Friday Offcuts – 28 March 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.This week, a new ABARES report projects a 70% increase in Australian domestic log availability by 2055, alongside a 50% rise in construction timber demand. The government has also pledged $54 million to boost prefabricated and modular housing, supporting sustainable timber use. Meanwhile, AFPA’s latest campaign highlights timber and paper’s essential role in daily life and their economic impact. In New Zealand, a new report showcases the growing economic contribution of Māori enterprises, with their expanding asset base driving fresh investment. The WIDE Trust continues to support forestry through educational grants and scholarships. At the same time, FOA, FICA, and FISC are pushing back against WorkSafe’s revised safety code, citing unclear language and lack of consultation. Finally, Timber Queensland is advocating for local timber in Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic venues, researchers in China are developing super-strong wood, the latest Timber Market Survey provides insights into softwood and hardwood price trends, and ongoing bushfires highlight the need to support firefighter wellbeing. Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
ABARES releases Wood Volumes Analysis
Yesterday's publication of the Wood Volumes Analysis indicates
Australia has reliable access to structural forest and wood products to
meet future demand. The report provides an analysis of the
long-run supply of and domestic demand for wood products in Australia,
particularly those used in construction.Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said that the findings reflect the diverse timber supply available to Australians and that demand is likely to continue to increase. “Timber is a valuable resource, widely used in Australia’s construction sector,” Dr Greenville said. Demand for construction related timber is expected to grow by about 50% by 2050 as the population increases, but the final volume will vary depending on our future preferences for housing types, with some houses using more timber than others. On the supply side, the report indicates that Australia’s domestic log availability is projected to increase by approximately 70% through to 2055 ─ with a record availability of 16.8 million cubic metres per year of softwood sawlogs for residential construction in 2050-2054. “Australian plantation managers are working hard to maintain and optimise log availability, and they are working alongside mills to increase the output and variety of timber products available to the domestic market,” Dr Greenville said. International markets have been crucial to meet wood demand, particularly in times of short-run growth. “The long-term nature of forestry production can mean that pressure is placed on supply if there is a short-run surge in demand. In those times, access to international markets has provided access to key wood product supplies, helping maintain the momentum in domestic construction,” Dr Greenville said. Global markets are expected to continue to be a reliable source in the future, despite the disruptions seen through COVID, when global freight was delayed. With strong global log availability and advances in technology and innovation we are expecting global trade in forest and wood products to continue. More >> Source & image credit: ABARES Report shows dramatic growth in Māori economy
Following the pre-release of a snapshot of Te Ōhanga Māori 2023
– The Māori Economy 2023 in late 2024, the Ministry of
Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Business and Economic
Research Limited (BERL) are pleased to release the full report
and insights.The report reveals good news on the growth front, with the Māori economic contribution to the New Zealand economy having grown from NZ$17 billion in 2018 to NZ$32 billion in 2023. Informed by key data from census 2023, Te Ōhanga Māori 2023 report highlights the significant economic contributions being made within the Māori economy to the New Zealand economy as a whole. Insights show that the Māori asset base has grown at a significantly faster rate than the overall economy, from NZ$69 billion in 2018 to NZ$126 billion in 2023. This growth has outstripped the previously predicted figure of NZ$100 billion by 2030. The insights shared in this report will support and inform decision-making, to help unlock further potential within the Māori economy. It breaks down the Māori asset base, workforce, value add (GDP) and stats on Māori owned businesses by region and sometimes by sector. Māori forestry employment stats, forestry assets and Māori owned forestry businesses are also covered in the report. Te Ōhanga Māori 2023 is a resource for all those who are invested in the future of Aotearoa New Zealand, including policymakers, businesses, Iwi-Māori and communities. More >> Source & image credit: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)  New funding for prefabricated & modular housing construction
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the
Albanese Government’s investment announcement of $54 million to
support prefabricated and modular home construction. Aussie
grown, sustainable timber and wood-fibre are key materials resources for
the expanding prefabricated and modular construction industry and
it’s important the right regulatory guidance and government
support framework is set, as demand increases for these new home
options, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said today.Over the weekend, the Government announced A$49.3 million to support state and territory governments to boost prefabricated and modular home construction and A$4.7 million for the development of a voluntary national certification process to streamline approvals and standards. Diana Hallam said, “Australia desperately needs new and innovative ways to deliver much needed new homes and the forest products sector has been ahead of the curve diversifying into prefabricated and modular housing construction. We welcome the Albanese Government’s support to assist state and territory jurisdictions with this expanding form of housing and funding to develop a national voluntary certification process, to assist industry confidence in the manufacturing process. “Just last month, the Productivity Commission recommended a scaling back of ‘unnecessary regulatory impediments’ into new construction methods like prefabricated and modular housing, which is why it’s important that governments work with industries like ours when developing certification processes – and we extend a willing hand to be part of that development process. “The benefits of using Aussie grown sustainable timber and wood-fibre for housing construction are many. Our materials naturally store carbon and help fight climate change, while our sector supports skilled employment, much of it located in regional Australia. “We thank the Government for this announcement and will work with them and the Dutton led Opposition ahead of the election to ensure our Australian Timber. Australia’s Future Platform is signed up to in full, so our national forest products sector can reach its potential for the country, economy, climate and housing,” Diana Hallam concluded. Source: The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)  Training funds available - are you getting a slice of the pie?
The Wood Industry Development and Education Trust (more commonly known as the WIDE Trust) is a charitable trust formed in 2018. The objective of the Trust is to benefit the advancement of education, research and development in the forestry or wood industry sectors in New Zealand through the provision of grants and scholarships to New Zealand students, businesses and institutions.The WIDE Trust is also focussed on building engagement and awareness of the diverse career options the forestry and wood industry sectors offer and increase the number of young people who choose to take up careers in these industry sectors. Since the Trust was formed it has awarded grants in excess of $6.5m to students pursuing studies towards either a trade or academic qualification in the forestry or wood sectors, and to businesses, learning institutions and other entities who have undertaken projects, research and other initiatives to advance these industry sectors. For the 2025 academic year, students studying towards either forestry or wood-related qualifications have received grants from the Trust totalling $225,500. The Trust also supports industry initiatives such as the regional Forestry Awards and sponsors young people working in the industry to attend events such as WoodTECH, WoodWorks, Residues2Revenues, ForestTECH and more. Best Practice Study Tour – and if you are a New Zealand resident who is actively pursuing a career in the forestry or wood industry sectors in New Zealand, at a senior management level, and has had several years experience in either industry, now is the time to apply for a grant of up to $30,000. Ideally, applicants will be a member of the senior management team in their business, be in a position of influence that allows them to implement key study tour learnings, lead change initiatives and encourage new and innovative approaches within the industry. Applications close on 31st July annually for study tours to be undertaken in the following calendar year. More >> Source & image credit: WIDE Trust  New AFPA video - what we can’t live without…The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has launched a candid new video that demonstrates the importance of the essential and sustainable products our sector creates, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said.“This video, try living without Aussie timber and paper, is the latest development in AFPA’s 2025 Federal Election Campaign following the launch of our policy Platform Australian Timber. Australia’s Future, new billboards in key forestry battleground electorates and the forestfacts.com.au website to counter disinformation being spread about the forestry sector,” Diana Hallam said. “It’s a comedic and quirky video with AFPA staff acting out each scene – but it has a serious message about what life would be like without us. It should serve as a reminder to everyone and particularly our sector’s detractors about how important we are. “Whether it’s timber to build your house, cardboard boxes, furniture or even toilet paper – there is so much our sector is responsible for that we literally cannot live without. We need a strong forest products sector supply chain to ensure we have sovereign capability in timber and wood-fibre, can fight climate change at scale and provide employment for thousands of Australians. “While there are substitutes for the products we need in our daily lives, none are as climate friendly, renewable and sustainable as those originating from timber and wood-fibre. I hope this video can continue to help educate everyone about the importance of Australian forestry,” Diana Hallam concluded. Source: The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) SnapSTAT - Why did the chicken cross the road? Wildlife Bridges - Why did the chicken cross the road? Probably because some urban engineers built a bridge to prevent it from getting hit by a car. Approximately 350 million vertebrate animals are killed by traffic every year in the US alone. But wildlife corridors, like this green bridge in California, are popping up to help animals cross traffic.
More: Scientific American Timber is key to sustainable Brisbane 2032 venues
The peak industry body for Queensland’s forest and timber industry
is calling on the Queensland Government to prioritise locally
grown and processed timber in constructing the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and
Paralympic Games venues, particularly the Athlete’s
Villages, citing its environmental, economic, and social benefits.Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said using sustainably sourced timber would align with global best practices, while supporting local industries and jobs. It will also address the productivity challenges identified by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s 100 Day Review released this week. Mr Stephens said the Review states that venue delivery provides an opportunity to showcase innovation construction methods which have the added benefit of efficiency, increased sustainability, and could assist in alleviating some skill shortages. “Timber and off-site manufacturing can significantly speed up construction,” Mr Stephens said. “Prefabricated timber components can be manufactured off-site and assembled quickly, reducing construction time, site disruption, and improving safety,” he said. “The statement by Premier David Crisafulli while unveiling the blueprint for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues regarding ‘buildings built with Queensland products’, is also encouraging for the state’s forest and timber industry, which contributes over $3.8 billion annually to the economy and supports more than 25,000 jobs,” Mr Stephens said. “The Brisbane 2032 Games present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Queensland’s leadership in sustainable, climate-positive construction,” he said. Timber has played a key role in recent Olympic infrastructure. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Village Plaza was built entirely from sustainably sourced timber donated by Japanese municipalities and later repurposed. The Ariake Gymnastics Centre featured a striking wooden roof, and timber was integrated into the Japan National Stadium’s facade and design. Similarly, Paris 2024 mandated timber for all buildings under eight storeys in the Olympic Village. Other timber-based venues included the Aquatics Centre, with its expansive wooden roof, and the Arena Porte de la Chapelle, a multi-purpose stadium primarily built from timber. “Other host cities are proving that timber is the material of choice for modern, sustainable Olympic infrastructure. Brisbane must seize this opportunity for a range of Olympic venues and related infrastructure,” Mr Stephens said. Mr Stephens said engineered timber products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam can reduce embodied carbon in buildings by up to 75% compared to steel and concrete. Wood stores carbon for the life of the building and relies primarily on the sun for the energy used in its production while at the same time removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it a crucial tool in combatting climate change. In addition, timber construction enhances energy efficiency, ensuring the Athlete’s Village and other venues are sustainable both in design and operation. “Queensland has a world-class timber industry, and Brisbane 2032 represents an opportunity to invest in local manufacturing and job creation. By sourcing materials locally, the government can strengthen supply chains, reduce transport emissions, and support regional development,” Mr Stephens said. Beyond sustainability and economic benefits, using timber in the Athlete’s Villages would create healthier living spaces with proven benefits for well-being. More >> Source & image credit: Timber Queensland Super strong wood through self-densifying
While sustainably-grown wood can be an economical and eco-friendly
building material, its relatively low tensile strength limits its
potential applications. That could soon change, however, thanks to a new
self-densifying technique for creating super-strong wood.Individual wood fibres are made up mainly of cellulose, along with a binder material known as lignin. This mixture forms the wall of what is essentially a long hollow tube – the fibre – which runs lengthwise within the larger piece of wood. The hollow space inside the tube is called the lumen, and it is this that limits wood's strength. A team from China's Nanjing University recently set out to address that shortcoming, by developing the new process. It begins by boiling a block of wood in a mixture of sodium hydroxide (lye) and sodium sulfite, removing some of the lignin. That block is then immersed in a heated blend of lithium chloride salt and a solvent known as dimethylacetamide. This causes the cellulose (and remaining lignin) to swell, expanding inwards to fill the lumen. More >> Source: New Atlas Image credit: Nanjing University NZ industry pushes back on new ACOP
WorkSafe is currently completing a full review of the
Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Safety and Health in
Forest Operations.The ACOP, often referred to as the “Bush Bible”, was established in 2012 under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. Developed with extensive industry input, the original ACOP was built on decades of forestry knowledge. As such, it has been a well-understood and highly valued resource by forestry. The current update is required as the ACOP predates the current Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). WorkSafe has indicated the new ACOP will be a more comprehensive revision. An initial draft released in January introduced several major changes:
The Forest Owners Association (FOA), Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) and the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC) has met with WorkSafe several times to advocate for a more practical, industry-aligned document. These discussions emphasised the importance of having the right people involved in shaping the document and the need to extend timelines to allow for meaningful industry participation. Most concerning is the lack of clear rules, which are open to interpretation or could inadvertently support unsafe work practices. Forest owners may end up needing to develop additional internal clarifications and policies as a result. The FOA and FICA are advocating for stronger language to be reinstated in the document to provide clear, enforceable guidance for workers and PCBUs. While WorkSafe has stated that such language is not possible under the HSWA, they remain open to working with the industry to improve clarity. In response to industry concerns, WorkSafe has agreed to extend timelines and restart the revision process. On 4 March, they confirmed:
Source: The Forest Owners Association (FOA)  The latest Timber Market Survey report is available
The latest edition of the Timber Market Survey (TMS) report has been
released for the December quarter 2024.Softwood timber products – Quarterly price movements Price movements for untreated MGP10 and MGP12 structural timber ranged between -2.6% lower and no change. Prices for treated decking decreased by -1.4% while treated sleeper prices increased marginally by 0.1%. Price movements for panel products ranged between 0.1% and 1.2% higher. Prices for LVL products decreased by as much as -0.6% and I-joist/I-beam prices increased by as much as 2.4%. Hardwood timber products – Six monthly price movements Price movements for kiln dried structural hardwood products were upwards, between 1.8% and 2.6%. Price movements for hardwood flooring products were upwards, between 0.4% and 3.3%. The TMS collects price data through quarterly surveys of a representative sample of timber market participants in eastern Australia. All quarterly TMS reports contain price movement information for softwood timber, panels and engineered wood products. The June and December quarter editions also include price movement information for hardwood timber products surveyed over a six-month period. Price movement data are presented in nominal terms unless otherwise stated. The TMS is prepared by Indufor and funded by eight major Australian forestry organisations: Forestry Corporation of NSW; HQPlantations; OneFortyOne Plantations; the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Green Triangle Forest Products; Sustainable Timber Tasmania; Southern Cross Forests; and HVP Plantations. Download the latest Timber Market Survey report. Source & image credit: Indufor Firefighter fatigue & the toll of prolonged bushfires
In his more than three decades in Victoria's Country Fire
Authority, Jarrod Dark has fought plenty of major fires, including Black
Saturday and the Black Summer of 2019-20.But no fire season has left him as exhausted as this summer in the Grampians. On January 6, fire crews gained control of the first Grampians fire of the summer, which sparked in mid-December. Just days later, a second bushfire ignited. The two fires burnt through more than 135,000 hectares of Grampians/Gariwerd National Park — an area larger than Hong Kong — leaving about 30,000 hectares of the park untouched. "When you're out in the back of your property and you can see the flames and you can hear them — it was a little bit more confronting," Mr Dark said. More >> Source: ABC Nelson-Tasman transport companies earn top safety rating
Two Nelson-Tasman transport companies, Stuart Drummond Transport
Limited and Borlase Transport, have achieved
the prestigious five-star rating in the Log Transport Safety
Council Health and Safety Contractor Audit, placing them among
only 14 companies nationwide to receive this elite recognition.This achievement represents the highest level of safety excellence in the log transport industry and reflects both companies' unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards in their operations. "We are incredibly proud to have achieved a 5-Star rating in the Health and Safety Contractor Audit. Safety has always been a top priority for our company, reflected in both our resources and the commitment and dedication of our entire team. It’s rewarding to see that when tested against a rigorous industry audit, we have achieved the highest result," said Harry Llewellyn, General Manager of Stuart Drummond Transport. "This achievement is truly a team effort – from our workshop team to our drivers and office staff. High standards must be demonstrated across all areas of the business, and this result is a testament to the collective dedication of our team", said Harry. "Reaching this five-star benchmark reflects years of continuous improvement and our team's daily commitment to safety," said Steve Borlase, Business Manager for Borlase Transport. "We're proud to be part of this exclusive group of transport operators who set the standard for safety in New Zealand, said Steve." Both companies serve as key transport partners for OneFortyOne's New Zealand Forests business, handling the critical task of safely transporting logs from forest to market. "Working with partners who prioritise safety at this level is fundamental to our operations," said Shaun Truelock, General Manager of OneFortyOne's New Zealand Forests business. "Their achievement of this five-star rating reinforces our confidence in their operations and aligns perfectly with our values of safety, excellence, and responsibility. When you see these trucks on the road, you can be confident they're meeting the highest safety standards." The Log Transport Safety Council Certified Contractor Audit is a rigorous assessment that evaluates transport operators' health and safety systems, operational procedures, and compliance standards. The five-star rating represents exceptional performance across all measured criteria. This recognition comes at a time when safety standards in the transport industry are increasingly important, with customers and communities alike expecting the highest levels of responsibility from operators handling large loads on public roads. Both transport companies look forward to maintaining these elite standards and continuing their successful partnerships with clients who value safety excellence. Source: OneFortyOne Image credit: Stuart Drummond Transport  Firewood, forests and farming over the years
Planting pine trees was seen as a valuable option for farmers
back in the day. In 1925, this was “strikingly
proved” by a farmer who made £55 off one Pinus insignus
tree, as reported in Napier’s Daily Telegraph.According to a Nothern Advocate article in 1935, the State Forestry Service was busy planting eucalyptus, pitch pine and slash pine in Waipoua and Waitangi. They were also trialling other varieties such as gum, western red cedar and Lawsoniana. It had become a learning curve for those who had cleared the bush in the 1930s. The Gisborne Herald reported in 1945, on “denuded hillsides” and road damage caused by slips coming down, especially in the winter. As a result, replanting had started on a big scale to try and repair the damage done by the clearing of the bush from the hillsides. More >> Source: The Country Jobs
Buy and Sell
... and one to end the week on... the K-9 unit
Returning home from work, a not so bright guy was shocked to find his house broken into and robbed. And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers.  Brand PartnersOur Partners & Sponsors Friday Offcuts is made possible through the generous support of the following companies.
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