6384
AFS/01-10-01 www.forestrystandard.org.au
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issue 110 | 01.02.10 | Page 1
Inoperative TUMA?
A hard Act to follow as industry awaits outcomes of state government review
By JIM BOWDEN
THE Australian timber preservation industry is anxiously awaiting the outcome of a Queensland Government review of the Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act, now before Cabinet. A government decision on the future of TUMA is expected within two months, but close industry observers believe it’s already dead in the drip tray. “The reality is simple: it’s the industry’s responsibility to look after its own quality issues. It should not expect public funding to keep standards in check,” says a government official. The Queensland Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act is a specially enacted legislation that has protected the
TUMA .. alas, a hard Act to follow.
consumer, the timber industry, which has a large capital investment, and the state, which has a major Investment in managed native and plantation forests.
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TUMA is administered by the horticulture and forestry science division of the Department of Primary Industries, but as a result of departmental amalgamation and rationalisation, the Government must decide if such legislation is necessary in the current economic and political climate. Timber sold as ‘preservative treated’ or ‘immunised’ in Queensland must comply with the requirements of TUMA. These requirements apply to all preservative treated timber, whether treated in Queensland, or imported from other states or overseas. The TUMA requirements take precedence over the provisions of Australian Standard AS1604, the treated timber and timber Cont Page 3
This Issue • 6 stars won’t cut greenhouse emissions • Bligh sensitive on state’s asset sales
key to green building design • TABMA on move with a new title • FSC certification key to woodchips sales in Tasmania? • New business direction for FPC in WA • Events. What’s on for 2010?
Wood
issue 110 | 01.02.10 | Page 1
wood design
Wood key to green building design Timber dynasty inspires sustainable architecture Caroline Pidcock is not only at the leading edge of sustainable architecture, but runs a timber industry dynasty stretching back more than 140 years.
AT 46, Caroline Pidcock conveys an almost daunting aura of strength and conviction and is a leading campaigner for green architecture. She advocates that architecture’s role should be centre stage in terms of sustainable lifestyles, environmental responsibility and building practice. “Green or sustainable architecture is about being clever, inventive and using resources well,” she says. It comes as no surprise that Caroline’s co-director at Sydney’s inner city Centre for Sustainable Practice, her
director and now serves on the board of the group’s holding company, says great grandmother Mary built a timber empire that was the
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Innovation
Green building projects like the Loch Lomond National Park headquarters, the largest green timber frame building in the UK, show wood, along with other materials, can be used to create energy efficient buildings.
Knowledge for a sustainable Australia STACKING TIMBER WITH ROBOTS Are you interested in a revolutionary new robotic system for sorting and stacking timber? Developed by Machinery Automation and Robotics (MAR) with FWPA funding, the robotic system sorts and stacks various lengths (0.9 – 6.0m) and weights (up to 100kg) of timber.
aunt Mary Lynne Pidcock, 61, projects the same aura of strength and morality. Along with valued non-family directors and exceptional senior management, the Pidcock family continues to run Big River Timbers at Grafton in northern New South Wales – as it has for the past five generations. The company was established in the 1860s by Daniel Pidcock. When he died at 39, his wife Mary assumed control. Mary Lynne, who served seven years as a Big River Timbers
www.fwpa.com.au for more information
Email: info@fwpa.com.au
Page 2 | issue 110 | 01.02.10
Caroline Pidcock .. leading advocate for green architecture.
foundation of the sophisticated timber product manufacturing business the family runs today. “Our great-grandmother made an enormous contribution to the establishment of the family company,” says Mary Lynne. “She managed to run the business and build it up while raising five children. She was a wonderful example of strength, determination and hard work.” Established in 1992, Pidcock – Architecture + Sustainability [previously Caroline Pidcock Architects] continues to be Green architecture is good architecture, and it’s becoming more and more main stream inspired by the possibilities of resolving architectural issues in a sustainable way. Caroline supplies the passion and commitment behind her company while at the same time playing an active role in professional architectural affairs. She takes a holistic view of architecture, where the wellbeing of individuals, society and the broader environment are integral elements of a well designed building. Her practice reflects this mentality, not only through the use of environmentally Cont Page 8
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INDUSTRY news
Legislation’s influence spreads well beyond industry in Australia and NZ From Page 1
product series of standards that deal with the preservative treatment of timber and timber products. Noted wood products consultant and former CSIRO scientist Dr Harry Greaves says if legislations such as TUMA in Queensland and the Timber Marketing Act in New South Wales disappeared, organisations like the Timber Preservers Association of Australia (TPAA) would have a massive job on their hands. “Sure, the industry is mature enough to govern itself, but availability of required funding is another issue altogether,” Dr Greaves said. Although TUMA itself appears to have curled up and gone to sleep in recent times, it is far from being a toothless tiger; it just doesn’t have the resources to give it the claws and bite it once had. The Act provides consumer protection in three key areas: seasoned timber; lyctid borer susceptible timber; and the preservative treatment of timber. When it was on the prowl, TUMA kept the industry in line, but now it has become a public cost burden. The draft review document being considered by Cabinet points out that TUMA is not expensive to administer – about $170,000 in the 2007-08 financial year. But only about $16,000 was recovered by way of fees and charges. The longest-term average cost recovery rate from industry and the market is reported to be 9%. “Although the direct implications, including the potential for punitive action against producers and trade suppliers, are supposedly limited to Queensland, many in
Timber preservation .. standing alone on consumer protection?
the industry know better,” says Peter Carruthers of Arch Wood Protection. “The TUMA influence spreads well beyond preservation – throughout Australia and to New Zealand, which exports treated wood to Queensland.” Other building materials exist without similar legislation such as plastic, steel, concrete and aluminium.
or misleading and deceptive business conduct. “It may well be argued that
TUMA is essentially a piece of unnecessary Queensland Government legislation.” Mr Carruthers said individuals who worked for the DPI, such as Jack Norton, Michael Kennedy and others, had contributed substantially to the industry over the years by way of research, committee work and stakeholder education. “And that effort should continue.” “But surely our industry is mature enough to govern itself without the threat of punitive actions by TUMA.” Harry Greaves said the primary role of TUMA was to make sure retention and penetration standards were met and complied with AS1604. “If TUMA goes, there’s Cont Page 10
Although TUMA itself appears to have curled up and gone to sleep in recent times, it is far from being a toothless tiger; it just doesn’t have the resources to give it the claws and bite it once had “Why does the timber industry, and preservation in particular, need such a legislative crutch to govern itself effectively and produce products that are fit for purpose?” asks Mr Carruthers. “Australian standards (which closely mirror TUMA requirements) and ample legislation at federal and state level provide consumers with sufficient protection against defective goods and services
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issue 110 | 01.02.10 | Page 3
industry news
6 stars won’t cut greenhouse emissions More regulations .. just as housing makes recovery By JIM BOWDEN
THE timber industry should do well from the pick-up in new housing through 2010 – provided it doesn’t get run over by regulators, the managing director of the Housing Industry Association Dr Ron Silberberg said in a special interview. “Wood suppliers need to consider the implications of a decision by the Building Ministers Forum to mandate six-star energy efficient requirements in new dwellings. I believe this could disadvantage timber flooring manufacturers,” Dr Silberberg said. Following the decision by state and territory ministers at the forum in Canberra, the Australian Building Codes Board is expected to introduce the six-star rating by May this year.
Dr Ron Silberberg .. six-star no effect on greenhouse emissions.
Shortage of skilled workers challenge for building industry.
Dr Silberberg, who heads Australia’s largest lobby group with more than 40,000 business members, was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day Honours List for his services to
the building and construction industry and youth training programs. He says new homes will be even less affordable after the decision to mandate six-star energy efficient requirements in
new dwellings. “The costly regulations will do nothing to address the lack of supply of new homes and will have next to no effect on curbing greenhouse gas emissions,” Dr Silberberg said. “In fact, the likelihood is that an Cont Page 7
Connecting the pieces Industry supply chain seminar Radisson Hotel, Melbourne, Tuesday, May 18 This special one-day seminar will cover key aspects of the timber industry supply chain, together with wider aspects of the timber industry’s business environment, wood-based product marketing and matters related to company-level business success. Seminar speakers will include leading timber supply chain experts, marketing specialists, technology providers and regulatory authorities. ‘The seminar will appeal to the broad cross-section of companies and organisations in the timber supply chain, their suppliers, supporters and related businesses and interests. Leading experts and specialists will cover a range of topics, including the changing nature of housing construction and
the timber industry; product innovation and marketing activity; the ‘drivers’ for change; and the emerging factors that will impact on future timber supply chain business performance’ Peter Roberts, CEO, Timber Merchants Association.
Registration and sponsorship inquiries: Ingrida Matulis on (03) 9875 5000 Email: ingridam@timber.asn.au
Page 4 | issue 110 | 01.02.10
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events
WHAT’S ON? 3-5: Australian International Furniture Fair Sydney Exhibition Centre, Sydney, NSW www.aiff. net.au 11: Timber Certification: Are You Ready? Timber Merchants Association (Vic) industry breakfast. Venue: Hotel Bruce County, 445 Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley, just off the Monash Freeway. Time: 7.30-9.30am. Cost: $55 pp (members); $60 pp (non-members). Guest speaker: Kayt Watts, CEO, Australian Forestry Standard. Contact: Ingrida Matulis on (03) 9875 5000 or email ingridam@timber.asn.au RSVP: January 28. 21-24: Green Cities Building Conference. Venue: Melbourne Conference Centre. A joint initiative of the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia. Contact: HI Event Management (07) 3210 1646 or greencities@hievents.com. au Program available at www. greencities.com.au 21-27: Truck Week. Contact Australian Trucking Association, 25 National Circuit, Forrest ACT 2603. Tel: (02) 6253 6900. www.atatruck.net.au 23: American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) free half-day seminar. The International of Brighton, Melbourne. Keynote speaker: Luke Hughes, international furniture and interior designer. AHEC will also launch its sustainability Green Card at the seminar. Seminar registrations: Email events@neilsonpromotions. com 25: American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) free half-day
seminar. Fale Pasifika, Auckland University, NZ. Keynote speaker: Luke Hughes, international furniture and interior designer. AHEC will also launch its sustainability Green Card at the seminar. Seminar registrations: Email events@ neilsonpromotions.com
MARCH 2010 1-2: Future Forestry Finance Conference. Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney. Contact: 1800 125 388 (free call in Australia) or web sties www.fiea.org.nz or www. forestryfinanceevents.com 2-3: National Outlook Conference (ABARE) Canberra, ACT. www.abare.gov.au 15-17: Industry bus tour of Northern New South Wales. Contact: Karen Johnston at TABMA Queensland. Tel: (07) 3254 3166. Email: karen@tabma.com.au 16-17: 4th Global Wood Fibre Trade Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Visit www. pulpwoodconference.com 21: World Forestry Day 22: World Water Day 24-26: International Wood Products Association annual convention Miami Beach, Florida, USA www.iwpawood.org 25: Annual Timber Merchants Association charity dinner supporting the Burns Unit of the Royal Childrens Hospital. Keynote speaker: Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry. Venue: River Room at the Crown Casino, Southbank, Melbourne. Cost (GST inc) including predinner drink, 3-course meal and beverages: $165 pp (members);
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$175 (non-members). Payment no later than February 25. Non-members who book a table of 10 will be eligible for member pricing of $1650. Bookings to Ingrida Matulis on (03) 9875 5000 or email ingridam@timber.asn.au
SUSTAINABLE. RESPONSIBLE.
31: International wood composites symposium and technical workshop 2010 Seattle, Washington, USA. www. woodsymposium.wsu.edu
The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) is striving for an ecologically sustainable Australian society achieved through dynamic, internationally competitive forest industries.
APRIL 2010 7-10: Australian Trucking Convention. Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tel: (02) 6253 6900. Email: ata@ atatruck.net.au Download full program from www.ataevents.net.au 15: Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show Dubai. www.dubaiwoodshow.com 18-21: APPITA Annual Conference and Exhibition/Pan Pacific Conference Melbourne. www.appita.com.au
MAY 2010 18: Victorian Timber Industry Supply Chain Seminar: Connecting the Pieces for Business Success. Radisson Hotel, 380 William Street, Melbourne. Contact: Peter Roberts, Timber Merchants Association on (03) 9875 5000 or John Halkett, Australian Timber Importers Federation on (02) 9356 3826.
2010
february 2010
19-20: Wood Supply Chain Optimisation 2010, Bayview Eden,Melbourne, 6 Queens Road, Melbourne. www.vafi.org.au
NAFI’s mission is to represent the interests of members by promoting the environmental sustainability and the prosperity of Australian forest industries. National Association of Forest Industries Ltd (Est. 1987) PO Box 239, Deakin ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6285 3833. Fax: (02) 6285 3855 Web: www.nafi.com.au
issue 110 | 01.02.10 | Page 5
industry news
FSC certification key to Japan sale of Tas woodchips? THE Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett has supported moves by Gunns Ltd and Forestry Tasmania to seek FSC certification. Gunns has been discussing FSC certification with FSC Australia for several months and is now in discussion with an FSC accredited certification body to start the process. Forestry Tasmania has also been in discussion with FSC Australia for the past month. Both organisations have been familiarising themselves with the requirements for FSC certification. Japanese companies have demanded Tasmania provide them with FSC-accredited woodchips. The move has led to talks between Forestry Tasmania chief executive Bob Gordon and FSC Australia chief executive Michael Spencer. Forestry Tasmania developed the Australian Forestry Standard to prove to its customers that all timber logged and sold from the state came from sustainably managed forests. Mr Gordon has described his talks with FSC Australia as “preliminary and exploratory”. He said Forestry Tasmania had long held the view that the battle should not be between the two certification schemes used in Australia but between certified and non-certifiable wood products sold by different nations into world pulp markets. He said Forestry’s aim was now to market woodchips to Japan that held dual certification “ticks of approval”. The FSC demand is seen is crucial to Tasmania selling its native forest woodchips at good prices into oversupplied world markets.
Page 6 | issue 110 | 01.02.10
Mr Spencer said it remained unclear if all wood products sold by Tasmania could gain FSC “good wood” approval. He said any timber logged from native forests where harvesting activities were deemed to endanger high conservation values could not attain the FSC standard. Mr Spencer said high conservation values may be judged to have been damaged by the impact of logging on threatened native plant and animal species, such as the Tasmanian devil, or by changing natural landscapes and forest biodiversity. Forestry Tasmania stands by its logging practises. Executive general manager Hans Drielsma says he does not believe they will have to be changed to get FSC certification. But Tasmania’s forest industry is under increasing pressure to meet the latest international standards. The Japanese paper manufacturer Mitsubishi Paper Mills is sending a delegation to Hobart for talks with industry and conservation groups. The company has FSC certification and wants to inspect local woodchip sources.
CORRECTION Specific information
company published
Timber&Forestry
in
e-news
(P. 11, Issue 109), headed ‘Deadline extended for bids on Queensland plantations’ in relation to expressions of interest received by Forestry Plantations Queensland, was not supplied by Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser, nor the State Government.
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industry news
The key to the Australian economy resides in addressing skill shortages.
Key to economy lies in addressing a skills shortage From Page 4
escalation in the cost of new dwellings will push prospective new home buyers back into established dwellings that are far less energy efficient than new dwellings.” The new regulations will not affect existing dwellings. Most greenhouse gas emissions in the residential sector relate to energy use in existing dwellings, the energy rating of which is about two stars. New dwellings already have to reach five stars. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is a joint initiative of all levels of the Federal Government and includes representatives from the building industry. The board was established in an inter-government agreement by government and state and territory ministers responsible for building regulatory matters. The HIA says latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirm that new residential building activity began to recover in the September 2009 quarter,
and this has continued through 2009-2010. While 2009-10 will be a healthier year for new residential construction, there are question marks over the sustainability of the up-cycle. “First home buyer-related activity, the Social Housing Initiative, and the lagged impact of very low mortgage rates will combine to generate growth in new residential work in 2009/10,” says the HIA. It remains unclear, however, whether the recovery can gather legs beyond this year in the face of persistent supply side obstacles, rising interest rates, and what to date is an insufficient number of upgrade buyers and investors to fill the void left by first time buyers. Seasonally adjusted work done on new residential dwellings increased by 2.8% in the September 2009 quarter to an annualised worth of $36.3 billion. This was 3.9% down on the September 2008 quarter and over 9% lower than the previous cyclical peak seen back in early 2004. Work on detached houses
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increased by 6.5% over the September 2009 quarter but work on ‘other residential building’ dropped by 5.5%. Seasonally adjusted new residential work commenced in the September 2009 quarter increased by 5.8%, the first rise since mid-2008. In the September 2009 quarter seasonally adjusted new residential work increased in every state and territory with the exception of Western Australia. New residential work done increased by 6% in Queensland, 4.5% in the ACT, 3% in Victoria, 2.9% cent in the Northern Territory, 2.8% in New South Wales, 0.3% in South Australia, and 0.2% in Tasmania. There is brighter news on the renovations front with the volume of work on major alterations and additions increasing by 3.9% following four consecutive quarters of decline. The renovations sector should continue to recover after a ‘soft’ 2008-09 as labour market conditions improve further and
gains in home prices bolster confidence,” An interest rate rise this week seems almost certain “Inflation is not falling as fast at the Reserve Bank of Australia expected and if there is an interest rate rise, it won’t be the last this year,” Dr Silberberg predicted. Dr Silberberg welcomed the focus the Federal Government has placed on the need to fight inflation in the five-point (inflation fighting) plan. “Inflationary pressures fuelled by skills shortages, and what is now a chronic shortage in affordable housing, is having a serious impact on both household budgets and macroeconomic aggregates,” he said. “The key to the Australian economy resides in addressing skill shortages, increasing investment in capacity building infrastructure and supplying more affordable housing to meet growing demand. “Importantly, the five-point Cont Page 11
issue 110 | 01.02.10 | Page 7
wood design
‘No doubt about it, wood is renewable and beautiful, but along with other materials it can be used to create really energy efficient buildings’ From Page 2
sustainable materials and processes, but also by creating beautiful, intelligent and interesting spaces. “A good building will allow you to develop a connection with the area and the environment,” she says. “If you are going to talk sustainability, you need to talk about how people live and work - and buildings are part of that. But a building is also part of a much bigger system. If you go and build the most sustainable home at the backof-beyond and someone has to drive a great distance to go to work, then the sustainability of that lifestyle choice is greatly reduced.” Caroline says green architecture
Timber is an incredibly important part of creating energy efficient buildings, but it does need to be used in efficient ways.
University Scholarships 2010
University Scholarships for Forestry Study 2010
More scholarships are available to study forestry in 2010 than ever before, thanks to the support of many in the forest sector. Closing dates vary, but are generally imminent because of the start of the academic year. 1. The Institute of Foresters of Australia has established a trust fund to offer scholarships of around $5K for new students undertaking forestry undergraduate degrees at ANU and Southern Cross University, and for forestry postgraduate coursework degrees at ANU, Southern Cross University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, and the University of Tasmania. More information: Anne Katalinic, Institute of Foresters of Australia, PO Box 7002, Yarralumla ACT 2600. Tel: (02) 6281 3992. Fax: (02) 6281 4693. email: ifa@forestry. org.au Web: www.forestry.org.au 2. The Gottstein Trust is offering $5K forest industry scholarships to undergraduates or postgraduate students new to forestry who are undertaking a bachelor degree, graduate diploma or masters degree in forestry, forest science or wood science. More information: www.gottsteintrust.org 3. The National Forestry Masters Program is offering mobility scholarships of up to $4K a year for students enrolled in a forestry graduate diploma or masters degree at ANU, Southern Cross University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, and the University of Tasmania. Applications are made through the university of enrolment. More information: www.forestry.org.au/masters 4. The CRC for Forestry offers full or top-up scholarships for masters by research or PhD study are available for projects supported by at its member universities. More information: www.crcforestry.org.au 5. Universities offering undergraduate and graduate forestry degrees may offer additional scholarships. More information:
http://science.anu.edu.au/Scholarships http://www.forests.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships.html http://www.nrsm.uq.edu.au/Prospective_Students/index.asp http://fcms.its.utas.edu.au/scieng/plantsci/scholarships.asp http://www.scu.edu.au/students/prospective/index.php/18/
Page 8 | issue 110 | 01.02.10
is good architecture, and it’s becoming more and more main stream. “Different thinking is required to achieve sustainable outcomes .. thinking about what is appropriate for each particular situation .. thinking that is holistic about all the issues encountered and about what will work in a specific instance. “It’s not about either/or nor about right versus wrong; it’s about understanding the interactions of the various parts. That’s how you find the best solution.” It is interesting in these challenging economic times, says Caroline, to reflect on the fact that she started her own architectural business in the last business recession in 1992. “Once I started doing my own thing, I decided that I wasn’t ever going to go back to being an employee. In getting myself setup in my own architectural practice, among other things, I completed a small business course. During the course I was asked to write a business plan and answer the questions: ‘What is your unique selling point? Why is someone going to go to you rather that the architect down the road?’ ‘Timber is an incredibly important part of creating energy efficient houses, but it does need to be used in efficient ways. People need to understand the how and where of best timber use’
“Really good questions I thought. And the answers were going to determine the sort of clients I would have and the projects I would undertake. If I deal with the questions seriously, I thought, I would never blame anyone else again for my work direction.”
Caroline has been a ministerial appointee to the Board of Architects and became involved in the NSW Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Institute through its Ecologically Sustainability Development Committee. She subsequently served as president of the NSW Chapter of the Institute from 2002 to 2005. In 2004, she was appointed to the Australian Built Environment Council and served as its president for four years from 2004 to 2008. She also continues to serve as the industry representative on the Building Codes Board. Although the family pedigree might suggest otherwise, Caroline is not a blind disciple of timber.
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Innovation “No doubt about it, wood is renewable and beautiful, but along with other materials it can be used to create really energy efficient buildings.” The climate, she says, influences the way timber construction should be undertaken. So in tropical climates timber houses, which are lightweight and can pick up the breezes quickly and easily, are ideal, she says. “In climates like Sydney, we really must incorporate thermal mass, but we also need insulation and timber walls and roofs can be insulated easily. “Timber is an incredibly important part of creating energy efficient houses, but it does need to be used in efficient ways. People need to understand the how and where Cont Page 11
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industry news
Bligh sensitive on sales path of state assets THE Bligh Government is extra sensitive about any details being leaked on the program for the $15 billion sell-off of state assets, which includes Forestry Plantations Queensland. New probity protocols for ministers and their staff warn against discussing any aspect of the project and are aimed at ensuring confidence in the integrity of the sale process. Ministers and staff have been cautioned not to discuss the sell-off with “key stakeholders, such as media representatives, potential participants, key suppliers, community interest groups or industry associations”. All requests for information are to be referred to Treasurer Andrew Fraser’s office, while public inquiries have to be handled by a special unit within Treasury. A “key probity risk” in the sell-off is any perception that the release of unauthorised information or ministerial contact with potential buyers could result in an unfair advantage being created. The government has also legislated to exempt from its new Right to Information laws documents related to the commercial activities of any business set to be sold off, saying they are “commercially sensitive”. Timber&Forestry enews got a wrap over the knuckles from the state’s Commercial Transaction Team for adding two editorial comment paragraphs to a statement issued by the Queensland Treasurer and published in last week’s issue. The transaction team believed the paragraphs were
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Premier Anna Bligh .. is that a bid?
misleading in that they implied the statements were comments by the Treasurer. T&F enews has published the ‘correction’ on Page 6 of this issue. Meanwhile, industry observers believe at least five international groups have expressed interest in the 99-year licence to manage 210,000 ha of hardwood and softwood plantations, which carries a $500 million price tag. Hancock Timber Resource Group, based in Boston, USA, and Global Forest Partners, one of the largest timber investment management organisations, are believed to be among the potential bidders. The initial bids were due this month, but the government has extended the deadline until February 19 due to wider than anticipated interest. Final bids are due in April with the sales process expected to be completed by June.
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issue 110 | 01.02.10 | Page 9
industry news
New responsibility for timber organisations? From Page 3
an opportunity for timber organisations to take on more responsibilities in this sector,” he said. The significance of the need for a high standard of timber preservation in Australia is magnified by statistics that show a population of more than 21 million lives in seven million dwellings in one of the world’s most urbanised nations with about 150,000 new house starts every year. Annual timber consumption is around 5 million cub m of sawn wood, 2 million cub m of wood-based panels – 20% imported from North America and southeast Asia – and 1216 cub m of timber is used per dwelling. A factor influencing industry is that Standards Australia now operates as a business entity
The industry produces about 1.4 million cub m of treated timber a year and consumes around 19,000 tonnes of preservatives. Another factor influencing industry is that Standards Australia now operates as a business entity [if you want a standard you have to pay for it]. There has been an appeal to TPAA members and stakeholders to raise a separate
Dr Harry Greaves
Peter Carruthers
fund sufficient to complete AS 1604 amendments. The appeal failed and many were disappointed with the outcome. Others remain staunchly of the view that the initiative was not an appropriate use of TPAA funds. “A delay to the outcome of a few months is unlikely to disadvantage the preservation industry overall,” admits Peter Carruthers. “Of greater concern, and perhaps not adequately appreciated, is the risk of decoupling the joint AustraliaNew Zealand standards and diverging requirements for others.” [The successful Woodmark program, New Zealand’s only independent national quality assurance brand for timber treatment, conforms to the high standards required by the NZ Timber Preservation Council,
including treatment to NZS 3640]. Mr Carruthers says against the tide of increasing cooperation, transparency and economic integration between the two countries, balkanisation of
treating and other wood industry standards would stymie trade and lead to increased costs and loss of competitiveness. “This would be a lose-lose outcome for producers and users alike in both countries,” he says. Confidential documents on the funding strategy by Forest and Wood Products Australia and the structure to manage the Australian standards process have been presented to the FWPA Board by the standards manager Neil Evans. The FWPA board agreed to establish a new industry service for coordination of standards development following a stakeholders’ workshop in July last year.
New business role for FPC THE Forest Products Commission in Western Australia will take on a redefined role and return to focusing on its core business of supplying wood to the forestry industry. A taskforce has been established to look at the possibility of a sale of the fee-for-service and share-farming division of the FPC to the private sector. It was expected the taskforce would report back within the next two months. Forestry Minister Terry Redman said the State Government was keen to look at ways to
exit the current role it played in the areas of planting trees for carbon off-sets and investing in share-farming by growing trees on farms for the purposes of harvesting. “Recent years have seen the private sector invest more and more in these areas. For this reason, the Government will be exploring ways it can transfer this work to the private sector and focus on its core role of supplying native hardwood, pine and sandalwood to our forest industries,” Mr Redman said.
Be SURE about INSURANCE Trusted brokers to the timber industry since 1985
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Page 10 | issue 110 | 01.02.10
Contact Alan Jones Email: alan.jones@premier.austbrokers.com (Licence No. 238123)
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industry news
Inflationary pressure Future jobs can be built into a project From Page 7
plan recognises the value of First Home Savings Accounts, a measure to assist aspiring home owners save for a deposit on their first home. This measure rewards and promotes a saving culture and will also put the ‘hand break’ on present consumption.” Dr Silberberg said the Home Saving Accounts together with the Housing Affordability Fund and the National Affordability Rental Scheme were rightly targeted at increasing the supply of affordable housing and reducing the reliance of Australians on debt. “It’s a pity that some of the ‘econocrats’ don’t examine in sufficient detail the contribution of spiralling housing costs to increases in the consumer price index. Those Australians facing growing rents and higher hurdles in respect to entering
the housing market understand that deficiencies in the supply of housing are adding to inflationary pressures.” The HIA has also expressed concern with the availability of skilled labour in the residential construction sector, with labour price pressures expected to have a significant impact on new house costs in the short term. “We have long argued that investment in the supply of affordable housing offers a range of economic and social benefits for Australia and the Australian economy,” Dr Silberberg said. “In the current economic environment this investment will reduce inflationary pressure on the existing housing stock, promote savings and provide greater financial security in retirement.”
From Page 8
of best timber use.” Caroline says timber is only renewable if it is sustainable, so well credentialed forest management is a critical part of the mix. “Managing forests in accordance with sustained yield principles and in accordance with certification requirements is essential.” She is an enthusiast for both certified timber and engineered wood products that use timber sparingly. “What I love about plywood, for example, is that it uses timber resources incredibly efficiently and effectively in a composite way. It’s totally renewable and gives great strength and stability and has a number of other great design attributes.” A further dimension of timber
use, she says, is that jobs for the future can be built into a construction project. ‘What I love about plywood, for example, is that it uses timber resources incredibly efficiently and effectively in a composite way. It’s totally rewable and gives great strength and stability and has a number of other great design attributes’
“It’s sustainable in an employment sense in that you have to maintain and look after it. From a social sustainability point of view, it is not such a bad thing – there’s nothing wrong with building something, looking after it well and passing it on to the next generation in good shape.”
A MATTER OF TRUST Engineered wood products – particleboard, MDF, laminated veneer lumber and plywood – manufactured by member mills of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia have been produced from legally sourced wood. In Australia and New Zealand this includes forests certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). Wood under these schemes is 100% legal. EWPAA is a JAS-ANZ accredited certification body for Chain of Custody Systems.
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fiden That’s product con
EWPAA
Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia Plywood House, 3 Dunlop Street, Newstead 4006, Queensland, Australia Tel: 61 7 3250 3700 | Fax: 61 7 3252 4769 Email: inbox@paa.asn.au | Web: www.ewp.asn.au
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Chain of Custody I N F O R M AT I O N S E M I N A R
THINNING Chain of Custody TENDER Brisbane • Thursday, August 20, 2009 433 On Logan Conference Centre 433 Logan Road, Stone’s Corner LIMITED INFORM A T I OTO N60SSEATS EMINAR
This Brisbane important and timely seminar, organised by TABMA Queensland, • Thursday, August 20, 2009 will help reduce433 some the confusion relatingCentre to chain of custody. It OnofLogan Conference thinning 433 Logan Road,operation Stone’shas Corner will Plantation ensure the Queensland timber industry the required, information required LIMITED TO 60 SEATS for compliance legislation,Keyhead. speakersSugar will present information usingwith harvesting gum This seminar, organised by TABMA Queensland, andimportant there willand be timely a question and answer forum. plantation on two blocks totalling 20 haIt will help reduce some of the confusion relating to chain of custody. Speakers include:
will ensure the Queensland industry in north Victoria. Trees arehas planted arequired rate • Colin MacKenzie, manager,timber timber application andthe use,information Timberat Queensland for compliance with legislation,Key speakers will present information • Simon Dorries, General Manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of ofwill 800 peranswer hectare and there be astems question and forum. and require Australasia Speakers include: thinning to 400Forestry trees per Ltd hectare. • Kayt Watts, chief down executive, Australian Standard (AFS) • Colin MacKenzie, manager, timber application and use, Timber Queensland • Michael Spencer, chief executive, Forest Stewardship Council • Simon Dorries, General Wood Products (FSC) Association Trees are six Manager, yearsEngineered old and growing well. of Australasia • Kayt Watts, fee: chief executive, Forestry Standard Ltd (AFS) hot breakfast Registration $65 pp (TABMAAustralian member) $80 pp (non-member) • Includes • Michael Spencer, chief executive, Forest Stewardship (FSC) begin at 8 am. and morning tea. Note: Arrival 7:30am. Breakfast 7:45 am.Council Presentations Contact: Rob Richardson RSVP by Friday, August 14, to: (03) 94327544 Fax: (03) •94327566 Registration fee: $65 ppPO (TABMA member) $80 pp (non-member) Includes hot breakfast Tabma Tel: Queensland, Box 532, and500 morning tea. Note: 7:30am. Breakfast 7:45 am. Presentations begin at 8 am. Brunswick Street,Arrival Fortitude Valley0437 4006 Mob: 375407 RSVP Friday, Tel:by (07) 3254August 3166. 14, Fax:to: (07) 3254 4599. Tabma Queensland, PO Box 532, Email: rob.richardson@ospray.com.au Mob: 0438 295 136 500 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley 4006
Best offer over $550 + GST BE70LT Track Mounted Logging Yarder Date of Manufacture-2002 Hours - Approx 3,500 Engine - Series 60 Detroit Standard BE70LT Skyline Yarder, with telescoping 70ft tower, four drum winch set and Allison six speed electronically controlled transmission. The unit is mounted on a Brightwater built undercarriage and fitted with D7 sized running gear.
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