Australasia's home for timber news and information

Canadian lumber producers expect a record year

The outlook for Canadian lumber producers appears to be more rosy than ever, with the forecast for 2018 housing starts in the US and lumber prices expected to be on the rise yet again. Source: Baystreet With forecasts of nearly 8% growth in housing starts expected in 2018 (on a season
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Wood-based ‘supermaterial’ is stronger and tougher than steel

Stronger than steel, capable of deflecting bullets and lighter than metal alloys – yet this new “supermaterial” is made mostly from wood. Source: Physics World The material was created by Liangbing Hu at the University of Maryland Energy Research Center and colleagues, who
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Saving jobs saves sawmill near Grafton

The jobs of eight sawmill workers were a key factor in allowing a mill near Grafton to keep operating despite doubts about the legality of its operation. Source: The Daily Examiner Councillors voted 7-1 to allow the Raging Red Timbers mill at the Pinnacles, north of Grafton, to keep o
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AFPA polls SA voters

Polling of voters in the seats of Mount Gambier and MacKillop has found that almost 2 in every 3 voters say they will vote for the Party and candidate that best supports South Australia’s Forest Industries, and almost 9 in 10 recognised the sector’s importance to the local economy. So
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Crowdfunding Kiwis plant 1 million trees

An effort to crowdfund a forest, founded by a trio from Christchurch, has hit an incredible target of 1 million trees pledged. Source: Newshub Adrien Taylor, Jeff Willis and Dr Dan Price created ‘Trump Forest’ less than a year ago, after the US president, the movement was
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Tassie government promises new anti-protest laws

The Tasmanian Liberal government has promised to introduce new anti-protest laws to replace those struck out by the high court if it is returned to power next month. Source: The Guardian The previous laws were ruled unconstitutional in October after a challenge by the former Australia
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VicForests fights back at protestors

After protestors stationed themselves at a live VicForests harvesting site in far East Gippsland recently they put themselves, and workers, at risk and caused timber harvesting operations to be suspended. Source: Timberbiz This harvesting is part of ongoing operations that occur follo
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Robotics opportunities in forestry explored and discussed

Forest safety, improving productivity and getting workers off the felling site has been a major push for forestry managers, forest owners, logging contractors and equipment suppliers. Source: Timberbiz To provide local operations with an insight into just where the technology is headi
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Goulburn rail hub looks for opportunities on the back of forestry

Operators of the Goulburn rail hub are investigating opportunities to expand the facility. Whether that’s at the existing Braidwood Road/Sloane Street location or elsewhere around Goulburn is still up in the air, says Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA) managing director, Ia
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Forestry a success story for KiwiRail

KiwiRail is reaping the benefits of an innovative growth strategy for its forestry business designed to make the best use of its wagon fleet. Source: Timberbiz Its financial result released recently shows an 8% revenue increase in its overall forestry business in just the six months t
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