Friday Offcuts – 19 September 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Offcuts.Forestry’s economic contribution is in the spotlight, with a new FWPA report showing the industry adds more than A$5 billion to Victoria’s economy and supports over 25,000 jobs. In contrast, New Zealand faces new pressures, as Carter Holt Harvey’s decision to end plywood manufacturing in Tokoroa puts nearly 120 jobs at risk. Policy is also making headlines. The NZ Government has delivered on its pledge to limit farm-to-forest conversions under the ETS to protect productive farmland, while Timber Queensland has slammed NSW’s plan to fund the Great Koala National Park through carbon credits. In South Australia, forestry is central to the Federal Government’s $1.1b investment in cleaner fuels. On the technology front, NSW is rolling out Australia’s largest AI-powered fire detection network, and FPInnovations has released findings on the viability of electric log trucks. Finally, a quick update on upcoming FIEA conferences, including Bioeconomy Innovations, Residues2Revenues next month, and the ForestTECH 2025 series in November. Read these stories and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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This week we have for you:
Forestry’s A$5b contribution to the Victorian economy
The forestry industry contributes around A$5.2 billion to the
Victorian economy and supports more than 25,000 local and regional
jobs, according to a new study commissioned by Forest &
Wood Products Australia (FWPA). Nearly 120 jobs on the line at Tokoroa plywood plant
More than 100 jobs are on the line in Tokoroa as Carter Holt
Harvey plans to shut down its local plywood manufacturing site.
E tū delegate Andrew Dobbs, who had worked at CHH in Tokoroa for 24
years, said members were devastated."It’s just really sad. We knew things were tough, but I didn’t expect them to stop manufacturing altogether. You’d say people are feeling sad and depressed – it’s not quite a closure, but there will be so few people left there, making nothing, just reprocessing imports to send to market. "Basically, imported product is just too cheap for us to compete with, that’s the guts of it. Personally, I don’t want to move out of town, but that might be the only choice we’ve got." More >> Source: 1News  ForestTech 2025 conference series – Rotorua & Melbourne
This well-established forest management technology conference is highly
rated by forest managers, applied forest technology specialists and tree
crop and forest establishment managers from across Australasia. The ForestTECH 2025 conference series provides a valuable, and independent platform, showcasing new and emerging technologies in remote sensing, data capture, inventory management and precision silviculture. The event draws on the strong links between applied research providers and industry leaders ensures the most up-to-date technology applications form part of the speakers’ programmes each year. International technology providers are always willing to provide insights for forest managers on how their latest applications can bring improved crop results and better outcomes for forest management focused on radiata pine and related Southern Hemisphere production forest species. For our November 2025 conference series includes presentations on:
This applied technology event specifically designed and delivered by practical ‘boots-on-the-ground/drone in the air’ foresters is the ‘must-attend’ technology event for forest resource managers, remote sensing, GIS and mapping specialists, inventory foresters The event dates are 18-19 November 2025, Rotorua, New Zealand and 25-26 November 2025, Melbourne, Australia. Register now to get early-bird rates. For more information, contact Gordon Thomson on (+64) 27 275 8022 or by email to Gordon.thomson@innovatek.co.nz. NSW's misuse of carbon scheme abandons koalas & workers
The peak state body for Queensland’s timber industry has
called out the NSW Government’s announcement to declare a Great
Koala National Park and rely on a native forest carbon method to fund
it as a blatant misuse of the national emissions reduction
scheme.Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said, “The proposed carbon method put forward by the NSW Government, to bankroll its own park proposal, fails on so many levels it defies credibility and flies in the face of the integrity standards set by the Australian Government for the national scheme.” “First, it fails on the additionality test, where the conversion of state forest to parks has been demonstrably common practice by state governments over many decades in the absence of a carbon credit.” “Second, it fails on the scale test, where the Queensland Government has written to the Australian Government making it clear they do not support this method and recognise the multiple benefits including timber production, recreation and ecosystem services from existing state forests as part of their new timber plan.” ‘Third, it fails to address the science on superior long term abatement from well-managed forests with sustainable timber harvest and substitution of emission intensive materials with wood products. In other words, the NSW method is likely to lead to lower overall abatement compared to the baseline of continuing state forest management,” said Mr Stephens. There are also a myriad of other flawed design and measurement issues contained in the method, generating significant bias and uncertainty over the perceived carbon benefits, which should have triggered multiple red flags through the method prioritisation process. These issues are outlined in the Timber Queensland submission to the NSW Government consultation process. The fact that the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage are yet to respond to the submissions received from their consultation in July suggests stonewalling given widespread critique of the method. Equally concerning, is the potential wasteful use of carbon credits to fund the park where this is intended as a one-off hit for a political purpose with no additionality. This is market distortion at the expense of other genuine abatement. Any reputable Treasurer or economist should see this as deliberate gaming of the scheme and a misuse of significant public funds. “This decision from the Minns Government comes straight out of the playbook of the Labor left to restrict native forestry for Greens preferences to maintain power. However, it is clear there has now been significant over-reach in trying to push through a dodgy carbon method in addition to an ideological decision to create an unnecessary park to protect koala populations.” This decision will also have devastating impacts on native hardwood businesses and regional jobs. The sincerity of the Labor left with support packages must be questioned when there is no credible public policy need to cease sustainable timber production in these forests.” More >> Source & image credit: Timber Queensland  SA welcomes Federal investment into cleaner fuel production
South Australia’s forest industries are poised to lead the
charge toward a low-carbon fuel future, welcoming the
announcement by the Albanese Government of a A$1.1 billion
investment package to accelerate the development of low-carbon liquid
fuels. The package will support domestic cleaner fuel
production for hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation, shipping, heavy
transport, construction and mining.“The South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) acknowledges the Australian Government’s recognition of forestry residues as a key feedstock that can deliver renewable and sustainable fuel alternatives,” said Mr Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of SAFPA. “Wood residues such as limbs and needles are often underutilised in the forestry sector. This investment represents a massive opportunity to convert those residues into renewable, sustainable alternative fuels that can power industries that are otherwise difficult to decarbonise,” Mr Paine continued. At scale, forestry residue can be transformed into powerful low-emission fuels such as bio-methanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – helping to decarbonise international air transport and shipping, both identified as priority industries in Australia’s net zero pathway. “This isn’t theoretical – HAMR Energy, a leader in low carbon liquid fuel is already advancing, with commercial outcomes only a few years away and with the potential for South Australia to host their first facility,” Mr Paine said. “Bioenergy is a low-carbon liquid fuel source that can both drive a net-zero economy and reduce the nation’s reliance on imported fuels, with the forestry sector already leading by example through investments in renewable energy and wood-waste utilisation.” South Australian-based company OneFortyOne is a clear example of the sector’s leadership in decarbonising the sector. As the operator of Australia’s largest sawmill, OneFortyOne use an alternative renewable biomass to power its operations, showcasing just how diverse the forestry sector is when it comes to decarbonisation. “As South Australia’s forest industries celebrate its 150th anniversary, our forest industries continue to supply the essential, foundational fibre that keeps the economy moving and homes being built,” Mr Paine said. “We’re not just a key part of achieving our net zero ambitions but we’re also a practical part of decarbonising South Australia’s energy and fuel systems.” The Federal Government’s package is designed to strengthen Australia’s energy security and position the nation as a global leader in sustainable fuels. According to Bioenergy Australia’s Securing Our Fuel Future report, even with electrification, Australia will require 30 billion litres of liquid fuel annually by 2050. Without local production, more than 80% of this demand would need to be imported. According to independent analysis produced by Deloitte for BioEnergy Australia as well as the CEFC has shown that a mature renewable fuel industry could:
“With the right policy settings, our sector can be at the heart of a new South Australian and national fuel industry, transforming residues into solutions that cut emissions, boost energy security and create jobs across the state”, Mr Paine concluded. Source: South Australian Forest Products Association .jpg) FGR annual conference - the science of what’s next
Forest Growers Research is running their 2025 annual conference
in Auckland, on 14-16 October 2025. With over 40 speakers,
panel Q&A sessions and a field trip to Auckland forests, this three-day
conference will bring together research, industry, and government
stakeholders from across the forestry sector.The theme of this year’s conference is The Science of What’s Next, so look forward to discovering the latest highlights in forestry innovation and technology from FGR’s collaborative research programmes. The Annual Dinner on the evening of Day 1 will include the presentation of eight prestigious Science Awards that acknowledge the achievements of those who contribute to research and forestry science. Two new awards will be presented this year, which will recognise inspiring leadership in forestry science and the importance of research support. Day 1 – Tuesday 14 October Listen to presentations on topics such as the forces shaping the future of New Zealand forestry from industry, government, and market perspectives. There will be a particular focus on the future of radiata pine and the development of the next successful forestry species. Day 2 – Wednesday 15 October Start the day by celebrating diversity in forestry at the Wahine in Forestry breakfast then focus on the interactions between trees and their ecosystems at the first presentation session. Key advances in digital technology will be the focus of the next two sessions. The fourth session asks the question: “What’s next?”, and explores topics such as species diversification, sector innovation, and measurement of research effectiveness. The day concludes with a special networking session featuring posters and technical displays. Day 3 – Thursday 16 October Enjoy a full-day field trip of Auckland forests. The experience will facilitate discussions about research programmes across the forestry sector. Registrations for the 2025 Forest Growers Research conference close Monday 22 September 2025. Click here to view the programme. Register via this link. Source & image credit: Forest Growers Research  New changes: Limits to restrict farm-to-forest conversions
The NZ Government has delivered on a key election commitment with the passing of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Todd McClay and Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts announced yesterday.“This Bill strikes the right balance between protecting New Zealand’s most productive farmland and maintaining confidence in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS),” Mr McClay says. “We campaigned on stopping the wholesale conversion of farms into pine forests, and we have delivered. This Bill restores balance. It protects food production, supports rural communities, and ensures foresters can continue to invest with confidence,” Mr McClay added. Both farming and forestry are important to our regional economies, and we are working hard to support both sectors to create jobs and grow exports to benefit all New Zealanders. Key changes in the Bill include:
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the changes strengthen the ETS by providing certainty for both foresters and farmers – not just today, but for the long term. “We are ensuring the ETS remains fit for purpose — rewarding good land use choices while safeguarding rural livelihoods. This Bill puts sensible limits in place that support meeting our climate commitments,” Mr Watts says. Mr McClay says the Government has heard the calls by landowners on the need to strengthen pest, weed, and fire management plans for forests. There is work underway, we are committed to ensure foresters manage risk, continue to improve management practices and give rural communities and landowners greater assurance. The Government is backing rural New Zealand by restoring certainty, protecting farmland, and supporting farmers and growers to get on with producing high-quality, safe sustainable food and fibre. “When rural communities do well, it means stronger jobs, incomes, and opportunities for every New Zealander,” Mr McClay says. The legislation will enter into force from October 2025. Source: NZ Government Roll out of Australia’s largest early fire detection in NSW
The Minns Labor Government is preparing state forests to be
better monitored and protected from fires with the roll out of
Australia’s largest early detection smart camera network mostly
across central and southern NSW.Early fire detection cameras will be installed across the State forest fire tower network improving firefighting response across NSW State forests, National Parks and privately-owned land. Powered by artificial intelligence, these cameras scan the landscape, track changes in pixel colour detecting smoke columns, delivering real-time alerts to fire crews and allowing rapid fire response. Forestry Corporation NSW has partnered with Pano AI to install the cameras at 22 strategic locations in major softwood growing regions, covering 1.2 million hectares of land with most located in southern NSW, the central west and a few sites in the mid north coast. Key regions monitored by the cameras include Tumut, Moss Vale, Bombala, Walcha and Bathurst, including three wind farm development zones near Bathurst and Tumut. Research shows that 80–85% of the area monitored by Forestry Corporation’s fire towers also includes surrounding private property and public lands providing a significant and wide-reaching community benefit. In regions like Bathurst, tower operators detect and report more than half of all fires, often placing the first call to emergency services across these land tenures. Over the past two decades, some 70,000 hectares of softwood forests in NSW have been impacted by fire. With State forests producing enough timber each year to build 40,000 new homes, strengthening early fire detection is critical to safeguarding the state’s timber supply. The fire detection technology integrates AI-powered detection into the traditional fire tower network combined with advanced geospatial insights to understand the full context of each fire detected. The technology has been extensively trialled in the US, South Africa and Europe and trained to local conditions here in Australia. The initiative is an investment of up to $1.4 million over 5 years. Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said, “These cameras will assist our firefighting agencies to protect critical forest plantation assets as well as neighbouring communities, national parks and privately-owned agricultural land, coming online soon before the start of the summer bushfire fire risk period” “By integrating AI-powered detection into our fire tower network, we’re enhancing traditional firefighting methods with cutting-edge technology that delivers real-time intelligence and faster response times,” Ms Moriarty said. This rollout directly responds to the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry’s call for greater investment in remote fire detection following the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires. “It’s a proactive step toward building a more resilient future for our state,” Ms Moriarty said. Local MP for Monaro, and Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said, “Our soft wood plantations are a vital asset for communities like Bombala and Tumut, not to mention their importance in providing building materials across NSW. More >> Source: Minister for Regional NSW Daylight savings sleep shift increases health risk for drivers
As daylight saving begins this Sunday, Kiwis may welcome the
brighter evenings and promise of summer BBQs, but the switch comes with
a darker side.Health data shows the sudden disruption to body clocks has measurable consequences: hospitals in Michigan, US found heart attacks spike by 24 percent on the Monday immediately following the spring shift, while a 2024 review of 12 studies confirmed a four percent increase in risk across the two weeks that follow setting clocks an hour forward. Road crashes also climb by around six percent in the same week, underscoring that losing even a single hour of sleep can have serious effects on both wellbeing and road safety. Economists at the London School of Economics estimate that ending daylight saving could deliver wellbeing gains worth roughly NZ$1,400 per person annually, with the wider toll of sleep deprivation — to which clock changes contribute — costing around NZ $680 billion worldwide each year. Katrina Aubrey, Fatigue and Sleep Specialist at AutoSense, New Zealand fleet safety experts, says the health impacts of daylight saving is often underestimated, particularly for people who drive for a living. “Our body clocks are finely tuned. Losing up to an hour of sleep — as happens every spring — disrupts circadian rhythms and increases fatigue. This sleep deprivation also affects heart health in multiple ways. Poor sleep increases inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and increase heart disease risk, and losing sleep elevates the risk of arrhythmias - irregular heart rhythms - potentially increasing the risk of stroke and heart-related issues,” says Aubrey. “The fatigue and disruption also affects reaction time, mood and alertness — all critical for safe driving. For professional drivers who work long hours, the impact can be especially dangerous for them, and for everyone they share the road with.” AutoSense is working with more than 800 transport operators including NZ Post, Mainfreight and Fonterra to reduce incidents and protect drivers through training and technology. The business has installed Guardian by Seeing Machines driver safety technology in 5,969 vehicles across 864 fleets in New Zealand, with the cameras monitoring fatigue and distraction events in real time, every second of the day and night. Using AI, the technology combines cutting-edge optics and processing to continuously monitor a driver’s eye and head movements, capable of detecting early signs of drowsiness and distraction. Fatigue events are detected when the driver’s eyes are closed for 1.5 seconds or longer when travelling at or above a set speed threshold. The system issues real-time audio, visual and seat-vibration alerts to help drivers act before fatigue or inattention becomes critical. The technology includes another layer of safeguarding - any red-flagged video is assessed by a human ‘Guardian Angel’ in a call centre. The Guardian Angel looks for signs of fatigue or distraction, and will intervene by alerting the driver to take a rest from driving. In the year to 31 July 2025, AutoSense says an astounding 19,390 driver fatigue events, and 52,553 distraction events were recorded by the Guardian cameras in Aotearoa. More >> Source: AutoSense  Wood is good programme for kiwi schools
How do you inspire the next generation of foresters, engineers,
and environmental stewards? You start young.WIDE Trust is proud to support Wood is Good, a nationwide primary school programme designed to introduce tamariki to New Zealand’s forestry and log transport industries in a fun, educational, and hands-on way. What is Wood is Good? Developed by industry experts and supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries, Wood is Good brings the world of forestry and log transport to life for students through engaging classroom activities, resources, and interactive visits from real logging trucks and industry professionals. From learning how trees grow and are harvested sustainably, to understanding the career opportunities in forestry, this initiative helps young students connect the dots between the natural world, their communities, and the economy. The programme is free for schools and designed in alignment with the New Zealand curriculum. It’s a unique opportunity for tamariki to engage with forestry as a future-focused, high-value industry, one that’s vital to New Zealand’s low-carbon future. Why WIDE Trust Supports Programmes Like This At WIDE Trust, our mission is to advance Wood, Industry, Design and Education in Aotearoa. That mission doesn’t begin at university level, it starts by sparking interest early, supporting education at every stage, and showing young people the real-world possibilities in the wood sector. Our involvement goes beyond financial backing—we work alongside educators, industry partners, and programme organisers to ensure the initiative continues to grow and reach more schools. By supporting outreach events like the one in Methven, we help to:
Unlocking Opportunity: Apply for a WIDE Trust Grant If you’ve got an idea, initiative, or area of study that aligns with our purpose, we encourage you to apply. The process is straightforward, and the support can make a real difference, whether it’s covering study costs, bringing your idea to life, or helping your programme reach more people. Learn more and apply at widetrust.org.nz Source: WIDE Trust  New Forests expands into Africa by acquiring Rance Timber
New Forests has announced its African Forestry Impact
Platform (AFIP) investment in Rance Timber, a forestry and saw milling
company in South Africa. This is the second investment for
AFIP and New Forests’ first investment in South Africa, which has
a well-established forestry industry and a significant base of forestry
professionals and technical expertise.With a history dating back more than 100 years, Rance consists of over 14,000 hectares of pine plantations and two sawmills and provides a variety of timber products to markets in the Eastern Cape. It is also a strong contributor to employment with approximately 1,400 people employed across its forestry and sawmilling divisions. Rance has a strong commitment to sustainability with almost 60% of the total area consisting of plantation forests, with the remainder made up of indigenous forests, grasslands, riparian zones and other vegetation types which are protected and enhanced to improve biodiversity and water quality. Yida Kemoli, Managing Director, Africa, New Forests said, “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Rance, a family-owned business, with a strong reputation for its approach to forestry management, sustainability and innovation in South Africa. Forestry is an important sector for South Africa, ranking amongst the top exporting industries, contributing significantly to employment, and is underpinned by strong government regulations and support, making it an attractive market in which to invest.” “The acquisition of Rance complements our earlier investment in Green Resources in Eastern Africa. The team is focused on a strong pipeline of opportunities and the next stage of growth to expand our reach across Sub-Saharan Africa.” More >> Source & image credit: New Forests  Viability of electric trucks in forestry
FPInnovations has conducted a case study assessing the
viability and cost of integrating battery electric trucks into fleet
operations. With their high energy efficiency and zero
emissions, BEVs offer a low-carbon alternative to diesel.The study examines operational constraints, such as shift scheduling, charging needs, and payload, within a strategy requiring return to base after each shift. It presents a comparative cost analysis under leasing and purchasing scenarios to inform strategic fleet decisions. Key highlights:
More >> Source & image credit: FPInnovations  Jobs
Buy and SellAnd one to end the week on... baseball heaven?
There were two old guys, Abe and Sol, sitting on a bench in a park feeding pigeons and talking about baseball, just like they did every day. Abe turns to Sol and says, "Do you think there's baseball in heaven?" 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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