Australasia's home for timber news and information

Mapping 1.6 billion people who live near forests

Global maps of places where people and forests coexist show that an estimated 1.6 billion people live within five kilometres of a forest. The assessment, based on data from 2000 and 2012 and published September 18 in the journal One Earth, showed that of these 1.6 billion “fores
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Indonesian exports fall, furniture businesses close

The Chairman of the Indonesian Furniture and Craft Industry Association (HIMKI), Supriyadi, said the value of Indonesia’s exports of furniture and crafts will likely fall below US$1.2 billion by the end of this year and the downturn in exports is already having a major impact on compa
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New home sales report sees WA and Qld up but not other states

New Home Sales data released recently confirms that HomeBuilder will support building activity and protect jobs in the December 2020 quarter according to the Housing Industry Association. Source: Timberbiz The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home bui
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Koalas alive and well in Kiwarrak after Hillville fire

The Forestry Corporation has rejected reports suggesting that there has been a 100% decline in koalas in the Kiwarrak area due to the Hillville fire. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation says it has confirmed so far eight healthy koalas have been found during surveys following the w
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Fleetwood Challenge Cup won by Uni of Melbourne’s ecoship

As a lack of housing diversity and affordability continues to prove a major grappling point for many Australians, a team of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) students from the University of Melbourne have taken on the challenge and reimagined the great Australian dream
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Australia’s forest industries can remove emissions with government support

A $1.9 billion investment package in new and emerging technologies has been announced by the Federal Government. The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investment package in future technologies to lower emissions would back jobs now and into the future, cut costs for households an
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NZ taxpayers foot the bill if forest planting is restricted

New Zealand’s Forest Owners Association says taxpayers are likely to have to pay billions of dollars for imported carbon credits, if planting production forests is to be restricted with the idea of protecting farming. Source: Timberbiz NZ’s Environment Minister, David Parker has said
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Vic Govt gets Freedom of Information notice on native timber harvesting

Wellington Shire Council’s Native Timber Taskforce (NTT) has lodged a Freedom of Information request to the Victorian Government for the scientific basis behind its decision to cease native timber harvesting. Source: Timberbiz Chaired by Wellington Shire Council Mayor Alan Hall, the N
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AKD restarts Irrewarra sawmill operations

AKD will recommence operations at its Irrewarra sawmilling site to provide more Australian produced timber for customers, and to provide employment opportunities in the Colac region.  Source: Timberbiz In May because of CoVid-19, the business made the decision to idle its Irrewarra sa
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Friday analysis: Alliance brings hope

At a time when good news can be a bit hard to find, Alliance Timber’s decision to extend its Dartmoor operations in the Green Triangle is a tiny ray of light. Source: Bruce Mitchell The Alliance Timber Group’s Dartmoor mill site is looking to extend its opening hours to 6am to 10pm se
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