Australasian Timber Magazine - September 2019

September 2019

MANUFACTURE • TECHNOLOGY • DESIGN • CONSTRUCTION Incorporating Australian and New Zealand Timberman – Established 1977.

PASSIVE HOUSE Timber at its best

HOUSING INDUSTRY Why numbers are down

CLADDING

Restrictions challenged

Innovation in timber engineering www.hundegger.com.au

NEWS

Delegation to celebrate sister city pact Japanese visitors on Queensland timber tour

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DELEGATION from the Fraser

Coast’s Japanese Sister City, Kasukabe visited Hyne Timber and Altus Renewables in Maryborough, coinciding with the fiveyear anniversary of the signing of the Kasukabe –Maryborough Sister City agreement in 2014 which followed the formation of a friendship agreement in 1997.

Kasukabe’s Vice Mayor, Mr Takahisa Tanemura and Chairperson of the Kasukabe City Council, Mr Susumo Kaneko head the 14-strong delegation.

During their visit to the region the delegation will attend a business meeting with Council and Chambers of Commerce representatives, attend a commemorative event for the signing of the Sister City agreement, plant a Wollemi pine tree at the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary in Maryborough and go whale watching.

“It is a pleasure to host the delegation from our Sister City and be able to showcase the Fraser Coast,” Mayor George Seymour said.

“There are a number of innovative companies on the Fraser Coast who have developed close trading links with Japan. Through this visit we are able to showcase our businesses and build on the cultural and personal links we have with our Sister City.”

Hyne Timber presented to the delegation including information about its long history and growth plans such as its new Glue Lami-

nated Timber plant that is under construction in Maryborough.

“It was a pleasure to welcome the delegation at the Tuan Mill and talk about the scale of softwood manufacturing, innovative technology in the region as well as our sustainably grown, certified local softwood supply,” Hyne Timber Strategic Relations Manager, Katie Fowden said.

“The Japanese are known for their timber craft skills.

“Japan is home to the world’s oldest wooden building, Horyuji Temple which dates back to 700AD and there are many other timber temples still showcasing timber structures over 1300 years later.”

Japan has a significant interest in renewable energy so the delegation’s itinerary also included a visit to Altus Renewables.

Atlus converts Hyne Timber’s sawdust by-product into small pellets.

“We buy all the sawdust and shavings we can get from Hyne Timber, Wades Sawmill and others in the region,” Altus Renewables Maryborough Plant Manager David Knight said.

The plant compresses and dries the sawdust to maximise fuel quality while making transport significantly more cost efficient.

“The majority of our pellets are exported through the Bundaberg Port to customers around the world, including Japan. The renewable pellets are used in their power stations to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels,” Mr Knight said.

■■ Part of the Japanese delegation with Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour at Altus

Renewables in Maryborough.

■■ Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour with Kasukabe Officials, Hyne Timber and Fraser

Coast Regional Council representatives at Hyne Timber Tuan Mill.

Ultimate Renewable campaign reached millions

Online Registration Available Visit fols.forestworks.com.au:

• Update contact or employment details.

• Renew FOLS and maintain skills.

Download our free app and replace the need for a card!

Or free call  for any of your FOLS needs.

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

F

O RE ST and Wood Product Australia’s Ultimate Renewable campaign has reached millions of people across Australia since it launched on July 1.

Advertisements featuring host of Grand Designs Australia, Peter Maddison, and content explaining the renewable attributes and environmental advantages of responsibly sourced wood, have featured across a range of channels. The campaign spans traditional mediums such as television and billboards to online, social media and some print such as the Qantas Magazine.

Managing Director of FWPA, Ric Sinclair, said the organisation was pleased with the success of the campaign to date.

“The Ultimate Renewable message is all about reinforcing the association between wood and the word ‘renewable’,’’ Mr Sinclair said.

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NEWS Top lineup to judge NZ Timber Awards AN impressive line-up of industry experts has been selected to join the NZ Wood Resene Timber Design Awards judging panel for 2020 and entries are now open.

Entry categories have expanded this year to better reflect the many ways that wood is used in construction today.

There are now 11 award categories including the new Public Design category, which has been expanded from Commercial Design to focus on community-use buildings.

There is also a new Sustainable Development category that recognises wood’s value in producing low-environmental impact designs.

The Exterior Structure Design Award and the Wood and Fibre Products and Technology Award have been further refined and criteria clarified.

Eligible entries will be projects completed between January 1, 2018, and June 20, 2019, and naturally must have significant timber content.

Finalists will be announced on October 28, with Stage Two Entries due by November 22, and all winners will be announced at the gala awards dinner at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Auckland on March 26, 2020.

Judges this year will be David Carradine, Timber Design Society; Tim Melville, NZ Institute of Architects; Andrea Stocchero, Sustainable Architect, Scion; and Andy van Houtte, NZ Wood Design Guides Manager.

Stage One entries closing at 5pm on September 27, 2019.

australasian

■■ WA’s Sandalwood Plantations are one of four Responsible Wood certified forests in Western Australia.

Western Australia embraces WEP program state wide W estern Australia has

joined Tasmania to become the second state government to adopt a statewide Wood Encouragement Policy (WEP).

A WEP requires responsibly sourced wood be considered, where feasible, as the primary construction material in all newbuild and refurbishment projects.

It does not in any way mandate the use of timber, but rather seeks to ensure that wood is at least considered as the primary structural component in buildings.

In addition there are two local government authorities and 16 local councils – five in Western Australia – which have adopted WEP’s in Australia.

Speaking about the announcement, Simon Dorries – Responsible Wood CEO, spoke of the

power of wood encouragement policies in promoting sustainably sourced timber on construction projects.

“WEPs provide an important incentive for the use of wood in building projects, and when it comes to responsibly sourced wood forest certification plays an all-important role in demonstrating that timber is sourced from forests that meet acceptable environmental standards for practice,’’ he said.

“We commend the Western Australian government in showing leadership in this field, and note the adoption of similar policies around the world including Canada, Japan, France, Finland, The Netherlands and the UK. “Responsible Wood, PEFC in Australia, is Australia’s largest forest certification scheme, with

more than 90 per cent of Australia’s commercial forests currently involved in the scheme, however just 12 per cent of global forests are certified under PEFC and/or FSC forest certification,’’ Mr Dorries said.

Embodied within the Responsible Wood certification scheme, forest growers, processors, merchants and retailors are assessed by independent certification bodies and must meet the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS 4708 – 2013) and Chain of Custody for Forest Products (AS 4707 – 2014) to achieve and maintain ‘Responsible Wood’ certification.

In total there are four Responsible Wood certified forests in Western Australia including the Bunbury Treefarm Project, Forest Products Commission (WA),

WA Plantation Resources Pty Ltd (WAPRS) and WA Sandalwood Plantations Pty Ltd. CEO WAPRES and FIFWA Chairman Ian Telfer welcomed the decision by the Western Australian government to adopt a Wood Encouragement Policy.

WA Sandalwood Plantations spokesperson, Marian Drage, emphasised the importance of government in promoting the use of timber from certified and responsible sources.

“WA Sandalwood Plantations are delighted to hear that State Governments including the Western Australian State government are encouraging the use of sustainable timber for commercial use. This helps in promoting the use of timber from certified, responsibly sourced wood,” Ms Drage said.

Sustainability has become the catch cry of the next generation.

Sustainability in everything. And so timber will come into its own, so the reasoning goes.

It’s going to take a lot of selling.

The Ultimate Renewable campaign is reaching out, but it is only a part of the solution.

It is a total mindset that has to change.

The European-derived Passive House concept goes a long way to achieving the ideal of building houses fundamentally from timber which are environmentally sustainable not only in their construction but their function.

But, so far, it’s not cheap. The trade-

All are faced with the desire to convince home builders to use timber as an option to steel and concrete, and they magazine are keen to pursue their passion.

The Passive House concept will take off is between building houses cheaply, and by default with a limited lifespan, time to become the norm. But as the or building them well with an infinite 25-year-olds of today become the house buyers and builders of the future lifespan.

Sadly, the budget rules over the heart – and sustainability remains a catch cry – then the concept, even in parts, will in so many cases.

There are architects and builders in begin to gain ground.

And as the concept grows in popularAustralia and New Zealand who are ity, so will the cost-efficiency improve. passionate about the concept.

It’s probably something everyone There are frame and truss makers should hope for. passionate about using timber.

Editorial

September 2019, Vol. 27, Issue 6 Incorporating Australian and New Zealand Timberman – Established 1977.

News Building report Woodchat

australasian

3-7 8 11

Passive House Associations What’s on

12-13 19-22 22

FRONT PAGE: The Australian Bureau of Statistics is reporting a 9.7 per cent contraction in new home approvals, and the HIA doesn’t believe the market has bottomed out yet.

Publisher and Chief Executive: Hartley Higgins General Manager: Robyn Haworth

Editorial: Bruce Mitchell b.mitchell@ryanmediapl.com.au (08) 8369 9521

Advertising: Kent Humphrys k.humphrys@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide: (08) 8369 9516

Design and Artwork: Peter Frezzini and the NEM Creative team Accounts: Adelaide: (08) 8369 9514

Timber Classifieds: k.humphrys@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide: (08) 8369 9516 Adelaide: (08) 8369 9532 Subscriptions: subs@forestsandtimber.com.au

Postal Address: 630 Regency Road, Broadview, South Australia 5083 Phone: (08) 8369 9555 Fax: (08) 8369 9501

Conditions: The opinions expressed in Australasian Timber Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of or endorsed by the editor or publisher unless otherwise stated.

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. All material in Australasian Timber Magazine copyright 2019 © Ryan Media. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic, or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, the publisher will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

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NEWS

BRIEFS Timber goes commercial PROPERTY developer Mulpha Australia has won development approval for the first timber commercial building as part of its $3 billion Norwest masterplan in Sydney’s west.

The $53 million development, known as The Bond, was initially rejected by Sydney Central Planning late last year.

The developer lodged an appeal against the decision to reject the 7-storey building, which will now be located on the corners of Elizabeth Macarthur Drive and Norbrik Drive, adjacent to the heritage-listed Bella Vista Farm.

The Fitzpatrick & Partners-designed timber building will comprise ground floor retail, a co- working lobby space, along with six floors of commercial office space and a 110 capacity childcare facility.

Big River expansion CONSTRUCTION industry leader, Big River Group is continuing to expand its national network and increase its product offering, with the acquisition of Big Hammer Building Supplies in Townsville North Queensland.

Whilst Big River already operates a building supplies distribution site in Townsville, the opportunity to combine the strong and successful operating histories of both businesses to create a larger and more diversified business is especially attractive to Big River.

Big Hammer has operated in the market for 26 years, and is particularly strong in the alterations and additions area as well as having a strong client base outside of the Townsville region.

AGM moves to Mount Gambier RESPONSIBLE Wood will be holding its annual general meeting in Mount Gambier this year.

The AGM on October 22 will be Responsible Wood’s first AGM to be hosted in the regional location.

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Safe, suitable timber building products critical Difference between non-conformance and non-compliance critical isfy the requirements of the ABCB National Construction HE mainstream media Code.

They are rigorously tested has been repeatedly reporting deficient build- in the laboratory to meet, or ing practices and non-compli- exceed the strength and serant building materials in the viceability requirements in the past few years, both here and Australian Standards. Certified building products are always abroad.

The Lacrosse Dockland’s ex- identifiable by clear markings terior cladding catching fire on them. They are accomfrom a discarded cigarette on a panied by readily accessible balcony in Melbourne in 2014, comprehensive specifications, a similar fire to the Grenfell which clearly describe not only Tower in London in 2017, and their performance, but also (in more recent headlines) the their limitations and conditions evacuation of Opal & Mascot of use.

It is always wise to also ensure residential buildings after suffering major cracking, are some that they have been produced to Australian Standards by a of these examples.

While these might seem a far well-known and reputable comdistant from the timber truss pany. and frame industry, as we move forward into more mid-rise timber apartment buildings, ensuring safe and suitable timber building products will be critical. Even the humble Class 1 single occupancy dwelling has seen disasters (including fatalities) from timber deck collapses that could be attributed to the use of unsuitable products and practices.

Many state and territory regulatory bodies as well as the federal government have As an example, the MiTek been, or are in the process of passing legislation against non- punched strap (above) clearly conforming and non-compliant shows the manufacturer, the building products. These laws product name and compliance apply to everyone in the sup- with relevant Australian standply chain from manufacturers ard. By contrast, a generic prodto specifiers right up to the end uct is usually not clearly identifiable once it is taken out of users.

What is the difference be- its packaging, and there is very tween non-conformance and little technical documentation to support it. As an example, non-compliance? in one test of an imported wall strap tensioner, we found that Non-Conformance The Victorian Building Au- it had already stretched about 8mm before even achieving its thority defines this as follows: Non-Conforming Building 2.5kN serviceability capacity, Products are ‘products and ma- well before its 6.1kN strength terials that claim to be some- capacity. This potentially causthing they are not; do not meet es plasterboard cracking and required standards for their other defects. By contrast, the intended use; or are marketed MiTek engineered tensioner or supplied with the intent to elongated by only 0.4mm. deceive those who use them’.

There are unfortunately many Non-Compliance The Victorian Building Aunon-conforming building products imported into Australia. thority defines this as follows: One example is the Infinity Ca- Non-Compliant Building Prodble, whose inferior insulation ucts are “products and matericoating dangerously risked als that are used in situations electrocution, and forced a where they do not comply with Senate hearing over the matter. the requirements of the NaBy contrast for example, all tional Construction Code (NCC).

MiTek engineered building This may include products that products are designed, devel- comply with the relevant standoped and certified by chartered ards in terms of testing and/or professional engineers to sat- marking, but have been used in Craig Klinge

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a location or situation for which the NCC states they are not suitable.”

A building product or material can therefore be conforming, and yet be non-complying at the same time. To illustrate a non-compliant product in simple terms, consider a commonly used building product, such as a standard galvanized joist hanger, in the following situation: A new two storey residential dwelling constructed one block (50m) from the coast with water views, has an open deck at the front balcony. The plans indicate joist hangers for fixing deck joists to the house, but do not explicitly specify the steel grade.

As requested, the supplier took off the required number of joist hangers from the plans, quoted and delivered the hangers. The builder approved the quote, ordered and checked the delivery before installing the Z275 galvanized joist hangers. The building inspector omitted to closely inspect the hangers under the deck before issuing his compliance certificate. Within a few short years, the hangers are now showing signs of advanced rust ( at right) and rightly deemed a safety hazard. Who amongst the designer, supplier, builder or inspector is at fault?

This is a clear example of a conforming product that has been used in a non-complaint way.

There is nothing wrong with the Z275 coated joist hanger when used in the right situation. It will perform as designed. However, when used on an exposed deck, it becomes non-compliant with the manufacturer’s specifications. As a responsible producer of engineered building products, MiTek provides a reference datasheet called “Corrosion Resistance of MiTek Metal Connectors” that clearly describes the appropriate product coating to suit different environments. This datasheet is widely distributed in multiple media, including printed datasheets, websites, computer software, and smartphone apps to help users and specifiers achieve compliance.

ing behind the fact they make no claim but expect the user to satisfy themselves. Others loosely claim conformance with the Australian Standards, but in the fine print, one finds that they deliberately used incorrect design factors from outdated standards to claim better strength capacities. In reality, their actual capacities are lower than the published claim. These products are clearly non-conformant. Those in the supply chain who deliberately or carelessly disregard these anomalies from disreputable sources, and specify, sell or buy them are also guilty of non-compliance.

The supply and use of these products fall under both nonconforming AND non-compliant categories.

As regulations continue to

tighten in the current climate with increasing reports of substandard buildings, everyone in the supply chain (suppliers, installers, certifiers, and in some cases even the end user), will be held accountable to ensure that the building product being used is conformant and compliant, and fit for purpose. To avoid being caught out, we should all exercise due diligence. Manufacturers should ensure their building products are certified, compliant with current standards, and accompanied by detailed specifications and conditions of use. Specifiers should make informed choices and produce conforming instructions. Stockists should purchase from reputable manufacturers and supply compliant products.

Builders and end users should not ignore their common sense and buy on price without regard to suitability. The ramifications Non-Conformance AND are real for taking a cheap short Non-Compliance Some imported generic cut. That is exactly what is being steel brackets do not guaran- reported in the news today. tee whether their steel grade and galvanized coating meet Craig Klinge is MiTek the minimum levels required Fabrication Account

by Australian Standards, hid- Manager/Design Engineer

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

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NEWS Australian Timber Design Awards are open for entry

Timber cladding restrictions to be challenged A

DE CISION deeming that timber cladding is acceptable for all classes of buildings other than Class 2 and 3 low-rise buildings is to be challenged by the Wood Cladding and External Fixtures Alliance.

And the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors believes that while the ABCB has clarified the intent of the clauses, this does not change the wording of the clauses and therefore there will remain an issue regarding the application of those clauses within industry.

The AIBS is concerned that building surveyors will be asked to accept literal interpretations of the concession clauses irrespective of the stated intention, potentially opening themselves to professional criticism or liability.

“On the other hand, if they don’t accept the literal interpretation based proposals, they might be challenged for failing to accept DTS compliant design proposals,’’ the institute said.

The Wood Cladding and External Fixtures Alliance is pleased the Australian Building Codes Board has confirmed timber cladding is acceptable for all classes of buildings other than Class 2 and 3 low-rise buildings under the existing ‘Deemed-toSatisfy’ provisions of the National Construction Code.

However, the Alliance said that unfortunately the ABCB had decided that timber cladding is not acceptable for Class 2 and 3 buildings because it is classed as combustible and therefore caught up in blanket ban of all combustible cladding for these classes of buildings.

It believes the new position adopted by the ABCB flies in the face of 20 years of decisions made by building surveyors and certifiers who have interpreted the Code to allow timber cladding to be used on these low-rise buildings.

The Australian Institute of 6

Building Surveyors says the ABCB is not the only organisation with an opinion about how this clause should be applied with both Western Australia’s Department of Mining Infrastructure and Regulation and Safety and the Victorian Building Authority offering their own views.

After discussion with the ABCB, the Alliance believes that the primary objective now is to ensure the building industry is aware that timber cladding meets the existing regulations and Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions of other low-rise classes of buildings (typically one or two-storey) in an effort to minimise the loss of up to 2000 jobs

Consider the options in relation to the Out-of-Cycle Amendment process that the ABCB will run.

Look at generic performance solutions, including CodeMark, for certain products Conduct further flame spread research on timber cladding in preparation for a Proposal for Change to the National Construction Code in 2022.

Alliance chairman Paul Michael said there was a general view that the impact on timber cladding from a blanket ban on all combustible cladding is an unintended consequence of the recent fires that have involved the more flammable Aluminium Composite Panels

“

On the other hand, if they don’t accept the literal interpretation based proposals, they might be challenged for failing to accept DTS compliant design proposals and $750 million of value add in the timber products supply chain, almost exclusively in regional Australia.

The Alliance will now focus on initiatives to ensure timber cladding, which is one of the most environmentally and sustainable cladding products, remains a viable alternative for owners of Class 2 and 3 buildings who prefer the aesthetic qualities of timber It plans to: Approach key Building Ministers who ratified the decision at last week’s Building Ministers’ Forum to see if they are prepared to issue a Ministerial Order distinguishing timber from other combustible cladding to allow the immediate use of timber cladding in each Australian State and Territory

and Expanded Polystyrene.

“We have not spoken to one Minister or ABCB member who believes that timber cladding poses a safety threat to the occupants of a building and no risk assessment has been done to demonstrate there is an unacceptable danger,” Mr Michael said.

“The Alliance believes it would have been more appropriate for the ABCB to focus on the issue of fire safety and stipulate certain performance standards which would have excluded the use of highly combustible cladding but continued to allow timber and other suitable well proven products that have significant environmental and aesthetic benefits,’’ he said.

“However, the Board chose

not to do this, although we understand there was significant debate about the best option.

“As a result of the ABCB decision, it is absolutely critical all prospective owners, builders, building surveyors and certifiers understand that timber cladding can be used on all Class 1 buildings (houses) and other low-rise building Classes except three-storey Class 2 and 3 buildings. In addition, we now understand we will need to find different pathways for Class 2 and 3 buildings.”

The Alliance will now focus on initiatives to ensure timber cladding, which is one of the most environmentally and sustainable cladding products, remains a viable alternative for owners of Class 2 and 3 buildings who prefer the aesthetic qualities of timber It plans to: Approach key Building Ministers who ratified the decision at last week’s Building Ministers’ Forum to see if they are prepared to issue a Ministerial Order distinguishing timber from other combustible cladding to allow the immediate use of timber cladding in each Australian State and Territory Consider the options in relation to the Out-of-Cycle Amendment process that the ABCB will run Look at generic performance solutions, including CodeMark, for certain products Conduct further flame spread research on timber cladding in preparation for a Proposal for Change to the National Construction Code in 2022.

The Institute of Building Surveyors says anyone with any concerns about any decision related to these provisions may wish to seek legal advice.

It says reliance should not be made on the information provided by the ABCB or regulators. Unless there was a change in the law, any advice from the ABCB or regulators is merely the offer of an opinion.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

SEPTEMBER 30 is the final date for submissions for the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Australian Timber Design Awards.

The People’s Choice Award has been held annually since the year 2000 and is open yearly once the blind judging is completed for the Australian Timber Design Awards. The People’s Choice Award have always included all the categories of the ATDA. The Australian Timber Design Awards is a national design competition created to promote and encourage outstanding timber design in the built environment professions. Established in 2000, the Awards are distinguished by a heritage of innovation and achievement.

The aim of the Awards is to develop a timber design ethos by encouraging and showcasing outstanding timber design in a range of applications. A broad choice of entry categories demonstrates the flexibility of timber and allows projects to be judged against similar entries.

The Australian Timber Design Awards is open to builders, designers, architects, engineers, landscapers and anyone else involved in designing or building structures that feature timber. To recognise the younger people in our industry, a separate section of the residential category is available to students and entrants aged 30 or under.

The Awards are organised under three timber design categories - Timber Design, Merits, and Timber Products.

For details on how to nominate someone for the People’s Choice Award, visit the awards’ web site at https://timberdesignawards.com. au/awards-entr y-instructions/key-dates. www.timberbiz.com.au

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Building Figures

Multiple reason for contraction FOR HIA Principal Economist Tim Reardon, there are many reasons for the downturn in building approvals.

“The market is cooling for a number of reasons including a slowdown in inward migration since July 2017, constraints on investor finance imposed by state and federal governments and falling house prices,” he said.

“Finance has become increasingly difficult to access for home purchasers.

Restrictions on lending to investors and rising borrowing costs have seen credit growth squeezed.

Falling house prices in metropolitan areas have also contributed to banks tightening their lending conditions which have further constrained the availability of finance.”

“An increase in interest rates charged by banks will accelerate the slowdown in approvals.”

Aside from those elements, slower population growth in Australia since June 2017 had also contributed to the decline in approvals. Not surprisingly, this slowdown began when modifications to visa requirements were announced early last year.

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Housing approvals drop sharply by 9.7%

Apartment blocks and townhouses down 18.4%

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HE number of dwellings approved in July contracted by 9.7 per cent over the month and 28.5 per cent over the year, fresh data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown.

According to the latest ABS figures the number of building approvals nationwide fell to 12,944 in July, down 9.7 per cent from the previous month and down 28.5 per cent from July 2018, in seasonally adjusted terms.

Notably, approvals for private sector homes (excluding houses) took an 18.4 per cent dive in July to 4,420, when compared to June, and a significant 44.2 per cent from the figure recorded in July 2018.

Approvals for private sector houses also declined, but less significantly, at 3.3 per cent month-on-month and 16.6 per cent year-onyear to 8,274.

According to the ABS, the value of residential buildings approved slipped by an estimated 5.4 per cent in July, and 9.9 per cent for nonresidential building approvals.

On a quarterly basis, dwelling approvals were down 10.5 per cent in the three months to July 2019, when compared to the previous quarter.

Market consensus had been for the number approvals to remain flat and for credit growth to inch up by 0.2 per cent.

Instead, approvals for private sector houses fell 3.3 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis, and the “other dwellings” category that includes apartment blocks and townhouses fell a dramatic 18.4 per cent.

With approvals falling for the fourth time in five months, the value of total building approved fell 7.3 per cent in July.

Housing Industry Association economist Tom Devitt said the decline had been driven by multi-unit approvals, which contracted by 20.2 per cent in May-July, while detached house approvals were down 3 per cent.

“Despite the rapid contraction in approvals for multi-units there remains a large volume of apartments under construction,’’ he said.

“Developers are delaying seeking approval for apartments at this phase in the cycle, until the record number of apartments that are currently under construction are completed.

“The downturn in detached house building is more modest in scale but it remains a sharp downturn.

“This is a further indication that we have not yet reached the bottom of this market cycle, with the July quarter sitting 24.1 per cent down from the same quarter last year.’’

Mr Devitt said the two interest rates cuts, a tax cut and the repeal of regulatory restrictions were still expected to encourage increased activity in the home building market.

“These measures, combined with ongoing stable population and employment growth should see approvals improve towards the end of the year,” Mr Devitt said.

According to the HIA, seasonally adjusted building approvals in July rose by 34.8 per cent in South Australia, 21.5 per cent in Tasmania, 10.9 per cent in Queensland and 5.8 per cent in Western Australia.

Conversely, approvals fell in Victoria by 24.3 per cent and in NSW by 17.5 per cent.

Earlier in August, the HIA had predicted that the supply of new homes would reach its low point soon, at 20 per cent below the 2016 peak, if economic activity improves, dwelling prices stabilise, and credit tightening eases.

Seasonally adjusted building approvals in July 2019 were up by 34.8 per cent in South Australia, 21.5 per cent in Tasmania, 10.9 per cent in Queensland and 5.8 per cent in Western Australia. Approvals declined in Victoria (-24.3 per cent) and New South Wales (-17.5 per cent). In trend terms, approvals in July were steady in the Northern Territory and were down by 22.4 per cent in the ACT.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

New home sales decline slowing NEW home sales remain slow but data released by the Housing Industry Association suggests the decline has started to slow HIA chief economist Tim Reardon said that sales for the three months to July had increased by 6.1 per cent on the preceding quarter but remained down by 12.8 per cent compared with this time last year.

The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a leading indicator of future trends in the residential building industry.

“The increase in the most recent three months reflects the distortion in home sales created by the Federal election in May,” Mr Reardon said.

“The small improvement in sales in the three months to July, suggests that the decline in new home sales that has been underway for more than a year, has started to slow, however, this is not an indication that the market is at the bottom of this cycle.’’

Mr Reardon said the fall in new home sales in July of July by 7.2 per cent compared well to the previous month and well down from levels experienced earlier this year.

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Why more Australian home builders and owners choose timber framing Proven and Popular

✔ ✔

Ease of renovation

Lightweight timber framing is the popular choice for Australian homes. Decades of experience have ensured that the system is safe, reliable, Proven and Popularand well understood by designers, cost-effective Lightweight timber framingand is theeven popular choice professional builders experienced DIY’ers. for Owners Australianand homes.

Decadescan of experience occupants be assured that they are gaining a proven have ensuredthe thatadvantages the system isofsafe, reliable,building method.

When a family outgrows their home, more space is needed, or you buy a home requiring renovation, timber framing is simple and easy to work with.

Ease ofWhether renovation it’s removing existing framing, adding more Whentimber a familyframing outgrowsortheir home, is both, the more readyspace availability of needed, or you buymaterials a home requiring renovation, familiar with the designers, and tradespeople it an timbermaterial framing make is simple andeasier easy toprocess. work with.

cost-effective and well understood by designers, professional builders and even experienced DIY’ers.

Fire predictable Owners and occupants can be assured that they are A home’s timber framing is usually gaining the advantages of a proven buildingprotected method. by

Whether it’s removing existing framing, adding more timber framing or both, the ready availability of Simple installation of services designers, materials and tradespeople familiar with the Timber canprocess. be easily drilled to install plumbing material make frames it an easier

Fireplasterboard predictable on the interior. Timber maintains its structural integrity a longprotected time as itbychars at a A home’s timber framingfor is usually predictable rate.on the exterior and cladding, often brick plasterboard on the interior. Timber maintains its structural integrity for a long time as it chars at a Termites predictable rate.and Durability

Simplecushioning installation grommets of services to protect cable insulation during limitdrilled longertoterm Timberinstallation frames can and be easily installdamage plumbingto plumbing due tocables, expansion and contraction corrosion. and electric unlike some materials thatorrequire cushioning grommets to protect cable insulation during installation and limit longer term damage to plumbing Insulating due to expansion and contraction or corrosion.

Termites andbarrier Durability termite system to build termites out. This is In designated areas,ofit the is important installfor a the because, termite regardless materialtoused frame, termites can still eat through other items such termite barrier system to build termites out. This is as flooring, joinery and plasterboard if they have because, regardless of the material used for the access. They can also cause damage to electrical frame, termites can still eat through other items such cabling. Today, in areas subject to termite attack, as flooring, joinery and plasterboard if they have timber framing is made from wood safely treated to access.

They can alsoso cause to electrical resist termites, thatdamage is no longer a worry. In fact, cabling. in areastimber subjectframed to termite attack,are well over manyToday, Australian houses 100framing years old which shows longevity of wood. timber is made from woodthe safely treated to resist termites, so that is no longer a worry. In fact, many Australian timber framed houses are well over and quiet 100Strong, years oldstable which shows the longevity of wood.

Insulating higher R-value than many other materials. This means it doesn’t act as ayour ‘thermal Timberthat framing helps insulate homebridge’, as it has aconducting energy (heat) from one side of a wallmeans to the other. higher R-value than many other materials. This that it doesn’t act as a ‘thermal bridge’, conducting energy (heat) from one side of a wall to the other.

cladding, often brick on the exterior and

In designated termite areas, it is important to install a

Since the properties of timber are so well

Strong, stable andaquiet understood, timber-framed house won’t be Since the properties of timber are so well noisy, as it doesn’t expand and contract during temperature changes and riskwon’t premature cracking understood, a timber-framed house be in plaster linings. noisy, as it doesn’t expand and contract during temperature changes and risk premature cracking in plaster linings.

Low-cost flexibility

Today, most framing systems are prefabricated or Low-cost flexibility built offsite. However, any last-minute changes or Today, most framing systems are prefabricated or variations are easily made onsite by carpenters built offsite. However, equipped with allany thelast-minute tools theychanges need. or Of course, if variations are easily onsite they need extramade timber, it’sbyascarpenters close as the nearest hardware equipped withstore. all the tools they need. Of course, if they need extra timber, it’s as close as the nearest hardware store.

Fast to assemble

FastPrefabrication, to assemble flexibility and builders’ knowledge Prefabrication, flexibility andare builders’ knowledge of how timber frames assembled, (joints, connections, tie-downs and bracing) combine to of how timber frames are assembled, (joints, deliver fast, efficient buildings to lock up stage. connections, tie-downs and bracing) combine to deliver fast, efficient buildings to lock up stage.

To find out more visit woodsolutions.com.au The website for wood

and electric cables, unlike some materials that require

Timber framing helps insulate your home as it has a

Renewably and responsibly sourced

Renewably and responsibly sourced Most Australian-sourced timber is covered by either Most Australian-sourced timber is systems, covered byAustralia’s either one or both certification one orResponsible both certification systems, Australia’s Wood, which is endorsed by the world’s Responsible which is system endorsedthe by the world’s for the largestWood, certification Programme Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), or the largest certification system the Programme for the Forest Stewardship Council.

This means Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), or the that the wood you use has been produced in an environmentally Forest Stewardship Council. This means that the wood responsible and sustainable manner. you use has been produced in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

Environmental advantage: Low embodied energy Environmental advantage: Low embodied energy Wood has the lowest embodied energy of all common Wood has the lowest embodied energy of all common building materials.

This is aThis measure of the energy building materials. is a measure of the energy (usually produced by greenhouse gas-emitting (usually produced by greenhouse gas-emitting generators) that to is used tothe convert wood generators) that is used convert woodthe in trees to in trees to framing timber. framing timber.

Environmental advantage: Stores carbon from the atmosphere Choosing wood removesadvantage: greenhouse gasses from the Environmental Stores carbon air. Approximately half the dry weight of wood is from the atmosphere carbon, absorbed from the atmosphere by a growing Choosing wood removes greenhouse gasses from the tree. Using timber in buildings theweight carbon for as air. Approximately halfstores the dry of wood is carbon, long as the building exists the timber is by reused or absorbed from theoratmosphere a growing tree.

Using timber in buildings stores the carbon for as long recycled.

as the building exists or the timber is reused or recycled.

Australian, Reliable Sustainable Naturally www.akd.com.au

CO 2

CO2

Conferences

Russia exports impact unclear, but it could be ‘destructive’ Philip Hopkins

Early collaboration key to success

Industry told to engage early with suppliers BRUCE MITCHELL

X

LAM’s head of design Nick Hewson has stressed the importance of early collaboration within the building industry.

He said the building industry was moving more and more to prefabricated buildings and it required a difference in mentality.

“Engage with your supplier early,’’ he said.

“No longer are we building in a traditional sense. We are designing to a factory environment.’’

Speaking at a WoodSolutions seminar in Adelaide, Mr Hewson said it was important to understand the manufacturing process.

“From log to install on site, the more of that you can understand the more you will understand the limitations and the sweet spots and design buildings around them.

“These are systemised manufactured products; we are not designing for a material like concrete. We are designing particular parts.’’

Understanding those parts and what their limitations were was critical.

He said it was important to design to the material and not try to fit the material to the design Minimising material volume may not always be cheaper option and pre-assembly should be considered.

Mr Hewson referred to a pro-

ject XLam had been involved with in Tasmania which had been improved and developed through early engagement.

The project at Iron Creek Bay about 30km north-east of Hobart included three backpackers cottages, 15 three and five-bed holiday units and a two-storey restaurant and cellar door building.

Mr Hewson said there had been collaboration with the architect - Misho+Associates - and the builder from day one.

“We worked through different options,’’ he said.

“We worked through options where we minimised the amount of material, where we minimised the number of connections, where we minimised the number of lifting operations.

“What we found on some of these projects was that they would happily pay the penalty for a bit of extra material if it could save them time on-site.’’

He said developing the holiday units had been interesting.

“We found that the roof pitch was faceted which meant it had a lot pf pieces in there.

“By straightening out the roof and reducing the number of angles and pitch we could save a lot of time.

“We also found out that by changing some of the geometry we could reduce the number of lifts.

“We ended up saving a day per unit. Multiply that by 15 and it amounts to a significant

■■ The Iron Creek Bay project restaurant.

10

saving in terms of installation costs,’’ Mr Hewson said.

The design of the backpackers cottages had also thrown up some issues.

“We found that the original idea had a wall panel size that was fractionally too large for us to manufacture in one panel,’’ Mr Hewson said.

“That meant we would have to turn them vertical and cut them into three pieces.

We asked the architect if he would be open to reducing the roof pitch by one degree.

“That would mean by using one panel instead of three it would save two weeks off construction and save a bunch of fixings.’’

It was a similar story with the roof for the restaurant.

There was a concept for the roof to be made from CLT. It worked fine structurally, but he problem was that it was made up of around 600 individual pieces.

“The builder didn’t want to build those on-site, so we looked at how we could build them in the factory,’’ Mr Hewson said.

However shipping costs became a major issue.

“So we worked together with the architect and came up with a very different roof that made much better use of the material.

“Working through as a team we managed to save about $500,000 off the cost of the building as initially proposed to us,’’ Mr Hewson said.

Pictures courtesy Misho + Associates AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

R

ussia is emerging as a major timber exporter that could potentially swamp markets in Australia and New Zealand, a forestry conference has been told.

Dennis Nielson, director of NZ-based consultancy DANA, said Russia as a country was overwhelming in its scale, with a forestry industry to match. Mr Nielson, who has written a 500-page report on Russia for consultants RISI, was speaking to a DANA forestry conference in Brisbane.

“Russia has 11 time zones. People in its Far East feel more connection with Australia than with Moscow – and they have said it: ‘China, Japan, Korea, Australia are our interest’,” he said. “Russia until recently has not been able to or had not wanted to export timber to Australia – it had relatively little capacity.”

Existing markets were “just over the road” in Western Europe; “on the other side” in China, Japan and Korea; the Middle East (“Egypt was a massive buyer of Russian lumber”); and in the “Stans” (former Soviet Central Asia).

Mr Neilson said forests in Russia covered about 20 per cent of the global forest area base, with one half (415 million hectares) classified as ‘production forest’. While the numbers were opaque, the allowable annual cut (AAC) was 716 million cubic metres in 2017, with a harvest of 212m m3.

“They are cutting about one third that is growing – who knows? The unharvested annual surplus growth of wood in Russia forests is more than the total harvest volume from United States forests, or 22 times the annual harvest in Australia,” he said.

Mr Neilson said computerisation has done wonders in fighting corruption in countries like Russia and China.

“Local regions cannot get away with cheating as much as they used to. There is a central computer base with information on production, exports, Customs, taxes. All of a sudden in Russia and China, you have to basically tell the truth. If you don’t tell the truth in Russia about these things, you go to jail. They will track your timber in a container right back, to forest ownership and certification,” he said.

In Soviet times, the annual industrial log harvest of softwood was more than 300m m3, but this fell dramatically with collapse of the Soviet Union, and was now just above 200m m3. In 2017, the top four softwood harvest countries were the US 25%, Russia 14%, Canada 12% and Sweden 6%.

Mr Neilson said a complex log export duty system from 2017 had cut softwood log exports to about 10m m3, with hardwoods a bit less, but also because oligarchs, who control the industry, “make money on building mills”. “But still, 10 million m3 of softwood – that is heaps,” he said.

Softwood lumber production had risen from about 17-18m m3 in 2000 to almost 40m m3 in 2017, with hardwood relatively static at less than 5m m3. But Russian softwood lumber exports had risen dramatically in the past 18 years, from 7m m3 to 30m m3.

“Russia’s share of total softwood timber imports to China has moved up from 55 per cent in the fourth quarter to 2017 to 63 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2018,” he said. In the same period, NZ exports had gone from 2m m3 to 2m m3.

“The Russian wood is high quality – stiff, old, fine grain, gun-barrel straight, with scale. Some timber is small, but they can cut thin boards and they don’t break – incredible,” he said. Russian rolling stock, in contrast to international perceptions as being rust bucket, was in fact very modern.

Mr Neilson said last year, the Russian Government and industry published forecasts for changes in both production and exports from 2016 to 2030. In exports, the forecast was for lumber to grow by 70%, plywood 60%, particleboard by 132%, MDF by 344%, OSB by 2378% (from a very small base) and pulp by 512%. “This will kill high cost pulp mills in Australia and in the US and Canada,” he said.

RISI/DANA predicted that Russian softwood lumber exports - 28m m3 in 2018 – could go as high as 36m m3 in 2023 and 40m m3 by 2028. Russian timber imports into Australia, now negligible, could be 42,000m3 in 2018 and even 85,000m3 this year. Some imports were “stunning”, such as LVL made

www.timberbiz.com.au

Woodchat

How forestry is preparing its future workforce O NGOING evolution and

rapid advancements in technology have led the forestry sector to take steps towards preparing current and future workers for the changing demands of the industry.

The latest episode of Forest and Wood Products Australia’s (FWPA) WoodChat podcast focuses on initiatives that are equipping the industry’s future leaders, and engaging young people from disciplines not traditionally associated with forestry.

During the episode, the hosts discuss the FWPA-supported For Our Future initiative – an experiential program focusing on regional and collaborative leadership. Now into its second year, the program aims to identify and help train future leaders in the sector, while pro-

Leadership Foundation, which runs the program, said the objective is to help produce leaders across the sector, no matter what skills are required in the future.

“Do we require people who can look beyond their own organisations and start acting in the broader interests of the ■■ Matthew Linnegar, Chief sector? Yes, we do! Do we need Executive of the Australian people who can communicate Rural Leadership Foundation. well, and who can form relationships, even with those with whom they are in competition?

Yes, we do!” Mr Linnegar said.

“The program has multiple benefits. Firstly, the individual participants will benefit from developing their own abilities viding connections to set up op- as leaders. Secondly, their orportunities for collaboration in ganisations will benefit from strong leadership abilities they the future.

Matthew Linnegar, Chief Ex- bring back with them. And ecutive of the Australian Rural thirdly, we hope the sector will

start to think, act and interact in a more unified way.”

The episode also considers the differing skill sets that will be required by the industry in the future. The hosts chat to data scientist James Kondilios of the Australian National University, a recently announced recipient of an ABARES Science and Innovation Award.

Mr Kondilios discusses his research, which he hopes will advise plantation managers about eucalyptus variants that will thrive in a future warmer and drier climate, and how he ended up applying his skills to the area of forestry.

“Prior to my involvement with the forestry industry, I didn’t know there was a need for data scientists. I believe the more people like myself who see the sorts of problems we can help

the forestry industry to solve, the more people with these sorts of skills the industry will attract,” he said.

This episode is part of the second series of the WoodChat podcast, following topics on how Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking technology is being used to improve the on-site processes associated with prefabricated timber, and how 3D printing can turn timber waste into construction materials.

WoodChat represents FWPA’s commitment to engaging new ways of communicating industry news and innovations.

Each episode includes in-depth conversations with experts on recent discoveries, innovations and initiatives.

You can listen to WoodChat on SoundCloud and iTunes.

Hardwood Timber Plantation Callaghans Creek Road, Callaghans Creek, NSW • • • •

1,371ha* (3,387* acres) 505ha* planted 17 years (6 varieties) No structural improvements Ideal long term investment

Expressions of Interest Closing Thursday 17 October 2019 4pm Level 17, 135 King Street, Sydney

raywhiteruralinternational.com

www.timberbiz.com.au

Bruce Gunning 0428 667 831 Ray White Rural International

*approx.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

11

Passive House

■■ Jackson Digney at his Adelaide Hills home.

■■ A Jackson Digney Passive House project underway at Macclesfield near Adelaide.

Jackson building from the heart Bruce Mitchell

J

ACKSON Digney is passion-

ate about building houses that last.

He wants people to live in houses that are sustainable, livable and affordable.

He says many people building a home want an “eco home”; they want it energy efficient and sustainable.

But they find that they can have a super energy-efficient home which is really unsustainable, or they can have super sustainable home which is not very energy efficient.

But he says there is a sweet spot where they can have both.

Enter the Passive House concept.

Originally from Perth, Jackson relocated to Adelaide after working and travelling in Europe.

While in Sweden he developed his passion for sustainable and energy efficient buildings and the Passive House movement.

After relocating to Adelaide he decided to combine this passion with his experience in the building industry.

12

He began working as a carpenter with a builder in Adelaide soon after arriving about 10 years ago, finished his trade qualifications, worked as a project manager for a large builder and then began Enduro Builders.

“During that time I’d worked out that there was lot of building material supplied to people that gets wasted because they are building low-quality homes or commercial properties,’’ Jackson said.

Many were being demolished and going into landfill within 10 or so years because the quality of construction was so poor.

“I didn’t want to be part of that part of the industry,’’ he said.

“Which is what got me into energy efficient building and sustainable building.

“They go hand in hand, but they can also be mutually exclusive.

“Building energy efficient homes requires us to build them to quite a high quality and it means that I know that the homes I build will outlive me.

“I work really closely with the architect and the home owner to balance the budget against the performance of the house.’’

What he has found is that there are few notable changes

“

Timber is clearly a more sustainable option and a good thermal break that can be made to what is specified in a house that do increase the cost, but it is minimal in terms of percentage of the entire build.

For example, choice of window frames (he won’t use aluminium), insulation and highperformance building wraps to ensure moisture gets out the wall in a timber frame is important.

“They are the major things I change. The rest is simply being mindful of what I am doing.

“I find I am applying the passive house principals to build really energy efficient homes, and so we are getting 85 to 90 per cent of the performance of a passive house but only spending three or four per cent more.

“One of the big things about building energy efficient homes and using the passive house principles is eliminating thermal bridges. That means eliminating steel wherever you can and substituting it with timber.’’

“Timber is clearly a more sustainable option and a good thermal break.’’

But timber remains a budget issue.

“Balancing performance with budget and sustainability is a balancing act,’’ Jackson said.

“The reality is that from a business perspective I have to find that sweet spot where a home owner can tick the boxes as well as they are able to.

“The sweet spot for balancing people’s budget with long-

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

term sustainability and immediate sustainability is using timber frames for the whole house, and using an exposed thermal mass – either polished concrete floors or tiled floors – and some internal masonry walls.

“That gives you the best performance balance.’’

“We get the feel-good factor of sustainability but if we’re going to spend extra money to build a house we want to get that money back.

“And the answer to that is building to passive house standard and or as budget allows building using the passive house principals.

“There are a thousand different ways to achieve passive house standard,’’ he said.

“You can achieve it building only in masonry, it’s just more costly and more difficult, but it can be done.

“I just prefer timber framing and building wraps,’’ Jackson said.

And that’s where the builder and the architect need to be on common ground for it to work. www.timberbiz.com.au

Passive house

Passive House explained PASSIVE House is a high-performance based building standard that was developed in Europe. It focuses on reducing or eliminating the need for an active heating or cooling system to maintain a comfortable interior climate. This is achieved through efficient design that utilizes passive heating and cooling techniques and an optimized building envelope that is airtight, super-insulated and fitted with energy efficient windows and a heat recovery ventilation system (HRV).

Wood is an attractive material for Passive House because of how it combines thermal mass with a number of performance merits, including water resistance, structural integrity and finish quality. Wood is often the material of choice for prefabricated Passive House designed panels.

Passive House certification is a rigorous quality assurance process that determines whether a building meets all of the requirements of the Passive House standard. More importantly, it confirms that the building has been designed to achieve high levels of occupant comfort and health and energy performance.

Conference dates THE Australian Passive House Association (APHA) has announced dates for the 2020 South Pacific Passive House Conference co-hosted by the APHA and the Passive House Institute of New Zealand. It will be held from 28-3 May 2020.

The event will be held at the Roundhouse in the University of New South Wales (UNSW) campus and will include talks, site tours, hands-on master classes, networking events and a trade show which will be open to the public.

“We are excited to be holding this event for the first time in Sydney and are already fielding strong interest from a stellar line up of speakers,” APHA chief executive Paul Wall says. “We have seen a growth of 30% in membership in the last 12 months and have also doubled the number of certified professionals

serving the growing demand for Passive House in Australia, which are great indicators for a bumper event in 2020.”

The 2020 South Pacific Conference will have experts from around the world presenting their design while product and component suppliers and manufacturers will demonstrate their practical implementation in the public trade show.

Super early-bird offers are open until 31 August 2019.

When science betrays sustainability Bruce Mitchell

F

O R architect Brett Aylen,

the Passive House concept is all about science.

A Passive House certified Adelaide architect, Brett been into energy efficient architecture for around 20 years.

But he says it is the science approach which can let the concept down.

“The thing about the Passive House standard is that it doesn’t really address other aspects of sustainability,’’ he said.

“So it doesn’t address the carbon footprint.’’

The building is built to be cheap to run, regardless of what steps are taken to achieve it.

“It’s almost a building science approach,’’ Brett said.

“So it addresses energy efficiency, and addresses health and comfort, but it doesn’t address carbon footprint or what I call lifecycle analysis.

“That’s the beauty of timber because in its lifecycle analysis it is low carbon.’’

In 2012 Brett won a SA Government competition to design and build a zero carbon house in suburban Adelaide.

In doing research he came across the Passive House concept.

“To be energy efficient you need

to control airflow, and so the idea of a tightly sealed building is really important,’’ he said.

Then the way it is ventilated is equally important.

“The whole concept of heat recovery ventilation is really what sets the passive house standard apart,’’ Brett said.

“Timber really comes into its own when addressing thermal bridge free design – a vital concept in the passive house concept.

“It’s a big issue with steel and aluminium – which are the two big competitors for the timber industry – that they basically conduct heat.

“So that’s not solving that thermal bridge issue.

“But the other competitor for windows is uPVC.” uPVC - unplasticised polyvinyl chloride or rigid PVC - does not flex.

“The problem is that with timber windows in Australia the quality of the air seal is not there because timber moves a bit and it’s really hard to get a good air seal.

In Europe that problem has been solved by creating more interlocking contact points instead of smooth on smooth.

But Brett said one Victorianbased manufacturer – Paarhammer – had begun building high-performance European-style timber windows to solve this problem.

Timber still holding its own in South Australia

F

O R Direct Truss and Timber boss Tim Kerton, it’s all about trusses.

He began his business at Lonsdale in Adelaide’s south in 2008 started production in January 2009 largely producing and supplying roof trusses and supply stick timber.

It now employs 20.

“We do supply some frames, but they are made off-site for us,’’ Tim said.

He says there is not a huge market for prefabricated frames in Adelaide.

“Our carpenters on-site here are very quick and very efficient in what they do.

“Our guys put up wall frames with a four or five-man gang probably not much slower than three men putting up a prefabricated wall frame interstate.

“So we’re not going to make it any cheaper making them in a factory situation than you will out on site.’’

And then there is the added cost of transport.

“Unfortunately with wall frames you are transporting a lot of air,’’ Tim said.

And that’s where the cost difference is in Adelaide because the metropolitan areas is relatively small.

So the main focus is on trusses. www.timberbiz.com.au

“Timber trusses mean we are able to get larger clear spans without having to introduce large steel sections,’’ Tim said.

“It’s significantly cheaper, and on site it means another tradesman does not have to be introduced.’’

So why doesn’t timber advertise as a building component – apart from the current Ultimate Renewable campaign – whereas steel does.

“Steel has one Big Brother in BHP, and it’s funded and pushed by BHP,’’ Tim said.

“The industry is made up of lots of mills and although they are trying to get their act together it’s not as well funded or pushed as steel.’’

Even so, timber is holding its own as a choice in SA. “We have one of the biggest steel fabricators here in SA, and the market share has only marginally changed over the past 10 years.

“It fluctuates by only about 2-3%.’’

And that tends to be influenced by the availability and pricing of timber.

“Steel seems to have a more consistent pricing structure.’’

However, Tim believes the Ultimate Re-

newable campaign is a worthwhile exercise and will bear fruit in time.

“As the younger generation becomes the target house purchaser they will be more aware of sustainability than previous generations have been,’’ he said.

Direct Truss and Timber sources its supply from South Australia’s South East, Western Australia and New South Wales, but mainly sells locally.

And the future for Tim and his company?

Tim says the bulk of the truss and frame R&D now is technology based and his company is using MiTek’s nail plate system and is training on MiTek’s new Sapphire software system.

The system is described as the first “true’’ whole house software suite that has, at its core, a complete 3D digital computer model enabling the design of an entire house or commercial structure as a single entity.

Model changes impact all components automatically. Walls understand roof framing and planes, beams impact floor systems and walls to deliver automatic, intuitive detailing outcomes.

Tim said his company was just starting to ■■ Inside the Direct Truss and use it on trusses but in the next 6-12 months Timber factory at Lonsdale in he expects to move over to it totally.

Adelaide’s south.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

13

AUStimber 2020

Timber creating growth for Finlease

Success breeding long-term relationships

F

I NLE ASE came into the forestry industry “by accident’’, according to the company’s CEO and founder Mark O’Donoghue.

“We accidentally came across this industry a few years ago when one of our regional offices started assisting a forestry harvest and haulage business,’’ Mr O’Donoghue said.

“Seeing how capital intensive this industry was, it was a natural fit for us and our skill sets as it is so similar to many of the other industries we have supported for the past 30 years.’’

However, attending AUSTimber 2020 is definitely no accident for Finlease.

“We are progressively securing more and more clients in this industry and having exhibited at the last AUSTimber want to continue that growth,’’ Mr O’Donoghue said.

“We know that there is only a small number of existing finance providers who focus on this industry and want to provide some solid competition as an alternative to those incumbents.

“We do know we have to earn our stripes through word of mouth reputation, however we are patient as 20 year-plus relationships don’t get built overnight.

“And that has always been our view; deep-seated longterm relationships.’’

This national company, with teams in every state specialises in equipment finance for business owners around Australia, working in most of the major industries and from various walks of life.

The company also arranges total debt restructures, working capital and debtor discounting facilities as well as arranging better overall banking relationships.

So who is a “typical” client?

“Our typical clients are privately owned small to medium sized businesses which are in capital intensive industries,’’ Mr O’Donoghue said.

“Typical industries are anything civil related such as mobile crane, concrete pumping, quarry, earthmoving etc. We 14

■■ Mark O’Donoghue

also do a lot in manufacturing and transport as they all need a lot of gear to operate.’’

Mr O’Donoghue said that interest rates can vary by as much as two per cent so it pays to shop around.

Unlike home loans, interest rates on vehicle, transport and equipment finance were very much open to the competition of a free market and as such can often be negotiated down by as much as two per cent if sufficient competition is created between financiers.

“A saving of $100 per month over 60 months is $6000 over the term of the debt, and multiply that by a number of loans and it soon adds up,’’ he said.

Many financiers had switched to “behavioural” credit assessment instead of looking at historic financial information to approve transactions. If a company has been in existence for two years, has a clean credit history and the principal is a property owner, Finlease’s FastTrack approvals are automatic for up to $150,000 on additional vehicles and selected plant and up to $500,000 where it is a replacement requirement.

Mr O’Donoghue said the interest rates are just as good as for normal “fully assessed” transactions.

But Mr O’Donoghue said equipment buyers should be aware of the $30,000 instant write-off opportunities

■■ Finlease’s principal contact for forestry in Victoria Alex Charilaou at AUSTimber 2016.

“All companies with a turnover of less than $50 million per annum can claim a 100 per cent write-off for new vehicles and equipment with a purchase price of $30,000 or less (excluding GST) where that equipment was acquired from April 2, 2019 until 30 June 2020,’’ he said.

“Remember, these write-offs are claimable on individual assets - not simply the total invoice value where there are multiple assets being purchased - so if you are buying four items at $28,000 each, all four items are applicable to this 100 per cent write-off opportunity.’’

Quality used vehicles and equipment - which is often substantially cheaper than new gear - can have finance arranged just as easily as new equipment and so presents as an excellent alternative to new equipment,’’ Mr O’Donoghue said.

When purchased from a private vendor (individual or company) private sale finance arrangements do need a couple of additional steps performed,

spread of banks looking to do business with you drives greater competition between these financiers often resulting in lower interest rates, better approval conditions and a wider more stable base of competitive supportive lenders to assist in financing future growth as you have established a If they do track record with them,’’ Mr O’Donoghue said. their job well, And, he said, using a broker makes the entire process easy. they should be “If they do their job well, they should be doing all of the doing all of the work, guiding and looking after you for the next 20 years,’’ work, guiding he said.

“Not only should they be and looking getting you the best outcome, after you for the they should also always be available on mobile including weekends and after hours and next 20 years meet you onsite where and when you need them.

“It’s no wonder that more more rigorous PPSR regime to ensure clear title is passed onto than 60 per cent of business owners use brokers for the mathe new owner or financier.

Spreading equipment debt jority of their vehicle and equipacross several financiers can ment financing needs and this percentage is increasing provide many bonuses.

“Having access to a broad every year.’’ however the savings could be significant compared with new vehicles or machines through a dealer.

The extra steps are simply an inspection of the goods and a

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

“

www.timberbiz.com.au

engineEring

Advanced engineering enhancing production uptime and OH&S security

A

ing plastics can be formulated to suit particular applications requiring properties such as hardness, impact minimisation, maximised friction-free performance and tolerance for chemicals and heat,” says Cut to Size Managing Director Mr Laurie Green. Stock products, such as Chanex, offer immediate benefits, while custom products fabricated from engineering plastics (such as ■■ Cut to Size managing director Mr Laurie Green. plummer blocks) offer light, ment is a Morbidelli Author deliver quiet, low-friction per- quickly installed and tough alM100F heavy duty CNC router formance, requiring no lubrica- ternatives to metal.

The new Morbidelli machinand advanced machining cen- tion or maintenance for timber tre used to produce top qual- processing. Being light, quiet ing centre, installed this year, ity light and strong engineer- and easy to handle, install and complements Cut To Size’s ing components and finished replace, the products also offer broader comprehensive CNC machining facility at its Yenproducts that use some of the strong OH&S benefits.

“Custom-tailored products nora, Sydney, HQ, where the world’s most advanced engineering plastic formulations to made from the latest engineer- Morbidelli is coupled with GibbsCAM™ and SolidWorks™ software to optimise the company’s ability to produce highquality product from customer specifications and design briefs for local application or export.

Mr Green says that, as Australian and New Zealand’s combined forestry and timber revenues rise towards $10 billion in the current year, Cut to Size also is expanding stocks Skills, Knowledge, Performance of its extensive family of stock products, including major lines such as: • Chanex® chain channel, made from top grade virgin UHMWPE engineering plastic with outstanding wear resistance, low friction, high impact strength and strong resistance to corrosive media. This easily installed and replaced Certificates II, III and IV lightweight channel – available Wood Machinists in a full range of the timber industry’s standard machinery Sawdoctors dimensions - reduces wear, Sawmilling, including portable sawmilling protects timber and offers quiet performance for OH&S benGrading efits.

Timber Drying • Polyurethane and UHMPWE Idler and drive sockets for Truss Fabrication, Estimating and Detailing longer chain life, as well as UHMPWE roller lugs that tolerForest Growing and Management ate greater misalignment than Forest Products Diploma conventional pipe lugs and are ideally suited for use on Workplace Assessments transfers with even-ended and OH&S and Environmental Care cross-over rolls.

• Polyurethane J-hooks cast Chainsaw Courses to fit all types of lumber sortPole saw ing system. These dependable, long-wearing hooks are and Fire Services - Chainsaws, Rescue Saw, Pole Saw poured from Wearthane 75D shore hardness for maximum strength and durability. They are available in stock shapes and sizes to fit specific applications or can be machined to customer specifications. www.timbertrainingcreswick.com.au “The driver behind our investment in new technology and RTO ID 4168 expanded ranges for the timber industry include its need to

COMPANY with one of Australasia’s biggest ranges of engineering plastic products dedicated to optimising the handling and value of timber products is expanding its ranges in response to strong export and rising domestic forest product demand.

Cut To Size Plastics – which distributes a full range of the internationally recognised Chanex® UHMWPE chain channels - has assembled an entire family of timber industry stock products made from the toughest engineering plastics, complemented by new investment in precision machining facilities to customise particular products for individual logging and timber operations.

Included in the latest invest-

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

minimise downtime in a busy environment where delay costs a lot of money,” says Mr Green.

“Our rugged and light engineered plastic products are easily installed and replaced, while also offering non-abrasive, vibration-free performance to preserve the maximum integrity and value of both unmachined and machined timber products. Such products are increasingly valuable as an export from New Zealand and as a component of Australian home construction, so it pays to protect output while enhancing the production process.

“Tough lightweight engineering plastic components are also easy and clean to handle, protecting workers’ OH&S conditions while preserving the maximum value of timber as a sustainable resource,” said Mr Green.

Cut To Size’s expanded machining capabilities are also used to tailor- high precision, light and durable machinery parts and complete products engineered from the materials of international leaders in plastics technology for which Cut To Size Pty Ltd distributes nationally, including Licharz, Gehr and Beck-Wefapress.

Benefits to Cut To Size customers of the new machining technology include costefficiency, quick changeover flexibility and consistently excellent attainment of global quality standards. The machinery’s rapid working cycle times and reduction of idle times also enhance Cut To Size’s ability to cost-effectively supply high precision components from versatile engineering plastics including Nylon, Acetal, Teflon, UHMWPE, HDPE, PVC and Polypropylene. Cut to Size has been producing products for the timber industry for 40 years.

For further information, please contact Cut To Size Plastics Pty Ltd, Cnr Dursley and Fairfield Roads, Yennora, NSW Australia 2161, Ph: 1800 CUT2SIZE or, 61 – 2 9681 0400, fax 61 – 2 9681 0450, sales@cuttosize.com.au In Brisbane, please contact Cut To Size Plastics at 1-2/33 Stockwell Pl, Archerfield QLD 4108, ph 61-7 3276 6700, qld@ cuttosize.com.au.

For more information about this media release, please contact Brent Whyte at Whyte Public Relations Pty Ltd, Suite 8, Level 1, 174 Willoughby Road Naremburn NSW 2065, Australia ph +61 2 9439 9329, email whyte@bigpond.com 15

engineEring Uniquely engineered isolators overcome noise, shock and vibration AIR Springs are, in essence, immensely strong rubber and fabric-reinforced balloons, or bellows. The doughnut-shaped Airmounts pictured here can be one, two or three convolutions high, depending on the performance required.

As workplace OH&S regulations increase across Australasia, the operations and engineering staff of timber, paper and primary processing businesses are being challenged to find the most cost-efficient and reliable solutions to the issues presented by vibrating, shock impact and noisy materials handling machinery.

The isolation choice often lies between less expensive and less complex passive vibration isolation – which makes use of materials and mechanical linkages that absorb and damp mechanical waves – or active vibration isolation, which often involves sensors and actuators that produce disruptive interference that cancel-out incoming vibration.

One proven, unique and cost-effective passive solution is offered by Airmount ® air springs from Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd, which are the only passive isolator that operates on the principle of compressing a gas rather than deflecting a solid.

Because of this difference (compared with isolators such as coil springs and solid rubber pads) air springs are the passive isolator with the lowest natural frequency – and the lower an isolator’s natural frequency, the better the isolation effectiveness. Typically, inflated at 3-6 bar, air springs will deliver isolation efficiencies exceeding 90 per cent.

Their effectiveness is widely applicable to the timber and primary processing industries, in isolation applications (and sometimes also actuation applications, using the same technology) including vibrating screens, vibrating screen conveyors, conveyor end stop shock absorbers, shock bumpers, sorters, sizers, bin hopper isolators, compressor and generator isolators, and isolators to protect process control technologies integral to production automation.

Airmounts’ outstanding efficiency can be further improved too, because air springs are the only passive isolator that can achieve a reduction in the natural frequency, which is the frequency at which a system tends to oscillate in the absence of any driving or damping force.

With the use of an auxiliary reservoir, air springs can lower the natural frequency to further improve isolation effectiveness to even finer degrees (which can exceed 99.9 per cent vibration isolation in demanding applications).

And there is a bonus: the very same technology proven in Airmount isolators can also be deployed as actuators, called Airstrokes®, also manufactured by Firestone and proven globally. Airstrokes contain no shafts or seals to wear in grimy environments. Airstroke actuators can be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand – or they can be more than a metre across and capable of producing 40,000 kg of force. Offering power strokes of up to 350mm, Airstrokes are powered by simple, basic compressor equipment found in nearly every factory They are typically used for high-force, low-stroke applications and for rapid cycle equipment.

Benefits of air springs used as actuators include low cost, compact installation, side load flexibility and ease of attachment. Since the bellows bends, bead plates don’t have to remain parallel, which significantly simplifies attachment, especially when linkage is at an angle.

The broad range of Airmount® isolators and complementary Airstroke® actuators are supported by Air Springs Supply’s long-established national sales and technical support network. They are available as OEM equipment or as replacement parts to replace Goodyear, Conti, Rexroth, Norgren and similar components incorporated globally by OEM manufacturers The simple construction of air springs compared with traditional pneumatic actuators, left, and the wide variety of Airmount isolator and Airstroke actuator types available, right, which extend from palm-sized, to models that can each support 40,000kg For more information about Air Springs Supply’s national distribution and technical assistance network, please contact Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd, Unit 18, 38-46 South St, Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, ph (02) 8877 5500, fax (02) 9807 6979, sales@airsprings.com.au

16

■■ Prefabricated Wall Frame with hardwood timber lintel.

Wall frames making so much sense P timber Wall Frames deliver similar advantages to prefabricated roof trusses.

They offer a solution that is designed and engineered to meet specific design loads – and accommodate voids such as windows and doors.

And because they are an engineered solution they offer peace of mind for the builder, the certifier and the owner.

Prefabricated timber Wall Frames help reduce costs, speed up erection and installation and will, when used in conjunction with correct insulation, improve energy efficiency.

They are manufactured in a factory and delivered on-site ready for installation.

MiTek fabricators provide clear and concise instructions outlining correct installation details.

Making a wall frame in a controlled environment (a prefabrication plant) makes so much sense.

First, there are no weather issues to delay production. Secondly, there’s no need to allocate a large construction zone RE FA B RI C AT E D

on-site. And finally, the time saved on-site is considerable – let alone the timber wastage with site-built frames.

Prefabricated timber wall frames are part of the ‘wholehouse’ solution MiTek fabricators deliver.

MiTek’s world-leading software ensures all wall frames are part of the complete, engineered structure; with each and every wall frame detailed and manufactured to exceed Australian Standards.

Created using state-of-the art software, each wall frame has factored into its design, important engineering requirements such as: load distribution and wind loads and cyclonic conditions.

All timber wall frames (both site-build and prefabricated) are made of the same components. Each plays an important role in the structural integrity of the wall frame.

Prefabricated Wall Frames must be used in conjunction with the correct Engineered Building Products (EBPs) for the right application (load bearing requirement).

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

MiTek provide several methods for fixing studs to wall plates. There are also a variety of options for fixing bottom plates to floor joists, even concrete slabs.

MiTek fabricators ensure all the correct fixing and tie-down EBPs are used during manufacture – and can supply installation EBPs, complete with data sheets with detailed load data. All of this ensures compliance and guarantees a quality result.

Permanent bracing is required to enable the roof, wall and floor framework to resist horizontal (racking) forces.

Appropriate (EBP) connection is also required to help transfer these forces through the framework and sub-floor structure to the building’s foundation.

MiTek also have extensive range of Bracing products to suit a variety of needs – and all comply with AS1684. Product data sheets can be accessed via MiTek’s EasyCat App (from the Mac App Store or Google Play Store) – or from the MiTek website: mitek.com.au www.timberbiz.com.au

Machinery

Sorry to burst new machine bubble C issues. Your machine is made up of many different parts and elements made from a range of global suppliers. Those parts in turn are made up of many other sub parts, that again are made by other suppliers from all over the world and on it goes.

The good news is if it’s going to go wrong it will generally happen in the early life of the machine. These issues are not necessarily something of concern.

They happen with all machines that involve a high level of complexity. Your warranty period is there for such a reason.

ONGRATULATIONS. You’ve just purchased a new, state-of-the-art machine to add technology and automation to your factory processes.

Your staff will be happier, work will be easier and your end customers will be thrilled with the quality product you are providing.

Now - time to burst the bubble.

If your exposure to automated equipment is limited, you may find, like many that have trod the path before you that life ED SERRANO with a new machine creates different business processes and challenges- specifically in regards to maintenance.

Advice #1: All machines are not created equal.

As you increase a machine’s level of automation, you are inherently increasing its level of complexity.

Modern automated equipment has various elements that all have to interact and rely on each another. Safety systems interact with the firmware that in turn rely upon sensors and user input from the user interface system.

The needs and expectations of automated systems are far more complicated than a purely mechanical machine. One hundred-year-old mechanical machines still function today without much love and attention.

Your automated machine will never fall into such a category.

It is a very different type of machine, designed to do a very different type of work, and it does that work in a very different kind of way.

Advice #2 Get a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

I’m kidding. However, you do need to understand that there are countless elements that could bring your new machine to a standstill. Your new machine will require a higher skillset to help you diagnose, repair and maintain your equipment properly.

Someone who is familiar with automated technology, even if it isn’t your specific machine, that can pop in and work with you to resolve issues will be invaluable.

Your first resource will be your machinery supplier - the skillsets of the support technicians should be Engineering level.

However, you should also have the option of sourcing support from third party technicians.

Ensure that your supplier will work with third party contractors. Their interest should be getting your machine up and running, no matter who is doing the job.

Advice #3 Get out the Bible.

At times, you may feel the need to pray to the machinery Gods. However, if you are supplied with good reference material, help documentation, electrical drawings, maintenance procedures and checklists then the Gods will answer you.

The bible should be on-line, connected to your machinery software, customised to the exact configuration of your machine, updated regularly, accessible for all and easy to understand with diagrams and step-by-step instructions written in plain English.

Advice #2.5 Local (and qualified) is best.

So where do you source this Advice #4 Only as strong as new skillset? It’s best to have your weakest link.

When your new machine is someone local that has experience with your new equipment. installed, there will be teething

Advice #4.5 Source it and source it quick.

Talk to your supplier and have a good understanding about what parts they stock and in what locations. What percentage of parts used in your machine are stocked by your direct supplier? How quickly can they arrive at your site? Again, some suppliers will insist you buy through them, when you could just pop into your local electrical shop. Secondly, have a backup plan. You’re 10 cent capacitor coming from Europe may not arrive tomorrow. Consider how you will continue to manufacture without your machine.

Advice #5 Clean is the new black.

Preventative maintenance on your new equipment will be far more critical than was likely the case with your previous machines. Tolerances will be tighter, the work more strenuous over a given period, and, don’t forget those little sub systems and 10 cent capacitors. You need to be prepared to follow your supplier’s recommended preventative maintenance procedures and schedules to the letter (these should be on-line with the ability to download).

Talk to your supplier and get their feedback about how your team is maintaining the equipment. Insist on a written report after every service, and then read it. Often, just keeping the machine clean will play a far bigger role in long term reliability than is usually expected.

Advice #6 Prevention is better than cure.

What happens if you fall behind on the preventative maintenance?

In most cases your machine will tick along just nicely. However, over time the general state of the machine will start to deteriorate resulting in reliability consistently reducing. Left for prolonged periods, a lack of effective preventative maintenance will always cost you far more in repair costs and unscheduled down time.

Perhaps a bigger cost, the attitude of your operators. Yes, they will turn against the machine and possibly against you for making them use it. As soon as you recognise that your machine hasn’t been looked after properly, you can’t simply flick a switch, throw some money at it and expect to go back in time instantly. You will need to invest in an (often costly) extended full service (probably more than one) from the supplier. You

will then need to implement a heavy preventative maintenance schedule that will need to continue for an extended period of time.

My last piece of advice if you’re looking at going down the automation path, ensure it is a good experience. There is no need for the bubble to burst when you have the knowledge, are prepared and chose a supplier who will put you and your machine first. At Vekta, the customer is our number one priority. Automated machinery is our passion, our focus. Seeing our customers get the most out of their investment is precisely why we do what we do and we do it the best.

Ed Serrano is Vekta Automation managing director. Interpreted by Shelena Serrano.

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

17

ASSOCIATIONS

Too many bureaucrats making forest policy A B IG beef of mine during

my 25+ years in the timber industry is the lack of understanding within the supply chain of each link and the important role they play, and more importantly how they can work with each other.

There are too many bureaucrats making forest policy or manufacturing decisions without ever being in a forest or manufacturing business and there are timber growers who have never stepped foot in a frame and truss plant and this, in my opinion needs to change.

The FTMA Australia board and nail plate representatives were invited by AKD Softwoods CEO, Shane Vicary to tour their Colac Sawmill so we combined a Mill Tour, with a Geelong Networking Dinner for members and sponsors and finished it off with a board meeting at Calco Trusses & Timber.

AKD Mill Tour For a few board members, it was their first visit to a sawmill and they were impressed by the technology and accuracy of the mill which ensured maximum optimisation of the resource.

We started with an overview of the AKD Softwoods history and it is remarkable to see what the company has achieved since it’s inception. AKD has grown its business over the long term, by building a stable foundation including stable ownership, long term customer relationships, long term log contracts, its own plantations and multiple state of the art processing facilities.

AKD is now Australia’s largest softwood sawmiller with: 6 operating sawmills, 3 post & pole operations and a woodchip export facility; Employees approximately 1200 people in three states; Has an annual sawlogs throughput of approximately 2.4 million cubic metres; Annual sales volumes in excess of 1 million cubic metres, and; Owns approximately 10,000ha of softwood plantations.

The message from Shane and his team was not just about their

“We support you!”

By Kersten Gentle Executive Officer FTMA Australia

product, but about the importance of using quality timber suppliers which FTMA Australia agrees with 100%. We are proud to be associated with so many timber companies through sponsorship and membership and we only associate ourselves with quality suppliers as this is a must for our industry.

I left the tour reassured that our future timber supply was solid and that we wouldn’t be seeing a shortage again anytime in the future due to the hard work of the Australian producers and the quality imports helping meet our industry’s demand for timber.

FTMA thanks AKD Softwoods and their team for the exceptional hospitality including a specially designed cake for morning tea and a fine spread for lunch. I don’t know how they did it but they also managed to organise a break in heavy rain for the walk to and from the mill!

Geelong Networking Dinner Sixty members and sponsors joined the FTMA Board at the Novotel Geelong for the Geelong Networking Dinner at Novotel Geelong and it was a fabulous night of fun, great food and informative presentations.

We were fortunate enough to have two presenters; Raquel Martins, Project Manager, Australian Centre for Career Education and Marita Indugula-Pierce, MKDS Chair presenting on their Timber Framing Awareness Campaign.

Raquel presented on the Victorian Government’s Industry Immersion Experience Program which is: • Funded by the Department of Education and Training and offered at NO COST to schools • Open to students in Years 7 – 10 in eligible Victorian government schools

• Opportunity for students to engage in a range of experiences that build their knowledge of the world of work and industry expectations • Provides students with hands on, real world experience of industry, the skills and qualifications required, pathways into industry and subject matching to create relevant and practical links between school, the labour market and the world of work Raquel and her team are working with AKD Softwoods to take students in to their Colac facility as part of the program and it is our hope that the Geelong plants will also be involved in the program moving forward.

The response to Raquel’s presentation from a number of sponsors and fabricators was reassuring and the fact that the Government wants to promote our sectors as a career choice for students. We look forward to working more with Raquel on this great initiative.

Marita gave an overview of the work MKDS has done over the past few months outlining the benefits of timber over other building materials and how, as an industry, we can provide a louder voice. The Ultimate Renewable has been widely accepted by the industry and if businesses within the supply chain haven’t yet signed up to use this marketing material, I encourage you to visit https://www. fwpa.com.au/login.html I never get sick of seeing the billboards on the Eastern Freeway or in key locations throughout the country telling the simple message the Houses Grow on Trees.

To view the 30 second TV advertisement please visit https:// www.fwpa.com.au/membersnews/1803-the-ultimate-renewable-tvc.html

■■ (L-R): Scott Gentle (FTMA), Jeff Stratford

(Pryda), Nick Fry (Riverstone Frame & Truss), John Oulton (Pine Design), Christine Flanagan (Calco Trusses & Timber), Jamie Dahlsen (Dahlsens Building Centres), Mark Smiles (MiTek), Liam Buchanan (AKD Softwoods), Kersten Gentle (FTMA), Matt Taylor (AKD Softwoods), Shane Vicary (AKD Softwoods), Brendan Schneider (Sunbury Wallframes), Wendy Boyd (Multinail), Christine Briggs (AKD Softwoods and Aaron Hillman (Trusscorp).

18

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

FRAME & TRUSS MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

FTMA Australia is an independent, national organisation representing fabricators of and suppliers to the timber prefabricated truss and wall frame industry in all Australian states & territories providing a unified voice, to protect and advance our mult-billion dollar industry.

FTMA Australia thanks our dedicated supporters and encourages you to support those who support your industry GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

COMBi iFT

L I F T I N G I N N O VAT I O N

Australasia

®

For a full list of the conditions of membership and a downloadable application form visit: www.ftmaaustralia.com.au www.timberbiz.com.au

ASSOCIATIONS

L-R Mark Patterson (StoraEnso), Aaron Hillman (Trusscorp), Darrin Wheeler (StoraEnso), John Oulton (Pine Design) and Don Barbour (StoraEnso).

■■

■■ The Ultimate Renewable Cake.

www.timberbiz.com.au

■■ L-R Joseph Mazza (OneFortyOne Wood Products), Brent Trengrove (Bartruss)

and Alan Holter (Timberlink).

■■ Shane Vicary providing an overview on the tour to the AKD Softwood Colac

Sawmill.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

19

ASSOCIATIONS

What’s On 24-27 September 2019 International Nondestructive testing and evaluation of Wood Symposium. Freiburg, Germany. Udo.Sauter@forst. bwl.de 30 September 2019 Queen’s Birthday (WA) 6 October 2019 Daylight Savings starts – ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC 7 October 2019 Queen’s Birthday Qld Labour Day (ACT, NSW, SA) 17 October 2019 20th Australian Timber Design Awards Melbourne, Vic Contact 0420 232 253 18 October 2019 TABMA National Awards Dinner Sydney 22 October 2019 Responsible Wood AGM University of South Australia, Mt Gambier SA 26 October 2019 Queensland Timber Industry Gala Evening Hosted by TABMA www.tabma.com.au

TVAA meets green star, safety standards.

T IMBER veneers are not

hazardous in themselves but are usually laid up on MDF or particleboard substrates which are produced with formaldehyde-based adhesives.

Formaldehyde has been the subject of intensive investigation since it was classified as a potential carcinogen some years ago. The wood-based panels industry responded by introducing E0 and E1 products which are used exclusively by members of the Timber Veneer Association of Australia.

These panel products comply with the Low Formaldehyde Emission recommendations of the Australian Government’s National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS).

This is important for specifiers wishing to use the Green Star ratings tools developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Wood veneers are specifically exempted but the substrates have to comply.

The GBCA rewards projects that minimise negative impacts associated with formaldehyde 20

By Peter Llewellyn Technical Representative, Timber Veneer Association of Australia

(and other volatile organic compounds or VOC) emissions, so using E0 and E1 panels helps to achieve acceptance.

The status of wood veneers with respect to formaldehyde and Green Star compliance is explained in more detail in a fact sheet on the TVAA website at http://timberveneer.asn.au/ wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ tvaa_formaldehyde_statement.pdf .

Detailed statements concerning the composition of particleboard and MDF panels used as substrates for wood veneers can be found in the relevant Environmental Product Declarations published on the WoodSolutions website here: https://www.woodsolutions. com.au/articles/environmental-product-declarations.

An Environmental Product

Declaration (EPD) is a standardised and verified way of quantifying the environmental impacts of a product, based on a consistent set of rules that have been developed through extensive stakeholder consultation.

These environmental impacts are based on the product’s consumption of raw materials and energy, waste generation, and emissions to air, soil and water over its full life cycle. An EPD includes a carbon footprint alongside other environmental indicators.

EPDs may be used by project teams to obtain Green Star points using the Design & As Built and Interiors rating tools.

General technical information about timber veneers can be obtained via the Association’s Info Line on 1300 303 982.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

1 November 2019 Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards Mt Gambier, SA 1-3 November 2019 Timber and Working With Wood Show, Epic, Canberra 5 November 2019 Melbourne Cup Day (Vic) 13-14 November 2019 ForestTECH, Melbourne 19-21 November 2019 Malaysian Wood Expo Kuala Lumpur 24 December 2019 Christmas Eve (SA) 25 December 2019 Christmas Day (National) 26 December 2019 Boxing Day (Nation except SA) Proclamation Day (SA) 28 January 2019 Australia Day

(as January 26 falls on Saturday the following Monday is observed)

2020 26 March 2020 NZ Wood Resene Timber Design Awards Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland 30 March - 4 April 2020 AUSTimber, HVP Flynn site, Latrobe City, Victoria

2021 2-5 June 2021 Elmia Wood, Jonkoping

www.timberbiz.com.au

01–04 April 2020

It’s happening The largest timber industry show in the Southern Hemisphere, every four years in Australia!

From harvesting to manufacturing to services and 8000+ attendees, all in one place. Our world class site is unique for having both pine and eucalyptus plantations.

Tickets will be going on sale later in September for field trips, the welcome dinner and the show.

Bookmark our website or join our email list to stay up to date with all the action!

This is your opportunity to participate in this amazing timber industry showcase as an Exhibitor, Sponsor or Attendee.

Connect with us to find out how to...

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Be one of the 100+ Exhibitors

Contact Us Dionne Olsen +61 4 29 202 929 austimber2020@afca.asn.au www.austimber.org.au

Machinery

R&D sees Thode deliver solutions

T

Filling containers quickly and easily COMBILIFT’S latest innovation, the Combilift Container Slip-Sheet (Combi-CSS), has been designed for quicker and easier mechanised loading of products (particularly long ones) into containers.

First unveiled during Combilift’s 20th anniversary last year, this product is now in serial production. The Combi-CSS addresses the challenges associated with the combination of forklifts and manual labour often required for this application.

Using a forklift to lift and manoeuvre the product laterally into the container and another forklift operator to push the load into the container from the end is time consuming and not overly efficient. Following the launch of the Combilift Straddle Carrier a few years ago, feedback from customers in the containerisation sector prompted Combilift to look at how these procedures could be improved.

The result is the patented Combi-CSS; a low, free-standing platform with a dual-directional motor-driven pulling mechanism, on which a Hardox 500 steel sheet rests. It has a capacity of 30,000kg and allows a full load of product 22

to be prepared behind the container on the sheet and loaded onto a 20’ container in just three minutes (and six for a 40’ container).

Once loaded, the sheet is guided into the container by the mechanism underneath, which consists of four hydraulic cylinders moving in sequence. Hydraulic pins on the ends of the cylinders move up, fitting into holes cut into the sheet to secure it, while the cylinders pull the sheet forward, ensuring safe loading without any risk of product damage.

When the goods are fully loaded within the container, a hydraulic rear barrier gate, fixed to the end of the platform, swings across the container opening and is locked in place across the entire width of the platform. This holds the material within the container while the metal sheet is slipped out from underneath it, hence the name.

“I am confident that companies dealing with containers will embrace this new product, as they did the Straddle Carrier, due to the improvements it offers in terms of safety, speed and efficiency,’’ Combilift Managing Director Martin McVicar said.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER September 2019

H O D E has been very

busy in recent times with Saw shop machinery upgrades.

Partnered with Iseli which is recognised as the world leader in sawmill saw shop machinery, the New Zealand-owned Thode has delivered more saw shop solutions to industry in the past three years than it did in the previous ten.

This is a result of unprecedented research and development at Iseli’s headquarters in Switzerland resulting in full suite state of the art saw shop solutions.

The key benefits of the upgrades are more exacting precision through full CNC equipped machines with oil flood and fire suppression options.

They now have much tighter tolerances enabling sharper cutting edges from CBN grinding wheels which have a life measured in years instead of days.

The CBN wheels don’t need regular dressing and hold their shape for extremely long periods keeping consistency and coupled with oil flood the chance of heating is greatly reduced and maintenance costs are minimal compared to emulsion water based flooding.

With the sharper saws they run longer and need less material removed when regrinding resulting in a reduction of saws being purchased (another savings).

Another key benefit is healthier clean high tech saw shops which attract new entrants into the saw doctoring trade.

At Thode’s Bandsaw manufacturing plant based in Rotorua there was a real issue attracting talented trainees prior to the major upgrade undertaken three years ago when the plant was relocated to their current premises

on Te Ngae Rd. This facility is state of the art encompassing Australasia’s only bandsaw CNC water jet cutting technology coupled with Iseli’s suite of machines producing the highest quality of saws available today.

Thode now has no concerns attracting new trainees and in fact has taken on five new young trainees in the past twelve months. What the company is noticing is the very quick time frame the new staff are achieving operational competencies particularly with the touch screen CNC machines where as in the past getting to a productive level took much longer as staff had to learn the quirks of each machine due to differential internal wear etc.

Iseli makes the famous RZ1 which has enabled a high degree of consistency with customers reporting an increase of production and less saw shop labour.

Thode is now selling water jet cut bandsaws across New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and more recently their saws are also being shipped into Canada. Thode is also the authorised Iseli agent for Canada operating from its base in British Columbia and has sold a number of new Iseli machines into that market in the last 6 months.

With Thode as the supplier of saws and where the purchaser of those saws also utilise the same CNC technology there is a syncing of repeat saw profiles which need little time spent in the mill saw shop compared to the old days of miss match of profiles from differing cam wear and wheel shapes etc.

For further information please contact your Thode representative.

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• Heavy duty and durable construction • Dual hydraulic drive rollers • Excellent value • Must have for any moulder

WE GUARANTEE QUALITY & INNOVATION

(03) 9702 7933

Dual driven top and bottom Nip rollers provide unmatched drive.

Fully guarded heavy duty long lasting chain.

Dual driven top and bottom Nip rollers provide unmatched drive.

Fully guarded heavy duty long lasting chain.

Dual driven top and bottom Nip rollers provide unmatched drive.

Fully guarded heavy duty long lasting chain.

100% Australian Owned and Operated

Multinail is 40 years young in 2019!

100% Aussie · 300 + skilled, dedicated staff · Industry leading software and machinery · Boots on the ground service & support

We’ve come a long way, but we’re only just getting started

For more information contact Multinail enquiry@multinail.com.au

multinail.com.au

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