Australasia's home for timber news and information

Great Forest National Park numbers don’t add up

The peak body for the forest, fibre and wood products industry, the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) says the establishment of the proposed Great Forest National Park (GFNP) would have negative consequences, not only for the industry, but socially and economically for
Continue Reading →

Government funds sought for major mill refit

The owner of Australia’s largest hardwood processor has asked the Victorian Government to fund a $40 million refit of the mill. Source: Timberbiz Australian Sustainable Hardwoods employs 250 people at Heyfield in Gippsland, but is threatening to close the mill due to a cut in na
Continue Reading →

Forest Corp’s biggest buy since 1980s

The New South Wales Government is not ruling out further expansion of its forestry business after making its biggest acquisition since the 1980s. Source: ABC News The Forestry Corporation has bought 7000 hectares of pine plantation and plantable land near the timber towns of Oberon, T
Continue Reading →

VicForests fires back at fire management

An opinion piece in The Age (13/11/2017) ‘Mature trees at the root of forest fire management’ re-hashes claims that timber harvesting increases risk during a major bushfire. Source: Timberbiz A study undertaken by the University of Melbourne (Attiwill et al, 2013), in conjunction with
Continue Reading →

Heyfield Mill not the only one in trouble

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods is not the only local business sweating on a new long-term supply deal for the Heyfield sawmill. Source: Latrobe Valley Express Morwell-based operation Fisher’s Timber Preservation receives 40% of its business treating ASH product and is at risk of clo
Continue Reading →

Alternate facts of VicForests timber supply

The state-owned company wants to halve the timber supply for Australia’s largest hardwood mill despite admitting a huge amount of forest is still available for commercial use. Source: The Advertiser The former chief executive of VicForests, Robert Green, told a meeting of the state’s 
Continue Reading →

Tall timber buildings becoming the norm

Australia’s largest timber building will call Brisbane home in a deal worth $140 million between developer Lendlease and the Liberman family-backed Impact Investment Group. Sources: Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review Known as 5 King, the property will be one the final
Continue Reading →

Free Native Forest Management Field Day

On Saturday February 18, the Private Forestry Service Queensland (PFSQ) is holding an on-location event to look at the impacts of thinning of forest health, productivity, economic returns and grazing. Source: Timberbiz The event to be held on Warren Tobin’s property near Gin Gin will
Continue Reading →

VAFI and AFPA welcome RFA in Gippsland

The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI), has welcomed the extension of the East Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement as has the Australian Forest Products Association. Source: Timberbiz The East Gippsland RFA amendment for the extension was signed by the Prime Minister, t
Continue Reading →

New keynote speakers strengthen conference 

Loggers and forest managers have been quick to capitalise on the latest Forest Industry Safety Summit set to run next month in Rotorua with two new keynote speakers on the list. Source: Timberbiz Registrations have exceeded expectations and the gathering is set to be the second larges
Continue Reading →