Australasia's home for timber news and information

Industry dynamo John Halkett dies suddenly in Sydney

The timber industry is mourning the sudden passing of industry leader John Halkett at his home in Sydney this week. Source: Timberbiz The New Zealand-born professional forester and business entrepreneur was general manager of the Australian Timber Importers Federation, co-publisher of
Continue Reading →

Opinion: The Late Kevin Tolhurst AM – Contributions on bushfire mitigation

Summary of some of Kevin Tolhurst contributions to the debate on bushfire policy (compiled by John Cameron and David Packham OAM, 7 October 2023). Kevin Tolhurst AM passed away on 5 October 2023, after delivering an address to a community forum on bushfire mitigation at Mallacoota. Ag
Continue Reading →

Friday analysis: Plantation estate is a horror movie

In November 2021 former Australian Forest Products Association CEO Ross Hampton wrote that what was then the latest five yearly review by ABARES of Australia’s national plantation estate was more than sobering reading. It was, Mr Hampton said, like the script of a horror film. “The bu
Continue Reading →

CLT Toolbox secures $1.5M seed funding

CLT Toolbox, a design software platform that aims to remove the hurdles for structural engineers to become timber specialists and accelerate the transition to more sustainable building materials to decarbonise the construction industry, has secured its first $1.5M in seed funding. Sou
Continue Reading →

Grow Your Own to identify workforce needs

Timber Queensland is partnering with Jobs Queensland to develop a workforce plan and action-based initiatives for the forest and timber industry through a new state government funded ‘Grow Your Own’ program. Source: Timberbiz In a bid to address the need to attract and retain workers
Continue Reading →

Hancock Victoria audit for FSC recertification

Hancock Victorian Plantations will be undergoing an audit next month for Forest Stewardship Council recertification. Source: Alpine Observer The audit will be undertaken by California-based certification body SCS Global Services, and they are seeking stakeholder input on HVP’s f
Continue Reading →

Gippsland leaders challenge new Vic Premier on native forestry

Two Gippsland leaders, MP Darren Chester and senior agribusiness executive Alex Arbuthnot, have challenged the new Premier, Jacinta Allan, to reverse the decision by the state government to close the native hardwood forest industry. Source: Philip Hopkins, LaTrobe Valley Express Mr Ch
Continue Reading →

Australia’s plantation estate still in decline

Australia’s plantation estate is still on a worrying downward trajectory, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Agricultural Economics figures. Australia’s total plantation area contracted to 1.716 million hectares in 2021-22 – a reduction of more than 28,000 hectares.  Source:
Continue Reading →

FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission meeting in Sydney

Action is needed to unlock the full potential of forests to achieve carbon-neutral economies in Asia and the Pacific, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission heard in Sydney this week as it met to discuss the challenges and ev
Continue Reading →

WA first state to end native forestry, except if you’re mining

Western Australia will soon become one of the first States in Australia to end commercial logging of native forests. Source: Timberbiz From next year, timber will only be taken from WA’s native forests to maintain forest health and for approved mine site operations. The State Governme
Continue Reading →