ForWood

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. The structure of the Australian forest sector presents certain challenges in terms ...Read More

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. The inaugural Plant Biosecurity Research Symposium took place on 15 and 16 August in Brisbane, ...Read More

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. Planet Ark’s “Make it Wood” campaign, supported by FWPA, encourages the use of responsibly sourced timber as a building material, with a key part of this initiative being the promotion and advocacy ...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. Last year, ...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. FWPA’s Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life co-sponsored the inaugural five-day ...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. Following last year’s successful pilot program, the FWPA-supported For Our Future initiative returned for a second year in 2019, with participants gathering from Tasmania, Gippsland, southeastern Queensland and northern New South ...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.  The recently launched National Residential Construction and Fit-out Program aims to highlight the benefits, concerns and opportunities for timber that are prevalent ...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. The ForestVR™ toolkit for schools will educate students on the renewable cycle of timber in an immersive and engaging way, while overcoming the problems around inaccessibility and safety of visiting physical ...Read More

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 FWPA’s tracking of The Ultimate Renewable™ campaign clearly demonstrates the ads have been an outstanding success in terms of cut-through and message uptake. The $1.8-million campaign covered all major and regional Australian cities ...Read More

Listen In – Katerra looks at disrupting construction
WoodSolutions launches season two of its TimberTalks podcast, with US start-up Katerra’s CEO discussing the need for disruption in the building industry. The multi-trillion-dollar global construction industry is ready for change, and with both a national and worldwide housing shortage, it cannot come soon enough.  Timber Talks host Adam Jones spoke to Katerra’s CEO and ...Read More