Australian Forests & Timber News

20/01/2024

It’s time Federal Government funding of the Environmental Defenders Office, which again began receiving money – $10 million - from Labor last year after a 10-year funding drought initiated by the Abbott government, was turned off.

AFPA chair Joel Fitzgibbon told The Australian this week that legal aid for activists was “hurting” the Australian economy and called on the federal government to scrap taxpayer funds from the service.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/friday-analysis-its-time-to-turn-off-legal-aid-for-activists/

19/01/2024

A conservation group has gone to court in a bid to halt logging in more NSW forests where vulnerable and endangered species live.

The South East Forest Rescue (SEFR) group has launched court action in a bid to expand the list of forests where harvesting is banned until “adequate” surveys are done for imperilled species including the greater glider.

The matter will be heard in the NSW Land and Environment Court on Tuesday.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/now-south-east-forest-group-takes-forestry-corp-to-court-to-stop-logging-pic-of-greater-glider/

19/01/2024

Destructive beetle Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) was first detected in August 2021 in WA and has now been confirmed in more than 80 suburbs across the metropolitan area in backyards, street verges, public open spaces, parks and reserves.

To date, more than one million trees have been inspected on more than 59,000 properties, making it the biggest surveillance program ever undertaken by DPIRD.

Biosecurity Executive Director Sonya Broughton said DPIRD was doing everything it could to stop the spread of PSHB as part of a national biosecurity response.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/shot-hole-borer-beetle-alert-for-wa/

16/01/2024

The Federal Court decision to dismiss a challenge by environmental activists to the North East New South Wales Regional Forest Agreement meant that more than 5000 workers across the North Coast can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their livelihoods aren’t facing an imminent threat, according to the Nationals Member for Oxley Michael Kemp.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/oxley-nationals-back-locals-and-federal-court/

16/01/2024

Western Victoria’s hardwood plantation sector has engaged respected regional advocate and communications specialist Liz McKinnon to act as its shared external affairs manager to coordinate communication with government and community stakeholders.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/victorian-hardwood-plantations-engage-regional-advocate/

16/01/2024

The Green Triangle’s timber plantation companies continue to invest in additional aerial fire-fighting capacity in the region to protect its plantation estate, the broader community and the natural environment this fire season.

The Green Triangle Fire Alliance (GTFA) operated a Squirrel helicopter from the Casterton airfield for the last two fire seasons and has contracted a larger Bell helicopter, with a greater water carrying capacity, for the next three fire seasons.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/continued-investments-to-fight-potential-fires-in-green-triangle/

16/01/2024

Now that Victoria’s native logging has been shut down the consequences will be felt even more acutely, though many sawmills and harvesting operations were shut down last year. This is the end of an era.

Timber Towns Victoria has acknowledged the loss of regenerative native mixed species forest harvesting which was actively managed. In Australia, forested landscapes are likely to have been actively and adaptively managed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for more than 60,000 years.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/native-forestry-shutdown-in-victoria-but-environmentalists-want-more/

15/01/2024

Forestry Australia President Dr Michelle Freeman has welcomed the Federal Court’s Decision to uphold a Regional Forest Agreement in New South Wales as did Forest and Wood Communities Australia (FWCA) and the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA).

“Commonsense has prevailed … native forestry can have a strong future in Australia,” Dr Freeman said.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/commonsense-has-prevailed-with-federal-court-decision/

15/01/2024

Australia’s forestry and timber industry breathed a collective sigh of relief after the decision of the Australian Federal Court to reject a challenge to the validity of the Intergovernmental North East Regional Forestry Agreement (NERFA). The Court examined the agreements that were made in 2000 and extended for 20 years in 2018.

The Court confirmed that the technical requirements for extending the RFA were met.

Following the decision NSW Premier Chris Minns said that the forestry industry in NSW had a future, but he also noted that his government planned to explore the next steps for the industry in conjunction with stakeholders.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/federal-court-confirms-nsw-rfa-requirements-were-met/

03/01/2024

Planting today to create a brighter tomorrow. Let’s work together to share the sustainable benefits of wood. By educating and informing others, we can make a positive impact on the planet and create a better future for generations to come. Through the careful management of wood products from planting to harvest, we can reduce resource depletion and increase the amount of carbon dioxide stored in wood products.

Wood. The Ultimate Renewable™

23/12/2023

South Australia’s first Cross Border Commissioner Liz McKinnon has today announced she will step down from the position.

Ms McKinnon was appointed to the role in December 2022 and officially started in the role in April 2023, based in Mount Gambier. As a cross border resident, she brought a strong understanding and much lived experience of the issues facing cross border communities to the role.

A State Government spokesperson said Ms McKinnon had been a strong advocate for border communities in South Australia, building a key foundation as South Australia’s first Cross Border Commissioner.

“Having established this role as an important part of South Australia’s landscape, Liz has made the decision to step back into the private sector, returning to focus on working closer to family,” the spokesperson said.

“The office of the cross border commissioner is fundamental in supporting the State Government to identify opportunities and enhance regional social and economic development outcomes.

“We look forward to providing an update on a new Cross Border Commissioner in the near future.”

22/12/2023

22/12/2023

Yesterday we had our final fire training session for 2023.

Five dozer drivers learned how to drive the ASV skid-steer fitted with a new V-blade.

This machine is used to create mineral earth control lines around any fires in our plantation.

(Mineral earth is the soil underneath the top layer of pine needles and other organic matter.)

Training finished with toasted sandwiches and cola at the Carba Bore.

OneFortyOne will have fire crews on standby over the Christmas and New Year period, as we do all fire season.

22/12/2023

19/12/2023

Forestry Australia is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2024 Mentoring Program and welcome mentors and mentees to apply!

Applications close: Sunday 4 February

A mentoring relationship is a powerful development experience that can deliver personal and professional benefits for both mentors and mentees.

Are you Passionate about forestry? Thinking about the future of your forestry career and career planning? Looking to improve your time management skills? Interested in developing goals and strategies with an experienced professional who has been where you are now? Want to improve your networking skills and expand your professional connections? Are you a forester or forestry leader looking to share your knowledge, invest in the future of the sector and help others by becoming a mentor?

The program has been developed around a framework and tool kit of resources which will support participants to ensure effective and sustainable knowledge transfer, skill acquisition and maintaining momentum for all participants. Some of the Key Themes we explore each month are: Establishing Goals; Time Management for Life; Building Networks and Professional Connections; Values and Ethics in Business, and much more…

We are never too young or too old to benefit from mentoring!
For more information and to apply https://www.forestry.org.au/mentoring/

18/12/2023

Eighty years is a tremendous milestone for anyone. To make it to 80 means you have overcome life’s greatest challenges and you truly become the elder, the sage, the one who knows a thing or two and should be listened to. Being the spokes-bear, if you will, of the longest running and most successful advertising campaign in American history, at 80 years old, We think Smokey Bear would agree.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/smokey-bear-enters-old-age/

18/12/2023

father and son who dedicated 70 years of their working lives to local forestry have been honoured in the naming of a historic Penola reserve by OneFortyOne.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/historic-penola-reserve-named-for-forestry-mills/

18/12/2023

From the forest floor to the foyers of grandeur, two of the finest pines growing in NSW state forests have been selected and decorated as Christmas trees at Government House and Vaucluse House in Sydney.

It’s a Christmas tradition that for years has brought festive season cheer to visitors to the iconic heritage-listed buildings.

The five-metre high radiata pines, sourced from Penrose State Forest, have been transported from the Southern Highlands to the centre of Sydney after a rigorous selection process to find perfectly shaped Christmas trees.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/finest-pines-go-on-show-for-xmas/

16/12/2023

Onetrak recently delivered two Tigercat 1165 harvesters fitted with Tigercat 534 harvesting heads to Plantation Harvesting Gippsland (part of the Leeson Logging & Cartage group of companies) near Mirboo North in southern Victoria, Australia.
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A big thanks to Ricky, Dean and the whole Leeson Logging team, Dave, Shane, and the whole Onetrak team, and the Tigercat support team for a seamless and very productive delivery!⁠

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13/12/2023

A selection of images from OneFortyOne’s annual forest photography competition are now on display at the Mount Gambier Airport in the gallery space tucked behind the boarding gates.

OneFortyOne Corporate Affairs Manager Charlene Riley said this will be the last showing of the 2023 photo competition entries.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/annual-forest-photo-competition-entries-on-display/

13/12/2023

Stronger and reliable connectivity in the Limestone Coast is now guaranteed with the Federal Government unveiling its $15 million investment into a national first program to boost coverage within the Limestone Coast that has brought together the State Government, six of the seven local governments, the South Australian Forest Products Association along with Telstra.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/connectivity-guaranteed-in-the-limestone-coast/

13/12/2023

Operations on crown-owned Queensland native forestry is subject to understandably complex regulatory obligations, so Timber Queensland has released an online resource with a suite of easy-to-follow tools to help operators and permit holders safely and effectively navigate compliance.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/timber-qld-online-resource-for-native-timber-compliance/

13/12/2023

With Victoria’s native timber industry closure a mere two weeks away, The Nationals have held a forum in Heyfield to listen to timber communities and industry.

The forum was attended by harvest and haulage operators, industry representatives, forestry scientists, Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto, The Nationals Gippsland MP’s Darren Chester, Tim Bull, Danny O’Brien, Martin Cameron, Melina Bath, and Wayne Farnham.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/heyfield-forum-to-hear-native-timber-communities/

12/12/2023

10/12/2023

10/12/2023

10/12/2023

Two trees of the same age: the larger tree is from a managed forest. It benefited from less competition for sunlight, soil nutrients and water than the smaller tree in an overcrowded stand.

09/12/2023

At COP28 in Dubai the Australian Government, with 16 other countries committed to increase the use of timber in the built environment by 2030.

The 17-member Coalition, of which Australia is a member, has committed to advance policies and approaches that increase the use of wood in the built environment by 2030. The Coalition recognises that such policies and approaches will result in reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions and an increase in stored carbon.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/australia-commits-to-cop28-increasing-timber-use/