Hines’ Collingwood project our tallest timber structure
T3 on Wellington Street in Collingwood – currently Australia’s tallest timber structure – is now complete and it’s a project Jo Lees and investment company Hines is particularly proud.
“It’s a very striking façade,” Ms Lees told this year’s Timber Offsite Construction conference in Melbourne. “And when you look at it from certain points on the road, you can see some of those timber beams coming through. So it’s a beautiful project.”
Ms Lees is construction manager for Hines, a privately owned global real estate investment, development and management firm, founded in 1957, with a presence in 383 cities in 30 countries and $94.6 billion in assets under management and more than 101 million square feet of assets for which Hines provides third-party property-level services. As such she oversees the design, program, procurement, construction, and closeout of Hines projects in Australia.
Ms Lees said that T3 is Hines timber portfolio.
“We currently have 26 T3 timber developments at some stage in the development pipeline,” she said.
“So what is T3? Hines has a very ambitious sustainability focus, both from a development point of view but also their existing assets.
“So we’re doing a lot of work at the moment in embodied carbon sustainability and general ESG focus. T3 was born out of that, and what we really want to try and emulate is the industrial field and the reuse of land and real estate to try and be best-in-class from a sustainability point of view,” she said.
36 Willington Street is a 15 story commercial building located in Collingwood. There are six levels podium in concrete, and then a ninelevel timber structure sitting on top.
“One of the great features of this project is the supply of timber,” Ms Lees said.
She said Australian Sustainable Hardwoods were the primary supplier of gluelam for the project and Xlam supplied the CLT. And because
the timber elements were locally sourced Hines was able to avoid most of the issues that arose from Covid and save around $2 million in shipping costs.
Ms Lees said that the use of timber had resulted in a 34 per cent reduction in embodied carbon.
She said Hines had very few logistical issues and very few design issues.
“The timber arrived on site was installed very quickly, but was still subject to the weather.”
However because of the logistics of the timber installation any time lost was able to be clawed back.
Ms Lees said that very early in the project Hines had engaged with the fire brigade
in Melbourne. “One of the outcomes of that was that we agreed to clad the CLT,” she said.
“Sadly, it means you don’t get to see the CLT. But we did manage to negotiate to leave the beams exposed.
“We did go through an extensive fire testing process, we did about six different fire tests.
“And as a result of that, we were able to leave the beams exposed. We’re also two-hour fire rated.
“Obviously a number of timber buildings endeavour to develop a performance solution to get to 90 minutes but we are two hours. We were able to demonstrate that in our in our fire testing,” Ms Lees said.
• Exposed Glulam beams in the now completed 36 Wellington Street project in Melbourne.
• The front of the 36 Wellington Street office block.
NOVEMBER 2023
Issue 7 – Volume 33
Incorporating Australian and New Zealand Timberman. Established 1977.
News 3-12
Technology 14
Obituary 9
Mills 17
Associations 18-22
FRONT Cover:
Hines T3 on Wellington Street in Collingwood – currently Australia’s tallest timber structure – is now complete and it’s a project Jo Lees and investment company Hines is particularly proud. Story Page 3
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Conditions The
All
Building homes out of local timber
WE know that Tasmania, and in fact the whole country, is in the depths of a housing crisis. We need more houses built, and we need that building to start as soon as possible.
Last year’s announcement by Housing Minister Guy Barnett will go a long way to help house more Tasmanians than ever. And should Federal Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund pass in the Senate, even more homes will be built.
The Tasmanian forestry industry is ready for the coming construction boom. Building a house requires wood, and lots of it. So, constructing 10,000 homes will require a coordinated response from the Tasmanian forestry industry. It’s a challenge our members have embraced, and will meet, from across
MY VIEW
the range of forest products we produce.
But our forestry story doesn’t stop there. The industry has a commitment to replant or resow every tree harvested.
Each of those replanted will spend on average the next 20-35 years growing for plan-
tations and 60-70 years for native hardwood regrowth forests, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, until they are ready to be harvested again.
And that means they will be ready to turn into new houses. That’s right – the tree the forestry industry planted when it harvested the wood to be made into your first home, will be available for the construction of your children’s, or grandchildren’s, first home.
And the best bit? We’ll replant a tree to begin the process all over again. Forestry is proud of this cycle, and why we refer to ourselves as the ultimate renewable.
But building 10,000 new homes in a decade is no small feat. Here is a breakdown of what it will take.
One average three-bed-
room home requires 14 cubic metres of softwood and engineered timber to build the frame. An average house also uses around 4.8 cubic metres of hardwood plus significant volumes of ply, chipboard and MDF for the fit out. Our mixed species forestry industry is critical and building homes for the future depends on it. The alternative is imported timber from places where often the forestry practices are far less regulated than here, costing over $2 billion nationally every year. Imagine if we could grow, harvest and process even a small part of that timber here, on island?
So let’s get serious and help build 10,000 Tasmanian homes… and let’s build them out of local timber. For the benefit of Tasmania today, and for future generations.
Australia takes a major step in engineered timber
IN October Australia took the next step in increasing its sovereign capability to manufacture engineered timber products while reducing reliance on imports.
In August this year Timberlink’s NeXTimber facility at Tarpeena in South Australia’s South East produced its first GLT beam.
Timberlink CEO Ian Tyson described that event as “very meaningful”.
In October the facility pressed its first Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panel.
The newly commissioned CLT line can produce panels up to 16M long and 3.5M wide and will unlock significant capability to manufacture mass timber building products in Australia.
From the outset Timberlink was faced with the choice of either South Australia or Victoria for the site.
Victoria was considered for its closeness to markets; SA was considered because of the availability of timber and because Timberlink already had a mill in Tarpeena.
Timberlink’s decision to build the $59 million manufacturing facility - the first in Australia to produce both types of timber product – at Tarpeena in South Australia was widely welcomed.
Mr Tyson said that with the facility being constructed at Tarpeena there were benefits with being located on the same site as the company’s existing saw mill.
Support from the South Australian Government, District Council of Grant, and local members of parliament
was also very strong.
Most of the product will be supplied into large buildings in capital cities in Australia with Timberlink aiming to grow the market and replace imports that primarily come from Europe.
This is the first step, and Timberlink is to be congratulated for taking it.
The facility is scheduled for full production by the end of October.
World’s tallest timber tower gets go-ahead for Western Australia
GRANGE Develop-
ment’s C6 $350m apartment development in Perth, set to become the world’s tallest timber tower, has been approved after what the developer described as a “very rigorous planning process”
Approval for the project was initially rejected the City of South Perth after the council’s development assessment panel said the “height was inconsistent with the planning framework”.
However Perth’s Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel overruled the City of South Perth.
Grange Development managing director James Dibble told this year’s Timber Offsite Construction Conference in Melbourne the planning process had been “brutal” and probably “the most challenging in the country”.
The C6 project will see a 191.2-meter-tall “hybrid” tower constructed using mass timber.
When completed, the 50-storey high-rise will surpass the world’s tallest timber-concrete hybrid building, the Ascent tower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which stands at 25 stories or 86 meters.
The proposed structure, located on Charles Street in South Perth, will also be taller than the forthcoming hybrid timber Atlassian Headquarters in Sydney, which is poised to claim the record from Ascent but is yet to be completed.
“It’s pretty ambitious project,” Mr Dibble told the conference.
“We had four key cornerstones for the project. That was to be pioneering, for 50 per cent of the building to be constructed out of mass timber, we obviously needed it to be sustainable, that is carbon negative in structure and in operation, and we wanted it to be cost-effective,” he said.
“But the big negatives that I got when I embarked on this process around linear and mass timber was that it was cost prohibitive.
“And so one of our missions was to get that as close to cost parity as possible, and to enhance the well-being of our customers through Biophilia and give them a prod-
uct that was closely connected to nature. So why we need a different approach.
“We’ve gifted 20 per cent of the site back to the public by way of a public park which is no small feat and a very small site of 2000 square meters.”
Mr Dibble said that all the vertical components would be made from concrete.
“Obviously we had some issues in terms of using timber beams after about 15 storeys and so it makes sense, (but) the horizontal plane is timber essentially.”
Mr Dibble said C6 would consume approximately 580 pine trees sourced from sustainably managed and farmed forests, or 7400 cubic meters of mass timber.
“The most impressive part of this story is all that timber in this building will be regrown in one region alone in less than an hour,” he said.
“You can’t grow concrete. So it’s a big deal because it
provides a practical and commercially viable template to start shifting the needle forward.”
Mr Dibble said that concrete was obviously the single biggest industrial cause of pollution.
“In fact, if it was a country it would be the third-highest emitting country on the planet.
“Mass timber is a renewable source when it’s sustainably forested,” he said.
“And it’s a viable material
that needs to be better utilized and integrated into our buildings.
“It doesn’t have to be all mass timber, but it shouldn’t be part of the mix.”
He said construction technology and methodologies had evolved exponentially over the past 50 years. However, concrete and steel was still the default.
“In our opinion, it doesn’t really make any sense that that needs to be the case.
“And mass timber can defi-
nitely be in the mix.”
So what’s in it for developers, contractors and home buyers?
“Obviously, through the fabrication process, high levels of accuracy, that’s a given,” Mr Dibble said.
“It’s Biophilia with integrity. We kind of have this this slant towards greenwashing.
“But this project does try to do that with some integrity and proves it and the science.
“And the buyers can gain access to a quality of construction that is millimetre perfect, and the clients pay for a home that is well designed, well-built and protects our planet,” he said.
“So ultimately, we’ve got to use the material where it’s suited and not going to be stuck in dogma, the same way of industry has been stuck in dogma about concrete, steel.
“So my request is simply that if you have investors or developers in the room, if you’ve got a project that you are embarking upon, consider mass timber in the mix,” Mr Dibble said.
• Grange Development managing director James Dibble at this year’s Timber Offsite Construction Conference in Melbourne
• Grange Development managing director James Dibble at this year’s Timber Offsite Construction Conference in Melbourne
Going bigger by aiming smaller
TIMBER Offsite Construction Conference organiser Andrew Dunn believes his first conference was like being the father of the bride - there’s always room for improvement.
But overall he was delighted.
“My measure is how much of the audience was the intended audience which is building professionals,” he said.
“And 60 per cent of the audience were indeed building professionals and what was the most surprising thing is that more than 50 per cent were new to the conference.”
Mr Dunn said there were around 220 delegates which was an increase on last year.
Next year the plan is go bigger, and of course better.
Mr Dunn said survey results from the conference indicated a desire for more case studies.
“I think it’s what people want. And there a lot of smaller projects to look at instead of the big projects,” he said.
“So we want to introduce a small building case study because that’s where we sell a lot of product into.
“Things with school buildings as boring, but there is a market for them. Classrooms are boring, but they can consume a lot of wood.”
“The conference was about commercially ready or near ready projects,” he said.
He didn’t want to have any speakers talking about concepts needing 20 years of development for the marketplace.
“No one’s interested in that because they’re going with it doesn’t apply to me now, why would I bother?”
Mr Dunn said developers were still looking for a cheaper way of doing things, and timber really fits.
“So that may be the direction we’ll be going in from the next series, to test the direction of the winds what’s going locally.”
Built by Nature’s simple goal – use more wood
BUILT by Nature, a European-based network focused on accelerating the use of sustainable mass timber and other bio-based materials in the built environment, has a simple target; getting the use of mass timber at 20 per cent across the board.
And its former Australianbased CEO Amanda Sturgeon told this year’s Timber Offsite Construction Conference in Melbourne that some policies in Europe are already demanding 20 per cent in the housing sector.
“For example, the metropolitan region of Amsterdam has a policy requiring a 20 per cent mass timber proportion for the housing that’s going to be built over the next 10 years,” she said.
“We’ve seen similar policies in France and we’re trying to roll out hose policies across the rest of Europe as well.”
But Ms Sturgeon said the building industry in Europe was “very fragmented”.
“It’s locked into a current paradigm which is optimized for steel and concrete. It’s very slow to change, very risk adverse. It needs to see tangible solutions before it will move to make change.”
Ms Sturgeon said that Built by Nature was a non-profit organization, but also a re-
grantor as well, as a network creator.
She said it was felt there was insufficient demand in the market for timber and other bio-based materials.
“There was a need for implementation experience and advocacy to scale the transition codes and policies,” she said.
Ms Sturgeon said Built by Nature one of the few philanthropies based in Europe, who focuses on the built environment sector.
“The focus is very much on the demand side and accelerating the demand side,” she said.
“We think there needs to be some incentivization to get a larger sort of share with the market.
Built by Nature has a three pronged strategy.
“We form regional networks focused on the demand sectors. We have local network leads currently in the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, with the plans to grow France, Germany, Denmark, quite shortly,” Ms Sturgeon said.
KEY POINTS
Accelerating demand for mass timber
■ Built by Nature is a network focused on accelerating the use of sustainable mass timber and other bio-based materials in the built environment.
■ To urgently achieve the carbon targets of the Paris Climate Agreement, alternatives to concrete and steel are needed and they play a critical role in transforming the construction sector.
■ BbN’s primary goal is to accelerate the demand by:
“We convene those market players, and we focus really on the front runners, those who have done a mass timber building or advocating or have some sort of foot into the market.
We understand what the barriers have been for them to achieve those projects, whether they be cost insurance, capacity, knowledge, policies.
“And then we invite them to apply into our fund to create solutions projects. And those
■ 1) connecting market influencers across sectors through our frontrunner network of investors, asset owners, developers, designers, cities, and insurers,
■ 2) enabling cross-sector initiatives and supporting systemic solutions to overcome barriers identified through our network and
■ 3) amplifying solutions within the frontrunner network and across the industry to change perceptions and awareness.
can be collaborations with academic institutions, with city governments, or with each other.”
Ms Sturgeon said that Built by Nature currently funded about $3 million each year in projects in Europe.
“So with all of these projects, again, our intention is to remove the barriers streamline the process to really scale mass timber from being a few capitalists projects, to being a larger percentage of the market,” she said.
• Former Australian-based Built by Nature CEO Amanda Sturgeon at this year’s Timber Offsite Construction Conference.
1. Trent Davis, Bronco Petrov, Hayden Nielsen and Glenn Burggraaf from Wurth Australia.
2. David Oliver from Timberlink, Scott Blakely fromn Australian Panels and Georgia Coutsodimitropoulos from Timberlink.
3. Christie Jeffery and Christopher Mooney from Pentarch Forestry.
4. Craig Stephens from BEA with Barry Bronton from Legacy Engineering.
5. David Borg and Andrew Ferguson from Siegware.
6. Jack Hill and Jereme Droz from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods.
7. Tyson Infanti and Alexander Esser from Hasslacher Timber Australia.
8. Corey Jones, Ringo Thomas and Adam Jones from CLT Toolbox.
9. Charlie Hutchings from Hundegger Australia.
10.Sean Thomas, Gather Connell, Ben Kezilas and Ivan Stocci from Cabots.
Taking up fight against steel framing Industry needs to tackle steel framing promotional claims
DR Alastair Woodard has a stark warning for the timber building industry – steel is definitely a threat.
“There’s no doubt about it,” the General Manager of Wood Products Victoria told a Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association seminar in Adelaide.
“The steel framing sector nationally is very proactive at the moment, far more proactive in terms of the residential market in particular than perhaps the timber industry is,” he said.
“Can you really compare apples and oranges? It’s difficult because things certainly vary. It depends on the market you are targeting, it depends on the builder because all builders aren’t the same, and it depends on which state you’re actually work in.”
Dr Woodard said responses to a survey of the top 500 builders nationally said that the five biggest possible
threats to the timber brand were price stability, supply, lack of skilled trades, increased regulation and building and engineer sign-off.
“And when you look about the steel framing sector is doing it’s actually very active in all of those areas,” he said.
“So what do we need to do?
“We need to actively challenge and tackle the steel framing promotional claims,” he said
“We need to promote the major carbon benefits of wooden products and timber framing and we need to provide a better single frame construction offering and so-
lution than the steel framing guys do.
“So what does that look like in terms of that challenging those promotional claims? I guess what the timber industry has done has been fairly nice about it; we’re not very anti-steel.”
But Dr Woodard said the
softly-softly approach about the benefits of timber framing won’t work because the steel industry was not so shy about point out the negatives of timber.
“So really we’re sort of asking exactly when and if the FTMA should really get a little bit harder,” he said.
Interest rate rises will prolong trough
THE number of loans issued for the construction or purchase of new homes are at their lowest level since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008.
“Housing and finance data continues to be weighed down by the interest rate increases that the RBA commenced more than a year earlier,” HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said.
“In the three months to August 2023 lending for the purchase or construction of a new homes was 30.3 per cent lower than at the same quarter a year earlier.
“Despite a small rise in building approvals in the month of August, building approvals remain 17.5 per cent lower in the latest three months compared to a year earlier. This includes a 15.8 per cent decline in detached houses and a 20.3 per cent decline in multi-units,” he said.
This decline in building activity was in contrast to the low level of unemployment and strong population growth.
Mr Devitt said the impact of
the RBA’s tightening cycle was not expected to produce a trough in new house commencements until the second half of 2024.
“Any further increases in interest rates will deepen and prolong this trough,” Mr Devitt said.
In original terms, the total number of loans for the purchase of construction of new
homes in the three months to August 2023 declined in all jurisdictions compared to the same quarterly period a year earlier, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-76.5 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-70.1 per cent), and followed by South Australia (-36.0 per cent), New South Wales (-32.0 per cent), Victoria (-29.1 per cent), Queens-
land (-28.5 per cent), Tasmania (-27.3 per cent) and Western Australia (-18.9 per cent).
In seasonally adjusted terms, building approvals in the three months to August 2023, compared to the same quarterly period a year earlier, declined in New South Wales (-25.7 per cent), followed by Tasmania (-25.5
per cent), Western Australia (-24.5 per cent), Queensland (-19.8 per cent), South Australia (-9.6 per cent) and Victoria (-8.0 per cent). In original terms, the Northern Territory also declined (-54.1 per cent), while the Australian Capital Territory saw the only increase (+0.3 per cent).
Vale John Halkett – a force, a beacon of dedication and passion
THE timber industry is mourning the sudden passing of industry leader John Halkett at his home in Sydney in October.
The New Zealand-born professional forester and business entrepreneur was general manager of the Australian Timber Importers Federation, co-publisher of Timber and Forestry enews and Timber Trader, and author of five books that reflected his love of trees.
He also held senior positions in government forest and conservation agencies in Australia and New Zealand and worked in the US, Canada, Papua New Guinea, southeast Asia, Myanmar, China and Africa and was a board member of the Global Timber Forum.
His early career was as a forester in New Zealand, focusing on resource management with a focus on resource management. This in turn led to working with industry bodies and communicating his work to a bigger audience.
He published his first book, The World of Kauri, in 1986,
the same year he joined the editorial board of the New Zealand Journal of Forestry.
While he held senior forestry roles within the NZ Department of Conservation and also in Australia, John knew that the Australasian timber sector was never going to be self-supporting.
He advocated for a wellregulated but accessible international trade in timber and spent much of his career focused on the issues of importing, which he believed was a route to not only address supply needs in wealthy Western nations but to improve employment and social prospects in their poorer, tree-rich neighbours.
Australian Timber Importers Federation chair Jacinta Colley said Mr Halkett wasn’t just the face of ATIF.
“Her was a force, a beacon of dedication and passion within the forest and wood products industry,” she said.
“He was a man whose love
Non-Structural Ply Say Goodbye to
Made with the same
for his work was palpable, a man who didn’t just work to live but lived to work.
“John’s exceptional networking skills and vast political connections painted a global canvas of influence and respect. John had a remarkable knack for juggling multiple projects, his drive and energy seemingly boundless. Yet it was his unwavering support for the industry that truly set him apart. He departed from this world as he lived in it, his phone in his hand, immersed in the industry he loved. His passing on the 10th of October 2023 has left an irreplaceable void. His memory, however, will continue to inspire and guide us. John leaves an important legacy for his contribution to the required imported space.”
John is survived by his partner Maxeine McKeon, daughter Jonelle, granddaughters Hana and Cailin, grandson Eban and four siblings Lawrie, Bob, Peter and Sue.
Monaghan’s sons celebrate 25 years of material handling
COMBILIFT located in Monaghan lifted the population of this small Irish town by hundreds during the last week in September as they pulled out all stops to celebrate their 25th anniversary calling in around 130 international journalists from as far away as Australia, as well as dealers and clients.
The celebrations lasted well into the weekend with a final event an open day where anyone and everyone in Monaghan was welcome.
Monaghan Town is in Monaghan County and Combilift is one of the largest employers in the area with more than 800 employees at its modern, large manufacturing facility which also houses its head office including a large number of engineers.
Four media representatives made the trip from Australia, with Australasian Timber the only timber publication attending.
The first commemorative event began on Monday afternoon when the multi-level foyer of head office was flooded with media and Combilift employees, business people, international visitors and local politicians such as the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
“We invest 7% of our revenue annually in R&D and today is the culmination of many years’ hard work,” Combilift managing director Martin McVicar said.
“We are delighted to be continuing this tradition of innovation 25 years on. Now employing over 800 people in Monaghan and 200 people in other locations across the world, the success of Combilift is testament to our people, our customers and the support provided by Enterprise Ireland. We are looking for-
ward to the next 25 years at Combilift.”
During the celebratory events, which lasted days, Mr McVicar said that the company planned to establish a network of sales support agents in Asia as it expects to double its Asian turnover to €25m by 2025. It will expand operations in the region from existing bases in India and China to markets in Vietnam and Thailand with Thailand the priority. Combilift has been operating in the Asian market for more than 15 years.
Just as important as Combilift’s expansion globally is that the company aims, where possible, to source locally thereby providing even more work for the local area.
The ripple effect flows on to many other businesses some not directly related, and benefits so many in the county. Combilift is rightly proud of its sustained contribution to its community, which is the area where managing director Martin McVicar grew up on a farm.
“Over the past 25 years, Combilift has made an enormous positive impact on people’s lives as a major employer
in Monaghan. That has made a very important impact to the Irish economy through employment and spend in our local communities,” Minister Humphreys said at the opening event.
Engineers Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett started the business in Monaghan but in a smaller facility which the company still owns, its current facility was built at a cost of €50m and opened in April 2018.
But this is not an inwardlooking parochial company, not at all, it is a large global and progressive manufacturer of multi-directional, articulated forklifts and straddle carriers, and now it is expanding its vision to include transportation of offshore wind turbine blades sealing a contract with German company Siemens. The company hopes to generate more than €50m in revenue per year just in the windfarm segment by 2026.
• At left: Seamus McMeel (Combilift), Connor McKenna (Combilift), Ireland's Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys, Martin McVicar (Combilift MD), Mark White (Combilift) with a Combi-CB70E and, at right, customers on a tour of the Combilift facility.
• Ireland’s Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys addresses Combilift staff at the company’s hometown of Monaghan in Ireland.
Mr McVicar said that when the company started with only a handful of employees it produced 18 units and of the 18 units produced in 1998, 17 were exported out of Ireland and the export markets in year one were – Norway, Belgium and France. Only one unit was sold into the Irish market.
“We’ve been export focused from day one,” Mr McVicar said.
The company exports roughly 98% of its products to around 85 countries worldwide, including Australia where Chris Littlewood has been overseeing operations for some years.
Combilift’s roots though are firmly entrenched in the timber industry where it continues with R&D to introduce more and better equipment to cater for the needs of the timber industry, timber suppliers, truss and frame manufacturers, sawmillers, timber importers, the timber hard-
ware industry and even companies working in the modular homes sector with its new Combi-MG mobile gantry. Out of the five new products for 2023, four were relevant for the timber industry: the Combi-MG mobile gantry, the Combi-Cube electric multidirectional counterbalance forklift, the Combi-CB70E electric compact 7t capacity counterbalance truck with multi-directional ability, and the Combi-CSS a cost-effective loading solution that can load or unload a 40-foot container in six minutes.
One of many things that is outstanding about Combilift is that the company is a niche manufacturer of equipment used the world over in many industries. Its power lies in its tenet and that is to use its inhouse engineers to tailor its equipment to suit the exact needs of the buyer, not something other material handling companies do.
MANDY PARRY-JONES
$1.5m funding boost for CLT Toolbox
CLT Toolbox - a design software platform that aims to remove the hurdles for structural engineers to become timber specialists and accelerate the transition to more sustainable building materials to decarbonise the construction industry - has secured its first $1.5M in seed funding.
The funding has been led by leading investors including Archangel Ventures, BlueScope Steel’s venture capital arm, BluescopeX and Rob Phillpot through Gravel Road, the Co-Founder of Aconex, an Australian Construction Tech company that sold legendarily in 2018 for $1.6B AUD.
The round also includes Aussie VC’s Flying Fox Ventures, ClimateTech focused Ecotone Ventures and Angel Investors Jodie Imam, Adrian Hondros and Peter Lam.
CEO Adam Jones, who was recently announced as the Engineers Australia Emerging
Leader of Victoria, saw education and resourcing as a major bottleneck supporting the shift to lower embodied carbon materials, identifying that software can help accelerate the adoption of Mass Timber into the supply chain as a mainstream material choice.
“Without experience, resources, and education – new timber solutions are less likely to be proposed. This software can help us rapidly reduce the time it takes to adopt reduced carbon solutions and accelerate the industry’s decarbonisation movement,” Mr Jones said.
Hybrid mid-rise or high-rise buildings that combine traditional materials and “mass timber” benefits include the reduction of biogenic embodied carbon and potentially accelerated build times.
The announcement comes at a time when the NSW Government is projected to
follow California’s lead and implement the State Environment Planning Policy on
October the 1st, which would require the measurement and reporting of the embod-
• CLT Toolbox co-founders Adam Jones and Ringo Thomas.
ied emissions of construction materials and encourage the design and delivery of sustainable buildings. Construction is estimated to be worth 18.1% of Australia’s carbon footprint.
According to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), by including Mass Timber as a contributing core material, some hybrid buildings have proven to have reduced their embodied carbon (including biogenic carbon) by up to by up to 75%.
“The inclusion of mass timber can help us achieve the goals being set by the wider industry to reduce the impact of construction on climate change. We need more expertise and market understanding than what is currently available,” co-founder of CLT Toolbox Ringo Thomas said.
Traffic Management Forum for timber, hardware professionals
THE National Timber and Hardware Association has launched a special member event, the Traffic Management Forum, designed exclusively for professionals in the timber and hardware industry.
This exciting event series will travel to multiple locations across Australia, including Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, and will also be accessible online.
The Forum is scheduled to take place throughout October aligning with Safe Work Month.
Safety and health in the workplace are paramount, and the Traffic Management Forum aims to equip NTHA members with the essential skills and knowledge needed to navigate the challenges of traffic management in their daily operations.
Dean Wilson, NTHA Workplace Health & Safety Officer and highly experienced trainer, will be the host and key facilitator for these events.
“This is an important initiative for NTHA to provide our members with the knowledge and skills to protect them, their businesses, and their staff so they can prepare for hazards in the workplace, especially with vehicles,” he said.
“NTHA is focused on improving health and safety rates and reducing hazards in the industry as a whole, and this starts with providing free training for our dedicated business owners and helping equip managers with the
right skills to prevent incidents.”
The Traffic Management Forum will offer attendees insights and actionable knowhow to enhance safety in the movement of people, vehicles, equipment, and resources on worksites.
The comprehensive training program will cover various aspects, including:
• Legislation: Understanding the legal framework and compliance requirements related to traffic management.
• Purpose of Traffic Management: Identifying the core objectives of traffic management within the timber and hardware industry.
• Traffic Hazard Identification: Recognising potential hazards and risks associated with traffic on worksites and developing strategies to mitigate them.
• Separation of People and Vehicles: Strategies for maintaining safe distances and minimising the risk of accidents.
• Exclusion Zones: Establishing restricted areas to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.
• Vehicle Speed Control: Implementing measures to control vehicle speed and improve safety.
• Documentation: Proper record-keeping and reporting
• NTHA Workplace Health & Safety Officer Dean Wilson will be the host and key facilitator for the Traffic Management events.
for compliance and accountability.
NTHA is committed to supporting its members and the industry by offering this essential training opportunity. By providing the Traffic Management Forum free of charge, NTHA aims to foster
a culture of safety and minimise workplace incidents within the timber and hardware sector.
For more information about The Traffic Management Forum, including registration details and event dates, please visit the NTHA
website: https://www.ntha. com.au/news-item/13681/ nthas-whs-launch-trafficmanagement-forum-as-partof-octobers-national-safework-month-2023 or contact Alicia Langfield at info@ntha. com.au.
FSC Chain of Custody certification for Mitre 10
MITRE 10 New Zealand has obtained FSC Chain of Custody certification reflecting the cooperative’s dedication to responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship, in line with its Timber and Wood Finished Goods Procurement Policy.
Strategically pursuing FSC Chain of Custody certification, Mitre 10 aimed to support the needs of key customers in the construction industry.
With this certification, Mi-
tre 10 can now pass on FSC claims to builders and construction companies, empowering them to integrate FSC-certified products into their construction projects. This proactive decision benefits builders by providing them with the confidence to select forest-friendly materials, while also reinforcing Mitre 10’s ongoing commitment to responsible sourcing and the protection of the natural environment.
With FSC Chain of Custody
certification achieved, Mitre 10 further solidifies its position as a responsible corporate citizen, committed to safeguarding the world’s forests for future generations. Customers can now make purchases with confidence, knowing that FSCcertified timber, wood and paper products from Mitre 10 originate from sustainably managed forests. This certified supply chain ensures the protection of wildlife and habitats while prioritising the
rights of communities and workers.
“This certification is another proof point of our commitment to making a real and sustainable impact on the environment, our operations, and the communities we’re part of,” Mitre 10 New Zealand’s Sustainability Manager, Julie Roberts said.
“Building and construction is a significant part of our business and chain of custody certification means our trade customers can order
sustainably sourced timber from us with confidence.”.
As Mitre 10 New Zealand continues to grow in market share and store numbers, sustainability and responsible forestry are deeply embedded principles of their business ethos. The FSC chain of custody certification marks a significant stride towards a more environmentally conscious future, solidifying its position as an advocate for sustainable forestry practices in the country.
Leading Australia’s timber industry towards low-carbon future
IN 2022, Australia’s Government set emissions reduction targets aiming for a 43% emission cut by 2030 from 2005 levels and net-zero emissions by 2050.
To reach these goals, every industry must play its part and make significant contributions to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
Forest & Wood Products Australia is leading this charge for the industry by releasing three new carbon guides that serve as a source of knowledge, deftly extending the understanding of the role forest and wood products can play in the carbon economy.
Forests are a significant actor in the global carbon cycle and continue to play a key role in how we address the changing climate. As we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the resourcerich forest and wood products industry continues to emerge as a key player that can bolster the ongoing effort through the timber building materials produced from sustainably managed forests.
Amidst the building sector’s drive towards decarboniza-
tion and the growing influence of emissions in forestry, plantation management, and material selection for construction, this trilogy of documents by FWPA explains key carbon-related terms spanning the lifecycle of wood products and the buildings they go into.
Success in hitting emissions reduction targets hinges on collaboration. The forest and wood products industry must align with the growing carbon-consciousness of the construction sector, understanding concepts and frameworks, engaging with initiatives and advocacy opportunities, and exploring
VACUUM COATERS
incentives that highlight why timber stands out as a lowcarbon alternative that can effectively contribute to Australia’s sustainable built environment.
FWPA’s Carbon Guides have been created in collaboration with Thinkstep ANZ and Senior Research Scientist, Dr Fabiano Ximines.
The guides shed light on the multifaceted impact of plantations, commercial forests, and the resulting wood products on Australia’s carbon balance.
Notably, the guides illustrate not only the widely acknowledged carbon sequestration capabilities of forests
but also the often-underestimated role that wood, both during its service life and after disposal, plays in carbon storage.
These new FWPA-funded Carbon Guides provide industry stakeholders with the knowledge necessary to steer towards a sustainable future, playing a pivotal role in the carbon dialogue and positioning the industry to shape a future where timber assumes a vital role in curbing carbon emissions and driving sustainable growth.
Access the first two guides in the series at https://fwpa. com.au/resources/
SMART SOLUTIONS FOR SMART TIMBER PEOPLE
LOWER PRIMING COSTS AND INCREASE PROFIT MARGINS
INCREASED SPEED OF PAINTING/ PRIMING TIMBER & MDF MOULDINGS REPEATABLE FINISH ON MDF AND TIMBER MOULDINGS
SUPERIOR FINISH OF PRIMING/ PAINTING ON TIMBER & MDF BOARDS FREE UP YOUR WORKFORCE TO COMPLETE OTHER TASKS REDUCED WASTE OF YOUR PAINT AND STAIN PRODUCTS
Würth accelerates data protection with Cloudian object storage
WÜRTH NZ, has deployed Cloudian HyperStore object storage to help store and protect its critical data from ransomware, accelerate data protection, and enable greater automation capabilities across its business.
Established in New Zealand in 1987, Würth NZ has become a staple of New Zealand’s automotive, cargo, construction, engineering and wood trade sectors, offering a full range of tools, supplies and digital services. It employs more than 250 staff in New Zealand and has offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Mount Maunganui and Wellington.
Following a successful Cloudian deployment at Würth’s
sister company in Australia, the Würth NZ team brought Cloudian together with its trusted local partner, PB Tech.
The team deployed Cloudian’s HyperStore and Object Lock technology in Würth’s Auckland data centres, combining it with Veaam’s data protection technology.
Würth NZ IT Manager Ricky Bright says the deployment has been a major uplift for Würth’s resiliency in the event of a major server failure or data breach. While none have occurred, the company has tested a 40GB server failover and had the environment back up and running within 10 minutes.
“We now have the confidence to innovate and accelerate our growth ambitions
because we’re assured on our businesses resilience,” said Bright. “We can trust our data backups will be there when we need them, and – importantly – we can quickly retrieve specific missing or deleted data instantly whenever a team member needs it.”
Crucially, Cloudian’s data immutability capabilities mean that even in the event of a ransomware attack, a backup copy of critical data remains inaccessible to cybercriminals. The deployment has also removed bandwidth congestion issues during backups, which had slowed down Würth’s staff using its digital services. Cloudian’s load balancer intelligently manages application traffic across the environment to provide optimal, consistent performance so backups can happen unnoticed.
and prepare for important trends such as AI that will have a major impact on the industry. We’re walking before we run and building the competence to give us confidence in a more digitised industry.”
“Legacy data storage and backup was never designed with cyber resilience or largescale automation in mind,” said James Wright, Cloudian’s New Zealand, Asia Pacific and Japan Senior Director.
“The days of using outdated technology to store, backup and retrieve your data are numbered. The economics don’t add up at a time of mounting economic concerns combined with growing cybersecurity and data sovereignty requirements.
Ultimate Renewable campaign launch
RESPONSIBLE Wood was proud to attend the launch of the Forest & Wood Products Australia The Ultimate Renewable campaign by the AustralianForest Products Association.
The prestigious event, hosted at the iconic NSW Parliament House in Sydney, marked a significant milestone in championing the sustainable virtues of wood and was attended by campaign ambassador Adam Dovile.
The Ultimate Renewable campaign, championed by the FWPA, seeks to illuminate the myriad benefits of wood while motivating individuals and industries to make choices that serve both humanity and the environment.
The core objective is to raise awareness about the sustainability of wood through education and evidence-based information, with the ultimate aim of fostering a safer and healthier world for future generations.
At the heart of this campaign is the notion that sustainable wood originates from forests that are meticulously managed with the future in mind. In Australia, forestry professionals oversee wood products from planting to harvest, an approach that effectively curtails resource depletion and plays a pivotal role in combatting climate change by enhancing carbon dioxide removal and storage within wood products.
“Data is critical, but unless you can access it when you need it, it may as well not exist,” added Bright. “We’ve now got the right data runway and environment in place to capitalise on our automation drive
“Würth NZ has always understood the importance of efficiency and that’s reflected in its sustained growth and modern IT environment. Ultimately, it means its team has the confidence to take on new trends as they emerge while keeping their data assets secure and accessible, and that’s how you stay relevant in the digital world.”
The Cloudian environment is supported by Veeam’s data protection software and built on Nutanix hardware, with Cloudian holding technology partnerships with each for ease of integration between the platforms.
“Responsible Wood is committed to advancing sustainable forestry practices and responsible wood sourcing,”
Responsible Wood Sustainability Manager Matt de Jongh said.
“This initiative resonates with our core values, and we are thrilled to be part of a movement that promotes environmentally responsible choices.”
“We are excited to launch the Ultimate Renewable campaign and work together to educate and inspire the public about the incredible sustainability of wood,” James Jooste, CEO of AFPA NSW, said.
Würth NZ IT Manager Ricky Bright.
NeXTimber presses its first CLT panel at Tarpeena
TIMBERLINK’S NeXTimber facility has pressed its very first Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panel, marking another significant milestone in the construction of Australia’s only combined CLT and GLT (Cross Laminated and Glue Laminated Timber) radiata pine mass timber facility.
The commissioning of this CLT line follows production of the facility’s very first GLT beam in August.
“The entire team has been working towards this moment since we announced construction of the facility in 2020. To see the hard work of so many come to fruition is very rewarding,” David Oliver, Timberlink Chief Marketing, Sales & Corporate Affairs Officer said.
The newly commissioned CLT line, co-located at Timberlink’s Tarpeena, SA, manufacturing facility, can produce panels up to 16M
long and 3.5M wide and will unlock significant capability to manufacture mass timber building products in Australia.
Mass timber products like CLT and GLT offer an exciting alternative to traditional construction materials and can help to reduce the embodied carbon of a project.
“There was such an air of positivity when the panel came off the line. Everybody who has been involved in the installation, testing and commissioning of our NeXTimber equipment should be proud of what we’ve accomplished,”
Patrick Dark, Timberlink CLT/ GLT Operations Manager,
said.
Timberlink’s NeXTimber facility will increase Australia’s sovereign capability to manufacture these products while reducing reliance on imports.
Mass timber products offer an exciting alternative to traditional construction materials, with the potential to assist to decarbonise construction in Australia by storing carbon for the life of the timber.
The NeXTimber by Timberlink team are now accepting orders for CLT and GLT as the facility is scheduled for full production by the end of October.
• The first CLT panel pressed at the NeXTimber facility at Timberlink’s Tarpeena mill in South Australia, and at left the new mill.
DESIGN
NZ’s largest timber office building a sustainable future
SCION and Tauranga City Council are united in putting sustainability at the forefront of design and together they are inspiring others to build a sustainable future using wood.
A desire to build more sustainably is driving change across the construction sector, with multi-storey timber buildings in both Rotorua and Tauranga evidence of the growing enthusiasm for using wood.
A living, breathing example of both the performance and aesthetics of timber is Scion’s innovation hub, Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, which has pioneered sustainability and design using engineered wood products.
The structure won 14 domestic and international awards in 2021, making it an international timber architecture icon. Scion sustainability architect and portfolio leader Andrea Stocchero says Te Whare Nui o Tuteata represents a gateway for engaging with what is possible to build with engineered wood products.
“Scion pushed the boundaries with this commercial building in terms of showcasing innovations in timber engineering and how the future can be more bio-based and renewable, which is important for us as a Crown Research Institute,” he said.
“It’s significant for New Zealand because it will help inspire others to see and experience what’s possible and begin their own journeys.”
Building with wood is a great option, both for longterm carbon storage and for the broader social, economic and environmental advantages that wood provides on top of other technical, functional and biophilic benefits, he says.
Te Whare Nui o Tuteata’s wood products store enough carbon to offset the emissions from all the building’s materials.
Trees sequester carbon from the atmosphere while they’re growing, and as long as the wood is in use, that carbon is stored, so it’s not going back into the atmosphere. If the timber is sustainably certified it means that
• Scion’s innovation hub, Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, which has pioneered sustainability and design using engineered wood products.
the forests are re-growing after each harvest, and the carbon sequestration cycle continues.
Tauranga City Council’s new administration hub for 90 Devonport Road is set to be the country’s largest mass timber office building at 10,000 square metres.
Tauranga City Council commission chair Anne Tolley says the decision to pursue a wood-based structure came from the council’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
“When developing our city, we hope to leave a legacy for future generations, not only in terms of the spaces we create, but the present and future footprint those buildings will have,” she said.
“Early on in this project, we committed to putting sustainability at the forefront of design, targeting a 6 Green Star rating, which reflects world leadership in sustainability. Adopting a mass timber hybrid structure allowed us to achieve that aspiration by minimising the building’s carbon impact and helping create a better built environment for the future.”
Tauranga City Council chose property development and investment company Willis Bond to deliver this mass timber build.
Leading property development and investment company Willis Bond has partnered
with Warren and Mahoney Architects and construction company LT McGuinness to design this extraordinary office building.
“Apart from the obvious environmental outcomes, the Scion building has a great feeling. As New Zealanders, we are very familiar with wood. There’s something quite homely and welcoming about it and that’s what we want to achieve for our team who will work in the new building at 90 Devonport Road,” Mrs Tolley says.
“We’re delighted at the opportunity to help lead the way in terms of mass timber office buildings, to show others how it can be done and encourage more organisations and businesses to use this approach for other developments throughout New Zealand.”
Council commissioners, along with Willis Bond and LT McGuinness, visited Scion in March to gain insights into the design and construction of Te Whare Nui o Tuteata.
Willis Bond managing director – Funds and Finance Wayne Silver says 90 Devonport Road will set a new precedent for projects of scale that can be delivered with an environmentally sustainable building methodology.
“Mass timber technology will become an integral part of our development toolkit for constructing exceptional, environmentally sustainable buildings, both now and in the future,” Mr Silver said.
“Our goal is always to keep as much carbon in the ground as possible and moving to mass timber construction methodology where possible is a great way to achieve this.
The Scion building’s low-carbon timber structure and resulting seismic resilience are key features that align with our design objectives.”
Mr Stocchero says council engaging with Scion and Te
Whare Nui o Tuteata represents an alignment of journeys towards building a more sustainable future and how that can look.
“Tauranga City Council choosing to build with wood aligned with their quest for sustainability and we were able to share our experiences with them. It is our hope that together we can inspire others to do the same,” he said.
• Mark McGuinness from property development and investment company Willis Bond and Scion’s sustainability architect Andrea Stocchero.
NZ paper mill commits to further investment
IN early 2021, Whakatane Mill Ltd on New Zealand’s North Island was on the brink of closure. However, it has recently announced a significant investment upgrade, and progress is already well underway.
WML has successfully secured a substantial private investment of more than $NZ70m from its shareholders, signalling the company’s robust health and promising future. This investment marks the most significant capital expenditure for WML since 2004 and is a testament to its commitment to growth. The infusion of funds will facilitate a major upgrade, elevating WML to industryleading standards.
The upgrade will deliver an additional 50,000 tonnes of premium folding box boards, increasing WML’s production from 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes. Customers will enjoy the advantages of higher quality board, while the production process will be more environmentally friendly, utilising less raw materials and operating with improved energy efficiency.
The upgrade is paving the way for WML to potentially produce up to 300,000 tonnes of premium folding box board in the future.
Per tonne of board, the energy efficiency will be approximately 30% better, gas consumption will be reduced by more than 30% and WML’s water consumption from the local river will also see a significant decrease. Additionally, WML will eliminate plastic consumption by transitioning from plastic to paper wrap for packaging of its finished products.
The heat recovery system will con-
tribute significantly to WML’s ESG profile.
As the sole folding box board producer in Australasia, WML’s advancements offer main brand owners such as DB Breweries, McDonalds, and Griffins the chance to reduce their carbon footprint and avoid importing packaging from countries like Finland, Korea, China, and Chile. This move towards sustainability presents a positive environmental impact. Construction began in the last week of June and will continued until mid-late August with full production expected to be achieved by November 2023.
The equipment for the upgrade has been sourced from highly specialised manufacturers in Europe. The core equipment for the board machine, specifically the water removal/drying section, has been imported from Germany, while the fully automated paper wrap line originates from Fin land, and the crucial heat recovery system has been acquired from Italy.
Fifty contracting companies from across the Bay of Plenty are involved in the upgrade with over four hun dred contractors on site to install ap proximately 45 kilometres of cable and 5.5 kilometres of piping.
Ian Halliday, Executive Chairman of Whakatane Mill Limited, expressed his pride in this achievement, not only for the WML’s workforce but also for their commercial partners, customers, and the local community.
• After a major upgrade full production at
“As the largest private employer in Whakatane, with an 80-year history of exporting, this moment is a signifi-
a
for WML,” Mr Halliday said.
Whakatane Mill Ltd on New Zealand’s North Island is expected by November 2023.
Case study: Jarrah veneers connect court with country
THE over-representation of Aboriginal Australians in the criminal justice system has resulted in a reimagining of courthouses in locations such as Kununurra in Western Australia, where Aboriginal people constitute a high proportion of the population.
Kununurra is located at the eastern extremity of the Kimberley Region, 3,200 kilometres north-east of Perth. Kununurra Courthouse was designed to respond to the region’s social complexities, recognising the different needs of indigenous people. Particular efforts were made to create a less formal court environment where Aboriginal people could feel more comfortable.
An Aboriginal Reference Group communicated the views of the Aboriginal community to the design team. As a result, the design, colours and material finishes were chosen to reflect local cultures and the surrounding landscape.
The use of jarrah veneer played a major part in connecting the interior of the courthouse to surrounding country. While jarrah grows primarily in the south-west of Western Australia it is strongly identified with WA and its deep red, earthy colour evokes the colours of the rocky outcrops around Kununurra.
Architects for Kununurra Courthouse were The Architecture Group (TAG Architects) with Iredale Pedersen Hook in association. Describing their design approach to the Courthouse, TAG emphasise the role played by their choices of materials: “External and internal
PETER
LLEWELLYN
Technical representative, Timber Veneer Association of Australia
materials reflect the layered and fractured nature of the landscape and introduce a materiality that is absolutely unique to Kununurra.”
With veneers of mountain ash and blackwood, panels of jarrah are laid in a zigzag pattern like jagged rock formations, unlike the usual décor in courtroom waiting areas. This contributes to the community feeling of the courthouse, rather than creating a more formal, confronting atmosphere.
The courtroom itself features mountain ash veneer, giving the space a light, airy and relaxed feeling (see image). The thoughtful use of natural wood veneers throughout the project has helped to create a facility that is both welcoming and calming for court users, particularly local indigenous people.
Information about the use of timber veneers is available from the website of the Timber Veneer Association of Australia (TVAA) at https://timberveneer.asn.au/, including how to specify timber veneer, panel terminology, methods of assembling and matching, substrates, finishes and more.
NTHA senior trainer wins top NSW award
THE National Timber and Hardware Association’s senior trainer Colin Taranto has been named the winner of the prestigious NSW State Award for VET Trainer of the Year at the 2023 NSW Training Awards.
Hailing from the Mid North Coast region in Northern NSW, an area surrounded by rich rural farmland and known for its robust timber industry, Mr Taranto’s success is a testament to the dedication and talent found within the local community. His achievements not only reflect his personal excellence but also highlight the strength and expertise of the region’s workforce.
This outstanding recognition underscores Mr Taranto’s significant impact on the timber and hardware industry
through his dedicated delivery of qualifications in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacturing and Timber Systems Design at both the Certificate III and Certificate IV levels. With an impressive career spanning 25 years in Frame and Truss and 13 years in Technical Market development/Sales with timber manufacturers and wholesalers, Mr Taranto brings a wealth of practical knowledge and expertise to his role as a trainer. His commitment to excellence and innovation in vocational education and training (VET) is evident through his
• National Timber and Hardware Association’s senior trainer Colin Taranto.
unwavering dedication to his students and the industry.
Mr Taranto’s motivation to become a trainer stems from his desire to give back to an industry that has been an integral part of his life for as long as he can remember.
His mission is to address the significant skills shortage facing the industry by encouraging and developing local talent. Through his practical expertise and real-world experiences, he empowers trainees to gain a broader understanding of the industry and the people within it.
“I wanted to give back to an industry that has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. By encouraging and developing local talent, I aim to address the significant skills shortage our industry is facing. Sharing my practical expertise and experiences allows trainees to gain a broader understanding of the industry and the people within it,” Mr Taranto said.
NTHA CEO David Little said Mr Taranto was a perfect example of everything a VET trainer should be.
“He is a well-respected industry professional who left the timber workplace to give something back to the industry he loves,” Mr Little said.
“His dedication, practical expertise, and passion for nurturing local talent have made a significant impact in many, many young lives. We extend our warmest congratulations to Colin and wish him the best as he competes at the national level.”
Mr Taranto’s journey now takes him to the national stage, as he represents NSW at the Australian Training Awards which showcase the best practices in vocational education and training (VET) nationwide.
For more on NTHA Training and to get Mr Taranto to your NSW store, visit: www.ntha. com.au.
Inside the court room at Kununurra.
Inaugural regional event a hit in Geelong
MGA TMA members and industry friends from Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and surrounding areas, came together for our inaugural regional event held in Geelong on Thursday 21 September. The committee had been discussing for some time their desire to host meetings with members in various locations around the country and Geelong was nominated as our first event outside of Melbourne.
It provided the perfect opportunity for members in those regions to network with each other and hear from Peter Alexander, President of the MGA TMA Management Committee, David Inall, CEO of MGA TMA and Martin Stirling, MGA TMA Head of Legal.
With a number of the attendees meeting each other for the first time that morning, or not having seen each other for some time, the
morning began with everyone mingling before sitting down to breakfast.
It was fantastic to have such an engaged audience with barely a moment without chatter throughout the event. Of course, there were a number of discussion points and questions raised when Martin addressed the group. The proposed industrial relation reforms may have a dramatic impact on our mem-
bers businesses but as MGA TMA always do, we advocate on behalf of members where we don’t believe reforms are justified. As Martin concluded, our Employment Law team are always available to assist our members with any queries they may have.
We appreciated everyone taking the time out of their businesses to come along. We’ll see you at the next one.
MGA TMA is inviting members and industry friends to attend its final industry breakfast for 2023 on Tuesday 17 October.
Guest speakers include Boris Iskra of Wood Products Victoria, and Kevin Peachey from Forest and Wood Products Australia.
Boris has an extensive un-
derstanding of the Australian forest and wood products sector with over 30 years of direct involvement. He undertakes activities on behalf of Wood Products Victoria through which he provides advisory support to MGA TMA members.
Kevin has recently been appointed to the role of Head of Built Environment Programs at Forest and Wood Products Australia, and earlier this year, he was named as
Date: Tuesday 17 October 2023
Time: 7:30 - 9:30am (7:15am arrival)
Location: The Views, Life Saving Victoria 200 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne Vic 3207 (on-site parking available)
Register via https://www. trybooking.com/CLSPC
The Wood Project in Hastings, Victoria was started by Sarah and Nath Worth with a mission to make the most of valuable timber throughout the region. The family-owned and operated business has grown from a small firewood business to a full-service salvage sawmill making furniture and other finished timber products.
For more information, scan QR code or contact Ian Lendrum at 0493 364 173
Chair of the WoodSolutions Resilient Timber Housing Program.
MARIE-CLAIRE MCKIERNAN
NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
Frame and truss tour brings industry together ASSOCIATIONS
ON Tuesday September 19th FTMA conducted a tour, visiting frame and truss fabricators in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
A group of 20 people spanning across different areas of the forest and wood products sector came to learn about and experience a variety of plants.
The group was made up of representatives from MiTek, Pryda, Multinail, FWPA, WoodSolutions, ForestWorks, Native Forest Work Support Program, Wood Products Victoria, University of the Sunshine Coast, NTHA, VAFPA, and of course FTMA.
The purpose of the tour for FTMA was to showcase that this sector of the industry is vital and hardworking, and provide primary insight into the technologies, operations, and how advanced these fabricators really are.
Before we go too much further, FTMA wants to express how grateful we are that these businesses opened up their doors, and were so welcoming to everyone. The care, information, and hospitality provided as we walked through the factories, and met employees, was wonderful and FTMA wants to thank everyone involved in making this happen.
Each business represented one of the three nail plate companies in AustraliaMiTek, Multinail, and Pryda – setting the industrial standard in engineering, design software, and equipment, when it comes to frame and truss. Whilst each business had a different way of working - what their core focus was; how much technology was utilized; how they were expanding - it was an important visual and conscious way for those on the tour to see how the industry functions, how it has been impacted by covid, by timber shortages, by labour shortages, what issues the industry is facing, what it needs, and also what it is capable of.
KERSTEN
STOP 1
The day kicked off with Bunnings Frame and Truss in Hallam - Pryda fabricators. The plant is one of five in Victoria and NSW, specialising in producing custom built frames and trusses. To say the inner workings of the factory and employees in action was impressive, is an understatement. What we witnessed was a perfectly streamlined operation, where every worker knew exactly what they were doing, what was coming next, and where their section was heading. Seeing frames built within minutes, having been engineered precisely by the saws and programmes, hit home about how well designed the finished product was, how efficiently it could be done, and how it by far outweighed people out on site battling with tape measures, environmental factors, and unpredictable issues. The safety aspect was abundantly apparent. Limiting hazards for workers and keeping them safe, whilst continuing to produce quality products is a key focus and argument for offsite fabrication. Operations Manager, Glenn Webb, spoke passionately about making worker safety paramount within what they were doing.
STOP 2
At stop 2, AAA Advanced Trusses, again we saw the dedication of advanced design – this time a MiTek fabricator. A family business, set up by Colin Clements, and with his son Andrew Clements as CEO, AAA has grown substantially since it opened in 1986. The business was astounding in its size and technology, and again, the
mechanics between the machines and the workers all being a part of the process was inspiring. In each of the 4 sheds were clearly displayed the business’s goals when it comes to what they want for their workers, for the products, and for the industry. The staff that showed us around, spoke with obvious pride at what was being achieved by the business of over 200 employees, and how they were dedicated to supporting their workers from the second they walked in the door on their first day. Each worker goes through detailed training, and also in multiple areas, so over time, they develop skill and understanding of everything that is going on. The care for their people, as well creating advanced products, was everywhere we looked. Given that AAA has staff clocking up 20 and even 30 years of employment with the business, it’s not just about retaining skilled workers, but being an organisation that is genuinely kind, accepting, diverse, and collaborative. The work the management team put into creating an environment for the staff to have fun, connect, and promote self-care, shone through. AAA also regularly run tours through the plant, to spread the prefab message to builders, and sometimes education facilities - nothing backs up the claims of better products, at a quicker and safer rate, than seeing it happen in front of you.
STOP 3
Stop 3, at Peuker and Alexander, - MiTek fabricators - a family business, supplying builders for over 70 years, was another highlight of the trip, not just because of the morning tea! Peter Alexander, and son-in-law Luke Blackwell, showed us around a site, which when it came to the technology and machines, was jaw-hitting-thefloor remarkable. The time in which it took to process jobs and have them ready to be out for delivery boggled
the mind. Again, the worker dedication and skill behind the machines was vital and highly valued. While the plant was more heavily machine driven, everyone was still an essential piece in the picture. The AI includes, Packfeeders that interact with the saw, provide the saw with the required timber, then deliver it to the different tables. Lasers set up the trusses based on where everything needs to be according to the designs, the foreman will put in stabilising staples, then a nailing bridge will come and staple it to completion. The finished frame also goes through an inspection process where AI makes sure it is up to standard. Following this the delivery system takes the frame externally where it will be
sorted by AI into different job groupings, stacking all the required frames for the one job together, then ready to be delivered. Most on the tour, were mesmerised by the automated processing, the way in which the machines fed into each other and supplied the workers with the precise piece of wood, and then handled the finished frames.
STOP 4
The 4th plant for the day was Complete Frames in Pakenham – Multinail fabricators. Out of all the businesses we visited, Complete Frames was the smallest in size. They had an impressive layout of production and workers skilfully producing frames. They specialise in whole build frames for builders including
KAT WELSH
wall, flooring and roof. The business owners, Damien Whitnell and Joe Hackett, run an industrious and highly efficient team of employees, dedicated to what they are doing, and how they are promoting the offsite building advantages. The team pride themselves in delivering quality engineered products to their customers. Being the designated lunch stop for the day as well, it gave everyone the opportunity to get to know others and connect over the BBQ put on by Complete Frames. What also came up here, was the topic of waste, and talking through what Complete Frames have trialled in the past, including a local prison taking waste timber for a finger-jointing program, compressed fire bricks, and also mulching. Every plant deals with the problem of waste in different ways. Although, the waste from offsite fabricators is far superior to stick-built onsite framing. The waste topic is an important one, and is being looked into on a national scale - with hopefully better ways to manage this, so it isn’t ending up in landfill or with individual businesses left footing massive bills.
STOP 5
The 5th and final stop for
even more real that this is the future.
As with all the plants we saw, seeing it physically happen with our own eyes strengthened the message that offsite manufacturing can be done in a fraction of the time of stick-built, with less waste, and safer conditions. And, the obvious point, locking carbon away. The tour made it tangible.
FTMA is recognised as the trusted representative body and unified voice for all timber frame and truss manufacturers in Australia, whilst strengthening the connection with the broad supply chain.
the day was at Drouin West Timber and Truss – Pryda fabricators. DWTT have been operating since the 1980’s, and Rod Smith, Doug Ward, and Andrew Nunan, were kind enough to show us around, and answer any questions. DWTT specialise in creating the whole build, including FutureFit wall panels and floor cassettes, that include windows as part of the walling. As with each of the previous plants, what was being done here was a bit different, eyeopening, and inspiring. Walking around the plant, and seeing for ourselves yet another example of engineered wood, offsite benefits, and ingenuity at its best, this last stop was the icing on the cake for an incredible day. DWTT can provide a lockup dwelling, which can produce approx. 70% of the work for builders.
On average it takes 2.5 days to create a three-level apartment onsite. The possibilities for that kind of engineered wood technology seems like a no-brainer for the future of construction in Australia. The technology and design used is skilled, efficient, and state-of-the-art. Seeing the production, particularly of the panelised walls, knowing that this could be somebody’s completed home in just a few days, made it seem
The key messages of the trip were obvious by the end of the day. The people working in frame and truss are incredibly dedicated, innovative, and passionate. While they’re all battling common problems – skilled worker shortages, social re-marketing regarding timber and logging, lack of education on mainstream curriculum, ups and downs of demand and supply – these businesses are proving that they are part of the solution for the future, and the best way we have of pulling carbon back out of the atmosphere again.
For some on the tour, it was their first trip to a frame and truss plant. But, what everyone came away with was evidenced understandings of how incredible this sector is. The issues that all these businesses have faced just in the last few years is vast, yet they have all found ways to keep going, and keep developing.
One final thought that came out of the day - collaboration and connection. FTMA is steadfast about unifying members and the industry – we are not in this alone. Bringing businesses and people together, rather than being competitors, is crucial. The tour helped bring people together, make connections, and foster friendships. No matter which organisation you represent in the forest and wood sector, together, is always better. Together, we can share and learn, plan and extend, support and grow.
Thanks once again to everyone that made this day happen – particularly to all the fabricators, for allowing us to see around, the information you gave, and the warmth you showed.
FTMA thanks our dedicated partners and encourages you to support those who support your industry
For a full list of the conditions of membership and a downloadable application form visit: ftmanews.com
• FTMA CEO Kersten Gentle addresses tour particpants.
ASSOCIATIONS
Looking back
THE pandemic has inadvertently delivered Adam Jones something of a bonus.
Adam has hosted Wood Solutions’ incredibly popular Timber Talks podcast series since 2018. This time last year the episodes usually attracted around 700 downloads each month; this year it is close to 1400.
Adam is a structural engineer who began his working life with big concrete buildings but he was always interested in sustainability
2017
AN independent report assessing Australia’s pulp and paper industry confirms it is a world leader in sustainability and innovation, setting the agenda with ambitious investments in renewable energy and cutting-edge technology to underpin local manufacturing and many regional jobs.
“This report reinforces the many socio-economic benefits the pulp and paper industry delivers to the community,” said Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) CEO Ross Hampton.
“Australia’s pulp and paper mills support almost 70,000 full-time jobs - mostly in rural and regional areas - and generate $940 million in exports.
2012
THE WEAKEST link in timber supplies is between the forest and the sawmill, where stolen timber can be added to legitimate wood. In sawmill yards, too, logs from illegally cleared forests can be mixed with legal timber. DNA testing can overcome this, say DoubleHelix and their oldest customer, Simmonds Lumber, one of Australia’s largest timber importers.
Double Helix Tracking Technologies, is a Singapore company that has developed and commercialized DNA testing for wood, the only firm in the world to do so.
Simmonds imports merbau, a much-sought-after hardwood, from Indonesia, where illegal logging accounts for nearly half the timber cut in Indonesia, according to the World Bank study.
Further major IR changes proposed
ON 4 September 2023, the Albanese Labor Government introduced the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 (“the Bill”) into Parliament.
The Bill is the third tranche of amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (“FWA”), following on from the passing of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 late last year and the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Protecting Worker Entitlements) Act 2023 in June 2023.
The Bill deals with a wide range of matters which, depending on an employer’s particular circumstances, could have far reaching consequences for their business operations. The Bill has been referred to a Senate Inquiry due to report by 1 February 2024.
The Bill would amend the FWA and related legislation in relation to the following:
• Casual employees – replacing the existing definition of ‘casual employee’ such that additional features may be relevant in assessing an employee’s status, and introducing a new employee choice pathway for eligible casual employees to change to permanent employment if they wish to do so. This includes casuals converting to permanent employment after just 6 months in the role. Employers will have no grounds for reasonably refusing a request and will face financial penalties if not managed properly. For employees who seek the flexibility of casual work this will only limit their income options.
• Gig employees and regulated road transport contractors - Expansion of ‘employee’ to include an “employee-like” category for certain digital platform gig workers and regulated road transport contractors, the FWC empowered to set minimum standards for employee-like workers, including minimum pay, a no-cost “small jurisdiction” within the FWC where independent contractors can have matters under a certain threshold dealt with.
• Independent contractors – introduction of an
Brian Beecroft CEO, TTIA
interpretive principle for determining the ordinary meanings of ‘employee’ and ‘employer’ for the purposes of the FW Act, relevant to determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. The amendments would require consideration of the ‘real substance, practical reality and true nature of the relationship by reference to the totality of the relationship between the parties’ with the intention of a return to the multi-factor test which was broadly believed to be the correct approach prior to the High Court Decisions in CFMMEU v Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd [2022] HCA 1 and ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd v Jamsek [2022] HCA 2 which gave primacy to the terms of the contract.
• Sham contracting –changing the defence to misrepresenting employment as an independent contractor arrangement, known as ‘sham contracting’ from a test of not being ‘reckless’ to one of whether the employer had a reasonable belief (objectively tested) that it was a contractor agreement.
• Labour hire – FWC to make regulated labour hire arrangement orders by which labour hire workers paid the same rates as the host employer’s enterprise agreement.
• Enterprise bargaining - enabling multiple franchisees to access the singleenterprise stream; Allowing supported bargaining and single interest employer agreements to be replaced by single- enterprise agreements at any time if certain conditions are met.
• Underpayment of wages - a new criminal offence for wage theft, which applies to intentional conduct; in-
creased maximum penalties for underpayments by amending the civil penalties and serious civil contravention frameworks, adjusting the threshold for what will constitute a serious contravention.
• Union right of entry and delegates rights – a registered organisation can obtain an exemption certificate from the FWC to waive the 24 hours’ notice requirement for entry if they reasonably suspect a member of their organisation has been or is being underpaid; and, a framework for delegates’ rights and including protections for workplace delegates when seeking to exercise those rights. The end result is this change makes it easier for union representatives to enter businesses without notice.
• Family and domestic violence - a new protected attribute in the FWA providing additional workplace protections against discrimination for employees who have been, or continue to be, subjected to family and domestic violence.
• Small business redundancy exemptions - limiting the small business redundancy exception so that it would not apply where a larger business has downsized to become a ‘smaller business employer’ due to insolvency.
• WHS introduce an offence of industrial manslaughter; amend the offences and penalties framework; Federal OHS laws to increase maximum penalties five-fold for category one offences involving reckless or criminally negligent breaches of OHS duties, increased maximum imprisonment from five to 15 years. Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Act 2013 to expand the functions of the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency in relation to silica safety and silica-related diseases; Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 to implement presumptive liability provisions for first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
A copy of the Bill can be accessed at Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing the Loopholes) Bill 2024.
TTIA provided our Mem-
bers on 5 September with a brief summary of the changes sought by the Albanese federal government when it introduced its “Closing Loopholes” Bill to parliament on Monday 4 September 2023.
As an update, almost immediately after the bill was introduced into parliament, it was met with criticism and immediate pushback by business groups and many in the community as extreme and unnecessary.
The proposed legislation contained significant changes to the Fair Work Act that many say was too broad, heavy handed and created yet more layers of red tape at a time the economy least needs it.
Consequently, a Senate Inquiry into the bill was launched, and on Thursday 7 September 2023, opposition employment spokeswoman, Michaelia Cash, was successful in her motion to delay the Inquiry’s reporting date from late October to early February 2024. This will ensure a proper degree of scrutiny through the inquiry process.
TTIA and other major industry groups have welcomed the delay, arguing more time was needed to work through the hundreds of pages of legislation that would engulf businesses in more complex regulation.
The changes to the definition of casual and independent contractors will contrary to government statements, impact small business with yet more complex & inflexible legal rules.
Members of TTIA will be informed in a Member alert of any changes that are passed by parliament after the February review date and TTIA will deal with the changes in depth at our popular, yearly, face to face Member briefings in July/August next year.
If you’re not a Member of TTIA, we are the first-choice national Association for workplace IR/HR/WHS advice for the entire timber products industry/supply chain. We employ long term in-house legal staff well known and trusted by the industry. Give us a call on (02) 9264 0011 and we will offer a special discounted membership rate for Australasian Timber readers.
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