Friday Offcuts – 21 February 2025
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Offcuts.We start with a couple of industry developments, with Oji Fibre Solutions confirming they will simplify operations at Kinleith Mill—a move aimed at ensuring long-term viability, but resulting in the loss of 230 jobs. In NSW, forestry workers are pushing back against the proposed Great Koala National Park, warning it could put 9,000 jobs at risk. New data from Safetree NZ underscores the ongoing challenges in reducing workplace injuries, with a forecasted toll for 2025 serving as a stark reminder of the work still needed. Meanwhile, Scion is preparing experimental burns to improve wildfire response strategies, and an industry report calls for urgent bushfire preparedness reforms to mitigate future disasters. Sustainability remains a key focus, with the FWPA Timber Circularity Project advancing solutions for repurposing treated timber, while MPI’s request for information on tree planting partnerships for Crown-owned land closes in just one week. Finally, seats for WoodTECH 2025 may sell out within the next week—if you're planning to attend, be sure to register now. Thanks to the support of the WIDE Trust, up to five FREE places for the NEW ZEALAND event have just become available (on a first-come/first- served basis) for "young sawmilling / wood processing professionals" (under the age of 35) - who've not yet registered for the event. Certain criteria apply. For further details, please email: gordon.thomson@innovatek.co.nz Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts.
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OjiFS confirms Kinleith Mill decision
Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS) has announced the outcome of a consultation process to simplify operations at Kinleith Mill, aimed at further action to stabilise and strengthen the company. Chief Executive Officer Dr Jon Ryder said, “We are grateful to our people for their thoughtful feedback, and for their continued focus on safety and maintaining critical production at Kinleith Mill throughout this unsettling time.""After extensive work and considering a variety of options and feedback from Unions and our team, we see no feasible alternative to our proposal to simplify operations, which will keep Kinleith Mill operating, maintain jobs in the region and continue reliable supply of product to our customers," Dr Ryder said. The company will proceed with the proposal to transition the mill to a new operating model, by focusing on pulp and ceasing loss-making paper production. The PM6 paper machine at Kinleith Mill will be permanently shut at the end of June 2025, and move to a paper import model for packaging operations. “We expect this decision will result in the loss of around 230 jobs. We will now work with our people on a new mill structure and processes, and the outcome of that work will define role requirements moving forward. We know for many of our people and the local and regional community, this is not the news anyone was hoping to hear," Said Dr Ryder. “We recognise the impact on our people and their loved ones and will be wrapping support around them." Oji Fibre Solutions will now be focused on a transition plan to close the paper machine safely, ensure the welfare of our affected people, and continue sustainable pulp operations at Kinleith Mill. The company looks forward to working closely with the Government as they move through this period and into the future. The plan is to continue producing paper at Kinleith Mill through to the end of June 2025. This provides a period in which options for affected staff can be explored; while ensuring we meet our customer obligations and provide a smooth transition to alternative paper supply arrangements for our packaging operations. The decision to discontinue production of paper at Kinleith Mill will:
Source & image credit: Oji Fibre Solutions Further Coverage: Government tried to stop job losses at Kinleith Mill (Stuff.co.nz) Data provides valuable insights into H&S performance
Safetree NZ has published an in-depth analysis of forestry’s
health and safety data that provides a compelling overview of the
industry’s performance. This includes overall industry
performance, regional variations, Māori injury data, tree-felling
fatalities, and enforcement data.The analysis also highlights what these industry trends could mean for forestry’s health and safety performance in 2025. This includes estimates that:
Safetree completed the analysis to help the industry better understand how and where harm is occurring in our industry and where we should focus our harm prevention activities. More >> Source: Safetree NZ  Enhancing timber resource efficiency
The Timber Circularity Project, led by the
University of the Sunshine Coast’s National Centre for Timber Durability and
Design Life, is dedicated to identifying and implementing
strategies for the repurposing and recycling of preservative-treated
timber and engineered wood products (EWPs). This initiative directly
addresses the complexities associated with their disposal, transforming
potential waste into valuable resources.By converting challenges into opportunities, the national Timber Circularity Project aims to demonstrate how circular economy solutions for end-of-life timber products can play a pivotal role in Australia’s circular bioeconomy. Commenced in 2023, the Timber Circularity Project is a three-year endeavour supported and funded by leading industry stakeholders, including: Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), Wine Australia, Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA), Frame & Truss Manufacturing Association (FTMA), Koppers Performance Chemicals, Hexion, and Azelis. This extensive collaboration underscores a collective commitment to advancing timber management practices and enhancing resource utilisation across sectors. Why Is It Important?
Introducing the Timber Circularity Resource Map A key outcome of the project is the Timber Circularity Resource Map, an advanced geospatial tool designed to optimise timber repurposing and find circular solutions for treated timber and EWP waste and offcuts. The map provides insights into:
Register for the Timber Circularity Online Map Launch Industry professionals are encouraged to explore the Timber Circularity Resource Map by attending the online launch webinar:
Source & image credit: FWPA  9000 jobs at risk over Great Koala National Park
Over 9000 jobs will go in the hardwood industry if the 'Great Koala National Park' is imposed on north coast communities, say forestry workers. They gathered at NSW Parliament House last wee to plead with MPs not to create the park given the latest research shows healthy koala numbers.The latest CSIRO research from 2024 shows koala populations are stable and thriving with 748,000 of the animals in NSW. That's double the number from an outdated 2016 study by Adams-Hosking which estimated populations at 331,000 and led to calls for the establishment of the park. There are five competing models for the 'Great Koala National Park', with Forestry workers supportive of models which don't endanger forestry communities. 88% of NSW Public Forests are already protected, and of the remaining 12% only 0.2% are subject to selective timber harvesting. More >> Source: Mirage News Australian Professional Development Program launched
Forestry Australia is gearing up to launch the Forestry
Australia Professional Development Program – a strategic
initiative designed to provide high-quality learning and growth
opportunities for our members and the broader forest management
profession.This program builds on the success of our webinar series, mentoring programs, and the Forestry Australia Symposium, creating even more opportunities for individuals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and career pathways. By investing in professional development, we’re strengthening the forestry sector as a whole – ensuring our members remain at the forefront of best practice, innovation, and leadership in forest management. The launch of this program has been made possible through our engagement with ForestWorks to develop and deliver a pilot mentoring program for women in the industry, which is an initiative supported by the Australian Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program. Combined with Forestry Australia’s own resources and expertise, this represents a once-in-a-decade opportunity to establish a professional development offering that delivers real value to our members and the forest management profession. Over the next 12-months we will keep members updated as skills gaps are identified, topics and concepts are developed, and professional development opportunities are rolled out. Professional Development Committee | Call for expressions of interest To help shape and guide this initiative, we are inviting expressions of interest from members to join the Forestry Australia Professional Development Committee. Chaired by Professor Mark Brown, this committee will oversee the development of our professional development initiatives, ensuring they are relevant, impactful, and aligned with the forest sector’s needs. More >> Source & image credit: Forestry Australia  Log exports to China - February 2025 update
According to China Customs, New Zealand still was the largest supplier of log imports and 50% of China’s log were imported from New Zealand in 2024. Log imports from New Zealand totalled 17.9 million cubic metres in 2024, down 1% over the same period of 2023. Log imports from New Zealand were Radiata Pine, Spruce/Fir and Douglas Fir.In addition, China’s log imports from USA, Japan, Solomon Islands and Canada rose 10%, 17%, 7% and 22% respectively in 2024. In contrast, China’s log imports from Germany fell 61% to 1.4 million cubic metres in 2024. Imports from PNG and Russia fell 9% and 11% respectively over 2023 levels. Surge in softwood log imports from Australia Around 90% of China’s log imports from Australia were softwood logs in 2024 and softwood log imports from Australia surged to 543,000 cubic metres in 2023. 76% of China’s softwood log imports from Australia were Radiata Pine in 2024 (459,500 cu.m). More >> Source: International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) Research burns aim to reduce wildfire readiness, response
Scion is running experimental research burns near Christchurch
from March 3-14, to test new theories on how wildfires spread under
various conditions. This will help improve operational and
community readiness for and response to future events – and
enhance firefighter and public safety.
The research will involve a series of stubble fires (harvested
agricultural paddocks that still have standing dry barley and wheat crop
stalks). Scientific instruments will be used to collect data on fuels,
weather and fire behaviour. It is a collaboration between
Scion’s wildfire researchers, Fire and Emergency New
Zealand, the University of Canterbury, the United States Forest Service
and San José State University.
Understanding how fire behaves helps improve the models we use for
predicting future wildfires in the NZ landscape and internationally.
Better prediction means we can more effectively plan and prepare for
future fires and more safely respond to existing ones – to help
keep people, property, animals, and the environment safe in the event of
a wildfire. Scion fire ecologist Shana Gross says this is important as,
globally, wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, with fire
behaviour in real-world conditions often defying existing models.
The burn window is based on paddock harvest dates and the weather. A
burn plan has been completed and a permit will be obtained prior to the
burns in accordance with the current fire season status and
requirements.
“Scion will implement rigorous safety measures for each experimental burn regardless of fire season status, in collaboration with Fire and Emergency,” Shana says.
Canterbury is currently in a restricted fire season.
Safety measures for this research include having meteorologists and fire
specialists on hand to assess weather conditions, having firefighters
and equipment on site to suppress fire and creating fire breaks
necessary for the conditions during the burns. Standard practice for
stubble burns is 6m of fire break on all sides of the fire.
Additionally, many of the New Zealand and international researchers
involved are trained wildfire personnel.
People are also asked to keep their distance from the fires.
The burn window gives researchers flexibility to burn within
suitable weather conditions. “We review weather
constantly in the lead-up to this window,” Shana says. “We
will make a call about the first burn day 2-3 days before the window,
confirm it the night prior, and make a final decision right before
ignition. “We will burn when weather conditions align and
instrumentation has been set up.”
Scion aims to burn on 5-6 days during the 12-day window.
Stubble fires provide an opportunity to create continuous burns/flame
fronts to allow researchers to analyse flame structure and fire
behaviour. “The learnings and improved models and predictions
gained from experimental research burns aim to enhance NZ’s
resilience to wildfires, improve safety, enhance response strategies and
tactics and reduce the impact and frequency of wildfires,” Shana
says.
This research is funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and
Employment and supported by the Rural Fire Research Advisory Committee.
Source & image credit: Scion Identifying & actioning key bushfire disaster lessons
Editorial: John O'DonnellThere are bushfire economic, efficiency and accountability lessons and insights that need to be addressed to improve bushfire preparedness across Australia. The first critical lesson and insight area relates to the effective capture of key bushfire economic reform issues that the author considers aren’t currently being addressed properly, including 6 lessons are insights as outlined in the full document. There are major opportunities for economic reform within fire management across Australia. Failure to implement the identified and critical bushfire mitigation opportunities will result in continued large and intense bushfires across landscapes, devastating large areas, communities, ecosystems and flora and fauna. Common sense decisions and management at this time can reduce costs and impacts of future bushfire disasters. The second critical lesson and insight area relates to the effective capture of key bushfire efficiency issues that the author considers aren’t currently being addressed properly, including 9 lessons are insights as outlined in the full document. There is further disaster funding detail outlined in Menzies Research Centre (2020): “Despite this relentless commitment to inquiries, in 2014, a report released by the Productivity Commission into Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements found that government natural disaster funding arrangements had been inefficient, inequitable and unsustainable. ‘They are prone to cost shifting, ad hoc responses and short term political opportunism.’ The Productivity Commission lamented that the funding mix was disproportionately recovery-based and did not promote mitigation. It observed that the political incentives for mitigation were weak, ‘since mitigation provides public benefits that accrue over a long-time horizon,’ and that over time this would create entitlement dependency and undermines individual responsibility for natural disaster risk management.’ At that time, it said, mitigation funding amounted to only three per cent of what is spent on post-disaster recovery and recommended that the Australian Government should gradually increase the amount of annual mitigation funding it provides to state and territory governments to $200 million.” The third critical lesson and insight area relates to the effective capture of key bushfire accountability issues that the author considers aren’t currently being addressed properly, including: including 12 lessons are insights as outlined in the full document. Conclusions There are extensive lessons and insights provided above, summarised below:
View Report Source & image credit: John O'Donnell --(2022)2.jpg) RFI for planting trees on Crown-owned land closing soon
There is one week left to provide and request information about
the Government’s proposal for tree-planting partnerships on Crown-owned land. The Government is seeking information from
potential partners – including iwi, Māori, national and
international commercial, and philanthropic interests – and has
called for a Request for Information (RFI).The RFI closes at 5pm, 28 February 2025. Following the RFI process, officials will report back to the Ministers of Climate Change, Conservation, Forestry and Land Information on the level and type of interest from potential partners to inform Ministers’ decisions on next steps. This will include when and under what conditions the Crown may wish to offer land for partnership. As well as helping meet longer-term emissions reduction targets, including our 2050 net zero target, partnerships could provide more forestry jobs, additional wood product exports, biomass for boilers (replacing coal) and sustainable fuel. The Government is also interested in the potential for these partnerships to achieve objectives around improved native biodiversity and water quality. The Government hasn't yet made decisions about the specific land it would consider offering potential partners or under what conditions. There are several steps the Government will need to take before it does this, including ensuring that:
Source: MPI Inaugural Director to lead Forestry Centre of Excellence
Professor Jeff Morrell has commenced as the first Director of
the Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) in South Australia,
ready to lead the centre into its next chapter as an international
leader in forest industries for research, education, product and market
development.Globally renowned for his distinguished career in wood durability, Professor Morrell was selected following an international search. Minister for Forest Industries, Clare Scriven, said, "It is wonderful to have Professor Jeff Morrell on board and I wholeheartedly welcome him to our state. Professor Morrell’s commencement as director is the latest in a series of exciting milestones for the Forestry Centre of Excellence, following the successful launch late last year and imminent start of construction on the new facilities." Professor Morrell has spent more than three decades leading the durability program at Oregon State University in the United States. He was also the director for the Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life based at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland from 2018 to 2023. "I’m very pleased to join the team at Mount Gambier to help move the Forestry Centre of Excellence forward and I’m honoured to have been chosen to help direct the centre," said Professor Morrell. "It’s an exciting time to be in forestry in Australia, with the resurgence in interest in our discipline over the past few years and the support for the centre from industry, the State Government and Federal Government highlights the growing importance of our forests." A key Malinauskas Government forestry commitment, the FCoE is a collaborative project between the State Government, the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the forest industry. A new dedicated FCoE building is expected to be completed in January 2026. The FCoE is on the same site as the UniSA Mount Gambier campus, the new Mount Gambier Technical College and the Mount Gambier TAFE – providing a unique opportunity to create an education, training and research precinct. Vital research has already been underway including projects on:
Source: Government of South Australia Four decades of timber and toil for logging operator
As Mark Rodwell explained, “I finished school in ‘84
and went into the bush – the only trade I knew was hard work
– chainsaws, loaders, bulldozers. Just getting
multiskilled in most things that needed to be done. I don’t know
that you could call it a trade, but you could put your hand to most
things.” And that’s served Mark admirably, as he reflected on 40 years of work in his family’s timber harvesting, haulage and earthmoving business which is based in Bombala in southern New South Wales. Mark, along with older brother Peter, have carried on the business started in the 1950s by their late father Merv ‘Bluey’ Rodwell. Today the operation includes a fleet of three Kenworths and a variety of earthmoving and forestry machinery – along with a restored Leyland Beaver and an International Transtar parked up in retirement at the Bombala depot. With the family’s roots at Lower Bendoc just over the border in Victoria, Merv Rodwell started out in the 1950s with livestock and general transport. As Mark explained, with timber harvesting a mainstay of local industry, the opening of the Harris-Daishowa mill at Eden in the early 1970’s was the catalyst for growth. More >> Source: Big Rigs Image credit: David Vile / Big Rigs  The world’s longest wooden blades
Two companies are partnering to tackle one of the wind energy
industry’s most persistent challenges—and they may set a
world record in the process. The equipment manufacturer,
Senvion and Voodin Blade Technology, has announced plans to research and
test turbine prototypes made using the world’s longest wooden
blades.Wind farms are critical to building better energy grids, but most turbines still come with a hefty catch. Once decommissioned, their massive metal blades often simply end up in landfills—and those that do make it to recycling facilities generate large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions while being broken down. While some potential solutions are already in the works, the German company, Voodin Blade Technology, has spent years designing an alternative that circumvents the issue entirely thanks to giant, wooden turbine blades. “This strategic collaboration represents a major step forward in tackling one of the wind industry’s biggest challenges—blade recyclability—by integrating engineered wood, a renewable and recyclable material, into turbine blade design,” reads Senvion’s announcement. More >> Source: Popular Science Image credit: Voodin Red Stag Timber wins at Red Bull Trolley Grand PrixRotorua’s Red Stag Timber have proved they still have what it takes - 10 years later - by reigning supreme at the Red Bull Trolley Grand Prix in Auckland at the weekend. The Red Bull Trolley Grand Prix, a national trolley derby that attracts thousands of spectators, was back at the weekend after a 10-year hiatus.In 2015, the Red Stag Hunters took out the title with their expertly crafted trolley that brought a giant red stag to life. This year’s trolley was a decorated in a Flintstones theme and they went under the name Bedrock Racing: Yaba Daba Do.  More >> Source: Rotorua Daily Post Image Credit: Red Bull  Jobs
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... and one to end the week on... a helpful student nurse
Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who insisted he didn't need my help to leave the hospital. And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers.  Brand PartnersOur Partners & Sponsors Friday Offcuts is made possible through the generous support of the following companies.
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