Friday Offcuts – 31 January 2025

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Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.

WoodTECH 2025 is shaping up to be an outstanding event, drawing strong participation from wood processors and manufacturers across New Zealand and Australia, along with technology providers worldwide. With early bird registration closing next week, many are taking the chance to turn it into a team trip.

This week’s top story: The New Zealand Government has announced a new climate target, aiming to cut emissions by 51–55% from 2005 levels by 2035. This move strengthens the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and opens future opportunities for forestry as the country works toward its net-zero 2050 goal.

In Australia, the Tasmanian timber industry is raising concerns that the proposed Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) Scheme could lead to job losses, while in NSW, timber prefabrication is being explored as a solution to the housing crisis.

Finally, we cover exciting technology updates, including a new AI-powered wildfire forecasting system developed by New Zealand researchers and real-world testing of self-driving platooning for logging trucks.

Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.

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Setting New Zealand’s second international climate target

The Government has announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035.

“We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious and achievable, reinforcing our commitment to the Paris Agreement and global climate action,” said Climate Change Minister, Simon Watts. “Meeting this target will mean we are doing our fair share towards reducing the impact of climate change, while enabling New Zealand to be stronger and thrive in the face of a changing climate."

This target also brings our international and domestic climate change commitments into line, so we can focus our efforts on the actions that will make the biggest difference towards reaching our net zero 2050 target.

We are already laying the foundation for meaningful emissions reductions, with the potential to meet our net zero target as early as 2044. Our climate strategy focuses on strengthening New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme, supporting innovative technologies to reduce agricultural emissions, and accelerating the transition to a cleaner, electrified economy - ensuring we meet our climate targets while driving economic growth.

“This will mean greater innovation originating here in New Zealand to advance low-emission technologies that grow our economy. It will also mean industries are powered by abundant and affordable clean energy, attracting investment and boosting productivity across the country," Mr Watts says.

The Paris Agreement is the global climate treaty which seeks to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Under the Agreement, each country sets targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.

“New Zealand is committed to achieving its first and second Nationally Determined Contributions and is serious about playing our part to reduce the impact of climate change,” Mr Watts says.

Source: Beehive


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Tasmanian timber industry under threat from ACCU

The Federal Labor Government’s decision to prioritise an Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) Scheme proposal, which seeks to cease or defer native forest harvesting, is an underhanded attack on Tasmanian jobs. 

This is also a direct assault on the environment, ignoring research from the CSIRO’s retired chief research scientist as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Tasmania has a renewable, sustainable and world-class native hardwood industry.

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said that this latest sneak raid must be called out for what it is. “This is an attack on regional jobs here in Tasmania, plain and simple,” Minister Abetz said.

“I’ve written to Federal Minister Julie Collins to express my disappointment – and it is important to note that this is a direct assault on jobs in her very own electorate. Wood is renewable, recyclable and at the end of the day bio-degradable and Tasmania’s forest practices are second to none in the world," Minister Abetz said.

Timber and fibre are needed to build houses, hospitals and schools while supporting communities and families across Tasmania. If we don’t harvest the timber we need here, we have to import it from overseas at great expense and belching tonnes of bunker fuel fumes into the atmosphere in the process.

“Tasmania will not support any carbon credit scheme proposal that undermines the value of our native forestry sector and puts at risk local jobs in an attempt to placate extremist environmental groups," Minister Abetz said. “We will continue to back in our forestry sector through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.”

Federal Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Forestry, Jonno Duniam, is accusing the Government of yet another attack on this industry. "Labor promised that native forestry jobs would be secure under their Government, but now Chris Bowen and Julie Collins are using a backdoor way to shut it down. They need to be honest with businesses and workers engaged in native forestry to explain why they are abandoning them,” Senator Duniam said.

“Timber workers deserve better than the Labor Government who are more interested in pandering to activists than looking after regional jobs. The Albanese Government need to urgently scrap this process and, in doing so, recognise the importance of native forestry for our environment and our economy. If we can’t get our hardwood here, it will be imported from unsustainable sources that do not share our high environmental standards.”

Source: Eric Abetz, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Tasmania



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Partnering to plant trees on Crown-owned land

As covered on the Sector Call in December 2024 - The Government wants to explore partnership opportunities to afforest (plant native or exotic trees) or promote native forest regeneration on Crown-owned land (excluding National Parks) that has low farming value and low conservation value.

The Request for Information (RFI) to gauge interest in the proposal and understand what would make afforesting Crown-owned land an attractive and viable opportunity.

We would like to hear your views on:
  • opportunities for afforestation
  • conditions and contractual arrangements that would enable you to undertake afforestation
  • barriers to afforestation and what government could do to help overcome these.
The web page has recently been updated with ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and a higher resolution indicative map of Crown owned land. Click here for further details.

We must get your feedback by 5pm on 28 February 2025.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries


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Timber framing is safe and reliable in bushfire-prone areas

The debate on the “right” materials to use when building homes in bushfire-prone areas often sparks fierce opinions and misguided claims. While some advocate for alternative materials, timber framing remains a viable, safe, reliable and effective option when designed and built in accordance with modern practices. It’s time to set the record straight and address some of the myths that have driven unnecessary fear about building with timber.

One common misconception is that timber frames ignite easily and pose a higher risk of destruction in bushfires compared to steel. However, this oversimplified view ignores the science. Timber-framed houses built in bushfire-prone areas must be designed and constructed in accordance with the Australian Standard AS 3959  Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas.  AS 3959 provides solutions for timber-framed houses from lower bushfire threats through to an extreme threat referred to as Flame Zone. AS 3959 makes no distinction between using a timber-framed or steel-framed building!

Timber, unlike unprotected steel, remains relatively stable at elevated temperatures. Steel, on the other hand, begins to lose strength and can melt or buckle well before reaching the extreme heat generated by a bushfire if unprotected.

This was seen during the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria and countless other events, where steel was no more invincible than timber, and many steel homes suffered the same fate in the face of ferocious flames.

Another important factor is the role of the surrounding environment. Studies and expert analysis repeatedly confirm that the fuel load around a property—the dry vegetation, debris, and landscape management—is a significant determinant of whether a home survives a bushfire. Building materials alone do not dictate safety. A home surrounded by cleared defensible space and properly managed vegetation is far more likely to survive than a steel-framed house that is overgrown with combustible plants. It’s time we stopped stigmatising timber and started focusing on smarter overall designs and landscape strategies.

What’s more, guidelines for building in bushfire-prone areas—such as using ember guards, managed building sites, and strategic design methodologies—are applicable to all construction types. Timber homes, when constructed to meet the AS 3959 Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) requirements, are every bit as capable as steel or other materials at resisting a bushfire. Claims to the contrary often originate from industries with vested interests, perpetuating myths for commercial gain.

The growing intensity and frequency of fires globally can no longer be ignored, and climate change is a significant driving factor behind this alarming trend. By continuing to rely heavily on materials like steel and concrete, which are produced through energy-intensive processes that emit vast amounts of carbon dioxide, we are exacerbating the very crisis that fuels these catastrophic bushfires.

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Source & image credit: FTMA



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NZ AI-powered tool to combat rising wildfire danger

A new wildfire forecasting system that updates using real-time weather data could help firefighters protect lives and property from a growing global threat. 

Developed by an international team led by Dr Alberto Ardid, a research engineer in Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), the new tool uses machine learning (a type of artificial intelligence) to analyse ever-changing weather data. 

Dr Ardid says the frequency and intensity of wildfires, such as the destructive blazes seen in California recently, is increasing due to climate change and there’s an urgent need for more effective fire management strategies to protect lives, property, and ecosystems.

“Accurate and timely wildfire danger forecasting is necessary for preparedness and response, enabling efficient resource allocation and mitigation efforts. Weather conditions can change dramatically within hours, potentially leading to sudden wildfire outbreaks,” he says. “We are developing new tools that are sensitive to these hourly weather conditions, which can help identify high fire hazard conditions.” 

His team has developed a unique AI-based system that uses readily available weather data to predict wildfire danger in real-time, providing a powerful tool to inform timely decision-making. 

“Our AI model analyses weather data every 30 minutes, capturing dynamic weather patterns that can contribute to sudden wildfire outbreaks,” Dr Ardid says. “This approach offers a cost-effective solution for communities and agencies to enhance their wildfire prediction and response capabilities, contributing to community safety and resilience in the face of increasing wildfire danger.”

The model outputs a prediction of the likelihood of fire in the next few days, continuously updated with new meteorological data. The real-time monitoring system uses existing data and infrastructure, making it cost-effective in regions with limited resources. 

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Source & image credit: University of Canterbury


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NZ Log Market Report - January 2025

For those of us in the commercial forestry sector, there is an air of expectation that 2025 cannot be worse than 2024. The early 2025 signs look promising, albeit there could be some small speed humps just in front of us.

International factors would suggest we might be in for a rough ride as a nation. The new US President appears hell-bent on destroying his. Claiming to be focussed on cracking down on crime whilst releasing 1,000 criminals into out of order chaos and beating his chest openly taunting world leaders already at war does not bode well for calmness and serenity.

The immediate impact of the emerging insanities has been positive for NZ exporters now enjoying a low US$ exchange rate and shipping rates also under downward pressure across break bulk and containers.

Indeed, my FOREX managers have cautioned the illustrious Mr Trump was good for the NZ last time with similar strength in the Green Back built around protectionism measures. I have reminded them at the tender age of close to 80 sane people normally act their age and remove themselves from key decision-making roles.

I have seen many times before, the international softwood log trade behaves abnormally to worldly pressures. Indeed, for NZ it is as much about what other nations are attempting to play in our supply sandpit. The scale of NZ operations is ensuring we enjoy lower shipping rates even compared to some like Australia who are much closer to China and India than we are.

Another competitive advantage NZ enjoys is the smallness of our Islands, ensuring wood fibre is relatively handy to ports. We think we are hard done by when we get over 100km from a port. Uruguay forests are typically 1,000 – 2,000km to their ports and Australia 300 – 500km from theirs.

Our Stevedoring business are also key players. Whilst Port costs are way too high, we are still very competitive on load rates compared to other supply nations. A long and sustained history in log exports has ensured we have skilled staff, good load rates and safe, continuous improvement practices.

China celebrates their New Year at the end of January, meaning the market is effectively closed for 3 weeks. Erstwhile NZ loggers are enjoying better log prices, production levels have increased, and we expect China inventory to move quickly from 3mil to 4mil cubic metres. This is the direct consequence of arrivals from NZ.

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Source: Laurie Forestry


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New prefabrication company to ease NSW housing crisis

An exciting new prefabrication building company based in Central West NSW is helping to address the state’s current housing crisis, while also sourcing local timber and creating local jobs.

Green Timber Technology, which has recently been established in partnership with The Pentarch Group, will start operating in December from the former Electrolux factory site in Orange, which has been vacant since 2016. Green Timber Technology will fabricate timber walls, roofs and floors in the factory and then deliver them to site for assembly, mostly within NSW.

Housing affordability and availability is the single biggest pressure facing the people of NSW. Instead of taking around nine months to build a new home, this process can produce around ten homes per week. Once fully operational, the company will build a new home roughly every four hours. The company also aims to achieve zero waste.

The 10,000mfacility is also adding a robotic element to its production line while still creating local jobs, with plans to employ 70 people by 2026. The houses that will soon be fabricated at the Orange site will not only be affordable, but also high-end architecturally designed homes. 

While the prefabrication element helps dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to build a new home, the operation still involves essential building trade elements including plumbers, builders and electricians as part of the final construction phase.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said, “This exciting new approach will help deliver on the Government’s priorities by producing affordable housing, which is the single biggest pressure facing the people of NSW. It will significantly increase the speed of construction through automation and avoiding weather impacts."

Stephen Dadd, Executive Direct of the Pentarch Group, said, “Sourcing local products is an integral part of this new venture for our company. In addition to the timber aspect, we hope in the future to see some other companies follow our lead and look at what other housing products could be produced locally."

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Source: NSW Government 
Image credit: GTT



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SnapSTAT - Countries that pollute our world

This map visualises the countries above (red) or below (blue) the global average for per-capita consumption-based carbon emissions, which is 4.7 tCO₂. The data comes from the Global Carbon Budget, accessed via Our World in Data. The colouring in this graphic highlights the per capita emissions' disparity between the Global North and Global South.




Source: Voronoi - Visual Capitalist / Out World in Data


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Victorian mill workers locked out over dispute

Since January 21, one hundred of the locked-out workers, who would have previously been working, camped out at the mill during work hours (8am to 3pm) to establish a presence and show that they want to return to work.

Opal said given the protected action and planned lockdowns by the CFMEU, it could not operate its paper production plant, and had been forced under the Fair Work Act to undertake a legal lockout. “Maryvale Mill’s operations have been severely impacted by the loss of wood supply from VicForests and the subsequent end to white paper manufacturing,” the company said.

Opal said the terms and conditions from the previous enterprise agreements were no longer relevant in a more competitive market.

“Clearly, Nippon Paper’s Opal has no regard for either their employees or other businesses and their employees,” Denise Campbell-Burns, the Pulp and Paper Worker District Secretary, said.

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Source & image credit: Latrobe Valley Express


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Finland’s forests now emit more CO2 than they absorb

Finland’s forests, once a crucial carbon sink, have become a source of emissions, raising concerns over the country’s climate policy and carbon neutrality targets. According to the latest data from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Finland’s forests emitted 1.12 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023.

This shift began gradually around 2010 and has accelerated since 2018. By 2021, Finland’s forests had transitioned from absorbing carbon to releasing it.

The main causes are declining forest growth, increased logging, and rising emissions from forest soil.

The land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, which includes forests, emitted a total of 11.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023. This makes it one of Finland’s largest emission sources, surpassing emissions from sectors such as agriculture.

LUKE’s report highlights three key reasons behind the decline of Finland’s forest carbon sink. First, tree growth has slowed. While forest growth previously outpaced harvesting, this is no longer the case. The total biomass growth of trees—including trunks, branches, leaves, and roots—has decreased, affecting the overall carbon balance.

Second, logging rates have increased significantly. In the early 2010s, around 70% of forest growth was removed through harvesting and natural losses. By 2023, this figure had risen to 90%. This has left little room for forests to function as carbon absorbers.

Finally, the carbon storage capacity of Finnish mineral soils has weakened. Rising temperatures have accelerated soil decomposition, leading to greater emissions. Peatland forests, which store large amounts of carbon, have also begun releasing more greenhouse gases.

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Source & image credit: Helsinki Times



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Logging train revival for Palmerston North to Napier Port

Logging trains are back on the tracks running five days a week on the Napier-Palmerston North line to Napier Port, taking trucks off the “deteriorating” Napier-Taihape Rd. The deal between Ernslaw One, Kiwirail and the port follows the closure of Tangiwai Mill in the Ruapehu District and solves the problem of getting logs out of Karioi, near Waiouru, to the port.

Steve Couper, SNI regional manager for Ernslaw One, says despite the mill closing, the company wanted to continue production and keep its contractors in work. “The move away from road cartage to rail has many advantages. It is a safety gain for the logging truck drivers, as well as for other road users and local residents,” Couper said.

“We approached KiwiRail and Napier Port to negotiate a deal that would make it feasible, and after some pencil sharpening, we’ve been able to get this agreement in place and get these logs on to rail,” he said.

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Source: LDR via Scoop



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New demo of self-driving truck platooning in Canada

Kratos Unmanned Systems has successfully executed a multi-week demonstration of its self-driving truck platooning system technology with FPInnovations, a Canadian research and technology organisation that assesses, adapts and delivers solutions to Canada’s forest industry’s total value chain.

The Kratos developed self-driving system “kit”, which enables vehicles to be capable of autonomous driving, was deployed for evaluation in forestry operations in northern Québec, Canada. Deployment of this technology is intended to mitigate driver shortages, improve safety protocols, boost rural economic vitality, and contribute to the development of a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles.

The automated platooning technology performed exceptionally well in the challenging forestry environment and hauled both unloaded and loaded timber trailers. The Kratos system demonstrated precision navigation in automated platooning mode along complex off-pavement roadways with degraded access to GPS, steep grades, severe visibility-limiting dust, sub-freezing temperatures, rain, and under variable day/night/twilight lighting conditions.

The Kratos platoon deployment featured two class-8 tractor-trailers, with one human-driven Leader truck collecting navigation data along the way and transmitting the data to one self-driving Follower truck. Both trucks were retrofitted with Kratos automated driving systems, enabling the Follower to follow the Leader’s navigation data with only a Safety Rider onboard for this initial testing/demonstration.

The human driver in the Leader truck plays a critical role, optimising performance of the driverless follower by adjusting vehicle speeds, gaps, and manoeuvres to adapt to rapidly changing environmental or operational conditions. This human-in-the-loop decision-maker provides added safety and deployment flexibility by enhancing navigation performance of the driverless vehicle versus relying solely on complex and often unpredictable AI and Machine Learning algorithms, as employed by other systems.

The combination of a human-driven Leader and a driverless Follower, powered by advanced sensors, navigation, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication, and automated systems, has proven to be an effective driverless truck deployment model across multiple industries.

Maynard Factor, Vice President of Business Development for the Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said, “The successful deployment of our self-driving truck platooning technology in the Canadian forestry industry demonstrates the ability of the system to navigate complex situations in challenging environments. This is a game-changing, effective and viable solution for maintaining critical business continuity even under the current driver shortage situation."

By pairing a human-driven leader truck with a driverless follower, we’ve developed a flexible deployment model that prioritises both safety and productivity. The human driver of the Leader can adjust driving behaviour in real-time as needed to optimise performance of the self-driving Follower to navigate complex edge and corner case situations safely. We are driving innovation for our clients by leveraging a unique deployment model using field-proven technology to offer real solutions for ensured supply chain reliability.

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Source & image credit: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions


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Remembering Peter Oliver

It is with great sadness we share the news that Peter Oliver passed away on Wednesday 22 January 2025, aged 62, following a relatively short illness.

Our deepest condolences go out to Peter’s family – his wife Agnes, son Thomas, daughter Lauren and his four grandchildren.

Peter was highly regarded by many in forestry, with a distinguished career spanning 40-odd years. He started his path in forestry as a fresh-faced trainee in the 1980s and devoted the last 24 years of his working career at City Forests.

His colleagues describe his work ethic as being second to none.

A staunch promoter of forestry as a land use, Peter became a fierce advocate for the benefits forestry generates for the community and the environment – ever watchful against local authorities and central Government, ensuring all parties had their facts straight.

Peter’s national influence, his connections and commitment to supporting the wider forest growing sector over the years have been substantial; particularly his work on the Forest Owners Association research and environment committees. Peter was also well known for supporting young and up-and-coming foresters in their own careers, with many remarking on his patience and the value in having an experienced forester like Peter at their side.

His contributions to forestry, as well as his skillset as an accomplished technical forester, were recognised last year when Peter was made a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry. During his retirement speech in Dunedin last September, Peter said given the choice to turn back time, he’d make the same choices again and couldn’t think of a better career to work in than forestry.

Despite his quiet demeanour, Peter was fiercely passionate, kind and knowledgeable from his first day to his last. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues at City Forests and leaves an enduring legacy that will be recognised by forest growers nationwide in the years to come.

Should anyone wish to make a gesture in Peter’s honour, his family suggest donations to Glioblastoma research and Otago Community Hospice would be a worthy and fitting cause.

Donations to both Glioblastoma Research and Otago Community Hospice can be made in Peter's memory by noting his full name in the 'donation notes' or 'donation in memoriam of' fields of the donation process. 

A link to his service is also available.

Source: NZFOA


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... and one to end the week on... a pirate and a bartender

One day, a pirate and a bartender were talking to each other in a bar.

The bartender asked the pirate, "Where did you get that peg leg from?" The pirate responded, "We were sailing overseas when a big ol' shark came up to me while I was a swimmin' and bit off me leg!"

Later, the bartender asked, "Where did you get that hook from then ?". The pirate responded, "Well, me crew and I were in a battle, and it got cut through the bone."

The bartender then asked, "Where did you get that eye patch from ?" The pirate said, "In a harbour. I looked at a gull flying overhead, and it took a dump right in me eye!"

The bartender was puzzled and asked the pirate, "How would that make you get an eye patch?"

The pirate responded, "First day with the hook!"


And finally, in keeping with the water theme, we have a NZ invention - The Z Manu World Champs!



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And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers.

Ken Wilson
Editor, Friday Offcuts
Web page: www.fridayoffcuts.com


This week's extended issue, along with back issues, can be viewed at www.fridayoffcuts.com

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