Australasia's home for timber news and information

Opinion: Robert Onfray – so McGowan clearing native jarrah for mining is ‘okay’

In September 2021, the Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, made a shock announcement that all native forest logging would cease in 2024, at the end of the current 10-year Forest Management Plan. The decision was made without consultation with the timber industry, public, or go
Continue Reading →

Friday analysis: safeguarding timber workers from protests finally gains traction

The Victorian Government has taken firm – and in some quarters unexpected – action to safeguard the State’s timber workers from protestors. The proposed new laws are made of stern stuff, and the Government is to be applauded for its action. Protestors who illegally enter coupes in Vic
Continue Reading →

Rising interest rates will slow building as will material shortages

Rising interest rates can cause building commencements to slow within six months, but in this cycle, the lag will be significantly longer, according to the Housing Industry Association. Source: Timberbiz HIA released its economic and industry Outlook Report for Australia today. The Ou
Continue Reading →

Contribute to the growth of South & Central Queenland forestry

A consultation process is underway to identify opportunities for the South and Central Queensland forestry industry regarding innovations, new technologies, and value-adding forest and wood products. Source: Timberbiz The consultation is being led by forestry experts Foresion which ha
Continue Reading →

Not enough review causes issues for end of WA native forestry

Forestry Australia believes that reports coal may have to be imported to produce high-grade silicon in Western Australia* cast further doubt over the decision to end native timber harvesting in the state. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Australia Vice President Dr Lachlan McCaw said the re
Continue Reading →

Mitsui and Nomura buy control of New Forests

Global investment manager New Forests has been sold to Mitsui & Co. Ltd and Nomura Holdings Inc. The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval and expected to be completed by December 2022, will see Mitsui become a 49% shareholder and Nomura a 41% shareholder, with the re
Continue Reading →

New chair to lead VicForests’ board ‘a labor mate’ say Nationals

The appointment of Ben Hubbard as the new chairman of VicForests has been attacked by the Nationals in Victoria as a “sneaky move to parachute another Labor mate into an executive role”. Source: Timberbiz Mr Hubbard will take on the roles of director and chairman of the VicForests boa
Continue Reading →

AFPA welcomes new Labor government now sworn in

The Australian Forest Products Association has congratulated the incoming Albanese Labor Government and signalled its determination to assist Labor meet timber production targets and more ambitious climate goals. Source: Timberbiz Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Australia’s 31st prim
Continue Reading →

Get in quick with your Gottstein application

Gottstein Trust flagship grants program applicants have until 3 June to get their applications in. These opportunities are open to absolutely anyone – an in-field machinery operator,  nursery worker,  mill worker, TAFE student, haulage operator, PhD researcher, architect, engineer, si
Continue Reading →

Careers Week launch of VR experiences in forestry

New resources have been launched during Careers Week 2022 that allow school students of all ages to glimpse a virtual day in the life of a different people working in forestry and wood, without leaving the classroom. Source: Timberbiz ForestLearning’s hugely successful ForestVR techno
Continue Reading →