Australian Forests & Timber - December 2015 by Provincial Press Group

I n c o r p o r a t i n g A U S T R A L A S I A N F O R E S T L O G G E R & S AW M I L L E R DECEMBER 2015 • P: (03) 9888 4834 • www.timberbiz.com.au

Tasmanian treasures rediscovered

Assistance from the sky page 3

page 10

HVP focus on AUSTimber site

HE OPERATIONAL site for next year’s AUSTimber (at HVP’s Flynn Plantation near Traralgon) has already been getting special treatment in readiness for the premier forestry industry event. And, according to AUSTimber Events General Manager Laurie Martin, the work currently being done by HVP typifies their normal approach ... “exemplary”. Laurie explained that the soft and hardwood demo sites were each 50X200m (1 ha). “The chipper sites are each 50m wide and will be fed

page 22

Plantation hubs offer more scope

HVP. Both pine and eucalypt stands, easily accessible to Traralgon within HVP’s Flynn plantations 15km south of Traralgon, is a site for a world class forestry exhibition HVP operates 128,000ha of land in the Gippsland region, 80,000ha of plantation (60,000ha pine, 20,000ha eucalypt) and the balance is native forest managed by HVP for conservation and other stewardship projects. The annual sales of plantation logs equates to 1.5M tonnes, which underpins fibre supply to

¢ R epresentatives of live demo exhibitors, AFCA, PF Olsen, HVP and Harry the Hirer at what will be the entry point for visitors to the Forest site expo.

from eucalypts being harvested behind them so there’s no specific limit to the depth of these sites. We’re looking to produce at least 500 tonnes of chips over the course of the event as well as converting roots and slash to bioenergy feedstock,” he said. “The final area of static sites in the forest will depend on numbers booked and topography of the site. Given the overall site has some undulations, we are looking to group static sites to provide “mini destinations” along the way to keep visitors moving while also allowing them opportunities to pause (including siting meet and eat areas and toilets).” The site selection was a collaborative effort with input from AUSTimber Events, Australian Forest Contractors Association, HVP and local Gippsland harvesting contractors working for

Tasmanian field day

major customers (i) Australian Paper Maryvale and (ii) 2 Carter Holt Harvey sawmills at Morwell and Yarram. Like any major player in the industry, HVP is always looking for opportunities to grow its business. Its key fundamental criteria is always generating value for investors; in both (i) strategic fit and (ii) meeting expectations on financial return. Having said this, there is little opportunity to purchase new plantations as the availability in the market place is low and the market has matured. Basically, what makes HVP tick is to grow and sell plantation wood sustainably within very high standards of stewardship by balancing environmental, social and investor outcomes.

Continued on page 6

STRATEGICALLY-PLACED plantations hubs around Australia could well prove to be a shot in the arm the forest and timber industry. The hub plan has been spelled out by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) in its policy proposal for the 2016 Budget. The plan centres on promoting plantation investment in 29 ‘Strategic Plantation Hubs’ based on major processing or port sites nationally, to increase the scale of existing resources and boost international competitiveness and downstream processing. According to AFPA calculations, the planting of a modest 30,000 hectares per year over the next 10 years (motivated by such mechanisms as the Emissions Reduction Fund), would capture and store 5 million tonnes per annum or an additional 50 million tonnes over that period. “This is a phenomenal finding which can’t be ignored. It is the equivalent of a ‘450 million trees program’, and would represent by itself more than 5% of the Government’s total economy-wide cumulative abatement task to reduce emissions to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030,” said AFPA Chief Executive Officer Ross Hampton. AFPA’s submission also highlighted the larger potential role the forest, wood and paper products industry could play in the area of renewable bioenergy. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) recently reported that bioenergy output in this country could double over the next five years. The report identifies the high uptake in Europe of bioenergy, where forestry residues and offcuts contribute a massive two-thirds of renewable energy - mostly for generating heat. “Renewable heat is well accepted internationally but lacking in Australia due to a shortcoming in our renewable energy settings. If this changes, ‘renewable thermal’ could be a large contributor to our nation’s ‘green’ energy targets,” he said. “With the right policy settings, the forest products industry could make a far more significant contribution to meeting the emissions reductions goals of the Australian Government, while at the same time providing much needed investment and jobs in forestry and wood and paper manufacturing.”

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In the news

Tasmanian treasure rediscovered

PECIALTY TASMANIAN timbers standing underwater for decades in lakes created after flooding for hydro-electric schemes are now being salvaged as part of a pioneering Tasmanian project - Hydrowood. Opened in November by Federal Member for Braddon, Brett Whiteley MP, Hydrowood will provide access to a unique subset of Tasmania’s highly-valued specialty timbers for furniture designers, woodworkers and high-end residential and commercial construction. A feasibility study funded by Hydro Tasmania and the State Government in 2012 demonstrated positive results, leading to the Federal Government providing $5 million from its Tasmanian Jobs and Growth package to see the project come to fruition. “This is a very exciting day for Hydrowood and for Tasmania, to finally see these amazing timbers able to be harvested and developed to their full potential,” Hydrowood director Andrew Morgan said. “This project is a great example of Government and Hydro Tasmania working with the private sector to facilitate new industries for the State, off the back of innovative

technology and Tasmanian advanced manufacturing expertise,” Mr Morgan said. Covered under internationally recognised forestry standards, Hydrowood will be sold to customers as certified product with a story to tell. The timber is being sourced from Lake Pieman on Tasmania’s West Coast near Rosebery. Timbers recovered include Celery Top Pine, Sassafras, Myrtle, Eucalyptus and Blackwood. Tasmanian suppliers and manufacturers including Taylor Brothers, William Adams, Cawthorn Welding and Aquatruck, were used wherever possible for the establishment of the venture. “We have developed underwater harvesting practices designed to minimise impact by utilising specialist equipment, procedures and technology,” according to Hydrowood director David Wise. “Advances in technology allow us to safely reclaim the timber in a manner that is economically, socially and environmentally acceptable. “The operations are occurring up to 28m underwater, so safety and environmental management has been of utmost importance, and we

have worked closely with Hydro Tasmania to achieve best practice,” he said. The properties of the previously submerged timber is what is particularly exciting for furniture makers and woodworkers. “They’ve described it as like cutting butter, and are really excited about the provenance of the timber and how it can add to the uniqueness of their projects. “There is a huge amount of excitement around the future uses of Hydrowood,” Mr Wise said. Worldwide there are an estimated 300 million trees submerged in dams constructed during the 1950s and 1980s from the creation

Off the shelf solutions, customised for your mill

I n c o r p o r a t i n g A U S T R A L A S I A N F O R E S T L O G G E R & S AW M I L L E R

December 2015 Issue 8 Vol. 24 Features

In The News Bushfire Prevention AFS Award Mew Forests ForestTECH Tasmanian Field Day Head-Line News Log Loaders Bio Recycling AFG

3-9 10-14 16 17 18-20 22 23-26 28-29 30-32 33 34

Forestry Corporation NSW has spent more than a million dollars on fire towers. Read more on page 13.

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of hydro-electric schemes and water storage. Often flooded with little salvage being undertaken, this forest resource worldwide is estimated to be worth up to $50 billion. In Tasmania, there remain large areas of untapped forest resource submerged in hydro dams. Hydrowood has been created by innovative Tasmanian company SFM. SFM is a leading provider of independent certified forest management and forest consulting across Australia and has developed specialised expertise and innovative systems to assess and undertake underwater harvesting operations in remote locations.

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In the news

Industry leaders recognised at Victorian forest and wood products industry dinner

¢ A lex Arbuthnot (Arbuthnot Sawmills)

¢ John Kiely, Australian Bluegum Plantations, and Tim Johnston, CEO VAFI.

¢ V ince Hurley – CEO Australian Sustainable Timbers

¢ Bill Watson, CEO First Super, Jason Wilson, Auswest Timber, and Tim Johnston, CEO VAFI.

HE VICTORIAN forest and wood products industry recently celebrated the hard work of its members and the contribution they make to the Victorian community, its economy, and the sustainability of the state. The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) Awards were presented at the industry’s annual dinner and saw several businesses recognised for their innovation and sustainability credentials, and community engagement. VAFI CEO Tim Johnston said the 2015 VAFI Awards were recognition of the outstanding work being done by businesses in the Victorian forest and wood products industry. “The work that goes on each year by those in the industry is second to none. It is fitting to see this hard work be recognised appropriately,” he said. The 2015 VAFI Award recipients were: • Australian Bluegum Plantations, winner of the Sustainability Award (sponsored by PF Olsen) • Britton Timbers, winner of the Community Award • Auswest Timbers, winner of the Economy Award (sponsored by First Super) Industry leader, colleague, and friend, Robert Humphreys, was posthumously recognised for his decades’ long contribution to the industry, including as a past President of VAFI. The VAFI Annual Industry Dinner is the key event for the forest and wood products industry in Victoria and brings together key industry stakeholders, members of Governments, as well as friends, associates and colleagues in a night showcasing the best the industry has to offer. The 2015 VAFI Industry Review ― an overview of the forest and wood products industry in Victoria - was also launched at the function.

¢ Julie Sellings (Australian Sustainable Hardwoods), Robyn Trbovich (Australian Sustainable Hardwoods), Ian Wright (Australian Sustainable Hardwoods)

¢ Jeremy Allen (VicForests) and his wife Innes Pirslin, Claire White (wife to) Vince White (VicForest)

¢ I an Crick (Pyrenees Timber) ¢ Peter Bennett, Britton Timbers and Tim Johnston, CEO VAFI. Sally Crick (Pyrenees Timber)

¢ A lan Bradshaw (Radial Timber) and his wife Samantha Bradshaw

¢ The VAFI team – Natalie Kimber, Tim Johnston and Jillian Roscoe.

¢ P eter Rutherford (South East Fibre Exports) & John Humphreys (Hallmark Oaks)

¢ Lesia Clark and Nick Juniper (ForestWorks).

¢ G len Simonis (GJS Equipment), David Rizzoli (Rezex), Kylie Rizzoli (Rezex).

¢ A lan Bradshaw (Radial Timber) and his wife Samantha Bradshaw

¢ J oe Bachman (Global Forest Partners) , Darren Shelden (Macquarie Forestry Group).

¢ Norman Huon (former VAFI CEO 1984 – 1997), Brian Harrison (Hallmark Oaks),

¢ Daniel Young MP (MLC for Northern Victoria), Rob Hescock (HVP Plantations), Tim Johnston (CEO VAFI)

¢ Tony Warner (Timber broker), Brett Bould (Australian Sustainable Hardwoods), Garry Henthron (Australian Sustainable Hardwoods).

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

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In the news

Forestry fact-finding from a financial perspective

ORE THAN 20 lenders from ANZ, NAB, Westpac, BOQ and CBA recently toured key forestry sites in the Latrobe Valley in Gippsland. Organised by Linx Australia Group, in partnership with the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA), the tour showcased a variety of commercial operating sites, providing the lenders with the opportunity to learn more about the industry. Held over two days in September, the representatives of the financial institutions were able to witness the diversity and complexity of commercial harvesting operations at a range of sites, such as the flat thinning operations of AusTimber, and the steep shovel and cable harvesting sites of

Mountain Logging and ANC Forestry. This allowed them to experience, and appreciate firsthand, the wide range of equipment required to deal with the tough and extreme conditions that these sites operate under. Attendees were also privileged to have the Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Dale Harriman, and Cr Sandy Kam, at a special dinner to conclude the first day. As guest speaker, Mayor Harriman expressed how valuable the forestry industry is to the region and advocated his mission to promote it as a renewable and sustainable resource, via the council’s Wood Encouragement Policy. Linx Australia Group also arranged for the lenders to visit HVP Plantations, Australian Paper’s Maryvale

Forest Stewardship Council Certification for Forico

FORICO HAS been awarded Forest Stewardship Council Forest Management Certification covering almost 180,000 hectares of plantation and natural forests under its management control in Tasmania. The FSC FM Certificate SA-FM/COC-004896 is effective November 20, 2015, for a five year period subject to successful annual surveillance audits. The certificate covers Forico’s plantation management and harvesting as well as the company’s management of 80,000 hectares of natural forest conservation reserves. “This is a significant strategic achievement for our company, our staff and for stakeholders in our business. We particularly thank all the external stakeholders who contributed submissions directly to Forico and to our auditing and certifying body, Soil Association Woodmark,” Forico CEO Bryan Hayes said. “This certification has required more than a year of hard work, including updated forest management planning and improved operational practices, and is testament to our people and the very high standards of forest management we aspire to achieve as we build our plantation based wood fibre business in Tasmania. “We consider FSC FM Certification to be the pinnacle in external third party accreditation of forest management standards and it is increasingly required by our customers in overseas markets.” Chair of the Forico Board and CEO of New Forests, Dr David Brand, commended Forico management and staff on the achievement and its importance to global investors. “Our investors include major superannuation and pension funds and they want assurance that their funds are invested responsibly. Independent third party certification of environmental and social performance is a key part of our investment approach,” he said.

Mill and the Australian Sustainable Hardwoods mill in Heyfield. Here, the sustainable practices and value adding products within the timber industry were demonstrated. At the completion of the two day event, having gained an extensive understanding of the timber industry, the representatives of the major banks felt very encouraged about the future economic outlook for the industry, whilst reflecting an enhanced perception of its sustainable and environmentally sound practices. Subsequently, Linx has noticed significant uplift in lenders attitudes in this very capital intensive industry. The participants were also reminded that the Latrobe City will be hosting AUSTimber

¢ The tour group.

2016 in April next year, of which Linx Australia Group will be a major sponsor. AUSTimber is the largest forestry and timber show in the southern hemisphere and will next year showcase the latest in technology, machinery, products and services for the industry. It is the world’s only combined softwood and hardwood plantation expo (which will be held at Flynn Creek), and provides a great opportunity for members of the forestry

and finance sectors to discuss future projects. The Traralgon Showgrounds site will have marquee and hall sites for exhibiting and demonstrating the latest developments in timber processing equipment, systems and connectors for pre-fabrication manufacturers, displays of timber and panel products and treatments for designers, wood-working equipment for smaller scale operators.

Continued from page 1

HVP focus on AUSTimber site HVP is dedicated to providing a safe working environment for its employees and contractors, involving them in the company’s comprehensive health and safety program and providing training and accreditation across the breadth of activities undertaken within the organisation. HVP is also heavily involved with research programs, data management systems and computerised modelling, all of which have contributed to increased growth rates and improved site preparation techniques; development of harvesting regimes to meet the environment, safety and productive expectations of stakeholders; and a range of environmental and operational cooperative research studies with government, university and non-government organisations. The company’s two specialist nurseries which produce more than eight million plants a year, supply HVP’s softwood and eucalyptus growing stock through elite tree breeding, seed orchards and plant propagation programs. But, what of the future. When asked ...As a certified and sustainable manager of forests what do you feel needs to be done on a national scale to help the industry ... the company reply was: (i) promotion of wood and paper based products as the most sustainable resource used by the community, (ii) R&D support and funding by Federal Government for new fibre technologies and products (ii) resource security, acknowledgement that both plantations and native forest are required to support the industry (ii) Australia’s forest management practices are world class. Now, though, HVP is playing a crucial role in ensuring the forestry segment of AUSTimber 2016 is a resounding success. For the first time, both forestry and wood products will be featured at the big event with a specially designated area in Traralgon to house the wood products side of things.

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

¢ M ike Jones (Komatsu Forests) points out to Ben Kinnear (Harry the Hirer) where the Peterson Pacific chipper will be positioned.

“We’ve also got confirmation that at the Manufacturing Pavilion, we will have a large scale model of an apartment to be constructed from CLT using high end design and engineering including 5 axis CNC machining. This display will underpin presentations in the Wood the intelligent alternative seminar series aimed at providing practical information to business owners, entrepreneurs, developers and bureaucrats on what is required to set up an enterprise manufacturing for the prefabricated massive timber construction market,” said Laurie. AUSTimber 2016 is being held from 11-16 April. www.timberbiz.com.au

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In the news

Unique possum research makes exciting find

HE CRITICALLY e n d a n g e r e d Leadbeater’s Possum has been found living in man-made hollows created as part of a study aiming to provide additional habitat for the species. Remote sensor cameras have spotted possums building nests in specifically designed hollows which have been carved into trees in forests around Warburton, Powelltown and Noojee. VicForests’ General Manager, Planning, Nathan Trushell, said the unique study is a collaborative project between VicForests and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s (DELWP) Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI).

“We believe this is the first time this type of a study has been done in Australia for a species like the Leadbeater’s Possum,” Mr Trushell said. “It’s incredibly exciting to have Leadbeater’s Possums living in some of the artificially created hollows after only a few months, as well as finding evidence of nesting material inside other trees. “The possum builds a very distinctive nest using strips of bark, and remote sensor cameras have captured numerous images of possums carrying bark in their tails as they head up to the hollows to build a home. “Seventy-two hollows have been created across 18 sites and our first

round of monitoring found 11 of these hollows either occupied by Leadbeater’s Possums or containing evidence of nests at different stages of development. “The hollows have been specifically designed to suit the species and have a small entrance leading to a large internal cavity. Remote sensor cameras have also been set up in nearby trees so the artificial hollows can be monitored. “Targeted locations were chosen for the creation of these hollows based on recent Leadbeater’s Possum detections, and the trees themselves are younger than those characteristically used by the possum. “This is the first step

¢ Leadbeater’s Possums carry strips of bark to set up a nest in one of the man-made hollows

in looking at new ways to create nesting sites for the species and, while the findings don’t solve the challenges facing the

Possum and its preferred habitat, the initial results are fantastic.”

Securing the future of threatened long-nosed potoroos F O R E S T R Y CORPORATION of NSW is continuing to trap endangered long-nosed potoroos in State forests south of Eden and relocate them to more suitable habitats to promote their survival. Forestry Corporation’s Eden-based Senior

Field Ecologist, Peter Kambouris, said following the successful release of 23 potoroos into Booderee National Park in Spring 2014, they relocated another 13 animals late in October. The survival of the potoroos is a credit to several agencies working WWW.FORESTCENTRE.COM.AU 02 6947 2833

including Forestry Corporation, Parks Australia and Australian National University. “When Forestry Corporation’s monitoring of the potoroos suggested numbers were robust enough to support a translocation from State forests into the Booderee National Park, we began planning this event,” Peter said. “Teams from Booderee National Park, the Forestry Corporation and the Australian National University set traps in State forests near Eden. “The long-nosed potoroo was also one of the first species to increase in population since Forestry Corporation changed its baiting in 2008 from a traditional seasonal program to ongoing landscape control spanning more than 100,000 hectares. “The reintroduction of the species from State forests into the national park estate is a pivotal milestone in the strategic management of pest animals and threatened species in NSW. It is evidence that declining trends in critical weight range mammals can be reversed with effective management of their threats and monitoring.”

Australian Forests & Timber News

¢ This potoroo is heading for a better life.

¢ Karrie Rose, Jane Hall, Nick Dexter, Peter Kambouris.

The potoroos are trapped, checked, and released into Booderee National Park on the same day in order to minimise any stress on the animals.

December 2015

Attention is also being given to ensuring the potoroos represent a particular male to female ratio, reproductive status, age and condition. www.timberbiz.com.au

In the news

Call to help recognise those who have shaped forestry industry

HE AUSTRALIAN Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) will be holding another highly prestigious Contractors “Hall of Fame” Dinner in conjunction with AUSTimber2016. To be held on 13 April as part of the AUSTimber celebrations, the industry is keen to suitably recognise the people who have helped make, mould and motivate throughout the years and who have played a pivotal role in the success of what is truly a sustainable industry. But to be able to do this, AFCA needs your help! “We need nominations,” said organiser David Drane (former AFCA GM). To be eligible to be nominated and inducted onto the Members Roll, the criteria is simple. Harvesting and/ or Haulage Contractors must have been working in the industry for a minimum of 25 years and must have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the industry. There are also categories within the Hall of Fame to recognise Industry Icons who have made outstanding contributions above and beyond devoting lifetimes of service to the industry. Any member of the Hall of Fame is eligible to be recognised as an Icon, and to date 11 Pioneers have been acknowledged in this way, in addition to more than 150 industry veterans from right across Australia whose names are inscribed on the Members Roll. “Having another Hall of Fame dinner in conjunction with AUSTimber is an ideal opportunity to recognise our industry Pioneers,” says AFCA Chairman Ian Reid. “We did so as part of the last AUSTimber in Mt Gambier when over 160 people attended a sold out function, and our 2016 event gives us another opportunity to come together and acknowledge some more of those who helped make our industry what it has become.” Further details of the 2016 function will be

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announced in coming months, but at this time the priority is in locating more of those who are eligible to be inducted. If you know of anyone

who you believe is worthy of being inducted please contact David Drane, who is organising the event. David’s contact details are Ph 0413 997 257, Email:

david.d48@bigpond.com, or by writing to him at P.O. Box 242 Morwell Vic 3840. The closing date for nominations is 29 February 2016.

In a final and succinct message to all in the industry, David says ... “if we lose our history, we lose our soul”.

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December 2015

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BUSHFIRE PREVENTION

Fire fighting assistance from the sky

ICTORIA’S FIRE fighting aircraft fleet for the 2015/16 bushfire season has commenced being rolled out across the state. There are 47 aircraft in the base fleet, consisting of fixed wing, helicopters, air tankers and large air cranes that will be available at various times and locations throughout the season. There are also over 100 aircraft available on a call when needed basis. Aircraft have commenced arriving in the north east of Victoria with Albury Airport welcoming a fixed wing firebomber and a fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft, and Benalla welcoming a firebombing helicopter. “The arrival of these aircraft increases our emergency service agencies’ capability heading into what will be a challenging fire season,” said Minister for

Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville. Mansfield has a large firebombing Sikorsky S61N helicopter, capable of carrying 4000 litres in its tank or 2850 litres in the bucket attachment. Its larger cousins and the jewel among the strong fleet – the two Erickson S64E Aircranes – can hold a total of 7500 litres and were scheduled to arrive in earlyDecember at Essendon and Ballarat. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) declared fire restrictions across all municipalities in the Hume Region (north east) on 26 October. The Fire Danger Period and the Fire Prohibited Period will stay in place until 1 May 2016 unless stated otherwise. This means no fires can be lit on private land within the Hume Region without a permit.

¢ Pilot Frank Kent, DELWP’s District Manager Ovens and Aerial Attack Supervisor Jarrod Hayse, and pilot Ian Douglas.

Reducing the risk of vehicle fires on forestry sites By Steve Oxley, National Product ManagerVehicle Systems, Wormald

AS AN industry that relies heavily on transportable equipment and mobile plant for daily operations, it is recommended that forestry operators take appropriate steps to manage the risk of vehicle fires. The risk of fire in mobile plant can be high and a vehicle fire can have serious and fatal consequences. The fire and products of combustion may put the driver and site staff at risk of smoke inhalation,

serious or fatal burns, asphyxiation or entrapment. It may also have consequences such as explosions and render a vehicle useless until it’s repaired. There is also the risk that the fire can spread from the vehicle to the nearby forest, causing a bushfire. This can result in significant down time costs and have an impact on the environment. When it comes to managing fire risks, forestry site managers are urged to undertake a documented risk assessment in conjunction with a fire protection specialist and those with knowledge of the site’s production,

engineering, maintenance and ventilation systems. This assessment should include all mobile plant on site to identify potential fire hazards. All fuel, lubrication and hydraulic systems are potential fuel sources of fire in mobile equipment. Common risks may include fuel, coolant or oil leaking onto hot exhaust manifolds or turbochargers; engine or turbo failure; tyre pyrolysis; or hot vehicle exhaust igniting exposed fuels. It is also important to review the potential hazards of fuel containers. Once mobile plant fire

¢ This harvester has a Wormald-fitted unit.

Australian Forests & Timber News

hazards have been identified, controls should be introduced to help prevent the outbreak of fire and minimise the effects of a fire incident. Working with a fire protection specialist can help to develop a comprehensive fire protection solution, comprising fire protection equipment, maintenance programs and staff training protocols. Wormald recommends that all mobile plant are fitted with vehicle fire suppression systems, which are designed to suppress fires which occur in high risk areas such as the engine and transmission compartments and hydraulic areas. Vehicle fire suppressions systems can significantly reduce the impact of fire in vehicles, yet some many forestry operators may be slow to install these systems. By providing early detection and warning, the systems may allow the driver extra time to safely evacuate while also suppressing the fire to help minimise damage to the vehicle. It is equally important to establish appropriate fire safety processes for mobile plant, which may include: Introducing a system of checks to ensure vehicles are frequently and adequately maintained. This includes ensuring run up procedures are completed before existing equipment returns to service. If tyres have caught fire or pyrolysis is suspected,

December 2015

vehicles should be parked in an isolated and monitored location for 24 hours. Identifying areas where fuel sources may not be obvious. For instance, areas where combustible or flammable dust or materials, such as wood and leaves, or gases can accumulate, and raising staff awareness of simple mistakes that may increase fire risk. For example leaving cleaning cloths on hot surfaces. Checking that fuel and oil lines and hydraulics are installed to the specifications laid out by the original equipment manufacturer and routed so that, in the event of a burst or leak, flammable fuels cannot contact a hot surface. Where routing away from hot surfaces is not possible, all fuel lines should be securely clamped and shielded. Ensuring drivers are trained to respond appropriately in the event of a mobile plant fire incident. Wormald offers a range of fire safety training programs and vehicle fire suppression systems.

For more information: Wormald’s vehicle fire suppression systems, visit www.wormald.com.au or call 133 166

www.timberbiz.com.au

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ith its large, high-torque feed motors, the 7000XT gives you up to 45kN / 11,600 - lb. of feed force and delimbing power. The Log Max 7000XT is available with two different feed motors: The standard motor has variable displacement axial piston motors, 660 -1320 cc and the optional has fixed displacement motors,1259 cc. Harvester: The Log Max 7000XT Harvester configuration is built for extreme CTL operations. A durable harvesting head is available with or without a top saw. Processor: The processor configuration of the Log Max 7000XT is equipped with a top saw plus a processor link and processor knives.

he 7000XT is part of the Xtreme series and has been developed to provide the logging industry with a durable head and to produce wood at the lowest cost per tonne possible.

Contact Johan from Log Max Australia on (02) 6947 4505 or 0408 614 503, or visit our website: www.scanforest.com

BUSHFIRE PREVENTION

Time for new thinking when it comes to bushfire preparations and management

HE VICTORIAN Government has responded to the independent investigation of the Lancefield-Cobaw fire, which resulted from a planned burn that broke containment lines in early October, and the Inspector-General for Emergency Management’s report into Victoria’s fuel management targets. The independent investigation carried out by Murray Carter into the Lancefield-Cobaw fire recommended improvements to the systems and processes of the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DELWP) that are crucial to the delivery of planned burning throughout Victoria. The investigation made 22 recommendations and found: • DELWP needs to do more to improve the way risk is assessed • Clear accountability and governance structures • Contingency planning is in place • Engage the community more about the role of planned burning DELWP has asked the Inspector General for Emergency Management (IGEM) to provide independent oversight to ensure all recommendations are implemented and progress is reported publically. It is rare that planned burns break containment lines but DELWP has committed to ensuring it has the right systems in place to reduce bushfire risk and the community has confidence in the work carried out by the Department’s local forest fire fighters across Victoria. The Government has also released its response to the Inspector-General

¢ G round crews at work at Lancefield fire October Photo: Wayne Rigg

for Emergency Management’s report into Victoria’s fuel management targets, accepting all the report’s recommendations - including a new focus on the greatest areas of risk for fuel management on public land. Previously, planned burns were driven by a hectare target. Going forward Victoria will become more sophisticated in the way it manages planned burning and put local communities first. This response addresses key recommendations in Murray Carter’s report. The response builds on the InspectorGeneral’s recommendations by setting a new direction for integrated bushfire management across Victoria. Key changes include: • introducing a risk reduction target to fuel management on public land from July 1 2016, to lower the impact of a major bushfire on lives and properties of Victorians by nearly a third • fire and land management agencies partnering with locals

¢ Lancefield fire October. Photo: Wayne Rigg

to find the most effective mix of actions to reduce bushfire risks and impacts for communities • greater partnerships between CFA experts and residents in planned burns across private land • fire agencies partnering with other agencies and communities to manage bushfire risk across public and private land in the highest risk areas – where it makes sense The new direction, to be implemented over the next five years, seeks to ensure that fire and land managers and community work as one to reduce bushfire risk. “What occurred in Lancefield was unacceptable and the Department will now work hard to ensure it has better systems and processes in place to help rebuild community trust in planned burning. The Inspector General for Emergency Management will oversee the Department’s progress on implementing the recommendations and will provide regular updates

to Lancefield and other local areas. Our forest fire fighters are members of local communities right across Victoria who work hard to reduce bushfire risk. They are committed to working together to be smarter and more collaborative to help protect people, communities, and our local environments from fire. In the past the approach to planned burning has been driven by a target, not by focussing on the areas of high risk. We will now work to reduce the risk of bushfire by focusing on high risk areas and listening to locals.” -Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville “Now is the time for new thinking when it comes to bushfire preparations and management as we do all we can to reduce the risks to ensure a safer state. The CFA and EMV will work closely with forest fire fighters and local communities to ensure locals are part of the decision making when it comes to planned burning.” -- Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett.

Forestry contractors play crucial role in reducing fire threat BUSHFIRES IN Western Australia and more recently in South Australia have decimated not only forests but townships, houses and farmland and this is only spring ... summer is yet to come! Costs can be counted not only in dollars but also in human and animal life. It is estimated that the economic cost of bushfires was around $360 million in 2014 and these costs will continue to rise unless we call on our forestry industry and governments to address the problem. “The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) should be an integral part of the solution,” said Ian Reid, Chairman, AFCA. “However, we want to be part of a sensible solution and that is more than just controlled burning. 12

“Our members are experts in forestry and we know that there are better methods to employ to keep our communities, wildlife and farmlands safe,” said Ian. He said that recent reviews of forestry practices overseas had led to countries such as the United States employing practices that complement controlled burning such as opening areas on the outskirts of communities. “This means removing smaller trees and shrubs, and mulching – forest thinning. “In the long run by creating a more open landscape the existing trees will grow stronger and more resilient to fires, native animals will thrive, it will be harder for fires to take hold and the community will be

safer,” said Ian. “As forest contracting businesses our members are a good source of information on how the process should be conducted and where it is of most benefit. “We concur with the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) and other forestry bodies who have called for State and Federal Governments to look at current overseas practices and the science behind them so that we can address this issue in a considered and thoughtful manner. “A considered manner is not simply letting nature run its course with overgrown forests that become tinderboxes in spring and summer endangering life and livelihoods,” he said.

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

¢ Ian Reid, Chairman, AFCA.

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BUSHFIRE PREVENTION

$1.3 million invested in fire towers to protect local communities

ORESTRY CORPORATION of NSW has invested $1.3 million to upgrade more than 30 fire towers at State forests across NSW to protect local communities against wildfires. Chief Forester, Ross Dickson, said the program was jointly funded by Forestry Corporation and the NSW Rural Fire Service Bush Fire Risk Mitigation and Resilience Grants Program. “Since July 2014, we have upgraded fire towers from as far north as Yabbra State Forest, near Queensland, to Timbillica State Forest, south NSW, and west to Baradine State Forest. “Upgraded lightning protection to the fire towers, refurbished cabins and improved access to the platforms, has enhanced the safety of fire tower operators,” he said. Mr Dickson said the completion of the fire tower improvement program coincided with the Bush Fire Danger period, generally from October to March. “With the forest environment constantly changing from varying weather conditions, lightning

storms and dust from machinery and forest traffic, the fire towers are important to assist with the rapid detection of smoke, fire and early warning signs,” Mr Dickson said. “Through our network of fire towers located across State forests across New South Wales, staff can determine the location of smoke and call firefighting personnel to the fire. “Staff also report weather changes and plot the location of lightning strikes during storms. The location of significant lightning strikes are monitored for a period of days after in case of ignition. “Across New South Wales, the towers have served the Forestry Corporation for more than 30 years and this program completes refurbishments for all of the Forestry Corporation fire towers across the state. This means the towers will be operational for another 15 years at least. “All of our preparations from operating fire towers to hazard reduction burning in State forests to

¢ Forestry Corporation’s Snowy region based Stewardship and Fire Manager Charlie Taylor at the upgraded Kendalll fire tower in Green Hills State Forest, south west NSW.

fire fighting training and enforcing solid fuel bans are a reminder we’re taking no chances in our preparation for this summer.” Forestry Corporation is

responsible for more than two million hectares of native and plantation forests and has been involved in fire fighting in NSW for almost 100 years.

RECON INDUSTRIES AUSTRALIA

Fire Suppression & Protection Solutions

RECON INDUSTRIES AUSTRALIA – Proudly Servicing the Timber Industry

We work with you and the equipment OEM’s to ensure the best fire system is selected and installed. Pictured above is one of the many fire systems installations we have conducted for Komatsu Forest. www.timberbiz.com.au

Across Australia we have the solution for servicing your forestry fire systems on all types of machines, equipment as well as supply and servicing all of your fire firefighting equipment. Australian Forests & Timber News

www.reconindustries.com.au Head Office (02) 4953 4131 Or contact James Gray on 0422 156 532

December 2015

FIRE PREVENTION

Make sure you have the correct fire suppression system ... it can make a big difference!

ECON INDUSTRIES Australia was formed in 2011 and has been involved with the timber industry since 2012. The highly specialised business works across Australia in the timber, waste and mining sectors. “Our main focus is special hazards such as vehicle systems but we are involved in fire systems for substations, explosive bunkers and the petrochemical industry as well as all general fire safety equipment and systems along with testing and servicing of this equipment,” says James Gray, Operations Manager. “Cameron (Gray) and I both have over 13 years each of involvement in the fire industry. “We organise and run fire technicians for servicing fire suppression systems, fire fighting equipment and installations across Australia. “All of our technicians receive OEM training on the fire systems as well as certification from an independent body,” said James. “Recon Industries Australia has available and or is able to access most parts for most fire suppression systems. As well as being an Ansul distributor and a Qtec distributor we also have parts for Fogmaker and DAFO readily available which are fitted to some imported European machines,” says Cameron. “This enables Recon to service most of the machines regardless of which system is fitted. We are able to offer customer AFFF, Dry Chemical, Dual agent and wet chemical fire suppression systems as well as the maintenance of these types of systems,” he said. When asked what should clients (in this instance the forestry industry) do to select a system that is right for the occasion, James listed the steps that should be taken: Ask questions. Make an effort to understand the systems available, servicing costs; servicing duration; estimated cost of system for the life

of the machine; is the product at end of life will it be supported for the life of the machine? Does the system meet Australian standards? Ask for proof of being tested to Australian standards. Don’t jump for the cheapest option. The overall costs including servicing need to be considered. Ensure that a full risk assessment is conducted in accordance with AS5062 Fire protection for mobile and transportable equipment. When asked about a timeline for a suppression system to be installed, Cameron said: “This depends on machine availability and any special brackets or enclosures required to mount the fire suppression system and or components, but generally no more than 1 to 2 weeks.” Both James and Cameron were adamant that training also played a big part in the effectiveness of units. “It’s very important to ensure that operators read and understand the fire suppression system operator’s manual which should be supplied

¢ One of the many services Recon Industries conducts across Australia each year ... working in every State.

will supply inspection paperwork to show what has been inspected and any follow up work required. “Always ask whether the correct parts being used. The OEM manuals and product bulletins state at what intervals some parts need to be changed to ensure that the fire

“Maintenance of the fire suppression system is a critical link as this helps ensure that the system is in a condition that will allow it to function correctly." with the system. Also, make contact with the installer and ask them to attend site for a training session.” Like any other piece of equipment that is heavily relied on in the work situation, fire suppression units are no different when it comes to maintenance. “Maintenance of the fire suppression system is a critical link as this helps ensure that the system is in a condition that will allow it to function correctly. “The normal maintenance under the Australian standards is every 6 and 12 months. The service provider

suppression system is maintained to OEM specifications,” said James. “Fire systems are approved to the Australian standards using the correct parts; these parts are listed on the approvals for each system. Failure to follow OEM manuals and product bulletins can result in the system not complying with the Australian standards and worse not functioning correctly in the event of a fire. “Ensure that the service provider has the right test equipment to test the particular fire system you have fitted,” urged Cameron.

“Ask for insurance paperwork to ensure that they are covered to work on your fire systems. It’s no different to asking for their workers compensation paperwork. “Most forest workers and contractors are now asking for the inspection paperwork to ensure that the fire suppression systems and hand held fire extinguishers are being serviced to ensure that they comply with the Australian standards and will function correctly. “An insurance company may deny a claim if the machine is fitted with a fire suppression system that has not been maintained to the Australian standards. “A duty of care is also a consideration as the fire suppression system is designed not only to help suppress fires to save the valuable forest resources as well as the machine but also to help aid the safe egress of the operator off a machine in the unfortunate event of a fire,” said Cameron. The right fire suppression system can be a game-changer when things get tough. We welcome your opinion: Email your feedback to j.hudswell@ryanmediapl.com.au

¢ Peterson chipper fitted with suppression system. ¢ It doesn’t matter what the machine is Recon Industries has an appropriate system available.

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

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THE ONE STOP SHOPPING EXPERIENCE!

All the live harvesting and chipping sites have been booked and new exhibitors are coming on board all the time With all the major brands exhibiting on the one site, AUSTimber2016 is the perfect opportunity for you to see and compare new production equipment all in the one location. On top of that, there will be conferences, seminars, field trips and entertainment open to the general public so they can see what we do as an industry and the important role we play in taking carbon out of the air. Centered on Traralgon in Victoria (a couple of hours out of Melbourne), itâ€™s easy to get to with plenty of accommodation and heaps of other things to do before and after the event.

Tickets now on sale. For updates on what will be happening during the week of the event, bookmark www.austimber.org.au. Come and see us during the week of 11-16 April, 2016 Sponsored by

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I n c o r p o r a t i n g A U S T R A L A S I A N F O R E S T L O G G E R & S AW M I L L E R

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AFS AWARD

Award winner epitomises innovation and excellence

FTER A decade for Agriculture and Water of sustainability and the of reflections as a Resources, Senator Anne value of forest certification. conservation planner Ruston said Dr Yee embodied The trophy and award seeing both sides of the forest the ideals of sustainable forest recognise the life of Richard debate, Marie Yee is firm in management which promoted Stanton, who was devoted acceptance to the forest industry in the belief “we can achieve community peace in our forest and a for forest products and Australia and internationally. ¢ Award ceremony ...Simon Dorries, CEO of Australian Forestry Standard Ltd; Kate Carnell AO, chair AFS Ltd; demand. Mr Stanton was CEO of sustainable forest industry underpinned Senator Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture that all members of the “People like Dr Yee Australian Forestry Standard and Forestry; Dr Marie Yee (Inaugural award recipient) and demonstrate that the future Ltd when he was tragically community are proud of”. Sonia Stanton (wife of the late Richard Stanton). Marie, Forestry Tasmania’s of the industry is in good killed in a bicycle accident in Senior Conservation hands—her work not only Canberra earlier this year. He innovation was 49. Planner, was the inaugural demonstrates been carefully mapped out Cotton pest study recipient of the highly and excellence but she as Marie was born and grew prestigious Australian also becomes a voice for New approach up in Kareela, a southern “During this time, I Forestry Standard’s spreading the message of “I want to thank Forestry suburb of Sydney, with the became inspired to help make Richard Stanton Memorial sustainability and the value of Tasmania’s senior managers creeks of the Georges River the cotton industry more Trophy for Excellence in forest certification.” The general manager, and scientists, past and and waterholes of the Royal ‘environmentally friendly’. Forestry Management, Ross Garsden, Forest forest management, Forestry present, for their vision National Park as her urban So, I headed further north to University New England, in Management Systems Tasmania, Suzette Weeding, and perseverance to keep bushland playground. conservation She went to the local public Armidale, where I completed Auditor with BSI, nominated said she was very proud that landscape an Honours degree looking Marie for her outstanding at looking at positive impact work in leading the “While I was writing up my thesis, and in the natural insect predators have development of the Landscape last chapter, putting my research findings into Context Planning System. at controlling the Heliothis the context of forest management to make “Through my work I am in a moth, a major insect pest of privileged position to witness cotton, and thereby reduce the industry recommendations, I began to realise the innovation and creativity use of pesticides,” she said. that forest practices in Tasmania were quite being displayed by many of This involved monitoring Australia’s larger forestry population levels, as well as progressive, a completely different story to organisations, as they come using pollen as a natural marker what you get in the media.” to grips with the complex to understand where these issues involved in sustainable natural predators are residing, forest management,” Marie had been recognised science on the agenda, schools before attending and how they disperse within said Mr Garsden. in her leading role in the the geoinformatics team University of New South the cotton-agroecosystem “It’s exciting to see how development of Forestry for operationalising the Wales, where after dabbling environment. Landscape system, and the forest in engineering and arts, Australia’s forest managers Tasmania’s From there, Marie moved to are forging ahead with Context Planning System. planners for embracing this finally landed on finishing a Canberra, and had the fortune the development of a “The system enables a new approach to retention Bachelor of Science degree to do what she called her first range of new technologies systematic planning and forestry,” Marie said. majoring in Geographic dream job ... working for aimed at improving forest management approach which “I also want to thank Ecology, CSIRO Entomology, including management and this award incorporates the principles of Australian Forestry Standard After finishing the degree field trips with the scientists is worthy acknowledgement. landscape ecology into forest for creating the Richard and finding it difficult to find at the Australian National “The Landscape Context management.” Stanton Memorial Award, work in the environmental Insect Collection travelling AFS Chief Executive as it has given the industry science field, Marie travelled all around eastern Australia Planning System developed by Marie and her team at Officer Simon Dorries said a much needed opportunity west and spent time orange collecting insects. This was Forestry Tasmania is clearly a Dr Yee’s win was considered to showcase to the wider picking on the Murray part of a bioprospecting “nourishing award”, community the positive River at Waikerie SA, and project, looking for novel game-changer for sustainable a forest management in recognising the work of young work happening around cotton chipping and bug- chemicals, where we got to Australia and further afield.” people in taking responsibility Australia on sustainable checking at the base of spend week long field trips in In presenting the award, for carrying forward the forest management.” the Macquarie Marshes at some amazing national parks Continued on page 17 Federal Assistant Minister forest industry’s message It was as if the future had Warren NSW.

Two key landscape objectives The LCP System currently delivers two key landscape objectives: 1) long term retention – whereby at least 20% of the native forest in a 1km radius remains unharvested for the long term to maintain mature forest at a local and landscape scale, and 2) harvest dispersal – to disperse harvesting in space and time. These objectives are supported by recent leading research in Tasmania, which showed that mature forest affiliated species were able to recolonise forest regenerating after clearfelling, provided there was sufficient mature forest in the surrounding 1 km landscape. The LCP System has allowed Forestry Tasmania to implement these objectives on Tasmania’s public production forests, at a strategic and operational scale, as well as easily monitor implementation and report on a range of landscape indicators relevant to the spatial dynamics of specific species.

AFS Awards proudly supported by Boral Timber

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Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

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NEW FORESTS

New Forests investigating port development on Kangaroo Island

EW FORESTS is investigating port development options at Ballast Head, near American River on Kangaroo Island, at a site formerly used for shipping gypsum and before that for loading ballast on to sailing ships, according to Adelaide Now.. New Forests chief executive David Brand said the multi-user port, estimated to cost roughly $25 million, would include a 300 metre jetty. The port is expected to open the way for the Forest Investment Trust, managed by New Forests, to start harvesting its 10,500ha of forests on the island in 2018, creating employment for another 50 people a year in harvesting and haulage operations. New Forests is carrying out an advanced feasibility study and working with stakeholders to develop a major projects application that meets the island’s needs as well as those of all the plantation owners. Mr Brand said he expects the new jobs will open up work for a mix of

¢ The Ballast Head site.

local and new people to the island. “We want to outsource the contract work, it’s a great opportunity for local businesses to step-up,” Mr Brand said. Once harvesting starts on Kangaroo Island, he expects about 500 tonnes to be delivered from its forests to the Ballast Head port each day. Mr Brand said New Forests bought the Ballast Head site from the receiver-manager of Gunns Limited earlier this year after selecting it as a viable port from a study that took into account commercial, environmental, and social criteria. New Forests’ development of a new port is expected to bring wider benefits

to the island and help stimulate its economy. Mr Brand said the benefits of the new port will include providing an open access freight hub to help lower the cost of freight from the island — carried by commercial shippers — helping make the island’s other industries more viable. “It makes sense to build a general purpose multi-user port for agricultural produce and other freight such as fuel, oil, machinery, grain, hay and timber,” he said. “We will need one ship every four to six weeks, taking 30,000 tonnes of logs, initially, to China which is a well

established market for hardwood logs and more valuable than woodchips.” The trust owns 10,500ha of the island’s 17,000ha of blue gum forests, which it bought from the old managed investment scheme company Great Southern in 2013, after buying the land in 2011. Mr Brand predicts a bright long-term future for forestry on Kangaroo Island because it has the highest productivity of any of its growing regions due to good rainfall, a temperate climate and flat land. Benefits of building the port for the island economy are expected to include payments of $20 million a year for harvesting 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes of timber and haulage, plus a significant economic multiplier benefit. New Forests plans to progress its feasibility study to refine the costs of implementing the port before moving into a full planning and development phase in 2016. Separately, listed entity KI Plantation Timbers is progressing its plans for a port at Smith Bay.

New Forests launches marketing subsidiary INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY investment manager New Forests has launched a new business to undertake Asia Pacific timber marketing for its investments. New Forests Timber Products Pty Limited will be responsible for the sale and marketing of plantation timber products from New Forests’ hardwood plantation estates in Australia. The company is expected to market and sell up to 4 million green metric tonnes of hardwood woodchip per annum once it is established. The business will focus solely on plantation woodchips, in particular Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens, and may expand to other products and markets in line with the growth and maturation of New Forests’ timberland investments. New Forests Timber Products is a wholly-owned subsidiary of

New Forests Pty Limited, which is headquartered in Sydney and includes funds management subsidiaries in the United States and Singapore. The new business will be based in Melbourne and led by Director David Evans. He brings extensive Asia Pacific timber marketing experience, having been involved in forestry and woodchip export businesses in Australia and Asia for more than 30 years and having sold more than 50 million tonnes of timber products into Asian markets. Most recently David led marketing and sales for New Forests’ portfolio company Forico Pty Ltd, which was established in 2014 to manage almost 100,000 hectares of Tasmanian timber plantations. “Our investments in Australia have reached a scale where it makes sense to take control of the marketing and sales of our hardwood woodchip

exports,” said New Forests’ Chief Executive Officer David Brand. “We are now the largest manager of hardwood plantations in Australia, and we operate entirely on freehold land, with the goal of 100% FSC certification by the end of 2015. That makes us a sustainable, reliable, and efficient long-term partner to Asian wood fibre buyers.” Key woodchip markets in the region include China and Japan, with other markets in Asia, such as India, also showing growing demand for woodchip and other timber products. “I’m confident New Forests Timber Products will be a leading player in the hardwood woodchip market,” said Mr Brand. “We want to establish longterm business relationships and meet our customers’ needs. Over time we expect to be able to offer wood fibre and biomass products for a range of

¢ David Evans

end uses including traditional pulp and paper, fluff pulp, dissolving pulp, bioenergy products, and eventually new bio-materials.” “New Forests Timber Products will be unique in the regional timber market for its direct connection to the stable, high-quality resource base of plantation forests managed by New Forests,” said Mr Evans.

Award winner epitomises innovation and excellence from the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland down to Murray Sunset Desert in Victoria”. Marie then moved to Hobart to fulfil her ambition of contributing to biodiversity conservation at a community ecology level, rather than single species level, through applied science. “ I did a PhD at UTAS, with the Cooperative Research Centre for www.timberbiz.com.au

Sustainable Production Forestry. I looked at the ecology and habitat requirements of dead wood associated (saproxylic) beetles native to Tasmania’s wet forests forest, assessing the potential impacts of clearfell logging practices on their conservation. “While I was writing up my thesis, and in the last chapter, putting my research findings into the context of forest

management to make industry recommendations, I began to realise that forest practices in Tasmania were quite progressive, a completely different story to what you get in the media. “I learnt that some important conservation planning principles were already in place, such as wildlife habitat corridors for connectivity, dispersing harvesting across space and

Australian Forests & Timber News

time, and using variable retention silviculture to retain biological legacies, and that these principles had been developed by industry employed forest scientists. “So, when I finished my PhD, I was again fortunate to get my second dream job, which was to work as a conservation planner to help make change from the inside, and apply conservation in the very challenging

December 2015

Continued from page 16

and controversial field of forestry. This is where my career in forestry began, which has now spanned a decade. “After a decade of reflections as a conservation planner seeing both sides of the forest debate I have a belief and hope that we can achieve peace in our forest and a sustainable forest industry that all members of the community are proud of,” says Marie. 17

FORESTTECH

Quantum leap in data delivery

IEA’s FORESTTECH, the specialist communications, data and apps events catering for what will drive the future of the forestry industry, have been an overwhelming success. The niche events in Australia and New Zealand drew just under 300 specialists in the field with the take home message for the industry being to collect, collate, analyse and utilise all data -- in short, to plan better. measure better and cut better! One of the line-up of highly credentialed presenters compared current systems as a paradigm shift from what had been available in the not too distant past. Others stressed the need for connectivity with simplicity. It isn’t just a matter of getting connected and being able to access almost unlimited date, it’s a matter of being able to fully utilise the data. The result ... better productivity, ease of operations, safety and ultimately a better bottom line. Key themes included new technologies to improve mobile connectivity and data exchange within the forest and also between the forest, and other parts of the business. Leading forestry companies, technology providers and software developers detailed an array of practical forestry apps that have been developed. Satellite imagery, the increasing use of UAV platforms and airborne and terrestrial LiDAR, data being drawn from harvester heads, in-field sensors and improved field data collection and reporting increasingly is being used by forestry operations. “Big data” is no longer only a concept. Leading forestry companies increasingly

are appreciating the potential transformative value that data analytics can bring to their operation. “The issue of data collection and analysis isn’t only an issue being faced by forestry companies. A staggering 90% of the world’s data has been generated in just the last two years. Industries around the globe are investing heavily in “big data” and the expected productivity gains that will come from it. The forestry industry is just now grappling with how to collect, process and manage this data,” said FIEA Director Brent Apthorp. New processing systems are required to handle “big data” and to produce the right results at the right time. Cloud computing technology is already reshaping the resources that forest managers have at their disposal. With data and applications held in the cloud, processing times and the ability to get the right information into the hands of the managers, planners and field staff is essential. Development of digital gadgets like smartphones and tablets and improved

connectivity has also changed just how forestry companies are collecting and managing data. Forestry apps and the development of mobile forestry applications also continue to rise exponentially – from measurement of wood volumes out in the field through to scheduling and logistics of wood flows. As more and more companies migrate their data and applications to the cloud, the business itself is changing dramatically. Brent said delegates to the two conference venues had been “spoiled for choice” when it came to presenters. “They were all extremely high standard presenters,” he said and he received nothing but positive feedback from delegates. Brent said the events had proved to be “invaluable networking opportunities” for all delegates. The next ForestTECH event will be held on 16-17 November 2016 in Rotorua, New Zealand and 2223 November 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. They will focus on remote sensing, field inventory and forest estate planning.

ForestTECH 2015 through the lense

7 T ony Brown (Forestry Corporation NSW) and Cameron Dobson (PF Olsen).

Murray Lawrence (VicForests). 2

Campbell (Queensland Department of 8 Ian Agriculture & Fisheries - Forest Products).

andall Cameron, MD- Australia, 4 R Mobile Mentor. en Peirce and Jack Cotterill (Forestry 5 B Corporation NSW).

10.

1 K arl Kny (CEO HVP Plantations) and Darren Lincke (HVP Plantations). Chris Campbell (Integral). 3

ate Halton (Forestry Corporation NSW), 9 K Matthew Barry (DAF Forest Products) and Andrew Kemsley (Forestry Corporation NSW).

Mike Farrow (Forestry Corporation NSW). 6

ike Scanlon (Mobile Software Architect, 10 M Natural Resource Manager (NRM) Group, US Forest Service).

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

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FORESTTECH 11 T homas Adomawicz, Matt Ludbrook and Greg Sallee (Trimble Forestry).

aine Arkley (Timberlands Pacific), 19 K Rebecca Poulton (Forico), Nick Martyn (Technical Forest Services) and Bernard Prosser (Forico).

12 T im Parkes (Forestry Corporation NSW) and David Wettenhall (Plantall Forestry Consultants).

20 S haun Thomson (Forestry Tasmania) grabs a quick cuppa during a conference break.

im Piercy (RPS) and Stephanie Power 13 K (RPS).

evan Clarke (Logic Wireless), Taufan 21 B Chrisna (April) and Kim Hogarth (CommSite).

rendon Satchwell (Waratah), Nick Firth 14 B (Forestry Corporation NSW) and Matt Forrester (Forestry Corporation NSW). ichael Coleman (Greenfleet) and 15 M Eoghan Oâ€™Connor (Greenfleet) being shown product features by Michael Dyson (Panasonic). 16 C raig Butt (Forestry Tasmania) and Dirk Van Dijk (Forestry Corporation NSW). ean van der Walt (Digi International) and 17 S Marcus Majass (Digibale). 18 A ngus Spreckley (ABP) and Jay Brokken (ABP).

arlos Zelada (UPG) and Michele 22 C Wallcraft (Trimble Forestry, Vancouver). David Herries (Interpine Group). 23 24 Gordon Robson (Trimble Forestry). ndrew McGuire (VicForests) and Peter 25 A Carter (CEO Fibre-Gen). 26 C hristian Andree and Michael Dyson (Panasonic).

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Australian Forests & Timber News

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December 2015

FORESTTECH 27 J eremy Gibson (ForestPHD) and Kaine Arkley (Timberlands Pacific). 28 Justin Stone (African Mahogany Australia). 29 C raig Rutherford (VicForests) and Josh Chikuse (VicForests). 30 L uke McKay (HVP Plantations) and Chris Llewellyn (Pinetech Pacific). 31 C hristine Stone (Leader, NSW DPI Forest Science) and Jarrod Gooden (FWPA). 32 A drian Carstens (Hume Forests) and Paul Andrews (Hume Forests). 33 P eter Loring (Green Triangle Forest (Products) and Jillian Scott (Forest Products Commission). 34 M ike Fraser (MJ Fraser Logging) and Jules Larsen (GM, Waratah). 35 Q uinton Pakan (VicForests) and Colin Harvey (VicForests). 36 Z elda Calitz (VicForests) and Ishara Kotiah (VicForests). 27.

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37 R ob Scott (Technical Forest Services) and Boon Tan (PF Olsen).

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38 A ndrew Moore (Green Triangle Forest Products). 39 Mike Sutton (Forestry Corporation NSW). 40 Goetz Roth (Interpine Group). 41 Paul Panagiotopoulos (VicForests). 42 S cott Jackson (HQ Plantations) and Greg Cordes (HQ Plantations). 43 T ony Oâ€™Hara (HVP Plantations), James Kelly (Midway) and Joshua McInnes (Midway). 44 Lee Stamm (HQ Plantations). 45 James Durana (BlackBridge). 30.

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Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

www.timberbiz.com.au

In the news

Industry and government need to be nimble enough to take advantage of opportunities

OW IS an exciting time to be in the forest products sector, according to Senator Anne Ruston, the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. It was during an address to the Parliamentary Friends of Forest dinner in Canberra that the Senator said the challenge now was to make the most of opportunities for innovation and extend the value chain to the next generation of forest products—to enhance the sector’s contribution to regional and national incomes and employment by investing in innovative wood technologies. “We are well placed because Australia’s forests are well-managed to balance their full range of values and benefits now and into the future. “New opportunities are opening up and industry and government need to be nimble enough to take advantage of them,” the Senator said. Over the past decade economic and policy factors have been changing the face of forestry and forest products, now, though, there are signs of a sustained recovery.

¢ OneFortyOne Plantations with Justin Jagger.

¢ At a harvesting site.

¢ S enator at N.F.McDonnell

¢ That’s it ... the Senator (with assistance) getting ready to cut down a tree.

Latest figures show the value of the industry to Australia’s gross domestic product is $7.7 billion — a growth of 10% over the past year. Australia harvested 8%

more logs in the past year, worth almost $2 billion. Exports are at an all-time high, worth $2.8 billion, and imports have pushed through the $5 billion mark for the first time.

Time is ripe to establish National Institute or Forest Products Innovation THE GOVERNMENT has been urged to revitalise the Australian forest products industry and back regional jobs with $40 million over four years to establish a National Institute for Forest Products Innovation. Ross Hampton, Chief Executive Officer of the national industry body Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), said Australia had a competitive advantage in growing trees and producing timber and other woodbased products. “To grasp the opportunities of the environmentally focused 21st century, what we need is an innovative, nationally organised, well-funded, future-focused research and development (R&D) organisation for the forest, wood and paper products industries”, he said. “The proposed National Institute for Forest Products Innovation would focus on key areas of competitive strength and accelerate the emergence of innovative, higher-value focused sectors of the industry.” www.timberbiz.com.au

Such a National Institute would bring together Australia’s forest, wood and paper products R&D effort in a coordinated national structure to maximise impact in traditional areas such as tree growth and wood products, as well as cutting edge fronts such as biomaterials, biochemical and bioenergy. Investment in forest sector R&D has dramatically declined in recent years, falling from $100 million in 2007-08 to less than $30 million today. There has been a similar decline in research capacity over this period, with the number of forest researchers falling from 730 to fewer than 250. As a result, the forest sector’s R&D effort is fragmented. The Turnbull Government, with a clear focus on Innovation, has an unprecedented opportunity to drive the future growth trajectory for the Australian forest product industries through an expansion of the sector’s R&D effort. Australian Forests & Timber News

“This is the second year in a row that the forestry sector has grown, after a difficult period of contraction,” said the Senator. Australia’s forest products sector makes an important contribution to the Australian community and economy. “Governments have an important role to play in a profitable, competitive and sustainable forestry and forest products sector, and the Australian Government is up to the challenge. “Just as wood processing, forest management and conservation practices have improved in response to new developments in science and technology, it is important that the policy settings we develop for Australia’s forest products sector are innovative, flexible and responsive to align with our changing times,” Senator Ruston said. In late October Senator Ruston toured forestry operations in the Mount Gambier region and met with local industry members, and even had the

December 2015

chance to show her prowess operating a harvester. The tour started with a visit to McDonnell and Sons sawmill, then to the harvesting site of the Telford blue gum plantation at Wandilo, followed by a meeting with officials from OneFortyOne Plantations. Next was Degaris (OneFortyOne Plantations) clear fall operations by Fennell Forestry. There harvester operator Tim Johnson showed tyhe Senator exactly what the machine could do and she even cut down a couple of trees (with guidance and help from Tim). The tour moved to Kimberly-Clark’s Millicent Mill and finished with a general meeting with stakeholders back in Mount Gambier. The Senator was impressed by Tim’s passion for his job and the industry. That was the very strong impression she took from the visit to Mt Gambier - the passion of the people in the industry and the positivity they have for the future of their industry. 21

TASMANIAN FIELD DAY

Plantation and native management field day - Moorleah/Preolenna, Tasmania

EVENTY-FOUR private forest growers, forest company representatives, consultants, government staff and politicians met in eucalypt plantations and native forests on private land to openly discuss issues facing private landholders who had acquired ex-MIS plantations and or owned native forests. This event reflected the recent structural changes in plantation ownership and the difficulties in marketing native forest residues. Arthur Lyons, Manager Services, Private Forests Tasmania, said PFT organised the field day to address a broad range of topical issues and to ensure private forest owners had opportunity to discuss their issues collectively with forestry companies. Friday 13th proved a very lucky day for field day visitor as, in addition to perfect weather, an excellent lunch and a seamless program, their many questions were well answered by company representatives and through sharing experiences of other private forest owners. Private forest owner Ian Chalk, who was instrumental in the organisation of the event, set the scene at two stops in his plantations and native forests and posed leading questions to prime the ensuing discussions which were lively. IFARM and Forico led discussions about harvesting and marketing at the other two stops. One unresolved issue concerned the viability and potential future for pruned and thinned E. nitens plantations. The eight forest companies including, Technical Forestry Services, IFARM, Forico, Pentarch, SFM Forest Products and TAS Land and Forests supported the event in a very cooperative, constructive and collaborative manner. Some key themes for private forest owners:

Acquiring ex MIS plantations Obtain good legal advice and take legal control of the plantation

and extinguish any Forestry Rights. Before negotiating an outcome in your best interest, determine the value of the plantation trees both now and at harvest, identify potential risks to the plantation (e.g. wind throw, fire, insects, diseases and nutrition) and ascertain future management costs, and determine lost rental income.

Insurance Seek specialist forestry insurers who understand the local environment and issues.

Plantation management - insects Learn about plantation threats and risks. Annually monitor insect damage for at least the first 7-8 years and more so on either poor quality sites or in pruned stands to mitigate possible investment losses. Talk with neighbouring landholders and forestry companies and seek to work together to achieve for economies of scale when monitoring or undertake operations such as insecticide spraying. Importantly, weigh up the costs of monitoring and control programs against the expected gains in tree growth.

Plantation management – pruning, thinning and harvesting trees Plantation management can be both complex and sophisticated and here appropriate advice should be sought to best suit your requirements. Management depends on many, often changing variables and must be tailored to suit the productivity of the plantation and your objectives. For example large industrial plantations may be managed for commodity products to meet predetermined markets over short rotations whereas small private plantation may be managed for potential high value

¢ Nick Mainwaring, Forico, (centre stage) leads discussion on plantation silviculture and wood utilisation in a high pruned and thinned E. nitens plantation

¢ C live Woolridge, Technical Forestry Services leads private forest growers in discussion on plantation and native forest issues.

¢ O n a recent log landing, discussion on harvesting, marketing and plantation economics was lively.

products over long periods. Often financial objectives and considerations differ between forest owners. E. globulus, blue gum, is preferred for pulp wood but many sites are more suited to growing E. nitens, Shining gum. Both species can be sawn but E. nitens is more difficult to dry. Research is underway to overcome this problem.

of values the community has come to expect to be provided. Private forest owners are not coordinated and are therefore unable to establish a market advantage by offering large parcels of wood over a long term to potential buyers.

Native Forests

Know what you have to sell and be aware of costs of Forest Practices Plans, harvesting, roading, cartage, replanting and future management. Operational costs can be significant and must be treated as an investment to increase the asset value of the plantation. Investigate markets, talk to other private forest owners, consultants, wood buyers/brokers and the forest companies. Keep informed of current and potential future markets and price movements and consider the range of existing and emerging markets. Pay attention to opportunities to sell into ‘premium’ markets.

Certification is becoming increasingly important. It is cost prohibitive for individual landowners to obtain themselves and most forest companies have certification that accommodates wood from private land. If Forestry Tasmania gains FSC certification shortly, then FSC will likely dominate certification in the State. The 850,000ha of private native forest, which exceeds the native forest area managed by Forestry Tasmania, could provide about 1M cubic metres of wood annually to significantly complement wood harvested from Forestry Tasmania’ native forest estate. Native forest harvesting produces large amounts of residue wood and a current major obstacle is to find markets for the residue (pulp logs). Native forests are an asset – not just for wood but for the wide range

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

Markets

For more information: The field day notes are available on PFT’s web site, http://www.pft.tas.gov.au/ www.timberbiz.com.au

HEAD-LINE NEWS

New generation Komatsu harvesters

OMATSU FOREST launched four brand new harvesters to the European market in late 2014 with the first units arriving in Australia in September this year. The four new harvesters are the Komatsu 901, Komatsu 911, Komatsu 931 and Komatsu 951. It was decided that only the Komatsu 931 was suitable for 1st and 2nd thinnings and the Komatsu 951 (the largest wheel harvester on the market) was suitable for the Australia market. The focus of the new generation Komatsu harvesters was operator ergonomics and increased production of the well proven unique concept of a centrally placed crane and cab with 360 degree rotation. The operator has been given improved visibility with larger glass area as well as increased rear tilt (22degrees), lower noise levels, Media Zone (new media hub), and industry first keyless system automatically logging to MaxiXplorer. To ensure operators have effective increased production they feature a new 3-pump hydraulic system which provides unique interaction between the crane, head functions and the transmission. This system enables the operator to use high flow at low speeds while the transmission circuit is always available to manoeuvre the machine. The result is the operator can use several crane and head functions together with max hydraulic power, such as to slew the crane, feed a log and manoeuvre the machine. The engines are the first on the market to fulfil Stage IV/ TIER 4 Final but those imported here meet Australian standards being Stage IIB which also gains the benefits of higher cooling capacity, lower fuel consumption and lower noise levels. The first Komatsu 951 fitted with the Komatsu S132 head was delivered in September 2015 and the second 951 fitted with the Komatsu S172 will be delivered in January. The new generation Komatsu 931 has just arrived into Australia and it is available with either the C144 or S132 head.

¢ A 951 fitted with C144 head was recently delivered to Shanbe Logging at Tumbarumba, but it was decided to change the head to an S132 (pictured) due to having many rough and crooked trees in the stands being worked in.

Komatsu harvesting attachments In recent years Komatsu Forest has launched several new heads and now has an exceptionally large range of 13 heads and more in development. Increasingly heads are becoming more specialised to meet contractors different forest demands which has resulted in three different types; two, three and four feed rollers which incorporate carry and squeeze styles. Komatsu Forest has incorporated these concepts into their new range by a denoting “letter” for each model; • C: Means the tree is carried by the feed rollers providing good trunk grip, traction and measuring accuracy. • S: Means the tree is squeezed by the feed rollers and held by the knives for handling crooked or rough trees. • C & S: Combines both features with the tree being held by both the feed rollers and knives. • Two of these concept styles are incorporated in the heads that are suitable for the new Komatsu 931 and 951 with those being the C144,C202, C202E, S132 and S172. • KomatsuC144 weighs 1,600kg and has four feed rollers for speed and accuracy. • Komatsu C202 weighs 2,200kg and has three drive feed rollers for crooked trees • Komatsu C202E weighs 2,100kg and has two off-set drive feed rollers for debarking eucalypt. • Komatsu S132 weighs 1,500kg and has two feed rollers for rough and crooked trees. • Komatsu S172 weighs 1,900kg and has two feed rollers for rough and crooked trees. Note the C202, C202E and S172 can only be fitted to large wheel harvesters such as the Komatsu 951 or track machines. www.timberbiz.com.au

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

HEAD-LINE NEWS

Hard-to-beat harvesting heads

HE USE of a simple design with a robust frame as the centre part of its construction has meant Log Max has become well known for its durable and hard-to-beat harvesting heads. “Log Max has always been built and designed with focus on reliability and productive solutions,” says Johan Jaktman, principal of the Tumutbased Scandinavian Forestry & Engineering, Australian agent for Log Max. “Some of the main features that have over the years laid the foundation of Log Max success include patented knife control; build; strong felling link; smart hydraulics; length measuring; diameter measuring; delimbing knives; and service and support,” he said. The top delimbing knife on Log Max heads is used to control the knife pressure on the other delimbing knives. This is the main principle of Log Max as it results in the tree running through the head with as little friction as possible as the knives are constantly adapting to the diameter of the stem. “Less friction leads

¢ LM7000XT fixed head.

¢ LM7000C.

to less force needed feeding the tree and less fuel consumption,” says Jaktman. All the parts that form the frame are welded together to create a one core component. Short stress flows makes the Log Max heads less susceptible to metal fatigue. “The elimination of potential critical points in the structure enhances the compactness and the capacity to respond to strains. The power from the hydraulic motors distributes more uniformly in the frame making it more reactive, and in effect keeps to a minimum the waste of hydraulic energy for optimal delimbing. Jaktman said the Log Max hydraulic system was engineered with simplicity and serviceability in mind, from the placement of the hydraulic components to the hose routing. The hydraulic system is easily accessed for service through a tilt open cover, which requires no tools to open. Powerful feed roller motors provide high efficiency and low hydraulic losses. Serviceability is one of the key issues that determine productivity.

¢ LM6000.

Apart from a swag of positives with the units, Jaktman is justifiably proud of the support side of the equation. “When in need of technical support, Log Max offers a team of specially trained service personnel. It is important to Log Max that our customers feel confident when contacting our technicians, to provide the best solutions to succeed both in their work and production,” he said. “Log Max boasts a comprehensive offering

¢ LM10000XT.

¢ LM7000XT.

Australian Forests & Timber News

of units for all types of forestry work,” he said. The Log Max 928A is the smallest Log Max head at 450kg. Log Max 4000B, a lightweight all-round harvesting head, is designed to carry out a wide range of harvesting jobs from the first thinning to light regeneration harvesting. Log Max 5000D is a versatile head for harvesting, ranging from T1-T2. Well placed guards and heavy-duty covers protect internal components and hoses from damage. Log Max 6000Twin and the larger heads can be equipped with Hultdins Supercut saw. Log Max 6000Twin is built on well tested hydraulics with a max hydraulic pressure of 260 bar (3,771 psi) and a max flow of 280 l/‌m in (74 gpm). The delimbing unit is composed of five movable knives with patented positioning to minimize friction losses and increase the active pulling force. The Log Max 6000B is built on well proven hydraulics with a maximum hydraulic pressure of 260 bar (3,771 psi) and max flow of 280 l/min (74 gpm). The feed rollers always work perpendicular to the tree which has for benefit to minimize friction losses and roller penetration. The Log Max 7000C harvesting head is built on a tough frame and combines high drive power and high

December 2015

speed. This head performs very well in heavy and branchy trunks. The all new Log Max 7000Twin, following the success of the 6000Twin, is a new heavy-duty head specifically engineered for low branched trees. High power is one of the head’s main features, able the deliver up to 41.7kN and weighing in at only 1889 kg. With its large, hightorque feed motors, the 7000XT gives up to 45kN / 11,600-lb. of feed force and delimbing power. Highflow hydraulics provide increased performance in any application and the toughest conditions. With incredible drive power and precision delimbing quality the Log Max 10000XT is a highly productive harvesting head. Whether you’re working at a landing, or felling and processing at the stump. The Log Max 12000XT is the extreme duty head for big tree production, multistem processing of smaller softwoods or processing crooked hardwoods. This is the most rugged Log Max head and is available in harvester or processor configurations. The Log Max E6 head has been developed to meet the demands of eucalyptus harvesting using five delimbing knives to debark the log. Log Max E6 is a brand new head specially developed for Eucalyptus harvesting. www.timberbiz.com.au

HEAD-LINE NEWS

When you cut to the chase it’s shear brilliance!

IGERCAT FELLING heads working in Australia have proven to be very reliable, productive and popular and continue to evolve in terms of performance, productivity and longevity. Tigercat has a strong engineering focus on the requirements of Southern Hemisphere plantation eucalyptus, pine and acacia operations. Tigercat products are distributed in Australia by Onetrak and their network of five regional service outlets. All Tigercat felling heads are fully designed, engineered and manufactured in-house, with absolutely no outside vendors performing any of the manufacturing process, so, Tigercat has full quality control. The heads are fitted to the Tigercat base carrier tested and evaluated at the Canadian assembly plant prior to shipping. Tigercat has full control of the build process from flat plate steel, to the finished machine.

2000 bunching shear Although the original bunching shears were designed back in the mid 1990s for North American pine thinning operations, the 2000 series has been transformed over the years, evolving into what is universally considered the premium plantation eucalyptus felling head for blue gum applications in highly abrasive soil conditions and rocky terrain. The reasons are simple. With fast shear cyles, the 2000 has proven to be highly productive, and extremely reliable. Compared with a disc saw, maintenance requirements are less and

¢ Tigercat LS855C shovel logger with 5195 native hardwood head.

bushfire risk is minimized. The shear arm pivot bearing design is extremely strong and reliable. The chassis is constructed with hardened steel, with bronze alloy bushings installed in the grab and accumulator arms. The shear blades are the toughest on the market and replaceable hardened steel wear strips are available for very sandy soil conditions. The 2000 shear is commonly mated to the Tigercat 855C feller buncher along with the 340 degree wrist. Typically this combination with the 855C can see production rates of around 600 stems per hour. Very high flow rates from the base carrier and clever hydraulics account for the unprecedented production rates. The massive 0,62m2 accumulation pocket allows for larger bunches, subsequently boosting skidder production and reducing fuel consumption as the skidder can more quickly accumulate a load. The shear improves the flow of the entire harvesting system. The head does not rely

¢ Tigercat L855C feller buncher with 5185 plantation fixed felling saw.

www.timberbiz.com.au

on complex electronics and valves. The Tigercat carrier supplies fully proportional and operator adjustable pilot control for all head functions, providing very smooth activation and deactivation of all head circuits.

5702 felling saw Although the 5702 is well known and widely used throughout the world for big timber felling applications, the saw also has excellent bunching ability with optimized arm profiling and a large accumulating area. This versatility maked the 5702 an asset in mixed diameter stands.

5185 fixed felling saw and 5195 directional felling saw Tigercat’s 5185 and 5195 felling saws are steadily increasing in popularity in Australia in pine and eucalyptus plantations as well as native hardwood applications. Contractors in native hardwood are seeing benefits from the 5195 coupled with the LS855C shovel logger due to the excellent shovelling performance on steep slopes. This significantly decreases the amount of side cut skidder trails required to access the timber which is a big advantage in forests with strict regulations and stringent oversight. Reducing or eliminating side cuts also saves time and money by reducing the associated dozer work to build and significantly reduces soil disturbance. The high tractive effort of the LS855C carriers also makes it easier

Australian Forests & Timber News

¢ Tigercat L830C feller buncher with 5185 plantation fixed felling saw.

to negotiate around seed and habitat trees when shovelling out of the steep areas. The 5195 can efficiently top the trees within the cut block. With continuous rotation, the head is quickly and easily repositioned and double cuts on steep slopes are performed quickly without moving the carrier. This makes the head versatile for oversized timber over one metre in diameter. The 5195 has full 360 degree rotate with throughthe-link central hosing for enhanced hose protection and extended hose life. Oversized twin grapple cylinders deliver high performance and control when felling cutting and shoveling. The fully fabricated chassis and grapple arms design provide strength and added longevity.

The 5185 fixed felling saw, which shares the saw performance and strength and longevity characteristics of the 5195, also has the ability to fell and shovel log oversized timber. However, double cuts are not performed as painlessly as with the 5195 due to the fixed 340 degree wrist. Where the 5185 excels is in its ability to control fell and place high value trees, avoiding breakage. In timber stands with average diameters that are approaching or beyond the limitations of a disc saw, contractors are seeing excellent productivity with the 5185. An added benefits is the ability to shovel the timber uphill within reach of the skidders and pre-bunch for skidders or yarders.

Tough, Professional Tools Australia-wide delivery!

Cant & Peavey Hooks

Haglof Tree Calipers Strong, lightweight Swedish made aluminium tree calipers 40cm - $165, 50cm - $170 65cm - $180, 80cm - $220 102cm - $280 127cm - $310

US made Logrite Cant and Peavey hooks - aluminium handles stronger and easier to use than timber. 42” - $214, 60” - $245. Log stand to suit - $70

Spencer Logging Tapes Tough US made logging tapes 15m - $95, 25m - $115 30m + diameter - $154

Diameter/Girth Tapes

Large range of steel and fibreglass diameter tapes from $20

Tree Planting Equipment

Clinometers & Height Meters

Suunto Tandem Nikon Compass/Clino Forestry Pro $290 $580 Also stock Haglof Vertex IV/Laser, Haglof CI/ECII and Silva clinometers

Pro-Pruner

Swedish made Pottiputki tree planters Models 45/55/63/75 The most advanced New Zealand Kidney trays, planting belts, lopper available. Designed specifically Bushpro spades & Hamilton planters for lift pruning of pine & eucalypts. Up to 65mm cut - $225. Also Razorback, Felco & Barnel Tel: 02 9417 7751 Fax: 02 9417 7426

December 2015

Over 1600 products at

www.forestrytools.com.au or call for our 2015 catalogue

PO Box 870 Willoughby NSW 2068

HEAD-LINE NEWS

Innovation “heads” the agenda at Waratah

HILE THE Australian market has been very busy, Waratah Australia has not let that affect the introduction of a large number of innovations into its range of harvesters in 2015. A new model emerged into the product line-up in the latter part of this year being the Waratah 622C, which is ideally suited to medium to large debarking applications with a number of features that set it apart from the competition. The 4X4 622C is considerably larger and heavier than its traditional sizing of the 622 trade dress, however, this unit is still nimble and very efficient in this demanding application. “Some of the features drawn into the development of the 622C in the last few years have paved the way for their introduction across the whole Waratah product range,” said General Manager Jules Larsen. The feature with the highest impact in the Australian harvester marketplace is the ¾ auto tension mainsaw; this luxury is now standard across all Waratah 600 series products. “There has been little appreciation to the simplicity and returns that this feature can provide an operator and a machine owner, however, those who use the auto tension quickly decide they would never return to operating a harvester mainsaw without it. “We have long known the benefits from the small cousin auto tension systems using the .404 chain. However these always come up short in durability as the tree size became larger or there were some tough cutting conditions in mud or sand,” said Jules. A constant tension on the mainsaw cutting unit has some major benefits from simply providing longer chain, bar and sprocket life right through to increased productivity and the fact there is little to no maintenance required on that cutter unit for a whole shift.

¢ Waratah File Transfer (left) and the WaratahMate Screen.

“We also strongly believe that constant tension reduces the risk of chain shot through eliminating the opportunity of over tensioning of chains by manual means, the elimination of running of slack chains which prematurely wear chain components and the damage of that chain through eventual derailing. “We, as an industry, now have to appreciate we have a market place where many new operator’s entering the workforce have never worked manual chainsaw leading into jumping into the harvester. There are still many cases where this saw maintenance is being gained through the hard and costly route of experience.

Eliminating costs “We are certain that this technology and even further development we will see shortly will eliminate a vast amount of unnecessary running costs,” Jules said. Another area for running cost reduction is the hose interface from the carrier arm to the harvester which in many applications can be the one of the largest running cost with replacement hosing and machine downtime. “The requirement for the harvester to be positioned to the tree or to select from the stockpile as well as dangle freely through a large arc when processing has been a large design barrier for many years. “The Waratah hanging bracket swivel led the market for last two decades and was adopted by many followers as a solution to reducing hose damage and lengthening hose life. Even with that industryleading design there is still a continuous replacement of hoses worn out by chaffing, rubbing and stretching when using and an external swivel interface. “Waratah has known the ideal design has been a continuous rotation swivel unit however the limitations to achieving that have been the quality of the product, size constraints that don’t interfere with felling or transporting, the high pressure, high flow demands and the enormous pressure spikes created in this type of environment,” he said.

¢ Waratah 622C at work.

Dedicated testing “We have tested many designs for many years and today you can purchase all the 600 Series Waratah harvesters with a high quality full rotation unit. These continuous rotation units do require regular maintenance on the centre seals, however, running these units are nowhere near costs associated with the external swivel interface. “As well as lowering running costs there are also a number of productivity advantages to this system ... less breakage of small stems as the final processed log no longer hits on stops, log stacks can be placed at any point in the carrier arc without stop limits. “The final customer feature about to be released has been some time in the making. Certainly longer in development than we could even comprehend when the realm of simplicity should normally equal speed to market. “However, we believe it’s been well worth jumping all the hurdles to deliver the quality and reliability. The Waratah data transfer App WaratahMate provides a means to synchronise and extract production data from the harvester and have this sent to any person wanting to manage this information in the wood supply chain. “The difference in this App is that is can acquire and store and then send this information once it is back in network coverage. It can provide a part of maintenance in clearing data from the harvester and we consider will develop further to provide a full

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

¢ Waratah 622C working in Tasmania at the Morgan Group site.

¢ Waratah 34 Chain Auto Tension.

maintenance tool for the harvester computer in the future,” said Jules. The android WaratahMate App is available on the Google store and will be released for IOS platform in January 2016. For any further information: on any of these new Waratah Harvester features contact Waratah Forestry Equipment on 03 97474200. www.timberbiz.com.au

A NEW GENERATION OF

FOREST MACHINES NOW IN AUSTRALIA!

RANDALLS EQUIPMENT COMPANY is proud to be associated with PONSSE Plc Finland by introducing the full range of PONSSE forestry machines to Australia. PONSSE is the world leader in supplying the logging industry with productive and environmentally friendly cut-to-length harvesting systems. CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION RANDALLS EQUIPMENT COMPANY PTY LTD email: randalls@randalls.com.au www.randalls.com.au HEAD OFFICE VICTORIA Randalls Equipment Company 8 Wallace Avenue, Point Cook, Melbourne VIC Contact: Peter Randalls Ph: 03 9369 8988 WESTERN AUSTRALIA (NEW) Randalls Equipment Company 9B Charles Street, Albany WA Contact: Adam Bremner Ph: 0437 059 477

FORWARDERS: From 10.000 to 20.000 kg load capacity. HARVESTERS: PONSSE offers a full range of wheeled harvesters for the most challenging logging conditions. Six impressive models that range from the Beaver to the heavyweight Bear, including the new and very impressive ScorpionKing. The product range includes both six and eight-wheel harvesters in all size categories. Application ranges from harvesting softwood saw logs to harvesting & debarking eucalypt pulpwood.

A loggerÂ´s best friend www.ponsse.com

LOG LOADERS

Log Loader features the best of two worlds

OR THE past year Victorian-based Randalls Equipment Company has been fitting Sany Excavators with its own manufactured Rotating Log Grapples. [The model pictured is the Sany SY235C (23.5 ton) machine with Randalls’ .80IR22 Grapple]. “We have found during that time that the Sany Excavators from China have been very reliable as most modern day excavators are,” said Randalls Managing Director Peter Randalls. “In fact, half of all the world’s Excavator sold in one year are working in mainland China today. “Sany is number one in China today. “Our company has been building Rotating Log Grapples for more than 25 years now, so when the opportunity came where we could set up a complete Excavator/ Log Loader we were pleased to work with the Sany factory direct on this for the Australian Market,” Peter said. “This has worked very well for us where as we

Quick look at the Randalls’ .80IR22 Grapple Weight: 980KG

Gripping Area Practical .80m2

Max Gripping Width 2000mm

Min Gripping Diameter 150mm

Max Width 800mm Height (opened) 1840mm

take care of the build-up , grapple installation and after sales warranty and service. It’s a complete one stop shop with the new machine,” he said. “We can also meet the market with a very competitive costing for the total package.” The Sany SY235C runs Kawasaki hydraulics and the Isuzu 6BG1 engine which produces 128.5 Kw. The same model is running in Australia with the SP591LXG2 blue gum harvesting head and the SP761LF pine harvesting head. Peter explained that all

Height (closed) 1900mm the machines came with Sany Certified operator cabins with ROPS and FOPS. “We do the OPS inhouse in Melbourne and fit extra oil coolers for the harvesters. “All up we have a very good, honest machine at a very reasonable price for Australian logging contractors.” Randalls Equipment Company has been manufacturing and distributing forestry equipment and attachments since 1968.

¢ Sany Sy235c Log Loader fitted with Randalls Grapple Model .80IR22

¢ Sany SY235C Harvester build-up, SP591LXG2 blue gum harvesting head fitted.

This is one very versatile and reliable performer! CATERPILLAR OFFERS a complete line of purpose-built forestry equipment for efficient and profitable timber harvesting operations, including machines for loading and handling logs. The Cat® Forest Machine (FM) is a versatile performer that is configurable for log loading as well as a wide range of other applications. There are four models of the Cat Forest Machine line. These track machines can perform log handling and loading tasks in the woods or mill yard while other applications include timber harvesting and processing, shovel logging, stump removal, road building, and more. The line of Forest Machines includes the 147 hp (110 kW) Cat 320D2 FM, 188 hp (140 kW) Cat 324D FM, and the 204 hp (152 kW) Cat 325D FM. The most powerful model, the Cat 568 FM, is equipped with the 319 hp (238 kW) C9.3 engine.— more than competitive machines in the same class. The Cat Forest Machine line consists of rugged, powerful, industry leaders in reliability and durability and are known for their strength and stability working in any forestry application. All models are powered by Cat ACERT™ engines, which 28

provide high performance, exceptional power, and unmatched fuel efficiency. Large side-by-side cooling packages and standard reversing fan allow the machines to work in high ambient temperature environments while maintaining optimum fluid working temperatures. The hydraulic system provides efficient power and smooth control to operate a large variety of forestry work tools, and Caterpillar offers a selection of boom, stick and heel attachments and a full line of heavy-duty logging grapples. The Cat Forest Machine features upper and lower frame designs using up-sized swing drive and undercarriage components that reduce downtime and operating costs. The largest swing bearing diameters in the industry and unique bearing design extend swing system and upper frame life. Swing power and performance are enhanced for moving large payloads quickly and efficiently. Lower track frame is a high, wide design, maximizing stability when swinging large loads at longer reach distances. Positive Pin Retention (PPR2) track link assemblies, used on most models, eliminate pin walking, keeping joints tight, sealing in grease lubrication and keeping debris out.

All Cat Forest Machine models feature purpose-built forestry cabs that reduce operator fatigue with maximum space, exceptional comfort, and excellent sight lines. Cabs are certified for ROPS, FOPS, OPS, WCB, and OR-OSHA standards. Product Link™ is standard on all Cat Forest Machine models, which helps loggers to track hours, fuel consumption, location, fault codes and performance, and to manage operating costs and productivity. Caterpillar also offers a wide range of

other machines for lifting and loading in the mill yard, including four electric stationary mount loaders, wheel loaders, and material handlers. Caterpillar forestry equipment is designed and built for easy maintenance and service, and customers are supported by the industry’s largest network of dealers who will keep them up and running with parts availability, field services, state-of-the art diagnostic programs, remote monitoring, and more.

¢ The Cat 568FM does just about everything.

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

www.timberbiz.com.au

LOG LOADERS

It may be compact but it’s a big worker!

IMPLE, COMPACT and productive, Tigercat’s truck-mounted 220D loader for shortwood and smaller tree-length pulpwood or biomass loading applications, works a treat. And, according to Robert Bergin (R & V Bergin, Tumbarumba), the 220D doesn’t skimp on durability, either. “You don’t have many breakdowns; you don’t have silly little things go wrong. The 220 has been working consistently since 2005. We had to do some work on the rotator at about 7,000 hours. At about 13000 hours, we had to do a replacement on the grapple,” says Robert. “The 220C now has 8,800 hours and the only major repair has been to replace the oil cooler”. “You sit well in the cab, have good vision and there’s more room in the cab.” And Robert says operating the machine is simple for a new operator. “We’ve got one set up with excavator like controls. An operator coming straight from a Forwarder find it easier to drive with the excavator controls,” he says. The Bergin business now has three Tigercat log loaders, a 220 (delivered in November 2005), a 220C (delivered in February 2011) and a 220D (delivered in May this year). Robert said there had been a fuel tank problem with the first one but this had been fixed and changed with the second one. The Tigercat connection started many years back when R & V Bergins bought a 630C Skidder. That machine helped forge a trust and respect with the brand, so, when a new contract came along and a machine purchase had to be made they didn’t hesitate to go with Tigercat’s 220 loader. “Tigercat was based in Tumut so proximity if repairs were needed was a factor at that time. As soon as we put the Tigercat to work, we knew how much better it was than the “other” machine we had. Especially noticeable was the greater lift capacity” said Robert. “My grandparents started the business and my father has continued it on and now I am also involved in the day to day organising of the business,” Robert says of the harvest and haul contracting firm that currently employs 63 people. “We haul for HVP and harvest and haul for Visy, Hume Forests and PF Olsen, and we do a little bit for State Forests,” he says. The 220 loaders are constructed with high quality, impact resistant weldments. The durable upper assembly rotates on the same large diameter swing bearing as the rest of the loader and feller buncher line. The rigid Tigercat fabricated subframe makes for a stable base. The strength-to-weight optimized boom is specially designed for fast and effective shortwood loading. Tigercat is distributed in Australia by Onetrak with five regionally situated sales & service outlets across the country. Due to the resounding customer feedback on the Tigercat 220D truck-mounted loader, Onetrak will keep a stock unit here in Australia for improved customer availability. www.timberbiz.com.au

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

BIO

Multi-purpose site prep machine

A T E R P I L L A R MANUFACTURES a powerful, multipurpose wheeled machine for mulching or cutting vegetation that can be used for various land management applications. The Cat® 586C Site Prep Tractor may be used for processing trees and brushy vegetation into mulch or, depending on the attachment, cutting the stems. Applications include residential and commercial development, land management, right-of-way construction and maintenance, wetlands and wildlife habitat management, plantation reclamation and management, and clearing for flood control and firebreaks. “Anyone who needs an effective, cost-efficient machine for land management or any other high demand application should strongly consider the Cat 586C Site Prep Tractor,” said Matt McDonald, a Caterpillar production application specialist. The Cat 586C Site Prep Tractor is powered by the C9 ACERT™ 261 kW (350 hp) engine, mounted in the rear so the weight of the tractor is distributed evenly over the axles for rock-solid stability. Caterpillar offers two attachments for the machine, the Cat HM825 Mulcher, which can tackle trees up to 40.6 cm (16 inches) in diameter, and the Cat BR624 Brushcutter, capable of cutting through single stems up to 20 cm (8 inches). Both are available from the factory and supported by Cat dealers. The Cat HM825 Mulcher is essentially a powerful grinding tool. It can process vegetation into mulch at rates ranging from 1/4-acre per hour to nearly 3 acres per hour, depending on the desired end product, vegetation

and density, ground conditions, and operator experience. Applications include virtually any need for removing vegetation - from brushy material to trees - and processing it into mulch. Examples include creating access trails and roads, maintaining golf courses, and managing wildlife habitat and hunting land and other landscapes. “The real heart of the Cat 586C is the PowerDirect Plus system,” said McDonald. “That allows us to over-size all the different hydraulic circuits.” The PowerDirect Plus system monitors what the attachment is demanding, what the operator is commanding the machine to do, and the available power from the engine. The system puts power where it is needed to maximize productivity while optimizing engine performance, fuel efficiency and durability by maintaining a consistent load on the engine. The system is an important feature, noted McDonald, because the mulching tool probably has the highest power requirement of any tool in the forestry industry. For example, a hydraulic pump powering a harvester disc saw may run at about 155 litres (41 gallons) per minute. The Cat mulching tool gets about 378 litres (100 gallons) per minute and also operates at a higher pressure than saw head pumps. Debris management is a key consideration in site prep machines because they generate so much pulverized wood material, dirt and dust. The Cat 586C Site Prep Tractor design features pressurized compartments that keep debris out of the rear-mounted engine, hydraulics, and cooling system. The pressurization reduces downtime and

maintenance - time spent blowing out debris - and enhances performance. Plus, the pressurized air flow keeps electronics, sensors and other components cool. “We’ve got some unique things that are integrated with the air cleaning system that differentiate us,” added McDonald. Beyond the location of the engine air intake, a dust ejector chute is integrated into the precleaner, which eliminates recycling dust and debris into the pre-cleaner. A scavenger system also sucks out large debris, significantly improving air filter life. The high capacity cooling system and on-demand reversing fan keep the machine running cool. Special attention was given to cooling the case drain oil from the HM825, ensuring a cool-running machine. The oversized, hydraulically driven fan spins at a slower speed overall and only turns as fast as needed to maintain proper hydraulic and engine temperatures. In addition to a refined cab for the comfort of the operator, the Cat 586C Site Prep Tractor features “a lot of flexibility in various functions,” said McDonald. For example, with the adjustable creep control, engaged with

a control on the joystick, the operator does not have to ‘feather’ the pedal and can leave his foot on the floor; the speed is easily adjusted with the buttons on the joystick. Similarly, the attachment float control allows the tool to follow the contours of the ground for uniform, consistent mulching; it also reduces operator fatigue because it eliminates the need for continual adjustments in rough conditions. The Cat 586C Site Prep Tractor also is known for its easy serviceability. “One big thing is the fuel fill is at ground level as well as the electric hydraulic oil fill, which forces oil through a filter before entering the system,” said McDonald. The Cat 586C Site Prep Tractor is the only machine of its type in the industry with the fuel fill at ground level. Panels around the engine compartments open for full, easy access for preventive maintenance, and a tilting cab provides additional access. Caterpillar customers are supported by the industry’s largest network of dealers who will keep them up and running with parts availability, field services, state-of-the art diagnostic programs, remote monitoring, and more.

$100m to unlock bioenergy potential LOWER WASTE and energy costs, energy security in remote areas and reducing dependence on natural gas and diesel are some of the potential benefits for Australian businesses when they embrace bioenergy. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) discussed the future of bioenergy at the Australian Bioenergy Conference in Tasmania. Paul McCartney, CEFC Executive Director – Corporate and Project Finance, said a new CEFC market report had identified the potential for Australia to nearly double its bioenergy and energy from waste capacity in the next five years. The CEFC last week announced a $100 million commitment to the Australian Bioenergy Fund, to be managed by the Foresight Group. The fund is seeking additional private sector equity to deliver a 30

$200 million-plus boost to bioenergy projects in Australia. Speaking at the Australian Bioenergy Conference, Mr McCartney said Australia had the potential to be a leader in bioenergy as new innovative technologies emerge. “We have identified some 800MW of new generation capacity in bioenergy in the next five years, requiring $3.5 billion to $5 billion in new investment,” Mr McCartney said. “Australia already has some 114 bioenergy and waste from energy plants in operation, with a total of 812 MW of installed capacity. The CEFC cornerstone investment in the new Australian Bioenergy Fund is designed to help unlock important opportunities for bioenergy across the economy.” The CEFC market report – The

Australian bioenergy and energy from waste market – has highlighted the opportunity for Australia to close the gap when it comes to generating electricity from bioenergy sources. While OECD countries source 2.4% of their electricity output from bioenergy, this is just 0.9% for Australia. Bioenergy projects in Australia are most likely to be plants with less than 10MW capacity. The Australian Bioenergy Fund has been designed to suit similar small-scale anaerobic digestion, through to midscale energy from waste plants. “We see big opportunities in urban waste, food processing and animal waste, and plantation forestry residues,” Mr McCartney said. “We’re working with business, government and industry to turn these opportunities into working projects.”

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

Mr McCartney said the CEFC had identified investment opportunities of: • Up to $3.3 billion to 2020 in the urban waste industry, driven by a combination of rising landfill gate fees and falling technology costs • Up to $1.1 billion to 2020 in intensive livestock and food processing industries, driven by readily available feedstock from process waste, higher electricity prices and demand for on-site electricity, heat or steam • Up to $650 million to 2020 in energy from waste from plantation forest residues, particularly for wood pellets, given the low-cost and readily available feedstock.

www.timberbiz.com.au

BIO

Bioenergy roadmap heading in right direction

HE ‘BIOENERGY Roadmap’ released by the South Australian Government, which highlights the opportunities and potential to further develop the bioenergy industry, has been given the thumbs up by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA). The Roadmap identifies Mount Gambier and Penola as significant areas for bioenergy, taking into account the availability of forestry and timber processing biomass residues. “Biomass resources are a sustainable and environmentallyfriendly feedstock that will contribute significantly to diversifying our energy sources. Electricity, transportation fuels, chemicals and materials currently produced from petroleum and natural gas could instead be produced from these biomass resources,” said South Australian Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Tom Koutsantonis. AFPA Chief Executive Officer Ross Hampton said this was a positive report into the potential of the bioenergy sector in South Australia to contribute to a clean energy future.

“Presently, bioenergy represents less than 1% of power generation in Australia, but it could, and should, be a much higher percentage. “Given the recently announced commitment by the Australian

Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030, investment in all forms of low emission and renewable sources of energy will be necessary into the future.

“The forest, wood and paper products industry contributes around 7,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs in South Australia.”

PRECISION BIO-MASS SHREDDING

H-3060 HORIZONTAL GRINDER

Powered by a Caterpillar C-15 565hp engine as standard, this machine will produce in excess of 80 cubic metres an hour using 4” screens. Drum chipping mill can be interchanged with the hammermill. Available as trailed or tracked, see it in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_gPs2zNKow www.timberbiz.com.au

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

Contact: Andrew or John Ph: 03 5156 4243 Fax: 03 5156 4125 Email: info@jondod.com

BIO

Potential to double Australian bioenergy sector in five years

USTRALIA HAS the potential to double its bioenergy output over the next five years, developing a new energy source that will lower carbon emissions and provide an important energy from waste option for business and local government. A report by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) highlighted the opportunity for Australia to close the gap when it comes to generating electricity from bioenergy sources. While OECD countries source 2.4% of their electricity output from bioenergy, this is just 0.9% for Australia, according to the CEFC market report: The Australian bioenergy and energy from waste market. “Our analysis has identified an important opportunity for Australia to source more of its electricity from bioenergy,” CEFC CEO Oliver Yates said. “We see the potential for up to 800MW of new generation from bioenergy, valued at up to $5 billion. This could potentially avoid more than 9 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, providing a small but vital element of Australia’s future energy mix.” Mr Yates said that generating electricity and heat from bioenergy and waste resources is cost competitive with other new-built energy generation. However the technologies are not yet widely deployed in Australia. “The CEFC sees important bioenergy opportunities across the economy, including in urban waste, intensive livestock and food processing, and plantation forest residues,” Mr Yates said. “We have already committed around $150 million in bioenergy and enery from waste projects, and this has catalysed a further $280 million in private sector investment. “Our investment pipeline includes $3.5 billion of bioenergy and energy from waste projects, including projects to produce wood pellets, convert sugar cane to ethanol and to convert municipal solid waste and animal waste to energy.” Key findings from the CEFC report include: A potential investment opportunity of between $3.5 billion and $5 billion in the period to 2020 in energy from urban waste, agricultural waste and plantation forest residues. New bioenergy and enery from waste projects that could avoid 9 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, potentially contributing to 12% of Australia’s national 32

¢ Oliver Yates, CEFC Chief Executive Officer.

¢ Bundled forestry plantation residue.

¢ Harvesting forestry plantation residue.

carbon abatement task to 2020. Bioenergy can provide baseload renewable electricity at high levels of availability, while reducing landfill waste and replacing waste disposal methods. While the sugar industry currently accounts for more than half Australia’s bioenergy output, with more than 400MW of installed capacity, the identified investment opportunity in energy from urban waste is between $2.2 billion and $3.3 billion. Mr Yates said: “In the past decade we’ve seen a 65% increase in the use of residential solar, while the growth rate for bioenergy has been just four per cent a year. “With landfill costs rising, we think this is a very important area for local government to focus on, especially since electricity from landfill gas has one of the lowest costs of all energy sources. “Agribusiness operators can

also look to bioenergy as a means of creating onsite generation from waste. By significantly reducing energy costs, they can increase economic competitiveness.” The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) invests using a commercial approach to overcome market barriers and mobilise investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and low emissions technologies. Since its inception, the CEFC has committed over $1.4 billion in finance to investments in clean energy projects valued at over $3.5 billion. Ross Hampton, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), described the report as positive. “Given the recently announced commitment by the Australian Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030, investment

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

in all forms of low emission and renewable sources of energy will be necessary into the future,” he said. “The report identifies the high uptake in Europe of bioenergy, where forest biomass contributes around two-thirds of renewable energy, mostly used for generating heat. A lot of this investment has been driven by enabling policies that recognise the dual benefits from the cogeneration of both renewable electricity and heat. “The cost of establishing new plant for bioenergy is also at the higher end of the costcompetitiveness curve compared with other renewable sources such as wind and solar. Better recognition of the renewable heat component of cogeneration in clean energy schemes would go a long way in generating new investment in bioenergy,” said Mr Hampton. www.timberbiz.com.au

RECYCLING

Waste sawdust: problem or profit?

By Tony Esplin

ASTE SAWDUST has been the curse of Australian sawmillers for over a century. What to do with it? Remember the old Olivine burners? Those conical structures dotted around the countryside pumping

out smoke from the burning wet sawdust inside. Well, now there’s a viable solution to convert waste sawdust into profitable fuel pellets. The first step is to dry the material. It needs to be around 11% moisture content (m.c.) to convert into pellets. There are a couple of ways to do this. Use a drum drier or belt drier coupled to a waste

¢ Die: Ring die and rollers from a Nova pellet press.

wood burner. The boiler runs on a combination of the wet AND dried fuel to have an average m.c. boiler fuel of about 30%. (roughly 50/50 wet/dry by volume) Hot air from the boiler is then pumped through the drier driving off moisture from the wet biomass. The final m.c. is a function of the dwell time in the drier and drying temperature. Both sawdust and wood chips can be dried. Drying systems start at around 500kg / hr and go up to 2000kg / hr. Dry product is removed pneumatically – or via conveyor screw – and stored ready for use. Dry wood chip is in demand from manufacturers with biomass boilers because the dry material burns cleaner than wet woodchip and therefore less emissions from the smoke stack. (And more revenue from dry chip sales) Further processing can include converting

¢ Nova N-Plus 1000kg per hour.

the dried biomass into fuel pellets. Small pellet plants start at 120kg / hr and cost around $120,000 (for a complete system including shredder, silo, hammermill, pellet press, vibrating screen, storage silo and bagging line) and range up to several Tonnes

WOOD WASTE PELLETS

/ hr. However, in the sub 1000kg/ hr range there are 100, 200, 400, 500, 800 kg / hr complete turnkey systems available. With the growth of pellet heaters exploding consumers are now looking for local fuel pellet supplies close to where they live.

50kg - 1000kg/hr production capacity Turnkey Installations including Storage silo Hammer mill Conditioning silo Pellet mill Cooling tower Storage silo Screw Conveyors Packaging Line PLC controlled and tailored to suit your waste volume & type.

Call RTG to discuss making Class AA pellets from your waste.

Italy’s No. 1 Pellet Equipment Manufacturer

- Nova.

02 64961133 www.recyclingtechgroup.com.au Eden | NSW

www.timberbiz.com.au

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

AFG

AFG looks to the future

USTRALIAN FOREST Growers immediate pastPresident (2009-2014) and Board member since 2006, David Fisken, and Greg Unwin, Director since 2011, did not seek re-election to the Board this year . Four current Directors, Kevin Harding (North QLD), Ian Hall (WA), Tim Gillespie-Jones (NSW) and Judy Alexander (VIC) re-nominated for Board positions and were joined by Carol Neal (SE QLD) to fill the five vacancies. The AFG National AGM was held in conjunction with the local Ballarat Tree Growers AGM and several Victorian members travelled quite long distances to attend along with President Kevin Harding who flew down from far north Queensland to attend. Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst, from Melbourne University, provided an excellent post-dinner address discussing the interaction of fire with the environment and the importance of fire management to manage landscapes for effective flora and fauna conservation. At the first meeting of the new AFG Board on 31 October, Kevin, Ian and Tim were re-confirmed as President, Vice-President and Treasurer for the next term of the Board. Additionally, the new Board invited Jan Newport (SA) to join the Board as a supplementary Director to add additional skills and national coverage to the Board composition. In his President’s report to the AGM, Kevin noted the following AFG highlights for 2014/15: The successful recruitment of highly experienced Executive Officer, Sarah Paradice, and her management of the office shift from Dickson to a shared office with the Institute of Foresters of Australia at Bruce. Sarah has provided much needed National Office management and support to both the Board and members. The new office arrangements deliver important budget savings and open up prospects for increased collaborative interactions with IFA. Treasurer Tim Gillespie-Jones will report a very healthy surplus for the 2014/15 financial year reflecting both fiscal prudency and a very successful 2014 Lismore conference. The Conference was a great success under the stewardship of Mark Wright (Convenor) with his Organising

Committee and in particular, Diana Lloyd, who provided critical conference planning and delivery experience/mentorship. The Bumper Annual Edition of the Australian Forest Grower magazine marks a milestone change for AFG. We welcome aboard Brad Wykes as the new Editor and trust that all members enjoy the first edition of the Annual which was distributed in early November. The Board continues to consider the reinstatement of a quarterly magazine in the context of the effectiveness of our overall communications strategy. The AFG News Bulletin was mooted as a 2-4 page regular communication with members. We have received very positive feedback on the editions produced to date. The News Bulletin seems to have filled a valued communication niche with members with the first editions running to between 8 and 18 pages! It is pleasing to read the stories on field days and other contributions that have not been generally captured in our magazine that focussed on more formal papers and reports. The Board has made a significant commitment to overhauling and modernising the AFG website. This will provide great efficiencies and cost savings for the annual membership renewal process and Conference and Branch event registrations. It will also capture our

welcome to Tasmania from 23-26 October 2016 (Conference) and 18-22 October (Pre-conference Tour). We have transitioned to a single membership renewal date of 1 June for memberships covering the next financial year. This is much more efficient and manageable for our limited office resources and provides certainty to the Board for planning around membership level and drives.

We are building on existing ties and developing strengthened collaborative linkages with IFA, AFPA, FWPA, NZFFA, ForestWorks and AFS. back catalogue of magazines, policies and government submissions making them readily accessible to members as they deserve to be. They represent an important and valued resource for this organisation and a huge bank of volunteer time that went in to crafting them. Additionally, it includes a marketplace area for members to market their own products and properties. A highly experienced Conference Organising Committee has been formed in Tasmania and is diligently planning and developing another outstanding AFG Conference in Launceston on 2016. We look forward to your support and their warm

We submitted a 28 page submission to the Forest Industries Advisory Council strategic directions issues paper on Meeting Future Market Demand for Australia’s Forest Products and Forest Industry. This submission was based on AFG’s enviable resource of policy statements. A policy forum will be built into the 2016 conference program to update those policy statements that are now dated since the last major policy forum in 2011/12. We are building on existing ties and developing strengthened collaborative linkages with IFA, AFPA, FWPA, NZFFA, ForestWorks and AFS. These important linkages will ensure our Private Forestry voice is raised, and our issues and policies are considered, in forums across our Australian, state and local government jurisdictions as well as by our key industry peak bodies as they consider their policy positions and advocate strong industry positions. Kevin thanked all the Board members for their dedication

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

and service to AFG and for the support and encouragement of our experienced Directors as the newer faces have settled in to their roles on the Board. Thanks also to Pat Lavery for her assistance with book-keeping from July 2014 to March 2105. A special thanks to Sarah Paradice for her professional management of our national office affairs and communications. He also thanked and recognised AFG’s insurance partners JLT and Coverforce who are important financial supporters of AFG and deserve your consideration and support when insuring your plantation and forest investments. We also received wonderful sponsorship support for the 2014 Biennial conference in Lismore and the Tree Farmer of the Year Awards particularly from the Australian Government (Dept. of Agriculture), Southern Cross University, FWPA, Hurford Hardwoods, ForestWorks, our insurers and a range of other supporters which we gratefully acknowledge. Finally, Kevin moved a vote of thanks to David Fisken and Greg Unwin as they retire from the AFG Board of Directors. AFS has been privileged to have had David’s sage leadership over five years as President (2009-2014) and nine years in total on the AFG Board during a time of great change and difficult budgetary waters to negotiate. Greg has been a stalwart champion of the Grower magazine during his four years on the Board and will continue to serve on the Tasmanian Branch Executive and the 2016 Conference Organising Committee. We welcome your opinion: Email your feedback to j.hudswell@ryanmediapl.com.au www.timberbiz.com.au

Classifieds

FIREWOOD MILLS

For Information, please, call 0419-536 804 or email your postal address to info@firewoodmills.com.au

Sell your used equipment, advertise your tender, offer your real estate or find your next employee. For rates and deadlines call Michael Dolphin on (03) 9888 4834 or email: m.dolphin@ryanmediapl.com.au

CLEARANCE

Milling & Processing Machinery Wadkin XE220 moulder

Complete in good condition with cutters and blower.

Forest Equipment Specialist

Was $28,000+GST Now $22,400+GST 20% OFF

Wolfenden Twin Circular Resaw

30kw, ideal for high production of sawn battensfrom 150x38 feedstock, (or similar operation), Hydraulic feed. Was $18,000+GST Now $14,000+GST

New model Easy50 available now!

Different sizes of mills with optional feeding table and drum cleaner. Tractor, Diesel Power Pack or Electric Power Pack driven models.

Dankeardt multisaw

20% OFF

$18,000+GST

30kw, (takes up to 8 blades).

Profiled moulding sander High capacity, multi head, give away

John Deere 848H Skidder

Dressta TD20M

$198,000 inc. GST

$ POA

Tigercat 635D Skidder

Kobelco SK330-6E

$357,500 inc. GST

$132,000 inc. GST

Volvo EC290BLC Feller Buncher

Timberking TK722A

$165,000 inc. GST

$181,500 inc. GST

Hyundai R210LC-7 Excavator

Kobelco SK260LC-8

$69,950 inc. GST

$77,000 inc. GST

Valmet 425EX + Waratah HTH622B

Rosin CF850 Felling Head

$148,500 inc. GST

$55,000 inc. GST

$10,000+GST

Anthon 1.8m wide belt sander

Very heavy duty, high production machine. $15,000+GST

Business for Sale

Saw & Other Tooling Services - location Sydney area This highly successful company has been a family owned and operated business for the last 25 years. With state of the art equipment, this business would be ideal for an individual or partnership with metal worker, fitter and turner, saw doctor, tool making or woodworking industry skills. This company could also sit well within a larger business offering a range of services to the building and manufacturing industry. The company is a leader in its field with a diverse range of clients and security of tenure.

Loser - Dowell cut off machine x 2 No. 220

$3,500+GST Each

Loser - Dowell rod sander

$4,000+GST

4 Tonne Side loader forklift Perkins Diesel

$9,000+GST

• Earn $250k+ per annum • Profitable History Numerous and Diverse range of Clientele. Niche market and service. Outstanding Industry Reputation. State of the Art Robotic Equipment.

Austral Timber Group Contact: Ken Baker 0438 643 992 or ken.baker@ubteam.com

No Capital investment required for the next 10 – 15 years. Free From Overseas Discount Pricing. Growth Potential. The owner is willing to work with the new owner for a period of up to 6 months to ensure a smooth transition to new ownership. This is a unique opportunity to enter a niche market, free from overseas discounting competition, built on a secure quality customer base.

For further information on this impressive business or for a confidentiality agreement and information memorandum.

Contact Amanda at WLM Financial today on 9221 7777

FOR SALE

Clearance Sale

Mt Beauty Timber Industries Pty Ltd is seeking to clear all sawmilling plant & equipment from our site at Mount Beauty in N/East Victoria. Most items priced under $20,000 List of items include; • Gibson Log Carriage with McKee Load Deck • Twin Circular Log B/Down Unit & Outfeed • Macsim Sizing Carriage with Loading Deck • 72” Klamath Band Saw • Isles Forge 54” Band Resaw & Roundabout • Grey Circular Saw Bench & Infeed • Sumner Multi Saw Edger • 48” Precision Chipper and Chip Screen • Twin Saw Board Dock/End Trim System • Board Unscrambler • Terex Log Loaders with Buckets • Armstrong Band Saw Sharpener & Tensioner • Sawdust Blowers & Cyclones • Stainless Steel Reconditioning Chamber • Ingersoll Rand SSR 2000 10L Air Compressor • Transfers, Rollcases, Trolleys, Blowers & more

To view all items and prices visit our website at www.mtbeautytimber.com or contact Bruce on 0428 361497 or mbtimber@bigpond.com

2012 Waratah HTH625C Harvesting Head only § Timberite High Computer § § ¾ Topping Saw § ¾ Main Saw with Auto Tensioning § § Paint Marking § 10,500 hours §

$125,000 inc GST Contact: 0408 849 697

www.timberbiz.com.au

FOR SALE - CHAINBAR OILS

BUNCHING GRAPPLES

If you are looking for a heavy-duty grapple that will sort, bunch and load all day, every day, then you need a Rotobec. Onetrak offers the complete range of Rotobec Bunching Grapples, Heavy-Duty Log Grapples and Multi-Stem Grapple Saws. Give us a call for more information.

1300 727 520

www.onetrak.com.au

200L - $286 + FREIGHT 1000L Available (Samples can be supplied) Made from gear oils. Hydraulic oil also available from $1.32/L

- Call for freight quote Now also delivering to Canberra and Newcastle.

PH: 0408 921 669

Australian Forests & Timber News

December 2015

THE GIANT A new era in a wheel harvester

A NEW ERA IN: SIZE PRODUCTIVITY OPERATOR ENVIRONMENT ECO-FRIENDLINESS MANOEUVRABILITY

Komatsu Forest Quality Wheel Harvester The new Komatsu 951 is the market’s largest wheel harvester with tons of new tecknology for increased production capacity, operater comfort and friendly to the ecology. Features such as; • New 3-pump hydraulics regulated with the engine for more power and work capacity. • New power-optimised transmission and bogie for improved climbing and crawling speeds. • New noise reducing cab with superb visibility,keyless system,media hub and auto level. • New Stage 4/Final engine with low emissions and fuel consumption. (Stage IIB for Aust & NZ). All do wonders for your proﬁtability.

www.komatsuforest.com.au

Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd. 11/4 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW 2127 Australia T: +61 2 9647 3600 E: info.au@komatsuforest.com