Fuel Reduction: a win-win for the Community

Philip Dalidakis, chief executive officer of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI), is convinced that Victoria’s bushfire threat reduction can also pave the way for other positives in the State. In an exclusive piece for Australian Forests & Timber News, he spells out what can be done to achieve these goals.

WITH VICTORIA’S bushfire season fast approaching, it is becoming clearer that much more needs to be done to prevent another devastating tragedy. Some important lessons from the 2009 Victorian bushfires are yet to be learned, much less adopted, most notably the pressing need to dramatically reduce hazardous fuel loads.

Victoria Under Prepared for Approaching Bushfire Season

An article calling for greater levels of fuel reduction, featuring the VAFI CEO Philip Dalidakis has been published in leading industry publication Timber and Forestry E News.

There is a continuing need for the Victorian Government to recognise the need for greater levels of bushfire threat prevention through sustainable fuel reduction. Victorias greatest bushfire threat is the continued build up of fuel loads, but sustainable harvesting can become an integral part of the overall solution.

Forest Industry Builds Ties with Community and Government

A profile piece focusing of the VAFI CEO, Philip Dalidakis has been published in the leading Australian publication Business Review Weekly.

Fronting up to hordes of angry environmentalists may not be the career move of choice for everyone. Victorian Association of Forest Industries chief executive Philip Dalidakis did some soul searching before taking on such a position. At the time he was 31 and had a second child on the way, and he did pause to wonder if it was worth the effort.

Alternative Fuels: Investing in the Future

An article featuring commentary around alternative fuels from the VAFI CEO, Philip Dalidakis has been published in leading industry magazine Sustainability Matters.The demise of one industry is often the beginning of another. This has happened throughout history and is not something to be scared of, but is to be embraced by the new industry.

Industry Leaders Start Rebuilding

Victoria’s forestry industry leaders toured Healesville to visit bushfire-affected regions to plan the industry’s recovery after it was devastated during the recent tragedy.
Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) CEO, Philip Dalidakis and VicForests Director, Cameron MacDonald, said they are working together to oversee the commencement of salvage logging to recover as much value as possible from burnt trees and get the industry back on track.

“Victoria’s timber industry has suffered heavily through this tragedy,” said Mr Dalidakis.
“Not only have workers lost family, friends, property and equipment, but their industries and livelihoods have also taken a hit through the destruction of mills, timber storages and large areas of forest designated for commercial management.”

Our priority is to assist these people to get back to work and get our industry back to full strength.”

The group were briefed on salvage operations and strategies before touring salvage sites north of Toolangi. The group also made a stop over at a McCormack Demby sawmill that was destroyed by the fire.

Bushfire Response Centre Opened In Healesville

Timber Communities Australia has opened a bushfire response and rebuilding centre at their Healesville office. 

The office will help facilitate the assistance of timber communities in the area and will serve as the coordination point for the Community Support Register.  Newly appointed TCA Regional Coordinator for Victoria Trevor Brown was welcomed to the centre by the NAFI CEO, Alan Hansard, VAFI CEO, Philip Dalidakis and TCA CEO, Jim Adams (left to right). 

Many of the communities devastated by the recent, and continuing, bushfires in Victoria rely on the timber industry for employment. It's vital these communities receive the necessary support and assistance in order for them to rebuild," Mr Hansard said.

"The timber industry is the backbone of this region, and with so much of the production forests destroyed these communities are really going to feel the pinch," said Mr Adams.

"Unfortunately the effects of this tragedy will be felt in the region for generations to come, this Centre  provides real, practical support for affected timber communities as they recover and rebuild," Mr Dalidakis said

Forest Industries Community Relief Fund Launched to Assist Bushfire Affected Communities

The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) along with the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) , Timber Communities Australia (TCA) and the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) have established the Forest Industries Community Relief Fund to assist timber communities devastated by Victoria’s bushfires to rebuild.

“The timber industry is the backbone of many of these decimated rural areas and it’s vital that these communities receive support to rebuild their homes and livelihoods,” said NAFI CEO Allan Hansard.

“The Forest Industries Community Relief Fund will provide much needed funds and assistance to residents of affected timber communities, including short term relief such as emergency shelter and food supplies, but also the long term assistance with rebuilding homes and infrastructure,” said VAFI CEO Philip Dalidakis.

“Unfortunately for many timber workers affected by these devastating bushfires, it’s not just property they’ve lost, but also their livelihoods. At a time when many residents are feeling uncertain about their future, this fund will provide much needed support and assistance with the rebuilding effort,” said TCA CEO Jim Adams.

“The generosity of the wider timber industry has been outstanding with companies and individuals pledging assistance. It’s really heart-warming to see this kind of mateship; to know that when the going gets tough Australians will band together to get through the crisis,” said AFCA Chairperson Col McCulloch.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Forest Industries Community Relief Fund should call 1300 134 494.

The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) has expressed its deepest sympathies to those affected by the unprecedented devastation of the bushfires throughout Victoria.

The VAFI CEO, Philip Dalidakis, offered his condolences to families who have suffered great loss in the ongoing fires, whilst praising the heroic efforts of fire-fighters, emergency workers and the local communities involved. 

“The VAFI community and its members share in the wider community’s grief from the horrifying events over the weekend and our thoughts are with all those that have suffered the loss of loved ones and the loss of their homes,” Mr Dalidakis said.

“The areas which bore the brunt of the fires are at the heart of the Victorian timber industry and we are only now just learning of the damage and grief which has been inflicted over the weekend and which continues to threaten these local communities.”

“During these challenging times we also recognise and praise the efforts of fire-fighters, emergency workers and volunteers whose brave and heroic efforts show the true spirit of Australian resilience and mateship.”

“Many members of the Victorian timber industry are CFA volunteers who give of their time and equipment to the fire-fighting effort, and my sincere thanks and praise is extended to all of them.” 

“Unfortunately the threat of fires still continues today and is likely to remain a major concern for the remainder of the week; as such the Victorian timber industry will continue to offer financial support and volunteer assistance.”

“For people wanting to help those affected by this devastation we encourage donations through existing channels such as the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal (1800 811 700) and the Bendigo Bank Bushfire Appeal (http://www.bendigobank.com.au)”.

About the Poznan Climate Change Negotiations, 1-12 December 2008

International negotiations on climate change are underway in Poznan, Poland.  The negotiations are the 14th meeting of all the countries who have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the parent treaty of the Kyoto Protocol.

The Poznan meeting is the midway point in a two year process to develop a long-term international framework to address climate change from 2012 when the Kyoto Protocol expires.  The ‘Bali Action Plan’, agreed at negotiations in Bali in December 2007 also agreed to negotiate a ‘shared vision’ on long term cooperative action on climate change. Enhanced action on mitigating and adapting to climate change and support for financing and technology development and transfer were identified as key issues underpinning cooperative action.

The outcome of these negotiation activities is scheduled to be adopted at the 15th Conference of the parties to the UNFCCC in Copenhagen in December 2009.

There are two key forestry issues being discussed in Poznan – rules for land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) in the Kyoto Protocol and a possible approach under the UNFCCC to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries.

LULUCF rules dictate Australia’s accounting and reporting responsibilities for forests under the Kyoto Protocol and they underpin the rules for forestry in Australia’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

The negotiations on forestry in Poznan and leading up to Copenhagen are important for maximising the capacity of forests and forestry in Australia to mitigate climate change.  Effective arrangements to promote sustainable forest management and reduce deforestation must be a priority.  In particular, there is a need for appropriate recognition of the carbon stored in wood products and of biomass for renewable energy.

We need international rules which reduce deforestation and provide incentives for the establishment of new forest areas and the sustainable management of existing forest.

Australian Forest Industries Delegation at Poznan

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań, 1-12 December 2008

Australian forest industries delegation representatives are participating in the negotiations on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which are being held in Poznan, Poland on 1-12 December 2008.

These representatives include Allan Hansard, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) and Lisa Marty, Deputy Director of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI). Representatives of the CFMEU are also participating.

Forest and Wood Products Australia and Forestworks, the industry council for skills and learning are key supporters of the Australian forest industries’ participation at the negotiations.

The representatives from Australia’s forest industries aim to:

• Encourage the development of international rules for forest management and forestry which improve the capacity of forests to be recognised for their role in storing carbon, support sustainable forestry management and encourage the use of sustainably produced wood products over high emission materials;
• Provide information to international participants about how forests in Australia are managed responsibly and provide carbon sinks to offset Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions; and
• Promote incentives to reduce deforestation and build capacity for sustainable forest management in the Asia Pacific region.

Representatives from Australia’s forest industries are undertaking three events at the Poznan conference.

• A presentation on Sustainable forestry for climate change, employment and the community;
• An exhibit at the conference venue on sustainable forest management activities in Australia; and
• An exhibition at the conference’s Forestry Day event.

This exhibition will promote sustainable forest management in Australia and Australia’s role in building capacity for reducing deforestation and implementing sustainable forest management in the Asia Pacific region.

Australian Forest Industries Event on Sustainable Forest Management in Australia and the Pacific

Lisa Marty, VAFI Deputy Director.

On 5 December 2008, representatives of Australia’s forest industries presented Australia’s sustainable forest management credentials and experience in supporting sustainable forest management in the Asia Pacific region.

• Tim Woods, Director of Fitzpatrick Woods Consulting, presented Australia’s experience in projects which are building capacity for sustainable forest management outcomes in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands under the Australian Government’s Asia Pacific Skills and Capacity Building Program.

• Allan Hansard, CEO of NAFI, described Australia’s framework for sustainable forest management and the role of forests and the forestry sector in Australia in storing carbon, including the carbon benefits of wood products and bioenergy.

• Dr Bob Smith, resource economist and forestry expert, provided insight and lessons from Australia’s experience in supporting sustainable forest management activities in South East Asia and the Pacific.

• Lisa Marty, Deputy Director of VAFI, discussed the role of forest certification as a measure of sustainable forest certification as well as its limitations in implementation and scope and the need for a capacity building and cooperative approach to sustainable forest management.

Sustainable forest management is fundamental to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries and to supporting the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

Australia’s forest industries and other groups including The Forest Dialogue, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and many official delegations have called for any agreement on REDD to include sustainable forest management.

Australia’s forest industries’ event at the UNFCCC conference was sponsored by ForestWorks Learning and Skills Development and supported by Forest and Wood Products Australia.

Please visit the UNFCCC website to access the presentation: http://regserver.unfccc.int/seors/reports/events_list.html

Australia’s forest industries at UNFCCC Forest Day

VAFI Deputy Director, Lisa Marty and NAFI CEO, Alan Hansard.

Representatives of Australia’s forest industries participated in the 2nd UNFCCC Forest Day, hosted by the Government of Poland. The event was supported by a range of organisations including the Center for International Forestry Research and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Australia’s forest industries hosted an exhibit at the event, which provided material on Australia’s framework for sustainable forest management and the climate change credentials of Australia’s forestry industry, wood products and bioenergy.

In particular, the exhibit showcased:

• Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2008;
• Forest and Wood Products Australia’s Wood Naturally Campaign and the benefits of wood products;
• ForestWorks’s skills, training and learning materials and services; and
• The Australian Forestry Standard forest certification scheme.

The exhibit was supported by a range of forest industry organisations including ForestWorks, the CFMEU, Forest and Wood Products Australia, the National Association of Forest Industries and the Victorian Association of Forest Industries.

The exhibit provided an opportunity to promote sustainable forest management in Australia, the climate change benefits of using wood products and wood waste for bioenergy and Australia’s role in building capacity for reducing deforestation and implementing sustainable forest management in the Asia Pacific region.

There was considerable interest in the exhibit from forestry agencies from other countries, researchers and international and non-governmental organisations.

There were also a range of events at Forest Day, focusing on strategies and activities to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and sustainable forest management.

Also at Forest Day, the Australian Government jointly with the Indonesian Government gave a presentation on the Indonesia-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership and the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership to demonstrate activities to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Greens fail to see wood for the trees

AS the timber harvesting season gets under way for another year, already one week has been lost to protesters chaining themselves to industry equipment in the hope of saving "what is left" of our native forests. Often such protest action is greeted with a mixture of silent and open consent from those of us who are concerned by climate change but who don't fully appreciate the environmental or scientific ramifications of simply locking up our forests. After all, how can an industry that cuts down trees claim to be both environmentally sensitive and sustainable?

Full Article

VAFI Annual Dinner 2008

The VAFI Annual Dinner was another terrific night for the timber industry as a crowd of nearly 200 enjoyed an informative and entertaining dinner. MC Sam Kekovich set the mood for the night with his uniquely irreverent style, much to the amusement of dinner guests. PF Olsen General Manager, Pat Groenhout also spoke and gave guests an insight into the newly formed Australian division of the international forestry service provider.

Keynote speaker and Committee for Melbourne CEO, Sally Capp, gave a terrific speech on the connection of ideals between the Committee for Melbourne and the Victorian Association of Forest Industries.

This year’s VAFI Sustainability Awards were presented by special guest The Hon. Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture. The 2008 award recipients were as follows:

VAFI Innovation Award - Sponsored by Department of Primary Industries –
ITC Limited Pty Ltd

VAFI Environmental Sustainability Award - Sponsored by EPA Victoria –
McCormack Demby Timbers

VAFI Occupational Health and Safety Award - Sponsored by Timber Training Creswick – Auswest Timbers

VAFI Local Community Engagement Award - Sponsored by Regional Development Victoria – Arbuthnot Sawmills

This year was also the inauguration of a newly formed VAFI Lifetime Service Award, recognising a lifetime of beneficial service to the timber industry. The inaugural winner was Stephen Jamieson, brother of Ray Jamieson of Jamieson Bros. Sawmills. Stephen was tragically killed in January of 2008 when his dozer rolled whilst fighting an approaching bushfire near Bendoc in East Gippsland.

In a moving presentation Timber Communities Australia CEO, Jim Adams, presented Stephen’s wife Shirley with the award in is honour.

Joe Helper presents Gary Demby and Greg McCormack (McCormack Demby Timbers) with the VAFI Environmental Sustainability Award	Joe Helper presents Vince Hurley (ITC Limited) with the VAFI Innovation Award	Joe Helper presents Paul Madden (Arbuthnot Sawmills) with the VAFI Local Community Engagement Award
Joe Helper and Timber Training Creswick Manager, Rob Rule, present Nick Murray (Auswest Timbers) with the VAFI Occupational Health and Safety Award
MC Sam Kekovich VAFI CEO, Philip Dalidakis
Crown River Room
The Hon. Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture, launches the 2008 VAFI Sustainability Report