Australian Forests & Timber - June 2018

JUNE 2018

I n c or por a t i n g AU S TR AL A S I A N F O RE S T L O G GE R & S AW M I L LE R

Plantation decline leaves timber shortage at crisis point – Page 6-7

Infrared sensing gives drones new edge – Page 12

In the news

Quality Sawlog Harvest

Half a century of cutbacks results in current wood shortage crisis

By Philip Hopkins

¿UHV FORVH WR 0HOERXUQH LQVWLgated the opening of Central he crisis in wood sup- and East Gippsland to provide ply facing Victoria’s timber for the post-war buildhardwood sawmills is ing boom.

In 1970, only 205, 267 hecthe culmination of successive cutbacks in native forest tim- tares of national parks had ber available to industry over been created in Victoria. In that year, the State Governalmost 50 years. “It has been a process of at- ment formed the Land Consertrition,â€? said Kevin Wareing, vation Council, which subsea retired Forests Commission quently established a reserve RŕľśFHU D IRUPHU OHFWXUHU DW WKH system.

Over the next three decades, Creswick forestry school and the former head of the eco- the LCC reviewed Victoria’s nomics and marketing branch regions twice, including spein Victoria’s Department of cial investigations into wilderConservation, Forests and ness, rivers and streams, and a state-wide review.

Lands in the 1990s.

Key drivers have been the Extensive reserve system huge expansion of national parks and other reserves that Out of that process, an exexclude timber harvesting; tensive reserve system was increasing environmental pro- created, including the Alpine tection in state forest avail- National Park and parks in able for timber harvesting; (DVW *LSSVODQG 0U *RRGLQJ relentless pressure from green said. groups; dubious political deciIn 1985, at the instigation of VLRQV DQG WKH PDVVLYH ÂżUHV RI the Cain Labor Government, the past 15 years.

0HOERXUQH 8QLYHUVLW\ÂśV 3URThe former chief executive fessor Ian Ferguson conducted of the Victorian Association a Timber Industry Inquiry – of Forest Industries, the late WKH ÂżUVW SXEOLF IRUHVWU\ LQTXLU\ Graeme Gooding, who grew since 1897 - that was subseup in Gippsland, produced a quently described as “thorpaper outlining these changes oughâ€?, “eminently readableâ€? more than a decade ago. and an “excellent reportâ€? by From the 1950s to early WKH 0LQLVWHU 1970s, quality sawlog producOut of that inquiry came tion was 1.2-1.5 million cubic the highly praised 1986 Vicmetres per year (m3/yr), but torian Timber Industry StratQR ÂżJXUHV IRU WKH DUHD KDUYHVW- egy (TIS), which introduced ed per year then are available. detailed forest management The Black Friday 1939 bush- plans; the Code of Forest

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Practices, where harvesting was prohibited in streamside EXŕľľHUV DQG VWHHS VORSHV ZDter catchment management; audits of compliance; action for endangered species; coupe plans; sawlog traceability; and 15-year licences for industry.

8QGHU 7,6 VXVWDLQDEOH yield was calculated on a reJLRQDO EDVLV 0U :DUHLQJ VDLG

Financial Year

‘000m3

Late70s-late 80s 96-97 97-98 98-99 2000-01 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 17-18

1200 729 804 821 820 682 638 530 583 497 428 433 413 330 298 230

Source: Gooding, 2012 State of Forests Report, VEAC

the Forest Commission had a Forest Assessment Branch, VWDŕľľHG E\ H[SHULHQFHG IRUHVWers, who estimated the volume of sawlogs in forests by measuring individual trees in sample plots. “They used aerial photographs to delineate the total area of forest sampled.

Parks and Conservation areas 1970: 205,267 hectares (Gooding) 2012: 3,980,000 ha – 50% of all Crown land.

(State of Forests report)

Continued on Page 4

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In the news www.timberbiz.com.au

I n c o r p o r a t i n g A U S T R A L A S I A N F O R E S T L O G G E R & S AW M I L L E R

JUNE 2017 Issue 4 Vol. 27 Established 1991 News Business ProďŹ le Plantation Development Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling Sawmilling AFCA Women in Logging Wood Chop Champion New Products

3-14 15-16 18 20-27 28-29 30-31 32-33 34-35 36

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Half a century of cutbacks results in current wood shortage crisis about half of all public land, with a sustainable yield of 115,000m3/yr.

All up from the 1990s to 2000, about 800,000 m3/yr of quality sawlogs were sold on average, with less than 10,000 ha of forest harvested. After the RFAs, the sustainable yield was 828,500 m3/yr.

However the RFA reports contained a caveat; new satellite data could alter the sustainDEOH \LHOG ÂżJXUHV Âł,W EHFDPH

by Professor Jerry Vanclay of 6RXWKHUQ &URVV 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ Lismore and Dr Brian Turner, who produced an overall report with a tentative estimated Sawlog decline sustainable yield of 737,800 m3/yr, a reduction of 11 per With the TIS and new forcent on the RFAs. est reserves – park areas in The Bracks Government East Gippsland were doubled went ahead and instigated - sawlog yield declined to 1.0logging cuts, which Professor 1.2 m3/yr. In 1979, the Forests Vanclay, speaking on Radio Commission annual report 1DWLRQDO RQ 0DUFK said 25,000ha was harvested. said were premature. “The Logs below sawlog grade – problem is that the resource pulpwood – from forests were data that we have for some of allowed to be used for export areas is so poor that we woodchips, improving the “10% of Victoria’s 6.6 million hectares of these really don’t know if the current economics of sawlog harvesting, particularly in cut-over or public forests are legally available and level of cut is right or wrong,� said. lower sawlog-yielding forests. suitable for timber production, while the he “It may be higher than we The Federal Government then took a hand in what had rest is either located in parks or reserves, suspected, maybe lower than expected, and what we been a state responsibility; or unsuitable for commercial forestry.� we need to do is gather more data the Commonwealth produced a matter of urgency to come a national forest policy state- The Bracks Government, Our Forests as up with better estimates so ment in 1992 that aimed to we really know which way to create a long-term consistent Our Future, 2002. move.� approach to forest conservaThere was also some contion and management. It had been inspired by the 1992 The Central Highlands RFA increasingly clear that yield tention about the analysis from Rio Earth conference and the – the location of the Leadbeat- HVWLPDWHV ZHUH RYHUVWDWHG ´ 0U other experts. Professor Ferguson found that the then current subsequent action by leading er’s Possum - added 116,000 Gooding said. sustainable yield in the Womtimber nations, who met in ha to the reserve system, an Overestimate bat State Forest was adequate, 0RQWUHDO &DQDGD DQG GUHZ XS increase of 64 per cent, to recommendations for sustain- 297,000 ha. The sustainable “In large part this was due but the Vanclay report recomable forestry. yield was originally legislated to an overestimate of the ac- mended an 80 per cent cut, Out of that came the Keating to 415,000m3/yr, but was sub- tual area that is available for which was subsequently done, Government’s regional forest sequently reduced to 345,000 harvesting due to a range of closing Black Forest Timbers at Woodend, one of the state’s agreements (RFA), described P \U 0U *RRGLQJ VDLG LQ- constraints.�

E\ 0U *RRGLQJ DV D ³JURXQG dustry was critical that no 0U :DHULQJ VDLG VWDWH EXGJ- most innovative timber probreaking process�. analysis had been done on the et cuts from the early 1990s, cessors.

The Bracks cuts became the forgone timber volumes and which drastically cut research Systematic analysis lost growth potential from this DQG WKH QXPEHU RI ÂżHOG RŕľśFHUV landmark policy, Our Forests active in the forests, and thus Our Future, in 2002, based on “Few if any countries reduction.

The Gippsland RFA added knowledge of the state of the the timber resource review, around the world ‌ attempted with cuts calculated on a resuch a detailed national sys- an extra 266,000 ha to reserves forests, shared the blame.

The situation was evaluated gional level. The review said tematic analysis with a view – a 51% rise to 780,000 ha – Continued from Page 3

This produced the basic data which were used for sustainable yield calculations,� he said.

to establishing a CAR (comprehensive, adequate and representative) forest reserve sysWHP ´ KH VDLG 6SHFL¿F WDUJHWV were set for the reservation of each vegetation type, old growth forests and wilderness.

7KH ¿YH 5)$V LQ 9LFWRULD (1998-2000) increased reserves by 36.5 per cent, establishing a CAR system of 2.86 million hectares – more than 50 per cent of the total public land in the regions.

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

www.timberbiz.com.au

In the news many sawlogs could not be accessed using current techniques or were considered not FRPPHUFLDOO\ VXLWDEOH %XŕľľHUV around unmapped streams excluded 20-25% of ‘available’ areas in the highly productive Central Highlands.

8QGHU 2)2) WKH SURSRVHG sawlog supply levels were reduced to 567,500 m3/yr – a reduction of 31 per cent. Central Gippsland’s supply was reduced by half to 90,000m3.

Key events Key events since OFOF until now include: *The Bracks Government unilaterally created a National 3DUN LQ WKH 2WZD\V H྾HFtively tearing up the West RFA WKDW LW VLJQHG LQ 0DUFK promising industry 20 years’ timber supply. The Vanclay report had deemed the Otways’ 27,000m3/yr log harvest sustainable. Industry received no replacement forest, apart from D VPDOO LQH྾HFWLYH SODQWDWLRQ The investment climate was badly dented. *Summer 2002-03. Alpine ZLOG¿UHV EXUQW PRUH WKDQ million ha of forest, reducing the state’s sustainable yield by 10 per cent. *VicForests was created in 2004 with the task of selling

native forest timber at auction.

Harvest levels were reduced by 10 per cent to a more sustainable level. *In 2006-07, Great Divide ÂżUHV EXUQW PLOOLRQ KD RI SXElic land, including 673,000ha of forest, reducing timber supply by 20%. *In 2006-07, the Bracks Government put 45,000 hectares in East Gippsland in reserves, with no replacement forest for industry. %ODFN 6DWXUGD\ EXVKÂżUHV burnt 430,000 ha of forest, and killed more than 10,000ha of available ash. *2012-13, VicForests, using satellites and new modelling, calculated a 25% reduction in future ash sales due to long-

WHUP LPSDFW RI ¿UHV VicForests’ 2013 resource outlook forecast 220,000m3 a year of ash sawlogs. The agency’s current medium term resource outlook is for 132,000m3 a year of D+ ash sawlogs and 100,000m3 per year of mixed species D+ sawlog – about 230,000m3 per year.

The 2016 Fibre and Wood Supply Assessment report by the Victorian Environment Assessment Council listed the causes of the big ash sawlog decline since 2013: *22,000m3 due to the impact of measures to protect the Leadbeater’s Possum. *23,000m3 due to the removal of areas VicForests as-

WKH EXVKÂżUHV GRPLQDWLQJ regrowth, the primary source of high-value sawlogs.

The impacts of subsequent ÂżUHV LQ SDUWLFXODUO\ WKH %ODFN 6DWXUGD\ ÂżUHV KDG IXUther skewed the age-class distribution.

With much of the Central Highlands in reserves, “a primary challenge ‌ is the exhaustion of the 1939 ash regrowth after 2030, but before a VXŕľśFLHQW QHZ IRUHVW UHVRXUFHV from subsequent regeneration is available to harvestâ€?, the resessed as unlikely to be har- port said. :LWK 9LFWRULDÂśV ÂżYH 5)$V vested for commercial and ecological management rea- WR EH ÂżQDOLVHG E\ 0DUFK Victoria and the Commonsons. *43,000m3 due to the ex- wealth have about two years to pected future impact of meas- sort out Victoria’s native hardwood timber supply. ures to protect the possum.

A state government review The VEAC report made sevof the Leadbeater’s Possum HUDO ¿QGLQJV ZKLFK LQFOXGHG 0RGHOOLQJ RI FOLPDWH surveys argued that changing change impacts predicts that by to forest landscape planning the end of the century, standing was the best way to manage volume and stand density may endangered species. It would also provide greater certainty reduce by 15 per cent. *VicForests’ wood supply and reduced costs to industry.

Of Victoria’s 7.9 million modelling is sound and the sustainable harvest levels are hectares of native forest, 496,000ha was available to reasonable.

VEAC said the age struc- harvest in 2015-16; 2548 ha ture of the ash forests in the (0.035% of total native forest Central Highlands was very DUHD ZDV KDUYHVWHG 9$), ÂżJunbalanced, with forest from ures show.

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Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

5

In the news

Ĺś Hoping for growth

Plantation decline leaves timber shortage at crisis point

T

he continuing decline in Australia’s plantation timber estate has reached crisis point and should be a wakeup call for policy-makers.

An ABARES report graphically shows the decline in available timber for domestic processing and continues a troubling trajectory of several years. The Australian plantation statistics 2018 update shows that in 201617, Australia’s total commercial plantation area was 1,955,100 hectares ... that’s down 19,700 hectares or 1 per cent. “This is a crisis,â€? said Ross Hampton, Chief ExecuWLYH 2ŕľśFHU RI WKH $XVWUDOLDQ Forest Products Association (AFPA). “Nowhere in the world is there large scale tree planting without government policy backing. Australia only has a 6

timber manufacturing industry employing tens of thousands of regional Australians thanks to the foresight of policy makers in previous generations who created the environment to enable the establishment of our national plantations estate of some two million hectares,� he said.

0U +DPSWRQ VDLG $XVWUDOia urgently needed to grow to about 2.4 million hectares to keep pace with housing growth and ensure the viability of mills and processing plants and the towns they underpin.

with ample land and expertise this was a travesty.

Plantations use about half a per cent of agricultural land.

Adding another 400,000 hectares would take that to about 0.6 per cent.

Victoria seems to be struggling to honour a 2017 plantation commitment promise.

Constant deďŹ cit “We already import the timber used to frame about 60,000 houses a year. We KDYH D FRQVWDQW GHÂżFLW LQ wood products as a nation of about $2 billion.â€?

He said that for a nation

While AFPA welcomed the $20 million set out in the Federal Budget towards the Federal Government’s National Forestry Industry Plan, it was unclear yet just how

the Government planned to generate a new round of tree planting.

Industry presumes this will be addressed in the release of the full plan later this year. “Without more trees to support our sawmilling, processing and pulp, paper and packaging businesses, and the jobs they provide, everything else we do is just skirtLQJ WKH UHDO LVVXH ´ 0U +DPSton said.

From a State perspective WKLQJV DUHQœW DOO WKDW ÀDVK either.

2017 plantation promise hasn’t eventuated In the 2017 Victorian Budget, industry widely welcomed the state government’s committed spendLQJ RI 0 IRU SODQWDWLRQ investment in Gippsland... but, to date, nothing has happened.

Forestry contractor Ricky

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

Leeson (who is also a Board 0HPEHU RI WKH $XVWUDOLDQ Forest Contractors Association) and Ian Reid (Austimber Director and a former head of AFCA) have slammed the government’s inaction. Âł8QOHVV ZH JHW WKH WUHHV LQ the ground we could have a shortfall down the track and that could then have a huge impact on jobs for the local area,â€? said Ian. He said he expected industry stakeholders would have been consulted by this stage with an action plan to tackle the new plantations enacted. “We’re talking about the trees for 2050 ... our industry is a long-term industry and it’s important we have longterm strategies.â€?

Ricky said that when the SODQ ZDV ÂżUVW DQQRXQFHG while the detail was lacking it was very positive and www.timberbiz.com.au

In the news

Ĺś Ricky Leeson

Ĺś Ian Reid

showed a government that was committed to the future of the forestry industry. “As a forestry contractor working in Gippsland it gave me a belief that the future was bright for the next generation of contractors coming through. As most people understand, plantation is a long term proposition and it takes a long time to see WKH UHWXUQ DQG EHQHÂżWV ´ He said the announcement came at time when the local community had been hit with a number of employment challenges including the closure of a mill (as a result of resource not being available) and a reduction in another mill. “Even though the wood may not be available to harvest for 12-15 years, the plantation life cycle creates local jobs from preparation of sites and the management of the land until it’s ready for harvest.

“I fail to understand how an the money is there and that it how the funding will be availannouncement can be made wasn’t an empty announcement able,� Ricky said.

As a Director of the Austral- and then nothing happens for with no strategy or thought.

However, as time continues to ian Forest Contractors Asso- this long,� he said. slip by and we miss yet another ciation we have heard nothing Obvious need planting season it is becoming from the government since the announcement. We have been Ricky said the shortage of more concerning and frustratdiscussing possible ways we, available wood clearly demon- ing with the lack of action by as an association, are keen to strated the importance and need Government.�

0HPEHU IRU (DVWHUQ 9LFWRULD work with government and oth- for greater plantations. er stakeholders to assist is any “It’s a long term investment 0HOLQD %DWK DOVR FULWLFLVHG WKH way we can to make sure the and even wood planted now State Government and said its response was a “deafenfuture of our industry is ing silenceâ€?. there for future generaTim Johnston (Chief tions. “ “Urgent need to grow to ([HFXWLYH 2ŕľśFHU 9LFWRRicky said it was about 2.4 million hectares rian Association of Formore than just getting plantations in the ground to keep pace with housing est Industries) was another to weigh in on the .... “It’s getting them in growth and ensure the debate but he opted to the right areas for rainillustrate his point with a fall and the right species viability of mills and proverb -- “The for that areaâ€?. processing plants and the Chinese best time to plant a tree “We and the induswas twenty years ago try want to work with towns they underpinâ€? and the second best time government to ensure is today.â€? investment is spent re“Quite simply, we are an sponsibly with the best return will not be available for over 15 so the trees are there for gen- years in many cases. The long- industry committed to growth. erations to come. Some parts er we wait to plant the longer it It’s hard to think of any other of industry are already holding will take for wood to become primary industry that depends discussions and working to- available and in the meantime on lead times in decades, rather gether on how the money could we are losing opportunities to than years,â€? Tim said. be invested,â€? he said. retain skilled people.

Timber demand growing 2Q WKH Ă€LS VLGH 5LFN\ VDLG LW “We can’t have a governwas disappointing not to have ment sitting on its hands doing “When we look at typiheard anything about the plan- nothing,â€? said Ricky. cal lead times to supply industry tation plans. “I would like to think that demand, it is clear that the tim-

Initial belief “That announcement provided us a belief that investment to get a greater number of trees into the ground was imminent.

However, since that time we have now passed two opportunities and we are no closer to understanding where, when or

www.timberbiz.com.au

Ĺś Tim Johnston

Ĺś Melina Bath

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

Ĺś Ross Hampton ber for building today needed to be in the ground thirty years ago and more. Add to this long delivery timeframes in the current positive construction environment, it is easy to see why we have some resource supply challenges at the moment. “As I’ve said on a number of occasions, the demand for our timber products isn’t going away. In fact, it’s only going to grow. “Our industry stands ready to work with the State Government to realise this plantation commitment. If things don’t get moving soon, we are in danger of missing this critical opportunity. “We have been -- and will continue to be -- a part of the Victorian economic success story, and this is our chance to build on a diverse and sustainable industry that contributes to employment, regional economies and helps to build our communities. “We don’t need to look far to see that wood-based markets and manufacturing technologies are rapidly evolving. This makes it doubly important to ensure a resource base for future generations. This is the time for long term-thinking and vision,â€? said Tim.

7

In the news

Supporting innovation

What’s On 2018 10-16 June North American Forest Soils Conference – International Symposium on Forest Soils. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. www.cef-cfr.ca

18-19 June Frame Australia (Timber Offsite Construction) Digital Future. Park Hyatt, Melbourne.

20-21 June

By Senator Anne Ruston Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

6 August Bank Holiday NSW

A

Picnic Day NT

8 August Forest Industry Safety & Technology Conference, Rotorua, NZ. www.forestsafety.events

9-10 August National Timber Councils Association (NTCA) annual

Woodflow, Melbourne. Â www.woodflow.events

conference, Melbourne under

20-22 June

Asset.

4th International Conference on Reforestation Challenges IUFRO. Belgrade, Serbia.

Contact Sandy Kam 0498 487

26-27 June Woodflow, Rotorua www.woodflow.events

4 July AFCA Phone Conference

7-18 July 41st Council on Forest Engineering Annual Meeting: Revolutionary Traditions, Innovative Industries. Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. cofe.org

15-18 July 41st Council on Forest Engineering Annual Meeting Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. www.regonline.com/cofe2018

the theme Timber - A National

844

15 August Forest Industry Safety & Technology Conference, Melbourne, AUS. www.forestsafety.events

15 August Royal Queensland Show

20-23 August World Conference2018 on Timber Engineering 2018.

Seoul, Republic of Korea. wcte2018.kr

23 August Green Triangle or Portland

28 August Changing Perceptions

30 July - 1 August Australian Timber Trainers Association annual workshop, Mt Gambier. www.atta.org.au; Mobile: 0418849911

3 August Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards Nominations Close

Conference, Mass Timber Raising Building Performance, Rotorua. https://connexevents.com/cpetc2018/

September Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards Judging Process

2-5 September Australian Forest Growers (AFG) and Institute of

5-10 August

Foresters of Australia (IFA)

Workshop on Tree Resistance to Insects & Diseases: Putting Promise into Practice.

Mt. Sterling, Ohio, United States. www.treeresistance2018.ca.uky.edu

joint conference - Forests for healthy cities, farms and people - University House ANU (ACT).

1 Balmain Cres, Acton ACT 2601.

8

ing example is the production of nanomaterials and biomaterials from wood and cellulose IRU XVH LQ ÂżOPV LQNV SDSHU coatings and bioplastics. Forestry is an innovative industry with many opportunities for development.

I am looking forward to the institute making a material impact by advancing the contributions forestry creates in so many parts of our economy, in their local communities and across Australia. Like so many in our community, I also value this industry’s contribution to better outcomes for our environment—because Australian wood products are sustainably sourced, renewable, and are cleaner and much more carbon friendly than their alternatives.

I am certain industry is looking forward to the committees making wise investments with the allocated funding. It is important that the research commissioned by the institute supports the forest industry to continue its investment in transitioning to be a smarter, higher value industry that boosts opportunities for regional jobs and growth.

We must always stand up for our communities and the regional industries which so often underpin their success.

Coalition commitment to forestry industry

AFCA Board Meeting.

18-22 July Interforst 2018. Munich, Germany. www.interforst.com

experienced and capable industry leaders for each committee. ,Q 0RXQW *DPELHU WKH s many readers may committee comprises indushave noticed, the WU\ PHPEHUV 0V 7DPP\ $XOG past few months FKDLU 0U 3KLOOLS 'RKQW 0U KDYH VHHQ WKH RŕľśFLDO ODXQFK- 'DYLG 2OLYHU 0U *OHQ 5LYes and establishment of the ers, and Dr Charlma PhilNational Institute for Forest lips. Industry members of Products Innovation commit- the Launceston committee WHHV IRU 0RXQW *DPELHU DQG DUH 0U 7RP )LVN &KDLU 0U 6KDZQ %ULWWRQ 0U $QGUHZ Launceston.

Establishing these commit- -DFREV 0U -DPHV 1HYLOOH WHHV LV D VLJQLÂżFDQW VWHS IRU WKH 6PLWK 0U 'HV 5LFKDUGVRQ new institute. Each industry- 0U /HV :DONGHQ DQG 0V 6Xled committee has a vital role zette Weeding.

The committees will be asin supporting cutting edge research, boosting innovation, sisted in their work by experts fostering collaboration, and Professor Christopher Saint securing growth and employ- 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 6RXWK $XVment outcomes for the forest WUDOLD 3URIHVVRU 0DUN +XQW 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 7DVPDQLD DQG and wood products industry.

The Turnbull Government Dr Libby Pinkett (CSIRO), has committed $4 million over and representatives of the four years for the institute. three governments.

Both committees are idenThat funding is to be divided equally between the Launces- tifying research priorities and WRQ DQG 0RXQW *DPELHU FHQ- establishing which areas of tres. I am delighted that the LQQRYDWLRQ R྾HU WKH EHVW RSSouth Australian and Tasma- portunities for advancing the nian Governments are invest- development of new and iming matching funding, taking proved forest products. From the totals available before in- improved techniques for timdustry and research communi- EHU SURFHVVLQJ DQG ZRRG ¿EUH ty contributions to $8 million. recovery to advanced manuI am grateful to the Austral- facturing and the bio-econoian Forest Products Associa- my, innovation within Austion and my state ministerial tralia’s forestry sector could counterparts for nominating take many forms. One excit-

By Tony Pasin MP Member For Barker

of the industry by co-convening the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry and Forest Products. I he forestry industry is was thrilled to see more than 40 a cornerstone indus- members and senators join this try for my hometown friendship group in the 44th Parand community in the South liament, in 2014.

I’m extremely proud of the East of South Australia as it is for so many communities work we’ve done and the conversations we’ve started. Coinaround the country.

Growing up in a timber com- cidently, I have seen a Governmunity as I did, you understand ment in Canberra that is working ZKDW D VLJQLÂżFDQW FRQWULEXWLRQ with the forestry industry in Austhe timber industry makes to our tralia towards more employment opportunities and a stronger nation and its economy.

8SRQ HQWHULQJ 3DUOLDPHQW economy within the sector.

After all, it’s a sector that enin 2013 I quickly learned that this understanding was not one joys bullish prospects.

An industry with enormous shared by all my colleagues potential to meet domestic and in Canberra.

I was surprised and disap- JOREDO GHPDQG IRU ¿EUH WLPEHU pointed at the lack of discus- and paper products - not to mensions taking place within our tion the potential contribution to Nation’s Parliament regarding our energy mix – is an industry the industry and its contribution that will continue to provide the economic backbone of many to our economy.

I went about improving my communities Australia wide.

Coalition Government iniparliamentary colleague’s appreciation for and understanding tiatives such as the National

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Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

Institute for Forestry and Forest Products and its Innovation +XEV LQ 0RXQW *DPELHU DQG Launceston, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the forestry industry.

To bolster this commitment, the recent Budget also included $20 million for the National Forestry Industries Plan.

Released in September this year, the plan will be focused on growing our industry, including expanding the renewable timber DQG ZRRG ÂżEUH LQGXVWULHV WR WDNH advantage of global demand for timber products.

It’s a sign of this Government’s support for the jobs that the industry supports and the economic contribution it makes to communities around the country.

It’s an important step, and one WKDW VLJQL¿HV WKLV *RYHUQPHQWœV willingness to see the opportunities and challenges facing the industry and support the industry’s continued success. www.timberbiz.com.au

In the news Major drawcard announced for Canberra forest conference An exciting line-up of speakers has been announced for the 2018 Joint IFA-AFG Conference - Forests for healthy cities, farms and people, to be held at the Australian National University, Canberra, from 2-5 September.

Speakers will address the major conference themes which include: r the increasing importance of urban forests in our growing cities, r the continuing importance of trees on farms for productive and sustainable rural landscapes, and r our increasing understanding of the links between healthy treescapes and healthy people.

Speakers are: Ĺś Senator Anne Ruston Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Ĺś Jacki Schirmer, Associate Professor at the University of Canberra. Ĺś Professor Kate Auty, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment. Ĺś Fiona Simson, President of the National Farmers’ Federation. Ĺś Kenneth Er, Chief Executive OfďŹ cer of Singapore National Parks Board. Ĺś Kathryn Williams, Associate Professor in environmental psychology at the University of Melbourne. Ĺś Dr Graham Farquhar, Distinguished Professor at The Australian National University and 2018 Senior Australian of the Year

New Chief Operating Officer for HVP

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ob Hescock, the *HQHUDO 0DQDJHU Northern Region at HVP Plantations since 2010, has been appointed Chief OpHUDWLQJ 2ŕľśFHU RI +93 3ULRU to his time at HVP, Rob held a series of operational roles across forestry in Australia DQG WKH 8 6 “The HVP Board sought a candidate with strong experience across forestry and customer services and with great technical skills. Rob was selected in a competitive selection process from a strong ÂżHOG RI LQWHUQDO DQG H[WHUQDO candidates,â€? said HVP Plantations’ Chair Adrian Kloeden. “We couldn’t be happier to have appointed Rob for this important role. He has worked across a variety of HVP’s locations and operational functions, as well as served as a member of our leadership team for the past eight years,â€? said Stephen Ryan, HVP Plantations’ Chief ([HFXWLYH 2ŕľśFHU Âł(DFK RI these elements of his career have equipped him with skills

and knowledge that will benH¿W +93 ´ 7KH *HQHUDO 0DQDJHU Northern Region role has EHHQ ¿OOHG ZLWK $QQH 3DUtridge promoted to the leadership team in this role.

0U 5\DQ VDLG WKDW +93 also saw the value in appointing a person to the General 0DQDJHU 1RUWKHUQ 5HJLRQ position who has a strong understanding of the regions’ customer needs and forest operations. “Anne takes on this role with over 25 years’ experience in forestry, including 15 years within HVP in harvest, haulage and customer management roles. “We believe that both Rob DQG $QQH ZLOO EH HŕľľHFWLYH LQ continuing to drive the HVP ethos that nothing is more important than the safety of our VWDŕľľ DQG FRQWUDFWRUV DQG WKH SXEOLF ´ 0U 5\DQ VDLG 5HĂ€HFWLQJ RQ KLV DSSRLQWment, Rob said he was honoured and excited to have been selected to be involved in the leadership of such a

great organisation. “I look forward to continuing the success of this company, while managing our operations in a safe and sustainable way.�

Rob also paid tribute to +93 VWDŕľľ DQG WKHLU FRPmitment that has continued WR FRQVROLGDWH WKH ÂżQDQFLDO success while increasing the safety culture of the organisation. “I’d like to acknowledge the great people we have working here for their passion for our forests and their dedicated service to HVP. Their valued contributions are why the company has been successful,â€? Rob said.

Rob and Anne started their UHVSHFWLYH UROHV RQ 0D\ HVP Plantations is a privately owned plantation forestry company, managing over 240,000 hectares of land across Victoria. HVP supplies logs for sawn timber, paper manufacturing, treated panel board and other timber uses to domestic and export customers.

ing operations are approximately two kilometres from the sighting and have been halted while biologists assess the area. Operations are not expected to resume until spring this year, after the quoll mating and breeding season.

The new sighting of the Spot-tailed quoll indicates that Special Protection Zones (SPZs) established across the state to protect endangered animals are providing suitable habitat for supporting the quoll. $OH[ 0HVVLQD *HQHUDO 0DQDJHU &RUSRUDWH $ŕľľDLUV at VicForests, said the Spottailed quoll sighting was exciting. “VicForests is delighted this beautiful creature has returned to grace our forests once again. “The quoll was sighted in

an existing Special Protection Zone (SPZ) in the Erica State Forest, established to provide habitat for a variety of animals. This SPZ is linked to other reserve areas by protected forest corridors to allow animals to move throughout WKH ODQGVFDSH ´ 0U 0HVVLQD said.

No timber harvesting takes place in SPZs. A 1000 hectare 6SHFLDO 0DQDJHPHQW =RQH 60= LV UHTXLUHG WR SURWHFW the Spot-tailed quoll. This will be made up of the existing SPZ and additional rezoning of priority habitat, if required, and will be in place before harvest resumes.

The ongoing management RI 63=V DQG 60=V LV DQ LPportant aspect of VicForests’ operations and allows for the conservation of the biodiversity of Victoria’s forest and for sustainable timber harvesting.

Government allocates $36 million to modernise RFAs Spot-tailed quoll sighting exciting The Victorian Government has set aside about $36 million to “modernise� regional forest agreements in Victoria.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the Government recognised that the forestry industry was important for regional communities . “It’s why we are providing certainty to Victorians who rely on our forests for their economic livelihoods,� he said when delivering the state budget.

The Government will invest $35.9 million to modernise the RFAs with the Commonwealth and improve the surveying of forestry land. This would help “to better protect the environment and give industry certainty,� he said.

Mr Pallas said this initiative would be underpinned by community engagement to determine the highest and best value use of our forests. “This will inform forestry policy and planning, increase transparency and effectiveness in managing environmental values, and improve industry sustainability and viability,� he said.

A total of $3 million will also be spent on protecting the state’s faunal emblems – the Helmeted Honeyeater and the Leadbeater’s Possum and their habitat.

Habitat at key sites in the Yellingbo area, just north-east of Melbourne, will be restored, including at the conservation reserve.

Captive breeding programs will also be introduced for Helmeted Honeyeaters, Victoria’s bird emblem.

The budget also provides $70.6 million for Parks Victoria to improve the management of the state’s extensive public parks network, and the services provided to visitors.

www.timberbiz.com.au

A

sighting of the threatened Spottailed quoll has been FRQÂżUPHG LQ 9LFWRULDÂśV (ULFD State Forest.

The largest carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland, Spot-tailed quoll DUH UDUH ZLWK IHZ FRQÂżUPHG sightings of the animal recorded in Erica State Forest.

Native to eastern Australia’s forested habitats, the Spot-tailed quoll prefers structurally complex habitats – large downed logs, rock outcrops and hollow bearing trees - where it can hunt prey and establish dens. Generally a solitary species, the Spottailed quoll can cover large areas in search of food and a mate, and the latest sighting indicates Spot-tailed quoll dens could be located in the area.

VicForests nearest harvest-

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

9

In the news

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Ĺś Glencoe Nursery. Photo by Ockert Le Roux.

Plantation strategies Sarawak Timber Association (STA) chairman, Wong Kie Yik, has suggested the state government should emulate the planted forest strategies and policies in China to attain State goals and ensure the sustainability of the State’s timber industry. Wong said State strategies for plantation forests need to be scaled up. During a study tour to Southern China by STA officials it was learnt that in China there is no royalty or cess on plantation logs and that the government provides infrastructure and supports research and development agencies and provides technical support and advice.

Predicting which trees are at greatest risk of beetle invasion A study shows that the composition of forests is more important than other factors when predicting where the destructive pest will strike next. Pitch pine forests are at greater risk of attack from the southern pine beetle than forests with a mix of tree species, according to research from Dartmouth College.

The research, published in Forest Ecology and Management, adds to understanding of the southern pine beetle and confirms previous research from the beetle’s southern habitat on the importance of characteristics that increase forest susceptibility to the pest.

Independent third party certification soon to be operational According to Barber Cho, Secretary of Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC), independent third party certification will be introduced very soon. He said that auditor training has been given to the potential certification bodies, three domestic and one international. He further explained that the MFCC is strengthening the Myanmar timber legality assurance system (MTLAS) through which legality compliance assessment reports will be issued independently by the certification bodies.

Deforestation rate declines in 2017 According to the Ministry of Environment, deforestation continues to fall in the Amazon. After increases in deforestation rates in 2015 and 2016 there was a 16% reduction in 2017. Between August 2016 and June 2017 clear cutting, as registered by the Project for Satellite Monitoring Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PRODES) in the National Institute for Space Research (INPE,) forest clearing amounted to 6,624 sq.km. The decline in deforestation, said the Minister, was the result of the monitoring agencies having adequate funds to conduct the work in the field

Ministries merged As a result of the most recent national institutional reform a State Forestry and Grassland Administration (SFGA) has been established replacing the State Forestry Administration (SFA) in China. The main function of SFGA is to supervise and manage the development, utilisation and protection of forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts and flora and fauna resources.

10

8 million seedlings from OneFortyOne’s Glencoe Nursery ready for planting

T

he team at OneFortyOne has once again been working hard to get the pine seedlings ready for this year’s planting season, growing nearly 8 million at the Glencoe Nursery.

Every year the pine seedlings grown locally at Glencoe are used to re-plant the areas that were harvested in the previous 18 months, not just for OneFortyOne’s forests but for other forest growers, too.

2)2ÂśV (VWDWH 0DQDJHU $QGUHZ 0DWKHVRQ FRQJUDWXlated the team for their hard work and dedication. “Our team are passionate about what they do and have been doing it for a long time. “They know how important their work is for our regional forests sustainability.

It supports jobs directly and indirectly in all areas from the growing, harvesting, and transporting of trees through to the manufacturing in the

mills at the end of the forests’ F\FOH ´ VDLG 0U 0DWKHVRQ In order to get 8 million pine seedlings ready for planting the Glencoe Nursery employs up to 40 local workers to support the OFO team.

This year OFO will replant approximately 3,200 hectares DW GLŕľľHUHQW VLWHV IURP LWV forests near Robe through to 0RXQW *DPELHU DQG ZLOO VHH a further 60 people employed on the planting crews during the winter months.

Unique region to honour those who make it work

T

here’s a new initiative hitting the timber industry this year .... the inaugural Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards.

The Green Triangle is home to Australia’s largest collective plantation and timber processing industry, contributing VLJQL¿FDQWO\ WR 9LFWRULD DQG South Australia, generating more than $778 million Gross Regional Product annually. In excess of 355,000 hectares of softwood and hardwood plantations produce timber for local manufacturing, national and export markets.

The Green Triangle (GT) is located along the Victorian and South Australian border and the region has a long history of plantation development (large scale commercial planting of Radiata pine started in 1907), and utilisation of SODQWDWLRQ JURZQ ÂżEUH XQGHUpins the viability of the estate and sector. The region has a UDQJH RI FXUUHQW ZRRG ÂżEUH processing capacity producing particleboard, veneer and sawn timber.

The region is well serviced by existing energy and transport infrastructure and established service providers (e.g. harvest and haulage capacity).

The GT region has access to $GHODLGH DQG 0HOERXUQH DV VLJQLÂżFDQW GRPHVWLF PDUNHWV IRU D UDQJH RI ÂżEUH EDVHG

products. The region is serviced by the Port of Portland (bulk products) and the Port RI 0HOERXUQH FRQWDLQHULVHG products).

The industry underpins some 8,500 regional jobs and provides a valuable foundation for businesses and investors.

Adrian Flowers, Chair of the Green Triangle Timber Awards Committee (GTTIA) believes the inaugural awards FDPSDLJQ ZLOO EHQHÂżW WKH UHgion’s timber industry in several ways. “The awards will enable us to attract skilled employees to the region as valued industry players and will up skill and lift the standards of the workforce here,â€? he said. “ It also provides an opportunity for the Green Triangle’s timber industry to celebrate its skilled professionals and unite industry players.â€?

Nominations will open 4 June. The nomination process will give opportunity for individuals, contractors and timber companies to be recognised across a selection of categories.

Categories will feature nominees who demonstrate excellence beyond best practice, a high quality of work output and evidenced ongoing training. They must also comply with environmental and

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

health & safety practices and show good character.

Forestry, roading, harvesting, distribution and wood processing will all be represented across the categories.

Trophies are up for company and individual awards and initiatives for outstanding health & safety, regional and environmental impact.

This will culminate with the Awards Dinner to be held DW 7KH %DUQ 0RXQW *DPELHU on Friday 26 October. Tickets to the event will be promoted in June with an expected attendance of up to 500 industry guests. *77,$ &RPPLWWHH 0HPbers: Adrian Flowers (Tabeel Trading, Chair)) (PPD .DWH *ULŕľśWKV 2QHFortyOne Plantations) 0DUFHO *ULŕľśWKV 2QH)RUW\One Plantations) David Wheaton (Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast) 6KDURQ )UH\HU 48%( Ports) Roland Freyer (South West Fibre) Tammy Whitehead (Glenara Transport) Phillip Dohnt (L.V.Dohnt) *UHJ .HQQ\ %RUJ 0DQXfacturing) Peta Crew (Primary Industries & Regions South Australia). www.timberbiz.com.au

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In the news

Ĺś University of South Australia autonomous systems expert Professor Anthony Finn said an infrared sensor gave the drone the “x-ray visionâ€? to see through forest canopies.

Ĺś Forestry Research Mount Gambier is developing sophisticated imaging sensors that can be ďŹ tted to drones.

Photo: University of South Australia

Infrared sensing gives forest drones a new edge

A

n ‘x-ray vision system’ that overlays WKUHH VSHFLÂżF WHFKnologies to assess the structure and health of individual trees in plantation forests through the canopy is being developed in South Australia.

A collaboration between the IRUHVW LQGXVWU\ 8QLYHUVLW\ RI South Australia and the South Australian Government will undertake research to boost productivity in the large plantation forests in the south east of the state. $PRQJ WKH ÂżUVW SURMHFWV undertaken by the Forestry 5HVHDUFK 0RXQW *DPELHU )R50W* LV WR GHYHORS VRSKLVticated imaging sensors that can EH ÂżWWHG WR GURQHV The three-pronged measurement approach uses Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), thermal infrared imaging and the hyperspectral imaging to generate 3D data. The remote sensing will allow both ground data and airborne data to accurately predict wood volumes, consider the LPSDFW RI ÂżUHV LQVHFW GDPDJH and wind damage on yields.

8QLYHUVLW\ RI 6RXWK $XVWUDOia autonomous systems expert Professor Anthony Finn said the addition of the infrared sensor gave the drone the “x-ray vision� to see through the canopies to provide a full image of the trunk. “We – like everyone else – use LIDAR to get point clouds but one of the challenges of LiDAR is the canopies to the trunks of the trees,� he said. “What we do with the infrared cameras is we carefully manage the spectral properties of what we’re looking at so we can see through to the trunks – in simple terms you could consider it almost like x-ray vision.

Greater insight “In addition to this we look at the surface chemistry using the hyperspectral imaging sensor, which provides us with an insight into how the trees are thriving as well.�

LiDAR and drones have been used by the forestry industry for a decade but the additional use of high-resolution cameras and infrared sensors

“The trick at the moment is you’ve got to get a high-resolution sensor and in order to get one of those you almost have to build your own,� he said.

and assess the quality of plantations you can improve the matching of the resource with the requirements of customers so it’s about optimising production,� he said.

Bigger drone “It can also be about trying “Initial prototypes tend to to detect health and nutritional be bigger than people are used problems as early as possible to so you have to use a bigger so you can apply corrective action.� drone.�

Dr O’Hehir said because 7KH FLW\ RI 0RXQW *DPELHU is in the Green Triangle, Aus- modern harvesting techniques second largest planta- were fully mechanised, the Additional use of tralia’s tion forest region stretching more information that could from South Australia’s south- be provided ahead of operahigh-resolution east to western Victoria. It in- tions the better. cameras and “Then you can pick and cludes about 350,000 hectares of plantings, which are roughly choose the areas of forest you infrared sensors between Radiata Pine and go into to achieve a certain allows researchers split product mix so data of the Tasmanian Blue Gum. High quality Radiata Pine in kind that you can get from the to ďŹ ll in the gaps Australia is used for structural research work that Anthony’s VRRQ EHJLQ QHDU 0W *DPELHU timber in the domestic con- been doing can give you those The drones are currently struction industry while Blue kind of improvements,â€? he only able to scan small sections Gum is generally woodchipped. said. “In the end it can be about of forest at a time but Professor 8QL6$ÂśV *HQHUDO 0DQDJHU Finn said miniaturisation of the of Forestry Research Dr Jim LPSURYHG SURÂżWDELOLW\ EHimaging software and possible O’Hehir said the industry want- cause you are doing a betcommercialisation in the future HG WR PRYH WRZDUGV PRUH HŕľľHF- ter job of matching what you would shrink the payload and tive methods of assessing tree cut from the forest with what your customers are requiring DOORZ LW WR EH ÂżWWHG WR PXFK quality.

VPDOOHU PRUH HŕľśFLHQW GURQHV “If you can better quantify at the time.â€?

DOORZV WKH UHVHDUFKHUV WR ³¿OO LQ the gaps�.

The system aims to achieve VLJQLÂżFDQW FRVW VDYLQJV WKURXJK a reduction in manual groundwork and more precise measurement and troubleshooting capabilities.

Field trials of the technology were conducted last month in South Australia and New South Wales, with mapping set to

Drone and satellite imagery combined Airbus Aerial and DroneBase have announced a partnership that will be interesting reading for any organization that relies on aerial imagery to make better decisions. The two plan to deliver the world’s first “multi-source data service solution for aerial imagery and data from a single provider�. Source: dronelife. com In plainspeak, that means the companies will seek to offer a combined service that provides customers with aerial data from Airbus Aerial’s satellites and manned aircraft and DroneBase’s network of drone pilots.

12

“We are very excited to announce this historic partnership that leverages Airbus Aerial’s significant investment in the automation of satellite, manned aviation, and drone data capture and analysis with the DroneBase API and their global pilot network,� said Jesse Kallman, President of Airbus Aerial.

Airbus Aerial was launched in 2017 to harness the latest software and aerospace technology in an effort to give companies actionable data and analysis using drones, satellites, high altitude aircraft and other sources. “Companies new to this sort of data now have a trusted partner to help them understand which Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

types of data and analysis make the most sense for them and can help them solve their toughest challenges,� said Kallman.

By joining forces with DroneBase, a drone operations platform with tens of thousands of professional pilots that can gather aerial data of any US address within a matter of days, Airbus Aerial is well placed to offer customers a unique set of services. Having one global go-to source for aerial data from drones, manned aircraft, and satellites is more than just a timesaver. It also allows for a more dynamic and collaborative approach to data gathering. www.timberbiz.com.au

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In the news

Joint mission investigates optimal farm forestry practices

N

ew Zealanders do farm forestry really well. It’s very much accepted and respected among NZ farmers. Australia can certainly learn a lot from our neighbours on this issue.

That was the take-home message after representatives from the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) and the National Farmers Federation (NFF), including $)3$ &KDLU *UHJ 0F&RUmack and NFF President Fiona Simson, visited New Zea-

land to examine farm forestry operations near Rotorua.

The joint delegation of members from both peak bodies investigated farm forestry operations that have realised WKH EHQHÂżWV RI WKH SUDFWLFH across the Tasman.

There are a multitude of EHQHÂżWV WR IDUP IRUHVWU\ LQcluding; investment and inFRPH GLYHUVLÂżFDWLRQ IRU WUDGLtional farmers, protection for stock and crops and improved water quality on properties. “In Australia, we haven’t

been as accepting of the practice, but hopefully with the NFF taking a strong and unprecedented interest, feelings will continue WR FKDQJH ´ 0U 0F&RUPDFN said. “It’s always great to be able to see the ways in how different countries produce a whole range of agricultural products. With farm forestry, we are seeing some excellent operations in New =HDODQG ´ 0V 6LPVRQ VDLG “In New Zealand, more

than 578,000 hectares or 34% of plantation forest is owned by private individuals with parcels of no more WKDQ KHFWDUHV ´ 0V Simon said.

By contrast in Australia, there are 150,000 hectares of small scale planted forest established by farmers. Furthermore, in places like the 8QLWHG 6WDWHV DQG 6ZHGHQ more like 50% of forests are owned by farmers, families and small landholders.

Current research on farm

forestry in Australia is also pointing to real benefits. Early results from the CSIRO show that when 5% to 10%t of a farm is under trees, it can increase the productivity of other agricultural products on the farm. “There’s a way to go, but the more we talk about it, the more we talk up the benefits, the more the takeup of farm forestry will LPSURYH LQ $XVWUDOLD ´ 0V Simson said.

Ambitious program to expand carbon farming The Queensland forest industry is looking forward to the opportunity for forestry activities to play a role in the development of the Queensland Government’s $500 million Land Restoration Fund.

Timber Queensland Chief Executive Mick Stephens said the industry is excited by the prospects of this ambitious program to expand carbon farming in the state and support land-sector projects that can deliver environmental and economic cobenefits. “The forest industry has a wealth of experience in developing and participating in land sector carbon projects and offsets markets such as the Emissions Reduction Fund and other voluntary schemes, and can assist landowners register and implement carbon projects,� said Mr Stephens. “Within Queensland, forestry can tick a lot of boxes when it comes to generating environmental and economic co-benefits. These benefits can include carbon sequestration, reduced emissions, income diversification, agricultural productivity, climate resilience, soil and water conservation, habitat restoration and ultimately better protection of the Great Barrier Reef. In addition, timber products that are sustainably harvested contribute to a greater pool of renewable and carbon friendly products over time,� he said.

“These benefits can then flow through to broader economic development and employment in many rural and regional areas.� “Overall, there is a spectrum of opportunities for carbon farming across the state from enhanced native forest regrowth, indigenous forest management, timber plantations, mine site rehabilitation and better integrating tree planting and forestry activities into farming systems. “Going forward, it will be important that forestry activities are fully captured in the design of eligible projects, methods and investment pathways for landholders and stakeholders, including the role of timber products for carbon storage. “Not only do we want to educate landowners about the opportunities for enhancing forest cover for timber production and related environmental outcomes, we want to ensure appropriate carbon market signals are put in place to help drive these activities. This is likely to be a once in a generation opportunity for the state Government to get these parameters right. “We therefore share many of the goals of the Palaszczuk Government to strengthen the carbon trading sector in agriculture and other land-based activities.

We look forward to participating in the consultation process for the Land Restoration Fund and contributing to its further development.�

Forest industry reputation damaged

T

he successful prosecution of a forest management comSDQ\ E\ WKH 0DUOERURXJK District Council has been endorsed by New Zealand’s Forest Owners Association.

0HUULOO DQG 5LQJ ZDV fined $39,000 and ordered to pay an additional $20,000 in reparations by the Blenheim District Court for leav14

ing woody debris in a stream bed after logging.

Forest Owners Association President, Peter Weir, said that, according to the report on the case, logging residues were left on a flood plain after harvest in 2014, and sometime later the &RXQFLO LQVWUXFWHG 0HUULOO and Ring, to move that debris. This direction was ig-

nored. The logging residues then mobilised in a storm in late 2016 and were carried by flood waters beyond the forest boundary onto neighbouring property. “This is not acceptable behaviour from the holder of a resource consent and we acknowledge that the full force of the law was applied. The licence to operate for every-

one in our industry is put in jeopardy by harvesting operators who count on a remote location and no storms to get away with acting outside the law,� Peter said.

The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry, which came into operation at the beginQLQJ RI 0D\ FODULILHG DQG tightened up conditions for

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

forest harvesting. Any logging residue left in the bed of a river or on a flood plain now has to be moved to above the level of a one in 20 year storm. “Let’s hope that this prosecution, on top of a similar one in the Bay of Plenty recently, sends a clear enough message that cutting corners doesn’t pay off,� Peter said. www.timberbiz.com.au

Business Profile

Ĺś A Woodsman Pro harvesting head getting the job done with a GB Forestry bar.

Business amalgamation will be a major boost for forest contractors

I

n this day and age of aggressive corporate takeovers and competitive bickering it is a rare sight to see the friendly amalgamation of two industry heavyweights to provide their customers the EHVW RI ERWK EXVLQHVV RŕľľHUings.

June brings us news of exactly that having occurred as GB Forestry (GBF) and Roy Gripske and Sons (RGS) Harvester division announce their partnership in the supply of Forestry Harvester bars to the industry.

7KH SDUWQHUVKLS H྾HFWLYHO\ dissolves RGS’s long-standing relationship with Oregon Harvester product and RGS’s Forestry Division will now be the exclusive distribution agent in Australia for GB Forestry bars to timber harvesting businesses and contractors.

So how did this come about? “Both GB and RGS have worked together in the market as the need has arisen www.timberbiz.com.au

GB Forestry employs industry specialists with many years of experience to design and manufacture their harvester bar range and this is someWKLQJ WKDW 0LFKDHO LV PRUH than happy to hang his hat on. “Like all industries, our market is constantly being bombarded by low cost imports and yet our quality and responsiveness GB Forestry (GBF) and to market requirements Roy Gripske and Sons has kept us ahead of the (RGS) Harvester division JDPH ´ 0LFKDHO VDLG

to provide a solution to our respective customers over the years and there has been a great deal of mutual respect between our businesses,� said 5*6 *HQHUDO 0DQDJHU 3DXO Sheehan.

Service and solutions

the country to provide an overDOO VHUYLFH EHQH¿W WR WKH FXVtomer --- it just makes sense.�

GB Forestry has established its product at the cutting edge (excuse the pun) of the timber harvesting industry since its establishment in 1959. With a

extra few dollars in someone’s back pocket. It’s a real shame to watch Australian manufacturing dwindle in the way that it has.�

It would seem that Paul Sheehan from RGS agrees ZLWK 0LFKDHOÂśV VHQWLPHQW “RGS is always looking for opportunities to encourage and support Australian manufactured product and our partnership with GB Forestry H[HPSOLÂżHV WKLV :H DUH UHDOO\ excited about the opportunities this creates for us to be responsive to market needs and provide the winning combination of quality, service, adaptability and price that has been out of our reach until now.â€? he said.

“We are a service and solutions focused business and that will always be at our core, so it makes complete sense for us to source product from an organisation that shares these traits have announced their Quality products and there is no doubt that *%) ÂżWV WKDW PROG IRU XV ´ partnership in the supply “Our status of being he added.

Australian owned and of Forestry Harvester bars made is unique to our 0LFKDHO .HQQHG\ *% )RUHVWU\ 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFto the industry. industry and something tor, commented: “We are we at GB Forestry are really proud of our product really very proud of. I Australian owned and ability to react quickly get a great deal of perreputation for superior bar perto market needs. This is the sonal satisfaction watching “It is such a great story to formance, GB has worked hard real strength of our business, EDUV FRPH Rŕľľ RXU SURGXFWLRQ be able to show our customers for many years to deliver soluso this new partnership allows line knowing we are bucking that two Australian owned tions to their customer base us to focus on those aspects the trend of leveraging cheap WKDW KHOS LPSURYH HŕľśFLHQFLHV and to leverage RGS’s distrilabour to produce an inferior Continued on Page 16 and cut production costs. bution footprint throughout quality product just to put an Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

15

Business Profile

Business amalgamation will be a major boost for forest contractors Continued from Page 15

companies can come together in the way we have to the EHQH¿W RI DOO SDUWLHV LQYROYHG We are very pleased with our prospects and plans moving forward,� Paul added.

GB Forestry will continue to manufacture its products in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Derrimut, Victoria. “Our partnership with RGS OHWV XV IRFXV RXU HŕľľRUWV RQ what we do best at GB Forestry by designing and manufacturing the highest quality SURGXFW VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHVLJQHG to help timber harvesters get the highest performance from their machines. We recognise RGS’s strength in its enviable distribution footprint and likewise, RGS recognises our sweet spot is in the manufacture of premium quality bars,â€?

0LFKDHO VDLG 5*6 ZLOO KROG bar stock in all of its distribution warehouses to ensure the superior service they are renowned for is upheld right WKURXJK WKHLU SURGXFW RŕľľHUing.

The extent of the exclusive

distribution agreement between the two companies includes ž� and .404 harvester bars and replacement tips, associated sprockets as well as extra long hand saw bars, mill bars and double ended bars. “We expected the transition to be quite seamless� said Paul. “We had stock on our shelves of GB bars ready to go prior to the release date earlier this month which ensured we could deliver as soon as orders hit our system and that’s the service promise we wish to maintain with our customers. We want to be the ‘go to’ for premium harvester bars and the fact that the GB product is of such high quality and with the ability to manufacture with such short lead times puts us exactly in the place we want to be,� he said.

All marketing and sales activities for GBF in these market segments will be handled by RGS. Trent Vaughan, National Sales manager for RGS’ Harvester division, who is well known to most of the timber harvesting industry VDLG ³, KDYH EHHQ FKD¿QJ DW the bit to get my hands on the

GBF product and really push the advantages of this partQHUVKLS KRPH , FDQ ¿QDOO\ R྾HU WKH VSHHG WR PDUNHW IRU bespoke solutions that I have always struggled to commit to due to the long lead times of our previously imported brand.�

Trent was also very keen to seek out and explore the added opportunities this relationship presented. “Not only does GBF supply the standard range of product I am used to selling in this market, there DUH VLJQLÂżFDQW RSSRUWXQLWLHV for growth in the application of spray bars, pack saws and extra long saws that has alZD\V EHHQ GLŕľśFXOW WR VHUYLFH and I am really excited to be DEOH WR RŕľľHU D WRWDO VROXWLRQ for my customers,â€? he said.

Trent will be supported in WKH ÂżHOG E\ ERWK 5*6 DQG *%) VWDŕľľ “It has been a real pleasure getting to know Gary Green at GBF prior to the commencement of our working relationship,â€? said Trent, “He is a real wealth of knowledge after many years interacting with timber harvesting con-

Ŝ GB Forestry’s Managing Director, Michael Kennedy and Roy Gripske & Sons’ General Manager, Paul Sheehan at GB Forestry headquarters in Derrimut, Victoria.

16

tractors and I know we both have much we can learn from each other,� he added.

on some really great concepts and bring them to operational UHDOLW\ LQ WKH ¿HOG ,W LV RXU goal at GBF to be the leader Market opportunities in cutting technology within So, what does the future the timber harvesting industry bring for these two Aussie and working with RGS amplibusinesses as they settle into ¿HV RXU WRXFK SRLQWV ZLWK WKH their new partnership? Both market and complements our 0LFKDHO DQG 3DXO ZHUH WLJKW already very competent team.�

0LFKDHO ZUDSSHG XS WKH lipped on the details but we are guessing they have plans feeling between these two to synergise their energies and businesses: “It is simple mathbring some surprises to the ematics, when we bring our two businesses together in market. Âł:H VHH VLJQLÂżFDQW RSSRU- the way we have the results tunities in market areas where for our customers are multiZH KDYH EHHQ XQDEOH WR RŕľľHU plied and we bring win /win an engineered solution due to outcomes to the industry,â€? he our relatively small market VDLG Âł8OWLPDWHO\ RXU SDUWQHUsize,â€? said Paul. “It has simply ship brings better things for been a fact that our ability to Australia and its manufacturinteract with the manufacturer ing sector, something I know at a design level was just not both businesses are very proud an option, however, this new of,â€? he added.

We wish both GBF and RGS partnership with GBF changes all of that and we already have the best in their endeavors and some ideas that we are work- raise a glass to the cooperaLQJ WKURXJK ZLWK 0LFKDHO DQG tion shown by these illustrihis team to bring new solutions ous Australian businesses. All WR RXU FXVWRPHUV ´ KH VDLG 0L- GBF and RGS customers can chael clearly backed this when learn more about the new parthe said: “We have the talent nership by contacting Trent and the experience within our Vaughan on 0414 995 431 or manufacturing team to deliver contact 1300 363 027.

Ŝ GB Forestry’s Production Manager, Kevin Borg at one of the many quality check points of production.

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

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Plantation Development

Collaborative approach to using genetic technology in tropical eucalyptus plantation investments

Ŝ Dr Saro Thavamanikumar - Senior Scientist & Operations Manager

A

Ĺś Dr Tina Liu - Lab Technician

Ĺś Dr Bala Thumma - Principal ScientistÂ

DĂdžĹ?ĹľĹ?Ć?Äž Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝ÄšĆľÄ?Ć&#x;Ç€Ĺ?ĆšÇ‡Í˜ ĆŒÄžÄžÄš Ç Ĺ?ƚŚ Ä?ÄžĆŒĆšÄ‚Ĺ?ĹśĆšÇ‡Í˜

dŚĞ ƚĞÄ?ŚŜŽůŽĹ?LJ Ĺ?Ć? ĹšÄžĆŒÄžÍ˜ dÄ‚ĹŻĹŹ ƚŽ Ĺ˝ĆľĆŒ ÄžÇ†Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆš ƚĞĂž Ä‚Ä?Žƾƚ ƚŚĞ Ä?ÄžĆ?Ćš Ć?ŽůƾĆ&#x;ŽŜ ƚŽ turbocharge your tree improvement program.

KĆľĆŒ ÄžÇ†Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆ&#x;Ć?Äž Ĺ?Ĺś ÄšĹ?Ć?Ä?Ĺ˝Ç€ÄžĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? E ĹľÄ‚ĆŒĹŹÄžĆŒĆ? Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ä?Ĺ˝ĹľĹľÄžĆŒÄ?Ĺ?Ä‚ĹŻ ĆšĆŒÄ‚Ĺ?ĆšĆ? ĂŜĚ high-throughput genotyping technologies can assist you with E ͲÄ?Ä‚Ć?ĞĚ ƉĞĚĹ?Ĺ?ĆŒÄžÄž ĆŒÄžÄ?ŽŜĆ?ĆšĆŒĆľÄ?Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä?LJ Ĺ?ĚĞŜĆ&#x;ĨLJĹ?ĹśĹ? ĹŻÄ‚Ä?ĞůůĹ?ĹśĹ? ÄžĆŒĆŒĹ˝ĆŒĆ? ĂŜĚ Ć‰ĆŒÄžÄšĹ?Ä?Ć&#x;ŽŜ ŽĨ ĆšĆŒÄžÄž Ć‰ÄžĆŒÄ¨Ĺ˝ĆŒĹľÄ‚ĹśÄ?Äž Ä‚Ćš Ć?ĞĞĚůĹ?ĹśĹ? Ć?ƚĂĹ?Äž Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ć?ĹľÄ‚ĆŒĆšÄžĆŒ ĂŜĚ ĨĂĆ?ĆšÄžĆŒ Ć?ĞůĞÄ?Ć&#x;Ĺ˝ĹśÍ˜

Contact Us: sales@gondwanagenomics.com.au | +61 (0)2 6109 6111 Ĺ?Ĺ˝ĹśÄšÇ Ä‚ĹśÄ‚Ĺ?ĞŜŽžĹ?Ä?Ć?͘Ä?Ĺ˝ĹľÍ˜Ä‚Ćľ

18

n innovative partnership has been announced between Australian genetics technology ÂżUP *RQGZDQD *HQRPLFV DQG timberland investment manager New Forests, seeking to deploy genetic technology to boost productivity in tropical eucalyptus plantations.

Following successful demonstrations, the two companies are collaborating on the ZRUOGœV ¿UVW ODUJH VFDOH LQvestment in tropical eucalypWXV 0DUNHU $VVLVWHG 6HOHFWLRQ 0$6 DLPLQJ WR GHOLYHU VLJQL¿FDQW JDLQV LQ WUHH SODQWDWLRQ productivity and resilience at two New Forests’ investments in South East Asia.

New Forests is an Australia-headquartered investment manager responsible for more than $A4.5 billion in assets under management across 915,000 hectares of forests and land in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, and the 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 1HZ )RUHVWVœ 6LQJDSRUH RྜFH PDQDJHV WKH company’s tropical forestry investments and operations in South East Asia. Gondwana Genomics is a privately held Australian company using pioneering genetic methods to make next generation tree breeding tools commercially available. The company holds an exclusive license to its 0$6 WHFKQRORJ\ ZKLFK XVHV targeted DNA sequencing to LGHQWLI\ VSHFL¿F JHQHWLF WUDLWV such as disease resistance, strength, density, higher pulp yield, and faster growth.

The joint initiative will deSOR\ 0$6 WHFKQRORJ\ DW WZR of New Forests’ investments from its Tropical Asia Forest Fund. Acacia Forest IndusWULHV RI 6DEDK 0DOD\VLD DQG 0HNRQJ 7LPEHU 3ODQWDWLRQV RI

central Laos will work together with Gondwana Genomics to execute a multi-year proJUDP RI 0$6 WUHH EUHHGLQJ

YHUVH SODQWDWLRQV 2XU 0$6 technology helps these plantations break through traditionally long breeding cycles and LQVWHDG ¿QG ZD\V WR UDSLGO\ Faster growing plantations maximise yield and plantation The program targets im- quality.�

0$6 WHFKQRORJ\ LV DOVR provements in growth, yield, DQG ZRRG ÂżEUH FKDUDFWHULVWLFV known as smart breeding as it while also seeking to enhance enables tree breeders to select resilience to pests and disease. for desirable traits and accuThe collaboration aims to rately predict the performance bring forward targeted growth of a tree using a DNA test.

7KLV 0$6 DSSURDFK GRHV improvements, resulting in faster growing plantations that QRW UHTXLUH JHQHWLF PRGLÂżFDachieve higher levels of per- tion but rather uses genetic formance in as little as three sequencing to more accurately WR ÂżYH \HDUV DV FRPSDUHG WR and rapidly identify traits in a RULJLQDO WDUJHWV RI ÂżYH WR HLJKW structured breeding program. years.

Right gene inheritance

This MAS approach does not require genetic modiďŹ cation but rather uses genetic sequencing to more accurately and rapidly identify traits in a structured breeding program.

0$6 WHFKQRORJ\ HQDEOHV highly targeted cross-breeding, with further tests able to GHWHUPLQH ZKHWKHU RŕľľVSULQJ are inheriting the right genes from each parent, thereby speeding up the development of the next generation of elite trees. In commercial application, this can result in rapidly improving plantation quality to meet market and operational demands. “By coordinating a collaboUDWLRQ DPRQJ 0HNRQJ 7LPber Plantations, Acacia Forest Industries, and Gondwana “We are proud that New Genomics, New Forests can Forests has encouraged the leverage the genetic informaDGRSWLRQ RI RXU 0$6 WHFKQRO- tion of our two tropical eucaogy at its South East Asian lyptus plantations to accelerate timber plantations,â€? said Rob- their breeding programs and HUW 6RXWKHUWRQ 0DQDJLQJ 'L- get better results faster,â€? said rector at Gondwana Genomics. James Bullen, Director of InAs an environmentally re- vestments and Operations for sponsible and proven tech- New Forests. “This not only QRORJ\ 0$6 LV DWWUDFWLYH WR saves time and brings forward companies like New Forests FDVK Ă€RZV EXW LW DOVR ZLOO KHOS who are seeking to enhance make our plantation investcommercial returns from plan- ments more resilient, diverse, tations but who also consider and adaptable to a combinaenvironmental factors and tion of market preferences and want healthy, genetically di- environmental conditions.â€?

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

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Focus on Forestry Corporation NSW

Ŷ Darren McGlashan - an ambassador for safety

Darren McGlashan’s personal commitment to Forestry Corporation’s new 360° SAFE concept Darren’s safety messages struck a chord with his colleagues, and by reports, resonated with many of Forestry Corporation's contractors, cushen Field Ecolo- tomers and industry stakeholdgist Darren ers. While Darren puts his suc0 F * O D V K D Q cessful on screen performance stepped into the spotlight as down to gigging experience one of the faces of Forestry – “I’ve been the front man in Corporation’s new 360° SAFE a band for the past 16 years or concept, he had a bit of a laugh so,” he says – there’s a very with his workmates. “Have good reason he’s so passionate they seen a photo of me?” he about driving a strong safety asked when he was approached culture for those working in WR ¿OP D VSHDNLQJ UROH LQ WKH forestry and timber.

Before joining Forestry CorODXQFK YLGHR ³0D\EH WKH\ need to see a photo of me so poration of NSW almost 20 they have a chance to change years ago, Darren started out in the sawmilling side of the intheir mind!”

With his wooly beard and dustry, back in 1986. “The orwild grin, Darren may look ganisation I was employed by an unlikely ambassador for had experienced an unacceptaan important corporate safety ble record of accidents,” says message but, joking aside, Dar- Darren, "including a fatality ren’s take on the 360° SAFE that I remember well.” Followconcept came from the heart ing this tragic incident, Darren – and he proved himself a natu- recalls there was a dramatic ral in front of the camera. “In and positive shift across the all seriousness,” he says, “if safety systems and procedures I can do anything that helps at his then workplace.

Safety is an issue of imporus all get home safe and well at the end of the working day, tance and focus right across the forestry industry. well, I’m in!”

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Last year, Forestry Corporation of NSW undertook a sigQL¿FDQW SURMHFW ZLWK WKH DLP RI gaining an understand of what safety means throughout the industry. Nick Roberts, CEO, says: “By stepping back and considering the ideas that came out of the project, we have EHHQ DEOH WR IRFXV RXU H൵RUWV on some key areas.

“Our new Safety Strategy is setting us on the path to deepen and mature our safety culture and ultimately, ensure every one of us stays safe at work,” said Nick.

Contractor management, critical risk management, leadership and performance and health and wellbeing were all earmarked as areas where real progress is needed. Nick recognises that this progress is dependent on having his people turn their minds to safety in everything they do. This is where Darren and his colleagues have been able to step in and own the new 360° SAFE message and drive change at all levels.

“It’s been great to see attitudes changing when it comes

to safety,” says Darren, who EHOLHYHV LW¶V QRW GL൶FXOW WR transform unsafe work practices. During his early days working in the Hunter Region, a Safety Initiative Program was introduced and Darren saw an opportunity to contribute to Forestry Corporation’s developing safety culture. “When they called for submissions, I saw I could introduce something tangible and meaningful regarding safety,” says Darren.

“It was so easy and logical to me, drawing on my experience.”

Darren remembers leading a ‘Lock Out’ system for machinery or equipment deemed to be unsafe, where a highly visible tag is attached and not removed until the item is repaired or replaced. “It’s simple, but I witnessed this system being used only last week,” says Darren.

Darren points to the use RI 8+) UDGLRV E\ ERWK )RUHVWU\ &RUSRUDWLRQ VWD൵ DQG contractors engaged in harvesting operations as another small change that has had a huge impact on safety in the workplace.

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

“To me,” Darren says, “the FRQFHSW RI ၨ 6$)( PHDQV that being alert to risks and hazards should be all encompassing. Not only at work but in our home life as well. It’s about our workmates, friends and family.”

He stresses that the actions we take in the workplace KDYH D ULSSOH H൵HFW “We are only on this earth for a short amount of time and our work life makes up a ODUJH SDUW RI WKDW WLPH 0RVW of us work to give us the means to have the best time we can with our friends and family. That’s why it is so important to embrace safety concepts, processes and procedures, that are designed to give us the best opportunity to return home to our loved ones at the end of the working day.”

To see Darren and his Forestry Corporation colleagues explain what 360° SAFE means to them, watch their video here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Gb7nRJvLip0 19

Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling

Ponsse’s H8HD boasts a strong grip, powerful feeding and fast sawing Ponsse harvester heads are built to meet the demands of the roughest conditions and thanks to the wide range, the manuIDFWXUHU FDQ R྾HU VROXWLRQV IRU onsse has a long histowheeled harvesters and trackry of making harvester based machines.

KHDGV 7KH YHU\ ÂżUVW The Ponsse harvester head were manufactured in the 1980s UDQJH RŕľľHUV PRGHUQ KDUand, ever since, each harvester vester head models, which are head model has been designed suitable for various uses from ZLWK D IRFXV RQ HŕľśFLHQF\ GXUDWKLQQLQJ WR ÂżQDO IHOOLQJ DQG SURbility and ease of maintenance. cessing. Their high feed power Each model is characterized by and fast economical sawing its simple and strong structure.

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20

As each harvester head can be adjusted according to tree and base machine properties, working is easy and the harvester head has a long service life.

0RUHRYHU Ponsse´s in-house developed and manufactured Opti information system guarantees measurement accuracy in cutting. “All our harvester heads of GLŕľľHUHQW VL]HV DUH DOVR VXLWDEOH for the multi-stemming of energy wood and pulpwood without any optional equipment,â€?

says Janne Loponen, Product 0DQDJHU IRU 3RQVVH +DUYHVWHU Heads. “This eliminates additional costs, servicing and weight. The frames of our harvester heads are machined after the welding assembly. This guarantees the highest quality with excellent precision.� Durable hoses, well-designed hose routing and strong delimbing knives are important features of Ponsse harvester heads. In addition, the automatic Ponsse CT+ chain tensioner and the grease

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

lubrication system for the saw chain are available for all harvester head models except H10 where saw unit is Hultdins 300.

Stronger version “For H7 and H8 models a stronger HD version is available for track-based harvester installations and can also be used in larger wheel based harvesters. The H8, H8HD and H10 models can be equipped with a WRS VDZ DQG ÂżQG HQG VHQVRU IRU HYHQ PRUH HŕľśFLHQW ORJJLQJ ´

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Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling

Loponen is very proud of the latest model in the Ponsse harvester head family, the H8 HD, which is a heavy duty harvester head for felling and processing of hardwood and softwood in tough conditions. Thanks to the modern and optimized design of H8 HD, the weight of the harvester head is low, making it possible to use it on the Ponsse Bear, wheel-based harvester and most track-based machines.

Low weight also enables lower fuel consumption and easier handling, especially in processing operations. “Strong grip, powerful feeding and fast sawing are packed in a robust and reliable package that can be ÂżWWHG LQWR YDULRXV WUDFNHG FDUULers,â€? Loponen said. The H8 HD has a wide feed roller geometry

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that supports even the largest stems with feed rollers instead of delimbing knives.

Improved fuel economy This allows a lower pressure to be applied by the knives, improving fuel economy and feeding speed as well as measuring accuracy. The H8 HD is available with a top saw for processing curvy trees with big branches. Processor delimbing knives are longer than standard knives for picking logs more easily from a pile, Loponen added. The other newcomer, the H10 processing head, offers unbeatable Ponsse quality and productivity to a new size class. The H10 is designed and built for heavy-duty processing work in the hardest conditions.

Robust structure, strong grip and powerful feeding guarantee KLJK HŕľśFLHQF\ DQG UHOLDELOLW\ WKURXJK WKH \HDUV 0HDQZKLOH the Ponsse Opti is an entire product family of forest machine information systems. It covers harvesters, forwarders and loose harvester heads installations and can consist of CTL measuring, weight scaling, reporting and many other features. Applications for wood procurement management are also available. The basic principle behind the Opti information system is user friendliness. “We are aware of importance of the operator skills; therefore, we have created the system where the operator doesn’t need to adapt to the control system – the control system is

adapted for the operator,â€? Loponen said. “Forest machines PXVW EH HŕľľHFWLYH UHOLDEOH DQG capable of measuring wood accurately, and they must also be easy to use and environmenWDOO\ IULHQGO\ 7KH IXOÂżOPHQW of these requirements can be greatly enhanced with the help of information technology. The cutting suggestion made by the measurement device ensures the optimal usage of the raw material, leaving the machine operator free to concentrate on the quality of the tree.â€? To help the operator to focus on what is essential and improve working methods.

Ponsse has also developed EcoDrive software, which indicates in real-time whether the machine is being controlled

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

HFRQRPLFDOO\ DQG HŕľśFLHQWO\ +DQQD 9LONPDQ 3URGXFW 0DQager for Information Systems: Âł(ŕľśFLHQW DQG HFRQRPLF ZRRG procurement is in the best interests of all parties in the procurement chain, that is, the forest owner, the contractor, the forest company, and the nature of the forest.â€? Ponsse forest machines, harvester heads and information systems are widely available from Ponsse dealers and service centers around the world. Ponsse is a pioneering developer of mechanical timber-harvesting based on the cut-to-length method. “We only manufacture forestry machines so our focus is clear, at Ponsse we put cusWRPHUV DOZD\V ÂżUVW DQG ZH DLP to be the preferred partner in our industry.

21

Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling

Ĺś Logmax 6000 - Eco Log 590E

High praise for dealer and product on the business and not in it, given the industry is screaming for operators (good) in both the logging and haulage candinavian Forestry components. and Logmax heads “There are always times deserve the ultimate in when, as a manager, you have ratings, according to one forto operate machines and run est contractor. “The standout the company. It can be tough points for Logmax and Scan but I strongly believe it’s good Forest for me is a long list, but WR NHHS \RXU ÂżQJHU RQ WKH to start with it’s the service and pulse, keeping in touch with back up, and its the longevity the ground level of the busiRI WKH KHDGV ´ VD\V 0LNH &OXness. nie, Director Harvest, Extrac“I don’t have a machine or WLRQ +DXODJH 0& /RJJLQJ truck that I can’t operate ef0& ORJJLQJ ZDV IRUPHG LQ “Far more than ÂżFLHQWO\ DQG , SODQ WR NHHS LW 2013 when his father (Cempac a business that way,â€? he says.

Forestry ) decided to retire Now, down to the high ratfrom forestry. relationshipâ€? ing claim .... “Our relation“I had been working for ship with Johan and David at Cempac Forestry basically 0LNH ZLWK D JULQ “Since then the company Scandinavian Forestry started from leaving school in New has taken on T1 operations EDFN LQ ZKHQ ZH ÂżWWHG Zealand way back in 1994. “When we shifted to Aus- with NSW State Forest and RXU ÂżUVW /RJPD[ ;7 RQ D tralia we operated Cempac 6QRZ\ 0RXQWDLQ )RUHVW WDN- IRU FXWWLQJ 8&) LQ %RPWood Chipping, chipping ex- ing our annual cut to +200K bala. “We haven’t looked back port pine chip for Auspine in TPA and additional haulage IRU 60) RI . 3$ ZKLFK since.

3RUWODQG ´ VD\V 0LNH “The relationship with the “After a long career in GRHVQÂśW LQFOXGH D Ă€RDWLQJ FUHZ wood chipping and haulage that does roadlining and ex- boys at Scan Forest has bewe ended up in Eden on the tra work for both companies come more than a business relatiionship, with both Jofar south coast of NSW chip- when required . “This has been a massive han and David being personal ping and harvesting hardwood for South East Fibre Exports learning curve and explosion friends. “For mine, they run their (now Allied Natural Wood Ex- in workload over a short periports -- ANWE) and softwood od of time . “Being an operator company with a very old it’s been tough to stay working school family feel about it for NSW State forest.â€?

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22

:KHQ 0& /RJJLQJ ZDV IRUPHG LQ 0LNH WRRN over Cempac Forestry’s NSW State Forest contract of . 73$ RI 8&) SLQH LQ DQG around the Bombala region.

Included was a tethered haulage contract for that volume. “In buying out Dad’s equipment I quickly realised that most days wages and just managing production was a much easier gig than overseeing the whole circus,� says

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

www.timberbiz.com.au

Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling “Our larger heads are on Komatsu and Cat bases and once again do an outstanding MRE ´ 0LNH VDLG Âł7KH VWDQGout points for Logmax and Scan Forest for me is a long list but to start with it’s the service and back up. What Johan and David provide is second to none. I cant think of anything we’ve needed that’s had to come from overseas; it’s always in stock and if it’s not David makes it! “Secondly, the longevity the heads have is another big standout for me. Âł2QH RI RXU ;7 heads just clicked over 12000 KRXUV DQG MXVW KDG LWV ÂżUVW VHW of roller arm pins and bushes. Âł, WKLQN WKH Ă€RZ RQ IURP WKH ÂżUVW WZR SRLQWV LV WKDW the reliability of the heads and components is second to none and without a doubt helped my business grow as quickly as it has with maximum up time and quick response to stoppages or tech issues . “Scan Forest and Logmax ... I cant speak highly enough of them and would commend them to anyone looking maximise their forest operaWLRQV ´ VD\V 0LNH

SCANDINAVIAN FORESTRY

which is backed up in my opinion by a very, very strong and reliable product. When you walk into their workshop or pick up the phone you just know you’re going to get the service and answers you need so you can get back producing as quickly as possible. Âł6LQFH ZLWK RXU ÂżUVW ;7 ZKLFK ZH DUH VWLOO XVLQJ 0&/ QRZ KDV /RJmax heads working from the 6000 right up to 10000xt all working in softwood pine opHUDWLRQV ´ VD\V 0LNH He explained that the smaller Logmax heads were coupled with Ecolog 590 tractors in T1 operations around the Bombala UHJLRQ LQ ERWK Ă€DW DQG VWHHS country and described them as an awesome combination. “We run tracks on the front bogies year round making the machine balanced; using 11m of reach at 90 deg is easy even on one 590 that has a larger 7000b. Probably my favourite head to operate in T1/ T2 ops is the 6000C, being so nimble and fast yet retains an enormous amount of power to delimb and clean stem. They really are a pleasure to operate with measuring accuracy that’s always in window.

HEADS ABOVE THE COMPETITION

10000XT

E6 (Eucalyptus)

YOUR COMPLETE FORESTRY SOLUTION

Processing, Harvesting or anything in between?

Scandinavian Forestry & Engineering Pty Ltd - 196-200 Snowy Mountains Hwy, Tumut, NSW, 2720, Australia Office: 02 6947 4505 Mobile: 0408 614 503 www.timberbiz.com.au

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

23

Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling

Hybrid Harvester put through its paces in real time Ŷ Hugh Gordon with the TH85 head.

ity and fuel consumption. We have seen the fuel consumption range between 18 L per hour and 24 L per hour depending on stem size, form and slope. There are a lot of variables but it seems to basically sit around 22.

“It’s been along time since I’ve driven rubber-tyred Harvester so I can’t really compare with the others that are currently on the market but I can say this has changed my opinion of what’s possible with European harvester and head. Ŷ Jussi Malmi “I was going to bring a ogset’s 12H GTE Hy- track based machine in for the brid Harvester might current block we’re working in be on demo tours in it but it had some issues so we the Scandinavian countries but took the hybrid in and it has in Australia the machine has surprised me with what I can been “paying its way” in real achieve,” says Hugh.

“The hybrid ticks a lot of time.

“The machine is not on the boxes for us but one of its tour down here,” says Hugh downfalls we found when harGordon (Australian Logset YHVWLQJ ¿UVW LQQLQJV LV LW KDV D lot of crane post to see past. agent).

“That said, one of the big “We are logging contractors and we also import the Log- standout points for me with the set brand, so, for us bringing hybrid is the TH85 harvesting in the hybrid was more about head which was built for the testing machine over a reason- hybrid.

“I’m used to physically able period of time to see how it stands up to Australian con- larger harvesting heads but ditions prior to pushing it into I’ve been impressed with the TH85 and over the range of the market.”

The hybrid has been work- plantation that the machine ing in a number of areas around has worked in the head has 0RXQW *DPELHU FXWWLQJ VPDOO handled everything well. The ¿UVW WKLQQLQJV WKURXJK WR FOHDU measuring, even in adverse fell. The hybrid is currently stands, has been found to be working in New South Wales very good,” Hugh says.

“The Logset 12H GTE Hyin the Tumbarumba area cutting unthinned clear fell which brid machine is about to go to ranges in stem size up to just Eastern Victoria for the winter under 6 cubic metres with an to harvest unthinned clear fell so we’ll see how it goes there. average of about 1.4. /RJVHW 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU “For me, the standout features of the hybrid are obvi- -XVVL 0DOPL VDLG WKH K\EULG ously the fuel economy and forest machines represented an up-and-coming trend in the productivity,” says Hugh.

“We’ve done a few tests manufacturing of forest maacross the range of blocks chines.

After demos in Finland, the that have been harvested with the machine by regulating the Logset 12H GTE Hybrid will engine rpm to see where the continue the demo tour in Gersweet spot is for productiv- many and France.

L

Ŷ The Hybrid Harvester pre-work.

Ŷ The Hybrid Harvester at work.

24

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

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Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling

Deere opts for Waratah TimberRite H16

W

aratah’s TimberRite H-16 Control System is now used on John Deere tracked harvesters and tracked swing machines equipped with Waratah 600-Series Harvesting Heads. This was previously only available for the 200and 400-Series Waratah heads and has now been expanded for use with the 600-Series heads, providing loggers with a solution that enhances connectivity for data and information sharing.

With the addition of the H-16 Control System, operators have more control of harvesting and processing heads, which increases precision when measuring and cutting timber. One of the most notable features on the system is the ability to conÂżJXUH VHWWLQJV WR H[DFW DSSOLcation needs, improving head performance, productivity and measuring accuracy.

Loggers can choose from two systems based on their needs.

The pre-selection prioritization system follows preset logic and prioritizes based on operator selection, length and diameter, while the optional value-based optimization system uses log grade, assortment value, stem prognosis, length and diameters matrices, and demand inputs.

The user-friendly platform makes it easier to check work and repair statistics, track navigation and monitor machine data. SupportLQJ 6WDQ)RU' ¿OH IRUPDW the TimberRite H-16 system allows data to interchange with virtually any professional system in the forestry business. The H-16 Control System is even more benH¿FLDO ZKHQ LQWHJUDWHG ZLWK JDLink™, providing loggers with connectivity with access to production data, including average tree stem size, actual production, work time utilization, productivity and fuel consumption. Additionally, the John Deere telematics permit remote display

access for troubleshooting the TimberRite H-16 system, and wireless data transfer HQDEOHV DXWRPDWLF ÂżOH VKDUing through JDLink, even in remote locations. JDLink provides alerts and status updates to help owners and managers better manage where and how equipment is used.

The H-16 Control System can be installed at the factory or aftermarket through a John Deere dealer.

This provides for precise measuring and cutting control.

Waratah’s TimberRite H-16 Control System is now used on John Deere tracked harvesters and tracked swing machines equipped with Waratah 600-Series Harvesting Heads. This was previously only available for the 200- and 400-Series Waratah heads and has now been expanded for use with the 600-Series heads, providing loggers with a solution that enhances connectivity for

data and information sharing.

With the addition of the H-16 Control System, operators have more control of harvesting and processing heads, which increases precision when measuring and cutting timber. One of the most notable features on the system is the ability to FRQÂżJXUH VHWWLQJV WR H[DFW application needs, improving head performance, productivity and measuring accuracy. Loggers can choose from two systems based on their needs. The preselection prioritization system follows preset logic and prioritizes based on operator selection, length and diameter, while the optional value-based optimization system uses log grade, assortment value, stem prognosis, length and diameters matrices, and demand inputs.

The user-friendly platform makes it easier to check work and repair statistics, track navigation and monitor machine data. Support-

TERRA8

LQJ 6WDQ)RU' ¿OH IRUPDW the TimberRite H-16 system allows data to interchange with virtually any professional system in the forestry business. The H-16 Control System is even more benH¿FLDO ZKHQ LQWHJUDWHG ZLWK JDLink™, providing loggers with connectivity with access to production data, including average tree stem size, actual production, work time utilization, productivity and fuel consumption. Additionally, the John Deere telematics permit remote display access for troubleshooting the TimberRite H-16 system, and wireless data transfer HQDEOHV DXWRPDWLF ¿OH VKDUing through JDLink, even in remote locations. JDLink provides alerts and status updates to help owners and managers better manage where and how equipment is used.

The H-16 Control System can be installed at the factory or aftermarket through a John Deere dealer.

5

M U L T I - T E R R A I N

I NY R AAV T E R HE THE LEADING N, AI RR TE L AL DUTY ACK ALL SEASON TR

www.timberbiz.com.au

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

GRIP&N

FLOTATIO THE UPGRADE TO 5 9 A R R TE

ondition Ground C Flotation Grip

THE LEADING RAIN ALL TER ON S ALL SEA KS A R T C

Brian Viccars B.A.Viccars Pty. Ltd. 0418 266 731 vchain@chainpro.com.au

25

Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling

Long-time partnership with KF proves good business sense

T

imberPro’s TL765C is the largest of the C-series purposebuilt track machines designed exclusively to handle extreme terrain and severe climates DQG DFFRUGLQJ WR 0DUN 9HQWXroni, it does all that with relative ease.

0DUN RSHUDWHV .HOPDU 6HUvices in the Beech Forest area (in the Otways) which covers some of the genuinely steep

slope logging areas and he doesn’t mind giving Komatsu Forest a bit of a pat on the EDFN ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR ¿W IRU purpose machines .... after all, machine success equates to business success!

The levelling undercarriage of the TL765C has long heavy duty track frames and a wide stance making it extremely robust and exceptionally stable.

Equipped with a powerful

Ŷ TL765C Felling in Beech Forest Otways

TimberPro TL765C Specifications ENGINE: MACHINE WEIGHT: Max HP:

Cummins QSL9 38,465kg 342HP (255kW)

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM Implement Pump: Swing Pump: Track Drive: Disc saw Pump : Charge Pump: Hyd Valve:

Linde 165cc Variable Piston Hydrostatic Dedicated Rexroth 90cc Dual Hydrostatic Rexroth 90cc Piston Dedicated Rexroth 60cc Piston Gear Pump 50cc Parker K220/L90LS

BOOM PERFORMANCE Max Reach: 9.3m (pin) Lift Capacity @ Max Reach: 4,763kg

UNDERCARRIAGE Frame: Track Pitch: Track Pads: Track Rollers: Final Drive: Tractive Effort: Travel Speed :

CAT 330 w/345 recoil 8.5inch 48 x D7G HD 9 Rexroth GFT 8190 484 kN 0 – 3.5 mph

TURNTABLE SWING Gearbox: Bearing: Swing Speed: Swing Torque :

Dual Rexroth GFB17 Dual Ball/External Ring 6.8 RPM 136,000 ft lbs

LEVELLING SYSTEM Front: Rear: Side:

22 degrees 8 degress 20 degrees

CABIN ROPS/FOPS/OPS 26

Ŷ TL765C Shovelling to PC 300LL Shovel Logger Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

www.timberbiz.com.au

Harvesting, Processing, Shovelling

Ĺś TL765C Processing with Komatsu 895 Forwarding to Truck Log Dump

Cummins QSL 9L engine, a technologically advanced ,4$1 0' WRXFK VFUHHQ FRQtrol system, a dedicated dual closed loop hydrostatic swing system, a closed loop hydrostatic track drive system as well, providing the TL765C whhich is the perfect balance of power, performance and productivity.

0DUNÂśV DFFHSWDQFH UHOLDQFH and faith in Komatsu Forest products stems from when he was working for his father (John) and his two uncles, Laurie and Frank. The Komatsu Forest product range was almost a hallmark of the Venturoni business for many years.

So, with almost two decades under his belt in the family business it was time IRU 0DUN WR ³JR LW DORQH´ which he did a couple of years ago taking on a 12 month contract at Buxton with HVP. His dad and his uncles had GHFLGHG WR UHWLUH VR 0DUN leased a Harvester (Valmet 445) and a Forwarder (Valmet 890.3) for the Buxton job and things have been steadily growing since.

That initial 12 month job turned out to be 18 months work.

Then he took the machines back to Gippsland and put

them to work doing blue gum IRU 0LGZD\ Then came another conWUDFW WKLV WLPH D ÂżYH \HDU deal with HVP) of (80,000 tonnes a year in the Otways near Colac) so he opted for two new Timberpro TL765s DV SDUW RI KLV PDFKLQH Ă€HHW the feller buncher has a Satco 630 felling head with a purpose-built heel; the other TL765C is set up as a Harvester/Processor with a Waratah 625C; also a new Komatsu Forest 895 Forwarder, a used PC300 shovel logger and a Cat skidder. “We work pretty steep terrain jobs down here so we

decided to go with the shovel loggers on this job,â€? he says. “I decided to go with the Komatsu gear because they had a service guy down here as well which makes a fair ELW RI GLŕľľHUHQFH LI \RXÂśUH looking for help. It’s a bit handier for servicing and that VRUW RI VWXŕľľ WRR ´ 0DUN VDLG WKH .RPDWVX Forest products had worked well in the Gippsland area (when he worked for the family business) so it was only reasonable to assume that they would also be right for the Otways work... and, KH VD\V LW GHÂżQLWHO\ LV The softwood harvesting

involves felling and shovelling --- “on average we’re shovelling 250 metres�. “We use the feller buncher which goes in then shovels out to another shovel to the processing point. Sometimes, though we can use a skidder to the process point.�

Kelmar has four blokes on machines in the bush “plus 0DUN´ DQG DOVR KDV WKUHH haulage trucks taking export ORJV WR 0HOERXUQH DQG SXOS to Geelong.

It’s fair to say that Kelmar Services (named after wife .HOOLH DQG 0DUN DQG .RPDWsu Forest have proven to be a good team.

Simplifying site work There’s a new function in Komatsu’s MaxiXplorer that automates and simplifies the reporting process for machine operators. MaxiXplorer’s new function, stem codes, improves environmental reporting by automating and simplifying the reporting process for machine operators.

The update will be available as of MaxiXplorer 3.14 and in machines manufactured from February 2018 onwards.

Using the hand controllers, machine operators can flag and register in the production file that an environmental object (such as a high stump or a retained stand) is being left standing next to the tree being harvested. This new function makes it easier for the client to see the number of flagged trees, as well as their coordinates.

www.timberbiz.com.au

Using this function, clients and landowners can more conveniently plan their environmental work and use the information for environmental audits. The computerised planning system back at the office can then present the outcome of the environmental considerations made during a harvesting assignment.

This MaxiXplorer function is available on all harvesters, provided that the codes are registered in the bucking instructions that the client provides for the machine.

The function ensures that the right information reaches the client. The function has been developed in a collaboration between Skogforsk, forestry companies in Sweden and Komatsu Forest AB.

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

27

Sawmilling

Tambo makes the cut in survival stakes

F

oresight and downto-earth community belief have played D VLJQL¿FDQW UROH LQ EULQJLQJ new opportunities to one tiny Queensland country town. In fact, Tambo’s reopened sawmill is reviving the town’s fortunes after a million-dollar investment and years in mothballs.

Tambo, on the Barcoo River in central western Queensland (about 820km from Brisbane), was struggling through drought and mining downturns. That’s when the Blackall–Tambo Regional Council bit the bullet and bought the disused sawmill in 2014.

It was the start of a million dollar project that has marked one of the biggest changes in any town in recent times.

$400,000 to buy the mill and the timber allocations.

Power change Government funding was used to service machinery and add new equipment and also to install a solar power system (a necessity to help cut staggering power costs -- the town is right at the end of the Ergon power line and is subjected to VHYHUH SRZHU ÀXFWXDWLRQV WKDW can have dire consequences for a heavy industry.)

The inclusion of a purpose built planer shed equipped with a moulder to dress the rough sawn timber was one of the standout features of the revamped mill. $V %ODFNDOO 7DPER 0D\RU $QGUHZ 0DUWLQ VD\V ÂłGUHVVing the timber is a new process at the sawmill. It adds value

“A long-term, environmentally sustainable, economically viable and diversiďŹ ed assetâ€?

The mill was originally opened in 2001 by the then 0LQLVWHU IRU 3ULPDU\ ,QGXVWULHV DQG DOVR 0LQLVWHU IRU Rural Communities Henry Palaszczuk. And here’s where a touch of irony creeps in ... all these years later and it was Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government that came through with the additional funding to ensure the Tambo 0LOO ZDV RSHUDWLRQDO RQFH again. [Henry retired from politics in 2006 and was succeeded in his seat of Inala by his daughter Annastacia, who has been the Premier of Queensland since 2015]. NK Collins Pty Ltd had operated the Tambo Sawmill from 2001-2011 but when the mill closed the saw log contract it held left the town, too. That was another hurdle facing the Council in later years.

8QGHWHUUHG EXW ZLWK WKH strong belief that the mill could be a lifeline for the town and the region, Council in 2014 decided to purchase the mill and sought State and Federal Government assistance for upgrade work. Council had to come up with more than 28

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

to the raw timber, allowing the lessees to produce a wider range of products which will open up new markets that can be linked directly into existing supply chains. The new shed and equipment will directly translate into more jobs in our region, more children at our school and more money circulating through our towns. “The mill has the potential to bring $1 million a year into the Tambo community and $24 million to the region that’s over $100 million for the 25 year life of the saw log conWUDFW ´ WKH 0D\RU VDLG “The mill has given the Tambo community and the central west region, a longterm, environmentally sustainable, economically viable and GLYHUVLÂżHG DVVHW ´ Council oversaw the $1,108,293 project that included buying the mill and timber sales permit and the $683,000 upgrade and granted the lease and operating rights to family company R&R Logging Pty Ltd after calling for expressions of interest.

Innovative thinker Robert Sladden, of R&R www.timberbiz.com.au

Sawmilling Logging, said the company had moved to Yuleba six years ago from Nyngan NSW where the business had operated for 30 years.

The company has been described as “an innovative thinker, with markets overseas and in the southern states, and was also looking at other options to maximise operations�. “Not for several decades has the Tambo housing rental market been over-subscribed, and the Tambo State School was swamped with an almost one-third increase in enrolments, bringing student numbers to levels not seen since WKH V ´ 0D\RU 0DUWLQ said. “I would estimate that the percentage increase in population, economy, employment, school enrolments and general social activity in the past 12 months is unprecedented in not only inland Queensland, but would be well up there in overall ranking across eastern Australia. “The Queensland Government has shown long-term vision, and acknowledged the vital importance of economic diversity in the primary production chain.

Bellingen NSW (02) 6655 2100

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Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

“In a small town like Tambo with 359 people, 15 direct jobs is a big jump in employment,�

VDLG WKH 0D\RU Government support This project was strongly supported by both the State and Federal Governments and the Blackall Tambo Regional Council.

The State and Federal Governments funded the installation of a large solar power system, overhaul of the existing machinery as well as a rebuild of the log in-feed deck.

0LQLVWHU IRU 6WDWH 'HYHORSPHQW 0DQXIDFWXULQJ ,QIUDstructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the upgraded mill, which was backed from the Palaszczuk Government’s Building our Regions fund, although operational since last $XJXVW ZDV RŕľśFLDOO\ RSHQHG this year. “This investment helped fund updating the mill, which is now supporting 15 ongoing jobs, bringing $1 million a year into Tambo and with the potential to bring $4 million a year into the regional econoP\ ´ WKH 0LQLVWHU VDLG “The revived sawmill is bringing new life to the town and the whole shire.â€?

roger@solardry.com.au www.solardry.com.au

Heat Treatment r $POUBJOFS CBTFE PS QVSQPTF CVJMU r 4JNQMF GVMMZ BVUPNBUJD PQFSBUJPO r .FFUT *41. SFRVJSFNFOUT GPS &YQPSU r %PDVNFOUBUJPO 1SJOUPVU

29

AFCA

Getting to know your AFCA Board members Profile: Wayne Shaw-Johnston

W

ayne is currently the Chief OpHUDWLQJ 2ŕľśFHU Harvestco Group of Companies. His industry connection, however, goes back to Rhodesia many years ago.

This is the fourth in a series focusing on AFCA’s Board members.

When your ďŹ rst connection to the forest industry started?

0\ ÂżUVW IRUHVWU\ H[SHULence was kindled back in the mid-seventies when I was fortunate enough to visit the

forests of Chirinda on the VORSHV RI 0RXQW 6LOLQGD LQ the highlands of Rhodesia, ERUGHULQJ RQWR 0R]DPELTXH I can still vividly remember walking through the misty IRUHVWV WR ¿QG WKH ³%LJ 7UHH´ a red mahogany towering more than 60 metres. I stood there as a young fella mesmerised by the beauty of the forests. I recall the day vividly as my brother, sister and I heard the forest leopard growl in the distance on the way out of the forest walk.

We also visited family friends LQ WKH 0HOVHWWHU 'LVWULFW RQ D

Ryan Media is the €¯Š“ªpªÆ劄€“pĺsource for the forestry industry in Australia and New Zealand.

We reach: Ä–Äş 8,000 readers with Australian Forests and Timber, the sole print magazine for the Australian forestry sector, Ä–Äş ĂŻÄ˜ĂŤĂŤĂŤÄşweekly subscribers to Daily Timber News e-newsletter. Ä–Äş 6,385 monthly website views on Timberbiz.com.au This cross-media coverage generates the ŽŸ„pƄÀÆĺ„Â?Â?„|Æ“Ó„ĺŸ„p|‘ to the Australian forestry and timber sector.

Contact Gavin de Almeida on g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au or 08 83699517 to book your ad.

MEDIA

INDEPENDENT & AUSTRALIAN OWNED www.timberbiz.com.au

30

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Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

I n c o r p o r a t i n g A U S T R A L A S I A N F O R E S T L O G G E R & S AW M I L L E R

www.timberbiz.com.au

AFCA forestry estate where Pine and Wattle was grown in plantations in the Rhodesian Highlands, and the seed was sown --- I wanted to work in the forest industry.

What has been your driving force to remain in the Industry?

It is a privilege working in an industry that is a sustainable natural resource. Forests are the lungs of the earth and when managed sustainably they are essential for life on many levels.

Progression through the work ranks (ďŹ rst task to current)?

In the early eighties I joined the Natal Tanning Extract Pty Ltd working on their forestry estates in the Natal 0LGODQGV DV D )LHOG $VVLVWDQW 0\ ÂżUVW UROH ZDV PDQXDO labour activities that encompassed all the forestry operations. I was then trained as a Nordfor chainsaw operator, which included the manual stacking of the felled timber.

I was fortunate enough to be awarded an Industry Scholarship to attend forestry college 8QLYHUVLW\ , MRLQHG 0Dsonite (Africa) Ltd and lived and worked on their plantation estates for 15 years working in the following various roles -- Silviculture 0DQDJHU 3ODQWDWLRQ 0DQDJHU 6HQLRU 3ODQWDWLRQ 0DQDJHU 0DQDJLQJ WKH &HQWUDO Region). I started my own forestry business providing FRQVXOWDQF\ &0 KDUYHVWing, transport and marketing services employing 100 people. I emigrated to Tasmania in 2006 sponsored into FT managing the cable engineering, plantation harvesting and native seed retention opHUDWLRQV +DUYHVWLQJ 0DQJHU HVP Plantations managing 1.5 million tons annual harvest including 10 principle contractors and 26 harvesting crews. I was Operations 0DQDJHU $867LPEHU 5HJLRQDO 0DQDJHU 9LFIRUests West Gippsland and currently Chief Operating 2ŕľśFHU DW +DUYHVWFR *URXS of companies with extensive management, harvest and haul contracts in four states.

8OWLPDWHO\ , DP IRUWXQDWH WR have experience across the major components of the forestry supply chain.

Where do you think the Industry is heading?

Currently the forest industry is booming with demandwww.timberbiz.com.au

ing domestic markets and strong export opportunities.

Indications are that these trends will continue over the short to medium term. The industry is instilling a real safety culture at all levels across the supply chain. Developing authentic relationships will continue to bring the forest industry into alignment, which will ensure a sustainable and well-respected industry that is safe, innovative DQG HŕľśFLHQW

What do you consider are some of the biggest challenges going forward for Contractors?

Sustainable contracts with medium term tenure that stimulate continuous innovation.

Keeping current with legislation and comprehensive compliance and instilling a real safety culture at all levels across the supply chain.

Keeping up to date with dynamic changing parameters from the regulators and higher expectations and requirements from the forest managers.

7KH ODFN RI TXDOLÂżHG VNLOOV in the industry including machinery operators, truck drivers and operational foresters.

What are the three top issues you wish you could change.

The general perception of the sustainable forest industry as viewed by the public and the mis-representation of the forest industry in the political arena.

The current impression of the contractors is undervalued as professional businesses. The forestry contracting fraternity are performing imperative operations ensuring the core business and values of forest managers are achieved.

The lack of Training facilities and Industry aligned courses available across the complete forestry supply chain.

What do you believe is working well?

There are certain sectors in the industry that are achieving great results that have a strong real safe culture, with good relationships across the supply chain. AFCA is leading in initiating innovative projects across the supply chain of the industry. AFCA is representing its members proactively at all levels including state and federal government.

How do you think we compare as contractors with international contractors?

I have worked in various places around the world and travelled and visited many forestry industries. Australian Contractors are leading in many aspects. Australia has some world leading contractors; a few examples include 0RXQWDLQ /RJJLQJ $QGUHZ 0DKQNHQ ZRUOG OHDGHU LQ innovative steep logging operations. Harvestco (Ricky 0XUSK\ LV WKH ÂżUVW FRPSDQ\ WR DFKLHYH ,62 VDIHW\ FHUWLÂżcation and Ricky introduced fully optimised harvesting in cut to length systems.

We also need to acknowledge the international professional contracting businesses that have led in safety and innovation, adding value to the global forest industry.

7KH &DQDGLDQV 0DUN *UDI

Brazilians and New Zealand landers are closely linked to the Australian forestry contractors.

How AFCA can/does work well for members?

AFCA was established in 2002 and it has always represented its members by engaging with the community, industry sectors and government at state and federal levels. It also represents its members on various committees and Councils and has QXPHURXV LQGXVWU\ DŕľśOLDtions.

Often individual contractors and businesses are under-resourced to engage with industry at all levels. AFCA is the perfect solution to represent many contractors and businesses as a strong, established industry association.

AFCA is also responsible for successful coordination of the Industry’s Internationally recognised forestry VKRZ $867LPEHU

The importance of a strong association?

The forestry contracting fraternity is made up of many businesses that have the same challenges. A strong association is imperative for the industry to engage and work collectively through its members challenges at all levels. AFCA has strong state and federal relationships and in these challenging times where the forests are in the political arena it is imperative to have strong representation.

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

FOLS Skills Verification Program

Your portfolio of skills For Operators FOLS veriďŹ es an operator has undertaken the required nationally recognised training and has kept their skills current through regular practice.

For Contractors & Forest Managers A streamlined system to manage the skills of employees and improve safety in the workplace.

fols.forestworks.com.au

1800 177 001 An industry-led program managed by ForestWorks

31

Women in Logging

Fennell Forestry’s Frontrunner Canada-based Tigercat Marketing Specialist Samantha Paul profiles Wendy Fennell, CEO of Fennell Forestry, headquartered in Mount Gambier, in this special instalment of Women in Logging.

W

ith 25 pieces of equipment and 80 employees, Fennell Forestry is one of the largest logging contractors in South Australia. Siblings, Wendy and Barry Fennell purchased Fennell Forestry from WKHLU SDUHQWV ÂżYH \HDUV DJR $V CEO, Wendy Fennell manages the day-to-day operations and brother Barry works on new business development.

Like many young people, Wendy didn’t know what she wanted to do for a career when she was deciding on a university program. “I like money

so I went into accounting and thought I would see where that went,� she says. At the age of seventeen, just before going to university, she worked alongside her father, travelling to job sites and helping him in the workshop. The following \HDU :HQG\ ZHQW WR WKH 8QLversity of South Australia to study accounting but arranged her days so she only had lecWXUHV RQ 0RQGD\ DQG :HGQHVday, allowing her to drive back home to work in the family business.

While attending university, Wendy got her B-Double

FITNESS FEBRUARY Wendy’s health craze kicked in when she was in her early twenties and at the age of 43 she still lives a very healthy lifestyle. For the month of February, she implemented a program called ‘Fitness February’ to educate her crewmembers on how to keep fi t and reduce fatigue on the job. Fresh fruit and healthy snack alternatives were available in the lunchroom throughout the month along with training sessions at a local gym. “I actually had one of my employees send me a picture last night of all the fruits and vegetables he had cut up for the week. He was proud of his meal prep and I love seeing that,� says Wendy. “A healthy workforce is a productive one and all employees are being encouraged to live a healthier, more active lifestyle.�

32

truck licence. “We only had two trucks then and Dad and I would do night shift. We had drivers on during the day, and for some extra capacity, we’d jump in at night,� explains Wendy.

Wendy wanted to be more involved in the family forestry business so she changed some of her courses to focus on occupational health and safety. “The company was relatively new at this time so I helped formulate all the safety material. It was really good to have a real live business to work with. I was able to put my knowledge to good use.�

Wendy had one more year of university left when the family business won its biggest contract. “I was two years into my three-year degree and I decided to do the last year by correspondence and come back to work. And I’ve been here ever since,� she says.

Fennell Forestry purchased WKH FRPSDQ\ÂśV ÂżUVW & IRUwarder in February 2017.

As CEO, Wendy has a lot of daily responsibilities and LV SXOOHG LQ PDQ\ GLŕľľHUHQW GLrections throughout the day.

However, she highly values

her visits to the operations to engage with her employees. ³, VHH WKH VWD྾ DV WKH\ FRPH through the depot but I like getting on site as much as possible to catch up and have an overall look at what’s happening.�

Prioritizing what needs to get done each day is critical to her role and she spends a lot of the time giving direction to WKH OHDGHUVKLS WHDP Âł0\ PDLQ goal is making sure our machines are always running. So planning preventative maintenance, addressing safety aspects and making sure we are working through the required logistics,â€? Wendy said. “I really love learning about the equipment and how we can get the best out of it. There is always something on the go and it’s always evolving.â€?

Wendy has been in the business for 25 years and people are still surprised when they ÂżQG RXW ZKDW VKH GRHV IRU D living. “I guess they don’t really understand exactly what I do and they are typically shocked at how much knowledge I have of the machinery.â€?

She knows some female skidder operators and truck drivers

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

in the area but does not know of any other female forestry business owners.

When asked why she thinks there are so few females working in the industry she replied “It’s the image of the forestry industry over here that deters women. It really needs to be uplifted to showcase the careers possible. “In Canada, most people understand what forestry is all about. Here in Australia there are still people who live in this area who have no idea what goes on behind the trees. People still believe that you get a job in forestry if you couldn’t get a job anywhere else. People think it is second-class, but it isn’t. With all the new advanced technology and innovation, the careers in this industry are quite good and the jobs are well paid, dynamic and interesting. We need to be promoting the industry better, especially to young people and to women.�

Fennell Forestry Fennell Forestry is a major plantation timber harvest and transport company, with an industry history spanning 27 years. The company runs a www.timberbiz.com.au

Women in Logging

blue gum chipping operation, a pine harvesting operation and a transport business, operating 24-hours per day from 0RQGD\ WR )ULGD\ ZLWK WKUHH crews on pine and one crew on the chipping side. The pine side of the business produces 11 500 tonnes of wood each week and the chipping side produces approximately 4 500 tonnes. “We harvest about 560 000 tonnes of pine and 200 000 tonnes of chips annually,�

Wendy said.

The company ran an excavator for many years. As equipment developed and the business grew, they looked into purchasing purpose-built and decided on a Tigercat H855C harvester. “Once we went to purpose-built, we never went back,â€? Wendy added. “We have over 25,000 hours RQ WKDW ÂżUVW KDUYHVWHU DQG LW has held up great.â€?

Fennell Forestry now has nine pieces of Tigercat equipment: two feller bunchers, two skidders, a 1085C forwarder, three H855C harvesters and a new H855E harvester. Wendy SXUFKDVHG WKH FRPSDQ\ÂśV ÂżUVW 1085C forwarder last February. “We are not in steep ground so there was a debate between Barry and I if we should purchase the 1085C. We weren’t quite sure if it was WKH ULJKW ÂżW IRU RXU MRE EXW LW is proving to be doing very well.â€?

0DQDJLQJ D JURZLQJ EXVLness 7KHUH DUH GHÂżQLWH FKDOwww.timberbiz.com.au

brought over by the state of South Australia to run the Business Growth Program.

Fennell Forestry was the only forestry company in the program. Companies from a wide variety of industries participated – from a pharmaceutical company to an event planning business and a Hollywood With all the ÂżOP DJHQF\ 7KH SURJUDP KDG new advanced multiple growth experts in to discuss common pitfalls, the technology and GLŕľľHUHQW VWDJHV RI JURZWK DQG innovation, the KRZ WR HŕľľHFWLYHO\ DGYDQFH a business when you’re rapcareers in this idly growing. “It was really industry are good to understand. We have good foundations in our busiquite good and and it helped us ensure the jobs are well ness we keep those as we expand,â€? :HQG\ HODERUDWHV Âł'U 0DWpaid, dynamic thews would tell us things and interesting. that needed to be done and I’d think to myself that our busiWe need to be ness didn’t need it but in the promoting the end she was right.â€?

Fennell Forestry continues industry better, to ensure it has the proper inespecially to young frastructure and personnel to support the growth. The compeople and to has its own workshop, an women. – Wendy pany operations manager helping support both the logging and Fennell transport side of the business, a full time operator trainer and That is why they decided to a training room for classroom enrol in the Business Growth sessions, as well as a large 3URJUDP R྾HUHG E\ WKH VWDWH RI parts warehouse with plenty South Australia. Wendy want- of inventory.

Wendy and Barry make a HG WR HVWDEOLVK KRZ WR HŕľľHFtively grow while holding true great team. “You can’t beat being in business with family to the company’s core values.

'U -DQD 0DWWKHZV ZKR because you know those core has worked with a lot of large values are the same.� Wendy FRPSDQLHV LQ WKH 86 ZDV acknowledges that she and lenges to managing a growing company. Wendy and Barry are always looking for innovative ways to operate and grow EXW ZLWKRXW VDFUL¿FLQJ RU ORVing what made the company VXFFHVVIXO LQ WKH ¿UVW SODFH

%DUU\ DUH YHU\ GLŕľľHUHQW Âł, DP more structured and he’s got the random thoughts and entrepreneurialism. I like to get in and do things with structure and see things out. Whereas Barry is always moving forward, looking for the next improvement.â€? The balance LQ SHUVRQDOLWLHV GHÂżQLWHO\ contributes to the company’s success. “I think that’s what makes it work so well,â€? says Wendy.

Work-life balance On top of all Wendy’s work responsibilities, she is a single mother of two with eight-yearold, Flynn and six-year-old, Hudson. Her boys really enjoy watching the equipment run but they have other career aspirations at this stage in their lives. Hudson wants to own a pet store and Flynn wants to be the next Shaun White (a professional snowboarder).

Wendy enjoys family ski vacations, recently visiting Whistler, British Columbia and New Zealand. “Flynn

wanted to try snowboarding, but you couldn’t snowboard until you were eight, so I had to go back when he was eight, and that’s where we went last year. The boys have been hooked on the Winter Olympics, telling me all about it when I get home from work,� she says.

Wendy doesn’t mind working as hard as she does. She always makes sure she wakes up with the boys and is there to put them to bed. “It throws everything out of whack, when I have to be away at night,� she says. She keeps it structured so the boys always know when she will be home.

Wendy has managed to help build a booming business, excel as CEO and have a beautiful family – proving you can do it all. “I love my kids and my work. I have a great team around me and I appreciate them all. It’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure.�

Source: Tigercat Between The Branches

THE GREEN TRIANGLE Fennell Forestry’s success story is built upon South Australia’s thriving Green Triangle timber industry. Reflecting its name, the Green Triangle is one of Australia’s major forest regions, covering an area of 6 million hectares (15 million acres). It has extensive plantation softwood and hardwood resources. The Green Triangle spans between the states of South Australia and Victoria with ready access to the capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide. Processing activities are centred around the cities of Mount Gambier in South Australia and Portland in Victoria, which also provides the region’s port.

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

33

Woodchopping Laurence hasn’t forgotten those who help make it all possible

Champion axeman thankful for support in chasing victory around the world

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RFXV ¿WQHVV DQG ¿nesse; they’re a few of the key ingredients in the make-up of someone who excels in their particular ¿HOG DQG \HV \RXœYH JRW WR have natural ability, too. That LV D VLPSOL¿HG GHVFULSWLRQ RI Laurence O’Toole, Australia’s champion axeman who is making his mark around the world.

His competition load seems to be never-ending, but for the 196cm, 104kg powerhouse it’s what he has known for a sizeable portion of his life... and it doesn’t look like changing soon!

Take a look at the “events calendar� for Laurence this year .... 2018 started out with Laurence captaining a nineman Australian team to take on New Zealand in a three test series in Rotorua. “It’s always a tough ask going over and cutting pine, but we got the win 2-1 in a battle,� he said.

Home again and Laurence mapped out his training program to lead him into the biggest show of the year.. the World Championships at Sydney Easter Show.

34

“I had eight weeks to prepare. After cutting second and third the last three years I felt I had to change something routine-wise. I took a gamble and decided I needed to work RQ VSHHG FRQÂżGHQW WKH ZRRG was going to be soft. “Normally I’d prepare for a 50 second race as it has traditionally been. “With my weekend shows in full swing I chopped at Lyonville, Keilor, Berwick, +DVWLQJV 0XQGXOOD 7DOODQJDWWD 0LWWD 0LWWD %RPEDOD and Ballan all in the lead-up to Sydney.â€?

Laurence said he achieved some great results and on a less-is-more style training program for speed he felt fresh and ready to go. “Chopping well at Sydney I was focused and couldn’t wait for the week to go by so I could cut the championship on Easter Saturday. The day of the event I woke up and just had that feeling I was going to go well. I didn’t have to tell myself or talk myself into winning. I was actually ready to just go out and do it,� he said. “I may have been the one out there doing the work but

behind the scenes without my sponsors Komatsu Forest, axe grinder (David), family and neighbour (Don) who drives me to every show I wouldn’t have been as prepared for the situation that was about to unfold.

“I cut a textbook cut in a super fast time of 34 seconds.

It was a real team win and having more people to share it with made it even more special. “I went on to win the hard hitting event and got second

Laurence is quick to extend thanks to the many people who have and continue to help him achieve success on the gruelling circuits around the country and around the world. “ I am sponsored by Komatsu Forest (he has a two-year deal with the major company) as my main sponsor and also by Peterson who I just signed with for the summer. [Komatsu Forest has been a dealer for Peterson products since 2010 selling their Horizontal Grinders, Disc & Drum Chippers and Flails] “It’s great to have worldwide industry-based companies showing a real interest in our traditional lumberjack sports,� he says.

He says he would be lost without his sponsors, axe grinder, family and neighbour who drives him to every show.

in the standing block championship which gave me Champion of the Show,� he recalled.

Once the Sydney event was over he had the Stihl ChamSLRQV 7URSK\ 4XDOLÂżHU 7KDW left a bit over three 3 weeks to prepare.

Ŝ Laurence O’Toole in action (also front page photo), Courtesy Head First Photos

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

www.timberbiz.com.au

Woodchopping Here’s Laurence’s competition schedule for the remainder of the year: USA June 9-10 Stihl Midwest Hayward WI 15-17 Cherry Valley Outdoor Games NY 23-24 USA Woodchopping Championships Morgantown WV

July

“I was really happy with how I went breaking the Australian record in the early qualifying rounds. “However, the semiÂżQDOV GLGQÂśW JR VR ZHOO , was beaten so I was only DEOH WR FXW Rŕľľ LQ WKH SRVLWLRQ ÂżQDO ´ He was back on track in that race came away with third place ... he actually cut a faster time than the 1-2 guys. “ I felt like it was one that got away.â€?

So, it was back to “norPDO´ OLIH HYHQ LI EULHĂ€\

“I may have been the one out there doing the work but behind the scenes without my sponsors Komatsu Forest, axe grinder, family and neighbour who drives me to every show I wouldn’t have been as prepared for the situation that was about to unfold�

SPECIAL SC S COMPOUND C T TYRE TRACKS T

YEAR 5WARRANTY www.timberbiz.com.au

SB

STEEL S BELTED

as Laurence readied himself for the rigours of a GHPDQGLQJ 86$ FRPSHWLtion tour that started with the Northeast Outdoor Show Rhinebeck NY (19 0D\ DQG WKHQ :HEVWHU 6SULQJV :9 0D\

But, there’s something VSHFLDO DERXW KLV 86 WULS WKLV WLPH ³0\ QHZ Komatsu Forest hotsaw will be waiting for me there and I hope to turn some KHDGV LQ D W\SLFDOO\ 86$ dominated competition�.

Even though his sched-

ule will be tight plus a ton of travel, he normally gets to stay with other axeman around the county and they always want to train midweek and get some coaching in.

When he’s home he chops three times a week and goes to the gym twice. However, when he’s in the middle of chopping season training for a big event, the closer to the event he’s setting himself for he stops a week before. “Otherwise,� I just train through the smaller events,� he said.

4th Longview WA 7th Westwood CA 8th Northfork CA 13-15 Powel River BC Canada 19-21 Lumberjack World Championships Hayward WI

Australia 10-19 August Brisbane Ekka (Royal Queensland Show) 31August - 9 September Adelaide Show 14-16 September Timbersports Finals  22 September - 2 October Melbourne Show

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35

New Products

Ĺś TimberRite H16 Run Screen, Menu Screen, and Saw options.

Loggers now have even more technology at their fingertips with the TimberRite H-16 Culmination of countless hours of meticulous planning and design by Waratah team

W

DUDWDK KDV Rŕľścially launched the TimberRite H-16 Forestry Computer Control System ... a virtual game-changer for the forestry harvesting industry.

The TimberRite H16 is able WR FRQÂżJXUH SDUDPHWHUV WR WKH exact application need, which leads to improving head performance, productivity, and measuring accuracy, according to Jules Larsen, General 0DQDJHU 'LVWULEXWLRQ DQG Operations of Waratah’s Asia 3DFLÂżF DQG $IULFD RSHUDWLRQV Jules is also quick to point RXW WKDW WKH ÂłRŕľśFLDO UHOHDVH´ was the culmination of countless hours of meticulous planning and design. “Full credit to our Waratah Engineering Automation team. “They’ve not only developed a totally whole new hardware platform, they have also designed and mapped out 36

entirely new software code for the complete portfolio of Waratah Harvesters and Processors,� said Jules.

For a little over two years the entire Waratah team had been involved the extensive IDFWRU\ DQG ÂżHOG YDOLGDWLRQ testing the TimberRite H16.

The scope included testing in various worldwide logging applications and the comELQDWLRQ RI DOO WKH GLŕľľHUHQW harvester options used in conjunction. “We estimate that the enWLUH YHULÂżFDWLRQ LQFOXGHG hundreds if not thousands of GLŕľľHUHQW IHDWXUH DQG SURFHVVing combinations for their machine functionality and reliability,â€? added Jules. “With the TimberRite H-16 platform, every forestry operator now has more control of their harvesting and processing heads, including greater precision when measuring and cutting timber.â€?

The TimberRite H16 is able WR FRQÂżJXUH SDUDPHWHUV WR WKH exact application need, which leads to improving head performance, productivity, and measuring accuracy.

Loggers can also choose from two software program systems, based on their logging application needs.

The pre-selection prioritisation system follows preset log grades and prioritises based on operator selection, while the optional value-based optimisation system uses log grade, assortment value, stem log prediction, length and diameters matrices, and various other order demand inputs. “The scope for designing and providing forestry computers has changed considerDEO\ 'RZQ 8QGHU ´ VDLG -XOHV “It no longer only needs to control the physical steel, hydraulics and read sensors, it must be the most powerful platform possible for ana-

lysing data and transferring that value right through to all stakeholders in the wood supply chain. “The TimberRite H16 certainly provides that new powerful platform to coordinate all those incoming demands, managing that expectation simply and easily providing that critical outgoing information,� Jules said.

Loggers now have even PRUH WHFKQRORJ\ DW WKHLU ÂżQgertips with the TimberRite H-16 Control System. “The user-friendly platform makes it easier to check and dynamically share – harvester utilisation reporting, track machine navigation, and monitor all the formats of machine and forest log data.â€?

Supporting the latest release RI 6WDQ)RU' ÂżOH IRUPDWV WKH TimberRite H-16 system allows data to interchange with virtually any professional system in the forestry business.

Australian Forests & Timber News June 2018

Jules said increased uptime and serviceability access were other major requirements of the TimberRite H16 control system. Considered as one of the largest changes to service capability, the TimberRite H16 is now enabled with remote computer access to allow quicker diagnosis and support for the user. “The TimberRite H16 Forestry Computer system is, of course, compatible with existing mobile Apps and various forms of plug-in hardware, however, we are excited to be launching this new platform to enable many more new products and features be launched into the Waratah portfolio,� he said.

For further information or if you would like to see any number of the Waratah TimberRite H16 Harvesters and processors working LQ WKH ÂżHOG FDOO \RXU ORFDO :DUDWDK 2ŕľśFH www.timberbiz.com.au

Sell your used equipment, advertise your tender, offer your real estate or find your next employee. For rates and deadlines call Gavin de Almeida on (08) 8369 9517 or email: g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au

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If you have a news tip call John Hudswell on 08 8369 9512 or email j.hudswell@ryanmediapl.com.au

Komatsu PC300-7 $198,000 inc GST

File Photo

Dressta TD20M LT $247,500 inc GST

Tigercat 632E Skidder $POA

Timbco T445B & Hultins DFF head $71,500 inc GST

Valmet 475 FX Harvester $203,500 inc GST

Valmet 890-2 $71,500 inc GST

Valmet 895 Forwarder $324,500 inc GST

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USED EQUIPMENT

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complete with infeed and out IHHG PXOWLSOH NLFN Rႇ VWDWLRQV FDQ EH VHHQ RSHUDWLQJ $38,000+GST

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Rex Planer

600x200, VG condition $35,000+GST

CAT 525 Skidder. $104,500 inc GST

ROTTNE F18 FORWARDER Year: Hour Reading:

2012 12089 $175,000 + GST

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TIMBERPRO TF840B Year: Hour Reading:

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Davin Frankel: 0437 541 154 Peter Randalls: 0418 356 306 davin@randalls.com.au www.timberbiz.com.au

Tigercat H845B with Waratah HTH618C $93,500 inc GST

2628 Timberjack Buncher $27,500 inc GST

Caterpillar 320BLL $60,500 inc GST

New Dressta TD15R $330,000 inc GST

Fullpower FP900 horizontal Finger Jointer

$92,000+GST

Austral Timber Group Contact: Ken Baker RU NHQ EDNHU#G\QDJURXS FRP DX Australian Forests & Timber News May June2018 2018

1300 727 520

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Sell your used equipment, advertise your tender, offer your real estate or find your next employee. For rates and deadlines call Gavin de Almeida on (08) 8369 9517 or email: g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au

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38

Australian Forests & Timber News May June2018 2018

www.timberbiz.com.au

t n e m p i u q E p y r t s e r o F h a t a r Wa

New NewProducts Products

Contact us for all your attachment needs: Waratah has in inventory at any one time a wide range of new forest ready attachments to suit your application. Call in or arrange a visit to inspect the latest features available in our Waratah portfolio.

Considered a used Waratah harvester? Check out our used range of Waratah Attachments traded in to either upsize or downsize customers changing needs.

FL95 - Series 2

Need some Waratah Parts? Has to easily be the largest inventory holding of forestry attachment and aftermarket parts within Australia. A huge investment to you the logger in making sure you are up and running quickly. After hours Parts are available.

Check out our wide range of aftermarket support parts as well, if you need it to make you attachment work we can source it for you.

Uptime kits – we know exactly what it takes to perform a field job with all the parts included, We also have over 40 different comprehensive kits that can keep your machine maintained.

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Dedicated attachment service support team, all they do is work on Waratah Attachments, specialist technicians that know their business.

Fix your machine yourself? Waratah are happy to support you there as well, give our Waratah Helpdesk a call and we can provide you to information to get you up and running quickly.

Used Equipment

Not sure in what health your attachment is at? Book any one of our independent service partners to give your investment a health and safety check. Get the most from that investment - if it’s not producing quality nor is your back pocket.

New operator? New Job requirements Waratah can provide operator training to get you producing high quality wood quickly and consistently.

Harvester or processor ready for some serious maintenance work, get an idea of what can be performed from our service team and our independent service partners. We can provide simple maintenance work right through to complete harvester and processor rebuilds.

622B Felling head

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Rebuild required and think you will be down? Think again, consider the use one of our Service harvesters and processors whilst your machine gets sorted for another round of forestry punishment.

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