Australian Forests & Timber News

APRIL 2014 Issue 2 Vol. 23 • P: (03) 9888 4834 • E: m.dolphin@ryanmediapl.com.au • www.timberbiz.com.au

¢ Prime Minister Tony Abbott addresses the ForestWorks/AFPA 2014 Industry Dinner in the Great Hall in Canberra. Photo: Mark Graham/ForestWorks

PM sees strong future for forest and timber industry N

OW IT’S official ... the forest and wood industry has actually been recognised as being part and parcel of Australia’s sustainable manufacturing base. After years of forced exile the industry has been accepted into the fold.

And that’s not a biased take on events. It’s what was spelled out by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in his address to the 600 strong gathering of forest products professionals at the ForestWorks 2014 Industry Conference Dinner in the Great Hall in Canberra.

He was strong in his belief that there was now true respect for the timber industry. “We want the timber industry to have a vigorous and dynamic future, not just a past.

We want the timber industry to be a vital part of Australia’s economic future, not just something that was a relic of our history. That’s what this Government wants.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted the fact that he didn’t see forest workers as environmental bandits. Rather, he described them as the ultimate conservationists.

Prime Minister Abbott also fired

a salvo at the Greens, especially in Tasmania, and said he didn’t buy the Green ideology which had done so much damage to Australia over the past couple of decades.

“But you’re not just any other industry,” he assured the gathering, “you are an industry which has been officially frowned upon for

Minister announcing details of a Forest Industry Advisory Council.

“We don’t claim, in this Government, to be experts on everything; we don’t claim to know everything about this industry.

Yes, we have an abundance of goodwill towards your industry.

Yes, we want your industry to

When I say that Australia is not only open for business, but it is under new management, I mean that the people in charge in Canberra – here – value what the forestry industry does and it would be quite a long time since you’ve experienced that in Canberra. too long. For three years you were officially frowned upon here in Canberra because we had – I regret to say – a government that was over influenced by the Greens.”

Now, though, the decisionmakers in Canberra have taken a different tac with the Prime

flourish, but we know that we will do better by your industry if we are as well informed as possible and that’s why I announce tonight that there will be a Forestry Industry Advisory Council, shortly to be continued on page 5.

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Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 3

Skilled worker shortage takes edge off production boost news C

URRENT TALK of a looming shortage of skilled personnel in the forestry industry sounds a little like a case of déjà vu. Remember back to 2006-7 when pundits were ringing the alarm bells warning that the industry was on the verge of a skilled worker shortage crisis!

That crisis was averted through the intervention of global troubles that stymied even the best in virtually every business.

Remember, it was AVERTED, not overcome.

The issue has again come to the fore following a summit in Mount Gambier to “address the projected shortfall of operators and support staff looming due to an upswing in productivity forecast in the Green Triangle over the next year”.

David Quill, long time forestry consultant and principal of Eumeralla Pty Ltd, based in Mount Gambier, was one of those trying to drive the push for upskilling back then and he’s “rattling the bucket” again now.

¢ David Quill.

David highlighted the fact that Australia had a total area of some 2 million hectares of plantation forest, roughly 50% softwood and 50% hardwood and of this 2 million hectares, 18% of the plantations are in the Green Triangle Region.

“Harvest volume from this region was sourced from softwood plantations until 2000, running at a level of around 4 million tonnes per annum,” he said.

“Hardwood plantation establishment began in 1989/1990 with small areas established over the ensuing 10 years, but rapidly expanding from then to 2011, resulting in a total area exceeding

is facing a potential crisis with the need for trained skilled personnel,” David said.

David said the current levels of hardwood harvest was 1.7 million tones and was expected to increase to 3.7 million tonnes by the end of 2015.

Australian Bluegum Plantations are in the process of contracting out 1.0 million tonnes per annum with four and five year contracts in conjunction with other short term contracts.

“New Forests, who recently gained control of much of the Great Southern plantations, were negotiating sales for 900,000 tonnes

numbers in the workforce have the required aptitude.”

Australian Forest Contractors boss Col McCulloch said the objective of the summit was to put in place a plan to cope with promotion, recruitment and training of the personnel required to handle the extra work.

“This plan also needs to address on-site training for people who have not necessarily been involved in silviculture, harvest or haulage businesses before. We put forward the case strongly that these people must be found in the local vicinity, and that Industry could not just push the issue into our sector under the

The combined increase in harvest volume cannot be met by the current labour force and the short-fall of skilled labour will be in excess of 180 people … and it’s not work that just anyone can do.

170,000 hectares. This resource has the capacity to produce a sustainable harvest of 3.7 million tonnes per annum,” said David.

Large scale harvesting of this resource was scheduled to commence in 2009/2010, but a combination of the Japanese Tsunami, the Global Financial Crisis and the high Australian dollar all contributed to a delayed increase in the harvest volume.

“A severe down-turn in the softwood harvest volume over the last five years resulted in some harvesting and haulage capacity being utilised in the gradually increasing hardwood harvest.

“As the softwood industry has emerged from the depressed market and the hardwood harvest has increased, the forest industry

per annum, expecting to commence harvest in late 2014, early 2015.

“The softwood industry is enjoying an upsurge in harvest volume and is expected to increase by 400,000 tonnes during 2014.

“The combined increase in harvest volume cannot be met by the current labour force and the short-fall of skilled labour will be in excess of 180 people,” said David.

And, as David says, it’s not work that anyone can do.

“Harvester operators are not -and should not be -- regarded as unskilled or even semi-skilled. The capital value of modern harvesting machinery ranges from $400,000 to $1.8 million. Training to operate this machinery can take up to two years to reach economic levels of production and only limited

expectation operators will poach workers from other companies or parts of Australia.

“We made the point that simply because this industry is currently enjoying an upswing in the Green Triangle, most areas in Australia are facing the same issues around employment, albeit at a lesser degree.

“Our role is to engage with politicians and bureaucrats at the federal level to further our training and recruitment needs. To that end, we will be in contact with Federal Parliamentary back-bench committees on a regular basis, representing our sector in a broader group including ForestWorks and industry heads, talking up the importance of the industry as a career and employer as well as

¢ Michael Hartman.

seeking and giving direction to individual politicians who can make a difference,” said Col. ForestWorks ISC was also involved in this summit, and spent time with LITA chairman David Quill planning the agenda.

ForestWorks ISC chief executive officer Michael Hartman said the summit was a good opportunity to exchange ideas and re-examine some of the employment challenges that always occurred when demand for labour grew, particularly in a regional area.

“Some of these challenges are being addressed by ForestWorks ISC’s Innovation Skills Program.

This program is helping businesses to ensure all people within our industry – particularly at management level but also throughout each organisation - are highly skilled, collaborative and adaptable.

“Our program encourages businesses to undertake skills development in innovation, and collaboration practices and processes. This will certainly assist businesses to adapt to current trends in employee expectation and manage ideas to improve business and employment attractiveness to potential employees.

“ForestWorks ISC, the Industry Skills Council for our industry, is working hard to ensure enterprises in our industry can innovate to effectively seize opportunities as they arise,” said Michael.

Boon for environment, safety and bottom line AN INNOVATION by Casinobased Forestry Corporation of NSW operations supervisor George Wilson is reaping environmental, safety and cost benefits in the

far north of the State. Forestry Corporation of NSW Casino district manager, Kevin Petty, said George had been instrumental in developing a new drainage

¢ Kevin Petty, Casino district manager, and operations supervisor George Wilson (right), who was behind the innovation.

system for use during harvesting operations.

“A large number of heavy vehicles use forest roads during harvesting operations, so we need good drainage systems to minimise the risk of sediments making their way into drainage lines and streams,” Kevin said.

“It has always been a real challenge to install temporary drainage structures that are effective and safe for haulage trucks and members of the public who also use forest roads.

“Traditional rollover drains, which are low mounds constructed across the road surface, can be difficult for modern trucks to negotiate. Rubber flaps are problematic to maintain and not always suitable for small vehicles, while mitre drains, which are open channels of the side of the road, tend to become ineffective under heavy traffic.

“To address these challenges, and ensure operations comply with the many stringent environmental requirements, local

operations supervisor George Wilson developed a portable steel drainage structure that can be temporarily installed during harvesting operations.

“The steel portable grids are very robust, meaning they can be reused in multiple operations and the structures are easy for vehicles to travel over, meaning driver safety is improved. Importantly, the system is very effective in directing concentrated flows onto stable surfaces, which minimises the risk of sediment making its way into waterways.

“As an added bonus, the grids cost about $450 each to produce meaning they will prove significantly more cost effective over time than systems like rubber flaps which often only last for one operation.

“The new design is a credit to local Forestry Corporation staff and demonstrates their commitment to improve environmental outcomes while minimising costs.”

Anyone interested in the grid

¢ Grid insitu.

design or wishing to purchase the grids can contact the Casino district manager, Kevin Petty on 6662 0907 during business hours.

4 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

ISSN 1444-5824

April 2014

Forest workers making a difference

By Robert Green Chief Executive Officer VicForests

UK Forestry Commissioner Lord Robinson visits the Coopernook State Forest ... read more on page 13.

Features ForestWorks Conference coverage .... 5-9 Wood Flow Logistics ............................ 10 Bio-energy ............................................ 11 FWPA Feature ...................................... 12 Harvesting .......................................14-21 Tyres ............................................... 22-23 Training ........................................... 24-26 Kilns..................................................27-28

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A

S AN industry we’re all too familiar with the knowledge that fire is an ever present threat in our forests.

This has been particularly evident over recent months with bushfires burning across Victoria on the back of the most extreme weather conditions we’ve seen since the horrific events of Black Saturday in 2009.

While the fires themselves have received widespread media coverage, what does not always make the headlines is the contribution made by forestry workers to the efforts to contain and control these fires.

Already this fire season, VicForests’ staff and contractors have been involved in fire fighting efforts across the State including fires in the Grampians, Frenchman’s Creek/Matlock and East Gippsland.

The work done by this dedicated group of people is not always as eye catching as images of helicopters

dropping water on fires from high up in the sky. However, as those of you who have been involved in fire fighting campaigns are well aware, it’s bulldozers and containment lines that are fundamental to stopping bushfires.

VicForests is a member of the Networked Emergency Organisation which includes the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water.

Our staff and contracting force have been working alongside these organisations and others, including the CFA and Metropolitan Fire Brigade, providing specialised equipment and local knowledge that is invaluable to fire suppression efforts in Victoria.

The provision of harvesting machinery, familiarity with the bush, and the in-depth understanding of access roads and fuel loads make the contribution of our staff and contractors a key part of fire suppression.

As an industry we can all be proud that forestry workers provide this crucial support and without hesitation will stop their normal

work to dedicate their resources to fire suppression, sometimes spending large amounts of time away from their families.

Some of our contractors working to contain the fires still burning in East Gippsland have not been home in weeks or been able to fulfill their normal work duties. But these individuals and businesses continue to commit themselves to protecting our forests and nearby local communities, no questions asked.

VicForests’ staff have undertaken a variety of tasks from on ground suppression roles such as division and sector commanders, crew leaders, crew members to Incident Management Team roles coordinating resources and analysing fire behaviour.

Another crucial part of the response to bushfire is determining what the impact has been on timber resources.

In some areas work has already begun to assess what effects the fires have had on the forests that sustain our industry. Thankfully the Ash forests so badly affected during Black Saturday have

remained relatively unscathed so far this summer with the majority of fires burning in our mixed species forests.

While we expect there will be some impact on the areas available for timber production our hope this has been limited and will not significantly hinder future operations.

We will make more information about the impact of this year’s fires on our valuable forest resources available in the coming months once this assessment work has been completed.

While times of crisis are not times for chest beating, we should take great pride in contribution our industry makes in helping to keep communities safe from fires.

As I write the danger is not over as many of these fires continue to burn and conditions are still threatening in large parts of the State.

Thank you to all those involved so far in these fire fighting campaigns.

Please continue to look after yourselves, your colleagues and your communities, and know that the vital work you continue to do does not go unrecognised.

¢ Fires rage ... a contractor’s equipment in the foreground.

Industry comes together to support injured colleague THE TIMBER industry and local businesses threw their support behind an Urbenville Progress Association fundraiser in support of injured forest contractor Troy Hill.

Casino District Manager Kevin Petty said local Forestry Corporation staff joined their timber industry colleagues including Hurford Hardwood, Greensill Bros, Armfield Logging, Warda P/L, Coastal Harvesters and other community members at a 10 team cricket match and monster raffle fun day on 22 February which raised $35,000 to support Troy’s ongoing recovery.

“The timber industry is very tight knit and many local staff have worked with Troy or his father Neville, who was employed by the Forestry Commission for over 30 years,” Kevin said.

Kevin said the donations and offers of support from local businesses and community were outstanding including raffle prizes, cash donations, supplying meat, food and drinks

on the day to the Urbenville Bowling Club donating bar profits on the day to the Troy Hill Trust Fund.

“Troy sustained a serious injury last year and will need ongoing treatment and rehabilitation for many months,” Kevin said.

“Many local staff wanted to find a way to support Troy through his long recovery and we’ve been overwhelmed by contributions from Forestry Corporation staff throughout the State who have pitched in to help an industry colleague.”

¢ Forest workers playing between stumps of a different kind!

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 5

FORESTWORKS CONFERENCE

Common sense precursor to success I

was talking to Peter Volker, my forestry adviser, and he told me of a recently locked up area of forest in NSW where the NSW Government paid millions of taxpayers’ dollars to buy-out an industry and put local communities out of work and local contactors out of business. So in that area of 400ha of Riverina Redgum we are now spending more taxpayers’ money to have that area thinned.

“Ecological thinning it’s called and that’s costing $3,750 a hectare,” the Senator said.

“Had we placed a management plan over that region and allowed the industry to continue sensibly managing it and creating a community benefit, as they were before, the timber that’s coming off through that ecological thinning would reap $5,000 per hectare and a profit of $1,250 a hectare which could have gone back into managing the rest of that area to maintain its environmental values.

“And yet here we are restricting what we can do in that region and continuing to put taxpayers’ dollars in where we could be getting an environmental benefit, we could be getting a community benefit and we could be getting an industry benefit. But we’re doing none of that,” the Senator told the 600 guests.

“In fact, I heard of one area in that management area where they took two live trees out and kept a dead one. So instead of costing

NSW taxpayers $1.5 million we could be generating a return for the government for the ongoing management of that area and other regions around NSW. It just doesn’t make sense. It just doesn’t make sense!”

“From a broader native forestry perspective we know that we don’t destroy a forest when we harvest it. We have incontrovertible proof that we do not destroy a native forest when we harvest it. Because there are tens of thousands of hectares of native forests that have

He said the demands that would be there for Australia’s plantation estate and for elements out of its native forest industry into the future were quite extraordinary.

“It’s been said internationally, and it should be understood here, that timber is the building material of the 21st century. We have in this country the highest residential/ commercial structure built out of cross laminated timber (CLT) - Forte in Melbourne. It’s quite something to boast considering we don’t actually produce that product

I think it’s time that we got some common sense back into our forest policy in Australia. been harvested in Tasmania that are now classified as Wilderness World Heritage with outstanding wilderness world heritage values.

If there was ever an endorsement of our forestry practices in this country that is it.

“So, from my perspective, I think it is about time that we out some common sense back into the forest industry and forest industry policy. I would love to see the time that we had once in the past where both the major parties were on the same page,” said Senator Colbeck.

in Australia yet. But to walk into the building and to feel the atmosphere of an all-timber building is really something quite special.

“When you consider the company that put that up is thinking about 30% of their residential construction coming from CLT there is another opportunity that exists for this timber industry of ours in Australia.

“So, in the context of getting there, the work that Ross (Hampton) and his team at AFPA have been doing around establishing a

Tasmanians say enough is enough THE RESULT of the Tasmanian election sends a very clear message that the time has come to restore common-sense to forest policy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture Senator Richard Colbeck said.

Senator Colbeck said the Coalition will work constructively with the new Tasmanian Liberal Government to ensure a sustainable long-term future for the forest industry in the state.

He said Tasmanians punished the Labor/Green government for disastrous policy decisions including mismanagement of the state’s forestry industry.

“Tasmanians have voiced their strong support for the Liberal’s forest policy for the second time. Last year they voted for change at the federal election and now they have voted for change in Tasmania. The message is very clear,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Tasmanians want to see a sustainable forestry industry in Tasmania and they know Labor and the Greens’ approach would have seen the death of the industry. Only the Liberals have a forest policy that will provide long term sustainability,” Senator Colbeck said.

Senator Colbeck said it was time for the Greens and ENGOs to put away the language of war and conflict when it comes to the forestry industry and accept the will of the people.

“Tasmanians have again given us a mandate for our forest policy. The Greens should respect this mandate

and end their negative campaign and threats,” he said.

Senator Colbeck said Tasmania can have a sustainable forest industry while protecting the environment and providing benefits to the community.

He said the Coalition’s plan to remove 74,000 hectares from the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area would enhance the existing estate.

“The extension includes pine and eucalyptus plantations, recently harvested coupes and areas with a long history of forestry activity.

These areas detract from the existing world heritage estate,” he said.

“We can have an outstanding wilderness world heritage area and we can have a sustainable forest industry that sits alongside that without diminishing those outstanding values.”

Senator Colbeck said he looked forward to working with Will Hodgman and the Tasmanian Liberal Government to return common-sense to forest policy decisions and create a better future for the state.

At the time of going to print the result of the SA election (also held on 15 March) was still unknown.

Liberals vow to rip up forest peace deal IN THE wake of the Tasmanian election, the incoming Liberal Government is seeking a meeting with the timber industry to discuss the Liberals’ plan to rip up the forest peace deal. The industry says it is still committed to the deal, as are the environment groups and unions that negotiated the agreement.

The Liberals have shunned the idea of talking to environmental groups unless they change their mind about the forest industry. Tasmanian Liberals’ forestry spokesman Peter Gutwein says the new government will work with the forestry industry to rebuild the sector. “What is absolutely clear is that we don’t support this deal, we never have done and we would tear it up.

“We’ve made it perfectly clear we would meet with the industry and industry representatives within one week of the election. That’s what we intend to do.

In regards to the environmentalists, they have been opportunistic over the last four years, they have locked up large tracts of Tasmania for no good purpose, they have cost this state investment and they have cost jobs. If they want to have a 180 degree about-turn and start... want to talk with us about rebuilding the industry, then I’m happy to sit at the table with them.”

Source: ABC

focused R&D structure for the industry in Australia in a similar manner to what Canada has done with FP Innovations and what the New Zealanders are doing, so that we can get ourselves to the leading edge of forest science and technology in this country, where we should be, I think is a great idea.

I look forward to continuing to work with him and my colleagues for that as an opportunity into the future.

“I think that the wheel has turned far enough for the Australian people to understand that, yes we do manage our forests well and yes it is sustainable. When we manage our forests on a broader landscape scale rather than structured tenure which locks us in and out of different parts of the landscape we’ll be much better off.”

¢ Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture.

Photo: Mark Graham/ ForestWorks

PM sees strong future for forest and timber industry continued from page 1. finalised by the Government, but I can announce tonight that the cochairman of that will be Rob de Fegely who is well known to your industry.

“I’m sure you’ll keep us on the straight and narrow so to speak insofar as far as your industry is concerned and I’m sure that he will ensure that we make the kind of decisions that ensure that my colleagues and I are welcome at next year’s dinner,” said the Prime Minister.

Speaking after the dinner, ForestWorks chief executive officer Michael Hartman warmly welcomed the Federal Government’s acknowledgement of Australia’s forestry and timber sector as a sustainable and green industry of the future.

“Industry is rapidly changing as people realise the advantages of this sustainable resource. But to grow strongly and sustainably we must address massive skill development demands,” Michael said.

“As a developed economy, Australia’s forestry and timber industry growth requires innovation.

Innovation requires, above all else, appropriate skills, including in the key areas of management, marketing and collaboration.

ForestWorks is ideally positioned to assist the industry manage this ongoing learning and development.

“We are also well placed to assist industry with recruitment strategies.

There is real job growth in the forest and timber products industry in regional areas. We need effective recruitment to fuel that. The Federal Government has signaled it understands all this well, and I believe this is why the messages of the Prime Minister and Senator

Colbeck were so warmly received by industry.”

The peak body representing the forest, wood and paper products industries warmly welcomed the Prime Minister’s strong comments in support of the industry. The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) chief executive officer Ross Hampton said; ‘It is about time that the industry got the recognition it deserves for the vital part it can play in the growing Australian economy as we move to a carbon constrained future and the credit for the 200 000 regional jobs sustaining dozens of regional communities across Australia.”

Ross said that wqhile the Prime Minister pointed out that the industry had been “officially frowned upon for too long”, the level of support was palpable with more than 40 members of parliament representing Liberal, National, Labor and Independent joining nearly 600 industry professionals in the Great Hall.

In addition to the Prime Minister’s address, the dinner was given an insight into the deep knowledge of the industry held by Parliamentary Secretary for Forestry Richard Colbeck.

“Senator Colbeck is exactly the type of champion for the industry that we need in Canberra and I am pleased to see that is so well across the detail of his portfolio.

“The night was a celebration of the industry’s contribution to the social fabric of Australia’s communities, the environmental benefits of keeping our forests healthy and the economic contribution to the country through a vibrant manufacturing industry turning a natural, renewable product into useful and valuable products,” he said..

6 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

FORESTWORKS CONFERENCE PRIME MINISTER Tony Abbott drew applause from a 600 strong gathering of forest products professionals when he said “we want the timber industry to be a vital part of Australia’s economic future, not just something that was a relic of our history”. Speaking at the industry gala dinner arranged by Forestworks ISC and AFPA in the Great Hall, the Prime Minister said the industry had been “officially frowned upon for too long”.

The night was a celebration of the industry’s contribution to the social fabric of Australia’s communities, the environmental benefits of keeping its forests healthy and the economic contribution to the country through a vibrant manufacturing industry turning a natural, renewable product into useful and valuable products. Photos: Mark Graham/ForestWorks

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8 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

FORESTWORKS CONFERENCE

Innovation is key to industry survival and growth I

N A week where the announcement of the establishment of a Forestry Industry Advisory Council by Prime Minister Tony Abbott was greeted by economists claiming the industry was too small and had too many problems to be a vital part of the Australian economy, a gathering of industry people at the ForestWorks presented 6th Industry Development Conference in Canberra heard the message that innovation was the key to growing value in the industry.

This point was made in the opening address by Senator Richard Colbeck as he made mention of the exciting developments in materials using nanocrystalline cellulose extracted from woody biomass and the R&D work being done in conjunction with airlines for the development of aviation fuel also made using woody biomass.

Innovation has a positive impact on the bottom line In an address covering international insights and opportunities in the forestry and wood products industry, Dr George Goroyias of Poyry Management Consulting, gave a definition of innovation as being Creative Disruption that results in economic value. He made the observation that if it doesn’t have economic value then it is not an innovation but, rather, an idea or an invention.

Recognising that innovation must yield income either through enhanced market offerings or reduced costs, he also suggested the industry needed to work closer with customers and end consumers to better understand what they (the markets) want so as to tailor innovation to better deliver those sales. He offered Ikea as an example of a great innovator using design and materials engineering to deliver unique products of mass appeal.

He made the strong point that industry itself has to believe and invest in innovation as it is not a Government nor political issue but, rather, an important entrepreneurial tool.

Industry level R&D investment needed Ross Hampton, chief executive officer of Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), expanded on the innovation theme using the example of General Motors looking to replace a third of all parts in their cars currently manufactured using plastic with new parts manufactured using nanocrystalline cellulose.

He went on to underscore the need for the Australian industry to invest more cleverly in innovation through better co-ordinated R&D while raising funds invested back up to the levels that would enable commercial breakthroughs.

The pressure in recent years of declining trading terms is now starting to ease off and growth is slowly returning as the exchange rate for the $AUS is lowering.

“Our competitor nations such as New Zealand and Canada have already moved fast to build large, organised, nationally funded research and development organisations to ensure they are in pole position as the world’s demand surges for the renewable, recyclable and carbon-storing resource which we gain from trees. In Australia we have done the opposite. Our research effort has shrunk from $100 million to $30 million in five years. The number of researchers has plummeted from 730 to 250.”

In an effort to arrest this R&D decline, AFPA is advocating the establishment of an industry hub where R&D efforts might be better co-ordinated and brought to market faster.

Innovation is a learnable skill Michael Hartman, chief executive officer of ForestWorks made the point that innovation required specific skills to be applied and that those skills were trainable. In looking at the average workforce, he observed that, of the skills applied on most work sites, 70% were developed on the job through actually doing things, 20% through mentoring and supervision while

¢ Peter Kreitels, Colin McCulloch, Eric Siegers, Mark Kelly.

only 10% were developed through formal training.

Given that innovation requires an approach that is not business as usual, ForestWorks has developed an Innovation Hub to provide resources to the industry for facilitating and developing innovation at industry, cluster and individual organization level. As part of his presentation, Michael used excerpts from a video presentation by Göran Roos which gives an excellent overview of innovation and how to apply it in the Australian industry. This video is viewable in the Resources section of the Innovation Hub on the ForestWorks website.

In his presentation, the fact of Australia being a high cost economy compared with other countries (including major developed countries, not just those with developing economies) was given as an underlying need for Australian industries to concentrate on innovation to develop markets. As an example of this, although Australia is a high cost provider in the international education industry, it still has a substantial market share of the international student market due to the Australian education industry’s culture of innovation.

What it takes to innovate In a panel discussion featuring Mark Kelly (Innovation Facilitator of Enterprise Connect, Department of Industry), Col McCulloch (CEO of AFCA), Eric Siegers (Executive Officer of Timber Merchants Association) and Peter Kreitels (Kreitel Consulting) representing the Furniture, Cabinet, Joinery Alliance (FCJ) a number of ideas and conditions for encouraging innovation were put forward and discussed.

Calls were made for business units to better understand their customers and value chain and be prepared to change their own business model to better meet customer needs.

Col McCulloch suggested harvesting contractors had a good

history of adopting innovative practices but that there was a tendency to suppress innovation through over supervision by forest managers. He cited HVP management as an example of improvements being made through facilitation by a forest manager instead of supervision.

In response to the question of how this was achieved at HVP, Cameron MacDonald COO of HVP suggested this was achieved more through the personal characteristics of the people recruited and retained than a formalized corporate operational policy.

Social media also has a place in the innovation process as demonstrated

by Quote Spot and RenoExchange which were noted by Eric Siegers as examples of establishing communities of end customers and suppliers where merchants are looking to engage across the supply chain to gain a better understanding of opportunities.

Peter Krietels pointed to the need for a bigger focus on getting the skills required to innovate as most individual operators need help in this area.

A discussion on the innovation required to continually improve health and safety (H&S) outcomes heard that AFCA is looking at possibly developing an accreditation scheme that can be agreed to right along the value chain while the pulp and paper H&S group is to have a forum on the subject facilitated by ForestWorks.

The general consensus was that, to be successful, H&S programs need to encourage behavioral change rather than abdicate responsibility to legislative dictates.

It was generally agreed that the size of the individual enterprise of industry association has historically been a good indicator of the likelihood of innovation being practiced. The bigger the entity, the more likely innovation was being practiced or sought.

This need for size is behind the practice of clustering that found favor late last century and is still being used today. Clustering involves groups of enterprises that are (or could be) involved in a particular value chain working together to develop new practices or products that meet (or create) market demand.

There are many examples of successful clusters around the world (Canada has achieved great results in the timber industry using this principle) but it was interesting to note that the recognized expert in this area, Michael Porter, observed that the strongest drivers for successful clustering are to be found at the regional level. Market demand may be concentrated in the cities, but the ability to successfully tap into that demand with physical product tended to be concentrated in regional areas.

¢ Michael Hartman.

Innovation in practice As an example of Australian innovation in timber buildings, Dr Alistair Woodard, Director of Technical, Promotion & Consulting Solutions, and Kersten Gentle, CEO of FTMA, presented recent work done in developing prefabricated ground floor cassettes that offer a real alternative to concrete slabs.

To be attractive to builders, such a system has to deliver a platform on time, within a price and preferably using one contractor – the conditions generally achieved with a concrete slab. With concrete slabs representing over 95% of all platforms in some states, this is a market segment with strong potential.

Taking that concept further, a total building system for a single storey house was developed by Drouin West Timber & Truss that enabled a house to be built from dirt to lockup in six days. Progress photos and a description of the process are on Drouin West’s website.

A major attraction of this system to builders is the vast majority of their customer’s contracted payments are due within one week of the build starting.

Kersten Gentle pointed out that, on average, the approximately 300 plants nationally that are part of FTMA were running at 50% of their roof, 45% of their floor and 65% of their wall production capacities.

There is obviously capacity to quickly take up new manufacturing opportunities so the ability to deliver more systems into the market exists. All that is required is for more innovative design and matching marketing programs to encourage greater market adoption.

¢ Dr George Goroyias.

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 9

FORESTWORKS CONFERENCE

Exciting breakthrough for industry T

HE 6TH Annual Industry Development Conference & Industry Gala Dinner was held in Canberra in early March. Hosted by ForestWorks, the conference focused on industry development through collaboration and innovation.

Councillor Sandy Kam announced that Latrobe City Council had the night before the conference unanimously decided to host an industry roundtable by the end of June to further investigate the potential of introducing a wood encouragement policy in Latrobe City. The councilor invited members of the industry who felt they had a contribution to make to such a round table to contact

her to let her know what they thought they could contribute.

Given the extent of forestry in Latrobe City and the wider region of Gippsland, the existence of a skilled workforce available to work in an expanded, high value manufacturing sector and an existing university infrastructure capable of working in collaboration with other academic institutions involved in Forests and Wood Products R&D, Councillor Kam suggested her city was extremely well placed to provide the industry development hub referred to in the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) call for a National Institute for Forest Products Innovation.

Referring to the desirability of putting academic theory to the test through application in the real, commercial world with results fed back into the academic development process, Councillor Kam underscored the importance of collaboration in developing innovation.

Earlier in the day, Senator Richard Colbeck pointed to the progress being made in other countries such as Canada where innovations in production of materials using wood fibre and cellulose are being underpinned by assistance brought about through policies of regional and local government. Citing the example of airlines looking at working together to speed up

First step towards professional accreditation for contractors AT THE Innovation Forum on business accreditation held at the recent Industry Development Conference in Canberra, participants considered how a Business Accreditation Program might help provide business and industry certainty in the future.

Hosted by AFCA and ForestWorks with funding through the Department of Industry, the forum looked at the drivers for change in forest contracting going on to consider what the essential items were that needed to be included in a Business Accreditation Program.

Such programs already exist in other countries with Master Logger certification in various states in the USA being obvious examples. However, the general mood of the forum was that an Australian version of accreditation should be looked at but that

¢ Tim Woods.

the process had to include forest owners/managers, contractors and processors.

Tim Woods, facilitator of the forum, observed that accreditation without buy-in by forest growers would simply be adding cost to contracting businesses rather than adding value. Given contractors were the link between the forest growers’ raw material and their customers, the consensus in the room was that processors should also be included in the development of any accreditation program.

Recognising the large and increasing role being played by Sustainability and Chain of Custody certification programs, the gathered industry representatives agreed it would be better to have standards agreed to by the industry that might eventually be folded into other certification programs rather than having such terms dictated from outside the industry.

In addition to these certification schemes, the pace of change and evolution of Chain of Responsibility through regulation gives cause to look at the need for standards agreed to and operated by growers, contractors and processors. As growers are contracting out tasks and not responsibilities, having a method of ensuring the tasks are being performed with due care and attention to health and safety rather than just ensuring the production of material to specification will become even more important.

Given the complications experienced in recent changes to the national transport situation, there was a general wariness of over-codifying the contracting industry but a recognition that a properly constituted and governed accreditation program may lead to more non-price criteria being considered by growers at the procurement stage and, perhaps, a greater level of comfort amongst financial institutions to lend against harvesting contracts.

Ian Reid, Chairman of AFCA, greeted the outcome of the forum with cautious optimism and said AFCA was prepared to continue the collaborative approach to design an effective program to further enhance the harvest and haul sector within the broader industry. With this in mind AFCA will be represented in a working group that will be established comprising key stakeholders.

Michael Hartman, CEO of ForestWorks, agreed to use the Innovation Skills Program to support development of the accreditation program by providing the services of Tim Woods continuing in his role as facilitator.

the development of aviation fuel derived from wood, the Senator made the point that he preferred government not to intervene in markets but recognized that there may be a case for a kick start of some sort in the future and that local government is starting to do that.

The two specific policy areas the federal government is looking to activate are rolling 20 year Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) to provide some certainty for supply and investment and reopening the use of forest residues for the production of bio fuels under the renewable energy target.

Footnote: Latrobe City is the host of AUSTimber2016

¢ Councillor Sandy Kam.

IFA president to co-chair new advisory council ROB DE Fégely (IFA president) has been appointed co-chair of a newly-formed Forestry Industry Advisory Council.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott made the announcement at the gala Forest Dinner at the Great Hall, Parliament House.

“I want to say that we don’t claim, in this Government, to be experts on everything; we don’t claim to know everything about this industry. Yes, we have an abundance of goodwill towards your industry. Yes, we want your industry to flourish, but we know that we will do better by your industry if we are as well informed as possible and that’s why I announce tonight that there will be a Forestry Industry Advisory Council, shortly to be finalised by the Government, but I can announce tonight that ¢ Rob De Fégley. the co-chairman of that will be Rob de Fégely who is well known to your industry,” the Prime Minister said in his address to one of the largest gatherings at the venue in years.

“The energy and goodwill felt at the Gala Forestry Dinner was fantastic,” said Rob, “and hearing the messages of support expressed for sound forest management from the Prime Minister was heartening. ”Wood is a fantastic renewable source, and must be part of Australia’s sustainable future particularly in a carbon constrained economy,” he said.

“And we are indeed fortunate to have a Parliamentary Secretary in Senator Richard Colbeck who understands the value of good forest management.” Noting that the terms of reference for the advisory committee had not yet been finalised, Rob said he was looking forward to the role.

It’s too early to comment on what the committee might achieve, but I am looking forward to using my expertise and networks to create a more healthy, vibrant forest sector serving both conservation and production,” he said.

Rob is the first to describe himself as “tenure-neutral”, meaning that he does not have a preference for where forests are situated or for what purpose, as long as they are well-managed for that purpose.

His appointment received instant backing from the IFA with its chief executive officer Alison Carmichael declaring … “Rob can be sure that he will have the full support of the Institute and its members in his new role.”

Rob was appointed IFA President in 2012 in recognition of the breadth and depth of his forestry experience, in Australia and overseas for both corporate and government clients.

10 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

WOOD FLOW LOGISTICS

Squeezing efficiencies out of wood harvesting, transport and distribution T

RANSPORTATION COSTS – from the bush to the processing plant or export port – constitute the lion’s share of delivered log costs. An increase in truck utilisation is going to reduce both the transportation costs along with the number of trucks needed for any operation. Logistics can centralise truck dispatch and control, reduce transport costs, improve the utilisation of trucks and reduce traffic generated by logging and log hauling operations. The opportunities to improve efficiencies - and returns - in the wood supply chain are indeed significant.

The return on investment through the adoption of real time dispatching and mobile technologies to assist in communications between landings, truck fleets, dispatchers and customers are already well documented. Results from Chile have shown eight companies involved in wood haulage have collectively been able to reduce their transportation costs between 15 and 35% (a US$8.5 million per year saving) by introducing a wood transport logistics system.

In making the saving, the average work day reduced from 14 to 11 hours – which of course improved worker safety – and they were also able to reduce the fleet size for the operation.

In Sweden collaborative wood transport logistics has also been trialled. In one example, a 9% saving for eight companies involved in a collaborative project was achieved. Other recent studies from New Zealand and the US forest products industry show similar results. As well as the benefits already outlined, these examples pointed out that working collaboratively within a region takes time to build up the coalition, to establish fair and efficient contracts for each of the participating companies, to overcome resistance to change and to set up decision support systems that can keep sensitive information protected.

To really capitalise on the

opportunities available to local forestry, wood harvesting and transport companies, Wood Flow Logistics 2014 is being run, both in Australia and New Zealand in mid-June.

“This series builds on the outstanding support we had for the Steep Slope Wood Harvesting and Forestry Safety Summit run in November 2013 (over 400 forest managers, owners and

CD has been implemented operationally and some of the results from collaboration will be detailed as part of Wood Flow Logistics 2014.

A recent regional case study from New Zealand will outline just how some of the issues highlighted above in getting collaboration amongst competing companies to work. Five competing companies with multiple or no dispatch

One of the first countries to recognise the potential for savings gains through wood flow logistics was Chile. harvesting contractors came in from New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada and South America) and a transport and logistics event run for forestry companies in the Pacific North West in October last year,” says Brent Apthorp, Director of the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA).

“We’ve been delighted to be able to draw in expertise from leading local and international forest products companies to this event,” he said.

“One of the first countries to recognise the potential for savings gains through wood flow logistics was Chile. Both the Head of Transportation as well as the Head of Production Planning, Harvesting and Transport Optimisation for one of Chile’s largest forest products companies (annual harvest 10 million m3), Forestal Mininco, will be presenting at Wood Flow Logistics 2014. At the time of going to print, the organisers were also confident of getting the largest forest products company in Chile, Celulosa Arauco (annual harvest over 17 million m3), to present in both Australia and New Zealand.

In this region, New Zealand is probably more advanced than Australia in adopting the concept of centralised dispatch for wood transport. Case studies on how

systems joined forces. Now they’re working collectively within a region, they’re working with 137 trucks and 25 harvesting crews and are using three GPS providers and five different providers of hardware to drive the system.

to safely and productively extract wood of steeper slopes were detailed. Safety concerns have been driving the “need for speed” for increased mechanization.

Many of the larger forestry owners in New Zealand are already working with contractors to move all ground based harvesting to fully mechanized and for a high percentage of the steep-slope harvesting to be mechanized over the next two years.

New wheeled harvesters rather than using tracked bases on steeper terrain and lessons for local contractors from a recent tour of 17 local forestry and contracting companies to steeper terrain operations in Germany and Austria were also outlined. Where in the past contractors have perhaps been dismissive of some of the recent European systems and their suitability to local conditions, a number of systems, equipment and processes being used were thought now to have real application to local contractors.

As part of Wood Flow Logistics

So right now, like New Zealand, there is a lot of innovation coming from forestry contractors, local engineers and some of the larger suppliers of wood harvesting equipment.

As well as wood transport, there have been recent advances in wood harvesting – in planning, in safety and in the technology that’s being used to get wood from the forest through to the landing. At the Steep Slope Wood Harvesting conference run in New Zealand in late November a range of innovative technologies – grappleequipped hauler carriages and tethered “winch assist” machines – developed by local contractors

2014, new technologies developed for harvesting heads, feller bunchers, skidders and fowarders on flatter terrain will be outlined, updates, particularly for the Australian industry, will be made on some new technologies being developed by local harvesting contractors for steep slope harvesting operations (remote control and automation) as well as a run-down on new equipment and innovations being used in South

American harvesting operations.

In Chile, for example, steep slope harvesting currently accounts for around 430,000 m3 per month.

This is expected to almost double to over 800,000 m3 per month in 2015/16. So right now, like New Zealand, there is a lot of innovation coming from forestry contractors, local engineers and some of the larger suppliers of wood harvesting equipment.

New Zealand’s need to innovate is being brought about through the type of country being harvested, the need to radically improve safety out on the hill and requirement for improved productivity. As outlined at the Steep Slope Wood Harvesting event, the total annual harvest from plantation forests in New Zealand is expected to grow from current levels to around 35 million cubic metres by 2025. The proportion of the forest harvest from steep hill country is currently about 50% of the total harvest.

This is forecast to rise to 53% by 2016 and to over 60% by 2025.

What this means is that over the next 12 years there’s a requirement for a new cable harvesting crew every four weeks. This is one of the key driver’s currently driving innovation out in the bush - for companies to improve both productivity and safety in their cable logging operations.

New products introduced by one of Chile’s main suppliers of harvesting equipment, Latin Equipment S.A. who will be presenting at Wood Flow Logistics 2014 include Fortronics electronic chokers, LogMax heads (colour marking and LogMate 500 control system for improved data collection and analysis), Gierkink small felling heads, Tigercat 6x6 skidders, Intelweigh wifi weigh systems (fitted between grapple and rotator), Alpine shovel yarders and Southstar multi-stem processor heads.

“As well as practical case studies from forestry, wood harvesting and transport companies, a look at wood procurement systems and their selection, on-line and real time measurement of wood flows, GPS and vehicle fleet performance tools, innovations being used to effectively manage storage, handling and marshalling at our ports and road and shipping trends impacting on forest products companies”, will all be covered in this year’s Wood Flow Logistics 2014 series,” said Apthorp.

Wood Flow Logistics 2014 will run in Rotorua on 11-12 June and again in Melbourne the following week on 17-18 June. Further details can be found on the event website, www.woodflowlogistics. com If wanting to keep updated on the programme and content as it’s being developed, you can subscribe for updates directly on the event website.

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 11

BIO-ENERGY Australia can ill afford to watch idly or squabble when workable, sustainable bioenergy templates have been set elsewhere, says Dr Stephen Schuck, chief executive officer of Bioenergy Australia, in this opinion piece for Australian Forests & Timber News.

Environmental concerns, bushfires and biomass – common sense needs to prevail S

USTAINABLY MANAGED bioenergy is greenhouse gas neutral, low cost, flexible, provides base-load power, helps reduce landfill and has the potential to mitigate climate change and global warming. Why then the opposition from certain sectors?

Many countries have already paved the way and are well advanced in the sustainable management and use of renewable woody biomass to generate low carbon energy yet we lag because of a combination of misinformation and the will to widely deploy bioenergy technologies.

Biomass, which is organic matter such as forestry and agricultural waste or residues as well as organic waste products from various industries, provides over 10% of the world’s energy supply. Global bioelectricity capacity is some 83,000 Megawatts, dwarfing Australia’s total coal fired power capacity. Liquid biofuels currently provide 3.4% of global road transport fuels, while in Australia this is less than one percent.

Bioenergy can make an important contribution to Australia’s energy economy. It provides socio-economic and environmental benefits such as jobs in rural economies, better management of waste, low emission energy, weed eradication, sustainable forestry management and can even combat dry-land salinity. In our carbon constrained world we should be working together to find ways of driving an even bigger role for bioenergy for heat, power and transportation fuels rather than fighting industry sectors such as forestry that has a potentially important role to play.

Governments in the UK believe that the biomass industry is playing a key part in making it economically viable to manage forests as well as increase the overall supply of wood.

In Sweden, Finland and Austria the supply of residential district heating from woody biomass is well established

and Canada and the UK are rapidly getting there with small gasification and fermentation plants that are converting biomass into useful energy.

These countries are leading the way and have given us a practical, proven track record as well as excellent examples of sound environmental and business practices around the use of biomass for energy generation. Yet we still fight battles along the same lines these countries did 10-20 years ago.

Are we really going to burn native forests to generate electricity? Is the use of forestry biomass really going to increase logging in the state’s native forests and destroy our biodiversity?

The regulations that underpin Australian forestry operations, and also the Renewable Energy Target preclude our using virgin native forests for biomass. Legislation is set up to only permit use of such waste materials from higher value forestry processing.

The demand from the biomass industry for by products makes it economically more efficient to manage the forests sustainably. On the flip side, forests that lie fallow become bigger fire risks (as NSW and Victoria have sadly experienced) or parcels are sold off for development or bulldozed for agricultural use.

Clearing forest floors of dead wood, growth and leaf detritus helps with better management of our fire zones and it also encourages rapid regrowth and ultimately better carbon absorption. And harvesting should not be confused with deforestation. Sustainable wood production includes cyclical harvesting followed by regrowth, making biomass used for energy carbon neutral as the regrowth absorbs, over its lifetime, the CO2 emitted from processing the biomass to utilise its energy.

One big advantage of bioenergy is that the energy storage in the biomass allows the power to be generated, or fuel to be used when required, and it is not dependent on the sun shining or the wind blowing when consumers require the energy services.

Burning coal releases way more CO2 into the atmosphere than a forest managed for sawn timber and where their wastes and residues are used for power generation. Studies have shown that net emissions of CO2 from a coal-fired power station are about 30 times that of a wood-fired one. One major UK study showed that bioenergy has similar emissions to solar cells.

The time has come for a more mature debate on the merits of biomass and bioenergy. If hindsight is meant to be a perfect science, then why aren’t we using the benefit of this from other countries and applying it here?

Of course there are issues – community buy-in, evidencing sustainability, compliance, transport, the investment required for large-scale bioenergy production and the larger energy generation industry not embracing bioenergy into the energy generation mix. However, there are some relatively easy first steps that could be taken such as co-firing biomass at preexisting power stations.

The sugar industry in Australia has set a great example with more than 20 sugar mills using waste for power generation. If we are to secure a sustainable, low carbon energy future we need to address the biomass question as a whole. It is bioenergy that provides genuine long-term alternatives to fossil fuels and can critically provide base-load power i.e. consistent power and liquid transportation fuels.

Australia can ill afford to watch idly or squabble when workable, sustainable bioenergy templates have been set elsewhere. It’s time for science to prevail in our race to become less fossil fuel dependent and in our drive to reach renewable energy and carbon targets.

Small system is the start of something big A NEW bioenergy system has just been installed at the Beaufort Hospital in Victoria. A modified shipping container with a wood chip fuelled heating boiler and boiler fuel store inside was lifted into position at the end of January.

The new boiler will provide most of the hospital’s heating needs and significantly reduce its heating costs. The existing LPG boilers will be retained as backup for the wood boiler.

The installation is in Walker Street, at the rear of the hospital, with piping connecting the boiler to the hospital’s existing heating system.

“The new boiler is a 110kW Hargassner unit built in Austria.

The shipping container boiler house was built in Melbourne and fitted out in Ballarat. A number of local tradespeople have gained valuable experience in bioenergy due to the project,” said Project Manager Daryl Scherger.

The installation was part of the Regional Bioenergy Project which has been funded by the Victorian Government under its Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership. The aim of the project is to provide a demonstration site for bioenergy.

¢ Piping connects the boiler to the hospital’s existing heating system.

¢ Boiler site.

“Using bioenergy is common place in Europe but not in Australia,” Scherger said.

“The installation will allow the public to view an operating system, see how it works and what bioenergy could do for them.

Woodchips to fuel the boiler will be supplied by a local sawmill.

The wood boiler system was fully operational by the end of February.

“The boiler house will contain a viewing window and real time information display so anyone can see the system in operation and see how it’s performing at any time.

“Based on its popularity overseas, I expect bioenergy will become much more common in Australia as energy prices rise,” Scherger said.

The project was a partnership between the Health Service, Pyrenees Shire and 11 other agencies across the Grampians and Central Highlands. This broad commitment attracted funding from the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Accord through the Department of Environment and Primary Industry (formerly Department of Sustainability and Environment). Installation was conducted by a collaboration

¢ Mechanical installations.

between G&D Air Conditioning from Ballarat, Living Energy from New Zealand and a number of local contractors.

The Beaufort and Skipton Health Service serves nearly 5000 people in Beaufort, Skipton and the surrounding area. Its catchment area extends from Derrinallum and Lismore in the South, to Lexton and Amphitheatre in the North, and stretches to include Streatham, Linton, and Snake Valley.

Beaufort and Skipton Health Service covers portions of the Pyrenees, Corangamite, and Golden Plains Shires.

¢ Hopper for receiving wood chip delivery.

12 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

FWPA FEATURE

Preventing gene flow from Eucalyptus globulus plantations to native eucalypts

By Matthew Lovering

W

ITH INCREASING global demand for certified environmentally sustainable forest products, people are becoming more aware of how environmentally sustainable the production systems are for the wood and wood products they are buying.

Part of the practice of environmental sustainability is the protection of the genetic integrity of local tree species from trees growing in nearby populations. Genetic contamination through hybridisation (crosspollination) is one of the main ways plantation species can affect the genetic integrity of neighbouring native forests.

Eucalypts are the world’s most widely grown hardwood trees, with 20 million hectares of plantations under cultivation in over 100 countries across six continents. The global eucalypt plantation estate is dominated by nine species and their hybrids. The superior pulpwood properties of E. globulus have seen it become the most widely grown species in temperate zones.

Eucalyptus globulus dominates the Australian hardwood plantation estate with around 538,000 hectares now in the ground. These plantations are growing mainly outside the species natural range and could therefore potentially pose a genetic risk to native eucalypts growing nearby. Eucalyptus is a diverse genus with over 700 species, and they dominate most Australian forests and woodlands. Natural hybridisation is well documented in the genus and hybrids between plantation E. globulus and native species have been detected.

characteristics. These changes could have flow on effects for the native forest, particularly when dominant species such as eucalypts are affected.

The second risk is that plantation trees will hybridise with trees of a different species in neighboring forests. The consequences of such hybridsation would be similar to where the same species is involved, except that different species are more genetically distinct, so the genetic and subsequent physical changes are likely to be larger and have more significant flow on effects for the native forest. However, the chance of successful hybridsation decreases between more distantly related species. For example the over 700 Eucalyptus species are split into 10 main groups (subgenera) and although species from the same group can often form hybrids, hybridsation is not possible between species from different groups.

In Australia 48 per cent of E. globulus plantations are growing beside potentially cross-compatible native eucalypt species. Research is currently investigating where E. globulus plantations pose a significant genetic risk to their neighbouring species and how that risk should be managed.

Matthew Larcombe is a PhD student at the University of Tasmania, and receives funding from Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA).

His PhD has been investigating the potential for genetic contamination of native eucalypts from plantation grown E. globulus, and identifying ways to manage that risk where it occurs.

To main risks

Global economic importance

In essence there are two main risks.

The first is that plantation trees will breed with trees of the same species growing in neighboring forests.

Plantation trees are often selected for superior wood properties and are probably not representative of natural populations. The concern is that genes from the plantation trees may spread into natural populations (through hybridisation) and cause changes to their genetic and physical

‘We chose E. globulus because of its global economic importance, and because it is the most widely grown eucalypt in Australia,’ says Matthew. ‘It may cause genetic contamination of indigenous eucalypt populations through hybridisation and introgression— whereby genetic material from one species is transferred to another through repeated hybridisation. ’ Identifying which species are able

Hybridisation assessed

¢ Eucalyptus globulus.

to hybridise with E. globulus is vital for determining which species are at risk of contamination. Matthew assessed this by undertaking a controlled crossing program. He hand pollinated over 10,000 flowers from 100 species using pollen from E. globulus. He then grew the seed from these cross-pollinations and assessed the level of hybridsation using a combination of physical characteristics and DNA analysis.

Prior to his study it was thought that any of the 484 species in the largest Eucalyptus subgenus Symphomyrtus were at risk of contamination if they were in the pollen dispersal zone of an E. globulus plantation. However, Matthew’s study found a previously unknown barrier to hybridsation within this group that reduces the number of at risk species to 138 (a 71% reduction).

Understanding how pollen moves in the landscape will also be important for assessing which forests are most at risk of genetic contamination from E. globulus plantations. Matthew conducted a second experiment to assess this question focusing on the common plantation neighbour E. ovata.

Eucalyptus ovata is a widespread species, but is highly fragmented as a result of land-clearing, and is now of conservation significance.

Eucalyptus ovata has also been assessed as one of the species most at risk of genetic contamination from E. globulus plantations.

In order to determine if the size of E. ovata forest remnants affected the risk of genetic contamination, open pollinated seed was collected off native E. ovata trees from five patch-size classes in and around plantations in Victoria (142 trees from 25 patches). Hybridisation was then assessed in 24,322 open pollinated progeny. The overall rate of exotic hybridisation was 1.62%.

Small forest patches and trees on the edges of patches were most at risk of hybridisation, and in the future could be the focus of management strategies to limit genetic contamination.

The level of hybrid establishment in the wild and the ability of hybrids to survive are also important factors in determining the relative risk of genetic contamination. Matthew conducted detailed surveys along 3.9 kilometres of ‘high-risk’ plantationnative forest boundary for naturally established E. ovata x globulus hybrids. Of the 745 seedlings assessed in these surveys, only one per cent of seedlings were identified as E. ovata x globulus hybrids. Analysis of a long-term monitoring site where the first naturally establishing exotic E. ovata x globulus hybrids were found in 2006 also showed that E. ovata x globulus F1 hybrids were 78 per cent less likely to survive than the pure E. ovata seedlings after six years. It therefore appears that hybrid establishment and survival may be important barriers to genetic contamination.

‘We found that although hybridisation is occurring, there appear to be significant barriers to establishment and survival, which result in a low likelihood of introgression (i.e. where genetic material from one species transfers to another through repeated hybridised generations),’ says Matthew.

‘However, the fact that a few hybrids are surviving means that the risk cannot be totally discounted.

Revegetation strategies The results suggest that edge plantings or leaving low-risk native forest (e.g. non-cross compatible native species) around plantations will be more successful management

tools than buffer zones without trees.

In addition, revegetation strategies should avoid collecting seed close to plantations boundaries and from small embedded patches.

In contrast to the low levels of exotic hybrids found in the boundary surveys, pure-bred E. globulus seedlings (wildlings) were more common, and, as a result, seed mediated spread of pure E. globulus is a potential risk to nearby native forests. To assess the potential for such invasiveness, Matthew surveyed 290 km of plantation boundary in Tasmania, Gippsland, the Green Triangle, and south west Western Australia for E. globulus wildlings.

A total of 4,939 wildlings were found (an average rate of 17 per kilometre), 98 per cent of which occurred within 10 metres of the plantation edge.

The probability of a wildling being present increased with plantation age, and wildling abundance was higher along burnt plantations, as well as sites that received regular, relatively high rainfall and had lower mean annual temperatures.

‘We found that the spread of E. globulus wildlings is currently limited, and there is a low risk of serious invasions from plantations,’ says Matthew.

It also appears that current management practices could be limiting the spread of wildlings.

‘Our surveys were undertaken predominantly along firebreaks including roads,’ says Matthew.

‘These firebreaks are maintained on an annual or biannual basis, typically by surface scrapping, slashing or the application of herbicide to remove vegetation. This probably removes wildings and reduces the likelihood of establishment and spread from the plantation edge.’

However, the Australian plantation estate is young and if management changes in the future wildlings could become problem, meaning on-going monitoring is warranted.

Overall the picture emerging from this research is that although the potential for genetic contamination is real, the natural barriers to hybridisation identified, and potential mitigation techniques, mean that the risk is a manageable one. ¢ Eucalyptus plantation.

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 13

Recovering from fires and shoring up business for the long term S

ALVAGE OPERATIONS following significant fires and changes to shore up operations for the long-term are underway at the Forestry Corporation of NSW. Following moves last year to strengthen the performance of its softwood plantations division, Forestry Corporation of NSW has begun restructuring its hardwood forests business to improve its long-term viability.

General Manager of the Hardwood Forests Division, Dean Anderson, said the changes would ensure the State’s largest manager of commercial native and plantation forests could continue contributing to the $1 billion a year NSW timber industry.

“Forestry Corporation’s Hardwood Forests Division and our customers make a significant contribution to the State economy

and to the timber industry as a whole,” Dean said.

“Times have been tough for our industry in recent years and we’re very aware that the viability of our hardwood operations is important to the timber industry, regional economies and consumers, so we need to make improving the division’s financial performance a priority.”

Changes will be made following staff consultation, with the new structure in place from mid-year.

In the softwood side of the business, salvage operations have commenced following severe fires affecting radiata pine plantations in the south of the State.

Snowy Regional Manager Bob Germantse said Forestry Corporation commenced salvage operations near Tumut in February after fires affected around 2,000 hectares of State-owned plantations. In total, including private plantations, there were approximately 4,500 hectares burnt in the Minnimbah Fire.

The areas burnt included a range

of age classes, and whilst a large portion is too young to salvage, the local industry is working together to ensure as much of the resource can be salvaged as possible.

“We learnt a great deal following significant fires in local plantations back in 2007 and we know that despite the losses we will still be able to recover some quality timber to supply the industry with the sawlogs and pulpwood it needs ,” Bob said.

“There is a window of opportunity of a few months to complete our salvage operations so we need to move quickly.

We’re working closely with our customers and contractors in the region to coordinate the program to salvage as much burnt wood as possible. This means shifting some harvesting equipment and leaving green wood on the stump until the burnt wood is recovered.

“We commenced harvesting in to the burnt plantations early in February but it is early days and the recovery effort is going to take some time.”

In addition to the harvesting activity, the burnt areas will be the focus of some re-establishment operations over coming months.

Whilst most of the re-establishment will be undertaken over a few years, the fire burnt part of the 2013 age class which will be replanted again this coming winter.

Last year, Forestry Corporation’s

Softwood Plantations Division harvested close to two million cubic metres of sawlogs and 1.4 million tonnes of pulp logs, delivering more than $200 million revenue.

To stay up-to-date with Forestry Corporation activities, sign up to the e-log newsletter at www.forestrycorporation.com.au.

¢ Salvage work in the burned forests. Photos by Peter Stiles.

10x100=sustainability TEN NSW forests have just celebrated a century as dedicated State forests. Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Regional Manager Kathy Jones said the 10 State forests between Taree and Wauchope were dedicated on 21 January 1914.

“The Mid-North Coast has a proud tradition of sustainable timber production and forest management that has both supported local communities built on the timber trade and maintained thriving populations of native flora and fauna,” she said.

“Fosterton, Wallingat, Coopernook, Upsalls Creek, Kerewong, Lorne, Cowarra, Bulls Ground, Kendall and Kew State Forests were dedicated 100 years ago, meaning they have been successfully managed for timber production, environmental benefit and community recreation for a century.

“As well as providing popular picnic and camping spots for locals and visitors and preserving environmental features, these

thriving forests have also been harvested and regenerated many times since they were dedicated a century ago.

“Because they are managed sustainably, they will continue to regenerate and supply renewable timber 100 years from now.”

The Forestry Corporation’s connection to the Mid North Coast dates back to the first NSW Forest Inspector Henry Kendall, who lived in the area and gave his name to the town of Kendall.

“While timber cutting licences were issued from the early days of the colony, the first forest reserves were proclaimed in 1871 to preserve the timber resources of the colony and prevent the destruction of the best species of brush and hardwood,” Jones said.

“Forest Rangers were appointed to supervise the reserves in September 1875, as well as the first NSW Forest Inspector Henry Kendall.

“After the Forestry Act 1909 passed, the first Director of Forests Richard Dalrymple Hay

was appointed in 1910 and the first State forests were dedicated.

“Over the years, more areas of forest have been dedicated and today we have around 450,000 hectares of State forest on the Mid North Coast, which Forestry Corporation of NSW continues to manage for the economic, environmental and social benefit of the people of NSW.”

¢ Harvesting to form group area for natural regeneration of Blackbutt at Coopernook State Forest.

¢ “Climax” geared locomotive used on logging tram line from Kerewong State Forest to Kendall.

Off the shelf solutions, customised for your mill For over 100 years, we’ve been engineering solutions for the timber industry.

In that time, we’ve designed and built a range of equipment proven to improve mill productivity.

But we’ve yet to meet a client who didn’t need some modifications to make even the best equipment fit their particular space and needs.

Contact us for a quote to make your mill even more productive.

¢ UK Forestry Commissioner Lord Robinson’s visit to Coopernook State Forest 1948 (L to R) Lord Robinson, L. S. Hudson, G.J. Rodger, A. Dun (Forester), A. S Richards (Dist.

Forester), R. Hulme (Forester).

• manufacturing • sawmilling equipment • log carriages • resaws • multisaws and board edgers • automatic sorters and stackers • transfers and conveyors.

Complete turnkey projects.

From major start-ups to retro-fits, if you want professional service and advice, contact us.

AE Gibson & Sons Phone 02 6559 4001 Email: johns@aegibsonman.com.au www.aegibsonman.com.au

14 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

HARVESTING

Head-lines being made by redeveloped business H

INDSIGHT GIVES you 20/20 vision as we all know and Southstar has made most of this opportunity after the demise of Southstar New Zealand during the recession.

After the collapse of Southstar New Zealand an innovative group of forestry experts from both Canada and New Zealand came together to purchase Southstar and redevelop the business, the product and its strategy into what is proving to be one of the

strongest comebacks ever seen by a company. If the proof is in the taste of the pudding it has already tasted the sweet taste of success having sold 100 machines in just 18 months into Canada.

One of the strategies of the newly developed Southstar is to surround themselves with experts in the business. It is with this strategy in mind that Southstar has kept manufacturing in New Zealand, with Tauranga-based Page Macrae Engineering.

With its design proven to be extremely durable, with some machines already having 5800 hours on them without any signs of fatigue or cracks, the original designers of the Southstar, Jeremey Disher and Dave Cochrane, have also been made part of the Southstar Equipment strategy.

With the opportunity to look at harvesters with a fresh new look, Dave Cochrane, the original designer of the Waratah, Jeremy Disher, Mike Klopp and Marcel

¢ Quadstar 600 in action.

Stroke harvester simplicity GETTING A harvester head for an agricultural tractor has been a tough decision -- lots of changes had to be done for the boom hydraulics and an electric cable has to be drawn from the harvester to the cabin, but not any more thanks to a clever design from Finland.

To make it easy, Pentin Paja developed a stroke harvester that would be simple to use and install and by cutting off everything ‘extra’ the Naarva S23 weighs only 230kg and uses only 4 hydraulic cylinders.

The required lifting capacity of the boom is only 25 kNm. Switch between loading grapple and Naarva S23 is easy, connect two hoses and remove one pin.

The stroke harvester (for tractors and 5-8 ton excavators) is operated with grapple open/close buttons.

Close-button closes the grips and after a pressure limit is reached, the stroke feeding will start. After the stroke has reached its maximum position (50cm), you can press grapple open-button and the stroke cylinder will reverse. This cycle will be repeated until the wanted length is reached. Then you can cut the tree by holding the closebutton. When the stroke cylinder has reached its maximum position

and a pressure limit is reached, the oil flow is guided to the cutting cylinder and tree is cut.

The S23 guillotine is designed with decades of experience. The guillotine is strong, reliable and easy to maintain. A cutting blade can be mounted with splitting wedges to make 25 -50cm firewood directly after felling. Wedges are easy to mount and dismount with 3 bolts.

Immediately after felling, the trees can be crosscut and split, with the firewood pieces falling

straight into the bag. The Naarva firewood rack can be mounted to a three-point linkage of a tractor to hold a firewood bag.

The firewood is ready for sale immediately after felling.

“This is the most straight forward firewood processor in the world,” say its designers. The company has offices in Ilomantsi and Joensuu. Its net sales in 2012 were approximately €2 million and it employs 23. The company is owned and run by brothers Mikko and Janne Häikiö.

¢ Marcel Payeur (left) and Dave Cochrane ... both with a ‘head’ for business!

Payeur (two of the Canadian investors and forestry experts), the machine was redesigned from the ground up. These experts in forestry all felt that the industry was ready for an upgrade, something new and inventive, as most harvesters in the industry today haven’t seen any upgrade for years, with most still having the same design as 15 years ago.

The new product, named the Quad Star series, has that many innovative designs and features that it is turning heads and promising to change the landscape of forestry for years to come. Three sizes are available QS500 (22”-23”), QS600 (23”-24”), QS630 (24”-25”). This new, durable design with its many features has gone through harsh seasonal testing and operation in Canada. Its durability during the past 18 months living up to Southstar’s promise: “Built to last”.

It is with this confidence from the directors of the company and a faithful following, developing at a rapid pace in Canada that Southstar’s management felt the time was ripe for its re-entry into New Zealand and Australia.

With its motto to hire only the best, Weytze van Heerden, an engineer with more than 25 years’ experience in hydraulic design and fault finding, trusted by many in the forestry industry, joined the company and has taken on the role of developing the New Zealand and Australian market for Southstar.

Weytze is of the opinion that the trusted reputation of the newly developed Southstar, which has a proven track record in Canada, with a trusted machine with a durability that surpasses that of other machines, will quickly find its way into New Zealand and Australia again.

Using the opportunity of 20/20 vision, with expertise in all the various fields, forestry, design and manufacturing and support, Southstar is once again able to make available another brilliantly designed harvester head to New Zealand and Australian forestry operators.

And soon they too will, like their counterparts in Canada, develop the same long lasting relationships with Southstar machines and its staff and realise that Southstar lives by its motto – “Built to last”, not just in machines but also in relationships.

MULTI-STEM PROCESSOR QS Series Southstar Processors •

Southstar Equipment is a premium line of harvester/processors.

•

Southstar Equipment offers three sizes of processors to fit any application. QS500 (22”-23”) - QS600 (23”-24”) – QS630 (24”-26”).

•

Built to last in the toughest environments, the QS series with multi-stem technology and high feed speeds are known in the industry to be the most productive processor on the market.

Key features •

Four roller drive (more traction, less fibre damage, multistem ability and accurate diameter and length measuring)

•

Clean hose through design with Taimi Swivel.

•

Over sized pins and bosses with D-Glide bushings.

•

Multi-stem technology with side step function (patent pending).

•

Heavy duty fabricated delimb arms.

•

High pressure heavy walled cylinders.

•

Magnetic contactless encoders for better accuracy and longer life.

•

Wide frame design for increased strength and cleaner hydraulic layout.

Contact Weytze van Heerden p. +64 ( 0 ) 21 191 8096 e. weytze@southstarequipment.com w. southstarequipment.com

16 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

Harvesting

Stability factor was a clear winner in final evaluation Q

U EE NSLA N D -BASED Sunchip Group has spread its operations “down south” and to take on a contract won in the Tumut region they found it necessary to purchase another harvester.

It wasn’t a hard decision to make, according to Sunchip principal Mark Blackberry. He opted for a Tigercat LH855C fitted out with a Waratah 624C head.

“We have been running two Tigercat 635D skidders since 2011 and we’re extremely happy with them. They’re one of our better purchases,” he says referring to his operations in the Maryborough area of Queensland.

“They’ve been really good machines for us and the support and backup from Onetrak (the national Tigercat dealer) at Tumut as well as out on the field was a huge consideration.”

Mark is fairly selective with his words and when asked about some of the standout points of the LH855C he replied.... “Stability.

That would be my number one, basically. We’re harvesting in steep country so I believe the stability of the machine is important. As well as the serviceability and the remote

location with the service guys down there ... they would be the three main things,” he says.

So, for the start of the new contract in January and more than happy to go with Tigercat, he said the decision to go for the Waratah 624C wasn’t all that hard to make either. “There’s bigger timber down there (Tumut) and we elected to go with the 624 and we’re pretty happy with that,” he says.

And what of the new Tigercat from an operator perspective? “We’re still training an operator and he’s coming along wonderfully. Most of the people who operate a Tigercat even up (Maryborough) here just love it,” said Mark.

“We’ve got a fair bit of gear down there (Tumut) now so under the Sunchip Group we are expanding.

We have the Tigercat harvester, one forwarder as well as a shovel logger in Tumut at this stage and are running about 8 or 9 trucks down there as well,” said Mark.

Incidentally, the Sunchip Group took delivery of a new Tigercat 860 feller buncher at its Queensland operations and was scheduled to “fire up” on 3 March, but that’s a yarn for a bit further down the track.

Tigercat tracked harvesters Tigercat offers an array of harvesters ranging from its zero tail-swing harvesters, the H822C and LH830C, to their purpose built H855C and LH855C. The H822C and LH830C are 224 kW (300hp) harvesters extremely capable in row thinning and final fell applications. The LH830C is equipped with a super-duty R-7150L leveling undercarriage with FH400 components for steep terrain applications.

The H845C and LH845C models are powered by the Tier III Cummins QSB6.7 delivering 194 kW (260 hp). With limited tail-swing these machines strike a good balance between maneuverability, machine stability and component access.

The H855C/LH855C series is purpose built and well suited to infield clear felling and processing applications. Based on Tigercat’s flagship 860C series carriers, the H855C uses the same forest duty upper frame structure, cab and cooling system as the feller bunchers that are field proven in the most demanding applications throughout the world. These full tail-swing machines are best suited to larger timber, poor terrain and around the clock operations.

The engine and hydraulic system are specifically designed to achieve maximum performance and minimize fuel consumption in harvesting and processing applications.

Both Tigercat H845C and H855C are available with two-piece or telescopic ER boom systems.

The patented ER boom system allows the machine operator to extend and retract the boom on a horizontal plane smoothly and quickly using a single joystick. Key to this technology is reduced energy consumption. The ER system transfers energy back and forth between the main and the stick boom functions, reducing the total energy needed to move the boom system. This translates to reduced demands for power, pump flow and system cooling. ER technology is unique to Tigercat.

For further information regarding Tigercat harvesters or any of their products, contact Onetrak, the national distributor on 1300 727 520.

Heads above the competition

Logging to the Xtreme!

Max Range Max Uptime Max Value

Following the design philosophy of the XTreme Series, the Log Max 10000XT is a head for the very large forest. Developed specifically for tracked carriers, with a choice of harvester or dedicated processor, the 10000XT cuts wood up to 900 mm in diameter and both versions feature integrated top saw.

The XTreme Series provides the logging industry with a productive and durable head for the most XTreme applications and produces wood at the lowest cost per tonne possible.

Contact Johan from Log Max Australia on (02) 6947 4505 or 0408 614 503, or visit our website: www.scanforest.com

18 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

Harvesting

Six of the best for blue gum work in WA B

RIAN WILSON, managing director of Wilson Logging in Yornup West Australia, has been in the logging business for many years and today Wilson Logging would be one of the largest blue gum harvesting contractors in the country.

So, for Brian it’s very important to keep up to date on the latest equipment available to be competitive in the Industry.

During the last AUSTimber Expo in Mt Gambier in March 2012 Brian met up with Peter Randalls (Randalls Equipment Company) and Anders Gannerud (sales manager for SP Maskiner) as part of Randalls Equipment machines on display was the SP591LX working in the blue gum harvesting area. This was Brian’s first look at the SP591LX in action and he went back many times during the expo and was very impressed with what he saw.

In May 2012 Brian had taken delivery of his first SP591LX. “The first harvesting head was a great test on what SP Maskiner knew would be a fuel saver and for a production increase so we looked at these figures very closely,” Brian said.

“It’s now 18 months since the first SP591LX went to work and we are just taking delivery of our sixth unit.

“We have found that our fuel saving is around 60 litres per

“We run the excavators at a lower RPM with the SP591LX heads and still have seen that our production has increased around 10% per machine.”

– Brian Wilson, Wilson Logging

machine per day. “We run the excavators at a lower RPM with the SP591LX heads and still have seen that our production has increased around 10% per machine.

“This has also reduced hydraulic and engine temperatures.

“We have also noticed that we have very little pin and bush wear on the SP591LX compared to the other makes we currently use.

“Overall, we are very pleased with performance of the SP591LX harvesting heads and the support we have been given from both Randalls Equipment Company and the SP Maskiner factory,” said Brian.

¢ Hendrik Visser (Regional Sales Representative - HCA Bunbury Branch), Jeff Loton (owner of Plantation Logging) and Marty Coyle (1910E Forwarder operator).

Simple way to ensure better traction in tough terrain THERE’S NOTHING better than operating a machine that is surefooted and offers plenty of traction but sometimes it takes a little “help” to ensure that this occurs.

Modern day forestry work covers many varied terrains and

as a consequence differing units of traction support are required and that’s where Tasmanian-based Chaffey’s Chains come to the fore.

Brian Chaffey started the business Chaffey’s Chains around 30 years ago in association with

World Leading Forestry Chains www.chaffeyschains.com.au for more details and your nearest dealer We are distributor dealers for: Stud & Ring Chains • Forwarder Tracks & Components • Loader Quarry chains • Four Wheel Drive chains •

For all your traction & protection requirements please call: John Treloar – 0428 140 466 Jodie Bassett – 044 888 0984 Adam Hampson – 0409 977 567

CHAFFEY’S

CHAINS

Brian Viccars of Chain Protection Services. “As a long time friend of both these blokes and a business associate of Brian Chaffey I kept his business progressing after he died in 2000,” said John Treloar, director of the business.

CC caters for a wide range of units including forwarders, bogie tracks and traction chains for forestry equipment, and tyre protection chains for quarrying and mining applications.

Like anything else, it’s a case of horses for courses ... specific systems for specific applications.

“Forwarder tracks can be used for

either flotation or traction. Ring type skidder chains are normally used for traction in wet or steep areas.

Studded mesh chains are normally used for tyre protection and traction in rocky conditions. Either type has good protection and traction in varying conditions,” says John.

Installation is a relatively simple process and can be performed by one man with no special tools required.

“The most prominent advantage of chains is the ability of operators to continue to pull and transport wood through ground and weather conditions that would otherwise

cease their production. Also, they give protection to tyres that are very expensive to replace once worn and damaged.

“Tyre protection through chains and tracks is a well proven way of reducing operating costs, i.e cycle times, fuel consumption, tyre life, machine wear and tear and basically being productive through all operating conditions.

“We at Chaffey’s Chains have sourced the highest quality products available for our customers and provide competitive services to the industry throughout Australia,” John said.

SP 591 LX

Purpose built for harvesting and debarking of plantation grown eucalyptus.

The SP 591 LX is purpose built for harvesting and debarking of plantation grown eucalyptus.

It offers an unrivalled productivity, feed speed and debarking efďŹ ciency. Together with the over all super duty design that guarantees also maximum reliability and uptime the SP 591 LX truly offers all you need for a proďŹ table harvesting operation.

Randalls Equipment Company Pty Ltd

Wallace Ave, Point Cook, Melbourne VIC

Phone. 03 9369 8988 - Fax. 03 3969 8683 - Mob. 0418 356 306 Email. randalls@randalls.com.au www.randalls.com.au

20 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

Harvesting

Reliability is crucial in demanding work environment R

E L I A B I L I T Y. . .

The dictionary lists as the ability to be relied on or depended on, as for accuracy, honesty, or achievement. And that, according to long time New Zealand logger Peter Stephens, pretty well sums up his take on machines and people.

Reliability was the reason he has opted for yet another Cat machine and it was reliability that prompted him to again do business with Gough Cat, one of the longest serving Cat dealers outside America.

Peter has spent the past 30-odd years in forestry. When he left school he started in the forestry business working for various logging contractors until getting a machine operator job with John & Glena McDermott (JJ & GM McDermott Logging Taupo Ltd).

After about eight years here he progressed to foreman.

“This was a fully mechanised harvesting operation running a Timbco fellerbuncher, 2 x 525 Cat skidders and 2 x 527 TSKs, contracting to Carter Holt Harvey,” he recalls.

“We then bought the business in 2002 and sub-contracted to AR & HE Moffat Ltd -- again a fully mechanical crew.

“In 2007 we branched out on our own (PJ & DA Stephens Ltd) contracting to Taumata Plantations where we then went to a motor manual crew with three skid workers, a logmaker, Komatsu harvesting machine, 2 x Cat

loaders and a John Deere skidder,” he said.

“Our daily target averages between 340-380T p/day depending on terrain, piece size etc, logging radiata pine.

“We’ve always had Cat loaders and almost three years ago replaced the two old ones with a Cat 320DL and a 324DL. We still currently run the 648 John Deere skidder.

“Last year we replaced the Komatsu fellerbuncher with a new Cat 541 Series 2 harvesting machine with a Satco 424 fall and trim head,” said Peter.

He’s always been impressed with the performance of his Cat machines but he says the 541 has a few real standout points ... “it’s got ample travel power and ground clearance, first class cooling for hydraulic oil and engine with an auto reversing fan, it’s designed to run a processor head, and all guarding is designed to keep all the debris out.”

And, speaking of being impressed, Peter didn’t hesitate to head to Gough Cat when he wanted his new machine.

“Our connection with Goughs goes way back to McDermott Logging days,” he says.

“You can count on the reliability of Cat machines and they’re value for money and compare well with other makes,” he says, “and Gough offers servicing when required,” he says.

All in all, it’s reliability that counts, according to Peter, and that helps the oft quoted ‘bottom line’.

WARATAH recalibrated

Even when you’re working in parts unknown, we know where you are, what you need, and when you need it.

And those times you have equipment down, we understand you need it back in service, pronto. That’s why we’ve recalibrated our parts-delivery system to work as hard as you do. Expect overnight or even same-day service from a team dedicated to keep you up and running. Call our service team 24/7.

Waratah is recalibrating to keep you working. And earning.

Melbourne Parts 24/7 Hotline 03 9747 4213

Bunbury WA Parts 24/7 Hotline 08 9726 0413

Product Support 24/7 Hotline 03 9747 4200

Product Support 24/7 Hotline 08 9726 0411

www.waratah.net

22 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

TYRES

Tyre pressure – Mickey Mouse or fantastic?

E

Tyre Pressure VERY TYRE manufacturer an 11R needs least 120psi losing 15% of your casing life. When Mickeythat Mouse orat Fantastic??? and every tyre and rim to support a steer axle load of 6 you’re running lightly loaded you’re

association recommends tonne. With many of our new truck wasting a lot more money. This is adjusting tyre pressures to suit the steers carrying 6.5 and sometimes profit you are throwing away.

Every manufacturer and every tyre association load, andtyre the road.

7 tonnes an and 11R rim simply won’t do recommends But it gets worse.adjusting tyre suit the load,the and Tyre Pressure Yet, pressures almost every to truck steer tyre job. the road.

Over inflated tyres take longer is under inflated, while the others So, does this really matter? to stop. Tests done last year Mickey Mouse or Fantastic??? are significantly over inflated.

(See tyre Let’s with the tyrethedemonstrated 15% difference on a Yet, almost every truck steer is again undercheck inflated, while others areasignificantly the Michelin load to inflation chart manufacturer. (see the ‘tread life’ concrete test track. Real life, we’re over inflated. (See the Michelin loadassociation to inflation chart below.)

Every tyre manufacturer and every tyre charts and rimbelow). recommends adjusting below.) talking about 30 to 50 metres longer, tyre pressures to suit the load, and the road. ®

®

®

®

®

®

Multiinflated, Energy while Z, XDEtheM/S*, XDN 2, XDS 2, XZA3 + EVERTREAD ™, 11R22.5 LRH X Works Yet, almost every truck steerXDY tyre is, X under others are significantly XZY® 3 over inflated. (See the Michelin load to inflation XZE2™, chart below.)

PSI

75

80

85

90

95

830

Maximum load & pressure on sidewall

6000

S

3000 KG at 830 kPa

2725 10240 10600 10720 10840 10900 D KG at

2725 KG at 830 kPa

100

105

110

115

11R22.5 LRH X Works XDY®, X®Multi Energy Z, XDE® M/S*, XDN®2, XDS®2, XZA3®+ EVERTREAD ™, 3 520 550 590 XZE2™, 620XZY® 660 690 720 760 790 kPa PSI 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 Maximum load & pressure on 520 550 590 620 660 690 720 760 790 830 kPa sidewall

Single 4320

Single 4320

KG KG

4520

Dual 8320

Dual 8320

8640

4520

4740

8640

9000

4740

5000

5200

9000

9440

9840

5000

5400

9440

10240

5200 5600

9840

10600

5400

5740

10720

5600

5880

10840

5740

6000

10900

Michelin Michelin Load to Inflation Loadtable to Inflation

5880

3000 KG at 830 kPa

S

D

830 kPa

120

table

As you can see, the correct cold pressure for a fully laden tandem drive is around 80 psi,As notyou 100 or 110…..

Also correct readily apparent, is that an for 11Raneeds at least 120 psi to drive is around 80 can see, pressure fully laden tandem As you can see, thethe correct cold cold inflation andsteers undercarrying on good support a steer axle load of 6 tonne.

WithBoth manyover of our new truck 6.5 surfaces. On gravel it’s even psi, notfor100 or 110…..

Also readily is that an 11Rworse! needs at least 120 psi to pressure a7 fully laden tandem inflation costsjob. you lots of money. and sometimes tonne, an 11R simply won’t doapparent, the

drive is around not 100 cost you at least Hard tyres amplify every bump support a steer80psi, axle load of 6 Running tonne. 100psi Withwill many of our new truck steers carrying 6.5 in

So,or does this really matter?

Letsan again check thetyre tyrelife, manufacturer.

110.sometimes Also readily apparent is 11R 20% ofwith yourwon’t and job. you’re (see the the road, shaking the truck, and the and 7 tonne, simply do the ‘tread life’ charts below. driver to death. Whole body vibration

is a proven health hazard. Vibration

So, does this really matter? Lets again check with the tyre levels manufacturer. (see were the four on a Euro truck ‘tread life’ charts below. times the ISO standard! You can’t

Logging Trucks NEED AIR CTI It is ESSENTIAL; ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL • More Traction • Lower Costs • Safer • Healthier • Greener

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change the road, but you can run the right tyre pressures. On gravel or dirt roads, correct tyre pressures are roughly 60% of highway pressures.

This improves ride, improves handling, improves the truck life, and the driver’s life.

To optimize tyre life and performance you need Central Tyre Inflation (CTI).

“CTI will save you money, will extend your truck’s life, and the driver’s life,” says Air CTI managing director Chet Cline.

“Trucks that get less than 100,000km tyre life really need AIR CTI,” says Chet and he’s not making an idle claim, he’s dead set genuine in his belief.

“Traction gains are amazing. A standard 6x4 can outperform a 6x6 in many cases, with much lower costs and better payload. On rough roads, AIR CTI is absolutely necessary,” he says Central Tyre Inflation is an easy to use tool that adjusts tyre pressures to suit the load or road while traveling. It automatically reinflates most punctures, eliminating most blowouts, while warning the driver of the problem. AIR CTI is an investment with a great return, while providing day-to-day access, performance, and safety that simply isn’t available with any other tool.

“Australian made and developed, AIR CTI is the best CTI. It is designed for Australians and Australian conditions. It is an investment in your future and in your business. Cheers, and happy and safe trucking.”

AIR CTI fitted on every tyre.

AIR CTI dash mounted controller.

Fitting the new Chetco AIR CTI rotator to an internal steer axle New Chetco trailer rotator solves all known problems with trailer systems. Positive hexagonal drive sleeve allows for any misalignment, but provides a positive drive. The rotator bolts to standard hubcaps eliminating seal problems.

Standard oil windows are easy to fit for oil filled axles.

For the first time ever, the AIR

CTI Isolator automatically limits air loss from the other duals if one is damaged. All AIR CTI systems come standard with these superb safety features. Another great innovation by Australians.

The compact AIR CTI controller makes it easy for the driver. Three push button pressure settings for steer, and for the drive, also with trailer control. Infinite pressure control is also available. It beeps and flashes warnings if needed.

Self diagnostics are built in too.

The second generation of FOREST KING has arrived.

NEW

FOREST KING TRS2 • Compatible with existing Nokian Forest Rider and Nokian Forest King TRS tracks • New shoulder design improves lateral grip and gives better track support • Higher groove bottom on shoulder supporting track paws and improving puncture resistance • New Super Shovel lug design and wide tread that improves traction • Straight sidewalls improve puncture resistance • New bead design to reduce rim slippage.

• Sizing 750/55x26.5

NEW

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24 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

TRAINING

Perfectly positioned to offer premium training A

DVANCE TAFE’s Forestec commercial forestry training team are perfectly positioned to offer their wide selection of forest management and harvesting courses across Victoria and beyond.

Operating from within Advance TAFE’s Lakes Entrance campus, the team has access to nearby significant forest resources, which cover an area from the Gippsland Lakes through to NSW’s Snowy Mountains.

Advance TAFE is Victoria’s major specialist hardwood forest-growing and management provider, and one of only four national providers.

Over the years it has provided training to participants from across Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and East Timor.

“Given our location, it makes sense that we have been leading the industry in offering timber and

¢ Timber Jack 380C Skidder, trainer Russell Barter (left) with trainees Brendan Hood and Chris Pleydell.

forestry courses for more than 20 years,” said Richard Owen, Advance TAFE’s manager Catchment, Land and Sea Management.

Advance TAFE’s Lakes Entrance facility is a new base for the training team, which relocated there from the original Forestec facility last year.

Training is still conducted from the Forestec facility, just 10 minutes away from Lakes Entrance in the Colquhuon State Forest, and at the harvesting coup it runs through VicForests.

“Since the relocation there has been some misconception that the Forestec team is no longer offering its range of timber and forest courses, but we can reassure the industry that we are still going strong,” Richard said.

Covering all aspects of the industry, Advance TAFE offers: • Certificates II and III in Forest Growing and Management; • Certificates II and III in Harvesting and Haulage; • Certificate IV in Forest and Forest Products

Training where it counts “FOR THE first time a sawdoctor training facility in Australia has been built adjacent to a training sawmill.

This means the apprentice sawdoctors can get direct feedback from sawyers using their blades as to the cutting performance of that blade,” said Manager of Timber Training Creswick, Rob Rule.

Timber Training Creswick holds training delivery contracts for sawdoctor training with State Governments in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and

Tasmania. With the support of ForestWorks Industry Skills Council application has been made to add the sawdoctor training program to funded training list for South Australia, and notification of that process should be available shortly.

If you would like to discuss sawdoctor or other forest industry training needs contact Rob or Jim at Timber Training Creswick on 03 53452018 or by emailing an enquiry to info@timbertrainingcreswick.com.au

Employer Incentives: These incentives are paid to the employer of a trainee or apprentice to offset some of the costs associated with training. Full advice of these incentives can be gained by talking to an Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC) Certificate II

Employer incentives of $1250 for new employees undertaking training at this level.

Certificate III or Certificate IV Definition of “New” employee

Employer incentives of $1500 three months after commencement of new employees.

Employer completion incentive of $2,500 on student completion New employees are those who are registered by the AAC for training within 12 weeks of them becoming full time employees.

State Education Department Training Places

Victorian Training Guarantee (VTG), Skills For All (S4A), Queensland User Choice, Tasmania User Choice, New South Wales ATTP These are state government training subsidies paid to the Training Organisation to subsidise the full cost of training delivery for eligible students. Typical fees for eligible students are between 10 and 30% of the full cost of training delivery. Access to this subsidy is available immediately on determination of eligibility. These training places are available to students regardless of whether the employer is, or is not receiving employer incentives, and in some states to both new employees and existing workers. Not all qualifications delivered by a Training Organisation may be eligible for these subsidies, and not all Training Organisations may have access to these subsidies.

OR National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF) Training Places:

These are Federal Government subsidies paid to the Training Organisation to subsidise the full cost of training delivery for eligible students. The size of subsidy is relative to the size of the employer as follows: Employers with less than 100 employees pay 33% of the full cost of training delivery Employers with between 101 and 200 employees pay 50% of the full cost of training delivery Employers with more than 200 employees pay 67% of the full cost of training delivery Applications for NWDF training places are made through industry organisations such as the FTMA or by individual employers in conjunction with the Training Organisation and the Industry Skills Council (ISC).

Applications are submitted to the federal government through the ISC who administers the program. The NWDF application and approval process may take a considerable time- typically 3-6 months. Participants may be both existing workers and new employees

For more information contact a Registered Training Organisation.

¢ Trainer Kevin Nunn (left) instructing on advanced faller course.

It also offers short courses and tailored training packages in: chainsaw, four-wheel drive and three levels of tree-felling training, Lucas Portable Sawmill operation and a one-day timber harvesting operator’s licence.

“On top of that we have a range of plant operations training, which provides competencies in heavy equipment including bulldozers, excavators, mechanical harvesters, skidders and processors,” Richard said.

One of the regular clients returning each year for training is the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI), which includes the former Department of Sustainability and Environment and which now takes responsibility for the Summer Fire Crew recruitment and operations.

The Advance TAFE Forestec timber training unit has been working with Government departments on their crew training for several years.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI), uses a training package Advance TAFE has designed specifically for fire crew. It includes chainsaw treefelling, trim and cross-cut, OH&S (CIC), first aid and can also include 4WD training. They train around 4050 summer fire crew for Gippsland area each year. DEPI Gippsland also uses Advance TAFE for their plant operations training.

The Advance TAFE Forestec team can tailor training to suit clients and operators of all sizes, and deliver courses to suit commercial needs.

Please contact them at 1300 133717 or www.advancetafe.edu.au for more information.

Training organisation moving with the times MTO HAS been providing training services since 2004 as a registered training organisation and with its head office and training centre based in Cairns it provides easy access to PNG and the northern region of Australia.

“MTO has qualified and skilled providers located in several States and overseas allowing great flexibility providing services to a range of clients and has a clear and strong focus on changing industry needs for education and regulatory requirements to meet a client’s needs,” says managing director Ian McLeod.

MTO Group moved into its new training facilities in Cairns in October 2012 and is continuing to expand in Australia and PNG with a push to Asia this year.

“MTO is moving into the digital age,” said Ian. “We offer participants within Australia and internationally the options of completing their studies through blended options of delivery such as on-line, face-to-face, together with webinars. Each delivery program is tailor-made to suit the end user requirements.

“This has proven to be very successful with the completion of a Diploma level program that

was delivered to PNG participants where they completed on-line units combined with face-to-face training blocks plus follow-up webinars.

“An increasing number of programs and meetings are being run through the webinar system which allows participants the pleasure of studying/participating in their own environment either at work or the comfort of their own home. This reduces travel costs, time for those involved, including the trainers,” he said.

“Facilities are available in Australia and PNG through Joint Venture (JV) agreements and MTO is currently seeking interested parties (Individual or company) to take part in a JV with the group.

“MTO believes this is a very smart approach for the end users and see this expansion through increased numbers of qualifications on offer with MTO and internationally.”

The MTO Group Pty Ltd encompasses McLeod Training Organisation Pty Ltd (Provider No. 31087) (MTO) and HS Business School (Provider No. 32493) and MTO Training PNG LTD based in PNG (Provider No. NTC191) with an increase scope of registration!

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 25

TRAINING

ATTA Annual Workshop to be held at Tumut 28-30 July (with optional LLN course on 31 July)

By David McElvenny Secretary ATTA

T

HIS YEAR’S Australian Timber Trainers Association (ATTA) annual workshop will be held in Tumut, NSW. There have been many developments in the timber industry and education sector since our last workshop in July 2013, so we’ll be making the most of the crisp, clear-thinking Snowy Mountains air to examine the implications for timber trainers.

The lead organiser is Adam Farquharson, head of forestry at the Forest Industry Training Centre, a division of the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute. Adam is based at the Tumut campus, so he has been able to organise tours

to some of the major production sites and forest areas in the region, including Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Blowering Nursery, Carabost forest, Hyne and Sons Tumbarumba sawmill and Visy Pulp and Paper. There will also be a presentation of TAFE’s ‘connected classroom’ showcasing various on-line and remote delivery techniques.

The conference venue will be the Tumut RSL Club. We will be discussing the major changes currently unfolding in the VET sector and the continuing challenges facing the timber industry. There will be a range of presentations and workshop sessions led by industry experts, Government representatives and skills council staff.

¢ Rob Baker from Stihl delivers a pre-dinner presentation on the latest developments in chainsaw design.

Highlights include: • Training Package updates, and structure of the new ‘streamlined’ competency units • Panel discussion on how ‘industry’ consults with Industry Skills Councils • Finding new opportunities for trainers working in thin markets • Designing lesson plans • Implementing and validating assessment processes.

For participants who wish to stay on for the fourth day, there will be a one-day group session in the new unit of competency: TAELLN411 Address adult language literacy and numeracy skills. Participants who attend this session and complete the followup assignments in the workplace will be given a statement of attainment by Workspace Training. Workshop participants will be able to complete this unit for the special price of $120, which includes lunch.

In addition to the guest presentations, workshops and site tours, there will be the usual events that make each year’s conference a happy and rewarding experience. These include the evening auction on day one, the Stihl presentation from Rob Baker on day two and the general get-togethers and social chit-chats in between times each day.

The workshop registration fee is $495 for ATTA members and

¢ A tour guide takes a group of participants through the Mary Caincross Scenic Reserve, a subtropical rainforest which overlooks the Glasshouse Mountains.

$675 for non-members. Note that the ATTA membership fee is $75, and non-members are welcome to join up prior to registering. The fee will cover the main three-day conference and includes lunches and dinners from Monday to Wednesday (28-30 July).

Participants who attend the LLN course on Thursday can pay the additional $120 charge as part of their registration fee.

All attendees of the main conference will receive a certificate of attendance. This will list the topics covered over the three days and provide excellent evidence of continuing

professional development and industry consultation. Those who undertake the LLN course will receive a statement of attainment in TAELLN411 once they have successfully completed the workplace assignments and returned them to Workspace Training.

To see the current draft version of the workshop program, go to the ATTA website at: www.atta. org.au. You can also register online by following the links.

For more information about the workshop, please contact the Secretary at: secretary@atta.org.au.

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26 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

TRAINING

FITC investing in forest industry skills development T

AFE NSW Riverina Institute’s Forest Industry Training Centre (FITC) has a solid history of supporting the forest industry. With its heritage in the Forest Industry Council (Southern NSW), and strong connections to the Forest Industry-specific Industry Skills Council (ForestWorks) the FITC receives direct input from industry about workforce development needs and initiatives.

“TAFE NSW Riverina Institute has recently declared FITC a Signature Program,” said FITC Manager David Priem, “and this will bring additional support with a new educational role, and potential for a harvester and forwarder simulator.

“We have experienced reasonably constant growth in our business and the Institute has shown its confidence in our future. This additional support will alleviate some capacity issues and enable us to attend to opportunities that haven’t been pursued in the past,” David said.

“Forest Operator Accreditation continues to be the mainstay of our Centre, and we are currently rollingout a new process that will make it easier for contractors across NSW to recognise and then connect with the training and accreditation required for their operators,” said Adam Farquharson, Head Teacher at FITC. “Further efficiencies are also now available for the accreditation of log truck drivers, with the majority of the learning and assessment now available online,” said Adam.

“FITC continues to match funding sources to training requirements. We are now encouraging employers to enrol their new workers into New Entrant Traineeships, which help cover the cost of mandatory training and accreditation,’ said David.

“State Training Services is also offering funding support for full and partial qualifications. There is still time for businesses with training requirements to take advantage of this great opportunity, as we can develop funding submissions throughout the year,” he said.

Riverina Institute’s Forest Industry Training Centre prides itself on delivering the right skills to the right people at the right time. Delivery programs are individually managed and delivered in the workplace.

The Centre is now looking forward to maintaining its growth into the future and will soon be moving its Diploma and Certificate IV Forest Operations supervisor level qualifications online to better meet workplace training needs.

TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Director Kerry Penton is particularly proud of the Forest Industry Training Centre.

“The Forest Industry Training Centre is a really excellent example of how to deliver industry-lead training. The growth we have experienced from a handful of courses in 1996 to what is now the biggest vocational Forestry training centre in NSW is a fine testament

¢ The Forest Industry Training Centre team (from left) David Priem, Bob Attwood, Joel Smith, Adam Farquharson, Kevin Wood, Karl Mullan, Hans Porada, Pat Denholm, and Peter Berry. Absent, Sue Wassink.

to the great team in Tumut that have made our plans a reality,” Kerry said.

School-based trainees launch new careers in the timber industry WEDNESDAY IS no longer just a day in the middle of a normal school week for two lucky Tumut High School students.

These two students were the successful applicants in the School Based Traineeship program which Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) Woodproducts vigorously support.

Promotional visits to local high schools in late 2013 by CHH and TAFE Riverina Institute representatives raised student and parent awareness of the program, explaining how it nicks in with existing Higher School Certificate study pathways.

CHH Woodproducts (Tumut) Sawmill Manager Warren Green had the final say on selecting the trainees.

“Our wish list was for at least two students, who had a good attitude, a desire to understand the industry and would commit positively to the program.

“We invest heavily in the trainees, because we know the program works. One of our success stories is CHH Electrician Will McLennanDye, who was a school based trainee and is now acting supervisor in our electrical maintenance department.

He’s young, motivated and has a passion for the industry. Will is mentoring the two new trainees as part of his own professional development.”

Warren was quick to praise his other operational staff who also train, mentor, support and work alongside the trainees on their Wednesday roster.

“We have an inclusive culture here at both our Tumut and Gilmore mills.

The trainees enter the workforce as

youngsters and very quickly develop a mature approach to work life. They are workplace savvy by the time they complete their two year traineeship.”

On successful completion of their Certificate II Sawmilling and Processing, which is credited to the trainee within their Higher School Certificate, CHH then usually offers an apprenticeship or places the trainee within the production environment, depending on their interests.

“Having school-based trainees gives our local students a chance to see what the timber industry is all about and that it has some great career opportunities. It allows us to contribute to the development of the community, at the same time as finding some great local talent for the future,” said Rosemary O’Donoghue, Training and Development Specialist for CHH Woodproducts The new trainees were eager to praise the program. “I’m getting paid while learning on the job,” said one of the new trainees. “I’m enjoying being treated as an adult, and everyone on site is helpful. I want to be an electrician and this is an excellent way for me to reach my goal.”

Fortnightly face-to-face training and assessment is provided by trainers from the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Forest Industry Training Centre. Technical training and assessment is carried out on-site using skilled workplace assessors via an auspicing arrangement between Riverina Institute and CHH Woodproducts.

“We see these trainees as CHH employees of the future; we nurture them and give them every opportunity and support to succeed.

In return, we hope they will feed their skills back into our industry,

¢ Machine operator undertaking a Forest Operator Accreditation assessment

both as a role model for other young trainees and as qualified technical or operational staff,. said Warren.

Courses on offer THE FOREST Industry Training Centre currently offers courses in the following areas: Short courses: • Forest Operator Accreditation • Chainsaw up to Advanced • P rivate Native Forestry • Apply silvicultural principles • Apply biodiversity protection principles • Basic Wildfire Awareness • Forest Growing and Management Covers a range of activities encountered in forest management from planting, weeding, pruning and pest management, to falling trees, fire management and construction and maintenance of roads.

• Sawmilling and Processing Addresses an assortment of activities undertaken in the

sawmilling and processing industry such as sawing logs, producing hardwood or softwood chips, kiln drying, conducting end matching and finger jointing operations, to weighing loads.

• Wood Panel Products Covers activities conducted in the wood panel products industry such as producing veneer, machining panel, laminating boards and assembling products, to chipping or flaking wood and cutting panels to profile.

• Harvest and Haulage Covers a variety of activities from construction of roads and log-landings, plant and equipment operation, harvesting trees, to stump removal and segregating or sorting logs.

These courses are available in certificate II, III, IV. The Diploma in Forest and Forest Products, and Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability is also available.

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 27

KILNS

It’s a dry argument for Solarkilns where the inside sheet condensed water and wasted energy.

The kiln technology was so much improved by Weir that it led to the production of so much heat during the day that it was often wasted; yet during the night the drying required external heating systems to maintain uniform drying conditions.

“The results of that were so spectacular that in the end we had energy to waste during the day and then we were still doing what everyone else was doing and turning on the gas heater at night,” said Weir. This led Weir to its unique cyclic Gen four controller and methods.

“At that point the whole world was exploring and adding heat exchangers and collectors ... what that meant was that the conventional kiln was then added a whole lot of more costly components to collect the hot water and to heat and store the hot water involving energy absorbing pumps. The exchangers themselves lose significant energy.

“They did that so they could run a solar kiln like a conventional kiln with constant operating conditions.

At this stage I didn’t know what cyclic was really about. I thought it was what everyone else thought it was – only about external effect of the rising humidity at night putting water back into the dry boards, reconditioning it every night.

That’s what I thought, and what almost everyone still does.”

But that’s not what Weir thinks any more and he’s determined to let the rest of the industry know that there is another way to think about the drying process. No longer does solar drying compromise process speed for quality.

“I stayed very focused ... since we’ve solved the major problems like the loss of heat and inefficient heat collection, we were a big step towards our goal.

“I said it seems to me the smart way to go would be dry hotter during the day and cooler at night and see what happens. I did that and threw the rulebook out the

with insulation properties, third generation was an automated external collector system, a multifunction collection and insulation system and an extra external cover as distinct from the flat collectors that were in the roof cavity “The original ones were problematic- limited in their collecting area and shape ... they were problematic because they were only efficient when the sun was directly over the top if it was

¢ First commercial load of plantation Grandis using SK’s innovative controller.

“I knew that we could do so much more with cyclic drying and automation and that’s why we persisted with it and branched out and started to spend millions of dollars on R&D from 2005. The first step was the automation,” he said.

“We’re calling what we’ve got now generation four going on to generation five but the generations were originally the greenhouse kiln that had no insulation back in the late 1990s,” said Weir. Generation four controllers have now had eight years of constant refinement.

“Earlier the first and second generations were the ones that had an external cladding system

Cyclic solar drying is different Generation three was an automated system that changed the function of the three skins which improved insulation and overcame the loss of heat at night which was an inherent problem and overcame the internal condensation effect

it can reduce energy costs by as much as 100%

• Photo shows 8 year old G2 kiln in Queensland.

• Incorporates Unique Advanced Cyclic Drying Controllers.

• Cycling control avoids the need and cost of comparatively less efficient water-heat exchanger systems.

• Provides superior stress relief and quality in the same drying timeframe, a method now proven by eminent Australian researchers.

• A full variety of kiln types for large and small drying operations.

• Lowest cost, fast high quality solar drying system available.

• The largest seller of solar kilns in Australia with over 7000M3 of kiln capacity sold to date.

. ing m

pe rfo r

Solarkilns are an efficient and superior method of drying green timber through its advanced solar power drying technology.

It can reduce energy costs by as much as 100% whilst still drying as fast as a fuel heated kiln and will significantly reduce cracking, splitting and warping.

years old and still

SolarkilnS = Smarter Drying

not under cloud which meant they occasionally produced vast amounts of heat when the sun was (in the right spot) but for the rest of the time they wasted opportunity by reflecting most of the energy off.”

window. “They say if you go over 20 degrees in the first stages of hardwood drying you increase collapse and degrade,. So I exceeded that constraint.

“We found that we achieved immediate energy savings by going to 30 degrees or higher instead of 20 during the day and going 10 degrees less at night and we ended up not having to use any gas at night while using all the solar heat during the day. A huge immediate improvement in the efficiency was gained in an already efficient solar kiln and I expected to see a quality trade off, but there was an obvious quality advantage.”

Due to Weir’s experience in the industry he expected a totally different outcome since for the past 70 years, Greg himself and the whole industry has accepted that the drying process needed to remain constant day and night.

“Wow, what’s happening here?

After several more trial loads to establish the result was not simple “good luck” I was even more determined to develop the world’s first solar cyclic drying controller which enabled to me to control all factors more accurately than by simply turning a heater on and off,” said Weir.

What he wanted to achieve with a cyclic system was one that was able to apply complete and different multiple schedules for night and day with programs and software to refine the process.

“We dried plantation grandis timber at incredibly high speeds with very minimal degrade. We even dried grandis heartwood which is virtually un-dryable to high quality and high value standards ,” he said.

“We found one percent degrade drying it in 18 days from green sawn. Compared to a global bestpractice standard of losses in the range 10-15% of total product, we knew we were onto something big.

“We initially didn’t really understand why but we learnt in

–8 ast l o lt t

S

OLAR KILNS – it’s like the answer to a ‘greenies’ prayer for a non-traditional oven, and in many ways it really is. It is a non-traditional oven to bake wood, but that’s not where the contemporary gives way to the established, not by a long shot.

When Greg Weir first developed his idea of a solar kiln in the mid 1990s it may have started as an alternative to using methods powered by more conventional means, but without knowing it the solar kiln has turned the art of timber drying on its head.

Solar was a slow low cost, low energy alternative, which has since led to a long evolutionary process that in most instances has been spearheaded through the persistence of one man and his belief in the product.

Greg Weir of Solarkilns in Victoria came from a background in timber; sawmilling was in the family.

“Fundamentally the whole attraction for me, and I managed sawmills for most of my life up until my late 30s, was the superior quality and low energy cost,” said Weir.

It’s always been about that. I’ve tried every method possible over many, many years of sawmilling.”

The solar kiln technology, as opposed to Solarkilns PL, which is the name of one of Weir’s companies, has developed and progressed through a number of cycles.

“We set out to exploit the lower cost compared to conventional drying and build a bigger business with a quality emphasis and reputation,” said Weir.

“We began to sell them (kilns) and became the biggest seller of solar kilns in Australia in the early 2000s up to about 2005 and have now reclaimed that position. Up to that point we had a lot of successes and a lot of failures.

“The successful ones (customers) were the ones who put in the hard

yards and spent time and manually operated them (solar kilns) … to go and pull a hose out on a hot day or it would get too hot. It was then very basic technology.

“In 2005 the emphasis was on low energy and related automation and the need for a better way to do this given that 60% of energy required to make that timber is consumed in the drying process .

So big reductions in that had huge implications for the environmental footprint.

Bu i

By Mandy Parry-Jones

Contact Greg Weir on: 0427 641 402 | email: greg@solarkilns.com | web: www.solarkilns.com

continued on page 28.

28 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

KILNS continued from page 27. that process that it was more about what was happening inside the board and the balancing of energy than the conventionally understood effect of humidity putting water back in the board.

“So we did a huge amount of work over another year of measuring ... at the start and at the finish of the daily cycles and throughout individual boards and constituents to come to a much better understanding of exactly what was happening.

“At that time we told the world what we’d achieved and everyone said unbelievable. I initially felt some pride that they said unbelievable but what they really meant was, it’s untrue. ”

The proof is in the research So Weir turned to Professor Tim Langrish of Sydney University, an eminent solar drying and wood scientist who had completed some studies in rudimentary cyclic drying.

According to Weir he’d had some amazing results, which were lost somewhere in the “scientific boffin archives”.

Armed with an Aus Research Council (ARC) grant Langrish and Weir embarked on a project that was to take around four years but in the end took six.

“It was proof that (cyclic drying) is far better in producing more even moisture content and less stress and therefore better outcomes,” said Weir.

“Since then we’d done a lot of work drying a lot of species includingash species that most currently air dry because it has been proven to be costly and difficult to kiln dry from its green sawn state.

“We’re now confident we’ve got something that has huge implications for plantation forest and for hardwood sawmills. ……Plagued by the fact that they have to huge paddocks of air-seasoning stock it is very difficult for return on investment because there are so many dollars tied up in working capital and at the end of the day they end up with fairly significant degrade rates.

“I now know why they can never be resolved by using conventional drying with this knowledge of what’s happening inside the timber and why it is fundamentally important to do exactly what everyone thinks you should not do. Simply put, conventional drying methods are flawed because they cannot avoid divergence or the differential drying of the slowest and fastest drying constituents within boards.

Substantial stress is unavoidable by old methods.

“There’s amazing revelations that have come out of the work I’ve done over the past seven years that challenges a lot of the established rules and methods that have been applied routinely by myself and the global industry generally.

“There are rules that have come from scientific discoveries and work in the past that are accepted as general rules and do apply to conventional drying but don’t apply to this new method of drying.”

That’s what makes it hard to bridge

the gap between the old method and the new in terms of the mindset of people. You have to put aside one way of working and look at this as a totally new method not an adaptation of an earlier one.

Melbourne University is currently commissioning a Solarkiln fitted with the Mini Pro controller - this is one of Solarkilns smallest kilns. The Solarkilns range now spans very small operations up to very large with three levels of controller technology – Mini Pro, Pro Kiln and Generation 4.

The university is putting it in to further advance their work on cyclic drying and there’s a number of other universities and various other Government bodies looking at putting in solar kilns over the next year to do research.

Around 2007 Weir restructured the kiln companies, to separate the timber operation from the IP and the Solarkilns group of companies commenced.

The group includes the IP owner Solarkilns Holdings. Solarkilns Holdings is now looking at exploiting other options for drying biosolids and other broadacre large scale drying.

“Enviroforests Solutions we formed as a vehicle for joint ventures with other companies ,” said Weir. “In special cases we actually participate with other companies by providing kilns and expertise and share the risk and rewards for improved manufacture of dried products.

“We’ve got a number of small joint ventures started around the world so we’ll expand those as time goes by and as new opportunities arise.”

And the opportunities are far larger overseas according to Weir, because the number of sawmills in Australia is decreasing. His target countries will be South America, Africa and South East Asia where there’s much more eucalyptus plantation and high quality plantation.

“Australia is in decline, however, the opportunity for this technology

as a retrofit into existing conventional kilns is very high, especially for Australian Eucalypt timber processers and plantation growers,” said Weir.

Instead of looking at 30 or 40year life cycles for sawlogs you can be looking at 10 or 20 year life cycles by being able to dry better small log timber as well as reactive wood that can’t be dried by conventional methods “In many cases it would be a very quick payback,” said Weir.

“It has strong potential for all the southern eucalypt hardwood ..The advantages are quality and that better regulation and control with a more natural energy cycle allows you to save a lot more energy in the process. As a replacement to air seasoning, the

energy savings will not occur by comparison with convention “So in a conventional kiln retrofit situation it would be more about speed and reducing

inventory and improving return on investment, at the same time making more from less by reducing waste hence increasing profit.”

¢ Kiln Dried Messmate Slab Material fast dried from green state to 12% without reconditioning.

¢ Three prokiln controlled solar kilns drying redgum and grandis in Uruguay.

¢ MU Mini-pro under construction. High level all-functions included for ongoing PHD student solar and cyclic drying R&D purposes.

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 29

Collaborative approach Forestry wants to connect with you! is key to success A

T A recent workshop in Gympie, representatives from the forest industry agreed the only way to achieve success in the areas of industry employment, productivity and innovation right across the supply chain was by adopting a collaborative approach and not leaving just one link in the supply chain to do the heavy lifting and cost carrying.

“As we reach the end of the first circumnavigation of Australia with the Business is Different workshop, a collaboration between AFCA and ForestWorks, we can confidently claim this concept has made a difference. It seems to be universally accepted that taking the workshop to the regions and then working the day through interactive discussions between industry professionals is having an outstanding result,” said Col McCulloch, chief executive officer of AFCA. “This is all good to say of, course, and now it is up to all in the industry to participate where they

can to make a difference, encourage innovation through facilitation, not supervision, and get on with creating the most from this current and massive up-swing in productivity happening in most regions of Australia.”

Feedback from the Business is Different workshops on the Master Logger program being proposed by AFCA and ForestWorks indicates the adoption of such an accreditation system has the ability to bring all parties together to allow sought after collaboration to occur.

Professionals at these workshops seem to agree that having accredited professional and competitive silviculture, harvest and haulage contracting businesses operating around Australia will improve productivity without compromise to the outstanding results that have been achieved in the equally important areas of OH&S and the environmental outcomes required under forest certification.

Indisputable need for timber in the future

By Helen Murray National Coordinator Timber Communities Australia IT WAS with much anticipation I hit the road to the sunny south coast of NSW on my first trip getting to know people in the local timber community groups. Further visits to NSW, Victoria, WA, Tasmania and Qld are rolling out in the weeks ahead.

Eden is home to a bunch of live wires who know the industry inside out. All were generous in giving their time to talk to me and sharing their interest in TCA’s revitalisation and how the TCA family can work together to build a new shape that fits the next 10-20 years or so.

It was moving to visit the National Timber Workers’ Memorial at Eden. I spent a reflective half an hour learning about these men who lost their lives in the course of their work carting, felling, sawing timber from the 1800s to the present.

122 lives are commemorated from communities in Queensland through to Tasmania.

Many elements of this magnificent memorial draw you in. There is such simplicity – each dedication plaque inscribed with their name (many with nicknames), age and what they did -- “feller”,

“dozer driver”, “bullock driver”.

Rather spartan information. Yet I felt I could know each individual person, just a little; appreciate their effort; and care what happened to them.

A sculpture by Rix Wright shows an injured man being helped by his mate. Wright was a son of the adjacent Monaro district where timber remains part of the fabric today and, where, like all timber communities, there are trials and tribulations – most recently the threat of the terrible East Gippsland fires which affected so many to the south.

The coast and beaches mean holidays and good times for most Australians.

Enjoyed by tourists, Eden was built on timber and fishing and agriculture (dairying) industries.

These industries underpin employment and prosperity to this day. They are the engine room of a healthy, functioning community that can look after its residents, visitors and its local environment. Readers know our industry is subject to multiple pressures to scale down when the reality is Australia needs more, not less, responsibly produced timber. Imports, often from less sustainable forest production methods, are growing.

¢ The National Timber Workers Memorial stands in the heart of Eden on the South Coast of New South Wales in Wellings Park. It honours those timber men who have given their lives in their workplace while building the region, State and Nation. The centrepiece of the memorial, a statue titled “Hand of Fate”, by sculptor the late Rix Wright of Delegate, depicts a man helping an injured timber worker. There is a memorial wall with workers’ names on brass plaques, six timber bollards with local timber industry history on plaques and an entrance made of timber from the old Tarraganda Bridge at Bega.

How ironic it is that responsible timber people devoted to sustainability in one of the world’s most closely regulated growing and harvesting systems feel like the unpopular relative at the party – scarcely tolerated by most and denounced by the more outspoken.

There is a great imbalance and we must continue to get facts into the debate and show how timber communities care about environmental outcomes and sustainable practices.

There is an indisputable need for timber in the future. This is a real strength.

I think the TCA family will always have a communications job to do, reminding those around us why timber matters.

I found the memorial a powerful reminder of the importance of timber extraction as Australia was built. My thoughts turned to wooden bridges so people could move around; houses where families could live; schools where children could learn; meeting halls where people could gather; churches where weddings and new arrivals could be celebrated and the departed mourned; wharves where fishing boats came and went and locals still throw in a line; offices where the work of the nation buzzed; shops where supplies could be obtained; shearing sheds, garden sheds; railway stations and wooden sleepers so tracks could enable people and goods to move from place to place; paddle steamers that linked inland communities with the cities and sea; fences distinguishing boundaries - all this essential societal infrastructure built with Australian wood.

The core need for wood in society remains the same. The exciting thing is timber has a bright future and Australia has opportunities to look at this industry with fresh eyes and make the most of our capacities. hmurray@tca.org.au

FOREST VISITORS, neighbours, customers, contractors, special interest groups – ForestrySA is keen to hear from you!

ForestrySA is seeking input from interested stakeholders, as it works to enhance its communications into the future.

ForestrySA Business Assurance Manager Anne Kerr said stakeholder perspectives and expertise were valuable to successful forest management.

Whether it’s a forestry operation, forest management plan, or community project, much of ForestrySA’s work has an impact on, or is impacted by, the communities in which it operates.

And while ForestrySA staff members engage effectively with stakeholders on a daily basis, alternative ways of communicating are being investigated to ensure the organisation is doing the best job possible.

“We want to make sure anyone who has an interest in our organisation can register as a stakeholder and be informed about the matters that interest you,” Anne said.

“We also want to make sure we connect with you in a meaningful way. By taking part in the short survey, we can identify how you want to be informed - through community information sessions, emails, letters, telephone calls and even social media.”

By completing the ForestrySA Customer Response Survey, participants can also tell ForestrySA what topics they would be interested in hearing about – for example,

forestry operations in your area, fire activities, forest management plans and community programs.

Both the survey and stakeholder registration are live at www. forestrysa.com.au The survey will close on 30 April 2014, with individual responses to remain confidential unless participants wish to identify themselves.

Stakeholder registration will be ongoing, via the ForestrySA website.

¢ Building better communications ForestrySA is keen to hear from interested stakeholders via its online Customer Response Survey and Stakeholder Registration. Photograph courtesy of ForestrySA.

Timber Communities Western Australia (TCWA) still going strong

By Tish Rakich ALTHOUGH IT’S been many months since I’ve put pen to paper for AFTN, TCWA is still going strong in Western Australia.

With the temporary winding down of TCA at a national level back in June 2013, happening at a time when it was crucial for the WA timber industry to have a community voice, the WA industry unanimously decided to maintain the Western Australian branch of TCA, hence the new ‘TCWA’.

Since then, we have had the new 2014-2023 Forest Management Plan come into place. In an unprecedented twist, the plan threw up an increase in both the Jarrah and Karri 1st and 2nd grade resource.... only an extra 1000m3 for Jarrah and an extra 5,000m3 for Karri but nonetheless it was an increase not a decrease!

The plan also allows for an ‘upper limit’ of 160,000m3 of jarrah, should the industry manage ‘full utilization’ of the lower volume.

I guess now for the WA industry to really flourish and have the potential to expand, we all need to focus on finding a socially acceptable residue market. Mmmmmm maybe renewable energy!

Just a thought.

TCWA also produced a series in this season’s ‘Going Bush’ program which was not only great fun, but certainly gave a fantastic overview of the industry in the south west. It is available to watch on the ‘Going Bush TV’ website, Season 7 Episode 3 part D if you missed it on 7Two. For TCWA it is business as usual, working closely with the WA industry association to ensure the best possible outcome for both the industry and their dependent communities.

30 – April 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

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$63,000 + gst Cat 325L excavator heavy duty log grab and 404 cut-off saw. Good working order, 15,100hr.

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• Sawmill • Adjustable Twin Edger • Electric Sizing • 1 Man Operation • Live Decks • 2 Man Bench • Hydraulic Sizing • Cross Over & Lift Chains • Line Bar • Live Two Way Roll Case • Spare Edger’s & Machinery Available N.E & R.B Flanigan (Colac, Victoria) Phone Noel 0428 346 900 $50,000 Neg

Australian Forests & Timber News, April 2014 – 31

Australian Forests & Timber

Classifieds

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