AKD, a leading Australian forestry and timber processing company, is pleased to announce it will acquire Pentarch Forestry’s 50% share in Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd (HPP), making AKD the sole owner of the business and the Oberon sawmill. This move is a significant step in AKD’s long-term strategy to operate high quality, strategically located…
Australia’s housing crisis has reached a tipping point and the Albanese Government is responding with a bold new strategy. In a significant move following the 2025/26 Federal Budget, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $54 million commitment to accelerate the adoption of pre fabricated housing across the country. The initiative is a win for…
The Gippsland Forestry Hub warmly congratulates the Hon Julie Collins MP on her reappointment as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This continuation of leadership is a positive development for the forestry sector, both nationally and within our Gippsland region. Minister Collins brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the forestry industry’s…
Australia’s forestry industry has taken a significant step toward securing its future workforce through the launch of the country’s first Graduate Certificate in Forestry – a collaborative initiative bridging universities, industry, and government. With no undergraduate degree currently offered in forestry across the country, five universities – University of Tasmania, Australian National University, University of…
The Australian Government is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable forestry by partnering with Papua New Guinea (PNG) through the PNG Forestry Twinning Program. This initiative, backed by development funding, aims to enhance technical assistance, capacity building, and sustainable forest management in PNG. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy, Matt Lowe, highlighted that this…
The Australian Government, in collaboration with the University of Tasmania (UTAS), has launched the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) program, a $100 million initiative aimed at advancing research and innovation in the nation’s forest and wood products industries. As part of this initiative, AFWI has announced its second National Open Call for research projects,…
Australia’s timber construction leaders have joined forces to launch the Future Framing Initiative (FFI), a groundbreaking program designed to modernise timber design standards and strengthen the industry’s competitive edge. Led by a newly appointed Project Management Committee under Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA), the initiative tackles key challenges, including outdated timber standards and rising…
Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) launched their More Houses Sooner Report, which is the first and only in-depth study to project the total dwellings required by 2034 to reach equilibrium and affordability levels. Australia needs approximately 2.48 million new dwellings by 2034 to keep up with population growth and improve housing affordability, according to…
AFWI’s National Open Call for Research is back, with Expressions of Interest (EOI) opening on Friday, 7 March, for projects that deliver transformative, industry-focused research to support Australia’s forestry and forest products industries. This call encourages innovative ideas that lead to commercial outcomes, which tackle industry challenges or entrepreneurial opportunities. What’s new? For this round,…
The Gippsland Forestry Hub has announced its 2024/25 committee, reflecting a dynamic blend of expertise across its Executive and General Committees. The Executive Committee, led by Chair Trevor Nicklen, continues to focus on sustainable forestry initiatives, while the General Committee introduces fresh perspectives, including members from diverse sectors such as local government, education, and industry….