Friday Offcuts – 22 March 2024
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.The theme for International Day of Forests 2024, " Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World," aptly reflects the transformative impact of technological advancements on forest management. The rapid development of drones, remote sensing, satellite technology, and even artificial intelligence is fostering more efficient forest management practices and enhancing fire detection capabilities. In addition, the wood transport sector is experiencing a period of unprecedented technological innovation, while the construction industry witnesses the rise of mass timber skyscrapers reaching record heights. Significantly, the development of sustainable materials derived from trees presents exciting possibilities for eco-friendly alternatives in various sectors, including plastics, building components, fabrics, and even medicine. These advancements collectively hold immense promise for a future characterised by environmental sustainability. This week we cover DAFF’s message for the International Day of Forests, Rotorua’s new Forest Futures Action Plan, Australian housing market and proposed role cuts in New Zealand's MPI. A new report on digital technology’s promise in NZ, along with initiatives like the multi-species carbon calculator for forest growers, a green electricity station in Australia and a film highlighting the importance of reducing fuel loads in California's forests to mitigate wildfire risks. Finally, don’t forget that Easter public holidays are next week. Friday Offcuts will be released on Thursday morning (one day early), not Friday. If you are planning on posting new jobs or buy/sell classifieds, please note the deadline is Wednesday 27 March 2024 at 1pm NZ time. Also, the early bird is closing for Wood Transport & Logistics 2024 registrations on Friday next week - so best to sign up before it ends! We cover these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts. Enjoy the read.
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This week we have for you:
International Day of Forests celebrates innovations in forestry
Yesterday (21 March 2024) was the United Nations International Day of Forests,
an important day to raise awareness of forest habitats and encourage
local, national and international efforts to protect and restore forests.
The theme for 2024 is Forests and
Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World.Head of Forestry in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Matt Lowe said innovation was vital to Australia’s forestry future. “Australia’s forests are recognised and valued for their diverse ecosystems, unique biodiversity, and the forest products that they produce” Mr Lowe said. “They provide a wide range of benefits, including environmental, economic, and cultural. “It is important that we investigate and implement more innovative ways to grow Australia’s plantation estate and through that work enhance the future of Australia’s forestry industry. “Last week the Australian Government launched the $100 million Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), in partnership with the University of Tasmania. “AFWI will put Australia’s forest and wood products industries on the front foot, supporting applied research, development and innovation. “It will create opportunities for research and innovation to support the sectors’ future, building on the work delivered through the regional National Institute for Forest Products Innovation. “It is an exciting time for forestry research in Australia as we work towards unlocking the full potential of wood as the ultimate renewable material and growing our forests and forestry industry.” The department will participate in the FAO Asia-Pacific Forests and Innovation Panel as part of the International Day of Forests. More >> Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Government --- Editor's Note: As we celebrate the International Day of Forests 2024, here is a short video showcasing the hidden secrets and innovations being unlocked within our forests. New ACC workplace injury prevention grants
ACC is investing NZ$22 million to help create safer workplaces in New Zealand. The
workplace injury prevention grants aim to improve health and safety by developing,
sharing, investing in, and implementing solutions to problems. The five-year
programme began in 2019 and now the fifth round of grants
will focus on the manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing is one of New Zealand's biggest sectors, employing around 200,000
people, but it also experiences one of the highest rates of harm and injury. In
2022, injury claims in manufacturing resulted in 240,400 lost workdays.ACC are looking for initiatives that can eliminate or significantly reduce hazards and lower injuries through Good Work Design approaches or the adoption of effective technology and/or engineered solutions. Applications need to demonstrate how they aim to improve access, experience, and outcomes for Māori and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. They should also demonstrate how they will aim to improve equitable outcomes for workers at higher risk for injury and increase worker participation and representation. Businesses don’t need to work in manufacturing, but the initiative needs to show direct benefits for the sector. Applicants can apply for between $50,000 and $500,000 (excluding GST) per year for a maximum of three years and applicants will need to co-fund at least 20%. Visit the ACC website for further details. More >> Source: ACC  The Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan
The Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan has been
officially launched, a key document in bringing together
much of the work that has been completed in the past, highlighting the
importance of the forestry sector to Rotorua. This innovative and
practical plan recognises Rotorua’s natural strengths in the sector
and highlights key focus areas, emphasising the importance of community
engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic development.A unified vision for the future Development of the Action Plan was a collaborative effort, led by an oversight group made up of seven Rotorua-based organisations: CNI Wood Council, Scion, Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service, Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga, Rotorua Lakes Council, RotoruaNZ, and Whenua Oho. The action plan contains 32 different actions with a series of different action owners. Key highlights of the Action Plan
The Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan is not just a document but a call to action for all stakeholders to work together towards a shared vision. It represents a significant opportunity to shape the future of forestry in Rotorua, ensuring it is sustainable, inclusive, and economically vibrant. More >> Source: RotoruaNZ Australian housing approvals – Still underperforming
Australia’s dwelling approvals data continues to underperform demand, with
very little positive information. On an annualised basis, detached house
approvals for the year-ending January 2024 were 100,737, down 11.6% on the
previous year. Total dwellings for the year-ending January 2024
were 161,742 down -14.9% over the same period.In analysing data, the preference is to provide context by looking at both the positives and the negatives. This month’s housing approvals is challenging as there is mainly negatives which leaves us still searching for the positives. We’ll see how we go. On a monthly basis, the data is more volatile than the annual data, with detached houses approved in January 2024 totalling 7,565 down 9.6% on December 2023. Total dwelling approvals were 12,850 down a more moderate 1.0%. To put that in context that is the worst monthly result since June 2012, when house approvals were as low as 7,411. Examining the States, the year-end percentage change was lowest in South Australia at -9.8%, compared to a very steep change in the ACT where a decline of 25.3% for total dwelling approvals was experienced. The states and territories are operating to sets of different parameters. Some have a little more demand because of migration flows or project work, some have insufficient land being released (hello NSW!) and others are battling for labour because of infrastructure projects (greetings Victoria). However, all are struggling with one big constraint: confidence! More >>  Source: FWPA Digital tech could boost NZ economy by NZ$26 billion
Spark and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER)
recently launched a new study – Accelerating
Aotearoa businesses one technology generation forward – to
explore how Aotearoa’s well-documented productivity challenges can
be addressed by the acceleration of advanced digital technologies. Source and image credit: Spark  HVP appoints Melanie Cook as new CEO
HVP Plantations has appointed Melanie Cook as its new
CEO, after an extensive search following the retirement of Stephen Ryan in
October 2023. Cook commences the role on 8 April 2024, bringing with her a wealth
of experience from a 25-year career with ExxonMobil.HVP Board Chair Therese Ryan said Cook’s appointment was an exciting move, citing her experience and background complement the company’s direction. “We are thrilled to welcome Melanie, whose extensive experience, strategic vision and leadership ability makes her the ideal person to guide HVP Plantations through the evolving landscape of the timber industry,” Ms Ryan said. Cook held many roles at ExxonMobil, highlighted by Chief Operating Officer in Malaysia and President and CEO in Indonesia, before returning to Australia in 2021 where she led her own consultancy business specialising in Leadership and Energy. Along with her esteemed career, Melanie holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Melbourne. Interim CEO Josie Pane will work closely with Melanie to ensure a smooth transition, before resuming her role as CFO. Source: HVP Plantations PIRSA - New toolkit to help 'Trees on Farms'
A series of information initiatives aimed at advising potential
farmers and landowners interested in the on-farm forest
plantation sector is now available as part of Trees on
Farm initiative. This includes a toolkit, developed by the
South Australian Government, in tandem with the
Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH), featuring
expert information and printable fact sheets to support and guide
landholders in their commercial plantation investment.In addition to the toolkit, other information for prospective growers is also available from five research reports and associated seminar videos conducted under the Trees on Farm initiative from both the PIRSA and GTFIH websites. The research projects, focussed on short rotation silviculture, include topics such as:
The two year, A$650,000 Trees on Farm initiative, jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments, is aimed at boosting the growth and development of the on-farm forest plantation sector, particularly in the Green Triangle region. For further information on the Trees on Farm initiative including the toolkit, research reports and videos and interactive map visit the PIRSA and GTFIH websites. Source: PIRSA MPI cuts pose risk to primary sector
The NZ Government is putting our NZ$57.4 billion primary products
export earnings at risk because of proposed cuts of 384 roles at
the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), says PSA National
Secretary Duane Leo.To start meeting the Government’s cost saving demands of 7.5%, MPI is proposing that 384 roles are destabilised in consultation documents issued to staff today. About 40% of the roles targeted for cuts are currently vacant, which means 218 workers will be potentially affected by the proposed cuts. The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi understands that the proposal is only the first round of what are likely to be further cuts, as the current proposals will not create 7.5% in cost savings. “MPI is the first line of defence for our whole economy. Taking 384 roles out of the system built up over many years to protect our NZ$57.4 billion in primary industry export is a reckless, irresponsible gamble by the Government to pay for tax breaks for landlords, Leo says. “The roles that are being lost equate to about 9% of MPI’s workforce. That’s a big chunk to take out of the important biosecurity, farm animal disease control, food safety, fisheries, forestry and animal welfare work MPI is responsible for,” Leo says. Our export economy relies on world class biosecurity and disease control, and a robust food safety regime that is beyond question. MPI has played an important role in critical issues facing the country from supporting rural communities in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle to protecting our cattle industry by eradicating mycoplasma bovis, Leo says. “Worryingly biosecurity is the biggest area to be cut, with 131 roles to go. Another 80 roles are going from the Agriculture Investment Services, which engages with primary industry stakeholders and farming communities on the ground,” Leo says. “Farmers should be alarmed and deeply worried. The cost cutting
will hit vital support for the primary sector and everyone else whose
livelihoods depend on the it,” Leo says.
Editor's Update: By the numbers: What we know about job cuts at MPI, MBIE and MoH New multi-species carbon calculator availableA new multi-species carbon calculator developed by Mark Kimberley and Michael Watt to support grower decision-making is freely available on the Forest Growers Research website ( Multi-Species Carbon Calculator (fgr.nz)).The calculator predicts growth metrics for eleven species that include radiata pine, Douglas-fir and nine other widely planted exotic species. NZ forest growers can use the calculator to explore the impacts of site, rotation length and different silvicultural regimes on tree growth, timber yield, log grade out-turn and carbon sequestration. The calculator and a help file can be downloaded at : Multi-Species Carbon Calculator (fgr.nz) and an article describing the calculator in more detail is available here. The growth models within the calculator were developed using permanent sample plot (PSP) measurements. Predictions from the multi-species calculator of carbon, volume and wood density over 100 years for a typical North Island site are shown below for four species.
 Next-gen heavy duty truck charging
Global efforts to decarbonise medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) freight vehicles are
crucial for reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the
medium- to heavy-duty electric truck market forecast to reach NZ$335 billion
(US$207b) by 2044. So says IDTechEx in its report Electric and Fuel Cell Trucks 2024-2044: Markets, Technologies, and Forecasts, by IDTechEx senior technology analyst Shazan Siddiqi. These vehicles, pivotal to economies worldwide, emit significant GHGs and criteria pollutants, often impacting vulnerable communities, he says. “Fortunately, a growing array of technologies can eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce the overall carbon footprint of MHD vehicles. “Currently, over 160 models of zero-emission trucks are available from more than 40 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) – benchmarked on various performance metrics in IDTechEx’s latest report. “Most commercial vehicle charging today is limited to between 150 and 350kW. “While charging at this level meets the needs of many fleets, as the use of commercial battery electric vehicles expands there will be use cases that will benefit from higher-powered charging, adding hundreds of miles of range to a heavy- duty truck during a rest break.” IDTechEx research finds that the megawatt charging system (MCS) presents opportunities and challenges of moving to much faster charging speeds but predicts that it will become the exclusive commercial vehicle charging standard. “The MCS associated voltage cap is 1250V, so it is evident that higher charging powers are achieved by higher current and not voltage for commercial vehicles,” the report says. “MCS increases current by 600% and voltage by 20%, and this brings about new thermal management challenges. “Active cooling of the cable and connector is required, and at power levels over 3MW, the vehicle inlet will also require cooling. Additional challenges also exist. Truck OEMs buying battery packs from third-party suppliers need to make sure voltage requirements meet the specs of MCS. “Furthermore, supplying power to the site of groups of these chargers can be challenging, specifically with long lead times on interconnection agreements, transformers, and permits, as well as demand fees.” IDTechEx says that while MCS will become the standard in Europe and the US, in China co-developers China Electricity Council, and Chademo’s “ultra ChaoJi” are developing a charging standard for heavy-duty electric vehicles for up to 1.8MW. It says battery swapping is increasing in the Chinese truck market. br> Battery swapping has the shortest charging downtimes (three to six minutes) of all charging strategies, the report says. “For many Chinese trucks, the battery is behind the cab, in a swappable box that can be lifted and moved to the side. “Almost all heavy swap-capable trucks in China use a CATL 282kWh LFP pack (weighing 3.2 tonnes), which has helped solve the issue of standardisation when trying to implement swapping. Swap-capable electric trucks are mainly used for short-haul applications (less than 100km) at ports, mining sites, and in urban logistics that require a quick turnaround time”. “Battery swapping in China is a product of increased policies – targets laid out by the central government and subsidies provided for swap station construction (up to 15%) by the local government help alleviate the issues around high capital costs associated with large swapping stations.” IDTechEx research finds that battery- swapping trucks are now taking up about 50% of the electric truck market in China. More >> Source: transporttalk 
Application for first Hunter Valley green electricity power station
Verdant Earth Technologies Limited has lodged a development application
and is seeking approval to restart the Redbank Power Station using
biomass (excluding native forestry residues from logging) as a
sustainable fuel to produce near net zero CO2 emissions
and green electricity.Verdant will not use native forestry bio-material waste from logging activities or coal tailings as a fuel at Redbank. The majority of the biomass to be sourced during initial start up of the power station will be from approved land clearing operations (from existing civil and road works), biomass from invasive native species on agricultural land as approved by Local Land Services NSW and potentially a limited amount of purpose grown biomass. As the feedstock becomes available and approved, biomass will be sourced mainly from purpose grown biomass and end of life woody biomass (referred to as ‘Domestic Biomass Fuel’). Upon restart, the facility will be one of the largest green baseload renewable energy providers in NSW and the only existing facility capable of providing continuous green 24/7 power with near net-zero CO2 emissions, adding to grid stability. The planning application has been submitted to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for assessment. Interested parties can support this initiative by submitting their comments via the website. The deadline for comment is 5pm Thursday 4th April 2024. A project summary is available via this link. A submission guide is also available. Source: Verdant Earth Technologies Editor's note: It is important to note that the characteristics of the biomass sector in Australia is different from our New Zealand, European and American readers. The popular FIEA Residues2Revenues conference is returning on 30-31 July 2024 in Rotorua, New Zealand and virtual online.  New film highlights importance of reducing fuel loadsThis story will resonate with foresters both in Australia and New Zealand who have been working hard with authorities and land managers to reduce fuel loads in forests to reduce fire risks.A new film "California's Watershed Healing" documents the huge benefits that result from restoring forests to healthier densities. UC Merced's Sierra Nevada Research Institute partnered with the non-profit Chronicles Group to tell the story of these efforts, the science behind them, and pathways that dedicated individuals and groups are pioneering to scale up these urgent climate solutions. "California's forests are at a tipping point, owing to both climate stress and past unsustainable management practices that suppressed wildfires and prioritised timber harvesting," explained UC Merced Professor Roger Bales, who was involved in developing the film. Covering over 30 million acres - nearly a third of the state - these iconic ecosystems provide water, recreation, habitat, carbon storage and serve other needs. But they now contain too many trees, packed too closely together. "California's diverse ecosystems are facing unprecedented challenges as rising temperatures intensify the threat of wildfires and disrupt the delicate balance of our natural resources," said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. The over-accumulation of dead wood, leaves and other organic materials on the forest floor and buildup of small trees - which serve as "ladder fuels" moving fire from the forest floor up into the canopy - has been compounded in recent years by climate warming. Returning more low-severity fire to the landscape is one effective tool for combating heavy fuel loads. "Restoring fire to these forests, which evolved to experience frequent fire, is critical, despite the risks associated with prescribed, intentional burning," said UC Merced Professor Crystal Kolden. "Partnerships help to give a voice to everyone involved, including historically excluded groups such as the tribes that have burned in these forests for millennia." "The new production vividly documents the reality of the watersheds' demise and the hard work of new partnerships involving land managers, water agencies, the private sector, counties, universities, community groups and other public agencies to advance the pace and scale of forest restoration," said Jim Thebaut of the Chronicles Group, director and executive producer of the documentary. "Restoration efforts focus on removing fuels, which lowers the projected severity when a fire does occur," Bales said. "Yet these thinning projects are very expensive. That is where partnerships that can develop creative financing and monetize the benefits of restoration come in." "We need to use all of the collaborative forest-management, scientific and financial tools at our disposal if we are to address the wildfire challenge at a meaningful scale," said Phil Saksa, chief scientist at Blue Forest, a non-profit organisation focused on creating sustainable investment solutions to environmental challenges. "Leveraging the value provided by all the beneficial outcomes from this work is essential for motivating long-term investments in the natural infrastructure that is our forests and watersheds." The film explores how scaling up promising investments can ensure a more sustainable future. "California's Watershed: Healing" was shown Sunday, Feb. 18 at the 22nd annual in Nevada City and Grass Valley, followed by a panel discussion with scientists, decision makers and filmmakers. The film trailer can be viewed here. More >> Source: UC Merced SnapSTAT - Has Australian export logs slump passed?In Australia, KPMG reported export sawlog sales by volume decreased by 130% while export pulp log tonnages decreased by 165% since the previous reporting period. (to June 2023)
Source: KPMG Australian Pine Log Price Index (Stumpage) - January to June 2023 Jobs
Buy and Sell
... and one to end the week on… the tomato garden
An elderly Italian man living alone in New Jersey wanted to plant his annual tomato
garden, but it was very difficult work, since the ground was hard. His only son,
Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son
and described his predicament: 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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