Timber & Forestry E News Issue 330

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Setting the standard for sustainable forest management Globally recognised by PEFC, the world’s largest sustainable forest management certification scheme.

ISSUE 330 | Aug 11, 2014

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Delivered weekly to timber merchants, sawmillers, wood processors, foresters, members of national, state and trade organisations and associations throughout Australia, New Zealand and various countries.

Full steam ahead on skills training

Working groups focus on supply chain THE ForestWorks ISC innovation skills program is running at full steam, providing ample opportunity for industry to get involved in learning and discussion through working groups and forums.

ForestWorks, in conjunction with the Victorian Association of Forest Industries, the Timber Merchants Association and the Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association, will hold an innovation skills forum at Mount Waverley, Melbourne on August 22.

The four-hour forum, aptly

Biesse says benvenuti

The shape of the future ..

Emman Taleb demonstrates the intricate wood-working ability of Italian manufacturer Biesse’s bSolid technology, featuring virtual machining simulation, at AWISA 2014 in Brisbane. See special coverage this week.

Cont P 3

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11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 1

AWISA 2014 buzzes over new laminated hardwood

Revolutionary process uses low-grade woodchip logs A NEW engineered wood product that utilises logs destined for woodchips aroused lots of interest at the AWISA 2014 exhibition in Brisbane last week.

• Inspecting Tasmanian regrowth

forest logs used in the manufacture of Hardlam on the Forestry Tasmania stand are Laminex New Zealand representatives Rachel Cox, national distributor manager, and Matt Miller, raw board and veneer manager, both based in Auckland.

Dr Matt Wood, a senior technical analyst in product development at Forestry Tasmania, said pre-production of Hardlam was expected by mid-2015 and plans had been drawn up for a manufacturing plant to be built near Hobart.

He said Forestry Tasmania was confident the new laminated hardwood process – laminated veneer lumber produced from rotary peeled veneer, with the individual veneers glued together – would be a much sought-after gap to the high-quality saw logs that had been used for decades to produce sawn timber.

Hardlam, currently processed in China but with manufacture eventually to be based in southern Tasmania, had a number of qualities that would satisfy both consumers and entrenched critics of Forestry Tasmania’s practises, Dr Wood said. forestworks@forestworks.com.au

www.forestworks.com.au

Proposal for Hardlam mill in Tasmania “It utilises small-diameter low grade logs that would normally be used for woodchips and possesses exceptional strength and durability,” he said.

“It’s an incredibly versatile product that will be used in a wide range of applications.”

Hardlam has already

PAGE 2 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

captured the market’s attention, with architect Scott Verdouw predicting a bright future for the innovation.

“We think it’s a fantastic product that we’ve been trying to get into a couple of buildings,” Mr Verdouw said.

“The fact that it’s a stable product and can be machined up reasonably quickly means it can be used in a number of different ways. And it has a huge advantage over traditional timber because you can get it in different sizes.”

Prominent Tasmanian furniture designer Linda Fredheim also delivered glowing praise, saying many other furniture makers were genuinely excited by its strength and beauty.

Matt Wood added: “Right now we are using regrowth logs, which gives us a lot of

hardness and stiffness for items such as table tops. Much of Hardlam’s appeal is in its versatility and flooring is one use offering huge potential.

Flooring one use offering huge potential “We can start with wide boards that you just can’t get in Tasmanian Oak.” Mr Wood said the cost of Hardlam compared favourably with traditional timbers such as Tassie oak.

“Tassie oak will always have its market and uses, but Hardlam will certainly start to fill those gaps where larger endsection boards are becoming harder to find,” he said.

Forestry Tasmania has Cont P 4

Georgia Weatherall displays the product range on the New Age Veneers stand for Hugh and Nicky Armstrong, joiners from Invercargill, NZ.

Matt Holiday of Altendorf Asia-Pacific talks panel saws with Jassey and Col Harris of Harris Timbers, Armidale, NSW.

Serving up service and fresh cappuccinos on the FIAA stand are Monique Penton, human relations adviser, and Kristy Cole, administration services.

Industry is becoming more innovative and collaborative

From P 1

themed ‘Improving, growing and changing our business’, will give attendees the opportunity to participate in a practical group discussion on innovation within the industry and its organisations.

ForestWorks CEO Michael Hartman will open the forum with a presentation on maximising opportunity and minimising risk in order to improve competitiveness and profitability.

Mark Kelly, Department of Industry, will look at practical case studies of how businesses are doing things differently today.

‘We have the potential for further change’ “Our industry is changing. We are becoming more innovative and more collaborative and we have the potential to change even further,” Michael Hartman said.

“ForestWorks ISC is supporting industry during this period of transformation by ensuring leaders, managers and workers have the right skills to support the opportunities ahead of them.”

ForestWorks ISC is also working with the Timber and Building Materials Association (TABMA Australia) on a series of innovation forums in New South Wales and South Australia.

Michael Hartman

David Quill

Jim Henneberry

Kersten Gentle

Simon Dorries

Registrations for the Mount Waverley innovation forum can be made by contacting Angela Flynn on (03) 9321 3514 or visit www.forestworks.com.au/ innovation/innovation-events Mr Hartman said information gathered from innovation forums along with industry feedback had led to the creation of seven working groups. These working groups focused on specific topics affecting different sectors across the supply chain.

Four groups are already under way and engaging in activities: • David Quill, an industry leader in the Green Triangle region, heads the innovation solutions to specific skill shortages group, which is focused on developing and implementing solutions to skills shortages in regional forestry districts.

• A working group delving into the topic of pulp and paper sector HR development solutions is being facilitated

by Jim Henneberry and led by Adele Elice-Invaso of Appita. The Cont P 11

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 3

‘Ticks all boxes’ for sustainability

From P 2

taken Hardlam ‘on the road’ to Sydney and Melbourne.

“Everyone is very excited about it and on the back of that we have had a lot of follow up and have secured some large orders,” Mr Wood said.

“We have started to sell small amounts to wholesalers who want to spend more time looking at the product and

Excited about the future for Hardlam .. Forestry Tasmania representatives Andrew Duncan, domestic sales and export (left) and Dr Matt Wood, senior technical analyst (product development), second from right, confer with federal Department of Industry officers Andrew Trainer, manager, pulp, paper, print and furniture, and Sean Thomas, assistant manager, manufacturing performance.

on some of their own market testing. ‘’It is an exciting product that ticks all the boxes; it’s a really good news story about valueadded sustainability.’’

He said Forestry Tasmania was also working with blackwood and expected to trial other speciality timbers such as celery top pine and myrtle, along with plantation timbers.

Hosting the busy Woodtron stand are Melbournebased Serrin McCallum and Jennie Sellman, wife of founder and managing director Geoff Sellman. Mr Sellman has utilised his years of experience with major European brands to build the state-of-the-art Woodtron CNC routers for the Australian market.

Spreading the timber industry careers message at AWISA 2014 are TABMA Australia representatives Steve Cunningham, national training and development manager, Sydney, and Alicia Oelkers, state manager, TABMA Queensland.

info@forestry.org.au | www.forestry.org.au PAGE 4 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

Hettich Australia WA Australia area manager Andrew Buckingham welcomes AWISA 2014 visitors from Peel Cabinets, Perth – the Robson family Daniel, Geoff, Jackie and Margot Robson.

INDUSTRY NEWS

2014 AROUND THE CIRCUIT

AUGUST 2014

11-12: DANA conference, Rotorua, NZ. The New Zealand forestry and forest products sector: its situation in 2014 and trends going forward. Novotel Rotorua Hotel, Rotorua. Web: www.prcc.com.au/ danamelbourne2014.

Conference consultant: Pam Richards 61 3 5781 0069.

Email: pam@prcc.com.au

SEPTEMBER

13: 2nd Annual Women in Forest & Timber Network Charity Champagne High Tea. Franklin Villa, 35 Brighton Road, Highgate Hill, Brisbane, 2 pm-5 pm. Tickets $55 p.p. Fab food, chilled champagne and great prizes .Register at www. timberqueensland.com.au/events 17-18: Wood Innovations 2014: Timber Preservation – Wood Modification – Composite Products – Rotorua, NZ. 23-24: Melbourne. (www.woodinnovations2014. com). Changes in new wood treatment formulations, processes and systems, standards, legislation with the focus also on wood plastic composites and modified wood products.

19-20: ForestTECH 2014.

Rotorua, NZ. 25-26: Melbourne. (www.foresttech2014.com).

Remote sensing, field Inventory, forest estate planning.

25: Make the Connection.

Engineered wood seminar.

Moda Events Portside, Level 2, Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton, 2.15 pm-5.30 pm (includes afternoon tea and cocktail function). Free entry for Timber Queensland members and technical subscribers. Non-members $40 p.p. Industry experts discuss the design, specification and realities of developing buildings incorporating glued-laminated timber (glulam), wood I-joists, cross-laminated timber, wood structural panels and some world firsts: post-tensioned round timber wall panels, round timber floor panels and hollow timber piles. Guest speakers, panel sessions and live demonstration included. Details at www. timberqueensland.com.au/events (see notice, Page 8).

OCTOBER

16: Chile Wood Expo – Lake Room, Waterview Conference Centre, Bicentennial Drive, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, Sydney. Free entry for wholesalers, trade agents, timber merchants, resellers, retailers, manufacturers, builders, technical experts and trade association representatives.

Registration brochure available soon. Inquiries to Nicolas Birrell (02) 9262 2326 or nbirrell@ prochile.gob.cl or John Halkett 0417 421 187 or john.halkett@ bigpond.com

NOVEMBER

13-14: Engineered Wood Products – From Here to the Future. Australian timber industry seminar.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast. Co-hosted by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia and Forest and Wood Products Australia. Australian and international speakers. Contact Eileen Newbury, marketing manager, Forest and Wood Products Australia.Tel +61 (3) 9927 3212. Mob: +61 (0) 41931 3163. Email: eileen.newbury@ fwpa.com.au or visit www.fwpa. com.au for registration and accommodation details.

2015 MARCH

25: ForestWorks annual industry conference and dinner in Canberra.

Flagship event for the forest, wood, paper and timber products industries. Joining with the Australian Forest Products Association to co-host the popular networking industry dinner at Parliament House. Conference will look beyond the innovative technologies in industry and focus on the people, exploring how they can help to bring about innovation.

Further details will be announced in the coming months, including the conference theme, speakers and venue. Contact forestworks@ forestworks.com.au

THE AUSTRALIAN FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION The lead voice in Canberra on policy affecting forest, wood and paper products industries.

AFPA strives to deliver benefits for the complete industry value chain including those involved in: • Forest growing • Harvest and haulage • Sawmilling and other wood processing • Pulp and paper processing • Forest product exporting

Join us today and share the benefits Call (02) 6285 3833

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 5

Visiting AWISA 2014 from Carter Holt Harvey Pinepanels at Gympie, Qld, are Blair Price, general manager (left) and Paul Bowen, commercial analyst, who met up with Darryl Sharp on the Sharp Plywood stand.

Tony Covino of Covino Engineering (left) catches up with Peter Canala, sales, Adelaide, and Roy Deering, operations manager, Western Australia, on the Woodworking Machinery Services stand at AWISA 2014.

WMS represents Holzher GmbH in Western Australia.

Pau Lever, area manager for Leuco Australia in Sydney (right) explains the Leuco product range to cabinet and kitchen specialist Luke Pretlove of Lukell Holdings, Warrnambool, Vic.

Visiting the EWPAA stand at AWISA 2014 .. Steve Coles, Queensland flooring manager, Big River Group, Springwood, and Alicia Oelkers, state manager, TABMA Queensland.

PAGE 6 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

James MacGregor, consulting engineer, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia, Brisbane (left) confers with James Moss, service technician Weinig Group, Sydney (centre) and Greg Jacques, Animal Crates Australia, Sydney, about the merits of the Weinig Cube four-sider planning machine.

Brisbane joiner Patrick Connaughton (left) gets a run down on veneer samples on the Briggs Veneers stand at AWISA 2014 from Sydneybased Juel Briggs, director, and Rob Mayo, architectural representative.

Wood Protection ®

Sam Indovino, technical sales executive, Homag Australia (left) explains the features of the Homag range of edgebanders with Henry Quarmby and Adrian McKenna of Ezi-Kit Flat Pack Kitchens, Hobart.

Hanna Lucas and Matt Gopperth of MG Cabinetry, Gold Coast, get some details on the German precision Holzher edgebander on the Wood Tech Group stand from Paul McBride of Wood Tech Queensland.

Sharyn Chilcott welcomes Northern NSW wood turner Micheal Connor to the ForestWorks stand at AWISA 2014.

Tanalith® Ti Insecticide H2F for all softwoods

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What does this mean for you?  Easy to use  Low cost treatment  Applied using dip or spray  No discernable odour Join the move to Tanalith® Ti Insecticide. phone: 1300 650 636 today.

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 7

THESE SYSTEMS ARE READY TO BE USED - COME AND LEARN HOW TO IMPRESS Seminar

CLT library case study

INDUSTRY NEWS

highlight!

MAKE THE CONNECTION:

Mark Batchelar, MLB Consulting Engineers (Auckland) discussing the engineering and design for Te Wharehou O Tuhoe, a NZ tribal headquarters constructed utilising virtually all available engineered wood product technology and built to meet the Living Building Challenge - the most strict sustainability criterion that can be applied to buildings.

use engineered wood products to do more with less

Live Demonstration –

Connection Calculation

Hear industry experts discussing the design, specification and realities of developing buildings incorporating glued-laminated timber (glulam), wood I-joists, cross laminated timber, wood structural panels and some world firsts: post-tensioned round timber wall panels, round timber floor panels and hollow timber piles.

DISCOVER

new ways to use timber and be inspired!

UNDERSTAND

the structural properties and reliability of engineered wood products

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LEARN

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Don’t miss this hands-on session that will teach you how to calculate a timber connection and provide a practical demonstration on how to apply the connection.

EVALUATE

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practical demonstrations of modern connection technology

Exhibitor

Date Thursday 25 September 2014 Time 2.15 – 5.30pm (Including afternoon tea & cocktail function) Location Moda Events – Portside Level 2, Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton Cost TQ members & technical subscribers FREE $40 non-members

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER www.timberqueensland.com.au/events

PAGE 8 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

SEATS ARE LIMITED, BOOK TODAY!

TOP UP YOUR POINTS – formal or informal CPD points available

Shawn Salthouse, technician, On Track Edgebanders, Sunshine Coast (left) and Philip Ashley, Elite Publishing (right) discuss the Felder range of wood working tools and machines at AWISA 2014 with Stefan Kremer, Felder NSW Pty Ltd, Sydney.

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 16000 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 Correspondence to Custom Publishing Group PO Box 569 Ormeau QLD 4208 Phone +61 7 5547 6547 PUBLISHER Dennis Macready Phone +61 7 5547 6547 dennis@industrye-news.com

Jim Bowden, marketing and education program (left), welcomes Bob Panitzki, CEO, Australian Furniture Research and Development Institute, Launceston, to the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia stand at AWISA 2014.

MANAGING EDITOR Editorial correspondence to Jim Bowden PO Box 330 Hamilton Central QLD 4007 Mobile 0401 312 087 cancon@bigpond.net.au ADVERTISING Phone Dennis +61 7 5547 6547 dennis@industrye-news.com

On the Wood Tech Group stand .. Terry Hayes (NSW), Neii Foley, director, Sydney, and Geo Brown (Qld).

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.

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 9

AWISA .. a robot uprising is coming out of the woodwork

$25m worth of machinery captures imagination in Brisbane

By JIM BOWDEN

HEARTY free lunches and caffé lattes were enjoyed by hundreds of exhibitors and visitors alike at AWISA 2014 in Brisbane.

But while they stood around in the lunch breaks munching on fresh rolls and salads, the robots kept going, producing an amazing array of engineered wood products in every size and configuration – a task they are designed to handle non-stop if necessary.

The AWISA exhibition is held every two years – and in that time the rapid acceleration in automation technology has been nothing but incredible.

Virtual machining simulation now allows operators to verify data, prevent tooling issues, minimise human error in

INSURANCE IT’S ALL IN THE SELECTION

NEW global image .. Stefano Porcellini, group managing director of Biesse International in Italy (right) cuts a ribbon at AWISA 2104 last Friday to launch a renewed Biesse global brand. Joining the ceremony is Luke Tenaglia, CEO, Biesse Oceana region.

programming and to check, manipulate and modify the project before transferring it to the machine.

This ability to virtually test run a job with a 3D onscreen

www.abpremier.com.au Selecting the right equipment to maximise your production output is similar to selecting the right people to maximise your insurance protection.

Austbrokers Premier has been working with the timber industry for over 25 years and we know what insurance best suits your industry and risks. Whether it’s a complicated business interruption loss or a burnt out frontend loader we work hard to get you the right outcome.

You can expect superior outcomes from Austbrokers Premier in the following key areas: • Focus on premium value and insurer security • Expert advice for Business Interruption • Premiums + claims + deductibles – self insurance option analysis • Committed claims management & settlement negotiations.

• On-going service and advice, not just at renewal time.

Call Alan Jones 0419 754 681 or Scott Hastings 0406 382 582 today.

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Insuring it all stacks up.

PAGE 10 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

simulation in real time contributes to bigger cost savings in labour and a dramatic reduction in wasted resource – all essential if Australia is to compete with hotly competitive imports.

About 8000 visitors over four days watched in awe as international manufacturers joined with Australian companies to unveil machinery valued at more than $25 million at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last week.

‘The show fulfilled all expectations’ “The show fulfilled all our expectations and fully justified our decision to choose the River City for AWISA this time,” general manager Geoff Holland said.

Between 2000 and 2012, the AWISA exhibitions have had, on average, 8500 individual visitors at each exhibition. The more impressive statistic is the number of visitations, which counts attendees every day they attend.

“The number of visitations has averaged more than 11,000 or 30% higher than the number of individuals who attended, which means that roughly a third of the visitors attended for a second day,” Mr Holland said.

“This is an unusually high figure for an Australian trade show. On average, more than 40% of visitors travelled from interstate or overseas.”

Dominating the centre of AWISA was Italian wood machine numero uno Biesse International which introduced its bSolid process to the Australian market – an unparalled collision detection technology.

The technology has intuitive and advanced 3D drawing tools, but the software also works well with common 3D CAD files such as DXF, VRLM and STL. This means designing can also be done in a third party drawing software program that the designers are confident with.

“Importing and sending your designs to the machine is really easy and it provides greater flexibility in working and designing methods,” says Bart Carr, Biesse Australia’s software specialist.

Mr Carr has been working closely with software developers to communicate the needs of the Australian market and recently visited the Biesse factory in Italy for some intense training on the installation and operation of the software.

“I’m excited about the direction of bSolid. It’s been in the making for many years and encompasses a range of features that are in demand from customers wanting to keep up with market and advances in technology.”

Biesse was founded in Pesaro on the eastern Italian coast in 1969 by Giancarlo Selci who started in a small rented room with two lathe machines and set out to accomplish his dream.

That dream has materialised into a wood machining industry that has embraced robotics technology like no other.

Cont P 10

Sticking to message: level playing field a ‘no-brainer’ AN Australian-made procurement policy by federal and state governments would “turn the tables” on shoddy furniture imports, mostly from Asia, that continue to fail Australian standards for consumer safety and trusted forest certification, FIAA general manager Dean Brakell said at AWISA 2014 in Brisbane.

“Such a policy – and other countries like Canada are doing it – would almost turn the fortunes of furniture manufacturers overnight,” Mr Brakell said.

“We are continuing to take the fight to Canberra and we’re working closely with the

influential Furniture Cabinets and Joinery Alliance which met with federal Department of Industry officials at an industry forum at AWISA last week.” (A report on the forum will appear in next week’s T&F enews).

“It’s simple,” Mr Brakell said.

“We want products to conform to certified sustainable forests rules, third-party accreditation and compliance with Australian building standards.

“A level playing field is a nobrainer.”

Mr Brakell said Furnishing Industry Association of Australia members had enthusiastically joined a consumer awareness

It’s Australian-made – and we’re sticking to it .. Dean Brakell, general manager, Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (right) discusses the FIAA-EWPAA low-emissions sticker campaign with FIAA director Brad Willis of Clarence Valley Kitchens, South Grafton, who was placing an order for 1000 labels at AWISA 2014.

campaign by the Engineered Wood Engineering Association of

Australasia, which included pointof-sale fliers that guaranteed Australian and NZ engineered wood products were tested to conform to safe emission levels demanded by health authorities.

The labels have been issued to more than 500 FIAA members Australia-wide; many of them have individually repeated orders for up to 1000 ‘green label’ stickers which they attach to product packs at distribution points carrying a message that products manufactured by EWPAA members are certified Super E0, EO and E1 under a strict JAS-ANZ accredited system.

Working group looks at HR development solutions From P 3

group is focusing on workforce development within the sector.

• The innovation in frame and truss technologies working group is led by Kersten Gentle, FTMA executive director. The

group held its first initial meeting on August 8 and is focused on providing opportunities for sectors in building products manufacturing, to share and understand new building systems and associated opportunities.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Why would you risk it?

• Legal action • Damage to your business • Possible loss of life • Media exposure

• Simon Dorries, general manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia, leads a group looking at standards for timber building systems. The group meets for the first time on August 19 and will look to increasing

understanding of standards for existing products and the consistency of standards for the development of new products.

For further information on these working groups go to www.forestworks.com.au/ innovation

Consistent quality Structurally sound and safe Lowest emissions Wood from 100% legal forests Guaranteed to meet government standards Jobs security It’s simple arithmetic.

Add it up and the safest choice is engineered wood manufactured

by EWPAA members.

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia Unit 3, 106 Fison Ave West, Eagle Farm 4009 Qld Tel: 61 7 3250 3700 Fax: 61 7 3252 4769 Email: inbox@ewp.asn.au Web: www.ewp.asn.au

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

R&D project funding opportunities Expressions of Interest Forest and Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA) invites the submission of research proposals, including multi-year partnerships, addressing identified industry research priorities.

FWPA is an unlisted public company (limited by guarantee) that provides national, integrated promotion, research and development services for the Australian forest and wood products industry.

As a rural research and development corporation, the Company receives matching funds from the Commonwealth government for its R&D activities.

FWPA is also listed on the Australian Competitive Grants Register and is rated as a Category One R&D funder.

FWPA’s activities are driven by its 5-year strategic plan, annual operating plan and R&D investment plans. Each investment plan provides details of industry outcomes expected from successfully completed projects in addition to guidance regarding the level of available FWPA funding within each priority area.

Total FWPA R&D funding of $10-12 million is potentially available over the next five years.

Preference will be directed towards proposals that strongly align to FWPA’s corporate mission and contain significant levels of co-investment by project partners and collaborators.

Initial expressions of interest that outline areas of interest, key competencies and alignment to FWPA’s investment activities should be submitted to chris.lafferty@fwpa.com.au by close of business, Friday 5th September, 2014.

Soil-savers .. selected clones of young radiata pines are hardened off in nursery beds before planting.

NZ forest owners support changes in erosion control

THE Forest Owners Association in New Zealand has welcomed government changes to the scheme that funds erosion control initiatives on the east coast.

“Forestry and allowing reversion to native cover are both effective at reducing the dramatic soil erosion that can occur on east coast hill country,” says chief executive David Rhodes.

Radiata pines have reduced soil erosion “Making it easier for land owners to access funding and removing unnecessary red tape should result in greater involvement in the scheme.

Mr Rhode said when topsoil flowed down rivers and out to sea it represented a huge loss of potential regional productivity and wealth.

Planting with radiata pines

over many decades had greatly reduced this soil erosion as well as downstream flooding.

“Many of the trees that were planted 30-40 years ago have now reached maturity and their harvest has brought jobs and increased prosperity to the region,” Mr Rhodes said.

“In the early days, pines were often blanket-planted by the government from the stream edges to the steep ridge lines without regard to the practicality or environmental implications of eventual harvest.

“Private forest owners no longer do this, but they may have legacy forests with trees that need to be harvested from these areas when they reach maturity.”

Mr Rhodes said that with Manuka honey now a viable crop in many areas, a mix of plantation forestry, reversion to native cover and pole-planted pasture all had a place in most hill country catchments on the east coast.

Massive forest fire in Sweden

HUGE forest fire – one of the biggest in modern times – has broken out in central Sweden.

The blaze which covers between 5000 and 10,000 ha has been declared a national

PAGE 12 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

emergency.

Helicopters are being used to pluck people trapped by the flames to safety. The 4500 residents in the town of Norberg have been evacuated.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Beautiful rhythmic dancers – something robots can’t replace!

Machines entering more occupations reliant on thinking

From P 10

A Rio-style carnival of exotic dancers and acrobatic kick-boxers performing to the beat of jungle drums provided a colourful ending to Day 2 of AWISA 2014 in Bris-Vegas.

Work in progress for TCA structure

IT’S ‘work in progress’ at Timber Communities Australia as interim board members and national coordinator Helen Murray concentrate efforts on membership renewals and reach out to regions and community organisations that are likely to make up the new TCA structure.

Dramatic and accepted changes to the TCA constitution and the election of officebearers will form the business agenda at the annual general meeting, expected within the next two months.

Interim TCA chairman Tim Woods said the organisation was grateful to individuals and community groups who had renewed membership well ahead of the deadline.

“We are continuing the program, albeit with limited resources, which involves getting out to regions and meeting communities that will make up the new TCA structure

As we stood with a human resources and recruitment officer while an unmanned CNC router softly cut out shop-fitting designs in solid wood, she said: “The very different thing we’re seeing now is machines increasingly entering occupations reliant upon thinking as companies increasingly work in the field of artificial intelligence.

“Now, it’s important to understand that when we say ‘robots’, we are not limiting ourselves to humanoid figures with limbs and artificial intelligence, but any machine that can carry out assigned tasks without the need for supervision – like traffic lights, only much more smarter.”

So it seems with every improvement, robotic automation is getting closer and closer to replacing humans in some capacity – so it isn’t an implausible fantasy that a robot uprising is in the ‘woodwork’.

Being a TABMA member gives you:

Tim Woods .. TCA on an exciting path

and influence its direction,” Mr Woods said.

Mr Woods praised the tenacity and depth of knowledge provided by Helen Murray, who is based in Canberra.

“She has given a golden performance to help put TCA on a new, exciting and positive path. And she does this in a calm and very professional way,” Mr Woods said.

• Group buying discounts • Assistance with the placement of trainees & apprentices • CoC certification advice • Industry specific staff recruitment at competitive rates • National networking opportunities • An exclusive trade credit insurance plan • Technical advice and assistance • Industrial relations advice • WH&S audits • Annual Timber Industry Dinner Call 1800 822 621 for membership enquiries 11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tumut training talks reinvigorate educators to drive forestry skills

THE three-day Australian Timber Training Association conference in Tumut reinvigorated forestry educators and strengthened their resolve to supply the industry workforce with highly skilled employees.

The conference from July 28 to 30 reflected the strength of registered training organisations across Australia which cater for the forestry sector, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Senator Richard Colbeck who spoke on the opening day applauded the Riverina TAFE forestry section for providing high school students with an opportunity to learn industry-related skills, while promoting forestry jobs as a professional pathway to a successful career.

Pushing wood into commercial building sector Australian Timber Trainers Association and FITEC Australia general manager Tim Isaacs said new engineered wood

Getting together at the Tumut timber training conference .. Paul Wells, forest manager, NSW Department of Primary Industries; Tim Isaacs, outgoing ATTA president; Trina Thomson, Mayor of Tumut; Kerry Penton, director, Riverina Institute of TAFE NSW; and Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.

technology, such as cross laminated timber, was pushing wood into the commercial building sector.

“The development s in timber using CLT that has high strength capabilities but without the high dimensions and weight will see timber start to be used in traditional types of structures,” he said.

Carbon farming was also on

the conference agenda with these innovations forming the backbone of measures required to maintain the forestry resource whi8le meeting the growing demand for timber in future years.

Senator Colbeck said the Carbon Farming Initiative would help to ensure a sustainable plantation resource that genuinely puts carbon

back into the landscape and provides a strong future for the forest industry, while also working alongside those in the farming and rural sectors.

The senator added: “There needs to be continued changers in the way we operate the vocational sector, recognising obvious demand for sciencebased forestry skills around the productivity of our forests.”

SFM to manage plantation estate

PLANTATION management company SFM has been appointed by New Forests to manage the recently acquired Limestone Plantations, formerly known as the Australian Sustainable Forestry Investors Fund Estate (ASFI), in South Australia and Victoria.

The 21,000 ha Limestone estate managed by SFM includes 61 properties with Eucalyptus globulus (bluegum) distributed across some of Victoria’s and South Australia’s prime forestry land in the Green Triangle border region.

The estate was recently purchased by New Forests by way of its Australia New Zealand

Forest Fund 2 (ANZFF2). New Forests also recently announced an agreement to purchase the 175,000 ha Tasmanian plantation estate from Gunns Ltd in April.

SFM’s managing director Andrew Morgan welcomed the opportunity to work with New Forests.

“New Forests is a progressive, environmentally-focused company with plantation assets across the country and we look forward to working with them to develop this estate and achieve third party certification,” Mr Morgan said.

“In engaging SFM, New Forests has recognised us as a leader

PAGE 14 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

SFM forest operation managers Dan Ryan and Brett Stevenson inspect bluegum plantations in the Green Triangle border region.

in plantation management, and with a focus on innovation and sustainability we will continue to be a market leading provider of third party management services.”

SFM was established in 2001 and is a leading forest management company operating Australia-wide, providing independent advice and services to landowners regarding management, harvesting and marketing of forest resources.

SFM provides forestry management solutions to private, corporate and government entities and is certified under the Australian Forestry Standard and Forest Stewardship Council schemes.

SFM manages about 25,000 ha of plantation property in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Reception at parliament house celebrates VicForests’ decade

STATE-owned business VicForests celebrated its 10th anniversary on August 1 with a reception at Parliament House in Melbourne.

VicForests CEO Robert Green said the organisation had worked hard to deliver social, environmental and economic sustainability since being established in 2004.

“The timber industry continues to play a vital role in communities across regional Victoria and the Victorian Auditor General noted in his report last year that “VicForests has demonstrated that it balances the need to operate profitably with the need to support industry and socioeconomic sustainability”.

VicForests is now Australia’s largest supplier of native forest hardwood saw logs and in its 10 years has generated more

VicForests has demonstrated that it balances the need to operate profitably with the need to support industry and socio-economic sustainability.

than $1 billion in revenue – with virtually all of this revenue poured straight back into the state’s economy, mostly in regional Victoria.

There have been a number important achievements for VicForests and the forest industry such as certification to the Australian Forestry Standard, substantially reducing the number of forestry workplace injuries and

a contribution to firefighting efforts during a period of unprecedented wildfires in Victoria.

Mr Green said: “Despite all the challenges we face, we continue to have a timber industry for one very good reason – we need to source our local hardwood timber.

“With a rapidly growing population, the demand for timber and wood products will

only increase and VicForests can supply the demand for hardwoods sustainably and responsibly.

“Sustainability is key to our operations and we have worked hard at making sure our harvest levels match what is growing in the forest over the years, taking account of our external environment.

“That has meant harvesting less to allow the forests to recover from the large scale bushfires that Victoria has suffered over the past century and in particular the last decade.

“We want a sustainable industry that works hand in hand with the environment while producing social and economic outcomes for all of us.”

Mr Green also said that safety had come a long way since 2004.

SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2014 THE 2ND ANNUAL

Women in Forest & Timber Network Charity Champagne High Tea Franklin Villa, 35 Brighton Rd, Highgate Hill 2PM – 5PM

Register at www.timberqueensland.com.au/events Tickets: $55 – fab food, chilled champagne & great prizes

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 15

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

Forest fires battle is costing BC government $3.5m a day

THE British Columbia government is spending $US3.5 million a day to fight forest fires around the Canadian province, with the total for the year past $106 million and headed higher.

The government is bracing for bills that could reach $250 million by the end of the summer, depending on weather and the number of fires that threaten homes.

The province has brought in firefighters from Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick, and issued several evacuation orders by the mid-point of the summer season.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong asked for residents to take all possible precautions and observe campfire bans through August. About 40% of British Columbia forest fires are human caused, with most of the rest started by lightning strikes.

Forest fire spending is already approaching totals for the last two years. Highs in the past decade are $382 million in 2009 and $371 million in 2003, when fires damaged Kelowna and Barriere.

“The possibility of the fire season consuming a quarter billion tax dollars is real,” de Jong said. “While there is no issue about spending the

Spotting fires .. an Army national guardsman looks for spot fires around Oregon public lands from a Blackhawk helicopter.

money, it has to come from somewhere, so that’s a cost item that’s looking like it will be considerably more than what had hoped for.”

Fire season could consume quarter billion in tax dollars Meanwhile, wildfires in western US are getting bigger, hotter – and more costly. A new report from a national science advocacy group says climate change is one major reason wildfires are getting worse.

And short-sighted development policies are a big reason they’re costing more.

In recent years, the number of homes and businesses built in wildfire-prone areas has skyrocketed. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, across 13 western states there are more than 1.2 million homes – with a combined value of about $190 billion – that are at high or very high risk of wildfires.

More than 7% of the homes in Oregon are in those areas.

At the same time, the cost of battling wildfires has increased nearly four-fold since 1985. The US Department of the Interior expects to spend upwards of $1.8 billion on firefighting this year alone.

And Rachel Cleetus, an

economist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, says that doesn’t even count the costs of other fire impacts.

“They include damage to property, pollution of watersheds, loss of livelihoods, impacts on public health and an increase in the risk of postfire flooding,” she said.

Many of those costs, Cleetus says, are the result of what she calls “a misalignment of incentives”.

“A lot of the firefighting money is coming from federal sources like the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service,” she said, “whereas a lot of decisions around development are being made at the local level through local zoning regulations, for example, where the folks who make those decisions are not paying for the firefighting cost.”

Most wildfires usually start on public land Gil Riddell, policy director at the Association of Oregon Counties says since wildfires usually start on public land, the cost of fire suppression rightly belongs to the federal and state governments.

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INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

NZ forestry industry must drive culture change in the workplace

THE New Zealand forestry sector must drive workplace culture change for safety reforms to be effective, say industry analysts.

Between 2008 and 2013, there were 967 serious incidents and 28 fatalities in the forestry industry, with 10 of those fatalities taking place in 2013 alone. The safety rate for the forestry sector is also far worse than in any other sector, with the overall injury rate nearly six times worse than it is any other industry.

As the forestry sector moves forward with further growth and expansion (export earnings are set to rise to $NZ5 billion by the 2016-17 financial year from $NZ4.3bn in 2012-13, global consultants DuPont Sustainable Solutions are warning that something must be done to counter the alarming safety track record.

New Zealand should have a far better safety track record than it does.

Graeme Iggo, DuPont’s safety adviser in New Zealand, says that the first step in the right direction is the NZ government introducing workplace safety reforms, and the Independent Forestry Safety Review, which is currently under way. But he warns that unless there is a robust strategy to drive change in workplace culture in the industry, then the laws won’t be effective.

“The ‘she’ll be right mate’ attitude is prevalent throughout our work environments and the forestry sector is no exception,” says Mr Iggo.

“As a societal norm, that culture is incredibly detrimental to the way our workforce operates. While we certainly applaud the government and the forestry sector for stepping up to try and make changes, the reality is that unless we educate

and enforce culture change in the industry, then the new laws won’t be effective.”

Mr Iggo has been employed

by DuPont for nearly 40 years and during that time has worked in countries including Kenya, the US and Australia. He says for a relatively progressive country, New Zealand should have a far better safety track record than it does.

On March 13, the government announced it was committed to improving health and safety by introducing The Health and Safety Reform Bill.

The Bill, which is set to be in place by December, represents the most significant law reform in this area in more than 20 years and will play a major role in helping New Zealand meet its target of reducing its workplace death toll by 25% by 2025.

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 17

ON THE ROAD

Hyundai iLoad take the cake for big slice of SBV tradies’ market Korean-built workhorse light-commercial success story

WE packed the cargo: one slice of vanilla cheese cake.

Load-wise this was a massive under-use of 4.3 cub m of storage space – something like putting only one Hyundai iLoad van on a container ship at Incheon.

But we put the ‘one-box’ van – although to be precise, a ‘short-bonneted van’ (SBV) – through some load duties later in the day, delivering some very heavy stacks of tiles to a reno job, a performance that really took the cake.

And then there was the sale we probably made for Hyundai when, parked outside Tassels Café and Catering in Racecourse Road, Ascot, Brent Officen of Decibels Entertainment tapped on the window and asked about the iLoad. It was just what he wanted to carry his extensive DJ gear and he would look for our test review.

The van has put a big dent in the sales figures of its competitor the Toyota HiAce, which is more a cab-over.

Toyota did have an SBV a few years ago but it came and went like a collapsed soufflé.

iLoad has generous cargo space Hyundai’s Korean-built workhorse has been the lightcommercial success story of recent times. From zero in 2008, when it was introduced to the Australian market, to hero in 2011, and now outselling Toyota’s HiAce. iLoad deserves the success story; it’s feature-packed, nicely styled and finished, has a generous cargo capacity and payload, and is priced right.

These are the attributes sought by both tradies and businesses alike.

Hyundai iLoad van .. this one-box wonder is feature-packed and nicely styled.

Two four-cylinder engine choices are available in iLoad: the 2.4-litre petrol engine, which produces 129kW and 228Nm of torque; and the 2.5-litre diesel, which knocks out 125kW and an impressive 392Nm. To achieve this figure, the diesel relies on common-rail direct injection and a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), exactly the sort of powermaking technology large trucks embraced some years ago. The petrol engine uses multi-point injection.

Those opting for diesel power have the choice of either a fivespeed manual or a five-speed automatic while petrol-engine models rely solely on the manual gearbox to transfer the power to the rear wheels.

The iLoad is available in two configurations: a three-seat van or a six-seat crew van.

Which style you choose will be a matter of application – more people and less payload or the other way around.

As with most vans in this class, the driver sits high in the saddle with a great view through the large windscreen.

Unfortunately, the same cannot

PAGE 18 | 11 AUGUST, 2014

Spaced out .. the three-seat Hyundai iLoad has room for 4.3 cub m of cargo.

be said of the HiAce, which, despite having a reasonably sized front windscreen, still gives the impression you are peering out of a mailbox slot. The crew van has side windows as standard, which makes driving and parking that much easier and safer. The van version comes without side windows but they are available as a factory option.

Buyers can choose either barn doors that open to 180 deg. or a single tailgate at the rear. Dual sliding doors are standard.

The three-seat van can carry up to 4.3 cub m of cargo on a floor area 2370 mm long, 1620 mm wide and 1350 mm high.

The crew van obviously takes

a cut in the cargo department with 2.5 cub m of load area on a floor that has been reduced to 1585 mm in length.

The distance between the wheel arches in both is 1260 mm, ample space to fit a standard pallet.

Additional timber flooring and rubber mats are available as accessories for the cargo area. Tie-downs are numerous.

Since its release, the iLoad has undergone a series of subtle changes, the most recent of which is the addition of Bluetooth connectivity and iPod integration. The Bluetooth is a welcome addition, allowing hands-free phone operation and audio streaming with a compatible device such as an iPhone or iPod.

Nippy in either the petrol or diesel version Loaded or empty, the iLoad is nippy in either the petrol or diesel version. The torque output of the diesel pulls strongly from down low in the rev range, so this is the engine to choose if regular full loads are the go.

Average fuel consumption is 8.8L/100 km – city 11.2/100 km and highway 7.4L/100m km.

MARKETING MANAGER Company/Location: Ta Ann Tasmania

Jobs Description: Ta Ann Tasmania, the leading Tasmanian veneer producer with operations in Hobart, Huon and Smithton invites applications for the position of Marketing Manager from suitably qualified and committed professionals for its soon to be completed Smithton Plywood Mill.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing strategies and implementing profitable business activities to achieve operating and financial objectives. He or she will have extensive experience in all aspects of marketing including improving product marketability and identifying new market opportunities. It is desirable that the candidate has knowledge or experience in the timber product industry.

The key duties and responsibilities include: • Developing effective marketing and sales plans for the Australian market; • Establishing and maintaining strong client relationships; • Identifying and capitalising on new marketing opportunities; • Improving on product quality through product research and development with key stakeholders and technical experts in the field.

• Providing feedback and guidance to Mill Production staff on customer needs and expectation • Ensuring effective communication with Senior Management and Mill Management staff through recommending appropriate structures and systems.

The role will involve regular intrastate and interstate travel.

The remuneration package offered will reflect the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience.

Applicants must already be eligible to work in Australia.

Apply, in confidence, by sending your application letter and CV to: General Manager Ta Ann Tasmania P/L 150, Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000 or email: hr@taanntas.com Applications will be accepted until COB: Friday15th August 2014 For more info contact: General Manager E-mail: hr@taanntas.com Applications close: Friday 15 August 2014.

11 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 19

297x210mm Vertical 254x93mm Horizontal 125x190mm Vertical 125x93mm Horizontal 73x190mm Horizontal 73x190mm Vertical 140x44.5mm 110 Vertical 34x44.5mm

297x210mm Vertical 254x93mm Horizontal 125x190mm Vertical 125x93mm Horizontal 51x93mm

Mob: 0401 312 087 PAGE 20 | 11 AUGUST, 2014