Australasia's home for timber news and information

AFCA Hall of Fame nominations extended

The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) Hall of Fame (HOF) awards dinner is approaching, and AFCA has extended its deadline for nominations until Friday 14 October. Source: Timberbiz Nominations for the HOF awards are open to forestry contractors who have worked in the ha
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NHVR to introduce changes to reduce admin for truckers

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will be introducing changes to the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme Vehicle Approval (VA) document to reduce administrative burden for industry and provide a better customer experience. Source: Timberbiz NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said
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Exporters benefit from award-winning online tool

A digital platform to streamline processes and regulations for agricultural exporters has won a 2022 Australian Good Design Award. Source: Timberbiz Acting Deputy Secretary at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Nicola Hinder PSM said the award was recognition of the
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Hyne provides inmates a welcome step into the workforce

A Mannus Correctional Centre works release program is providing inmates with employment opportunities, while helping meet an unprecedented demand for timber by filling a labour shortage in in New South Wales’ largest sawmill. Source: Timberbiz Hyne Timber Tumbarumba Sawmill, which has
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So many holes in Vic Gov’t $120m native forestry transition plan

  The state government’s $120 million plan to transition from native forestry to softwood plantations in Gippsland has been debunked by the workers at the coálface’ – the forest contractors. Source: Philip Hopkins for Timberbiz “The plan does not add up,”
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Fed and SA governments add $3m to develop forestry and wood products

$3 million for research proposals to help develop forest and wood products industries in the state’s Green Triangle has been provided by the Federal and South Australian governments. Source: Timberbiz Researchers will be able to apply for up to $500,000 to assist with projects, throug
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Orbost could lose more than a third of its workforce

The East Gippsland town of Orbost believes the planned end of native timber harvesting could strip their town of more than 37% of its workforce. Source: Timberbiz A meeting in the town this week included AFCA’s Carlie Porteous, Gary Blackwood, four East Gippsland Shire Councillors, th
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Opinion: John Cameron – the Andrews government’s forestry plan very bad for Gippsland

The Andrew’s Government’s Victorian Forestry Plan launched in 2019, calls for the transition from native forest timber by 2030 and from that date the log shortfall is supposed to be sourced from plantations. This exit in 2030 provides insufficient time to establish replacement plantat
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Friday analysis: Orbost – the human dilemma in the native timber industry

The East Gippsland town of Orbost has become the very human face of the plight of the native timber industry in Victoria. The industry closure scheduled for 2030 has the potential to gut the town. With a population just shy of 2500, it simply cannot cope with the potential loss of a t
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AFPA welcomes moves to remove barriers to Emission Reduction Fund

The Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed the Federal Government’s consultation process to remove regulatory barriers preventing new timber plantings participating in the Emission Reduction Fund, AFPA Acting Chief Executive Officer Victor Violante said today. Source: Tim
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