of critical industry issues from climate change, green building codes, forest certification and illegal logging concerns to wood promotion, international market opportunities and new timber engineering technologies has formed an exciting agenda for the EWPAA annual conference this month. The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia expects members from both sides of the Tasman to join a wide representation of industry stakeholders at the AGM and conference at Surfers Paradise on November 15 and 16. The big program will be topped with the announcement of the national winners of the Australian Timber Design Awards at a gala dinner at the Gold Coast International Hotel on November 16. The awards, including the coveted EWPAA Sanderson Trophy for best use of plywood, LVL and wood panels, will be
Phil Townsend .. government forest policy.
Stephen Mitchell .. code of conduct.
presented by Andrew Dunn, chief executive of the Timber Development association, and Simon Dorries, general manger, EWPAA. Conference speaker Phil Townsend will discuss new Federal Government policy aimed at stamping out illegal logging and Stephen Mitchell of the TDA NSW will give an overview of the industry code of conduct on illegally-sourced timber. An update on the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction
Ric Sinclair .. wood promotion campaign.
Scheme will be presented by Simon McCabe of Carbon Planet. The development of the industry’s generic timber promotion campaign – Wood Naturally Better – will be outlined by Ric Sinclair, managing director of FWPA. Marcel Vroege of Pöyry has titled his subject ‘Effect of global economic crisis on EWP Markets and Producers in North America, South America and Asia’. Robert Finch of Structural
Andrew Dunn .. presentation of design awards.
Timber Innovation will examine research aims to develop different timber engineering solutions involving innovative large-span timber building technologies. STIC’s current priorities involve working closely with researchers at the University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, University of Technology, Sydney and BRANZ Ltd to address the needs of the industry and to take the new technology from the laboratory into the market place.
Countdown to national design awards NATIONAL winners of the 10th Australian Timber Design Awards will be announced at the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia’s conference dinner at the Gold Coast International Hotel, Surfers Paradise, on November 16. Record entries were received
in 12 categories contested by builders, designers, architects, engineers and landscapers.
Chairman of Forest and Wood Products Australia Ron Adams (right) presents southern region award for Class 1-Best Renovation to Peter Woolard, Studio 101 Architects, Geelong, Vic
Tim Rumney of Vos Construction & Joinery, Hobart, (left) accepts the award for Best use of Timber Panels (Melbourne Recital Centre) presented by Michael Murphy, CHH.
Page 8 | issue 100 | 02.11.09
Best overall regional award winners were: Northern (Queensland, Northern Territory): Tree of Knowledge by Brian Hooper Architects,
Yeppoon, and m3architecture, Brisbane.
Central (NSW): Joint winners – National Portrait Gallery by Johnson Pilton Walker, Sydney, and Whale Beach by Neeson Murcutt Architects, Sydney, in association with Coddington Co.
Peter Ripikoi, specification manager, Boral Timber, Brisbane (right) with Darryl and Rod Sharp of Sharp Plywood, Wacol, at the Brisbane awards.
Southern (Victoria and Tasmania): The Letterbox House by McBride Charles Ryan, Melbourne. Western (South Australia and WA): Swan Street Residence by Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects, Perth.
Rowena and Jeff Beasley of Jeff Beasley Constructions, Carina Heights, with Lilli Nastic of Dennis Nichols & Associates, architects, Oxford Park, Brisbane.
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comment
Rival US certifiers draw battlelines on ‘eco-friendly’ wood ANOTHER shot had been fired in the battle between rival certifiers of environmentally friendly wood products in the US. The Coalition for Fair Forest Certification has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission charging that the Forest Stewardship Council – the premier certifier of green forestry products in the US – engages in unfair and deceptive trade practices, says a report in the energy and environment section of The New York Times. Coalition members include a number of forest products companies and major timber merchants, many of which are members of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The group also asserted that the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system for efficient and sustainable buildings – known widely as LEED – is anticompetitive because it only recognises products certified by the FSC and not those of other certifying bodies. A letter submitted on behalf of the coalition by the law firm Steptoe & Johnson asks the trade commission to investigate. “FSC’s certification system and the favouritism it is afforded raises significant concerns about unfair or deceptive trade practices that violate the Federal Trade Commission Act, as well as anti-competitive behaviour clearly prohibited by that statute as well as the Sherman Act,” the letter states. According to Thomas Collier, a lawyer with Steptoe & Johnson, the letter to the trade commission is intended to provide balance for a complaint
the
Watchdog
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 6,000 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! HEAD OFFICE Custom Publishing Group Unit 2- 3986 Pacific Highway Loganholme 4129 Qld, Australia Tel: +61 7 3392 9810
filed with the agency in September by ForestEthics, an environmental group dedicated to protecting endangered forests, which challenged the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s credibility and non-profit status. “In setting unreasonably high standards for US wood products, FSC makes way for the establishment of an anticompetitive regime that works to the significant detriment of the US wood products industry and its ability to compete in the rapidly growing ‘green’ building market,” the letter states. The president of the US office of the Forest Stewardship Council Corey Brinkema called the coalition’s assertions “cynical and misleading”. According to Mr. Brinkema, his organisation has 10 core principals and 56 sub criteria that are applied everywhere in the world – requirements that are much more specific, he said, than those of the Forest Sustainability Initiative and more expensive to adhere to. “They’re attempting to put a green label on status quo practices,” Mr. Brinkema charged. “FSC will fight that.”
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PUBLISHER Dennis Macready admin@industryenews.com.au CONSULTING EDITOR Jim Bowden Tel: +61 7 3256 1779 Mob: 0401 312 087 cancon@bigpond.net.au ADVERTISING Tel: +61 7 3256 1779 cancon@bigpond.net.au PRODUCTION MANAGER Leigh Macready Tel: +61 7 3392 9810 production@industryenews.com.au
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issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 9
achievement
Industry tributes: a hundred not out SECTIONS of industry have sent their congratulations on the 100th edition of weekly online magazine Timber&Forestry enews: Richard Stanton, chief executive, Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council: A3P would like to congratulate Timber and Forestry enews on reaching its 100th issue. As a national representative body it is useful, and beneficial, to have a range of different mechanisms to communicate what is happening in the industry, to do with both the government and other industry organisations. This publication has been a useful tool in helping A3P by providing a platform for us to get our message out to stakeholders and those with an interest in the industry and it also provides us with feedback from those stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Timber and Forestry enews and wish them all the best for the next 100 issues. Ric Sinclair, managing director, Forest and Wood Products Australia: Congratulations on your hundredth issue. The service and coverage provided by the magazine, and the long-time championing of the industry by its editor, ensures that there is a strong voice and information
sharing across the forest and wood products sector. May we all look forward to the two hundredth issue. Allan Hansard, chief executive, National Association of Forest Industries: NAFI would like to congratulate Jim Bowden and the news team on the occasion of their 100th edition. The Timber and Forestry enews has become a critical industry information portal providing an exceptional service since its beginnings almost two years ago. NAFI would like to express our congratulations to this 100-edition milestone, and show gratitude for the intelligence it provides. Rod McInnes, chief executive, Timber Queensland: Congratulations Jim, on the 100th edition of Timber & Forestry enews; a very useful weekly update on Australian issues in our Industry. We look forward to 100’s more! Russ Ainley, executive director, NSW Forest Products Association: On behalf of association members, I congratulate Custom Publishing Group and editor Jim
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AFS/01-10-01 www.forestrystandard.org.au
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issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 1
Carbon positive
Colbeck supports inclusion of forest industry under the fuel credit scheme
AMENDMENTS sought by the Federal Coalition on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) fuel credit would see the forest industry treated in the same way as the agricultural and fishing sectors. The Coalition’s forestry spokesperson Senator Richard Colbeck (Tasmania) has confirmed support for the inclusion of forestry under the fuel credit scheme. “These amendments are a common sense response to encouraging a renewable and carbon positive forestry industry in the transition of the Australian economy to a low carbon future, the chief executive of the National Association of Forest Industries Allan Hansard said. The exclusion of forestry
This issue • One hundred issues: T&F enews milestone • Martin Ferguson to address Forest Future Conference
Forest
Getting a look in .. CPRS amendments would see forestry receive the same treatment as agriculture.
under the CPRS fuel credit Bill meant that the direct costs of any fuel price increases from the introduction of the CPRS would be directly passed on to industry ‘off-road’ activities,
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at an estimated average cost to each forestry contractor of $14,000 a year. “Many of these contractors are Cont Page 4
operations ‘eye opener’ for asset sales team • Regional winners in Australian Timber Design Awards announced • Illegal logging .. it’s about awareness • Broad and busy EWPAA conference agenda • Countdown for national timber design awards • Government no-show embarrasses forestry profession
issuE 100 | 02.11.09 | PAgE 1
Number 100.. Timber & Forestry enews
Bowden for reaching a century with the publication of the 100th edition of Timber & Forestry enews this week. Jim has been associated with the timber industry over many years and brings a wealth of experience, contacts and understanding of the industry to this publication. Its successful launch and continued relevance are a tribute to his expertise. In this day of instant news, it is important that the forest industry keep abreast of the latest happenings and issues around the country.
While printed industry journals still have their place, this weekly publication, delivered via email, ensures that both major companies and small family businesses are brought up to date with happenings specific to the timber industry. Well done. Phillip Dalidakis, chief executive, Victorian Association of Forest Industries: Great achievement. Timber&Forestry enews continues as a strong link in the industry’s communication chain. VAFI and its members look forward to the next 100 editions. Simon Dorries, general manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia: A great achievement. T&F enews has served the timber, forest, processing and manufacturing industries well. Keep up the good work. Andrew Dunn, chief executive, Timber Development Association (NSW): Well done, what a milestone. We find your newsletter a wonderful summary of the industry news and current events. Keep up the fine work and we look forward to many more editions. John Halkett, technical manager, Australian Timber Cont Page 11
Be SURE about INSURANCE Trusted brokers to the timber industry since 1985
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Page 10 | issue 100 | 02.11.09
Contact Alan Jones Email: alan.jones@premier.austbrokers.com (Licence No. 238123)
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ACHIEVEMENT
.. well done Timber&Forestry enews From Page 10
Importers Federation: A hundred issues already! Great work, great achievement. Your coverage of industry issues, particularly those specific to our association, have set a high standard. Karen Johnston, chief executive officer, Timber and Building Materials Association (Qld): Congratulations Jim and crew at Timber & Forestry enews online
on your 100th publication. Your services will only continue to become more important in the future. Keep up the good work sharing information of relevance to all sectors of industry. Lawrie Halkett, chief executive, New Zealand Pine Manufacturers Association: On behalf of members of the New Zealand Pine Manufacturers Association I congratulate Timber&Forestry enews on its 100th edition. The T&F enews
team should take a bow as this e-newsletter is an excellent weekly summation of all that is happening in the Australian sector. For offshore readers it provides an informative and valuable window into all that is happening throughout the industry. The professional presentation / magazine style layout of the e-newsletter makes it both easy and a pleasure to read. Keep up the outstanding effort and we Kiwis will look forward to reading the next 100
editions. Doug Howick, national secretary, Timber Preservers Association of Australia: At yesterday’s [October 27] TPAA Council meeting, it was noted that Timber & Forestry enews has now been serving our industry for one hundred issues. The Council and members of the TPAA congratulate you all on this significant contribution and we all look forward to the next 100 Issues.
Industry invited to environmental impact workshops THE Federal Government, research organisations and the building products industry are working together to develop knowledge and tools to allow a fair assessment of the impact of materials, processes and products on the environment across their whole life cycle. To gather information on the views of Australians on the significance of a range of environmental issues and risks, a series of life cycle ‘weightings workshops’ are being held at 11 cities around Australia. The workshops hope to attract people from all backgrounds, interests and walks of life to consider questions such as: Are rising sea levels the most significant problem we as a country will face, or depletion of fresh water supply? Does ozone depletion matter to you? Or are you more concerned
Have you tried and failed in
with release of toxins into our waterways? Stephen Mitchell of the Timber Development Association in Sydney is coordinating timber industry representation at these workshops. He can be contacted on (02) 9279 2366 or email stephen.mitchell@tdansw. asn.au Remaining workshops open for registration are: Albury, NSW: Robert Brown Room, Albury City Council, 553 Kiewa Street Albury. Wednesday, November 4, 10am-1pm. Melbourne: Board Room, Building Commission, Level 39, Casselden Place, Friday, November 6, 10am-1pm. Canberra: Murrumbidgee Room, Canberra Airport, Monday, November 9, 10am-1pm Hobart: Environment Industry Council, Friday, November 13,
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Darwin: Master Builders, cnr Winnellie Road and Hickman St, Winnellie, Friday, November 27, 10am-1pm. Alice Springs: Andy McNeill Room, Alice Springs Town Council, 93 Todd Street, Monday, November 30, 10am1pm.
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www.vafi.org.au issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 11
industry news
Engineered wood gains from new federal workplace safety initiative Ensuring building products meet Australian standards BY JIM BOWDEN
A POWERFUL Federal workplace safety watchdog has been set loose in the construction sector to sniff out building products that fail to comply with Australian standards. Under the OHS Accreditation Scheme, the Government is using its procurement power to ensure that anyone who wants to contract for governmentfunded building works over a certain value must reach a high standard of workplace safety. Details of the scheme were outlined at an international construction safety conference in Melbourne by Federal Safety Commissioner Helen Marshall. The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia took a high profile at the conference presenting EWPAA design manuals and fact sheets to 150 delegates who included construction industry leaders, building engineers, union safety instructors, university lecturers and academics. “The conference reflected a strong commitment by government and private
Federal Safety Commissioner Helen Marshall discusses EWPAA technical information with keynote speakers Chris Webb, director, Construction and Utilities Program, WorkSafe Victoria, and Barry Sherriff, lead partner of national OHS practice Freehills, Melbourne.
stakeholders to ensure building products meet Australian standards for structural safety, which is good news for the engineered wood products industry,” EWPAA general manger Simon Dorries said. “We have been concerned for some time about increasing quantities of imported plywood that fails to conform to Australian standards and in many instances does not have
Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas (centre) discusses construction safety issues with RMIT University’s Professor Ron Wakefield, head of the School of Property, Construction and Project Management, and Prof. Helen Lingard, conference chair.
Page 12 | issue 100 | 02.11.09
the structural strength of true certified plywood. Some of these products, such as LVL scaffold planks and high-emission plywoods, are misrepresented by false labelling.” Mr Dorries said the Government’s OHS accreditation scheme would put these products under closer scrutiny and EWPAA was ready to cooperate with the safety commissioner’s office to help improve performance in the building and construction sector. EWPAA product awareness information will be added to the scheme’s OHS information resource base which includes best practice guidance, fit for purpose and case studies. Helen Marshall said as Federal Safety Commissioner she was committed to doing all she could to prevent the loss of lives on building sites. “We have 9% of the Australian workforce in the building and construction industry, but 24%
of the fatalities,” she said. “The most significant tool my office has at its disposal for driving this cultural change for safety is the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme. “The scheme is not just an administrative arrangement; it is set in legislation as part of the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005. “It is a legislative requirement that the head contractor for any building work funded by the Government must be accredited under the scheme. Government agencies will be in breach of the legislation if this doesn’t happen. “The scheme allows the government to take advantage of its position as a major client of the building and construction industry and to make sure projects are delivered not only on budget and on time, but also safely. “This leverage is becoming more and more significant as opportunities for private projects dry up and government contracts become critical for business. “At the moment the value of the projects covered by the scheme is around $10 billion, but I expect this to grow considerably in the coming months. Overall, we are tracking about $30 billion in projects that are either at tender or at the concept stage.” Ms Marshall produced some sobering figures at the conference: In 2007-08, workplaces primarily engaged in the construction industry accounted for the largest number of notified fatalities (38). Cont Page 13
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industry news
Martin Ferguson to address Forest Futures THE Federal Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson will deliver the keynote address at the first Super Biomass Energy Investors Workshop in Canberra on November 25. The workshop, incorporated in the Forest Futures 2009 Industry Conference from November 24-25, is aimed at investors, industry proponents, technicians and analysts. The following speakers have also been confirmed for the two-day event: • Senator Richard Colbeck, Coalition forestry spokesperson.
• Jim Henneberry, chief executive, Australian Paper. • Scott Whicker, mill manager, Millicent Mill, Kimberly-Clark Australia. • Matthew Warnken, managing director, Crucible Carbon. A highlight of the conference will be the Forest Industries Leaders Liaison Dinner at the Great Hall, Parliament House, on November 24. The ForestWorks (ISC) Skills Employment Council will meet during the conference on November 25. The series of events in Canberra are presented by ForestWorks,
Martin Ferguson .. keynote at biomass workshop.
the Industry Skills Council for Australia’s forest, wood, paper
Report: Top marks for forest sustainability FORESTRY Tasmania’s new Stewardship Report, provides an unprecedented level of the organisation’s operations. “For the first time, we have combined our traditional annual financial report with our sustainable forest management report,” executive general manager Dr Hans Drielsma said. “The result is the most comprehensive insight into Forestry Tasmania’s environmental, social and economic sustainability we have yet produced. “It tracks our progress
against the objectives of our Sustainability Charter, and as such, provides a ‘warts and all’ view of our business. It allows our stakeholders to immediately understand the areas in which we are doing well, and those in which there is room for improvement.” The Stewardship Report demonstrates that Forestry Tasmania delivered many beneficial social and environmental outcomes while recording a robust profit in the challenging trading conditions created by the global financial crisis.
“As we reported when our financials were released in August this year, we delivered an operating profit of $9.3 million in 2008-09, up from $8.6 million the previous year,” Dr Drielsma said. “However, the downturn in the international markets has been deeper and more prolonged than we had anticipated, and it will be difficult to achieve a similar result this year.” In terms of our environmental and social responsibilities, Forestry Tasmania achieved a number of significant milestones in 2008-09.
Tracking $30bn in government building projects From Page 12
During 2006-07 (the latest figures available), an average of 39 employees a day sustained a serious work-related injury or disease requiring one week or more off work (22 claims per 1000 workers). Victoria’s Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas officially launched the Engineers Australia Safer Construction Design Stage Implementation Workshop at the conference, which was hosted by Melbourne’s RMIT University.
The university invited EWPAA to give a lecture to students on engineered wood products at the university’s School of Property, Construction and Project Management.
Discussing EWPAA fact sheets at the conference are Fiona Murie, director, OHS construction coordinator, Building and Woodworkers International, Geneva, and Loretta Canever, OHS instructor, CFMEU.
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and timber products industry, in conjunction with First Super and with the assistance of national organisations NAFI, A3P, CFMEU, AFCA and Timber Communities Australia. Funding assistance has been provided by the Federal Government through the Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations. The conference registration and program are available from: www.forestworks.com.au A small number of sponsorship opportunities are still available. For details, contact Tim Woods on 0419 352 869.
Award for outstanding resource management
THE Resource Management Law Association presented its 2009 award for the most outstanding resource management documentation to the NZ Forest Owners Association environmental chair Peter Weir (pictured) at its annual conference in Wellington last month. The Environmental Code, which was published in 2007, has been adopted by most major forest owners and their contractors and endorsed by the NZ Farm Forestry Association. A recent survey showed that more than 90% of contractors involved in silviculture, harvesting, roading and earthworks, and agrichemical and fertiliser application, have adopted the code.
issue 100 | 02.11.09 | Page 13
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