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To stay up to date with timber related news, please subscribe to out timber.net.au Newsletter.

To stay up to date with timber education news, please subscribe to the TAFE Timber Education Program Newsletter .

Please contact us if you have news items which you wish to be added here.

TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2010 #1

1-Mar-2010

In this issue of the newsletter:

TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2009 #4

3-Dec-2009

In this issue of the newsletter:

Structures from Plantation Hardwood Rounds

14-Nov-2009

An extensive new timber resource from very economical, small diameter plantation hardwood rounds will be available for commercial use in the near future.

Opportunities to utilise this resource in a number of value added applications including small and medium scale structures such as park shelters, shade structures, noise barriers and light industrial buildings are being investigated including applications using steam bending technology.

A preliminary investigation by the University of Queensland, School of Architecture and Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries has developed design concepts for a range of these applications. You can review these concepts here.

As potential designers, specifiers or purchasers of these and similar structures, we seek and value your preliminary assessment of the potential to take these opportunities further towards reality via more detailed R&D and commercial development.

By reviewing the concepts and completing a very short on-line survey by Wednesday 25 November, you will assist us appreciably in this endeavour and be in the running to win a $200 timber incentive pack.

View Concepts Complete Survey

Please forward this email to your colleagues
who may have an interest in this area

Complete this survey by Wednesday 25 November to be in the running to win a $200 timber incentive pack comprising
Timber Queensland Professional 8 m tape, Wood in Australia by K R Bootle, Timber Queensland's Handy Span Table Book (Non-Cyclonic), Trees that Call Australia Home by J Halkett, Timber Stairs, Balustrades and Handrails Manual and Construction Timbers in Queensland

This survey has been produced by and has the support of the following organisations:

TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2009 #3

16-Sep-2009

In this issue of the newsletter:

Timber is tops for environmentally friendly commercial buildings

Increasing the amount of timber used in large-scale commercial buildings can decrease some environmental impacts of the building, according to a New Zealand Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry (MAF) study.

The research project, Environmental Impacts of Multi-Story Buildings Using Different Construction Materials, modelled the life cycle energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions of four similar office building designs that used different materials as their main structural element: concrete, steel, timber and 'timber-plus'. The latter also used wood-based non-structural elements.

Results indicated that of the four, the 'timber-plus' building had the lowest net environmental impact, producing 4571 tonnes CO2 equivalent while the steel building had the highest net impact producing 6,789 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Timber was second lowest (5,454 tonnes), followed by concrete (6,627).

MAF Sector Performance Director Iain Cossar says the study provides valuable information on the life cycle environmental impact of various construction materials and the benefits of maximising the use of wood.

"The report also fills an information gap concerning how much wood can be used in the construction and fit-out of commercial, large-scale buildings in New Zealand. It shows that increasing the use of timber can decrease the total energy consumption and environmental impact of the building over its 60 year lifetime.

"In addition, the study found that from a technical point of view, a commercial building of up-to six stories could feasibly be constructed on a timber structure, something that does not typically happen in New Zealand."

The study considered the full life cycle of the buildings including the initial embodied energy of the materials used, maintenance, transport, operational energy and end-of-life scenarios. All four buildings were designed for a 60-year lifespan and were based on the design of an actual six-storey concrete building.

The research used Life Cycle Assessments which measure the environmental impacts associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying energy and materials used and wastes released through the course of a product's life-span.

The study was led by researchers from the University of Canterbury and included work by Crown Research Institute Scion and Victoria University of Wellington.

The project reports can be found on MAF's website www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/publications.

World's Largest Shake Table Test

In Miki City, Japan, Simpson Strong-Tie made history today. Along with Colorado State University and researchers in Japan, Simpson Strong-Tie participated in the world's largest earthquake shake table test. The July 14th test was the strongest of three tests performed on a seven-story, full-scale condominium tower -- simulating a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Initial test results indicate the building sustained only minimal damage (mainly cosmetic), showing that wood-frame buildings of this size can withstand major earthquakes. The seven-story tower was outfitted with Simpson Strong-Tie products, including steel special moment frames on the first floor with Anchor Tiedown Systems (ATS) and metal connectors to restrain the six stories of wood above.

To view photos and video clips of the NEESWood Capstone tests, visit www.strongtie.com/about/research/capstone.html

TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2009 #2

25-May-2009

In this issue of the newsletter:

New "Wood and the low carbon economy" film

31-Mar-2009

wood for good have launched a new film to support the Wood CO₂ts Less campaign. The film promotes the low carbon revolution and the part wood has to play for construction and energy generation. It shows how using more wood is a simple way of helping to build the low carbon economy that is vital to the fight against climate change.

View the new "Wood and the low carbon economy" film.

TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2009 #1

1-March-2009

Welcome to the first TAFE timber education newsletter for 2009.

Trees that call Australia home: A new book by John Halkett, available now!

13-Feb-2009

Trees that Call Australia Home is a spiritual, cultural, environmental and economic celebration of Australian trees - trees that, according to author John Halkett are increasingly vital as humanity searches for solutions to climate change, renewable energy and more sustainable lifestyles in the 21st century.

Despite being thought of as 'the wide brown land' Australia has a diverse, unique and precious heritage of trees and forest communities. "Their contribution to our welfare and sense of what it is to be Australian is immense," says Mr Halkett.

The ghost gums and baobabs of the outback, the tropical rainforests, the spectacular Victorian mountain ash, the majestic karri and jarrah of Western Australia and the diverse eastern eucalypts, are all among "the trees that call Australia home."

"More recently, they have been joined by introduced pines, which with native trees form the basis of an expanding tree plantation estate," he said.

Trees that Call Australia Home makes the case that together with the Southern Cross, Uluru and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the gum tree is quintessentially Australian. From the early days of European settlement to the mud and blood of Gallipoli, to the cosmopolitan society of the 21st century, it has, the book says remains a defining symbol of Australia and its sense of identity.

The book details how the forests of Australia, manipulated and perpetuated by Aboriginal fire stick farming, were initially regarded as an obstacle to European settlement and destroyed on a dramatic scale. However, trees soon became recognised as an economic catalyst in the fledgling British colony and their contribution to economic well-being continues to this day.

"Trees have been fundamental to human life, to economic welfare and to cultural and spiritual development since time immemorial," says Mr Halkett.

"It is apparent that trees must play a more central role in confronting issues like climate change, resource depletion and renewable energy in the decades ahead."

In saluting the amazing qualities, geographic spread, botanical complexity and the special Australianness of our trees and their forest homes, Trees that Call Australia Home recognises the importance of trees to continuing human existence and survival in Australia and across the globe.

To order a copy, call 02 9279 2366 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2008 #3

4-December-2008

Welcome to the third TAFE timber education newsletter for 2008.

2008 Timber Design Awards Winners Announced

The winners' list for the 2008 Australian Timber Design Awards is out! Winners and finalists were announced on November 18 at the Sebel Citigate, Brisbane. The overall winner was Peter Stutchbury Architecture for the inspired Outcrop House.

See the Timber Design Awards website for a full list of category winners and runners-up.

timber.net.au Newsletter 2008 #2

15-Oct-2008

The second timber.net.au newsletter for 2008.

TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2008 #2

10-September-2008

Welcome to the second TAFE timber education newsletter for 2008.

Date set for Australian Timber Design Awards Presentation Night

2007 Overall Winner: Hayball Leonard Stent

Entries for the Australian Timber Design Awards close 29th August 2008 - and it is time now to reserve your place at the most prestigious timber design event of the year.

The Australian Timber Design Awards are the premier national timber design competition for the built environment professions. A broad range of entry categories highlights outstanding use of timber in a variety of applications. A separate category is available to students and entrants 30 and under.

All winners will receive a presentation plaque; the overall Australian Timber Design Award Winner will receive a substantial study package of their choice.

View the 2008 Australian Timber Design Awards Website.

The site features a gallery of past winners, information about sponsors and entry requirements - and much much more!

Held in conjunction with Wood Design International 08.

Date & Time: Tuesday, 18 November 2008, 17:30 for 18:00 start.
Location: The Sebel & Citigate Hotel, King George Square, Cnr Ann and Roma Street, Brisbane.
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | 02 9279 2366

timber.net.au Newsletter 2008 #1

10-May-2008

The first timber.net.au newsletter for 2008.