Australasian Timber Magazine - June 2020

June 2020

MANUFACTURE • TECHNOLOGY • DESIGN • CONSTRUCTION

25 KING

Rising above the concrete NEW TECHOLOGY

Turning waste wood into hard wood

MANAGING MOISTURE

Questions remain over mass timber

Incorporating Australian and New Zealand Timberman – Established 1977.

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‘Ultimate’ award for FWPA

Turning waste wood into quality hardwood

NEWS

World-first technology from 3RT in collaboration with Flinders University

A

■■ FWPA Managing Director,

Ric Sinclair

FOREST and Wood Products Australia’s The Ultimate Renewable branding has been named twice on the winners’ list for the 2020 International Association of Business Communicators Gold Quill Awards.

For more than 40 years, the IABC’s Gold Quill Awards has recognised excellence in strategic communication worldwide, and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the communications and marketing industries.

The organisers recognised FWPA’s entry ‘The Ultimate Renewable – Reframing Forestry in the Eyes of the Public’ in the Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Communication Category, with quills awarded by both IABC Victoria and IABC Asia-Pacific.

Ric Sinclair, FWPA Managing Director, said the industry around the world has long struggled with the conundrum of broad community acceptance of wood products alongside a persistent underlying concern about sustainable forest management.

“Our research shows the community largely understands that wood stores carbon, and that using wood can help to reduce carbon emissions. However, we need to improve people’s understanding that harvested trees are actually replaced and grow into a resource for use by future generations,” Mr Sinclair said.

“By providing education and challenging misconceptions, the goal is to encourage the wider community to embrace forest and wood products across the supply chain, increasing acceptance of and demand for timber in Australia.”

Following rigorous industry and consumer consultation, The Ultimate Renewable brand was developed to reinforce the association between wood and the word ‘renewable’, while simultaneously promoting benefits of timber as a material. www.timberbiz.com.au

N Australian company that has developed technology to turn wood waste into timber that looks and performs like 100-year-old tropical hardwood has entered an agreement with Bosch to globalise the product.

At the heart of technology is a patented process using a water-based, formaldehyde-free “Nano-glue” that biomimics the structure of a natural tree in just one day.

3RT’s Innovation Center is credited with creating a sustainable, low impact substitute for tropical hardwood. It received international recognition in the 2019 Good Design Awards competition by winning a gold medal for its concept of “Bespoke Wood”, which brings the concept of mass customisation into the hardwood industry.

3RT Managing Director Peter Torreele said the final product was comparable to the highest quality hardwood but was sustainable as it was made from waste timber residues that would otherwise be woodchipped.

He said the licensing units would be ideally suited to Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and plywood producers that used plantation resources and generated a lot of wood waste suitable for use in the units.

“The units are plug and play units that are very compact and agile with a small footprint so we can place them around the world very quickly in locations that we believe are suitable to give access to those local resources,” Mr Torreele said.

“We already have one running in Adelaide and Bosch is adding Internet of Things capability, which means that if we have a unit somewhere else it is remotely connected to our innovation centre so we can track all the data, develop new products and undergo maintenance.”

3RT has an estimated potential project market size of $1.2 billion globally.

Researchers from the Flinders Institute for NanoScale Science & Technology in South Australia have already worked with more than 100 species, including 30 international wood types to make specialised recipes.

Based in Adelaide and Melbourne, 3RT has spent six years

■■ Stairs featuring 3RT timber and, below, 3RT Managing Director Peter Torreele.

developing its world-first technology in collaboration with Flinders University in South Australia, launching its first commercial product, Designer Hardwood, last year.

Bosch Manufacturing Solutions will build fully automated production cells at its Clayton, Melbourne, facility to enable Designer Hardwood production around the world.

3RT’s business model involves licensing the digital production units, enabling customers to convert forest or plantation residues into premium hardwood products.

A typical automated facility can be up and running within 12 months.

The President of Bosch Australia, Gavin Smith said the development with 3RT leveraged his company’s know-how in manufacturing, sensor technology, and software around the Internet of Things (IoT).

“At Bosch, we combine experience gained from our own manufacturing activities across more than 250 plants worldwide with our expertise as a leading provider of industrial IoT solutions.

“We are not only optimising our own manufacturing base, we are also actively seeking to work with partners like 3RT to enable the rise of digital industrial technology.”

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

Mr Torreele said the relationship with Flinders University would continue to develop new products and create specific recipes as new customers came aboard.

“For instance, if we find a resource in Canada, we first develop the specific recipe in Adelaide, Bosch builds the unit and once we put the unit in Canada we can straight away produce the product that we have already developed and tested at the innovation centre in Adelaide,” he said.

“It’s a very fast way of scaling up thanks to the relationships with Flinders University and Bosch.

“We also have a very aggressive technology roadmap with Flinders University, which is around the product itself. The idea with that is everything you put on top of a piece of wood today we want to put inside the product so you don’t have to maintain it anymore and it’s done in a non-toxic way.

Mr Torreele said he hoped to have the first Bosch commercial scale unit operating at another site by the middle of next year.

3RTs commercial products have only been sold in Australia so far and include indoor furnishings such as flooring, stairs, doors and panelling.

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NEWS Building our way to economic recovery

australasian

June 2020 Issue 4 Vol. 28

Incorporating Australian and New Zealand Timberman – Established 1977.

News 3-6 Timber design awards 8 Frame & Truss 13 Tech Talk 14 Associations 15-19 Front Cover: The Glulam exposed columns at 25 King in Brisbane’s Bowen Hills.

The Federal Government’s $688 million HomeBuilder grants scheme is obviously a welcome fillip for the nation’s building industry.

Throwing that sort of money around indicates the Federal Government recognises the importance of the industry which goes all the way from the forests to finished liveable house.

The package will kick-start the nation’s residential building sector which had been looking down the barrel of its toughest year in history.

It is targeting house builds and major specific renovation projects.

But it is not the ultimate solution to the country’s postCoVid-19 woes.

Many will miss out on it.

Housing Minister Michael Sukkar has conceded there won’t be many renovators accessing the grants.

He believes around 70 per cent of the

australasian

program will go to people who build a new home.

But that should not be counted as a criticism of the scheme. It is, but it shouldn’t be.

The success of the scheme will help people in the supply chain stay in employment, from the mills to the timber merchants, frame and truss makers, builders, subbies and beyond.

It won’t save everyone, but it’s better than the alternative.

Meanwhile the team at the Forest and Wood Products Australia should be con-

gratulated for the success of its Ultimate Renewable campaign.

The campaign has been named twice on the winners’ list for the 2020 International Association of Business Communicators Gold Quill Awards.

The awards recognises excellence in strategic communication worldwide, and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the communications and marketing industries.

The campaign featuring Grand Designs Australia’s host, award-winning architect Peter Maddison, has certainly hit the mark in terms of presentation.

But ultimately the success of the campaign will be measured in terms of timber sales.

And that’s where the HomeBuilder grants scheme comes into play.

As much as possible, timber must be pushed as the preferred building material.

Publisher and Chief Executive: Hartley Higgins General Manager: Robyn Haworth Editor: Bruce Mitchell b.mitchelll@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9512 Advertising: Gavin de Almeida g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517 Design & Production: Peter Frezzini Timber classifieds: g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517 Subscriptions: subs@forestsandtimber.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9522 Subcription rates One-year (8 editions) $55 Two-years (16 editions) $95 Accounts: Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9555 Postal Address: 630 Regency Road, Broadview South Australia 5083 Phone: (08) 8369 9555 Fax: (08) 8369 9501

ReBuild plan to protect payments

Melbourne Office: Suite 2262, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Phone: (03) 9810 3262

of Australia’s leading peak industry bodies representing building and construction industry subcontractors which make up over 82% of the building and construction industry have joined forces to create a dynamic new working group called ReBuild Australia.

ReBuild Australia has one objective; protect payments to subbies.

Created by ProjectPay, ReBuild Australia has been joined by peak industry associations including the Australian Subcontractors Association (ASA), Master Painters & Decorators Australia (WA), Master Painters Australia NSW/ACT, Master Plumbers Association SA, National Electrical & Communications Association (SA/NT), the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries (WA and NSW), building dispute adjudicators Adjudicate Today and a national construction group.

Website www.timberbiz.com.au Printed by Lane Print, Adelaide, SA

Conditions

The opinions expressed in Australasian Timber Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of or endorsed by the editor or publisher unless otherwise stated.

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. All material in Australasian Timber Magazine copyright 2020 © Ryan Media. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic, or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, the publisher will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

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Key Points ■■ ReBuild Australia is made up of Australia’s leading peak industry bodies representing

building and construction industry subcontractors.

■■ ReBuild Australia’s one objective is to protect payments to subbies.

■■ ReBuild will workclosely with the Australian Finance Industry Association.

“ReBuild Australia is focused on rolling out the recommendations of the six governmentcommissioned reviews for the urgent implementation of Cascading Statutory Trusts (CSTs), designed to protect payments for all levels in the contractual supply chain – from principals to subcontractors,” ProjectPay chief executive Louise Stewart says.

“CSTs are far superior to Project Bank Accounts (PBAs), which are heavy on administration and only protect the top tier contractors.”

ReBuild Australia will take the recommendations made by the six industry experts to help AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

ensure the construction industry recovery post-COVID-19.

The focus will be on accelerating and protecting payment of trade invoices, ensuring and maintaining subcontractors’ cash-flow and protecting over 1.2 million jobs.

“It’s anticipated that longpromised legislation designed to improve subcontractor payment protections is expected to be released for comment by the WA government this week,” Louise says.

“We are looking forward to working with them to ensure that industry is engaged in the state and national roll out of reforms.”

Additionally, ReBuild Australia will work with the Australian Finance Industry Association to look at options to access the Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) Structured Finance Support Fund, designed to back struggling small businesses that don’t satisfy banks risk criteria.

“CSTs are supported by small business ombudsman Kate Carnell, who released a report in support of industry wide implementation of CST’s as the only sensible way to protect payments for SME businesses in the industry,” Louise explains. www.timberbiz.com.au

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NEWS

Building approvals still reporting pre-CoVid figures Key Points T HE most recent building approvals data released by the ABS relates to projects lodged with local councils well before the impact of COVID 19 conditions, according to the Housing Industry Association.

And the HIA has warned that new home building activity will weigh further on Australia’s GDP growth.

The ABS reported building approvals rose by 7.3 per cent in the three months to April 2020 compared to the previous three months. “Due to the lag between project development and design, submitting an application for a building approval and obtaining an approval, the majority of these projects would have been envisaged at the start of the year or in 2019, when the housing market was gaining momentum,� HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said. “We do not expect building approvals data to reflect the post-COVID 19 impact until August.

■■Building approvals rose by 7.3 per cent in the three months to April. ■■Approvals data is not expected to reflect the post-COVID 19 impact until August. ■■New home building activity will weigh further on Australia’s GDP.

â– â– HIA chief economist

Tim Reardon

“Detached house approvals were 1.5 per cent higher in the three months to April 2020 compared to the previous three months and 0.3 per cent higher than the same time last year,� he said.

Multi-unit approvals increased by 16.0 per cent in the three months to April 2020 compared with the previous three months and were 1.5 per cent higher than the same time last year. “All states recorded a monthly increase in approvals with the exception of New South Wales which declined by 29.9 per cent during April driven by a fall in multi-unit approvals,�

Mr Reardon said.

In seasonally adjusted terms, building approvals for the three months to April 2020 quarter increased in Tasmania (+18.4 per cent), New South Wales (+10.9 per cent), Western Australia (+10.4 per cent) and Victoria (+9.3 per cent). Approvals declined in Queensland (-1.4 per cent) and South Australia (-2.5 per cent). In trend terms, the Northern Territory increased by 28.2 per cent and the ACT increased by 18.7 per cent Mr Reardon said that new home building activity would weigh further on Australia’s GDP growth in the second half of 2020. “Following the negative GDP result for the March quarter and the expected negative result for the June quarter - the economy is in urgent need of measures to kick-start our post

COVID-19 recovery,’’ he said. “The persistent decline in residential building activity has detracted from GDP for the last six quarters, and is already 14 per cent down from the peak. “This contraction was prior to the COVID-19 restrictions impacting home building,� he said. “Leading indicators show that a sharper contraction in residential building activity is imminent.�

Mr Reardon said that the long lead-times for residential building meant that the full impact of the COVID-19 crisis on residential building would not hit GDP until later in the year. “Without appropriate support up to half a million jobs could be at risk as the number of homes Australians will build next year is expected to

be around half of the number of homes we built last year,� he said.

The shock to the economy from the halting of overseas migration, the absence of student arrivals and uncertainty over the domestic economy would see the housing market continue to contract through 2020 and into 2021. “This shock will reverberate through the residential building industry, up and down the supply chain. Employment in the sector is not expected to recover within the next two years,� Mr Reardon said. “The sector engages over 1 million people and we expect to build half as many homes next year as we did last year, requiring a halving of the number of hours worked on building sites.�

AUSTRALIAN MADE AND GROWN

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

www.timberbiz.com.au

Tassie Timber

BRIEFS Exhibition postponed

At the AWISA Ltd board meeting on Friday 6 March the decision was made to postpone the AWISA exhibition planned for 1-4 July 2020. The reasons all relate to coronavirus. The board first and foremost considered the health and safety of visitors and the staff of exhibiting companies. It is clear that in Australia the coronavirus is only in its early stages, and on the basis of the experience in China and other countries it still has many weeks or months to run its course. Normally an AWISA exhibition has Having celebrated 34 years in business earlier in the month, Lincoln Sentry continued the celebrations on Wednesday 26 February with the official opening of the National Customer Support Centre and Acacia Ridge Distribution Centre (DC) by DuluxGroup Chairman and CEO Pat Houlihan.

Lincoln Sentry Executive General Manager Mike Kirkman said the new site is 30% larger than Coopers Plains and provides enormous synergies with the co-location of the National Customer Support Centre and Brisbane DC.

Biemel Passing

It is with regret and sadness that AWISA advises of the passing of Erwin Biemel. Erwin was been a member of the Titus Tekform family for many years, first as the owner of longstanding hardware distributor Biemel Enterprises and more recently as the State Manager for Western Australia after Titus acquired his business in 2017. Biemel Enterprises was a family business, with Erwin and his father the first to import Grass hinges into Australia. Erwin’s son, Anton, is the current sales manager for Western Australia. Erwin was very passionate about the industry and a valued member of Titus Tekform.

Sturgeon Steps Back

After 35 years at the helm of Nelson Pine Industries and 57 years’ experience in panel manufacturing, the former managing director Murray Sturgeon announced he had reached a decision to “ease back” and would now be assuming the role of chairman and executive director for Nelson Pine Industries Limited, Tasman Pine Forest Limited and Sumitomo Forestry New Zealand Limited.

Former chief operating officer Kai Kruse has taken over as chief executive officer for NPIL. As well as keeping the office he’s sat in since NPI’s founding in September 1984, Sturgeon will still maintain an interest in the company, approving capital expenditure and maintaining the community involvement that many have benefited from, including schools and sports.

www.timberbiz.com.au

Beauty from Tassie to Brisbane

J

UST north of Brisbane’s

CBD, sits Gareth Robertson’s workshop, Blackwood Collective. And it’s not just any workshop.

Blackwood Collective specialises in high-end custom residential and commercial furniture, joinery and carpentry.

Every piece coming out of the workshop is expertly handcrafted with an acute sense of detail, made to perfectly fit the space it will call home.

While Gareth is a fan of all Tasmanian timber species, as the name of his business suggests, Tasmanian Blackwood is Gareth’s material of choice, time and time again.

Gareth got his start as a craftsman working as an apprentice carpenter. Working for around 10 years with some of Brisbane’s top architects, Gareth noticed Tasmanian Blackwood in solid hardwood and veneers, as a popular specification in custom builds.

This is where he fell in love with not only the timber’s character and variation but also its physical properties including its innate durability and smooth workability.

Taking his passion for the timber and his craft out on his own, Blackwood Collective was born in 2013. Settling on the name for the love of his favourite timber, Gareth also shares the deeper sentiment behind the name of his workshop.

“The Blackwood Collective name really represents two

things. The first being my love for the timber and the second as a tribute to my Aboriginal heritage. Traditionally, wattle [Blackwood] was the timber used to make tools like boomerangs, spears and clap sticks and so the name pays respect to my family history.”

Blackwood Beauty With business taking off since its inception, Gareth has completed custom work for multiple private residences throughout Queensland as well as several hospitality venues – featuring the natural beauty of Tasmanian Blackwood.

With the recent completion of Pipit in Pottsville, NSW, a restaurant supporting sustainable food systems, Blackwood Collective was commissioned to create stools, tables and a custom fit bar top. Gareth says Tasmanian Blackwood was his first choice for this project.

“I was given free rein on the creative decisions for the furniture and fittings at Pipit which was really exciting,” he said.

“I visited the space first to get inspiration for the design of all of the pieces and everything took shape from there. I knew the darker tones and the variation in the grain of Tasmanian Blackwood would be the perfect fit for the warm and natural textures that the restaurant was aiming for.”

Choosing to show off the grain and inherent beauty of AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

Blackwood, Gareth says he prefers to use a natural finish.

“For the bar top at Pipit, I hand rolled a natural wood finish out of Germany called Osmo to coat the Blackwood. Depending on the traffic a piece might get, I tend to use more natural finishes like this wax coat which allows the figure and the variations of lightness in the timber to be seen.”

Beauty and aesthetics aside, Gareth says choosing a sustainable timber is a must. Tasmanian Blackwood is sourced from forests that are sustainably managed, independently audited and certified to an internationally acclaimed standard, which fits the sustainability requirement for Blackwood Collective.

“All of the wood I use must be sustainable. It’s a major aspect of design that we all need to consider and to choose sustainable and natural products,” he said.

Using a combination of machine and hand crafting methods, Gareth says he’s excited for what’s next.

“I’ve been lucky with who I’ve been able to work with so far.

I’ve worked with some amazing architects on some really cool projects that have been a lot of fun. I also like the smaller commissions where I’m making solid custom furniture and bespoke joinery. Everything that leaves the workshop has been finished by hand which makes it really special.”

■■ Gareth Robertson in

his Blackwood Collective workshop.

7

Timber Design Awards

BRIEFS Evading the LAw Investigators have uncovered a scheme by European timber traders to evade E.U. laws by supplying Myanmar teak to the continent’s marine sector, including for decking on superyachts.

The investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) was based on documents obtained from the Croatian agriculture ministry.

The documents detailed 10 shipments of Myanmar teak via Croatian company Viator Pula, which EIA described as a focal point for the scheme designed to circumvent an E.U. regulation banning the sale of illegally harvested timber.

CLT Plant Certified Katerra, a technology company redefining the construction industry which operates the largest CLT factory in North America, announced yesterday that its cross-laminated timber (CLT) factory has earned Chain of Custody (CoC) certifications under three major certification programmes: Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SCS-SFI/ COC-007240), Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC-C156195), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC/29-31-382).

Katerra worked with SCS Global Services – an international leader in third-party certification, validation, and verification of environmental and sustainability performance – to certify its factory.

First wooden wind Tower Sweden’s first wooden wind tower is now ready on Björkö outside Gothenburg. The tower is 30 metres high and was erected by the development company Modvion in late April.

The wood construction is as strong as steel and makes the wind turbine climate neutral from the start. As early as 2022, the first wooden towers will be built on a commercial scale. The wind power tower now erected on Björkö is 30 metres high and will be used for research purposes. But already in 2022, the first wooden towers will be built on a commercial scale. The 30-metre tall tower was built together with Moelven at the gluewood factory in Töreboda.

The lower weight of the wood and the modular concept make it possible to build taller towers, the sections of which can be transported on public roads.

8

■■ 25 King in Brisbane’s showgrounds and, below, inside the building among the timber columns.

Timber rises amid steel and concrete Brisbane’s tallest timber building makes its mark

A

M ON G the steel and concrete buildings in Brisbane’s landscape, Lendlease’s concept to create Australia’s tallest timber office building offered an opportunity to be part of something special.

Lendlease had an aspiration to construct tall buildings made of timber as part of the $2.9 billion renewal of Brisbane Showgrounds in Bowen Hills.

Located 1.6 km from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct is now one of the largest urban renewal initiatives in Australia.

The timber option submitted

by Lendlease gave Aurecon – the engineering, design and advisory company involved in the project - the chance to differentiate itself by creating an environment that puts its people at the heart of its design and thereby supporting the health and wellbeing of its people.

The result – 25 King - is a ninestorey high-performance commercial building and the tallest engineered timber building in Australia.

The project utilises Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated timber (Glulam), together they combine the structural strength of concrete and steel but with a low carbon footprint.

The building won the Excellence in Timber Design award, and a merit award in the People’s Choice category, at

EXCELLENCE IN THE USE OF TIMBER PRODUCTS

Architect: BatesSmart Structural Engineer: Aurecon and Lendlease DesignMake Builder: Lendlease Fabricator: Stora Enso (CLT) and Wiehag (Glulam) Photographer: Tom Roe Location: Brisbane, Queensland

least year’s Australian Timber Design Awards.

The timber sourced for 25 King comes from Spruce trees, an exceptionally fast-growing species found in Austria.

According to Lendlease, the time it will took in the Austrian forests to grow back the timber used on 25 King was as little as six hours in total.

“We see timber buildings providing the next generation AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

of workplace for a creative class looking for rich environments that enhance well being and productivity,” Philip Vivian from the architects, Bates Smart, said.

“The timber construction recalls the vernacular ‘Queenslanders’ as well as relating to the historic RNA pavilions, to create a site specific and innovative tall building that connects with nature.

“The building’s ‘verandah’ edge condition maximises connection with the natural environment.”

At ground level, a substantial 54-metre long timber colonnade lined with cafes and restaurants caters to the need for creative workspaces outside of the office, while establishing a welcoming entry to the building.

Inside, the exposed timber structure and services creates a contemporary studio environment that balances wellbeing with creative collaboration space.

The floorplates integrate a six metre by eight metre module grid of Glulam columns and exposed timber soffits with visual grade CLT cladding to the core, underpinning the honest expression of the structure.

The title of Australia’s tallest wood building is expected to be handed to a premium 10-level office tower, on top of the Melbourne Central shopping mall, currently under construction. www.timberbiz.com.au

PreFabrication

Technology meeting demands T HE construction sector has a major impact on the economy, environment and society.

For decades, building has been plagued by rising costs, stagnant productivity, high waste and low margins.

These problems are compounded by the record demand for buildings of increasing complexity, higher performance standards, with increased customer expectations and sustainability requirements.

The industry needs to meet these demands while finding new efficiencies to lower costs (Building 4.0, 2020).

In Australia, evidence of the building sector’s shortcomings are found in the housing affordability crisis, several recent high-profile safety events, falling quality and skills shortages.

Programs across Australia are being developed and delivered to promote the use of technology as an enabler to advancing benefits form a re-imagined future of construction.

Building has not kept pace with the rapid technological of modern society leading to the sector not achieving gains in productivity and customer satisfaction.

Constructions core challenge remains the modernisation of an old industry. However, there are wellsprings and pockets of change occurring.

Changes to the National Construction Code in Australia in 2016 and 2019 coupled with the establishment of local manufacturing of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels

www.timberbiz.com.au

realised the opportunity to increase Mass Timber Construction (MTC) uptake.

MTC is a relatively new construction technology consisting of both a material, timber, and a construction methodology through the adoption of prefabricated or off-site manufacturing.

MTC firmly sits under the prefabAUS umbrella of construction technologies and forms a part of future research projects delivering on the Building 4.0 promise.

MTC and prefabricated timber framing are considered 2D panelised prefabricated technology, a ‘flat pack’ form construction. However, these panels can be prefabricated into 3D volumetric forms and constructed and shipped as discrete units for assembly in a superstructure frames – typically in Europe these are produced from GluLam. In order to develop a greater understanding regarding how timber technology can support wider gains in the construction industry, prefabAUS partnered with the Building 4.0 CRC to undertake specific research projects to drive innovation. In working with prefabAUS mem-

■■ The new Adelaide Oval hotel under construction in Adelaide using CLT panels from XLam.

bers, it is our aim that industry will increase profitability and productivity through the engagement in ‘lighthouse’ projects, creating new products, services and intellectual property exchanges that will forge a new direction in construction.

A significant component of the Building 4.0 CRC is conducting research and development in a more integrated and coordinated manner. With outcomes being firmly focused on commercialisation. Industryfocused R&D projects will also have the added advantage of leveraging Commonwealth funding and expert researchers in each technology domain.

From a timber technology perspective there is still a considerable amount of research and development to be conducted, specifically in the areas of market accessibility, supply chain management and coordination and the integration of disparate technologies (i.e. prefabricated timber framing and mass timber superstructures). Of considerable concern

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

Photo: Supplied by XLam.

on every timber project is the connection of members and elements to ensure the structural adequacy and capacity of the ‘solution’ to deliver a safe, robust and purposeful buildings.

Market Accessibility Given that many new technologies take time to be adopted by the early majority, there is considerable effort required to ensure that technologies overcome initial inertia and take hold. Timber construction is no different. With the recent advent of onshore manufacturing of CLT only occurred in the last few years, there is still a groundswell of interested parties seeking to use the technology, however the capabilities in industry still do not exist in abundance. prefabAUS is a driving force behind the push to increase market acceptance of new technologies, including timber focused solutions.

Supply Chain Supply chains in the timber technology domain are twofold, locally produced timber

systems, i.e. prefabricated Frame & Truss plus GluLam & CLT, and imported mass timber systems and solutions. Atop of the timber components are the myriad of connection systems and fixings which are typically imported. prefabAUS is part of the movement driving a consolidation of the supply chain through education and advocacy programs seeking to improve supply routes for all technologies including timber systems. prefabAUS is driving the innovation agenda in the Higher Education research space to achieve outcomes from programs we are currently engaged with. The centres we are involved with include; the ARC CAMP-H, Building 4.0, IMCRC. We seek your industries support through collaboration to provide significant futurefocused value in the form of a stable platform for advocacy and governmental policy engagement, especially around economic stimulus in a post COVID19 era.

9

CLT

BRIEFS Fire Testing

THE three largest suppliers of CLT – KLH, Binderholz and Stora Enso – have invested in a series of fire tests to assess safety and performance of CLT. According to a report in Inside Housing, the group is planning to spend £500,000 on a series of fire tests over the next 18 months to demonstrate the safety of cross laminated timber, ahead of a proposed change in building regulations that could lead to CLT being banned for use on the construction of buildings over 11 metres. The test results will be released once available, with the entire programme set to last 18 months.

Tissue production

VALMET will supply the seventh tissue line delivery including an extensive automation package to Turkish tissue producer Hayat Kimya. The company has decided to invest in a second machine at their mill in Mersin, Turkey, to meet the increasing demand for their high-quality tissue products.

The new line will add 70,000 tonnes of tissue to their current production of facial, toilet and towel tissue. The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the first quarter 2020.

The value of the order will not be disclosed.

Free Seminar

THE Urban Wood Network (UWN), in partnership with the International Woodworking Fair (IWF), will present a free seminar, “The Urban Wood Movement: Expanding from Coast to Coast,” to highlight opportunities for woodworkers to leverage the unique local appeal and environmental benefits of using urban wood. This 90-minute session is scheduled on August 26 at 1 p.m. This will be the third consecutive edition of the biennial industrial woodworking show to feature a seminar devoted to urban wood utilization. IWF, North America’s largest gathering of woodworking professionals and suppliers, runs August 25-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Height Limits

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korea has announced that height limits of wood buildings will be eased as early as July to reflect the latest developments in wood construction and wood-based building products such as CLT. The current regulations limit the maximum height to 18 metres at the roof and 15 metres at eaves, or equivalent to a 5-storey limitation.

10

Moisture management critical EVAN SCHMIDT

M

management plays an essential role in the serviceability and preservation of buildings, particularly when considering wooden structures.

This is because wood’s durability can be compromised by the sustained presence of liquid water, while large moisture fluctuations can also impact dimensional stability and mechanical performance.

Like any material, wooden structures perform excellently when designed and maintained properly, with many examples that have stood the test of time and lasted centuries (e.g., the Horyu-ji temple in Japan, stave churches in Norway, etc.).

While moisture management principles are generally well understood for light frame construction, there are still many questions to be answered regarding moisture performance of large scale, “mass timber” structures, including how fast they wet and dry and how exposure affects long term durability.

This is particularly relevant because, despite requirements for protection of mass timber elements during the service life of the structure (i.e., that they should not be exposed directly to weather), contact with moisture is common during construction and, in the case of leaks, could happen anytime.

Moisture monitoring projects at Brock Commons (Vancouver), Carbon12 (Portland), and George W. Peavy Science Center (Corvallis) have demonstrated that CLT elements exposed during construction can generally dry to or remain below acceptable moisture levels during the envelopment process and in service.

However, there is still a need for more data and, particularly, research on the propensity for such exposure to affect long term connection durability and service life.

CLT connections are uniquely affected by weathering, in part as a result of the restraining action of the cross laminations.

Specifically, while the cross laminations result in higher in-plane dimensional stability, they also induce higher internal stresses between boards and subsequent checking (due to the restraint of moisture-related differential swelling and shrinking).

The SMART CLT project, led by Oregon State University (OSU) Assistant Professor Mariapaola Riggio and funded by the TallWood Design Institute (TDI), OISTU R E

Key Points ■■ There are still many questions to be answered regarding moisture performance of large

scale, “mass timber” structures.

■■ CLT connections are uniquely affected by weathering, in part as a result of the restraining

action of the cross laminations.

■■ Lack of data and models for this behaviour is a significant hindrance to the understanding

of the long term behaviour of structures.

■■ The edge of a CLT panel at a half-lap joint after controlled

exposure to heavy rain and subsequent drying – part of the “SMART CLT” project at OSU.

■■ The MCMEC (Multi-Chamber Modular Environmental

Conditioning System), where CLT samples will be exposed to varying environmental conditions during the first stages of the new USDA and TDI funded research.

recently demonstrated that exposure to rain, followed by simulated interior conditions, can result in higher levels of checking and other stress-relief discontinuities, particularly at the edges where connections would occur.

While this study explored moisture performance in terms of wetting, drying, and checking, there is still a need to understand the effects of different exposures on the short- and long-term performance of connections.

In response to this need, collaborators at OSU and Portland State University (PSU) have been awarded large research grants from the USDA ($500,000) to explore the effects of moisture exposure on the durability of CLT connections.

Another grant from the TallWood Design Institute ($250,000) was awarded to a different team to assess CLT durability and develop numerical models to characterize the degradation.

Both projects are led by Arijit Sinha, Associate Professor of Wood Science and Engineering at OSU. The research team for the USDA study consists of peoAUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

ple with expertise in the fields of wood durability (Jeff Morrell), non-destructive testing (Thomas Schumacher), accelerated weathering (Fred Kamke), and timber mechanics and structural engineering (Arijit Sinha). For the TDI project, Professors John Nairn and Andre Barbosa join Sinha and Morrell.

“Lack of data and models for this behaviour is a significant hindrance to the understanding of the long term behaviour of structures, and thus effective service life,” Sinha says.

The team has identified the need to systematically correlate the influence of moisture exposure and wood species on short- to long-term connection durability and mechanical performance.

The research, which aims to quantify degradation, will be conducted in three main stages. In the first stage, Douglas-fir and Lodge-pole Pine CLT samples will be exposed to various wetting conditions and monitored in the Multi-Chamber Modular Environmental Conditioning system (MCMEC) at OSU, a state of the art accelerated weathering device.

Wetting conditions will in-

clude simulated construction conditions, in-service leaks, and full immersion soaks (to mimic the worst-case scenario).

Some samples will be inoculated with decay fungi, while others will be cycled between wet and dry conditions. The samples will be closely monitored to observe wetting and drying trends and durability, all using non-destructive methods (including ultra-sonic wave propagation and full CAT scans).

The second stage will involve destructive assessment of the exposed connections through quasi-static loading at OSU College of Forestry’s structural testing laboratory to determine changes in strength, stiffness, ductility, energy dissipation, and maximum load/ deflection. The data from this stage will be used to create a hygro-mechanical model update for the Seismic Analysis for Woodframe Structure (SAWS) 10 parameter model, which will have inputs for moisture and biological conditions.

The third stage will validate the developed model through full-scale testing and will assess a new structural health monitoring methodology for in situ testing of buildings using ultrasonic and acoustic emissions equipment.

The data from this project will be publicly available and will be reported in the form of engineering design guidelines, peer-reviewed publications, student dissertations, and educational seminars. Reporting will be in stages, annually, and the total duration of the project will be four years, with expected completion in 2022.

Evan Schmidt, B.A. Architecture and M.S. Wood Science, is the Outreach Coordinator at the TallWood Design Institute. TDI represents a collaboration between the College of Forestry (Oregon State University), College of Engineering (Oregon State University), and the College of Design (University of Oregon). TDI’s mission is to advance the capabilities and usage of engineered wood products through applied research, testing, education, and workforce development. www.timberbiz.com.au

Technology

Making software a bit more ‘simple’ P

rice, speed, accuracy, footprint, service and support. The most common features considered when it comes to purchasing a linear saw. And, yes, they are important. However a linear saw is nothing but powder coated steel and a blade, it is what is inside that really counts- the software.

ED SERRANO The applications, the scripts and proManaging Director of Vekta Automation gram that a saw runs on is where the real intellectual property (IP) exists. So, if you are in the market for a linear saw, does not ‘look good’ no-one will enjoy should be free for the life of the product and not just restricted to active subhere are some pointers and advice to using it. scribers. navigating your way around the softReleases of new software should come Updated ware.

How did Microsoft break Volkswagen’s with documentation and information for users. The changes need to be clearworld record?

User-Friendly Volkswagen only made 22 million ly communicated so that all can benefit.

“Hardware: The parts of a computer Ask suppliers for documentation from bugs! system that can be kicked.”

Software is evolutionary in nature- an previous versions- if they have them“Software- The parts of a computer existing system will never be complete they are actively developing and workthat you wish you could kick.”

When considering a linear saw, con- and should always be evolving based ing on the software. sider your operators, using the saw day on user functionality, requirements and in and day out. If the software is not user maintenance. But what should the gen- Help and Support Support- ‘Press ANY key to continue.’ friendly you might find your operator eral expectation be?

Customer- ‘I can’t find the ‘ANY’ key’ New versions of the software should unfriendly.

Software is not just about the applicabe released every 6 to 9 months. SoftThe software program needs to be: Easy to navigate- having to click 4 or ware life times are similar to dogs- 12 tion or program itself. It is also about the embedded help system that is within 5 times for one action is not acceptable. months is equal to 7 years.

New versions should include new fea- the program and from external sources.

Common actions (for example ‘CUT’) tures that will improve the way your ma- So what is the benchmark? need to be the most accessible.

Support within the software that is Intuitive to the user- it should feel chine functions. For example- new cuts easy to navigate and functions properly. obvious what needs to be done to com- or new printing abilities.

Support with easy instructions that Bug fixes are common and show that plete a task or operation using the softthe provider is actively working on their can be followed by the operator. ware.

External support systems that are easy Aesthetically pleasing- possibly a sur- software and willing to listen to the usface consideration- but if the program ers and adjust accordingly. Bug fixes to contact at any time and knowledgeable. Ideally the systems should be set-up with a web support system for self- help and the option to speak to someone should also exist.

08

Members on the Software team

13

Members on the controls team

24/7

Support from NZ and three locations in North America

40+

Optimisation Systems installed

700+

Control systems Installed worldwide

International System Integrators MILLWIDE SOFTWARE, OPTIMISATION & CONTROL SOLUTIONS

www.automationelec.com Ph +64 7 574 6223 www.timberbiz.com.au

Customisation of software Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning. (Rick Cook) Software can be customised- in other words- the software should be customised to how you want to cut. You should not change your cutting or processes to suit the software. Customised software is an important feature that any manufacturer of automated machinery should accommodate.

Ask for examples of customised software that has been completed.

Tell your supplier how you want to cut and then get examples. Don’t simply take the sales rep’s word that it is possible. More importantly, don’t let them talk you out of it. In the future you might decide to change the way you cut- that needs to be YOUR decision and not mandated by a software program.

A good software package will have several levels of customisation options and for simplicity, many or even most of these will not necessarily be immediately obvious. Ask questions about unique approaches used by other customers that highlight the configurability. The idea is to try and get a gauge for how flexible the software is. In the early stages of ownership, you will likely not use or need some of these features but they can really become a point of difference once the honeymoon period is

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

over and its time to start getting down to business.

Now you know some clever software puns, but what exactly does the software on a linear saw do?

Simple answer- The software runs your saw, it takes a few components, mixes and matches them and works out what length of timber would be best to cut them from.

More relevant answer- The software optimises your cutting of components to ensure flexibility, speed, accuracy and decreased waste. Simply put- increases your profit margin.

Software will give you flexibility in your cutting order.

Software will determine how much input from the operator is needed. The more the software relies on human input, the poorer the results will tend to be. Sorry but it’s true… A computer is far better at hard computations!

A good software package should have specific tools that will help you work out things like what lengths of timber you should stock and the impact of the cutting order on timber efficiency for example.

Software is nothing without reports.

Good software should integrate with your production software, produce statistics on outputs, daily, weekly and monthly summaries and details and real time files- just to name a few. Again the reports should be user friendly allowing you to understand the information.

Software should allow flexibility about where and how optimising can be performed. Some businesses prefer to optimise at the saw. Others prefer the office to be responsible for minimising waste.

A good optimising solution will provide efficient means of doing both, including the ability to lock files that have been pre-optimised. The software should also make it easy to optimise several files at once and automatically print off and/or save necessary files and documents - such as pick lists for example.

The software program on the Vekta Razer Saws is called ‘Simple’. Another pun for you- simple to use yet with over 20 years of development the abilities, features and algorithms of the software mean it is really far from simple. However for the end user it ticks all the boxes- user friendly, regularly updated, extremely well supported and can be customised for your cutting needs and processes. If you are in the market for a software program that can turn a blade and powder coated steel into a money/time/timber saving machine- it is simple- contact Vekta. info@vekta.com.au 11

Daily Timber News

What was making news in Daily Timber News

HIA wants award changes HIA has asked the Fair Work Commission to consider changes to the Building and Construction General Onsite Award that help employers and employees in the residential building industry stay connected despite the impacts of COVID-19.

“They want to keep their staff and keep them employed despite the decline in home building activity as a result of COVID-19. The current Onsite Award that applies to our industry simply does not give both sides the necessary flexibility to do this,” said Melissa Adler, HIA Executive Director Industrial Relations.

Fletcher feels downturn Fletcher Building is sacking 1500 people, including 500 in Australia, because of a sharp drop in demand as residential construction is hit by a coronavirus-related slowdown, and it has warned of further problems ahead for the housing market.

Fletcher is to cut staff levels by about 10 per cent, meaning about 1000 positions lost across NZ, while a review in Australia would result in

a workforce reduction “in the order of 500”.

Chief Executive Ross Taylor said the impact of COVID-19 throughout the business had been profound.

Tassie’s building plan Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein’s announcement that his state will ‘build its way out of recession’ through an aggressive new construction stimulus package and bringing forward of building projects, demonstrates great leadership, according to the Australian Forest Products Association.

AFPA Chief Executive Officer Ross Hampton said the Federal Government had effectively saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives by its “speedy, sure footed handling of the CoVid-19 pandemic”.

AFPA joins Australian Made The Australian Forest Products Association has signed up to the Australian Made Campaign to support the push for Australians

First with Industry News

to choose local products manufactured from Australia’s sustainably managed forests.

The campaign’s CEO Ben Lazzaro said the partnership was a timely one, as it supported the growth of one of Australia’s most important and renewable sectors.

He said the forest products industry was one of Australia’s largest manufacturing industries, employing thousands of Australians, many in regional areas.

Building downturn The commercial construction sector is facing a devastating downturn due to the impact of COVID-19 unless governments act to provide stimulus.

Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said commercial construction activity is being forecast to severely decline.

“Compared with our previous forecasts, Master Builders now expects commercial building activity to be 15.7 per cent lower in 2020/21 and 11.5 per cent lower in 2021/22,” she said.

tinue to disrupt the world for some time and has made it necessary to defer the annual Timber Offsite Construction conference and exhibition to June next year.

The new dates are June 21 and 22, 2021 at the Crown Promenade Melbourne, with a focus on timber and technology in construction, and the growing trend to attaining net zero carbon buildings.

Session program details and delegate registration will be available in February 2021 at www.timberoffsiteconstruction.com.au

Contolled burns

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services is getting ready for Bushfire Season with preparations already under way across the state.

QFES, its partner agencies and landholders undertook Operation Cool Burn between April and August each year.

“Operation Cool Burn is about the protection of Queensland communities using various bushfire mitigation activities,” Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said.

“These activities include fire break upgrades and maintenance, Conference deferred slashing, community education The impact of COVID-19 will con- and hazard reduction burning.”

Brought to you by Australian Forests & Timber News and Australasian Timber Magazine

SUBSCRIBE TO DAILY TIMBER NEWS AND GET YOUR INDUSTRY NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

www.timberbiz.com.au

Frame and TrusS australasian

Looking Back 2019 AUSTRALIAN Paper and its partner SUEZ are moving to the development phase of their $600 million energy-from-waste plant after a two-year detailed study backed the project at AP’s Latrobe Valley paper mill. The $7.5 million Energy from Waste feasibility study, co-funded by the Victorian and Australian governments, confirmed that the plant would be socially, economically, environmentally and commercially viable.

AP’s chief operating officer Peter Williams said AP and SUEZ were now focussed on taking this important regional investment in the Latrobe Valley to the development stage.

The summary report found the plant would help solve the pending landfill closures facing south-east Melbourne.

2015 WORK HAS started on Rotorua’s first inner city building to support Lakes Council’s new Wood First policy, by use of innovative new wood products.

Local developer Ray Cook of R & B Consultants, is taking the lead with the Wood First concept through a new design build and lease back of premises.

The move follows an initiative by council controlled organisation, Grow Rotorua, to approach local developers, architects and engineers about utilising more timber in their buildings - specifically engineered wood products (EWP).

Mr Cook said he had been exploring the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) on the project because of the site’s geotechnical issues - so the timing was perfect for him.

2010 A SPIKE in the more volatile ‘other dwellings’ component that includes apartments and townhouses has driven a big increase in dwelling approvals in March, according to Master Builders Australia, the peak body for the building and construction industry.

Peter Jones, chief economist, said there were signs investor-driven activity may be beginning to overcome lingering effects of the credit squeeze however the recovery in detached house approvals appeared to have stalled. www.timberbiz.com.au

■■ Bretts Brisbane Sawmill at 142 Newmarket Rd. Windsor, circa 1920 and, below the company’s early bulk store and the factory

at Geebung today.

100 years of talking timber Key Points O VER 100 years talking

timber and hardware, these days, Bretts is structured around five major divisions, frame and truss, windows and doors, trade building supplies, commercial architectural hardware and trade plumbing supply.

Each one stemming from their timber and hardware origins.

Bretts has been part of the Queensland building landscape for well over a century now.

Over the decades Bretts have helped Queensland builders by supplying timber and building materials to many iconic Australian landmarks like Brisbane City Hall, The Tivoli Theatre, Kingfisher Bay on Fraser Island, Anzac bridge in Sydney, QLD Art Gallery and Lang Park to name a few.

Over the ensuing decades, Bretts expanded from owning timber stands and milling and merchandising timber, to timber importation, plywood and joinery manufacture, steel merchant, sheet metal manufacturing, hardware retailing, property development and establishing the famous Bretts wharves which housed Bretts stevedoring business.

Today, Bretts is one of the biggest operators in South East Queensland, with an annual turnover approaching $100m, and with around 200 full time staff operating out of 6 sites; Browns Plains, Caboolture, Coorparoo, Geebung, Narangba, Chermside. The head office is at Chermside with the manufacturing hub based at Geebung.

Not only has Bretts grown, it has also expanded its services over time to include steel house frames, structural steel components, aluminium windows doors and modular buildings. The bulk of the business remains residential housing, with commercial buildings and the fitout market also making a contribution via their dedicated commercial hardware and locksmith business located at Albion The pre-fabricated modular building market is fast becoming an important part of Bretts future. Bolstering their manufacturing facility and helping

■■ Bretts was started by James Fairlie Brett, a timber merchant and industrialist born on 19

May 1884.

■■ In 1918 B.C Brett & Co was established and acquired full interest in The Brisbane Sawmills.

■■ Bretts is one of the biggest operators in South East Queensland.

to future proof the business by expanding into new and emerging markets.

The Bretts Modular offer branded “yourHaus by Bretts” is aimed at a wide audience including existing Bretts customers who offer installation of yourHaus modular buildings.

Bretts do not offer installation opting to work hand-in-hand with regular Bretts customers.

Many are running modular installation businesses parallel to their traditional house building business.

Bretts are catering not only for the budget pre-fab market, but also to those who desire highend architecturally designed buildings. Bretts modular buildings are perfectly suited to small-lot building, granny flats, extensions, office pods and holiday homes, accessible inclusions and options are available.

Whilst recent events surrounding COVID-19 have definitely had an impact, and day to day operations substantially effected they have been working tirelessly with customers to

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

keep their heads above water.

There will be a recovery lag while builders activity slowly improves after reporting severe downturns in new deposits taken.

Bretts are hopeful that the recent Government lobbying by industry associations will payoff seeing the Government initiate incentive packages to help speed-up market recovery.

13

Tech Talk

Putting the hammer down T I MB E R connection systems rely on a combination of the correct product, fasteners and installation practices to achieve their required capacity.

They are typically designed and tested by the manufacturer using their proprietary nails or screws and may also be sold to the consumer with these fasteners included.

In the case of nailed connections, the nails were originally all hand-hammered through pre-cut holes to help ensure the correct interface between the timber and the connector.

The quality of the connection is highly dependent on how it is fastened to the timber, considering the type of nail, quantity of nails, nail spacing, proximity to the edges and holes in the connector and proximity to timber edges.

With all these variables, it is essential that the installer is familiar with the product’s design guide and the correct nail placement, noting that there may be several different acceptable nailing patterns to achieve different capacities.

With advances in technology leading to tools that are increasingly safe, reliable and easy to use, nailing tools are now nearly ubiquitous on building sites and frequently used for installing brackets, bracing and other connections.

They offer increased speed and can be as accurate as handnailing when used correctly.

However, if faster nailing comes at the cost of correct nail placement, the consequences for the strength of the connection and the stability of the structure can be severe.

Concerns about installation quality led to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission banning the use of machine-driven nails for tie down connections in 2015.

Nevertheless, nailing tools are the reality on most sites and the benefits are significant, potentially saving days of carpentry on a typical house.

The motivation for builders to use machine-driven nails is obvious, and timber connector manufacturers have responded by highlighting the importance of accurate nailing in their technical literature.

Data sheets and design guides for bracing and bracket connections address how to achieve a compliant connection with both hand-hammered and machine-driven nails, where possible, noting the restrictions in Queensland.

Manufacturers will typically specify that at least one additional nail is required when

14

What’s On 2020 DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EVENTS MAY BE CANCELLED PLEASE CHECK WITH ORGANISERS 20-21 May 2020 – POSTPONED Forest Industry Safety & Technology Rotorua, New Zealand 27-28 May 2020 – POSTPONED Forest Industry Safety & Technology Melbourne, Australia

Adam Dawson

Technical Manager at Pryda using a nailing tool versus hand-hammering, due to the smaller diameter of most machine-fired nails.

When this is the case, machine-driven nails should be installed through the solid metal sections of the connector (also known as the blanks), with care taken to ensure they are located appropriately to meet the minimum edge distance and spacing requirements from AS1720.

Where tools are available that can fire the correct nail diameter and can install these nails precisely in the holes, such as a positive placement nailer, they can be used to install connectors using the same quantity of nails as hand-hammering.

Given the reliance on the installer and the potential for errors, as clearly demonstrated in these photos, it is important that everyone in the industry is vigilant when it comes to these connections.

Extra care must be taken during installation and inspections, particularly with critical connections such as tie-downs, to ensure the connection achieves the capacity it was designed for.

Frame and truss fabricators can be justifiably alarmed at the potential for their products to be insufficiently connected and tied down.

They are also well-placed in the construction process to influence positive changes through the way they supply connection systems.

The product landscape is

■■ Incorrect nailing can reduce connection capacities and

damage timber. In these cases, the nails have been installed too closely together or have missed the connector entirely, causing the timber to split in the second example.

■■ Poor

installation.

Nails have been installed too closely together and too close to the precut holes.

The right-hand nail does not meet minimum edge distance requirements.

June 2020 – POSTPONED Wood Science Course Gottstein Trust www.gottsteintrust.org 23 July 2020 Doing Timber Business in Queensland Brisbane Marriot, Queensland.

27-28 July 2020 Annual Modular & Prefabrication Construction Singapore.

■■ Correct

installation.

Nails are driven through the solid metal of the connector, away from the holes, and with adequate edge distance and spacing.

changing to address these challenges and there may be better alternatives.

As an industry we should all be thinking about the time, cost, compliance and safety

features of the whole system - connector, fastener and tool - and promoting solutions that give certifiers and homeowners confidence that homes are compliant and built to last.

Minimum Spacing, Edge and End Distance for Nails Spacing Type

15 June - 16 June 2020 – Moved to 2021 Timber Offsite Construction Conference (FRAME) Crown Promenade, Melbourne, Victoria.

Minimum Distance Holes not Pre-Bored

Holes Pre-Bored to 80% to nail diameter

End Distance

20D

10D

Edge Distance

5D

5D

— along grain

20D

10D

— across grain

10D

3D

Between Nails

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

19-20 August 2020 – POSTPONED WoodTECH 2020 Rotorua, New Zealand 24-27 August 2020 World Conference on Timber Engineering Santiago, Chile 25-26 August 2020 – POSTPONED WoodTECH 2020 Melbourne, Australia 22 October 2020 – CANCELLED Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards 2020 Mount Gambier, SA 3 - 6 November 2020 MOVED TO 2021 AUSTimber, HVP Flynn site, Latrobe City, Victoria 2021 2-5 June 2021 Elmia Wood, Jonkoping To be included in What’s On please send events listings to b.mitchell@ryanmediapl.com.au www.timberbiz.com.au

Associations

New business models to inspire investment in trees on farms T HE latest episode of

the Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) podcast series WoodChat focuses on the development of new business models that could see areas of Australian farmland utilised for planting trees.

An estimated 500,000 hectares of new softwood plantations are required to meet the increased demand forecast for domestic timber-housing markets by 2045. Local and export demand for hardwood timber has also been growing strongly. However, a lack of new investment in plantations could see Australia relying on an increasing amount of timber imports in the future.

Now, a team of researchers have developed and tested a number of new business models for commercial tree

right tree species are planted in the right places, to generate the desired benefits.

“Models need to be built on mutual understanding, trust and long-term commitment among landowners, the timber industry and other stakeholders,” said Professor Keenan.

It is hoped outlining these benefits will inspire and enatree investment, and consider ble new partnerships between the positive impacts of trees forest growers and the agriculon carbon, biodiversity and tural sector.

During this episode, hosts water.

Listeners will hear from Georgia and Sam also speak to plantations, which could yield mutual financial, social and Professor Rodney Keenan of Dr Nerida Anderson, Research environmental benefits for the the University of Melbourne, Fellow at The University of timber industry, rural land- School of Ecosystem and For- Melbourne School of Ecosysest Sciences, who led the re- tem and Forest Sciences, who owners and investors. conduced a landowner assessThe models were designed search.

Professor Keenen said the ment involving interviews and in collaboration with industry and rural landowners after an- project found tree investment surveys as part of the project. alysing landowner needs and needs to be based on sound re- In addition, listeners will hear their past experiences with gional planning to ensure the from Tony Price, CEO of major

industry sponsor Midway Ltd, about his involvement with the initiative.

The project was funded by the forestry industry and the Australian Government, and managed by FWPA. This episode is the latest in the WoodChat podcast series, and follows topics including building safely with timber in bushfire-prone areas, and new technology that’s supporting the prediction of wood quality in standing trees.

WoodChat represents FWPA’s ongoing commitment to engaging ways of communicating news and innovations to the industry and beyond. Each episode includes in-depth conversations with experts on recent discoveries and current initiatives.

You can listen to WoodChat on SoundCloud and iTunes.

Building on recovery DURING this horror period, as we know most MGA TMA members were fortunately able to keep trading.

We were able to very quickly establish agreement with the federal, state and territory governments that timber and hardware businesses should be regarded as essential businesses to stay open for trading to support and serve their local communities.

After 4 months of “shut down” we are now working on the recovery stage – businesses coming out of hibernation. This will be gradual to ensure the Covid-19 curve stay flat. Part of the small business recovery stage is to ensure all businesses provide Covid-19 SAFE workplaces – MGATMA has been party to assisting with this strategy for its members.

The Government and MGATMA has adopted the next stage as being one to Respond Recover and Reform Since early February MGA TMA’s focus temporarily came away from assisting family and privately owned businesses in the Bushfire effected parts of Australia, to becoming heavily involved with many Federal and State Government Minister and Small Business Commissioner led task forces and business recovery groups.

During this time MGATMA has been very active representing members in the many business recovery groups which have met and continue to meet on a weekly basis via video or tele-conference, not limited to, including • NSW – Treasury NSW Business Stimulus Task Force • NSW – Minister for Transport Anwww.timberbiz.com.au

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

drew Constance – Covid-19 Transport Plan • Victoria – Small Business Ministers Survival Round Table • Victoria – Small Business Ministers Commercial and Retail Rent Relief Group • Victoria – States Business Recovery Task Force • Queensland – Small Business Champion - Small Business Advisory Council • Queensland – Minister Kate Jones – Covid-19 home delivery strategy • Queensland – Premiers Business Recovery Group • South Australia – Treasurers Workers Comp – Covid-19 consultations • Federal – Minister Michaelia Cash & Prime Minister’s Office – timber and hardware business be able to stay open and be regarded as essential The next stage the “Recovery Stage” will focus on stimulating the reopening of businesses, businesses reengaging their employees, reinvigorating employment growth and driving economic growth. All of this combined with stimulating and reinvigorating the building, home renovation and DIY sectors.

For information regarding MGA TMA Timber Merchants Australia – contact Ann Sanfey – National Membership Manager – 0411 886 716 ann.sanfey@ mga.asn.au 15

Associations

Now’s not the time to drop your pants T here is no doubt we

are in unchartered times and I honestly couldn’t think of a harder time to run a small business. The stress of keeping work flowing, whilst keeping people employed and a roof over your own head is continuing to build for many fabricators as they navigate the new world we are operating in.

I’ve heard from fabricators who are suffering in different ways. One fabricator has an awesome team which he has had working for him for 4-5 years as full or part time employees and even though they are paid above the award rate and have paid taxes throughout their employment, they do not qualify for JobKeeper as they are all Nepalese and not Australian Citizens.

The fabricator has spoken of his frustration at trying to keep his workers employed and as work begins to slow, unlike many others, he cannot access the Government support.

I understand Australia’s debt is rising daily and no matter what the Government does, there will always be groups that miss out, but if an employee can work for the same company for four or five years, if they pay tax on a weekly basis then they should qualify.

However, this is not the biggest issue our sector faces.

Unfortunately, with the added stress of not knowing where the next job is coming from has resulted in some fabricators fighting over the available work with many dropping their pants to win the job.

Let us be clear. Now is not the time to drop your pants. It does not make good business sense.

The JobKeeper payment is revenue based, not profit based.

So why fight over jobs to keep your workers busy if you are

FRAME & TRUSS MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

FTMA Australia is an independent, national organisation representing fabricators of and suppliers to the timber prefabricated truss and wall frame industry in all Australian states & territories providing a unified voice, to protect and advance our mult-billion dollar industry.

FTMA Australia thanks our dedicated supporters and encourages you to support those who support your industry 16

“We support you!”

By Kersten Gentle Executive Officer FTMA Australia

Do you know your costs ?

With the magic formula of economy of scale soon to elude most fabricators now is more important than ever to understand your true cost.

Controlling your costs in an downturn market is the holy grail of keeping your business alive and healthy, however first you need to have a really intimate understanding of what these costs are.

Loss of efficiency from not running at full capacity can be silent profit killer if not understood and watched carefully, many plants time in motion studies are based on full staff and are no longer accurate when running a leaner model.

As fabricators use stock substitution to curb expenditure their It’s Not a Sale Until You wastage calculations can also Get Paid It’s important to remember been blow out of the water. that it’s not a sale until you get Price fluctuation from supplipaid. Some fabricators have ers will also add further margin expressed their concerns that erosion. they have builders that they’re not supplying because they Top Tips to remember As we slow down, a fabricaowe the fabricator money.

However, they know the build- tors cost per point equation INer is getting jobs made else- CREASES – now is not the time where, resulting in the builder to be blindly dropping your still operating whilst more and sale price.

Debt collection is not free…. more suppliers are owed money. Everyone loses when this Loading up on cheap work adds to the activities at the back end happens.

Fabricators should be wary to collect and remember the of new builders approaching new insolvency laws will make them for jobs and I urge you all it even harder to chase debts.

Stocktake, stocktake and to do your due diligence. If you know they usually use another then stocktake again. The only fabricator, it may be worth true reflection of your months checking that they have been performance is to complete a paid for past work so you don’t monthly stocktake.

Maintain your database end up at the bottom of the builders list of businesses they costs. Keep a close eye on price movements from suppliers own money to. not going to make money from the job. This is not ACCC territory, this is business 101. You are in business to make money, to keep your business operating and people employed, yet by dropping prices you are threatening everything.

You may win the job, however, the revenue generated from the job may push you over the threshold and your employees may no longer be eligible for JobKeeper.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not want anyone in our sector to rip off the system, but I also don’t want to see fabricators fighting over the scraps by creating price instability in our industry.

and update your pricing file for QUOTES, remember you are quoting for work weeks ahead of the price increase.

Builders have long memories…. What margin you can give away in minutes will take you months to recover.

Even Builders Don’t like Price Fluctuations As part of discussions with the Top 100 Builders, they even provided feedback suggesting that price fluctuations are not helping the sector with feedback outlined below: “The timber industry supply chain servicing the residential market sector needs to be very aware that its ultimate client, the builder’s, main concern with timber is ‘price stability’.

Volume builders in particular, much of whose business is first home and investor clients, are extremely price sensitive. With volume builder homes today, most contracts have the price fixed on signing, even though sometimes the homes may not be started for six or more months, so any price rises in that time the builder then must wear. Depending on the size of the builder they could be doing from hundreds to thousands of homes per year so even small price rises in products can have huge overall margin impacts.

Even short-term price reductions in the supply chain have a negative impact, as these are either often not passed on to the builder, or when they are corrected, the builder sees this as another price rise. Volume builders have clearly said they need price stability, this they can plan around and work with. Several builders nationally have said they have looked at, or turned to steel framing, because of past timber price instability and multiple rises. It is a salient lesson from timber framing’s ultimate customer” – the Builder.

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Now is the time to work on the business, not simply work in it!

As work begins to slow down at your plant, I urge fabricators to begin to work on their business, not simply work in it. It is important to look outside the square and identify ways in which your business can adapt to find new work.

Think of all the times you have said that you don’t have time to undertake training, or to participate in the AusIndustry program or simply having the time to do renovations or work within the business.

FTMA Australia is working on a number of webinars for August and September in conjunction with expert knowledge of WoodSolutions. These webinars are around key issues such as: • Mid-Rise Opportunities for Fabricators, where the FTMA Technical Forum, originally planned for February will be split into a number of hourlong webinars.

• Taking off plans to maximise what you can supply. For example, one small fabricator in Victoria last year provided approximately $180,000 in Glulam beams as with every set of plans, he converts the steel beams to timber and the builders are loving it.

• Timber Flooring Cassettes have been around for a while now and the attitude from builders towards the cassettes is changing so now is the perfect time to revisit this product.

• Knowing your business costs is more important than ever and we will be working on a Webinar with an expert in this field.

I am not saying this Pandemic is a good thing at all, but it does offer you an opportunity to reinvent your business by learning to adapt and take advantage of new markets and / or products.

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For a full list of the conditions of membership and a downloadable application form visit: www.ftmaaustralia.com.au AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

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Associations

Protecting veneered surfaces A

LL timber species are ‘photosensitive’, that is they change colour slightly on exposure to light, primarily UV light. Removing a picture from a timber panelled wall, or a rug from a timber floor, reveals a different intensity of colour underneath.

As a broad generalization, dark woods tend to get lighter (ie. fade) as the coloured extractives degrade, while light woods such as pine tend to get darker (source: Journal of Coatings Technology). Natural timber veneers behave in the same way as solid wood. Reconstituted and dyed veneers may react differently, depending on the stability of the colouring agents used.

Reconstituted veneer (also known as recon, engineered, manufactured, or man-made veneer) is made from natural wood strips that are dyed, laminated together and sliced to create a uniquely patterned leaf. Unlike natural timber veneers, recon veneers are free from imperfections such as knots, splits and holes and because they are man-made, reconstituted veneers are consistent in colour, pattern and grain.

Whether veneers are natural or man-made, protection from strong light sources is essential. Finishes that contain UV absorbers can be found on manufacturers’ websites and are highly recommended.

By Peter Llewellyn Technical Representative, Timber Veneer Association of Australia

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) sponsored a research project some years ago to develop a screening test for veneers and coatings exposed to UV radiation directly, or indirectly through window glass.

The screening test requires laboratory equipment but is expected to be useful to the coatings industry.

As well as specifying suitable coatings, or coating additives, building design can help. For example if it is necessary to install a skylight above a timber surface or a timber veneered surface, tinted glass is advisable. Thoughtful location of verandahs, overhangs, curtains and blinds also reduces exposure to sunlight.

■■ Timber veneers at work at the

Geevston Child and Family Centre.

Serving independent timber and

Legal and HR

Timber Advisory Service

hardware businesses by providing valuable back of house services...

National Support Centre 1800 888 479 (Option 1) www.mgatma.com.au www.timberbiz.com.au

Training

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

Member Benefits

Advocacy

17

Associations

â– â– There seems to be a real push from governments around the country to increase apprenticeships in the trade areas.

When to hang on, when to let go T H E majority of tradespeople reading this article would have served their four-year apprenticeship.

A few of you may remember the old indentured apprenticeship where you were locked in with the same employer for the duration of your four-year apprenticeship; as was the employer.

Or you and your employer had the option of a trainee apprenticeship where it was much easier for each party to separate from the apprenticeship agreement; as the apprentice, you received a higher wage for this flexibility.

With that said, I saw a few apprentices leave at the four-year mark, not often, but the majority went on to serve a longer period with their employer.

During that time, your wage was tied to the anniversary date of your employment.

I was fortunate enough that

18

Dean Brackell CEO Australian Cabinet and furniture association

in the business that I served my apprenticeship with had an unwritten policy that paid trade rates of pay halfway through your fourth year.

That went a long way to shoring up your future workforce as letting someone go after training them for four years does not make economic sense.

I am a firm believer that it is currently too easy for apprentices to leave employment.

Sure, there will be instances where the right fit between the apprentice and the business is simply not there, however, this should be the exception and not the rule.

We hear many complaints from both sides of the fence with regard to this situation.

Other apprenticeships are tied to their industrial award instrument where competency-based progression is prescribed.

For cabinetmakers, there is ambiguity within the timber award, hence the anniversary date still applies.

Is it fair that an employer has to pay higher rates of pay when their apprentice has not completed the necessary units of competency?

On the other side of the coin, what happens when an employer has not allowed their apprentice the time to attend training or TAFE? In this instance, I have no sympathy for the employer, as they have an obligation under the relevant apprenticeship Acts around the country to release their apprentice for train-

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

ing, regardless if it is on or off the job.

However, in this situation, depending on what award the apprentice comes under, could see the apprentice disadvantaged from a wage perspective.

Furthermore, is it time to rethink the apprenticeship model?

There is a view that the current apprenticeship front-end technical training is now largely from a bygone era.

However, there seems a real push from governments around the country to increase apprenticeships in the trade areas.

There is a greater issue at play here, in my opinion, where language, literacy and numeracy issues with apprentices are now far greater than they once were.

With apprenticeship completions languishing around the 50% mark, it is high time that

some fundamental changes are required to the system.

There is a huge amount of public money that could be better utilised in the training sphere.

The pathways for apprentices are there once students finish their apprenticeship.

Remember that once an apprentice is finished their qualification, they are ready to earn as they have been able to demonstrate their skills throughout their learning.

Contrary to the university student who is still potentially studying or is just starting their career, as their training is not done in conjunction with their chosen profession.

Industry wants job-ready employees; this cannot be achieved without a rethink of the current school and vocation and education sectors.

The ACFA is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). www.timberbiz.com.au

Associations

The federal court allows ‘double dipping’ in the latest casual employment decision O

N 20 May 2020, a Full Court of the Federal Court handed down its Workpac Pty Ltd v’s Rossato (Rossato) decision.

This decision, following on from the Federal Court’s Skene decision in 2018, found that an employee engaged as a casual but with a ‘firm, advance commitment’ can be considered ‘other than

Brian Beecroft Chief Executive Officer TTIA

BY iNdUSTRY FOR iNdUSTRY

The association for furnishing, joinery cabinetmakeing, kitchen and bathroom industries

Join ACFA to: • reduce risks to your business • save time and money Members Benefits:

• 24/7 access to business resources via ACFA website - acfa.net.au • unlimited advice on industry awards* • access to industry specific policies, checklists and fact sheets* • Discounted rates for NSW, VIC, SA Building Contracts *subject to membership category

Join online today at www.acfa.net.au

For further information 1300 342 248 or membership@acfa.net.au PROTECT www.timberbiz.com.au

PROmOTE

PROvidE

a casual employee’ and not excluded from the entitlements to paid annual leave, paid personal/carer’s leave, paid compassionate leave and payments for public holidays in accordance with the Fair Work legislation.

The decision continues to put at risk the status of Australia’s 2 million casual employees, a proportion of which have been engaged for more than 6 months on a regular and systematic basis.

The decision also raises concerns, that ‘double dipping’ claims for NES entitlements may succeed, despite payments of casual loadings, and despite the Federal Government’s Casual Loading Offset Regulation.

Long held industrial relations custom and practice has been that casuals do not accrue annual leave entitlements, because the casual loading sees them effectively paid a higher hourly rate in lieu of such accrued entitlements.

However, the Federal Court upheld the precedent WorkPac v Skene ruling in 2018, when it decided that a casual mine worker who had regular and predictable shifts was entitled to the same benefits as a permanent member of staff, including accrued annual leave pay, and despite arguments that Mr Rossato was a casual because of the lack of “firm advance commitment” as to his days and hours, the full bench ruled unanimously that the party’s description of the engagement as casual in a written contract is not determinative.

Workpac maintained that one of Mr Rossato’s contracts specifically provided that each proportion of the 25 per cent casual loading was paid in lieu of leave, notice and redundancy entitlements. Further, Mr Rossato was covered by an enterprise agreement which provided for the engagement of casual employees and the payment of a 25 per cent casual loading in lieu of leave entitlements.

The justices uniformly adopted the previous Federal Court decision in Skene v Workpac, endorsing the principles that:

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER June 2020

• the parties’ description of the engagement as casual in a written contract is not determinative. One must look at all the features of the relationship; • in contrast with on-going full-time or part-time employees, a casual employee “has no firm advance commitment from the employer to continuing and indefinite work”; and • the basis of casual employment is the absence of a firm advance commitment from an employer and irregular work patterns, uncertainty, discontinuity, intermittency of work and unpredictability.

The decision makes casual employment even more uncertain, and potentially more costly, at a time of widespread employment uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 business restrictions and close downs. It has been estimated that the cost impact of the Rossato decision could be as high as $8b.

The Rossato decision again brings into focus the many challenges facing employers in recent years. For casual employees these include increases in casual penalty rates in many modern awards, casual conversion provisions, unfair dismissal and other protections.

TTIA and a number of other employer groups are pressing the Federal Government for urgent legislative changes to provide some certainty to employers.

Specifically, what is required is a change to the Fair Work Act in line with the common definition included in modern awards, i.e. “a casual employee is an employee engaged and paid as such”.

As a result of the fallout of this decision for employers both in the forest products industry and the economy in general, it is likely that this decision may be appealed to the High Court.

In the meantime, for those timber employers engaging casuals on a regular basis, it would be prudent to discuss your specific arrangements with TTIA to minimise your exposure to any potential back payment claims. We can be contacted on (02) 9264 0011.

19

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