Australasia's home for timber news and information

Reforms in housing could build 1.2 million homes

Australia is set to commence construction on little more than a million new homes over the next five years, almost 200,000 short of the Australian government’s target. Source: Timberbiz “It is possible to build 1.2 million new homes over five years, but it will require significant pol
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Targeted op on-road for construction vehicles

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is set to launch an on-road targeted operation, focused on mechanical safety and compliance with mass, dimension and loading requirements of heavy vehicles operating in support of the construction sector. Source: Timberbiz NHVR Chief Operati
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Aust Forest & Wood Innovations institute has a new board

The board for the establishment and management of the $100 million Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) research institute has been appointed. Source: Timberbiz To be chaired by former Forestry Australia president Bob Gordon, the board will comprise Diana Gibbs, Christine Bri
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Heyfield Timber Festival a hit with locals

Thousands of people flocked to the popular Heyfield Timber Festival on the weekend of 17-18 February 2024. Source: Timberbiz The Heyfield Timber Festival has been running since 2021, and Heyfield Fire Brigade has supported the event every year. Heyfield Fire Brigade members attended t
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ABARES Outlook conference ready to go

ABARES Outlook Conference is the place for ideas and evidence to progress issues that affect the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sector. The redesigned event for 2024 is hybrid and this year’s theme is Shaping the Future: Opportunities, risks, and resilience. Source: Timberbiz Th
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US hardwood into Australia increased in 2023

US hardwood lumber exports to Australia increased by 22% in 2023 to a value of US$21million according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture. Source: Timberbiz While American white oak continues to dominate, its lesser-known cousin, American red oak, has shown extrao
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Tassie’s wishlist for forestry

Adding value to timber products on-island is essential to supporting local Tasmanian forestry businesses, jobs across the state, and regional and rural communities, according to the Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA). Source: Timberbiz Speaking at the official launch of the
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Opinion: James Oxenham – Navigating the path to a net-zero timber industry

In the wake of COP28’s landmark agreement and the global push for sustainability, the Australian construction industry is at a pivotal crossroads. The Buildings Breakthrough initiative, launched at COP28 with support from 27 nations, has underscored the urgent need to transform
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Friday analysis: Hardly surprising hardwood imports rise

The news that US hardwood timber exports to Australia increased by 22% in 2023 with nearly 9000 cubic metres of red oak coming into the country should not come as a surprise to anyone. The end to native timber harvesting in Victoria and Western Australia has certainly had a massive fl
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The complexity of timber harvesting across multiple fronts

Australia is home to 134 million hectares of forests covering approximately 17% of the land area, and storing an estimated 10.5 billion tonnes of carbon, with 98.8% held in native forests. Source: Architecture & Design Of the 132 million hectares of native forest primarily dominat
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