Australian Forests & Timber News

CONQUERING THE STEEP SLOPES

Queensland timber focused on evidence-based solutions

The peak state body for the forest and timber industry in Queensland is focused on future growth delivered by evidence-based solutions following the positive first meeting of the Timber Supply Chain Ministerial Roundtable.

“We welcome the commitment by the State Government to work with industry on improving our timber supply chains to meet ever growing demand for future housing and construction needs,” Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said.

“This includes the target of building 1 million new homes in Queensland over the next two decades.”

“We can identify key actions to support this target through boosting our plantation softwood and native forestry resources along with wood processing in order to build and furnish more homes and buildings with renewable local timber materials,” Mr Stephens said.

“We also recognise the broader social and environmental benefits from supporting this essential industry, including regional jobs and economic development, maintaining healthy forests and reducing our emissions in the built environment.”

“Given these upsides, we look forward to working on a bold plan that delivers policy certainty to increase sustainable production while at the same time safeguarding the environment. Both plantations and well-managed native forests will play a key role in the plan,” Mr Stephens said.

“We care about our industry, our people and our environment. That is why we support the role of active

forest management that can generate a wide range of ecosystem services, including carbon storage, recreational opportunities and wood fibre, that generate considerable benefits for people while also conserving biodiversity.”

The assumption that harvesting timber from native forests is necessarily harmful to biodiversity is not correct and there is strong evidence that forests need to be managed actively.

“This approach is in direct contrast to the views of some activist groups with ideological notions that forest reservation is the only way to deliver conservation outcomes. This rigid view fails to stack up against the evidence on the environmental benefits from wellmanaged native forestry.”

This evidence, particularly for species such as koalas and gliders, includes:

• long term research into koala abundance in the native forests of north-east NSW, with no difference in population densities in harvested state forests and national parks, noting key threats to koalas include disease, clearing for urban development and dog attacks;

• a cost-benefit study which found that state forests delivered better biodiversity outcomes and other economic and social benefits than if they were managed as national parks in South-East Queensland;

• recent surveys with a higher abundance of greater gliders in state forests in northern NSW than in nearby national parks, with twice the density in state forests; and

• broader carbon and biodiversity benefits from maintaining

a hardwood timber industry in Queensland taking into account risks from imports and local environmental best practice.

“We are not surprised by the findings, given state forests are managed in accordance with codes of forest practice to maintain healthy fauna populations with timber, recreation and biodiversity outcomes,” Mr Stephens said.

“The fact that sightings of gliders in forests that have been selectively harvested for 100 years in Queensland are being used by some activists as a rationale for changing their tenure just doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t pass the pub test.

“We support state forests as important environmental assets which contrast against the challenges of many national parks that do not benefit from the same active stewardship that state forests receive.”

Key issues in the parks include:

• pest and weed infestations;

• feral animal predations on local fauna;

• altered fire regimes such as a lack of active fuel reduction and risks of intense fires;

• a lack of access trails and road networks for fire management and suppression (compared to native forestry);

• high susceptibility to drought, fire and disease in the case of overstocked forests with a high density of suppressed and competing trees;

• no advantages from selective harvesting in the landscape with a diversity of habitat and foraging resources as in the case with state forests;

• poor carbon abatement outcomes compared with state forests which include forest sequestration and carbon storage in wood products, and substitution with steel and concrete.

● Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens with Queensland’s Primary Industries Tony Perrett.

MAY/JUNE 2025

Issue 3 – Volume 36

Established 1991

News 3-9

My View 10-11

Chainsaw Safety Week12

Milestones 14

Tree felling 16

Silviculture 16

Loggin profile 18-22

Mill profile 29

Front Cover: A Padgett Group harvester gets stuck into some steep slope logging with a cable-assisted L822D equipped with a Tigercat 2000 series shear.

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Green Triangle drought endangering timber

Prolonged drought conditions in the Green Triangle are killing pine trees and increasing disease risks, threatening long-term timber growth, according to the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub.

South Australia’s South East and Victoria’s neighbouring Western District are experiencing their driest conditions on record, which forestry industry representatives have told the ABC is now taking its toll.

Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub general manager Tony Wright told the ABC forestry pine plantations were planted on a 30year rotation.

He said the current drought damage had stunted tree growth, which was unable to be recovered throughout the trees’ life cycle.

“Trees that would tend to shut down, particularly softwood, they take the water that’s available to them in the environment, but they obviously have a limitation about how deep [their roots can go],” he told the ABC.

“They will start to shut

down their growth and these are 30-year crops.

“So, an impact on growth in any particular year will affect the yield at the end of that rotation and that then will affect the entire supply chain around that.”

University of South Australia Forestry Centre of Excellence director Professor Jeff Morrell told the ABC that due to the long lifespan of plantations; it could take months or years for damage or disease to become noticeable.

“We’re looking at trees that are stressed and it will take a while for some of

that to really show up,” he said.

“The other part of that will be because those trees are stressed, we’ll start to see some insects and diseases start to become a problem and that can build on itself.”

Mr Wright said with warmer and drier climate conditions expected in the future, the industry was running a number of studies to drought-proof timber plantations.

He said the Green Triangle region remained a viable place for timber plantations, despite the drying climate.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work as an industry, through Tree Breeding Australia, improving their genetics every year,” he told the ABC.

“But this particular season is one of the driest on record and also there’s been a shift in the season as well.

“So, we don’t have any science or data that is of a comparable period.”

The Green Triangle region supplies around 34% of Australia’s structural timber for housing construction.

Master Builders Association SA chief executive Will Frogley told the ABC that current timber supply was meeting demand, but he wanted Australia to stay self-sufficient.

“A lot of Australians would probably be shocked to know we import a lot of timber for industry, it also comes from other states,” he said.

“Most people would think in a country like Australia it’s quite incredible we haven’t been able to develop enough supply for our local building industry.

“It probably highlights some problems and mistakes that have been made over the years.”

An SA government spokesperson told the ABC that the forestry industry had been involved in discussions ahead of the government’s $55 million drought support package announced on Tuesday.

The spokesperson said the forestry industry had advocated for increased mental health support for producers and local business programs, which were included in the drought funding.

Making government keep promises is a tough job

The bodies that represent the timber industry in this have a big job ahead of them.

will

for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

During the recent campaign the Australian Forest Contractor’s Association welcomed a commitment from Forestry Minister Julie Collins that the Prime Minister Mr Albanese and the Ms Collins were strong advocates for plantation and native forestry sectors.

Ms Collins, who retained her Forestry portfolio in the minor Cabinet re-shuffle following the election, confirmed to the AFCA

that the Government’s position on native forestry was unchanged and that “an Albanese Government will never walk away from timber workers and communities”.

That’s a big call. A very, very big call.

And it’s a call that every industry representative body from the Australian

Forest Products Association and beyond is going to have to be vigilant about.

It’s an old cliché, but ensuring a re-elected government – in this case reelected with a huge swing – keeps its pre-election promises is often a tough job.

But someone’s got to do it.

● Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub general manager Tony Wright.

Dedicated seed orchard opens in Green Triangle

Australian Bluegum Plantations has officially opened a dedicated seed orchard at Unima, near Heywood, to secure long-term seed supply and enhance genetic material to grow the next generation of Green Triangle hardwood fibre.

The five-hectare orchard will provide long-term access to genetically diverse and locally adapted planting material, capable of dealing with future climatic conditions. It complements ABP’s existing seed orchard assets in Albany, which support its west Australian estate.

ABP CEO Russ Hughes said the investment reflected the company’s strategic shift towards full autonomy of seed production, an essential move as demand grows for high quality Eucalyptus Globulus fibre in Asian paper markets and emerging engineered wood products, including glue laminated structural beams.

He said the orchard would support up to 10 seasonal employees, in addition to 1.5 permanent roles.

“This seed orchard is more than just a seed source – it’s a strategic asset for the entire region, securing the future needs of the hardwood plantation sector,” Mr Hughes said.

“By investing in seed production at Unima, we are enhancing the resilience of our plantations, future proofing our operations through an integrated localised management approach.”

ABP research and development manager Dr Ben Bradshaw said the site would play an important role in broadening and conserving genetic diversity and provide for future breeding requirements, including the deployment of highperforming seed suited to the Green Triangle environment.

“ABP is shifting from being just users of elite genetics to custodians, managing every aspect from orchard to estate to provide longterm control and confidence in the future fibre it produces,” Dr Bradshaw said.

“Undertaking breeding, selection, production and deployment in-house provides tighter control over genetic performance, supporting increased productivity and climate resilience of future plantations.”

The orchard is designed for Mass Supplementary Pollination (MSP) which is a form of controlled pollination that provides greater flexibility and control over the genetic quality of the seed produced, for

current and future environments.

Dr Bradshaw said the site had already planted high-value genetic material. He said the team would collaborate with local contractors and apply learnings from its Albany operations to ensure efficient and effective orchard management.

A

BP is shifting from being just users of elite genetics to custodians

Local seedling supplier, Gildera Forestry Services Director Tim Scanlon praised ABP’s investment in the local seed orchard, describing it as a vital step forward in seed security.

“This important investment secures a reliable, local source of seed, which is especially important given the potential challenges around quarantine and interstate supply,” Mr Scanlon said.

“Having access to locally grown seed not only mitigates risk but also supports the long-term success of ABP’s growing program and the wider industry.”

● ABP’s Dr Ben Bradshaw, Maddie Campbell, Darren Shelden and Russ Hughes at the Unima Seed Orchard opening.

Timbers workers vote to leave CFMEU

Members of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division have voted overwhelmingly to leave the CFMEU and establish an independent union—the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU).

In the AEC-run ballot ordered by the Fair Work Commission, 91.6% of participating members voted YES to the split. The union will now begin formal steps to complete the demerger and establish Australia’s newest trade union.

“Our members have voted for change—for a union that is theirs. One that reflects their industries, their values, and their future” said Michael O’Connor, National Secretary of the soon-to-beestablished TFTU.

“This is about building a better union—workerled, transparent, and free from the influence of the CFMEU’s construction division.”

In an extremely high turnout for a non-compulsory union ballot almost 50% of members voted with 3553 voting Yes and only 324 voting no.

The vote was made possible by legislation passed last year in Federal Parliament, championed by Senator Jacqui Lambie and Minister Tony Burke, and supported by all MPs—except Adam Bandt and the Greens.

“Members won’t forget how all MPs voted with integrity to give workers a say on their future—except Adam Bandt and the Greens, who disgracefully backed John Setka ahead of workers”

“We thank Senator Lambie, Minister Burke, and all MPs who backed our members’ right to choose their future.”

This result follows a yearslong campaign led by delegates and members who demanded a clean break and a stronger union.

“This isn’t just a name change. It’s a structural and cultural shift—towards more independence, integrity, and member control,” Mr O’Connor said.

Rodwell Logging leads way in innovative firefighting

Rodwell Logging, now based in Bombala, has long been a fixture in the native forests along the NSW/Victorian eastern border started by Merv Rodwell in Lower Bendoc Vic in the 50’s.

In 1970 Merv secured a Harris Daishowa contract, the company operated in these forests until 1998, by which time Merv’s sons, Peter and Mark, had become central to the business. As Harris Daishowa scaled down its operations, Rodwell Logging pivoted towards trucking and earthmoving within the forestry sector.

In 2008, the company transitioned from hardwood to softwood plantation operations, initially focusing on trucking and gradually expanding into harvesting. Over time, Peter and Mark also began supporting forest fire suppression efforts, providing

machinery and transport services.

Their experience in the field inspired them to develop a purpose-built fire tanker system mounted on a timber forwarder.

The 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires had a devastating impact on the New South Wales community of Bombala.

At that time, Peter Rodwell MD of Rodwell Logging saw a pressing need to mobilise existing forestry equipment to aid in firefighting with the obvious resource being a forestry forwarder. They had recently purchased a Komatsu 895 Forwarder for timber salvage operations after the fires, this new purchase prompted Peter to proceed with his concept of a fire tanker.

“The 2020 fires were that serious we had to change the way we were going about things. The best thing

for us was to use the existing industry,” said Peter.

Rodwell Logging applied for a grant under the Protecting Our Communities (Disaster Resilience) Program, securing $1.25 million in funding.

Combined with their company investment, this enabled the design and construction of four specialised firefighting tanker units, specifically engineered to be mounted on Komatsu 895 Forwarders. These powerful forwarders can access fires and hotspots in rugged terrain inaccessible by conventional firefighting equipment.

Peter’s design features a custom 20,000-litre water tank fitted within the forwarder’s log bunk, equipped with a high-pressure pump to supply dual water cannons fitted on either side of the headgate. They are capable of delivering up to 450 litres per

minute, with up to 40-metre range. For emergency situations, an additional 3,000-litre reserve tank can be operated by the driver to aim the canons on the engine compartment and cabin.

“This means if the operator gets in a tricky spot, he has the ability to protect himself and reach a safe distance.” said Peter.

Rodwell Logging successfully deployed its first Komatsu 895 Firefighter in 2020. A second unit, along with a Komatsu 951XC Harvester, are scheduled for delivery in June 2025. While primarily assigned to harvesting operations, the new forwarder can be converted into a firefighting unit in under three hours. The original unit will remain dedicated to firefighting duties year-round, including support for hazard reduction burns and weed spraying road lines during

● One of Rodwell Logging’s specialised firefighting tanker units, specifically engineered to be mounted on Komatsu 895 Forwarders

the off-season.

Peter’s vision doesn’t stop at Bombala. With two fully equipped forwarders and a tri-trailer water tanker capable of carrying 41,000 litres and a high-volume pump, Rodwell Logging is prepared for rapid deployment across the Bombala/ Snowy Mountains region. The forwarders can also self-refill from local dams in just 19 minutes, adding to their efficiency.

Looking to scale the initiative, Peter envisions a collaborative model, where forwarder contractors across Australian forest re-

gions form cooperatives to mount similar fire rigs and act in the early stages of bushfire outbreaks.

To support this idea, Peter has partnered with Dean Venturoni, who has fitted a Rodwell firefighting kit to Dean’s Komatsu 895, operating in the pine plantations along the NSW/ Victorian border. A fourth kit was delivered to Andy Westaway from Orbost Vic in December 2024 and installed on an older Komatsu 890.3 forwarder, modified with 895 bolsters to accommodate the tank.

Recognising the need for

national support and distribution, Peter turned to Komatsu Forest to market and service the Rodwell Fire Tanker RL21 across Australia. With a longstanding relationship with Komatsu through both their earthmoving and forest machinery divisions, the partnership was a natural fit.

“We buy Kenworth trucks, Stihl chainsaws, and Komatsu machines. We know the service we’ll get, it’s that simple,” Peter remarked.

Brett Jones, Managing Director of Komatsu Forest, took a very keen interest in

the RL21’s development by visiting Rodwell’s to inspect the prototype, and finalised a marketing agreement with Rodwell Logging in late 2024. Since then, progress has accelerated. Komatsu Forest delivered its first RL21 Fire Tanker in Dec 2024, and a second unit has been ordered with a Komatsu 895.3 Speed Shift, scheduled for delivery in May 2025. Komatsu Forest currently have a third RL21 in stock with two more units in production for future sales.

“The RL21 Fire Tanker will be a game changer in

Australia for fire prevention and fire management”, said Brett Jones. “The key is the machine’s versatility to access a fire at ground level which has not been possible with conventional road vehicles,” he further commented.

Rodwell Logging’s commitment to innovation, community safety, and environmental resilience stands as a powerful example of how industry expertise and local knowledge can drive practical solutions to complex challenges like bushfire management.

OFO’s fire season over after high fire danger period

OneFortyOne’s fire season has officially concluded, marked by notably drier conditions and an increased number of very high fire danger days.

OneFortyOne Green Triangle Forests General Manager, Deon Kriek, commended the efforts of all crews and highlighted the collaboration between industry brigades, the Country Fire Service (CFS), and the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

“The cooperation and

readiness of our fire crews was excellent throughout this challenging season,”

Mr Kriek said.

“Collaboration with the CFS, CFA, and industry brigades has been vital in managing risk throughout the season and minimised the impact of the fires we did have.

“The entire crew’s commitment to working together to protecting the forest and the broader community should be acknowledged.”

The new Penola fire tower

was finished ready for the season’s start.

“Our fire tower operators were crucial in detecting and monitoring fires early,” Mr Kriek said.

“They were also supported by the Green Triangle Fire Alliance’s AI fire detection cameras, which operated around the clock.”

Reflecting on the season, Mr Kriek noted the region experienced significantly drier conditions than average, which elevated the risk and severity of fires.

“There were more very

high fire danger days compared to the average,” he said.

“OneFortyOne fire crews were on standby for 132 days, a substantial increase from the average of 88 days.

“During this time, we responded to 66 fires in our forests and other areas across the region.

“Despite the high number of fires, less than two hectares of OneFortyOne forests were impacted, and most importantly our people went home safe and well.”

To celebrate the end of the fire season, an event was held in Mount Gambier last week, bringing the fire crew back together.

“The end of season wrap up was a great chance to get everyone back together, reflect, and recognise the work of all crews over what was a challenging season,” Mr Kriek said.

Fire management activity including crew training exercises, prescribed burning, and fire break maintenance will continue throughout the year.

● The firefighting tanker unit in operation.

Forest products sector welcomes new Albanese Government

Australia’s forest products industries have congratulated the re-elected Albanese Government and all members and senators of the new 48th Parliament who they will work with to achieve improved sector-wide outcomes.

“We congratulate Prime Minister Albanese on Labor’s election victory and increased majority, and we’ll now get down to business working with the new Government on a range of issues impacting forestry and the supply chain,” Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said.

“We also welcome all the new and re-elected MPs and Senators of the new 48th Parliament and will continue our tradition of advocacy with them.

“We are eager to get

straight to business with the new Government on policies announced during the campaign including the new ReMade in Australia brand and housing sector initiatives, and the soon-to-be-released Timber Fibre Strategy developed during the first term of Government by the Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership.

“Our sector faces many challenges, from longterm timber and woodfibre supply to immediate construction market issues, ensuring we have a skilled workforce geared to needs, illegal imports, social licence to operate and making sure Australians understand the importance of what the sector does. AFPA will continue lead advocacy for the supply chain, addressing these issues in Canberra,” Ms Hallam

said.

“We thank the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, along with Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Jonno Duniam, for their ongoing support and all other parliamentarians who represent our industries across the Parliament."

The Australian Forest Contractor’s Association also congratulated the Australian Labor Party led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for winning the Federal Election.

“During the campaign we welcomed a commitment from Forestry Minister Julie Collins who wrote to us stating that the Prime Minister and the Minister were strong advocates for plantation and native forestry sectors," AFCA CEO Tim Lester said.

“She confirmed that the Government’s position on native forestry is unchanged and that ‘An Albanese Government will never walk away from timber workers and communities’,” Mr Lester said.

“Forestry services businesses are generally small, multi-generational family businesses providing specialist equipment and skills to ensure the supply of timber and wood fibre to processing and export facilities. Security of contracts, viability of arrangements and surety for resource availability are all critical for long term business success.

“These businesses are the employers of an essential workforce who have high quality jobs in rural and regional Australia.

"The World Bank says forestry industries have an economic impact two and a half times the amount of money directly generated.

"A strong forestry sector means more local economic activity, which means stronger communities," he said.

“The alternative is exporting our jobs, importing more timber and Australian taxpayers spending more to manage our forests.

“There is a lot of misinformation circulating so we would like to extend an invitation to all Parliamentarians to come and see how our forests are managed particularly through harvesting and regeneration."

Collins reappointment welcomed

Australia’s forest industries welcome the reappointment of Julie Collins as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry following Labor’s win in the Federal Election.

“Minister Collins has been an ardent advocate for forestry and the supply chain, and we look forward to working with her again this term,” Australian Forest Products Association CEO Diana Hallam said.

Other key appointments for the forestry sector included Senator Murray Watt’s move to the Environment portfolio and the Clare O’Neil’s re-appointment as Minister for Housing.

“On behalf of Australia’s forest industries I welcome back and congratulate Julie Collins on her re-appointment as our Minister,” Ms Hallam said.

“Julie has an outstanding record of stewardship and delivery for our sec -

tor, and we look forward to continuing our positive and close working relationship.

“We also welcome Murray Watt to the Environment portfolio. As a for-

mer Minister for,” she said.

“It’s a very important time for the forestry portfolio, as the sector works to realise our climate and manufacturing potential while facing numerous challenges including securing resource supply, dealing with a depressed construction market along with ensuring we have a skilled workforce geared to needs.”

Ms Hallam said the AFPA would now get back to work with Ms Collins and other key members of the Executive to discuss the soon-to-bereleased Timber Fibre Strategy, how the forestry sector can maximise benefits provided by the new ReMade in Australia brand and be part of the solution on housing sector initiatives announced during the election campaign, and also to broadly ensure forestry and forest products is understood and decisions are made with the best interests of

our sector in mind.

Tasmanian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel said it was pleasing to see Ms Collins return to the portfolio that oversees the industry in Tasmania, which employs more than 5500 people across the state.

“It’s also great news that the vital position of forestry minister will continue to be held by a Member of Parliament from Tasmania,” Mr Steel said.

“Forestry is an essential industry in Tasmania, so we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that a Tasmanian MP will oversee the industry in Canberra.

“As we saw in the last Parliament, Minister Collins brings a wealth of knowledge to the Ministry. In the last Parliament, Minister Collins provided excellent representation for our forest industry in Canberra.

“Minister Collins worked closely with industry on the policy and funding that delivered for the sector. We look forward to working with Minister Collins over the coming months and years to continue to deliver for our respected, responsible and renewable industry,” Mr Steel said.

“The forestry industry in Tasmania is still in a critical phase with the coming together of different areas of government policy, including climate change, the economy, jobs and housing.

“The Tasmanian forestry industry is critical to all these national and international policy issues. We look forward to working with Minister Collins and the Albanese Government on the role our sector can play in moving Australia forward,” Mr Steel said.

● Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins.

My View Australian forestry plantations is at the crossroads

Ihave written this opinion piece after attending a Forestry Australia webinar from ABARES on 12 March 2025 from the latest State of the Forests Report – Synthesis 2023.

The information provided gives a strong impetus for Australia to review its National Forest Policy 1992 to address the looming shortages of structural timber and what options are advisable to address these issues. The cyclic nature of timber demand, particularly during a slump, as reported currently, can dampen thoughts of addressing the long-term position for plantations, which have a long period between investment and return. This is a long view issue.

Forestry and timber production is a great industry for Australia with major centres in all states except NT.

Softwood forestry plantation areas have been relatively static since 201112 despite the increasing demand for timber and Government programs to stimulate investment and plantings.

Total area from State of the Forest’s Report Synthesis 2023, is around 1 million hectares of softwood plantation and around 0.7 million hectares of hardwood plantation. Hardwood plantation areas have declined from a high of 1 million hectares in 201112 mainly due to transfer of land back to agriculture following harvesting of the tree crop.

Timber production from softwood plantations, which are long rotation 25 years plus, is predominantly sawlogs 8 million m3 and pulpwood 6 million m3 for a total of 14 million m3. Softwood pulpwood is sold from first thinnings and is a by-product of later harvesting operations.

Timber production from hardwood plantations is predominantly pulpwood, currently at 8.5 million m3 largely from plantations established during the MIS

programs up until 2011-12. Hardwood plantations producing pulpwood are predominantly short rotation around 12-15 years.

Despite the small areas of additional new plantations since 2011-12 there will be a static future domestic timber supply with increasing shortages, according to published articles from the Housing Industry Association, ABARES and other authoritative bodies.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) forecasts that Australia’s timber demand will continue to rise, driven by population growth and housing construction, potentially leading to increased reliance on imported timber if domestic production doesn’t expand. The HIA, along with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), predicts that demand for sawn softwood will continue to grow, primarily due to housing commencements and GDP growth.

The HIA’s housing forecasts are consistent with the predicted timber demand, estimating that there is demand for the construction of around 200,000 new dwellings per year on average in Australia. Imports of sawn timber in 2022 were around 700,000 m3 representing 30% of total timber demand.

The main timber product needed in future is sawn timber for residential and commercial buildings. This timber is sourced from softwood sawlogs produced from long rota-

tion plantations.

The main impediment to developing new long rotation plantations is economics where the cost of establishing plantations, particularly on purchased land and managing those plantations until timber harvesting of the major crop at generally 25 years plus, is very sensitive to the rate of return and assessed as too long, with the natural risk factors including fire, for most investors. Insurance for forestry plantations is now very difficult and costly.

Investors and State Government forestry agencies have been happy to purchase existing long rotation plantations generally 10 years and older, but have infrequently established new plantations from year zero since 2012. For softwood plantations there is replanting of harvested areas.

U nless there is a circuit breaker in the basic economics, Australia will import increasing supplies of timber

Victoria and WA have announced programs to develop new plantations to attempt to counter the closure of Government native forestry businesses in those states. These programs will take years to result in additional plantation resources, assuming they proceed as planned.

The Commonwealth and State governments grants, and loan schemes have resulted in modest areas of

plantation development over the past 2 years. The DAFF program to support plantation establishment over 4 years 2023-24 to 2026-27 has resulted so far in approvals for establishment of around 11,000 ha of long rotation softwood plantations and 2,500 ha of hardwood plantation. This program is welcome, despite its impediments, but will not reach anything like the levels of new plantation development to satisfy forecast domestic demand.

There has been a reduction in the area of hardwood plantations following the demise of the Managed Investment Scheme plantations 15 years ago due to a transfer of some plantation land back to agriculture after harvesting the tree crop.

Unless there is a circuit breaker in the basic economics, Australia will import increasing supplies of timber from overseas, which could otherwise be grown locally.

The Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative does include developing forestry plantations with potential sale of carbon credits. Forests, and timber in buildings have embodied carbon which is part of Australia’s push to achieve net zero emissions in 2050 and is part of United Nations strategies.

This is a positive, but the policy is not yet resulting in a significant uptake of plantations as shown in the 2023 Report. There are some impediments in the detail of the CFI including the “7-year rule” which are counterproductive and in need of review.

For residential homes the main product is sawn softwood with some hardwood for strength in frames and trusses. Sawn softwood timber is usually grown for 25 years and more, requiring long rotation plantations.

For multi-story and commercial buildings the main product is engineered timber including Cross Laminated Timber. While the

timber used may be from younger trees the factories producing this product are high tech with supporting design services and a significant proportion of the engineered timber is imported. The Australian factories producing such engineered timbers are a valuable asset.

The current Commonwealth policy of “Made In Australia” has a focus of developing industries which will support Australia in the decades ahead, where Australia has economic advantages in an emissions restrictive economy, compared to the densely populated areas of Asia and Europe. This should apply to forestry in general but will need serious promotion in the current climate. In such a scenario short rotation plantations could supply basic fibre for chemicals and essential liquid fuels instead of oil. Short rotation plantations (10-15 years) have shown to be more attractive for investors than long rotation plantations, as demonstrated with the Managed Investment Scheme programs in 1990-2010 targeting hardwood pulpwood for paper. However, any schemes to support short rotation plantations will likely require significant investment in technology in Australia to use the resource domestically and with better regulation of plantation development than the previous policy. Impediments to expanding the plantation estate include;

• Investment in long rotation plantations of 25 years + is not attractive to the corporate sector or State Government forestry agencies.

• Risks include fire and other natural hazards, which can degrade the resource and resulting in high costs for insurance.

• Land is expensive if needing to be purchased for plantation, particularly in areas with reasonable access to the timber pro-

MY VIEW Ron Wilson

cessing industries.

• Regulation for plantation establishment varies between states and can be an impediment. For example, Victoria does not have a Plantation and Reafforestation Act so therefore there is no certainty in purchase of land for plantation.

• Opportunities for expanding the plantation estate include;

• Having existing owners of suitable land to develop plantations, which is currently a key objective of the Forestry Hubs established by the Commonwealth Government.

• Enhancement of the carbon market for forestry plantations, to remove some of the barriers in the Carbon Farming Initiative.

• Research and development in uses of timber has been improved recently with grants from Government and stimulus for new products such as cross laminated timber and engineered timber in

multi-story buildings.

• Government investment in infrastructure such as roads and fire detection and suppression systems, including the recent $13 million program in NSW.

While these actions are currently in play there is very little additional new plantation areas being established.

A new approach is needed to kick start expansion of the forestry plantation sector, or if no significant action is taken, then Australia will be increasing its import of timber.

International economics and development principles steer countries to focus on activities where those countries have a natural advantage and avoid activities where importing is a more efficient strategy.

Australia should have a natural advantage for the areas of long rotation plantations needed to satisfy forecast future demand, but the evidence so far from ABARES does not support that view.

It may also be that shorter

rotation plantations can be developed for timber products which meet the needs of the house and building construction industry, and other products such as liquid fuels and chemicals. In this case the private sector may be prepared to invest in such shorter rotation plantations.

In a presentation I made to the Forestry Australia Conference in Launceston in 2021, I showed that major increases in plantation area only occurred as a result of significant investment by the Commonwealth government with the Softwood Loan Agreements of the 1960s and then the MIS program of the 1990s.

If it is economically advisable to significantly expand the long rotation plantation estate now, it has been shown that the Commonwealth Government will need to develop further policies and take action. The key objective will be that Australia should have a somewhat larger long rotation plantation estate.

BRIEFS

New graduate course

A Graduate Certificate in Forestry is being developed and delivered through a collaboration between five universities: University of Tasmania, Australian National University, University of South Australia, University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Melbourne. With no single university able to deliver a comprehensive program independently, this national initiative represents a collaborative approach between academia, industry, and government to ensure education delivery.

Policy review

The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation is calling on the Department of Conservation to revise its procurement policy requiring that all timber for key government-funded projects such as Rākau Rangatira Phase Two located in Northland be sourced exclusively from FSC-certified forests.

There are various ways that the Commonwealth can achieve such an expansion but is effectively an injection of funding to neutralise the impediment of long-term investment with the risks. This can be underwriting the costs for the first 10-15 years of the life of plantations and then transfer those plantations to the private and State Government sector at fair market prices.

According to Huw McKay, previously Chief Economist BHP, the Australian policy for critical minerals has some similar features where the Government underwrites long term supply but the private sector manages supply and marketing in the shorter term.

A new National Forest Policy for the forestry plantation sector should consider all such options and develop programs for action.

Ron Wilson is a forestry consultant to AgriWealth Group and previously senior manager in what is now Forestry Corporation of NSW.

While intended to ensure responsible sourcing, the federation says this requirement unfairly excludes hundreds of small forest owners, including farmers and regional woodlot managers who manage their forests sustainably but are not FSCcertified.

PFT appointments

Dion McKenzie has joined Private Forests Tasmania as its new Forestry Specialist and Jenna Hammond has joined PFT as Engagement and Innovation Specialist. Jenna is a committed and passionate communications and stakeholder engagement professional with continually growing knowledge of the forest industry in Tasmania and strong established relationships and networks.

Dion has a background in farming and agricultural science, however, is a career forester with more than 25 years’ experience working in a variety of roles for Tasmania’s public forest manager.

Applications open

Applications are now open for the second round of the Tasmanian Government’s On-Island Processing Program to support more local value-adding for our wood and timber industry.

Applications close on July 31, 2025.

● Softwood forestry plantation areas have been relatively static since 2011-12.

Chainsaw Safety Week

Chainsaw Safety Week - why a few minutes can save lives

$10,000 donation of Stihl equipment to Disaster Relief Australia

The world’s leading chainsaw brand, Stihl, has launched the second year of its Chainsaw Safety Week in Australia.

From Monday, June 2 to June 8, Stihl is determined to continue building awareness of the necessary safety precautions for operating a chainsaw this winter and beyond. Chainsaws are powerful tools-indispensable for professionals and weekend warriors alike. But with power comes risk, and every year, improper use leads to thousands of injuries, many of them easily preventable with training.

With over 600 Stihl dealerships around the country and the largest market share of chainsaw sales in Australia, Stihl is committed to the safe and proper use of chainsaws.

“At Stihl, we’re committed to making sure that Australians are putting their safety first,” Stihl Australia managing director Leeson Brook said.

“As Australia’s most trusted brand for chainsaws and outdoor power equipment, we recognise we have a role to play to support the safe use of these essential tools.”

Stihl launched the campaign with a donation to Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), supplying them with $10,000 worth of equipment to support their vital work in keeping Australian communities safe in the aftermath of destructive weather events, such as the recent Cyclone Alfred and Victorian fires.

As the control agency of flood and storm, DRA unites the skills and experience of veterans and other dedicated volunteers, harnessing their extensive training and substantial experience of Chainsaw Operations, to safely support communities and remove

trees down over roads and properties and help to repair building damage.

“Proper preparation beforehand can be the main difference for your property surviving a disaster,” a DRA representative said.

“Identifying any hazardous trees or branches that need to be dealt with before the season starts. Whether you’re using a chainsaw, pole saw, brush cutter or even just a blower to undertake any of these tasks yourself, it is crucial that you understand the risks involved and know how to operate the equipment safely.”

Chainsaw Safety: Not Just for the Pros

Stihl’s campaign isn’t just

aimed at seasoned arborists or forestry workers. The real target is the “occasional user”- the DIY enthusiast who fires up a chainsaw for a backyard project, often without giving safety more than a passing thought. For these users, a moment’s inattention or a missing piece of protective gear can have life-altering consequences. The Five-Minute Rule

The message is simple but vital: take five minutes before you start. Five minutes to check your gear, inspect your chainsaw, and clear your work area. It’s a small investment of time that can prevent catastrophic injuries. Stihl’s safety checklist is straightforward:

 Wear snug-fitting, cutresistant clothing, steeltoed boots, gloves, and full head, face, and hearing protection.

 Inspect your chainsaw

for sharpness, proper tension, and intact safety devices- never use a damaged or improperly maintained tool.

 Clear your work area of tripping hazards, bystanders, and overhead dangers, and always be mindful of weather conditions that could add risk.

Safety Features and Personal Responsibility

Stihl has engineered their chainsaws with numerous safety features, from reduced-kickback chains to chain brakes and ergonomic designs. But as the company itself points out, “user safety really does begin with you”.

No amount of technology can substitute for personal vigilance and proper preparation, this is where the messaging of safety through the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) is vital.

Changing the Culture Around Chainsaw Use

Chainsaw Safety Week isn’t just about checklists - it’s about changing attitudes towards chainsaws. Safety needs to be second nature, not an afterthought. STIHL’s outreach, from online tips and quizzes to instore advice, is designed to make safety part of the chainsaw experience, not an optional extra.

The Bottom Line: Chainsaw accidents are preventable.

Stihl Chainsaw Safety Week is a timely reminder that taking a few minutes to prepare, suit up, and check your equipment is not just good practice - it’s a responsibility to yourself, your family, and your community. Let’s make chainsaw safety more than a weeklong campaign. Let’s make it a habit, every time we pick up the saw.

● Disaster Relief Australia crews on the job clearing fallen timber after a storm. The organisation will benefit through a $10,000 donation from Stihl.

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Milestones South Australia celebrating 150 years of forestry

South Australia is proudly celebrating a major milestone in its history with 2025 marking the 150th anniversary of the state’s forest and timber industries.

Acknowledging this remarkable milestone, Members of Parliament, industry leaders and stakeholders gathered at the 2025 Parliamentary Friends of Forestry event to celebrate the foundational legacy of the industry and recognises South Australia as the birthplace of the nation’s commercial plantation forests.

From the first hectare of trees planted in 1875 in the Bundaleer Forests in the Mid-North, the industry has grown to 176,000 hectares, directly and indirectly supports over 21,300 jobs, processes the fibre that supports new homes, pallets that move the products we buy and many other industries. Our plantation forests are the foundation of our state’s future.

South Australia has long been at the forefront of innovation and sustainable forest management, and the launch of the 150th celebrations marks a proud reflection of the industry’s enduring success and its growing importance to the State’s economic value chain, regional development, and environmental sustainability.

As part of the celebrations, the official 150th anniversary logo was unveiled which beautifully represents both the softwood and hardwood plantation species, whilst also capturing the essence of the sunrise industry that is the forest industries.

“South Australia is proudly the birthplace of the nation’s commercial forestry plantations, with 2025 marking the 150th Anniversary since the State embarked on a journey of sustainable plantation forestry, and it was great to kick start the year-long celebrations with Members of Parliament, industry leaders and stakeholders at

the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry event,” Tammy Auld, Chair of the South Australian Forest Products Association said

“The forest industries are all around us and have been building our state and our nation over the last 150 years. It is a critical industry for the nation’s future, and SAFPA, with support from the Government of South Australia, is pleased to coordinate celebrations to acknowledge the legacy and future opportunities of South Australia’s forest industries.

“Understanding that forest products are embedded in our everyday lives and to connect the plantation forest tree to the product, SAFPA started the celebrations by sharing with all Members of Parliament a biodegradable bag full of products that are supported by our sustainable fibre – such as toilet paper, wine, eggs, and fruit and veg, wooden chopping board and pallets – all essential everyday items that are sustainably grown from our forest industries, the ultimate renewable.”

Forest Industries Minister Clare Scriven said the anniversary served as a reminder of South Australia’s pivotal role in shaping the forest and timber industries in Australia and gives us an opportunity to celebrate the past, present and future contributions of this resilient and pioneering industry.

“The Government have invested more than $19 million into the forest and timber industries and understand the forestry supply value chain is crucial to our State’s economic and environmental success.”

The Shadow Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Nicola Centofanti said she was proud to stand with SAFPA in celebration of this historic milestone.

“Primary industries are crucial to the South Australian economy, and commercial forestry has been a cornerstone of our production for 150 years. It is a testament to the dedication of the people who created this sector, which today supports over 21,300 jobs and covers over 176,000 hectares of commercial plantings,” she said.

“Timber is an essential product across multiple aspects of daily life and it is vital we support the businesses that ensure we create enough hardwood, softwood and fibres to not only meet our needs, but allow multiple related sectors to thrive.

“There are fantastic career pathways in this sector and I want to see more young people involved in the sector to ensure South Australia remains a strong player in this space.

“Forestry is a fundamental part of the cultural fabric in many of South Australia’s regional towns, and I look forward to supporting these workers and their communities, well in our state’s future.”

This monumental occasion also provides a unique opportunity to highlight how our industries touch our everyday lives in ways we might not recognise through showcasing a range of products that are supported by the forest industries. From paper bags to wine, eggs, fruit and vegetables and even the humble roll of toilet paper, the forest industries are a foundational element of our everyday lives.

Throughout 2025, SAFPA will be shining a spotlight on our sustainable forestry industries and exploring the future of plantation forestry in South Australia, including the centrepiece Gala Dinner which will be held on the 13th June 2025

in the heart of the Green Triangle, Mount Gambier.

Forestry has been building our nation for the last 150 years and is a critical industry for the future and the next generation as we, as a nation, work towards a building new homes, delivering a net-zero economy, replacing fossil fuel-based plastics, and exploring opportunities in biofuels and bioenergy.

A Woods and Forests Bullock Team in the Kuitpo Forest Reserve south of Adelaide in the early 1920s.

● A bullock team hauling logs at Bundaleer Forest Reserve north of Adelaide in 1915.

● A timber trolley hauling pine logs to the Mount McIntyre Forest Reserve Mill in 1915.

● Pictures: Forestry SA Mounted Photographic CollectionMount Gambier Library. Copyright © ForestrySA

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New Zealand’s world-leading gene editing research

Scion has launched the world’s first field trial of gene-edited conifer as part of research aimed at improving wood quality and producing materials to support New Zealand’s bioeconomy.

The Crown Research Institute has developed and implemented an advanced gene-editing technique known as CRISPR that lets scientists turn off a specific gene within the pine’s complex genome. This helps them understand what that gene does – which in turn builds understanding of how wood develops.

Two sets of trees have been planted, each with a separate gene turned off. This aims to enhance timber quality and improve the process of converting wood into fibre (pulping) and sustainable chemical feedstocks for the bioeconomy. One of these genes is involved in the synthesis of hemicellulose, a renewable biopolymer (a molecule produced by plants with many versatile, highvalue applications. The other is involved in the development of compression wood, which forms on leaning or bent stems to straighten them up. Compression wood behaves differently from normal wood during timber process-

ing, leading to issues such as warping and reduced strength, as well as making the extraction of fibre and chemicals more difficult.

The trees in this trial were initially cultivated in a contained greenhouse, where their wood underwent a comprehensive analysis.

This research yielded unique and fundamental insights into the mechanisms of cell wall formation.

The trees have subsequently been planted in Scion’s Environment Protection Agency-approved GMO field test containment facility to help scientists better understand how they perform under realworld conditions and to collect sufficient wood for relevant biomechanical experiments.

Scion senior scientist Glenn Thorlby says the trees’ growth and develop-

ment continue to be meticulously monitored. “This research will allow us to produce trees that, with optimised wood properties, will support the export of high-value timber and the biomass needed to replace petrochemicals as New Zealand transitions to a low-emissions sustainable bioeconomy.

Additionally, Scion has also developed gene-edited Douglas-fir to create sterile

trees that could be planted without the risk of exacerbating New Zealand’s wilding pine issue. These sterile trees would potentially act as a form of biocontrol for future genetically modified trees.

“This will enable Douglasfir to grow normally but not reproduce, helping limit its spread,” Glenn says. “By targeting reproductive genes, we offer a potential solution to New Zealand’s wilding pine problem.”

Wilding pines occur when forest species such as Douglas-fir spread beyond planted areas, impacting native ecosystems and landscapes across New Zealand.

Since 2016, the government has invested $150m in wilding conifer control, mainly targeting Douglas-fir, which is New Zealand’s second most widely planted forest species and plays a significant role in the country’s economy. It generates export earnings, provides employment and supplies structural timber for construction.

However, its seeds spread and germinate easily, leading to wilding pines that threaten native landscapes and ecosystems. Planting is therefore restricted and harvested trees are often not replaced.

Industry training trial for critically needed skilled roles

The Australian Forest Products Association is backing a new twoyear saw doctor and wood machinist pilot training trial aimed at boosting these much-needed forestry sector skills.

“There is a national shortage of saw technicians and wood machinists and it’s critical that we have efficient, accessible and fit for purpose training to support these important specialised skills across both softwood and hardwood processing and manufacturing,” AFPA CEO Diana Hallam said.

“Saw makers and repair-

ers are not currently listed on the Core Skills and Occupation List.”

This pilot training trial will be delivered in conjunction with Timber Training Creswick and TAFE NSW with support from employers and the Australian Government’s $10 million Forestry Workforce Training Program being administered by ForestWorks.

“Attracting new people into the industry begins at school and we hope that this pilot training trial can go some way to encouraging more young people to consider fulfilling careers

in these specialised areas that are critical for timber manufacturing,” Ms Hallam said.

ForestWorks CEO, Mike Radda said saw doctors and wood machinists were professions that are experiencing shortages of qualified personnel.

“We’re proud to be involved in this pilot training trial,” he said.

“It’s important that we provide the required training here in Australia for people who want to undertake it – as a dual option with importing these skills from overseas.”

Ms Hallam said Australia’s forestry and timber sector was Australia’s sixth largest manufacturing sector, drove the housing sector, and the need for product would only get more important as the country and different industries look to decarbonise by using timber and wood-fibre.

“We need to attract more people to our growing sector to fill the variety of important vocations we need to function,” she said.

“This trial aims to make it easier for regional businesses to employ, train and retain skilled tradespeople.

We are working to carefully identify industry needs, and to test a practical and pragmatic training solution including exploring the advantages of on-site employee training. AFPA will work with expert RTOs and businesses, in different states to make sure training is tailored and fit for purpose.

“We are proud to be working in this space with trusted industry education partners and look forward to positive training outcomes and reduced skills shortages across the forestry and the timber sector,” Ms Hallam said.

● Scion’s gene-edited trees in May this year.

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Logging Profile

Padgett Logging an Australian innovator in the forests AFCA Hall of Fame team making history

Ken Padgett’s logging operations are centred around Myrtleford in northeastern Victoria. The landscape is characterized by broad valleys and steep slopes –textbook yarding and cable assist country.

Ken, a second-generation industry veteran, became a Member of the Australian Forest Contractors Association Hall of Fame in 2010. He and his two sons, Oliver and Kenneth, operate logging, site prep, cartage, and waste fibre processing businesses in Victoria and Tasmania under Padgett Group Pty Ltd.

Ken grew up in the industry and started out on his own 44 years ago in his mid-twenties. His father, Andy Padgett AM, was named an Australian Forest Contractors Association Industry Icon in 2010 and became a Member of the AFCA Hall of Fame the same year, passed away in 2013.

He was an outsize figure in the Tasmanian timber industry. He was a strong advocate of Tasmania’s hardwood industry and a champion for sustainable forest management. Andy was well respected inside and outside of the industry, and on both sides of the debate and turmoil surrounding Tasmania’s native hardwood logging in decades past. He has been formally recognized many times for his extensive contributions to logging and forest management. He received the Australia Day Tasmania Award in 1987. He was the first recipient of the World Forestry Day Award in 1995, for outstanding and innovative contributions to Tasmania’s forest industry. Andy was also awarded the prestigious Australian Medal, the country’s highest civilian honour in 1997, for service to the forestry industry, sustainable forest management, and the promotion of innovations in environmentally sound

harvesting, transport and replanting techniques.

Andy moved to Tasmania in 1946. An enduring legacy and three generations of successful business operations hinged on happenstance and poor weather.

“He was a sheep shearer,” Ken explains. “He went down to Tassie when he was twenty years old and literally couldn’t get a job because it was wet. They couldn’t shear the sheep because they couldn’t get them dry so he went into a sawmill and said, ‘I want a job,’ and the mill boss said, ‘Look there’s no jobs here but I got a job up on the mountain stoning roads to get the trucks in and out.’

That literally started his life in the timber industry.

Over the next few years he

started doing some contracting work, building wooden railways for locomotives that were bringing logs out of the bush to the sawmill.”The mountain was Mount Barrow, a place that Andy loved and where he developed his skills and knowledge as a timber industry professional. Decades later, he would help to develop an interpretive centre.

“To this day there’s an area up on Mount Barrow that is dedicated to Dad. There’s a forest interpretation centre and it’s all around the industry and its history, and what Dad did in the industry,” Ken relates proudly.

Building businesses

Ken’s first business was as

an owner-hauler.

“I had a truck and started in a small partnership with my brother-in-law,” he says. One year into the venture, Ken bought the business outright. “Very quickly I was working in Tasmania in the hardwood industry, and Dad was a significant contractor down there in those times.”

Early into the venture, Andy was injured on the job, leaving his crew a man down.

“That left me in a precarious position because I used to cart the logs off Dad’s job. I decided that I’d go and take his position and put someone else in the truck.” Ken carried on for six years, and in the process grew the business fourfold. With the hardwood logging running well, Ken’s next move was to refocus his efforts on the trucking business, expanding his fleet to eight trucks, and hauling Radiata pine in addition to hardwood. As Ken gained more exposure to Radiata pine operations in Tasmania, an opportunity arose to run a cable logging job at Scottsdale in the northeast of the island. “I really had a passion for cable logging. I was trained by an American guy by the name of Dave Tyler who had been brought out to Australia. I spent twelve months running with him and he taught me a lot.”

Concurrent to this, Ken was developing designs for folding skel trailers with Graeme Elphinstone. “It was a pretty interesting time. I formed a business with two other guys called Tamarack Transport. We won a contract to cart 400 000 tonnes of logs a year to the newsprint mill in Boyer, Tasmania. One minute we had eight trucks and the next minute I think we had 23 trucks between the two operations. We expanded our business with folding skel trailers because we needed to get into some tricky situations and weather conditions and

these trailers enabled us to do that.”

In 1996 Ken started his third venture in northeastern Victoria with Colin McCulloch, based around a Thunderbird TSY 155 swing yarder and TY 40 pole yarder. At the same time, he and his partner were running a large hardwood yarding operation in Tasmania plus a couple of conventional operations in the northeast of the state. From there the partners expanded into hardwood thinning. “It was a courageous thing to do,” says Ken. “And it was the right thing to do. We learned a lot.” Then came the Tasmania pulp market crash in 2009.

Resiliency

“I was going along really well until the pulp mill debacle in Tasmania. And that cost a lot of contractors their existence and their livelihood. We were committed heavily into this and we went from heroes to zeroes pretty quickly. We tried valiantly to continue but there was no market for the wood. I knew that we had no way of continuing the hardwood business.”

Down but not out, Ken had a couple of things going for him. He still had a viable cartage business in Tasmania. And he still had the Victoria contract. “We had a lot of people here that I was pretty keen to keep going. I was able to call on every friend I had and every acquaintance I’d met to keep me going. We went through some pretty tough times. At one stage, I was probably within one pay of going under, I reckon.”

Ken negotiated with Hancock (HVP Plantations) for a new three-year contract. It went well and at the end of the three years he successfully negotiated a fixed ten-year contract which allowed him to upgrade some aging equipment, including replacing the old Thunderbird yarder with a new 124 Madill in 2016. Ken relocated to Wodonga and

● Second-generation industry veteran Ken Padgett.

then Myrtleford, running the 78 000 cubic metre operation while his two sons, Oliver and Kenneth managed the cartage business in Tasmania. “Oliver and Kenneth are extremely capable managers,” says Ken. Together, he and his sons own Padgett Group Pty Ltd as a family business.

Prior to 2016, Ken had never owned a Tigercat machine and it was at this time that he purchased his first, an L830 model equipped with a 2000 series shear and a 340 degree wrist. “It was brilliant. We did some really tough work with that machine because it was on the job well before winches,” Ken explains. The terrain continued to get steeper and steeper. Three years later, Ken made the decision to winch assist a buncher for the first time.

The benefits that came

of safety,” Ken explains. “It means we’re going to more difficult areas. But you’re taking guys off the ground that used to hand fall. We used to hand fall probably 5% of what we did. Now everything is cut with the bunchers.”

By this time, Ken was running the clear fall yarding operation, and a conventional steep slope thinning operation that utilized bunchers, skidders, and processors at roadside. He purchased another Tigercat buncher – this time an L822D – for the thinning operation, and soon followed that up with an LH822D mated to a Tigercat 575 to process logs on the yarding job. “That has just been an unbelievable machine. Four years in now and it’s still a front-line machine.”

a tender process. He had some new ideas and figured he could process at the stump with winches. “So we did some trials because we already had a ten tonne winch machine. We put the harvester on a winch and we knew pretty quickly what that would do. Then we put the forwarder on a winch to see how that went. We did some trials up and down steep hills. We pretty quickly worked out a potential package. So, we put it to Hancock to change to a fully winched assisted

an 822. We also spoke with Onetrak salesman, Shane Ricardo about the possibility of getting a narrow track frame. I thought an 822 with a narrow track frame and an extension boom would be a very smart thing, running the 425 Waratah head. The machine arrangement has turned out to be very successful, and along with the 18-tonne forwarder and the T-Winches, it makes for a very well-balanced system.” The extra boom length allows the operator to reach deep into the stand

cable operation, everything has to be reliable. Once you have one machine down, you’re affecting six or seven other machines. The downhill spiral is very quick.” Ken bought the L822D that is running currently on the yarder operation, equipped with a 2000 series shear and 340 degree wrist. Ken deploys his older Tigercat bunchers on silviculture and fire salvage jobs. Although Ken prefers not to rely on high hour machines for his primary operations, he takes some

continued page 22

● Cable assisted L822D equipped with a Tigercat 2000 series shear. “When you’re falling on 30 to 40 degree slopes with a hot saw, the saw is living in the dirt,” says Ken. The shear cuts at ground level without creating excessive wear from sand and rock. The result is greatly increased fibre recovery and lower maintenance compared with a disc saw.

● Ken Padgett’s father Andy, who passed in 2013, was an outsize figure in the Tasmanian timber industry.

Automotive Sales tell the tale for Ford’s Ranger

Sales tell the tale when it comes to the automotive industry, whether in Australia or anywhere else.

And in Australia when it comes to work vehicles the utility, in one form or other, has been a staple for a very long time.

It is, justifiably, a crowded market with manufacturers clambering to find an edge.

So for Ford to deliver Australia’s top-selling dual-cab ute three years in a row, then the formula must be spot on.

The Ford Ranger became Australia’s top-selling dualcab ute in 2023 dethroning the Toyota HiLux after a seven-year reign at the top of the sales charts.

And it seems to have maintained that lead this year finding itself on top of Australia’s sales charts in March,

To capitalise on the Rangers’ success, Ford has announced its first Ranger Super Duty for those who do the toughest jobs will be able to carry, tow, and do more.

The inspiration for a heavier-duty Ranger began with living the life of our truck customers, according to Todd Willing, head of Ford Design, Ford Motor Company.

“Fleet managers told us about the heavy-duty medium pick-up space and how there just wasn’t anything they wanted,” said Willing. “This set our team on a path to digging deeper, meeting with more than 50 companies and public services to truly live the life of these customers to understand their specific needs.”

The result was an idea for a truck that could bridge the gap between what was currently available and what the industry told Ford it needed.

Under Ranger Super Duty’s sculpted bonnet is Ford’s 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 calibrated for heavyduty emissions standards. Improved cooling ensures optimum temperature management under load and during sustained offroading in difficult terrain.

The Ranger Super Duty will offer significantly higher towing capacities (up to

4500kg braked) and payload capabilities compared to the standard Ranger.

“This drivetrain will be delivered with EU6.2 compliance for global markets, meaning Ranger Super Duty is ready to work for years to come,” said Dave Burn, chief program engineer, Ford Australia.

Ranger Super Duty also offers customers the option of delaying the automatic diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration and then manually initiating the clean at a time that suits.

“While a DPF is part of the emissions management system, being able to delay and then manually initiate a DPF clean will be a useful feature for those customers who operate in a high fire risk environment,” said Burn.

“As we collaborated on this idea more, we realised we wanted to deliver a truck that was the epitome of Built Ford Tough and that the way it looked had to match that functionality,” Willing said.

The team took the already bold-looking Ranger and leaned into it, making it look even tougher.

“All the design elements have purpose,” Willing said. “We wanted to achieve a feeling, that from just one glance, Ranger Super Duty means business.”

Featuring 33-inch General Grabber All-Terrain tyres, wider track width, and increased ground clearance, Ranger Super Duty commands attention, and has “plenty of presence,” said Max Wolff, head of design, Ford International Markets Group.

From its available Integrated Device Mounting System to its Onboard Scales, fully sealed snorkel, 130L fuel tank, front and rear differential locks, heavy-duty axles, suspension and chassis, the Ford engineering team has developed a new kind of Ranger that’s commercial grade but consumer friendly.

At the front of the truck is a heavy-duty, framemounted steel bumper which provides enhanced protection to the radiator

and headlights in off-road situations. Attachment points for mounting driving lights are standard while the front bash plate wraps down from the bumper, offering impressive, increased approach, rampover and departure angles.

“The design brief to the team for Ranger Super Duty was ‘Ultimate Tough’,” said Wolff. “The pumped guards, for instance, which were necessary to accommodate the track increase and larger tyre size and the squared-off, over-fend-

er design both unique to Ranger Super Duty.”

“From working on the farm or building site, to emergency services or forestry needs, and touring four-wheel drivers, there’s a range of Ranger Super Duty variants to suit customer needs,” said Wolff.

Available in Australia as either a Single, Super or Double Cab Chassis from launch in 2026, Ranger Super Duty will also be available as a Double Cab with style-side box in mid-2026.

Ranger Super Duty will be available in

els, Ranger Super Duty and Ranger Super Duty XLT (arriving mid-2026) which is designed for those who need refined long-distance capability. This variant will boast unique alloy wheels and touring-focussed upgrades and will be exclusively available on Double Cab chassis and pick-up variants only.

Ordering for Ranger Super Duty in Australia and New Zealand opens later this year with arrivals in dealerships expected in 2026.

two trim lev-

● Under Ranger Super Duty’s bonnet is Ford’s 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 calibrated for heavy-duty emissions standards.

● The interior of the Ranger Super Duty.

HANDLE MORE OUT BACK

Forestry

Exchange program wrapping up

UK-based forester Alex Donaldson is close to finishing up his work placement with Forestry Corporation of NSW.

Mr Donaldson, who works with UK-based company Zulu Ecosystems, has spent three months working in the pine plantations of the Snowy Valleys, based at Tumut.

“I work as a forester in the UK primarily in woodland creation, I design and implement these largely native woodland schemes throughout England and Scotland,” Mr Donaldson said.

“Here in Tumut my work is vastly different focused on softwood plantations.

“So far, I have worked with several teams observing different aspects of the business. From the forest nursery and silviculture

continued from page 18

got something that’s going to last. Onetrak gives us great service down here. The machines are so reliable. It’s filters, and more filters, and more filters, and occasional updates. We’re not replacing massive componentry in them.”

Shearing saw timber

One of the unique aspects of Ken’s clear fall operation is the use of a shear head in mature radiata pine saw timber. He says the shear can handle up to a 50 cm (20 in) tree with a single cut without difficulty. “When you’re falling on 30 to 40 degree slopes with a hot saw, the saw is living in the dirt. So unless you’re cutting a stump that is a foot high at the back, and that makes it 18 inches at the front, you are continuously cutting dirt and rocks. By cutting the trees at ground level, not only is the fibre recovery higher, it makes the successive tasks easier. When you’re cabling them out, for instance, you’re not tangled up in stumps because they are cut reasonably low all the time.”

Ken estimates that the processor cuts off some-

to roading and haulage. I am witnessing the whole supply chain within one organisation, which gives me fantastic development opportunities.

“It’s especially interesting learning about the timber products that are produced from softwood plantations over here,” he said.

Prior to his current role in woodland creation, Mr

where between 50 and 75 mm (under 3 in maximum) from the butt of each stem. HVP is quite strict on the amount of butt trim and the logs are going to a veneer mill. “I’m not the only one using a shear in this forest. Everyone that has a buncher is using a shear. There’s plenty of damage that seems to go into the stump, but there’s not much damage passing up into the log. It might be particular to radiata, I don’t know.” Ken says that the shears have been reliable, with low maintenance and no structural issues.

The high rotation wrist provides a lot of flexibility on steep slopes in tree placement for the yarder with much less track travel required. The operator can work more quickly and efficiently with the ability to precisely place the stems parallel to the tracks or at whatever angle is required for the yarder setup.

“I’m very happy that we have the association with Tigercat and glad we chose to go that way. I think it’s been a very good product for us. We look after it, but it looks after us. I met Ken [MacDonald] about seven years ago and was pretty impressed with him as a

Donaldson spent four years as a Forest Manager with the UK’s largest commercial forest management company, Scottish Woodlands, after earning a Bachelor of Science majoring in Forestry from Bangor University in North Wales.

“In a commercial sense, the way the softwood plantations are grown here in Tumut, harvested and re-

planted is on a scale like I have never seen before,”

Mr Donaldson said.

“It is completely different in the UK, certainly two different ends of the forestry scale.

“In the UK, we often talk in tens or hundreds of hectares for planned harvesting operations, but here in Australia I’m seeing harvest areas more than 10 times the size and the restocking program out of Tumut this year is around 3500 hectares,” he said.

Mr Donaldson said from a forester’s perspective it has been interesting comparing the expanse of native forests in NSW to the smaller more fragmentated size of England’s woodland landscape.

“In the UK, we are currently focused on woodland creation to address timber security, climate change

and biodiversity loss, as well as helping landowners and farmers diversify their businesses,” he said.

“Ultimately, this is helping to reconnect the fragmented landscape to something more recognisable, like how it was before the intensification of farming.

“From my research, I’ve found NSW has significantly more forest cover than the UK.

“There are lots of trees integrated into the farming systems over here, often providing shade for livestock, helping to protect soils and increase soil water retention, much like the agroforestry you see back in the UK, which is a great credit to Australia,” he said.

Mr Donaldson will return to England in mid-June.

person. And, you know, he’s had these battles, just like all of us, so I guess I related to that a bit. I love his energy and his commitment to what he does. I think I have a similar commitment.”

During the past eight years, Padgett Group Pty Ltd has tripled in size. The company employs about 90 people across the two states. In Tasmania, the

company has a long-term relationship with Timberlands Pacific, hauling 1,5 million tonnes of logs and chips annually, and in addition providing extensive site preparation services.

“So that’s a big part of our business, but we also take all the wood waste from the sawmill that we cart to. We take the sawdust, the dry shavings, the pine bark, every piece of waste

that we can get our hands on, and we convert that into garden mulches, cattle bedding and chicken bedding. It’s come a long way from an owner-driver at 24 years old.”

This article originally appeared in Between the Branches, the official publication of Tigercat Industries. Reprinted with permission.

● An LH822D harvester working unassisted on a steep slope row thinning operation. Normally the machines are cable assisted.

● UK-based forester Alex Donaldson who has been working with Forestry Corporation of NSW in the pine plantations of the Snowy Valleys, based at Tumut.

AI-powered bushfire detection protecting forests

Bushfires pose a significant threat to Australia and New Zealand’s environment, economy, and communities, with traditional detection methods often failing to provide timely warnings.

Artificial intelligence (AI)powered bushfire detection systems are emerging as a vital tool to enhance early intervention, protect forests, and safeguard lives and infrastructure in response to this challenge.

These smart systems use advanced technology to identify fires at their initial smouldering stage, giving emergency services and communities crucial minutes that can significantly change the outcome of bushfire events, according to Dryad Networks.

“AI-powered bushfire detection systems with ultraearly detection capabilities give emergency responders a decisive head start in the event of a bushfire,” Sohan Domingo, VP of Sales, Technology, and Operations, Dryad Networks, said.

“This lets them mobilise more rapidly and strategically to the precise location of the burn. This means that response teams can contain outbreaks at their nascent stage, preventing them from escalating into uncontrollable blazes that devastate large areas of wilderness and inhabited regions and directly contributes to the safety and preservation of Australia and New Zealand’s diverse ecosystems and communities.”

AI-powered systems begin monitoring long before fires are visibly established, unlike conventional detection methods that rely on visible flames or satellite imagery. The core of this capability is distributed networks of solar-powered sensors placed across bushland, which detect the

References:

chemical signatures of fire during its earliest smouldering stage. This raises the alert well in advance of visible flames, giving emergency services more time to act.

Smart sensor networks help land managers cover vast areas that would otherwise go unwatched by monitoring even remote and rugged landscapes continuously so that no region remains unprotected. This is crucial in areas where accessibility and visibility are limited. The result is faster, more localised intervention that can stop bushfires before they spread out of control.

Smart sensor networks are strengthened by complementing autonomous drones equipped with advanced AI, which can respond rapidly to detected threats and further enhance the effectiveness of emergency operations.

Drones arrive at the precise location of the fire swiftly once alerted, giving responders an accurate, real-time view of the situation. This immediate insight lets firefighting teams act decisively, preventing fires from spreading and causing widespread devastation. Future drone advancements will actively suppress fires through innovative methods such as foam dispersal or aoustic technology. This will further decrease the reliance on human crews in highrisk situations, improving the safety and effectiveness of bushfire management.

“The environmental implications of adopting AIpowered bushfire detection systems are significant,” Mr Domingo said.

“Early bushfire containment protects people and communities, preserves biodiversity and ecosystems, and curtails carbon emissions associated with widespread bushfires sig-

nificantly. Reducing emissions through effective fire management becomes increasingly critical as climate change continues to exacerbate fire conditions across Australia and New Zealand. AI-driven systems can play an instrumental role in both countries’ broader climate mitigation and adaptation strategies by preventing extensive environmental destruction.”

These detection and response technologies also integrate seamlessly with existing emergency management frameworks. Data from AI sensors and drone surveillance systems feed directly into emergency response platforms and fire analytics tools, creating a cohesive operational picture for firefighting authorities. This seamless integration supports efficient coordination among multiple response units, including ground crews and aerial firefighting teams, enhancing the effectiveness of fire suppression efforts.

The Australian and New Zealand Federal Governments have both recognised the need for greater disaster preparedness. The Australian Federal Gov-

ernment committed $28.8 million to disaster preparedness in the 2025-2026 Federal Budget, including $17.7 million for the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Program. (1) In New Zealand, the government has committed $70 million over seven years (2024–2031) to the Natural Hazards and Resilience Platform, an initiative designed to strengthen national resilience to natural disasters by supporting science across the four Rs: reduction, readiness, response, and recovery. (2)

AI-powered bushfire detection technologies align closely with Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to proactive disaster resilience. Reducing reaction times and improving accuracy in identifying and locating fire threats gives communities a vital protective barrier against increasingly frequent and severe bushfire events. Businesses and critical infrastructure operators also benefit directly from improved asset protection, minimising the disruption and financial impact associated with large-scale bushfires. AI detection systems can

be customised to accommodate specific regional conditions and management strategies, incorporating local expertise into broader technological solutions. Collaborating with local communities and Indigenous groups, especially those with traditional knowledge of land management and fire practices, can make the rollout of detection technologies more adaptive and effective in practice.

“The integration of AI technology into bushfire detection and suppression systems represents a critical advancement toward a more resilient Australasia. Authorities and communities can reduce the destructive impacts of bushfires significantly by embracing these innovations to better protect lives, ecosystems, and economic assets,” Mr Domingo said.

“Continued investment and development in these AI-driven solutions will remain essential in shaping a safer, more sustainable future for the forests and communities of Australia and New Zealand as climate challenges intensify.”

(1): https://budget.gov.au/ (2): https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/funding-information-and-opportunities/investment-funds/strategicscience-investment-fund/ssif-funded-programmes/natural-hazards-and-resilience-platform

● The Silvanet Border Gateway connects the Mesh Gateways and relays messages from Wildfire Sensors to the Silvanet Cloud Platform.

Tigercat’s new steep slope carriers

Tigercat has released two new track carrier models based on the new sloping tail platform for steep terrain harvesting operations.

Both the L857 feller buncher and LH857 harvester are powered by the efficient Tigercat FPT N67 engine. Power is delivered to the track drives via a refined, efficient open loop hydraulic system, providing high tractive effort and excellent performance on steep slopes.

The sloping tail platform takes ground based steep terrain logging to the next level. Optimized weight distribution and low centre of mass, along with Tigercat’s patented super duty leveling undercarriage provide the operator with comfort, stability and confidence on steep terrain.

The sloped tail profile provides increased leveling capability to 26 degrees, and better cable clearance in

winch assisted applications. For roadside processing applications, the sloping tail with its ability to clear obstacles allows the LH857 to work more effectively on smaller, congested landings.

Other enhancements include further improvements to service access, and in-tank hydraulic filtration for extended service intervals. The side opening engine enclosure completely exposes the engine and most hydraulic components. When open, the enclosure roof serves as a safe, spacious and convenient work platform.

The harvester can be equipped with several Tigercat boom and harvesting head options including the 573 and 575.

The feller buncher is well suited to the 5702 and 5702Born

The Woodsman Pro 560’s compact size and high-performance features let you work more efficiently and with greater agility. Perfect for thinning, harvesting smaller wood, or operating in tight spaces - you simply won’t find a better tool for the job.

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Grapples

Waratah grapples with 15 new products

Waratah Forestry Equipment has introduced its new line of forestry grapples, designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability across a wide range of forestry and non-forestry applications.

With focuses on productivity and versatility, the 15 new grapple models are engineered to deliver the same durability and trusted reliability as Waratah’s harvesting, processing and felling heads.

“Waratah’s new line of forestry grapples reflects our commitment to providing high-quality products that improve efficiency and reduce downtime,” said Brent Fisher, product marketing man-

ager for Waratah. “These grapples complement our customers’ jobsite productivity from our other products and can be utilized for a wide variety of applications.”

The Waratah forestry grapple line includes three model categories to cover all types of forestry and non-forestry applications:

C Models: Designed for traditional forestry needs

SPecialiSt training for the foreSt and timber ProceSSing induStrieS

Certificates II, III and IV

Wood Machinists

Saw Technicians

Sawmilling, including portable sawmilling

Grading

Timber Drying

Truss Fabrication, Estimating and Detailing

Forest Growing and Management

Forest Products

Diploma

Workplace Assessments

OH&S and Environmental Care

Chainsaw Courses

Pole saw

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03 5345 2018

www.timbertrainingcreswick.com.au rto id 4168

C21, C26, C30, C36, C36HD, C42, C46, C46HD – These models are ideal for traditional forestry applications and machines, including forwarders, log loaders, shovel logging machines and bioenergy recovery. With a symmetric frame, timing links and jaw tips designed to engage the pile at an optimal angle, these grapples ensure full loads are consistently secured.

Large C Models: Built to tackle heavy-duty tasks

C60HD, C80, C100 – Utilizing the same successful technical design as the C series, large C-model grapples are specifically designed for larger material handlers used in woodyards, ports and other large-scale operations. These robust grapples offer optimized frame structure and hydraulic features that minimize structural stresses, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks.

E Models: Made for maximum material handling

C21E4, C30E4, C42E5, C46E4 –Purpose-built for handling slash,

logging residues, stumps and bioenergy applications, these grapples offer specialized features for use with forwarders and chippers. The E models feature unique design elements, including a choice of four or five fingers for maximum material handling flexibility.

Easy maintenance and dedicated support

In addition to being tough, Waratah grapples are designed for ease of maintenance. Greasing the grapple is straightforward, with a single position to safely perform maintenance while the grapple is lowered. The open frame structure further facilitates maintenance by offering easy access to hydraulic hoses.

As with all Waratah products, these grapples come with easily accessible support for dealers and products, as well as genuine Waratah parts with an industryleading warranty.

Waratah grapples are now available to customers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, Brazil and Latin America.

For more information on Waratah’s new forestry grapple line, visit Waratah.com. For application recommendations, consult your local Waratah dealer.

For more information about Waratah, please visit Waratah. com

● The C30 grapple is ideal for traditional forestry applications and machines, including forwarders, log loaders, shovel logging machines and bioenergy recovery.

Collision warning system for medium wheel loaders

Next generation Cat medium wheel loaders are infused with the latest technologies to advance safety and help customers work faster and with greater accuracy.

Fully integrated for optimal performance, the wheel loaders can be easily upgraded with optional technologies as work demands it.

New technology options available for next generation Cat 950, 962, 966, 966 XE, 972, 972 XE, 980, 980 XE, 982 and 982 XE wheel loaders now include an optional Collision Warning system with Motion Inhibit includes Object Detection, People Detection and Motion Inhibit as a package to improve safe operation by alerting operators and inhibiting loader motion in the instant a machine transitions from an inactive to an active state.

Starting with a foundation of the standard HD rear camera with an integrated touchscreen, Cat medium wheel loaders offer a progressive building block of optional technologies, including the Multiview (360°) Vision System, Rear Object Detection and now Collision Warning System with Motion Inhibit.

The new system uses radar and vision sensors to detect hazard potential, alert operators and inhibit motion when initiating reverse motion from a stationary position.

Targeting collision potentials that emerge from behind the loader, the Collision Warning System leverages both smart camera and radar technology to give audible and visual alerts to help operators see, mitigate and manage hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The system’s three color zones –yellow for awareness, amber for caution and red for critical – approximate the distance of the object to the anticipated path of the loader.

The embedded Motion Inhibit feature prevents direct reverse gear engagement when shifting from neutral and automatically applies the brake when the system detects an object or worker in the critical alarm zone behind the loader.

When this occurs, the operator is alerted by an on-screen notification.

If the loader is stationary for at least 15 seconds and the operator shifts from park to reverse, Motion Inhibit prevents the machine from engaging reverse when the rear detection system identifies some-

thing in the critical alarm zone.

The loader will reverse once the operator shifts back into neutral and steers to clear the detection.

People Detection utilizes the smart camera to alert the operator when a person is detected behind the loader.

Three levels of alerts dynamically adjust based on the person’s proximity to the machine, and the system highlights people in red bounding boxes on the in-cab monitor to distinguish and manage the potential risk.

The new Cat Payload for Trade option builds on the Cat Advanced Payload Scale system that electronically captures weight and other data from the loader, now in a certified way, and can send it to the office or directly via email.

Standard Cat Payload delivers precise bucket load information with on-the-go weighing to help prevent overloading or underloading. Upgrading to the Advanced Payload system expands automation features and capabilities, including automatic tip-off assist for the final bucket process to help precisely meet target payloads.

A new multitask mode within Advanced Payload tracks two loading processes simultaneously, while split mode allows for loading multiple bodies, tracking individual targets and tabulating grand totals of each load.

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Optional Cat Advanced Payload is a system upgrade that offers expanded features and capabilities. woodwisepanel.com

Looking Back

2022

Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews has been accused of treating the forestry sector “like fools”.

The comment by Timber Towns Victoria chair Karen Stephens follows a report in the Weekly Times that Mr Andrews signed off on phasing out native forest timber harvesting in Victoria in April 2018, but waited until 12 months after the November 24 State Election that year before making his government’s intentions public.

Cr Stephens said confirmation that Mr Andrews went to the last election and did not disclose the state government’s intention to shut down the native timber sector was blatantly misleading.

2019

Manufacturing giant Boral is pressing ahead with research into creating a biorefinery in New South Wales using its hardwood sawmill residues. The $1.2 million feasibility study aims to determine the technical and financial viability of building a second-generation bio-refinery that would produce renewable diesel fuel and bitumen.

Funding for the study comes from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency ($500,000), with Boral providing the other $700,000.

Steve Dadd, Executive General Manager of Boral Timber, said the company had been looking for some time for a value-added use of timber residues from its six northern NSW coast timber mills.

2014

Fewer truck movements, safer vehicles and less wear and tear on local roads are just some of the benefits that will flow from a $6 million investment in new log transport vehicles by Oberon business Mangan Haulage, with the support of Forestry Corporation of NSW. Forestry Corporation of NSW Haulage and Sales Manager Tijmen Klootwijk said the safer and more efficient log trucks would transport timber from Central West pine plantations to local processors.

Milwaukee takes batterypowered chainsaws to next level

Milwaukee Tool has introduced a new professional battery-powered chainsaw – the M18 FUEL™ 20” (508mm)

Dual Battery Chainsaw.

The new chainsaw generates the equivalent of 70cc power, delivers faster cutting with reduced stalls, and provides users with a balanced design for maximum control in application.

Optimised for medium to heavy demand felling, bucking, limbing, and stump cutting applications, this expansion in the lineup of professional chainsaw solutions drives performance and productivity for the tree care professional.

“This most recent expansion in Milwaukee’s lineup sets a new standard of battery chainsaw performance capabilities, delivering unprecedented power while maintaining battery compatibility,” Chris Hill, Outdoor Power Equipment & Power Supply Product Manager for Milwaukee Tool Australia said.

“When paired with the new M18™ REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 8.0Ah, this saw provides professionals with a significant leap in capability for maximum productivity, ultimately showcasing the power REDLITHIUM FORGE battery technology unlocks on the job.

“With this expansion in our chainsaw lineup designed to meet the performance needs of the tree care industry, Milwaukee is delivering a comprehensive offering of professional battery chainsaw solutions,” he said.

The integrated POWERSTATE Brushless Motor delivers 4.3kW of peak power and 9.5 Nm of peak torque, allowing users to make demanding cuts without bogging down to drive more efficiency in application.

Providing added control in application, the power mode select capability enables users to run the saw in Standard Power Mode with 3.3kW or Peak Power Mode with

4.3kW to allow operators increased control over power output.

This most recent expansion ...sets a new standard of battery chainsaw performance capabilities

Standard Power Mode maximises runtime and runs cooler, while Peak Power Mode provides maximum power to prevent stalls in the most demanding applications.

With high visibility felling sights and dual metal bucking spikes, the saw offers a user demanded feature set and delivers a balanced design to drive efficiency and ease of use. As a battery-powered solution, this

chainsaw eliminates the headaches of petrol such as pull starts, high noise levels, emissions, and regular engine maintenance.

Milwaukee is committed to improving productivity by providing performancedriven and trade-focused solutions so users can perform an entire day’s work on one battery system. The M18 FUEL 20” (508mm) Dual Battery Chainsaw is fully compatible with the entire M18 line, now offering more than 250 solutions.

M18 FUEL is engineered for the most demanding tradespeople in the world.

Delivering maximum performance, all M18 FUEL products feature three Milwaukee®-exclusive innovations—The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor, REDLITHIUM Battery Pack and REDLINK PLUS Intelligence Hardware and Software— that deliver power, run-time and durability on the jobsite.

*The M18 FUEL™ 20” Dual Battery Chainsaw requires two batteries for operation and is recommended for use with two M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ 8.0Ah Batteries (or greater).

• Platform: M18

• Voltage: 18V

• RPM: 7,400

• Cut Capacity: 482mm

• Bar Length: 20” (508mm)

• Chain Gauge: 0.050” (1.3mm)

• Chain Pitch: 0.325” (8.3mm)

• Drive Links: 78

• Trigger: Variable Speed

• Length: 955mm

• Weight: 6.9 kg

• Warranty: 3 Year

• Chain Speed: 14.3 m/s

• Chain Oil Tank Capacity: 169 ml Specifications

● The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20” (508mm) Dual Battery Chainsaw generates the equivalent of 70cc power.

FUEL™

Portable mills for single-user operation

The growing demand for high-efficiency wood processing is driving a surge in the popularity of advanced portable sawmills.

These compact yet powerful machines offer unmatched versatility, giving users the ability to process timber on-site and on-demand.

With their durable construction, precision-engineered components, and scalable functionality, a sawmill represents a strategic investment for sawmill operators, loggers, farmers, home builders, and woodworking professionals. Their versatility and reliability enable users to maintain profitability while adapting to varying production demands and market conditions.

Although sawmills are designed for operation by small teams of up to four people, many are, in reality, run by a single operator. As a result, a growing number of sawyers are adopting portable sawmills specifically optimized for solo operation.

These models offer efficient, user-friendly features that enable a single operator to manage the milling process effectively, reducing labor costs while maintaining high productivity. The units help reduce operator fatigue through features like hydraulic log loaders, drag-back systems, and remote controls. With integrated hydraulics, a single operator can efficiently manage thousands of pounds of logs with minimal manual setup and physical strain.

When production demands increase, the same equipment can be operated by up to four individuals simultaneously, boosting productivity in larger-scale operations. Converting a portable sawmill to a stationary configuration is straightforward, offering flexibility to adapt to evolving operational needs.

One example of this approach is Runquist Sawmill Services in Mount Enter-

prise, Texas. Blending advanced milling capabilities with a commitment to craftsmanship, the company produces an extensive range of products—including live edge and straight edge planks, beams, super wide planks, fireplace mantels, book matched sets, pallet boards, and reclaimed wood. With specialized expertise in handhewn lumber and custom cutting for client-supplied logs, Runquist demonstrates how today’s portable sawmill innovations can support both highquality production and personalized service.

According to Troy Runquist, owner of Runquist Sawmill Services, selecting the optimal sawmill equipment that could provide the required precision, efficiency, and volume as his business grew was critical to his success.

“Accuracy was my top priority—I wanted to produce consistent, dimensionally exact lumber. If a customer requested 8/4 (two-inch thick) material, I wanted to deliver it precisely,” says Runquist.

Runquist says that he spent two to three years researching and evaluating equipment. “I think I looked at every sawmill under the sun at the time,” he recalls. He eventually selected a portable AC-36 sawmill from Cooks Saw, a leading manufacturer in portable bandsaw technology.

The diesel-powered unit is designed to handle much bigger logs than most equipment in this category. Cooks’ sawmills are engineered with significantly more steel than the industry standard, resulting in a heavier, robust sawmill.

“It’s one of the most accurate mills out there. It consistently produces precise, reliable material, as long as it is set up properly,” says Runquist.

When Runquist first started the business about 16 years ago, he initially operated the AC-36 portable mill to keep overhead

low. For four years, he ran the operation largely on his own, with only occasional assistance from others to stack lumber.

“I’d work most of the day milling and then spend the rest stacking material and preparing loads for delivery to a larger sawmill,” explains Runquist. “The physical demands were high, so equipment that minimized unnecessary movement was essential.”

When it comes to sawmill design, overall quality is often found in the details. Thoughtfully engineered features can make a significant difference in day-today operation, particularly for solo operators.

“When you are younger, the physical work doesn’t bother you as much. But as you get older, you start to wish you’d invested a little more upfront in the available features to avoid all the grunt work later,” says Runquist.

Log Loading and Positioning

Providing solo operators with the features necessary to streamline operations usually starts with the loading and positioning of large, heavy logs. Hydraulic loaders, turners, and clamps allow a single operator to move logs quickly

and accurately into place.

The AC-36 sawmill, which can process timber up to 36” in diameter, is engineered to handle substantial log weights up to 10,000 pounds.

“Their portable sawmills are the best I’ve seen in terms of lifting capacity, handling up to 10,000 pounds. That is a significant load for a mill, and I’ve never encountered a log that their cylinders couldn’t lift,” says Runquist.

Proper log positioning is essential for maximizing cutting efficiency and material yield. Features such as log turners allow operators to rotate logs into the optimal position, ensuring the widest possible cuts. This system, combined with heavy-duty clamps along with their traditional squaring arms, reduces wear, minimizes the need for frequent adjustments, and supports smoother, more continuous operation.

According to Runquist, “From the moment I see a log as it is placed on the log lift, I am visually analyzing its shape, checking for straightness and irregularities. As it is being lifted and rolled onto the deck [of the sawmill], I’m already planning the best position for cutting.”

Since most logs are wider at the base than the top, Runquist positions the narrow end toward the saw head and uses log tapers to lift one end to ensure the center is cut efficiently.

“I can bring up either end of the log to position it exactly where I want it, then clamp it into place before cutting it,” says Runquist.

To obtain the widest possible planks, Runquist uses the log turners to rotate oval-shaped logs onto their broadest side. In cases like this, improper positioning would result in significantly narrower boards.

The hydraulic system is engineered for rapid clamp operation, allowing for quick and efficient log handling.

“Once you’re familiar with the controls, you save a lot of time setting up and moving to the next log. You’re not waiting on hydraulic pressure or for the clamp to move in, out, up, or down—it’s just very fast,” explains Runquist. Today, Troy and his sons at Runquist Sawmill Services have added three additional Cooks sawmills to their operation, as well as other pieces of Cooks equipment.

● Cooks Saw Super Wide sawmill in action.

NEW Thinning & Clear Fall Harvesters from Komatsu Forest

The Komatsu 931XC & 951XC provide considerable advantages logging in steep terrain and soft ground. The compact eight-wheel design with high underlying tractive force and unique interaction between engine, control system and power transmission combine to provide;

• Great climbing ability & stability

• Excellent manoeuvrability

• Low ground pressure