ISSUE 315 | 28.4.14 16,000 delivered weekly to timber merchants, sawmillers, wood processors, foresters, members of national and state organisations and associations, builders, specifiers and selected architects.
Earth and wood IPCC scientists fear climate change, but are told they should look no further than the trees
A CALL for the world to use more wood was one bright light that shone amid the gloom at the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ‘Earth Day ‘executive meeting in Berlin. In a now-or-never warning, IPCC leaders spoke out about “impending catastrophe [of climate change], unless governments and business act serious, and soon. One of the many “mitigating scenarios” the IPCC report proposes for consideration is carbon capture and sequestration. The panel of leaders heard they need to look no further than the trees. The IPECC gathering was reminded that forests are nature’s
The NATIONAL voice for • Timber Merchants • Suppliers Message for IPCC .. trees and forests the answer to ‘fearsome’ emissions.
own highly efficient carbon capture and sequestration mechanism. The Berlin meeting addressed
• Manufacturers Contact us on 1800 TABMA1
a report by a group of researchers at Yale University School of Cont P 2
TM
- New Age timber protection with longer lasting colour.
*UST 'O T
R SM
Osmose®, MicroPro® and MicroPro Sienna® are registered trademarks of Osmose, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Treated Wood Just Got Greener sm are slogan marks of Osmose Inc and its subsidiaries. MicroShades timber products are produced by independently owned and operated wood preserving facilities. © 2013 Osmose, Inc.
NE REE
4REATED
OO D 7
'
MicroPro Sienna® micronized preservative and pigment technology penetrates the timber to give the most advanced timber protection and longer lasting colour for a “one treatment solution”.
www.osmose.com.au Call: 1800 088 809 ISSUE 315 | PAGE 1
INDUSTRY NEWS
Annual global harvest of wood could be lifted 15pc From P 1
Forestry and Environmental Studies, and the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, that said using more carbon-sequestering wood in construction, and less carbonreleasing steel and concrete, could reduce carbon emissions by 14–31%. “Using wood in building and bridge construction would require a completely new approach to sustainable forest management, one that would preserve biodiversity and maintain the carbon storage capacity of existing forests, while allowing the harvesting of greater numbers of trees,” the report explained. The current annual global harvest of wood could be increased by about 15%, the Yale researchers say. Using the prime wood for construction and burning the scrap wood for energy would reduce CO2 emissions. Worldwide, construction of bridges, other infrastructure and buildings would triple by 2050.
Carbon capture and sequestration high on agenda The production and transportation of steel, concrete and brick, the study claims, currently accounts for as much as 30% of fossil fuel consumption globally. Fossil fuel burning is by far the largest source of CO2 emissions, amounting to about 60% of the global output in 2010. Their reduction is essential, the IPCC report insists, in order to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions at levels that are not dangerous. As the IPCC report starkly puts it, “At present, emissions are not on track for stabilisation let alone deep cuts.” The “deep cuts” that are needed will require a seemingly impossible mix including “a diverse portfolio of policies,
PAGE 2
| ISSUE 315
Earth Day .. celebrating forests
The observance of Earth Day falls on April 22. This event arose from an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues. In 1970, San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. McConnell chose the spring equinox (March 21, 1970) and Nelson chose April 22. Millions of people participated, and today Earth Day continues to be widely celebrated with events on both dates. The most common practice of celebration is to plant new trees for Earth Day. On Earth Day, people are encouraged to enjoy the tonic of fresh air, clean forests, contact with the soil, and companionship with nature. “Walk through the woods in search of emerging wildflowers and green moss. Go outside, no matter what the weather.”
institutions, and technologies as well as changes in human behaviour and consumption patterns.” Complicating the picture even further is the fact that in most countries where the need for controlling emissions is greatest, “the actors that are relevant to controlling emissions aren’t just national governments” – in short, it’s big business. John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, said that the grim report from the IPCC presented a challenge to business – “an opportunity waiting to be exploited, if they will only seize it”. “Many of the technologies that will help us fight climate change are far cheaper, more readily available, and better performing than they were when the last IPCC assessment was released,” Mr Kerry said.
He says the report makes clear that “what we face is an issue of global willpower, not capacity.”
Wood potential bright light on Earth Day As depressing as all this might seem, a readily available solution like using more wood for construction is one potential bright light on Earth Day. The IPCC is a scientific body under the auspices of the United Nations, It reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change. Thousands of scientists from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC on a voluntary basis.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Mike Baird
Tony Grant
Katrina Hodgkinson
Mia Davies
Leon Bignell
Elections, cabinet reshuffles give industry ‘mixed bag’ of ministers
Two women retain forest portfolios, new man in SA TWO state elections and a cabinet reshuffle in the NSW government that followed the ignominious departure of the premier have left the forest industry with a ‘mixed bag’ of political representatives. Two women have retained their forest portfolios – in NSW and Western Australia – and a new minister in South Australia has been appointed in a ‘baptism of fire’. New NSW Premier Mike Baird, who turned 48 on April 1, was elected unopposed to the position vacated by Barry O’Farrell, 54, who resigned after admitting he misled the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption over the gift of a bottle of wine from a party donor and lobbyist. A new-look NSW cabinet has five new faces, including the Nationals MP from Dubbo Tony Grant who becomes the Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing and Minister for the Arts. The appointment means
Mr Grant will step down as chairman of the NSW Forest Industries Task Force which was scheduled to meet at Oberon next month. He filled this role in his previous position as parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Natural Resources.
she has extensive experience, representing the large rural electorate of Burrinjuck for nearly 15 years. Member of a longestablished farming family and a graduate from Murdoch University, Mia Davies was reappointed Minister for Forestry
and Water in the recent West Australian elections. The Liberal Party, led by Colin Barnett, recorded a resounding victory over its Labor party counterparts, giving it the majority of seats Cont P 9
Stepping down as chairman of forest task force Barwon MP Kevin Humphries has been sworn in as the new Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water, responsible for Crown lands, water resources and private land management practices. He is also expected to share responsibility with Primary Industries minister Katrina Hodgkinson, for native vegetation laws. Ms Hodgkinon retained her portfolio, which includes responsibility for forestry. A strong advocate for rural NSW,
Kop-Coat previously issued a press release regarding proceedings against its competitor, Arch Wood Protection. The proceeding has been resolved on confidential terms satisfactory to both parties without need for the Court to determine the matter.
ISSUE 315 | PAGE 3
INDUSTRY NEWS
Building confidence boost
Sustained recovery in construction the best in six years, says new MBA survey BUSINESS confidence in the building and construction is the highest it’s been in six years since March 2008, according to a Master Builders national survey. The survey for the March quarter just released finds that building activity in 2014 is set to continue its rebound on the back of improved confidence in residential construction.
Business activity to rise over next six months “Results for the March quarter show that we are beginning to see signs of the stronger confidence necessary to underpin a sustained recovery,” Master Builders
Looking good .. building activity in 2014 set to continue its rebound on the back of improved confidence in residential construction.
chief economist Peter Jones said. “We are seeing key indicators continue to strengthen while others have entered positive
Peter Jones .. builders in positive territory for the first time in years.
territory for the first time in years. “For the first time in nearly three years, the proportion of builders reporting higher sales jumped above 20% and builders reported improved profitability of their own businesses crept into positive territory.” Mr Jones said confidence by builders in the prospects for their own business rose for the third consecutive quarter. This was particularly reflective of the residential building sector’s response to low rates and is an encouraging trend indicating industry’s expectation that business activity would continue to rise over the next six months.
PAGE 4
| ISSUE 315
“The first green shoots marking a return of confidence in the commercial construction sector are also reported in the survey with the best measure of current conditions since March 2011,” Mr Jones said. The survey highlights the need for the government to foster business confidence through its Budget repair strategy in the forthcoming May Budget, in particular balancing the need to nurture economic growth and jobs while taking the necessary hard decisions to return to surplus.
Government must foster confidence in business sector New South Wales continues to be the stand-out performer confirming recently released ABS data showing an 18% increase in dwelling starts for detached houses in calendar 2013. Victoria regained some of its previous strength and Western Australia continues to perform strongly notwithstanding the fading of intense resource investment that looms over the next few years. “While the findings of the survey are largely positive, the underlying vulnerability of the building recovery remains,” Peter Jones said. “Roadmaps to stronger and sustained business confidence must be the priority of the government in the upcoming federal Budget.”
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES TEL: +61 429 508 050
INDUSTRY NEWS
2014 AROUND THE CIRCUIT MAY 2014 19: Frame Australia 2014 conference and exhibition. In conjunction with the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia. Venue: Park Hyatt Melbourne. The conference theme is pre-fabricated timber and wood products in residential and commercial construction, including trends to using timber panels for buildings up to 5 and 10 storeys high. International speakers will provide global updates on equipment technologies and construction trends for timber frame and truss and wood panel systems in building. The exhibition display comprises 23 exhibitors from Europe, North America and Australia. For more information visit www.frameaustralia.com
JUNE 11-12: Wood Flow Logistics 2014 – Rotorua, NZ. 17-18: Melbourne (www.woodflowlogistics.com). This series will add a number of components from the steep slope wood harvesting event and will provide a practical update on innovations, strategies and technologies used by leading forest products companies to improve their planning, logistics and operations within the wood supply chain – from forest through to market.
AUGUST 2014 5-6: MobileTECH 2014: Primary Industries Future. Brisbane. 12-13: Auckland, NZ (www.mobiletech2014.com).
These events will profile the latest mobile tools, technologies and innovations driving the future of primary industries (farming, horticulture, forestry, dairy, meat, wool, fisheries and mining). MobileTECH 2014 will showcase a wide range of mobile technologies and innovations, including smartphones, tablets, mobile apps, satellite mapping and communications, robotics, aerial drones, remote sensors, electronic tagging, intelligent data, M2M, real-time analytics and cloud-based platforms. 6-9: AWISA 2014 exhibition. Brisbane Convention and exhibition Centre. Displays of panel processing, solid wood and timber machinery, tooling, manufacturing software, plus ancillary products such as dust extraction and materials handling equipment. Opportunity forn the cabinet, kitchen, furniture, joinery, timber, fit-out and panel industries to inspect new equipment. Inquiries about booking space: email info@awisa.com or call Geoff Holland. Tel: (02) 9918 3661. Fax: (02) 9918 7764. Mob: 0412 361 580. Email: info@awisa.com 7-8: DANA conference, Melbourne. The Australian forestry and forest products sector: its situation in 2014 and trends going forward. Bayview Eden Hotel, Melbourne. Speakers: Gavin Hoe, RISI China; Oliver Lansdell, global pulp specialist; Rodrigo Monreal, solid wood products chief of Arauco, Chile;
Matthew Wood, CEO Stora Enso Australia; Russ Taylor, president of WOODMarkets; Peter Barynin, lead economist with Boston USA- based RISI; Peter Zed (Australian sawmilling sector); Simon Dories, general manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia; Ross Hampton, CEO, Forest and Wood Products Australia; Steve Whitley, CEO, Forestry Tasmania. Conference includes panel of overseas plantation investors. Contact Pamela Richards at pam@prcc. com.au or visit www.dana.co.nz
11-12: DANA conference, Rotorua, NZ. The New Zealand forestry and forest products sector: its situation in 2014 and trends going forward. Novotel Rotorua Hotel, Rotorua. Web: www.prcc.com.au/ danamelbourne2014. Conference consultant: Pam Richards 61 3 5781 0069. Email: pam@prcc.com.au
THE AUSTRALIAN FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION The lead voice in Canberra on policy affecting forest, wood and paper products industries. AFPA strives to deliver benefits for the complete industry value chain including those involved in: • Forest growing
SEPTEMBER
• Harvest and haulage
17-18: Wood Innovations 2014: Timber Preservation – Wood Modification – Composite Products – Rotorua, NZ. 23-24: Melbourne. (www.woodinnovations2014. com). Changes in new wood treatment formulations, processes and systems, standards, legislation with the focus also on wood plastic composites and modified wood products.
• Sawmilling and other wood processing
19-20: ForestTECH 2014. Rotorua, NZ. 25-26: Melbourne. (www. foresttech2014.com). Remote sensing, field Inventory, forest estate planning.
• Pulp and paper processing • Forest product exporting
Join us today and share the benefits Call (02) 6285 3833
ISSUE 315 | PAGE 5
INDUSTRY NEWS
Forest industry busy, but never so under resourced: AFCA chief Green Triangle harvest contractors ‘maxed out’ THE forest industry has never been so busy – nor so under resourced, says Colin McCulloch chief executive of the Australian Forest Contractors Association, who recently visited harvesting sites. He said harvest and haulage capacity stood at an all-time high as far as demand goes .. “and it looks like remaining so for the foreseeable future”. Mr McCulloch spent a week in the Green Triangle visiting 16 businesses involved in harvest and haul. “They’re maxed out,” he said.
No mechanism to promote forestry careers Reflecting its name, the Green Triangle is one of Australia’s major forest regions. It has extensive plantation softwood and hardwood resources. There is an established, world competitive softwood processing industry in the region including pulp and paper manufacturing, sawn timber, wood panels and woodchip export. The region spans the border
PAGE 6
| ISSUE 315
Flat out .. harvest and hauling has plenty of work ahead.
area between the states of South Australia and Victoria with ready access to the capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide and covers an area of 6 million ha. Mr McCulloch said manpower across the country was scarce and training facilities were either non-existent or experiencing an alarming drop in funding. There was also no mechanism to promote careers in forestry. “This is highlighted in the bluegum areas around Australia, and it is a space that AFCA is working to operate
Colin McCulloch .. alarming drop in funding for training.
in and provide a more robust service for its membership,” Mr McCulloch said. “AFCA through the AusTimber franchise did work in the careers and promotional space in 2008, only to have the industry fall into one of its biggest black holes in living memory.” Mr McCulloch said it was now time to resurrect the AusTimber body of work. As a start, ForestWorks is running a scholarship program to enable staff to join managers in attending the annual wood flow and logistics program on June 17 and 18, managed by FIEA New Zealand. The event will be held in Melbourne at the Bayview Eden Hotel. The Australian Forest Contractors Association Ltd (AFCA) was established in 2002 to look after the interests of the harvesting and haulage contractors within the timber industry across Australia. AFCA offers individual business support services such as industrial relations advice, training, safety management system, benchmarking, rate calculations, and contract representation to members.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Industry welcomes anti-dumping action on newsprint paper from France, Korea THE Australian Forest Products Association has supported the investigation by the antidumping commissioner into newsprint paper imported from France and the Republic of Korea. Norske Skog has also welcomed the action, noting that the application for an investigation mentions some of the consequences of dumping – reductions in employment, sales volumes and revenues. Last year AFPA suggested that the Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Measures) Act 2013 could be improved by further amendment. CEO Ross Hampton said Australian industry simply wanted a level playing field on which to compete.
Creating jobs .. Norske Skog’s Boyer mill in Tasmania supplies more than 30% of the newsprint and improved newsprint grades used in the Australian market.
at dumped prices or indeed expose further elements missing from the Act that would make it more effective,” Mr Hampton said. “‘AFPA is already on the public record having noted that improving import data transparency is critically important during the investigation of anti-dumping and subsidy cases. ‘The Act, if fully implemented, will help preserve Australian jobs and manufacturing capability that are threatened by dumping activity.”
ColourWood Available Now!
Industry simply wanted a level playing field ‘Industry is vitally interested in the effectiveness of the anti-dumping system and looks forward to the range of reforms to improve the antidumping system that have recently been flagged by the commissioner,” Mr Hampton said. Norske Skog has two newsprint mills in Australia, the Albury Mill in New South Wales and the Boyer Mill in southern Tasmania. Together they produce around 500,000 tonnes of newsprint annually and provide 2000 direct and indirect jobs in regional Australia. Mr Hampton said the implications of the alleged dumping directly affected the livelihood of families living in regional areas in Tasmania and the Albury-Wodonga area. “AFPA hopes the investigation will determine if newsprint paper is being sold
Fencing Products
Landscaping Timber
Decking
Making life easier! Protection against decay and termites with the inclusion of a built in brown colour. The deep rich brown appearance provides a finish that is similar to popular hardwoods. In exterior applications, the appearance will slowly weather to a warm honey brown and in the longer term like popular hardwoods will become a natural silver grey. Suitable in exterior applications such as pergolas, balconies and decks, fencing and landscaping projects where built-in colour is desired at the point of installation. Environmentally friendly and ideally suited for use around families, playgrounds, schools, recreational areas and national parks. Single step custom treatment service also available. Proudly supported by:
LONZA WOOD PROTECTION
Produced by:
ColourWood
www.outdoortimber.com.au 1300 TREATED
ISSUE 315 | PAGE 7
INDUSTRY NEWS
Budget cuts to CSIRO would have detrimental effects on partnerships
Organisation fears $150m will be dropped from funding CUTS to the CSIRO will have long-term and detrimental effects on Australia’s ability to innovate and form partnerships with leading companies, the national science agency warns. As the country’s peak science organisation, CSIRO generated $37.5 million in licence fees and royalties last financial year and $278.5 million in 2011-12 off the back of wireless technology royalties. Home-grown inventions developed at CSIRO range from cotton seeds to contact lenses. Much of the income is returned to its research budget. CSIRO general manager of business development and commercialisation Jan Bingley said the organisation’s capacity to generate income risked
being compromised if rumoured cuts in the May Budget were implemented. She also said changes to funding arrangements could undermine the federal government’s ‘‘open for business’’ stance, with industry partners reluctant to sign on in unstable environments. The organisation is bracing for a budget cut of up $150 million, or more than 20% of government funding. Much of the royalties stem from research projects that began decades ago. Among them is wireless technology that has produced $420 million in the past five years and disease and pest-resistant cotton seed varieties used in 95% of Australia’s cotton crops.
Being a TABMA member gives you: • Group buying discounts • Assistance with the placement of trainees & apprentices • CoC certification advice • Industry specific staff recruitment at competitive rates • National networking opportunities • An exclusive trade credit insurance plan • Technical advice and assistance • Industrial relations advice • WH&S audits • Annual Timber Industry Dinner Call 1800 822 621 for membership enquiries PAGE 8
| ISSUE 315
using federal government taxpayer money in the past,’’ Ms Bingley said. ‘’If we don’t have access to that, then it makes it that much harder to innovate because it’s difficult to get industry to pay for things so early on in development.’’
Any cuts will translate to lack of opportunity Jan Bingley .. capacity to generate income will be compromised.
Multinational partners include Bayer and Monsanto as well as local partners Cotton Seed Distributors. Royalties from cotton seeds range between $10 to $20 million a year, depending on factors such as drought. ‘’A lot of the commercial outcomes we are getting now are based on investment we were able to make in the science
Michelle Gallaher, chief executive of the BioMelbourne Network, a Victorian association for the biotech sector, said much of Australia’s success in the field was founded on CSIRO research. It was also helping at least 50 Australian biotech companies to develop and commercialise their research. ‘’Any kind of cuts to the CSIRO will translate to a lack of opportunity. It’s a knock-on effect,” Mr Gallaher said.
China halts all logging in largest forest region FORESTRY authorities in China have stopped commercial logging in the nation’s largest forest area, marking an end to more than a half-century of intensive deforestation that removed an estimated 600 million cub m of timber. The logging shutdown was enacted in large part to protect soil and water quality of greater China, which are significantly affected by forest loss in the mountainous region. The area is in the extreme northeast portion of China, and comprises a huge swath of dense, temperate forest that stretches into Russia. The landscape is dominated by the Hinggan
(Khingan) mountain range that spans more than 1200 km south towards China’s interior. Large-scale commercial logging of the area first began in the 1950s to meet growing economic demands. By the 1980s, the landscape of the region had changed dramatically due to the loss of forest cover, and large trees had all but disappeared. From 2000 to 2013 alone, more than half a million hectares of land were deforested in the region, according to data from Global Forest Watch. Logging activity was focused primarily in the northern periphery of the range, where around 20% of the land was deforested.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Kate plants a royal oak tree
KATE Middleton and Prince William became the first members of the royal family to add to Canberra’s national Arboretum during their recent visit to the capital. The royal couple planted an English oak, which was chosen because it is a symbol of England, representing strength and endurance.
The arboretum, established following the devastating 2003 Canberra bushfires, is home to 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. More than 48,000 trees grow on the 250 ha site, with species from over 100 countries represented.
Forestry ministers hold their portfolios From P 3
in the Legislative Assembly, with a predicted count of 32 out of a total of 59 seats. Some estimates report a massive swing of over 7-8% against the Labor Party. In South Australia, new Forests Minister Leon Bignell was confronted with a plan by ForestrySA to cut almost 100 jobs over the next two years.
Responsibilities shared on native vegetation laws “ForestrySA obviously has a view that they want to reduce the workforce by 45 staff next year and 50 the year after to save between $8.5 and $9 million,” Mr Bignell said. He is meeting with the forestry workers’ union, the CFMEU, to hear its concerns. “What we’ve agreed to do, given I’m a new minister in the role, is to go over all those
commitments that were made and to see what can happen from here on in,” Mr Bignell said. Meanwhile, Mr Bignell was confronted last week outside the Mount Gambier Town Hall by federal MP Tony Pasin who was clutching 120 black helium balloons with fictitious name tags attached. Mr Pasin said the balloons represented the amount of ForestrySA jobs which might be cut under a proposal put to state government. Video footage show Leon Bignell exiting the town hall and pointing his finger at Mr Pasin. “This guy is the biggest poindexter in Australian politics,” Mr Bignell said in the video. In reply, Mr Palin said the state needed a forestry minister who is actually committed to jobs. The State Government is yet to decide if they will support ForestrySA’s job cuts plan.
Timber Forestry e-news is the most authoritative and quickest deliverer of news and special features to the forest and forest products industries in Australia, New ealand and the Asia-Pacific region. Weekly distribution is over 16000 copies, delivered every Monday. Advertising rates are the most competitive of any industry maga ine in the region. Timber Forestry e-news hits your target market every week, every Monday
HEAD OFFICE Correspondence to Custom Publishing Group PO Box 569 Ormeau Q D 4208 Phone 61 7 5547 6547 PUBLISHER Dennis Macready Phone 61 7 5547 6547 dennis industrye-news.com
MANAGING EDITOR Editorial correspondence to Jim Bowden PO Box 330 Hamilton Central Q D 4007 Phone 61 7 3266 1429 Mobile 0401 312 087 cancon bigpond.net.au ADVERTISING Phone Jim 61 7 3266 1429 Phone Dennis 61 7 5547 6547 dennis industrye-news.com
Opinions expressed on Timber Forestry e news are not necessarily the opinions of the editor, publisher or staff. We do not accept responsibility for any damage resulting from inaccuracies in editorial or advertising. The Publisher is therefore indemnified against all actions, suits, claims or damages resulting from content on this e news. Content cannot be reproduced without the prior consent of the Publisher - Custom Publishing Group.
ISSUE 315 | PAGE 9
INDUSTRY NEWS
Veneer group Amerind placed in receivership ‘owing millions’
Plant, equipment and stock to be offered on-line THE Australian assets of the Naja David Group’s Amerind Pty Ltd are on the market after the veneer manufacturer was hit by cash flow issues that have escalated since December. Melbourne-based Grant Thornton has been appointed receiver and manager of the company and is endeavouring to stabilise the business and sell it along with its assets. As a result of the appointment, all debts outstanding as at March 11 are frozen and will be treated as unsecured claims against the company.
‘We realise there may be claims on the stock’ Andrew Clowes of Grant Thornton said industry rumours that Amerind had been sold were unfounded. “It’s in a wind-down position with plant and equipment and residual stock to be offered for sale on-line,” he said. “At this stage we are still looking for buyers, although we realise there may be claims on the stock. “Amerind is certainly not
Biggest in Africa .. Naja David’s plywood and veneer manufacturing facility in Ghana.
trading or buying supply and the company’s staff are being reduced.” Amerind creditors have reported that monies owing are in the “millions of dollars”. As one of Australia’s largest veneer panel manufacturers, Amerind provided some of the world’s finest veneers for major building projects around Australia. The Naja David Group, based in Ghana, operates the biggest plywood factory in West Africa under the trade name Bondplex. The group through its various companies, namely Naja David Veneer and Plywood Ltd, Ayum Forest Products Ltd and A.G. Timbers Ltd, supplies lumber, veneer and mouldings not only to the local and the sub-regional
markets but also to the US, parts of Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world, and also the third largest producer of timber and second largest exporter of wood and wood product in Africa The three leading exporters in Ghana are Naja David Veneer and Plywood, John Bitar & Co. Ltd. and Asuo Bomosadu Timbers; they contribute about 70% of the total volume exported. The main species are Ceiba pentandra, chenchen (Metopium brownii) and African mahogany (Khaya anthotheca) and the leading importing countries are Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo. The latest figures available
show Ghana’s total exports of timber and wood products for the first nine months of 2008 increased to 430,100 cub m, a 7.7% rise compared to the same period in 2007. The corresponding total revenue for the first three quarters also increased 4.2% to EUR144.42 million in 2008, up from EUR135.55 million in 2007. The gain resulted from higher volumes recorded for sliced veneer (13.6%), plywood (8.7%), rotary veneer (7.5%) and kilndried lumber (4.3%). Decreases in volume were recorded for furniture parts (82.6%), curl veneer (35.5%), boules (34.7%) and air-dried lumber (12.9%). Naja David subsidiary Ayum Forest Products Ltd is the second largest forest reserve concession holder in Ghana and is a member of GFTN-West Africa. It claims forest concessions to responsible forest management through credible certification. In addition to the forest concessions under the company’s management, Ayum also agreed to implement responsible procurement policies for the timber entering its sawmill and veneer and ply mills.
Don’t WASTE an Opportunity FR See AM yo EA ua us t .. tra lia PAGE 10 | ISSUE 315
Loggo Pty Ltd has developed possibly the world’s CHEAPEST and most COST-EFFICIENT engineered wood product for floor and house frame building. A world breakthrough in EWP technology .. a proven concept in its infancy set to revolutionise production costs using the ‘throw-away’ waste timber market. Joint venture partnerships as well as license agreements will be considered.
Don’t WASTE time visit www.loggo.com.au
Engineered Timber Products
ENGINEERED WOOD
FRAME registrations likely to reach 300, led by building materials sector Engineers, architects swell numbers for Melbourne event
EARLY registrations for the FRAME conference and exhibition in Melbourne next month reflect an exciting mix of delegates from all sectors of the industry – manufacturers, timber merchants, architects, engineers, builders and industry associations. “This could be one of the most diversified industry events held in Australia for many years,” event director Kevin Ezard said. “We can also add to this group the biggest collection of international providers of timber engineering technology, with exhibitors representing nine countries. The one-day event will be staged at the Park Hyatt Hotel on May 19, and many delegates have indicated they will use the
New trends .. industry moving to panel systems.
time Down Under to visit clients and building projects in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney. Mr Ezard pointed out the current status mix of delegate registrations – architects, engineers and builders, 15%; prefabrication, 32%; timber and building materials, 50%; and other group, 3%. “I think we’re well on our way to a registration figure topping more than 300,” Mr Ezard said.
“Total number of paid delegates registered stands 195, which puts us on track for the original target of 300-plus with nearly four weeks to go.” Mr Ezard said he was very pleased with the response from designers and builders with the 15% target already achieved .. “and as promotional activities to these sectors are yet to come we expect further registrations closer to the event.”
Timber and building materials are well up from the 30% at the previous FRAME conference, which is an indication that the rapidly increasing interest in timber panelisation and prefabrication by major builders is seen as a great opportunity for the timber supply chain, not only now, but in the future for residential construction. “In previous conferences the main topic has been the manufacture of timber trusses and frames, but the industry is now moving forward with panel systems as an extension of the existing frame and truss prefabrication process,” Mr Ezard said. For more information visit www.frameaustralia.com
Make the right move Don’t risk it.
Specify EWPAA products stamped with the approved certification.
ISSUE 315 | PAGE 11
EVENTS
Under water or on the road, Tim and Dorothy are well prepared for the Variety Bush Bash FUND raising for Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218’s ‘national forest industry car’ 253 to enter Variety Queensland’s 25th anniversary Variety Bash in August is off to a strong start with 16 donors contributing more than $3500. Car 253 crew captain Tim Evans said the contributions had come from as far afield as China, Japan, California .. “and from Coolum to Melbourne”. Dorothy Ferris, who became an Evans family friend during Tim’s time in the Solomon Islands in the early 1990s, has joined the trip as co-pilot. Dorothy and Tim logged more than 300 scuba dives on the fringes of Iron bottom Sound and around the Solomon’s over a three-year period and are ready for anything! “Dorothy is super fit and well up to the adventure that really makes the Variety Bash such a
PAGE 12 | ISSUE 315
Ready for anything .. Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218’s Car 253 takes on a creek crossing in western Queensland during last year’s Variety Bush Bash.
great experience,” Tim said. Club 218 has acknowledged the generous support of Ric Sinclair, managing director of Forest and Wood Products
Australia. Tim and Dorothy will be distributing more than 300 industry promotional bags to schools along route which begins in the capital of Cane
Toad kingdom at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and finishes 10 days later in the heart of Cockroach country at Moore Park in Sydney. Tim Evans said it was possible that up to 600 cars would end up in Moore Park at the one time. In 1990 the very first Queensland Variety Bash took to the roads, with the crazy characters in their wacky themed cars crossing creeks, tackling dirt and enjoying the adventure of the outback – all in the name of fundraising. Since those early days, the lovable Bush Bash larrikins have collectively raised more than $17 million for the sick, disadvantaged and special needs children of Queensland. Tim says anyone wishing to contribute to the event should log on to 2014bash. everydayhero.com/au/tim
THE ENVIRONMENT
VicForests won’t visit homes of state’s leadbetter possums
Biggest changes ever in forest harvesting practices STATE-owned VicForests will transition away from widespread clearfell harvesting in forests which are home to the Leadbeater’s possum, Victoria’s faunal emblem. The change, announced by the Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith following recommendations from the Leadbeater’s Possum Advisory Group, will come into effect from July 1. VicForests havests about 4500 ha of native forest each year under strict environmental regulations. This equates to less than 0.1% of the 7.8 million ha of native forest across the state. “Transitioning away from clearfell harvesting in the possum’s home range is the biggest change to harvesting practices ever implemented by VicForests,” CEO Robert Green said.
Action will have positive impact on possum habitat “Retention harvesting will replace traditional clearfell methods in 50% of the area harvested across the Leadbeater’s possum’s range beginning from July 1. “Retention harvesting will mean additional areas are reserved, such as ‘islands’ of unharvested trees, to provide habitat and better connectivity for animals as well as assisting to establish older forest across the landscape.” Mr Green said adding retention harvesting to the suite of practices used in Victoria’s forests would require a significant shift in the operations of VicForests, but it
Mr Green said moving away from clearfelling was one of 13 recommendations made by the Leadbeater’s Possum Advisory Group to help secure the possum’s future. Possum detection sites will now be given four times more protection with a reserved area of 12 a to be placed around the site of all detections in the last 15 years, providing greater protection for individual possums and their colonies.
Detection sites wil be given four times more protection Safe in the forests .. protection for the Leadbeater’s possum.
Robert Green
Peter Walsh
would lead to better ecological outcomes. The use of clearfell harvesting has been reexamined following the impact of recent landscape scale fires. Retention techniques will now be employed to help protect and promote habitat for the possum. “The success of retention harvesting will be assessed with a view to increasing its use right across the possum’s range in the future,” Mr Green said. “Victoria has a world class system of national parks and reserves which contain the majority of suitable habitat for the Leadbeater’s possum. No
Ryan Smith
timber harvesting takes place in these reserves which cover almost 70% of the species’ home range.” Mr Green said the changes to harvesting practices would protect even more of the area found in Victoria’s working forests. “Once set aside, these areas will never again be harvested,” he said. “These actions will have a direct, positive impact on the habitat available for the possum and are in addition to a 25% reduction in harvest levels in Victoria’s ash forests announced by VicForests last year in response the impact of recent bushfires.”
“A change to the definition of habitat zones will exclude additional areas from timber harvesting operations and there will be an expansion to the nest box program to provide further habitat options or the species.” Mr Green said. “The recommendations put forward by the group also include a suite of actions to improve the quality of current and future habitat for the Possum including investigating ways to speed up the creation of tree hollows to developing future habitat more quickly. “This process has been important in ensuring maintenance of our current Australian Forestry Standard certification and the outcomes will help us to formulate our next steps as we consider seeking Forest Stewardship Council certification. “There remain challenges ahead but the recommendations developed by the group and endorsed by the ministers provide a strong foundation to build for the future, both for biodiversity outcomes and a vibrant timber industry.”
ISSUE 315 | PAGE 13
PASSAGES
Ted Mannion: a ‘gregarious, diplomatic’ forester who led forestry team in China ‘Old white horse’ earned love and respect across two nations
RESPECTED Queensland forester Ted Mannion who died in Brisbane on April 9 aged 78 was described by his many friends and colleagues as “a very gregarious man with a very diplomatic manner”. In a long and successful Australian and international forestry career, Mr Mannion in 1982 became the inaugural team leader on the Dongmen State Forest Farm Eucalypt Afforestation Project in southern China, a posting he served for three years before returning to north Queensland to become district forester at Atherton. “It was in this capacity he became known as ‘Top End Ted’,” said forester Dick Pegg in a fond recollection of his mate. “While based at Atherton, Ted became a member of Far North Queensland Hoo-Hoo Club 261 and in 1988 returned to China for two years to see the end of the Dongmen project.
Team leader in bank’s Filipino forestry project “In China, he was well known as ‘Lao Bai Ma’ (the old white horse).” Edward Gordon Mannion was educated in Brisbane at Holland Park State School and Church of England Grammar School and was awarded a state forestry scholarship after his senior exam
Forester Ted Mannion (left) strides out in 1984 in China with Wet Ju (Dongmen farm manager); Deputy Governor of Guangx Mr Zhang; then Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bkelke-Petersen, and an official from Guangxi Foreign Affairs. At the rear next to Flo Bjelke-Petersen (and between Zhang and Joh) is the interpreter Hai Ying from Guangxi Foreign Affairs. In the background is a stand of lemonscented spotted gum planted in 1966 (the year after the founding of the forest farm) – Corymbia citriodora subsp. Citriodora. – Photo supplied by Dick Pegg.
in 1953. He attended the University of Queensland in 1954-55 and in 1956 took National Service in the RAAF at Amberley, the rest of year working in forestry survey camps. He attended the Australian Forestry School in 1957 and 1958. After graduation, Mr Mannion took control of a forest assessment survey camp based at Sunday Creek outside Jimna in the South Burnett region. He then served in Brisbane, Warwick and Gympie. In 1961 he married Pat Glover whose father, before becoming a race horse trainer, worked a bullock team hauling logs.
Dick Pegg recalled: “In 1962, Ted and Pat took off to Yale University, USA, where Ted completed an M F degree. After serving a couple of years in the forest research branch, he was sent to Oxford University to study biometrics. “At the end of the Dongmen project, Ted spent some time in Brisbane in the planning division until his retirement from the Queensland Department of Forestry in October 1990. However, it was not long before he was off to the Philippines as team leader on an Asian Development Bank project for a couple of years. “After that, he had another
short stint back in the Philippines. “Ted and Pat were inveterate travelers and were rarely at home. It was on a trip to Vanuatu that Ted fell down some stairs and broke his leg, necessitating a medi-vac flight from Port Vila to Brisbane. The leg was pinned but Ted had difficulty with his lungs. After a few weeks in an induced coma and on life support, Ted left us to join the great foresters in the sky.” Mr Mannion was a long-term member of Brisbane Tattersall’s Club. “He was a very gregarious person with a very diplomatic manner and is very well remembered by colleagues in Australia and China,” Dick Pegg said. “There was a host of e-mails from China expressing condolences. One of his colleagues from the Dongmen project days wrote: ‘Many of us had the honour to work with Ted Mannion on the Dongmen project. His devotion and amicable temperament have left us good memories of those rough days. We all love and miss our close friend Lao Bai Ma’.” A funeral service, attended by more than 100 family members, friends and colleagues was held at Hemmant Crematorium on April 15. Ted Mannion is survived by his wife Pat, daughters Heidi and Michelle, and two grandsons Lachlan and Tate.
Victorian bluegums will be put out to pasture SEVERAL thousand hectares of farmland is up for grabs in Victoria, and similar land parcels have been on offer in South Australia and Western Australia in recent times, according to an ABC Online report. It is land that’s been covered by bluegums over the past 15
PAGE 14 | ISSUE 315
years under managed investment schemes, which offered tax breaks for investors in tree plantations. Following the collapse of those schemes in the past five years, chunks of land may now revert to grazing land. Forestry consultant Mark
Poynter said that close to 1 million ha of farmland was converted to plantations under MIS. He said about one-third of this land was never appropriate as it was too far from the ports and had too low average rainfall. Mark Wootton, in Victoria’s western district, is one farmer
who has witnessed the rise and fall of MIS plantations. One of his 13 landholdings is completely surrounded by bluegum plantations while others are surrounded on three sides and he says when he looks over the fence all he sees is very spindly trees.
HOO-HOO JIV CONVENTION COFFS HARBOUR
Gary says ‘HIGH’ to Down Under Hoo-Hoos wine and redwood country in California, just two hours north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco – provides building materials to the state’s northern bay area. Gary carried the Stars and Stripes during the flagbearing ceremony at the 44th annual convention in Coffs Harbour, NSW, earlier this month. He is pictured with Rick Waters, Melbourne HooHoo Club 217, Helen Toreinus, Hobart Club 235, and Jenny Wiseman, Auckland Club 248.
AMIABLE giant in Hoo-Hoo (standing 6ft. 5 in. in his socks) Gary Gamble from the iconic California Black Bart Club 181 has an attendance record at HHI JIV conventions over the years that, like his size, would put some Aussie members in the shade. A former world president of Hoo-Hoo International and Rameses 95, Gary has for many years joined his ‘Down Under pardners’ at the annual event. The US lumber merchant from Ukiah in Mendocino County – the gateway to the
Enjoying the Hoo-Hoo convention at Coff Harbour are Ross Molony and John Scholtens, both of Auckland Club 217.
Ron Caddy, Melbourne Club 217 shares a relaxing moment with Dave Didwell, Mount Gambier Club 214.
Ballarat Club 256 life member Ron Harrington OAM and wife Dawn.
Ron and Val Caddy gave Melbourne Club 217 Kiwis at Coffs .. Ian and Ali McGregor of Auckland Club 248. a high profile in the banana capital.
Ray Sanders of North East Victoria Club 236 with partner Elizabeth Browne.
Ready for Hoo-Hoo business .. the 2014 JIV board (back row) Pieter Verlinden (president), Graham (Slim) Fennell, Ray Lamari, and John Scholtens, and (front row) Jeff Loton, Trish Waters, Heather Gattone (vicepresident), Val Fennell and Rick Waters.
Pictures by HEATHER LUCK
ISSUE 315 | PAGE 15
297x210mm Vertical 254x93mm Horizontal 125x190mm Vertical 125x93mm Horizontal 73x190mm Horizontal 73x190mm Vertical 140x44.5mm 110 Vertical 34x44.5mm
297x210mm Vertical 254x93mm Horizontal 125x190mm Vertical 125x93mm Horizontal 51x93mm
PAGE 16 | ISSUE 315