Australasia's home for timber news and information

Oxley member backs forestry

The member for Oxley in New South Wales, Melinda Pavey, issued a statement regarding Tarkeeth State Forest. Source: The Belligan Shire Courier Sun “The Bellinger Valley boasts wonderfully productive native forest and hardwood plantations, such as those in the Tarkeeth State Forest, on
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Timber wrap for a new Sydney icon

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has just unveiled plans for a spiraling wood-wrapped library in Sydney. Source: Inhabitat The building will offer library space, two floors dedicated to childcare and a special area for startups to try out emerging manufacturing techniques. A restaurant w
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Non-tariff barriers to New Zealand forest products trade

Even in markets where import tariffs are low or non-existent, non-tariff barriers (NTBs) can be a major impediment to trade. This is especially true of New Zealand’s exports of forest products, which face significant NTBs in many major markets. Sources: Timberbiz, Scoop NZ Many of the
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National Arboretum on shaky ground

The National Arboretum in Canberra is doomed to fail, thanks to years of mismanagement and poor planning, an Australian forestry expert has warned. Source: ABC News The Arboretum has struggled to deal with hundreds of dying trees, which former forester Peter Marshall says is a problem
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Tangled web for Hikurangi Forest Farms

  Local stakeholders in Gisborne’s forestry industry have accused Hikurangi Forest Farms of boycotting a planned sawmill and wood processing centre of excellence, and want the company stripped of its sustainability certification. Source: Gisborne Herald Those efforts have found s
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AFS International Day of Forests dinner

Australian Forestry Standard Ltd (AFS) is hosting an International Day of Forests dinner on Monday 21 March 2016 in Melbourne. Source: Timberbiz Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water, Senator Anne Ruston, will be addressing the dinner, and PEFC CEO and Secretary General, Ben Gu
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Safety charter for NZ

Forestry sector leaders in New Zealand will make a public commitment to work together to reduce injuries to workers when they sign the Forest Industry Safety Council Charter. Sources: Timberbiz, Scoop NZ The Charter will be signed by members of the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC
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Royal Commission in forestry managed schemes

Pressure is building for a royal commission into the financial industry after a cross parliamentary group backed a full investigation into life insurance, forestry managed investment schemes and financial planning. Source: The Guardian (Aust) Nationals senator John Williams, Greens se
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China wins in FTA with NZ

China is getting all the advantages from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between it and New Zealand, according to the forestry industry – and it wants the government to step in. Source: Radio New Zealand The Wood Council is looking for government support to challenge China at the
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Logging conflict brews in NSW

The battle lines for a renewal of the logging wars in south-east New South Wales are being drawn as environmental groups dispute the State Government’s commitment to protecting newly-created flora reserves. Source: ABC News The Mumbulla, Murrah, and Tanja State Forests and half
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