Issue 89

6182

AFS/01-10-01 www.forestrystandard.org.au

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issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 1

Building boost Federal stimulus to jolt upswing in housing starts .. sooner than later

LEADING economic forecaster and industry analyst BIS Shrapnel is forecasting a sharp increase of 21% in Australian housing starts, to 160,000 in 200910.

The company says this will be the beginning of a fouryear upturn for the sector.

According to BIS Shrapnel’s Building in Australia, 20092024 report, the strength of the upturn in construction will be dependent on the continuation of very low interest rates.

And the Housing Industry Association expects a 15% increase in housing starts by the end of this year as the positive impact of low

First home buyers driving upswing in building activity.

mortgage rates and first home buyer stimulus shows up in actual construction.

HIA says the number of loans for construction increased for an eighth consecutive

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month in June 2009.

The total number of seasonally adjusted loans for owner occupiers increased by 1.1% in the month of Cont Page 6

THIS ISSUE

• RFAs, resource security priorities for forest industry • Sustainable forestry council ‘first’ for industry

• North American forest companies doing it tough • Nation’s top renovator prefers Aussie timber • Deadly coffins death knell for Aussie jobs?

• Plywood .. you can bet your life on it!

• Environmental groups step up campaign of misinformation • Events – what’s on?

issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 1

issues

RFAs, resource security emerging as key priorities for forest industry REGIONAL forest agreements and resource security is once again emerging as a key priority for the industry, triggered by a number of recent events for both native and plantation forest resources.

Recent inquiries into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act and its relationship with the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) have raised a number of questions about the longer term resource security offered by RFA policy.

RFAs have been a particular focus of a Senate Committee inquiry and Australian Government review of the EPBC Act, known as the

By

alan hansard Chief Executive, National Association of Forest Industries

Hawke Review. One of the key points raised in the Hawke Review interim

Generic Code of Conduct Industry Workshops

report is that stronger monitoring, compliance and enforcement is needed to measure performance of RFA implementation.

Specifically, the Hawke Review included the possible expansion of powers for the Federal Environment Minister to ‘turn-off’ the RFA exemption clause under the EPBC Act where operations or reporting are found not to be complying with the legislative requirements of an RFA. With the exception of Tasmania, the fiveyearly reviews are yet to be completed in the state RFA regions.

The Hawke interim report did not make any conclusions or

recommendations, but this is clearly an issue the review expects to address in the final recommendations.

NAFI recently convened an industry roundtable to discuss the Hawke Review and implications for the forest industry. The roundtable was addressed by representatives from the Hawke Review and it was clear from the discussion that native forests and plantations that are outside the RFA regions may also be affected by potential changes to the EPBC Act. For example, the review is considering a number of additional triggers for Cont Page 9

To assist in the development of a draft generic code of conduct to verify legally harvested and traded timber and wood-based products Monday, 24 August 2009, 10:00am-3:00pm The Radisson Hotel, 380 William Street, Melbourne Tuesday, 25 August 2009, 9:00am-1:00pm The Greek Club, 29Edmonson Street, South Brisbane Thursday, 27 August 2009, 10:00am-3:00pm Home Ideas Centre, City West Complex, 102 Railway Parade, West Perth Inquiries about the Melbourne and Perth workshops – contact: John Halkett.

Tel: (02) 9356 3825.

Email: halkettj@netaus.net.au Inquiries about the Brisbane workshop – contact: Doug Bartlett.

Tel: (07) 3821 7494.

Email: dougbartlett@ozemail.com.au

Proposed Generic Code of Conduct

Page 2 | issue 89 | 17.08.09

Industry Workshop Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: cancon@bigpond.net.au

Proposed Generic Code of Conduct Industry Workshop

(To assist in the development of a draft generic code of conduct to verify legally harvested and traded timber and wood-based products) Date & Time:

industry news

Sustainable forestry council ‘first’ for Australian industry VICTORIA’S forest industry will further improve its environmental sustainability, social licence and economic responsibility with the launch of the Sustainable Forestry Council (SFC), an independent body of community representatives set up to guide the future of forestry.

The SFC, launched by the Victorian Association of Forest Industries and the first of its kind for Australia’s forest industry, has been established to seek advice from independent experts and community representatives with an interest in contributing to policy formation for the future of the state’s forests.

The council is to be independently chaired by Geoff Mabbett, former CEO of Sustainability Victoria, and will include representatives from academic, indigenous, environmental and commercial sectors.

“The launch of the Sustainable Forestry Council marks an important step for the forest industry as we establish a leading framework for independent review and oversight,” VAFI chief executive Philip Dalidakis said.

The SFC has been established to provide independent expert and community advice to assist in the formulation of the VAFI’s policies and activities at both operational and board level. It is independent of the association, independently chaired and has its own charter.

In effect, VAFI will provide a secretariat function as well as act as a conduit between the council and its own board in respect of advice.

“The council will provide a new industry leading method of engaging with all sections of the community and will provide input into the development of the VAFI’s policy positions and activities,” Mr Dalidakis said.

‘The council will provide a new industry leading method of engaging with all sections of the community – Philip Dalidakis

Geoff Mabbett .. to chair first Sustainable Forestry Council in Victoria.

BP Australia; Ian Hamm, a Yorta Yorta man and executive director

of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria; Wayne Harvey, CEO, Victorian Farmers Federation; - Prof Rod Keenan, head, department of forest and ecosystem science, University of Melbourne; - Greg McCormack, director of McCormack Demby Timbers; Darrin McKenzie, resource manager ITC Timber; Andrew Rouse, program manager, resource conservation, WWF Australia; and Prof.

Woodgate, CEO, Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI).

“Victoria’s forest industry is already regarded as having world’s best practice in the management of our forests, and we see this as an important part of maintaining the rigorous checks and balances that guide Victoria’s sustainable forest industry.”

The primary focus of the SFC, will be on issues that touch social license, environmental sustainability and economically responsible policies across the industry.

Inaugural SFC members also include Trevor Brown, regional manager, Timber Communities Australia; Dr Lyndall Bull, lecturer at the Australian National University; Jane Calvert, Victorian state secretary of the forestry division of the CFMEU; Robert Friedman, corporate responsibility commercialisation manager,

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issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 3

timber construction

Hobart builder judged best renovator ‘Aussie wood for Aussie jobs,’ says award winner A TASMANIAN builder who works with “home-grown hardwoods and certified engineered plywood products” has been judged Professional Renovator of the Year in the Australian housing awards.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd attended the award luncheon and praised the exceptional quality of the award entries including the renovation work by national winner Rob Watchorn, who operates Blyth and Watchorn Builders, a busy and thriving business in Hobart.

Executive director of the Housing Industry Association in Tasmania Stuart Clues says Tasmanian builders have taken out several

Rob Watchorn (centre) and his renovation team at Blyth and Watchorn Builders.

national awards in recent years, but Rob Watchorn’s win in the professional renovator section is an enormous achievement.

“The award re-affirms the exceptional quality of renovation work occurring across the state to protect and preserve our heritage

buildings,” Mr Clues said.

Blythe and Watchorn Builders won the award from a hotly-contested field of interstate building firms. The business was recognised by the national judging panel for not only the quality of the renovation work but also the professional manner in which

the business operates.

Stuart Clues said Tasmania was the only state where the value of renovation work outstripped the value of new home construction.

“Tasmanians spent more than $797 million last year on renovating their homes compared to $548 million on the construction of new homes,” he said.

“The renovation section underpins a large component of the building work in this state and for a Tasmanian builder to be recognised as the best professional renovator in Australia bids well for the future.”

“We use Aussie wood Cont Page 12

    •  •  •  •  •  •  

 •  •  •  •  •  •  •  • 

 

Page 4 | issue 89 | 17.08.09

     

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events

WHAT’S ON? AUGUST 09

24: Illegal logging code of conduct consultation workshop.

Radisson Hotel, 380 William Street, Melbourne. Contact: John Halkett (02) 9356 3826.

Email: halkettj@netaus.net.au 25: Illegal logging code of conduct consultation workshop.

The Creek Club, 29 Edmonson Street, South Brisbane. Contact: Doug Bartlett (07) 3821 7494.

Email: dougbartlett@ozemail.com.au 25: Forest and Wood Products Australia AGM. Level 4, 10-16 Queen Street, Melbourne . Tel: (03) 9614 7544.

27: Illegal logging code of conduct consultation workshop.

Home Ideas Centre, City West Complex, 102 Railway Parade.

Contact: John Halkett (02) 9356 3826. Email: halkettj@netaus.net.au

SEPTEMBER 09 2-4: Wood 2009 and Bionergy 2009, Jyvaskyla, Finland. www.jklpaviljonki.fi/eng/events_ex hibitions.php 4-5: Australian Timber Flooring Association Convention.

Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre, Brisbane. Conference Secretariat: GEMS Event Management, Unit 15/118 Queens Road Five Dock, NSW 2046.

Tel: 61 2 9744 5252.

Fax: 61 2 9747 8366.

Email: jmcgraw@gemspl.com.au 6-10: IFA 2009 Conference – Forestry: A climate of change, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Queensland.Inquires to Shanna Sheldrick or Merilyn Dayman.

Tel: (08) 81252200.

Email: shanna@aomevents.com Visit www.alloccasionsgroup.com

9-11: SawTech 2009 – Sawing technologies to improve mill performance.

Rotorua, NZ. www.sawtechevents.com

13-18: 14th Fundamental Research Symposium, Oxford, UK, Call for papers by October3. abstracts@frc14oxford2009.org.uk 14-16: SawTech 2009. Melbourne www.sawtechevents.com 16-18: World Bioenergy 2009 – Clean Vehicles and Fuels 2009, Stockholm, Sweden. http://www.elmia.se/en/wbcvf/ 16-18: International Panel Products Symposium, Nantes, France. Leading technical conference on wood-based panels focusing on sustainability and sustainable buildings. Provisional program available online.

Call for papers has closed.

Contact conference organiser Caroline Potapa +44 (0)1372 802101.

E: caroline.potapa@pirainternational com

OCTOBER 09 8-9: New Zealand Pine Manufacturers Assn Inc. 19th AGM and conference – ‘Global Storm Clouds: Identifying the Silver Linings’.

Holiday Inn, Wellington.

Tel: +64 3 544 1086.

Fax: +64 3 541 0187.

Email: lawrie@pine.net.nz 8-9: NZ Forest Owners Association/WPA conference.

Seifrieds Winery and Vineyard Conference Centre, Redwood Road, Appleby, Nelson. Inaugural event focuses on global trends, the challenges presented by the current trading environment, and ways to improve productivity,

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increase energy efficiency and create new marketing opportunities.

Keynote speakers: Minister for Forestry David Carter; Jim Carle, UNFAO; Andre de Freitas, head of FSC International. Register at www.forestwood.org.nz Contact conference manager Kylie Riley.

Tel: 021 300 611.

Email: kylie@forestwood.org.nz 15-16: FICA Annual Conference 2009, Kingsgate Hotel, Whangarei, NZ. www.fica.org.nz 16-18: HIA Build Green Expo - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Exhibition and Events Association of Australia. Tel: +61 2 9413 9520.

Web: www.eeaa.com.au

16: Australian Timber Design Awards regional.

Cullity Gallery, Perth. Contact Timber Development Association (NSW) Tel: Laurel Clarke on (02) 9279 2366.

Email: info@timberawards.com Web: www.timberawards.com.au 18-25: XIII World Forestry Congress. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Forestry Department, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracella, 00100 Rome, Italy. www.fao.org/forestry/site/18508/en 20: Australian Timber Design Awards regional.

Melbourne Recital Centre. Contact Timber Development Association (NSW).

Tel: Laurel Clarke on (02) 9279 2366.

Email: info@timberawards.com Web: www.timberawards.com.au 31: 2009 Queensland timber industry gala function. World class entertainment and an A-list invite list.

Contact TABMA Queensland (07) 3847 4637 Email: karen@tabma.com.au

SUSTAINABLE. RESPONSIBLE. The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) is striving for an ecologically sustainable Australian society achieved through dynamic, internationally competitive forest industries.

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 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 5

housing industry

re G no ist W er !

Near doubling in first home loans in June quarter From Page 1

Australian Timber Flooring Convention Incorporating the National Timber Flooring Conference & Trade Exhibition

What’s on show • Pre Finished Wood Flooring • Solid Hardwood Flooring • Latest Flooring Trends • Acoustic Treatments • Direct Stick and Floating Systems • Wood Flooring Accessories and Tools • Latest Colours and Finishes • Technical Demonstrations

Who should attend • Floor Sanders • Floor Layers • Builders and Building Specifiers • Retailers • Floating Floor Layers • Timber Merchants • Associations • Distributors • Manufacturers • Flooring Suppliers • Architects • Building Designers

The power of products, people and knowledge all in the one place!

2009

Austr al Floor ian Timbe ing A ward r For fu rther s info rmatio phone n 02 9 GEMS on 744 5252

BrisBane Convention Convention Centre Centre Brisbane Friday, 4th september – 12.00 noon pm Friday, 4th September - 12.00 noon to to 6.30 7.00pm saturday, 5th september – 12.00 noon to 4.00 pm Saturday, 5th September noon 4.00pm FREE exhibition pre registration for visitors available at www.atfaconvention.com.au

To receive the 2009 Conference Registration Brochure Email jmcgraw@gemspl.com.au or visit the official website Association inquiries contact ATFA 1300 361 693 Convention inquiries contact GEMS (02) 9744 5252

CT7395

Page 6 | issue 89 | 17.08.09

June and was up by 7.4% over the quarter.

The number of loans for construction increased by 2.8% over the month and was up by a strong 21.7% over the June quarter.

Lending for established dwellings (net of refinancing) was up by 1.2% in the month and 7.7% over the quarter.

The number of loans for the purchase of new dwellings eased by 0.2% in June but increased by 6.4% over the quarter.

“We saw a near doubling in the number of first home buyer loans in the June 2009 quarter when compared to a year earlier,” HIA chief economist Harley Dale said.

“Clearly, the federal stimulus to this segment of the market has been a key driver of the improvement in housing indicators and there has been a consistent increase in the proportion of first-time buyers entering the new home market since the boost to the grant was introduced last October.

“Outside of the first home market, the recovery has been slower, but interest in new home building from trade-up buyers and investors is growing and this trend needs to continue.

Lending for investment in new residential properties increased by 38% in the June 2009 quarter, but was still 25% down on the same quarter last year.

“It is encouraging to see

Harley Dale .. near doubling in first home buyer loans.

some recovery in lending for new investment over last quarter, but credit constraints and the lack of pass-through of lower interest rates to the building sector are still exerting a dampening influence,” Dr Dale said.

“It will be important to see evidence of further improvement on the investment front through the second half of 2009.”

BIS Shrapnel, meanwhile, says that despite recent encouraging reports on employment, consumer spending and house prices, Australian households should brace themselves for a run of bad economic news in coming months.

The company’s long-term 2009-2024 report, says the economy’s most difficult phase will occur over the next year, and forecasts a substantial 17% decline in business investment, falling household incomes and weak consumer spending, which will result in a fall in employment.

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industry news

Nth American forest companies doing it tough as sales slide WHILE an expected sharp increase in house starts may flag a bright spot for the Australian timber industry, forest companies in North American are doing it tough.

International Forest Products Ltd (Interfor), one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest producers of wood materials, blames its multimillion-dollar losses on weak markets for products, the strong Canadian dollar and the economic downturn in the US, which has housing starts at “historic lows”.

The Vancouver-based company’s sawmilling operations last year showed a combined manufacturing capacity of 1.6 billion board feet of lumber with sales to North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Interfor’s second quarterly financial results released at the end of July show multimillion losses similar to losses earlier in 2009, but less than in 2008.

Still a large volume of unsold homes in the US

In the report, the losses accrued in the second quarter of 2009 amount to $US15 million, compared to a loss of $US13.6 million in the first quarter of 2009 and a net loss of $US27.7 in the second quarter of 2008. ”In the face of weak demand and volatile currency rates, Interfor will continue to operate on a reduced scale, with a clear priority on managing for cash and ensuring the company is

positioned to take advantage of the market turnaround when it occurs,” Interfor chief forester and vicepresident Ric Slaco said.

“We will continue to constantly evaluate all of our operations based on the circumstances that exist in market opportunities.”

Mr Slaco said there was still a large volume of unsold homes in the US – “one of the reasons why people aren’t expecting a rapid turnaround in the market,”

he says.

“There is a large volume of homes that still need to be sold off before people will be dramatically increasing the amount of new housing starts.”

Mr Slaco says Interfor expects at some point there will be a market recovery and that right now it may be near the bottom, so no dramatic changes are expected anytime soon, even within the next year or so.

Deadly coffins death knell for jobs?

IMPORTED coffins made with noxious glues that fail Australian standards for emissions are being sold in Queensland .

Trevor Taylor, a principal of Ashton Manufacturing, one of Australia’s largest suppliers of coffins, and caskets, was alerted to the dangerous products at funeral industry exhibitions in Sydney and on the Sunshine Coast.

“Many of these coffins, built from Chinese wood panels,

contain formaldehyde levels up to four times higher than the local product,” Mr Taylor said.

“The big danger is that these coffins could harm workers in a Queensland warehouse where this material is stored as they are exposed daily to toxic emissions.”

The Chinese coffins are not only threatening lives – but Australian jobs. The funeral industry, worth up to $800 million a year and employing hundreds

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of workers, is threatened by the imports that are unhealthy and sell well below the production costs of Australian products.

This Asian trade in coffin timbers is seen as another ‘back door’ infiltration that could damage an industry that has a wellearned reputation for manufacturing products from quality certified material.

“The importation and production of these non-

certified substitutes flies in the faces of the Australian Government’s commitment to workplace health and safety,” says the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia.

“Specification of EO or E1 wood products certified under a JAS-ANZ accredited system will give a permanent solution to ongoing problems associated with formaldehyde and life-threatening imported materials,” says the EWPAA.

issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 7

forest products innovation

Plantation eucalypt table challenges design conceptions AN innovative table constructed from plantation eucalypt is demonstrating how this resource might be used to its highest value into the future.

Forestry Tasmania has commissioned Simon Archer, academic director of the Australian School of Fine Furniture, University of Tasmania, to design and produce the piece. Mr Archer lives and works in Launceston and is a member of the Design Institute of Australia.

The value in large pruned plantation trees lies, of course, in the timber they produce, and the brief was to produce a piece from sample boards from 22-yearold shining gum (Eucalyptus nitens) trees.

During the winter of 1984, seedlings of shining gum trees raised at the Forest Nursery in Perth were used to establish a plantation at Goulds Country, 27 km north of St Helens in northeast Tasmania, including a research trial to determine the optimum thinning and pruning techniques for producing eucalypt plantation sawlogs and veneer.

Over the following two decades, the pruned and thinned trees were measured over 15 times, and data on their growth and form has helped determine the silvicultural regimes now used widely across the Forestry Tasmania eucalypt plantation estate.

It is from these Goulds Country Page 8 | issue 89 | 17.08.09

Shining gum table .. challenging basic design conceptions.

trees that the timber used to produce the table was harvested.

But Mr Archer has produced more than a table; he has produced a ‘compact, flexible, multi-use piece of furniture’ that highlights the best aspects of the timber.

“It was important for me that the table design challenge basic conceptions of what a table should look like and how it should function.

The trough in the middle has an important functional and visual application,” Mr Archer said.

“Links can be made to the traditional workbench, where a similar trough was employed to store tools ready for use but off the main work surface, leaving it free of clutter for a better work area.

“In this case, the trough accepts a sliding modesty panel that could be used for exhibition openings and presentations or simply as a playful element that changes the table’s visual balance and composition.”

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issues

RFAs at half-way point From Page 2

the EPBC Act, including carbon, land clearing and, potentially, water.

NAFI will be responding to the Hawke Review interim report including establishing interactive arrangements with the review to explore potential solutions to the issues raised in the report. Our response will highlight the comprehensive nature of the RFAs and production forestry’s world class sustainable forest management practices. NAFI also calls for the completion of the outstanding RFA reviews and other compliance measures as soon as possible.

However, any legislative amendments that would allow the EPBC Act to unduly interfere with the operation of forest activities within or outside RFAs would create significant resource and investment uncertainty, and could put national forest policy back 20 years to the pre-RFA days of ‘coupe-bycoupe’ assessments and ongoing sovereign risk.

Many of the RFAs have already reached their halfway point, and with less

than 10 years left to their termination date, the need for a recommitment from governments is becoming increasingly important. In particular, decisions about how the long-term resource security provided by the RFAs can be maintained – be it through rolling over or extending the existing arrangements – have not been made. Until such decisions are made, every year that goes by, the industry has less legislative resource security and is less likely to make the longterm investment decisions required to keep the industry competitive.

The recent reconfirmation of the RFAs by the Federal Forestry Minister Tony Burke was strongly commended by the industry as it was a clear acknowledgment of the importance of RFAs to national forest policy, and the sustainable future of the industry. However, without a similar commitment from state governments the industry has no guarantee of ongoing access to native forest resources once the current RFAs have expired.

Death of noted forest ecologist NOTED forest ecologist and historian Professor Peter McKelvey, OBE, has died in New Zealand, aged 82.

One of the inaugural fellows (1988) of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, Prof.

McKelvey was awarded the Kirk Horn Flask for services to forestry and science in New Zealand in 1998.

A Conservator of Forests at Wellington Conservancy in 1966, achievements in his career since he joined the

NZ Forest Service in 1945 have included foundation Professor of Forestry at the University of Canterbury 1967-85; NZIF vicepresident 1972-73; NZIF president 1974-75; and NZIF honorary member, 1984.

Prof. McKelvey completed his science degree at Canterbury University and a forestry degree at the University of Edinburgh. His funeral service was held in Christchurch on August 15.

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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 6,000 copies, delivered every Monday. Advertising rates are the most competitive of any industry magazine in the region.

Timber&Forestry e-news hits your target market – every week, every Monday!

HEAD OFFICE Custom Publishing Group Unit 2- 3986 Pacific Highway Loganholme 4129 Qld, Australia Tel: +61 7 3392 9810 PUBLISHER Dennis Macready admin@industryenews.com.au CONSULTING EDITOR Jim Bowden Tel: +61 7 3256 1779 Mob: 0401 312 087 cancon@bigpond.net.au ADVERTISING Tel: +61 7 3256 1779 cancon@bigpond.net.au PRODUCTION MANAGER Leigh Macready Tel: +61 7 3392 9810 production@industryenews.com.au

Opinions expressed on Timber & Forestry e news are not necessarily the opinions of the editor, publisher or staff. We do not accept responsibility for any damage resulting from inaccuracies in editorial or advertising.

The Publisher is therefore indemnified against all actions, suits, claims or damages resulting from content on this e news. Content cannot be reproduced without the prior consent of the Publisher- Custom Publishing Group.

issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 9

ENGINEERED WOOD

Plywood .. you can bet your life on it!

Engineered wood proves an amazing performer as trees crash in one of Brisbane’s most brutal storms

LEADING Brisbane architect Mark Wilson believes in engineered wood products – he’s been designing buildings in plywood for more than 25 years; in fact, he can bet his life on it.

Mr Wilson, principal of architects Black & Wilson Pty Ltd at The Gap, says without the structural security of plywood certified to Australasian standards, he would have been “a goner” after a two massive gum trees fell across his roof during a microburst storm.

‘The structural integrity of the engineered plywood bracing was so high the branches snapped over the top plate’

“Man, I’m telling you, it was just incredible .. the branches penetrated the roof and ceiling and we ended up with 10 tonnes of tree on top of us and the house didn’t move one millimetre out of vertical thanks to

Page 10 | issue 89 | 17.08.09

Mr Wilson said.

The architectural firm has been specifying totally PAA plywood structures for more than 25 years in both commercial and domestic projects.

Mr Wilson used CHH Shadowlcad 15mm plywood cladding in the building of his home at The Gap. It is a total plywood construction

incorporating V-line ceilings and flooring with exposed floor joists.

Exterior cladding that forms the 7m high walls is H3 LOSP treated PAA plywood.

“Nothing else matches it in terms of a contemporary look – and structural safety,” Mr Wilson said.

– jim bowden

Mark Wilson .. specifying PAA plywood for more than 25 years.

the plywood cladding and ceilings,” Mr Wilson said.

Storm winds reached 150 km/hour uprooting one 750 mm diameter tree and snapping off another 600 mm diameter tree 2 m above the ground.

“The structural integrity of the engineered plywood bracing was so high the tree branches just snapped over the top plate. Given that the trees hit the highest part of the house more than 8 m high, that’s pretty amazing,”

Life-saver .. massive uprooted trees held fast by engineered wood products

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industry news

Environmental groups step up campaign of misinformation Get fair dinkum!

A SERIES of pressure campaigns by environmental groups calling on the Victorian State Government to ban timber harvesting in Melbourne’s Water Catchments has intensified.

“While Victoria’s timber industry has no problem with these groups voicing their concerns and encouraging open and transparent operations, increasingly, there has been an occurrence of deliberate attempts to misinform the media and the greater public,” the chief executive of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries Philip Dalidakis said.

Some of the factually incorrect assertions include: that timber harvesting reduces 50% of water flow into dams; that timber

harvesting pollutes water supply and kills marine life; there is enough plantation timber to substitute high grade catchment timber.

In an effort to better inform the media and the greater public of the truth regarding timber harvesting in Melbourne’s water catchments, VAFI has created an information page on its website http://www. vafi.org.au/catchments/ Industry and the general public are invited to use this resource when researching the issue to ensure a balanced and objective perspective. All information is attributable to independent research based on scientific environmental science.

VAFI will also provide additional assistance and public comment on this issue.

Use Aussie and Kiwi wood and keep jobs at homehe spirit!

That’s t

Working together.

Lest we forget .. what it’s all about.

JOBS security on both sides of the Tasman Wood from 100% LEGAL, CERTIFIED forests Consistent QUALITY LOWEST emissions Structurally SAFE GUARANTEED to Australasian Standards LOYALTY to true-blue forest products Get fair dinkum!

Don’t export jobs just for the sake of cheap imports

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 Emai: inbox@paa.asn.au

Web: www.ewp.asn.au Environmental groups factually incorrect on water catchments.

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issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 11

timber construction

Renovation overtakes home construction Watchorn said.

The company made a conscious decision six years ago to focus totally on the renovation market – projects from $20,000 up to $1 million-plus.

Mr Watchorn praised the structural and moisture-free advantages of Tasmanian oak as a flooring and framing timber.

“About 90% of timber frames are built with Tassie oak,” he said.

From Page 4

for Aussie jobs .. built and renovated by Aussie carpenters,” Rob Watchorn told T&F enews.

He works with jarrah, spotted gum and blue gum for timber frames, floors, ceilings, architraves and featured kitchen joinery.

“We use a lot of Australian plywood in external cladding and most structural components such as plywood bracing,” Mr

The next big project will be a renovation near Hobart using huge spotted gum awnings running up the side of the home over a steel frame with blue gum decking beneath.

Australian hardwoods and engineered plywood feature in Rob Watchorn’s house renovations.

$5m federal funding to assist industry on climate change THE forest industry can now apply for $5 million in federal funding to help it adapt to climate change.

Forestry Minister Tony Burke said expressions of interest were open for grants of up to $500,000 under the new Forest Industries Climate Change Research Fund, which was part of an $8 million election pledge to close knowledge gaps about climate change in the industry.

“Climate change has significant implications

for our $21 billion forest products industries,” Mr Burke said.

“There will be major challenges like severe weather events and increased fire risk, but there will also be opportunities such as increasing carbon sequestration and the innovative use of forestry waste for power generation.”

Mr Burke said an innovative and adaptive forestry industry was essential to support Australian jobs,

particularly in regional communities.

“We’re looking for forestry research projects that focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation and the development of sustainable bioenergy initiatives,” he said.

“We are also encouraging collaborative projects involving industry, scientific and government organizations.”

Tony Burke ..forestry industry essential to support Australian jobs.

F O R E S T R Y: A C L I M AT E O F C H A N G E

I FA

CONFERENCE

2009

Topics include: • Climate change scenarios • Climate change impacts and adaptation challenges for forestry • Climate change mitigation opportunities for forestry and forest The venue based industries Caloundra, a premier holiday destination • The changing role of forests on Queensland’s magnicent Sunshine • Reshaping the forestry agenda Coast just north of Brisbane • Promoting innovation in forest The dates management and processing.

6-10 September 2009 Full registration includes: • Keynote addresses from The key speakers well-credentialed forestry and Dr Ian Bevege, Professor Roger climate change speakers Stone, Professor John Innes, Penny • Concurrent sessions featuring over 50 Baalman, Dr David Brand, Kathryn oral papers and poster presentations Adams and Nick Roberts The conference The Institute of Foresters of Australia 2009 Conference - the largest forestry conference in Australia to occur in the next four years

• Climate change and forestry education panel discussions • Diverse eld days and a range of partner day tour options • Welcome reception and conference dinner with rst-class entertainment • Exhibitions showcasing a wide range of forestry services and products.

Day and student registration options available.

Register online att www www.forestry.org.au/conference forestry org au/conf or contact the Conference Manager on +61 8 8125 2200 or email shanna@aomevents.com

Page 12 | issue 89 | 17.08.09

Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: cancon@bigpond.net.au

TRANSPORT

Truck operators must upgrade all safety measures COMPANIES that operate heavy rigid trucks must upgrade their safety procedures, following the release of new figures about the number of fatal truck crashes, says the chairman of the Australian Trucking Association Trevor Martyn.

The new figures, released by the Federal Infrastructure Department, show there were 90 fatal crashes and 95 fatalities involving heavy rigid trucks in 2008, compared to 78 fatal crashes and 83 fatalities in 2007.

Queensland and Western Australia recorded the highest increases in the number of fatal crashes involving heavy rigid trucks.

In Queensland, these crashes increased from 10 in 2007 to 21 in 2008; in Western Australia, they increased from 10 in 2007 to 17 in 2008.

Mr Martyn said the dramatic increase was totally unacceptable.

“Every company that uses heavy rigid trucks needs to take a long, hard look at their safety systems. If they don’t have safety systems, they need to put them in place – fast.

“In particular, these companies need to have

procedures to make sure their drivers are fit for duty when they start work; systems to train their staff and drivers properly, with regular safety reminders; systems to guarantee their trucks are maintained safely; and realistic delivery schedules, so drivers are not under pressure to speed or run risks in order to meet their timetables.

“You don’t have to be a big company to put measures like these in place. As part of the ATA’s commitment to safety, we run our TruckSafe program so every company can meet these objectives.”

Mr Martyn said more than 70% of the heavy rigid truck crashes in 2008 were multiple vehicle accidents.

A substantial number would have been in urban areas.

He said as part of building a safer transport system, governments needed to build urban roads that allowed trucks and cars to drive safely together, with well-planned intersections, right turn lanes long enough for trucks, and reduced speed limits in areas where many trucks turned across the traffic.

editorial inquiries ph: +61 7 3256 1779

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issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 13

Chain of Custody I N F O R M AT I O N S E M I N A R

Brisbane • Thursday, August 20, 2009 433 On Logan Conference Centre 433 Logan Road, Stone’s Corner LIMITED TO 60 SEATS

Sawmilling Machinery & Equipment

This important and timely seminar, organised by TABMA Queensland, Under Instructions From: Mr Derrick Vickers & Mr Stephen Longley of will help reduce some ofPricewaterhouseCoopers the confusion relating to chain of custody. It In Matter of: Pinetec Limited (Receivers and Managers Appointed) will ensure the Queensland timber industry has the information required for compliance with legislation,Key speakers will present information and there will be a question and answer forum.

Online Auction Speakers include: Closes: TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST • Colin MacKenzie, manager, timber application and use, Timber Queensland Sawmilling Machinery and Equipment: Aussie Wood edger;Products Gibson 75hp edger; of • Simon Dorries, General Manager, Engineered Association 200hp wood chipper; Cosmec multi ripsaw; twin edge breakdown saw; Australasia board separator; log debarker with rise and fall infeed; log infeed •Gibson Kayt Watts, chief executive, Australian Forestry Standard Ltd (AFS) decks; transfer decks; roll cases and operators console.

• Michael Spencer, chief executive, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

A Buyer’s Premium of 12.5% (GST Exclusive) will be added to the price of Registration fee: $65 pp (TABMA member) pp (non-member) • Includes hot breakfast each $80 lot sold. andInspection: morning tea. Note: Arrival 7:30am.

Breakfast 7:45 am. Presentations at 8 am.

Monday 17th August 2009 between 8.30am and begin 4.00pm RSVP by Friday, August 14, to: 9 Fairford Street, Bassendean, Perth at the premises: Tabma Queensland, PO Box 532, Enquiries: Scott Matthews on 0400 827 333 or email scottm@grays.com.au 500 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley 4006 For more visit www.graysonline.com Sale# 64305 Tel: (07) 3254 3166.

Fax:details (07) 3254 4599.

Mob: 0438 295 136

www.tabma.com.au

www.graysonline.com

STANDARDS MANAGER (New position) A senior manager is required to coordinate the ongoing development and review of Australian timber standards (and associated building standards and codes).

This pivotal role has been established following a lengthy process of consultation and consensus building within the forest and wood products industry.

The newly appointed Standards Manager will be required to develop and implement a Board approved strategy to address the industry’s needs and engagement with the standards development process. This is a hands-on role and reports to the Managing Director.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Understanding and practical experience with the standards development process (preferably in building systems) and how they link to commercial, technical and public policy outcomes.

Ability to understand complex technical information and translate to a non-technical audience.

Strong team leadership and team membership skills.

Workshop facilitation and good listening skills.

Ability to build and maintain strong professional networks.

Direct experience in the Australian building industry sector and key agencies (e.g. ABCB) and an understanding of the forest and wood products sector would be desirable.

The role is based in the Melbourne CBD and limited relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

Enquiries and applications for this exciting position can be directed to: Ric Sinclair, Managing Director (0407) 329 372 ric.sinclair@fwpa.com.au

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reach your market weekly s direct delivery s very affordable Page 14 | issue 89 | 17.08.09

Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: cancon@bigpond.net.au

USED MACHINES FOR SALE

MOULDERS

WEINIG HYDROMAT 23 Machine to be reconditioned not yet available for sale. Expressions of interest welcome.

SH88061, 9 Spindle, 80m/min (1999)

WEINIG HYDROMAT 23 Cleaned, checked and excellent condition. 50mm spindles, 8000rpm side heads.

SH1011.26, 6 Spindle, 36m/min (2003) SPECIAL $120,000 + GST!!

WEINIG HYDROMAT 22B Very good condition, 220mm infeed rollers, traded in on new Powermat 2000 SH43921, 9 Spindle, 110m/min, (1986)

WEINIG HYDROMAT 22B SH39897, 9 Spindle, 110m/min (1984)

Traded in on new Powermat 2000

GRINDERS/MEASURING STANDS/HANDLING EQUIPMENT

WEINIG RONDAMAT 934 SH934796,(1996)

Cleaned checked and complete. Variable speed, hydraulic wheel clamping precision.

SPECIAL $17,000 + GST

WEINIG RONDAMAT 912 Straight knife Grinder with face grinding and extended working width.

SH912232, (1986)

WEINIG RONDAMAT 960 SH95021, Profile Grinder (2002)

Standard working width, Powerlock. Trade on new Powermat package.

WEINIG EM11 Ex demonstration machine. Up to 60m/min. Increase production, save labour.

SH105855, Hopper Feed Unit (2005)

OPTICONTROL (powerlock) SH95022, Measuring stand with PowerLock (2002)

Traded on new Powermat System Package

WEINIG OPTICONTROL (standard) SH95100, Measuring Stand (2002)

Excellent condition. Was traded due to Powermat upgrade.

WEINIG OPTICONTROL (standard) SH90901, Measuring Stand (2000)

Excellent condition. Was traded due to Powermat upgrade.

OPTICONTROL (standard) SH100356, Measuring Stand (2003)

Excellent condition. Was traded due to Powermat upgrade

SAWS (all traded on upgrades to new Dimter equipment)

DIMTER OPTICUT S 50 SH1494.15, Push Feed Saw (2003)

OptiCom Assist Program, “cam” rollers in table.

DIMTER OPTICUT 200 SH3798.10, Through Feed Saw (2007) RAIMANN FLEXIRIP 6200 SH06437, Rip Saw/Panel Saw (2003)

In‐feed belt, out feed belt with ejectors, LH execution.

SPECIAL $135,000 + GST !!

Machine has done very little work, business requirements changed.

SPECIAL $75,000 + GST !!

PAUL MKL 14 DOCKER SH8148

Driven infeed belt, dual marking station 10m outfeed 3 ejectors.

Other prices on Application – 02 9609 5911

1B Widemere Road, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Australia Tel: 61 2 96095911 Fax: 61 2 9757 4773 Email: weinig@weinig.com.au

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issue 89 | 17.08.09 | Page 15

Sink Sink your your teeth teethinto intothis! this!

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07 07 3256 32561779 1779

| 27.07.09 | Page 15 Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 issue Email:86cancon@bigpond.net.au

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