Australasia's home for timber news and information

PrefabAUS 2015 Conference – last chance to purchase early bird tickets

The PrefabAUS Annual Conference is being held 14-15-16 September in Melbourne and this is your last chance to purchase early bird tickets at a $330 discount. The early bird tickets end tomorrow (24 July) so be quick. Source: TimberBiz Exploring this year’s theme of ‘industry transform
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Focus on increasing plantation productivity

INCREASING COMPETITION in the timberland investment market will lead investment managers to explore new business models and investment structures, according to New Forests founder and Chief Executive Officer David Brand. Source: TimberBiz He was speaking on the release of New Forests&
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Ignoring indigenous practices is a missed opportunity

Indigenous communities are highly effective at protecting natural resources and can ‘fill the gap’ over vast regions where formal conservation authorities are absent. Source: TimberBiz Yet local community practices and their significance go largely unrecognized, to the extent that man
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GST rise on new homes will hurt affordability

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) warned attendees of this week’s leader’s retreat that lifting the GST on new housing will add tens of thousands of dollars to new home prices, crushing the dream of home ownership for many Australians. Source: TimberBiz “New housing is alre
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Auspine founder Adrian de Bruin has died in Mt Gambier

PROMINENT Mount Gambier businessman Adrian de Bruin has died while walking around the Blue Lake. Source: AdelaideNow Mr de Bruin, 70, who was one of the State’s wealthiest people, was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to business and regional dev
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High tech wood chips

Biodegradable, wood-based computer chips can perform just as well as chips commonly used for wireless communication, according to new research. Source: Technology Review The inventors argue that the new chips could help address the global problem of rapidly accumulating electronic was
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Build the Empire State building in wood

Tall wood buildings proponent and famed architect Michael Green teamed with Finnish timber and panel maker Metsä Wood to redesign the iconic Empire State Building in timber frame construction. Source: The Woodworking Network This formed part of Metsä Wood’s Plan B campaign to ed
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Chinese blamed for illegal logging

Chinese demand for timber is driving resurgence in illegal logging, despite efforts by several countries to curb the destructive trade according to a Chatham House report. Source: RTCC That was the finding of a Chatham House report, which warned of the climate change impacts of uncont
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Last call for Insiders

Insiders, presented by prefabAUS, is a series of networking events giving members an exciting opportunity to hear about new developments in prefabricated construction. Source: Timberbiz Speakers will cover a range of topics and key projects, including presentations on the recent annou
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Dave Gover appointed EWPAA CEO

Dave Gover has been appointed CEO of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA). Sources: Timberbiz, VAFI Mr Gover has been a stalwart at Australian Sustainable Hardwood (ASH) for many years and will be sorely missed. The team at VAFI wishes him all the best in hi
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