MC33 Planing Knives from Leitz offer longer tool life and reduced sharpening cycles thanks to our exclusive Marathon coating technology Our long tool life is proven to reduce machine downtime and the number of times the machine is required to be set-up, ensuring consistent and optimum productivity, compared to conventional planing knives
The Marathon coated MC33 Planing Knives are applicable for both hard and soft woods, and suitable for all conventional planing machines with precision spindles They are able to be resharpened multiple times and offer high quality planing results.
Productivity
Significantly reduced machine downtime due to longer cutting edge tool life performance
Fewer tool changes required
Flexibility
Suitable for the use in all conventional wedge-type planer-heads designed for 3mm thick planing knives
Available in 30mm and 35mm height
Perfect use of cutting material through Marathon coating
Up to 6-fold tool life in comparison to uncoated HS-planing knives
Protects the machine bearings due to increased balance and precise weight tolerance
THE reduction in native timber availability and the resultant increase in hardwood imports is expected to see an increase in timber wholesalers applying for Forest Stewardship Council accreditation.
And T-Pac Lumber, a Queensland-based wholesaler specialising in high-quality FSC certified merbau from Indonesia, is already on board.
“I can see a time where, where if a specifier walks in and you don’t have an FSC certification he is going to walk straight out again,” Dean McMurtrie from T-Pac Lumber said.
“The chairman of the board was very serious about being environmentally friendly, so started with FSC,” Dean said.
“We’ve now chosen to go fully FSC. So all the products that are coming over to us now are fully FSC as well. It’s a big change, because we had some that were FSC and some that were non FSC. So obviously you have to move existing stock on to replace it. So it’s a big change,” Dean said.
“We’ve had Bunnings goes through the mills. They did a full audit through the mill to see if they were happy with it from an FSC point of view. There’s the logos, there’s the stickers, there’s the accreditation,
“But that’s part of it to have the quality side of the documentation side, but the actual, serious part of is can you enact on it?
“I expect that will be as we progress, there will be more of a demand for FSC products as well.
“I think market forces will encourage companies that aren’t on board yet,” Dean said.
“I can see a time where, where if a specifier walks in and you don’t have an FSC brand he is going to walk straight out again.”
FSC Australia and New Zealand CEO Melanie Robertson believes FSC certification certainly has an economic value for businesses.
“No doubt, there can be a monetary value to FSC certification. An organisation that
holds FSC certification or an FSC promotional licence enhances the reputation and credibility of their sustainability commitments. It also enables organisations to stand out as an industry leader in responding to the risks facing our forests.” she said.
“Certification not only holds significant value for an organisation’s social license to operate but can also assist in fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities. As younger generations are increasingly demonstrating a desire to understand the source of their timber and forest-fibre products, certification is becoming even more crucial in meeting their expectations.”
Melanie highlighted that FSC International conducted a global consumer awareness study with GlobeScan in 2021 that found 76% of shoppers who are aware of FSC will choose an FSC-certified product over its non-certified equivalent.
“Consumers all over the world are increasingly con-
cerned about sustainability issues associated with forests and look for the FSC label for the assurance that forest-fibre materials have come from a sustainably managed forest,” she said.
Melanie elaborated that FSC-labelled products instil confidence in both importers and consumers by ensuring that the product is sourced from a supply chain that does not contribute to illegal logging or deforestation and that the rights of local communities, workers, and Indigenous Peoples are safeguarded. Additionally, FSC standards exhibit a high degree of global consistency, ensuring that products are harvested and processed according to rigorous standards worldwide. The FSC Chain of Custody system ensures a responsible supply chain from well-managed forests to finished products. Every organisation in the supply chain must have robust management systems in place to ensure that materials used during production
meet FSC’s strict requirements at every stage, from sourcing to the final labelled product.
“We only see FSC becoming more and more important to people in the future, and together with our retail partners, we’re constantly working to increase brand awareness and recognition of the incredible social and environmental value behind the FSC label. Our goal is to convey the complexities of the FSC system to consumers in a way that is easy to understand. The intricate nature of the FSC system is what reinforces its integrity. It is vital that consumers appreciate the balanced economic, environmental, and social advantages it offers to fully comprehend its exceptional value.”
“Our brand promise ‘Forests for All, Forever’ really encapsulates what FSC is all about. Promoting responsible forest management that safeguards the rights of the people and wildlife that rely on them.”
MORE than $108 million in funding will be allocated to timber manufacturing companies across the country to encourage more value adding and further innovation in the industry.
The Federal Government yesterday announced the successful recipients of the Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation grant program.
These grant recipients will undertake a wide range of projects which will see the implementation of upgraded
and innovative work practices across various industries, including production of activated carbon, housing and construction, packaging, and culturally significant timbers to higher end markets.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, made the announcement with local MP Brian Mitchell at Western Junction Sawmill near Launceston.
Senator Watt said the delivery of this program delivered on the Government’s strong support for Australia’s sustainable forestry industry.
“Our government understands how important the forestry industry is for communities around the country, but particularly here in Tasmania,” Senator Watt said.
Thirty-four grants will be made, selected by an independent panel, including funding for four projects involving First Nations organisations, enabling the use of sustainably sourced timber from traditional lands.
Australian Forest Products Association CEO Joel Fitzgibbon said the government
had delivered on a key election commitment to drive innovation across timber and wood manufacturing through the AAWPI grants program.
“Australia has a shortage of timber to meet our housing needs and the delivery of these grants means Australia’s local manufacturers can maximise productivity of our existing resources while we grow our domestic supply,” he said.
“This program will not only support jobs but also help fight climate change through
the creation of more renewable and sustainable products.”
Funding of between $1 million to $5 million will be provided under the Wood Processing Innovation grant program to 34 successful applications from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
Under the program, recipients are required to provide at least 60% of the total project costs.
This brings the total new investment, including public and private sector funding, to $361 million.
Issue 3 – Volume 33
Incorporating Australian and New Zealand Timberman. Established 1977.
3 - 9
10
12-13
SALES of new homes across Australia fell by a further 7.2 per cent in March compared with the previous month as the rise in the cash rate over the past year continues to impede sales, according to HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
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The Macquarie University Incubator was built using Australian Sustainable Hardwood’s MASSLAM V-columns supporting 22 roof glulam and CLT cassettes so that the timber is visible both internally and externally.
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The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a leading indicator of future detached home construction.
“The latest decline leaves sales in the first three months of the year down by 45.9 per cent compared to the same quarter last year,” Mr Devitt said.
“Compounding the decline in sales is the rise in projects being cancelled.
“The cancellation rate increased in March to 30.5 per cent. This means for every three new building contracts that are signed, one sale from a previous month is cancelled. Many builders have reported ‘negative sales’ over recent months. The last time the rate was near this high was the start of the pandemic,” he said.
Mr Devitt said that the RBA’s rate increases last year and this year would continue to hold down new sales and cause further cancellations as finance becomes unobtainable for an increasing number of buyers.
The significant increase in the cost of land and construc-
tion across all jurisdictions over the past two years was compounding the impact of higher interest rates.
The additional costs of compliance with the National Construction Code, that come into effect this year, would further increase the
cost of new home construction and dampen demand further.
“The combination of low sales volumes and rising cancellations of existing projects will hollow out the pipeline of building work over the coming months,” Mr Devitt said.
The largest declines in sales in March compared to the previous month were seen in Victoria (-23.4 per cent) and South Australia (-22.4 per cent), followed by Queensland (-2.2 per cent), while increases were seen in New South Wales (+1.7 per cent) and Western Australia (+22.5 per cent).
Over the past year, New South Wales has driven the declines, with sales in the first three months of 2023 down by 75.9 per cent on the same quarter last year. This was followed by Queensland (-54.3 per cent), Victoria (-43.4 per cent) and South Australia (-13.7 per cent). Western Australia was the only large state to see an increase over the last year, up by 1.0 per cent.
THE delivery of more than $108 million in funding to be shared among 34 timber manufacturing companies across the country to encourage more value adding and further innovation in the industry is a welcome move by the Federal Government.
The grants, made through the Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation grant program, will enable recipients to undertake a wide range of projects which will see the implementation of upgraded and innovative
work practices across various industries, including production of activated carbon, housing and construction, packaging, and culturally significant timbers to higher end markets.
In doing so the Federal Government has delivered on a key election commitment to drive innovation across timber and wood manufacturing.
In addition to this, the government is establishing the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation and has committed support for specific training for the forestry and wood products industries.
Victorian Forest Products Association CEO Deb Kerr said the grants were a welcome investment in Victoria’s innovative wood and wood fibre sector.
“With high demand timber in Victoria, these grants will enable local manufacturers to optimise the productiv-
ity of their current resources while also expanding our domestic supply to meet our housing requirements, generate employment opportunities and contribute to the fight against climate change by producing more sustainable and renewable wood products,” she said.
It will certainly do that and much, much more.
CLT Toolbox has launched its state-ofthe-art engineering software, set to revolutionize the structural design process for mass timber buildings.
Developed with in response to research from the supply chain and structural engineers across Australia, CLT Toolbox automates the complex structural design computations, making it easier and more cost-effective for engineers to design and build with sustainable materials.
CLT Toolbox is based in Melbourne specializing in innovative engineering software solutions. Our mission is to empower structural engineers to drive positive change within the construction industry through advanced technology and sustainable design practices. With the building industry setting ambitious goals for the decarbonization of embodied carbon, timber plays a critical role in achieving
these objectives. CLT Toolbox removes the barrier to entry, empowering all structural engineers to design with sustainable materials and further enabling the decarbonization of construction.
Key features of CLT Toolbox include:
• Streamlined Design: CLT Toolbox eliminates the need for engineers to spend hundreds of hours creating custom Excel spreadsheets
for timber design, saving incoming engineering consultancies over a $100,000 entry fee. The software optimizes the design process, making it more accessible for engineers unfamiliar with mass timber.
• Comprehensive Education: CLT Toolbox addresses the knowledge gap left by traditional university courses, providing education and resources tailored to the
needs of structural engineers designing with timber. The software empowers engineers to confidently design with sustainable materials.
• Tailored to Timber Design: CLT Toolbox is not a black box, offering a transparent and collaborative approach that takes into account supply chain availability and is designed as a web-based app. This tailored solution allows engineers to work efficiently and effectively with timber design.
CLT Toolbox is led by an impressive team of 10, including structural engineers and software engineers, all dedicated to the mission of making timber design easier than concrete and steel and eliminating embodied carbon. Founder and CEO Adam Jones, the former Future Green Leader of the Year with the GBCA in 2019, exTechnical Manager for XLam Australia, and a best-selling
author, heads the team. Ringo Thomas, the Interim Chief Commercial Officer, is the head of sales and the first employee at Everest Engineering, building the company to 200 headcount and over 50m in sales revenue.
Other key members of the team include Ikhsan Agustian, who leads the software team; Lelissie Bedada and Wenderade Beshada, who spearhead the structural design development; Marco Dimitrijevic, who leads Eurocode development; and Jack Turner, who heads product design.
With a vision to eliminate all embodied carbon emissions within the built environment for the betterment of humanity, CLT Toolbox has a product roadmap that further reduces the cost of sustainable construction. The first release of CLT Toolbox began with a restricted beta user program starting in April, with a public release set for July 2023.
OUTSTANDING timber projects were the talk of the town at a special ‘case-study-focused’ WoodSolutions seminar which presented a selection of the award-winning local and interstate projects from the 2022 Australian Timber Design Awards.
The event showcased a diverse range of exceptional residential, commercial, and public projects that demonstrated the versatility and sustainability of timber.
Several themes emerged throughout the afternoon. One of the main discussion topics at the awards was biophilic design, which connects people to nature and improves mental health and
well-being. Timber’s natural warmth and texture have a calming effect, making it an ideal material for creating spaces that promote wellbeing. This is a compelling topic that should strengthen the “sustainably managed forests produce the ultimate renewable building product – timber”.
In addition to discussing the benefits of timber, Marc Bernstein, Director of Melbourne Design Studios highlighted the Passivhaus Standard in the context of his project The
Hütt 01 Passivhaus which prioritizes energy efficiency in building design.
One key aspect of this standard is the emphasis on reducing operational energy consumption, which is the energy used to operate a building. This is achieved by designing buildings that have a very low heating and cooling demand, using insulation and airtightness to minimize heat loss and gain. Another important consideration is embodied energy, which is the energy required to produce building materials.
The Passivhaus Standard encourages the use of low embodied energy materials, such as timber, to further reduce a building’s environmental impact.
Knut Menden of Betty & Knut Architecture presented the SEED project, which is Australia’s first Passivhaus demountable classroom. The SEED project demonstrates the importance of maintaining optimal learning environments through the use of heat recovery units that cir-
culate fresh air while reusing outgoing air’s heat. Additionally, Passivhaus classrooms include sensors that monitor and regulate CO2 levels, ensuring a healthy learning environment. The SEED project serves as an example of the possibilities for sustainable and energy-efficient classrooms in Australia.
Another topic discussed at the event was the benefits of using timber in the face of climate change, especially when it comes to more energy intensive products such as timber and steel. Timber is a renewable resource that stores carbon, and sustainable timber sourcing ensures that forests are managed responsibly, protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities.
The event also highlighted the benefits of using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) in construction. CLT is a sustainable and durable material that offers structural benefits such as strength and fire resistance. Its prefabrication also saves time and reduces
Made with the same durable materials used in our market leading STRUCTAflor particleboard flooring products, STRUCTApanel H2 12mm is a high density panelproviding superior impact resistance and screw holding capability.
construction waste, making it an ideal material for building with a lighter footprint. The interplay between craft and technology was another topic discussed at the event.
Timber projects showcase the affinity between architectural form and the natural en-
vironment, with each project reflecting a unique relationship between the building and its surroundings.
The seminar offered an opportunity to learn from experts in timber design and network with colleagues, promoting the use of sustainable
and renewable timber building products. It highlighted the importance of sourcing timber from certified sources that can be traced through the chain, ensuring responsible forest management and a positive impact on the environment.
High impact resistance - Double the surface impact resistance of plywood & 9 times greater than plasterboard
Highly durable - Made with the same cuttingedge technology & high-quality raw materials as STRUCTAor ooring
High xing capacity - Ability to screw directly into sheet
Consistently at with no internal delamination
Easy to cut leaving smooth, clean edges
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Used as an underlay for timber strip ooring on top of concrete, internal wall lining (in dry conditions) and as an external temporary hoarding panel
This year’s Timber Offsite Construction Conference and Exhibition on 11-12 September in Melbourne will bring together a line-up of expert presenters to provide comprehensive insight on the latest developments in timber and mass wood building around Australia and globally.
A major new initiative in 2023 will be a range of expert group discussions on design and build challenges and solutions for a range of typical buildings, with building professionals outlining the design process methodologies applied to achieve successful project outcomes.
Discussions will include the developer’s key requirements for building heights, regulation constraints, and flexibility in design layouts, whilst the architect will be evaluating aesthetics, design challenges, architectural features, and exposed timber opportunities.
Weststyle managing director Tony Ricciardello has been appointed HIA Regional President in WA.
Tony has more than 30 years’ experience as a registered builder and has an indepth understanding of all facets of the residential building industry.”
Cath Evans has been has taken on the role of HIA Regional Vice President.
Fleetwood Australia has won two first place wins and two Honourable Mentions at the 2023 Modular Building Institute (MBI) Awards of Distinction.
The awards – announced as part of the World of Modular trade show and exhibition in Las Vegas –are widely regarded to be the highest honours in the global modular industry.
Fleetwood Australia was judged a winner in the Permanent Modular Education over 10,000 square feet category for the Mackenzie State Special School project and the Permanent Special Application over 10,000 square feet category for the Sydney International Speedway project.
The company was also recognised with honourable mentions for the Albert Park Pavilion project (Permanent Modular Assembly) and the Corrections Victoria Prison Infill Expansion project (Permanent Correctional).
individual and organization is taking steps towards a better understanding of sustainability.
There is a growing number of forest product companies who recognise the role they play in protecting the environment and taking significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt sustainable practices through independent certification.
From small timber traders to publicly listed companies, businesses of all sizes in our industry are realizing that environmental sustainability is not only good for the planet but also makes good business sense.
Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) is a leading supplier of innovative hardwood products, recently welcomed Responsible Wood Sustainability Manager Matt de Jongh to tour their facilities, including the impressive MASSLAM product.
Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) is a privately owned Australian timber mill and manufacturer based at Heyfield in Eastern Victoria.
Established over 30 years ago, ASH has grown to become one of the largest hardwood mills in Australia; and Australia’s largest hardwood timber manufacturer.
Utilising automation and economy of scale, ASH operates 6 on-site manufacturing lines to add value to our timber, from log to finished product. These include moulding, laminating, finger-jointing,
ash, Tasmanian Oak, Ameri can Oak and Plantation Oak.
The tour highlighted ASH’s commitment to sustainability and its efforts in promoting the use of wood as the ultimate renewable building material.
Vince Hurley, Managing Director of Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, emphasized the company’s efforts to add value to their timber, from log to finished product, with their range of species including Victorian Ash, Tasmanian Oak, American Oak and Plantation Oak.
“Our MASSLAM range utilises uniquely attractive Australian timbers and our CNC process allows for longer spans, higher ceilings, increased floor space, lesser beam depth, and lower associated installation costs,” Mr Hurley said.
“Mass timber like MASSLAM is cheaper to construct than concrete and steel, looks better, is safe, sustainable, and efficient.”
Mr de Jongh said ASH’s belief that certified sustainable timber is the ultimate renewable is commendable.
“By sourcing from wellmanaged certified timber sources, ASH is promoting the use of arguably the most environmentally friendly building product available,” he said.
“Certification provides public confidence to your customers, supply chain and industry that you take responsibly sourcing seriously. It shows your commitment to
making sure forest products are around for the next generation and that workers are looked after in the process.”
ASH is committed to reducing carbon emissions in the building industry and believes that swapping concrete and steel for timber, whether in large or small buildings, will greatly contribute to this goal. Mr Hurley emphasized the importance of communicating to their customers the benefits of using timber in construction and its positive impact on the environment.
The use of wood in construction and building products has numerous advantages over other materials, especially when it comes to reducing the effects of climate change.
Wood is a natural, renewable resource that helps to reduce resource depletion of our planet, and increase the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere and the carbon dioxide stored in wood. In other
words, wood is a carbon sink, absorbing and storing carbon throughout its life cycle. By choosing timber as a building material, not only do we reduce the negative impact on the environment, but we also support a sustainable industry that provides jobs and helps to preserve our forests for future generations. Wood is the ultimate renewable, and by using it in construction, we can help ensure a sustainable future for all.
It is important to help everyone understand the natural advantages of wood and its positive contribution to reducing the effects of climate change. Using wood in construction instead of nonrenewable materials such as concrete and steel can greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the building industry.
This is why ASH is committed to sourcing sustainable forest products and promoting the use of timber in construction, as a step towards a more sustainable future.
WOODSOLUTIONS has announced a total prize pool of $100,000 for new home designs that best showcase the positives of building with timber - in particular the ability to withstand increasingly adverse weather events as Australia’s climate continues to change.
The competition is part of The - an exciting new initiative designed to support the construction of more resilient homes across Australia, using timber.
Timber has a long-held reputation amongst Austral-
ian designers, architects, engineers, developers and builders for its myriad of benefits, including strength, durability, beautiful aesthetics, affordability, versatility, and sustainability. Good design has historically resulted in safe and comfortable homes, able to withstand the harsh Australian climates.
However, wood is also suitable for an increasingly important feature – the role it can play in creating resilient buildings.
The WoodSolutions Resilient Timber Homes Design Competition therefore aims
to demonstrate how Australian homes can be designed using timber with a resilience-focused approach, for improved occupant safety and wellbeing, alongside increased value for investors and the community.
“At WoodSolutions we are continually impressed by the talent, creativity, and ingenuity that exists amongst Australian home designers,” said Resilient Timber Homes Program Manager, Paolo Lavisci.
“This competition provides a valuable opportunity for the design community to showcase its talents and
work together to create a better and more resilient future for Australian houses and the families who occupy them.
“Specifically, we are looking for innovative home designs that use wood to help withstand the impacts of natural disasters, including fires, floods and high winds,” said Lavisci.
The competition - based on the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) Model Conditions for an Architectural Competition - will be run in a single stage, with two briefs for entrants to choose from.
Entrants will be required to
prepare their final designs for assessment by Friday 26 May, after which a Jury comprising leading design and build experts from across Australia will decide on the two winning entries, which will each receive prize money of $50k.
Following the competition, the program’s Partners may commission a full set of construction drawings from the winners, while WoodSolutions will work to support further R&D work suggested from the competition’s ideas. For more information, visit the Resilient Timber Homes Program’s website.
JS-50
The prognosis for softwood chip exports could change rapidly if Australian log exports are allowed to re-enter China.
In January, the Bleached Eucalypt Kraft (BEK) pulp price fell around 7% to USD750/t in China, finally correcting by USD55/t with further declines locked in through February and into March. The Bleached Softwood Kraft (BSK) price was stable at USD890/t, seeing the spread push out to USD140/t.
While pulp prices are falling, the BSK price is still 11% higher than one year ago and the BEK price is more than 27% higher over the year. For BSK, we could argue the price differential over the year is linked to inflation, to some extent, but the BEK price increase is more than that.
Alongside supply stability returning, it is difficult to by-pass demand dynamics when considering the pulp price trajectory. It certainly appears the price of bleached hardwood pulp will fall further, but that is mostly a supply-side correction.
So far supply has been coming from northern Tasmania (Launceston and Burnie), Portland, Bunbury, Geelong as the majors, supplemented by Eden, Brisbane, Albany, Esperance, and Melville Island.
Stability is returning to demand for tissue grades and as printing paper demand declines, it is being replaced by a greater uplift in packaging demand. The packaging sector is now – in our view – driving the future of the pulp market. Long the domain of the softwood sector, hardwood pulps are making their presence felt in the packaging sector, in South America, but also in China.
Recent research published by the
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) makes plain the advantages eucalypt pulps can have in packaging grades. The question for the pulp market will be whether there is sufficient eucalypt supply globally to meet all the requirements being heaped upon its shoulders.
Softwood chip will remain in short supply, while there is a high level of integration between plantation and forestry activity and wood processing for solid wood, as well as for pulp and paper production. Any significant disruption to vertical integration at a regional level appears decades away.
Taiwan of more than passing interest
Given the general topical relevance of Taiwan right now, the following analysis of its recent hardwood chip imports may be of interest.
As a senior industry observer commented recently – its all too easy to dismiss Taiwan because its volumes are small compared with China or Japan. That is very true, with the country’s intake totalling less than 1.0 million bdmt per annum. However, as the industry luminary was alluding, Taiwan’s imports are very stable, as the chart below demonstrates.
Importantly for Australia, demand from Taiwan remains elevated and Australia is the major supplier, accounting for almost 47% of all imports in 2022. Other countries pop in and out, but it is Australian supply that dominates.
It has long been held – and for the most part it is true – that exporting to Taiwan involves lower prices than to other countries.
For more information visit www.industryedge.com.au
AS the sawmilling and timber processing sectors undergo rapid digital transformation and technical progress, new skills are being developed to work with new technology and products.
Workplaces are integrating stateof-the-art equipment to increase productivity and produce innovative products, including cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT).
This has required operators, line technicians, and production supervisors to develop updated expertise, to support quality processes, problem solve and perform some types of equipment maintenance. Skills are also required in communication, decision making and teamwork, as well as in supporting work health and safety and the environment.
Thanks to the contributions of everyone involved in this project, qualifications, skill sets and units of competency for timber and wood production were redeveloped to be more flexible in structure and reflect the practical skills required. These updated qualifications and units will provide learners with the opportunity to focus on skills or tasks that are important to the industry now and into the future. They have been endorsed and are now published on the national training register (training.gov.au).
As a result of the updates made, learners who are interested in obtaining the Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations have the option of specialising in timber production, glue laminated timber or cross laminated timber production, plywood or laminated veneer lumber production, or reconstituted wood panel production.
Future production supervisors and technicians will be able to acquire the skills necessary to manage technical
operations, production issues, performance, equipment maintenance, and quality and safety requirements of a timber or wood products operation by completing the Certificate IV Timber and Wood Products Operations.
The new flexible qualification structure will allow learners to select subjects that best suit their needs and provide skills that are transferable to a wide range of jobs or occupations. The updated qualifications support relevant skills for timber production operators and processing sites, reflecting the unique requirements for skills development and professional growth and different occupational levels.
As a result of feedback received during the validation stage, eight skill sets were also developed to further enhance flexibility and serve as entry pathways into critical jobs, such as saw technicians and wood machinists, and programs to train future leaders. These were developed in consultation with industry leaders and subject matter experts.
“Overall, we are very impressed with the modifications to the rules of the qualifications, grouping of units and performance criteria and evidence from an industry perspective,” Mark Costolloe from AKD Softwoods said.
“ This very much aligns with possible use of units, some qualifications and potential skill set clusters for our development programs.”
The final draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency have been endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) and State and Territory Skills Ministers for approval. They are now published on the national training register (training.gov.au). The drafts have undergone an edit and equity and independent quality assurance
process, including consideration and support from the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee.
A Companion Volume Implementation Guide was also produced to assist industry and RTOs to deliver the
qualifications, skill sets and units. It contains key information to help trainers adapt to any new changes, as well as additional information about the impacts of regulation and licensing implications and workplace health and safety on their training.
THE Timber Veneer Association of Australia’s members have recently returned home from a Veneer Manufacturing tour of Northern Tasmania.
Association members, who include some of the country’s leading furniture, component manufacturers and timber veneer manufacturers, left with a thorough understanding of production and environmental credentials of Tasmania’s veneer industry, and an appreciation for the complexity and value of the sector.
Thirty-five TVAA members were guided by Shawn Britton and TVAA President Anthony Wardrop to Britton Timbers sawmill in Smithton, Britton Timbers Plantation Forest just outside of Smithton, Cusp Building Solutions and Britton Timbers Veneer Mill in Somerset.
Participants were shown through various manufacturing processes involving the processing of logs; sawing, drying and profiling at the Smithton Mill, witnessing Tasmanian Oak and Tasmanian Blackwood being processed by highly skilled operators at the mill.
This was followed by a visit to a plantation site where they learnt more about the regeneration of plantation forests and the care and maintenance of trees throughout their lifecycle through to harvest. They learned that techniques such as cold burning forests and pruning and thinning of forests proved vital in the health and well-being of the forest.
“The sheer time it takes to regenerate timber and properly season it ready to manufacture was the big takeaway here,” Evan Danahay, TVAA Secretary, said.
From Smithton the tour moved to Cusp Building Solutions, where General Manager Michael Lee took the TVVA members through the processing and construction advantages of Cross Laminated Timber utilising Eucalyptus nitens, which Cusp refer to as Tasmanian Plantation Oak which is often destined for pulp/paper.
“We finished our day at Britton Timbers veneer mill in Somerset. Here we witnessed various Tasmanian species of timber veneer being sliced, dried, joined and pressed onto panels ready to be sent off to their new home as join-
ery, wall and ceiling panels, and furniture.
With state-of-the-art equipment and long-established European manufacturing techniques, tour participants received an education in the environmental advantages of using sustainably sourced timber in modern construction in lieu of traditional, carbon-heavy materials such as concrete and steel.
“This was a big eye-opener as to where the construction industry is heading and the involvement of timber,” Mr Danahay said.
Leading Australian manufacturer Simon Bowler, from Silver Lynx in Victoria, was a guest on the tour. Silver Lynx manufactures bedroom furniture for Australia’s four biggest bedding retailers –Snooze, Harvey Norman, Domaine and 40 Winks.
“Our customers want to know about the sustainability of our products. Their QA programs are rigorous. “It is such a great story here in Tasmania. They are adding great value from end to end. They’re managing the forest really well both regrowth and plantations,” Mr Bowler said.
Mr Bowler was surprised about just how much work goes into managing the forests.
“They are adding great value from end to end. They’re managing the forest really well both regrowth and plantations.”
“These are the best timbers in the world. Why wouldn’t you add value to them? The industry has a bright future.”
Belinda Hovell from Worldwide Timber Traders said, “It does influence the decisions that our customers make. It was great to learn about the lengths Tasmanian processors go to make the process as sustainable as possible.”
“It’s a beautiful circular economy. Everyone is think-
ing about how to keep the waste down and how to make everything else better. It’s huge from an environmental and sustainability perspective.”
The tour also explored the local production forests to better understand where the veneer resource comes from.
“We went to a plantation where the trees were 13 years old and then a natural forest where the trees were 30 years old,” she said.
“To visually see how long it takes to grow a tree – I don’t think people quite understand. The importance of regrowth and keeping the resource going is critical. Tassie has got that right for sure. It’s very impressive to see.”
• Members of the TVAA in the Northern Tasmanian forests.
ACRITICAL aspect of tooling in timber manufacturing is the selection of the best cutting tools for the job.
Nathan Milner, Sales Manager for machinery and tooling suppliers, the Stirling Group, is on a mission to revolutionise customers’ tooling choices. He says transitioning from ‘old-school’ Aluminium Oxide and Seeded Gel grinding wheels to the state-ofthe-art CBN wheels is “absolutely game-changing”.
For the Stirling Group, ‘changing the game’ is not just a strength, but a customer expectation. The Stirling team spends a great deal of time with customers, exploring their business’s operations, market, products, and performance. The end goal is not just to sell a ‘cookiecutter’ solution, but to understand the business’s tooling needs from the ground up. Stirling customers count on the company to devise tangible solutions that deliver measurable benefits.
CBN grinding wheels are made of cubic boron nitride, a super hard material, second only to diamond in hardness. CBN is manufactured at ultra-high temperatures and pressures, giving it outstanding thermal stability, which makes it ideal for high temperature grinding applications.
As Nathan points out, CBN wheels can last up to ten times longer than AO and SG wheels. In high-volume grinding operations where frequent wheel changes can slow down productivity and increase costs, CBN wheels
reduce downtime and maintenance costs, resulting in higher overall efficiency and productivity.
“CBN wheels represent one of the biggest changes that I’ve come across for wood machinists. Customers can still be a bit resistant, but I know firsthand how much time they save and the kinds of results that can be achieved,” Nathan says.
CBN wheels are supplied pre-shaped, meaning they hold their shape, last much longer and provide far greater accuracy on the end product. In turn, this means easier and quicker setups, less jointing, and longer run life.
On any given day, Nathan could be on the road visiting hardwood or softwood manufacturing customers throughout Queensland, Tasmania or Papua New Guinea. He says the conversation around CBN wheels can come from two directions.
“A customer may tell me that they have a piece of tooling they want to improve on, so I’ll find them the solution.
The Stirling Group deals directly with suppliers who will manufacture a better piece of equipment for that customer’s specific needs.” Alternately, Nathan may visit a customer’s factory and see that they are still running AO and SG wheels. “I’ve had quite a few customers who have gone on to use CBN wheels once I’ve explained the benefits to them. I’ve walked in their shoes as a wood machinist, so I know exactly what they’re about. They may take a bit of time to change over but once they do, they typically ring me and ask ‘why didn’t we do this a long time ago?’”
One customer had a particularly large profile with 12 cutters x 2 cutterheads that they needed to grind. “They used up about five seeded gel wheels and realised there just has to be a better way,” Nathan explains. “Once they started using the CBN wheel, they went from using five wheels for cutting out one profile to less than a quarter of a CBN wheel and did it in seven hours’ less time!”
According to Nathan, the benefits go beyond time savings. “A box of seeded gel wheels is more expensive than one CBN wheel,” he says. “When used correctly, that CBN wheel will do the work of thirty seeded gel or aluminium oxide wheels. This dramatically reduces the consumables cost.”
“To come up with the perfect wheel for each individual customer is a really big bonus,” Nathan says. “We can individualise the grinding wheel to suit the job. CBN
wheels give better dimensional accuracy and surface finish, so results are superior. And with the longer lifespan of the CBN wheels, downtime and maintenance costs are reduced too.”
Increase efficiencies, improve results, and save time and money. Reach out to the Stirling Group today to find out how they can work together with your team to find the best tooling solutions for your business.
OFTEN, going green and taking the sustainable option comes with a premium price tag.
But by opting for a refurbished forklift rather than new, you save money whilst giving a pre-owned piece of equipment a second life and contributing to sustainability.
As a bonus, because many refurbished trucks are ex-rental models, chances are that they will have been routinely checked and serviced by the company that owns and rents them out (in order to protect their investment).
There are lots of good reasons for buying a used truck but, because of the cost involved and the dangers that unsafe equipment can pose, we’ve created a checklist to help you make an informed decision.
If you only use a forklift occasionally, a used truck might be perfectly satisfactory and could offer a great way to go green whilst saving some cash. However, if your business is heavily reliant on materials handling equipment and use it frequently, it may pay to invest in a new model.
Because there is no agreed standard for a “refurbished” truck, you’ll need to check what, if anything, has been done by the supplier before putting it onto the market. This can range from “as seen” (untouched); through serviced, checked and painted; to fully refurbished and even remanufactured.
As with anything, you’ll probably get what you pay for.
Put your trust in a reputable brand and supplier. Your chances of getting the product quality and after-sales support you expect are improved by selecting a trusted supplier. A good way of achieving that is to seek out a
As a general rule, one hour of operation is the equivalent of driving 50km (30 miles) in a car. On that basis, a truck that has been operated for 3,000 hours has done the equivalent of 150,000 km (90,000 miles).
Check the service history of the truck against its hour meter to ensure that neither has been tampered with, in an attempt to increase the value of the vehicle.
A warranty is the single most important document when you’re buying a used truck. It should give you the security of getting repairs completed free of charge.
manufacturer-approved dealership or depot. It will have better access to in-depth service information and original parts. Ask them to advise on the availability of parts.
Over the years, some forklift brands have earned recognition for the durability of their products. Notable among these is Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks with its near-legendary reputation for reliability.
GIVE IT A TEST DRIVE
Just as you would when buying a new car, you should take a test drive, especially since the stakes are much higher with a forklift. Those who will be using the truck are putting their trust in you so whatever you buy needs to be a safe, dependable and fit for purpose.
When testing the vehicle, do so over a clean floor. This will allow you to easily check for any drips that might be caused by a leak from the transmission or hydraulics. If it’s an engine truck, you should also check the colour of the exhaust fumes. Check that the vehicle starts from cold.
Drive the truck through a tight figure of eight pattern both forwards and in reverse. The truck should respond quickly and smoothly with accurate tracking.
Battery still good to go? If you are planning to buy an electric forklift pay special attention to the battery. It can account for as much as 40% of the entire value of the truck so you’ll want to be
certain it’s in good working order.
To check the potential life of the battery, you need to know its run time. The average battery will accept about 1200 charges. These charges will last roughly 5 hours of operational time. So, if you take the operational hours of the truck and divide it by 5, you can estimate how many charges you’ve got left in the vehicle.
Ideally ask a battery specialist or experienced forklift engineer to inspect the battery for you.
Just as the age/value of a car is based on the distance it has travelled, a forklift is assessed on the hours it has worked.
Check how long it lasts (obviously, the longer the better), what’s covered and, crucially, what isn’t. If the truck still has a manufacturer’s warranty, be sure that the company is willing to transfer the warranty to you (in the case of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, the warranty transfers with the truck). However, some warranties cannot be transferred, so watch out for those.
Consider taking out a maintenance contract to keep the truck in optimum condition and to prevent small issues from becoming bigger, more expensive ones. Lead times for new equipment can sometimes be extremely long. A used machine will often be available ex-stock and available to drive away the next day.
Finally, we all like a bargain, but price is nothing like as important as suitability. Don’t settle for what’s in stock simply because it’s cheap. It’s only a bargain if it’s right for your application and –because you’ve done your homework – lasts a long, long time.
We all have a role to play in advocating for the environmental benefits of timber. Your voice is important, but often I get told that people are nervous about responding, as they don’t necessarily know the facts. Here is a simple script to show you how easy it is to promote the environmental benefits of timber.
40% of the worlds emissions come from the built environment. By implementing policies which target the use of renewable materials, such as timber, which stores carbon for life, we can build a greener future.
Q. Why should we use wood and how does timber store carbon for life?
Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as they grow, using the process of photosynthesis and the solar energy from the sun, the CO2 is converted into emitted Oxygenwhich we breathe, whilst the carbon is stored in the woody mass of the tree. When the tree is harvested for timber products, that carbon is stored and locked in the timber for the life of the product whilst it is being used, or if it is recycled into another product. The accumulated storage in Australia’s harvested wood products In-Use is estimated to be approx. 97 million tonnes of carbon.
Recent quote from Prof Chubb - former Australian chief scientist (9/1/13)
“The only pathway known to science that has the immediate capacity - immediate capacity - to remove greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, from the atmosphere at scale is photosynthesis, the means by which plants absorb CO2 and water to create energy to fuel their eventually growth.”
Timber products remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit through the manufacturing process, unlike other materials. In fact, one cubic metre of softwood contains roughly 0.9 tonne of CO2, or for hardwood 1.2 tonne of CO2
Q. How much carbon is stored in the average timber framed house?
An average Australian home uses approximately 12m3 of sawn softwood timber framing, which effectively stores almost 3 tonnes of Carbon –and which equates to approx. 7.6 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Over 7 tonnes of oxy-
KERSTEN GENTLE Executive Officer FTMA Australia
“We support you!”
gen is also released replenishing the atmosphere during the photosynthesis process.
Q. How quickly can you grow that wood back in Australia’s forests?
Australia’s sustainable and renewable Forest Industry replants each tree harvested which in turn continues the natural carbon cycle (over 70 million trees each year)
Australia’s softwood plantations can regrow the timber used in an average framed house in just 150 seconds! Timber grows back, steel and concrete don’t.
Q. What can we do with timber products at the end of their life?
Timber has the ability to be a fully circular-economy positive material, that at the end of its first life can be either reused, recycled, or the energy recovered (bioenergy).
At end-of-product-use, timber products should no longer seen just as “waste”, but effectively they should be seen as becoming a valued “feedstock” for another process; either a by-product (recycling), or recovered resource for another industrial process, or as regenerative resources for nature (e.g., compost, or for biomass-based products, energy generation – displacing non-renewable fossil fuels).
Amsterdam’s roadmap to become one of the first fully circular cities, have introduced a Timber Construction policy to help them on the way to having a circular economy. The City of Amsterdam’s Green Deal Timber Construction mandates that 20% of all new housing projects in the Dutch capital must be constructed with wood or other biobased materials from 2025.
Q. If timber is placed in landfill, does it decay and emit carbon?
At the end of the service life, if it can’t be reused or recycled any further, some wood products may be disposed of in landfill and under the anerobic conditions of most landfills this carbon will re-
main stored. Recent research has shown that the rate of decay in landfill is much slower than previously thought, with studies finding that more than 95% of the carbon in wood remaining stored after being buried for 30 years in landfill. In theory if there is no oxygen in the landfill, virtually no carbon loss will occur, and the carbon will remain stored forever - this is a scientific fact that is at odds with many current ‘landfill - discouraging’ policies that make the incorrect assumption that ‘all the carbon is released as soon as the wood product is disposed of in a landfill’.
Q. What about Green Steel? Is that an answer to net-zero housing?
The concept of ‘Green Steel’ – ‘manufactured without the use of fossil fuels’ – is still just that, ‘a concept’ – whilst admirable, reality is that green steel currently is not available.
The steel manufacturing sectors aim is to transition from coal fired plants to electric and water plants which will allow hydrogen production. However, hydrogen production at scale will require billions of dollars of investment in renewable power generation and is not a current solution.
Europe’s biggest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, has told the Financial Times that decarbonising its operations on the continent in line with EU targets could cost them up to $40 billion. The technology, even though expensive, is still not available within any market.
Using certified wood ensures trees are replanted. It is important to remember, no matter how changes are made to their manufacturing process, that you cannot replace the ore, rocks and minerals extracted from the planet for steel or concrete, but by using certified, renewable and sustainable plantation timber, you can be guaranteed a tree is replanted and regrown and the cycle of carbon storage continues.
Q. But does Australia have enough timber to meet our demands?
Australia needs to put more trees in the ground if we are to be self-sufficient when it comes to our timber needs.
Continues on page 19
FTMA Australia is an independent, national organisation representing fabricators of and suppliers to the timber prefabricated truss and wall frame industry in all Australian states & territories providing a unified voice, to protect and advance our multi-billion dollar industry.
FTMA Australia thanks our dedicated supporters and encourages you to support those who support your industry
For a full list of the conditions of membership and a downloadable application form visit: www.ftmanews.com.au
AUSTRALIAN Forest Products Industries must continue to operate to ensure Australians continue to receive essential products and services including sanitary products, food packaging, and freight packaging used by all supermarkets and hospitals, the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has urged the National Cabinet.
In a brief sent to the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers today, the AFPA has outlined why the forest product industries must be recognised as essential service providers if further restrictions are put in place to contain CoVid-19.
TIMBER PLANTED during planting trials a century ago is now being trialled in the production of acoustic pianos, after a local piano maker ordered a load of sugar pine grown in Tumut State Forest to be tested in the construction of grand pianos.
Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Tumut-based Harvesting Controller Jason Laverty said sugar pine was one of several softwood species planted in the local area during timber trials prior to the Second World War.
THE AUSTRALIA Timber Importers Federation (ATIF) has welcomed the findings of the Australia Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs) enquiry into dumping allegations directed at structural timber products and the decision to recommend to the Minister for Home Affairs that the investigation be terminated.
ATIF technical manager John Halkett paid tribute to the substantial effort made by timber importing companies and their suppliers in Europe, Canada and the United States in working with the Customs team and their advisors to assist in the investigation.
THE last really significant changes in the Australian workplace took place over 10-15 years ago in the form of the abolition of WorkChoices legislation by the then Rudd government, and its replacement with the Fair Work Act 2009 (FWA).
The election of the Coalition government in 2013 resulted in a largely timid approach to IR reform and legislation remained largely unchanged until now. It was a case of once bitten twice shy and that government largely kept the inherited IR structure intact for fear of adding to any scare campaign from the trade union movement or their political opponents.
However, the changes passed by Parliament last December by the Albanese Labor government are in many ways just as controversial and significant as those in the WorkChoices legislation all those years ago. The main difference this time is arguably the pendulum and power balance has swung in the favour of the trade union movement and the new Labor government has largely delivered what that movement sought.
Where does that leave businesses in the timber products industry? Well, it leaves them with a very steep learning curve to get on top of the multitude of changes both in terms of complying with the new legal requirements and coming to terms and adapting strategies that can deal with this power shift that has taken place.
The introduction of multiemployer bargaining with agreements covering multi-
Brian Beecroft CEO, TTIA
ple employers is a potentially seismic shift. It means business can be compelled to bargain for agreements that literally cover multiple employers as the Fair Work Commission (FWC) can make supported bargaining authorisations and single interest employer authorisations to allow this to occur.
Businesses promptly need to revise their bargaining position and consider whether they are susceptible to multi bargaining or roping in applications. TTIA Legal can help discuss such options in this instance and a call to the Association would be a wise investment in your time.
The new legislation has further expanded the scope for employees to request flexible work arrangements, including the requirement for employers to give valid reasons for any such request, limits on the refusing a request and FWC arbitration powers to deal with disputes. It’s no longer a case of management prerogative, but a case of business ensuring they have acceptable grounds for any refusal.
The new laws give the FWC the ability to invalidate any secrecy clauses in contacts in relation to a person’s pay. Employers need to review and alter such contracts to avoid financial penalties. TTIA is available to assist you in reviewing your contracts in regard to this and other new measure that have been introduced. Now is definitely the time to get a health compliance check-up on those contracts of employment and policies.
The Respect@Work changes introduce a number of changes in the legislation including giving the Australian Human Rights Commission new powers to issue compliance notices to employers who fail to meet their obligations. The changes also make principals of the business liable for the actions of their employees with more far reaching powers to the FWC to adjudicate on a sexual harassment dispute. In light of these changes it may be time to conduct a risk identification and assessment process to identify the areas where the business may be exposed. Once again, review your policies in this area and consider whether you need updated workplace training.
Significant changes have been made to fixed term contracts including restrictions on their use and term. Employers will need to review current employee contracts and future hire contracts in regard to the use of fixed or maximum term contracts.
Employers should also note that legislation commencing on 1 February this year amended the National Employment Standards in the
FWA to introduce 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave (DVL) in a 12 month period replacing the previous five days unpaid leave entitlement. In order to protect workers’ personal information, the new provision places an obligation on employers not to include any information on the payslip in relation to the paid family and domestic violence leave taken.
The DVL change and others introduced in 2023 highlight the importance of employers having TTIA review their contractual arrangements to address their leave policies and other issues dealt with in this raft of IR changes. Call the TTIA office on (02) 9264 0011 to get those policies checked. Finally, TTIA will be running a series of industry meetings in July specifically dealing with these changes and how they affect businesses in the timber products industry. The meetings will also deal with the myriad of award changes and relevant legal cases over the past 12-18 months, including the use of casual employees and directing employees to work on a public holiday, to ensure businesses are equipped to manage these significant changes. We will also go through our popular Q&A session on key award provisions as an essential revision exercise.
The dates are available by contacting the Association on (02) 9264 0011 or by emailing ttia@ttia.asn.au and I urge business owners, senior personnel or HR/Payroll staff to register as early as possible to attend these important industry meetings.
ON Wednesday 22 March 2023, over 60 MGA TMA members, industry friends and suppliers came together at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the first MGA TMA Industry Event of the year.
Before the event officially kicked off, there was lots of chatter with everyone catching up on the last few months while taking in the hallowed turf of Melbourne’s iconic MCG.
The first guest presenter of the morning was AFL great Kevin Sheedy. Kevin spoke of the need to grow and diversify businesses and used examples of his time with the league – when AFL moved into Sydney and also recruiting indigenous players to the league. At the end of his talk, guests had the opportunity to ask questions, which they made the most of.
Due to illness, a replacement speaker was needed to fill the industry expert position and luckily Jim Houghton was able to assist.
Jim leads the consultancy group Hire Thinking and was formally with Forest and Wood Products Australia. Jim spoke of the current
MARIE-CLAIRE MCKIERNAN NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
state of the industry with interest rate rises and the economy slowing. With timber dominant in building, it was important to cover the housing market and Jim discussed prices being down, new building approvals also down and finished off outlining building material supply relative to local production and imports.
MGA TMA members rely on the expert advice and guidance of the MGA TMA employment law team to help them navigate complex situations.
MGA TMA’s Head of Legal, Martin Stirling addressed the room and spoke
Continued from page 17
Currently we import approximately 22% of all our structural timber needs, and it is envisaged that within the next decade this could rise to 40%. Australia is fortunate to have quality importers, who are committed to the Australian market.
The Federal Government has also made policy changes which will allow greater investments into plantations such as the removal of water rules and inclusion of plantations with the Emissions Reduction Fund.
Q. Will these kinds of policies be introduced in Australia?
If Australia is fair dinkum about tackling our climate crisis, then they must act now. This isn’t about reinventing the wheel, but about following in the footsteps of those countries leading the world when it comes to tackling our climate crisis.
We must introduce policies that make a difference now.
For example, if the Federal Government ensured all social houses built under the National Housing Accord were built using timber frames and trusses, they would store nearly 8 million tonnes of carbon.
The National Housing Accord suggests 1,023,866 social houses are built throughout the country. If you calculate these houses by the aver-
age 12m3 used, which stores 7.65 tonne of carbon dioxide per house this equates to 7,832,574.90 tonne of carbon dioxide stored.
How can any Government walk away from this?
Q. Will these kinds of policies be challenged by more carbon intensive sectors?
When the City of Helsinki introduced planning and zoning requirements that mandated all building of newly developed neighbourhoods to have timber frames, trusses and facades, it was challenged in their Supreme Court. However, the decision was upheld, as the Supreme Court recognised that sustainability nature of timber and that it is an answer to our climate crisis.
Q. What will happen if sustainable construction policies are not introduced now?
Embodied carbon emissions are expected to double by 2050 if Australia doesn’t act now. This is why we cannot wait, and why sustainable construction policies, recognising the role timber plays, are needed now.
So come on, learn the script and repeat the script, as we have an amazing story to tell that timber stores carbon for life and creates a greener future.
about current issues facing members and some proposed IR reform changes.
When the formalities of the morning were complete, the official Melbourne Cricket Club tour guides were ready to take groups on a guided tour of the MCG.
It was such an experience to be walked around the ground and have the knowledgeable guides talk about the rich history of the MCG. The tour included The Long Room, with participants were allowed to sit in the
best seats of the house – the leather lounges facing onto the ground. The tour navigated its way through many interesting places including the media room, players room as well as heading down to ground level. It was a great way to end the morning.
Stay tuned to the MGA TMA website mgatma.com.au, for announcements on our future events.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of MGA TMA membership, please contact us on (03) 9824 4111 to discuss.
