The most comfortable cabin ever seen in the forest provides unmatched operator efficiency and productivity.
INTELLIGENT STABILISATION
system monitors the position of the crane and continually presses the rear frame in the direction of the weight, offering the best stability.
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
62% larger hydraulic lines make the Scorpion King even more productive with lower fuel consumption.
The award winning PONSSE Scorpion King is already one of the most successful products ever produced by Ponsse. Right now, over 1000 units are working in more than 20 different countries including Australia.
Recent improvements have taken the Scorpion King to a new level with increases in productivity and fuel efficiency, hydraulic performance and a range of other subtle upgrades. Now more than ever the PONSSE Scorpion King is an Operators dream.
H7 Harvester Head
Super funds snap up Tassie’s Forico
Deal includes 173,000 hectares of forest, two mills, nursery and lab
Three superannuation companies have purchased Tasmania’s largest private forest management company Forico which was created by global investment group New Forests to manage 173,000 hectares of forest after acquiring it from Gunns in 2013.
Under the agreement, the three investors - Australian superannuation fund UniSuper, the UK’s Pension Protection Fund (PPF), and APG Asset Management N.V (APG) on behalf of its Dutch pension fund client ABP - will each own 33% of Forico and the forestry estate. New Forests will be retained to provide investment management services.
The deal also includes two wood processing mills, a seedling nursery and a technology laboratory.
UniSuper already has three other forestry plantations, that mostly contain faster-growing softwoods, one in Victoria – HVP Plantations –and two more in New Zealand that are cumulatively worth around $1 billion.
The Financial Review reported that the sale of Forico was sparked by the winding down of a 10-year closed ended fund managed by New Forests.
PPF, which had a stake in the fund as well as a separate co-investment, exercised a pre-emptive right to buy Forico and brought in UniSuper and APG as co-investors.
Financial details of the transaction are confidential.
“Investing in the forestry asset class provides an opportunity to deliver strong returns for our pension fund client ABP and its participants, while contributing to sustainable development goals around climate action, improving livelihoods and sustainably managing land. We’re looking forward to our continued involvement with this market-leading vertically integrated sustainable forestry business,” Hans-Martin Aerts, Head of Infrastructure & Natural Resources at APG Asset Management Asia said.
Alex Leonard, Head of Infrastructure, Timberland & Farmland at the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) said forestry was an important asset class for the PPF and this direct investment further underpinned the fund’s commitment to investing responsibly.
● Forico CEO Evangelista Albertini.
“Our focus on using our funds in these longer term productive invest ments, in both UK and global mar kets, is important for sustainable growth and productivity,” he said.
“We are particularly attracted to the strong growth prospects for hardwood fibre, and Forico’s posi tion at the forefront of advances in silviculture, the circular bioec onomy and natural capital. Adding this high quality, well-managed as set to our existing timberland port folio benefits those who rely on us through strong investment returns while delivering tangible, long-term environmental benefits. Everyone wins.”
Sandra Lee, Head of Private Markets at UniSuper said the fund was delighted to be investing in an asset of this scale and quality.
“This adds further momentum to our growing private markets and forestry portfolios, as we continue to be on the lookout for quality investments that help our members grow their retirement savings over the long term,” she said.
“Not only is forestry a portfolio diversifier, but it also supports the global transition towards decarbonisation through carbon storage as well as substitution to sustainable timber material. We look forward to working closely with New Forests and our co-investors as we further develop this asset.”
NOVEMBER 2023
Issue 7 – Volume 34
Established 1991
News 3 - 16
My View 4
Tasmanian Timber Awards 10-11
Trees on Farms 12
Silviculture 18
Mulchers 20
Mill Technology 22
Workplace Safety 23
Mill profile 25
Front Cover: Three superannuation companies have purchased Tasmania’s largest private forest management company Forico. Story Page 3
Publisher and Chief Executive: Hartley Higgins
General Manager: Robyn Haworth
Editor:
Bruce Mitchell
b.mitchell@ryanmediapl.com.au
Adelaide Office: (08) 8369 9521
Advertising: Jon Andryciw
j.andryciw@ryanmediapl.com.au
Adelaide Office: (08) 8369 9517
Creative Services: Sudapa Rattanonda
Publication Design: Sudapa Rattanonda
Trader classifieds: Jon Andryciw
Adelaide Office: (08) 8369 9517
Subscriptions: subs@forestsandtimber.com.au
Adelaide Office: (08) 8369 9522
Subcription rates
One-year (8 editions) $59.50
Two-years (16 editions) $103.50
Accounts:
Adelaide Office: (08) 8369 9555
Postal Address:
630 Regency Road, Broadview
South Australia 5083
Phone: (08) 8369 9555
Fax: (08) 8369 9501
Melbourne Office: Suite 2262, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
Phone: (03) 9810 3262
Website www.timberbiz.com.au Printed by Lane Print, Adelaide, SA
News
Forestry sector has key role in keeping Tasmanians safe
As we approach what could be a devastating fire season, the forestry sector has a key role to play in keeping Tasmanians safe.
We know the coming fire season is shaping up to be potentially one of the worst on record.
Warnings have been issued by the TFS, the Bureau of Meteorology and leading scientists and other respected organisations.
Tasmanian government agencies and private organisations are already coordinating responses, and the forestry industry is keen to play its part.
As the working forests’ custodians, our industry is acutely aware of the risk of bushfire to our environment and regional communities.
We live and work in our state’s regional towns and forests, and our businesses can only succeed if our productive private and public forests are protected from fire. Put simply, burned forests are bad for our businesses.
We manage our production forests, and reducing fire risk is key to our future. It means we’re intrinsically tied to keeping our communities safe.
The active management of our production forests throughout its growth cycle,
edness, response and recovery are also key factors.
And central to that response is communication.
Our industry believes the newly released Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN) will be an essential tool in the state’s firefighting arsenal.
TasGRN is a digital, wholeof-government radio network. It will deliver public safety upgrades and functionality, especially during times of crisis.
tance the forestry industry can play in bushfire crisis, such as in the dreadful 2019/2020 bushfires on the mainland.
Local foresters were able to make a massive difference through their direct firefighting on the forest floor, as well as being able to drive firebreaks through to stop blazes threatening other communities.
as well as vegetation reduction, not only makes our access to the estate easier, but also substantially reduces the fire risk.
It’s also key to remember that our forestry industry already controls the some of the largest coordinated private firefighting crews in Tasmania.
That’s why we are committed to working with all relevant State Government agencies to operate in a coordinated way - not only on direct firefighting activities, but also the ongoing fire mitigation actions that occur throughout the year.
The Tasmanian forestry industry knows that the best way to protect our working forests is ongoing prevention. But in times of crisis, we know that prepar-
For users it offers advanced security through encryption, better coverage across the state and allows inter-agency communications at times of emergency.
However, it creates a twotier system when it’s most critical to have all stakeholders – government and non-government – working together.
TasGRN will ensure all government agencies will communicate effectively together, but it leaves nongovernment stakeholders, such as the state’s private plantation sector, out of the loop, stuck using the outdated UHF radio networks.
That’s why the TFPA is calling for the network to be expanded to private plantation estate owners when bushfires and other emergencies threaten their lands and businesses.
We’ve seen the impor-
Our businesses are based in the forest, we have the heavy equipment and machinery needed to fight the fires already on site, and we can respond immediately when our estates are threatened.
But for our own safety, and to ensure we can offer the most benefit, we need to have open lines of communications with other agencies.
That’s why our forest industry needs access to the TasGRN.
We stand on the precipice of a looming fire crisis. The forestry industry is ready to make a huge impact, and we call on the Government to share with us the resources that will allow us to keep our working forests and our communities safe.
Nick Steel is Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Forest Products Association.
It’s Hampton’s Horror Movie - Part 2, and plantation decline continues
In November 2021 former Australian Forest Products Association
CEO Ross Hampton wrote that what was then the latest five yearly review by ABARES of Australia’s national plantation estate was more than sobering reading.
It was, Mr Hampton said, like the script of a horror film.
“The bureaucratic speak in the report, notes unemotionally that Australia’s softwood plantation estate (the pine trees that we use to make our timber house
frames) remains ‘stable’,” he wrote.
“‘Stable’, in this context, means stagnant,” he wrote.
“This line should be written in bold with lots of exclamation marks.”
Well, welcome to his Horror Movie Part 2.
So, where are we now?
Australia’s plantation estate is still on a worrying downward trajectory.
There was a small increase in new plantations of 2300 hectares (hardwood, 1181 ha and softwood 1119 ha) but these new plantings will simply not be enough to meet future demand.
As Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Product Association Natasa Sikman pointed out, the decline is extremely concerning and is a reminder that collectively, industry, federal and state governments and other decision and policy makers need to work together to get
more timber trees planted for the future.
Australia is currently importing more than $6 billion worth of wood products, and we already rely on imports for up to 25 per cent of the timber needed to build our houses.
Sadly, given what Mr Hampton wrote some two years ago was correct; it is a horror movie, and it’s not getting a lot better.
MY VIEW
Nick Steel CEO Tasmanian Forest Products Association
OFO pair have seen it all together
Aconstant in the Jubilee Sawmill spanning over 4 decades, Andrew “Hoathy” Hoath and John “Munny” Munn have seen it all.
Their friendship began as teenagers.
Both were on dates at the bowling alley in Mount Gambier, and as Hoathy was leaving he noticed that someone had damaged two of his tyres on his panel van.
Munny, to the rescue, had a tyre to spare.
“Luckily, I wasn’t the only panel van driver that night,” said Hoathy.
Since then, the two have essentially grown up together. Through their careers, community involvement, and their friendship.
Munny started his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner at Chapman & Saunders, joining Jubilee in the 80’s, post Ash Wednesday.
After Hoathy’s apprenticeship years at Woods & Forests, he then worked elsewhere, only to return to Jubilee – to stack timber.
“Funny times back then,” Hoathy says.
“I completed my four-year apprenticeship with Woods & Forests as an electrician, but the volume of apprentices vs available positions resulted in me having to find work elsewhere. I wanted to work here at Jubilee, so I decided to get a job stacking timber while waiting for a position to open.”
That position eventually did open, and Hoathy is now the Jubilee Maintenance Manager.
Munny stayed on too, helping to lead the team as Mechanical Supervisor.
One of the biggest changes over the years, Munny says, would be volume going through the Drymill.
“We used to process about 28kms of wood per day, and now we process enough wood to make it to Adelaide and halfway back to Mt Gambier.”
As well as growing in their careers together, the duo
shares a passion for helping their community.
For years, Hoathy and Munny have been delivering donated timber to local high schools, supporting wood working programs that would have to cease
Big, really big or bloody massive?
otherwise due to rising costs.
“Seeing what the students create is really special”, Munny says.
A few other projects they’ve worked on include building garden beds do-
nated to the AC Care Homelessness Centre’s community garden, contributing to the Mulga Street Primary Safe Spaces initiative in collaboration with Grant High School, and upgrades to a transportable building at the school, creating community hub for families.
Hoathy says, “Munny and I are similar in the fact that we both are here to help, and nothing is beneath us.”
“If things need to be done, we will get it done. In a work sense as well as outside of work, we want to help people”.
When asked what their favourite memory of working together is, the duo laughs, “There’s probably not much we can share without incriminating one another.”
Munny jumps in, “Probably our competitiveness out on the cricket pitch.”
“And definitely friendship.”
“We have both had to make some really tough decisions at work, but one thing that has never wavered is our friendship.”
Since the mid 60s, Ensign has been designing and building some of the world’s toughest log forks and supplying them to customers all over Australasia. Clamps, kickers, pivots, locks, high lifters… you name it, if it’s a feature that’ll help you pick up and put down stuff easier, faster or safer you can guarantee we’ve already built it.
So whether you're in the market for the biggest and baddest or something a bit more modest give us a call and we’ll build your perfect log fork.
● OneFortOne’s Andrew Hoath and John Munn.
● A young Andrew Hoath.
● John Munny in his youth.
TIRES report detects the potholes in our freight network
● The TIRES report recognises the importance of the forest and wood products industry to regional economies.
Anew report into the expected volume of timber freight movements across Victorian roads over the next five years has been released, which will assist in attracting essential funding to maintain local roads for the timber industry and wider community into the future.
Timber Towns Victoria has announced the latest update of the Timber Industry Roads Evaluation Study (TIRES) 2023-2027, a joint initiative by local government through TTV, the Victorian State Government and industry.
The updated TIRES report identifies the strategic freight network required to ensure a safe, efficient, competitive, and sustain-
able timber industry in Victoria, leading to potential increases in regional employment, export growth, value of timber products and plantation area.
With funding support from the Department of Transport, Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said the report would help deliver better outcomes for the safe and efficient transportation of timber products in coming years, ultimately supporting jobs and the state’s economy.
The report recognises the importance of the forest and wood products industry to regional economies, and the importance of road infrastructure to the industry, highlighting the need to
manage road infrastructure quality and access for all users.
Timber Towns Victoria President Cr Karen Stephens said that with up to nine million cubic metres of logs harvested and transported annually, the forest and wood products sector was a major user of Victoria’s road infrastructure.
“Victoria’s forest and wood products sector is a significant contributor to the state economy with some $634mil in gross value of logs per annum and is critical to the economic wellbeing of several key local government areas. It provides jobs across Victoria – not just in construction, but a range of sectors,” she said.
“TTV reviews the TIRES
report on a five-year rotation, seeking harvested volumes from industry which provides both local councils and the government an ‘evidence based’ methodology to consider funds required when budgeting.
“Having this evidencebased data is critically important to ensure that we get value for money from our road network spend annually,” she said.
“The commitment to economic expansion in key forestry regions is welcomed and Timber Towns Victoria looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the forestry sector to ensure that industry growth and infrastructure management are properly coordinated to ensure safe and secure
Super funds snap up Tasmania’s Forico, plantations.
From page 3
Forico is Tasmania’s largest private forest management company. The forestry estate is one of Australia’s largest plantation hardwood estates by productive area and consists of vertically integrated assets and operations spanning approximately 90,000 hectares of productive plantation forest. It also owns key infrastructure along the supply chain consisting of two wood processing mills, a seedling nursery, fibre
technology laboratory, and port access via a freehold facility at Long Reach, Tasmania.
The estate is the largest freehold land estate in Tasmania and a key contributor to the supply of sustainable hardwood domestically and abroad for end uses such as packaging and tissues.
“Attracting and retaining long term investment partners in UniSuper, PPF and APG helps to secure a prosperous future for Forico and the forestry industry,” Forico CEO Evangelista Al-
bertini said. “It will allow us to continue to innovate, adopt market leading practices, and look at ways to add value to the natural environment.”
In 2013, a New Forests’ managed entity acquired the estate with co-investors, and over the past decade, working closely with Forico, has helped to transform the asset into what is today one of Australia’s leading sustainable timber producers. Forico’s market leading approach to valuing natural capital and sustainability
reporting has demonstrated that the estate is sequestering more than 123 million tonnes of CO2e. The current plantation rotation is expected to remove from the atmosphere and sequester a further 24.7 million tonnes before it is harvested and replanted for another rotation. In December 2022, Forico became the first forestry manager in Australia to achieve FSC Ecosystem Services certification for its approach to protecting the biodiversity values across its estate
access for all road users.
The TIRES report 2023-2027 provides an evidence-based framework to prioritise infrastructure investment.”
Beginning in 1995-96, TIRES has undergone regular updates since, bringing together industry and government stakeholders to describe and quantify regional infrastructure priorities and to list projected works and costs for road infrastructure maintenance and upgrades providing Timber Towns Victoria local government areas to apply for funding opportunities.
The TTV TIRES 2023-2027 Executive Summary can be found at the Timber Towns Victoria’s website: www. timbertownsvictoria.com. au/resources/
“We have a long history with this asset in Tasmania and are delighted to bring together like-minded, longterm partners to support the future of forestry in Australia,” Mark Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, New Forests and Chair of Forico said.
“We’ll be looking at ways to add further value, harnessing the growth in the circular bioeconomy, carbon projects, natural capital and biodiversity markets.”
Nokian Tyres Logger
Plantation estate still in decline
Total area down by 28,000 hectares
Australia’s plantation estate is still on a worrying downward trajectory, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Agricultural Economics figures.
Australia’s total plantation area contracted to 1.716 million hectares in 2021-22 - a reduction of more than 28,000 hectares.
The 28,000ha removed in 2021-22 alone was balanced by only 2300ha of new plantings.
The Australian Forest Products Association said there were not enough trees in the ground to meet future demand, at a time when native forest logging industries had been shut down in Victoria and Western Australia.
“This continued decline in Australia’s plantation estate is extremely concerning and is a reminder
that collectively, industry, federal and state governments and other decision and policy makers need to work together to get more timber trees planted for the future,” Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Product Association (AFPA), Natasa Sikman said.
“In the same reporting period, there was a small increase in new plantations of 2,300 hectares (hardwood, 1,181 ha and softwood 1119 ha) but these new plantings will not be enough to meet future demand.
“Australia’s national plantation estate has fallen by more than 250,000 hectares from 1.973 million hectares in 2014-15 to 1.716 million hectares in 2021-22. Australia is currently importing over $6 billion worth of wood products and we already rely on imports for up to 25 per cent of the timber
needed to build Australian houses. As the Government looks to build 1.2 million new houses over the next five years, our reliance on imported timber will dramatically increase.
In Tasmania the state’s total plantation area contracted to 278,500 hectares in 2021-22 - a reduction of more than 31,000 hectares since 2014-15, according to the Tasmanian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel.
“As the Tasmanian and Australian Government look to build over 12,000 affordable new houses in Tasmania over the next decade, our reliance on imported timber will increase,” he said.
“That’s why it’s essential Tasmanian forestry is included in our state’s housing policy, to ensure that timber grown in Tasmania
is used to house Tasmanian families.”
Ms Sikman said that global demand for timber and wood fibre products is forecast to quadruple by 2050 and it is why countries such as the United Kingdom including timber use into their Net-Zero Strategy.
“The key element of the UK strategy is to increase public demand for sustainably sourced timber through procurement policies and encouraging research into barriers to the uptake of timber.
“Indeed, recently King Charles visited James Jones and Sons where he discussed the significant benefits of productive forestry a company which partners with Australian based Hyne Timber and XLam,” she said.
“AFPA supports the Federal Government’s commit-
ment to plant one billion new production trees and Australia’s forestry sector recognises the work and investment by the Albanese Government, but more is needed to reverse this downward trend in our plantation estate while also increasing the use of timber in the construction sector.
“An increased plantation estate alongside a strong native sector will be critical for Australia to meet its own net zero goals while also contributing to the global climate change fight,” Ms Sikman said.
Shadow forestry minister Jonathon Duniam said the Victorian and Western Australian governments had banned native forestry without “any supporting science or coherent reasoning”.
Australian plantations 2021-22
Mechlog claims excellence award in Tasmania
Mechanised Logging (MechLog), a pioneering force in Tasmania’s forest industries sector has won the prestigious 2023 Tasmanian Timber Awards for Harvesting Excellence.
As the winner of the Harvesting Excellence category, amongst a field of worthy finalists, MechLog has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the forestry harvesting sector. Their dedication to industry best practices, professional standards, and a relentless pursuit of improvement has set them apart as a respected and innovative organisation. MechLog’s unwavering focus on achieving high-quality harvesting outcomes is a testament to their expertise and dedication. By winning the Harvesting Excellence award, MechLog’s peers, employers, and employees have acknowledged their steadfast commitment to harvesting excellence – solidifying their reputation as industry leaders.
MechLog Managing Director, Anthony Brown, expressed his gratitude for the award, stating, “MechLog is immensely proud to be recognised by the forestry sector in the 2023 Tasmanian Timber Awards.
“All of us at MechLog appreciate recognition from our peers – many of whom we hold in high regard for their individual contributions to our industry. We would particularly like to acknowledge Timberlands
edge the unique harvesting conditions in Tasmania, which are challenging. Yet the challenge develops resilient and skilled people, and the team at MechLog is up for the challenge. Their commitment exemplifies harvesting excellence, and MechLog is proud to accept the award on their behalf.
“Receiving the Harvesting Excellence Award is an incredible honour, and we would like to express our deep gratitude to the Tasmanian Timber Awards for this recognition. This award symbolises not just our success but the unwavering commitment of the whole forestry sector to set new industry standards that drive the timber industry towards a more sustainable, and secure future.
Industry stalwart recognised
Twelve highly coveted awards were presented the Tasmanian Timber Awards, hosted by the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network, including a recognition of industry stalwart Bryan Hayes’ outstanding contribution to the sector over more than 50 years.
The biennial awards, held at the Tailrace Centre Launceston, celebrate excellence and best practice in harvesting, forest growing and management, distribution and logistics, innovation, environmental management, design and/ or use of Tasmanian timber, workplace health and safety and tree farming.
Pacific Pty Ltd and Forico Pty Ltd, to whom we supply forestry services. They are both exceptional companies to work for, and they are always very supportive of MechLog and our whole team,” Anthony said.
“The award for Harvesting Excellence is a testament to
the hard work and dedication of the entire MechLog team. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence in our operations and this accolade reinforces our commitment to our industry, our clients, and our values. The whole team at MechLog acknowl-
“MechLog would also like to recognise the Tasmanian Forests & Forest Products Network. It is a vital organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting the Tasmanian timber industry. They facilitate industry collaboration, innovation, and growth, fostering a sustainable and prosperous timber industry in Tasmania. “The TFFPN plays a pivotal role in representing the whole industry, for which we are extremely grateful. By organising the prestigious Tasmanian Timber Awards, the TFFPN promotes our whole industry and its contribution to the Tasmanian economy,” Anthony said.
2023 TASMANIAN TIMBER AWARDS WINNERS
Distribution and Logistics Excellence
Winner: Orana Enterprises
Emerging Leader in the Tasmanian Timber Industry
Winner: Dr Nathan Kotlarewski (UTAS)
Excellence in Design and or Use of Tasmanian Timber
Emily Gee and Emily Skromanis—both from Sustainable Timber Tasmania— were awarded Trainees of the Year, while Dr Nathan Kotlarewski from University of Tasmania took out the gong for Emerging Leader in the Tasmanian Timber Industry.
Forico’s Bryan Hayes was celebrated by the 420 attendees, deservedly winning the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Tasmanian Timber Industry. This category recognised excellence in an individual’s commitment to supporting and promoting the timber industry in Tasmania.
Mr Hayes has been influential in a number of Tasmanian companies since 1972 and currently works heading up industry advocacy and projects at Forico.
“My vision for the forest industry has always been for a united, focused and collaborative sector that is respected for creating and sharing value in the communities in which it operates,” Mr Hayes said.
Network Convenor, Sue Grau said the calibre of award entries was very high this year, which is a true reflection of—and testament to—the hard work of those in the sector.
“The TFFPN’s Tasmanian Timber Awards recognises and celebrates excellence and best practice within our industry and acknowledges those who are leaders in their fields,” Ms Grau said.
● Timberlink’s Scott Freeman presents MechLog managing director Anthony Brown with the award for Harvesting Excellence.
1. Darryn Crook accepted the award for Forest Growing and Management Excellence on behalf of Hills Transplant Nursery from Andrew Morgan (Managing Director - SFM).
2. Scott Bloom from Tasports presenting Dwayne Kerrison from Orana Enterprises the award for Distribution and Logistics Excellence.
3. Steven Richardson from Marsh presenting the award for Excellence in Design and/or Use of Tasmanian Timber to architect, Benjamin Nitschke.
4. R-L: Geoff Boyden from TasRail presents the award Excellence in Environmental Management and Practices to Forest Practices Authority Chair, Pam Allen, who accepted the award on behalf of Dr Amy Koch.
5. Sustainable Timber Tasmania CEO, Steve Whiteley presenting the Innovation Award to Jamie Lawrence from Indicium Dynamics.
6. Forico’s Amanda Slater presenting the award for Workplace Health and Safety Excellence to Triple H Contracting’s Alana Summers and Manuel Hall.
7. Private Forests Tasmania CEO Elizabeth Pietrzykowski presenting the Tree Grower of the Year Award to Jo Tubb.
8. Mark Sweet from Midway Tasmania presenting the awards for Trainees of the Year to Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s Emily Gee and Emily Skromanis.
9. Scott Carter from E.E.Muir and Sons presenting the award for Emerging Leader in the Tasmanian Timber Industry, to Dr Nathan Kotlarewski.
10.Pentarch Forestry’s Wayne Denny presenting the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Tasmanian Timber Awards to Forico’s Bryan Hayes.
Convenor appointed to TFFPN
The Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network has appointed Sue Grau as Convenor following the retirement of inaugural Convenor, Therese Taylor.
Ms Taylor has held the role since the Network’s inception in 2018.
Ms Grau is no stranger to the Australian forest industry, leading the NSW Forest Products Association in 2021-22. Her most recent role was as Chief Executive of aquaculture peak body Salmon Tasmania where she was dedicated to advocating for and promoting industry.
“I understand the importance of supporting everyone employed in industries that contribute so much to our communities, and this contribution is so much more than economic. The forest industry remains an important part of the social fabric in our regional areas,” Ms Grau said.
“The industry and its image in the community is quite complex and I’m very driven to provide a perspective that is both based on science, and relatable to our community,” she said.
“The work of the Network is particularly appealing because it’s an opportunity to focus on the individuals who work in the industry or within the broader forestry ‘family’.”
Ms Grau is excited to learn more about the Tasmanian forest industry as she establishes herself in this new role.
“The TFFPN only exists because of its members, so I look forward to connecting with as many as possible over the coming months, and importantly, understanding what they expect from their Network,” she said.
Active forest management to address timber shortage and climate change
Tasmania’s private foresters are at the forefront of combating climate change and alleviating Australia’s construction timber scarcity through proactive private native regrowth forest management.
Tasmania’s extensive private regrowth native forests have a long history of active management for timber production and with our changing climate and an expanding bioeconomy, Private Forests Tasmania has identified strong opportunities to boost the health and resilience of these forests, while generating income and other ecosystem benefits through silvicultural treatments such as thinning.
There are more than 300,000 hectares of private native forests in Tasmania that can be managed sustainably to produce timber and other benefits, and PFT recently launched a comprehensive suite of resources tailored to empower landowners.
PFT partnered with consultants to develop private native forest demonstration sites, field days, case studies, factsheets, and a how-to guide for forest owners to successfully plan and carry out active management for beneficial outcomes.
PFT acting CEO Stephen Clarke said Australia faces a supply and demand imbalance for construction timber, and private native forest management can help to address this, plus, deliver environmental benefits.
He said PFT’s new resources demonstrate and communicate commercially feasible private native regrowth forest management options to support extension and commercial engagement with private native forest growers.
He said as solid wood market opportunities and processing capacity expand, there is an opportunity for the forest and wood products sector to further engage with Tasmania’s pri-
●
vate native regrowth forest growers.
PFT, a Tasmania government statutory authority, has a legislated objective to expand the development of our private forest resources. To further this objective,
and to help meet the nationwide shortage of timber, more of the areas identified in the 2020 Tasmanian Private Forests Resource Review will need to be brought under active and sustainable native forestry regimes.
“As public native forest access declines, private forestry’s role grows in supplying wood products. Strategic management ensures health, resilience, and compliance,” Mr Clarke said.
“Amid a changing climate and bioeconomy, these forests can generate income, sequester carbon, and offer vital ecosystem services. Timber demand is set to rise.
“Private native forestry is a cornerstone of sustainability. Managed well, it
safeguards forests, increases carbon sequestration, generates income, bolsters drought resilience, mitigates fire severity, and enriches biodiversity.
“Plus, primary producers are increasingly being asked to demonstrate their carbon credentials to markets and active forest management is the ideal way to help manage that.”
The resources available at treealliance.com.au offer four videos, five case studies, seven fact sheets and A Guide to Private Native Forest Operations in Tasmania highlighting essential topics such as forest assessment, planning and approvals, silviculture strategies, operation management, outcome monitoring, supply chains, markets, and financial analysis facilitate informed decision-making.
The case study properties at Sassafras, Levendale, Mount Direction, Ben Nevis and Blackwood Creek represent diverse forest types, species, and site qualities, and illustrate various market options and supply chain challenges while presenting multiple scenarios for landowners to consider.
These operations involve selective harvesting, promoting a multi-aged forest, increasing medium-term sawlog production, improving forest health, fostering biodiversity through understory development, and bolstering carbon sequestration.
Ian Dickenson, who produces beef, prime lamb and forestry at Elverton Pastoral, Blessington, said forestry is a valuable asset if it is managed correctly.
“It has its ups and downs in respect to markets, but it’s not as volatile as our other primary products,” he said.
“When the prices [of cattle] crashed in ‘76 if we hadn’t been getting some income from forestry... I know the bank would have sold us up, but they knew I had a timber resource.
PFT operations manager Stephen Clarke.
● Sue Grau.
● There are more than 300,000 hectares of private native forests in Tasmania that can be managed sustainably to produce timber and other benefits.
The Opposition is backing forestry
Peter Dutton Leader of the Opposition
Fifty nine years ago, in recognition of the economic importance of our forestry industry and to support its development, Prime Minister Robert Menzies established the Australian Forestry Council.
Twenty six years ago, in signing the first of many regional forest agreements, Prime Minister John Howard said it was a win for jobs and a win for the preservation of environmental values.
Nine years ago, in saluting your industry, Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the people who work in our forests and with timbers as the ‘ultimate conservationists’. He said, and I quote, ‘we will never build a strong economy by trashing our environment, but we will never help our environment by trashing the economy either’.
Federal Liberal leader after federal Liberal leader has been a friend, not a perfect friend, but a very strong friend of your industry, and I want to pledge our continuing support and friendship to your industry, to your sector.
In the last term of the Howard Government, I served as the Assistant Treasurer. I had the honour to work very closely with Peter Costello, including on reducing regulatory burdens for businesses and producing the 2007 Intergenerational Report.
It was in that role I think, that I gained a much deeper economic appreciation for the contribution which Australia’s forestry industry makes to our economy. The contribution that we should remind all Australians today is $24 billion annually.
But on a personal level, I’ve always had a great admiration for those who work in your sector. I come from family who come off the land. We have a small farm where we are now and I have a great appreciation for the trials and tribulations of many Australians who live in regional areas.
As your industry appreciates much more than
● Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaking at the Australian Forest Products Association dinner.
most, without forest conservation, the creation of new things with wood is absolutely constrained. In speaking about your industry, Jonno (Liberal Senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam) put it best and simplest when he said and I quote, ‘trees grow, you cut them down. You use them, you replant them and they grow again’.
which help to protect and nurture our environment.
The most commendable attribute of Australia’s forestry industry is your ability to balance economic and environmental imperatives.
Frankly, I think there is a very strong argument that you do it better than any of your international counterparts.
The Australian standard
The remaining 99.94 per cent of forests are either protected or not suited for forestry operations, and it’s important that we remind ourselves also from my perspective, of Labor’s record on forestry:
Premier Andrews decided in 2019 to phase out native logging in Victoria by 2030, a move which would adversely affect thousands of
The resource you manage is the ultimate renewable, and the contributions the forestry sector makes to our nation are truly significant.
Now, he’s right – the resource you manage is the ultimate renewable, and the contributions the forestry sector makes to our nation are truly significant. Whether it’s products which Australians rely on every day – timber for construction, for all those houses that he spoke about before and many other products in the built form.
Whether it’s the jobs you create, the revenue you generate, it helps motor our economy, or whether it’s your sustainable practices
here is world leading.
Most Australians would be surprised to hear that only six out of every 10,000 trees are harvested annually –just 0.6 per cent of Australia’s forests, and I include that because it’s no surprise to any of you, but I want other Australians to gain a better appreciation of the sector of the industry.
Now we know that more over that 0.6 per cent must be regenerated under law.
Meaning that in Australia there is no net loss to our forests through harvesting.
Australian jobs.
Even more egregious was his recent announcement to bring forward that ban to the end of this year, following the example set in WA by then Premier Mark McGowan.
Now, I think these decisions show a callous disregard for your industry. They pursue a populist line within a segment of society.
But the workers, the families, small business owners and the towns behind the timber industry deserve to know why these decisions
were made, and they, I think, demonstrate the profound economic and environmental ignorance. We all know the ramifications of winding back our domestic forestry industry:
• People lose their jobs, or jobs will simply be pushed offshore.
• Families will face the difficult decision to leave the regional communities they love, that they’ve grown up in.
• Australia will forfeit forestry expertise, the skills and the sovereign capabilities.
• Demand for timber products will increase – particularly for building the homes that we desperately need, the additional 1.5 million people Labor proposes to bring in over the next five years through migration.
• Consumers will be subjected to additional costs.
• Housing availability will be further restrained.
• Timber shortages will see us become even more reliant on imports. And that’s the crazy part of the approach – not just in this area, but more generally, where there will be no
because it sees the benefits
environmental gain by importing products that we’ll continue to use domestically.
There’s no net benefit to the environment – we know that our reliance on other markets will only increase carbon emissions when timber is transported.
Indeed, we’d need to accept timber from countries with inferior environmental standards, and as a country we should wake up to that fact.
Then, of course, there’s the often forgotten job which the skilled timber workers perform – you help manage our forests and protect communities during our bushfire season. I think the Victorian and Western Australian Governments have simply not thought through –certainly not sufficiently – the implications of their rash decisions.
While the Federal Government can’t intervene in the decisions made by the Victorian and West Australian Governments, it’s far from powerless.
Labor, as we know, is in power in every state and territory across mainland Australia, as well as federally. Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Mr Albanese wrote to the Tasmanian forestry sector. He said he would support native forest harvesting and take up the fight against the Greens to protect jobs.
At an AFPA dinner – as Joel (AFPA Chairman Joel Fitzgibbon) referred to earlier, last November, many of
you would have been here – the Prime Minister spoke of his ambition for, and I quote, ‘a bright future for sustainable forestry’, he noted how communities and families across Australia rely on your industry – fair enough.
Well, Mr Albanese’s words, unfortunately, are betrayed by his actions and, indeed, inactions.
He’s refused to stand up to the Premiers or try to temper their reckless decisions. He’s reneged on some of his original commitments on forest industry funding by giving in to the conditions demanded by the Greens to establish the National Reconstruction Fund.
And his Government’s support for the 10 existing Regional Forest Agreements appears to be waning – agreements essential for both the conservation and productive use of Australia’s forests.
We know that the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is seeking to bring regional forest agreements under the new environmental protection laws.
It can only mean one thing: that following in the footsteps of Victoria and WA, the Federal Government is seeking to quash the native timber industries in other states.
Indeed, ahead of Labor’s National Conference, more than half of its Party’s branches prepared motions calling for the Government to end forest logging.
Now, having you buy the poisonous ideas of green radicalism, the Albanese Government, I think, has lost all sense of perspective. Labor’s willing to sacrifice Australian livelihoods and deindustrialise our economy because it’s become captive to emotionalism and rejected rationalism.
Most recently, as you know, the Government put forward the Treasury Law Amendment Bill. That legislation is seeking to make multinationals pay, in the Government’s view, ‘their fair share of tax’.
The companies working in plantation forestry, which already face significant commercial and regulatory hurdles, will unfairly fall within the scope of the proposed legislation.
The proposed laws will serve as a disincentive to investing in our plantation forestry sector, which we need to sustain and grow given demand for timber products.
So, the Coalition will be seeking amendments to the legislation to help protect your sector, to work with the sector, and of course, your sector is not the only one in the Government’s crosshairs:
It’s the mining sector. It’s the gas sector. And so are small businesses
across the country.
The Albanese Government’s weaponising environmental, energy and now industrial relations policies in pursuit of a big government agenda.
And that big government agenda means curtailing the freedom of the marketplace and the autonomy of industries through more intervention, through more regulation, through more taxation and through more control.
The big government agenda is completely the wrong approach and not in our national interest.
Amidst a cost of living crisis, stubbornly persistent inflation and low productivity, government needs to put trust back into industry, into businesses, and into the free market.
We need a government which leverages the knowledge of our private sector rather than dismisses that knowledge because government thinks it knows best.
We need a government which backs our industries and businesses because their prosperity is inseparable from our national economic prosperity.
We need a government which backs regional communities and the workers that underpin them.
Our forestry industry is worldclass. We need to be more proud of it. It’s world-class – both in what you produce for Australia and what you achieve environmentally.
The Liberal Party and the wider Coalition will continue to fight for you in Opposition.
Indeed, we need to stick together to fight for the future of our regional communities against a movement that doesn’t even pretend to care about regional communities.
But to end the national despair and stop the national repair, we do need a change of government in Canberra. Our colleagues, myself, are dedicated to that cause.
We back you in good times and in bad. We offer you our support so that we can ensure the survival of this industry, that it survives and thrives for another generation.
• This is an edited version of a speech given by the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton to a recent Australian Forest Products Association dinner.
Supporting industry to develop workforce skills
ForestWorks is an industry-owned notfor-profit organisation offering services to support the skills development of the wood, paper, timber, textiles, furnishing and forest industries.
We partner with government, industry, unions, workers and training providers to develop a highly skilled workforce for our sectors. www.forestworks.com.au forestworks@forestworks.com.au
Phone: 1800 177 001 (freecall) Contact ForestWorks for more information on how we can assist your workers and business.
Rethinking the value of forest logs
It may be time for an ‘E-Grade’
The New Zealand Government has set a plan in motion to decarbonise the economy with a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050.
Part of this process involves the development and implementation of emissions reduction plans for energy and industry sectors – the key users of energy for process heat and electricity generation. Other users of fossil fuels (e.g. the transportation sector) are also exploring ways to adopt lower emissions or zero emission fuels and vehicles.
Various projects are now underway to explore the use of bioenergy as an alternative energy source for fossil fuels for industrial process heat, electricity generation, and liquid fuel manufacture. New Zealand’s plantation forestry sector, with some 1.76 million hectares of planted resources (as of December 2022), offers the largest source of potential bioenergy fibre.
Margules Groome’s “back of a napkin” calculation of the potential interest in bioenergy from forests could lead to more than six million green tonnes per year being utilised for energy production; this equates to more than 20% of New Zealand’s total current production from planted forests.
Obviously, the scale of the demand for forest fibre that is used for energy will depend on the cost of such fibre, the competition for fibre (from both energy demand and other users of wood fibre), and the economics of alternative energy sources for process heat, electricity generation, and transportation fuels. Suffice it to say however, the potential demand for energy from forests is significant and because of this, we believe the New Zealand forestry industry to be on the precipice of a paradigm shift in the way it operates.
Up until now, the “business as usual” approach to sourcing bioenergy from forest fibre has focused on the residues produced from both harvesting and wood processing operations.
Residues are often seen as a waste by-product, and any demand for such byproduct is welcomed on the basis that it provides a low revenue way of disposing of the waste that could otherwise incur a cost of disposal (especially on steep slopes). However, the term residue is fast becoming redundant. All residues, whether forest or wood processing residues, now have a value – as determined by the quality of their calorific potential. This energy value provides an opportunity to explore how we approach forestry operations. In particular, we see the opportunity for rethinking how we approach harvesting, and we start this journey by defining an entirely new grade of log – the “Energy Grade” or “E Grade” log.
The concept of the EGrade log is simple; to develop a grade that reduces waste, improves harvesting efficiencies, lowers transportation costs, and provides a cleaner fibre. That said, the specification of an E-Grade log can be broad – limited only by the safe
transportation and the dimension limitations of any wood chipping facility. In essence, if it can be picked up, chipped, and burned (or pelletised), then it is viable.
A recent visit by Margules Groome to a steep slope harvesting crew (using a tethered machine) provided an opportunity to explore and discuss how the EGrade log would benefit the crew. It is important to note this crew was operating in a region that did not have a pulp market, has poor domestic opportunities, and the lowest value grades were being sold to the port as set lengths. We discussed the idea of how we could improve operations if there were an opportunity to supply a potential domestic location with a theoretical E-Grade specification allowing:
• Any length of log
• Preference for longer lengths for lower cost transport on a bolstered truck.
• Shorter lengths and other material in bin trucks.
• Virtually no quality re-
• Reduce the number of cuts and handling required by processor heads in the field and on the skid. Delimbing would be minimised in the field, and only on larger diameter sections of the log on the skid.
• Reduce the required landing size and associated engineering costs due to the:
• Reduced number of sorts which could be as low as five in regions with limited domestic options (two pruned, two A grade, and an E Grade), and
• Reduced piling of residue and offcuts, and the space needed for such material.
• Reduce environmental risks due to smaller landings and less “birdnesting” of forest waste.
quirements as all sweep, degrade, sapstain, and other defects would be allowed.
• No restrictions on branches and bark debris.
• No small-end diameter requirements so long as it can be transported safely. We realised the key to working with an E-Grade log is how it could affect harvest operations and productivity. To reach the potential energy demand from forest fibre in New Zealand, it is unavoidable that roundwood currently being sold into solid wood markets will be diverted to bioenergy. Given the volatility of export market pricing, the concept of the E-Grade log will be most useful where domestic pulp markets do not exist and suppliers are looking for more value stability. We believe the concept could also lead to the following benefits:
• Provide an efficient way of capturing residue volume in log form by diverting log lengths away from being sold as low value export grades – resulting in lower transportation and handling costs. This is particularly important in regions where markets are only interested in fixed length log sorts.
• Provide the opportunity to derive value from sapstained fibre such as from trees that are wind thrown on exposed edges created from road lining.
• More competitive harvesting rates due to:
• Higher productivity from less handling on the landing, and
• Higher throughput of recovered volume over the weighbridge (counting volume that the contractor would not otherwise get paid for).
• Higher quality of fibre due to less soils and other contaminants.
• Less handling of material at the processing plant / chipper.
We see this concept of an E-Grade log as the beginning of a new era for growing fibre in New Zealand. While the pellet plants, sustainable aviation fuel facilities, and wood fired furnaces are being explored, the real opportunity is for the forestry sector to be there at the coalface (pun intended) while the bioenergy industry develops, working with the various bioenergy users to develop a robust E-Grade market that meets energy needs while improving the value of forestry returns. For more information on this topic contact Margules Groome.
OUTRUN™ LIMITATIONS.
GET MORE DONE, MORE EFFICIENTLY.
The John Deere G-Series Forestry Swing Machine will redefine your expectations about what a swing machine can accomplish. With eight models rated from 28 to 48 tonnes, all featuring robust undercarriage and mainframe, upsized swing bearings, reliable John Deere engines and superior hydraulics, their capabilities are industry-leading. And so is the operator comfort.
The spacious cab boasts plenty of legroom and is isolation mounted to reduce noise and vibration, significantly reducing fatigue. Plus attention to ergonomics provides precise fingertip control with less movement or effort. There are even creature comforts like climate control and a heated/cooled seat.
Find success in the forest with a John Deere G-Series Forestry Swing Machine.
Silviculture
Back to our roots: Visiting the original home of Pinus radiata
Getting down and dirty in California, Scion researchers have completed a trip sampling soil from Pinus radiata in parts of its native range – all in a bid to answer some important questions.
The relationship between trees, their root microbiomes, and the environment directly influences their health, productivity and resilience to climate change.
While a lot is known about the genetics of pine trees, scientists are still discovering how influential their soil microbiome is and what role it plays in helping forests thrive.
The five-year Scion-led Tree Root Microbiome Programme is on a fact-finding mission to learn more. By taking soil samples from pine trees around the world, they hope to better understand the microbial properties that exist underground to support their growth and overall health.
Discovering what they have in common and what may be different between countries and individual sites will build knowledge around how to best support pine forests with an optimal microbiome, which is particularly helpful at sites where they are endangered or performing poorly.
Pinus radiata, also called Monterey pine, is endemic in the United States and Mexico. For millions of years pine trees have been sustained by its native soils, however, this species is now endangered in its home range due to pests, diseases and wildfires.
In contrast, radiata pine in New Zealand is an introduced species and now makes up 90% of our planted forests. Only a small proportion of the genetic material available was introduced when it arrived here.
These pine trees currently thrive in New Zealand soils, and understanding why is important to their longterm survival, especially in the face of climate change.
In March, Scion scientists visited the United States to collect soils from Pinus radiata in California. The trip was a success with sampling carried out across the west-
diseases and wildfires.
ern seaboard in Año Nuevo, Monterey (hence Monterey pine), and Cambria.
In collaboration with the Rúa laboratory at Wright State University in Ohio, the soil samples were processed and DNA extracted to identify what microbes make up the tree microbiome in sampled locations.
Soil samples were also sent to collaborators at Woodwell Climate Research Centre to understand the differences in soil properties.
Scion lead scientist on the Tree Root Microbiome Programme, Dr Steve A. Wakelin, says the aim is to understand the role that microorganisms on and in plants have on influencing ecosystem outcomes.
“Whether this is plant disease, nutrition, carbon storage, biodiversity, or productivity, microbes have an important role to play.
“The Human Microbiome Project revealed how vitally important gut microbes
and function are to human health. Now where the gut has gone, soil will follow.”
Sampling of soils from the roots of Pinus radiata in New Zealand got underway in early 2022. With support from local companies, sampling is also being carried out in Australia to understand how the microbiome has helped Pinus radiata flourish under different climatic conditions across the Tasman.
Scion molecular ecologist and PhD candidate within the programme, Sarah Addison says microbes coevolved with Pinus radiata roots, and they’ve always existed. “Our challenge is that we just don’t know enough about them, and we need to change that.
“The microbiome represents a way for plants to expand their natural capabilities, using the microbes to adapt to changing environments more quickly than the plant alone can. This
BRIEFS
HVP FSC audit
Hancock Victorian Plantations will be undergoing an audit next month for Forest Stewardship Council recertification. Source: Alpine Observer
The audit will be undertaken by California-based certification body SCS Global Services, and they are seeking stakeholder input on HVP’s forest management program and practices.
Comments can be submitted via email to FSCConsultation@scsglobalservices. com
Stop Work order
The NSW Environment Protection Authority has extended a Stop Work Order until November 13 to cease harvesting in parts of the Tallaganda State Forest by Forestry Corporation of NSW.
An initial Stop Work Order was issued to FCNSW by the EPA on August 30. Since then, the EPA has recorded 89 endangered Southern Greater Gliders and 20 den trees in areas subject to the Stop Work Order.
New CEO
will allow trees to grow and thrive in conditions beyond their natural ranges, hopefully extending their survival in the face of climate change.”
Paul Adams, research and development director at Forest Growers Research, shares his thoughts on this research. “Improving our understanding of how microbes have evolved with Pinus radiata roots is fascinating and exciting. It feels like a new frontier. The application of this science could lead to improvements in drought tolerance, wood quality and disease resistance in our key plantation forestry species in New Zealand.”
The Tree Root Microbiome Research Programme is jointly funded by the MBIE Endeavour Fund and Forest Growers Levy Trust. It is a partnership between Scion, Western Sydney University, Wright State University, Victoria University of Wellington, Woodwell Climate Research Centre, the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility and Lincoln University.
The new Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Forest Owners Association, Dr Elizabeth Heeg, is promising to expand the vision of the forest industry.
Dr Heeg has just taken up the job, to replace long serving chief executive David Rhodes. She was previously working at Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service.
She says New Zealand forests are a vast resource which could produce a significantly greater value for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Cadet Forester Program
Applications are now open for students currently in Year 10 or 11 in Tasmania who would be interested in applying for the Cadet Forester Program Australian School-based Apprenticeship.
This round of the Program will commence in 2024. Student applications are currently open and will close on the November 22, 2023. There are positions available in the North/North East, North West and South of Tasmania.
For an application form go to: www.arbre.net.au
● Pinus radiata, also called Monterey pine, is endemic in the United States and Mexico but is now endangered in its home range due to pests,
VicForests audit finds 96 per cent compliance
Philip Hopkins
The 2022 official audit of VicForests has found an average 96 per cent compliance with the state’s forestry environmental standards.
The latest independent audit was conducted in 32 coupes with harvesting operations in 2020–21 across the Central Highlands, Gippsland, East Gippsland and North East Regional Forest Agreement areas and showed a continuous improvement in VicForests’ audit results.
As part of its annual forest audit program, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) commissions an Environment Protection Authority accredited auditor to conduct an audit of VicForests’ operations.
This audit was conducted according to four themes: environmental values in State forests, conservation of biodiversity, operational planning and record keeping, and coupe infrastructure for timber harvesting operations.
The overall 2022 audit ranged between 87 per cent and 100 per cent, with an average of 96 per cent com-
pliance (an increase from 94 per cent in our last audit) across all themes and sub themes of the audit, meaning either consistency or improvements in all areas.
Several areas of improvement include: protection of forest soils – 95 per cent (previously 92 per cent); protection of water flows,
water quality and river health – 94 per cent (91 per cent); protection of biodiversity values – 96 per cent (95 per cent); road maintenance and closure practices – 99 per cent (88 per cent).
Incidents in 20 of the nonconforming aspects had potential for an environmental impact – an average of 1.4
per coupe. There were as many as six incidents in one coupe. the various impacts ranged between negligible and major, with moderate the most common rating.
Incidents with major potential impacts were all linked to defective waterway crossings. Other incidents involved risks to either terrestrial or aquatic biodiversity values, or a small incursion into a Leadbeater’s Possum Special Protection Zone, and defective waterway crossings.
The 32 coupes audited were selected using a riskbased procedure that prioritised coupes with high-risk features and are associated with special values: waterway crossings; long lengths of in-coupe road; steep slopes; more erosive soils; rainforest vegetation in close proximity; presence of threatened flora and/or fauna; and Special Protection or Special Management Zones (SPZ and SMZ respectively) in close proximity.
Given coupe selection is risk-based, rather than fully randomised, the findings of this audit cover a portion of VicForests’ higher-risk operations, with lower-risk areas not audited.
VicForests said it was
pleased with an average conformance score of 96 per cent against the applicable criteria.
“The findings are a testament to the work our passionate staff undertake in the forest,” the state forestry company said. ”Our staff are committed to continuously improving our practices and strive to demonstrate excellence in all that we do. Our sustainable forest management activities are informed by the latest research and guided by best practice.
“VicForests recognises, as always, that there is room for improvement, and welcomes the audit’s findings and recommendations in providing advice and direction on areas of focus for such improvement.”
VicForests is responsible for the harvesting of native forest areas, the commercial sale of the wood and the regeneration of the harvested areas.
The State government has begun the process to dissolve VicForests ahead of the closure of the native forest industry in January.
- Gippsland Times
New national sales manager for Komatsu
Komatsu Forest has appointed Dean O’Connor National Sales Manager for Australia. He will also retain responsibility for Komatsu Forest operations in New Zealand.
Dean is an experienced timber industry professional who has been in the industry since the early nineties.
In 1995 he became the Product Support Manager for Timberjack covering the Asia Pacific & South African region and then in 2001 was appointed as the General Manager Waratah in Australia.
Komatsu Forest Australia first recruited Dean in early 2004 to look after the international business in S.E. Asia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Then in 2006 Dean took up a company transfer to the USA to set up the new West Coast Attachments Division for Komatsu Forest America and then returned to New Zealand in 2009 where he assumed General Manager’s role for Komatsu Forest in New Zealand.
Dean made a company change in late 2015 to become involved with the new innovations in steep slope logging as General Manager at EMS Ltd NZ.
He re-joined the Komatsu group in 2018 with the responsibility of the SouthStar product in the Asia Pacific region shortly after Komatsu acquired the company.
Brenton Yon has stepped down from National Sales Manager’s position after dedicating over thirty years to the role, but he will remain a part of the senior management team assuming responsibility for the growing market of the Aztec – Peterson range of Grinders & Chippers for Australia and New Zealand.
Brenton will also support the South Australia and Western Australia sales regions by marketing Komatsu Forest’s full range of forest products whilst being available for a chat with some of his long-term KF clients.
Mulchers vital in the battle against bark beetle
timber.
One of the most important challenges in recent years has been the bark beetle.
Native to the Americas, the five-spined bark beetle (Ips grandicollis) is now an established pest in Queensland’s pine growing regions.
Populations are usually managed through good forest cultivation practices and natural predators. They are also under biological control by 2 introduced parasitoid wasps.
Managing the five-spined bark beetle is important because it spreads blue stain fungi, which can severely affect the value, quality and aesthetic quality of milled timber.
It should be noted that mulchers neither combat nor eliminate bark beetles, but rather prevent or reduce their presence.
The aim of a mulcher is to clean the area, make it accessible for additional work and possible mechanization, and to prepare the area for new seed.
Mulchers enter the remains of felled and dried wood to finely mulch them, clear the land and prepare it for new plantations. Mulching helps the soil acquire more humus and acidity,
thus preserving its moisture: All of this has a positive effect on forest crops and speeds up replanting. Since bark beetles spread very rapidly, even mulching becomes a genuine battle over time. Residual wood should be cleared as soon as possible. That’s why these days, large and powerful forestry mulchers are used. These ensure the highest efficiency and performance in a short period of time to eliminate most of the wood in one pass.
It was 1980 when Seppi M developed the first forestry rotor, representing a revolutionary innovation in the forestry industry.
Today, forestry is Seppi M’s core business, and Seppi forestry machines are used in numerous applications.
Small and medium-sized forestry mulchers for 30 to 240 hp (22 to 177 kW) tractors are Specifically, the models are Microforst pto, Miniforst, Midiforst and Midiforst dt which are fitted with fixed tools.
These carbide-tipped tools rapidly mulch wood up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter, with minimal wear. An additional centrifugal clutch allows soft rotor start and stop, thus protecting the mulcher
and tractor drives.
Options such as the guard frame, “ADAM” alignment system, or rakes on the guard frame can be individually selected depending on the model and work conditions.
Medium-power mulchers, but also high-performance forestry mulchers such as Starforst and Maxiforst, are also used for other activities such as felling trees, mulching stumps, removing rotten and fallen timber, as well as storm- and fire-damaged timber up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter.
This equipment is also suitable for improving forests with paths and vegetation-free firebreaks. With Maxiforst, the drive system can be equipped with additional protection: M-Turbo hydrodynamic turbo couplings.
These couplings protect the drive components of both the mulcher and the tractor in case of sudden rotor stops, and also allow for a soft start.
It is now possible to select a new rotor featuring tools with an aggressive carbide tip - the Mono Tip V-Lock system.
This rotor is even more effective on large stumps and
thick trunks. The advantages of this are less wear, better balance, simpler tool changeover and an optimized tool-support connection (hammer holder). Alternatively, the exclusive Cut Control option provides a limitation of the cutting depth and is our latest generation of rotors with Mini Blade or Mini Duo hammers.
As with a chainsaw, this ensures the rotor never stops and makes for much smoother mulching.
In addition to the new design and ADAM alignment system, these forestry mulchers are now even better equipped against wear. Inside their housing, they are equipped with wearresistant steel plates that can be replaced. The V-belt housing with material deflector and sliding guides in low-wear, hardened steel also protect the machine against wear.
Seppi M. has a solution for all tractors, regardless of their power. The forestry machines range from 30 to 500 hp (22 to 368 kW). Most forestry mulchers are also available in a hydraulic version for connection to excavators, skid loaders or larger hydraulic tractors.
• Seppi M’s Maxiforst mulcher is ideal for felling trees, mulching stumps, removing rotten and fallen timber, as well as storm- and fire-damaged
Demand strong for eight-wheeler Komatsu harvester
Demand for an eightwheeled harvester for final logging has been great, and finally it is here, in the shape of the new Komatsu 951XC. A machine that combines tried and tested innovations with new solutions reveals
“We now have a complete range of eight wheeled machines specially designed for demanding conditions,” says Joakim Johansson, Product Manager Harvesters at Komatsu Forest.
There’s strong interest in Australia as well with Komatsu Forest Australia already taking two customer orders and with great expectations for the future.
“The Komatsu 951XC is the ideal wheel harvester for large thinnings and clear fall and it’s the one we’ve been waiting for,” Brett Jones, MD KF Australia said.
The Komatsu 951XC is optimized for use with the Komatsu C164 – a harvester head specially designed for logging large trees. The challenge was to design a machine for harvesting large trees without making it too cumbersome.
“What’s special about the 951XC is that it combines the strength of a 951 with an extremely compact design. It actually has about the same dimensions as a 931XC and so can even be used in denser stands,” Joakim said.
Low Ground Pressure with Great Stability
Thanks to the eight-wheel design, the 951XC delivers lower ground pressure, meaning less impact on the forest floor. It is mainly intended for final logging in hilly terrain or soft ground. Another important factor when working in steep terrain is stability. The Komatsu 951XC has a number of features that make it one of the most stable harvesters on the market. In addition to the tried-and-tested Komatsu concept, the eightwheeled XC series harvesters have a bogie on the rear frame with two suspension systems – comprised of the swinging rear axle and a
bogie – giving the machines completely unique handling characteristics.
“Our bogie with twin suspension systems is an innovation of which we’re extremely proud. As well as increasing stability by lowering the machine’s centre of gravity, the machine follows irregularities in the terrain in a forgiving manner while delivering excellent manoeuvrability in challenging terrain conditions,” Joakim said.
A Workplace to Long For
Just like all Komatsu harvesters, the 951XC has a comfortable operator environment with a spacious cab, excellent visibility, and a pleasant cab climate. Thanks to the machine’s stability and leveling cab, the operator is always seated level without the need to stretch and strain to maintain a good seating position.
“A relaxed operator can keep their energy level up as well as maintain their focus and a high production rate for longer. And if you choose the Smart Crane option, you get an even more easily manoeuvred crane that delivers amazing precision,” Joakim said.
In the development of the Komatsu 951XC, the engineers at Komatsu Forest have been able to turn to innovative, tried-and-tested solutions devised in the development of previous models. Over the years, these have been refined by means of continual improvement.
One example is the parallel crane, which thanks to its clever design is fast in its outward movements, when the head is unloaded, and powerful in its return movements, when the head is heavily loaded. Another example is the levelling function for the cab and crane that makes the machine a strong performer even on inclines, which is, of course, especially advantageous when harvesting in hilly terrain.
“There are many good examples of innovations that
have stood the test of time. My favourite probably remains the Komatsu con-
cept, a feature that came about back in 1984 and means that even today we
still
NO ONE KNOWS
air fl LIKE
SMITHCO
W
We’ve been a leading force in air flow design for almost 3 decades, with 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-bladed propellers, designed and manufactured exclusively for the lumber industry. Now, they are even more capable with higher- temperature capacity for certain applications. We combine this technology with unsurpassed customer service, design consultation and technical expertise, so whatever your air flow need, you can trust SmithCo to deliver.
have some of the most stable machines on the market,” Joakim said.
Mill technology Snapshot scanning for sawmills Or how to prevent the Waney Board Blues
Joey Nelson President, JoeScan
We all know that sawmilling is a special type of manufacturing.
Instead of assembling products from a variety of known components, we produce goods by breaking down logs into finished lumber.
The logs we start with are not standardized components with known sizes and shapes (wouldn’t that be nice?), but complex organic structures that can vary wildly from one piece to the next. Even within the same species, no two logs are exactly alike. It’s this variability that makes scanning a mission critical part of the lumber manufacturing process. It’s also this difference that makes sawmill scanning equipment so unique when compared to other industries. For example, consider the sawmill snapshot scanner–a device so specialized for breaking down wood that you won’t find it used in any other industries.
Snapshot Scanning 101
A 3D laser scanner uses lasers and cameras to define the size and shape of an object. In a sawmill, this object can be a stem, log, flitch, cant, or board. Optimization software uses this measurement to determine the best cutting solution for each piece. “Best” usually boils down to “maximizes profit”, but there are many complex decisions made at each step of the breakdown process.
In most machine centers, the log or board moves through the lasers, allowing the scanner to capture its size and shape hundreds of times per second. These measurements are combined to generate a very accurate and dense 3D model of the wood.
However, in certain sawmill systems, it’s impractical to move the piece in order to scan it. This commonly occurs with end doggers, C-frames or other very
short-coupled machine centers. Here, a snapshot scanner combines many lasers together in one package to take many measurements simultaneously, at each laser cross-section on wood. Multiple snapshot scan heads are arranged end-to-end to cover the entire length of the pieces being scanned.
Laser Spacing
A true snapshot scan–one that does not move the piece at all–leaves gaps in the measurement, basically anywhere there isn’t a laser. The closer the lasers are to each other, the smaller those gaps are. This distance between lasers is referred to as the laser spacing of a snapshot scanner. The industry standard for laser spacing has been around six inches for many years. However, as you’ll see below, a lot can happen in those six-inch sections between measurements.
The Bottom Line
So, why should a sawmill care about missing data in their snapshot scans? Because it costs them money! When faced with gaps in the data, optimization software typically uses a method like “linear interpolation” to fill them in. This is essentially connecting the dots between known data points using straight lines. The problem occurs when the linear interpolation inaccurately represents the scanned wood. For example, the optimizer may think it’s providing the solution for a square-edged board, but the machine puts out a waney board instead. So, how does this happen? Wherever a log or flitch narrows within a 6 inch section between lasers, as in the example above, the scanner will not see it. Remember, it can only see where the laser touches the wood. Consequently, the optimizer assumes there is good wood where there is none, result-
ing in a solution that doesn’t reflect reality. Errors like these end up costing you in the form of lower-quality boards and unusable waste. Fortunately, there’s a simple fix.
By reducing the laser spacing to three inches, JoeScan’s newest Z8 scan head can see twice as much as before. This leads to fewer and smaller undetected areas, reducing unexpected wane in your cuts. Your optimizer, like you, wants as much relevant information as possible to make an informed decision.
Beyond the Snapshot
Snapshot-style scanners are also found in machine centers that don’t require a true snapshot. Places like the carriage headrig and short-coupled edgers also benefit from the tight laser spacing. A six-inch laser spacing allows for scanning an entire log or board’s length in just six inches of travel. This allows for faster scan speeds, affording more time for optimization, while also significantly reducing the length of infeeds when space is limited. Further reducing laser spacing will let you operate even faster without sacrificing quality. The modern automated sawmill is a unique kind of factory requiring specialized equipment. Scanning hardware is no exception,
and we’ve spent the last 20 years designing scanners specifically for sawmills. JoeScan’s new Z8 is just the latest iteration of doing what we do best: making
scanners that improve sawmills. For more information about other scanning applications in sawmills, we invite you to check out our website at joescan.com.
● A typical layout for a snapshot scanning system, with six lasers per scan head spaced six inches apart.
Workplace
Australian Hi Vis standards – what are they and do you comply?
Hi Vis clothing has become an industry ‘norm’ in Australia and throughout most of the world.
Anyone ‘on the job’ is expected and required to wear it to remain visible to moving vehicles or machinery.
However, it is important to understand the legislative requirements and standards to ensure your staff are wearing high visibility gear that is compliant.
Just because their shirt is bright yellow doesn’t always mean they are compliantly dressed and safe from harm.
While all hi vis gear may look the same, there are some ‘dodgy’ brands of garments available in Australia that are non-compliant and unsafe to use.
Manufacturing clothing to meet or surpass the AS/ NZS standards is not always cheap, so some companies are willing to compromise on safety in order to maximise profits.
As a reseller and manufacturer of high visibility clothing, Badger Australia refuses to stock ‘cheap and nasty’ brands that are not compliant.
The Standards Explained
There are a couple of main standards regarding high visibility garments.
AS/NZ 4602.1: 2011 High visibility safety garments –Garments for high risk applications
This standard specifies the design of the garments used by employees who are exposed to hazards from moving vehicles, equipment or other high-risk situations. There are different classes within the Standard for different times of day:
Class D - These garments are designed for use in the daytime only. They provide the wearer with high visibility under daylight conditions but are generally ineffective in providing visibility in darker environments. A typical example of a Class D compliant garment is a yellow/navy polo without tape. To meet this standard the garment must:
• Have an approved colour
of hi visibility material that encircles the entire upper torso. The colours specified in the standard are Orange-red, Red, Yellow, Orange and Yellow (restricted).
• The fluorescent fabric should cover at least 0.4m2 of the upper torso.
• Logos or text printed onto the garments cannot be included in the 0.4m2. Generally, a logo that is no larger than 10cm x 10cm shouldn’t affect the compliance of the garment.
Class N - These garments are designed to provide high visibility in the dark when viewed under retroreflected light, such as vehicle headlights.
The AS/NZ 1906.4: 2010 standard discussed in the next dot point specifies which types of reflective material are compliant and the minimum number of washes they remain complaint for. To meet night compliance requirements the tape must be a minimum of 50mm wide, and is commonly in a Hoop, X back or H pattern. The colour of background material used on the garment is not specified in the Standard. An example of a Class N compliant garment could be a black security jacket with reflective tape.
Class D/N - These garments meet both the day and night requirements we’ve outlined above. An example of a D/N compliant garment is a hi vis yellow polo with reflective tape.
AS/NZ 1906.4: 2010 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes – High visibility materials for safety garments. (plus Amendment 1; 2014)
We’ve already mentioned this standard, but it specifies the photometric, colorimetric and physical properties for the various high visibility materials. It categorizes materials into
impact of washing Class R materials. The washing process slowly disintegrates the reflective properties of the material. Most reflective tapes used in Australia only remain compliant for about 30 washes.
Class RF – Both Fluorescent and Reflective fabric for Day/Night Use (i.e. the yellow reflective tape used on VicRoad’s clothing)
There is an additional classification of ‘W’ for wet compliance, which is normally only relevant for rainwear garments.
It is also your responsibility to ensure the application of the clothing is suitable. The Standard has the following recommendations to ensure your team is using the gear correctly.
1. Have company procedures and policies in place to ensure items are worn correctly and that workers understand why garments will be ineffective if not worn correctly and in the appropriate applications,
2. Store garments so that fading of fluorescent material and degradation of retroreflective material due to heat are limited.
3. Keep garments clean by washing/cleaning according to manufacturer’s
instructions, and
4. Inspecting the garments on a regular basis and replacing them if badly damaged, soiled or faded. In constant use, garments should be critically examined at 3-month to 6-month intervals.
It is important to understand the high visibility
properties any garment will lessen over time as it fades, stretches and is washed. Following the four recommendations above will ensure you replace your staff’s uniform regularly enough to keep them seen and safe. For more information call Badger Australia on 1300
● While all hi vis gear may look the same, there are some brands available in Australia that are non-compliant and unsafe to use.
Real-time information key to future for forestry operator
SOUTH ISLAND Canterbury-Based contractor Dave Sharples sees accurate workplace information as essential to the future of his forestry business and is making the most of onboard software solutions to monitor the daily volume of his machines as well as the availability of timber for skidders to haul.
Dave uses John Deere’s TimberMatic Maps, which provides real-time production views and shared wireless connections between machines, combined with the web-based TimberManager for mobiles, tablets and PCs that allows him to follow progress on everything from land harvested to specific machines on site.
Sharples Logging operates a variety of ground-based machinery harvesting privately owned woodlot blocks in the Canterbury region, from the Rakaia River in the south to as far north as Kaikoura, with the work done under contract for Forest Management Ltd (FML).
“Maps and Manager have been really beneficial for our business. They give us a good idea on cycle times and the ability of each machine to actually have the amount of wood required on the ground for the skidder to haul,” Dave said.
“It provides us with a Realtime record of daily production quantities and I can use that as a reference for each block we go to. FML is looking at accessing this information as well, which would help us to work out the true volume and number of trees in each block. Then using this information what we could expect to harvest in each area.
“I think being able to keep a record of the volume each machine hour is doing every day is imperative for us to assess the true operating cost of our Logging operation and whether we can be competitive, more than anything else.
“We need to be looking ahead to work out whether we’re able to competitively and safely do these jobs. If you’ve got a reference
point you can work from, and you’re aware of areas you could’ve done for a better price or where you lost money, that makes the business more viable and capable of giving the forest company a better price to do jobs.”
As well as information, Dave says having the right machinery for the right jobs is a big driver of productivity and profitability.
In 1995 he was working as a registered builder when he was approached by a forester friend who wanted Dave to join him in pitching for a local logging contract with Carter Holt Harvey. Looking for a change, Dave agreed and established Sharples Logging in Nelson as a cable hauling contractor. The next step was a trip to the United States to buy three pieces of plant – a Skaget swing yarder, a new loader and a John Deere 850C dozer.
“The dozer went extremely well. It was like a pedal car – you manoeuvred using the clutches on either side and the brake in the middle!” laughs Dave.
“I still have an 850C but it’s a later model, it’s a John Deere which we use with a winch for pulling wood in all the hard-to-get to places such as gullies and twostage it out with our skidders. That dozer has about 12,500 hours on it.”
Now based out of Rang-
● Sharples Logging crew of JD959ML feller-buncher with winch-assist operator Carl Erceg, JD768L-11 Skidder, JD2954D/624C processor and grapple loader operator Royce Sheffield, JD2954D/624C processor operator and manual chainsaw operator Ross Cumberpatch, company owner Dave Sharples and grapple loader operator and engineering assist operator Ryan Kapua.
iora, Sharples Logging harvests blocks under contract for FML. Two local sawmills who own their own forests as well as private woodlot blocks mainly on the foothills in outer Canterbury region. Sharples Logging has several John Deere machines including a 768L-11 bogie skidder, a 2954D processor, a 959ML directional feller and a 748H skidder serviced by local dealership Drummond & Etheridge
plus several excavators.
The 768L-II, a six-wheel bogie skidder with outstanding traction and flotation in wet and muddy terrain Dave is expecting will give them the opportunity to pull wood every day in all kinds of weather.
“A lot of the ground we work on, especially around the Peninsula, hasn’t got a lot of binding to it and once it’s wet it becomes very porridgy, so we end up with a lot more difficult areas to pull out of,” Dave explained.
“We have run tracks on previous 848L-11 skidder which has made a difference, but the bogie skidder has a lot more traction, and the option to put tracks on it will give us the ability to pull wood for longer hours. I’m hoping we’ll be able to pull bigger volumes as well, with each drag.”
Sharples Log-
ging fell, process and load up to 350 tons each day in peak harvest season with an average piece size of around 1.5T, depending on whether they are working in a tended or unpruned block, with transport of the timber done by contractors.
Dave said fuel economy is another important reason he runs a predominantly John Deere fleet.
“The fuel consumption from each of our J.Deere machines has been very good, minimal compared to other machines that we used. We like the machines for their design and engineering options on stronger power ergonomics and the availability of servicing and upkeep, but fuel consumption is probably the biggest driver for us.
“I think John Deere is a class above its competitors outdistancing it’s contenders putting physics in motion for the best possible result. I’ve had a very good run out of the machines I’ve had and that’s the reason why I’ll continue to stick with John Deere.”
● Carl Erceg at work with the JD959ML feller-buncher.
LOOKING BACK
2020
FSC
AUSTRALIA/NEW
ZEALAND has filled a casual vacancy on the board and appointed AFPA CEO Ross Hampton to the Economic Chamber Director vacancy and elected three new directors.
Carlie Porteous (VISY), David Collard and Michelle Freeman (IFA) join Craig Dunn (Opal), and Sarah Rees (Australian Forests and Climate Alliance) who were returned to the board, having successfully renominated after completing a three year appointment, and Peter Cooper (The Wilderness Society) who was elected after having filled a casual vacancy.
2017
A $60.7 million sale agreement for forestry rights to 29,000 hectares of hardwood plantations is a huge step towards putting Sustainable Timber Tasmania back onto a commercial footing, according to Tasmanian Resources Minister Guy Barnett.
The sale, to Reliance Forest Fibre, a new enterprise owned by investment funds advised by Global Forest Partners LP, an international forest investment advisory firm with approximately 700,000 ha of timberland across the globe under management, valued at around $3.7 billion. GFP has a long history of sustainable forestry investments in Australia but this investment represents its first in Tasmania.
2012
SEVERE TROPICAL cy-
clones, Larry, Ului and Yasi, had devastating effects on timber plantations and plantation trial plots in tropical Queensland regions and with climate change projections indicating an increasing frequency of severe cyclones in the region Timber Queensland has released a Best practice guide for timber plantations in tropical cyclonic areas of Queensland.
A peach among the briar in South East Queensland
Keith Smiley
Couched amid the rolling hills of South East Queensland, Peachester abounds in nature, and is only a step away from the gorgeous foreshore of the Sunshine Coast.
Untrammelled by its salubrious surroundings, the original and current Peachester Sawmills are a beacon of endeavour and testament to more than 100 years of combined existence.
The Peachester township was named after the peach trees which grew on the banks of the Stanley river and the spot where great grandfather William Grigor built the first sawmill in 1898, referred to as the ‘old sawmilling hamlet’.
A 12-horse team and wagon, and bullock teams were used to haul logs from the local bush to mill, which continued until 1917. The Peachester Historical Society preserves most of the local heritage while the Grigor family remains prominent.
The family serves the community well, and has been civically active in the local district since the late 1800s, making the family one of the earliest pioneers.
Many years later, and by 1947, William’s son, Stan Grigor, along with two business partners, started a new enterprise just up the road from the original sawmill, on 22 acres, situated on Commissioners Flat road.
Stan’s youngest son Neville, began his timber cutting career in 1956 at the age of 16. Nevs older brother Ian was a timber cutter also, and they often worked to-
gether in the bush.
The sawmill had a few changes along the way, and in 1959 a new partnership with George Eggleton was established, with the new trading name of Eggleton & Grigor.
A timber yard, called Peachester Timber Co. was set up in Salisbury, Brisbane, to sell sawn hardwood straight from the sawmill. This timber yard is still operational today, run by George’s son, John Eggleton
After Stans passing in 1966, Nev took over from Stan and continued cutting timber for the sawmill. Nev’s good friend Howard Walker’ became manager and worked at the sawmill for many years.
In 1989, the partnership had ended, and the sawmill changed its name to Peachester Sawmilling Company. Nev continued the logging, along with his eldest son, Russell. His younger son Andrew worked in the mill for a number of years, and
daughter Robyn has helped out alongside daughter Chris and husband Steve Bower who currently manage the business, with four employees, Jamie, who is Chris and Steve’s son, Joel, Cliff and Clinton.
“We are very fortunate to have hardworking and reliable staff together with Nev and Barbara who are still involved with the business. Dad has demonstrated a great work ethic to us over the years, and has been a good provider for his family. He has often commented that his dad, Stan, would be very proud to see the sawmill still going. Nev often visits his log yard and bush blocks, and every Wednesday has a coffee with Chris, while mum goes to Patchwork,” said Chris.
“The sawmill had a major machinery revamp in the early 2000s: We purchased a reconditioned McKee Canadian bench from Paul Smith, and one from M.A. Smith Engineering in Grafton, New South Wales. Paul then designed
and installed a new oneman bench, transfers, and a new docking system. We also had a firewood docking system installed a few years back to expand our marketing opportunities. The decision to upgrade has been well worth it. Paul is an engineering whiz and is great to work with,” said Chris.
“Our market has always been GOS structural sawn timber supplying the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane markets. Our species are mainly blackbutt, iron bark and various mixed species. We process approximately 3000m3 of logs annually and we have our own blackbutt and spotted gum plantations that are still growing with a few native forest resource blocks, which have been in the family for many years. Our crown allocation finishes at the end of 2024, due to the RFA, so we are unsure of what might happen going forward. We’ll just keep on supplying our sustainable Queensland hardwood to our great customers.”
●
● Barbara and Nev Grigor with Chris Bower at the Peachester Sawmill.
The main mill at Peachester.
Komatsu Forest’s Unique Forest Combinations
The Komatsu PC270HW & PC300FX Extreme models have been developed by collaboration between Komatsu Forest & Komatsu Osaka Factory.
