issue 106
DESCRIPTION
A weekly online magazine to the timber and forestry industryTRANSCRIPT
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] 1issuE 106 | 14.12.09 | PAgE
By JIM BOWDEN
AS industry unwraps its early Christmas gift – recognition of the Australian Forestry Standard by the Green Building Council of Australia – stakeholders are now turning to a greater issue – the number of points allocated to timber in the Green Star program.“The industry debate and support must now be focused on the matter of points,” AFS chief executive Kayt Watts said.“The previous draft assessment framework developed by the GBCA Expert Reference Panel had forest schemes jumping through hoops to be re-assessed against pre-determined prescriptive outcomes,” she said.
“The changes announced by the GBCA recognise a scheme if it meets five basic criteria that, we would agree, define the essential elements of any credible scheme.”
The Australian Forest Certification Scheme, underpinned by Australia Standards, meets these requirements:• Chain of custody: AS 4707 is an accredited Australian Standard. • Governance: AFSL is accredited by the national standards accreditation body whose criteria for governance are based on ISO international Standards.• Standards development and revision: AFSL is accredited by the national standards accreditation body for standards setting and development processes.• Auditing and certification decisions: Under the AFCS,
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Cont Page 3
Arnhem Land’s first timber building• AWU acts on imported non-compliant wood products• Strong anti-dumping system a ‘must’ to protect manufacturers• Farmer to tackle forestry issues for Abbott team
ThiS iSSUe• industry delegation pushes carbon credentials in Copenhagen• VAFi welcomes review of regional RFAs
AFS/01-10-01
www.forestrystandard.org.au
Point scoringIndustry concerns now focused onallocations in Green Star program
Scoring more points for timber?
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 106 | 14.12.09 2
DEVELOPMENT of international rules for forest management which recognise the carbon stored in sustainably managed forests and in wood products will be the main thrust of presentations by an Australian forest industry delegation at the climate negotiations in Copenhagen this week.The delegation attending the United Nations COP-15 talks includes Allan Hansard, NAFI chief executive, Michael O’Connor, the CFMEU’s forestry products division national secretary, Lisa Marty, representing NAFI, and Dr Bob Smith, industry forestry expert.The potential for wood waste to be better harnessed for renewable energy will also be advanced by the delegation,
which has been supported by ForestWorks, the industry’s learning and skills development company.“Sustainable forest
management, wood production and bioenergy from wood waste are part of the global climate change solution,” Allan Hansard said on the eve of his departure for Copenhagen.“Sustainable forest management recognises the carbon sequestered in the forest as well as the carbon that is stored in the products.”The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated in its fourth assessment report that, ‘‘In the long term, a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest
sustained mitigation benefit”.“Industry knows the Australian Government understands the benefits of sustainable forest management in climate change, and we look forward to supporting them at Copenhagen,” Mr Hansard said.NAFI, CFMEU and ForestWorks hosted an exhibit at Forest Day at Copenhagen last Sunday that focused on sustainable forestry for climate change, employment and the community.The group will also, in conjunction with representatives from international forestry associations, host a ‘side event’ on LULUCF [land use, land use change and forestry] highlighting sustainable forest management and treatment of forestry in emissions trading schemes.ForestWorks is supporting the delegation as part of its role as skills development and employment advisor to the industry and government.“A growing forest industry sector is good for jobs, the economy and the environment and ForestWorks will continue to support and promote these outcomes for industry and government,” chief executive Michael Hartman said.
COPENHAGEN
Australian industry delegation pusheswood’s carbon credentials at COP-15
www.fwpa.com.aufor more information
www.fwpa.com.auwww.fwpa.com.aufor more information
The FWPA funded project will solve challenges such as those associated with processing the more dense, durable subtropical and tropical species suitable for Queensland plantations.
Email: [email protected]
Turning hardwood thinnings into plywood and profitsA NEW TIMBER RESEARCH FACILITY IN QUEENSLAND IS EXPLORING WAYS TO TURN PLANTATION THINNINGS INTO SALEABLE COMPOSITE PRODUCTS
Sustainable forest management key to climate change
Lisa Marty
Driving wood’s sustainability message .. Michael Hartman, chief executive, ForestWorks, Allan Hansard, CEO, NAFI, and Dr Bob Smith, forest consultant.
Michael O’Connor
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these are managed by and subject to JAS-ANZ rules, the official national accreditation body. • Verification of legality: explicitly included in the AFCS Standard, AS 4707.“The AFSL concern at the moment is that we get a foot in the door and obtain recognition for one point by January 1 next year,” Ms Watts said.“We will work with the GBCA to ensure our ongoing concerns are addressed. Ultimately, we would like to see the use of certified timber achieve more than one or two points in the Green Star ratings, reflecting the positive environmental values that timber brings.”The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) has welcomed the decision by the GBCA to recognise wood from all internationally accredited certified sustainable forest management schemes.Speaking from Geneva, PEFC International director-general Ben Gunneberg said GBCA was to be congratulated on its decision.“Considering that 90% of the world’s forests are not certified to any sustainable forest management systems, rewarding the leaders in this field will promote the uptake of certification, strengthen the supply chain and improve forest management globally,” he said.“Given the beneficial effect of the sustainable management of forests in reducing the negative effect of climate change, choosing sustainably produced
timber through the AFCS, Australia’s largest certification scheme, will allow the Australian construction industry to provide a positive choice for the environment by being able to source locally produced and processed timber.
“This is also excellent news for investment and employment in the global sustainable forestry sector.”Mr Gunneberg said wood had a critically important role to play in carbon sequestration and had arguably the best environmental footprint of all building materials. It was fitting that initiatives promoting sustainable buildings promote wood from sustainably managed forests.PEFC accounts for over two-thirds of the world’s certified sustainable forest management including Australian forests certified under the Australian Forestry Standard.Since its launch in 1999,
PEFC has become the largest forest certification umbrella
organisation covering national schemes from all over the world, delivering hundreds of millions of tonnes of wood to the processing industry and then on to the market place from more than 200 million hectares of certified forests.PEFC has strong grass roots support from many stakeholders including the forestry sector, governments, trade associations, trade unions and non-governmental organisations.
INDUSTRY NEWS
‘Ultimately, we would like to see certified timber achieve more than one or two points in the GreenStar ratings, reflecting the positive environmental
values that timber brings’: Kayt Watts
‘excellent news for investment and employment
in the global sustainable forestry sector’: Ben Gunneberg
From Page 1
Kayt Watts .. working with GBCA. Ben Gunneberg .. good news.
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STRONG interest in the industry tour of Northern NSW sawmilling and wood processing operations in March next year has already filled 37 of the available 48 seats on the tour coach.“That leaves only 11 seats, so those interested in getting on board better rattle their dags,” said Karen Johnston of TABMA Queensland, which is booking the tour from March 15 to 17.There’s got to be a message there for New Zealanders who have indicated interest in the tour.Joining the coach crew is John Macgregor-Skinner, who has more than 38 years’ experience in senior management in all aspects of forest products processing. Following a full-time academic scholarship to Canada in the late 1960s where
he graduated with honours, John has had a major input into the design of the production facilities and the subsequent fabrication of all of the glue lamination components used in the walls and floors of the Sydney Opera House.He also played a pivotal role in the development of radio frequency curing of timber laminated glue lines and the seasoning of refractory hardwoods.John’s relationship with the Forest Products Association of NSW goes back to the days of the Associated Country Sawmillers. The association then worked in divisions and John was an elected hardwood councillor, a brushwood councillor by log quota and later was elected chairman of the hardwood division. This
position provided an automatic position on the executive council and he subsequently received a ministerial appointment to the NSW Timber Advisory Council.John was the executive officer of Forest NSW Harvesting Advisory Board during the Northern NSW RFA process and he had 13 years as the
executive officer of Northern Rivers Private Forestry Development Committee.
Other coach ‘captains’ so far confirmed include John Macgregor-Skinner, Don Towerton of Thora Wholesale Timbers, Norm Forbes, formerly of Hyne, Karen Johnston, TABMA Queensland, John Muller, inaugural president of the Glulam Laminated Timber Association of Australia, and Jim Bowden, Timber&Forestry enews.
The tour is a Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218 children’s charity project supported again by TABMA Queensland and Timber Queensland.
Registration inquiries to: Karen Johnston (07) 3254 3166 or email: [email protected]
John Macgregor-Skinner .. on the bus.
• • • • • •
• • • • • • • •
EvENTS
Coach ‘captain’ brings 38 years’ experiencein forest products on tour of Northern NsW
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20
10
FebRUARy 2010 3-5: Australian international Furniture Fair Sydney Exhibition Centre, Sydney, NSW www.aiff.net.au
MARCh 20101-2: Future Forestry Finance Conference. Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney. Contact: 1800 125 388 (free call in Australia) or web sties www.fiea.org.nz or www.forestryfinanceevents.com
2-3: National Outlook Conference (AbARe) Canberra, ACT. www.abare.gov.au
5-17: industry bus tour of Northern New South Wales. Contact: Karen Johnston at TABMA Queensland. Tel: (07) 3254 3155. Email: [email protected]
21: World Forestry Day
22: World Water Day
APRiL 201018-21: APPiTA Annual Conference and exhibition/Pan Pacific Conference Melbourne. www.appita.com.au
MAy 201019-20: Wood Supply Chain Optimisation 2010, Bayview Eden,Melbourne, 6 Queens Road, Melbourne. www.vafi.org.au
21-23: Timber and Working with Wood expo, Brisbane Showgrounds, Fortitude Valley.
24-25: Wood Supply Chain Optimisation 2010, Rotorua, NZ.
www.vafi.org.au
JUNe 20103-4: AFCA Conference and Trade expo, Novotel Resort, Coffs Harbor, NSW. www.afca.asn.au
18-20: Timber and Working with Wood expo, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney.
JULy 201014-18: interforest 2010 Trade Fair for Forestry Technology Munich, Germany. www.interfrost.de
26-27: Wood energy 2010 (World Reducing energy Costs & improving energy efficiencies) Melbourne.
AUGUST 201025-28: international Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair (iWF) 2010 Atlanta, Georgia, USA. www.iwfatlanta.com
SePTeMbeR 20103-5: Canberra Timber & Working With Wood expo, Exhibition Park in Canberra. Contact: (02) 9974 1393. Fax: (02)9974 3426 Email: [email protected]
6-12: Landcare Week. www.landcareonline.com
8-10: AFAC bushfire CRC annual conference. Darwin Convention Centre Australia. www.afac10.or
15-16: Wood Manufacturing 2010 Profitable Wood Manufacturing - Tooling Technology & Design, Melbourne.
20-21: Wood Manufacturing 2010 Profitable Wood Manufacturing - Tooling Technology & Design Rotorua, NZ.
OCTObeR 201010-13: Australian Forest Growers national conference, Mount Gambier, SA. Chief executive Warwick Ragg. Contact national office: (02) 6162 9000.
15-17: Melbourne Timber and Working with Wood expo, Melbourne Showground, Melbourne. Contact: (02) 9974 1393. Fax: (02)9974 3426
Email: [email protected]
NOVeMbeR 201017-19: ForestTeCh 2010 Tools & Technologies to improve Forest Planning & Operations, Rotorua, NZ.
22-24: ForestTeCh 2010 Tools & Technologies to improve Forest Planning & Operations, Albury, NSW.
EvENTS
National Association ofForest Industries Ltd
(Est. 1987)PO Box 239,
Deakin ACT 2600Tel: (02) 6285 3833.Fax: (02) 6285 3855
Web: www.nafi.com.au
SUSTAINABLE.RESPONSIBLE.
The NationalAssociation of Forest
Industries (NAFI)is striving for an
ecologically sustainableAustralian societyachieved through
dynamic,internationally
competitive forestindustries.
NAFI’s mission is torepresent the interests
of members bypromoting theenvironmental
sustainability andthe prosperity ofAustralian forest
industries.
WHAT’S ON?
industry tour ofNorthern NsW
ONLy 11 seats remain on the industry bus tour of the NSW Northern Rivers from March 15 to 17 next year.
The tour will visit sawmilling, wood processing and timber preservation facilities in the region and follows the successful tour of Se Queensland in March this year.
Don’t miss the bus!
Tour cost, details and registration inquires to: Karen Johnston, TAbMA Queensland on (07) 3254 3155 or email: [email protected]
See Page 14 for tour itinerary and booking details.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 106 | 14.12.09 6
EQUAL opportunity at the Forest Products Commission Western Australia has become a finely-tuned appreciation of the benefits of employing a disabled worker.In 2008, FPC hired a very independent 27-year-old Angela Barnes as receptionist at its Rivervale office.Angela is legally blind and as the FPC had not previously employed disabled staff, the agency worked closely with specialist recruitment provider Edge Employment Services to help overcome the obstacles which may have prevented Angela from reaching her full potential and interacting with colleagues.FPC general manager Dr Paul Biggs said that while modifications to computer software were required, the FPC had shown that with a paucity of effort and a lot of commitment, disability was no barrier to workplace entry.“Not only is Angela a delight to have in the office, but she is also very conscientious and frequently receives compliments for her cheerful telephone manner,” Dr Biggs said.Two members of FPC’s staff, Jonathan Smith and Michael Harris, have been formally recognised for their efforts in working with Angela and for providing quality employment outcomes for people with disabilities.FPC also received a nomination in the ‘2009 Count Us In’ awards in the State Government category.“Angela has integrated seamlessly with the FPC’s team and she loves her role which provides her with financial freedom, confidence and new social opportunities,” Dr Biggs said.
For Angela, the satisfaction of learning new skills, being respected for her contribution and being able to interact with colleagues had been enormous.“FPC staff never deny me new opportunities; they just find a way for me to have a go,” Angela said.Thanks to donations from Casual Friday events, the FPC demonstrated continued commitment to equal opportunity with a donation to the Association for the Blind (WA) Guide Dogs program.Staff at the FPC’s Rivervale office have raised more than $4000 over the past three years for Western Australian charities and organisations including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; RSPCA; Princess Margaret Hospital for Children; Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets; and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA.FPC’s donation to Guide Dogs WA helps more than 35,000 vision-impaired Western Australians to minimise the effects of sight loss and realise the highest level of participation in daily life.
Receptionist Angela Barnes demonstrates disability isn’t a barrier to workforceparticipation.
OPPORTUNITIES
Equal opportunityemployment putsAngela out front
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AN industry-led conference in Sydney on March 1 and 2 next year will focus on strengthening ties between the finance and forest and forest products industries.The global recession has forced many industries to review their attitudes to risk and industry growth. Right now forestry looks set to stand out and gain as businesses rebound from recession in Australia.“Forest products companies in Australia and New Zealand have huge opportunities following recent changes to the key players, and finance company risk managers need to learn more about these,” says conference organiser John Stulen of the Forest Industry Engineering Association.The “Future Forestry Finance” conference is being organised in association with a number of key forestry groups in Australia.“Much has happened in forestry since the biggest drivers of plantation forestry development – the managed investment schemes – were restructured over the past few months,” Mr Stulen said.“Industry leaders are adamant that Australia needs the kind of forestry development that these schemes have provided in the past. So it’s vital that financiers are aware of the global factors which will affect future forest and forest products development.The conference will include key international forestry investment experts who will provide that global view.Key note speakers include Eva Greger of GMO Renewable
Resources, Boston, USA (international forestry investment comparisons to Australia); Russell E. Taylor of International Wood Markets Group, Vancouver, Canada (international wood markets and future competition from Russia and China); and Robert Flynn, RISI (international biomass and woodchip markets and future competition from South American forest industries).Prior to joining GMO in 1997, Ms Greger was responsible for evaluating and structuring acquisitions for Resource Investments, Inc. Over a period of 12 years, she completed purchases involving $US1 billion of forestry assets in three countries, as well as analysing single transactions valued up to $US1 billion.Ms Greger headed RII’s efforts in the drafting and negotiation of joint venture partnership structures. Subsequently, she founded GMO’s timber group along with Eric Oddleifson, and holds the position of managing partner. She earned a BA in Economics from Harvard University and has studied
timber economics at Duke University and the University of Georgia.Russ Taylor’s 25-year background in the forest industry encompasses forestry, manufacturing, marketing and consulting positions. He has been responsible for various mill management activities, such as log purchasing, custom cutting, value-added remanufacturing and new product development.Robert Flynn is director, international timber, for RISI, a leading information provider
for the global forest products industry. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the forest industry, including nine years as a forester for Champion International in Oregon.The conference will be held at the Novotel Brighton Beach in Sydney. Information is available from two websites – www.fiea.org.nz and www.forestryfinanceevents.comRegistrations for this Sydney event can be made via the event website or by phone to 1800 125 398 (freecall in Australia).
Eva Greger
EvENTS
industry exploresfinance-forests
link at conferenceIdentifying opportunities
Bob FlynnRussell Taylor
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THE Gumatj people of East Arnhem Land will get jobs and training, a timber milling industry and the chance to build houses on their own homelands as the result of a deal with Forestry Tasmania and the support of a Tasmanian building company.Details of the project were outlined at Forest Futures 09 in Canberra by Forestry Tasmania’s managing director Bob Gordon and Gumatj elder Djawa Yunupingu.A five-bedroom timber bunkhouse at Garrathiya, near Nhulunbuy, was launched earlier this year, before the start of the annual Garma Festival.The bunkhouse at Garrathiya, a Gumatj cattle station about 100 km south of Nhulunbuy (Gove), is a tangible outcome of a memorandum of understanding signed in March this year between the Gumatj Corporation and Forestry Tasmania.Under the terms of the MOU, Forestry Tasmania has been working with the Gumatj Corporation to develop a sustainable timber industry, based on selective harvesting and management of hardwood on the Gumatj clan estate.
“This project is helping to create a future for Gumatj people, letting them use local materials from their own land to build their own homes,” says Gumatj chairman Galurrwuy Yunupingu AM.The Gumatj are Yolngu people and traditional owners of land on and around the Gove Peninsula in northeast Arnhem Land, including the Rio Tinto Alcan bauxite mine and alumina refinery near Nhulunbuy.
“So far, this partnership has delivered a house in a remote homeland built by local men using local materials, which is the foundation for future business opportunities,” Mr Yunupingu said.Forestry Tasmania has provided training and instruction for the local Indigenous workers who harvested and milled the timber.Bob Gordon said the skills
and knowledge the Gumatj men had gained from the project, from sustainable forest management through to construction, augured well for future development. “We’ve provided the training so the local men can operate a Lucas mill and size and grade timber so they will be able to harvest timber for other projects in the future,” he said.Two workers from Fairbrother Builders, specialists in building
and construction, have supervised the construction of the bunkhouse on-site, providing mentoring, training, and guidance for the young indigenous workers.The carbon neutral bunkhouse, designed by representatives from University of Tasmania and Mr Yunupingu and his family, is built to cyclone standard and designed for the climate with features such as
an overhanging roof to create shade.The bunkhouse is also designed to suit traditional Yolngu lifestyle, with an outside communal living area, kitchen and a separate ablution block.Mr Yunupingu said the partnership with Forestry Tasmania was not only providing training, employment and housing, but would result in other business opportunities such as collection and sale of seeds, sales of sawn timber, processing of timber products for high value uses such as furniture, the use of waste wood instead of bunker fuel to generate power, carbon credits and fire management.The construction of the bunkhouse has enabled the partners to test building methods, improve skills and identify issues with the construction method.After successfully completing the bunkhouse on time, the construction team is constructing a second building, a four-bedroom dwelling at Dhanaya.A furniture making factory has also been established.
Gumatj workers nail the structural ply gussets at Garrathiya timber bunkhouse.
COmmUNITY PROjECT
Forestry Tasmania and builders in partnershipto deliver first timber building in Arnhem Land
Bob Gordon, managing director, Forestry Tasmania, and Djawa Yunupingu, elder, Gumatj Corporation, outline new opportunities for integrated housing in the Northern Territory at the Forest Futures 2009 conference in Canberra.
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CONDOBOLIN, NSW, farmer John Cobb retained his portfolio as Shadow Minister for Forestry in last week’s cabinet reshuffle by new Coalition leader Tony Abbott.The member for Calare, Mr Cobb was appointed Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Water Security after the 2007 election. He was appointed Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle in September 2008.In a new front bench, Tony Abbott rewarded those who had opposed the emissions trading scheme and toppled former leader Malcolm Turnbull who had done a deal with the Rudd Government on climate change.The coup organiser Nick Minchin, who believes climate change is a left-wing conspiracy to de-industrialise the West, took Ian Macfarlane’s job in energy and resources. His deputy as Opposition leader in the Senate Eric Abetz takes over industrial relations.Despite the attention on the return of Bronwyn Bishop and Philip Ruddock, the real attention-grabber is National Senate leader Barnaby Joyce’s
arrival on the front bench as finance spokesman. He is closer to his ambition of a lower house seat and leadership of the Nationals.
Mr Abbott has tightened the conservative grip on the Liberal party by bringing back to the fold the former Howard government warriors Ruddock, Bishop and Kevin Andrews. The shadow cabinet has six new faces, including conservatives Barnaby Joyce, Tony Smith, Bruce Billson, Sophie Mirabella and Mr Andrews.
After the leadership vote, Mr Abbott held a secret ballot on the ETS. The party room voted 54 to 29 to refer it to a committee or reject it in the Senate.
As the United Nation’s COP-15 conference gets under way in Copenhagen, Mr Abbott has gone a step further from being a climate change sceptic by questioning if the world is warming.
He has rejected criticisms that he is a climate change denier, but says he is sceptical about what level mankind has contributed to the problem.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Farmer to tackleforestry issuesfor Abbott team
John Cobb .. retaining forestry portfolio.
Tony Abbott .. sceptical on climate change.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 106 | 14.12.09 10
TASMANIA’S Wesley Vale paper mill will be shut down by March next year and the Burnie mill will close if it is not sold before the end of this financial year.The decision, which comes after a 10-month review of the loss-making Tasmanian plants, will cost 252 jobs. Another 170 workers are pinning their future on an Asian company, which has been in talks with Tasmania Paper about buying the Burnie mill“The continued strength of the Australian dollar and the relentless increase in the size and competitiveness of
manufacturers elsewhere in the world is making it more and more difficult for manufacturers in both domestic and export markets,” A3P chief executive Richard Stanton said.“The resources boom is providing huge benefits for the Australian economy as a whole and certain sectors and regions in particular. However, the boom is also having negative consequences for manufacturing and for those regions and communities that do not have large endowments of key natural resources.”Mr Stanton said Australian
pulp and paper manufacturers were competing against producers who received a range of subsidies and benefits including free or cheap finance (sometimes directly from Government), generous renewable energy and fuel subsidies, and lower regulatory standards for environmental protection and employment conditions.”The Australian pulp and paper industry produces $9 billion of finished product each year including newsprint, packaging, printing, writing and industrial papers along with tissue and
other sanitary products. The vast majority of these products are sold in the domestic market and in New Zealand, but these markets are increasingly being targeted by low-cost producers in countries such as China and Indonesia.
“Australia must maintain a strong anti-dumping system to ensure manufacturing is not unfairly disadvantaged,” Mr Stanton said.
He said the Australian pulp and paper industry did have a number of competitive advantages: high quality, reasonably priced, sustainably managed fibre supply (wood and recovered paper); competitively priced energy and an ability to increase renewable energy production from biomass; skilled labour; and stable business and regulatory environments.
However, some of these advantages were being eroded and outweighed and the Federal Government and community needed to be aware of the long -term consequences.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Trusted brokers to the timber industry since 1985Be SURE about INSURANCE
Contact Alan JonesTel: (07) 3010 1823 Mob: 0419 754 681 Email: [email protected]
(Licence No. 238123)
strong anti-dumping system ‘must’ toprotect Australian manufacturers: A3PClosure of Wesley Vale mill sad news for Tasmania
Richard Stanton .. industry advantages eroded.
Pulp and paper manufacturing requires continued large-scale capital investment.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] 11issuE 106 | 14.12.09 | PAgE
RE-ENERGISED Homebush Bay Timber is able to offer a service to customers others struggle to match. According to sales executive Scott Brechin, something Homebush Bay Timber can do better than others is customised mill and assemble complex, multiple species and dimension orders. “We can handle complex broken pack and multi-dimension orders and deliver them anywhere in New South Wales,” Mr Brechin said.Homebush Bay Timber is able to offer a full range of Australian hardwoods, including Tasmanian oak, Victorian ash, NSW hardwoods like spotted
gum and blackbutt, and also Pacific maple, New Guinea rosewood, merbau and a wide selection of other timber products.“We also have western red cedar and a range of other imported and domestically produced softwood timber lines,” Mr Brechin said.
Homebush Bay Timber is determined to make a point of difference in the timber trade with a focus on serving metropolitan NSW, the ACT and country areas.Sales staff are enthusiastic about the future of Homebush Bay Timber, now under new ownership. “We are very
pleased to be able to say that Homebush Bay Timber is now well and truly back in business with a wide offering of standard and customised timber species and products,” says sales executive Alison Scott.
Although Homebush Bay Timber supports house construction, the company’s ability to supply manufacturing industries is an additional strength. “We carry and customise a wide range of species that others in the industry either think are too complex to worry about or just plain don’t have the ability to handle,” says Alison.
We consider ourselves to be a leading NSW wholesale timber supplier. We are certainly now absolutely ready to satisfy a long list of timber needs.
“Give us a call - our product range and service will surprise you,” she says.
Homebush Bay Timber sales executives Scott Brechin and Alison Scott … ability to handle complex broken pack, multiple species and customised milled orders.
SPECIAL FEATURE: mERCHANT PROFILE
Contact:Alison Scott on 0448 447 420. Email: [email protected] Brechin on 0448 447 436. Email: [email protected]
Homebush Bay Timber 5 Benson Road, Ingleburn NSW 2565PO Box 336, Ingleburn NSW 1890 Tel: (02) 9625 8988 Fax: (02) 9625 8622
Give us a call – our product range
and service will surprise you
We’re ready to provide your timber needs!Homebush Bay Timber is a leading supplier to
merchants and manufacturing businesses in New South Wales
Customised service sets pace for NsWHomebush Baywholesales fullrange of timber
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 106 | 14.12.09 12
WOOD traders using the ‘backdoor’ to filter non-compliant structurally unsafe building materials into the construction industry have awakened one of Australia’s largest blue collar unions to the threats they impose on the lives of workers.Construction industry delegates at an Australian Workers Union forum in Brisbane last week vowed to “clean up the workplace of ‘foreign’ wood products that fail to meet Australian standards for safety”.Forum delegates were enlightened on the problem of dodgy imports by the general manger of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia Simon Dorries.Many were surprised to learn that there is no policing of the Australian standard.Mr Dorries said ‘non-effective policing’ was one of the biggest problems for the engineered wood products industry.“There is nothing proactive about the system,” he says. “The Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Australian Building Code require the use of specific plywoods for
specific applications, but there is no policing of the Australian Standard.“Essentially, you need to wait for something to fall apart or someone to be injured before you can issue proceedings against anyone. The only real course for action is to go through the Trade Practices Act, after the event.”AWU assistant Queensland branch secretary Ben Swan said the union at both state and federal level would place these concerns as a priority issue.
A sample of failed imported scaffold plank was passed around the forum, and a number of delegates gave their own account of working with shoddy unlabelled material “that bloody well scared us.”“Plywood stamped with the PAA-EWPAA grade mark is the best guarantee of a safe and dependable product,“ Mr Dorries told the forum. “This guarantees the plywood type, the stress grade, the veneer grade (front and back) and the glue bond type.”As an example, structural plywood with the Standard AS/NZS2269 requires a Type ‘A’ bond, with a stress rating of between F8-F27 and an agreed veneer quality of both front and back, appropriate to the application.Mr Dorries said there were two distinct ways in which imported plywood could fail to meet the
Australian Standard. The first, and most obvious, was by blatantly misleading the buyer with false claims or counterfeit stamps, or offering no official stamps at all.“We independently tested some imported structural plywood claiming to have Type ‘A’ bond in its composition,” Mr Dorries said. “But we found it to be something closer to non-structural Type ‘D’ with added dye colouring to make it look like a durable structural Type ‘A’ phenol formaldehyde.”Ben Swan added: “We’ll get stuck into this sub-standard material. It’s coming in at prices well below the local certified product, which costs jobs, our jobs. But, worse, it threatens the lives of our members.”
AWU organiser Garry Crompton says he will distribute EWPAA technical information, including data on Australian standards and the JAS/ANZ accredited product certification scheme, through highest levels of the AWU organisation.The AWU, which traces its origins to unions founded in the pastoral and mining industries in the 1880s, has more than 135,000 members Australia-wide.
EWPAA general manger Simon Dorries (second from right) talks safety issues with Chris Simpson, AWU senior industrial advocate, Ben Swan, assistant branch secretary, and Troy Spence, AWU campaign and growth organiser.
ENGINEERED WOOD
AWu vows to act on flood of ‘foreign’wood products that endanger workers
Examining an imported non-compliant scaffold plank at the AWU forum are members Thomas Prain, AWU Traffic Control, and Martin Shamier, Gladstone Ports Corporation.
MEMBERS have voted Jane Calvert as the new chair and Julie George as the deputy chair of the ForestWorks board at the annual general meeting.
Craig Smith, secretary of the
CFMEU FFPD New South Wales district joins Ms Calvert, Julie George, John Downes, Allan Hansard and Alex Millar as ForestWorks current directors.
New chair, board of directors for ForestWorks
Cont Page 13
‘We’ll get stuck into this sub-standard material. it’s
coming in at prices well below the local certified
product, which costs jobs, our jobs’ – ben Swan
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] 13issuE 106 | 14.12.09 | PAgE
A REPORT by the pro-development NGO World Growth released at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen shows drastically overstated deforestation rates are being used to justify climate policies that will harm economic growth in developing countries.
“It is standard for groups like World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to say that deforestation contributes to 20% of global emissions, but it is closer to 5% as shown in our research report,” World Growth chairman Alan Oxley said.World Growth’s critique of the oft-cited figure – ‘Conversion: The Immutable Link between
Forestry and Development – comes after researchers at Brazil’s space agency and the University of Amsterdam have called for deforestation estimates to be revised downwards. These erroneous claims are cited to justify inclusion in a climate change treaty of a ban on any further conversion of forest land,” Mr Oxley said.“A ban would undermine strategies to use forest land for highly productive purposes, including production of food and plantation stocks to reduce poverty and hunger, particularly among developing regions where around 1.4 billion people live on less than $US1 a day.“Two months ago G8 leaders called for programs to increase food production. However, some of those same individuals want to halt expansion of land for agricultural production in the name of climate change.”Mr Oxley said the report showed how rich countries
– particularly the EU – were denying developing countries opportunities for economic growth through use of forests and forested land, which was historically linked to stages of economic development.“People don’t understand that no forest conversion means no additional food production. To protect their national interests, forestry developing countries should resolutely say ‘no’ to no conversion in the Copenhagen negotiations,” he said.The report also demonstrates that the EU’s double standards on the environment are exacerbating the situation for the world’s poor. “Not content with locking developing world farmers out of EU markets, the EU now wants these same farmers to stop farming for the sake of the environment. Yet 20% of forests in southeast Asia are designated for conservation compared to less than 4% in Europe,” Mr Oxley added.
The board will continue its role working on corporate governance, company policies, finance and general management (including the Skills and Employment Council).The new ForestWorks board comprises:• Jane Calvert, chair (national president of CFMEU’s forestry, furnishing, building products and manufacturing division).• Julie George, deputy chair (general manager, management
services division, Hyne.• John Downes, director (recently retired regional manager of Occupational Health & Safety in South Asia for the Kimberly Clark Corporation).• Allan Hansard, director (CEO, National Association of Forest Industries).• Alex Millar, director (national vice-president and pulp and paper workers district Secretary, CFMEU).• Craig Smith, director (secretary, CFMEU FFPD NSW district)
ForestWorks.......................................................
THE Victorian Association of Forest Industries has welcomed the review of the state’s five Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs).Chief executive Philip Dalidakis said the announcement had been expected for some time, and looked forward to the final outcomes confirming the Victorian timber industry’s ongoing compliance with all existing RFAs.“RFAs provide a level of certainty to the many timber communities who rely on the industry for their continued well being,” Mr Dalidakis said. “They have the potential to strike the correct balance between providing timber resources and achieving appropriate levels of environmental conservation.”
Mr Dalidakis said he hoped the current State Government abided by the outcomes of this review, as previous RFAs had been effectively torn up.“Previous state governments have seen fit to ignore the industry aspects of RFAs, instead deciding to favour stronger environmental outcomes at the expense of local timber communities,” Mr Dalidakis said.“The Victorian timber industry constantly strives to achieve the balance between continued economic development and environmental conservation. We believe this review will confirm that the industry is consistent in meeting its environmental obligations, while achieving positive outcomes for the
timber industry.”VAFI looks forward to working within the parameters set out by the Government, and strongly believes the final outcomes will
confirm the industry’s ongoing compliance with all existing RFAs.“The timber industry wants to continue to make a positive environmental and economic contribution to communities throughout rural and regional Victoria, and this review of existing RFAs will provide the security needed to achieve this,” Mr Dalidakis said.“VAFI highly commends [Federal Forestry Minister] Tony Burke and welcomes his strong statement of support for the existing RFAs and the certainty they should provide to our forest industries, timber workers and the many regional communities who depend on forestry.”
INDUSTRY NEWS
VAFi welcomes review of regional RFAsthat confirms state’s ongoing compliance
Phillip Dalidakis .. striking the correct balance.
New report finds green activists wrong on deforestation
From Page 12
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: [email protected] PAgE | issuE 106 | 14.12.09 14
TAbmA ANNUAL DINNER
TABMA Halloween night a howling successMORE than 200 ‘friends in industry’ kicked up their heels at a ‘monster’ dinner and dance at Brisbane’s Royal on the Park on Halloween Friday, October 31.More than anything – including an amazing magician and a hot dance band – the evening celebrated a unity among key stakeholders and executives from all sectors of the industry.
“It was an incredible night recognising not only the achievements of individual TABMA Queensland members, but the solidarity and resilience of our industry in a time when our unified voice is more critical than ever,” chief executive Karen Johnston said.‘Monster’ sponsors were Thora Wholesale Timbers, Timber Queensland, Tasman KB
and NTP Forklifts. ‘Mummy’ sponsors were Asian Pacific Timber Marketing, Gow Gates Insurance, DPR Hardwood (Ford Timbers), Tilling Timber, and AWX.Lucky door prizes went to Diane Dunshea of Manufacturing Skills (portable DVD player sponsored by Tilling Timber) and John Borg of Lindsay Meyers (Esky, sponsored by AWX).
TABMA Queensland has continued to expand its involvement in all areas affecting its members and has made great strides in the areas of management education and technical training. The organisation was established in 2001 due to an expressed need for a merchant-based member organisation in the Queensland timber industry.
Catching up at the TABMA Queensland’s Halloween dinner and dance are West Hill, West Hill Consulting, Brisbane, and Charlie and Heather Henry of Charlie Henry Enterprises Pty Ltd, Gold Coast.
Happy group at the TABMA (Qld) dinner are Wayne Norman, Wayne Norman Timbers, Alan Ford, Ford Timbers, Brisbane, Debbie Payne, Dindas Australia, Mal Gotham, Pacific Wood Products, and Rachel Fisher and John Menagh of Disprax Business Software Solutions.
Alicia Oelkers, TABMA Queensland, welcomes Gary and Diane Dunshea, Manufacturing Skills Australia, and Kersten Gentle, executive officer, Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association, Healesville, Vic.
Troy and Angie Baker, Peachester Timber, and Lynn and Dave Wuiske, Langs Building Supplies.
Jeannie Alamkara, Lifestye Trader, Gold Coast, meets up with Jenny Williams, Alan Jones, and Kyla Wood of Austbrokers Premier, Brisbane.
Luke Gaske, Ozline Timbers, and Pat Conduit and Melanie Hilcke, Hyne.
TABMA Queensland glamour Karen Johnston (chief executive) and Kelly Everett out front of the executive team, from left, Myles Forsyth, Forsyth & Romano Group, Mal Goatham, Pacific Wood Products, Keith Maitland, Tasman KB (TABMA Queensland chairman), Roger Healy, Simmonds Lumber. and Michael Gaske, Ozline Timbers.
* Subject to confirmation
Working Together to benefit all of industry
bOOKiNGS: 07 3254 3166
Boral Timber GraftonHardwood Sawmilling
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Brisbane • Thursday, August 20, 2009433 On Logan Conference Centre433 Logan Road, Stone’s Corner
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Chain of CustodyI N F O R M A T I O N S E M I N A R
This important and timely seminar, organised by TABMA Queensland,will help reduce some of the confusion relating to chain of custody. Itwill ensure the Queensland timber industry has the information requiredfor compliance with legislation,Key speakers will present informationand there will be a question and answer forum.Speakers include:• Colin MacKenzie, manager, timber application and use, Timber Queensland• Simon Dorries, General Manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of
Australasia• Kayt Watts, chief executive, Australian Forestry Standard Ltd (AFS)• Michael Spencer, chief executive, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Registration fee: $65 pp (TABMA member) $80 pp (non-member) • Includes hot breakfastand morning tea. Note: Arrival 7:30am. Breakfast 7:45 am. Presentations begin at 8 am.RSVP by Friday, August 14, to:Tabma Queensland, PO Box 532,500 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley 4006Tel: (07) 3254 3166. Fax: (07) 3254 4599.Mob: 0438 295 136
www.tabma.com.au
WIN WINADVERTISERSThis is a winning time for
smart marketers
NOW is the time to increase yourbusiness market share in themost cost effective manner
AD PACKAGE RATES NOW AVAILABLECONTACT
+61 7 3256 1779
reach your market weekly direct delivery very affordable
Brisbane • Thursday, August 20, 2009433 On Logan Conference Centre433 Logan Road, Stone’s Corner
LIMITED TO 60 SEATS
Chain of CustodyI N F O R M A T I O N S E M I N A R
This important and timely seminar, organised by TABMA Queensland,will help reduce some of the confusion relating to chain of custody. Itwill ensure the Queensland timber industry has the information requiredfor compliance with legislation,Key speakers will present informationand there will be a question and answer forum.Speakers include:• Colin MacKenzie, manager, timber application and use, Timber Queensland• Simon Dorries, General Manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of
Australasia• Kayt Watts, chief executive, Australian Forestry Standard Ltd (AFS)• Michael Spencer, chief executive, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Registration fee: $65 pp (TABMA member) $80 pp (non-member) • Includes hot breakfastand morning tea. Note: Arrival 7:30am. Breakfast 7:45 am. Presentations begin at 8 am.RSVP by Friday, August 14, to:Tabma Queensland, PO Box 532,500 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley 4006Tel: (07) 3254 3166. Fax: (07) 3254 4599.Mob: 0438 295 136
www.tabma.com.au
INTERNAL SALES POSITION
We are looking for an experienced internal sales person to join our team.
Ideally, you will have had time on the trade counter and be conversant with a wide range of timber products.
The role will include liaising with customers over the phone, some clerical work and generally helping ensure our delivery promise is maintained.
If you are energetic, bright and enthusiastic then please send your resume to:
PO Box 450, Narangba, Q 4504Attn: Dave AlcockEmail: [email protected]
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