Media Release

EWPAA Media Release

21 March 2022

International Day of Forests – wood products a sustainable choice

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) joins the chorus of voices around the world celebrating International Day of Forests and the essential role sustainably managed forests play in supplying much-needed timber to our renewable industries, while supporting jobs and regional communities.

EWPAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Matthew said, “Given the world’s current challenges such as recovery from COVID, devastating war, economic shocks, and extreme weather events, this year’s theme is timely, being ‘Forests and sustainable production and consumption’. Sustainably managed forests produce an increasing range of innovative and renewable engineered wood products, that reduce emissions, store carbon, build new homes, and are used in many other essential applications across the globe.”

“Today, is a good day to pause and appreciate that sustainably managing forests, planting new production trees, and investing in associated industry provides multiple social, economic, and environmental benefits. It is also important to recognise the significant potential in the built environment to provide essential shelter and cut emissions, by using renewable building solutions and low emission products,” Mr Matthew concluded.

Inquiries: Gavin Matthew, CEO of EWPAA. (b) (07) 3250 3700. (m) 0429 990 528

2022-03-21 EWPAA Media Release – International Day of Forests

 * About EWPAA. Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is a member association for manufacturers of a broad range of engineered and solid wood products located throughout Australasia. https://ewp.asn.au/

EWPAA Media Release

21 February 2022

$86m grants program to plant a renewable future

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today of $86 million in grants for investment in new production tree plantings across Australia, to supply much-needed timber to our renewable industries while supporting jobs and regional communities.

EWPAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Matthew said, “This is a smart long-term investment by the Federal Government and timely recognition that our renewable wood product industries reduce emissions, store carbon, and manufacture essential products to build new homes and businesses. We urge State and Territory governments to co-invest in a renewable future by working with industry and the Federal Government to support the establishment of new timber plantations across Australia,”

“Wood fibre is a sustainable biological resource that produces renewable wood products, including an increasing range of innovative engineered wood products, used in the construction of new homes and businesses. Investing in new production trees and the associated manufacturing supply chain also provides many social, environmental, and economic benefits,”

“Using renewable timber sourced from plantations, our industries manufacture many innovative and essential products that should be recognised as preferred building materials in a low emissions future,” Mr Matthew concluded.

Inquiries: Gavin Matthew, CEO of EWPAA. (b) (07) 3250 3700. (m) 0429 990 528

2022-02-21 EWPAA Media Release – $86m Grants Program for new trees

About EWPAA. Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is a member association for manufacturers of a broad range of engineered and solid wood products located throughout Australasia, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. https://ewp.asn.au/

EWPAA Media Release

3 February 2022

$300m Timber Building Program – a smart renewable investment

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement today of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s (CEFC) $300 million Timber Building Program designed to support the construction of new buildings in Australia using renewable and low emissions engineered wood products.

EWPAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Matthew said, “This is a vote of confidence in our essential timber manufacturing industries and welcome recognition of renewable wood products potential to store carbon and reduce emissions in Australia’s built environment. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) are some of the innovative engineered wood products focused on replacing concrete and steel in the construction of new multi-storey buildings.”

In late 2021, the CEFC released a new report called ‘Australian buildings and infrastructure: Opportunities for cutting embodied carbon’ which identified the significant potential in Australia’s built environment to cut emissions, by using sustainable building solutions and low emission products. CEFC’s Timber Buildings Program aims to increase the use of renewable timber construction in Australia, with the provision of tailored debt finance to eligible construction projects, including offices, retail, industrial, healthcare, education, residential, seniors living, hotels, and student accommodation.

“Our timber manufacturing industries produce many innovative, reliable, and renewable products, including a range of innovative engineered wood products, that should be recognised as preferred building materials in a low emissions future,” Mr Matthew concluded.

Inquiries: Gavin Matthew, CEO of EWPAA. (b) (07) 3250 3700. (m) 0429 990 528

2022-02-03 EWPAA Media Release – $300m Timber Building Program

* About EWPAA. Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is a member association for manufacturers of a broad range of engineered and solid wood products located throughout Australasia, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. https://ewp.asn.au/

EWPAA Media Release

13 January 2022

EWPAA WELCOMES NEW FOREST & WOOD PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA CEO

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) joins many other timber product industry voices welcoming the appointment of Andrew Leighton as the new Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) Chief Executive Officer.

EWPAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Matthew said, “Andrew has significant previous experience and a strong knowledge of the issues affecting our renewable timber product industry supply chain and regional communities across Australia.”

“Andrew takes on this important leadership role at a critical time with very high demand for our essential products, a worldwide push for reduced emissions and renewable products, and COVID impacts continuing to disrupt supply chains.”

“The timber product manufacturing sector produces many innovative, reliable, and renewable products that should be recognised as preferred building materials in a low emissions future. There is much to be done but we are confident Andrew will hit the ground running, using his understanding of our timber product industries, and backed by the great work done by the FWPA team and the previous CEO Ric Sinclair.”

“EWPAA is keen to work with Andrew and his team to undertake quality industry R&D, progress standards and codes development, educate the market, grow our forest product industries, and increase recognition of our renewable timber products,” Mr Matthew concluded.

ENDS

Media Inquiries: Gavin Matthew, CEO of EWPAA. (b) (07) 3250 3700. (m) 0429 990 528

2022-01-13 EWPAA Media Release – FWPA CEO

EWPAA is looking for a new Technical Officer to join our dynamic small team based in Brisbane 2021-06 EWPAA Advertisement Technical Officer final.

Engineered wood products are the renewable and innovative products of the future, being used in new ways in residential homes, and the construction of new multi-residential and commercial buildings.

If you have an engineering degree or other relevant qualifications and a passion for our renewable timber products industry, then this new role will suit you.

The new role will work closely with the Technical Manager and is responsible for ensuring quality outcomes with EWPAA’s certification schemes, advancing the development of engineered wood products, and improving clients’ production processes.

Applications are open until COB Monday, 5 July 2021.

If you want more information and the full position description, please contact Harrison Brooke on (m) 0416 613 814 or harrison.brooke@ewp.asn.au

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S HOMEBUILDER CONTRACT COMMENCEMENT EXTENSION WELCOMED

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement yesterday to extend the existing construction commencement deadline from six months to 18 months.
EWPAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gavin Matthew said, “HomeBuilder and associated State government stimulus measures have successfully underpinned increased consumer confidence and significant new home and renovations demand in key markets around Australia.”

“Over the last few months, the building sector identified a strong need to smooth and prolong new housing and renovation demand into 2022. The Federal Government has responded by extending the existing six month timeline between signing a contract and construction starting to 18 months in the Homebuilder program. This welcome refinement will positively impact jobs, businesses, and communities right across Australia, and support the broader construction supply chain into 2022,” Mr Matthew concluded.

The timber manufacturing sector produces many innovative, reliable, and renewable products that should be recognised as preferred building materials in a low emissions future.

Inquiries: Gavin Matthew, CEO of EWPAA. (b) (07) 3250 3700. (m) 0429 990 528

18.04.2021 EWPAA Media Release – HomeBuilder Contract Extension Welcomed

29.03.2021 EWPAA Media Release – Refining HomeBuilder

EWPAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gavin Matthew said, “The construction sector is known as the engine room for growth and jobs in Australia’s economy for good reason, with timber
manufacturing industries supplying significant amounts of renewable timber products to build and renovate houses in Australia.”

“HomeBuilder and associated State government stimulus measures have been successful and are effectively underpinning increased consumer confidence and significant new home and
renovations demand in key markets around Australia. However, there are growing concerns about maintaining a sustainable level of building demand into 2022, as HomeBuilder with its
existing settings runs its course,” said Mr Matthew.

“There is a strong need to smooth and prolong new housing and renovation demand into 2022, by extending the existing 6 month timeline between signing a contract and construction
starting to at least 12 months in the Homebuilder program. This change will positively impact jobs, businesses, and communities right across Australia, and support the broader construction
supply chain into 2022,” Mr Matthew concluded.

The timber manufacturing sector produces many innovative, reliable, and renewable products that should be recognised as preferred building materials in a low emissions future.

Inquiries: Gavin Matthew, CEO of EWPAA. (b) (07) 3250 3700. (m) 0429 990 528

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gavin Matthew as Chief Executive Officer, effective 8 February 2021.  

Prior to this appointment, Gavin was a Senior Policy Manager with the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) looking after the softwood manufacturing sector. Gavin steps into the CEO role previously held by Dave Gover, who leaves EWPAA in a strong position after more than five (5) years of enthusiastic leadership.

Announcing Gavin’s appointment, EWPAA Chair Mr Stuart Toakley said: “Gavin is well known around the industry for his broad knowledge, inclusive leadership style, and a passion for our renewable sector and communicating the benefits of using innovative wood products.”  

“The Board looks forward to working with Gavin to ensure EWPAA continues to deliver world-class technical and testing support to businesses producing innovative wood products, trusted product and process certification services, expert standards development, and innovative research and development outcomes.”  

Reflecting on his appointment Gavin said, “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead EWPAA and excited to continue working in the wood processing sector. It’s a great team and organisation. Wood processing is an industry that produces innovative, reliable, and renewable products that should be recognised as preferred materials in a low emissions future.”  

“My clear focus is to promote the many benefits of our renewable wood products, the assurance that comes with EWPAA’s gold standard quality certification programme and strengthen EWPAA’s trusted core businesses while delivering value and effective outcomes to industry.”  

About Gavin Matthew. Gavin has over 2 decades of diverse experience in industry policy development and advocacy, natural resource management, forest industry supply chain, wood processing and consulting. Gavin has been a passionate and effective advocate for the forest products sector, including in the areas of processing and manufacturing policy, WHS, technical skills, certification, energy, water, climate change, trade, and the environment.  

ENDS

Media Contact:- Gavin Matthew CEO

Ph: +61 7 3250 3700 / 0429 990 528

Email: gavin.matthew@ewp.asn.au

The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is offering a three year scholarship opportunity for graduate students undertaking their research with the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life.

The scholarship will provide graduate students interested in wood product durability research with $10,000 funding per year, to a total value of $30,000.

The Timber Durability Centre is on the hunt for graduate students, looking to study either an MSc or PhD, to join their research team and focus on timber durability and service life prediction.

EWPAA CEO, Dave Gover, said that the purpose of the research is to ensure that all timber types receive the benefit of service life prediction and durability research, given that different types of timber have different levels of durability and different applications will have varying service life expectancies.

“We are hopeful that the scholarship opportunity will attract driven graduate students to a research area with great academic opportunity and industry relevance.” Dave said.

“Given the increased use engineered wood products in mid-rise construction across Australia, and across the world, durability of these products is an important research focus area.” Dave said.

“There are well established and proven methods to ensure the durability of timber, and these need to continue to be developed to take advantage of improvements in wood modification technologies, physical chemistry, and biological modelling.” Dave said.

“The EWPAA is proud to continue our commitment to fostering research and development in engineered wood products through the provision of this scholarship.” Dave said.

The Timber Durability Centre, whose primary mission is to revitalise durability research in Australia, is looking for BSc graduates with backgrounds in biology, forestry, civil engineering and architecture.

The Timber Durability Centre is a joint venture between the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), the Unverisity of Queensland and the Queensland
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

USC is offering qualified full-time graduate research students an annual stipend and free tuition. EWPAA scholarship recipients will receive the scholarship funding in addition to these benefits.

Opportunities are also available for science, engineering, architecture and forestry professionals seeking further advancement to undertake part time study.

For further information about the EWPAA scholarship, the new graduate program or the Timber Durability Centre, visit their website (http://www.usc.edu.au/timber-durability) or email Professor Jeff Morrell (jmorrell@usc.edu.au).

The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is a member association for manufacturers of engineered and solid timber products across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. The EWPAA coordinates a market development program which includes product testing, product certification, standards and codes development, technical promotion, research and development, market maintenance; as well as education and training.

ENDS

Media Contact:-
Clair Borg
Communications Officer
Ph: +61 7 3250 3700
Email: clair.borg@ewp.asn.au

The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is offering a three year scholarship opportunity for graduate students undertaking their research with the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life.

The scholarship will provide graduate students interested in wood product durability research with $10,000 funding per year, to a total value of $30,000.

The Timber Durability Centre is on the hunt for graduate students, looking to study either an MSc or PhD, to join their research team and focus on timber durability and service life prediction.

EWPAA CEO, Dave Gover, said that the purpose of the research is to ensure that all timber types receive the benefit of service life prediction and durability research, given that different types of timber have different levels of durability and different applications will have varying service life expectancies.

“We are hopeful that the scholarship opportunity will attract driven graduate students to a research area with great academic opportunity and industry relevance.” Dave said.

“Given the increased use engineered wood products in mid-rise construction across Australia, and across the world, durability of these products is an important research focus area.” Dave said.

“There are well established and proven methods to ensure the durability of timber, and these need to continue to be developed to take advantage of improvements in wood modification technologies, physical chemistry, and biological modelling.” Dave said.

“The EWPAA is proud to continue our commitment to fostering research and development in engineered wood products through the provision of this scholarship.” Dave said.

The Timber Durability Centre, whose primary mission is to revitalise durability research in Australia, is looking for BSc graduates with backgrounds in biology, forestry, civil engineering and architecture.

The Timber Durability Centre is a joint venture between the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), the Unverisity of Queensland and the Queensland
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

USC is offering qualified full-time graduate research students an annual stipend and free tuition. EWPAA scholarship recipients will receive the scholarship funding in addition to these benefits.

Opportunities are also available for science, engineering, architecture and forestry professionals seeking further advancement to undertake part time study.

For further information about the EWPAA scholarship, the new graduate program or the Timber Durability Centre, visit their website (http://www.usc.edu.au/timber-durability) or email Professor Jeff Morrell (jmorrell@usc.edu.au).

The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is a member association for manufacturers of engineered and solid timber products across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. The EWPAA coordinates a market development program which includes product testing, product certification, standards and codes development, technical promotion, research and development, market maintenance; as well as education and training.

ENDS

Media Contact:-
Clair Borg
Communications Officer
Ph: +61 7 3250 3700
Email: clair.borg@ewp.asn.au