Friday Offcuts – 18 October 2024
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.This week, we shine a spotlight on the Australian Timber Design Awards, where Bates Smart’s design of the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C., claimed the overall prize, showcasing the remarkable use of Australian timber. In other key news, the Australian government has launched the third round of its AU$74 million timber plantation grants, crucial for securing future timber supplies and supporting national climate goals. In New Zealand, the newly established Forestry Sector Reference Group is working to enhance the Forestry ETS Registry, aiming to lower costs and increase transparency for forest owners. Additionally, the government has opened consultations on health and safety reforms, targeting improvements to the nearly decade-old system. While rising log prices in China provide a positive outlook for forestry exports, the industry continues to face challenges from rising operational costs. On the technology front, a German collaboration is developing an innovative aerial firefighting method that could transform how we tackle forest fires, while Australian research is improving fire safety in copper-treated timber. Meanwhile, Mainfreight is boosting driver safety with new camera technology, and FIEA’s ForestTECH 2024 has added extra workshops, with early-bird registration discounts closing today. Also, don't forget WoodWorks 2024 is running next week. WoodWork's objective is to grow the capability and use of wood in commercial and multi-residential buildings throughout our cities. Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts. Enjoy.
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This week we have for you:
25th Australian Timber Design Award winners
The Annual Australian Timber Design Award winners for 2024 were
announced this week at View by Sydney in Walsh Bay. Professor
Greg Nolan from the University of Tasmania was MC for the evening.
Bates Smart was the winner of the Grand Prix for their
outstanding Embassy of Australia in Washington D.C.The design of the new Embassy of Australia in Washington D.C. was complex, necessitating a delicate balance between cultural representation, iconic civic presence and practical security considerations. The inspiration came from Australia’s iconic landscape and embodies the essence of the vast continent. The building’s transparency was intended to capture the inherent Australian values of welcomeness and trust, while the interior’s expansive atmosphere embodies the vastness of the Australian landscape. At the heart of the 20,000 square metre building, a large atrium serves as an orienting space displaying a powerful connection between the ground plane and the sky. This central atrium establishes a north south axial arrangement of representational spaces where every visitor is granted an equally immersive experience on entry. The main representational spaces are defined by strong materiality with Australian timber wall panels, that provide both air reticulation and sound absorption, organised around a series of textured horizontal bands that transition from rough to smooth. This mirrors the protective qualities of the bark during the eucalypt forest's cycle of growth, burn and regrowth. Intricate metallic filigree screens have been sensitively deployed to mediate the interplay of light and shadow in social breakout and office spaces. Award winners:
The Australian Timber Industry would like to extend gratitude to our panel of judges, sponsors and those who entered projects. For a complete list of winners, finalists, and the awards magazine eBook, visit www.timberawards.com.au. Source: Timber Development Association Image credit: Joe Fletcher / TDA Government and sector to improve Forestry ETS Registry
Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced the establishment
of a Forestry Sector Reference Group to drive better outcomes from the
Forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry.
“We are committed to working with the forestry
sector to provide greater transparency and engagement on the forestry
ETS registry as we work to reduce costs. “This group will
help the Government to restore confidence and certainty for
Forestry”, Mr McClay says.The establishment of the Reference Group follows an independent review of the operational costs of the forestry ETS Register announced earlier this year. “Forest owners have raised concerns about the excessive costs that had been imposed upon them by the previous Labour government who put a NZ$30.25 per hectare annual levy for participation in the Registry. “I agree with the sector that this cost is unreasonable - the Reference Group is part of our response to reduce costs and drive greater efficiency. In response, the Government has cancelled the 2023/24 annual charge that forest owners were required to pay to participate in the ETS Registry. “Today I am releasing the independent report that outlines where the current system fell short of the Coalition Government and sector’s expectations. The 4,000 plus forestry participants deserve to have confidence in the system designed to manage their ETS obligations. There is a cost to the register, but they shouldn’t have to pay for the last government’s mistakes,” Mr McClay says. “Many of the issues identified in the report have now been addressed, and the Reference Group will help prioritise work that can reduce the cost and unnecessary regulatory duplication in the ETS Registry. The Government will shortly consult on a new Forestry ETS Registry Levy for the 2024/2025 financial year. “Forestry plays an important role in helping New Zealand meet its emissions reductions obligations and grow our economy.” The independent review of the Forestry ETS Operational Costs report is available HERE Source: Beehive  ForestTECH 2024 – additional workshops added
On-site and virtual registrations to this year’s annual ForestTECH 2024 event continue to flow in. Note: Early-bird Registrations FINISH today though for those looking to take advantage of the discounted rates. In addition to the international line-up of both local and international innovators who’ll be presenting for the first time to local foresters on remote sensing, forest data collection and mechanised and automated silviculture as part of the conference and exhibitions, additional workshops have been set up for this year’s delegates. In Australia, both pre and post conference workshops have been set up. The first, a pre-conference workshop, Advances in Intelligent Forestry Planning that’s being run by Remsoft, will be previewing the latest advances in Remsoft’s Forest Intelligence Suite, and will feature use cases from forest industry speakers. The application of intelligence technologies, including optimization analytics, business intelligence and artificial intelligence, is adding more agility, precision and efficiency to forest management and operational planning. And post conference, a short workshop titled the Hyperspectral Advantage in Forestry will be run by Pixxel Space Technologies. The diverse applications of hyperspectral imagery, including tree species classification, early detection of pest infestations, disease mapping, and monitoring of forest health and biodiversity will be discussed with a live demonstration given of Pixxel’s hyperspectral imagery, to highlight its capabilities in addressing diverse forestry scenarios and challenges. Both Australian workshops are free to ForestTECH 2024 delegates in Melbourne on the 26-27 November. And in New Zealand, as in previous annual ForestTECH events, a half day meeting is being run between 1.00 and 5.00pm by the Remote Sensing Cluster Group at Rydges Hotel. Details on the ForestTECH 2024 workshops can be found on the workshops tab of the ForestTECH 2024 website. Conference programme & speaker details and further event information can also be found on the event website; ForestTECH 2024. The annual forest technology series begins in Rotorua, New Zealand on 20-21 November and then runs again in Melbourne, Australia on 26-27 November 2024.  Third round of Australian timber plantation grants
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the
recent announcement by the Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry opening the latest round of
grants demonstrating the Albanese Government’s commitment
to expanding Australia’s plantation forest estate.The Federal Government has just opened its third round of $74 million Support Plantation Establishment grants program, which Is vital in ensuring Australia will have much need fibre and wood supply for the nation’s future. Diana Hallam, AFPA CEO, stated, “These grants are essential for strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability in timber and wood fibre products. The new plantations established through this scheme will not only support our climate change efforts and contribute to national emissions reduction targets but also provide critical job opportunities in key regional areas across the country.” “Under the program, a grant of $2,000 per hectare is available to landholders to plant a timber crop on their property. “In response to feedback from AFPA and forest growers, the Albanese Government has made some changes, so the program is more accessible for landowners. The industry welcomes these changes. AFPA strongly endorses the Government’s strategic investment in timber plantations as a critical step towards achieving Australia’s climate targets and ensuring a robust, sustainable supply of timber and wood fibre for the nation’s future. This announcement comes in the context of the return of the Hon Julie Collins MP to the portfolio of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. “It is great to have Minister Julie Collins back in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio. As the Shadow Minister prior to the 2022 election Minister Collins committed the Albanese Government to this grant program in recognition that the plantation estate had been shrinking for over a decade, ” Di Hallam concluded. Click here for more information on the program. Source: AFPA Fighting forest fires more efficiently from the air
Whether in Canada, California or around the Mediterranean
— forest fires are becoming more frequent and, above all, more
severe around the world. Especially in summer, heat, drought,
and wind often turn such fires into raging infernos, and the climate
crisis is certainly not helping. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute
for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI, and start-up CAURUS
Technologies GmbH are responding to the increasing global threat.
Together, they are developing an innovative extinguishing method that
can be used to fight large-scale fires more efficiently from the air.
Climate change is altering the quality of forest fires, which are getting hotter and spreading faster. In Canada alone, an area of around 185,000 km2 — slightly larger than the size of Greece and Switzerland combined — caught fire in 2023. Germany is also seeing its forest fire season start earlier and earlier: In dry regions such as Brandenburg, the first hectares of forest fire were reported as early as March 1 this year. Working closely with their partner CAURUS Technologies GmbH, researchers at Fraunhofer EMI are seeking to make a key contribution to fighting forest fires from the air with a new type of extinguishing method. The modular system consists of hardware and software and combines digital technology with innovative extinguishing approaches to complement conventional extinguishing methods. This project is funded by the Fraunhofer AHEAD program. Generating a targeted water-aerosol cloud to improve the extinguishing effect Most of the airborne firefighting technology we use today dates back to the 1970/80s. Helicopters or airplanes carrying buckets of extinguishing water fly over the burning forests. At an altitude of 40 to 50 meters, the pilots open the bottom of the bucket. However, the water is usually blown away and distributed over a large area by winds and thermals. As a result, only a small amount of the extinguishing water actually ends up in the flames. “We are able to offer fire departments improved and more sustainable extinguishing methods and use digital control options to enhance the precision with which the extinguishing water is deployed,” explains Dr. Dirk Schaffner, a researcher at Fraunhofer EMI in Freiburg. The project partners are also developing an opening mechanism that produces an extinguishing cloud that is significantly more efficient. This enables the pilots to release very small, fine water droplets and to position the extinguishing cloud precisely and close to the source of the fire. These factors have a decisive influence on the success of suppression. They help to quickly reduce the temperature of the fire, bringing it below the ignition point, and deprive the fire of the oxygen it needs over a wide area. “The mechanism enables us to generate a targeted water-aerosol cloud, which is activated at a height of a few meters above or even in the flames. The water is not dispersed beforehand but held together in a bag until it is just above the fire. Almost 100 percent of the water lands directly in the flames,” describes Dr. Schaffner. The water-aerosol cloud removes the heat from the fire very quickly. More >> Source & image credit: Fraunhofer  Forestry experience can help inform the NZ H&S Reforms
Brooke van Velden, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety,
has launched the consultation process to reform health and
safety. The scope of consultation is focused on the purpose and
performance of the work health and safety regulatory system. Safetree
make a submission from the sector, but we encourage companies and
individuals to also engage with this consultation and use this as an
opportunity to make improvements.We believe it would be helpful to share the lessons learnt by forestry over the last 10 years, a period when the industry has undergone a significant improvement in health and safety. It is important that the factors that have supported this improvement are not lost or weakened as a result of any reforms, but are encouraged and supported by any future health and safety regime. In 2013 forestry’s safety performance was so bad that we were killing people at a rate of one per month for that entire year. Following the 2014 Independent Forestry Review, we now find that in 2024 our safety performance has improved dramatically, with reductions in both fatalities and serious harm. But we still have significant room to improve. We have learnt a lot over the last decade that we would like to share with the government. I would also say we are still learning, and we will always have room to improve. With that in mind, here are six things that forestry’s experience over the last decade shows are essential to supporting improvements in health and safety performance. We need a burning platform to compel positive change For us, 2013 was that burning platform. The 2014 Independent Forestry Review mobilised our industry. It was a call to action that could not be ignored. We understand that the catalyst for the proposed health and safety review is that the current legislation is now almost 10 years old and there is a desire to simplify things. We question whether those reasons provide the ‘burning platform’ needed to compel positive change. A more compelling platform for change could be the recent report State of a Thriving Nation, distributed by the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum. It states that our fatality rate is twice that of Australia’s and similar to the UK’s rate from 40 years ago. The Reforms could blow on the ember of this statement to ignite a platform for change. We need leadership with a mandate to co-ordinate collective action Following the 2014 Independent Forestry Review, the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC) was created to lead health and safety initiatives in the industry. The Council includes representatives of industry, workers, and the regulator. It is funded by industry, with government supporting specific initiatives. This model, which is still evolving, has been very effective in supporting improved health and safety in our industry and may have applications for other industries. More >> Submissions due: 31 October 2024 Source: Safetree Reducing smouldering risks in copper-based timber treatments
Continued research from the FWPA-supported National Centre for Timber Durability and
Design Life (NCTDDL) is seeking to address the fire
risks associated with copper-based timber treatments and protect the
ongoing use of timber for outdoor use in Australia. This research
supports FWPA’s focus on driving industry advancement through
strategic research and initiatives to drive growth and productivity for
members and the forest and wood products industry.Copper-based treatments are widely used across the country to increase the durability of timber products, particularly in external settings. Treatments such as copper chrome arsenate (CCA) are a cost-effective way to protect wood from rot, insects and fungi, prolonging its life outdoors. CCA-treated timber is the most common and is recognisable to many by its green tint. While its use is restricted in some settings including playgrounds and picnic tables (due to concerns around its arsenic content), it is commonplace in applications such as fencing, landscaping and utility poles. However, research has shown copper-based treatments can increase the risk of smouldering – a form of slow, sustained and flameless burning which can continue undetected after a fire has ended. This means a timber structure can appear intact following a fire but continue to smoulder and eventually fail over time. In the case of an electrical post for example, this can cause critical impacts including power outages, particularly in remote areas where arranging repairs for a single pole can be costly and time-consuming. NCTDDL Director, Professor Tripti Singh explained these factors pose a significant risk to the ongoing use of timber in these environments, as people look for alternatives. “Combatting smouldering risk is critical to protecting timber as a material of choice for outdoor use,” said Dr Singh. “Timber boasts exceptional sustainability credentials. To support and grow its ongoing use in outdoor applications across Australia, it’s important to strengthen fire safety measures while maintaining the durability that makes it such a reliable material.” Understanding smouldering risks Since 2021, PhD student Wenxuan Wu has conducted research to understand the relationship between copper and wood with regard to their burning behaviour. Mr Wu studied CCA as well as its most common alternatives, alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper azole (CA). He examined how the treatments affect burning and analysed differences in burning behaviour from a chemical perspective. The study initially used a ‘movable radiant panel system’ to simulate a passing bushfire, measuring the effects on treated and untreated wood samples. More >> Source: FWPA  Forest360 NZ market update - October 2024
Opinion Piece: Marcus Musson, Forest360 Director
After what has seemed like an eternity of headwinds, it looks as though we finally have some positive signs from China. A grade wharf gate prices in October have boosted through the NZ$120/m3 glass ceiling, for the first time in 7 months. Offers depend on which port you are supplying but range from the mid to high NZ$120’s in Tauranga and Marsden, early to mid-$120’s in the Southern North Island and Upper South and early NZ$110’s for those further south. This is the result of a number of factors, primarily lower shipping rates and slightly higher in-market sales prices. Most exporters posted their prices with a Forex rate of $NZ:US0.635, however in the last few days this has dropped by 2 cents which would theoretically put another $6/m3 on the table. On-port China inventory has reportedly dropped by 700,000m3 in the past 4 weeks and now sits at around 2.7 million m3. A real inventory drop of this magnitude seems too high and is more than likely due to vessel delays, with poor weather in September slowing vessel loading. This could potentially correct itself in October. Offtake has lifted to 70,000m3/day, however, with the Golden week holiday just wrapping up, this number is expected to drop temporarily. On top of this, there’s some interesting times in China, with the release of the most aggressive government stimulus package since covid, aiming to halt the continued decline in house prices and stabilize the real estate market. This has obviously been welcomed by the Chinese economy, with the biggest single day gain in the Shanghai Composite in 16 years. According to Deutsche Bank, the current package is worth around US$1.07 trillion or 6% of GDP and could be the largest in history in nominal terms. The package includes cuts to mortgage to debt ratios, additional funding facilities, bond issuances and additional capital for banks. So, while it’s good news that our export returns are improving, many of our costs are outstripping inflation. This results in diminishing real returns. A number of port companies have recently released their annual earnings and are high fiving each other over their profitability. Great news if you’re a port company shareholder but not so flash if you’re on the commodity hamster wheel. Port costs for log storage, handling, and fumigation have increased approximately 70% since 2018 against a CPI of 25% for the same period. Costs attributed solely to port operations (not including scaling, marshalling, and fumigation) have increased 55%. Conversely, the three-year average export price was NZ$122/m3 in 2018 compared to $119/m3 presently – no high-fives for forest owners. Port companies will have to be very careful how they treat their log version of the golden goose because the goose is starting to run short on feed. Domestic sawmills continue to provide stability to forest owner returns, although trading is tough, especially for those supplying the NZ construction market. Issued residential building consents for the year ended August 2024 are down 20% on the same period last year, with commercial consents down 8%. More >> Source & image credit: Forest360 Mike Hurring Logging apprenticeship programmeWell known logging and contractor, Mike Hurring Logging, started apprentice group training 7 years ago to build more capacity in the harvesting sector. Based in Balclutha, New Zealand, there was an ongoing shortage of young operators to fill the expected gaps due to the ageing workforce.The program has recently expanded to include university graduates, as this program provides them with practical skills to sit alongside their degrees. Over 40 mostly young, men, and women have completed the course and the retention rate sits at over 70%. The entrants are signed in to a NZ Certificate in forest harvesting at level 4 through Competenz. This includes 4 one week blocks over the course of a year, with the remainder working with their crews at their normal job. Theory assessments are completed with a registered assessor in a classroom situation. Regular industry visits give apprentices an overview of the whole forest industry supply chain. This includes access to a wide range of machinery on site in a safe environment, two simulators to help prepare them for machine operation, and an understanding of customer requirements. In addition, practical units can be assessed during these blocks, with the remainder assessed on their own machines at their worksite through normal assessor visits over the second year program. Source: Mike Hurring Logging  SnapSTAT - How does tourism compare with other export earners?The chart provides a comparative analysis of New Zealand's wood and wood products exports against international tourism expenditure and other key industries over the past two decades. While tourism has consistently outperformed wood products in terms of revenue, both sectors have exhibited substantial growth, particularly in the last decade.A significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was evident, with international tourism experiencing a more severe downturn compared to other industries. Notably, both tourism and wood products sectors have yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing challenges in their respective markets. 
More: Here. FSC Forest Week: Calls for collective global action_-_250x330.jpg)
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has successfully
concluded its third annual FSC Forest Week,
spotlighting the crucial role of responsible forest management in
addressing urgent environmental challenges. With the world set to
convene at the upcoming COP16 and COP29 summits, FSC calls on
businesses, communities, governments, and individuals to continue their
efforts in protecting the world’s forests and urges
decisive action to ensure forestry remains a priority in global climate
discussions.In Australia and New Zealand, leading organisations such as Coles Group, ALDI Australia, VISY, Mitre 10 New Zealand, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, and more, came together to celebrate their support for FSC’s responsible forestry. This year’s campaign, themed “Small steps together create big change for all,” highlighted the power of collective action in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. With participation from over 1,300 partners across more than 40 countries, the campaign featured community outreach, corporate engagement, and forest walks. These activities showcased a unified approach to tackling critical issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and promoting the well-being of Indigenous communities. “I’m incredibly proud of the tremendous support from our members, certificate holders and promotional licence holders across Australia and New Zealand,” said Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC Australia and New Zealand. “The rapid growth of our campaign has been crucial in raising awareness of FSC, bringing sustainable forestry into focus for consumers. This collective effort is driving meaningful action on the climate and biodiversity crises, highlighting the essential role responsible forest management plays in securing a healthier future for our planet.” This year’s campaign amplified the message that impactful change does not always require large-scale efforts. Rather, everyday choices, such as purchasing FSC-certified products, can contribute to broader efforts of protecting forests and those who depend on them. Additionally, it highlighted the critical role these actions play in combatting biodiversity loss and climate change. “We are thrilled to see the growing global influence of FSC Forest Week,” said Trevor Armel, FSC International Director of Marketing. “The mounting climate and biodiversity crises demand urgent action, and this initiative has proven to be a catalyst for responsible behavior, inspiring people and businesses to protect our forests and ensure a sustainable future." Building on the success of this year’s campaign, FSC calls upon individuals, businesses, and communities to engage on the critical discussions around the climate and biodiversity crisis, and help drive the transition toward a greener, healthier planet for all. Source & image credit: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Mainfreight rolls out 560+ cameras in Australian fleet
Mainfreight Australia is powering up their driver
safety efforts with the installation of 560 MiTAC units
from AutoSense in their rigid, local fleet vehicles by February 2025. With around 180 Guardian by Seeing Machines cameras already installed in
their line haul (interstate) trucks, Mainfreight Australia National
Support Manager Ashley Taylor says adding MiTAC to their arsenal is an
obvious next step for their local fleet.“Fatigue events have dropped significantly since Guardian has been installed and the cameras have also helped with education and changing driver behaviours,” Ashley says. “We believe the same positive results will be seen with MiTAC once the three-month install is complete and the cameras are all up and recording.” Since adopting Guardian technology in 2019, Mainfreight AU has reported a 96 percent reduction in recorded fatigue events. While Guardian’s driver facing camera monitors fatigue and distraction and prevents fatigue incidents by up to 90 percent, MiTAC is the perfect complement to Guardian. This includes a front facing camera to monitor the road ahead, as well as the driver facing camera with an advantage of recording footage in real time. It can also detect potential safety issues, like distracted driving and aggressive behaviour, allowing fleet managers to take corrective action to prevent accidents and improve driver safety. “It will be a fantastic solution for our drivers. Our local fleet is growing significantly and this means we get complaints from the public from time to time. But there are three sides to every road incident: the driver’s perception, the public perception, and what actually happened.” He says MiTAC technology helps give the full picture thanks to its incident investigation functionality which could exonerate drivers who are not at fault, and although Ashley anticipated potential push back, drivers have welcomed the new technology with open arms. “The team has been receptive, which is fantastic. Some of our drivers have even asked us if they can be first for the installation, because they’ve previously been involved in an incident where they were not at fault, and can see the value of MiTAC cameras in proving their case. “Our drivers are professional people – driving is their career and their livelihood. When an event has happened, we pull the Guardian camera footage and four out of five times our drivers are not at fault. But importantly, we learn from the event by asking ourselves how the accident happened and how can we prevent it from happening again?” This unwavering commitment to driver and road safety is Mainfreight’s motivating force, and that makes AutoSense, with its portfolio of advanced and industry-leading driver monitoring technology on offer, an ideal partner. “We collaborate with the New Zealand team regularly on Health and Safety when it comes to our drivers, and share knowledge inside the business. Australian legislation is tough, we have a responsibility to all play a part in stepping up for the safety of our people and those they share the road with.” More >> Source: Mainfreight / AutoSense --(2022)2.jpg) Auckland event for Future Foresters
Future Foresters NZ is holding a breakfast event in Auckland on
Wednesday 23 October 2024. This is an informal Q&A
conversation with James Bullen, from Climate Asset Management, who will
be sharing insights from his extensive career in forestry around the
world. This event is aimed at Future Foresters – if you’re a young professional and working in or around the forestry sector, come along, catch up and glean valuable takeaways from James’ wealth of experience. James heads up the asset management team for Climate Asset Management and their portfolio of nature-based carbon and natural capital investments, including the recently acquired NZ Redwood estate. James has over 25 years’ experience in investment and operational management of large-scale, certified forestry projects in developed and emerging economies. His background includes deep international experience through forestry operations and management roles in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Details
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... and one to end the week on... Running across Melbourne
A creative Kiwi runner in Melbourne has found a unique way to combine exercise and art. By carefully planning his running routes and tracking his GPS data, he's turning his jogs into stunning digital artworks. Source: RNZ  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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