Media Releases

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FWPA receives big tick for corporate performance

Release Date:

Forest and Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA) has been given a big tick in an independent review of its corporate performance. According to the report issued by SED Consulting, FWPA is a well-run companny that has met all its obligations.

Media Release for 2011

Over $150,000 now available through FWPA Scholarships program

Release Date: Sun, 27/11/2011

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is offering a number of opportunities to students to support their studies in the forest and wood products sector in 2012. These programs have been developed as part of FWPA’s commitment to building skills capacity to promote careers in the forest and wood products industry.

Delivering factual information on Australian forests to national schools

Release Date: Tue, 12/07/2011

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is pleased to launch Forestlearning.edu.au, a dedicated portal for forests and wood products teaching and learning resources for primary and secondary school teachers. This new website aims to provide easy access for forests and wood products educational information that is linked to the Australian curriculum and is part of FWPA’s education investment plan.

New FWPA Standards Manager Brings Wealth of Expertise

Release Date: Thu, 23/06/2011

The new standards manager for Forest and Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA) is the well-known timber engineer, Boris Iskra.

FWPA Managing Director, Ric Sinclair, warmly welcomed Boris to the team and noted that his technical knowledge will be an asset to the standards role and to FWPA’s specifier marketing activities.

New Wood Base Online and TVC - Two Exciting Initiatives From FWPA

Release Date: Tue, 31/05/2011

Communicating information about designing and building with wood and the environmental benefits of wood are part of Forest and Wood Products Australia's (FWPA) long term strategy to increase the use of wood in the built environment.

A new website - www.woodsolutions.com.au - is a world-leading online wood products database. Responding to market needs identified by research, this site will provide architects, engineers and other building professionals with the information they need to specify wood and wood products.

National Carpenters Day 2011

Release Date: Fri, 08/04/2011

Following the success of the event in 2010, the third annual National Carpenters Day promises to reach and even wider audience with new activities, national events, sponsors, partners and participants.

Planet Ark partners with FWPA to promote sustainable timber as a climate change solution

Release Date: Wed, 23/03/2011

As our community discusses ways of tackling climate change, a new partnership has been
formed to promote an easy, low cost solution to capturing and storing carbon ‐ simply using
sustainably sourced wood as a building material.

Industry Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients Announced

Release Date: Wed, 23/02/2011

Forest and Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA) has announced the successful recipients of its 2011 Postgraduate Scholarship Program.
Out of a total of 10 applicants, FWPA has awarded two full scholarships and two top-up scholarships, which were selected to address the skills shortage that was identified in the national research, development and extension strategy for the forest and wood products sector.

Media Release for 2010

Forest & Wood Products Australia Appoints New Directors

Release Date: Mon, 08/11/2010

Forest & Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA) hosted their second annual R&D Ideas Fair along with their
AGM on Friday, 29 October in conjunction with the New South Wales Forest Productions Association’s (NSW
FPA) Annual Conference and AGM in Sydney.
After a unanimous decision by the members present, outgoing Director and Chairman Ron Adams, was
successfully re-elected as a director and new non-executive Director Dr Michele Allan welcomed to the board,
each for a period of three years.

Forums Inspire Architects and Engineers to Consider Using More Wood in Their Designs

Release Date: Wed, 27/10/2010

Nearly 95% of architects, engineers and designers would consider using more wood in their building designs according to a survey conducted after the recent WoodSolutions 2010 forums held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The well-attended forums (over 350 people) were designed to stimulate debate and showcase some of the amazing achievements in design and construction techniques from around the glob

WoodSolutions 'Lunch & Learn' Launched to Building Professionals

Release Date: Fri, 15/10/2010

WoodSolutions has announced a selection of Lunch & Learn presentations now available to
building specifiers and other building professionals in Sydney.
The presentations will educate and inspire innovation in the use of wood in the design and
construction of residential, commercial and infrastructure projects. They will be conducted by
experienced wood advisors who will visit firms onsite throughout the Sydney metropolitan
area.

FWPA Report Identifies Gaps and Needs Into Education

Release Date: Wed, 02/06/2010

A report reviewing current education activities within the forest and wood products sector has now been completed by
Rob de Fegely and is available on the Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) website.
The report was based on over 80 interviews with industry executives and also reviews activities occurring in other
countries and other industries within Australia. The review provides a comprehensive catalogue of current activities,
identifies gaps and potential areas of investment for FWPA

New Reference Group Seeks to Reform Codes & Standards

Release Date: Tue, 04/05/2010

The FWPA Board endorsed the industry codes and standards strategy with a key element for effective communication and consultation with the industry. As a result, the standards reference group (SRG) has been formed with 13 industry members.

Want to expand your skills through international research?

Release Date: Wed, 07/04/2010

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is pleased to announce funding for up to two international collaborative research projects in 2010 for leading Australian forest and wood product scientists, through its annual Denis Cullity Fellowship program.

Media Release for 2009

Science and Innovation Awards Recognise Forest Carbon Sinks

Release Date: Thu, 05/11/2009

Since 1991, the Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been awarding grants of up to 50,000 dollars to talented and committed young people. Coordinated by the Bureau of Rural Sciences, the awards are in 15 different categories across the primary industries. Judges award the grants to proposals which show innovation, creativity and the potential to deliver long-term benefits to rural industries. Open only to 18-35 year olds, it’s a tightly contested competition and attracts the best and brightest minds from across the country.

FWPA Gets Strong Endorsement from Members

Release Date: Wed, 21/10/2009

Forest & Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA) appointed two new directors and passed a
special resolution to amend its constitution at its second Annual General Meeting on Tuesday
October 20 at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Over 75 industry members attended the day’s events which included an R&D ideas fair
showcasing key R&D projects and their benefits to industry.

ACCC – All Clear on Wood. Naturally Better.TM Advertising

Release Date: Thu, 15/10/2009

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has welcomed the ACCC finding (9 October 2009) on Wood. Naturally Better.TM advertising.
The ACCC found that no action needed to be taken in terms of the messages being advertised in the FWPA’s ‘Wood Naturally Better’ print advertising campaign (the WNB Campaign).

Sustainable Houses Day – Everyday Aussies Embrace Wood to Combat Climate Change

Release Date: Tue, 13/10/2009

On Sunday 13 September this year, hundreds of people will visit houses throughout Australia and
see how everyday Aussies are using wood and other sustainable products to do their bit for climate
change. Wood is playing an ever increasing and critical role as one of the few building materials that
is both renewable and stores carbon.

FWPA Supports ‘Sustainable House Day 2009’ Through Wood. Naturally Better. ™ Sponsorship

Release Date: Thu, 01/10/2009

On Sunday 13 September this year, hundreds of people will visit houses throughout Australia to see how
everyday Aussies are using wood and other sustainable products to do their bit for climate change. FWPA’s
Wood. Naturally Better. ™ programme is sponsoring ‘Sustainable House Day 2009’ to help bring the
message of wood and sustainable houses closer together.

New Senior Appointment in Timber Industry Standards

Release Date: Mon, 07/09/2009

Forest and Wood Products Australia Ltd (FWPA) announced the appointment this week of Neil Evans to the new senior management role of Timber Standards Manager commencing in late October.
The role was created by FWPA, the industry owned services company, after a lengthy discovery and review process. A year-long involvement by the Board in the issues surrounding standards development culminated in a workshop held in Melbourne and attended by more than 50 Industry stakeholders.

FWPA rejects Greenwashing Claims

Release Date: Tue, 28/07/2009

FWPA has received a request from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for verification of environmental claims in response to a complaint lodged in relation to the Wood. Naturally Better™ print advertising campaign.
According to the ACCC the complainant is primarily concerned with the claim of carbon positivity made in the advertising campaign.

Industry Seeks Consensus on Timber Standards Development

Release Date: Mon, 27/07/2009

At the FWPA hosted Timber Standards Development Workshop on Monday July 20, participants supported that position FWPA take a coordination or facilitation role and help develop a longer term strategic work plan to assist in the development and revision of standards.

The Good Wood on Rebuilding in Bushfire‐Prone Areas

Release Date: Thu, 23/07/2009

Victoria ‐23 July, 2009: Independent research jointly funded by Forest and Wood Products Australia
Limited (FWPA), BlueScope Steel Limited and Promat Limited has helped develop two new bushfire
approved roofing systems. One of the roofing solutions actually calls for increased use of wood to help
reduce the impact of a bushfire.
The new roofing systems combine timber, plywood, steel and magnesium board ‐ and actually increase
the use of wood ‐ largely by the addition of an insulating plywood membrane over the entire roof.

Like-Minded Resolve in Tackling Climate Change

Release Date: Wed, 15/07/2009

Planet Ark and Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) announced today a new
industry partnership to work together to educate industry professionals and consumers of
the environmental benefits of using wood products sourced from sustainably managed
forests and plantations.

VIRTUAL SILVICULTURE: Modeling the Impact of Thinning and Pruning on Eucalypt Plantations

Release Date: Wed, 01/07/2009

new tool that allows growers, investors, processors and planners to model the impact of thinning and pruning on eucalypt plantations could boost production of high quality hardwood logs for appearance grade purposes.
TreeTOP has been developed over 12 months by MBAC Consulting Group as a means to encourage investment in thinning and pruning and in turn meet industry’s demand for large DBH logs with a high proportion of clearwood.

Research Provides Increased Value for Future Fertilizer Use in Australian Forests

Release Date: Mon, 29/06/2009

Further investment into nutrient management in Australian forest plantations is needed to maintain sustainability and profitability in the face of rising fertiliser prices, according to researchers responsible for the most exhaustive study of fertiliser use in Australia since the early 1990s.

Increasing Wood Usage in Residential Construction Could Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Release Date: Mon, 22/06/2009

As the Rudd Government examines ways to meet climate change targets, new research indicates doubling the amount of wood used in residential construction in Australia could offset the carbon dioxide emissions of more than half a million motor cars each year by 2050.
The findings could benefit both the environment and regional employment in the wood and timber industry by increasing wood and timber usage in residential property, thereby boosting its market share.

$9 Million Solid Wood Initiative Announced

Release Date: Tue, 26/05/2009

A newly formed cross-Tasman partnership between Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) and the New Zealand forestry industry will drive research into the development of better quality and higher yield solid wood timber in both countries.
One of the most important aims of the $9 million Solid Wood Initiative (SWI) is to generate further profitability for the industry by developing sawmill processes that deliver better performing structural timber to customers whilst also reducing energy, kiln emissions and water use.

Media Release for 2008

Standard Offers Consistent Forest Valuation

Release Date: Tue, 16/12/2008

Consistent reporting on the changing value of commercial forest assets as part of a company’s profit and
loss statement has proven difficult in the past because of different interpretations of the Australian Accounting
Standards.
However, the Association of Consulting Foresters of Australia (ACFA) has developed a new Australian

Wood. Naturally Better.™ licensing.

Release Date: Tue, 25/11/2008

Now there’s an opportunity for businesses and organisations to become free licensees of the
Wood. Naturally Better.™ program and promote their own products and services and our
industry as a whole.

The Wood. Naturally Better.™ program is an industry initiative designed to increase the use of
wood and wooden products by creating a recognisable brand logo that will become associated
with the advantages of wood, at both a trade and consumer level.

Forest & Wood Products Australia Appoints Three New Directors

Release Date: Mon, 13/10/2008

Forest & Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA), the industry owned services company appointed three new directors at its inaugural Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 8th October.

The AGM was host to over 70 industry representatives from a cross section of the forest and wood product sectors, highlighting the support and interest in FWPA’s operations.

Research Says: Fight Climate Change - Use Wood

Release Date: Wed, 08/10/2008

Australia’s wood industry today launches a multi-million dollar programme to
highlight the important role wood products play in tackling climate change, and to
dispel misconceptions about the material.

High Calibre Field for Forest and Wood Products Industry Board

Release Date: Sun, 24/08/2008

Highly credentialed executives from Australia’s leading forest and wood product companies and
agencies were amongst a strong field of candidates who applied to be directors of the new
industry-owned service and promotion company, Forest & Wood Products Australia Limited
(FWPA).
After a thorough assessment process, three candidates are being put forward for election to

FWPA Appoints Marketing and Communications Manager

Release Date: Tue, 05/08/2008

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has announced the appointment of Sarah Humphrey as
marketing and communications manager, a newly created position responsible for leading promotional
activities for Australia’s forest and woods products industry.

Tropical Timber Qualities Measure Up

Release Date: Wed, 02/07/2008

A recently released assessment of Gympie messmate and red mahogany wood qualities has provided valuable information to
assist investors weighing investment options in tropical timber plantations.
The assessment is based on trees felled in the Innisfail region by Tropical Cyclone Larry in 2006, and salvaged by researchers
from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (DPI&F). The project features in the June edition of the
Forest & Wood Products Australia research-based newsletter Leading Edge.

Australia Joins Consortium to Lead Innovative Structural Timber Use

Release Date: Mon, 02/06/2008

Australia will contribute to an international research consortium that aims to revolutionise the construction of
low-rise, multi-storey building developments for commercial, educational, recreational and residential
purposes.
Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is one of the partners in the Structural Timber Innovation
Company (STIC) research consortium announced in New Zealand last week.

FWPA appoints new MD

Release Date: Tue, 13/05/2008

Forest and Wood Products Australia has announced the appointment of Ric Sinclair as new Managing Director, taking the helm from Dr Glen Kile from June 2, 2008.
Mr Sinclair has a Bachelor of Forestry and Masters of Business Administration. He comes to FWPA from his current position as Manager, Water Harvesting at Origin Energy.

Value Chain Guides Advice on Research

Release Date: Fri, 02/05/2008

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is strengthening links with its new and existing levy payers by
restructuring its four industry advisory groups to encompass the forest and wood products industry value chain – from
forest management through to wood processing and products to market development. This change reflects the
broader mandate of FWPA compared with its predecessor organisation the Forest and Wood Products Research and
Development Corporation.

Guide Helps Make Best Timber Choices

Release Date: Fri, 07/03/2008

World-first Australian research that will help select timber best suited to specific local conditions has been
launched nationally this week.
An estimated $3.7 billion worth of timber is used in construction in Australia each year and the launch of the Timber
Service-Life Design Guide is expected to improve performance and safety, and reduce long term costs, by assisting the
most appropriate timber selection.
The guide and related Timberlife education software and associated timber design procedures are the result of a

Passion for Timber’s Future Earns Leadership Program Place

Release Date: Fri, 15/02/2008

Darren Shelden’s commitment to the future of the timber and wood products industry has earned him a place in
the 2008 Australian Rural Leadership Program.
Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has sponsored Mr Shelden’s position in the internationally
recognised program, which is regarded as Australia’s premier rural leadership development initiative.

Cracking Test for New Clear Wood Adhesives

Release Date: Thu, 07/02/2008

New techniques for evaluating the strength and durability of adhesives used in exterior and structural wood and
timber products could pave the way for the introduction of new products to the Australian market, research for
Forest and Wood products Australia (FWPA) has found.

Wood Campaign to Support Growth

Release Date: Sat, 02/02/2008

Identifying consumer attitudes to timber and wood products will be the first step in a new promotional campaign
being developed by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA).
FWPA Managing Director Dr Glen Kile said work has already begun on the campaign with the Sydney based
marketing firm Sherbon and Osborn appointed to lead the project.

Processing Techniques Drive Timber Recovery

Release Date: Mon, 07/01/2008

Stocking rates may have less impact on the quality and quantity of timber harvested than the choice of processing
technique, a Tasmanian-based trial of plantation eucalypts has found.
The CRC for Forestry conducted the trial of plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens for Forest and Wood Products
Australia (FWPA), with the aim of maximising the recovery and quality of sawn timber. It is the first in a series of
processing trials to determine the impact of silviculture on the processing performance of E. nitens.