Australasia's home for timber news and information

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
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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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
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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
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Tallaganda forest stop work extended

The NSW Environment Protection Authority has extended a Stop Work Order until 13 November to cease harvesting in parts of the Tallaganda State Forest by Forestry Corporation of NSW. Source: Timberbiz An initial Stop Work Order was issued to FCNSW by the EPA on 30 August. Since then, t
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Purchase of Forico confirms world class sustainable practices in Australia

The acquisition of Forico and Tasmania’s largest hardwood plantation estate last week sends a clear signal to Government and future investors both in Australia and globally about the world class sustainable management practices in Australia, according to the Australian Forest Products
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Kevin Tolhurst’s final words of wisdom

The passing on Thursday of forest scientist and Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst AM is with much regret. By David Packham OAM and John Cameron Kevin was an expert in wildfire behaviour, prescribed burning techniques and guidelines, ecological management of landscapes, fire risk mana
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