AFT November 2014

NOVEMBER 2014 Issue 7 Vol. 23 • P: (03) 9888 4834 • E: m.dolphin@ryanmediapl.com.au • www.timberbiz.com.au

Altus Renewables loads first shipment of wood pellets from Port of Bundaberg B

RISBANE-BASED wood pellet producer Altus Renewables Limited completed loading its first-ever shipment of wood pellets at Queensland Sugar Limited’s wharf at the Port of Bundaberg on 26 September.

The bulk cargo of wood pellets was loaded onto the MV Port Phillip and was destined for South Korea. Altus’ wood pellets will be used by South Korean power companies to generate power while meeting their carbon emission reduction targets at the same time.

Altus Managing Director Ian Sandeman said the shipment was a significant milestone for the company following the successful commissioning of its pellet facility in late 2013.

The Altus facility, located in the Tuan Forest near Maryborough, has a production capacity of up to 125,000 tonnes of wood pellets per year.

“Our facility is located alongside the Hyne Tuan Sawmill and utilises sawmill residue to manufacture the wood pellets, thereby adding significant value to a by-

AFCA appoints new General Manager

D

AVID KEENAN has been appointed General Manager of the Australian Forest Contractors Association. His appointment was announced by AFCA chairman Ian Reid and culminated a three-month selection process.

Keenan has worked in senior management positions in the Local Government sector for the past 16 years.

His various roles have included General Manager or Chief Executive Officer at Tweed and Mitchell Shire Councils, as well as Director roles at Hume, Ballarat and Warrnambool Councils. His concentration has been in the planning and economic development fields, as well as undertaking advocacy and sourcing funding. He was a member of the six-person Ministerial Advisory Committee that reviewed the Victorian Planning System, and was the inaugural Chairperson of Economic Development Australia.

“In my various roles I have developed an understanding of, and expertise in, dealing with the processes of Government at Local, State and Federal level. However, over the journey I’ve never lost sight of the fact all this activity is supposed to be for the benefit of rate and tax-payers (the voters) not politicians and bureaucrats,” said Keenan.

“Occasionally this has landed me in hot water

Inside:

• OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW SA'S FORESTRY INDUSTRY • FOREST INDUSTRY IS "OPEN FOR BUSINESS"

¢ New AFCA General Manager David Keenan (left) and AFCA chairman Ian Reid.

with politicians but I’d like to think my motives have always been sound and I know I’ve generally had the support of the public.

“Given the importance of the timber industry to sustainable environmental and economic

• THERE'S GOLD IN THEM THAR FORESTS • NEW COUNCIL PACKED WITH EXPERTISE

continued on page 4.

• MEMORIAL WALK FOR FORESTRY WORKERS • RAMPING UP FOR THE FIRE SEASON

product from the sawmilling process,” Ian said.

“Wood pellets are used extensively in Europe for the generation of renewable energy and the Korean and Japanese power companies are beginning to adopt the same strategy, creating a rapidly growing market opportunity for Altus,” he said.

Ian said that Altus had made a significant capital investment in the region over the past two years resulting in the construction continued on page 4.

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Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 3

Blueprint delivers opportunities to grow SA’s forest industry S

OUTH AUSTRALIAN Forests Minister Leon Bignell says a newly-released Blueprint for the Future South Australian Forest and Wood Products Industry (2014 –2040) outlines innovation and investment opportunities designed to ensure the long-term sustainable growth of the industry.

“South Australia’s forest and wood products industry is an important part of our economy, generating annual revenue of around $2.6 billion, and creating jobs especially in the State’s regions,” he said.

“Despite a range of economic challenges, the industry has not sat idle, with dozens of representatives contributing ideas for advancing the forestry and wood products sector during the 18-month consultation on this new blueprint.

“The document sets out different ways to grow the industry through investment and innovation in sustainable resources, processing capacity and products, marketing and promotion, and workforce development.”

The Minister said the blueprint and the Government’s policy statement would build on key South Australian Government initiatives, including the Cellulosic Fibre Value Chain Study, the South East Forestry Partnerships Program (SEFPP).

“The release of the Government’s policy statement was the first step in implementing some of the

opportunities listed in the blueprint, sending a clear message that South Australia continued to support our forestry industry and was open for business,” he said.

“Other steps identified in the blueprint included engaging with the Victorian Government on crossborder issues, and the recent announcement of phase two of the SEFPP to further deliver on the recommendations from the Cellulosic Fibre Value Chain Study.”

The South Australian Forestry Industry Advisory Board produced the blueprint, and Chair Trevor Smith said extensive consultation with industry, Government and the community helped develop the document.

“Thanks to the valuable input from many participants, we have a blueprint which provides real direction to achieve significant economic, social and environmental outcomes,” he said.

“Key areas include the creation of an enabling business environment, collaborative investment in research and development, and actively engaging the community on the benefits of sustainable plantation wood.”

He said the ongoing input and support from industry and the community was crucial to supporting a longterm viable and prosperous industry.

Mount Gambier relies more heavily on forestry sector employment than other regions and large cities in Australia, with 11% of its workforce in the industry.

NSW Forest Corporation puts back almost 10 million trees in one winter

A

S AN exemplar of why Australia is considered world leading in its use of its forest resources, the Forestry Corporation of NSW has planted 9.7 million seedlings over winter.

These seedlings replace trees used by industry and homeowners for timber framing, kitchens, cupboards, cardboard and paper products for our homes and businesses.

“In a carbon constrained global economy the world is looking again to timber and all the products we make from wood. Timber products store carbon and the replanted forests suck in greenhouse gases,” said Australian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer Ross Hampton.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that a carefully and sustainably managed forest, used for timber products and then replanted, exactly as we see NSW Forestry Corporation doing here, is the best way to reduce the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Forestry Corporation is to be congratulated for making this concerted effort to ensure that every tree felled and used for timber products will be quickly replaced.”

The Forestry Corporation of NSW silviculture teams and contractors have planted the equivalent of 17 000 football fields of trees, mostly pine varieties.

When grown these trees will

provide enough timber to build a quarter of the homes constructed in Australia each year.

“This is a fantastic achievement by our dedicated nursery and silviculture teams,” said Forestry Corporation Chief Executive Officer Nick Roberts.

“Our people take our charter to operate sustainably very seriously and take great pride in providing an important renewable resource to Australians. These plantations will replenish our environment as well

as provide the materials we need to provide year round regional jobs and grow our renewable economy.”

Strategy and Risk Manager Gavin Jeffries said a workforce of 23 casuals had come on board at Forestry Corporation’s Blowering Nursery for the massive dispatch operation, while about 100 contract staff were engaged around the State to hand plant the seedlings.

Blowering Nursery produced a healthy crop of 6.5 million seedlings, which was the highest

quality crop produced since it completed a major $3 million upgrade. Seedlings were also dispatched from Grafton in northern NSW and Gelliondale in Victoria.

Forestry Corporation invests more than $12.5 million in its annual plantation establishment program and is the largest producer of plantation-grown radiata pine in the country, managing more than 200,000 hectares of plantations around the State.

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4 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

ISSN 1444-5824

November 2014

Altus Renewables loads first shipment of wood pellets from Port of Bundaberg continued from page 1.

Training can be a life saver. Elise talks about how, on page 14.

Features ForestTECH 10 FWPA 11 Training 12-15 Bio Fuels 17 Chippers 18 Sawlines 19-20 Skidders 22 Fowarders 23-25 Fire Prevention 30-31

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of a state-of-the-art wood pellet processing facility at Tuan which has created employment directly and through the use of many local contractors.

Altus Chairman Denis Waddell said the company’s first shipment to Korea marked the ramp-up of a sustainable, long-term export industry for Queensland through the provision of renewable fuels.

“Altus will be exporting up to five shipments per year, generating valuable export revenue and also providing additional opportunities for the underutilised Bundaberg Port facilities, which is no doubt beneficial for Queensland and Australia.

“This is a key milestone, not only in the ongoing development of Altus but also the ongoing industrial development of the region,” he said.

Altus is an unlisted public company with its head office based in Brisbane, specialising in the production and marketing of biomass-based densified pellets.

The pellets are used extensively for the generation of renewable energy in both domestic and industrial applications.

The company’s strategy focuses on the utilisation of a proven and effective waste to energy process through wood-based waste being converted into pellets. In addition, Altus also produces high quality absorbents targeting equine bedding, kitty litter and industrial absorbent markets.

International forestry experts to address Lismore conference SOME OF the world’s finest minds in forestry science, forest management and industry development will assemble in Lismore this month to share their collected wisdom and experience at the biennial Australian Forest Growers Conference.

Conference convenor Mark Wright said the conference program now boasts more than 40 presentations from Australia’s top forest research scientists, industry professionals and hands-on practitioners.

“Joining the Aussies will be international representatives of the world-wide forest management community. Conference delegates will be able to choose presentations from a wide variety of highly regarded and respected speakers, covering subject matter covering a wide range of issues and latest developments in Australia and worldwide,” Mark said.

He said some examples of the high-calibre presenters included CSIRO Forest Systems Group principal research scientist Dr Libby Pinkard, NSW Department of Primary Industries principal

research scientist Dr Christine Stone and Professor John Walker, research scientist from the University of Canterbury with an expertise in developing a plantation resource.

“The theme of the Conference is “Trees – the future crop for changing climates”, and Dr Pinkard’s presentation will address climate change impacts and adaption for farm foresters,” Mark said.

“She will be highlighting adaption strategies for reducing the impacts on plantation productivity from vulnerabilities resulting from climate change impacts of increased pest risk, drought and fire hazard.”

Dr Stone’s presentation will cover emerging technologies in plantation management, specifically the integration of airborne laser scanning data collection into forestry inventory systems - to enable business efficiency through more precise volume and yield estimates.

Professor Walker is a forthright presenter renowned for his innovative research. He will

present on developing a quality Eucalypt resource based around a breeding program that focuses on wood quality attributes.

Using novel methods to measure wood quality in young trees, Professor Walker’s research enables the selection of the best trees with prized attributes as early as age two, speeding up the selection and reducing the cost of tree improvement.

The Australian Forest Growers Biennial Conference will be held 26-29 October at Southern Cross University campus Lismore. Registrations are now open and a full program, including tours to northern New South Wales’ leading forestry plantations and processors, is available on-line at www.afg.asn.au.

The conference is supported by sponsors including the federal Department of Agriculture, Forest and Wood Products Australia, Southern Cross University, NSW Trade and Investment, Hurford Hardwood, Lismore City Council, ForestWorks Pty Ltd, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Super Forest Plantations and BSI.

AFCA appoints new General Manager continued from page 1. development in Australia and understanding the role contractors play in the forest is fundamental to forest managers achieving and retaining their sustainable production certification, I’m really looking forward to learning about the intricacies of the contracting

business from members.

“Once I have a better understanding of the grass roots level, I’m sure we can hone the work AFCA has been doing in the innovation area to produce a program of immense benefit to our members and the industry as a whole,” he said.

Reid explained that the Board took a decision some time ago

to take a more formal approach to provide members with tangible benefits designed to improve their businesses and to demonstrate to forest managers why engaging an AFCA member was a sensible business decision for them as well.

“AFCA was founded with a passion to advocate on behalf of contractors to ensure they

weren’t being unfairly treated by big clients, suppliers and Government departments. We still have that passion but also know, in today’s world, we need to provide members with an intelligent approach to business and advocacy on behalf of the industry,” he said.

Keenan is expected to take up the position this month (October).

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6 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

Get on board TCA as annual general meeting approaches

‘Experts on local issues are local people'

O

PPORTUNITIES ARE opening to get involved with Timber Communities Australia Board elections. The first Annual General Meeting of the substantially restructured organisation is set for November.

Nominations for election to the Board open during October.

The newly-written mission of TCA is to represent and act in the best interest of communities which are associated with the forest and timber sectors in Australia and to foster a healthy and sustainable future for those communities and their associated social values.

The new TCA approach developed by the Interim Board is for a broader church - TCA was better known in the past for a focus on native forest areas. The new approach is more inclusive of other forest plantation communities.

Key roles performed by TCA include:

•

•

• • •

advocacy in the public and policy arena which supports and adds weight to local and regional timber community initiatives (submissions and meetings); providing opportunities for members from timber communities across Australia to network with each other and a forum is planned after the election of the new Board; membership of the Social Chamber of the Forest Stewardship Council; membership of Australian Forestry Standard; communications – with a substantial refresh of the website scheduled at the end of 2014.

A revised TCA Constitution became effective from 1 August 2014. This widened the voting rights to all membership types.

The types of membership are now general, affiliate and sponsor and all groups are entitles to nominate candidates and elect

representatives onto the Board.

Since her appointment in early 2014, the National Coordinator Helen Murray has been travelling widely to meet members and talk with TCA Branches and others with an interest in joining TCA as either General, Affiliate or Sponsor.

TCA’s work representing timber community voices in the arena of forestry accreditation is ongoing.

Once under the new Board, TCA will then resume a more active role ensuring community viewpoints are present in forums and debates.

According to Helen, the upcoming election of the new Board is the next significant milestone. This would not even have been possible without strong support of current members and sponsors.

“TCA appreciates the support of Sponsor Members and I appreciate the genuine willingness they have to enable community voices to be heard.

“Times have changed and society now expects, indeed demands, that social/community impacts are given a high degree of attention,” says Helen. “This underpins the evolution of TCA to suit the times.”

Helen also meets with key people in Government, industry and a range of other stakeholders to ensure that TCA is reconnecting.

Helen foresees that in future “TCA’s role may potentially grow in importance because it offers a lean national umbrella structure which links-up grassroots community interest groups, from different places across the nation, on issues common to them.

“It’s also a central point of contact for stakeholders

seeking viewpoints from timber communities.

“However, TCA’s clear approach now is that the experts on local issues are local people and TCA wants to imprint that into its new culture,” says Helen.

“The national umbrella role of TCA is quite simple - to link up communities and represent common views or pursue common strategies where and when members decide that is needed.”

Prior and new members are encouraged to resubscribe now before the AGM and get involved in TCA. TCA members come from all walks of life. They mostly either live-in, work in, or have a community association with, the forestry and timber sector. Members share the outlook that long-term sustainable timber communities matter to Australia’s social, environmental and economic fabric and must be supported.

Young people wanting to get involved in TCA activities or to consider standing for election to the Board are especially encouraged to contact Helen to discuss how to go about that. “An injection of fresh energy and ideas would be a great asset to TCA alongside more experienced members in a range of activities.”

Helen hopes younger members will also get involved with shaping TCA’s communications activities.

“It is very important for the future of timber communities that TCA does its bit to encourage fellow Australians to better understand the need for productive forestry and how forestry activities truly can be sustainable. TCA members

¢ Helen Murray (TCA National Coordinator) inspecting a replanted coupe in the ash forests around Healesville, Victoria.

know that. And they want this to be communicated.

“It will be great to get the new Board in place and then embark upon an Action Plan that supports local communities with their representative and promotional efforts,” says Helen.

To get involved with TCA …

TCA welcomes enquiries from new and old members, potential affiliate groups wishing to join the network or sponsors. Contact National Coordinator Helen Murray ph. 02-6282-2455 or 0419991-424 hmurray@tca.org.au

Demand for FSC certification sees NZ office open THE GROWING number of New Zealand businesses and forest managers looking to show their sustainability credentials and secure market share under the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) top flight certification scheme prompted the opening of a new regional FSC office in Auckland.

New Zealand is one of the most advanced markets for FSC globally with 95% of plantation forests in the country currently certified by the FSC and more than 170 businesses holding FSC chain of custody certificates for forest products that range from timber and paper to charcoal, latex, honey and rubber.

FSC certified forests have grown to 1.3 million hectares in New Zealand compared to 1.1 million hectares in Australia and awareness of the sustainability benefits of FSC timber continues to grow in the construction and manufacturing industries. In fact, the third season of reality television series The Block NZ, will use only local FSC certified timber during its DIY home renovations.

Based out of the Movers and Shakers creativity hub offices in Auckland, FSC New Zealand Business Development Manager John Castle is the new local point of contact for the not for profit, who will report to the FSC Australia office in Melbourne under a new regional management structure employed by the FSC for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to raising the profile of the FSC here in New Zealand and promoting the benefits certification brings to forest managers, forest product certificate holders, the environment, economy and local communities,” John said.

“In today’s environmentally and socially conscious market, FSC certification provides a well-established vehicle for businesses to improve corporate social

responsibility credentials by demonstrating adherence to the most rigorous standards for forest management in the world.

“As a descendant of Te Ati Haunui A Paparangi Iwi from Hiruharama on the Whanganui River, all people and the sustainability of our land’s forest resource in Aotearoa is very close to my heart, with what I will achieve with FSC. We all live under the same big sky, but we all see different horizons, my role is to bring our vision together as one to ensure we meet our responsibilities.”

John said he encouraged all New Zealanders with a commitment to responsible forest management to become a member of the FSC under one of the organisation’s economic, environmental or social chambers.

FSC certified timber from New Zealand is highly sought after in international export markets.

For example the world’s largest tissue products manufacturer, Kimberly-Clark, source FSC certified NZ pine for their manufacturing facility in South Australia to produce a variety of hygiene products.

Chinese manufacturers are another major importer of NZ certified wood that is used to create thousands of different high quality timber products from furniture to consumer goods.

FSC Australia CEO Natalie Reynolds said the FSC was excited to provide a localised presence to ensure New Zealand forests meet the current economic, social and environmental needs of New Zealanders without compromising the needs of future generations.

“It is the first time in FSC history that we have opened a regional office model and FSC Australia is proud to embark on this new role on behalf of FSC International,” she said.

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8 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

Forestry industry is “open for business”

P

arliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck, has welcomed investment in Australia’s plantation sector and says it shows the industry is open for business.

The Senator was commenting on the Australian Plantation Statistics 2014 update released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). The report provides an up-to-date look at Australia’s softwood and hardwood plantations.

Senator Colbeck said the Coalition was encouraged by confidence shown through recent investments in the plantation sector.

“The Australian Plantation Statistics annual report supports forest industry planning and decision-making,” Senator Colbeck said.

“The report found Australia’s total plantation estate remained stable in 2012-13, with a total of 2,012,500 hectares reported compared with 2,012,600 hectares in 201112.

“About 2200 hectares of new plantation areas were established in 2012–13, this figure is offset by the removal of areas that were either deemed commercially unviable or did not replant at the end of their lease agreement.”

“This shows the dynamic nature of rural land use, where plantation estates can be returned to other agricultural activities.”

Senator Colbeck said recent investment in the plantation sector demonstrated companies were here for the long haul and were committed to expanding plantation estates on suitable land as well as increasing productivity on existing estates.

“It is pleasing to see recent investment in the plantation sector, especially after a period under the previous Labor/Green Government where the industry was effectively discouraged by measures that excluded the industry,” he said.

Senator Colbeck said the Coalition was committed to rebuilding Australia’s forestry sector and supporting it with appropriate policies that would help the sector grow.

Report summary

Australia’s total plantation estate remained stable in 2012–13, with a total of 2 012 500 hectares reported by plantation managers compared with 2 012 600 hectares in 2011– 12.

In 2012–13 the total area of softwood plantations was 1 023 800 hectares; the total area of hardwood plantations was 976 400 hectares; and around 12 300 hectares was classified as other categories that included mixed hardwood and softwood species and plantations where species type was not reported.

About 2200 hectares of new plantation areas were reported to be established in

2012–13. This is the smallest area of new plantations established since the mid– 1990s. The increase was offset by removal of existing plantation areas of around 2300 hectares that growers either deemed commercially unviable or did not replant at the end of their lease agreement.

Removals of some plantation areas from active production are expected to continue over the next five years as some lease agreements reach completion and commercially unviable plantations are not replanted.

Between 2000–01 and 2012–13 the new plantation establishment rate declined in all states and territories except the Northern Territory.

From 2011–12 to 2012–13 the plantation estate has increased or remained unchanged

in every National Plantation Inventory (NPI) region except Western Australia and Central Gippsland. The plantation area decline d by around 0.55 per cent in Western Australia and by 1.05 per cent in Central Gippsland. The largest increase from 2011–12 to 2012–13 of 4.16 per cent was in the Northern Territory.

The hardwood plantation estate is dominated by blue gum (54.6 per cent) and shining gum (24.2 per cent). Both species are primarily managed for pulplog production.

The softwood plantation estate is dominated by radiata pine (75.4 per cent) and southern pines (14.8 per cent). Both species are primarily managed for sawlog production.

In 2012–13 plantations produced 82.7 per cent of the total wood supply from Australian forests.

Mobile laser scanner brings a new dimension to forestry research

¢ Award-winning scientist David Pont with the hand-held mobile laser scanner.

A HANDHELD mobile laser scanner is helping researchers in New Zealand develop new working practices to characterise forest stands for management and research purposes. The team at Scion, a New Zealand Crown Research Institute (CRI), required a practical means for accurately locating and measuring individual trees on the ground. Using the ZEB1 they achieved significant advantages in speed of data capture, quality of the resulting point cloud and ease of use of the system. Scion purchased the ZEB1 from 3D Laser Mapping, following successful trials of the technology.

“Traditionally poor GPS under forest cover makes identifying trees a problem,” said David Pont of Scion, an award-winning

scientist who specialises in world leading research to identify individual trees from remotely sensed aerial LiDAR. “The ability of the ZEB1 to provide the position for spatial locations using SLAM technology – specifically developed for mapping of areas with no GPS – was therefore of immediate interest to us.”

3D Laser Mapping successfully trialled the ZEB1, scanning small stands of trees close to the Scion campus in Rotorua, New Zealand. Within hours the team was back in the office viewing a highly detailed point cloud of the trees. Having subsequently purchased their own ZEB1, researchers at Scion are now carrying out further trials of the system including the scanning of inventory plots used

to characterise forest stands for management purposes. The project team aims to extract tree diameters, locations and stem shapes from the ZEB1 point clouds rather than through the use of conventional manual measurements.

“Besides portability and ease of use the ZEB1 really shines in the speed of scanning,” said Pont.

“In the forest, trees are obscured by terrain, undergrowth and even other trees and conventional tripod units require multiple scans and registration of the point cloud to cover any significant area. The ZEB1 scans continuously as you move around the forest to provide a single, registered point cloud.

“It is this ability to scan as you move that lifts the use of the ZEB1 from an academic exercise to something that demonstrates real potential for practical applications in forestry. In fact, the old adage ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’, is possibly, with the use of the ZEB1, no longer the case!

“The ZEB1 and its software are both remarkably easy to operate and from the first enquiry to the current phase of practical trials the support from 3D Laser Mapping has been excellent.”

ZEB1 uses robotic technology called Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM). The ZEB1 system includes a lightweight laser scanner mounted on a simple spring mechanism, which continuously scans as the operator walks through the environment. As the scanner loosely oscillates about the spring it produces a rotation that converts 2D laser measurements into 3D fields of view. Its ability to self-localise makes ZEB1 ideally suited for use indoors, underground and in other covered environments, where traditional solutions that utilise GPS don’t function well.

ZEB1 was developed by CSIRO,

Australia’s national science agency, and is licenced to GeoSLAM (a UK based startup company). The competitively priced ZEB1, now exclusively available from 3D Laser Mapping, allows for fast data capture without any complex set up. ZEB1 is easy to use,

truly portable and does not require expensive software or high end computers to process the captured data.

3D Laser Mapping is a global developer of laser scanning solutions for sectors such as mapping, mining and manufacturing.

3D Laser

ForestWorks 7th Annual Industry Development Conference and All of Industry Gala Dinner 2015 ON 25 March, 2015 ForestWorks will once again host its annual flagship conference event for the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry.

The Innovation Skills Program event will take place in Canberra and offer an exceptional forum for professionals to extend their industry knowledge and expand their network.

Michael Hartman, ForestWorks ISC Chief Executive Officer, said it was great to have the opportunity to deliver the industry development conference as a key educational event for industry with a focus on innovation.

“We aim to provide participants with valuable information and examples in our industry about what makes innovation work.

“At the 2014 conference in March we talked about how to make innovation happen. In 2015, we will look at examples of how

it happens and why, including innovation success stories and case studies.

“We will look beyond the innovative technologies in our industry and focus on the people, exploring how they bring about innovation,” said Michael.

Due to the success of this year’s Industry Gala Dinner, ForestWorks will again work with the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) to co-host a similar event at Parliament House.

Michael said that it was great to work with AFPA on this dinner, and also with all the associations that participated with their members.

Further details will be announced in the coming months, including the conference theme, speakers and venue.

For more information please contact ForestWorks: forestworks@forestworks.com.au

¢ Michael Hartman - ForestWorks CEO

10 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

FORESTTECH 2014

Resource foresters plan an array of workshops around ForestTECH 2014 One of this region’s most eagerly awaited technology events

I

N THE last issue of this magazine we highlighted just why remote sensing has made such a profound impact on local foresters in planning and managing their forest estates. ForestTECH 2014 this year will involve all those responsible for data capture, inventory management and remote sensing in Australasia. They, along with international expertise drawn from Canada, the USA, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland, will be sharing just how far they have got with their trials, what tools are being used, how the technology is being rolled out and what impact – financially and operationally – it’s made to the forestry company.

“It’s probably one of this region’s most eagerly awaited technology events,” says FIEA Director Brent Apthorp.

“Judging by the registrations that have already come in, the number of exhibitors and technology providers that have signed up to attend and presenters that unfortunately can’t at this stage be accommodated in the program, it’s going to be another major forestry technology event. Last year’s ForestTECH event was a sellout with well over 400 attending.

ForestTECH 2014 is expected to

be THE major technology event for the forestry industry this year”.

The popularity of this year’s ForestTECH 2014 event can also be seen in the large number of practical workshops that have been set up by industry in both countries.

For your own planning, events being planned around ForestTECH 2014 to date include:

Australia: (a) A practical half-day workshop has been set up for Australian forestry companies to share information on research and the operational deployment of LiDAR and remote sensing into their own operations. This is being led by Australian forestry companies FCNSW, HVP, Forestry Tasmania, HQPlantations along with the Canadian Forest Service. It’s planned to run on the second afternoon of the two-day Melbourne event on Wednesday 26 November. (b) A ‘hands-on’ half-day practical workshop for users of LAStools will be run by Dr Martin Isenburg from the USA on the morning of Thursday 27 November at the Bayview Eden, the day after the ForestTECH conference. Dr Isenburg, who developed LAStools to process LiDAR point cloud data, has been sponsored through the FWPA project PNC305-1213 “Operational deployment of

¢ LiDAR.

LiDAR derived information into softwood resource systems” and

by Forestry Corporation NSW. People interested in attending the half-day workshop should contact Tony Brown of Forestry Corporation NSW, (tony.brown@ fcnsw.com.au) to register.

Participants will need to bring their own Windows laptop to run LAStools. Information about LAStools can be found on http:// rapidlasso.com/

New Zealand: (c) Cengea Solutions have planned a one-day workshop for

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their Australasian clients the day before the Rotorua conference, on Tuesday 18 November. (d) The Interpine Group is running a LiDAR analysis introduction course to learn how to manipulate and utilise LiDAR datasets (with a specific focus on forestry derived outputs, such as terrain and vegetation surfaces, vegetation related metrics, through to extracting plot and tree level) the day after the Rotorua conference, on Friday 21st November.

The practical workshop is aimed at building on the ForestTECH 2014 conference content. It will allow people to start using the

technology and understand how to utilise the data. Participants will be using forestry specific LiDAR derived datasets in software such as FurgoViewer, Quick Terrain Modeler, LasTools, Fusion and ESRI ArcMap. Further details can be found on http://www. interpine.co.nz/news/Lists/Posts/ Post.aspx?ID=193 ForestTECH 2014 is planned to run on 19-20 November in Rotorua, New Zealand and then again in Melbourne, Australia on 25-26 November.

Full program details can be found on the event website, www.foresttech2014.com

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 11

FWPA

Optimising productivity of eucalypt plantations through improved fertilizer usage

By Matthew Lovering

‘One step closer to the aim of precision forestry’

A

LMOST 1 million hectares of hardwood plantations are growing in Australia. Dominated by Eucalyptus globulus (55%) and E. nitens (24%) they are mostly cultivated for pulpwood on 10 to 15 year rotations. Many are now ready for harvesting and subsequent replanting.

However, while previous experience shows that applying appropriate amounts of fertiliser can prevent second rotation decline, there is no reliable, cost-effective method to predict how a plantation will respond to fertiliser or when is the best time to apply it.

Now, researchers from The University of Melbourne, together with several forest growers and funding from FWPA, have compiled and analysed historical fertiliser trials to provide new insight.

The research considered fertiliser response data collected by a variety of industry collaborators over almost 20 years from 49 sites across south-western and south-eastern Australia.

Twenty-eight sites had fertiliser (containing nitrogen and phosphorus) only applied at planting and age one; 11 sites had fertiliser (nitrogen only) only applied at age 4–5; and 10 sites had fertiliser (containing nitrogen and phosphorus) applied at planting and age one, and nitrogen only fertilizer applied at age 4–5.

The results showed growth responses to fertiliser typically lasted four years and substantial gains in final yield could be achieved, particularly at sites receiving mid-rotation fertiliser.

The sites were also assessed for variations in climatic and site conditions, such as rainfall, evaporation, maximum and minimum temperatures, solar radiation and soil quality.

Dr Chris Szota, a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, led the project. “Nutrition management is about the biggest weapon we have to maximise site potential, but we still lack reliable tools which do the simple job of estimating how much growth we are likely to get from an application of fertiliser,” says Chris. “Agriculturalists have had this information for years, with lookup tables that can tell you if you have X per cent nitrogen in your soil that you need to add Y kilograms per hectare of fertiliser to get Z per cent additional growth. Our project was driving at developing similar information for eucalypt plantation growers; where they could take a soil or foliar sample and use it to predict how much growth they would get from a single application of fertiliser.”

By utilising the existing data the research team saved both time and money by collaborating with industry.

“This project relied on gathering and consolidating data from forest growers who have, over the years, installed research trials throughout their estates,” says Chris. “Some were part of collaborative efforts with researchers and other growers, while some addressed specific interests.

“My role was to compile as many results from completed fertiliser experiments as possible from our project partners.

This involved running around the country and spending time with our project partners, rifling through filing cabinets and testing memories to get as much detail about each experiment as possible. We built a database of these experiments and then stepped back to see what we had.”

Unfortunately the researchers had to cull a lot of the data that was offered to them, as the big thing they needed from each experiment was some measure of nutrition status before

fertiliser had been applied, such as a sample being taken from the soil or the leaves.

“We spent considerable time checking growth data, tree-bytree over experiments which were measured over 10 years,” say Chris. “It was difficult to match up records from different people measuring experiments, and if we couldn’t find a reasonable explanation then plots or whole experiments were dropped from the analysis.”

Industry contributors were a key part of the success of this project.

“Our industry people were keen to contribute data and see it used,” says Chris. “People like John Wiedemann (from WAPRES) and Ben Bradshaw (Australian Bluegum Plantations Pty Ltd) spent considerable time cross-checking tree-level data from some massive experiments which ran for more than 10 years; often working with very little supplementary information to help ‘read the matrix’. For those not so familiar with this type of analysis, I’d say it would be more painful than volunteering to do the last seven years’ worth of tax returns for everybody you know.

“Previously, a good friend and I had spent about four years putting in hundreds of fertiliser plots across southern WA, so I was very appreciative of the data our partners contributed to this project and the people who installed the experiments all those years ago.”

In particular, the study revealed that growth responses to fertiliser varied substantially between sites, highlighting the need for a systematic way of identifying responsive sites.

To help with that identification process, the research team developed models to predict growth response to fertiliser from soil and/or foliar tests in combination with climate variables.

“Once we had restricted the data only to suitable experiments, we went about building predictive models which used site variables including soil, foliar and climate data to predict growth response to fertiliser. This involved running lots of scenarios and combinations of variables to determine which ones were most related to response to fertiliser,” says Chris.

Potentially mineralisable N (nitrogen), from 0 to 10 cm deep soil samples, in combination with long-term average annual rainfall, could predict short-term growth responses to establishment (N and P (phosphorous)) fertiliser with 70% accuracy. Unfortunately, models were unable to predict

growth responses to mid-rotation fertiliser with any level of accuracy. Although the best establishment fertiliser models only predicted short-term growth response (i.e. one year after application) with any level of accuracy, they show significant value in identifying the sites that are highly unlikely to respond to fertiliser.

“This means that growers will be able to use fertiliser more efficiently, by identifying sites more likely to show large growth responses,” says Chris.

“There is no need for growers to develop their own models, they can use those presented in our report. We would encourage growers to test our models, by following the method and then installing some measurement plots to see if they got what our models predicted.”

To run any simulation model, a plantation manager needs to acquire appropriate site data (such as climate variables) and send soil or leaf samples to a laboratory for analysis. These results are used by the model to predict the percentage of volume growth if fertiliser were to be applied.

Chris is very pleased with the user-friendliness of the model developed by the team. “Models can be intimidating, but ours are relatively simple —they are just equations which you can enter into a spreadsheet. To use our method, growers need to collect soil samples and send them for analysis, as well as know the long-term rainfall for the site. The model only needs a specific soil test for nitrogen which costs around $15 per sample for analysis. Growers can then enter the data into the spreadsheet and apply our equations to predict growth response. It really is no trickier than preparing budgets,” says Chris.

For growers, the project has direct benefits in that it can save them money by not fertilising sites where there is not going to be extra growth.

“Growers already routinely take soil and/or foliar samples; however, the methods they use to interpret them are many and varied. So we’re not introducing a new cost to plantation management, just refining the method of interpretation,” says Chris proudly.

“It brings us one step closer to the aim of precision forestry.”

The report of this research, Predictive relationships to assist fertiliser use decision-making in eucalypt plantations” (PNC304-1213), is available on the FWPA website (http:// www.fwpa.com.au).

Thar’s gold in them thar forests!

WAUCHOPE’S OLD Bottlebutt, the State Forests of the Coffs Coast and the Experience a Forest Playground destination marketing campaign won gold at the North Coast Tourism awards.

Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Manager of Tourism and Partnerships Louise Faulkner said the upgraded visitor destinations, ability to host unique events and destination marketing campaign earned Forestry Corporation gold in three award categories.

“The new viewing platform, walking track and picnic facilities at Wauchope’s iconic Old Bottlebutt, which is the largest red bloodwood tree in the southern hemisphere, won the New Tourism Development award.

“Old Bottlebutt is the Mid North Coast’s best kept secret and the award recognises the new facilities we’ve developed will really put it on the map.

“The State Forests of the Coffs Coast – comprising Orara East, Wedding Bells and

Lower Bucca State Forests – won gold in the Specialised Tourism Services category, which recognises facilities that support local and regional tourism.

“The State Forests of the Coffs Coast are home to the award-winning Forest Sky Pier, host major events such as the Coates Hire Rally Australia and contain an expansive network of more than 400 kilometres of roads available for trail bike riding, four wheel driving and scenic drives.

“Forestry Corporation also won a second consecutive Destination Marketing award for the Experience a Forest Playground campaign, which encourages people to get out and discover what their local State forests have to offer.

“With spectacular scenery and unique visitor destinations, State Forests really are regional tourism assets. I encourage anyone who hasn’t paid a visit to their local State Forest to do so – they won’t be disappointed.”

12 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

TRAINING

ForestWorks improving the qualifications for our industry

T

HE QUALIFICATIONS and skills standards we create and uphold for our industry are critical to its future, but how are they created and developed?

It’s a collaborative effort. ForestWorks Industry Skills Council (ISC) works with industry, RTOs and Government to continually improve the qualifications and skills standards for our industry.

ForestWorks is also responsible for a range of other initiatives to support industry development.

In fact, ForestWorks has been supporting the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry for more than 25 years.

The ForestWorks model of collaboration with industry has seen networks established for individual projects, sectors, and skills issues.

Feedback about various issues is gathered at network meetings, conferences, the issues register, enterprise visits, and forums and other communications channels.

Through this collaborative process, ForestWorks can ensure relevant stakeholders have input and that the qualifications and skills sets developed are genuinely responsive to existing and emerging workforce development needs.

Why the current focus on innovation skills?

“Innovation skills are a key driver for our industry in order to move forward, remain competitive and achieve success,” CEO Michael Hartman explains.

“At ForestWorks, our focus has always been on the people who work in the industry and the skills and knowledge these workers require to adapt to a constantly changing operating environment. We believe innovation can lift job skills and increase the industry’s productivity and value.

“Innovation skills have become a key focus for ForestWorks’ activities over the past 12 months and they are reflected in recent improvements to skills standards and qualifications in our industry.”

Why is innovation important?

To compete effectively in an increasingly globalised and competitive world economy, enterprises require highly skilled people at all levels of employment. The latest research indicates that ensuring the right level of skills and training across the workforce is the key driver of innovation. When workers learn new skills and improved ways of working there is a direct and observable impact on the productivity and development of the workplace.

What improvements are ForestWorks currently working on?

ForestWorks ISC is in the midst of getting industry feedback on all Pulp and Paper Manufacturing units and units within the revised Innovation Skill Sets and Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability, as part of the transition of skills standards and qualifications to the new Government standards. It is expected that these units and qualifications will be submitted for endorsement before the end of 2014.

The remaining revised units and qualifications of the Forest and Wood Products Industry Training Package will be submitted for endorsement by December 2015.

Other projects ForestWorks ISC is

currently working on to improve skills standards and qualifications in our industry include: Transition of skills standards and qualifications to the new compliance format – job role requirements, fatigue management issues and foundation skills will be addressed. Assessment requirements will also be made more explicit.

Leadership skills for operators – within pulp and paper qualifications.

• Skills for innovative thinking and practice – revised Innovation skills sets and Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability.

• Merchandising timber solutions – reviewing qualifications and units to identify any gaps.

• Timber products value chain logistics – investigating the extent of technical knowledge required to meet the needs of our vertically integrated industry.

• Small forestry business management skills – scoping the need to address the business management skills required for industry specific areas.

• Frame and truss installation – scoping whether there is a need for new units and skill sets to cover skills in installing frames and trusses on site.

• Timber treatment – considering the need to revise current units to reflect updated treatment processes and licensing requirements.

emerging or growing regional industries and business. Since its development in 2000, the model has assisted over 2,000 forestry workers and many businesses in regional areas of Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia.

Visit the ForestWorks ISC website for more information about current continuous improvement projects.

Visit the Innovation Hub on the ForestWorks website for more information about the Innovation Skills Program.

Supplementary information Current continuous improvement projects In order to continuously improve the skills standards and qualifications in our industry, the following continuous improvement projects are currently underway:

Project

Industry networks ForestWorks has established industry networks to help identify current or emerging skill needs or gaps. These networks include: National Skills and Employment Council (SEC) – leaders from key industry organisations, representing all industry sectors, meet to develop common approaches to industry skills issues.

Skills and Training Advisory Committees (STACs) – members are made up of industry and the VET sector to focus on issues related to skills and workforce development in specific areas and sectors. They also play an important role in reviewing and approving the continuous improvement projects to continued on page 13

Scope of work

Skill sets and qualifications for both the pulp and paper and forest and wood products industry Transition of skills standards to the new compliance format

Federal Government initiative requiring all skills standards and qualifications to be transitioned to the new format by the end of 2015. Job role requirements, fatigue management issues and foundation skills will be addressed. Assessment requirements will also be made more explicit.

Pulp and paper manufacturing industry skill sets and qualifications Leadership skills for operators

Investigate leadership skills required across a range of job roles to support supervisors and front line managers

What else is ForestWorks doing for our industry?

Forest and wood products industry skill sets and qualifications

ForestWorks also supports industry to work efficiently and safely. Key programs and activities in that area include: • Innovation Skills Program (ISP) – launched in 2013 to support enterprises in the current challenging economic environment. The program has been bringing businesses in our industry together, to develop practical solutions to existing challenges and improve productivity across the value chain.

Seven working groups have been established across Australia to address specific issues and develop a range of solutions.

• Forest Operators Licensing System (FOLS) – the system ensures that individuals working in forest operations hold current qualifications, have adequate training in using equipment, understand safety, environmental care and operating standards. ForestWorks operates the scheme in TAS and NT, and has recently been building and managing an industry-led licensing system for Victoria.

• Forestry Operations and Contractor Business Accreditation scheme – working with the industry, the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) and forest managers/growers, ForestWorks is looking into the feasibility of producing a contactor Business Accreditation Scheme. The scheme represents a longer term investment in the industry to increase the professionalism of forest contractors and interactions with forest growers.

• Workers Assistance Program – the ForestWorks Workers Assistance Model draws on hidden employment opportunities in regional areas, assisting retrenched workers in finding re-employment, whilst also supporting

Skills for innovative thinking and practice

Five new units that were developed as part of the Clean Energy project have been transitioned into the new standards and will be incorporated in the revised Innovation Skills Sets and Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability.

This project will form the first version of the new FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package.

Merchandising timber solutions

Investigate the extent of technical skills and more advanced knowledge required in merchandising timber solutions to meet the broad range of end-user demands and consumer needs. Review qualifications and units to identify any gaps.

Timber products value chain logistics

Investigate the extent of technical knowledge required in logistics of the supply chain management to meet the needs of our vertically integrated industry. This project will also investigate the forest and forest projects industry requirements for career progression within the timber products value chain.

Small forestry business management skills

Scope the need to address the business management skills required for industry specific areas, identified by industry, as required by business owners.

Frame and truss installation Timber treatment

Scope whether there is a the need for new units and skill sets to cover skills in installing frames and trusses on site.

Consider revising the existing three units to reflect updated treatment processes and licensing requirements: • FWPSAW2210B Prepare for timber treatment operations • FWPAW3201B Treat timber • FWPSAW4201B Plan and monitor timber treatment plant operations

¢ Industry representatives participating at a recent ForestWorks workshop.

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 13

TRAINING

Simulator technolgy at the cutting edge T

WO MOTIVATED Tumut-based women are taking on a different, armchair approach to a Certificate III qualification in Harvesting and Haulage.

Using the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Forest Industry Training Centre’s (FITC) brand new portable John Deere Forwarder and Harvester simulator, Roslyn Hogno and Liz Austen have embraced the simulator training process with great enthusiasm and excitement under the watchful eye of seasoned trainer, Darren Webb.

Together Liz and her husband Michael Austen own and operate local contracting business, Tumut Valley Logging. Liz holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and is mother to young energetic six-yearold Georgie. Managing the business side of Tumut Valley Logging and being a full time mother, Liz says: “As a business owner, the Certificate III qualification and simulator training helps me better understand the operators working side of our machinery and I can now better appreciate what goes on in the bush, from their point of view.”

Tumut Valley Logging is mentoring fellow student Roslyn, aged 22, who moved to Tumut after spending two years working as a Lift Operator in Thredbo Resort. “Living in a timber town, I think it’s extremely important to embrace the local forest industry, to be open to diversity and the new employment opportunities that it brings to this region,” Roslyn said.

“Being able to learn in a safe classroom environment and then transition to big machines in real world forest operations is exciting and motivating, especially knowing that women only make up less than 3% of operators Australia wide.

“The simulator has given me the basic control skills that I need to operate the Forwarder before going anywhere near the real thing. I am then lucky enough to have the opportunity to practice and fine tune these skills in the forest on the weekends under supervision, without negatively impacting on weekday productivity.”

Liz was quick to point out that the simulator didn’t let you hide any operator faults either. “At the end of each training

session, the computer program provides performance feedback to both the student and trainer, giving detailed information on things such as cycle times, and damage to standing trees or equipment. Starting out on the simulator lets us significantly reduce the risk of potentially costly learner mistakes,” says Liz. Roslyn and Liz explained that the simulator controls are exactly the same as those on the John Deere Forwarder owned by Tumut Valley Logging, making the progression from simulator to machine even more streamlined. A second simulator is planned for delivery later this year at FITC - a Waratah-based system for tracked harvesters, with Sure Grip controls. This means that between the two simulators, training will be able to cover more than 60% of the machines used everyday nation-wide.”

Both Roslyn and Liz had agreed that there were challenges transferring their skills out into the real world and that a simulator sure doesn’t teach you real-life physics, but as Roslyn explains... “It meant that on my first real go on the Forwarder in the bush I was able to focus on doing the job properly and concentrate on what was happening outside the cab, because I was already confident in using the controls.

Even though you don’t get the shakes and bumps from a machine in the classroom, I was mentally prepared for what I was getting myself into!”

FITC’s Manager David Priem is thrilled with the uptake and enquiry for simulator based training.

“We took a financial leap of faith in purchasing the system. Our decision was based on solid feedback from harvesting businesses saying that they need new operators who are up and running with machine operation before they even step into the cab. The simulators are filling a gap in the training programs that we offer here at the Forest Industry Training Centre.

“A program connecting this training with a commercial harvesting operation is currently being developed in conjunction with southern NSW and Victorian forest owners, processors, and a harvesting contractor for commencement in 2015,” he said.

¢ Roslyn practicing what she has learnt, with less risk of damage and calmer nerves.

¢ Liz Austen of Tumut Valley Logging looks-on as Roslyn uses a real John Deere control system in a virtual environment

ForestWorks improving the qualifications for our industry continued from page 12 ensure skills standards and qualifications meet the requirements of industry.

Technical advisors – developed for each continuous improvement project, to ensure coverage all relevant sectors. Members are made up of industry and the VET sector.

RTO Network – all registered training providers with skills standards and qualifications in the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry listed on their scopes are members of this network.

Innovation Working Groups – seven working groups have been established across Australia to address specific issues within our industry and develop a range of solutions.

¢ Industry representatives participating at a recent ForestWorks workshop.

14 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

TRAINING

Training ... it can be a life-saver!

C

AST YOUR mind back to this time last year.

Remember our article on Elise Cottam? We wrote ... At this stage Elise is the only - and maybe the first - female Nationally Accredited Chainsaw Trainer Assessor. Well, 12 months down the track and, as far as we can gauge, Elise still holds that unique title and she’s still operating her own training firm, Elise Cottam Rural Training (E.C.R.T), from Childers in Queensland.

But what else has happened in that time? Here’s Elise’s response ...

I’m no longer being mentored by one person, now I am being mentored by other people in the industry. It’s amazing on how many different styles of training there are out there. I am about to launch my website -- you can find it at www.ecrt.net.au – still needs a little work!

My husband John is now a trainer assessor and he is working with me full-time. I am mentoring another person, Rhy. She will be another trainer my business will use.

I have had three others join my team since last time. I have the outer regional areas covered and the south coast; I’m still training for the QFES ( SES) units and groups around my region --

looking to cover all of Australia.

My training skills have found me facilitating professional development workshops for SES trainers – a little initiative started recently for the trainers who like new ideas and to stay updated as well.

The Chainsaw , Chemical User course has taken off along with the First Aid and in addition we are doing LVR training as well.

I joined forces with Lemke Timber Trainers in the ACT – brilliant company to work with.

Still with Safety Corp in Sydney for all my safety needs from first aid through to confined spaces.

I was recently appointed to the Executive Board of Directors for Australian Timber Trainers Association at our annual conference this year ... very excited about the appointment.

I’m going to bring some exciting new ideas to the table. Anyone who is a trainer or trainee in any side of the timber industry should be a member of ATTA – it’s Australia wide, lots of networking and keeping updated with what is new on the market and in the VET sector.

This association is great for trainers because where else do we truly get Professional Development – we can’t do that ourselves and it is a requirement from ASQA that

we remain updated. Sponsorship from all companies in the timber industry are more than welcome, too.

Job networks are providing more students for training this year and the increase in the ladies doing the chainsaw training has come up a bit too.

Training has taken me to Stradbroke Island in recent times – amazing people and place to see.

Scouts Australia has seen a need to provide training for their campsite managers and Scout leaders.

As per the last article, I still haven’t found or heard of anyone else being the first nationally accredited female trainer in Australia. I have heard from South Africa, USA and New Zealand but no one in Australia but me!

If you buy a chainsaw, please find out how to use it safely and purchase the protective equipment to go with your new chainsaw.

Show your family and friends that you do value your life and theirs .

Be safe and live a full life.

Clogger (chainsaw protective clothing) is making me a set of pink chaps -- two reasons: one for the purpose of breast cancer awareness and as well done to you.

On a personal note I am now a grandma of four grandchildren with one more due in February.

Very busy times!

¢ Stradbroke Island camping – amazing place but these guys got their chainsaw certificate to maintain the camp grounds and assist with the fire damage around the parks.

¢ Me! This was done by our local paper for a Mother’s Day special.

Specialising in learning resources and training WORKSPACE TRAINING is an RTO that specialises in the development of learning resources and the delivery of training to industry workers. The company was formed in 2006, and in the early years worked exclusively in the timber industry.

Its activities have since expanded into the related fields of powerline vegetation control, furnishing, floor coverings, horticulture and conservation and land management.

The company has two directors, David McElvenny and Kath Ware. On resource development projects, David is the writer and project manager and Kath is the instructional designer and graphic artist.

David’s own background is in the timber industry. He began working as a yardman/ driver in the 1970s and over the years was involved in processing, timber grading,

sales and management. In the mid 1990s he became a full time trainer, and has been involved in training ever since.

Kath has worked in the fields of catchment management and conservation and land management for many years.

Her skills include desktop publishing and instructional design. In recent years she has specialised in the development of interactive CDs and graphic design.

delivered face-to-face at the clients’ own workplaces, certain courses are offered via a distance learning mode. These include: • Wood technology for timber workers (aligned to FPICOT3247B Select timber for forestry operations) • TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment • TAELLN411 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills

Delivery of training

Development of resources

Workspace Training offers a range of short courses and full qualifications. Some courses, such as the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, are delivered by David. Others are delivered by specialist contract trainers.

Although most of the training is

Workspace Training has developed many e-learning resources for timber industry competencies, including an interactive CD called ‘Chainsaw operation – beginner to advanced’ and three Flexible Learning Toolboxes.

More recently, the company has

¢ David McElvenny delivers a classroom session in the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. The TAE course is offered in three different delivery modes – face-to-face, distance learning, and a blended program that combines the two. The course is specifically designed for industry supervisors, tradespeople and key operators who wish to impart their own skills and knowledge to other workers coming up through the ranks. Individual units and skill sets are also offered from the TAE qualification. The most popular unit is TAELLN411 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills, delivered via distance learning.

produced e-learning resources for the furnishing industry. These have included a Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinetmaking website and a Flooring Technology website. Both were funded by the WELL Program and are now hosted by the Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) Industry Skills Council.

In addition to these large Governmentfunded projects, Workspace Training also develops training resources for organisations on a fee for service basis.

Materials include print-based learner guides, Powerpoint presentations and interactive CDs. For more information about the services offered, or to see examples of resources developed, go to Workspace Training’s website at: www.workspacetraining.com.au.

¢ Kath Ware operates a Lucas Mill under the instruction of a Lucas staff member at their factory in Wooragee, Victoria. This session was part of a field trip at an Australian Timber Trainers Association workshop. Kath is an active member of ATTA and helps to organise the workshops each year.

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 15

TRAINING

Tricky tree removal and training too O

K, THE job spec said a tree with a slight lean has to be removed ... but you should have seen the size of the tree, the terrain it was in AND the real problem it could cause.

That was the brief Bill Towie from Towie Timber Training (WA) received so he duly spent a week on Simberi Island (PNG) courtesy of St Barbara (gold miners) to fall a problem tree that had a slight lean towards a significant infrastructure -- the rope conveyor that transported materials from the mine down to the shore for processing! Plus he had to provide training in chainsaw maintenance and handling for six locals.

Simberi Island is located in the Tabar Island group and the mine employs about 700 people, mostly locals. It is the only ‘business’ on the island. The project was obtained through St Barbara’s Senior Environmental Officer Amanda Rukuwai-Donnelly, a Forester who used to work with Bill in forestry in WA. “We were unsure of what type of chainsaws were available on Simberi so we shipped two Stihl chainsaws and associated gear and equipment ‘just to be safe’. Transportation, approvals and everything else resulted in delays with the saws and gear arriving on the island about the middle of the following week after we had left,” said Bill. “ Meanwhile we made do with chainsaws

and the gear that was on the island which consisted of four MS 770 Stihl chainsaws with 3 foot 6 inch bars and limited tools.

“We arrived on the island late on Monday afternoon received the customary mine site induction and settled into our rooms. The base camp is right on the ocean with magnificent views.

“We travelled up the mountain in the morning and cut our way through the jungle to assess the problem tree and come up with a felling plan. The tree had to be removed as it could be blown over during any monsoon and cyclone season and if it hit the conveyor and there would be no production as it would take up to six months to fix.

“The tree could be ‘pulled’ away from the conveyor by applying special falling techniques, but with some risk. The other problem was that because the mountain was so steep we could not guarantee it would not roll down the slope crashing onto the conveyor.

“The locals were employed to slash their way out in the desired direction of fall in the hope we would locate some sound stumps from a previous logging operation. These stumps could provide a solid base ensuring the log did not roll.

“Fortunately several stumps were found and we were able to fall the tree in the desired

¢ Simberi locals.

Provider

direction so that it settled upslope but adjacent to the stumps. Because of the risk and severe consequences, there was immense satisfaction when it fell and settled as planned,” Bill recalled.

“The remaining two and a half days were spent training the locals in chainsaw maintenance and sharpening and safe cutting techniques and methods. This training was mostly completed in the field with the Pacific Ocean as a magnificent back drop to the ‘field’ classroom.

“The trainees were self-learned and could already handle chainsaws with some confidence. Sharpening and bar maintenance were important learnings for them as was introducing the bore cut and ripping cuts.

“We flew out early on Friday morning leaving behind six competent chainsaw operators who could now complete all the necessary chainsaw work requirements expected by St Barbara.”

They also acquired Bill’s two very good Stihl chainsaws, a heap of gear and tools in the week that followed. “Amanda and I agreed it would be too risky trying to get the saws transported back to Perth so St Barbara bought these saws and the gear. The saws and bar lengths would be much more appropriate for the intended work than the existing very large and heavy MS 770s.”

¢ Group photo at Simberi.

contact

phone

email address

services provided

¢ Kwlia scarf cut.

¢ Missed the conveyor.

ECRT

Elise Cottam

07 4126 1030 0427 251 697

elisecottamruraltraining@hotmail.com

Level 1 & 2 Chainsaw Course, Full First Aid Course.

Services Bundaberg , Childers, and Australia wide.

My training and delivery method is tailored to suit the learner’s abilities and work scene. People don’t learn being preached at, they learn by engaging and having fun where possible.

Furnishing Industry Assn of Aust (FIAA)

Tony Willis Dean Brakell

0434 318 233 0433 601 968

twillis@fiaa.com.au dbrakell@fiaa.com.au

Training programs and apprenticeships that support the kitchen, furniture and furnishing related industries. For full details of what we offer, visit our website - www.fiaa.com.au

bill@ttimbertraining.com.au

Training and assessment in chainsaw maintenance and handling; basic, intermediate and advanced tree falling; treejacking techniques; all aspects of OHS, including safety management systems, incident investigation, training and audits.

Services South-West WA, and other areas in WA by arrangement. www.ttimbertraining.com.au

david@workspacetraining.com.au

Development of industry training resources, delivery of distance learning and faceto-face training in: TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, TAELLN411 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy, wide range of qualifications in forestry and horticulture, specialist timber product knowledge short courses. www.workspacetraining.com.au

Towie Timber Training

Workspace Training

Bill Towie

David McElvenny

0427 447 510

0403 570 673

16 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

New council packed with expertise

¢ Rob de Fégely.

M

¢ Greg McCormack.

embers of the newly-formed Forest Industry Advisory Council have a broad range of forestry expertise and are well-placed to inform Government about key issues impacting the sector.

Council members are: • Rob de Fégely, with experience in forest management, NSW • Ian Dickenson AO, with experience in private forestry and farm forestry, Tasmania • Vince Hurley, with experience in the sawmilling industry, Victoria • Andrew Hurford, with experience in the sawmilling industry, NSW • Linda Sewell, with experience in plantation management, Victoria • Nils Koren, with experience in timber importation, Victoria • Andrew Leighton, with experience in pulp and paper manufacturing, NSW • Ron Adams, with experience in research and development, WA • Karina Coombes, with experience in Indigenous forestry, NT • Michelle Freeman, with experience in forestry communities, Victoria • Observers are: • Ross Hampton, representing the Australian Forest Products Association, ACT • Gavin Butcher, representing the Forestry and Forest Products Committee, WA • Ric Sinclair, representing Forest and Wood Products Australia, Victoria • Michael Hartman, representing ForestWorks, Victoria Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck, will co-chair the council alongside experienced forester (and IFA chief) Rob de Fégely.

The establishment of a Forest Industry Advisory Council was one of the Coalition’s key election commitments to revitalise the forestry industry and it has now delivered

¢ Linda Sewell.

on that promise.

“This announcement represents a keeping of faith with forest product industries,” said AFPA chair Greg McCormack.

“AFPA is delighted to be asked to assist the Government by joining the other key players from industry and allied bodies who will make up this Council and be tasked, in Senator Colbeck’s words, of really getting rubber on the road.’

“AFPA strongly argues that to enable forest product industries in this country to invest in plant, equipment, people and resources we must have a national fibre and forestry plan to deliver investment confidence – just like the White Paper process which the Government is undertaking for agriculture.

Unlike many businesses, forest product industries rely on a resource which must be planted decades before it is needed, and that will only happen if businesses have certainty that they have a big future in this country.”

In Tasmania for briefing sessions with company CEOs from all over Australia, Greg said forest product industries already provide employment for 80 000 people, keeping many regional towns alive.”If we get the policy settings right that number can grow dramatically.

“AFPA has conducted a survey of members which suggests, right across Australia, green shoots are to be seen. That is not to say that the industry is popping champagne corks, but it is perhaps not premature to say that the worst is behind us.

“Based on industry-wide data we have collected it seems now that, after several years of guarding every cent, some three quarters of CEOs are planning capital investment in the coming year.

“I was also delighted to take a tour of the Norske Skog Boyer Mill to understand the process that has been taken to secure Tasmanian jobs by investing, along with the Federal and State Governments, in an upgrade of its light-weight coated

¢ Ron Adams.

paper plant to allow the printing of higher quality colour catalogues. This is a truly visionary investment by Norske which has been challenged by the decline in newsprint demand over the last several years. “Tasmanians are rightly proud of this company’s efforts to maintain an environmentally and economically sustainable operation providing year round skilled jobs,” said Greg.

“The council will advise Government on building a positive future for the forestry industry in Australia. Members will also provide informative consultation and recommendations on proposed legislation and policies impacting on the industry,” said Senator Colbeck.

“The councillors come from a range of sectors within the forestry industry and community, including sawmilling,

¢ Ross Hampton.

Council. Some sources in SA echoed the Queensland stance.

TQ called on the Federal Government to acknowledge the significant role that Queensland plays in Australia’s forest and timber industry “by ensuring that Queensland is represented on this important advisory group”.

Senator Colbeck has insisted that ALL Sates will be represented by the new council.

The Queensland and South Australian forest industry will be represented by Council members with interests in those regions, including: Rob de Fegeley, director of a sawmilling company with interests on the Cape York peninsula.

Nils Koren, Managing Director of Gunnersen, the largest independent Australian owned distributor of wood-

This announcement represents a keeping of faith with forest product industries.

private forestry, plantations, wood product importers, and manufacturers. I congratulate members on their appointment to the council and look forward to working with them to revitalise the forestry industry.”

The council will meet soon to discuss issues including research and development, opportunities for commercial forestry under the Carbon Farming Initiative, investment for new forests and processing, update of the National Forest Policy Statement, and emerging uses for wood fibre and cellulose products.

But, when news of the new council broke there were rumblings from two States over the makeup of the body.

Queensland forest industry peak body Timber Queensland CEO Rod McInnes said it was completely unacceptable for Queensland, which comprises about 25% of the Australian forest and timber industry, to have no representation on an Advisory

based panel products, timber and decorative materials with offices in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns.

Linda Sewell, CEO of OneFortyOne Plantations Pty Ltd, which bought the cutting rights of the South Australian Government’s Green Triangle plantation estate and associated assets.

Ron Adams, Chairman of FWPA, which receives levy payments from commercial forestry companies throughout Australia.

Observers on the Council have members in all States and Territories.

“We are aware of issues in each region and these will be considered as the Council develops the national framework,” the Senator said.

“Members have wide-ranging experience within the forestry industry and community, including sawmilling, private forestry, plantations, wood product importers, and manufacturers.”

VicForests posts profit but still cops criticism

VICFORESTS posted a profit of $3.4 million for the 2013/14 financial year. It paid a dividend of $250 000 back to the State following the profit posted in 2012/13 and is proposing

organisation’s annual report are examined.

“We have now generated more than $1 billion in revenue over the last 10 years, with almost all of this

With Melbourne’s population forecast to grow to size of London over the next 30 – 40 years, the need for renewable products like native timber will continue to increase. to pay another dividend of $500 000 on the back of this year’s positive result.

Despite that obvious financial success, Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber says the State-owned logging company is a commercial failure and should be shut down.

He believes the “forests are worth more to us standing, particularly as a carbon bank, to help limit global warming.”

Barber’s claims just don’t ring true when details of the forestry

money being re-invested back into the Victorian economy, VicForests CEO Robert Green said after the report was tabled in Parliament.

“These are not large dividends by corporate standards, but they clearly highlight the fact that our organisation is profitable and we are providing a financial return to Victorians as well as helping to meet demand for timber,” he said.

“With Melbourne’s population forecast to grow to size of London over the next 30 – 40 years, the need

for renewable products like native timber will continue to increase.

“We are well placed to meet this demand from our own local, sustainably managed forests and reduce the pressure on forests in developing nations to supply our timber needs,” he said.

The CEO said there were a number of other significant milestones for VicForests during the 2013/14 year including: - Contributing to bushfire fighting efforts across the State - Retaining certification to the Australian Forestry Standard and progressing towards our goal of achieving Forest Stewardship Council certification - Working as a member of the Leadbeater’s Possum Advisory Group - Having our operations audited by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office “The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office undertook an extensive audit in late 2013 looking at the management of Victoria’s native

forests. Pleasingly, the VAGO report confirmed VicForests has operated profitably since being established in 2004 and stated categorically that we do not receive Government subsidies,” Green said.

“It also found VicForests’ activities generate considerable direct and indirect socio-economic benefits for regional communities, and that we have demonstrated an ability to balance the need for longterm profits with the need to support a sustainable industry.

“While our financial result this year was boosted by a re-evaluation of the forestry assets on our books, regardless of this our operating profit after tax was $1.531 million, almost double the figure for 2012/13.

“We have also faced a number of testing times during the year including the contribution of almost half our staff to fighting the large bushfires which burnt 170 000 hectares of forest earlier this year.

“While these fires did not have a significant effect on timber resources, they follow on from the

impact of the 2009 bushfires which is still being felt by the industry as we adjust to lower harvest levels.

“As always, there are further challenges ahead including the work being undertaken to re-shape the industry in East Gippsland but we are undoubtedly on a sustainable footing to face these challenges after a positive 2013/14 year,” he said.

¢ VicForests CEO Robert Green

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 17

BIO FUELS

Waste timber offsets coal

By Sohum Gandhi

R

ISING FUEL costs, Government mandate to cease the combustion of brown coal briquettes and the desire to use a renewable energy source were the driving factors behind Andrew Bayley’s and Peter Hobson’s decision to purchase a bioenergy system.

Operating two separate farms in the Gippsland region of Victoria, both farmers simultaneously made the choice to move away from fossil fuels and use timber industry residues as their fuel source. At what exact point the decision came into clarity is subject to speculation.

It could have been on one of their sooty coal ash cleaning operations over the years or perhaps it was while their navigator was struggling with the sixth or seventh roundabout exit during their research tour on the back roads of southern France.

Regardless, it was big decision for these small businesses and it was made based on experience of the past and vision for the future.

Andrew Bayley started farming on the family farm in 1984 and currently milks approximately 300 cows on 160 hectares. In 2001 the Bayleys diversified their business and built a 2560m2 plastic greenhouse and began growing tomatoes. This greenhouse was doubled in size in 2003 and last month the business has just completed the construction of a high-tech 1.1 hectare glasshouse taking the total growing area to 1.6ha. It is anticipated that this will produce approximately 480,000kgs of Conchita cherry truss tomatoes per annum.

Peter Hobson (Gippsland Greenhouse Produce) began growing truss tomatoes in a 4000m 2 twin skin poly house in 2005, and in 2009 another 4000m2 of glasshouse was built to grow mostly eggplant.

Similar to Bayley, brown coal briquettes were used to heat the farm through a hydronic system.

In 2013/14 they invested in a biomass waste to energy plant to complement their build of a high-tech 1.25 ha glasshouse and produce thermal energy for their entire operation. It is anticipated that this site will now produce 980,000kgs of eggplant per annum.

System specifications At the heart of the heating system is a 1.6/2.0MW (Bayley/Hobson) biomass heater plant produced by Polytechnik, Austria. This system is responsible for creating thermal energy from the biomass.

This thermal energy is extracted from the heating plant and delivered to a 200,000/300,000 litre insulated heat storage tank for load buffering as well as the various greenhouse zones through a metered pumping and valving system. Within the greenhouses, this thermal energy is expelled evenly throughout the environment by a network of steel piping acting as an enormous radiator.

The grower can decide the optimal temperature for growing and maintain this year round. Even in sub-zero external conditions, the uninsulated glasshouses can be maintained at temperatures in excess of 20˚C. For the farmer, the energy production process begins by tipping the timber residue into their concrete fuel bunker. From here a series of hydraulic rams and conveyors shuffle the material into the furnace and onto the top of the step grate. With the help of more hydraulics, a water cooled grate, primary, secondary and induction fans as well as electronic monitoring of temperatures, pressures, and levels the energy extraction commences. Sound simple so far?

The combustion process continues through multiple passes of the furnace and heat exchanger which are optimized by computational fluid and thermodynamics. The performance of the entire process is further increased by an exhaust gas recirculation system, an air preheater, air cooled furnace continued on page 18

¢ Control room for onsite and remote monitoring of the energy plant.

¢ Business Owners - Andrew and Ange Bayley.

Innovation Skills and practices that work 25 March 2015, Canberra

Save the Date The 7th Annual Industry Development Conference followed by the AFPA and ForestWorks Gala Dinner at Parliament House.

www.forestworks.com.au

This program has been produced with the assistance of funding provided by the Australian Government through the Department of Industry.

¢ 200m3 stratified heat storage tank with 200mm thick insulation.

ABN: 39 946 785 543

18 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

CHIPPERS

Tabeel Trading notches up another memorable moment 2,000th machine to come off Peterson production line

A

USSIE FORESTRY business Tabeel Trading has been at the forefront of the industry since its inception and now it has notched up yet another “memorable moment”.

Peterson Pacific Corp, through its Australian agent Komatsu Forest, has delivered its 2,000th machine to come off the production line to Tabeel Trading.

The milestone machine is a Peterson 5000H, a Delimber/ Debarker/Chipper, which produces high quality low bark content chips for wood pulp and pellets, processing whole trees in one continuous operation.

“Reaching this milestone delivery is a testament to the capabilities of the 5000H, and our commitment to continuous innovation,” said Larry Cumming, President of Peterson. “The new 5000H is delivering on its promise to our customers, and we continue to look at ways to make it even more efficient in the future.”

The 5000H is designed to make engineered wood chips in the field. It delimbs, debarks, and creates the consistent sized wood chips used in the pulp and paper industry.

Peterson hosted a special delivery ceremony on–site for its employees. The 2000th machine was adorned with, a special logo commemorating the 2,000th machine and the US and Australian flags.

“We are excited that our 2,000th machine is a 5000H this is one of our flagship models, and we trust that it will be a valued addition to Tabeel Trading’s operations,” said Michael Spreadbury, marketing manager for Peterson.

“Tabeel Trading is a valued partner and their feedback from the field helps us develop new forest processing equipment. The exceptional performance of machines such as the 5000H, prove that in-field chipping is the most economical way to produce clean chips for the pulp and paper industry. Peterson has a long-standing relationship with in-field chipping operations in Australia, and we wanted to honor that with the commemorative logo which will be a reminder of our relationship with Tabeel Trading, now and into the future.”

Waste timber offsets coal continued from page 17.

jacket, heat exchanger bypass duct and roof space air intake snorkel.

Although there are regular maintenance procedures, the day-to-day cleaning and ash removal happens automatically. The compressed air system provides a high velocity air jet down tubes of both the main heat exchanger and the air preheater when the software deems it necessary. Ash from the air preheater and multi-cyclone grit arrestor is automatically stored in respective waste bins while furnace ash is deposited in another bin located under the front of the furnace and removed with a small gantry crane. Due to the efficient combustion and uncontaminated source fuel, the ash levels are on the order of 2-3% of fuel input and bin emptying is infrequent.

The biomass The system is designed to handle a range of fuel sizes in order to allow greater fuel flexibility to the farmers. Both farmers viewed this as one of the most important features in their bioenergy plant.

By having greater fuel flexibility, lower cost fuels can be sourced from a wider range of providers.

And unlike the fossil fuel alternative, this allows them to protect themselves from rising fuel costs by having many potential suppliers.

Though the exact fuel specification is more in depth it basically states that the system can handle natural timber and woody biomass residues. These residues can be made up of

chips, bark, and a percentage of sawdust.

Strings of bark up to 600mm, wood chips up to 350mm maximum length can all be accepted as a fractional quantity. The exceptionally significant aspect of the system and the reason behind the great mass of refractory as well as the air preheater system is in its ability to handle high moisture content biomass up to 60% without a loss of efficiency. High moisture content is a common attribute to low cost biomass and must be catered for if one is to source low cost fuel. Currently these farmers are sourcing their fuel from one of the many sawmills, timber or forestry processing industries in Gippsland.

Environmental and financial benefits While energy buy prices vary from region to region and user to user as well as delivery distances, and as fired calorific values, an approximate comparison between common fuel sources follows. To illustrate the annual thermal energy costs comparison between different fuels, a typical 2 hectare glasshouse example is used: • LPG as source fuel ≈ $840,000 / annum • Natural Gas as source fuel ≈ $330,000 / annum • Coal Briquettes as source fuel ≈ $280,000 / annum • Biomass waste as source fuel ≈ $120,000 / annum So, the financial case behind the biomass investment is evident. The payback period can be under two years when the baseline case is using a fossil fuel such as LPG. However,

¢ Green-jacketed Eugene, Oregon, town officials with (non-jacketed) Larry Cumming (President), Neil Peterson (head of R&D [original owner]) and Dave Girard (Territory Manager).

the dollars and cents incentive is not nearly as substantial as the positive environmental impact.

Although these particular farmers were not granted Government subsidies for their contribution to the environment due to the cessation of the funding program, there are Government incentives available if certain criteria are met. And through one particular grant suitability process facilitated by federal AusIndustry consultation, these two projects have been officially projected to save over 150,000 tonnes of CO2-e (based on a 25 year lifetime assessment) -- a significant and beneficial worldwide impact from these two produce growers from the Gippsland region of Victoria.

About the author: Sohum Gandhi has been working within the Australian Closed Cropping industry since 2004. His proactive approach has helped various clients around the country evolve in their designs and energy systems. Over the past years Sohum has been increasingly involved with biomass fuels sourced from the timber and agricultural industry in an attempt to provide his clients with renewable and low cost energy alternatives. His installed projects to date offset many thousands of tonnes of CO2 emission annually, and save clients millions of dollars in fossil fuel costs. Sohum is the general manager of Energence, a leading Australian company in industrial energy systems - email: sohum@energence.com.au or website: www.energence.com.au

¢ Cross conveyor pushing fuel from the bunker into the ¢ Furnace, inside of which combustion of furnace. biomass occurs on a reciprocating step grate.

¢ Bunker with automatic walking floor.

¢ Fuel delivery onto walking floor.

¢ Fuel bunker where waste timber waits to become energy.

¢ 1.6MW heat plant showing the furnace, muticyclone, air preheater, ID fan, pump unit (left to right).

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 19

SAWLINES

Getting the utmost out of every log A

S MAINSTREAM sawmillers we all want to produce more timber from our logs at a minimal energy and labour input.

Woodmizer now produces a range of industrial machines that utilise their patented narrow band technology to produce more product, make less sawdust and use less energy. These machines are designed to fulfil this need either on an individual basis or formatted into a production line.

With two manufacturing plants, Europe and USA, and 80 sales representatives world-wide, the exposure to wood species and a host of processing variables has ensured that Woodmizer has remained at the forefront of new machines and new technologies to suit increasingly more competitive ways to process a log.

Since 1982 Woodmizer has sold more than 40,000 sawmills around the world and in the sawmilling business you are only going to sell this number of machines if you produce a quality product and have good word of mouth advertising.

Most of these machines have been portable/towable for onsite milling by either owners or contract sawmillers.

The expertise and thin kerf technology used in these portable machines has been used to develop the Woodmizer range of industrial machines which are more robustly constructed and are designed to operate with minimal maintenance over extended periods of time.

It was back in the 80s that Woodmizer relized that its machines were only as good as the blade. Since then they Woodmizer has been producing its own bandsaw blades .

A new range of profiles , introduction of stellite, carbide and bi-metal has also added to the line up as the range of resaws and breakdown saws are developed.

Woodmizer currently manufactures 96 configurations of blade not only for their own machines but will custom make a blade to suit any machine plus a full range of sharpening equipment to suit small and large scale operators.

The range of industrial machines includes: • High production capacity bandsaw headrigs cutting logs up to 6.2 metres long and 1 metre diameter.

• Edgers and Multirips.

• Thin Kerf Resaws from single head to 6 head with

recirculating merry-go-rounds designed to fit into existing systems.

• Twin Vertical Saw (TVS) and Single Vertical Saw (SVS) bandsaws.

• All associated materials handling equipment to make the above flexible equipment into efficient production lines.

“Smart log processing” systems are at the forefront of Woodmizer’s industrial lines and utilise TVS, SVS, Edgers and Resaws in flexible combinations to meet customers individual needs.

The Smart Log Processing system is a very economical investment as it requires:• Low initial capital.

• Low installation costs.

• Has a modular layout to allow for operational flexibility.

• Produces more timber due to using patented thin kerf technology.

• And has a low energy consumption cost.

Minimal labour cost if materials handling machines incorporated.

This range of modular machines is designed to process logs up to 400mm.The first module takes two face cuts, next module either one or two face cuts giving a 3-sided cant , a square or rectangle then to a multihead resaw, 1-6 heads.

Suitable for either hard or soft wood, high value end product or low value pine destined for pallet stock.

There are several "YouTube" videos of SLP plants in operation so you can google "Woodmizer small log processing" (logs up to 400 mm diameter) to watch several lines of various formats in operation.

Both the local Australian Woodmizer representatives were firstly sawmillers who used Woodmizer sawmills over extended periods of time and found the machines user friendly, profitable, dependable, flexible and accurate. “ It has been our personal experience that decided us to tell others how great these machines are,” they say.

Parts and blades are held in stock in Victoria and West Australia.Technical help, machine maintenance and blade sharpening training are included with machine purchases.

Tough timber no barrier to this IF IT’S tough timber you’ve got to cut then maybe Hardwood Mills Australia can be of real service, after all Hardwood Mills Australia is a portable band saw with the ability to cut all Australian

hardwoods as well as exotics!

“The bi-metal band saw will cut gidgee, mulga, white, grey, red box and iron bark. In fact, we can’t find a timber it can’t cut,” says sales manager Kerry Moring.

What is

SLP?

SMART LOG PROCESSING Thin kerf bandsaws – widths: 40mm, 50mm & 75mm Breakdown and Multihead Resaws.

Portable – Stationary – Diesel – Petrol – Electric

AUSTRALIA Colin: 0407 662 866

Brian: 0407 440 669

“Our machines can help you enhance your income or turn existing timbers on your property into useable lumber sizes such as 4 x 2s ,6 x 3s floor boards, fence posts, a verandah, stock yards even beautiful large beams.

“The Hardwood Mills Australia saw mill is a band saw that will cut from the finest veneers to 21 inch boards.

“The finish is very fine and the wastage is very low due to the fine kerf of the blade -- less than 2mm.

“With the ability to back saw this mill is versatile and inexpensive to run,” says Kerry.

“It’s important to note, too, that the blade will last up to 30 hours and can be re sharpened numerous times. The cost of a replacement bi-metal blade is $95.00.

“The mill comes with six metres of track but you can add on in two metre lengths,” Kerry said.

Hardwood Mills is an Australian owned family business that offers personalized advice and service. For more information call 0432221952 or visit www. hardwoodmills.com.au “We believe our ongoing success is due to our strong emphasis on before and after customer service.

We provide value for money and are committed to economical solutions for all your milling requirements,” Kerry said.

20 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

SAWLINES

Dongwha Sawmill - 18 months on

S

INCE THE original announcement of the investment in the Dongwha Sawmill in Bombala, there has been considerable interest from the industry about construction and the ongoing operation.

Following the completion of commissioning and the official opening in May 2013, what has been the outcome and what ongoing impact has such a huge technology advance from the previous sawmill made on the people in the day-to-day operations of the new sawmill?

While the timber quota at 270,000T log input pa and the single shift production capacity of the sawmill are matched, the timber supply agreement was staged to start at an annualised basis of 180,000m3 for the first 12 months, increasing to 220,000m3 for the next 12 months and has recently finalised at 250,000m3. This has allowed the output of the sawmill to be gradually increased as required which has proven to be an excellent strategy, as every aspect of the operation was built new from scratch - into a new building. As can be expected, the initial operation and production ramp ups were not without challenges.

With production running smoothly in one area, disruptions appeared in another and were overcome without fuss, and as the volume increased, so again did small production issues appear in various locations. These have progressively been worked through whilst existing targets were being met, and operational staff also increased their own skills and understanding in the operation of such a sophisticated sawline.

Other challenges included the environmental considerations in the area, with temperatures fluctuating over a broad

spectrum from -8 degrees in winter, to +39 degrees in summer.

Again, whilst this was known in the design, some of the equipment still required fine-tuning to deal with the seasonal temperature variations. Being a green field construction, the ground works and water flows also challenged the log yard and mobile plant. Finally, there were some personnel challenges with the Dongwha office closing in Geelong, not everybody was able to move to Bombala.

Throughout these early stages, the Dongwha management has been patient and understood the need to have some organic, controlled and managed growth in the production.

In September and early October, all the major suppliers to the sawmill - HewSaw, Nord Automation, Valon Kone, KitSell and Tui Technology - have all spent time on site again.

This was a planned annual review with advanced trouble shooting and performance training to ensure the machinery is all being used within specification, to best practice and that all standard operating procedures are being followed and maintenance schedules and targets met.

The production is an interesting mix, 100% radiata pine sorted into three SED classes - 16 - 25cm, 26 - 35cm and 36+ up to an LED of 55cm. Logs are processed in four lengths of nominally 3.6m, 4.8m, 5.4m, and 6.0m. Some of the logs have a volume in excess of 1.2m3. The production is all scan-and-set operation within the diameter classes, with full optimisation of the centre boards and side boards. Up to eight fully edged sideboards can be produced from each log, and the product size range is from 70 x 19mm up to 250 x 120mm on a board-by-board basis. The production is totally dynamic

¢ Joel, Chris, Glen and Dick, all local to Bombala, ensure log supply and sawline are at optimal level.

with chipper head RPM matched to line speed log-by-log, dependent on log size.

So today, there is sawn output of up to 100m3 per hour, production and quality levels are being met within a single shift basis and the maintenance and operation personnel have a good understanding and “ownership” of the sawline. There are only four people operating the whole log sorting and infeed, debarking and sawline, grading and trimming, sorting and stacking. One more person manages all the tooling, and of course there are mobile plant operators. Overall, a very lean and efficient work force.

HewSaw and Tui Technology in particular have been instrumental in providing ongoing support and training and all the other suppliers have also contributed expertise and service as required.

¢ Even after 18 months, the sawing hall is still kept clean and tidy.

¢ Craig, Leon, Kim, Saul and Rob are part of the support team that ensure the line is running well.

¢ Large logs with considerable shape and “character” are not a problem.

¢ Grade scanning prior to the trimmer.

¢ Craig keeps the tools prepared for the next changeover.

¢ Boards are clean, straight and very accurately sawn.

22 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

SKIDDERS

New features, systems in Cat D Series Wheel Skidder boost production and lower costs B ®

UILDING ON Caterpillar’s 40+ years’ experience designing and manufacturing skidders, the new CatÒ D Series Wheel Skidder increases productivity while reducing operating costs. Major improvements from the C Series include a six-speed transmission with more gears in the working zone, lock-up torque converter and independent front and rear differentials for more pulling power and control, high capacity cooling system and reversing fan, a roomy, quiet and cool operator station and tilting cab for servicing.

The D Series outpulls other skidders. It is also more stable and agile and gives the operator a smoother ride “because we optimized the wheelbases and the component layout,” said Matt McDonald, product specialist for Caterpillar Forest Products. “The customer has a more versatile machine that is highly effective in sensitive applications such as first thinnings while maintaining the stability for working in tough conditions.”

The line has four models to provide loggers with options to match their application and business needs: 151 kW (203 hp) Cat 525D, 168 kW (225 hp) Cat 535D, 186 kW (250 hp) Cat 545D, and the 205 kW (275 hp) Cat 555D. “The D Series was developed over the course of 41/2 years with extensive input from loggers and Cat dealers. At every stage of the machine’s development, they provided feedback so we could be sure the skidder was going to do what they needed it to do,” McDonald said.

Engine The D Series is equipped with the Cat C7. 1 ACERT™ engine designed to deliver more power than ever before, while still achieving the highest levels of total fluid efficiency, reliability and durability. The 525D, 535D and 545D are equipped with the Cat C7. 1 ACERT engine that achieves emission levels equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 3/EU Stage IIIA emission standards, and the 555D is equipped with the C7.

1 ACERT engine that meets Tier 4 Final/Stage IV emission standards.

“The emissions technologies are designed to be transparent, so the operator can concentrate on the work,” McDonald said.

Cooling system The high capacity cooling system and on-demand hydraulically driven reversing fan keep the machine running at the proper operating temperature, optimizing performance, durability and fuel efficiency. “The system was engineered to meet the cooling requirements of the largest model, but we have the same system in all models, which will boost fuel efficiency and capacity in the smaller models,” McDonald explained.

The cross-flow configuration and compartmentalization of the engine and cooling system maximize efficiency and reduce debris collection. Cool ambient air is pulled in from the side — not from the engine compartment.

Air is exhausted out the opposite side. This prevents hot air from circulating and debris from collecting in the engine compartment.

The oversized fan spins at a slower speed, only as fast as needed to maintain proper operating temperatures, and automatically reverses every 20 minutes of run time to blow out debris.

Powertrain The D Series has a six-speed transmission with gears more evenly distributed in the working zone to maximize efficiency on any terrain and ground conditions.

The torque converter allows the machine to ease smoothly into a start when the skidder has a heavy load in the grapple, and then the lock-up clutch automatically engages and the transmission goes into direct drive for high efficiency hauling and up to 15% faster travel speeds in the same gear.

The D Series is easy to maneuver even in dense woods and slippery or steep conditions. In normal operation, all four wheels move independently. In poor ground conditions, the independent front and rear differential locks can be engaged separately for better pulling and maneuverability. The locks are hydraulically actuated and can be engaged on the go.

Heavy-duty Cat axles approved for dual tires up to 30.5L-32 inner and 24.5L-32 outer and wide floatation tires up to 73-44 with chains are standard on all D Series skidders.

Hydraulics The new hydraulic system gives the D Series faster multifunctioning capability and greater lift capacity.

While steering still has full priority, the hydraulic system allows plenty of flow to continue to the main control valve. “You can steer, back up and activate arch, boom and grapple functions at the same time, so cycle times are significantly faster, increasing productivity,” McDonald said.

Hydraulic system pressure boosts of 15% for the 525D and 535D and 23% for the 545D and 555D, matched to the boom length, increase the lift capacity of the D Series. “You can more quickly move your loaders to a new job site and get on with the work,” McDonald said.

Structures Bottom guards, including guarding on the rear axle, protect the underside. The increased rigidity of the lower frame provides extra support to the bottom guarding to prevent damage from riding over stumps

and rocks. In the rear, where the structure has to stand up to heavy, swinging and twisting loads, box section construction was used in the frame.

The enhanced center hitch features large dual tapered roller bearings in both the upper and lower hitch with 3 in. (76 mm) diameter pins.

The pin-mounted blade in the D Series is more durable than the trunnion-mount style of the C Series. The bolt-on cutting edge is made of abrasion-resistant, heattreated steel. “The Cat skidder is the only one that has bolt-on edges, which significantly increases the life of the blade,” McDonald said.

“Also, the angle of the blade to the ground has been improved for cleaner, smoother blading.”

Arches, grapple and winches Box-section construction was used in high stress areas of the single function, dual function and cable arches. The dual function arch and boom is available on all four models. The single function arch is available on the 525D and 535D and cable arch on all except the 555D. The 360° continuous rotation grapple features box-section construction and threaded grapple tong pins that maximize structural integrity. Additional internal support and around the grapple tong pin increases rigidity. Tongs have replaceable wear tips and internal welding in high wear areas increases the durability of the grapple. Two side panels provide greatly improved access to all head components.

Logging and retrieval winches are available as options. Both are hydraulically driven, have the same pulling power and feature friction style clutches for increased durability over cog-style. Both winches are operated by a joystick for more control over the reeling speed.

Cab The new D Series cab is roomy, quiet and cool with great visibility, especially out the back.

The standard Cat Comfort Seat swivels 30° to the right so you can watch skidder and grapple operations. In addition to the usual adjustments for position, armrest and lumbar support, the seat can be adjusted to accommodate height and weight and ride firmness preferences to reduce fatigue. The grapple is controlled through the seat-mounted joystick. “You can rest your forearm on the armrest

¢ The D Series out pulls other skidders. It is more stable and agile and gives the operator a smoother ride.

¢ Components under the cab are easily accessed by tilting the cab and removing bolt-on panels around the base. Cooling system is also easy to service.

and have full control of the grapple in your hand,” McDonald said.

The high capacity HVAC system has vents in front and on both sides to direct toward the operator or the windows. The electrohydraulic grapple, blade and winch controls mean there are no hydraulic pilot lines in the cab, keeping it cooler.

A clean three-piece front windshield and tall, wraparound rear windows give the operator a 360˚ view, including the corners of the blade and winch drum.

Serviceability The tilting cab with field proven tilting pins provides access to components under the cab. Bolt-on panels around the base of the cab and removable steps provide even more access.

All components of the cooling system are easily accessed. The engine radiator and coolers for hydraulic oil and fuel are stationary, and a swing-out hinged panel houses the air conditioner condenser and air-to-air after cooler (ATAAC).

Hoses from the arch to the boom take a lot of abuse from rubbing

against the arch and boom of dual function machines. Guarding on the arch and boom protect the hoses. Hoses across the joint are short, so replacement is a low cost fix. Also, stiffness of the Cat XT hoses keep them suspended across the arch and boom joint preventing them from rubbing against the steel.

Unbolting the cab steps provides access to the steering cylinders.

The parking brake is normally released hydraulically; however, grease injected from a simple valve near the main control valve will release the parking brake manually if needed.

Product Link Product Link™, Caterpillar’s system of remote machine monitoring to track fuel, idle time, maintenance and more, comes standard on all D Series models with a three year subscription to Product Link’s user interface, VisionLink®. “Your Cat dealer will show you how easy it is to use Product Link and how it can help you address business challenges to improve your bottom line,”

Machine Specifications

525D

535D

545D

555D

Gross Power

151 kW (203 hp)

168 kW (225 HP)

186 kW (250 HP)

205 kW (275 HP)

Grapple Capacity

1.34 m² (14.4 ft²)

1.54 m² (16.6 ft²)

1.77 m² (19.0 ft²)

2.04 m² (22.0 ft²)

Wheelbase

3652 mm (143.8”)

3794 mm (149.4”)

3940 mm (155.1”)

4072 mm (160.3”)

Weight

18 831 kg 41,516 lb

19 020 kg 41,931 lb

19 153 kg 42,224 lb

20 204 kg 44,544 lb

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 23

FOWARDERS

Excelling in both steep and flat terrain

M

ORE THAN 30 years ago Davis Logging started to make its way in New Zealand’s tough forestry industry. Ross Davis was just 24 when he had a quantum change in work -- from a meat hunter (“that industry fell over”) to a forestry contractor.

Working south of Rotorua his operation produced posts and poles.

“Then we moved into production thinning and eventually got into cable logging,” he recalls.

It’s hard to think that he started out with just a Clark loader and Skidder and a Morbark post peeler and currently he operates about 40 major items of equipment.

“Now we’ve got six or seven crews running all the time.

Four of them are cable crews and the others are mechanised ground-based crews. They’re all operating south of Auckland,” says Ross.

“The terrain we work in is a bit of a variety ... mechanical crews on the flat and cable loggers doing the steep stuff. It’s all radiata pine for Matariki-Rayonier. [Matariki Forests is the third largest forestry company in New Zealand with approximately 130,000 hectares of plantations across the country. Matariki Forests is managed by Rayonier New Zealand, a subsidiary of Rayonier Inc. who manage forest assets worth in excess of $700 million.]

“We do about 300,000 cubic metres a year ... with the cable crews doing about 60,000 each. It varies from year to year.

Davis Logging has a big fleet of Cat machines and it was thought a 584HD Forwarder would be ideal for what the operation wanted to do at the time.

“We’re using the Cat in our hauler operations for two staging -- when you can’t build a landing that’s big enough to process on or it’s too steep to get trucks in and out, we build a track and put the Forwarder over it, then load in another spot. We’ve done that up to about two and a half kilometres away from the landing,” Ross said.

“Operators say it’s easy to operate and easy to run. We’ve trained guys up who haven’t driven them before because there weren’t any experienced operators. Anyone who has driven a skidder or a knuckle boom loader seems to be able to pick it up pretty quickly.

“That means it’s straight forward to operate. Not too complicated.”

And what about operator comfort levels? “I haven’t received any complaints.”

The forwarder features a spacious purpose built forestry cab with excellent sight lines to the work area ensuring a comfortable, uncluttered working environment.

¢ Ross Davis

What about maintenance? “We run our own service mechanics who do minor servicing and Cat dealer Gough does the major servicing. We’ve got an arrangement where we can do some of our own servicing because we’re so remote. That works well with them.

“This is one of the reasons why we get a lot of Cat gear,” says Ross.

“Having our own mechanics on site is quite an advantage not only financially but it also increases our uptime ... we’re not waiting two hours for a mechanic to get here.”

Davis Logging manager Nigel Airey was the first to learn how to drive the 584 and he was suitably impressed.

“The load out is a lot bigger at 19 and a half tonnes.

“It’s got excellent vision.

“It’s not over complicated in the cabin; pretty straight forward. It’s got quite good soundproofing.

“We’re running chains all round at the moment.

“The crane operation is very smooth.”

Maintenance? “That’s pretty straight forward.”

So, Nigel gives the Cat 584HD the thumbs up!

The Cat 584HD has an operating weight of just over 23,000kg and is powered by a Cat C7 ACERT engine that provides gross horsepower of 204 kW.

24 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

FOWARDERS

There’s a lot to like about the gentle giant

K

NOWN AS the Gentle Giant, Komatsu’s 895 Forwarder is their biggest and with the size has come additional productivity, operational economy and ergonomic benefits, too. Its new 20-ton wheels and 28.5- inch rims mean more traction force, higher ground clearance and low ground pressure and the Flexgate attachment is an additional safety and visibility factor.

But there’s more to it than that. Read what the professionals think of this massive machine.

Manual Hall, TripleH Contracting Tasmanian-based contractor Manual Hall is another who has opted for Komatsu’s 895 Forwarder.

Manual, director of TripleH Contracting based in Scottsdale north-east Tasmania, explained that he bought a new 890.3 when he got a pine clearfall contract back in 2012.

“I got an extension on that contract and the move to the 895 was the next progression, I guess.

“The new 895 went into service in May. “We’ve got 11 machines in operation,” he said, even though his business still has a couple of years to go to notch up a decade.

“The operator (“Tobo”) stepped out of the 890 into this and absolutely loves it ... the big cab and the extra ground clearance is really good and the extra payload and boom lift capacity is also a bonus.

“It’s also got excellent visibility.

“The extra payload is a big advantage and the bigger boom from my point of view and obviously from the operator point of view it’s a good machine,” says Manual.

TripleH is working in slightly varied terrain cutting for Timberlands

Grant Phillips, Pine Harvesters Grant Phillips, is principal of Pine Harvesters, which operates in unthinned clearfall in the Oberon area covering terrain anything from zero to 22 degrees and, apart from the other Komatsu gear he runs, he’s now got two 895 Forwarders.

Actually, he was just taking delivery of the second one when this interview was done, but he was quick to give his thoughts on the other 895 that he’s had for about three months.

“It pulls more wood but still uses the same amount of fuel as the old Forwarder.

“The new bigger tyres are far better.

“The operators love this machine.

“They’re a good machine; they’re very good,” says Grant.

“The extra crane lift and reach -- the operators are happy with that, and the slew power, the pulling power out of the bush.

They pull better than the smaller older machines which had a smaller load on.

These have got a bigger load so they’re a vast improvement.

“The ergonomics of the cab and all that ; nice and quiet. A good machine.

“Everything looks bullet proof on them but it’s only early days as yet.

“So far, though, I’m happy with the 895 and the usual good service from Komatsu and Nigel Howard and all the boys .”

Pine Harvesters started in Tumut back in 1981 under the guidance of Warren Phillips and partner Ian Gordon. From 1994 it was just Warren and then Grant took over in 2003.

For now, Pine Harvesters is fairly rapt with its first 895. The new 895 will be working in similar wood but about 40km from the current site.

Mark Blackberry, Sunchip MBM Group “It’s good; very, very good. We’re having an exceptional run out of it,” says Mark.

“Operator acceptance is very, very good

and the operator who has been on this one has been on Forwarders for probably 30 plus years and in his experience it’s the best Forwarder he has ever driven.”

Asked why he chose the 895, Mark explained: “We wanted something with a little more horsepower so we could use it in our steep country work. The carrying capacity was higher than the previous 890 model so it was doing less trips or more productivity.

“I first saw the machine at Elmia last year when I went to Sweden and I was extremely impressed by it. I had always had Valmet Forwarders and it was a no brainer to continue on with a Valmet product or the Komatsu Valmet Forwarder line.

“And the upgraded crane system with variations which have given it more capacity that was a big consideration as well.”

The new 165F, one of the market’s most powerful cranes, has a high gross lifting and turning torque, and a weight-optimised linkage system that delivers high gross lifting force “To date it’s working very well in steep country.

“I’ve just ordered another one (Komatsu 895). We take delivery of it in November.

It’ll be working at another steep country operation near in Bathurst. I’ve also ordered a harvester and a shovel logger.”

Although mainly based in Queensland, Sunchip MBM Group (harvest and haul) has been operating in the Oberon/Bathurst/ Tumut/Tumbarumba area most of this year.

“We had some trucks working in that area from mid-last year,” said Mark.

His operation (both Queensland and NSW) currently has an annual haulage tally of about 1.3 million tonnes and a harvest tally of about 1.2 million tonnes.

As a parting comment on the fuel bill for the entire operation he responded ... “Yeah, it’s not cheap; it’s not cheap at all!”

Mike Strange, Strange’s Forest Harvesting “We chose the 895 mainly for the purpose of working steep terrain. We wanted a machine that was a bit more operator friendly on the slopes but we also didn’t want continued on page 25

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 25

FOWARDERS

Decision to change to new model was a ‘no-brainer’ G

MT LOGGING’S new Tigercat 1075B Forwarder was a replacement for its old 1075 and the decision to go with the new model was a “no brainer”.

Queensland-based GMT Logging, owned and operated by father and son team Geoff and Adan Taylor, had such good service from their old 1075 Forwarder (11,000 hours) the change-up was never really in doubt.

“The new model also came with a bigger crane, framelock and Tigercat grapple that we were keen to try out. We are also very impressed with the Tigercat product in general – the design of the hydraulics, layout of key components in order to access them from a service perspective, and the way the company stands by its product and issues service bulletins and upgrades as soon as a problem is detected,” said Adan.

GMT Logging has been harvesting Hoop Pine (Araucaria) plantations in the Mary Valley near Gympie in South East Queensland for over 20 years, being the principal harvest contractor for Hyne Timber at Imbil before successfully transitioning to working under contract for HQPlantations under a “mill-door-sales” model in January 2013.

Geoff and Adan are proud members of the Australian Forest Contractors Association, with Adan having joined the board in May this year.

“Our company was formed when Hyne purchased the mill in Imbil and Geoff won the tender to become the principal harvesting contractor in about 1991. At that point, harvesting was conducted by many smaller faller and dozer/ skidder type operations. Shortly thereafter we moved to a short-length operation where merchandising was performed by mechanical harvester, and we purchased our first Waratah 624 head which is still in working order today.

“As with most harvesting operations, we have slowly mechanised nearly all aspects of our harvest system.

“As volume levels and reliability increased we transitioned to mechanical felling in all situations possible, quickly discovering the further efficiencies to be gained by the use of shovel logging when following a levelling feller buncher.

“We still fall some timber by hand on our cable (yes, cable) settings. We are the only cable logging crew left in Queensland, and I believe the national numbers of crews has fallen to around a dozen,” he says.

“At one point we had three ground-based crews producing between 1500 and 2000 tonnes per week each and the cable crew working at around the 600 tonnes per week mark. We now run with two ground-based crews and one cable crew.

“Our ground-based crews each operate with a levelling feller buncher (one Tigercat LH855 and a Madill HT2250C) both with Satco 630 felling heads, one shovelling excavator (around 27 tonne), one Forwarder (Timberpro TF840 and Tigercat 1075B) and one mechanical harvester (Tigercat LH845 + Waratah 622B and PC300-6 + Waratah HTH624).

Our cable crew consists of yarder (Thunderbird TMY50), shovel excavator (PC270-7), harvester (PC250-6 + Waratah HTH622), forwarder (Valmet 890.2) and a Cat D6 as the tailspar.”

Terrain is steep and broken with at least 60% of the resource located on slopes above 20 degrees.

“The first thing you notice (about the 1075B) is the strength and size of everything – it’s a very robust machine. We need something strong and reliable to work in this difficult, steep terrain, where we rely heavily on forwarding so much to bring multiple grades to a low number of loading sites,” Adan said.

“Our operator, who drove the old one, is very impressed with the comfort levels in the new cabin, ease of access for him to perform his preventative maintenance and greasing, and the way the Tigercat grapple rolls up and grips logs.

“The bigger crane looks a lot stronger than the old one and although it doesn’t necessarily translate to faster loading (because it is seldom quicker to load too may slippery hoop logs at once anyway) it definitely looks like it will be more durable and reliable over the long term,” he said.

What difference has this machine made to tonnages? “At this point it is too early to tell, but long term durability will definitely increase efficiency,” says Adan.

There’s a lot to like about the gentle giant continued from page 24.

to sacrifice production. We mainly used to Timbco Forwarders in the past -- and still do -- but find the 895 more operator friendly on long shifts and on the hills,” says Mike.

“We like the ability of having so much control over working speeds, lighting, cab temp control room in cab for tucker, glove boxes for docket books etc., It makes it easier.

“The two biggest standouts for me are the crane lift power, especially in the stick boom, and the drivetrain power. It climbs over stumps loaded on 22 degrees with ease without tracks and you don’t realise it’s done it apart from a small engine grunt.

“As far as load capacity goes we are bringing out 25 percent more than our other Forwarders which is a huge increase.

“Servicing is good. All the little knick knacky thoughts put into the machine help out big time; the jumper cable /Anderson plug port, for example, is great, even a small chain to catch the belly plate ... it all makes the job easier and productive to have those little things.

“When the 895 was delivered I wondered as it sat on the float if I’d made the right decision. Now we know the machine I’d wouldn’t hesitate to look at another if needed. It’s only done around 1000 hours now but so far so good!”

After having started out red gum harvesting for firewood in the Murray River plains, Strange’s Forest Harvesting has made a massive change to the slopes of plantation blue gum in Western Victoria.

26 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

Randalls is now Aussie dealer for Ponsse L

ONG TIME Australian forestry machinery company Randalls Equipment Company has become the Australian dealer for Ponsse OY . The new deal was officially announced in June.

Peter Randalls, Managing Director of Randalls Equipment Company, said his company was very pleased to be representing such a great product.

Ponsse was established in 1970 to meet forest machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgrén's own demands: the machines built by others could not withstand the heavyduty use, so he had to build his own. Thus the first Ponsse was created, and soon everyone wanted the highly durable forest machine. To meet this growing demand for strong machines, Ponsse Plc was also soon established.

Ponsse is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of forest machines for the cut-to-length method, and its customeroriented operations are still guided by the wishes and needs of forest machine entrepreneurs.

Ponsse products cover the diverse requirements of efficient harvesting faced by machine entrepreneurs around the world. Tree species vary from old pine to eucalyptus, and the machines have to endure tropical heat and arctic cold, travel without destroying the terrain and briskly climb the steepest slopes.

Ponsse constantly develops its products and services, keeping a close eye on the new features expected by the forest machine industry and operators. Without exception, our new products are designed on the basis

of preferences expressed by its customers.

Peter said his company was very pleased to be representing such a great product and working with a company that thinks global.

“That’s very important for us in Australia.

“We see too many machinery manufactures set in their ways and that does not work in the forest industry these days.

Ponsse management is totally world-wide market thinking. You only need to look at the product range to see this,” Peter said.

“The Ponsse production facility in Vierema, Finland, is world class and the equipment is of the highest standard possible.

“I was very impressed with the company’s design and research facility . The Ponsse SCORPION Harvester is an example of this.

We have a Harvester that sets the standard for all future rubber tired harvesters to follow .

“Our company will receive the first shipment of machines into Australia in the first week of November. We will be starting with the Largest Ponsse Harvester Model 8WD Bear with H8 Head alongside the Largest Ponsse Forwarder ( 20 Ton CAP ) 8WD Elephant King.

“We see a great future with Ponsse in Australia and are expanding our company to meet the needs of contractors here. We have already started a branch office in Albany, WA, and have plans in place to start another branch office,” said Peter.

“I am sure that when the Australian logging contractors get to see the machines they will very quickly see what we see in Ponsse machines .”

¢ Some of the Ponsse new comers to soon grace our shores.

Celebrating the 250th Tigercat machine sold in Australia TIGERCAT BEGAN in 1992 when a small group of professionals with extensive experience in the forestry industry teamed up with leading edge steel fabricator, MacDonald Steel.

Widespread research revealed that the performance of drive-totree feller bunchers was failing the expectations of loggers in the southeastern U.S. The result was the Tigercat 726, quickly recognised for its durable construction, high reliability and excellent productivity. Its success set a precedent, which Tigercat continues to surpass with each new machine produced and designed. Since then, Tigercat has now become an international name for quality durable forestry equipment with a huge range of equipment including harvesters, forwarders and skidders, serving all continents including Australia.

The first Tigercat sold into Australia was in February 2000.

This was the first machine for Tigercat to be sold anywhere in the southern hemisphere.

The recipient was Kevin Morgan, from Kevin Morgan Group.

Kevin took delivery of three Tigercats at this time, two harvesters and a skidder.

Since then Kevin has been acknowledged as a loyal Tigercat client with over 25 Tigercat machines in his f leet and was heralded for being the recipient of the 1st , 50 th and then the 100 th Tigercat sold in Australia.

Today, Tigercat along with the Australian distributor, Onetrak, are proud to congratulate the recipient of the 250 th machine sold in Australia, Bluewood Industries (previously known as Albany Timber Services).

The 250 th machine was a Tigercat 860C Feller Buncher equipped with a Tigercat DT 5003 disc saw. This machine is the fourth Tigercat acquired

by Bluewood Industries. They purchased their first Tigercat in August 2012.

Clinton and Sharon Rayner from Bluewood Industries were presented with a 250 th Tigercat jacket and a hamper to mark the landmark.

“We are extremely proud to be the Australian distributor for Tigercat and the 250 th machine marks a significant benchmark.

This is a true testament to the durability and performance pedigree of Tigercat and with the support of many loyal Tigercat machine owners across Australia, the brand continues to lift to record sales levels,” said David Hazell, Managing Director of Onetrak.

¢ Clinton and Sharon Rayner from Bluewood Industries, the recipients of the 250 th Tigercat machine in Australia.

¢ A recent picture of Kevin Morgan, owner in front of first Tigercat machine to be sold in Australia along with Gary Olsen (Tigercat) and Glen Marley (Tigercat). This machine is still working today in a front line capacity with well in excess of 25,000 operating hours.

Forestry machines of the future F UTURE FOREST machines … automation, robotics and a myriad of other possibilities will be the subject of a one-off conference in Canada next year.

FPInnovations will host the first Forest Machine Technology Conference (FMTC), to be held at the Hyatt Regency Montreal Hotel, 21-23 April, 2015, in collaboration with Unmanned Systems Canada, FPAC, Laval University, L’École de Technologie Supérieure, Skogforsk and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

The groundbreaking conference will focus on advanced technologies for forest machines of the future.

As Canada’s forestry industry faces a growing shortage of skilled machine operators, FPInnovations, Canada’s R&D Institute for the sector, is leading the search for solutions. The integration of advanced technologies such as

robotics and automation is likely one of the stepchanging solutions to the labor shortage crisis.

The FMTC will feature prominent international keynote speakers, invited technical presentations, technology forum presentations, supplier kiosks, ideation working groups and a host of networking opportunities.

The FMTC will be a unique opportunity to help shape a vision for the future. The forum will bring together a broad range of interested stakeholders from within and outside the forestry sector to: define the needs, gaps and challenges around advanced technologies in forest operations identify possible game-changers, as well as potential partners and suppliers showcase technological opportunities from other fields, and create networking opportunities to help foster new partnerships and R&D

Meet the master when it comes to thinning or light harvesting!

The obvious choice for multi-stemming

Eco Log

560D Blue

Technical specifications in short: Length

7300 mm / 287.4’’

Width

2790 mm /109.8’’

Ground clearance Max. Power

10, 11 & 11,5 m/33’, 36’ & 37.7’

146-1191 mm / 5.8-46.9’’ 260 bhp /195 kW

Torque @ 1200-1600 rpm Fuel tank capacity

Crane, range

520 l/min - 137 gal./min. @ 1600 rpm

460 l / 120 gal.

Steering, turning angle Tilt angle, front/back Tilt angle, side/side

44 °

Harvesting head

Log Max 4000 / 5000

±17 ° ±25.5 °

The superior stability, combined with a broad range of alternative cranes and harvesting heads options makes the Eco Log 560D Blue a natural choice for multi-stemming.

The machine adjusts itself - so you don’t

After a full day’s work in an Eco Log you will quickly notice that your body is less tired. Thanks to pendulum arms that adjust and adapts the machine to the terrain. There is no need for you to change your sitting position to be straight the machine does it for you .

Full strength at full boom length

Eco Log designed cranes are the strongest on the market in their class. With over 255 kNm, 188,078lbf*ft net lifting torque at the tip of the crane, working at full boom length goes smoothly.

Multi-stemming expert

It is not surprising that the Eco Log 560D Blue is part of the elite in machinery best suited for multi-stemming. All the above points in combination with the side-mounted crane and the oscillating cab makes it a joy to work with from the strip roads or in dense forests.

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

28 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

Memorial walk for timber workers

By Tamara Whitsed

T

HE HEYFIELD community plans to create a memorial walk to honour Victorian timber workers who died at work.

Karen Coleman tells Tamara Whitsed about the project.

Karen remembers her late husband Peter Ralph as a hardworking logging contractor with timber in his blood and an affinity with the bush.

Australia’s largest hardwood saw mill.

The fundraising goal of $120,000 is an ambitious target, but Karen is confident this is achievable, and hopes the project will be completed by this month to coincide with the tenth anniversary of Peter’s death.

Peter and Karen had a contract to harvest and haul logs out of Tanjil Bren, Mt Erica, in 2005. It was here that Peter died in a freak

It’s hard to lose somebody.

We all know that. But at least this way we’re doing something that the kids can remember.

Logging coupes can be hectic and noisy, but when the day’s work is over loggers are rewarded with panoramic scenes of mountains, valleys and gullies; tranquil stillness; and cool breezes perfumed with eucalyptus.

“It’s like you’re the only one in the world,” says Karen, who believes the industry attracts people who like solitude.

When Karen and a small group of Heyfield logging identities began talks to create a Victorian Timber Workers’ Memorial for logging friends and family who died at work, they knew Australian native trees should be an essential element of their plans. Their aim is to create a memorial walk through a bushinspired garden where friends and family can reflect on their loved one. Pillars along the walk will feature plaques with the names of those being remembered.

The proposed walk is planned to be located at Heyfield’s Lions Club Park Reserve. Located 35km from Sale in Gippsland, Victoria, Heyfield has a long history as a timber town and is home to

accident. A tree 60m away from where he was working fell on him, ending his life, and forever changing the lives of Karen and their four children.

NAMES SOUGHT Plans for the Victorian Timber Workers’ Memorial are progressing so well that the committee wants to hear from people who would like to have the name of a family member or friend placed on a plaque at the memorial walk.

LOCAL SUPPORT Karen says the committee is grateful for the support shown by the Heyfield community. “Heyfield has always been a town that, if we decide to do something, we get it done. The locals have just been wonderful, always helping with everything. There hasn’t been one negative thing.”

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) has donated to

It will be a lovely place to go and walk around and you can tell stories about the logging industry and what Pa did.

Karen says people honoured at the wall will have worked in the Victorian timber industry and will have died while working in the bush, coupes, mills, or in log trucks.

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Memorial Committee includes local logging identities and people who have lost friends or family in industry accidents: John Mahoney (President), Tex Briggs, John Weatherley, Les Christian, Ray Ralph, Karen Coleman, Joe Burton and Gary McMillan. ‘’This way we’re doing something that the kids can remember.

“We all decided to get together and actually do something, because the only other thing is the national memorial in Eden,” Karen says. Peter’s name is on the National Timber Workers’ Memorial wall at Eden, but Karen says it is difficult for many Victorians to travel to the New South Wales South Coast.

“Some of my family members haven’t seen Peter’s memorial in Eden. We thought we’d like to do something here.”

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the proposed memorial. Another donation by the Neville Smith family which has a long association with Heyfield and the timber industry. The committee has been successful in obtaining a grant from Wellington Shire Council.

Funds are also being sought from the Victorian Government.

She is full of praise for Wellington Shire Council which has prepared plans for the project.

The plan complements Heyfield’s existing Migrant Walk and includes a community rose garden honouring cancer victims.

Karen has remarried and divides her tiwme between working at her husband’s business and caring for her grandchildren. She says the memorial walk will be a beautiful way for her grandchildren to learn about Peter. “It will be a lovely place to go and walk around and you can tell stories about the logging industry and what Pa did instead of being in a cemetery where it’s not as nice.”

After Peter’s death Karen and her family were grateful for support from Bette Phillips from Work-Related Grief Support, a non-ecumenical program provided

by Creative Ministries Network, a Uniting Care Agency. Bette has been helping the committee with the memorial walk project.

Bette and Karen also worked together with Rob Heritage and logging families to establish an annual memorial service at Woori Yallock, Victoria, for timber workers who have died. This will continue as an annual event each October.

¢ Karen Coleman, Ray Ralph, John Mahoney, Tex Briggs, John Weatherley and Gary McMillan.

Contacts FOR PLAQUES Heyfield: To have a name added to a plaque at the proposed Victorian Timber Workers’ Memorial Walk at Heyfield, or to donate to the project, email karencoleman5@live.com ; write to PO Box 274, 3858, Heyfield, Victoria; or join the ‘Victorian Timber Workers Memorial’ Facebook group.

Woori Yallock: Since 2009 the timber community has gathered each October at Woori Yallock to remember timber workers who have died at work. This will continue as an annual event at the Heritage Pioneers Chapel, 1414 Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd, Woori Yallock. Phone Leonie Lang or Sandra Heritage on 03 5964 6500 for details about the annual memorial service at Woori Yallock.

Eden: The National Timber Workers’ Memorial at Eden honours the memories of timber workers who died in timber industry accidents anywhere in Australia. For information about the Eden memorial, contact Marie Slater, 02 6496 1240.

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30 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

FIRE PREVENTION

Southern Australia seasonal bushfire outlook 2014-15 T

HE SOUTHERN Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook is used by fire authorities to make strategic decisions on resource planning and prescribed fire management for the coming fire season. The outlook is decided at an annual workshop convened by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC).

At the 2014 workshop in Hobart in August, the outlook was assessed and a range of broad climate factors were considered.

Australia is predicted to experience a trend towards an increasing number of bad fire weather days in its southern and eastern states with fire seasons that begin earlier and last longer than in earlier decades (Be Prepared: Climate Change and the Australia Bushfire Threat, Climate Council 2013).

As benign fire seasons are predicted to become the exception, the concept of an average or normal fire season becomes less meaningful as historical longterm averages are surpassed by fire seasons that are regularly above average in either duration, area burnt or in the total number of fires.

Costs to the community for fire fighting and damage are already steadily rising.

Fire severity across southern Australia has been consistently worse than the long term averages would suggest. This is partly driven by an increase in temperatures as well as an increased dryness of soils and vegetation.

In assessing the bushfire potential for any given year, it is important to take into account not only the amount of rainfall in the immediately preceding months but the long term rainfall deficit across southern Australia.

Leading into this year, many areas have consistently received below average annual rainfall over successive years. The effect of this has been a cumulative reduction in soil moisture levels and increasingly dry forests and grasslands.

In addition to these long term trends, other climate drivers, such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean

Dipole, can further increase the severity and duration of the fire seasons.

Such impacts are challenging the limited resources of the fire and land management agencies and have created the situation where each fire season is demanding both in economic and human costs.

The map reveals the bushfire outlook for southern Australia through to 2015. This map has been combined with the outlook for the northern Australia bushfire season, which was released at the beginning of the northern fire season in July, to show the areas of fire potential for all of Australia in 2014-15).

Bushfire Potential Fire season potential depends on several factors. The volume, location and timing of rainfall in the period leading up to the fire season are critically important for estimating fuel loads and dryness. The temperature and rainfall outlooks for the next few months are crucial factors for fire behaviour.

Of particular importance are the future tendencies of Pacific sea surface temperatures associated with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, a major driver of climate over much of Australia.

Other factors, such as the distribution of fire fighting resources, previous fire activity and the amount of prescribed burning, are also considered in the analysis of fire potential.

The Southern Seasonal Bushfire Assessment Workshop was hosted by the Tasmania Fire Service in Hobart on 21 August.

The workshop, supported by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC, brought together fire and land managers, climatologists and meteorologists to evaluate the coming season for the southern part of Australia.

The group discussed the weather, landscape conditions and cross-border implications leading into summer and determined areas that had the potential for a fire season that was above normal, normal or below normal.

Attendees included representatives of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, AFAC, the Bureau of Meteorology,

Emergency Management Australia, Tasmania Fire Service, the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Service Agency, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, South Australia’s Country Fire Service, Victoria’s Country Fire Authority and Department of Environment and Primary Industries, and Western Australia’s Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook and the earlier Northern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook provide information to assist fire authorities in making strategic resource and planning decisions leading into the fire season.

ANTECEDENT CONDITIONS Rainfall since May has tended to be below average across most of Queensland, northern and eastern New South Wales, northern South Australia and much of south west Western Australia. A particularly dry August has affected most parts of southern Australia, meaning that the extent of deficiencies will substantially expand beyond those evident at the end of July across Victoria, southern South Australia and Tasmania. On time scales of 12 to 24 months, below average rainfall has dominated almost the entirety of eastern Australia as well as the south western areas of Australia, meaning that longterm substantial deficits persist in these areas. The underlying dry conditions mean that any surface moisture will quickly decline with warmer temperatures and reduced rainfall over summer.

2013 was Australia’s warmest year since comparable records began in 1910, and persistent warm conditions have continued to affect Australia during 2014.

These above average temperatures have been a feature across almost the whole country, and particularly affected the eastern states in 2014, including the major eastern capital cities. This combination of underlying rainfall deficits, with persistently above average temperatures and near El Nino conditions in the Pacific, means that the antecedent conditions favour an early and above normal fire season in many areas.

SEASONAL CLIMATE OUTLOOK The past few months have seen near El Nino conditions in the Pacific, with a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD); a highly unusual combination. The consensus of model forecasts from various international centres suggests that the coming months are likely to see the IOD return to neutral values. The outlook for the El Nino remains somewhat uncertain, with above average temperatures likely to continue across much of the tropical Pacific Ocean.

Conditions approaching El Nino or weak El Nino conditions are the most likely scenarios.

With the El Nino-Southern Oscillation still not making the shift into El Nino territory just yet and the negative IOD returning to neutral, the seasonal climate outlook for September to November does not show a strong bias toward below average or above average rainfall over most of southern Australia. The main exception is southern NSW and central Victoria, where a dry season is most likely.

The outlook for temperatures in spring shows that above average temperatures are most likely across southern and eastern Australia (figure 5, page 4).

Historically, El Nino has brought more frequent hot days to south eastern Australia. It is not clear whether this will occur this season. However, even without the effects of an El Nino, there will be hot days during the coming fire weather season.

REGIONAL SUMMARIES ACT While the ACT does not have a strong signal for the severity of the coming summer, there are several reasons for expecting above normal fire potential.

These include: • Strong grass growth into early winter.

• Forecast for above average temperatures into summer.

• A reduction in rainfall in recent months, with heavy rains falling only in adjacent central areas of NSW.

NEW SOUTH WALES Much of NSW experienced well below average rainfall in the three months leading up to August. Temperatures have also been above average or very much above average for all of this time.

This has resulted in significant drying of the heavy fuels in the forests. Reduced rainfall has also resulted in reduced growth and lower grass fuel loads through much of the west of the state.

The next three months are forecast to have average rainfall over much of the state except the southern border areas, which are forecast to have reduced rainfall.

The temperatures are forecast to remain above average for much of the state. Under these conditions the drying trend will continue and it is expected to result in above normal fire activity for the coastal table lands and central slopes of the state while the risk of significant fire in the west of the state will be normal. continued on page 31

Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 31

FIRE PREVENTION

Ramping up for fire season and working with drivers to deliver safer roads L

OAD SECURITY, tipping points and fatigue management are some of the topics being covered in log truck driver safety training courses developed by Transport for NSW in partnership with VicRoads, WorkCover NSW and Forestry Corporation of NSW specifically for professional drivers operating log haulage vehicles.

Close to 150 log truck drivers have attended courses in Oberon, Eden, Grafton, Walcha and Wauchope, with sessions planned in Barham, Tumut, Tumbarumba and Bombala during October.

The courses aim to reinforce the importance of safe practices and complement significant investment by Forestry Corporation and industry partners in new haulage systems and technology to reduce the number of trucks on the road and improve the safe operation of log haulage vehicles.

Haulage and Sales Manager for the Forestry Corporation’s Northern Softwoods Tijmen Klootwijk, said the courses were well received by drivers.

“In the Bathurst Management area alone around a million tonnes of log products are transported from Forestry Corporation’s softwood plantations to timber processors in Oberon, Bathurst and Tumut each year, which equates to

around 30,000 loaded truck movements plus a further 30,000 return trips into the forest,” Klootwijk said.

“We want to see each and every one of these trips completed safely.

“Rollovers currently make up more than a quarter of all crashes involving log haulage vehicles, so this course was specifically designed to give drivers the skills they need to prevent truck rollovers.

“Similar programs have been well received in other transport industries and interstate and we were pleased to see strong interest from the local timber industry, with more than 60 drivers attending in Oberon.”

Forestry Corporation is also gearing up for fire season, adding a new mobile command centre, portable fire fighting tankers and hose reels and new high powered hand-held blowers to its fire fighting arsenal in preparation for the coming fire season.

Forest Protection Manager Karel Zejbrlik said the new command vehicles were essentially mobile control centres, containing radios, modems and the range of technology we need to manage a modern, coordinated fire response from the field.

“The units will act as wi-fi hot spots for our crews, which is particularly important when fighting fires in remote areas of the forest, and will allow us to easily manage radio communications with our colleagues at the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Rural Fire Service from the field,” Zejbrlik said.

“We have also upgraded our fire fighting vehicles with new ‘slip on’ units, which are 400-litre fire fighting tankers and hose reels that slip onto the back of a ute, and purchased new high powered blowers to quickly clear debris from fire trails and rake hoe lines and dry gullies.

“The new blowers have already been tested on the fire line in Wauchope and are so powerful they can move fist sized rocks. They can also be used to fan flames inward when conducting back burning operations.

“As an added benefit they are worn as back packs to avoid back strain, which is a step forward in making our fire fighters safer and less exposed to injury and fatigue.”

To find out more about truck driver training courses, contact Louise Bourke on (02) 6981 4103 or Andrew McCurdy on (03) 5881 9957 for the Barham session.

¢ BLOWER: Back pack blower so powerful they can move fist sized rocks.

¢ Fire fighting training drill.

¢ Chris Stephens, Vic Roads; John Towers, Gibbs Logging; Barry Tanswell, Gibbs Logging.

Southern Australia seasonal bushfire outlook 2014-15 continued from page 30.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA In Western Australia, the Wheatbelt region has below average grass fuel loads as a result of average and below average rainfall totals across the region. In the South West reduced rainfall, a long term deficit in the soil moisture and high fuel loads has led to above normal fire potential.

Conversely, across the Mid West and Desert, it is the high fuel loads as a consequene of above average rainfall totals that warrant the expectation of an above normal fire season.

Rainfalls in the area has led to high fuel loads. The higher rainfall across the Nullarbor, east of the Fraser Range, has also led to an above normal fire potential.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA In South Australia the outlook conditions indicate the most likely scenario is for near normal fire potential across southern

agricultural areas of the state, with parts of the North West Pastoral, West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Flinders and Mid North districts likely to be above normal fire potential.

All these areas of above normal fire potential have had above average rainfall in the period leading up to the fire season, resulting in above average fuel loads. The North West Pastoral and Flinders regions also have abundant fuel loads that have been building up from previous seasons.

The area adjacent to the Northern Territory border (north of the APY Lands) has normal fire potential, in line with the normal potential indicated by the Northern Territory.

A normal to above normal fire potential may see the need for fire fighting resources over a longer period of time, together with a longer time for mop-up post fires. The districts where there is potential for above average activity may pose resourcing issues during this fire season, should above level of activity be experienced.

QUEENSLAND

TASMANIA

The overview for the state is that generally grass fire potential is reduced as a result of the drought.

Forest fuels continue to dry out, making more of the fine fuels available for the upcoming fire season.

Recent wet seasons have failed to deliver widespread rains resulting in significantly reduced rainfall particularly in inland areas.

More than 75 percent of Queensland is now drought declared. Rainfall from tropical cyclones was patchy and as a result the pasture growth is varied across the state.

In general, grassland fuel loads are significantly less than the average and curing across much of the state is ahead of the same time last year.

Above normal fire potential has been assessed for much of south east Queensland, from Bundaberg south west to Gayndah, north west to Biloela, south to Miles, across to Roma and down the Carnarvon Highway to the NSW border.

Overall, normal fire season potential is expected over most of the state and on the Bass Strait Islands in the period to the end of December. There is above normal potential in the central part of the east coast between Swansea and St Helens and extending around Fingal.

The south of the state is relatively moist, including the Derwent Valley and the Southern Midlands. Forest fires are expected to be relatively normal up to December in the eastern half of the state. while forest fire activity in the west will be suppressed. Similarly, moorland and scrub fuels are expected to be relatively normal while grassland fire activity will be low during spring and early summer.

VICTORIA A preliminary investigation of factors affecting the fire season outlook for 2014-15 point to an above normal season in many areas of central, north and western Victoria. Key factors are an overall

rainfall deficit coupled with the potential for an earlier start to the season.

Areas with long-term rainfall deficits run from the west of Melbourne to the central Wimmera and also north through central Victoria into the Mallee. Another band exists extending from the north east of Melbourne to the northern slopes of the Great Dividing Range.

Shorter term deficits are emerging in a broad band across much of the state’s north, extending south to the northern rises of the Great Dividing Range. Similar deficits are emerging in coastal and southern Victoria, though the exact pattern in these areas is not yet clear.

Climatic signals indicate a likely return to warm conditions in spring. There is no strong signal on rainfall, and agencies will be closely monitoring rainfall amounts across the state.

Widespread above average rainfall conditions are not likely, but even in the event they occur, Victoria may still expect, given the antecedent conditions, a fire season slightly more active than 2013-14.

32 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

FIRE PREVENTION Tasmania emergency managers Forest fire get research briefing fighters face

fitness and skills testing F

IFTY FOREST fire fighters from Dorrigo, Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Casino converged on Corindi Beach for a five-day fire fighting boot camp, involving rigorous fitness tests and scenario training, as part of Forestry Corporation of NSW’s fire season preparations.

Forestry Corporation’s Fire Training Coordinator Cameron Wade said it was the first of five boot camps to ensure staff were prepared for fire season.

“Our forest fire fighters play an important role managing, preventing and fighting fires in the region’s State forests and we need to be confident they are fit and able to manage the physical pressures of the fire line,” Cameron said.

“As part of the five-day boot camp, fire fighting staff were called upon to put their skills to the test by taking part in managing the Timbertop Fire west of Glenreagh.

“In addition, there was a fitness test, in which staff were required to walk 3.22 kilometres in less than 30

minutes wearing an 11.3-kilogram vest to simulate the sort of strain placed on the body during fire fighting.

“We also ran a number of training scenarios ranging from extinguishing car fires to working with fire fighting aircraft and delivering first aid treatment in remote environments.

“Forestry Corporation is responsible for more than 2.2 million hectares of native and planted forests and has been formally involved in fire-fighting in NSW for almost 100 years.

“This year we’ve rolled our traditional series of fitness tests and training days into five intensive boot camps around the State to ensure all our fire fighters are at the top of their game for what we expect to be a busy fire season.

“We also work in partnership with the Rural Fire Service, and National Parks and Wildlife Services to help limit the impact of fire on forests and communities across the State.”

MORE THAN 130 Tasmanian fire, police and emergency managers joined land managers and Government staff in Hobart in August to hear from some of the nation’s leading natural disaster experts across a range of scientific fields.

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC staged a research briefing for its Tasmanian partners, with participants gaining insights into the range of research currently under way, along with the previous work of the Bushfire CRC. The event was opened by the Tasmanian Minister for Police and Emergency Management, Rene

Hidding, with Tasmania Fire Service Chief Officer Mike Brown speaking of the value TFS has gained from its partnership with the Bushfire CRC, and how this will be expanded under the BNHCRC. Topics covered on the day were; how research can be used, how communities and emergency managers make decisions under threat; getting the most out of volunteers; sharing responsibility for emergency management; extreme weather; building at the rural/ urban interface; hazard fatalities; bushfire mapping; and the legal and political implications of emergency management.

Successful regeneration burning season FORESTRY TASMANIA has completed its most successful regeneration burning program for a number of years.

Resources Minister Paul Harriss congratulated Forestry Tasmania staff for their skill and professionalism in conducting 160 planned burns – regenerating a total area of more than 6,300 ha – with minimal smoke issues experienced.

“It was a particular compliment to Forestry Tasmania’s expertise that, in addition to its own regeneration work, it was

contracted to conduct three regeneration burns in the recently-declared World Heritage Area during the autumn. The burns were required to regenerate coupes which had been included in the World Heritage Area after harvesting.

“These burns were commissioned by Environment Tasmania, with the endorsement of the Parks and Wildlife Service.

I commend the recognition by Environment Tasmania of the effectiveness of fire to regenerate wet eucalypt forests – and its

recognition of the expertise of Forestry Tasmania to get the job done,” the Minister said.

“Forestry Tasmania has outstanding fire fighting staff and an outstanding record of performance in fire management.

“In the past fire season Forestry Tasmania has also assisted with fire management and suppression on the West Coast, as well as sending key personnel to help fight the Blue Mountains fires in NSW, he said. * Resources Minister Paul Harriss.

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34 – November 2014, Australian Forests & Timber News

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Australian Forests & Timber News, November 2014 – 35

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Komatsu

The all new Komatsu Forest big forwarder for softwood and hardwood logging providing; • Larger 20T capacity for increased production

• Improved fuel economy for lower cost

• Powerful transmission for steep terrain

• Largest Wheels for increased capacity

Komatsu Forest sets new standards in forwarding plus local factory support offering real benefits to contractors.

www.komatsuforest.com.au www.komatsuforest.com.au www.komatsuforest.com.au

Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd. 11/4 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127 Australia T: +61 2 9647 3600 E: info.au@komatsuforest.com