R[0]="2035"; T[0]="Stong demand for farm trees stretches supply"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20070803"; Dt[0]="Friday 3 August 2007"; Acats[0]="a39"; B1[0]="      Increasing confidence in the season and hope the drought is fading have seen a rush from farmers ordering trees to plant on "; B2[0]="farm this spring, NSW Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) trees on farms officer, Dhyan Blore, said today... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      Increasing confidence in the season and hope the drought is fading have seen a rush from farmers ordering trees to plant on "; S2[0]=" farm this spring, NSW Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) trees on farms officer, Dhyan Blore, said today.
      'After a long run of "; S3[0]=" very dry years, farmers across the State are gearing up plant farm trees and utilise soil moisture levels that are ideal for planting seedlings,' Ms "; S4[0]=" Blore said.
      'As a result, many tree seedling suppliers are reporting shortages as farmers buy-up stock in anticipation of a good spring.
"; S5[0]="       'Many of these suppliers cut back seedling production in recent years due to drought and dwindling demand from cash-strapped farmers.' Ms Blore "; S6[0]=" said that high demand for native tree species such which will force farmers to reconsider the size of their planting, or perhaps choose different species.
"; S7[0]="       'Tree planters must be diligent when it comes to weed control...
      particularly this spring with weeds expected to be "; S8[0]=" a real problem in light of improved conditions favouring plant growth,' she said 'Competition from weeds is one of the major factors in tree seedling "; S9[0]=" losses 'Farmers are advised to undertake moderately sized plantings and be prepared to chip weeds or apply herbicides to keep a weed free zone of "; S10[0]=" about one metre around each tree.
      'Where a fallow can be undertaken now, either by cultivating or spraying soil moisture can be "; S11[0]=" extended for another 3 months, enabling a late spring planting.
      'Even though farmers are encouraged to prepare tree planting sites well ahead "; S12[0]=" of time, recent dry years have shown that tree planters need to opportune on the good seasons.'.. "; R[1]="2015"; T[1]="Australian timber company takes lead in global fight against illegal logging"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20070331"; Dt[1]="Saturday 31 March 2007"; Acats[1]="a39"; B1[1]="      Australia is to become the world leader in the fight against illegal logging, with the introduction today of the world's first DNA "; B2[1]="testing of timber by one of Australia's largest timber importers Simmonds Lumber... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      Australia is to become the world leader in the fight against illegal logging, with the introduction today of the world's first DNA "; S2[1]=" testing of timber by one of Australia's largest timber importers Simmonds Lumber.
      The DNA test, similar to human DNA testing, will verify "; S3[1]=" the exact source of each tree being imported from Indonesia - a country suffering one of the highest deforestation rates in the world with more "; S4[1]=" than 80 percent of all wood produced and sold thought to be illegal.
      Simmonds Lumber CEO Paul Elsmore said his company "; S5[1]=" was one of the leading importers of domestic housing timber from Indonesia and the DNA testing was a necessary leadership initiative to set a new "; S6[1]=" worldwide benchmark in combating the trade in illegal timber, as well as providing an Australia wide industry initiative.
      Simmonds Lumber have invested "; S7[1]=" more than a quarter of a million dollars over the past 5 years with Singaporean timber auditing company Certisource to develop the technology using sampling "; S8[1]=" techniques similar to that used when trying to establish the paternity of a child.
      'From a perspective of sustainability of our industry "; S9[1]=" at the supply end through to the marketability of products to Australian consumers, this is the way of the future,' Mr Elsmore said.
    "; S10[1]="   'Today will mark the proof of concept after some 5 years in development and 18 months of rigorous testing, we are fully confident in "; S11[1]=" the DNA testing capacity to verify an undisputed chain of custody,' said Certisource Managing Director Kevin Hill attending the launch in Sydney from Singapore.
  "; S12[1]="     A genetic profile is taken of each tree while it is growing in legally allocated concession areas.
      Trees, like humans, "; S13[1]=" have unique individual DNA codes.
      It is then rematched with another genetic analysis once the logs have arrived at the production mill "; S14[1]=" in Indonesia.
      The approved timber is then processed through the mill, under the strict audit of Certisource, before finally being exported to "; S15[1]=" Australia as a finished product.
      The tests are the first independent chain of custody verification in the world to use scientific "; S16[1]=" evidence to prove the exact source of each tree.
      Currently, many other auditing systems simply rely on a 'certificate of origin' issued "; S17[1]=" in the source country, to prove the legality of the cargo.
      However these systems can be corrupted, with many log smugglers sidestepping "; S18[1]=" the authorities by providing false certificates for contraband timber.
      The Australian Minister for Forestry and Conservation, the Hon Eric Abetz says he "; S19[1]=" hopes other importers will adopt a similar approach to proving the legality of the wood products that they source.
      'The chain of "; S20[1]=" custody system, using DNA technology, that is being introduced by Simmonds Lumber, represents a significant advance in our attempts to stamp out illegal logging in "; S21[1]=" our region.
      I commend Simmonds Lumber for providing an example to all Australian wood product importers, ' says Senator Abetz.
    "; S22[1]="   The initiative comes at a time of growing concern over the illegal logging trade in Indonesia.
      Deforestation in Indonesia is at "; S23[1]=" a rate of 2.8 million hectares lost every year - an area almost the size of Belgium.
      According to a report "; S24[1]=" commissioned in 2005 by the Australian Government, (Jaakko Poyry report, Overview of Illegal Logging) around $400 million worth of illegally harvested timber is imported into "; S25[1]=" Australia annually, which represents around 9% of our total timber imports.
      Most of this is in the form of outdoor tables and "; S26[1]=" chairs, shelves and other household items, or hidden in the common paper products that we use every day.
      Increasingly it is "; S27[1]=" expected import restrictions will target this trade.
      The Certisource DNA testing technology has been applauded by WWF, the global conservation organisation, as "; S28[1]=" a significant development.
      'WWF congratulate Simmonds Lumber for their significant investment and commitment to the development of this DNA technology.
    "; S29[1]="   We see this technology as a very promising tool in the global campaign to stop the trade in illegally harvested timber,' says Jana Blair, "; S30[1]=" the WWF Australia Forest and Trade Network Coordinator... "; R[2]="2002"; T[2]="Termites get the vibe on what tastes good"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20070331"; Dt[2]="Saturday 31 March 2007"; Acats[2]="a39a86"; B1[2]="      Researchers from CSIRO and UNSW@ADFA have shown that termites can tell what sort of material their food is made of, without having "; B2[2]="to actually touch it.
      The findings may lead to improvements in the control of feeding termites... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Researchers from CSIRO and UNSW@ADFA have shown that termites can tell what sort of material their food is made of, without having "; S2[2]=" to actually touch it.
      The findings may lead to improvements in the control of feeding termites.
      By offering them "; S3[2]=" a choice between normal wooden blocks and specially designed blocks made of wood and other materials, the researchers found that the termites always preferred the "; S4[2]=" blocks containing the most wood - even though they could not touch or see the other materials.
      The results are published in "; S5[2]=" the Journal of the Royal Society Interface ('Termites live in a material world: exploration of their ability to differentiate between food sources' by Dr RA "; S6[2]=" Inta, Professor JCS Lai, Mr EW Fu and Dr T Evans (doi: 10.1098/rsif.2007.0223)).
      Dr Ra Inta, from UNSW@ADFA [external link] and CSIRO "; S7[2]=" Entomology, says the ability to differentiate between food sources is based on the vibrations of the food that the termites are eating, although the exact "; S8[2]=" mechanism for this ability is yet to be explored.
      'The researchers are designing further experiments to test termites' assessment methods in an "; S9[2]=" attempt to determine precisely what aspect of the vibrations termites are responding to in assessing food.' 'Scientists have known for some time that termites are "; S10[2]=" receptive to vibrations,' Dr Inta says.
      'But these results demonstrate that termites' methods of food assessment are much more sophisticated that previously "; S11[2]=" thought.
      'When offered a choice between blocks of their normal wooden food, and specially engineered blocks made of wood and other materials, "; S12[2]=" they could tell when there was another material attached and always chose the blocks that contained the most wood.' The researchers are designing further experiments "; S13[2]=" to test termites' assessment methods in an attempt to determine precisely what aspect of the vibrations termites are responding to in assessing food.
    "; S14[2]="   'If we understand how they use vibrations to assess their food, we might be able to exploit this to manipulate their feeding habits, and "; S15[2]=" address the very significant problem of termite damage in buildings and other structures,' Dr Inta says.
      This research is a partnership between "; S16[2]=" CSIRO and the University of New South Wales and is funded under the Australian Research Council Discovery project... "; R[3]="1972"; T[3]="Tasmanian Govt set to speed up pulp mill plans"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20070319"; Dt[3]="Monday 19 March 2007"; Acats[3]="a05a39"; B1[3]="      The Tasmanian Parliament is likely to be recalled next week to approve legislation to fast-track planning for a major pulp mill in "; B2[3]="the state's north... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      The Tasmanian Parliament is likely to be recalled next week to approve legislation to fast-track planning for a major pulp mill in "; S2[3]=" the state's north.
      Gunns Limited has pulled out of the State Government's independent assessment process, saying it could not invest any more "; S3[3]=" money in the project when the Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) had an open-ended timeline.
      Premier Paul Lennon is today announcing "; S4[3]=" plans to speed up the assessment of the proposed $1.4 billion mill.
      Gunns wants the issue resolved by mid-year... "; R[4]="1666"; T[4]="New tree plantings fail to secure farm biodiversity: research"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20061123"; Dt[4]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[4]="a39a42"; B1[4]="      New research says offsetting the clearing of native vegetation with new tree plantings is not an effective way to maintain biodiversity on "; B2[4]="farms... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      New research says offsetting the clearing of native vegetation with new tree plantings is not an effective way to maintain biodiversity on "; S2[4]=" farms.
      The Australian National University research suggests it takes up to 300 years for newly-planted vegetation to provide the same food and "; S3[4]=" shelter to animals and birds.
      Ecology Professor David Lindenmayer says the findings show a need to preserve remnant vegetation.
      "; S4[4]=" 'We've found this from our data on the south-west slopes of New South Wales and it's for reptiles, it's for possums and gilders, arboreal marsupials "; S5[4]=" and also for birds,' he said.
      'So we've looked across three very major vertebrate groups and seen some very consistent kinds of "; S6[4]=" outcomes from that research.'.. "; R[5]="1636"; T[5]="Boutique wineries anxious as timber giant branches out"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20061111"; Dt[5]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[5]="a05a13a39"; B1[5]="      Already the centre of controversy for its destruction of native forests and its proposed pulp mill, timber company Gunns is provoking concern "; B2[5]="with its latest enterprise: wine production... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Already the centre of controversy for its destruction of native forests and its proposed pulp mill, timber company Gunns is provoking concern "; S2[5]=" with its latest enterprise: wine production.
      Gunns, reviled by many Tasmanians and revered by others, has purchased three of the state's leading "; S3[5]=" wineries, most recently Rosevears Estate several months ago.
      It plans to produce more wine grapes than the state's entire current production.
  "; S4[5]="     The emergence of the first large player in a local industry based until now entirely on boutique wineries is creating unease.
    "; S5[5]="   The rapid spread of its vineyards, like its timber plantations, is fuelled by tax-friendly managed investment schemes.
      The woodchipper now owns "; S6[5]=" Tamar Ridge, Coombend and Rosevears Estate and, under an ambitious planting schedule, plans to produce 4000 tonnes of fruit by 2008-10.
      By "; S7[5]=" 2013, Gunns executive chairman John Gay predicts, that may have risen to as much as 8000 - more than the state's entire current production of "; S8[5]=" about 6500 tonnes a year.
      Gerald Ellis, of Wine Industry Tasmania, said the concern was whether boutique wineries would survive if, as "; S9[5]=" expected, Gunns's economies of scale allowed it to produce $15 bottles of pinot noir.
      'If Tasmania is to enter into the commodity "; S10[5]=" world by producing a $15 bottle of pinot, then our production strategy will have to change,' Mr Ellis said.
      'If they flood "; S11[5]=" the market with cheap fruit, that will drive the prices down, because people will be able to purchase low-price Tasmanian fruit and make low-price Tasmanian "; S12[5]=" wine.' Some Tasmanian merchants are so concerned they are refusing to stock wine sold under Gunns-owned labels.
      Mr Ellis said it was "; S13[5]=" hoped Gunns would find export markets for its bulk product, and Gunns is keen to reassure the industry that this is its intention.
    "; S14[5]="   Mr Gay said: 'The boutique (wine) industry is a very, very good one for Tasmania and Gunns is going to make sure we stay "; S15[5]=" in the boutique industry.
      But we will put a commercial industry alongside it.' Gunns has hired respected winemaker Andrew Pirie to head "; S16[5]=" Tamar Ridge wines.
      Dr Pirie founded the successful Pipers Brook vineyard.
      He confirmed that Gunns planned to produce a "; S17[5]=" range of wine in the $15-$20 price zone, half the cost of most Tasmanian labels.
      But he said the boutique industry need "; S18[5]=" not fear, since Gunns would be 'fishing in different waters'.
      'Some people will trade down when (cheaper) wine is available, but generally "; S19[5]=" we're talking different sectors,' he said.
      'The people who buy the $15 (bottle) are traditional shoppers at Coles; the people who buy "; S20[5]=" the current $30 pinot are buying them in restaurants as tourists.'.. "; R[6]="1589"; T[6]="Sawmillers worried about long-term viability"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20061103"; Dt[6]="Friday 3 November 2006"; Acats[6]="a39"; B1[6]="      Tasmanian sawmillers are concerned that a downturn in the wood chip market could undermine their long-term viability.... "; B2[6]=" "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      Tasmanian sawmillers are concerned that a downturn in the wood chip market could undermine their long-term viability.
      Forestry Tasmania's "; S2[6]=" annual report has revealed a 24 per cent fall in wood chip sales, and a 9 per cent reduction in sawlogs.
      Fred "; S3[6]=" Ralph from the Country Sawmillers Federation blames the drop in saw log sales to the slow down in the construction of new homes.
    "; S4[6]="   But he is concerned that when the industry recovers, mills will not be able to sell their wood chip residues.
      'Sawmills "; S5[6]=" must be able to sell their residue, the sale of residue is critical to the operation of a sawmill and so when there's a downturn, "; S6[6]=" that's actually fairly worrying to us,' he said... "; R[7]="1507"; T[7]="Forging a future for wood"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20061006"; Dt[7]="Friday 6 October 2006"; Acats[7]="a39a93"; B1[7]="      Ensis will play host to an exciting and engaging conference exploring the opportunities of wood science and technology in Melbourne from 13 "; B2[7]="to 16 November... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      Ensis will play host to an exciting and engaging conference exploring the opportunities of wood science and technology in Melbourne from 13 "; S2[7]=" to 16 November.
      The International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS) 2006 Conference is titled 'Wood Science and Technology in 2100' and will "; S3[7]=" explore strategies for raising the profile of our most versatile and renewable resource.
      This will be the first time our annual meeting "; S4[7]=" has been held in Australia and it will include a variety of talented international speakers The conference will cover topics such as the effects of "; S5[7]=" wood production on climate and vice-versa, energy from wood, new commercial plantation species for wood production, genetic selection for wood quality improvement, chemical manufacture and "; S6[7]=" storage in trees, wood in partnership with other materials and strategies for attracting the best people for the industry.
      Delegates will have "; S7[7]=" the opportunity to attend a full day's field trip to particular forestry places of local interest and a tour of the Ensis facilities in Clayton.
"; S8[7]="       Conference organiser, Chief Research Scientist with Ensis Wood Quality, and Academy Fellow, Dr Rob Evans, says: 'This will be the first time "; S9[7]=" our annual meeting has been held in Australia and it will include a variety of talented international speakers.
      The Academy Lecturer will "; S10[7]=" be Dr W.E.
      (Ted) Hillis, who is the only Fellow to be awarded this, the Academy's highest honour, for the second time.
"; S11[7]="       'The global demand for sustainable resources is ever increasing but we need to be more adventurous if we are to revitalise scientific, "; S12[7]=" political and industrial interest in wood - our most abundant and versatile renewable raw material.'.. "; R[8]="1471"; T[8]="DPI&F plans to capitalise on wood that is now wasted"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20061002"; Dt[8]="Monday 2 October 2006"; Acats[8]="a39"; B1[8]="      A new report suggests that 'thinned' stems from young hardwood plantations may have many commercial uses beyond pulping.... "; B2[8]=" "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      A new report suggests that 'thinned' stems from young hardwood plantations may have many commercial uses beyond pulping.
      The "; S2[8]=" report is the outcome of a project involving Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) scientists working in partnership with Northern Rivers Private Forestry "; S3[8]=" Development Committee and timber industry groups to develop ways to use the thinned wood.
      The joint report reveals that thinnings from young "; S4[8]=" commercially grown eucalypt forests have a range of uses beyond just pulp.
      According to DPI&F Research Scientist Mr Rob McGavin, even thinnings "; S5[8]=" previously considered 'pre-commercial' have many potential, commercially viable uses which, in light of the findings of this research, should now be considered.
      "; S6[8]=" 'Such uses as natural round products, plywood production, light structural applications and specialty appearance products are just a few possible end uses for this young "; S7[8]=" wood,' Mr McGavin said.
      The wood performances in terms of physical and mechanical properties in most cases are by far better than "; S8[8]=" timber resulting from softwood plantations.
      The project, jointly funded by the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation, the committee and "; S9[8]=" the department, was carried out principally by DPI&F in consultation and partnership with a wide range of industry groups, including potential commercial end-users of the "; S10[8]=" resource.
      DPI&F Innovative Forest Product Science Leader Dr Michael Kennedy noted 'it was opportune to undertake the project at this point in "; S11[8]=" time as we have a number of commercially grown hardwood plantations in NSW and Queensland nearing their ten year mark, which will soon require thinning.
"; S12[8]="       'With this resource available, it seemed logical to make some strategic investment of time and resources now to value add to our "; S13[8]=" timber industry and further encourage private industry investment,' Dr Kennedy said.
      Mr McGavin said this is a new way of thinking about "; S14[8]=" what to do with thinned wood.
      'While clear fall logs harvested at full rotation ages of 20 or 25 years will produce "; S15[8]=" saw and veneer logs of reasonable quality and size, economical processing options and markets for hardwood thinnings material have not been established,' Mr McGavin said.
"; S16[8]="       'Essentially the study was two-fold.
      We used the samples to determine critical wood properties and wood quality information through "; S17[8]=" empirical trials while we also provided samples to a range of commercial businesses to allow them to assess the material for processing characteristics and product "; S18[8]=" performance.
      'To say the least, the results were encouraging.
      'While the data showed wood from hardwood plantation thinnings to "; S19[8]=" be lower in strength, hardness and density, when compared with mature native forest wood of the same species, the shrinkage and stability results for the "; S20[8]=" plantation-grown thinnings wood were better (than those of mature native forest wood of the same species),' Mr McGavin said.
      'In some applications "; S21[8]=" these qualities may indicate an advantage over mature native forest wood.
      The thinned logs also contained higher proportions of sapwood than found "; S22[8]=" in mature native forest logs, which may be beneficial to products such as treated round wood.
      'While our science revealed encouraging results, "; S23[8]=" our commercial partners used the thinned material to prepare plywood, hardboard, finger-joints, glued laminated beams, outdoor furniture components, roof trusses and landscaping rounds, and these "; S24[8]=" results were also positive.
      'There are still some barriers, however.
      For example, while natural round products provide some strength "; S25[8]=" advantages over sawn timber, due to their less appealing appearance and their propensity for splitting, there is still some scientific work to perform to make "; S26[8]=" them commercially viable.
      'On the positive side, a number of our commercial partners praised the resource.
      The higher number "; S27[8]=" of knots and heart related defects add to the aesthetics of some timber furniture products, while Australian Hardboards Limited used the sample to create hardboards "; S28[8]=" of commercial grade.
      'The plywood manufactured during the trials provided a satisfactory product from strength and glue bond perspectives.
      "; S29[8]=" Similarly, results from tests conducted on the finger-jointed samples comply with the relevant industry standard.
      Laminated beams passed testing protocols for strength "; S30[8]=" and glue bonding.
      'This project has returned encouraging results for the future use of this frequently wasted resource, although further work on "; R[9]="1427"; T[9]="DPI&F helps develop 'the builder's bible'"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20060921"; Dt[9]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[9]="a39"; B1[9]="      The new publication 'Construction timbers in Queensland' Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries timber scientists helped develop a recently released construction timber "; B2[9]="resource guide for Queensland builders... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      The new publication 'Construction timbers in Queensland' Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries timber scientists helped develop a recently released construction timber "; S2[9]=" resource guide for Queensland builders.
      The updated guide, Construction Timbers in Queensland, provides a complete resource for builders and others who design "; S3[9]=" or specify with timber.
      The guide includes one book on methods, definitions and explanations and a second book lists the wood properties "; S4[9]=" and specified uses for timbers used in Queensland.
      DPI&F Senior Technician Gary Hopewell said the revised guide replaces Technical Pamphlet No.
  "; S5[9]="     1, Building Timbers: Properties and Recommendations for Their Use in Queensland (Smith et al 1991).
      'This new guide represents a "; S6[9]=" significant revision and enlargement of the 1991 publication,' Mr Hopewell said.
      'It will be a 'must have' publication for anyone in the "; S7[9]=" construction industry who is serious about working with and understanding timber.' Funded by Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), DPI&F staff undertook the role of updating the "; S8[9]=" technical data in the new guide.
      'Its revision was necessary due to changes in regulatory expectations, building practices, timber-user expectations and updated "; S9[9]=" wood properties data,' Mr Hopewell said.
      'It also includes new timber species introduced into the construction timber market, such as species imported "; S10[9]=" from Africa, South America and countries in the former Soviet Union.
      'If you plan to build something, through this guide you can "; S11[9]=" easily check that the timber you plan to use is appropriate and of the correct durability for the job at hand,' Mr Hopewell said.
  "; S12[9]="     'It describes the properties of timbers used in the construction of Class 1 and Class 10 buildings in Queensland and provides recommendations for "; S13[9]=" the appropriate and serviceable use of timbers across the state.
      'For example, as well as considering things like timber strength, it also "; S14[9]=" looks at variables affecting timber durability such as the environmental conditions for different geographic locations.
      'Since 1991 there have also been significant "; S15[9]=" changes in construction techniques, timber resources, industry recommendations and Australian Standards relevant to building in Queensland.
      'Examples include: the scarcity of native "; S16[9]=" rainforest species due to significant areas of this resource being classified with World Heritage status; subsequent increased importation of Asian, Pacific Island, South American and "; S17[9]=" African rainforest species; the introduction of design service life specifications for timber applications and designation of decay hazard zones based on regional climatic conditions; the "; S18[9]=" introduction of above-ground durability and termite resistance classes; the introduction of machine-graded pine (MGP and SP grades); revised botanical (scientific) names; changes to the Timber "; S19[9]=" Framing Code AS 1684 series, Residential timber - Framed construction Parts 2 and 3 (Standards Australia 2006a,b), and the introduction of novel termite treatments.
  "; S20[9]="     'All of these changes have been included or acknowledged as appropriate in Construction Timbers in Queensland.
      'The very first guide "; S21[9]=" produced, Pamphlet No.
      1, North Queensland Building Timbers and Specifications for Their Use was developed in 1939.
      It was "; S22[9]=" designed to promote greater service efficiency in timber and encourage the proper use of a wider range of north Queensland building timbers.
      "; S23[9]=" 'In many ways this new guide does that and more, with a far wider degree of practical applications.
      'This is the 6th "; S24[9]=" guide developed in this series.' The guide is available from Timber Queensland for $55 - phone +61 7 3254 1989... "; R[10]="1412"; T[10]="Pulp mill admits gross dioxin error"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060921"; Dt[10]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[10]="a03a39a42"; B1[10]="      The case for the country's largest forest industry project, the Gunns pulp mill, has been rocked by an admission that toxic dioxin "; B2[10]="emissions to Bass Strait will be 45 times greater than first stated... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      The case for the country's largest forest industry project, the Gunns pulp mill, has been rocked by an admission that toxic dioxin "; S2[10]=" emissions to Bass Strait will be 45 times greater than first stated.
      Only days before the closing of public comment on the "; S3[10]=" $1.4 million Tasmanian mill, a consultant said human error had led to the mistaken claim.
      The consultant said yesterday the dioxin content "; S4[10]=" in millions of litres of effluent to be discharged into the strait each day would still be far less than Tasmania's prescribed maximum, and Gunns "; S5[10]=" said the water would be safe to swim in.
      Opponents seized on the error to question the 7500-page integrated impact statement for "; S6[10]=" the project, and call for more time to deal with it.
      Of all the polluting effects of a large-scale pulp mill, the "; S7[10]=" production of dioxins, even in tiny amounts, is among the most politically sensitive.
      Dioxin emissions helped consign the $1 billion Wesley Vale "; S8[10]=" mill proposal to oblivion in 1989.
      The Gunns pulp mill, to be built on the Tamar River north of Launceston, will pipe "; S9[10]=" up to 73 million litres of treated effluent into Bass Strait each day, the impact statement says.
      The Melbourne consultant Toxikos said "; S10[10]=" an error in transcription in their office led to the mistaken claim that dioxin emissions from the Gunns mill would be 0.074 picograms per litre "; S11[10]=" of effluent.
      One picogram equals one millionth of a gram.
      In a letter of correction, Toxikos director Roger Drew "; S12[10]=" said the level should be 3.376 picograms a litre, which was still far below the 13 picogram limit set by state guidelines.
      "; S13[10]=" 'This was simply a very embarrassing human error,' Mr Drew said.
      Toxikos said a heavy consumer of fish caught around the outfall "; S14[10]=" would find that their dioxin intake increased by a 'very small' amount compared with the natural background, remaining about 23 per cent of tolerable monthly "; S15[10]=" intake.
      The Tasmanian Greens MP Kim Booth said a fundamental error in such a critical area as the impact on human health "; S16[10]=" of dioxin must affect the assessment process.
      The Wilderness Society's campaign director, Geoff Law, said more time was needed to account for "; S17[10]=" the new information.
      The executive chairman of Gunns, John Gay, said the identification and public notification of the error should give the "; S18[10]=" public confidence in the scientific rigour that had been applied by independent experts appointed by Gunns... "; R[11]="1181"; T[11]="Tas Gov defends pulp mill plans"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060722"; Dt[11]="Saturday 22 July 2006"; Acats[11]="a05a39"; B1[11]="      A Forsestry Tasmania agreement with pulp mill proponent Gunns Limited would consist of similar volumes to current contracts, Premier Paul Lennon said "; B2[11]="yesterday... "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      A Forsestry Tasmania agreement with pulp mill proponent Gunns Limited would consist of similar volumes to current contracts, Premier Paul Lennon said "; S2[11]=" yesterday.
      The two companies have a heads of agreement about pulpwood volumes, which would be feedstock for the $1.45 billion pulp mill.
"; S3[11]="       The mill will initially process 3.2 million tonnes of woodchips -- 80 per cent of which is native forest.
    "; S4[11]="   'Gunns have had a commercial wood supply arrangement with Forestry Tasmania for years,' Mr Lennon said.
      'Currently they are exporting millions "; S5[11]=" of tonnes as woodchips to Japan.
      They have a commercial arrangement in place and the negotiations they have underway with Forestry Tasmania "; S6[11]=" are within the current volume that they already have contracted for.' Mr Lennon said the commercial arrangements, including the price paid for wood, could not "; S7[11]=" be released.
      'Forestry Tasmania will appear before Government Business Enterprise estimates committee next week,' he said.
      Mr Lennon criticised "; S8[11]=" the Tasmanian Greens for criticising the pulp mill process.
      'We have established an independent process through the Resource Planning and Development Commission "; S9[11]=" and a lengthy debate about what the environmental guidelines should be to assess the project against,' he said... "; R[12]="1161"; T[12]="Study warns of log transport danger"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060720"; Dt[12]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[12]="a09a39a48"; B1[12]="      Massive increases in log-truck traffic across Tasmania will contribute to increased fatalities if the Gunns Ltd pulp mill goes ahead, a study "; B2[12]="says... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      Massive increases in log-truck traffic across Tasmania will contribute to increased fatalities if the Gunns Ltd pulp mill goes ahead, a study "; S2[12]=" says.
      The research undertaken by GHD for Gunns concluded: 'There appears to be a consistent increase in the number of heavy-vehicle fatal "; S3[12]=" crashes over time if rail is not used to transport logs.' There were 51 log-truck crashes between 2000-2004 with a fatality rate of 11.8 "; S4[12]=" per cent.
      'Log trucks have slightly more crashes than would be expected from their proportion of traffic volume,' said the report, "; S5[12]=" included in the integrated impact statement into Gunns' proposed pulp mill.
      The study found that a 40 per cent increase in "; S6[12]=" log trucks on the East Tamar Highway would mean a truck passing every 2.9 minutes near the pulp mill.
      On parts "; S7[12]=" of the Tamar Valley wine route, there would be up to 492 trucks a day.
      GHD also found that there would "; S8[12]=" be substantial increases of log trucks on the Midland Highway near Launceston and on the Bass Highway east of the Murchison Highway.
      "; S9[12]=" The report estimated a 111 per cent increase in log trucks on the Glen Huon Rd if the mill was supplied totally by plantation "; S10[12]=" timber.
      While the study showed increased traffic, it concluded service levels would be adequate.
      The study showed a "; S11[12]=" massive increase in traffic both during the 26-month construction phase and during operations.
      During construction there would be up to 1035 "; S12[12]=" extra vehicles a day on the East Tamar Highway.
      At the turning into the proposed mill there would be 630m queues "; S13[12]=" and delays of three minutes.
      The Federal Government has allocated $63 million to improve the highway.
      Gunns "; S14[12]=" would prefer to use the rail system for wood coming from the North-West and the South.
      However, rail operator Pacific National has "; S15[12]=" yet to sign the $128 million federal/state rail rescue package.
      Under the deal, PN was due to buy $38 million worth "; S16[12]=" of rolling stock and locomotives.
      Gunns resource manager Calton Frame said the company hoped another operator would use the Tasmanian track "; S17[12]=" if PN pulled out.
      Industry sources believe rail cartage of logs is of marginal viability due to the need to transport "; S18[12]=" logs from logging coupes to railway sidings and then load them on a train.
      Gunns does not currently use rail for "; S19[12]=" log transport.
      GHD predicted a fatality rate of between 0.45 to 0.58 fatal crashes per annum depending on whether the mill "; S20[12]=" uses the rail system... "; R[13]="1144"; T[13]="Pulp mill integrated impact statement released"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060718"; Dt[13]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[13]="a07a39a42"; B1[13]="      Timber company Gunns has released an integrated impact statement for its proposed pulp mill at Bells Bay in northern Tasmania.... "; B2[13]=" "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      Timber company Gunns has released an integrated impact statement for its proposed pulp mill at Bells Bay in northern Tasmania.
    "; S2[13]="   The company says the $1.4 billion project will create 4,000 jobs during construction and add hundreds of millions of dollars to the value of "; S3[13]=" export woodchips.
      Environmental groups are worried the mill could result in more logging in native forests, although that has been rejected by "; S4[13]=" project manager Les Baker.
      'Not one tree will be cut down or one tree planted as a result of this project,' he "; S5[13]=" said.
      'It simply transfers 60 per cent of Gunns export chips [that otherwise go to Asia] where its value added to a "; S6[13]=" pulp mill in Tasmania.
      'Woodchips are sold for about $90 a tonne where as pulp is sold for approximately $800 a tonne "; S7[13]=" so it's a terrific value adding project.' The statement will be open for public comment for 10 weeks... "; R[14]="1136"; T[14]="No old growth, Gunns assures"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060718"; Dt[14]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[14]="a39a42a69"; B1[14]="      Gunns Ltd will continue to export old-growth woodchips from Triabunna and Burnie but is adamant that no old-growth woodchips will be used "; B2[14]="in its $1.45 billion pulp mill... "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Gunns Ltd will continue to export old-growth woodchips from Triabunna and Burnie but is adamant that no old-growth woodchips will be used "; S2[14]=" in its $1.45 billion pulp mill.
      Project manager Les Baker says even the sawmill residues to be used in a biofuel plant "; S3[14]=" at the Long Reach site will not use wood from old-growth trees.
      The biofuel plant generates electricity from wood waste and "; S4[14]=" is used to dry pulp.
      Mr Baker said yesterday Gunns would take the measures to ensure it retained a certificate under "; S5[14]=" the Australian Forestry Standard.
      'There is chain-of-custody certification and we can track every tonne of wood to this mill and there "; S6[14]=" will be no old-growth wood used in this mill,' he said.
      Mr Baker said old-growth woodchip exports would be retained to "; S7[14]=" support the company's sawmilling industry in the state.
      'Gunns is the largest sawmiller in Tasmania, we have a lot of value-adding "; S8[14]=" and we have our veneer mill in Tasmania,' he said.
      'Those operations will still be there and there will still be "; S9[14]=" a requirement for residues to be exported from woodchip facilities at Triabunna and Burnie.' Pulp industry analyst Robert Eastment said Gunns had been working "; S10[14]=" with international auditors to ensure it received international certification for its pulp.
      Mr Eastment said old-growth logs would be less economic "; S11[14]=" because they did not make good pulp.
      Mr Baker defended Gunns' boast that there would not be 'additional intensification of forestry "; S12[14]=" operations' despite a predicted increase to nearly seven million tonnes of woodchip harvest by 2017.
      'Gunns has been very wise in "; S13[14]=" investing in plantations and growing trees so we are able to increase the sustainable yield of forest resources in this state,' he said.
    "; S14[14]="   The increased yield would come from private land.
      Mr Eastment said the Gunns statement meant 'no extra trees would "; S15[14]=" be removed from native forests on crown land'.
      Plantation wood has a higher fibre yield... "; R[15]="1104"; T[15]="Anti-mill group predicts Tamar, Tassie, boom and gloom"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060714"; Dt[15]="Friday 14 July 2006"; Acats[15]="a04a05a39"; B1[15]="      Real estate values in the Tamar Valley would suffer a boom and bust cycle if the proposed Gunns Ltd pulp mill was "; B2[15]="built, an anti-mill group claimed yesterday... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      Real estate values in the Tamar Valley would suffer a boom and bust cycle if the proposed Gunns Ltd pulp mill was "; S2[15]=" built, an anti-mill group claimed yesterday.
      Tasmanians Against Pulp Mill spokesman Bob McMahon said the 30 billion litres a year of effluent "; S3[15]=" pumped into Bass Strait would devalue waterfront property values.
      'Their real estate values are going to go plummeting,' he said.
  "; S4[15]="     However, he said that during the construction period property values would boom -- followed by a bust when the workforce moved out.
"; S5[15]="       'George Town real estate will be very highly priced for the first two years while the mill is being constructed, but "; S6[15]=" then it will go bust,' he said.
      'The people along the north coast will see only the bust.' The anti-mill "; S7[15]=" group has emerged from the Tamar Residents Action Committee, which dissolved after the departure of co-ordinator Les Rochester.
      Mr McMahon said "; S8[15]=" the mill effluent would contain sediment, heavy metals and chemical compounds including the persistent organic pollutants such as dioxins.
      He said "; S9[15]=" the effluent would come ashore with tides, causing significant environmental devaluation and a consequent drop in property values at Greens Beach, Low Head, Bell Buoy "; S10[15]=" Beach and Beechford.
      The emission point would be 4km offshore from a point 6km east of Low Head.
      "; S11[15]=" He said people would stop visiting the coastal regions and would not want to buy properties overlooking a 'poisonous sea'.
      "; S12[15]=" The anti-mill group has concerns about an expected 30-40 per cent rise in log truck traffic on the East Tamar Highway.
      "; S13[15]=" The $1.4 billion mill is expected to process up to 4 million tonnes of woodchips at Long Reach and there would be extra woodchip exports.
"; S14[15]="       Gunns Ltd is expected to lodge its integrated impact statement with the Resource Planning and Development Commission today... "; R[16]="1102"; T[16]="Plantation forestry boosts regional industry."; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060714"; Dt[16]="Friday 14 July 2006"; Acats[16]="a39"; B1[16]="      Mathew Burns, one of the Tasmanian forest industry's high achievers despite his tender years, is ringing an alarm bell over the future "; B2[16]="of private investment in forest plantations... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      Mathew Burns, one of the Tasmanian forest industry's high achievers despite his tender years, is ringing an alarm bell over the future "; S2[16]=" of private investment in forest plantations.
      Burns, who runs the contracting business Statewide Forest Services with his wife Cindy, warned the Australian "; S3[16]=" Government against diluting tax arrangements for investors in managed investment schemes (MIS).
      MISs drive the establishment of Australia's eucalypt and pine plantations, "; S4[16]=" which have become the inevitable way of the future as access to the nation's native forests is increasingly restricted.
      The Australian Government "; S5[16]=" is reviewing the tax arrangements for plantation forestry, notably the immediate tax deductibility for plantations that are established within 12 months of the investment money "; S6[16]=" being made available.
      Mathew Burns today joined the nation's major private sector timber companies in warning of dire consequences if the 12-month "; S7[16]=" rule were to be changed.
      He says there would be an investment drought.
      'If any changes were made to "; S8[16]=" managed investment schemes, the impact would be devastating on my business and other businesses that depend on me,' he said from his business base at "; S9[16]=" Granton, outside Hobart.
      Statewide Forest Services works across the state.
      Its machinery is purpose-built for the tasks it undertakes, "; S10[16]=" from the original land preparation to planting and maintaining the trees of the forest.
      The company's employees are also responsible for compliance "; S11[16]=" with the Forest Practices Code and for fire management.
      'In the past, companies employed their own staff to do the work.
  "; S12[16]="     Now they contract that to businesses like Statewide Forest Services' Mathew said.
      'It's cheaper and more efficient for them to "; S13[16]=" contract some tasks than put their own resources into the job.' His business has grown from himself and two other workers in 1995 to more "; S14[16]=" than 60 today.
      He was named the National Australia Day Council's Young Tasmanian of the Year in 2001.
      He's "; S15[16]=" building a business centre and workshop worth more than half $500,000 and he has just won his first interstate contract, in South Australia, and he's "; S16[16]=" looking forward to the future.
      Sap flows through his veins.
      His father Barry and grandfather Reg worked in the "; S17[16]=" forest industry.
      Barry Burns worked for Australian Newsprint Mills (ANM) for 42 years.
      Reg Burns was an Australian chainsaw "; S18[16]=" champion.
      Mathew's mother Denise was a Kennedy and in Tasmania the Kennedy clan works for forestry.
      Denise was a "; S19[16]=" receptionist for ANM at Maydena, now owned by Norske Skog.
      Mathew and Cindy have three girls - Jessica 11, Mekyla eight and "; S20[16]=" Amber four.
      Mathew began his forestry career in the early 90s working in the bush with contractors Malcolm Larner and Cliff Barrett.
"; S21[16]="       'I was approached by John Simpson from Norske Skog to see whether I was interested in working as a contractor to Norske, "; S22[16]=" marking the boundaries of thinning operations in their pine plantations,' he said.
      'I saw it as a great opportunity.
      "; S23[16]=" I'd been living from pay to pay.
      I had about $400 in the bank.
      'The company gave me a "; S24[16]=" three-year contract which enabled me to employ two others.
      I got a $6000 overdraft, bought a four-wheel drive ute and off we "; S25[16]=" went.' He has never looked back.
      'It just skyrocketed,' he said.
      'As I was working on the first contract "; S26[16]=" I saw some different avenues for me to follow - planting, pruning, spraying, that sort of thing.
      Some new opportunities presented themselves.
"; S27[16]="       I said 'I can do that' so I bought another couple of utes.' He secured more contracts, with Forestry Tasmania, Gunns, Forest "; S28[16]=" Enterprises Australia and Rayonier.' His work has expanded to include not only forestry operations but other aspects of land management such as roadside maintenance for "; S29[16]=" local councils and clearing the land under hydroelectric power lines for Hydro Tasmania and Transend.
      'We now have 60 on the workforce, "; S30[16]=" a management staff of five, a fleet of 32 vehicles, four excavators, two dozers, two tractors, and nine ATV motorcycles,' he said.
      "; R[17]="1011"; T[17]="Anger over cheap-as-chips native timber exports"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060707"; Dt[17]="Friday 7 July 2006"; Acats[17]="a39"; B1[17]="      Native timber from south-east NSW's forests is being sold by the State Government for well below market prices to Japanese woodchippers when "; B2[17]="there is enough Australian plantation timber for chip exports, anti-logging activists say... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      Native timber from south-east NSW's forests is being sold by the State Government for well below market prices to Japanese woodchippers when "; S2[17]=" there is enough Australian plantation timber for chip exports, anti-logging activists say.
      During a protest by about 600 people at a Japanese-owned "; S3[17]=" chip mill in Eden yesterday, campaigners said the Government had failed to honour a promise made in 2000 to protect the forests, as it was "; S4[17]=" still allowing them to be logged for woodchips.
      'We simply do not need to destroy our native forests to meet Australia's current "; S5[17]=" woodchip exports, and governments must show some leadership by making sure the plantations are used to replace native forest woodchipping,' said a rally spokeswoman, Harriett "; S6[17]=" Swift.
      NSW taxpayers' funds were flowing to Japan's biggest paper manufacturer, Nippon Paper Group, which owned the mill, because the wood was "; S7[17]=" sold so cheaply that the Government's native forest division made a loss, the NSW Greens said.
      The Greens MP Lee Rhiannon also "; S8[17]=" accused the Government of covering up how its plantations division allegedly subsidises its native forests division, after Forests NSW refused a freedom-of-information application for the "; S9[17]=" unit price per tonne at which the native timber was sold.
      Bill Frew, from Forests NSW, rejected the allegations.
      "; S10[17]=" 'The supply of all forest products, including pulpwood for woodchips, is conducted on a fully commercial, non-subsidised basis,' he said.
      A spokesman "; S11[17]=" for the chip mill, Vince Phillips, rejected the proposition that plantations could supply woodchip exports to Japan.
      Mr Phillips said that the "; S12[17]=" company had tried to increase the amount of timber grown on plantations but had not been able to buy the land that it needed.
  "; S13[17]="     A spokesman for the Minister for Natural Resources, Ian Macdonald, said that the production of pulpwood was a legitimate industry, guided by 'sustainable "; S14[17]=" and responsible practices'... "; R[18]="968"; T[18]="Paper maker adds new zoo poo to roo poo"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060621"; Dt[18]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[18]="a07a39a55a93"; B1[18]="      After having worldwide success with a paper made from kangaroo poo, a company in north-western Tasmania has signed up with Sydney's Taronga "; B2[18]="Zoo to make use of its elephant waste... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      After having worldwide success with a paper made from kangaroo poo, a company in north-western Tasmania has signed up with Sydney's Taronga "; S2[18]=" Zoo to make use of its elephant waste.
      Creative Paper will make a range of stationary, for sale in the zoo's gift "; S3[18]=" shop.
      The company's Joanna Gair says the first elephant dung delivery was in a fine paper-making state by the time it arrived "; S4[18]=" in the post.
      'It had been in transit for just over a week so it was fairly ripe by the time that "; S5[18]=" we'd received it,' she said.
      'But oddly enough the more decomposed the dung is it's actually a little bit easier for paper "; S6[18]=" making, so there's no problem as far as that's concerned and it goes through a very extensive and hygienic process where all the bacteria is "; S7[18]=" boiled away, so what you're left with is a remarkably strong, good quality fibre that's really great to work with.'.. "; R[19]="960"; T[19]="New State-of-the Art Timber Plant Opened in Colac"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060621"; Dt[19]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[19]="a39"; B1[19]="      A brand new, state-of-the-art timber treatment plant at Associated Kiln Driers (AKD) in Colac was officially opened today by the Parliamentary Secretary "; B2[19]="for State and Regional Development, Joe Helper... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      A brand new, state-of-the-art timber treatment plant at Associated Kiln Driers (AKD) in Colac was officially opened today by the Parliamentary Secretary "; S2[19]=" for State and Regional Development, Joe Helper.
      The $2.4 million expansion was assisted by a $30,000 Bracks Government grant though the Victorian "; S3[19]=" Government's Community Regional Industry Skills Program (CRISP) to help AKD train and recruit the new staff.
      'AKD's expansion has created 10 new "; S4[19]=" jobs for the company which already employs 185 staff and is a major employer in Colac,' Mr Helper said.
      'The new timber "; S5[19]=" treatment plant will strengthen the industry in Colac and the new jobs will help to counter the impact of ceasing native forest timber harvesting in "; S6[19]=" the Otways.
      'The new treatment plant involves an innovative move away from using the more traditional copper chrome arsenate (CCA) to a "; S7[19]=" relatively new technique of light oil solvent preservation (LOSP).
      'The CRISP grant is contributing to the employment and training of new staff "; S8[19]=" in the manufacturing process, chemical usage, timber treatment, assembly and equipment operation.
      'AKD is to be congratulated for taking this innovative boost "; S9[19]=" to timber preservation capacity in provincial Victoria.' Mr Helper said the CRISP initiative brought together local employees, labour market providers and education providers to address "; S10[19]=" local skills shortages.
      'It's about finding practical and effective ways to secure the long term future of local industries,' he said.
"; S11[19]="       'The Bracks Government recognises that finding appropriately trained people to work in provincial Victoria can sometimes prove difficult.
      'This "; S12[19]=" is a significant project that will create new employment opportunities, boost the local economy and increase the pool of skilled employees in the region.' Mr "; S13[19]=" Helper said the Government had recently announced an extra $5.5 million for the CRISP initiative under Moving Forward, the Government's $502 million plan to make "; S14[19]=" provincial Victoria the best place to live, work and invest... "; R[20]="955"; T[20]="Cockatoo may pulp proposal for mill"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060621"; Dt[20]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[20]="a04a05a07a39"; B1[20]="      A $650 Million pulp mill in South Australia is under threat from the red-tail black cockatoo, despite the bird never being seen "; B2[20]="on the planned site... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      A $650 Million pulp mill in South Australia is under threat from the red-tail black cockatoo, despite the bird never being seen "; S2[20]=" on the planned site.
      The Environment Department in Canberra insists the project needs federal approval because of the potential dangers it poses "; S3[20]=" to the rare cockatoo, for which the closest feeding spot is 4km away.
      The developer of the Penola Pulp Mill, due "; S4[20]=" to begin production by 2009, warned yesterday that the intervention could threaten the project, which is expected to generate more than 600 jobs during construction "; S5[20]=" and permanently employ 120 people.
      It would produce 350,000 tonnes of pulp a year.
      The mill's project manager, "; S6[20]=" John Roche, told The Australian he was alarmed by the Environment Department's move, given that federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell had blocked a Victorian wind "; S7[20]=" farm because of a perceived threat to the orange-bellied parrot.
      Senator Campbell's decision to bar the Bald Hill wind farm sparked "; S8[20]=" a state rights brawl between Canberra and Victoria, with the Bracks Government launching a Federal Court challenge in an attempt to overturn the decision.
  "; S9[20]="     The wind farm battle also exposed a number of other projects around the country that were investigated after being identified by Senator "; S10[20]=" Campbell's department as potential threats to native wildlife.
      Under the pulp mill plan, Penola intended to remove seven 200-year-old river red "; S11[20]=" gums that contained hollows potentially suitable for nesting by the cockatoos, which number about 1000 and are listed as nationally threatened species.
      "; S12[20]=" Mr Roche said he was concerned by the decision, given the Bald Hills wind farm block.
      'It plays on our "; S13[20]=" mind because that was a project that was fully approved and then turned over,' he said.
      A spokesman for Senator Campbell "; S14[20]=" said last night the minister could not comment while the department was conducting the approval process.
      The department will investigate whether "; S15[20]=" removing the trees would harm the cockatoo.
      If the tree removal were found to threaten the future of the cockatoo, Senator "; S16[20]=" Campbell could veto the project.
      In a submission to the department, Penola acknowledged the seven river red gums contained large hollows "; S17[20]=" suitable for nesting by the cockatoo.
      It said that while 95 per cent of cockatoo nesting activities were within 2km of "; S18[20]=" known foraging sites, the planned pulp mill was 4km to 5km from the nearest foraging site.
      Anecdotal evidence from landowners indicated no "; S19[20]=" cockatoos had been seen nesting in the trees.
      As a compromise, Penola plans to set aside a 200ha conservation area with "; S20[20]=" hundreds of mature trees, including river red gums.
      Birds South-East president Bryan Haywood welcomed the compromise last night and said birdwatchers did "; S21[20]=" not want the project stopped.
      However, he said they were opposed to unnecessary clearing of potential nesting habitat as it took more "; S22[20]=" than 100 years for a hollow to develop in a tree.
      Mr Roche said the mill was now subject to environmental "; S23[20]=" and planning assessments at a local, state and federal level.
      The project would be considered for approval by the local council over "; S24[20]=" the next three months.
      'There has probably been tens of thousands of these trees cut down in the past 10 years for "; S25[20]=" plantations,' he said.
      The project could be at risk if the approval process was not completed quickly, he said.
    "; S26[20]="   'The cockatoos are the most significant environmental hurdle we face.
      All of the other work is done.
      Air, "; S27[20]=" noise, water.
      There is no impact.'.. "; R[21]="833"; T[21]="Trees not so guilty on methane"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060606"; Dt[21]="Tuesday 6 June 2006"; Acats[21]="a39a42a89"; B1[21]="      Trees are still mankind's friend in the war against global warming, Australian scientists confirm.... "; B2[21]=" "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      Trees are still mankind's friend in the war against global warming, Australian scientists confirm.
      The belief that trees were "; S2[21]=" good for the environment took a severe battering in January when German scientists, led by Frank Keppler, of the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, "; S3[21]=" reported plants may be to blame for 30 per cent of world emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
      It was known "; S4[21]=" that farm animals, fossil fuels and vegetation decay in bogs and rice paddies produced methane, but no one realised it was also emitted by living "; S5[21]=" plants.
      Dr Keppler estimated plants produced between 60 million and 240 million tonnes of methane a year.
      'It was "; S6[21]=" a mechanism not hitherto known about,' Miko Kirschbaum, a researcher with Australia's Co-operative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting, said.
      Concerned it could "; S7[21]=" lead to a decline in tree planting, researchers from the co-operative research centre, CSIRO Plant Industry, the Australian National University and the University of NSW "; S8[21]=" re-examined the findings.
      The magnitude of the methane emissions had been overestimated, Dr Kirschbaum said.
      Dr Keppler's calculations were "; S9[21]=" based on the total mass of new global annual plant growth.
      But the Australians suspected the gas came mostly from leaves, while "; S10[21]=" woody matter, such as tree trunks, produced little.
      They calculated that plants emitted between 15 million and 60 million tonnes a year.
"; S11[21]="       The Australians also estimated that for every methane molecule emitted, plants soaked up 30,000 molecules of carbon dioxide.
      The "; S12[21]=" study was published in the journal Functional Plant Biology... "; R[22]="801"; T[22]="Better Harvesting Reports Improve Forest Management"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20060601"; Dt[22]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[22]="a39"; B1[22]="      Significant improvements to the monitoring of logging operations are helping ensure Victoria's State forests are managed sustainably, the Environment Minister, John Thwaites, "; B2[22]="said today... "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      Significant improvements to the monitoring of logging operations are helping ensure Victoria's State forests are managed sustainably, the Environment Minister, John Thwaites, "; S2[22]=" said today.
      Mr Thwaites was commenting on the release of the third annual Monitoring Annual Harvesting Performance (MAHP) report, covering sawlog harvesting "; S3[22]=" in 2004/05.
      'The report and an expert panel's review of the report, show that there have been improvements in harvesting performance,' Mr "; S4[22]=" Thwaites said.
      The main MAHP report is a statewide summary of technical reports prepared for each Forest Management Area (FMA).
    "; S5[22]="   It reveals actual harvesting levels compared to the Estimated Sawlog Resource (ESR) which is an estimate of the amount of forest that can be "; S6[22]=" harvested.
      It shows the 2004-05 harvest level (100%) was similar to 2003-04 (101%) and down from 114% in 2002-03.
    "; S7[22]="   If fire salvage volume is ignored, only 91% of the ESR level was harvested.
      Mr Thwaites said the reports also suggested "; S8[22]=" ways to better manage our valuable forest resources even better.
      'By addressing points identified through this process the Bracks Government has already "; S9[22]=" delivered significant improvements in forest management.' The expert panel's review found significant improvements have been made in the three years since MAHP reporting began.
  "; S10[22]="     The Review finds that monitoring, feedback and reporting processes have been improved.
      Mr Thwaites said the MAHP process was "; S11[22]=" an important component of monitoring and forms part of a much broader discussion about the sustainable management of Victoria's State forests.
      'Completion "; S12[22]=" of the third series of MAHP reports for 2004-05 continues the move towards increased openness, transparency and continual improvement,' he said.
      The "; S13[22]=" expert independent advisory panel consists of Professor Jerry Vanclay (Chair), Dr Cris Brack and Sir Gustav Nossal.
      Professor Jerry Vanclay (Chair) is "; S14[22]=" Professor for Sustainable Forestry and Head of the Forestry Program at Southern Cross University.
      Dr Cris Brack is Forestry Program Convenor and "; S15[22]=" Senior Lecturer in Forest Inventory, Mensuration and Modelling at Australian National University.
      Sir Gustav Nossal is Chief Scientist, DSE and Department of "; S16[22]=" Primary Industries, a leader in the field of immunology and Australian of the Year in 2000... "; R[23]="525"; T[23]="Forestry driven by professionalism"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060224"; Dt[23]="Friday 24 February 2006"; Acats[23]="a04a39a48"; B1[23]="      Forestry driven by professionalism in a way never encountered in his past life as a shearer, says Bombala plantation forest manager, Andrew "; B2[23]="Power, 31... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      Forestry driven by professionalism in a way never encountered in his past life as a shearer, says Bombala plantation forest manager, Andrew "; S2[23]=" Power, 31.
      Andrew says that 'once upon a time people came to Bombala to retire … that's changing now as people are "; S3[23]=" coming here for careers and contract work'.
      'When I first started with Willmott Forests, I didn't see a career path ahead "; S4[23]=" of me and, even though I had leadership ambitions, I didn't look that far ahead back then,' Andrew says.
      'I started with "; S5[23]=" the company in April 1998 and will have been with the company eight years this year.
      'I left school in 1991 and "; S6[23]=" was a shearer for seven years and did other rural work like fencing around the Bombala region.
      'I got some casual work "; S7[23]=" planting pines for Willmott Forests in 1995 and this was my introduction to the company.' Andrew says that, in 1998, the company advertised for full "; S8[23]=" time staff and he applied and was offered a job.
      'The company was growing and it seemed like a good opportunity to "; S9[23]=" get in on the ground floor, even though I took a pay cut at the time,' he says.
      'Locally the company employs "; S10[23]=" 120 to 130 people directly.
      Plus there are lots of contractors who work for us throughout the year.
      'I "; S11[23]=" began as a field worker and moved on to being a crew leader and then on to being works coordinator.
      'I also "; S12[23]=" had the chance to study at the same time and I got an Advanced Diploma in Forestry from the University of Melbourne campus at Creswick "; S13[23]=" in central Victoria.
      'I wouldn't mind doing a degree, but I'm very busy.
      I really enjoy the job right "; S14[23]=" now.' Andrew was interviewed as part of this month's Timber Communities Australia (TCA) Summer 2006 Outreach program to build on popular support for the regional "; S15[23]=" timber industry.
      'Summer 2006 Outreach is a chance, in times of continuing change, to underscore the critical importance of forest industries to "; S16[23]=" the sustainable growth of regional communities,' according to TCA national director Jill Lewis.
      The outreach program will include a tour of southern "; S17[23]=" NSW by independent ANU Research Fellow Jacki Schirmer talking to local government councils, community groups and media.
      Andrew Power says his role "; S18[23]=" with the company is to coordinate all the work on the ground 'including the dozers and controlling costs so that we work within budgets in "; S19[23]=" preparing new properties for plantations'.
      'Forestry is a very professional industry compared with rural industries when I think back on my days "; S20[23]=" as a shearer,' he says.
      'Things like fencing off buffer zones along water courses and occupational health and safety issues.
    "; S21[23]="   'I came from a rural background.
      My family were farmers and my mum still owns land.
      While I "; S22[23]=" enjoyed shearing, I still didn't want to be doing it at age 65.
      If it wasn't for Willmott Forests, I wouldn't be "; S23[23]=" where I am now.
      I've moved up in the company fairly quickly and I can make a career out of this.' Andrew "; S24[23]=" says the plantation timber industry also brings benefits to the community as a whole.
      'Locally Willmott Forests sponsors the rugby league football "; S25[23]=" down to the Under 7s,' he says.
      'Our company fire units played a critical role in the 2003 fires.
      "; S26[23]=" 'On and off for six or seven weeks, the company supplied full crews.' Andrew is married to Tracy and they have three sons.
    "; S27[23]="   Jake, 8, and Mitchell, 6, are at Bombala Public School and Sam, 4, is at pre-school.
      Tracy is a hairdresser in "; S28[23]=" Bombala.
      Andrew is a galloping front rower with the Bombala Blue Heelers Group 16 first grade rugby league side... "; R[24]="421"; T[24]="Canada Commits to Protection of 5 Million Acres of Great Bear Rainforest"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20060222"; Dt[24]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[24]="a04a39a42"; B1[24]="      Vancouver, BC, February 7, 2006 - A coalition of four leading environmental groups today, along with industry leaders and indigenous groups, celebrated "; B2[24]="success after a decade long campaign to protect the globally unique Great Bear Rainforest... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      Vancouver, BC, February 7, 2006 - A coalition of four leading environmental groups today, along with industry leaders and indigenous groups, celebrated "; S2[24]=" success after a decade long campaign to protect the globally unique Great Bear Rainforest.
      Today's long awaited government announcement protects one third "; S3[24]=" of the Great Bear Rainforest from logging and will require the use of more sustainable logging practices for the remaining area.
      The "; S4[24]=" agreement also sets a new precedent for decision making for local indigenous groups (First Nations), giving them the right to define what happens on their "; S5[24]=" land.
      The total area protected from the chainsaw equals 5 million acres, twice the size of Yellowstone Park and equal to 6300 "; S6[24]=" of New York's Central Park.
      This total includes new and previous protection areas, plus special no logging zones.
      "; S7[24]=" 'Is it possible to balance economic interests, environmental protection and the hopes and dreams of communities? Today British Columbia proved that it is,' said Merran "; S8[24]=" Smith, Director, BC Coast Program, ForestEthics.
      'This rainforest agreement provides a real world example of how people and wilderness can prosper together.
"; S9[24]="       And this is just the beginning.' ForestEthics, Greenpeace and Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter have worked toward this solution for almost "; S10[24]=" a decade, using tactics that ranged from blockades to boycotts to boardroom negotiations, all in a bid to protect as much of the Great Bear "; S11[24]=" Rainforest as possible.
      'For more than a decade, all eyes have been on Canada's rainforest,' said Amanda Carr, Greenpeace Forest Campaigner.
  "; S12[24]="     'If today's promises become reality, we'll have a global model of sustainability, exactly what international customers of British Columbia wood tell us they "; S13[24]=" want.' This agreement represents hundreds of thousands of hours of dirt-under-the-fingernails work by one of the most unexpected alliances in Canadian history.
      "; S14[24]=" It included a blue-ribbon science panel supported by governments, environmental groups and logging companies that developed specific recommendations to change logging practices.
      "; S15[24]=" 'From here we'll be working with First Nations to ensure today's commitment results in real change on the ground - that forest practices are different "; S16[24]=" than the kind of logging that has inflicted so much damage in BC's coastal rainforest,' said Lisa Matthaus, Coast Campaign Coordinator with Sierra Club of "; S17[24]=" Canada, BC Chapter.
      To date, almost half of a $120 million investment package has been raised by US and Canadian donors for "; S18[24]=" conservation and sustainable business ventures in First Nation territories.
      The BC government has committed $30 million to the financing package, however the "; S19[24]=" Canadian government has yet to commit its $30 million share.
      The Great Bear Rainforest Agreement means: 1.
      5 million "; S20[24]=" acres is protected from logging 2.
      The application of better, lighter-touch forestry by March 2009 3... "; R[25]="353"; T[25]="Promise of new life among ghosts of dead forest"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060222"; Dt[25]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[25]="a04a39a42"; B1[25]="      The limbs of the dead forest of Barren Box Swamp, near Griffith in southern NSW, clutch endlessly at the blue sky..... "; B2[25]=" "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      The limbs of the dead forest of Barren Box Swamp, near Griffith in southern NSW, clutch endlessly at the blue sky.
  "; S2[25]="     Dick Thompson stands on a bank overlooking the swamp and observes: 'It is a disaster area at the moment, but has the potential "; S3[25]=" to be a top area.' Barren Box Swamp is quite a misnomer.
      It is not barren, being situated in the middle of "; S4[25]=" the highly productive Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
      The box, or black box, trees - a eucalyptus found near watercourses - have died and "; S5[25]=" it has been a water storage area, not a swamp, since 1950.
      Thompson, as chairman of Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited, has lobbied since "; S6[25]=" 1992 to have the swamp restored to its original wetland status.
      'Barren Box used to be only filled (under natural conditions) every "; S7[25]=" 10 to 15 years,' he says.
      'It has been full up, until the last two years, for over 50 years.
    "; S8[25]="   'All the box trees died from too much water.' The swamp is the main drainage and recycling point not only for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation "; S9[25]=" Area, but also for the stormwater run-off and treated sewage of Griffith.
      Water stored there is used for irrigation.
      "; S10[25]=" Now the 3000ha swamp is being divided into three sectors: 1000ha will remain as water storage, a 500ha intermediate cell will get water on a "; S11[25]=" regular basis and 1500ha of wetland will receive water under a natural watering regime.
      Murrumbidgee Irrigation expects the new wetland will save "; S12[25]=" at least 20,000 megalitres of water a year - the amount contained in 20,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools - mainly through reduced evaporation.
      "; S13[25]=" Those 20,000Ml will offset the water that used to flow down the Murrumbidgee from the Snowy River.
      It replaces the first proposal "; S14[25]=" to return water from the Murrumbidgee to the Snowy, which suggested it come from irrigators taking a 5per cent cut in their water allocations.
  "; S15[25]="     Further water savings will come from the piping of 260km of open channels and the revegetation of 75km of Mirrool Creek, which flows "; S16[25]=" into the swamp.
      Thompson argues that these projects are the way to secure water for the environment.
      Under the "; S17[25]=" Living Murray, 500,000Ml must be restored to the river... "; R[26]="57"; T[26]="Gunns pulp mill given controlled action status"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060222"; Dt[26]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[26]="a03a04a39a42"; B1[26]="      Gunns Limited s proposed Bell Bay pulp mill has been declared a controlled action under powerful Commonwealth environment laws..... "; B2[26]=" "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      Gunns Limited's proposed Bell Bay pulp mill has been declared a controlled action under powerful Commonwealth environment laws.
      The "; S2[26]=" Federal Government has been considering the company's revised pulp mill plans for the past eight weeks, which has stalled the approval process.
      "; S3[26]=" The Federal Environment Minister, Ian Campbell, has announced the company needs to assess the mill's impact on threatened and migratory species, and the marine environment.
"; S4[26]="       But the Wilderness Society's Vica Bailey is disappointed there will be no assessment of wood supply, given the Regional Forests Agreement will "; S5[26]=" run out in the first 10 years of the mill's life.
      'This pulp mill has requested 30-year access to Tasmania's native forests, "; S6[26]=" so that brings the impact on the forests potentially up to 2038,' he said.
      'So we can see almost 20 years' ongoing "; S7[26]=" destruction of Tasmanian native forests.' The Wilderness Society is considering new legal action to force the Commonwealth to consider native forests as part of the "; S8[26]=" assessment.
      'The way is now open for another legal challenge, so we're taking advice and exploring all options,' Mr Bailey said.
  "; S9[26]="     'But as I say, the disappointing thing is that there has been some good work done by the Federal Government.
      "; S10[26]=" 'It has been undone by not looking at the destruction of Tasmania's forests that will be derived from this pulp mill.' The Federal Government is "; S11[26]=" expected to give Tasmania's Resource Planning and Development Commission accreditation to assess the project on behalf of the Commonwealth next week, allowing the stalled approval "; S12[26]=" process to resume... "; R[27]="9"; T[27]="Freehold hardwoods a future financial nest egg"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060222"; Dt[27]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[27]="a07a39"; B1[27]="      Rural landholders who lodge a forest practice notification form and adhere to the Freehold Forest Harvesting Code of Practice can undertake the "; B2[27]="commercial harvest of hardwood timber from their holdings... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Rural landholders who lodge a forest practice notification form and adhere to the Freehold Forest Harvesting Code of Practice can undertake the "; S2[27]=" commercial harvest of hardwood timber from their holdings.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries forest management project officer Ross Miller told landholders "; S3[27]=" attending the September 10 blue gum harvesting field day held at AgForce's Belmont Station that the Code of Practice would be enacted through Queensland Parliament "; S4[27]=" later this month.
      The AgForce-owned Belmont Research Station supports a flourishing population of young to mature blue gums on its semi-flooded grazing "; S5[27]=" country bounded by theFitzroy River.
      Belmont Station is leased to CSIRO as a major cattle research facility but AgForce management was keen "; S6[27]=" to harvest the blue gum forest to promote managed timber regeneration in combination with productive grass pasture.
      Mr Miller said that under "; S7[27]=" the revised forest harvest management guidelines, property owners with an understanding of key forestry principles can harvest native eucalypt hardwood logs.
      The "; S8[27]=" hardwood harvesting process should not be confused with broad scale tree clearing.
      AgForce authorised former Belmont Station board member John Hinz, a "; S9[27]=" retired grazier and commercial timber contractor, to assess the commercial volume of native timber and lodge a forest practice notification with the Department of Natural "; S10[27]=" Resources and Mines.
      Working in cooperation with Ross Miller, Mr Hinz and the Central Queensland Forest Association compiled a forest management plan "; S11[27]=" to harvest and sustainably manage a 600 hectare section blue gum forest identified on a Regional Ecosystem and satellite map.
      Mr Miller "; S12[27]=" said that with necessary notification in place, 400-450 cubic metres of commercial logs were being harvested this year.
      'Based on a thinning "; S13[27]=" operation, only trees with a 60cm DBH (diameter breast height) were being selected in full compliance with the agreed Code of Practice outlined in the "; S14[27]=" harvest plan,' Mr Miller said.
      'For those attending the field day, the Belmont operation is an excellent example of a sustainable, diversified "; S15[27]=" income earning operation that will return AgForce about $40,000 this year.
      'A buffer zone along the Fitzroy River and other watercourses depicted "; S16[27]=" on a 1:250,000 scale map will remain unharvested and filter zones have been established adjacent to the buffer zones.
      'Wildlife habitat trees "; S17[27]=" have been retained to the code of practice requirements and the extraction of logs is being undertaken to minimise soil disturbance and damage to retained "; S18[27]=" trees in order to have minimal environmental impact,' Mr Miller said.
      'The harvested logs are predominantly blue gums with some Moreton Bay "; S19[27]=" ash.' Rockhampton district's last remaining hardwood sawmill operator, Kevin Hinz, a second generation timber contractor, told the gathering he was paying $95/cub m for the "; S20[27]=" standing timber being harvested at Belmont.
      Kevin Hinz said that as a timber contractor, he welcomed the Code of Practice as it.. ";