The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) has welcomed an announcement by the Minister of Citizen, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, concerning a new Federal Skilled Trades Program to help address labour shortages in skilled trades. Source: The Sacramento Bee

ABS Housing Finance flat-lined in October 2012, providing little additional insight into the prospects for a sustainable recovery in new home building in 2013 according to the Housing Industry Association. Source: Timberbiz

BOC is reminding users that cylinder safety is a hot issue in summer. Safety protocols are a must and the company has issued guidelines. Source: Timberbiz

Forensic investigators will investigate the cause of major industrial fire at a sawmill at Caboolture north of Brisbane. Source: ABC News

A group of Tasmanian businesses is disappointed after a heavy machinery auction in the south failed to attract much interest. Source: ABC News

Jan Davis, CEO of the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association (TFGA) doesn’t mince words when it comes to describing the fallout from the drawn out forestry peace talks/deal in Tasmania. Source: Timberbiz

Farmers have lost confidence in tree planting according to New Zealand forester, lawyer and former National Party MP Geoff Thompson. Source: The Southland Times

Getting a wind turbine to a decent height to allow it to reach stronger winds than those found closer to the ground generally means sitting them atop a tower. Despite the eco-credentials of wind turbines, these towers are usually constructed from steel. Source: DesignBuildSource