Issue277

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issuE 277 | 08.07.13 | PAgE 1

Imports: another bad bill of goods

THis issuE • Industry priorities for new Forestry Minister • Skills program stimulus for innovation

Plywood formwork panels fail Australian standards and stress-grade regulations

By JiM BOWDEN

Here we go again .. failed plywood panels threaten lives.

manager and wood scientist Simon Dorries said.

Mr Dorries, who has personally machine stress graded tens of thousands of plywood sheets, said it was very unusual to see panels break in the test

Cont Page 12

Cypress adds warmth to flood-hit town • Sessions inform industry on illegal logging • Andy Blackwell revered timber trader • Sydney seminar gets down to business • Julie George elected ForestWorks chair • Beware of dodgy decking

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machine at proof loads so far below the claimed F-grade.

“It lands on top of hundreds of cases of imported wood products, mostly from Asia, that in recent years have failed

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THE engineered wood industry has alerted construction work unions and the consumer law watchdog ACCC to significant examples of imported product non-compliance that could have cost lives on building projects in the Northern Territory.

Plywood panels, suspected to come from Asia, failed structurally under loads well below those referenced in accompanying documents which stated the grade as F17.

“This is potentially quite a serious case of structural noncompliance,” EWPAA general

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issuE 277 | 08.07.13 | PAgE 1

INDUSTRY NEWS

Shooting home some industry priorities to new forestry minister THE Australian Forest Products Association is looking for an early meeting with the new Forestry Minister Joel Fitzgibbon to ensure he is fully across some of the emerging challenges and opportunities affecting the forest, wood and paper sectors.

“We are pleased that Mr Fitzgibbon is from a regional area and hope that he brings a new perspective and an energetic approach to the portfolio which should be promoting forestry as central to the emergence of a low carbon economy into the future,” AFPA CEO Ross Hampton said.

In 2009, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said evidencebased policy-making was at the heart of being a reformist government.

“AFPA is hoping that Mr Fitzgibbon applies this mantra to his dealings with the forestry industry,” Mr Hampton said.

“AFPA has previously been on record saying that achieving the full potential of the forest wood and paper products industries will require strong leadership and a partnership approach between industry, communities and government.”

On behalf of its members, AFPA will present the new minister with a copy of ‘A renewable future’, the policy initiative roadmap for the forest wood and paper products industry and eagerly awaits discussion about how some of the eight key priorities in that document can be achieved.

Mr Hampton said AFPA also appreciated that some continuity would be provided to the portfolio by Sid Sidebottom,

Joel Fitzgibbon .. new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

who had been the parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry since December 2011.

Former federal Forestry Minister Joe Ludwig is quitting the ministry but will continue to serve as a Labor senator for Queensland.

Joel Fitzgibbon, 51, has represented the NSW division of Hunter since March 1996.

He was Minister for Defence in the first Rudd ministry from December 2007 to June 2009.

He resigned from cabinet in June 2009 after several controversies related to his ministerial conduct.

Mr Fitzgibbon was an automotive electrician, electorate officer, part-time technical education lecturer and was elected to the Opposition Ministry in October 1998 taking the Shadow Minister for Mining, Energy and Forestry portfolio in 2003–05.

In June 2005 he was appointed Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Cont Page 11

‘We hope he brings a new perspective and an energetic approach to the portfolio which should be promoting forestry as central to the emergence of a low carbon economy into the future’ – now Ross Hampton Page 2 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

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INDUSTRY NEWS

New skills program develops as stimulus for industry innovation Collaboration key to understanding supply chain

TIMBER and furniture industry leaders have welcomed a new skills program developed by ForestWorks to help stimulate and support innovation in the forest, wood, paper and timber products sector.

The Innovations Skills Program, funded by the federal Department of Innovation, is aimed at providing industry with the skills and knowledge to innovate effectively and includes collaboration with other players in the local value chain.

ForestWorks ISC CEO Michael Hartman said the new program was spurred by feedback from industry.

“Following the ‘Stepping Up The Value Chain’ industry conference last year, there was widespread agreement from industry figures that the key to the survival in this high-cost economy is innovation,” Mr Hartman said.

“So many are now inspired to take up the challenge of the 21st century and yet they still want to know – what is the next step from here?

“That is the question we are trying to answer with the new Innovation Skills Program. We know the key to innovation is collaboration, yet this is in an area which we have been traditionally weak in this country.

“We need to follow the lead of other developed nations and learn how to work collaboratively with others in the local value chain, those we have traditionally seen only as competitors.

“After all, our true competition is overseas – not over the road.

That is why we are asking for industry to sign up to get involved in forums with other industry players led by business

Industry innovation .. many inspired to take up the challenge.

and innovation experts who understand best practice in the innovation field.”

Mr Hartman said the new program was not trying to ‘teach’ innovation so much as it was trying to facilitate the conditions under which it could occur.

“We know a lot of workplaces can struggle to change and operate under new paradigms – even if traditional practices are no longer working,” he said.

“So this is an opportunity to join a professionally supported working group, and contribute and benefit from new skills and knowledge across the value chain.

“Collaboration is the key to really understanding the supply chain in which we operate, and therefore how to enhance our role in that chain. This is the way forward for our industry:

Michael Hartman .. innovation key to survival in a high-cost economy.

working collaboratively with our partners in the chain and not simply trying to squeeze each other’s margins.”

Mr Hartman commended the Australian Workforce Productivity Agency and the Department of Innovation, through the National Workforce

‘This is the way forward for our industry: working collaboratively with our partners in the chain and not simply trying to squeeze each other’s margins’ – Michael Hartman

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Development Fund, for understanding that innovation is the key to ensuring forest and forest products is a sunrise industry and not a sunset industry.

“This funding will support the industry to adjust to the paradigm shift we need to continue to compete with the world,” he added.

Dr Alastair Woodard of Wood Products Victoria (WPV) said the innovation skills program was very interesting and timely.

He said WPV was currently trying to assist Victorian hardwood sawmillers who produced F17 structural hardwood to find other appearance grade market opportunities for their resource.

“To be successful it’s going to need different internal processes, far more formal and informal collaboration to achieve commercial volumes, and for some products improved supply chain frameworks,” Dr Woodard said.

Chairman of Timber Queensland Chris Hay said the skills program sounded like a good initiative.

“It’s important to make sure the industry gets involved and that we do get innovation,” he said.

“That’s was the industry needs – innovation.”

Australian Furniture Association CEO Patrizia Torelli said AFA would like to work with ForestWorks on the skills initiative.

“We would like to establish an AFA-specific calendar for these forums,” she said.

“It would be great to also have them as part of our 2014 Furnitex program – a massive development for AFA in which we would welcome involvement

by ForestWorks.”

issue 277 | 08.07.13 | Page 3

INDUSTRY NEWS

Getting down to business Sydney seminar: building stronger value chains BILLED as the Australian timber industry’s business seminar of the year, an event in Sydney in October will cover key issues in wood-based product marketing and matters related to company-level business success.

The seminar is a joint venture between three national timber industry bodies – Forest and Wood Products Australia, the Australian Timber Importers Federation and the Timber and Building Materials Association (TABMA).

Titled Building Stronger Value Chains, the seminar on Friday, October 11, is aimed at senior industry executives.

Managing director of FWPA Ric Sinclair said the collaborative effort would be a ‘must-attend’ event for 2013.

He said that although the seminar was still in the planning phase, the speaker lineup would include leading international and Australian experts, policymakers, marketing specialists, technology providers and regulatory authorities.

The seminar would be a prominent component of a key day of the 2013 calendar year for the timber industry.

“Other important industry events on the day will include the FWPA annual general

Colin Fitzpatrick

Ric Sinclair

John Halkett

meeting and research forum and a TABMA-hosted annual timber industry gala dinner and awards presentation.

TABMA chief executive Colin Fitzpatrick said the seminar would reinforce industry goals of continuing to assist in growing industry capability, product and market innovation, enhancing competitiveness and commercial success.

“Our aim is to run a seminar that will update current industry issues, stimulate new ways of thinking and reinvigorate industry enthusiasm.”

ATIF general manager John Halkett confirmed that the

supply chain seminar would be a premier timber industry event for 2013.

“We are being careful to ensure that the program will appeal to the broad cross-section of companies and organisations in the timber value chain, their suppliers, supporters and related businesses and interests.”

He said Building Stronger Value Chains would provide timber industry participants with an update of current topical issues, fresh ideas, perspectives and information that would help build better business futures.

“It will also provide an

opportunity for the timber industry value chain to constructively debate and work together towards solving industry issues and realising opportunities – and importantly assist in raising the profile of the Australian timber industry,” he said.

Mr Halkett said the seminar would provide a great opportunity for some limited sponsorship. “It is in this spirit of growth and vision that we are seeking relationships with a strictly limited number of like-minded companies and organisations to support the seminar as sponsors.”

Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to John Halkett on (02) 9356 3826 or 0417 421 187, or to Eileen Newbury of Leading Edge Events International on (03) 9597 0948.

Speakers include leading international and Australian experts, policy-makers, marketing specialists, technology providers and regulatory authorities

Critical shortage of wood ‘bedevils’ forest peace deal THE first report on the progress of Tasmania’s forest peace deal says the restructure is being hampered by a “critical” shortage of wood.

The report has been handed down by the special council overseeing the implementation of the historic agreement to reduce the native timber industry, negotiated by industry and environmental groups.

The council says while the

Page 4 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

deal is on track to meet its environmental targets, there are already problems with the industry restructure.

Terry Edwards from the Forest Industries Association is a member of the council and says implementation of the agreement is causing headaches for sawmills.

“Forestry Tasmania is currently required to deliver much more wood product than they had planned to because of the

delays in implementation of the programs and that’s bedevilling the outcomes of the agreement,” he said.

“That’s having a dramatic adverse impact on sawmills and needs to be remedied.”

The wood supply shortage is blamed on delays in closing sawmills and a reduction in contractors brought about by the delivery of exit packages.

Mr Edwards says there is

also concern about a lack of transparency surrounding the allocation of the $100 million earmarked for regional development.

“There doesn’t appear to be any guidelines or criteria that have been established.”

The special council also says while anti-logging protests have continued, they have been “neutralised” by the work of environmental signatories to the peace deal.

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EVENTS

WHAT’S ON?

AUGUST

8-9: DANA 2013: Oceania Plantation, Forest and Wood Products Trade Conference.

Bayview Eden Hotel, Melbourne.

Email: enquiry@prcc.com.au www.prcc.com.au/ danamelbourne2013 24: (Saturday): the Cat Goes Gold. Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218 50th anniversary celebration. Fratelli Italian Ristorante, 103 Crosby Road, Albion, Brisbane. Contact 0401 312 087 or 0428 745 455 for bookings.

SEPTEMBER 3-5: woodEXPO 13 - Albury, NSW. 11-13: Rotorua, NZ. World leaders in wood processing, manufacturing and new product technologies will speak at the region’s first ‘business-tobusiness’ wood industry show. The new expo will provide local companies management as well as production staff – exposure to new technologies that can improve their own efficiencies and productive capability. Leading technology providers from Europe, North America and Asia will join with each of the main equipment and product suppliers from New Zealand and Australia. Full details on the expo, summit and technology workshops are available on www. woodexpo2013.com

OCTOBER 11: Forest and wood Products Australian AGM. In conjunction with meeting of the Australian Timber Importers Federation and an industry value chain seminar.

An industry dinner is planned for Thursday evening, October 10.

Information about the AGM and seminar will be circulated at a later date.

11: Forest and wood Products Australia (FWPA) AGM and research forum. Time: 8:30-10:30 am. Venue: Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour Hotel, Sydney. Inquiries to Ric Sinclair, FWPA (03) 9927 3200 or ric.sinclair@fwpa.com.au 11: Building stronger value chains - Australian timber industry seminar. Time: 10.30 am-5 pm.

Venue: Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour Hotel, Sydney. Joint hosts: Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA); the Australian Timber Importers Federation (ATIF) and Timber Merchants and Building Material Association (TABMA). This will be the industry’s ‘must-attend’ event for 2013. Inquiries to John Halkett, ATIF (02) 9356 3826; Colin Fitzpatrick, TABMA (02) 9277 3100 Ric Sinclair, FWPA (03) 9927 3200 or Eileen Newbury, Leading Edge Events International (03) 9597 0948.

Seminar sponsorship inquiries to John Halkett.

11: Australian timber industry annual gala dinner and awards presentation. Time 7:30 pm onwards. Timber and Building Material Association (TABMA) Doltone House, Pyrmont, Sydney.

Pre-dinner drinks 6:30 pm. Inquiries to Colin Fitzpatrick, TABMA (02) 9277 3100 or colin@tabma.com.au

NOVEMBER 23: TABMA Queensland timber industry gala dinner. Moda Events, Portside Level 2, Portside Wharf, Hamilton. Contact Alicia on (07) 3254 3166 or alicia@tabma.com.au

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DECEMBER 4-5. Focus on improving transport and logistics in the forestry sector.

It will build on the excellent program designed by the Forest Industry Engineering Association. Visit www.foresttechevents.com

FEBRUARY 2014 17-21: Gottstein wood science Course, Melbourne. Inquiries to Dr Silvia Pongracic (Gottstein Trust), 0418 764 954 or secretary@ gottsteintrust.org or www.gottsteintrust.org

MARCH 2014 19: Forestwood 2014 Conference.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.

A panindustry conference jointly hosted by Forest Owners Association, the Wood Processors Association, Pine Manufacturers Association , Forest Industry Contractors Association and supported by Woodco, NZ Farm Forestry Association and the Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association. Sponsorship and trade exhibition opportunities will be available from the middle of May 2013. Contact the conference organiser Paardekooper and Associates. Tel +64 4 562 8259.

Email: info@forestwood.org.nz www. forestwood.org.nz

AUGUST 2014 6-9: AWISA 2014 Exhibition.

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association Ltd has decided that the exhibition will move from Sydney to Brisbane next year. Inquiries about booking space: email info@awisa.com or call Geoff Holland. Tel: (02) 9918 3661.

Fax: (02) 9918 7764. Mob: 0412 361 580 Email: info@awisa.com

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

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

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

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

issue 277 | 08.07.13 | Page 5

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sessions across Australia inform industry on illegal logging moves THE Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will hold information sessions in capital cities and regional centres across Australia to outline the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment Regulation 2013, which was registered as a legislative instrument on May 31.

DAFF officers will meet with state government officials as well as timber importers, brokers and processors in the states and territories between July and September.

The head of DAFF’s forestry branch Paul McNamara said the information sessions would provide Australian forestry industry stakeholders with the opportunity to learn about the regulations, which came into effect from November 30 next year.

“It is now an offence to import

illegally logged timber and timber products into Australia or to process Australian raw logs that have been harvested illegally,” Mr McNamara said.

From November 30, 2014, importers and processors will need to undertake ‘due diligence’ to minimise the risk of importing or processing illegally harvested timber or timber products that are regulated.

“The due diligence requirements are in the regulation and have been developed by DAFF in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders,” Mr McNamara said.

“DAFF is continuing its consultation with domestic and international stakeholders, through an extensive education and outreach program in 2013 and 2014 to

Paul McNamara .. opportunity for industry to learn about new regulations.

help them understand the new requirements.”

DAFF will meet with New South Wales stakeholders in Sydney on July 24. This will be followed by information sessions for domestic processors, importers and

brokers in Victoria from August 6 to 9. Sessions will also be held in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia in mid to late August, and in Queensland, Northern Territory and regional New South Wales in September.

This itinerary ensures that the majority of Australia’s domestic timber importers and processors will have the opportunity to attend a session.

It demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to combating the trade in illegally logged timber products.

The information sessions will be followed by an educational outreach program in early to mid-2014.

Contact DAFF on illegallogging@daff.gov.au, or follow updates on www.daff. gov.au/forestry/policies/illegallogging

Australia terminates landmark REDD+ project in Borneo AUSTRALIA is ending its major forest restoration project in Indonesian Borneo, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Launched during the peak of excitement about the potential of forest conservation to help mitigate greenhouse gas

Page 6 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

emissions in 2007, the $47 million initiative aimed to restore 200,000 ha of peatland that had been drained for the ill-conceived mega-rice project in the mid1990s.

The project, known as the Kalimantan Forests and Climate

Partnership, would have reflooded that area by blocking off drainage canals, planted some 100 million trees, and protected 70,000 ha of carbon-dense peat forest.

It expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 700 million

metric tonnes over 30 years, but the project faced challenges from the start due to approval delays and objections from local communities and officials. KFCP was eventually scaled back to just 10% of its original target in terms of the area to be re-flooded.

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CERTIFICATION

FSC responds to Greenpeace case studies: priorities for stakeholders GREENPEACE as an active member of the Forest Stewardship Council has published a number of FSC case studies to highlight what it sees and acknowledges as FSC’s best practice.

The international activist group also highlights areas where it believes FSC needs to improve.

FSC says it will look into these case studies with a view to better understanding the view of Greenpeace as well as the concerns raised. FSC will engage its broad range of stakeholders to prioritise the issues raised and identify potential improvements.

“The general concerns raised

by Greenpeace are taken very seriously and are already priorities for FSC and a broad range of other stakeholders, including members from the social and economic chambers,” FSC director of business development Marcelle Peuckert said.

These issues of concern included protection of high conservation value forests, operations in high-risk regions and controlled wood and certification body performance.

“FSC is already working strategically on all of these issues as high priorities for the organisation,” Ms Peuckert said.

Objectives for 2013 and 2014 include: • To finalise the common guidance on high conservation values together with the HCV resource network. FSC will finalise the FSC management and monitoring framework for HCVs and apply the HCV framework to develop regional guidance for the Congo Basin and other priority regions through multi-stakeholder processes.

• To identify high-risk regions and seek to work with relevant authorities and operations in

these regions in identifying and applying appropriate tools to ensure credible and robust FSC certification. FSC will develop generic guidance on FSC certification in highrisk regions based on these experiences.

• Revising and strengthening the controlled wood requirements, especially in terms of the development of national risk assessments, definition of measures to be taken by certificate holders for risk mitigation and requirements for sourcing from

Marcelle Peuckert .. understanding the view of Greenpeace.

areas not covered by the NRAs. • Developing key performance indicators for sampling, reporting and complaints handling by ASI. FSC is also developing a system for due diligence evaluation for applicant certificate holders to be conducted by CBs Marcelle Peuckert says FSC appreciates Greenpeace’s engagement and welcomes proposed solutions for these high priority issues, especially those with support across all chambers.

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Contact the Australian Lonza team for full details of the Lonza value package. phone:1300 650 636 issue 277 | 08.07.13 | Page 7

ENGINEERED WOOD

Conquering timber’s high-tech hurdles

Success in cutting-edge wood building business

THE value-added wood sector in British Columbia makes a variety of products, from plywood to pre-fab homes to cabinets and furniture.

But when it comes to making one of the most cutting-edge products in the wood-construction world, the Canadian province has only one manufacturer.

Penticton-based Structurlam Wood Products makes crosslaminated timber (CLT) panels, an engineered wood product now making wide inroads into the North American building scene.

“We went to Europe in 2007 and saw for the first time ever these CLT panels, and wondered if they would work in North America,” said Bill Downing, president of Structurlam. “We spent several years researching it before deciding to make the jump.”

Proponents of the material, like the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), are pushing for Canadian companies to get into the business of making CLT and other engineered wood

CLT construction .. working closely with customers to manufacture wood to project specifications.

products.

That’s because those products can be used to build taller wood buildings than conventional lumber and in many case can replace concrete and steel.

‘There are skilled-labour shortages in construction. How can builders reduce cost?

They’re looking at modular solutions’ – Isabelle Des Chenes

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Page 8 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

But, currently, Canada is far from the forefront of making the products. Only one other Canadian company, Quebec’s Nordic Engineered Wood, makes CLT.

“The really cool stuff is in Europe and coming out of a few of the Asian companies as well,” said Isabelle Des Chenes, vicepresident of market relations with FPAC. As Structurlam’s story shows, manufacturers of the high-tech material face several barriers in setting up shop in Canada.

The first is cost: the company spent millions to open a new plant in Okanagan Falls and outfit it with robotics able to do the precise design work. Previously, the 50-year-old company had manufactured glulam beams.

Next came finding a customer for the new product. Bill Downing said Structurlam was lucky – the British Columbia government’s Wood First initiative, promoting the use of wood in publicly funded buildings, was introduced in 2009.

Demonstration projects developed by Natural Resources

Canada and Forestry Innovation Investment, a provincial government agency, were also helpful.

“We had somewhere to put them as soon as we made them,” said Mr Downing. “That got people interested.

“We put on a heck of a lot of promotion, especially to architects and engineers, so they could learn how to design with and use the product.”

Because of the Wood First initiative, Stucturlam continued to find places for its product in university buildings and city halls.

It is also supplying the Wood Innovation and Design Centre in Prince George, designed by architect and tall wood advocate Michael Green.

By the end of 2012, Bill Downing said the company also started to find customers in the private sector. Structurlam provided CLT panels to three motels in Alberta, and an administrative building for an oil and gas company, also in Alberta.

“It’s gone from demonstration, moved into public buildings, and into the private sector,” he said.

While a budget motel may seem like a strange customer for the high-tech building material, Mr Downing says it makes sense from a cost perspective, because buildings made of the panels take less time to put up.

“There are skilled-labour shortages in construction,” says Ms Des Chenes. “How can builders reduce cost? They’re looking at modular solutions.”

She said it was unlikely that a large forest products company would move into manufacturing a product like CLT, which requires working closely with customers to manufacture the product to the client’s specifications. Rather, those large lumber producers will play a role in providing the raw material.

“Smaller companies can be a bit more nimble and more willing to take the risk,” she said.

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PEOPLE

Julie brings wide experience in HR to ForestWorks MORE than 30 years in the field of human resources has equipped Julie George well for her position as new chair of the ForestWorks board.

ForestWorks CEO Michael Hartman said Ms George brought a wealth of industry knowledge and experience and extensive HR capabilities to the oganisation.

Her career has focused on human resource management, skills development and education and training in the forest and wood products industry. During her many years service to the industry and while working at Hyne, she held positions including chair of the Queensland Forest Industry Training Advisory Board, chair of the national skill standards and training package steering committee, and as a member of the Government Roundtable Advisory Committee.

Ms George holds a Masters of Management (HR) from the University of Southern Queensland and her professional memberships include the Australian Human Resource Institute and Australian Institute of Management (AIM).

Mr Hartman thanked Jane Calvert for her hard work and dedication during her tenure as chair.

“ForestWorks has benefited from her strategic input and guidance over the past three years,” he said.

Jane Calvert is the national president of Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union’s forestry furnishing, building products and manufacturing division and chairs the Victorian Forest Industry Training Advisory Committee.

Ms Calvert, who takes the position of deputy chair of the ForestWorks board, is a

Julie George

dennis@industrye-news.com

Jane Calvert

member of the Victorian Skills Commission which provides skills advice to the Minister.

She is also a director of Timber Training Creswick Ltd, a committee member of the Frederick Scholarship Trust, chair of the Tree Felling Safety Group, and a member of the Victoria Forest Industry OHS Stakeholders Forum.

Mr Hartman said as part of ForestWorks’ good governance practices, the position of chair was rotated among directors.

Julie George said the new position allowed her to maintain a close involvement with the industry.

“I love it, I’ve never lost my interest in it and I Iook forward to working with board members at ForestWorks,” she said.

Ms George left Hyne as Cont Page 12

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issue 277 | 08.07.13 | Page 9

THE COMMUNITY

Cypress adds extra warmth to ‘healing process’ at Grantham New chapter in revival story of flood-hit town

By JIM BOWDEN

A NEW chapter in the revival story of a Lockyer Valley town torn apart by flood waters was written on June 30 when Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley opened a $2 million refurbishment of the old Grantham butter factory.

More than 200 guests, many of them victims of an ‘inland tsunami’ that surged down the Toowoomba range on January 11, 2011, crumpling the town and taking lives, celebrated the factory’s transformation into a tourist centre.

“It’s part of a healing process for the Grantham community,” said sawmiller and Toowoomba Rotarian Errol Wildman who provided cypress and narrow leaf ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra) timbers for the renovation.

Mr Wildman headed a flood relief committee that eventually raised more than $2 million to restore the butter factory which was bought by the Rotary Club of Toowoomba South after the floods and handed back to the community.

“Funds for the project were made possible with cash and materials donated to the club from all over Australia and from overseas,” Mr Wildman said.

Errol and his wife Janna sold their Homestead Timbers sawmill at Wandoan on Queensland’s Western Downs in 2003, retaining a stock of cypress and hardwood for a future project – the building of a smaller home for their retirement.

“You’re standing on my dining room floor,” Errol laughed.

When the Grantham flood relief campaign gathered momentum, he decided to donate all this timber to the restoration project at the butter factory.

The timber, all milled at Wandoan in 2003 just prior

Page 10 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

The Governor of Queensland Penelope Wensley admires the polished cypress and ironbark flooring at the refurbished Grantham butter factory with Bill Mason, president of Toowoomba South Rotary Club, and Errol Wildman of Homestead Timbers, Rotary International district governor (2007-08), who donated the material.

to the sale of the sawmill to Parkside Group, provided 2400 m of cypress and 1000 m of ironbark for the flooring which was sanded and polished

by Grantham resident Marty Warburton, himself a victim of the floods who lost everything when his house, petrol station and sanding business were washed away. He finished the floor with an oil coating donated

by Dulux.

The cypress was dried and

machined by Jim Wangman of Miles and the ironbark was machined at Outdoor Structures at Gatton where owner Ted Stubberfield allowed it to be stored.

“The renovators were able to keep the original West Coast USA Douglas fir roof framing which was installed in the mid1920s,” Mr Wildman said.

“It was in prime condition but with the weight of the new roof they had to use some steel

stiffeners.”

Lockyer Valley mayor Steve Jones said the council had worked closely with the Rotary Club of Toowoomba South to make the project a success.

“It’s fantastic news for the community and it’s a huge development, especially when the building has been sitting idle for more than 40 years,” Cr Jones said.

Special tributes were paid at the opening to Rotary club president Bill Mason, a driving force in the ongoing project, and Marty Warburton, a Grantham resident who worked on the refurbishment and helped turn the derelict butter factory into make-shift evacuation and relief centre after the disaster.

Mayor Stephen Jones said the Grantham butter factory held a special place in the hearts of Lockyer Valley residents; it had historic value and was linked to a once-great dairy industry in the region.

Cr Jones said as a tourist centre the building boasted a commercial kitchen and would house historic displays.

Norah, 100, reminisces about sawdust and cream Special guest at the official opening of the refurbished Grantham butter factory was 100-year-old Norah Wheeler who was a young woman when the butter factory was a hive of industrious activity.

She used to deliver cream cans to the Victor Street factory from her family farm using a horse and cart and her late husband Clive worked at the Hood family sawmill.

Nora’s friend Monica Raymont (nee Hood), 83, was also at the opening to recall he heady days of the region’s timber industry.

Her father Bill Hood started the family mill in 1927 and the site was closed and sold about 20 years ago.

• Norah Wheeler is pictured reminiscing with Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley at the opening

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Sweeping away Gillard appointments From Page 2

Shadow Minister for Revenue and for Small Business and Competition. In early December 2006, when Kevin Rudd became Leader of the Opposition, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Defence. He was subsequently appointed Minister for Defence when Labor won office at the 2007 federal election.

The division of Hunter is located in northern rural New South Wales, and encompasses much of the Hunter Region, including the towns of Singleton, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Cessnock and Denman. Main industries are coal mining, agriculture, viticulture and wine making, horse breeding and dairy and beef farming.

Kevin Rudd has not simply plugged the holes caused by one-third of the Cabinet quitting after taking the Labor Party leadership from former PM Julia Gillard in a ballot.

The big divide .. Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd.

The new Prime Minister has gone much further and unveiled a new government that sweeps away a lot of Gillard’s appointments and in some cases restores those when he was last in power. It certainly rewards the MPs who were true Rudd believers and have agitated for his return.

There are a record six women in the Rudd Cabinet of 20 and 11 in a ministry of 30. The most senior woman is Finance Minister and Senate leader Penny Wong.

Rudd insists it is a team selected

on merit.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott says “it’s not even the B team, it’s the C team’’ and says while Labor has reshuffled at least five times, his lineup has not changed in three years and he has 16 former Howard government ministers on his team.

But pressure is mounting inside the Coalition for new blood and fresh ideas to be given a go.

Five others Labor ministers have new jobs - Deputy PM Anthony

Albanese, Brendan O’Connor, Tony Burke, Mark Butler and Bill Shorten.

And Victorian MP Alan Griffin, a former minister who refused to serve under Gillard, becomes Rudd’s right-hand man as Cabinet Secretary and Parliamentary Secretary to the PM. There is one very notable omission – Simon Crean, who had strongly supported the forest industry during the industry ‘forest wars’ crisis in Tasmanian and supported the Wesley Vale pulp mill project.

The former Labor leader tried to become Deputy PM but lost a ballot to Albanese. He has repeatedly denied he would retire but announced he would go at the election and bring to an end a 23-year career in parliament as Labor’s most experienced minister, being the only one to serve under the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments.

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issue 277 | 08.07.13 | Page 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

‘Many don’t even understand the basic concepts of manufacturing’ From Page 1

to meet Australian standards for structural application and safety. Just as worse, is the complete lack of policing of non-compliant materials by government authorities.”

Samples of formwork plywood sheets were supplied in June to EWPAA for compliance assessment against the claimed grade F17 and product standard AS6669.

The sample sheets were assessed against the product standard with 50% of samples breaking well beneath the loads that the supplier claimed were fit for purpose.

These failures led to further investigations of core veneer quality. This showed the core veneers to contain ‘nonstructural’ end joints which are totally prohibited under the Formwork Plywood Standard AS6669, despite claims the plywood complied with this standard.

“While only a small number of sheets were assessed, if they are representative of further production, this has very serious ramifications for the use, safety and reliability of this product and it is appropriate for government regulators to be notified,” Simon Dorries said.

“The plywood tested failed all requirements for F17 in relation to modulus of elasticity and bending strength.

“The low bending strength

Shattered .. EWPAA general manger Simon Dorries points out a host of structural failures in imported plywood formwork samples which were supplied for compliance assessment against the claimed grade F17 and product standard AS6669.

confirms the plywood is not F17 as claimed by the supplier.”

Mr Dorries said had this material been manufactured in Australia, the policies of the EWPAA would require its immediate recall from the market, removal of all grade and certification marks and a notice be made to all potential users confirming it should not be used structurally.

Asian manufacturers have been hit with a litany of claims recently about alleged consumer safety

in a range of products such as wood, textiles, toiletries, children’s toys, motor vehicles and seafood that have been exported to the US, Canada, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand.

The latest complaint filed in the US was against Chinese-made jerky ‘treats’ that had caused liver failure in dogs.

“As the supply chain has gone global, it is clear that some overseas manufacturers just do not understand the

‘The responsibility still rests solely with the wood industry which must be ever-vigilant on the standard of products exposed to the supplier, the worker and the consumer, both in Australia and New Zealand’ – Simon Dorries

basic concepts of Australian manufacturing standards and product safety and reliability,” Simon Dorries said.

“Sure, they know something is cheap, but that is all they know.

Today’s consumers are so far away from the factory floor that they do not really have any idea of how their goods are made, of the economics that dictate the current pricing of their products, or if they meet standards for quality and safety.

“If you add to this the general level of ignorance of how imported goods are made, the fact that there is absolutely no reporting by governments why product failures occur, or what are really the core issues behind the recalls, then it is no wonder consumers have unreasonable expectations.

“The responsibility still rests solely with the wood industry which must be ever-vigilant on the standard of products exposed to the supplier, the worker and the consumer, both in Australia and New Zealand,” he added.

The EWPAA has notified the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the Northern Territory Department of Workplace Health and Safety and major contractors operating in the territory about the latest test results on the failed plywood.

Staying closely involved with the timber industry From Page 9

company secretary and general manager, management services, after 30 years with the company to take up a position as manager, human resources, with Stadiums Queensland, which operates and promotes

Page 12 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

the use of major sporting and entertainment facilities on behalf of the Queensland Government.

ForestWorks performs a range of industry wide functions acting as the channel between industry, government and the

Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.

Core services provided by ForestWorks include skill standards; material development; networks; strategic skills planning; project management; data collection;

research; industry advice; career advice; and adult learning expertise.

ForestWorks coordinates forest, wood, paper and timber product Industry training advisory boards (ITABs) in each state.

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PAssAgEs

Andy Blackwell .. revered timber trader and champion of Hoo-Hoo

Contributed 50 years to Melbourne Club 217 WHENEVER timber mates sit around and discuss the industry, Andy Blackwell will be mentioned with respect and great admiration.

The veteran timber trader and revered Hoo-Hoo champion died in Melbourne on June 27, aged 84.

“We were both turning some cedar in the shed and later that day he joined Barbara to enjoy a fish I had brought them for dinner. He then rested in front of the TV for a little while and then he was gone,” said Andy’s son Philip Blackwell who works at the Melbourne University forestry campus at Creswick.

Andy Blackwell was a third generation in the timber industry. His father Herbert was at Blackwell Timbers and at Risby Timber Company in Tasmania and his grandfather operated a sawmill at Wynyard.

Andy had a long association with the timber trade in Melbourne.

In his youth he worked as an apprentice fitter and docker on the dry docks in Melbourne and in a glass factory.

He joined Burnie Timber in Melbourne in the late 1950s and became national sales manager.

“He was instrumental in the manufacture of Burnieboard hardboard which competed against masonite in the building trade,” Philip recalled.

Andy started at Blackwell Timbers in the early 1970s.

He later moved to the farming town of Macclesfield, building his own home there. He then established Bendoura Trading Pty Ltd, a name he took from a sign attached to an old gate on the property. The company imported cedar, manufactured pallets and specialised in wood turning.

But the timber industry’s service organisation Hoo-Hoo took a special place in his heart. Andy was a president and a foundation member of Melbourne Club 217 (L74590J) and went on to become Jurisdiction IV national president, Hoo-Hoo International president (Snark of the Universe) and Rameses 89.

“Nothing delighted him more than speaking as a foundation member of Melbourne Hoo-

Andy Blackwell .. revered timber trader and a champion of Hoo-Hoo.

Hoo Club at the club’s 50th anniversary celebration last month,” Philip Blackwell said.

“Andy was a great mentor and guide within the club. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word,” reflected Melbourne Club president Leon Quinn of Tilling Timber.

“On club issues he had an honesty and clarity, and could

‘Andy was a great mentor and guide within the club. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word’ – Leon Quinn

draw on experience to help explain ideas to younger and less experienced members.

“Andy’s contributions over the 50 years of the club are many and great, and we were fortunate to celebrate these recently with Andy and Barbara, and so many friends.”

Andy Blackwell is survived by his wife, Barbara, son Philip and daughter Jennifer, brothers Peter (Rhode Island, USA), Mark and John (Melbourne), 16 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Granddaughter Petina Blackwell holds a forestry degree and works at the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment on fire management and vegetation, making her a fifth generation of the family in the industry.

Andy’s life will be celebrated today (Monday) at Yarra Valley Lodge, 2 Heritage Avenue, Chirnside Park, Melbourne.

On his facebook before leaving the US, Peter Blackwell said: “ I am going to Australia to my brother’s funeral. Other than my mother, Andy was the most influential person in my life”. – JIM BOWDEN

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issuE 277 | 08.07.13 | PAgE 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

Beware of dodgy decking causing accidents Stick to durable hardwoods for proven performance NJURIES can be avoided and money saved by using the right timber for the right job, particularly for home and pool decking, says peak industry body Timber Queensland.

CEO Rod McInnes says there are increasing instances of timber decks, generally expected to have a life expectancy of decades, failing prematurely.

“TQ was surprised to receive these reports and in most instances our investigations point to a simple, yet unfortunate answer: dodgy decking timber being sold by dodgy dealers,” Mr McInnes said.

“The timber sold to consumers isn’t what it was supposed to be; it’s been ‘passed off’ as a highly durable species when it’s not.

The right stuff .. spotted gum decking for durability.

“In other cases, the timber purchased for the job is just not as durable as has been traditionally used for decks and is now required by building regulations.”

Timber Queensland says that builders and owner-builders alike need to check and be sure the timber they buy is true

to label and fit for purpose to avoid premature failure.

People can use the publication Construction Timbers in Queensland, which can be downloaded for free from www. daff.qld.gov.au/29_18832.htm, to find out for themselves the appropriate timber species to be used for specific structural

purposes.

Alternatively they can go to www.timberqueensland. com.au/Benefits/ Fitforpurposetimber.aspx for a list of reputable timber merchants who are guaranteed to sell true to label, and fit for purpose deck timber.

Timber Queensland advises that naturally durable Queensland hardwood decking timbers will deliver the best performance.

“It might cost a little more initially but it will last much longer and look better longer than cheaper, dodgier alternatives,” Mr McInnes said.

“If in doubt, stick to known performers such as high durability Queensland spotted gum and ironbark or imported kwila/merbau.”

The Cat Goes Gold!

Let’s all celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Timber Industry Club 218 Saturday, August 24, 2013

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Celebrations start at 6:29 pm with pre-dinner drinks and antipasto platters on the restaurant deck under the eucalypts, followed at 7.29 pm by a three-course dinner accompanied by wines, beers and soft drinks Prizes • Special Guest Speaker • A night also to honour club founders Dress: Smart casual • Plenty of parking space Accommodation options within 10 minutes of venue:

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Contact: 0401 312 087 or 0428 745 455 for celebration dinner bookings. RSVP by August 16, 2013.

Page 14 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

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Arizona, USA, forest blaze kills 19 members of elite firefighting crew

Ground fire shelter tents fail to save ‘hotshots’ team GUSTY, hot winds blew an Arizona, USA, blaze out of control on the last day in June in a forest northwest of Phoenix that overtook and killed 19 members of an elite fire crew in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters seen in at least 30 years.

The ‘hotshot’ firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency fire shelters – tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters from flames and heat – when they were caught near the central Arizona town of Yarnell.

The fire claimed more lives than any single disaster in the US since the 9/11 attack on New York.

[Australian forest fire experts are at a loss to understand why firefighters would enter such a dangerous place on foot. The fire shelter ‘tents’, they say, would be no match for a roaring forest fire].

The fire also destroyed an estimated 200 homes.

Dry grass near the communities of Yarnell and Glen Isla fed the fast-moving blaze, which was whipped up by wind and raced through the homes.

The fire still burned late on the Sunday; flames lit up the night sky in the forest above Yarnell, a town of about 700 residents about 135 km northwest of Phoenix. Most people had evacuated from the town, and no injuries or other deaths were reported.

The fire started after a lightning strike on June 28 and spread to at least 3710 ha on the Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions.

Fire ‘tents’ .. fire shelters became mandatory safety equipment in the US in the 1970s and have been used ever since. The devices are made of fiberglass and aluminum.

Prescott fire chief Dan Fraijo said that the 19 dead firefighters were a part of the city’s fire department.

“We grieve for the family. We grieve for the department. We grieve for the city,” he said at a news conference.

“We’re devastated. We just lost 19 of the finest people you’ll ever meet.”

Hot shot crews are elite firefighters who often hike for many kilometres into the wilderness with chainsaws and backpacks filled with heavy gear to build lines of protection between people and fires.

They remove brush, trees and anything that might burn in the direction of homes and cities.

The crew killed in the blaze had worked other wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona.

“By the time they got there, it was moving very quickly,” Mr

Fraijo said of the Arizona fire.

He said the firefighters had to deploy the emergency shelters when “something drastic” occurred.

“One of the last fail safe methods that a firefighter can do under those conditions is literally to dig as much as they can down and cover themselves with a protective – kinda looks like a foil type, fire-resistant material – with the desire, the hope at least, that the fire will burn over the top of them and they can survive it,” Mr Fraijo said.

“Under certain conditions there’s usually only sometimes a 50% chance that they survive,” he said. “It’s an extreme measure that’s taken under the absolute worst conditions.”

The National Fire Protection Association had previously listed the deadliest wild fire involving firefighters as the 1994 Storm King Fire near

Under certain conditions there’s usually only sometimes a 50% chance that they survive.

It’s an extreme measure that’s taken under the absolute worst conditions

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Glenwood Springs, Colorado, which killed 14 firefighters who were overtaken by a sudden explosion of flames.

US wildfire disasters date back more than two centuries and include tragedies such as the 1949 Mann Gulch fire near Helena, Montana, that killed 13, or the Rattlesnake blaze four years later that claimed 15 firefighters in Southern California.

President Barack Obama called the 19 firefighters heroes and said in a statement that the federal government was assisting state and local officials.

“This is as dark a day as I can remember,” Governor Jan Brewer said in a statement. “It may be days or longer before an investigation reveals how this tragedy occurred, but the essence we already know in our hearts: fighting fires is dangerous work.”

Chuck Overmyer and his wife, Ninabill, said they lost their 167 sq m home in the blaze.

They were helping friends flee when the blaze switched directions and moved toward their property. They loaded up what belongings they could, including three dogs and a 1930 model hot rod on a trailer. As he looked out his rear view mirror he could see embers on the roof of his garage.

“We knew it was gone,” he said.

More than 200 firefighters were working on the fire, but several hundred more arrived when a new fire management team took over.

– With extracts from the Montréal gazette.

issuE 277 | 08.07.13 | PAgE 15

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

Race to certify forests in Canada driven by push for sustainability Three certifications vying for green supremacy BRITISH Columbia has more certified forestland than any other jurisdiction in the world – with the exception of Canada as a whole. At the end of 2012, 52 million ha of forestry had been certified in the province.

The race to certify forests as sustainable has been driven by customer demand and a rise in green building. According to EL Insights – an online source for sustainability data – the greenbuilding market is currently valued at $USD71.1billion.

In BC there are three certifications that vie for green supremacy and industry popularity – the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) and the Canadian Standards Association’s Sustainable Forest Management Standards (CSA).

SFI has been the winner so far with more than 25.6 million ha in the province. Coming a close second is CSA with 24.7 million ha, and trailing behind is FSC with 2.4 million ha.

However, FSC, the underdog in British Columbia, is considered the ‘gold standard’ of forest management around the world.

The certification is also the favourite among green builders and architects. FSC is the only wood acceptable in LEED projects, and many pulp and paper companies have seen demand rise for FSC-certified paper.

In contrast, in Ontario and Quebec, FSC is by far the most popular certification. The difference lies in the amount of privately held forestland in those two provinces, compared to BC’s forests, which are largely on Crown land.

“The private wood can be

Page 16 | issue 277 | 08.07.13

them choose it,” said Mr Moore.

“There is a premium on the cost of those logs. We don’t want to pass that on to the customers unless they’ve agreed it’s valuable to them.”

With use of FSC lumber rising, it can be difficult for merchants and builders to get hold of the wood. Sourcing FSC, certified material continues to be challenging.

The spa health Hotel Sacacomie between Montreal and Quebec City .. the first to achieve FSC Project Certification for a building in Canada.

pooled and supplied into a larger mill driving FSC,” said Orrin Quinn, FSC manager for Ecotrust Canada and a board member of FSC Canada.

“In BC, our smaller tenures are much larger, mostly managed by professional foresters, spread across vast areas and may not be connected to FSC markets.”

Tembec, a major forestry company in eastern Canada, has been a large driver, as it made a policy decision to certify all of its lands with FSC. There are also several large pulp and paper companies that are driving the demand for FSC in Ontario.

“We do have FSC drivers in BC that are seeking FSC material, but not to the extent of Ontario and Quebec,” said Orrin Quinn.

“But the demand for certain products is increasing in the

province.”

Mike Pellatt from Cowichan Lumber in North Vancouver decided to certify with FSC five years ago.

“We had many customers asking for FSC-certified products,” said Mr Pellatt.

“FSC has enabled us to win bids on projects that are green and require FSC certification.

Without this FSC certification we would not have been able to participate in a number of projects.”

Another company owner who is seeing a rise in FSC products is Aaron Moore, co-owner of Brian Moore Log and Timber Homes.

The company recently built the first FSC-certified timber home in British Columbia.

“We let our clients decide which standard they want to have in their homes, and not all of

‘There is a premium on the cost of those [certified] logs. We don’t want to pass that on to the customers unless they’ve agreed it’s valuable to them’

Sustainable Forest has made strides on being recognised as an international standard. SFI was created by the American Pulp and Paper Company, but since 2007 the organisation has become independent and has taken on some of FSC’s standards.

Like FSC, there are three main stakeholders: industry, environment and social impact that take an equal weight on their board. But there are still differences between the certifications, especially on issues like clear-cuts, the use of pesticides and the protection of endangered species.

Even with those differences and lack of LEED support, SFI has become a global player in the sustainable forestry market. It is recognised by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which is the world’s largest forest certification system.

Kathy Abusow, president and CEO of SFI, said that all of the standards were part of a market transformation; the fact that such a high percentage of British Columbia’s forests were certified under one or another of the three schemes was positive.

– Business Vancouver

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iNDusTRY NEWs

so, Mr Rudd where are the ground rules for Labor’s forest slush fund?

THE first allocation from the forest deal slush fund has raised more questions, almost three weeks after the Coalition called for detail about how it would be dispensed.

Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that $10 million from the fund will go to Sense-T, a project based at and partnered by University of Tasmania (UTAS).

In mid-May, announcing she was topping the fund up to $100 million to be spent over four years, then Prime Minister Julia Gillard said allocation of the funding would be guided by UTAS Professor Jonathan West.

‘It has been weeks and still we are waiting on basic information’ – Senator Richard Colbech

“It has been weeks and still we are waiting on basic information about how the allocation of this $100 million will be determined, how people apply and on what basis decisions will be made,” Coalition forestry spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck said.

“And we’ve already had a local ALP member declare he knows where a lot of the money will be spent.

“It seems that the Labor/ Green government has learned nothing from the debacle of the contractors’ exit grants and the two Auditor General reports that came about as a result.

“To date we have seen no information on what governance arrangements, if any, cover the carve up of this funding.

“This scheme sits in a complete vacuum of accountability. What protection does that offer the

Richard Colbeck .. scheme sits in a complete vacuum of accountability.

reputation of institutions, such as UTAS, and individuals like Professor West, while that remains the case?”

Senator Colbeck has previously called on the government to clarify simple questions about the scheme:

• What was the application process to access the funding?

• Who was eligible?

• What were the terms and conditions?

• What is the process for assessing projects or applications?

• Who was on the panel with Professor West and how would they operate?

• What was the process for announcing the grants?

• What are the compliance arrangements?

Each question remained unanswered, he said.

“It seems the whole process is shrouded in a cone of silence,” Senator Colbeck said. “The new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd must come clean and open this slush fund to proper process or this sham created by Julia Gillard, Tony Burke and their green mates will soon be his to own too.”

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issuE 277 | 08.07.13 | PAgE 17

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