Australasia's home for timber news and information

Tigercat completes feller line-up

Tigercat engineering recently completed the drive-to-tree feller buncher line-up with the release of the 718G. One of the last Tigercat machines to receive a Tigercat FPT Tier 4 engine. Source: Timberbiz It was a challenge to package the additional after treatment componentry that was
Continue Reading →

UK’s TimberTrends analysis of timber imports

The UK’s Timber Trade Federation (TTF) said that on the ground the impact of COVID-19 might seem evident, it is only in the last few days that official figures have been revealed. TimberTrends has provided a provisional analysis of timber imports, which shows an overall 30-35% drop in
Continue Reading →

Austria may force sawmills to buy damaged wood: it could be against EU policy

Due to the bark beetle outbreak, the Austrian legislator is proposing to amend the Austrian Forest Act proposing a provision for a temporary obligation for Austrian sawmills to buy damaged wood in surrounding areas. Source: Timberbiz The amendment to the Act does not contain any speci
Continue Reading →

Royal Commission hears forestry opinion on bushfire disaster and future management

The Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements has been told of the devastating impact the Black Summer bushfires had on forest industries around Australia. In its submission to the Royal Commission the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) also highlighted the need f
Continue Reading →

Federal Government’s 12-month review of logging ops in Victoria

The Federal government has given the green light to a 12-month review of logging operations in Victoria. The Victorian “major event review” will examine the environmental protections of its Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) and be conducted over around 12 months by an independent panel
Continue Reading →

Minister Symes dismisses plight of East Gippsland contractors

Victoria’s Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes has again refused to meet with seven East Gippsland timber contractors and save their jobs. The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said she was appalled at Ms Symes lack of compassion when she called on her to meet w
Continue Reading →

Fennings mill out of logs, employees at risk

The supply of logs to the Fenning timber mill in Bairnsdale has “run out”, prompting Nationals MP for Gippsland East Tim Bull, to call for urgent intervention in Parliament. Source: Timberbiz “This is a highly regarded local company that employs 50 people and contributes much to our c
Continue Reading →

Opinion: Rudolf van Rensburg – should New Zealand export its logs?

New Zealand currently exports around NZD3.5 billion of unprocessed roundwood a year. New innovative wood products combined with environmentally friendly construction can create value-adding alternatives which would more than double the current value of roundwood exports. The export of
Continue Reading →

Opinion: Sean Ruthen on Tall Wood Buildings and the science that makes them

In the history of architecture and construction, there has never been a building material that has had as rough a ride as wood. This is not without reason. It has a limited record of use from ancient history simply because of its inability to withstand the ravages of time. Furthermore
Continue Reading →

Friday Analysis: Buy Australian Timber could be difficult in Victoria, not as difficult as being a minister

Some great news for the timber industry in general this week has been tempered by the bad news still coming out of East Gippsland. The Buy Australian Timber First campaign sees a much-welcomed united push from all the big operators – AKD, Boral, Hyne, OneFortyOne, Timberlink and Wespi
Continue Reading →