Timber and Forestry e News Issue 332

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ISSUE 332 | August 25, 2014

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Students a-mass wood knowledge Young engineers inspired by revolutionary

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The timber building ideas at Quebec conference NATIONAL voice for

By JIM BOWDEN

YOUNG engineers are shaping the ‘framework’ for the acceptance of mass timber design and structure in Australia.

A group of engineering students has returned from the World Conference on Timber Engineering in Canada pumped with new knowledge about engineered wood – crosslaminated timber in particular – and they’re ready and impatient to inspire their lecturers, employers and colleagues about why wood is the natural structural material

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Cont P 3

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25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 1

INDUSTRY NEWS

Paul Goydan

Walt Turner

Elias Akle

Koppers finalises buy of Osmose global business Wood preservation service unchanged in Australia

forestworks@forestworks.com.au

www.forestworks.com.au

US-based Koppers Inc. has finalised the acquisition of the Osmose global wood preservation and North American railroad services business units.

The global wood preservation business will be known as Koppers Performance Chemicals with Paul Goydan serving as president.

The aggregate cash purchase price for the acquired businesses was $US494.1 million, which includes $27.3 million of cash in foreign countries as well as the value of an anticipated tax election that is expected to provide cash tax savings of about $7 million.

Paul Goydan graduated with a double major (mathematics and geology) and earned his masters specialising in hydrogeology.

Aged 24, Mr Goydan was appointed assistant research scientist with Koppers Company. He was promoted to research scientist and supervised multi-million-dollar projects.

He was promoted to Koppers’ forest products division as supervisor of environmental engineering, later changing his career path into a profit centre position as marketing manager of specialty wood chemicals.

Mr Goydan joined Osmose in 1983 at the age of 36. His first

PAGE 2 | 25 AUGUST, 2014

position was as vice-president of marketing at Osmose’s headquarters in Buffalo, New York.

The trading name Osmose Australia will continue for a short period with business operating as usual.

Koppers is a leading integrated global supplier of carbon compounds and commercial wood treating products and services, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With annual sales of about $US1.5 billion and more than 1600 employees, the company operates facilities in the US, Canada, the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia and China.

Acquiring Osmose important step in long-term strategy Primary end-markets include aluminum, railroad, rubber, utility, steel, and specialty chemicals and concrete industries.

“Acquiring the two Osmose businesses is an important step in our long-term growth strategy for Koppers,” president and CEO Walt Turner said.

“The businesses fit well within our core competencies, expand both our chemicals offering and

our existing railroad and utilities products and services platform, and provide additional growth opportunities as we gain leading market positions in strategic end-markets around the world.

“The synergies from the acquisition are expected to be at least $12 million, and we anticipate that the annual run rate will be realisable by the end of 2015.”

Osmose Australia general manger Elias Akle said the newlyformed Koppers Performance Chemicals business would continue to operate with little visible change.

He said over the next several weeks, industry would receive updated information in regard to employee email address changes.

Office telephone numbers and employee cell phone numbers would remain the same.

“We pride ourselves on being a preferred quality supplier, and we will continue to serve our clients as we have done in the past,” Mr Akle said.

Note: Koppers Inc. has no connection with drug manufacturer Lonza Group AG, based in Switzerland, which acquired Arch Chemicals (formerly Koppers Arch Wood Protection in Australia) for about $1.2 billion) in 2011.

INDUSTRY NEWS

‘We must convince a lot more people about wood’s tremendous potential as a primary material for large buildings’

Trailblazers .. young Australian engineering students at WCTE 2014 in Quebec, Canada, flanked

by Alastair Woodward of TPC Solutions (left) and Boris, Iskra , Forest and Wood Products Australia.

From P 1

for large building projects.

“The visit was an inspiration for all of us; fellow students who knew little about timber will be absolutely pro-timber after a trip like this,” enthused structural engineering graduate Lisa Thom, 23, who attended the international event in Quebec from August 10 to 14.

The study tour was arranged

by Forest and Wood Products Australia and supported by the Gottstein Trust.

“There’s comparatively little exposure to large timber projects in Australia, so the conference gave participants the opportunity to see the enormous activity that’s happening on a global scale,” FWPA managing director Ric Sinclair said.

This was the third FWPAorganised student delegation to WCTE; in 2010 the conference was held in Italy and in 2016 it will be in Austria.

“The response this year was fantastic with participation from 21 university engineering departments,” Mr Sinclair said.

“This underlines the value of the opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of timber engineers for our sector.”

‘The event was an eye-opener for all of them’ Lisa Thom, who is a structural engineer in timber solutions at Lend Lease, passed on the “super-useful” learning from WCTE to students when she presented her university thesis on cross-laminated timber at the young designers’ showcase at

the University of Melbourne last Friday, an event organised by the Institute of Structural Engineers.

She said working with Lend Lease had exposed her to the opportunities presented by CLT structural timber.

“After study tours like this, and if we continue to convince young engineers about wood’s values, well, then we can go back to our lecturers and employers and explain how good wood is and why it should be incorporated in buildings in a big way,” Lisa said.

“There a great chance here.

There are no negatives.”

She added: “We really can do a lot more with timber. We must convince a lot more people in the building industry of wood’s tremendous potential. It really is possible.”

Lisa says she was “both nervous and excited” about meeting some real icons in mass timber design at the Quebec conference, people like Hans Blass of Germany who is doing amazing things with .the mechanical properties of CLT, and Robert Malczyk, a leading Canadian design and construction engineer who is developing the tall wood project and seismic design of CLT structures.

“Meeting Hans Blass was awesome because I referenced him a lot in my university thesis,”

Lisa said.

FWPA’s Boris Iskra, a structural engineer, who with Alastair Woodard of TPC Solutions, accompanied the students to Quebec, said there was great interaction between the postgraduate students.

“They were all very positive about timber,” he said, “and this will carry on through their professional lives.

“I’m sure the engineering students they mix with will feed

off this enthusiasm.”

Dr Woodard said the WCTE event had been a ‘flat-out’ program and on top of tours and functions was very demanding.

“The students were great – very committed and enthusiastic,” he said.

“The event was an eye-opener for all of them, particularly the technical tour which included some very impressive timber members and some impressive Cont P 11

COVER PICTURE: Front-row ‘four-wards’ at a presentation on tall wood structures at the World Conference on Timber Engineering in Quebec, Canada, are structural engineering students Lisa Thom, Lend Lease, Marcus Kernahan, University of South Australia, Allison Goddard, University of New South Wales, and Angelina Lu Zhang, Monash University.

25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 3

ENGINEERED WOOD

Environmental performance of tall wood buildings from harvest of input materials to end of life of the structures

Construction renaissance TALL wood buildings have existed for centuries – tall wooden pagodas equivalent to 19 storeys high were built in Japan and China some 1400 years ago and are still standing today.

With the resurgence of modern mass timber products and systems, a renaissance in construction of tall wood buildings is becoming a reality. Mass timber products include glued-laminated timber (glulam), structural composite lumber (SCL), as well as crosslaminated timber (CLT).

The desire for construction using sustainable materials triggered an initiative to support demonstration projects showcasing tall wood buildings both in Canada and the US. Structural engineering students returning from the

Technical guide .. chapter covers all pertinent topics related to fire safety and fire protection in tall wood building.

World Conference on Timber Engineering in Quebec earlier this month were in awe of the mass timber construction examples in Canada, and they are determined to further spread the opportunities this

material has for Australian industry.

A part of a tall wood initiative, Canada’s FPInnovations has released the first edition of a technical guide for the design and construction of tall wood buildings.

The guide is intended to be used by design and construction teams, providing them with the concepts and background to respond to questions that would arise when designing beyond the height and area limits prescribed by the acceptable solutions in the National Building Code of

Technical guide for the design of tall buildings

info@forestry.org.au | www.forestry.org.au PAGE 4 | 25 AUGUST, 2014

Canada.

More than 80 experts contributed to this multidisciplinary guide organized under nine chapters.

The ‘Building as a System’ chapter takes the ‘architect’s view’ of the conceptual design process.

Topics include integration of building systems, building envelope, performance detailing, architectural form and function, and flexibility in the form of potential integration solutions.

The sustainability chapter covers a range of sustainability considerations and provides guidance on how to measure the environmental performance of tall wood buildings from initial harvest of input materials to the end of life of the structures.

The structural and serviceability chapter reflects the ‘structural engineer’s view’ and is divided into four major sections. The first three cover conceptual design; input parameters for connections and assemblies; and advance analysis and testing of systems.

The last section focuses on sound insulation and floor

Fire safety and protection a key chapter in guide vibration control.

Sound transmission and floor vibration mitigation are important design considerations for multi-family or multi-party occupancies.

The guide provides general guidance to the designer on methods that might be employed to reduce or eliminate the issue as detraction from the occupants’ standpoint.

It also recommends the best practices for implementation of the design solutions to achieve the design goals and to ensure the end users’ satisfaction.

The important – and controversial – fire safety and protection chapter covers all pertinent topics related to fire safety and fire protection.

Currently, available acceptable solutions for addressing fire safety are often impediments to the use of advanced wood design solutions in buildings.

This chapter presents guidelines for developing an alternative solution, Cont P 6

EVENTS

2014 AROUND THE CIRCUIT

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 26-29: Australian Forest Growers 2014 Biennial Conference. Trees: The Future Crop for Changing Climates.

Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW. More than 40 presentations from leading forest researchers and practitioners, a day of field trips, featuring local forestry initiatives, along with icebreaker and dinner events complete a full conference program. Speakers include Australian Farm Institute executive director Mick Keogh, former Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery, Andrew Campbell, Charles Darwin University, Prof. Jerry Vanclay, Southern Cross University, and Rob de Fegely, president.

Institute of Foresters Australia.

Contact Mark Wright, AFG 2014 conference convenor. Email: agconference@afg.asn.au

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

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

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

• 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

25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 5

ENGINEERED WOOD

Best practices and standards providing confidence in building mass structures

From P 4

demonstrating that a tall mass timber building can meet – or even surpass – the level of fire performance currently stipulated in the NBCC’s acceptable solutions for tall buildings of non-combustible construction.

While fire and structural safety generally generate the most questions when wood is proposed for tall building construction, other topics deemed to be as important for the success of tall wood

buildings are also covered in the guide.

The chapter ‘Building Enclosure Design’ focuses on developing an understanding of the control functions and the critical barriers which form the layers that make up a building enclosure and give details of selected assemblies that might be used in a tall wood building.

‘Prefabrication and Inspection of Assemblies’ seeks to establish best practices and standards which can provide confidence that what

is designed in accordance with the intent of relevant building codes can in fact be built to high standards of quality.

‘Project and Construction Cost Considerations’ provides guidelines for consultants tasked with estimating costs associated with tall wood buildings higher than six storeys.

‘Monitoring and Maintenance’ includes recommendations for performance testing and monitoring and provides guidance on building maintenance to help building owners avoid unexpected high

repair and replacement costs during operation.

It is expected that owners, design teams and authorities will expand on the guide with the specifics appropriate to their projects and that future editions of the guide will add increasing detail as the industry grows and more efficient systems are developed.

The development of the guide was supported by Natural Resources Canada and is part of the Canadian tall wood building initiative.

Mary Valley hoop pine destined for China, Japan THE Finlayson family’s Superior Wood sawmill and manufacturing plant at Imbil in Queensland’s Mary Valley are ramping-up production both domestically and internationally.

“We’ve got export contracts with China, Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan,” said managing director Skene Finlayson.

“Opportunities are becoming available in other parts of the world, including the USA again, as some markets start to improve,” he said.

Mr Finlayson said Superior Wood was on a mission to be the very best hoop pine sawmilling and value-adding operation in the world.

Export opportunity .. Gympie Regional Council Deputy Mayor Tony Perrett (left), Superior Wood manger Ian Swinbourne, Forestry Minister John McVeigh and Superior Wood director Skene Finlayson discuss the markets opening for kiln-dried hoop pine furniture components in China.

“Major investment is just about to flow with state-of-the

PAGE 6 | 25 AUGUST, 2014

art value-adding equipment ordered to complement the

excellent infrastructure the previous owners laid down.”

Queensland Forestry Minister John McVeigh recently inspected the secure jobs and major investment delivered

by Superior Wood in the Mary Valley.

Mr McVeigh met with Superior Wood’s Malcolm and Skene Finlayson, and toured the Imbil softwood sawmill and the kilns and dry mill facility at Melawondi.

The Imbil mill and hightech drying, chop-line and remanufacturing facility at Melawondi employ 110 people and focuses on exports to Asian markets.

CERTIFICATION

FSC office opens in New Zealand to meet rising demand for certification Chain of custody awarded to over 170 businesses

THE growing number of New Zealand businesses and forest managers looking to show their sustainability credentials and secure market share under the Forest Stewardship Council’s certification scheme has prompted the opening of a new regional FSC office in Auckland.

FSC New Zealand business development manager John Castle is the new local point of contact and he will report to the FSC Australia office in Melbourne under a new regional management structure employed by the FSC for the first time.

New Zealand is one of the most advanced markets for FSC globally with 95% of plantation forests now certified by the FSC and more than 170 businesses holding FSC chain-

Promoting the benefits of certification of-custody certificates for forest products that range from timber and paper to charcoal, latex, honey and rubber.

FSC certified forests have grown to 1.3 million ha in Wood Protection ®

Settling in .. new FCS representative in New Zealand John Castle confers with FSC Australia CEO Natalie Reynolds.

New Zealand compared to 1.1 million ha in Australia.

“Awareness of the sustainability benefits of FSC timber continues to grow in the construction and manufacturing industries,” John Castle said.

“In fact, the upcoming third season of reality television series The Block NZ, will use only local FSC certified timber during its DIY home renovations.”

Mr Castle said he was looking forward to raising the profile of FSC in New

Zealand and promoting the benefits certification brought to forest managers, forest product certificate holders, the environment, economy and local communities.

He said he would encourage New Zealanders with a commitment to responsible forest management to become a member of the FSC under one of the organisation’s economic, environmental or social chambers.

FSC certified timber from New Zealand is highly sought after in international markets.

For example the world’s largest tissue products manufacturer, Kimberly-Clark, sources FSC certified NZ pine for its manufacturing facility in South Australia to produce a variety of hygiene products. “Chinese manufacturers are another major importer of NZ certified wood that is used to create thousands of different high quality timber products from furniture to consumer goods,” Mr Castle said.

FSC Australia CEO Natalie Reynolds said the FSC was excited to provide a New Zealand presence to ensure forests met the current economic, social and environmental needs of New Zealanders without compromising the needs of future generations.

Regional office opening first in FSC history “It is the first time in FSC history that we have opened a regional office model and FSC Australia is proud to embark on this new role on behalf of FSC International,” Ms Reynolds said.

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25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 7

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

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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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 | 25 AUGUST, 2014

SEATS ARE LIMITED, BOOK TODAY!

TOP UP YOUR POINTS – formal or informal CPD points available

Jane Bartier leaves ForestWorks after dedicated service

RESPECTED policy adviser Jane Bartier will be finishing her longstanding role as deputy CEO with ForestWorks on September 19.

Ms Bartier has been a valued part of the ForestWorks team and has worked closely on government policy directions and with industry on a number of successful skills, training and job development projects.

She has been a driving force behind the Women in Forests and Timber Network (WFTN), has managed successful workers assistance projects, coordinated ForestWorks’ policies and practices, and has provided valuable contribution to innovation and workforce development strategies.

“I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Jane for the commitment, leadership and management expertise she has provided to ForestWorks,” CEO Michael Hartman said.

“She has been a source of encouragement and guidance for

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!

Jane Bartier .. a source of encouragement and guidance in the industry.

the staff and has been pleasure to work with. We all wish her the best in her future endeavours.”

Ms Bartier intends to restructure her work practice from full-time and undertake further study.

“I have learnt much in my time with ForestWorks and trust that I have contributed to the industry in developing strategies for skilling people to meet changing workplace demands,” she said.

Five national forest certification systems re-endorsed by PEFC THE national forest certification systems of Luxembourg, Malaysia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland have all successfully achieved re-endorsement by PEFC. This re-endorsement confirms that these five systems continue to meet PEFC’s globally recognised sustainability benchmarks and ensures that certified forest owners and companies in these countries continue to benefit from the global acceptance of PEFC. In total, these five systems account for 6,500,000 ha of sustainably managed forest, including 4 million ha of tropical forests located in Malaysia.

For Slovenia and Malaysia, this is the first time their national systems have been re-

INDUSTRY NEWS

endorsed, with Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland achieving re-endorsement for the second time.

“We are heartened and encouraged by the continuing strong commitment of local stakeholders in the revision of their national forest certification standards, and we applaud everyone for their efforts,” PEFC secretary-general and CEO said Ben Gunneberg said.

“We truly appreciate the expertise, knowledge and time that local stakeholders invest in advancing forest certification and sustainable forest management within their countries and we are proud to be able to provide them with international recognition through PEFC endorsement.”

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

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

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.

25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 9

EVENTS

Recognising women in industry

Awards, meetings focus on Australia’s feminine talents WOMEN in industry will be in the spotlight over the next few months, with the second annual Women in Forestry and Timber Network charity function the first of four major events.

The WFTN charity champagne high tea will be at the Franklin Villa in Brisbane on September 13 (see notice, Page 16) and the networking group will follow this with a pre-dinner function at the Australian Forest Growers conference in Lismore, NSW, in October.

The next activity will be the Rural Women’s Awards which reward women’s contribution to primary industries and rural communities. They provide financial assistance, mentoring, resources and support via its nation-wide network of business and community leaders for selected state winners.

Organised by the Rural Industries R&D Corporation, the

INSURANCE IT’S ALL IN THE SELECTION

Women in industry .. Jacinta Colley, Simmonds Lumber, Alicia Oelkers, TABMA, Julie George, ForestWorks, Kate Carnell, CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Clarissa Brandt, Timber Queensland, and Jenni Day, Versace Timbers, enjoy a Women in Forestry and Timber Network evening in Brisbane.

awards are open to all women involved in primary industries.

State and Territory winners receive a $10,000 financial bursary to implement their award vision and will have the opportunity to participate in the company directors’ course run by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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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.

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PAGE 10 | 25 AUGUST, 2014

A national winner and runnerup will be selected from the state winners with a further $10,000 bursary awarded to the winner and $5000 to the runnerup to support their professional development and contribution to primary industries.

Applications close on October 31. Visit the RIRDC website for more information or to download an application form: www.rirdc.gov.au/ruralwomen’s-award Professional development opportunities are also available through the inaugural Women in Innovation Awards.

Women in Innovation and

Technology SA, in collaboration with News Corp Australia, has launched the awards in South Australia to provide a showcase for the state’s best female innovators, whether working as entrepreneurs within organisations or running their own show.

Supported by the Department of State Development and the Office for Women, these awards are set to illuminate female innovation across four individual categories: science and health; education, community and sport; environment and primary industries; and information technology, manufacturing and defence.

Awards open to all women in primary industry A fifth category open for most innovative women’s initiative in business recognises the most supportive and active commitment to women and innovation in their workplace.

The awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony at The Advertiser headquarters in Adelaide on September 17.

NZ co-op prepares for ‘wall of wood’ WELLINGTON-based United Forestry Group, backed by Australian timber marketer Pentarch and China’s Xiangyu Group, is targeting small forest owners in New Zealand in a bid to cash in on a looming ‘wall of wood’ it estimates will generate $NZ30 billion over the next 20 years.

UFG wants to consolidate the country’s 14,000 small forests, which account for just over a third of plantations, and use its forestry management skills and supply chain to achieve a more efficient network and boost returns for the owners.

Acting managing director Malcolm McComb says the

company aims to build a 30,000 ha plantation, and is initially targeting trees ready for harvest in the next 10 years.

United Forestry, which counts Pentarch and Xiangyu joint venture Superpen as a cornerstone investor with 60 percent, is offering to buy small forests outright, or buy a combination of land and trees. It will also offer advice on harvesting and marketing mature forests.

Forest owners will also have the ability to take cash and shares in the company, and Mr McComb said the company hoped to grow the number of New Zealand investors by doing so.

ENGINEERED WOOD

‘Engineering students will feed off this enthusiasm for timber’

From P 3

keynote presentations showing the students what can actually be achieved with timber.”

Dr Woodard said many conference delegates had commented on the Australian students and their black WoodSolutions polo shirts.

“They were also impressed with the FWPCA Aussie student participation idea and the Canadians are considering a similar initiative for WCTE 2016,” Dr Woodard said.

Another advocate for engineered wood in tall structure design is Michael Kipreou, a structural engineer with Mort MacDonald who was part of the 2010 student visit to WCTE in Italy.

A graduate of the University of South Australia, Michael, 27, has been working at Mott MacDonald for four years and

Australian and international delegates to WCTE 2014 were able to network with students at a special dinner hosted by WoodSolutions in Quebec.

has a passion for using timber in massive structures.

“I learned a lot about wood engineering at the conference, particularly cross-laminated timber. I saw what the world is doing with this and wondered why we weren’t doing this in Australia.

“I still haven’t found a decent answer, apart from industry’s reluctance to take up new ideas.”

During Mott MacDonald Sustainability Week, Michael

presented to the ANZ group on why timber is a sustainable building material and why it should be considered as a primary building material.

“My interest, and where I see the biggest potential market, is the use of CLT in apartment buildings,” he said.

“To me it is a very robust structure and there are many benefits including fast constructions, a reduced carbon footprint and reduced

foundations.

There are challenges, particularly with acoustics, fire, and connection detailing, but these issues can be resolved with clever detailing.”

Michael said although CLT was a relatively new technology, it was a hot topic.

“But in Australia we are behind the eight ball.”

Along with others, Michael is talking to builders, developers, clients and architects and promoting the use of timber buildings in South Australia and the rest of the country.

“One of the biggest obstacles seems to be the cost fears associated with using imported timbers for mass building construction. What’s frustrating is that in some steel projects, the builders are using imported steel products from China, so why not use imported timber from Europe or Canada?”

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25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

Cement industry ‘mixes’ it again with industry over high-rise wood

THE Cement Association of Canada has taken another shot at the wood industry in Ontario, claiming that the government’s proposed building code amendments to allow the construction of midrise buildings made of wood will result in unsafe buildings.

Taller wood buildings are not the answer to affordable housing, the association states in a release, and they are “simply not worth the risk.”

Wood, the CAC reminds the government, is a combustible material.

Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has been considering amending the building code to allow wood as a primary construction material in buildings up to six storeys tall. Wood is currently limited to buildings of four storeys.

The province of British

Commitment .. Ontario’s official plan calls for lining major streets with mixed-use wooden residential construction.

Columbia already allows taller wood construction, as do the states of Oregon and Washington, all jurisdictions with important forestry industries.

In March, the ministry released a document

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explaining the proposed building code changes. Central to the proposed changes is the concept of an “objectivebased code,” defined as one in which alternative solutions can be used in a given building application so long as they achieve the same level of performance as the solution already specified in the code.

If wood works just as well as concrete, it should be allowed.

This objective-based approach is meant to facilitate innovation in building materials, systems and designs, the document states.

Besides the greater design flexibility, the ministry lays out several other benefits to be had from using wood in midrise construction. Wood is a renewable resource. It is also a carbon sink’, and as such

contributes to greenhouse gas reduction. It is reusable. And it is less expensive to build with than concrete and steel, in part because it can be constructed more quickly and weighs less, requiring lighter foundations.

Greater use of wood also fits the government’s desire to support the forestry industry in Ontario.

The Building Industry and Land Development Association has been clear in its support for the wood initiative. A document released in February last year presents “a strong planning rationale for changing the existing Ontario Building Code” to allow six-storey wood construction. Extending the

Builders support timber use for high residentials use of wood from four- to sixstorey construction would help to create “safe, cost effective and liveable building forms” which are not currently being built.

Builders agree that using wood for residential construction up to six storeys on Toronto’s ‘avenues’ is an opportunity too great to be missed.

Ontario’s official plan calls for lining major streets with mixeduse residential construction.

Housing demand stays strong

THE solid 2.2% seasonally adjusted rise in finance commitments for new housing will inspire continuing confidence in the residential building sector, says Peter Jones, chief economist at Master Builders Australia.

“The latest housing finance data for June also means that the rate of growth is up 10% seasonally adjusted through the year,” Mr Jones said.

“First home buyer commitments rose for the second consecutive month, a positive sign for the industry that may herald a continuing return of first home buyers to the market.

“The result supports the RBA’s decision last week to keep rates on hold. It also reinforces the importance of the government and the parliament working to resolve uncertainty around the Budget structural repair.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sydney expo shop window for best of Chile’s timber products Industry welcomed to affair with flair in Sydney

CHILEAN flair will be on show at the Chile Wood Expo in Sydney on October 16 – a celebration of the sophisticated range of the country’s timber products now distributed in Australia.

Chile’s senior trade commissioner Silvana Gattini said the event, hosted by ProChile, would also provide an opportunity to highlight the steady increase in 21st century radiata pine-based building and decorative timber products produced and exported from Chile to world markets, including Australia.

Chile remains a high performer in Asia-Pacific “There is little doubt that Chile continues to be the standout performer and marketleader in the Asia-Pacific region in relation to the production of innovative, exceptionally well regarded timber products,” Ms Gattini said.

“Chilean structural and decorative timber product exported to Australia now surpass traditional competitors and have the comfort of firmly established fit-for-purpose credentials.

“Their price competitiveness relative to other comparable imported and domesticallyproduced materials is also a strong feature of the Chilean timber products available in the Australian market.”

Ms Gattini says the Chile Wood Expo will showcase Chilean engineered wood and panel and plywood products from a number of Chilean producers.

“Also, this free-to-attend event will be much more than that – it will be about entertainment Chilean-style, with wine-tasting from leading Chilean wine suppliers and food with a Chilean twist,” she said.

Industry attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in some fun quizzes with great prizes.

Telling a tall story about the iconic Douglas fir tree

THE Pacific Northwest’s iconic Douglas fir tree rivals coast redwood for honours as the world’s tallest tree. It isn’t a true fir – the species that was named for Scottish botanist David Douglas is, however, the mostly widely distributed North American conifer.

And it is a marvel of water engineering. From root to top, a mature tree transmits water across more than 22,000 cell walls, each equipped with 50 to 60 elegantly designed valves.

In recognition of this commercially important tree, the Forest Research Laboratory at Oregon State University has published ‘Douglas fir: The

Genus Pseudotsuga’, which details more than a century of research. It covers what is known about the species’ evolutionary history, genetics, environmental requirements and breeding programs in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and North America.

Douglas fir is native to western North America but has been accepted in forest management programs around the world. It is a member of the genus Pseudotsuga, which includes up to a dozen species in Asia and North America.

In Europe, Douglas fir is the most commonly planted North American tree.

Silvana Gattini .. Chile continues to be the stand-out performer and timber products market leader in the Asia-Pacific region.

This event, sponsored by the Sydney-based Consulate of Chile (ProChile) and the Australian Timber Importers Federation, is supported by a number of leading Chilean

timber exporters, wine producers and by industry associations including the Timber and Building Material Association and Forest and Wood Products Australia.

The Chile Wood Expo is expected to attract wholesalers, timber merchants, resellers, retailers, manufacturers, builders, technical experts and trade association representatives.

Entry to the expo is free for timber industry supply chain company managers and their employees and technical and other supplychain professionals.

Chile Wood Expo will be held at the Lake Room, Waterview Conference Centre, Bicentennial Drive, Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday, October 16, from 1 pm to 6 pm.

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25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

Safety battle not yet won for forest owners in New Zealand

POINTS scoring in the media will not make New Zealand’s forests safer places to work, says the Forest Owners Association.

“The unions are claiming credit for a sudden reduction in the fatality and serious accident rate and Worksafe NZ is slamming us for a lack of safety leadership.

These comments are unbalanced and unhelpful,” says association president Paul Nicholls.

“Political posturing and blaming others won’t save workers’ lives.

To transform the industry’s safety culture, participants will need to acknowledge their past shortcomings and to share experiences and knowledge.

“They are less likely to be open to this if they are being publicly pilloried.”

Mr Nicholls says this year’s lower accident rate is great news, but points out that it’s the longterm trend that counts – accident rates fluctuate from year to year.

‘We have to make real changes to forest operations’ He also claims the Forest Owners Association has been associated with every major safety initiative in the industry in the last 20 years.

“In that time, the long-term

On track .. Marlborough Harvesting owner Richard Marden points out the safety features of a carriage used to carry logs along a cable.

serious accident rate in the sector has halved, relative to the number of trees harvested,” he said. Also, the accident rate in forests managed by FOA members has fallen to 25% of that in non-member forests.

“This is not to say we are perfect. We still have a long way to go before we achieve our goal of being a zero serious harm industry, but we are heading in the right direction. Much of what we are doing clearly works.

“Our members lead by example. Our safety resources are freely available on the web to all operators. But we don’t have the power to enforce good practice. That’s the job of the regulator.”

Mr Nicholls says improved safety requires the commitment of the owner of the forest, the

employer, the employee, ACC and MBIE/Worksafe.

“Until last year, ACC and MBIE/Worksafe were not pulling their weight. They have acknowledged this and have pledged to work with the industry on safety initiatives and to properly resource the safety inspectorate. We welcome that.

“Worksafe inspections – especially of operations where the risks are the greatest – need to be routine. Not just something that’s done in those years when there is a spike in the accident rate.”

Mr Nicholls says the trade union campaign and publicity about the industry-funded Independent Forest Safety Review have raised awareness of the need for safe work practices.

But he argues that short-term

campaigns do little to improve long-term safety outcomes.

“We have to make permanent changes to forest operations so that safety is still seen as a top priority when the publicity fades away,” he said.

“We are putting a lot of effort into a joint ACC/FOA injury prevention program with materials being rolled out over the next six months. Initiatives like these will combine with others to make permanent beneficial changes to our safety culture.

“We will also be paying close attention to the findings of the IFSR, which we expect to give us some further insights into what we can do better.”

Mr Nicholls says the industry initiated the review with government support and sought to include the views of all people with an interest in the sector.

“The Combined Trade Unions is one of those parties, but they represent only 4% of the forest workforce,” he says.

“Submissions to the independent review panel have now closed. Let’s now allow the panel to do its job. Meanwhile we strongly encourage forest owners and contractors to adopt the initiatives that we know will make their operations safer.”

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FORESTRY

Farm foresters aiming to ‘market’ their small-scale FSC plantations Processing silver quandong for value-added products

A GROUP of southeast Queensland farm foresters is working to improve forest management practices and capture markets from their small-scale plantations and forests.

An update on the program was presented at the recent AGM of the Queensland division of the Institute of Foresters of Australia by forest management consultant Carol Neal.

Challenge is to provide quantities to meet demand Ms Neal is an IFA Queensland division member and president of the AFG southeast Queensland division.

More than 20 foresters attended the meeting at the heritage-listed Gunnabul Homestead in Gympie on August 9, with one member coming from as far as Atherton and others from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Carol Neal said the farm forest group had attained Forest Stewardship Council certification under PF Olsen’s Timber Smart Scheme.

The group was currently processing silver quandong (Elaeocarpus grandis), the dominant species in their plantations. Timber properties of this species are enabling early harvest and processing with custom-made furniture and value-added products manufactured from early

Guest speaker .. forest management consultant Carol Neal speaking at the IFA Queensland division AGM dinner in Gympie.

thinnings, tree branches and coppice.

“Value adding is essential to generating interim cash flow to offset the financial burden

of long-term inputs,” Ms Neal said.

“The challenge for the group is to provide quantities to meet market demand.”

She is hopeful that the success of this venture will attract other small-scale growers who independently struggle to sell their timber.

The AGM elected two new office bearers – Len Sivyer, business development manager with HQPlantations, who was elected unopposed as deputy chair of the division; and Petra Strich, recently relocated to Queensland after living in Tasmania, who was elected unopposed as secretary.

Stephen Walker, chair of the Queensland division and Cont P 16

25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 15

INDUSTRY NEWS

HQP forester awarded IFA professional status

From P 15

a senior consultant with SFM Forest Products, told the meeting that the fortunes of the division had significantly turned for the better over the last 12 to 18 months, with divisional membership stabilising at 127 members on the back of five highly successful member events held during the year.

These included field days held at Dalby, Beerburrum and Atherton and active divisional involvement in the 2014 International Day of Forests luncheon in Brisbane, featuring guest presentations from IFA president Rob de Fegely and Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.

The Gympie meeting congratulated Steven Husband, planning forester with HQPlantations, on his admission by the IFA as a registered professional forester.

This was based on his general practicing forester skills and

IFA Queensland division chair and fellow registered professional forester Stephen Walker (left) presents Steven Husband of HQPlantations with his RPF certificate.

knowledge of forest vegetation, developed working in the large pine plantations in southeast Queensland.

Mr Husband entered forestry in the later part of his working life, completing a diploma in 2008 and then graduating with a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Studies with the University of Queensland, majoring in tropical forestry and natural resource management.

As the first HQPlantations

forester to become a registered professional forester, Stephen Walker said without the knowledge, experience and patience of academic professionals, workmates and IFA colleagues, Steven would not have dared to apply for such recognition.

In closing the meeting, Mr Walker acknowledged the fine work of his colleagues on the Queensland division committee, in particular Tony

Willett who played a key role in organising this year’s highly successful AGM. All those deemed ‘chilli jam worthy’ over the year received a jar of Stephen’s award-winning chilli jam, which came second at the Brookfield Show last year in “a very hot field”.

When asked how he fared at the show this year, Stephen lamented that the quality of judging was not as good this year!

Further information on the activities of the IFA in Queensland can be obtained from Stephen Walker by mobile on 0417 073942 or by email at swalker@sfmes.com.au Interested small-scale growers or processors who want information on the cooperative work being done with silver quandong in southeast Queensland can contact Carol Neal on 0411 873 324 or by email at carolneal@ bordernet.com.au

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INDUSTRY NEWS

State’s signature policy to scrap Tassie forest peace deal delayed

TASMANIA’S independentdominated Upper House has delayed a final vote on the government’s signature policy to tear up the forest peace deal.

The bid to reclassify 400,000 ha of native forest so it can be reopened to broad-scale logging in six years’ time was set to be debated in the Upper House last week.

But, according to an ABC News report, the government introduced 15 pages of amendments to the bill and MLCs delayed the vote so they could have more time to digest the changes.

Some are angry they were not given more time.

Greens MP Cassy O’Connor has called on them to take even longer considering the proposal.

The government’s leader in the Upper House Vanessa Goodwin said the changes would make it

Will Hodgman

Vanessa Goodwin

easier for the specialty timbers sector to access wood from certain areas.

Dr Goodwin said the industry was concerned it would have to comply with Forestry Tasmania’s management standards.

“The government has therefore taken the decision to move amendments to Clause 11/3 to remove the reference to Forestry Tasmania’s forest management certification and require the Crown Lands Minister to consult with the minister administering the bill,” she said.

Cassy O’Connor

Kim Booth

There was concern the move could jeopardise Forestry Tasmania’s bid for international Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC).

Tasmanian Greens leader Kim Booth says one amendment would result in no market support for Tasmanian timber products.

“On receipt of an application under subsection one, the Crown Lands Minister is to consult with the Minister with regard to the application,” he said.

Bryan Green

“That means basically there is no longer any requirement under this Act for the whole industry to be under FSC.” It is expected the vote on the bill will be close and will now go ahead later this week.

“It goes to unlocking what you [the Labor/Greens government] locked up, unravelling what you did,” the Premier Will Hodgman said.

But Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the bill was being drafted on the run.

25 AUGUST, 2014 | PAGE 17

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

Indonesia speeds 10-year plan to clear 14 million ha of forest

THE Indonesian government is pressing forward with plans to clear 14 million hectares of forest between 2010 and 2020, despite a commitment to curb greenhouse gas emissions, reports The Jakarta Post.

Hadi Daryanto, secretarygeneral of Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry, said the government aimed to convert 14 million hectares of “degraded” forest for plantations, energy production, and infrastructure.

Forest would be carefully selected for conversion.

“Deforestation is inevitable [for development], but we will allocate the land for better use,” Hadi told The Jakarta Post. “We will provide the forested land information on our website and we will invite people to monitor the process by using the satellite imagery to supervise the land.”

From the published excerpts, it wasn’t clear what criteria the government would use for choosing what areas to grant for conversion or how much forest has been sanctioned for clearing since 2010.

Indonesia lost 15.79 million ha of forest between 2000 and the end of 2012, according to studies

Indonesia recently surpassed Brazil as the world’s top deforesting tropical nation.

by researchers at the University of Maryland. Of that area, 38% or 6.02 million ha consisted of natural or ‘primary’ forest.

Indonesia recently surpassed Brazil as the world’s top deforesting tropical nation, according to a Nature Climate Change study published in June by Belinda Margono and colleagues of the University of Maryland and other institutions.

That research indicated that deforestation has been rising across the archipelago since 2000. Most deforestation in recent years in Indonesia has been driven by conversion of

forests for oil palm and industrial timber plantations.

Deforestation rising across the archipelago The Nature Climate Change data runs through late 2012, accounting for nearly two years of Indonesia’s 2011 moratorium on new permits in 14 million ha of primary forests and peat lands. It suggests that the moratorium’s limited scope – it doesn’t apply to concessions granted prior to May 2011 and grants large

exemptions for mining and energy crops – may be limiting its effectiveness in reducing emissions from land use change.

Vast areas of Indonesia’s forests have been degraded by damaging logging practices and fire. According to Margono’s research, only about 92 million of Indonesia’s 165 million ha of forest can be classified as unlogged.

But these degraded areas are nonetheless highly variable in terms of their biodiversity and carbon value. Some retain a wealth of species and store high amounts of carbon, while others are biologically impoverished and little resemble natural forests.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry earlier this year announced a target level of 816 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

The agency says the number is based on average emissions level for the 2000-2006 period.

But forest loss data from the Ministry of Forestry differs wildly from other sources’ estimates of forest loss. For example, the Ministry of Forestry asserts that deforestation has declined sharply over the past decade, while the Nature Climate Change shows the opposite.

US housing starts rally to reach 8-month high HOUSING starts in the US surged to an eight-month high in July, suggesting that the nation’s housing market recovery is back on track after stalling in the second half of last year.

While the rebound points to sustained economic strength, other data released last week shows inflation is largely under wraps, which could give the Federal Reserve room to maintain its ultra-easy monetary policy stance for a bit longer.

“The Federal Reserve will find these data further supportive of the go-it-slow approach to exiting its accommodative policies,” says Dan Greenhaus,

chief strategist at BTIG in New York.

Ground breaking for housing jumped 15.7% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.09 million units, the highest level since November, the Commerce Department said. The increase ends two months of declines and beat economists’ forecasts of a rise to 969,000 units.

It was the latest sign the market was regaining its footing after being slammed by an increase in interest rates last year. A shortage of properties for sale has also lifted prices, pushing housing out of reach for

PAGE 18 | 25 AUGUST, 2014

many first-time customers.

Separately, the Labor Department said its Consumer Price Index edged up 0.1% last month as declining energy costs partly offset increases in food

Shortage of properties has lifted prices and rent. The index increased 0.3% in June. In the 12 months through July, it increased 2% after advancing 2.1% in June.

While the core CPI, which omits volatile food and energy costs, edged up 0.1% for

a second straight month, economists said there was no evidence that the underlying trend in inflation was shifting lower.

In the year through July, the core CPI was up 1.9%. The Federal Reserve sets a target of 2% inflation, but it tracks an index that is running lower than the CPI. Many economists do not expect the central bank to raise benchmark rates before the middle of next year, given sluggish wage growth.

The bank as kept rates near zero since December 2008.

– Reuter

ON THE ROAD

Mitsubishi’s new ASX wins by neck in safety, economy stakes Smart SUV trims to low weight for high performance

THE neck size of the new shirt showed XXL. OK, so a little extra weight has been added by buttered crumpets, hot stews and lots of potatoes over the winter months.

Time to lose some avoirdupois as the days heat up – just like the new trim Mitsubishi diesel and petrol SUVs we tested, labelled compact size ASX. The ASX crossover SUV (RVR or Outlander in Japan), which has been produced by Mitsubishi since 2010, has dropped the kilos thanks to an impact-resistant outer panel that reduces the overall vehicle weight.

The material is specially designed to crumple on impact; reinforced impact safety evolution technology minimises injuries in a collision.

The technology also gives impressive fuel economy and a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The 2WD model delivers fuel economy and emissions at a low 7.4L/100km and 184 g/km respectively. The 4WD petrol models barely change at 8.1L/100km and 188g/km, while the diesel model tops the range with 5.8L/100km and 151g/100km.

The ASX’s weight reduction has been helped by some composite materials, which some day will have big advantages over steel in automobile manufacture.

Composites are being considered to make lighter, safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Carbon-fibre composites weigh about one-fifth as much as steel, but are as good or better in terms of stiffness and strength.

And they could significantly increase vehicle fuel economy by reducing vehicle weight by as much as 60%.

The ASX is a balance of power and fuel economy. Europeanstyle refinement like luxurious interior options and a soft-touch

The Mitsubishi ASX 2.2 litre diesel .. balancing power and fuel economy..

dash are coupled with smart technology – cruise control, iPod connectivity, electronic power steering and a light weight impact resistant front guard – just the thing to minimise damage in locations such as supermarket car parks, One-touch keyless engine start, steering wheel audio control and Bluetooth are available on sport models.

The ASX is also street smart.

The raised height gives an uninterrupted look at what’s going on.

A smooth and powerful MIVEC engine is available in either the 2 litre petrol or 2.2 litre intercooled turbo-diesel.

ASX comes with the INVECSIII sports mode 6-speed CVT transmission. As you drive, it continuously selects the right gear ratio to keep the engine working at its optimal range, bringing significant improvements to fuel

efficiency along with smooth and responsive acceleration.

Safety is paramount in the ASX. The security of dual-stage front airbags for the driver (including driver’s knee) and passenger are further enhanced with side and curtain airbags which are standard on all models.

Ride and handling of all ASX models is smooth thanks to a multi-mode anti-lock braking system and mechanical brake assist. This allows you to manoeuvre around objects under heavy braking conditions.

ASX’s intelligent 4-channel, 4-sensor braking system works in conjunction with the drive mode to monitor different wheel speeds and activate brakes to individual wheels when needed.

Electronic brake distribution technology reduces stopping distances by detecting passengers or heavier loads on board and automatically

Safety first .. three-point emergency reactor seat belts are standard for all five passengers inside the comfortable ASX.

increases rear-braking force.

And then there’s the smart brake – another innovative feature that’s there just in case.

If you unintentionally hit your accelerator pedal as well as your brake in an emergency situation, the new system spots the error, cancels out the message from the gas pedal and puts full concentration on your braking.

Active traction control helps maintain a hold on slippery or rugged surfaces.

This intelligent system automatically controls the engine output, so driving wheels are prevented from spinning.

Sensing loss of traction in an independent wheel, it applies braking force to that wheel and sends extra power and torque to other wheels with traction to keep you moving.

With up to 416 litres of cargo capacity inside the 2WD models (384 litres in 4WD models due to the raised cargo room floor to accommodate a full sized spare), ASX lets you carry whatever you need.

An easy-opening tailgate is wide enough to provide ample space for even the bulkiest items, and the low floor height makes it convenient to move heavy cargo in and out.

The ASX LS 2WD 2L petrol AT is priced at $27,990 drive away, and the ASX XLS 4WD 2.2L diesel AT at $36,990. Good prices for a slim wallet!

25 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 | 25 AUGUST, 2014