July/August 2024 Australian Forests & Timber News by Provincial Press Group

TREE BREEDING BOOST

Boost for tree breeding in Green Triangle

Tree Breeding Australia in Mount Gambier is set to continue to grow as a leader in Australia’s forestry genetics research with thanks to funding committed by the South Australian Government.

The SA Government and Tree Breeding Australia has announced a jointly-funded $900,000 nationally significant, purpose-built and dedicated research facility at Kilsby Road, Mount Gambier, that is set to genetically improve plantation trees to increase productivity and protect against biosecurity threats.

“TBA manages the national cooperative tree improvement programs for radiata pine (softwood) and blue gum (hardwood) plantations and provides scientific expertise and genetic valuation on crops to ensure our foresters are planting the best genetically blessed trees, which in the longterm increases forestry productivity and the supply of wood-fibre to both domestic and international markets,” Chief Executive Officer of

the South Australian Forest Products Association Nathan Paine said.

“Growing plantations isn’t just about planting a tree, watering it, and watching it grow – plantation health and resilience is a major priority for the forestry sector and Tree Breeding Australia, and without TBA’s expertise and valuable input to improve tree genetics, our forest and timber industries would be years behind in innovation and adaption,” he said.

“Over the last two years Forestry Minister Clare Scriven and the South Australian Government have invested significantly into the States forestry sector, particularly through the establishment of a Forestry Centre of Excellence, the development of a Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan, and now the funding needed to deliver Tree Breeding Australia’s research facility expansion.

“Mount Gambier is nationally recognised as a softwood manufacturing hub and is now fast becoming

a premier hub of forestry innovation, and we are so pleased to have the Government, industry and stakeholders supporting the future innovation of the forest and timber industries,” Mr Paine said.

This is a centre that caters for members

TBA board chairperson

Dr Andrew Jacobs told The Border Watch the genetic resource was really important moving forward for the resilience and the productivity of industrial plantations present in both Mount Gambier/Berrin and nationally.

“This is a centre which caters for members all over

the country, not just in the Green Triangle, so it is a really important national investment that has been made here,” Mr Jacobs said.

“This piece of infrastructure will go on the ground and enable the staff to better be able to undertake the job and be able to do it in a safer space.”

He said staff would be able to collect tissues from the trees, extracting and go about their work all in one facility.

“It is a needed piece of infrastructure for the organisation and it is really important for not only the Mount Gambier forestry industry but the Australian industry more broadly,” Mr Jacobs said.

“This is a member-based organisation and we have been trying to work out a way of funding a piece of infrastructure for a number of years.

“It is very hard to get members to contribute to fund

infrastructure so having the South Australian government come out and support us is really important.”

He said the project had been in the pipeline for about a decade with members trying to secure grants and other funding streams.

“It has been a long process so I am super grateful for it to get here today,” he said.

“This will enable us to focus on the genetics that have been deployed into the plantations as so many of the plantations in Australia will experience change in terms of climate conditions.

“All of the material which is in here today and the infrastructure that will be built in the not too distant future will help us continue to improve the genetics of the plantation trees that are being deployed and this is really important for the resilience and sustainability for the ongoing productivity of timber.”

New Vic forest and fire service agreement

After an extensive and complex negotiation, the Australian Forest Contractors Association has welcomed the finalisation and signing of new Forest and Fire Services Agreements between contracting businesses and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

AFCA General Manager Tim Lester said the new agreements provided certainty for timber harvest contracting business and workers who had been impacted by the government’s decision to accelerate

closure of the state’s forests to timber harvesting.

“An unmanaged forest is a disaster waiting to happen,” Mr Lester said.

“With these new Forest and Fire Services Agreements we can maintain the skills and equipment needed for protect forest assets over the long term and particular for times of bushfire or other emergencies.

“VicForests managed 1.8 million hectares on behalf of the people of Victoria, and that task now falls to DEECA. We welcome the recognition from the Victorian Government

that forest harvesting contracting businesses have the knowledge and workforce that is essential for the practical management of the state’s forests.

“The businesspeople and workers who have spent their lives in and around the bush know the areas, geographies, seasons and species. This is a rich and deep source of knowledge available to the planners in the department and which is ready and able to assist in delivering the best, most efficient and most functional results for the state.

“We also acknowledge that there is another group of contractors who are already providing services to DEECA for similar works, and who have not been afforded an equivalent opportunity. There needs to be equity in arrangements.

“There is also a need to ensure all contractors get paid when on standby to join a fire response. At the moment contracting businesses are only paid when they are called into service but being on standby can mean turning down other work,” Mr Lester said.

● A purpose-built and dedicated research facility at Mount Gambier is set to genetically improve plantation trees.

JULY/AUGUST 2024

Issue 3 – Volume 35

Established 1991 News 3 - 16

Profile 9

Biomass 11

Silviculture 13

Forest management 14

Forwarders 18

Tree felling 20

Seed planting 22

Haulage 26

Training 27

Mill profile 28

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Radical groups amass $250M for lawfare

Anew report has revealed that radical environmental groups have amassed over $250 million in donations in recent years and are using expensive legal action against forestry and another resource industries to undermine local jobs and costing the economy millions.

The report, released by the Menzies Research Centre, exposes the huge cash reserves and increases in staffing that environmental activist groups are amassing to declare “lawfare” on legal businesses.

Its report, Open Lawfare: How Australia became the Lawfare Capital of the World showed activists had launched 127 climate lawsuits in Australia from the 1990s to 2022.

The report said in the two years to June 2024 there had been at “been at least nine major projects held up by environmental lawfare”, costing the economy nearly $17.5bn and 30,000 jobs.

“Australia’s top 25 environmental activist groups had combined revenue of $113m in 2015,” Mr Hughes said. “In under a decade, revenue of these same groups more than doubled to $275m.”

The report found activists were being encouraged to stymie projects by Australia’s “relatively low bar for launching court actions”.

“Groups like the Environmental Defenders Office

have been found to ‘coach’ witnesses in order to block resources projects in the Northern Territory, deploying underhanded tactics that rely on Indigenous consultation rules as a back door to environmental lawfare,” the report said.

“Green lawfare is not limited to class-action cases; all over Australia, activist groups take advantage of laws that purport to protect the environment to block projects – including renewable energy projects – on ideological grounds.”

The Menzies Research Centre attacked the Federal Government for helping fund “environmental lawfare groups”.

“The 2022 budget included $10m for the EDO and Environmental Justice Australia, which are responsible for

the majority of environmental lawfare in Australia,” the report said. “The 2024 budget confirmed ongoing support for green lawfare funding.”

The right-wing think tank argues courts “increasingly serve as forums for activist groups to pursue ideological agendas”.

“There is increasing use of the courts for political purposes and power transferred to unelected bureaucrats,” the report said.

“Activist groups, pursuing specific agendas, have identified, promoted and resourced campaigns to employ the power of the courts for their purposes.

“This phenomenon has been growing over the last decade.

Tasmanian Forest Products Association Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer, Nick Steel, said the report painted a worrying picture for Tasmanian businesses.

“In recent years these radical environmentalist groups have spent millions trying to stop legal businesses from undertaking work in Tasmania’s production forests,” Mr Steel said.

“These lawsuits are costing taxpayers millions and almost inevitably fail when the case is heard in the courts.

“It’s clear these lawsuits are being brought just to stop legitimate businesses from undertaking legal work and employing the thousands of Tasmanians across the state’s resource industries - such as forestry, mining, salmon, and agriculture.”

Green Triangle becoming nation's premier plantation region

Unlike a lot of industries in Australia, timber does not have a “home”; a region or State which can claim to be the natural home of the timber industry.

Each region, each State, has its own claim to fame.

However, the Green Triangle must be gathering pace to claim the title, or at least be a worthy contender for it.

Tree Breeding Australia

in Mount Gambier is set to continue to grow as a leader in Australia’s forestry genetics research with thanks to funding committed by the South Australian Government.

The SA Government and Tree Breeding Australia has announced a jointly-funded $900,000 nationally sig-

nificant, purpose-built and dedicated research facility at Kilsby Road, Mount Gambier, that is set to genetically improve plantation trees to increase productivity and protect against biosecurity threats.

Add to that the South Australian Government’s funding of Mount Gambier’s $15 million Forestry Centre of Excellence to undertake research focused on water, fire, breeding, wood prod-

ucts, data analytics, carbon, silviculture and environmental management, and tends to make the Green Triangle Australia’s premier plantation forestry and wood products region.

In reality, it doesn’t probably matter where the money and effort is spent, as long as government have the foresight to spend it.

● The Menzies Research Centre report exposes the huge cash reserves that environmental activist groups are amassing to declare “lawfare” on legal businesses.

New VFPA CEO

ANDREW White has been appointed as the new Victorian Forest Products Association CEO following the departure of Deb Kerr.

Mr White has spent his career working with peak bodies in the NFP sector, including as Deputy CEO of AUSVEG and he brings considerable expertise in government and media relations, corporate strategy, crisis management and business development. He will begin on 26 August 2024.

Scion chairman

RICHARD Westlake has been appointed Chairman of the Scion Board replacing Dr Helen Anderson whose two terms on the Scion Board ended in June.

Mr Westlake will join existing Board members for their first official meeting together in Rotorua on 25 July.

He brings more than three decades of leadership and governance experience across a variety of sectors to Scion. He was the establishment Chair for two stateowned enterprises, MetService and Quotable Value, and for six years he served as Deputy Chair at GNS Science. Notable government appointments have included serving as Chair of Better Border Security, and Standards New Zealand.

ForestWorks appointment

FORESTWORKS has appointed Michael Radda as incoming Chief Executive Officer effective July 1.

Mike brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success as a senior executive in the commercial furniture sector.

Most recently with Miller Knoll as Vice President North Asia and Pacific, his experience and focus on strategic planning, financial management and team development – together with his previous roles in the not-for-profit sector - make him the ideal choice for this role. Mike is also the current Co-Chair of First Super and Chair of Super Benefits Administration.

Industry leader de Fégely calls it a day

Rob de Fégely, cofounder and director of Margules Groome, has retired.

Mr de Fégely’s career in consulting began in the 1980s when he joined Ray Margules, a pioneer in forestry consulting in Australia.

Over the past four decades he undertook a countless number of consulting assignments for both the private sector in Australia and government with a keen interest in strategy and policy.

Apart from consulting in recent years Mr de Fégely was appointed Chair of the Board of Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT, formerly Forestry Tasmania), he is also an Advisory Board member of the Forestry Investment Trust of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation in Canada, and as a Board member of Forestry Corporation of New South Wales (FCNSW).

Mr de Fégely has held several notable positions, including Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s

Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) from 2015 to 2023, National President of Forestry Australia (formerly the Institute of Foresters of Australia) from 2012 to 2017, and Non-Executive Director of VicForests from 2012 to 2015. He was the founding Chair of Cape York Timber, an indigenous-based sawmilling enterprise in far north Queensland. Furthermore, he has advised Greening

Australia, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Natural Resources Commission.

With more than 40 years of experience, Mr de Fégely has worked on projects across Australia and throughout most of the Asia-Pacific region.

Throughout his career, he has been passionate about promoting sustainable forestry practices and advocating for the forestry

profession. He has also contributed to the education and training of future forestry professionals and capacity building within the sector.

In 2019 at the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Forestry conference in Christchurch, NZ, he was awarded the William Jolly Medal, the most highly valued award given for outstanding service to forestry.

TimberPro boss ends 40 years in industry

After thirteen years as president of TimberPro, Lee Crawford has retired.

This draws to a close Crawford’s nearly 40 years in the forestry machinery business, during which he consistently exemplified entrepreneurial spirit and a caring attitude.

Lee never planned on entering the forestry industry, becoming an engineer at the Oshkosh Truck Company in 1982. In 1985, however, Lee’s father asked him to join the family business at Timbco, where he started on the assembly line. After his assembly line shifts ended, Lee kept working, ordering parts and writing warranties.

Lee eventually become Vice President in 1992. In 2000, Timbco was sold to Partek, a Komatsu-owned company. The Crawfords bought back the wheeled division from Partek in 2002 to form TimberPro, which later became recognized for its innovative track machine products. TimberPro was acquired by Komatsu in 2019.

● Rob de Fégely.plantation trees.

●Rob de Fégely with King Charles and Senator Anne Ruston during a Royal tour to Australia in 2018.

● TimberPro’s Lee Crawford.

BRIEFS

FSC publication

The Forest Stewardship Council has released its flagship publication, Forest Futures.

This pivotal work leverages current scientific research to assess the state of the world’s forests and explore their potential for profound change. It underscores the vital role of forest stewardship in fostering resilient and healthy ecosystems.

Read the full publication at https://fsc.org/en/media/ fsc-forest-futures-full-0

Extreme bushfires

Extreme bushfires have more than doubled in frequency and intensity over the past two decades, according to a global study from the University of Tasmania.

Published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, the research reveals that six of the past seven years have been among the most extreme on record for wildfires.

The study shows that not only have the number of extreme bushfires more than doubled between 2003 and 2023, but the average intensity of the 20 most extreme bushfires each year has more than doubled during this time.

Forestry Farmland

ABARES has expanded the Farmland Price Indicator to include a new series of experimental estimates by farmland type.

Users can now access and download specific information for beef, dairy, cropping, forestry, orchard and even hobby farmland type via the ABARES Farmland Price Indicator dashboard.

Forestry farmland prices have risen by over 75% between 2019 and 2023 – but this farmland type still remains at the lower end of the estimates generated.

Fee increase

As of 1 July 2024, Tasmania’s private timber reserve application fee increased from $623.00 to $654.50.

The fee for a private timber reserve (PTR) application is payable to Private Forests Tasmania and represents the cost of processing an application to declare land as a private timber reserve.

PFT’s chief keen to share vision for forest industry

Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski is most at peace when she’s out in the bush or close to nature.

Private Forests Tasmania’s new Chief Executive grew up in Claremont with her parents and older brother Dominik, in the foothills of Mt Faulkner.

“He and I would follow the creek over the fence up into the bush where we would build lean-tos. We would often run there when we were in trouble,” Dr Pietrzykowski said.

The family spent a lot of time fishing in the freshwater lakes, frequenting Lake Sorell, Meadowbank and Craigieburn Dam.

“My parents immigrated to Australia from Poland in 1972 and despite being born and growing up in Tasmania I spoke only Polish until I was around six years old and began to learn English at school.”

A keen learner, Dr Pietrzykowski completed her education in Tasmania, including a PhD at UTAS where “the entire island is your campus”.

“Studying a Bachelor of Science in Forest Ecology enabled me to understand what a forest system is made up off, how it functions and what it needs for equilibrium,” she said.

“My honours and PhD were an extension of this and both industry-supported, so I connected with people from all parts of the supply chain. These connections have shaped my career and I remain in touch with many to this day.”

Dr Pietrzykowski also worked in the mining, natural gas and agriculture industries, and most recently land revegetation and restoration at Greening Australia.

“I feel strongly that this has provided me a holistic perspective on how the Earth’s resources are used, and how each industry manages their operations to be sustainable and protect the environment.”

Though she admits some do it better than others.

“Although the roles haven’t directly helped me understand the inner workings of the Tasmanian forest industry, they have helped me see the role it plays in Tasmania and how others view forestry,” Dr Pietrzykowski said.

Iing climate… and I assure you, shutting down the native forestry industry is not based on sound forest science.”

Dr Pietrzykowski believes the forest industries are good at “looking after one

'm always keen to share my vision for the forest industry

Almost a year into the new role, Dr Pietrzykowski reflected on what first attracted her to Private Forests Tasmania.

“I saw the opportunity to lead a team where we could enable impact and change, and advocate for the private forest industry,” she said.

“Forestry is at an inflection point…and I have the enthusiasm and tenacity to lead for impact.”

As CEO, Dr Pietrzykowski has enjoyed reconnecting with and supporting all stakeholders along the private forest and timber supply chain. Day to day, she has appreciated working with the PFT team on industry growth and innovation.

“We are using science to inform how the sector can move forward in a chang-

another, getting on with it and innovating when it comes to use of timber”, but that it’s the conversations that happen outside the industry that are critical to building community awareness and understanding.

“I find myself educating people on a daily basis just through natural conversation,” she said.

“I am always keen to share my vision for the forest industry as ‘continued innovation, as well as refining and improving practices for the forests we have now and those we will establish’.”

In her role Dr Pietrzykowski said she intends to advocate for private forest managers and stand alongside other forestry leaders to prevent the Tasmania from going down the same path

as some Australian states.

“For a sustainable forest industry to thrive in Tasmania, leaders must make the right decisions; decisions that are well informed and based on robust science.

“In the future it will be about adapting to the changing climate, and how and where we grow and manage trees will likely change. Tasmanian cool temperate zones are getting warmer, but there is capacity to adapt and innovate –and we will.”

Dr Pietrzykowski believes the industry needs to better collaborate with traditional anti-forestry groups.

“We all agree on one thing – we treasure our forests and want them to be thriving for generations to come.”

This is a sentiment the CEO often reflects when walking with her son, or riding her horse along the environmental easements, creeks and coastal forest of the Tangara Trails near her family home in Acton Park.

“My seven-year-old son best explains my passion and work: ‘Mummy works with the forests, trees and their wood so that they are healthy’.”

● PFT CEO Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski … “I have the enthusiasm and tenacity to lead for impact”.

Re-think needed to tackle Australia's bushfire policy

PHILIP HOPKINS

ALEADING forestry expert has strongly criticised opponents of prescribed burning in forests and has urged a radical new approach combining traditional Indigenous knowledge and bushfire science to tackle bushfire policy.

Dr Tony Bartlett AFSM, an independent forestry consultant, told a bushfire conference in Melbourne that a quantum shift in thinking and practice was needed to manage climate change impacts on native forests.

“The increased frequency of high intensity landscapescale wildfires is having an impact on forest resilience,” he said in a presentation to the Forestry Australia Forest Summit.

“For forest fire management, we need adaptive and innovative actions drawing from both traditional knowledge and bushfire science.”

Dr Bartlett was one of a three-person expert panel that conducted a Commonwealth-State review to assess the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires on the modernised Regional Forest Agreements. The other members of the panel were a Victorian Traditional Owner, Katherine Mullett, and the Victorian Commissioner for Environmental

Sustainability, Dr Gillian Sparkes AM.

Dr Bartlett criticised comments made by academic opponents of prescribed burning – Dr Phil Zylstra and Professor David Lindenmayer – in the Canberra Times on May 17 this year and in The Conversation on March 23 this year. These quotes were:

“Our research has shown that native forests can become more flammable –not less- as a result of prescribed fires”;

“Disturbances such as prescribed burning lead to pulses of flammable regrowth”;

“Prescribed burning too often has short-term benefits but long-term costs”, and;

“Burning made WA forests on average seven times more flammable for 43 to 56 years”.

Dr Bartlett emphasised that the findings from this “landmark” research were inconsistent with those from the extensive body of Australian bushfire research.

“They do not match the lived experience in many forests burnt by severe wildfires,” he said.

“Prescribed fire is the solution not the problem. Passive management is failing our forest ecosystems.”

Dr Bartlett said it was critical to debunk the academic myth that prescribed burning was only effective and appropriate close to highvalue houses. He indicated there are six reasons to conduct prescribed burning in forests:

Protection of built assets and critical infrastructure;

Increasing the probability of success of direct fire suppression operations; Enhancing the options and practicality of conducting indirect suppression operations, when implemented in proximity to strategic fire trails;

Increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems to the impacts of repeated severe wildfires;

Reducing wildfire severity in areas next to firesensitive ecosystems or to create flora and fauna refugia within landscape-scale wildfires, and;

Protecting water quality, by limiting the prospect of vegetation close to reservoirs and streams being severely burnt.

Dr Bartlett said the resilience of dry forests was

also being compromised by repeated intense wildfires, resulting in areas of forest that resemble burnt-out matchsticks.

“Do ecologists really believe these forests will survive under passive forest management regimes?” he said.

Now based in Canberra, Dr Bartlett worked for many years in East Gippsland, but the main forces driving forest ecology are the same throughout Australia.

At Canberra’s Cotter Catchment, in 2006, three years after 2003 bushfires, the water quality was severely compromised, resulting in construction of a new filtration plant.

In 2020, where prescribed burning had been conducted in the Cotter catchment, Dr Bartlett said fire severity was greatly reduced.

“However, environmental concerns had precluded burning slopes adjacent to the dam, and these areas were very intensely burnt” he said.

Dr Bartlett said modern science forest management had much to learn from Aboriginal fire practices.

“Fire management is all wrong – now after a bushfire the forest managers are not allowed to burn for around 10 years (under the NSW Bushfire Environmental Assessment Code),” Dr Bartlett said.

•

● Forestry expert Dr Tony Bartlett believes modern science forest management had much to learn from Aboriginal fire practices.

UN report focuses on need for innovation in forestry

Australia’s world leading sustainable forestry practices and an expanded innovation agenda will only become more important locally and globally as a new United Nations (UN) report highlights the need for innovative solutions on the world forest front, according to Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam.

The State of the World’s Forests 2024: Forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future (SOFO 2024) was launched at the 27th Committee on Forestry (COFO) at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) headquarters in

Rome this week – emphasising the role of innovation to achieve a sustainable future for global forestry.

“We can be proud in Australia that we are already a world leader in production forest management and downstream innovation,”

Ms Hallam said.

“Our plantations and native forests are managed to the highest environmental standards. We are a model for global best practice, and we are moving strides ahead on the technological

innovation front across the forestry supply chain, especially through the inception of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI).”

The SOFO 2024 report states that ‘although global deforestation is slowing, forests are under pressure from climate-related stressors and forest products demand is rising.’ Global wood production is at record levels at 4 billion cubic metres per year with roundwood demand projected to increase up to nearly 50 per cent by 2050. It also states that ‘innovation is required to scale up forest conservation, restoration and sustainable use as solutions to

global challenges.’

“These pressures on global forests highlight the need for more sustainable forestry and more innovation,”

Ms Hallam said.

“In Australia we are a global leader on sustainability, and we innovate right across the supply chain, from the best environmental forest management and harvest practices, like replanting and regeneration, to advanced thinning, including using Indigenous practices. In the manufacturing stages we are rapidly innovating through the development of mass engineered timber products and increasing recycling of fibre.”

In order to manage required innovation the SOFO report also states the need to ‘boost skills, capabilities and knowledge to ensure that forest-sector stakeholders have the capacity to manage innovation, creation and adoption.’

“This emphasises the need for quality forestry education and underpins the value of our vocational and tertiary forestry skills providers in Australia,” Ms Hallam said.

● Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam.

Tassie timber in Turnbull's blood

Timber is in Josh Turnbull’s blood. Josh’s great grandfather, grandfather and uncles were sawmillers.

Growing up in Geeveston, a town in southern Tasmania on the edge of the forest, everyone is his family was involved or connected to the sawmilling industry in some way.

Josh has now worked in the industry for 20 years from the family business to stacking green boards on the floor at the Neville Smith Forest Products (NSFP) Southwood Mill, to today being the Group General Manager of Production for the innovative NSFP timber company.

Josh says his grandfather’s experience in the industry is very different from sawmilling today, “it’s polar opposite, the sawmill established by the Neville Smith family is very innovative, has great equipment and takes all the manual handling aspect out.”

He says a lot of the older staff have the IP, and the younger generation have the hand, eye coordination. Together they have the knowledge and the technological knowhow to respect the product while maximising recovery from every log with state-of-the-art machinery.

“It’s all about optimisation of our resource, because every sawmill lives and breathes recovery, so trying to maximise the total yield out of that round log into a

square product.”

Josh talked through the difference between a green mill, a dry mill and the other systems that lead to the finished timber product. It comes straight from the forest, into the green mill where it is cut. The goal is to maximise the square recovery out of the round log.

“The green mill is the first stage. We take it in the round and we process it. About 90 percent of it will go on to be seasoned. We then go into a drying yard, which is located at our facility in Launceston. We then season the timber [the process of drying timber to remove the bound moisture contained in the walls of the wood cells to produce seasoned timber], what we’re trying to do is get the timber to a fibre saturation point. We take the wood down to a

21% moisture content. Then we can recondition it and dry it.”

The timber is racked in the yard. Most of the timber is there for about 12 months, and the thicker the timber the longer it is in the yard for seasoning. Before the timber goes into the kiln it is reconditioned. As Josh explains:

“Through the time out in the yard, you’ve got a bit of collapse, so the cell structure in the timber has changed form. So then we put it into a reconditioning chamber to pump it back up, and then it’s taken on a lot of moisture, and then we snap dry it back down to about 14%, in the final drying stages.”

The 14% moisture content is measured by probing. Josh says they have clear visibility throughout

the whole drying process, so if there needs to be any changes during the drying cycle the team can do that.

The finished product then gets audited by the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood for moisture content, quality assurance and adherence to Australian standards. “We’ve got a great drying team up [in Launceston] they really take pride in what they do.”

In addition to being one of the largest suppliers of Tasmanian Timber, NSFP also supplies a range of architectural products including Abelwood Tasmanian Oak Flooring, Woodsmith Engineered Flooring, mouldings and Abelwood Evolution Lining.

“We do some very sleek, streamlined designs to underpin the architectural market. I think Ablewood

and the Evolution Lining that we’ve put into the market are good examples of that. We continue to innovate, to keep up with architectural changes… It’s not just innovation, but getting more square metres out of every cubic metre [of timber].”

In his grandfather’s day the waste timber would end up in landfill, but with the installation of two high end Italian Nova Pellet mills, NSFP has closed the loop to have minimal to zero waste in their business. Josh explained that there has been a huge amount of research into the bio energy emissions.

“It just really stacks up. It’s a very clean form of heating.”

You can hear Josh’s story on the Original Thinkers Podcast at https://tasmaniantimber.com.au/podcast/

● Neville Smith Forest Products Group General Manager Josh Turnbull.

● Logs at the Neville Smith Forest Products’s Southwood mill.

10-year plan to halt feral deer in Green Triangle

The South Australian Government has released a strategic plan for its 10-year Feral Deer Eradication Program.

The Strategic Plan for the South Australian Feral Deer Eradication Program 202232, which aligns with the National Feral Deer Management Plan released in August, has been developed to guide the eradication effort, and to better manage farmed deer within the state, building on the success of the program’s first year.

Regarded as one of Australia’s worst pest animals in both rural and peri-urban areas, feral deer cost South Australian primary producers an estimated $36 million in direct productivity losses last year. In addition to primary industry costs, feral deer have significant impacts on the environment and road safety.

The South Australian Forest Products Association says that after fire and drought, pests such as feral deer have the potential to significantly hurt the timber industry by destroying seedlings through to damaging the trees in the forest. At the time of the eradica-

tion program’s commencement in May 2022 there was an estimated 40,000 feral deer in the state. In its first 18 months, over 11,000 feral deer have been removed from the South Australian landscape.

The aerial culling program in the South East forestry estate in 2023 removed 2239 feral deer.

The South Australian Feral Deer Eradication Program is a statewide partnership between:

• the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA),

• Landscape SA Boards,

• the Department for Environment and Water (DEW),

• SA Water,

• ForestrySA,

• Livestock SA.

The program is jointly funded by both the Australian and South Australian Governments and the SA Landscape Boards.

This Strategic Plan has been endorsed by the Chairs of the regional Landscape Boards in feral deer impacted regions (Eyre Peninsula, Hills and Fleurieu, Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Riverland and Northern

● Feral deer have the potential to significantly hurt the timber industry by destroying seedlings through to damaging the trees in the forest.

and Yorke) and the Chief Executives of PIRSA, DEW, SA Water and ForestrySA.

The goals of the Strategic Plan are to:

• eradicate feral deer from South Australia in 10-years

• engage with stakeholders to promote coordinated, landscape-scale, feral deer control and build capacity for implementation

• prevent harboring of feral deer, and the illegal release and escape of farmed deer through the enforcement of best practice fencing and tagging standards.

In South Australia, feral deer are declared for destruction under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, meaning land managers are required to destroy all feral deer on their land.

In addition to landholders investing their own funds for control, eradication programs in South Australia currently cost government about $1.1 million a year. Compared to eastern state populations, the South Australian feral deer numbers are still considered low enough for the opportunity to completely eradicate the pest.

Transitional board appointed to Forestry Centre of Excellence

Afive-member transitional board has been appointed to oversee the new Forestry Centre of Excellence in Mount Gambier.

Forests Minister Clare Scriven said the centre is the first of its kind in South Australia and is initially being established within the University of South Australia.

Ms Scriven said the oversight by a transitional board and an independent chair would be required while the final governance structure is designed.

She said operations will be transitioned to a permanent structure and the transitional board replaced with a skills-based board.

“I have appointed Professor Rob Lewis as the independent chair of the board,”

Ms Scriven said.

“Other members of the board are Odette Lubbe, Managing Director of Green Triangle Forest Products, representing the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub; Emma-Kate Griffiths, People

and Culture Manager, Timberlands Pacific, representing the South Australian Forest Products Association; Professor Jason Whittle, Dean of Research, University of South Australia STEM; and Jo Collins, Executive Director, Industry, Strategy and Partnerships, Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

“Professor Julie Mills has been appointed as interim director of the centre while we are undertaking a global search for an ongoing direc-

tor of the centre.

“She has extensive academic and leadership experience including as Professor of Engineering Education and Executive Dean of STEM at UniSA.

“Professor Mills’ experience is welcome at this critical stage.

“Dr Jim O’Hehir has commenced as general manager.

“Other staff are also being recruited including a senior research fellow in forestry systems and a project coordinator.”

● SA Forests Minister Clare Scriven.

Understanding moisture’s impact on biomass handling

Woody biomass is inherently hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture.

We’re sure you know this (it’s not exactly news), but fewer people understand how moisture affects biomass.

Moisture significantly alters biomass’s properties and flow behaviour. It affects volume and mass, making moisture content a necessary metric to consider when designing process flows in industrial applications.

Weight and Volume

First, the obvious: moisture increases mass. Consequently, given two piles of material otherwise equal, the one with the higher moisture content will weigh more, and the power needed to convey it will increase— not only due to the mass but also due to an increase in friction (water increases the cohesive properties of biomass). Conversely, removing moisture reduces power requirements by decreasing material mass.

Moisture also affects volume. One way is through compression. Because biomass weighs more when it absorbs water, the material at the bottom of a pile will compress more than if the material above it was drier. A second way that moisture affects volume is through changes in particle shape. Imagine a bucket of dry, curly shavings. What hap-

● Given two piles of material otherwise equal, the one with the higher moisture content will weigh more, and the power needed to convey it will increase.

pens when you put water in the bucket? The shavings go flat, reducing the volume.

A change in moisture affects flow in that the volumetric flow rate must change to accommodate a steady mass flow rate. For example, say your system is set up to handle 30 tons of woodchips per hour. A significantly higher volume of woodchips will need to flow through the system than at a low moisture content and a mass of 10 lbs./ft3 than at a high moisture content and a mass of 35 lbs./ft3. Therefore, volume affects the size of equipment you’ll need.

Flow Characteristics

The changes in mass and

volume that moisture creates can also significantly affect a material’s flow behavior. As said, higher moisture levels lead to increased cohesion. The added cohesion causes woodchips and dust to adhere to the inside of conveyors, chutes, and bins. It also increases the material’s angle of inclination—the angle at which it naturally forms a pile. As a result, piles are more likely to form sheer walls, and material can more easily build up on ledges inside equipment. At the same time, you can elevate it at steeper angles without supports like paddles.

A higher cohesion significantly affects storage,

Green Triangle pellet

THE Green Triangle Pellet Mill will go ahead with Grant District Council approving the request to sell Hutchinson Road. Elected members opted to approve Mount Gambier Biomass - formerly Altus Renewables - request to acquire Hutchinson Road for $28,183.

The $120m renewable energy plant will produce upwards of 300,000 tonnes of industrial specification pellets each year and generate an estimated $64.1m for the local economy.

exacerbating biomass’s tendency to bridge. As a result, with the same particle size, moist biomass is more likely to pack above screws or reclaim strokers, which hinders the bin or silo from discharging and bridge over discharge areas.

Considerations

While it’s evident that the moisture content of your biomass will change if it’s stored outdoors and exposed to precipitation, what’s less obvious is that the moisture percentage can still fluctuate even if it’s protected from the weather. If you receive material from an outside source, you cannot control the precise per-

centage at which it arrives. Factors like whether the trailer in which it was transported was covered or not affect moisture content, as does where it was stored at the vendor’s site. Whether the material is exposed to the weather while being conveyed outdoors will likewise affect its moisture content.

Therefore, accounting for moisture variability is crucial when designing your bulk handling systems. You should consider more than nominal or preferential material characteristics and what may affect the material. If the nominal moisture percentage of your biomass is 15 percent but can range between 12-20 percent, you should use the extremes when deciding on the equipment needed. You’ll want to design the equipment size to handle the volume at the lower end of that moisture range and the power to handle the upper end. The larger the extremes in material characteristics, the more significantly they’ll affect your system’s performance. Understanding moisture’s multifaceted impact on biomass handling is essential for optimizing your industrial processes. Indeed, it’s necessary to avoid unscheduled downtime, excess maintenance, and safety hazards that accompany efforts to get material flowing.

- https://beande.com/

mill given green light

The mill will use FSC/ PEFC certified logs and sawmill residues from nearby plantations and sawmills. The plant is proposed for land along Hutchinson Road, adjacent to Mount Gambier Regional Airport with the plant to attract a number of B-double trucks during daytime and night time.

As part of the development, it was identified the intersection between the Riddoch Highway, Airport Road and Hutchinson Road would require realignment to minimise traffic impact.

Council previously entered agreements with Altus Renewables to approve the development however in 2023, the company was placed into administration.

Earlier this year, Altus Renewables was purchased by Albioma and council was informed the project would proceed.

Grant District Council acting chief executive officer Gary Button said council was now waiting to work with the operators in regards to the land acquisition of the road reserve and realignment.

Mayor Kylie Boston said although the initial project received public backlash, it had since eased off.

“I guess there are a few phone calls when we have something in the agenda but those decisions have to come through council,” Ms Boston said.

“Those approvals are done with the state government and we then see it once it comes through and then it has to be administered.”

- The Border Watch

STT releases annual three-year timber production plan

Sustainable Timber Tasmania has released the annual update to its Three-Year Wood Production Plan 2024-2025 to 2026-2027 to the Tasmanian community.

The Three-Year Wood Production Plan can be accessed on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at www.sttas.com.au

The Three-Year Plan identifies forest coupes across Tasmania’s public production forests that may be available across a three-year period from which a schedule of harvesting, roading and regeneration operations will be developed.

The release of the ThreeYear Plan provides the community with an opportunity to identify which forest coupes and future operations may be of interest to them. Inviting community feedback on the Plan is part of Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s commitment to engaging with local stakeholders.

Feedback will then be considered during detailed operational planning and decision making processes.

Sustainable Timber Tasmanian encourages the community to:

• Visit www.sttas.com.au

• Read the Three-Year Wood Production Plan

• View the Access Map to identify which forest coupes may be of interest to them

• Contact Sustainable Timber Tasmania with their feedback at stakeholder@

sttas.com.au or (03) 6169 2800

The Three-Year Plan is developed from modelling and spatial data and includes coupe names, provisional coupe sizes (not final harvest boundaries), location coordinates, suggested harvest type and method, suggested regeneration and future use and an estimation of anticipated volumes

of log products for potential recovery.

The Plan contains a significant amount of information, so to make it easier for people to read and understand, a spatial layer is developed and available to view on a map of Tasmania. This can be viewed on the Access Map on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at https://sttas.com.au/our-

responsibilities/operations/ three-year-wood-production-plan

It’s important to understand that not all forest coupes listed in the ThreeYear Plan will be harvested, and final harvesting and regeneration details for each coupe may be different from what is listed in the Plan.

This is because Sustain-

able Timber Tasmania has not yet undertaken its detailed operational planning process, including consideration of stakeholder feedback.

A list of frequently asked questions regarding the Three-Year Plan has been made available for reading on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at www. sttas.com.au

Tasmanian RFA outcomes report released

The outcomes report for the fifth review of the Tasmanian Regional Forestry Agreement (RFA) has been released.

The report marks the first stage in the independent review process, which will now progress to stakeholder consultation.

Interested individuals are encouraged to provide their feedback to the outcomes report through a Have Your Say consultation managed by the Tasmanian Department

of State Growth.

Individuals have until midnight on 30 August 2024 to have their say: https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov. au/about/divisions/forestry/legislative_and_policy_framework/have_ your_say

Established in 1997, the RFA is a joint initiative funded by the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments that sets out a long-term plan for the management and conservation of Tasmania’s native forests.

The outcomes report covers the 2017 to 2022 period and marks the first review since the RFA was extended in 2017 for an additional 20year period.

The 5-yearly review process is critical to ensuring the Tasmanian RFA’s objectives are still being met.

As part of the RFA review, Professor Jerry Vanclay from Southern Cross University has been appointed as the independent reviewer.

He will now undertake a detailed

consultation process as he considers the outcomes report and develops his own independent report. Professor Vanclay is a pioneer in the modelling of forest ecosystems and has significantly influenced the sustainable management of forests worldwide.

The comprehensive review underscores the commitment to sustainably managing Tasmania’s forest resources and highlights significant advancements and compliance in forestry practices.

● Not all forest coupes listed in the Three-Year Plan will be harvested.

Maximising carbon dioxide reduction in forests

For thousands of years, towering trees have been climate champions, storing carbon in their trunks, up to 100-metreshigh, in old growth forests around the world.

But is older necessarily better when it comes to forests and their role in limiting climate change?

Southern Cross University Professor Emeritus Phil West asks, how long should we grow forests to maximise carbon dioxide reduction?

We all get a little slower as we get older and, as Prof West, a retired Faculty of Science and Engineering professor, points out, trees are no different.

“If you follow the growth rate of forests, you find that after they develop their full leaf canopy, their growth rate slows,” Prof West said. “This usually happens as a forest enters its teens and continues for the rest of its life, perhaps for centuries.”

“Over the last 100 years or so, forest scientists have wondered why this happens.”

The most popular suggestion, according to Prof West, is the ‘hydraulic limitation hypothesis’ – when a tree’s upper leaves are less capable of photosynthesis due to water stress, a result of increasing friction and the weight of the water column as water is transported ever higher from the soil to the leaves.

“In fact, it is this that stops trees growing taller than a little over 100 metres,” Prof West said. “Taller than that, the weight of the water column would make it snap and water could no longer rise.”

After scouring published data from many forests scattered widely across the world, with ages varying up to nearly 800 years old, he found that their photosynthetic production did not decline as they got older, but the amount of new growth that was added to them, year by year, did.

Time for a new theory.

“Some extremely brave, others would say mad, American scientists have climbed some of the tallest trees in the world, the redwoods of California and the eucalypts of Tasmania,” Prof West said.

“To their surprise, they found that leaves right at the top of the trees seemed able to carry out photosynthesis just as well as leaves much lower down that were not subject to as much water stress.”

Take a closer look

Under the microscope, leaf cross-

● Southern Cross University

Professor Emeritus Phil West

sections showed up dramatic differences in structure at different heights up the tree.

The image shows the cross-section of (a) a leaf from 110m at the top of a redwood and (b) a leaf from 48 m near the bottom of its crown (the scale bar at the bottom of the image represents 0.2 mm).

The leaf at the top has features such as increased tissue for photosynthesis and shorter pathways for absorbed carbon dioxide to reach these tissues.

“Such differences give those leaves a greater photosynthetic capacity, even though they suffer greater water stress,” Prof West said.

“However, such leaves are more ‘costly’ for the tree to construct.”

As trees turn over their leaves every few years (every year for decid-

● Under the microscope, leaf cross-sections showed up dramatic differences in structure at different heights up the tree.

uous trees) they have more and more of these costly leaves to construct as they get taller.

“The cost to the tree is some of the energy that it gets from the sun by undertaking photosynthesis, a cost that returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. That means the tree has less energy to build new tissues, such as the bigger trunk it needs to keep it standing upright as it grows taller,” Prof West said. “Hence, its growth rate slows as it uses more and more energy to construct those costly leaves.”

Prof West is in no way diminishing the mighty climate change efforts

of our world’s forests – every year, it’s estimated they absorb around 7.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide – nor is he suggesting that growing forests isn’t a good strategy to reduce the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

But with administrations around the world feeling pressure to urgently protect old growth forests, Professor West wonders how long it will be before net absorption of carbon dioxide by younger forests becomes worth more.

Will we get to a stage where it’s out with the old growth, in with the new?

LOOKING BACK

2021

Timberlands Pacific and the promise of sustainable forestry

FTHE native forest industry, the Opposition and manufacturing union have welcomed the Andrews Government’s move to overhaul the timber code of practice but say it still does not go far enough to secure wood production.

Fennell finds right fit in new forwarder

rom endemic species to sacred sites, all natural habitats, especially forests, hold inherent conservation values.

The Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced a review of the Code of Practice for Timber Production to provide “much needed certainty” for conservationists, the forest industry and the Conservation Regulator.

Those known as ‘high conservation values’ (HCVs) reserves encompass high biological, ecological, social, and cultural significance.

Timberlands Pacific Pty Ltd (TPPL), an FSC-certified forestry organisation spanning Tasmania and the Green Triangle region of South Australia and Victoria, demonstrates its dedication to preserving these values.

The review improves and addresses the code’s deficiencies, aiming to set out a clear, internationally recognised definition of the ‘Precautionary Principle’ that “everyone can understand and apply”, Ms D’Ambrosio said.

Through meticulous assessments, TPPL identifies and safeguards the ecological importance of its diverse forest estates, underscoring its leadership in sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Ambiguities in the definition have sparked actions in the Supreme Court and Federal Court by green groups that have closed dozens of coupes in Gippsland.

The HCV approach, developed by FSC in the 1990s, serves to identify and manage critical values within production landscapes like TPPL’s forests.

2018

Hancock Victoria Plantations (HVP) will replant 600 hectares of terrain across the Alpine Shire this winter following the previous 12 months’ harvesting operations.

This framework spans six categories—species diversity, landscapelevel ecosystems, habitats, ecosystem services, community needs, and cultural values—adopted across forestry and other sectors.

Planting locations will be in the Happy Valley and Merriang areas as well as in Bright around Quinns Gap/ Mountain Mist and above the Great Alpine Road at Porepunkah.

2013

impacted by their activities. This proactive stance involves setting clear management objectives, implementing stringent operational controls, and instituting robust verification and monitoring programs to ensure continual maintenance and/or improvement in conservation outcomes.

Six HCVs have been identified within the Penola Plantations estate, all falling under HCV class 3— forest areas containing rare, threatened, or endangered ecosystems. TPPL has recently undertaken enhancement efforts at the Werrikoo HCV in western Victoria, classified as ‘Damp Heathland’ within a 62-hectare depleted Ecological Vegetation Class. Flora assessments indicated the heath was aging and required controlled burning for regeneration.

Fennell Forestry is a respected leader in the forestry industry and one of the biggest logging contractors in SA.

Under FSC Principle 9, all certified forestry organisations are required to maintain and/or enhance these HCVs through a precautionary approach, ensuring proactive conservation and responsible resource management practices.

DISPATCH OF about 6.2 million pine seedlings from the Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Tumut Nursery near Blowering Dam is almost complete.

“We have produced an excellent crop this year and aim to dispatch about 6.2 million seedlings from around eight million seedlings cells grown on benches at the nursery,” Forestry Corporation Nursery Operations manager Mark Stretch said.

With more than 33 years in the industry, Fennell Forestry is a renowned company dealing in plantation timber harvest and transportation. The company operates pine harvesting operations and harvests around 400,000 tonnes annually, along with multiple transport operations that run 24/7.

At the core of TPPL’s operations lies the Penola Plantations, blending Pinus radiata plantations with natural vegetation pockets. Designated HCVs and other reserve types harbour a diverse array of flora and fauna, including rare or threatened species. TPPL’s dedicated experts conduct thorough assessments to ascertain the ecological significance of these sites, highlighting their critical role in biodiversity conservation.

“The nursery team comprising four full-time staff and 25 casuals started dispatching the seedlings late in May and we hope to finish by the end of August,” he said.

Since 2014, monitoring efforts at Werrikoo, including hair-tubes, camera surveys, and small mammal trapping, have revealed significant wildlife presence. Notably, the nationally vulnerable Swamp Antechinus and the endangered Heath Mouse have been documented. The Swamp Antechinus thrives in longunburnt habitats but faces threats from frequent burning. Conversely, the Heath Mouse adapts to environments shaped by regular fires, with studies showing population declines as heath habitats mature.

Fennell Forestry’s success is rooted in a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes safety, growth, and respect for employees. Managing Director Wendy Fennell is a key figure in this effort, with over three decades of experience working alongside long-serving staff members in all aspects of the family business.

TPPL’s approach to managing HCVs is guided by a profound respect for nature. Under the umbrella of FSC Principle 9, TPPL identifies and manages HCVs potentially

Given her extensive knowledge of the industry, she has become a trusted and respected figure in forestry. It is this steadfast commitment to the future that has established Fennell

Forestry as a leading force in the Green Triangle timber industry.

Fennell Forestry started with and excavator with modified forestry attachments. Deciding to purchase purpose-built equipment by adding a Tigercat H855C harvester to the fleet was a game changer.

“Once we went to purpose-built, we never went back,” Wendy says.

autumn burn.

Since then, they have acquired more than 10 Tigercat machines, including two feller bunchers, two skidders, a 1085C forwarder, four H855C harvesters, a H855Eharvester and in 2023 a new 1075C forwarder.

To balance the needs of these species, TPPL collaborated with local experts to develop a mosaic burning strategy across Werrikoo. This approach involves planned burns at different times and locations within the reserve to create diverse habitats. Targeted surveys, field assessments, and controlled burns were conducted in 2017, 2022, and most recently in autumn 2024. The Nature Glenelg Trust, partnering with TPPL, conducted preparatory trapping and surveys ahead of the 2024

The decision to purchase the new Australian specification 1075C forwarder was based on their experience with the 1085C forwarder that was purchased a few years ago. A key factor in the 1085C forwarders success was its reliability, an improvement from competitors’ machines which had issues with the bogies.

In its new Australian spec-

with hooked boom, and Wide Range transmission as standard.

When Fennell Forestry were looking for a new forwarder, they thought the new 1075C would be the best fit for the type of work they were doing. They were right! It has been a very reliable machine that has performed well with good production and improved fuel efficiencies. So good in fact that they have a second new 1075C Forwarder already on the way

TPPL exemplifies the transformative impact of responsible forest management under the banner of FSC certification. Through their dedication to preserving HCVs and supporting biodiversity, TPPL not only protects Australia’s native wildlife but also inspires a movement towards harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world. In this way, TPPL ensures that future generations inherit a planet rich in ecological wonders and sustainable resources.

Some of the best features of the machine include operator comfort, reliability, and economical fuel use says Wendy. Their operators are pleased with the general operation and comfort of the machine, a highlight being the travel speed

and load carrying capacity. Wendy said she knows that Tigercat will continue to evolve their products as they always have and put a sustained focus on data col-

Wendy noted that it was refreshing to be able to speak directly to the owner of a business and Onetrak’s Managing Director David Hazell is happy to make himself accessible to customers. She also stated that Onetrak also provide peace of mind with their service solutions, completing the package with good back up, knowledge and service, especially from their Forestry Specialist, Jotham Allwright.

● Fennell Forestry’s new Tigercat 1075C forwarder at work in the Green Triangle.

● The endangered Heath Mouse.

● The Werrikoo HCV in Western Victoria near Casterton.

● Male Swamp Antechinus.

Harvesting strategies – what you need to know

Harvesting trees is a way to help Australia meet its timber demands and to provide extra income for farmers.

But it’s important to consider the costs and returns early on in the tree-growing process, as small decisions can have a big impact later on.

Mauricio Acuna is a forest engineering researcher and lecturer at Luke, Finland’s Natural Resources Centre, who has spent many years working with Tasmanian farmers to find the most effective ways to harvest trees.

“A main concern is harvest planning,’’ says Mauricio.

“During a rotation, most of the money is spent on harvesting and transportation. If anything is done badly, it’s going to affect the economics of the whole plantation.

‘‘So we have to be really careful about how we plan the harvest. We need to know exactly the sort of providers that we have in our local area that can do the job.

‘‘We need to be really careful about costs, which depends on the size of the property, the location, the type of machines and the contractor.

‘‘Another consideration is to have good inventory data. It sounds very obvious, but inventory data is essential to make decisions in forestry.

‘‘We also have to understand the returns,” adds Mauricio. ‘‘It doesn’t have

to be something too fancy, it could be an Excel spreadsheet. But you should determine what is going to be your returns on your costs during the whole rotation. Take into account all the logging costs, transport costs and the income from selling of your wood.

‘‘And then we need to consider the environmental regulation or any sort of legal regulations, because any intervention has to be approved by the Forest Practices Authority.”

Harvesting trees on farms is often referred to as smallscale harvesting. This can come with unique challenges and considerations, and different harvesting technologies. Mauricio says that the equipment used for harvesting is part of the planning process.

“When we talk about

small-scale harvesting, it doesn’t have to be a different sort of equipment. In forestry, we need to use the right equipment for the forest,” says Mauricio.

“So it could be conventional equipment or it can be small-scale harvesting equipment – even farm tractors or chainsaws. There is no recipe. It depends on your tree size and terrain conditions.

‘‘You can use small-scale harvesting equipment if your trees are small. Or your plantation could be small, but you still have big trees. In that situation, you still have to use conventional equipment.

‘‘Then one of the issues is how you transport the machinery from one place to the other. The relocation costs for conventional equipment can have a big

impact on the economics of your operation.

“Besides the tree size, harvesting cost is the key driver for harvesting decisions,” adds Mauricio.

“Conventional equipment has greater hourly costs than small-scale equipment. That means it’s more expensive to run the machine per hour. But it’s not necessarily more expensive per cubic metre, because you are more productive than with small-scale equipment. So in the end, that approach could be more cost effective.

“It’s very important to know exactly what the break-even point is in your cost curve.”

Making a profit from commercial wood production is all about selling goals and planning. Planning should start as early as possible and consider the whole lifecycle of the plantation. This can help shape the management approaches for your trees.

“Farmers need to prepare for any harvest operation in advance. Even before the plantation is established.

“You have to set clear goals. You need to know what species you’re going to plant, what’s going to be your target product, what sort of money you can achieve, what is going to be the rotation age, when you are going to do interventions like thinning.

“We need to know at what age we are going to do a thinning, we need to know

exactly what’s going to be the goal.

“For example, is the objective to remove trees with poor growth rate? Is it to keep the most vigorous trees that are resistant to pests and can capture more carbon? Typically, for the farmer with commercial plantations, the goal is to maximise the forest’s value at the end of the rotation.

“Another consideration is the available markets. Location is very essential here. It could be that you are too far away from the nearest market and that could affect your returns.

“It can’t be the case that you’re growing very beautiful trees while you are far away from your nearest mill. Transport costs are going to affect the whole economics or your plantation.

“You need to know this in advance, before you plant your trees,” adds Mauricio.

“Seek professional advice, because there is expertise and tools to help you make decisions. Private Forests Tasmania has tools to map your plantations and make predictions about interventions.

“Any harvesting decision is important, so farmers need to know about the key drivers that affect their operations.”

Find out more about harvesting wood and access tools to support your decision making with the Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub. Visit www.treealliance. com.au.

Vic logger moves to plantation haulage

Gippsland Logging and Earthmoving has made the successful transition into plantation timber haulage through a grant provided by the Victorian Government’s Timber Innovation Fund (VTIF).

The Traralgon-based business took the initiative last year to transition to plantation timber haulage following the State Government’s closure of the native timber industry but needed to modify and purchase new equipment in order to do so.

Gippsland Logging and Earthmoving applied for a $330,000 VTIF grant to redesign and repurpose a prime mover and purchase a crane unit that is suitable and compliant for haulage of plantation timber.

The decision by the business to transition into plantation timber haulage has also supported the retention and training of six existing fulltime employees.

The move to plantation timber haulage also means employees who previously would have been

working away from home for extended periods are now back with their families most nights.

Native timber haulage often required workers to travel long distances, whereas the plantation timber is located closer to Traralgon.

Gippsland Logging and Earthmoving has been operating since 2004, and whilst most of its work is in timber haulage, the business also specialises in earthworks and roading.

The Victorian Timber Innovation

Fund Grants Program Round 3 has grants of up to $1 million for eligible businesses to access.

As part of Round 3, support will include a Grant Application Assistance Service for the first time. Businesses can apply for vouchers of up to $7,500 which will provide them with access to a panel of Registered Service Providers. These Providers will help businesses to prepare and submit strong submissions for the grants program. For more information visit deeca. vic.gov.au/forestry.

● Mauricio Acuna, Research Professor of Automation and AI in Forest Operations at Luke, Finland’s Natural Resources Centre.

MORE OPTIONS, VERSATILITY AND CONSISTENCY THAN EVER BEFORE.

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LOOKING BACK

2021

THE native forest industry, the Opposition and manufacturing union have welcomed the Andrews Government’s move to overhaul the timber code of practice but say it still does not go far enough to secure wood production.

Ambiguities in the definition have sparked actions in the Supreme Court and Federal Court by green groups that have closed dozens of coupes in Gippsland.

2018

Hancock Victoria Plantations (HVP) will replant 600 hectares of terrain across the Alpine Shire this winter following the previous 12 months’ harvesting operations.

Planting locations will be in the Happy Valley and Merriang areas as well as in Bright around Quinns Gap/ Mountain Mist and above the Great Alpine Road at Porepunkah.

2013

DISPATCH OF about 6.2 million pine seedlings from the Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Tumut Nursery near Blowering Dam is almost complete.

“The nursery team comprising four full-time staff and 25 casuals started dispatching the seedlings late in May and we hope to finish by the end of August,” he said.

Fennell finds right fit in new forwarder

Fennell Forestry is a respected leader in the forestry industry and one of the biggest logging contractors in SA.

Given her extensive knowledge of the industry, she has become a trusted and respected figure in forestry. It is this steadfast commitment to the future that has established Fennell

Forestry as a leading force in the Green Triangle timber industry.

Fennell Forestry started with and excavator with modified forestry attachments. Deciding to purchase purpose-built equipment by adding a Tigercat H855C harvester to the fleet was a game changer.

“Once we went to purpose-built, we never went back,” Wendy says.

In its new Australian spec-

ification, the 1075C is the same specification as its larger 1085C brother but with a slightly higher transmission ratio. These latest models are also fitted with the Dasa F30 Productivity and GPS data module, F195T85 Tigercat Crane with hooked boom, and Wide Range transmission as standard.

and load carrying capacity. Wendy said she knows that Tigercat will continue to evolve their products as they always have and put a sustained focus on data collection.

The decision to purchase a Tigercat is driven by its reliability, durability and efficiency, which is closely monitored. The relationship with Onetrak goes back 10-15 years when Fennell Forestry first stepped into the Tigercat Harvesters. Wendy noted that it was refreshing to be able to speak directly to the owner of a business and Onetrak’s Managing Director David Hazell is happy to make himself accessible to customers. She also stated that Onetrak also provide peace of mind with their service solutions, completing the package with good back up, knowledge and service, especially from their Forestry Specialist, Jotham Allwright.

● Fennell Forestry’s new Tigercat 1075C forwarder at work in the Green Triangle.

Forest Safety Taking the risk out of manual felling in the forest

Erik Wardrop Mohua Forestry & Environmental Services Ltd

Manual Tree felling is one of the highest risk jobs in our industry.

This Safety Alert is a reminder of ways to keep the risk of injury or death to those involved in manual felling to a manageable level and stimulate some constructive discussion around this.

Recently a contract tree faller had to pull out of a setting that was too dangerous to fell. The particular area within the stand that had been designated in the planning process to be manually felled had a very high percentage of standing dead trees and spars with some old windthrow.

As the faller walked through the stand assessing the planed work area for hazards, he started to feel very uncomfortable with the level of risk he was being exposed to. He radioed the crew foreman to say he wasn’t comfortable felling this piece of bush.

The faller grovelled back out and assisted the foreman with another task for the remainder of the day and discussed the manual falling with the foreman, the faller said the piece needed to be mechanically felled.

The crew foreman stated that it wasn’t planned to be mech felled due to the lack of run out at the bottom and the felling machine needing to go chase production at the next block. Could it be felled with an observer? I could come in and we could fall tank for tank.

The contract faller said he would be ok falling a little bit of it with an observer leaving the worst of the dead standing piece for the falling machine along with the top strip that the falling machine had left full of heads partially uprooted trees.

The next day that the faller was available to fall trees at the crew a qualified tree

faller was assigned to be the observer for the difficult piece in question.

In the morning discussion the contract faller was told to do what they can then go home. After four hours of falling the faller felt they had done all they could do safely, and the loss of earnings was a small price to pay for the faller to go home to his family without incident.

The faller wasn’t consulted during the planning process and the first time seeing the stand was walking down through the stand to start falling.

This is quite a common practice and when those that walk the stand as part of the initial planning process have the fallers safety as their number one priority there is rarely any issues.

There are a lot of crews that do an excellent job planning how the interaction between mech or manual falling is going to keep risk to a manageable level, however there is still too many that fail to provide manual fallers with as safe a work environment as possible.

What checks should we be doing to ensure were not exposing manual fallers to unnecessary levels of risk?

Has the stand been walked and hazards identified?

Can all of the stand be mechanically felled?

is going to be used how will this be documented? This is still a weak point for some crews. If you don’t have the correct systems in place for check ins you can’t have anyone working alone. If you know you have manual

M anual felling can be one of the most enjoyable jobs in the forest

Is mechanical felling going to create more hazards for other operations? i.e. heads lost stems damaged trees in bush adjacent to mech felling. High stumps that could increase the chance of fouled drags in manual breaking out.

If there is going to be an interface between mech and manual felling what systems or fall direction will be planned to be in place to ensure no additional hazards are created in the manual fall pieces?

What check in system/ frequency for lone workers

falling to take place, have it sorted before your faller is on site.

There are some very good systems out there by far the best I’ve seen is the forestry monitor app developed by Nelson logging contractor Tom Payne. Has the faller been allowed the time needed to fall the setting or part of allowing for variable weather etc.?

Is the faller qualified, experienced, physically and psychologically fit for task? (Safe Tree certified)

Does the crew have a suit-

able person available for qualified assistance/Observing?

Does the Faller have the support to raise safety concerns and have them managed in a way that the faller is comfortable with?

Be careful when offering an observer for a difficult or dangerous piece of falling if a faller has said they are not comfortable falling something an observer can be a way of applying pressure to the faller to do something they don’t feel safe doing. An observer should be a sounding board someone that the faller can openly discuss the plan with double check or confirm the faller is approaching a situation in the safest manner. Manual Falling can be one of the most enjoyable jobs in the forest and with the right systems and support in place it shouldn’t be any more dangerous than driving to work. Don’t make a situation any more hazardous than it needs to be. There’s more to life than work and we all want to go home safe at the end of the day.

● Manual tree falling shouldn’t be any more dangerous than driving to work

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Seeding Komatsu Forest expands into silviculture in South America

In in 2015, Komatsu Forest received a request from the Brazilian paper manufacturing industry to assist in mechanising seedling planting for their plantations, which had traditionally relied almost entirely on manual operations.

Komatsu Forest then engaged in a joint development project with Bracke Forest AB, a leader in planting attachments, to develop a mechanical planter.

This development also involved Hexagon Agriculture, FlorianopolisSC, Brazil, an established brand in the Brazilian agricultural sector, for satellite-based positioning and autonomous driving of tractors.

Bracke Forest, with its extensive experience in silviculture, has been developing specialized attachments and collaborating with Komatsu since 2014.

In Brazil, fast-growing eucalyptus trees are widely cultivated, with vast stretches of land around paper mills filled with singlestoried eucalyptus plantations.The total planted area across Brazil exceeds 8.5 million hectares. Assuming the plants are harvested every six years, seedlings need to be planted over an area of around 1.4 million hectares every year.

Consequently, global demand for tree planting is expected to rise dramatically due to timber production needs and environmental concerns like carbon neutrality. The labour-intensive nature of tree planting and a decreasing workforce underscore the growing need for mechanisation.

The Komatsu D61-23 bulldozer and Bracke P10b planters were the initial product choices for the project, resulting in the Komatsu D61EM-23 High Speed Planter, which incorporated three P10b planters. These were mounted on a cross beam at the front of the D61 at 3.0 to 3.5-meter spacing, enabling the simultaneous planting of three tree rows. Signifi-

cant features of mechanised planting include the GPS planting format with growth stimulation by irrigation and fertilisation applied as required, all carried out simultaneously.

The mechanised planting project in Brazil started in 2019 using the Komatsu D61EM-23 Planter for a 12-month period of demonstrations and roadshows by several companies in the Brazilian forestry sector. During these trials, the planting rate increased to 900 seedlings per hour. As a result, six machines are now in operation.

Unfortunately, the D61EM-23 requires relatively flat, well-prepared ground, which led to a new 12-month trial project utilising a Komatsu PC210LC excavator and Bracke P12b Planter in 2020 for steeper, undulating, and less prepared ground.

The trials were successful, resulting in the sale of 12 units. The excavator trials were expanded in 2022 to include a Komatsu PC240LC and Bracke P22b for another 12-month term.

The Bracke P22b consists of two Bracke P21 Planters

mounted on either end of a cross beam with a rotator mounting onto the excavator boom. The arm planter spacing is variable between 2.5 and 3.0 meters, allowing two seedlings to be planted simultaneously, effectively doubling the planting rate. Six units have already been sold in Brazil.

Similar to the D61-23 planter both excavator models include GPS planting format with growth stimulation when irrigation and fertilisation are applied as required, all carried out simultaneously. The major advantages of excavators are the irrigation tank fitted in lieu of the counter-weight which becomes the mounting location for the seedlings storage rack. The current seedling rack has the capacity to carry 1200 small seedlings plus 200 in the planter. These features dramatically improve their versatility as a planter for all conditions.

Following various trials, the model selection is based on the slope and ground conditions of the planting terrain:

• Komatsu D61-23 /

Bracke B10 Planter: 0 to 5 degrees slope (flat areas)

• Komatsu PC240 / Bracke P22b Planter: 0 to 17 degrees slope, mixed slope areas and more complex situations

• Komatsu PC210 / Bracke P12b Planter: 0 to 30 degrees slope, hilly areas with a high degree of difficulty, and uneven topography

Komatsu Forest AB and Bracke Forest AB have had a close association since 2014 on various projects, and the Brazilian planter trials over the last several years prompted Komatsu to acquire the Bracke op-

eration on July 1, 2022. Post-acquisition, Komatsu Forest will integrate Bracke’s technologies to further mechanise silviculture processes, aiming to enhance safety, productivity, and carbon-neutral contributions in forestry operations. Bracke Forest will retain its brand, management, and dealer network, and continue existing partnerships under Komatsu’s ownership. This strategic move is expected to drive advancements in planting technologies, improving efficiency and reducing costs while meeting the global demands of forest growers.

● Young Eucalypts planted by a Komatsu PC240LC/ BrackeP22b in Brazil.

● The Komatsu PC240LC/Bracke P22b Planter in action.

New Generation Wagner L90 Logstackers for Forico

Forico has purchased two New Generation Wagner L90 Logstackers for its mills in northern Tasmania, the first of the new generation machines to be commissioned in Australia.

The two new ‘Wagners’ arrived at Long Reach Mill in the East Tamar and Surrey Hills Mill in Hampshire, Tasmania in May 2024. After assembly and training by the North American manufacturer Allied Systems and specialist cargo handling company Quality Marshalling of New Zealand, the machines were commissioned and put into use in the log-yards in early June.

Recognising the need to update their fleet, the Forico Board had approved the purchase in April 2022, a significant capital expenditure outlay and investment in supply chain. The machines in use until that time had been purchased in 2015 and had been in service for in excess of 26,000 hours.

“The Wagners are also considerably more fuel efficient and have lower overall maintenance costs compared to front end loader

machines used over the same operating period,” said Tim Duncombe, manager at Forico’s Long Reach Mill.

The New Generation L90s were transported from America by sea and road after a lead time of around 18 months on delivery due

to demand for machines and worldwide challenges on the availability of components.

Making the journey from Portland USA to Melbourne, on to the port at Devonport and then on to the mill sites by road, the unique machines would have caused some ‘head scratching’ as they were driven under escort to their final destination, said Mr Duncombe.

Manager at Forico’s Surrey Hills Mill Paul Sturzaker said the operational teams had identified the need for additional handrailing to protect operators exiting the cab, but beyond that the newly designed Wagner unit would significantly improve visibility and handling.

Forico is the largest private forestry and asset manager in Tasmania, managing 89,000 hectares of plantation forest for wood fibre production, and 77,000 hectares of natural forest for conservation, biodiversity and cultural values.

Forwarders

Built for extreme terrain and demanding applications

The 1075C Tigercat forwarder is a severe duty 25-tonne forwarder built for extreme terrain and the most demanding, high production forwarding applications.

Tigercat forwarders are engineered to deliver high production rates and the lowest cost per tonne in the most challenging transportation applications. They are built tough for high duty cycle applications, heavy loads and challenging terrain. The 25 tonne 1075C now fitted with Tigercat’s own 25 tonne rated bogies is the largest forwarder available on the market and the most popular Tigercat forwarder in Australia.

The 1075C features the largest crane, providing exceptional productivity with the most cost-effective performance per ton. With an innovative low-wide bunk system and Tigercat’s high-

capacity hooked crane, operators can lift heavier loads with greater slew torque compared to other cranes in its class. This unique combination extends the crane’s operational range, reducing machine movement, cutting downloading and unloading time, enhancing productivity, and improving operator visibility and ergonomics.

The Tigercat F195T85 crane is a standout, by lifting 20-30% heavier loads at the same reach in comparison to other forwarder cranes on the market. Furthermore, it offers 22-66% more slew torque than its competitors. The crane features a tapered roller bearing in the slew base, designed to last the lifetime of the machine, a notable upgrade from the plain bearing and spherical rollers found in alternative cranes.

The crane’s hooked design

extends the crane’s working envelope, minimizing machine travel and enhancing efficiency. The true advantage of the crane is its synergy with Tigercat’s innovative low-wide bunk systems. These angled bunks lower the gate height and eliminate the need for a sliding gate, boosting productivity by allowing for larger payloads in scenarios with lightweight wood and limited load space. Paired with the hooked crane, the low-wide bunk system significantly reduces the risk of contact with the gate or bunk stakes, while improving operator visibility and comfort. Operators benefit from a clear line of sight to the load’s top, leading to precise log placement and faster cycles. Moreover, the grapple remains visible throughout the loading and unloading process, reducing operator fatigue. The

New crane system a productivity booster

Ponsse is presenting new features to support forest machine operators’ daily work and to assist forestry entrepreneurs to follow up on the fleet’s profitability and productivity with the Ponsse Scale crane system.

The Ponsse Scale is a crane scale system that weighs, sorts, saves and manages load data during all working stages.

The collected weighing data makes load handling routines easier. Precise weight measurements ensure an optimal load at all times. It features full weighing automation during both loading and unloading, with detailed load registration.

Whether loads are grabbed

in the middle or off-centre does not affect the weight result. Load details, load logbooks and measuring accuracy data are available in easy-to-read reports.

Ponsse Scale has excellent weather resistance, with accurate results in both hot summer temperatures and winter’s sub-zero temperatures.

The Ponsse High-Precision Positioning is a solution that helps the machine operator know the exact location of the machine and the harvester head.

This enables the effectiveness of logging operations to be maintained, even in changing conditions. Utilis-

ing industry-leading navigation and location tools, as well as Ponsse’s own advanced technologies such as Active Crane, High-Precision Positioning can raise the reliability bar to a level conventional positioning systems often don’t reach.

By defining the exact location of the harvester head and presenting it on a map view, High-Precision Positioning can significantly improve harvesting productivity. The solution clearly shows where the operator should harvest and the areas that should be avoided. Every stump location is saved in the production file, and the driving path the harvester cre-

low-wide system is available for all Tigercat forwarders.

Tigercat grapples

Since an average of 50% of the forwarder duty cycle is spent loading and unloading, increasing the number of logs per crane cycle is another way that Tigercat is improving overall machine productivity and reducing forwarding cost per tonne. The FG43 and FG53 series Tigercat grapples compliment the crane with larger load area capacities at 0,43m2 (4.6 ft2) and 0,53 m2 (5.7 ft2) respectively. The grapples are fitted with thick-walled bushings for extended service life.

Operator’s Station

Tigercat forwarders are equipped with a modern, well finished, spacious cab with extended windows for excellent visibility to the load area and the ground. The large window area

provides an open feeling, reducing the perception of being confined in a machine cab for long periods. A quiet environment is important for operator comfort and productivity. The forwarder cab is insulated, and isolation mounted for reduced noise levels and vibration. Sound insulation is used under the cab, on the engine wall area, and the engine hood to reduce driveline and engine noise. All connections to the cab use bulkhead fittings to reduce noise transfer.

The Tigercat forwarder also comes with the Tigercat F30 production monitoring system, designed to oversee the workflow of the forwarder operation, enhancing performance and productivity. This system optimizes efficiency and productivity throughout the entire process, from the stump to the mill.

ates is clearly visible to the forwarder.

The new solutions will improve productivity and safety and also ensure that the site is most reliably and responsibly completed on time and on budget.

High-Precision Positioning is available in Finland, Sweden and Germany for all PONSSE harvesters equipped with Active Crane, and it can also be retrofitted. Availability for other markets will be specified later.

● The Tigercat 1075C comes with the Tigercat F30 production monitoring system, designed to oversee the workflow of the forwarder operation.

● The Ponsse Scale weighs, sorts, saves and manages load data during all working stages.

OUTRUN™ GUESSWORK

LOG IN, LOGS OUT.

The forestry industry is an increasingly intricate business that requires seamless coordination of your team’s performance in the forest and the back office to achieve success.

To help take the guesswork out of effective decision making, TimberMatic Maps™ and TimberManager™ are our map-based planning and tracking systems that allow your team to share real-time production and location information.

Then, leverage the suite of dealer and factory tools in John Deere Connected Support™ to help reduce, or even prevent, costly downtime.

Simplify your business operations by optimizing your team’s efforts, and in turn, your gains and OUTRUN™ GUESSWORK with John Deere Precision Forestry.

Volvo to launch hydrogenpowered trucks

Volvo Trucks is developing trucks with combustion engines that run on hydrogen. On-road tests with trucks using hydrogen in combustion engines will begin in 2026, and the commercial launch is planned towards the end of this decade.

Trucks that run on green hydrogen provide a significant step for Volvo to achieve its net zero goal and support customers to reach their decarbonization targets.

Trucks that run on green hydrogen instead of fossil fuels provide one way to decarbonize transport. Hydrogen trucks will be especially suitable over longer distances and in regions where there is limited charging infrastructure, or time for, recharging of batteries.

Volvo will begin customer tests with trucks using hydrogen in combustion engines in 2026, and the trucks will be commercially available towards the end of this decade. Already, testing in labs and in vehicles is ongoing. The hydrogenpowered combustion engine trucks will complement Volvo’s offering of other alternatives, such as battery electric trucks, fuel cell electric trucks and trucks that run on renewable fuels, like biogas and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).

“Trucks where the traditional internal combustion engine remains

but runs on hydrogen will have the same performance and reliability as our diesel trucks, but with the added benefit of potentially net zero CO2 emissions well-to-wheel. They will be a valuable complement to our battery electric trucks, which have been on the market for several years,” says Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management and Quality, Volvo Trucks.

Volvo trucks with combustion engines powered by green hydrogen have the potential to deliver net zero CO2 well-to-wheel when using renewable HVO as ignition fuel and are categorized as “Zero Emission Vehicles” (ZEV) under the agreed new EU CO2 emission standards.

“It’s clear that several kinds of

technology are needed to decarbonize heavy transport. As a global truck manufacturer, we need to support our customers by offering a variety of decarbonization solutions, and customers can choose their alternative based on transport assignment, available infrastructure and green energy prices,” says Jan Hjelmgren.

Volvo trucks with hydrogen-powered combustion engines will feature High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI), a technology where a small amount of ignition fuel is injected with high pressure to enable compression ignition before hydrogen is added. The advantages of this technology include higher energy efficiency with lower fuel consump-

Key Points

● Hydrogen-powered Volvo trucks will have an operational range comparable to many diesel trucks, depending on the type of transport.

● Due to the low CO2 emissions from hydrogen combustion, these trucks are categorized as “Zero Emission Vehicles” under the agreed new EU CO2 emission standards.

● Hydrogen combustion engines will also emit very small amounts of nitrogen oxides and particles.

● Hydrogen can also be used to power fuel cell electric trucks, where electricity is produced on board the truck. Fuel cell electric trucks do not emit any tailpipe emissions, only water vapor.

tion, and increased engine power. Volvo Group has signed an agreement with Westport Fuel Systems to establish a joint venture utilizing HPDI technology. The joint venture is anticipated to become operational in the second quarter of 2024, following formal closing.

Combilift branches out into log loading

Following the launch of five new models in its 25th anniversary year in 2023, Irish Materials Handling Specialist Combilift has already announced the premiere of yet another innovation.

The Combi-CLL (Container Log-Loader) was recently exhibited at EXPO Richmond 2024, one of America’s leading trade shows for the forest products industry.

The concept and operation of the Combi-CLL is based on that of the CombiCSS (Container Slip Sheet), which has been successfully deployed across numerous industries for the mechanised loading of long products such as packs of timber or steel into containers.

This not only reduces the

risk of accidents to the workforce and product damage but is incredibly fast compared to other methods – a 40’ container can be fully loaded by one operator in under 6 minutes.

The 30t capacity electrohydraulically powered Combi-CLL offers the same benefits when it comes to speed, safety and product integrity.

It was designed to address the requirements of exporters of softwood and hardwood logs, the nature and shape of which make them much trickier to handle than palletised or packed products.

Logs can be individually lifted and pre-loaded into a robust, high-sided metal “tub” before the patented

push-pull mechanism powers the tub into the container.

Once inside, the hydraulic dropdown hatch is closed and locked into position to hold the logs securely in place, and the tub is retracted to allow the logs to settle within the container.

Once again, Combilift has come up with a customerled solution that also has potential for applications beyond the forestry industry.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/1H_78Oqtlvs? si=26BQh095DnNQTHz_

For more information, please visit: https://combilift.com/combi-css-logloader/ www.combilift.com

Student saw technicians given close look at AKD automation

Agroup of TAFE NSW Tumut saw technician apprentices – including a 63-year-old trainee – have had a firsthand glimpse of one of the region’s powerhouse saw mills in action as part of a special visit.

The group of Certificate III in Saw Technology students, from sawmills across Australia, were recently given a guided tour of the nation’s largest soft wood sawmilling business, Tumut’s AKD.

Part of an annual study tour using industry connections from the teachers at TAFE NSW Tumut’s Forestry Industries Centre, the visit enabled apprentices to see how a high-volume state-ofthe-art softwood mill operated and gave AKD an opportunity to identify future talent.

Saw technicians, also known as saw doctors, are an irreplaceable part of the timber industry, repairing, setting and sharpening saw blades for timber production, often working within fractions of millimetres.

“This is the hub of the

softwood industry in NSW and many of these apprentices haven’t seen anything like this before; it was a real eye-opener,” AKD saw shop supervisor Bill Stuckey said.

“They got a real insight into how automation allows a log to be segregated, separated and broken down as sawn timber without a hand touching it.

“There’s so much demand

for saw technicians right now and for a young person that likes detail and working within tight tolerances, it’s a great career to get into.”

Mr Stuckey said the local timber industry was still recovering from the disastrous 20192020 bushfires, which devas-

LITA celebrates 50 years of training

There have been many changes in the forestry sector in the past five decades, however one organisation has remained a constant throughout that period.

LITA Training this year marks its 50th anniversary of operations, after being formed to improve safety and training in the logging industry.

The Logging Investigation and Training Association (now LITA Training) was created to provide training and related services to the forestry and forest products industries at a time when workplace safety was a real issue.

Before industry mechanisation, tree fellers often operated with chainsaws and axes, with an average of 300 workers injured each year.

Recognising something needed to be done to address this safety issue, representatives from Woods and Forests, Softwoods, SAPFOR and KCA joined forces to support the creation of LITA, with the South East Log Hauliers later joining the group.

The nationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

originally supported workers in the forest, before growing to service those in the transport and machine operating industries.

LITA Training has grown its model to provide a host of training options, from licencing for forklift, heavy vehicles from MR to MC, front end loader, chainsaw training while continuously offering training and assessment within the forest sector, fostering a culture of safety.

LITA was established by the industry with a mission to foster a culture of safety and excellence within our sector. Decades later, LITA Training is grateful for the unwavering support of industry partners, whose backing remains solid.

The board currently includes chair Mark Wells (GTFP), Steven Witherow (Tabeel Trading Nominees), Dianne Muhovics (Moreland Holdings), Renee Ackerley (South West Freight), Tim Williams (Timberlands Pacific), Darren Culverwell (LV Dohnt & Co) and Jo Eaton (OneFortyOne Plantations).

- SE Voice

tated more than a third of the region’s commercial forestry plantation area.

TAFE NSW Tumut is one of only two forestry training providers in Australia, giving apprentice saw doctors from across the nation the skills and experience to forge long careers in the industry.

Tumut and Tumbarumba are home to a global forestry industry, with nearly 18 per cent of the region’s workforce employed in the industry.

One of the saw technicians who attended the visit was ex-builder Craig Schweikert, a 63-year-old from South West Rocks who is launching a new career when many are considering retirement.

Mr Schweikert’s partner recently became a partner at Macleay River Hardwood, and he turned to TAFE

NSW Tumut to give him the hands-on skills, knowledge and experience to work as a saw technician.

“Retiring wasn’t an option for me and I’m still physically fit, so I decided to become a trainee at 63,” he said.

“It was mind-blowing to visit AKD as I’d never had any exposure to softwoods before.”

● Craig Schweikert, 62 , was part of a group of TAFE NSW Tumut students to tour AKD in Tumut recently.

● TAFE NSW Tumut students on a tour at AKD.

Artisan embedding resin for colour and design in timber

Keith Smiley

The transition from sawmiller to builder to artisan is shared by the DIY enthusiast - ever eager to elevate their skills in shaping timber and creating masterpieces fit for a king.

Jason Heaton of Natural Edge Timber company, has applied skill with flair in creating workshops to assist people in mastering wood and resin crafts through comprehensive, hands-on training, garnered from life’s experience and hundreds of flitches he has cut and sourced.

Jason Heaton’s timber is drawn from difficult-to-find slabs bearing intricate wood burls and big chunks that wood turners and carvers love to handle, with a portion of these slabs devoted to pyrography and laser art. In the Brisbane suburb of Albion, Jason Heaton’s company sells these rawcut-slabs of the dappled timber, with a spin-off-product of teaching design for all levels. “Each flitch is sawmilled and planed, some sourced via the Lucas and others cut to design, especially for long tables or furniture,” said Jason. “We also buy recovered timbers from a variety of sawmillers but the best way to get a colour match for long pieces of furniture, like a table, is to get the timber from the same log.”

Instructors teach their ‘students’ how to apply their new-found craft, by infusing different colours into the flitches, allowing the coloured resin to flow into the rivulets created by many years of weathering to get to that state. Natural Edge’s classrooms comfortably accommodate fourteen participants, and with two experienced instructors, these workshops ensure individualised attention, creating an inspiring and colourful learning experience. The hands-on sessions last about 8 hours, providing enough time to immerse oneself into the art.

Throughout the day, par-

ticipants mix and pour resin about three to four times, ensuring they gain the confidence and skills needed to handle resin projects independently. Jason says his workshops focus on ‘simple, cost-effective methods that are easy to master, without needing expensive silicone moulds or special-

ized equipment’.

“Some people are naturally artistic, while some are already wood workers and want to incorporate the resin in their work. We’ve had students as young as 12 and others in their eighties, sometimes coming as whole families.

“The bonding properties

of the resin are super strong adhesive, so if you have a piece of timber that’s starting to split with tension; instead of that timber being unusable, you put resin in it, and it ends up with an interesting feature. If there is too much grain in a furniture piece, we find the resin keeps it stable and together.

“Sometimes I’ll go out to look for new piles of slabs or flitches, other times they freight me the slabs with some of the occasional timber coming with a back story,” said Jason. Some of the timber is brought in from Tasmania but there’s a lot of people working at the cottage level, most of whom are heavy in one type of timber like eucalypts; so we are dealing with a lot of sources providing a greater variety.

“I taught myself to work with timber, learning on the job – it’s about creativity and the problem solving – wood is such a calming material.”

To mill eucalypt for flitches you have to understand the stresses and how these influence the way timber is sawn and how it seasons.

The workshops emphasize ‘adaptable build methods’ using materials that can be easily sourced from the local hardware store.

They run an advanced resin workshop that covers

more complex techniques and projects, and include framing and sealing distinctive pieces, pouring resin layers into intricate projects and working with larger, complex timber varieties. Your custom piece could be converted into tables or a large charcuterie serving board, even a piece of wall art. Most love the ‘warmth of sawmilled timber’ and are delighted by their new skills in planing, shaping, or filling resin into timber shapes.

“I divide up my time planning my week out. We have production days and workshops on others. I have all the stresses of every business owner, as we’ve come through tough times. This is a passion project which has a unique nature to it. Money is not the primary motivation. The work is interesting and I want to improve it all the time. If you’ve ever met someone restoring a classic car, working on it on weekends and night, then my attitude is like this. I’m up at 4am in the morning and start work at five, typically I’ll get home around 7 o’clock, but I am not a workaholic because I love it. The business is feeling really healthy now.”

Jason even built a cubby house for his two kids while they spend time at the shop. He is proud of his kids, and says his wife Ai (pronounced ‘eye’) has been ‘tremendous in raising their kids to be respectful to their parents and to customers’. They met in Cairns when Japanese-born Ai had been on a working holiday and lived together in Japan for five years, got married and returned to Brisbane.

“Ai understands me well and we both have strong ideas but we agreed on how to bring up our children. It was like a Road to Damascus moment when we had the children and Ai has done a fantastic job. Just the knowledge that things are good at home allowed me to focus on the business and get through some really tough times.

● Natural Edge Timber’s Jason Heaton filling space with resin in his workshop.

● Training underway at Natural Edge Timber

Ground-up redesign for Tigercat carbonizer

Tigercat Industries has released the 6040 carbonizer, a longawaited product to replace the 6050 carbonator that Tigercat marketed for a brief time after acquiring the product through the purchase of ROI in 2019.

The mobile onsite wood conversion system is once again available in the marketplace after a comprehensive, ground-up redesign.

The 6040 is one of the most environmentally friendly wood debris reduction and conversion systems available on the market.

The machine inputs woody debris and produces a high-quality organic carbon with up to 90% mate-

rial reduction. It is an ideal solution for converting unwanted logging and agriculture residue into a useful, high grade organic carbon that can be left onsite as a soil additive or marketed for many different commercial uses. The process captures 20 to 30 percent of the available carbon in the feedstock and sequesters it for thousands of years, furthering the goals of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. The innovative conversion process operates at high throughput levels and produces very low emissions because the gasses are combusted in the controlled combustion zone.

The 6040 redesign ad-

dresses performance related issues experienced in the original design and represents the knowledge of the applications that Tigercat engineers and field support personnel have gained over the past five years.

Great care has been taken to create a machine that allows modular replacement over time. For instance the grates in the carbonizing chamber are now made up of seven different sections that can be rotated 180 degrees to balance wear and extend life. Individual sections can be replaced as required. The undercarriage, auger trough, and conveyor system are all bolt-on sections to the main carboniz-

ing chamber frame. Everything can be separated for service and replacement if required. The modular bolton design also allows for differing expansion rates of these major components.

The auger trough is designed for minimal air leakage, assisting with under-air efficiency, further defining the secondary combustion zone, while reducing hotspots that could form from an inefficient base pressure or vacuum. Unlike the 6050, the auger trough, where the quenching process takes place, is entirely sealed. Once the organic carbon drops through the grates,

it is fully quenched by the water bath. An onboard hydraulic water supply pump and integrated automatic water level control system reduces water consumption by about 50% compared with the 6050. Automated water fill, level control, and water retention provides the operator a window of time to replenish the water supply if required.

The overall machine weight has been reduced from 43 550 kg (96,000 lb) to 37 650 kg (83,000 lb). Extended track frames improve load distribution on the trailer and reduce soil compaction on the ground.

service and support team are on hand to keep your operation running at peak efficiency.

● The new 6040 carbonizer is one of the most environmentally friendly wood debris reduction and conversion systems on the market.

NEW Thinning & Clear Fall Harvesters from Komatsu Forest

The Komatsu 931XC & 951XC provide considerable advantages logging in steep terrain and soft ground. The compact eight-wheel design with high underlying tractive force and unique interaction between engine, control system and power transmission combine to provide;

• Great climbing ability & stability

• Excellent manoeuvrability

• Low ground pressure