Forestry and timber stories

The demand for Tasmanian forestry products is buoyant, and largely driven by an international market with strong prices for both soft and hardwood. Against this background, Tasmanian farmers are being urged to fully consider the many benefits of plantation timber on their properties. Private Forests Tasmania [PFT] recently hosted a field day where farmers heard there is so much more than just the value of the timber itself. PFT manager of business development, Martin Moroni, told Tasmanian Country that some of the biggest benefits actually come from better productivity in surrounding paddocks: “Often trees are thought to be in the way of farming, rather than supporting it.” He highlighted environmental and aesthetic benefits, such as animal habitats and wind breaks, with his key message being: “It’s worthwhile checking the market at the moment because it is at a high and there might be good returns, much bigger than they were a few years ago.”

14 April 2019

Tasmania has been lauded for its stunning architectural designs featuring timber. The much-acclaimed Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions, by Liminal Studio, took out the Excellence in Timber Products category at the recent Australian Timber Design Awards in Sydney. The pavilions were praised for a design that sits lightly amongst the bush setting and echo local rock formations with a curved glass and timber exterior incorporating charred red ironbark cladding. Mention was also made of the construction process. The pavilions were prefabricated in Hobart and delivered to the site in small modules that were wheelbarrowed from the Lodge’s carpark, thus ensuring minimal environmental damage. Other Tasmanian structures – MACq 01 Hotel by Circa Morris-Nunn Architects, and the Wukalina Walk huts by Taylor and Hinds Architects – also won awards at the 19th annual Australian Timber Design Awards.

7 December 2018, Edition 201

Tasmania’s timber industry has been given a big boost with a $100 million investment from Timberlink in production assets. This is set to be rolled out over the next three years and will be invested at Timberlink’s Bell Bay facility, in the state’s north, as well as it’s Tarpeena Mill in South Australia. The money allocated for Bell Bay will be used to install new planer mill equipment, improve existing site infrastructure and improve safety with an upgraded internal road system. Timberlink CEO, Ian Tyson, says this demonstrates that the timber industry is thriving: “It supports the investment strategy of the soft wood sector for Tasmania. It shows the enormous future the timber industry has, both globally and within the domestic market.” Timberlink is the leading producer of plantation timber in Tasmania, sustainably growing quality pine in certified plantations.  

12 September 2018, Edition 198

It’s a fascinating collaboration. A team of wooden boat builders from the USA is preparing to travel to Tasmania where they will spend months crafting a keel-boat out of our beautiful timber. This will be one of the star attractions at the 13th MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival in February. The seven boat craftsmen are all alumni of the renowned North West School of Boat Building in Washington. They will be arriving in Tasmania in November to begin their mission to build a classic American keel-boat, the Haven 12.5. In the meantime, specialty timber for this project is being sourced and prepared. Hydrowood – reclaimed from the cold depths of flooded hydro lakes where it has been preserved for decades – is being donated for the task. Celery-top pine, a popular wood used in boat building for centuries has been selected as the timber of choice. It is a rot-resistant old-growth timber that bends well and can be used for either structural timbers or planking in boat building. To view the finished product, put a note in the diary for the 2019 MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival which will be held on 8 – 11 February along the Hobart waterfront. For more information visit www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au.

10 July 2018, Edition 196