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issue 288 | 23.09.13 | PAGe 1
Not forgotten
tHis issue • Abetz promises to restore industry watchdog • Cutting red tape: new agriculture secretary
New Abbott government is on track for robust support of forest industry NEW PM Tony Abbott’s decision to truncate his ministers’ titles on their business cards has tucked ‘forestry’ inside the agriculture portfolio – but the new government can still clearly indentify the wood from the trees. Every sign from Mr Abbott and key figures in the Coalition is that they understand the importance of forestry, but also – vitally – that they understand its enormous potential and its natural ability to concentrate and store carbon. “I am relaxed about the lack of specific mention of forestry as it has to seen in the context of the incoming government’s clear desire to reduce ministry titles down to more manageable lengths,” Australian Forest
Barnaby Joyce
Richard Colbeck
Products Association CEO Ross Hampton said. “The Coalition’s positive responses to AFPA through our marginal seats campaign, our call for a unified and national RandD effort and for a clear policy focus, provides a strong starting point,” Mr Hampton said. “We will be working hard to ensure the Coalition lives up to
Greg Hunt
these high hopes.” Styled the protector of sustainable timber production, Senator Richard Colbeck, 55, Liberal Senator for Tasmania was named Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, with responsibility for forestry and fishing. He will assist the new Minister for Agriculture, the colourful former Queensland
•
• • •
Cont Page 2
ewPAA sanderson trophy to Karri Loop House Forte building wins top timber design award Fighting fire with forestry Knowledge is power: ewPAA forum Andrew Powell ‘plys’ his trade quietly
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industry news
Coalition set to implement promised policies: Colbeck From Page 1
Improving our industry’s capacity to develop and maintain a skilled workforce ............................
FREECALL
1800 177 001
Melbourne
(03) 9321 3500
Sydney
(02) 8898 6990
Adelaide
(08) 8219 9028
Launceston
(03) 6331 6077
forestworks@forestworks.com.au
www.forestworks.com.au
ABN: 58 006 212 693
PAgE 2 | issuE 288 | 23.09.13
senator Barnaby Joyce, an outspoken critic of foreign investment. Senator Colbeck takes over his government role from another northwest coast Tasmanian, Labor’s Sid Sidebottom, who lost his seat on September 7. The agriculture portfolio will include responsibility for fishing and forestry. The senator thanked Tony Abbott for recognising his work in opposition as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. “I look forward to implementing the policy that I spent time developing in opposition,” Senator Colbeck said. “Agriculture is one of the ‘five pillars’ of the economy and a vital part of the economy in Tasmania.” “I look forward to working with Barnaby Joyce.” He said the Coalition would begin to implement the policy measures announced during the election campaign. Senator Colbeck served in various roles in the Howard government, including parliamentary secretary for agriculture, fisheries and forestry and the parliamentary secretary for finance. In October 2008, he was appointed shadow parliamentary secretary for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, saying at the time he enjoyed the portfolio area very much as he had a strong affinity for regional communities and the farming sector after living on a dairy farm at Wilmot during his younger years. In May 2010, he was given the additional appointment of shadow parliamentary secretary for innovation, industry, science and research. Following the August 2010 election, he was re-appointed
to the Coalition shadow ministry in the positions of shadow parliamentary secretary for Fisheries and Forestry and also shadow parliamentary secretary for innovation, industry and science. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Robb, a former National Farmers Federation chief executive, takes on the difficult task of finalising stalled trade agreement negotiations, as he becomes the minister for trade and investment. There will be no parliamentary secretary for trade in the new government. As widely expected, Nationals Leader Warren Truss gets his wish and will be the minister for infrastructure, but he will also add regional development to his responsibilities. The importance of agriculture and forestry to society, the economy and the environment is evidenced by the fact that it crosses so many new ministerial portfolios, including foreign affairs (Julie Bishop); trade and investment (Andrew Robb); infrastructure and regional development (Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss); environment (Greg Hunt); treasury (Joe Hockey); finance (Mathias Cormann); employment (Eric Abetz); education (Christopher Pyne); communications (Malcolm Turnbull); industry (Ian Macfarlane); small business (Bruce Billson); and border protection (Scott Morrison). Immediate priorities for the forest industry include ensuring the government’s promised commitments to cut red and green tape and investing $100 million in agricultural research and development are enacted quickly. AFPA’s Ross Hampton said industry welcomed the appointment of Barnaby Joyce as Agriculture Minister and Senator Richard Colbeck as Parliamentary Secretary in the
portfolio. “I look forward to working with them on the vital and urgent policies which are needed to deliver a sustainable and growing industry,” he said. AFPA also looks forward to working with the new Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt. “Sustainable forestry practices will play an important part in the Coalition’s direct action plan and we stand ready to assist in any way we can.” Mr Hampton said. AFPA will be seeking meetings with Barnaby Joyce, Richard Colbeck and Greg Hunt to discuss how it can embed woody biomass as a source for clean energy generation as well as ensuring Australianmade forest products are not discriminated against in terms of government purchasing policy. Mr Hampton said the Coalition candidates scored very highly in the AFPA marginal seats survey prior to the poll and the Coalition forestry policy contained welcome and strong measures for the industry. Not least among these was a desire to pursue a national R&D Institute and a promise to amend renewable energy legislation to allow renewable energy certificates for woody biomass. “AFPA will assist the government in any way we can to facilitate speedy delivery of these promises,” Mr Hampton said. The general manager of the Australian Timber Importers Federation John Halkett said he was delighted with Richard Colbeck’s appointment. “Richard has been a real champion for the forest and timber industry during his time as Opposition spokesperson, so it is good to now have a minister for forestry rather than Cont Page 7
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2013 AustrALiAn tiMBer desiGn AwArds
tall timbers lift sustainability message for wood at awards More than 250 applaud Australian designs
THE world’s tallest timber apartment tower – Forte in Melbourne – dominated the unmatched high standard of entries in the annual Australian Timber Design Awards announced at a gala ceremony at the Zinc Building in Melbourne’s Federation Square last Thursday night. Federation Square, covering 38,000 sq m and built above the city’s major railway transport hub, remains the most awarded project in the history of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Victoria. More than 250 timber industry leaders, architects, engineers, designers and special guests applauded the ‘magnificence of wood’ in an incredible acceptance of timber’s superior sustainability and ability to work in complex designs that challenge other building materials for lightness and strength Forte, the $11 million, 32 m tall, 10-storey Lend Lease project at Docklands, created by using panels of cross-laminated timber, was judged overall winner of the design awards, a competition for architects, designers, specifiers and builders organised by the Timber Development Association. Award presentations were handled by MC Peter Maddison of Grand Designs Australia. A landmark development for the timber industry, Forte set benchmarks in sustainability as the first 5 Star Green Star as-built residential structure in Australia, claiming a reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions of more than 1400 tonnes compared to concrete and steel. Forte has spearheaded a step-
turbine, all of which helps serve the ultimate goal of teaching mindfulness. The choice of materials was a key part of the success of the design and showcased the flexibility of both plywood and hardwood cladding. The use of plywood with its light golden appearance against the external timber creates a striking distinction between the internal golden, glossy appearance of the plywood with the soft textural grey of the external silvertop ash cladding designed to eventually silver over time. In essence, the inside of Cont Page 4 Forte at Docklands .. overall winner in the Australian Timber Design Awards.
change in thinking around the role timber can play in the construction industry by taking engineered timber to a new scale. Significant challenges such as authority approvals, market perception, design and constructability, commercial viability, insurability and financing were all tackled as part of this pilot project. The coveted People’s Choice Award, selected online by voting members of the public, went to the Meditation and Indigenous Cultural Centre at Bentleigh Secondary College in the Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh East. The centre was designed by DWP Suters to help teach students about meditation, sustainability and indigenous cultures. Crafted of sustainable wood, the multi-purpose pavilion is efficiently heated and cooled, serves as a CO2 sink and is powered by a wind
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issue 288 | 23.09.13 | Page 3
2013 AustrALiAn tiMBer desiGn AwArds
The choice of materials was a key part in the design and showcased the flexibility of both plywood and hardwood cladding From Page 3
the building will maintain its ‘youthful’ appearance while the external will develop and mature with age. Set in the school’s forest landscape, the building acts as a piece of furniture –something to be sat in, on and around – while the students engage with the natural surrounds and the sustainable indigenous school curriculum. The popular Geoffrey Sanderson Trophy for excellence in design using LVL, plywood and wood panels, a perpetual award presented by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia, was won by the Karri Loop House at Margaret River, WA, designed Andrea Quagliola of MORQ
The People’s Choice .. Bentleigh Secondary College in Melbourne.
Architects. The mature trees found in the middle of the site – a karri
and two marries – played an essential part in shaping the design: the house bridges
in between the tree-trunks, its outline defining two open courtyards along which family life occurs. In a visual and tactile response to the existing trees, the house was constructed completely out of timber, making extensive use of plywood for interior and exterior spaces. Plywood’s diverse surface and peculiar material qualities were crucial to the success of this project. The rough-sawn black-painted cladding enhances the house’s abstract and somewhat mysterious appearance, while establishing a subtle connection with the texture of the surrounding trees. The sanded, clear-finished Cont Page 6
Sponsorship Opportunity Frame Australia 2014 Conference and Exhibition Frame is the only national event for the complete supply chain of structural timber, engineered wood products and pre-fabricated frames for the detached housing and multi-residential dwelling markets, and embraces the key industry sectors from manufacturing through to building construction. Frame offers an exceptional opportunity to suppliers for access to target markets, and a Sponsorship Proposal is available at www.frameaustralia.com. For further information contact conference director Kevin Ezard: kevin@frameaustralia.com or phone (03) 9537 3800.
Prefab Timber and Engineered Wood in Building Construction PAGe 4 | issue 288 | 23.09.13
2014 Advertising: tel +61 7 3266 1429 email: cancon@bigpond.net.au
WHAT’S ON? sePteMBer
27: FSC Friday. A global celebration of the world’s forests highlighting the importance of responsible forest management. Every year, schools, businesses, individuals, forest owners/managers and other organisations around the world get involved in spreading the word about FSC and responsible forestry. Visit http://www.fscfriday. org/index.htm
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.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 am5 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 12: Precision silviculture in action – Beerburrum field day. Presented by HQ Plantations and Institute of Foresters of Australia members. Time: 9 am1.30pm. Venue: HQPlantations’ Beerburrum forest office, Red Road, Beerburrum. Lunch sausage sizzle with salads, drinks. Dress: Sturdy walking shoes/boots and sun hats. Helmets and high visibility clothing will be available. HQPlantations has a 99-year lease to manage, harvest and re-grow plantation timber on state-owned lands under AFS and FSC certification. The day will explore the application of precision silviculture in southern pine plantations and cover maximising genetic gain through family and site selection, low-input silviculture and management of southern pine natural regeneration on low quality sites. Contact: Steve Husband on (07) 5488 2127 or 0407 159 874.
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
dECEMBER 4-5. Focus on improving transport and logistics in theforestry sector.
It will build on the excellent program designed by the Forest
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eVents
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. Politics, Policies and Business impacts. Pan-industry conference jointly hosted by Forest OwnersAssociation, 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. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington. Registration opens October 2013. Contact conference organisers Paardekooper and Associates on +64 4 562 8259 or email info@forestwood.org.nz Visit 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 288 | 23.09.13 | PAGe 5
2013 AustrALiAn tiMBer desiGn AwArds
The house was constructed completely out of timber, making extensive use of plywood for interior and exterior spaces From Page 4
hoop pine ply warmly envelopes the interior, creating a seamless continuous surface across walls, floors and ceilings, while exposed LVLs reveal the complex geometry underlying the house. From integrating the existing trees to expressing an enveloping sense of ‘timberness’, this project engages holistically with the very idea of wood, without being rustic. • Special report, pictures and all the winners next issue of Timber&Forestry enews.
EWPAA Sanderson Trophy winner .. the Karri Loop House at Margaret River, WA.
Talking wood and architecture at the Australian Timber Design Awards presentations, while surrounding Eileen Newbury, marketing and communication manager, Forest and Wood Products Australia, are Robert De Brincat, Tilling, Kilsyth, Vic, Dirk Zimmermann, director, Studio 505, Melbourne, Dylan Brody, Studio 505, and Kevin Ezard, conference director, Frame Australia 2014.
PAgE 6 | issuE 288 | 23.09.13
Michael Murphy, Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts, Melbourne (right) presents the coveted EWPAA Geoffrey Sanderson Trophy for excellence in design using LVL, plywood and wood panels to Andrea Quagliola. MORQ Architects, for the Karri Loop House at Margaret River, WA.
Enjoying the Australian Timber Design Awards night at Federation Square in Melbourne are Richard Hough, principal, ARUP architects, Sydney (member of awards judging panel),Lydall Hough, and Julie Payne and Robert Morris-Nunn of Morris-Nunn Architects, Hobart. Enjoying a pre-dinner chat at the Australian Timber Design Awards are Danny Juric and Megan Morton of WMK Architects, Melbourne, and Hisao Zen, Zen’s Studio.
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industry news
Early call on ministers by AFPA From Page 2
a minister against forestry,” Mr Halkett said. “ATIF will be keen to talk to Richard about the illegal logging regulation and related capacity building, plus more broadly about the increasingly critical role sophisticated imported timber products play in leading innovation in the timber industry and their increasing contribution to the country’s social, employment and climate change abatement goals. “I am confident the timber industry will see real commercial
Helping tree farmers hit by Gunns demise
Ross Hampton
John Halkett
benefits emerging with Richard at the helm.” Master Builders has welcomes the ‘back to basics’ approach in determining the composition of the first Abbott Ministry. “We look forward to working
Wilhelm Harnisch
closely with ministers in pursuit of a strong building industry and a strong economy,” CEO Wilhelm Harnisch said. “The depth of experience of the new ministry will be needed as the government pursues
important reforms in its first 100 days, including the return of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.” Mr Harnisch said Master Builders’ policy reform priorities released prior the federal election sets out six key areas which the new government should address: resetting economic strategies, tackling the structural budget deficit, ensuring Australians have access to more and affordable housing, devising new funding options to harness public and private sectors investment in more and better infrastructure.
Wood Protection
AN assessment of the size of Tasmania’s privately-owned hardwood plantation estate has been ordered by the Tasmanian government. The collapse of Gunns and managed investment schemes has left an estimated 200 landowners owed millions in annual lease payments. The Government is trying to find out just how many trees they are growing, and what kind. It has appointed a panel led by former federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to recommend ways to enhance the trees’ value. The panel includes representatives from the Farmers and Graziers Association and Private Forests Tasmania. It is expected to report back to Government later this year. Resources Minister Bryan Green says the government has not been able to help farmers until now because of legal issues around the collapse of the companies. “Farmers have lost an enormous amount of value in recent times as a result of not getting any payments from the managed investment schemes and or Gunns,”he said. “They’re uncertain as to their future. We want to provide certainty for these people.”
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Tanalith Ti
The new H2F envelope for all species of softwoods Our special blue coloured treatment formulation using imidacloprid for termite protection south of the tropic of capricorn (H2F) Tanalith Ti is primarily designed for use with all imported softwood timber products and can be applied by dip or spray applications The formulation has no discernable odour and low toxicity providing safe working environment in plant and after treatment It is compatible with all types of process equipment without corrosion or damage to seals
Contact the Australian Lonza team for full details of the Lonza value package. phone:1300 650 636 issue 288 | 23.09.13 | Page 7
ENGINEERED WOOD
Knowledge is power: ewPAA products message hits home WELL supported and covering the full gamut of engineered wood products, the EWPAA product knowledge course on the Gold Coast last week attracted more than 25 speakers and representatives of member companies from four states, New Zealand and Fiji. “The interaction and feedback from the group stamped the course as a ‘must-attend’ event for the industry,” said Simon Dorries, general manger of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia, at the close of three days of presentations and site visits. Sessions included structural properties and applications of plywoods, LVL, particleboard, and MDF; timber preservation; finishing and detailing; durability; forrmaldehyde emission tests; panel quality control; 5 Star and greater
Investing in knowledge on the Gold Coast – standing, from left, Sonia Moore executive assistant, EWPAA, Andy McNaught, technical manager, EWPAA, Lauren Smart, Zelam, Shane Devereaux, Jowat Adhesives, Glenn Ryan, industry consultant, Simon Dorries, EWPAA general manager, Justin Skehan, Big River, Mukhtar Ali-Valebasoga and Abid Afjal-Valebasoga, Fiji, Matthew Rafferty, Big River, Lizan Yee, Austral Plywoods, and Peter Law, Wesbeam. Bottom row, from left, Andrew McGregor, Big River, Stephen King, Gerflor, Michael Kelaart, Brad Stinson Greg Nicol and Dave Moffatt, all from Big River, Cassey Lindberg, Carter Holt Harvey New Zealand, and Joanne Cichero, Gerflor.
energy efficiency and the effects on engineered wood products; and forest certification.
Strong interest centred on sessions about close scrutiny of important EWPAA standard products in various market
segments and ‘selling’ product advantages and how to deal with substitutes in the sales situation.
US slaps dumping tariffs on Chinese wood products THE US has slapped high antidumping tariffs on Chinese hardwood and decorative plywood products, hitting nearly $US750 million worth of imports from China. The Department of Commerce’s International
PAgE 8 | issuE 288 | 23.09.13
Trade Administration said an investigation had determined that the wood products from China were both “dumped” -underpriced in the US -- and enjoyed significant subsidies from the Chinese government. The ITA said the anti-dumping
duties would range from about 56% to 122%, and that antisubsidy duties would run up to 27%, depending on the exporter and product. The tariffs were set after an investigation requested by a group of US wood product
companies under the umbrella of the Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood. Hardwood and decorative plywood is used in home and office interiors as wall panels, cabinets, and in some flooring.
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TIMBER PRESERVATION
‘TimTech in five-year supply agreement with Tasman Orient Installation of rapid treatment plant NZ-BASED TimTechChem International Ltd of Auckland has entered into a long-term relationship with Tasman Orient Lumber Ltd of Hastings in the Hawke’s Bay region of the North Island. This includes a five-year timber preservative supply agreement plus the installation of a rapid treatment plant. The plant is designed to treat sawn timber for hazard classes H1.2 – H4. TimTechChem International purchased the business assets and IP of TimTech Chemicals Ltd on August 20 and its ‘business as usual’ with the TimTech staff and contact details remaining the same. Tasman Orient Lumber is a
sister company of Napier Pine. Director Mukti is delighted with the new arrangement. “The technology and services offered by TimTechChem will make a big difference to our business,” he said. “We have been working on securing this account for some time and we know that the synergy of our two companies working together will be mutually beneficial,” managing director of TimTechChem International Ron Eddy said. “We have the exclusive licenses for some very interesting European technology which we hope to roll out at Tasman Orient Lumber in the very near future.”
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 7,000 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 Address all correspondence to PO Box 330, Hamilton Central, Qld 4007
Violent storms flatten NZ forests FORESTRY companies say they are looking to recover as much timber as possible from plantations left in tatters from recent violent wind storms in New Zealand’s Canterbury region. The worst damage has occurred in the wider Canterbury region, where shelter belts have been flattened and large areas of commercial plantation ruined. Forestry companies expect losses to be high. Blakely Pacific South Island regional manager Andrew
dennis@industrye-news.com Cocking said companies were surveying the damage before PUBLISHER starting clean up and wood dennis Macready salvaging operations.
He said that some plantations were severely damaged, along with some very old established trees, such as oaks. Any mature pines older than 22 years could be harvested as logs. Mr Cocking said a helicopter was the best way to assess the worst damage before deciding a program of harvesting and recovery.
The changing face of training A REPORT by Construction Skills Queensland has highlighted the changing nature of trade training in the state’s building and construction industry, with resource industry driven civil and electrical trades accounting for 44% of new entrants in 2012, taking over from the more traditional trades such as plumbing and general construction.
dennis@industrye-news.com
mAnAgIng EDITOR Jim Bowden tel: +61 7 3266 1429 Mob: 0401 312 087 cancon@bigpond.net.au ADVERTISIng tel: +61 7 3266 1429 cancon@bigpond.net.au
CEO Brett Schimming said CSQ was addressing training needs
resulting
from
the
changing skills mix. “It is evident Queensland’s construction responding
industry to
is
resource
investment with shifts toward civil, electrical and engineering trades increasing,” he said.
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Opinions expressed on Timber & Forestry e news are not necessarily the opinions of the editor, publisher or staff. We do not accept responsibility for any damage resulting from inaccuracies in editorial or advertising. The Publisher is therefore indemnified against all actions, suits, claims or damages resulting from content on this e news. Content cannot be reproduced without the prior consent of the Publisher- Custom Publishing Group.
issue 288 | 23.09.13 | Page 9
industry news
Cutting red tape: Paul Grimes appointed agriculture secretary Ensuring forest industry is given ‘equal weight’ THE Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed the appointment of Dr Paul Grimes as secretary of the federal Department of Agriculture. AFPA CEO Mr Ross Hampton said he looked forward to working with Dr Grimes to ensure the forest, wood and paper products industries were given equal weight with other commodities in the development of policy options. “Our industries directly or indirectly employ some 200,000 Australians, mostly in regional communities,” Mr Hampton said. “With the right policy settings those industries are positioned to grow. “While it is understandable that ministerial titles have been shortened, it is vital that the department retains its forestry division in Canberra to allow
policy development to take place in concert with other related areas such as climate change, regional development and industry innovation. AFPA will be seeking Dr Grimes’ commitment to delivering a streamlined regulatory environment and removal of red-tape for our primary industries, specifically the forest, wood and paper products industries. Mr Hampton said at a time when Australia’s forest, wood and paper products industries were facing significant economic pressures, similar industries in competitor nations were booming as governments realised the contribution that they could make to communities, to the economy and to clean, renewable living. “Much of their success is due to the commitment to
Dr Paul Grimes .. committed to delivering a streamlined regulatory environment.
research and development, a cause championed by the new Agriculture Parliamentary Secretary Senator Richard Colbeck who has previously said that the Coalition supports ‘a collaborative approach
to research that leverages the benefits of partnerships between the private sector, research organisations, education agencies and government’. “FPInnovations … is an example of how a collaborative approach to research and innovation has been successful in transforming the Canadian forestry industry”. Mr Hampton hopes to meet with Dr Grimes soon to discuss opportunities to immediately progress the two big picture tasks which confront industry and government .. “if we are to build the foundation for a forest and forest products industry which will provide regional jobs for years to come” These included a national fibre and forestry plan and a properly funded national R&D institute.
Accolades for forest trainers in New Zealand
FOURTEEN forest and wood industry players celebrated being top in their category among 320 VIPs and guests at the recent New Zealand Forest and Wood Industry Training Awards at the Rotorua Energy
Events Centre, which followed WoodEXPO 2013. The awards evening was organised by Industry Training Organisation Competenz and hosted by Carol Hirschfeld. This was the first time that the
awards were run by Competenz, after the organisation merged with FITEC in May, further consolidating the ITO sector. “The forestry industry is very conscious of the need for continued training, and this
event recognises those that maintain
excellent
training
development and outstanding performance in their field”, Competenz CEO John Blakey said.
Opportunity: new engineered product Project seeks access to on-going timber resource
ThIs engineered product is manufactured from small diameter treated true round plantation logs that would normally be chipped or destroyed. Resource cost is minimal. The production system is low capital cost and can be set up in a minimum of time and at a minimum of cost. Compared with current systems such as LVL, sawn timber etc. this product has unrivalled versatility, fire resistance, projected longevity and sustainability. This product has the ability to lower the costs of floor and wall framing in modern homes, as well as being ideal for low-cost housing The entire buildings can be erected on site using unskilled labour. The product has undergone comprehensive testing at the engineering faculty of the University of Technology Sydney under the guidance of internationally renowned timber engineer Prof. Keith Crews.
Engineered Timber Products
Loggo products have undergone comprehensive testing at the engineering faculty of the University of Technology Sydney.
PAGe 10 | issue 288 | 23.09.13
The project is keen to establish a plant near a guaranteed resource. Contact: (02) 4256 4767 or email pat@loggo.com.au www.loggo.com.au
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industry news
Builders back Abetz promise to restore industry’s wathdog MASTER Builders Australia has strongly backed the Employment Minister Senator Eric Abetz’s commitment to restore the rule of law to Australia’s building sites and crackdown on corruption. CEO Wilhelm Harnisch said Master Builders fully supported the Minister in his pledge to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and to protect union members from the potential corruption of union officials. “A return to the rule of law on Australian building sites demands the full restoration of the ABCC,” Mr Harnisch said. “Only the ABCC, established on the recommendation of the Cole Royal Commission, had the necessary powers to successfully suppress industrial thuggery by building unions.” Master Builders also supports the Minister’s intention to ensure better transparency and accountability in the way registered industrial organisations are managed and believes the establishment of a registered organisations commission is an appropriate first step. He said Master Builders backed the government’s mandate to implement these reforms. “The Coalition launched its policies to return the ABCC and to bring better transparency and accountability for registered organisations well before the federal election was called,” Mr Harnisch said. “In particular, the pledge to restore the ABCC was a
Eric Abetz .. pledge on Building and Construction Commission.
constant theme which the Coalition put before the electorate time and again throughout the 2013 election campaign.” Mr Harnisch said Master Builders’ policy reform priorities released prior the federal election set out six key areas which the new government should address. These included resetting economic strategies, tackling the structural budget deficit, ensuring Australians had access to more and affordable housing, and devising new funding options to harness public and private sectors investment in more and better infrastructure. “It is also important for the new government to genuinely engage with the whole spectrum of Australian business to bring balance to the industrial relations system,” Mr Harnisch said.
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issue 288 | 23.09.13 | Page 11
OPINION
Fighting fire with forestry Coalition’s $15m bushfire mitigation fund: the money is assured but the detail is hazy By ROSS HAMPTON Chief Executive Australian Forest Products Association
As hundreds of orange clad Rural Fire Service volunteers wearily push the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley fires back behind the bulldozer lines, they will be grimly shaking their heads. After all, bushfire season hasn’t even officially started and already several thousand hectares, including houses and sheds, has gone up in flames. Everyone is saying that after a mild winter there is going to be much more of the same before autumn comes around again. It was very sound policy work when Tony Abbott announced during the election campaign, to little fanfare, that $15 million of additional funding would be directed into a ‘National Bushfire Mitigation Program’. The money is assured but the detail is hazy. What should be in such a program? Should it be more controlled ‘cool’ burns? More money for fire trucks and equipment for rural fire fighters? The big question surely is: ‘what will make the most difference?’ Too often policy makers have grabbed for the most obvious answer on the shelf – hazard reduction burns during winter and early spring. Certainly ‘cool’ fires are a vital weapon in the armoury, but what about fighting fire with forestry? As I write there is a truly massive fire burning itself out in the United States. The Californian ‘rim’ fire around the famous Yosemite National Park has kept 5000 American firefighters busy for a month and came close to contaminating the
PAgE 12 | issuE 288 | 23.09.13
The ‘rim’ fire around Yosemite National Park in the US has kept 5000 American firefighters busy for a month
water supply of the whole of San Francisco. That fire, coming after the terrible tragedy of the Arizona fire which claimed 19 lives just three months ago, has sparked an angry explosion of opinion. The tenor can be gleaned from a comment from John Buckley, the executive director of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Centre. He told Reuters that had tree-thinning efforts been allowed and encouraged over previous years it, “would have inarguably made the rim fire far easier to contain, far less expensive and possibly not even a major disaster”. This is the truth we need to hear; we can’t go on pretending the answer is a choice between ‘lock it up and hope for the
best’ and ‘set it on fire in winter and pray the wind doesn’t pick up’. If the ‘fuel’ load is too great even the cool fires can get out of hand – as we have seen. The clear answer is to add to the management regime careful forestry as well. Forest operations would help us in three ways. Thinning of the trees – particularly in strategic areas such as the forest areas bordering our cities – would mean less fuel and therefore less intense summer fires. Forestry roads driven through the bush and maintained by forestry operators to allow these trees to be extracted operate as both firebreaks (if the fire is not a roaring inferno)
Too often policy makers have grabbed for the most obvious answer on the shelf – hazard reduction burns during winter and early spring. Certainly ‘cool’ fires are a vital weapon in the armoury, but what about fighting fire with forestry?
and provide access for fire crews. Thirdly, our big forestry operations actually run the most professional and bestequipped rural fire brigades in the nation. The Rural Fire Service orange army does an amazing job but this is a largely volunteer force made up of farmers and folks with day jobs. I am one of them myself. Despite bundles of enthusiasm and as much training as can be squeezed in, we also need the forestry operator’s full-time fire force to do the job day in day out. In the US they have realised that forestry offers part of the answer to the bushfire threat which is growing with a more variable climate. Some American states are now running dramatic vision of bushfires with the caption ‘use it or lose it’. We will be hoping to persuade Tony Abbott, himself an orange-clad firefighter at times, that ‘use it or lose it’ is the right approach for our nation as well.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Andrew Powell ‘plys’ his trade quietly but in professional way Global and Australian supplies in product mix ONE of Australia’s leading specialist plywood wholesalers and distributors, with the most comprehensive range of products in the country, is something of an industry secret. With its head office across the road from Brisbane’s busy Archerfield airport, Plywood Services is headed by renowned plywood ‘whisperer’ and managing director Andrew Powell. He presides over an expansive, sophisticated Queensland facility that supports warehouse operations at St Marys in Sydney and at Laverton in Melbourne. The extensive imported and domestically manufactured plywood stock range takes a bit of head space to comprehend – formply and birch plywood from Russia to radiata pine-based construction ply from southern Chile and New Zealand; hardwood decorative plywood from Africa to eucalyptusbased plywood from Brazil; and a large menu of products from countries in-between. Andrew Powell says imported plywood makes up only about half the volume of his product range with domesticallyproduced products from leading Australian manufacturers available. Complementing the plywood range, Plywood Services also carries an extensive selection of MDF, particleboard and hardboard products. Mr Powell is upbeat about the increasing place of plywood products in the modern timber industry. “In addition to conventional uses, such as formply and other traditional building and construction, plywood has an expanding role in decorative
Australia’s plywood whisperer .. leading plywood expert Andrew Powell.
uses, furniture applications, kitchen fit-outs, exterior cladding and many other applications,” he said. “With an ability to demonstrate frugal use of high-value timber species, modern gluing and manufacturing techniques, precise engineering attributes and the increasing use of both FSC and PEPC certification, plywood is really the timber product for the 21st century.” Plywood Services started operations in Brisbane in 1981 trading under the name Forest Industry Services. Its founder Malcolm Powell – Andrew’s father – believed there was a need for a wholesale distribution
network for plywood in Australia to improve its market potential in residential and commercial construction industries. His suspicion proved correct and the business grew rapidly developing supplier relationships with many resellers. As the business expanded other plywood products were added to the product range, including imported items specifically designed for Australian conditions. In 1986, half the business was purchased by Andrew Powell and Plywood Services was formed.
‘Not selling direct to the trade and therefore not competing against resellers is important for business confidence and for the mutual benefit of our company and our customers’ – Andrew Powell
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The company continued its rapid growth and in an outstanding accolade for the timber industry, was listed in the Business Review Weekly’s 100 fastest growing private businesses for two successive years in the mid 1990s. Plywood Services expanded its warehousing capabilities from Brisbane to include Sydney and Melbourne allowing it to effectively service the entire eastern seaboard of Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. In conjunction with business partners, Plywood Services is also able to provide products and services to Western Australia and New Zealand. “Not selling direct to the trade and therefore not competing against resellers is important for business confidence and for the mutual benefit of our company and our customers,” says Andrew Powell. “Throughout its history, Plywood Services has maintained a reputation for innovation, financial solidarity, ethical behaviour and customer service.” The company specialises in providing a tailored client service in the supply and support of plywood and engineered timber products to resellers and manufacturers. “We focus on providing our reselling customer base with quality products supported by a range of expert technical, product and market support programs,” Mr Powell said. With a registered engineer and scientist on staff to assist with technical inquiries and product knowledge Plywood Services is able to offer clients great technical support and back-up.
issue 288 | 23.09.13 | Page 13
Advance notice
Forest valuation seminar Are you valuing forests correctly? The Institute of Foresters of Australia, in conjunction with Pรถyry Management Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, presents a one day seminar on commercial forest valuation. This seminar will cover valuing natural forests and plantations for financial management, investment and reporting. Whatever your asset class, and whether you are a forest manager, CFO, investor or forestry service provider, you need to understand how tree assets are valued and why, and where the risks and sensitivities lie. This full day seminar provides a unique opportunity to meet with skilled practitioners to discuss compliant approaches to forest valuation. Topics will cover markets and pricing assumptions; the treatment of land and carbon; and discount rate and taxation effects. The complexities of the national compliance framework will be explained in relation to the national and international standards governing forest valuations. Various methods of forest valuation will be addressed and special consideration given to areas such as insurance and fire.
PAGe 14 | issue 288 | 23.09.13
Date: Time: Time: Fee:
Friday 8 November 13 10am to 4pm Cliftons, 444 Collins St, Melbourne $550 non-members $275 IFA members
Register your interest now to receive more details over the next few weeks by emailing: ceo@forestry.org.au
For nearly 80 years The Institute of Foresters of Australia has been the professional body for qualified forest managers . The Institute is recognised internationally for its leading work in the development of the Australian Forest Valuation Standard.
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INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
Nearly 40pc of rim fire land a moonscape in sierra nevada A FIRE that raged in forest land in and around Yosemite National Park has left a contiguous barren moonscape in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains that experts say is larger than any burned in centuries. The fire has consumed about 1035 sq km, and within that footprint is a solid 155 sq km that burned so intensely that everything is dead, researchers said. “In other words, it’s nuked,” says Jay Miller, senior wildland fire ecologist with the US Forest Service. “If you asked most of the fire ecologists working in the Sierra Nevada, they would call this unprecedented.” Smaller pockets inside the fire’s footprint also burned hot enough to wipe out trees and
Scorched earth ..a US Forest Service soils scientist assesses a burn area in the rim fire near Yosemite National Park.
other vegetation. In total, Jay Miller estimates that almost 40% of the area inside the fire’s boundary is nothing but charred land. Other areas that burned left trees scarred but alive. Using satellite imagery, Mr Miller created a map of the devastation in the wake of the third-largest wildfire in California
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history and the largest recorded in the Sierra Nevada. Biologists who have mapped and studied the ages and scarring of trees throughout the mountain range have been able to determine the severity and size of fires that occurred historically. Mr Miller says a fire has not left such a contiguous moonscape
since before the Little Ice Age, which began in 1350. In the decades before humans began controlling fire in forests, the Sierra would burn every 10 to 20 years, clearing understory growth on the ground and opening up clearings for new tree growth. Modern-day practices of fire suppression, combined with cutbacks in forest service budgets and a desire to reduce smoke impacts in the polluted San Joaquin Valley, have combined to create tinderboxes, experts say. Drought, and dryness associated with a warming climate also have contributed to the intensity of fires this year.’ “If you had a fire every 20 years, you wouldn’t have many like this or you’d never have trees that were 400 years old,” Jay Miller said.
issue 288 | 23.09.13 | PAGe 15
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