Dear <<First Name>>, Welcome to the latest edition of ForWood.
Our Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life conducted the first in a planned series of workshops, supporting softwood industry representatives to improve processing activities through effective data analysis. Read about our successful The Ultimate Renewable™ consumer campaign and how it is helping to change perceptions of timber across the nation. Also discover how new opportunities for wood in the detached housing market will be uncovered, thanks to a program encouraging the use of timber in residential Class 1 properties.
The Ultimate Renewable™ consumer campaign kick-starts mission to change the forestry narrative
More than 25 per cent of Australians have seen The Ultimate Renewable™ campaign, and tracking research shows it is positively changing opinions. Read more
Geography teachers view the virtual-reality big picture with ForestLearning
Teachers from across the country were recently given the opportunity to experience and learn about innovative virtual reality (VR) teaching resources developed by ForestLearning. Read more
Building the framework for wood opportunities in residential construction
FWPA is working to uncover new opportunities in the detached housing market, with the development of a technical extension program that will encourage the use of wood products in residential Class 1 properties. Read more
Leading the charge towards tomorrow – For Our Future 2019 graduates
The future of Australia’s forest and wood products industry is in safe hands, as 46 more participants graduate from the For Our Future program. Read more
Softwood industry considers using raw data to improve processing
A new approach to tech transfer and skills development was delivered through a workshop to help the softwood sector improve its understanding of how to better use the massive quantities of data collected during mill operations, with a view to improving processing activities. Read more
Research supports new model timber pricing index
New research has informed the development of a model pricing index that will meet the unique needs of the Australian hardwood and softwood sectors. The index will help to provide market participants with greater transparency and confidence, while supporting planning, growth and investment. Read more
Study shows sustainability strengths, challenges and drivers in forestry
A sustainability scoping study across the forest and wood products sector has uncovered the strengths, challenges and motivators in sustainability actions and reporting. There is opportunity for the results of the study to be used by the industry to help build capacity around sustainability issues, while aiding the coordination of a sector-wide approach. Read more
Watch now – how 3D printing is turning timber waste into high-performance construction material
In this short video, Professor Sandra Löschke, Director of Architecture Design and Technology at the University of Sydney, talks about FWPA-supported research into 3D printing technology. The new tech can combine timber-waste products and recycled plastics to create a high-performance construction element.
Professor Löschke said, “The aim has been to produce an element that is complex, strong and aesthetically pleasing. We want it to be as close as possible to natural timber, both in terms of the percentage of timber used, and also its look and feel.”
You can listen to the full interview on SoundCloud and iTunes.
Now available! Annual Operating Plan 2019/20
We encourage you to read our Annual Operating Plan for 2019/20, which outlines our vision, areas of focus and desired outcomes for this financial year. Read here!
Join us for our 2018/19 Annual General Meeting
It’s almost that time of year again. On Friday 29 November, we will be hosting our 2018/19 Annual General Meeting at the Realm Hotel in Melbourne, in conjunction with the Australian Forest Products Association.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about our successes during the last financial year, as well as gaining an insight into our future plans. During the meeting, members will be given the opportunity to vote on the re-nomination of Tony Arnel as Director.
More information will be available soon - if you are interested in attending, please make sure you save the date.
WA follows Tasmania’s lead to adopt Wood Encouragement Policy
Planet Ark is celebrating the introduction of a Wood Encouragement Policy in Western Australia, having played a key role in the policy’s adoption. Read more
Photo: Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre. Design: Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects with Advanced Timber Concepts Studio. Credit: Peter Bennetts
Collaborative approach to overcoming biosecurity risks
Over two days in Queensland this August, the forestry industry and representatives from various other agricultural sectors united to consider biosecurity in Australia, including its incidence and what can be done in future to improve the mitigation of biosecurity risks. Read more
Listen in – How forestry is preparing its future workforce
Ongoing evolution and rapid advancements in technology have led the forestry sector to take steps towards preparing workers for the changing demands of the industry.
The latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast focuses on initiatives that are equipping the industry’s future leaders, and engaging young people from disciplines not traditionally associated with forestry.
During the episode, the hosts met Matthew Linnegar, Chief Executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, which runs the FWPA-supported For Our Future initiative – an experiential program focusing on regional and collaborative leadership.
The episode also considers the differing skill-sets that will be required by the industry in the future. The hosts chat to data scientist James Kondilios of the Australian National University, recipient of the 2019 ABARES Science and Innovation Award for Forestry.
The latest TimberTalks podcast by WoodSolutions features a world-renowned expert in timber engineering, talking about structural timber connections and sustainability.
Professor Hans Blass is based at Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and is known internationally for his work on innovative and reliable structural timber connections.
While in Australia for the Pacific Timber Engineering Conference, TimberTalks host Adam Jones sat down with Professor Blass for an enlightening chat.
Check out some forthcoming Australian events in the world of forestry:
FWPA 2018/19 Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will be hosted in conjunction with the Australian Forest Products Association and provides an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about our successes during the last financial year, as well as gaining an insight into our plans going forward. Where: The Realm Hotel, Melbourne When: Friday 29 November Find out more: More information will be available soon, so if you are interested in attending, please make sure you save the date. Opportunities for timber construction and prefabrication
A presentation from timber engineer and Director of TimberED Services, Dr Jon Shanks exploring the building design and procurement process through different building types in order to maximise opportunities for timber construction in Tasmania and how we can design to embrace prefabrication. Where: Hobart & Launceston When: Hobart – Monday 23 September 2019 – 18:00 to 20:00 | Launceston – Tuesday 24 September 2019 – 18:00 to 20:00 Find out more:WoodSolutions Australian Bushfire Building Conference
The 5th annual Australian Bushfire Building Conference is 2019’s essential event for building, planning and associated professionals living and working in Australia’s bushfire-prone areas. Where: Fairmont Resort, Blue Mountains, Leura When: Wednesday 23 October 2019 – Friday 25 October 2019 Find out more:Conference website Australian Timber Design Awards 2019
The Australian Timber Design Awards celebrates built-environment professionals and students who want to showcase their built design and/or building projects in residential and/or public or commercial buildings that feature timber structures or finishes. Where: Level 1 Crown Towers, Crown Melbourne When: Thursday 17 October 2019 – 18:30 Find out more: Eventbrite ForestTECH 2019
ForestTECH is Australia and New Zealand’s premier technology series. The Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) runs it for Australasia’s forest resource managers, planners and inventory foresters. Where: Melbourne, Australia and Rotorua New Zealand When: 13-14 November, Australia | 19-20 November, New Zealand Find out more: ForestTECH
