Newly established hardware chain, Masters Home Improvement, which is a joint venture between Woolworths and US hardware giant Lowe’s, is a hit with shoppers according to its chief executive Don Stallings. Source: The Australian

Latest residential land updates signal persistent weakness in new home building in 2012 . The HIA-RP Data Residential Land Report provided by the Housing Industry Association and RP Data showed land sales hitting a new low and median land values rising further in the December 2011 qua

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) is concerned that the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) draft plan groups plantation forestry alongside mining and coal seam gas. Source: Timberman

The final report on the review of the Caring for our Country natural resource management initiative found that it is on track to meet its goals and support the community in protecting and conserving the environment and increase the adoption of sustainable land management practices. So

Wood and timber products in buildings are usually not of the cardboard and paper type, but in Christchurch, New Zealand a temporary cardboard cathedral will be built at a cost of NZ$5 million ($3.9 million). Sources: New Zealand Herald, Sydney Morning Herald

Six final candidates have been chosen for the World Bioenergy Award 2012, the winner will be announced on May 29 at the opening of World Bioenergy 2012 in Sweden. This will be just the second time that this award is to be presented. Source: World Bioenergy 2012.

Representatives from Asia's paper and timber industries are gathering in Bangkok amid harsh criticism from western environmental organisations. These groups claim, despite evidence to the contrary, that Asian timber and paper companies are harming the environment. Source: Bangkok Post

Ta Ann is proposing a bonus issue of up to 61.796 million new ordinary shares of Ta Ann on a 1-for-5 basis on an entitlement date yet to be determined. Source: The Malaysian Insider