Advertise on podcast: WoodChat

In this episode of WoodChat’s Women in Forestry series, Dr Penelope 'Pene' Mitchell shares the career journey that led her to forestry, wood science and sustainability. Pene reflects on the changing role of women across the sector, the progress she has witnessed and what organisations can do to attract and retain the next generation of women. She also explains what a circular timber economy looks like, explores the opportunities presented by the National Timber Circularity Project and discusses why sustainability must consider the entire lifecycle of timber and wood products. From challenging common misconceptions to sharing career lessons and some surprising facts about wood, Pene offers an insightful look at the people, research and innovation helping shape a more sustainable future for the industry.

How does data help shape the future of Australia's timber and wood products industry? In this episode of WoodChat, we explore the critical role data plays in supporting better decisions across the supply chain, from informing business investment and industry planning to strengthening policy, research and long-term sustainability. We speak with Kevin Peachey, FWPA's Head of Economics, Statistics and Data Insights, and Dr Erick Hansnata, Industry Economist and Program Manager, about why timely, accurate data matters, where it creates the greatest value for industry, and how FWPA's data and insights activities support a stronger, more informed sector. Along the way, Kevin and Erick also share updates on the latest Forest & Wood Products Australia initiatives and the work underway to support industry growth and innovation.

In this episode of WoodChat's Women in Forestry series, we speak with Tolita Davis-Angeles, a Cobble-Cobble woman from the western Bunya Mountains in Queensland who grew up on Butchulla Country. As Chair of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Indigenous Working Group, Tolita shares her perspective on Indigenous leadership in forestry, the importance of caring for Country, and the opportunities for stronger partnerships between Traditional Owners and the forest and wood products sector. The conversation explores cultural knowledge, sustainable forest management, and the role Indigenous voices play in shaping the future of Australia's forests. Tune in for an insightful discussion on leadership, stewardship and the future of forestry.

The Future Framing Initiative is the industry's blueprint for building more homes, faster, using modern methods of construction and lightweight timber framing. In Episode 42, we speak with two people who understand what it takes to move an industry forward. Ian Tyson spent a decade as CEO of Timberlink Australia & New Zealand from its formation in 2013 to his retirement in 2023, transforming a traditional structural timber manufacturer into an engineered timber and construction solutions leader, and serving the broader sector through the AFPA Board and as Chair of the Softwood Manufacturing Chamber. He knows what progress looks like, and what it costs. Kylan Low is a structural engineer whose career has been dedicated to advancing timber construction in Australia across design, research, mass timber systems, prefabrication, and structural standards. He's working at the coalface of what comes next. Together, they make the case for why timber framing's best days are still ahead. #WoodChat #Timber #FFI #HousingCrisis #MassTimber #Construction #ForestProducts

Episode 41 of WoodChat features Professor Tripti Singh, a globally recognised expert in timber durability and wood protection. With more than 20 years of experience leading collaborative, multi-million dollar research programs, Tripti has played a significant role in advancing how the industry understands timber performance and longevity. In this episode, she shares insights from her career, including her experience building and leading in a traditionally male dominated field. She also offers practical, down-to-earth advice for those coming through the sector. This is the first episode in a series highlighting the contributions of women across forestry and wood products.

Biophilia, biophilic design and timber buildings are back in focus in this episode of WoodChat, revisiting the theme of our very first episode from 2018. We explore how biophilia and biophilic workplace design use natural materials such as timber to support human wellbeing, reduce stress and improve comfort in office environments. The episode centres on T3 Collingwood, a mass timber office building in Melbourne that now serves as FWPA’s headquarters. T3 Collingwood has been the subject of published research examining the effects of timber-rich workplaces on building occupants and construction workers, including both perceived experiences and biological stress markers. The findings are contributing to a growing evidence base around healthy buildings, workplace wellbeing and mass timber construction. We speak with architect Dorsa Fatourehchi and behavioural economist Dr Stephen Whyte about the current state of biophilia research and what it means for future timber architecture and workplace design. Structural engineer Danny Watson from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods also joins the conversation, discussing the practical benefits of hybrid timber buildings, including construction efficiency, sustainability and scalability. Theme tune: 'Macaroon 5' by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/). Artist: audionautix.com/

In this episode, WoodChat speaks with Joseph Lawrence as he approaches one year leading Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI). Joseph discusses AFWI’s national strategy and how the institute’s work aligns closely with FWPA’s mission to strengthen Australia’s forest and wood products industry. Joseph shares how his background in engineering, higher education and government shapes his approach and why coming in from outside the sector offers a fresh lens on collaboration. He talks about the cultural differences between universities, industry and government, and why bringing these groups together is essential for coordinated research efforts. He highlights the opportunity for AFWI and FWPA to work side by side to drive meaningful industry impact. We explore AFWI’s four strategic priorities along with the science that underpins the wood products industry’s position as an advanced manufacturing sector. Joseph also speaks about the additional work that supports this, including regional development, capability building and long-term investment. The episode also covers carbon value, net zero opportunities, and how AFWI and FWPA can collaborate on research, innovation and industry transformation to strengthen environmental and economic outcomes across Australia. Theme tune: 'Macaroon 5' by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/). Artist: audionautix.com/

In this episode of WoodChat, we take a deeper look at how genetics is reshaping Australia’s forestry sector. Building on our FWPA article 'The power of genetics: growing stronger, more productive plantations', we explore the science and strategy behind improving forest stock, boosting yield and strengthening the resilience of plantations. Our guests unpack the major gains achieved in plantation forestry so far, how tree breeding can help future-proof forests in a changing climate, and what current funding levels mean for accelerating genetic improvement at scale. We also dig into what’s working, what isn’t, and the opportunities ahead for the industry. Featuring: • Dr Tony McRae, General Manager, Tree Breeding Australia • Dominic Kain, Tree Breeder and Geneticist, HQPlantations • Josquin Tibbits, Senior Research Scientist, Department of Environment and Primary Industries This episode is ideal for anyone interested in forestry innovation, timber research, plantation genetics and the work supported by Forest and Wood Products Australia. Theme tune: 'Macaroon 5' by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Periodically, WoodChat places a focus on presenting the latest work around building safely in bushfire-prone areas, in particular highlighting the work of the Codes and Standards team. During this episode, we wanted to speak to Boris Iskra, National Manager Codes & Standards at Forest and Wood Products Australia in a more general sense to get a snapshot of the other important work that FWPA is involved with in this space, and the importance of this work for the forestry industry, the economy, the public and the environment, as well as getting an update on some exciting recent and upcoming developments. Listeners will hear from Boris about new and revised Codes and Standards that are already in-place, plus planned and imminent additions for the future. Boris will also explain about the recently-formed FWPA Industry Standards Reference Panel, which was put together to ensure pertinent Codes and Standards relating to the industry are put forward and reviewed, as well as the process by which this takes place. In addition, we speak to a member of the Standards Reference Panel to get their take on its activities and importance - sharing his thoughts is Gavin Matthew, CEO at the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA), who represents the interests of the Engineered Wood Products (EWPs) sector as part of his role on the panel.

At WoodChat, we explore a diverse array of forestry and timber-related topics. Some episodes have greater relevance to the Australian industry, while others have global significance. This episode is focused on bushfires. At the time of recording in January 2025, the catastrophic Los Angeles bushfires have been dominating headlines worldwide. Sadly, Australia has plenty of experience managing similar events. Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) is a long-standing supporter of the safe use of timber in the construction of resilient buildings in bushfire-prone areas, with much of its research, WoodSolutions program and Codes & Standards activities focusing on this space. We spoke to Boris Iskra, National Manager Codes & Standards at FWPA to get his take on the recent Californian fires, the ever-evolving measures taken in Australia to ensure safe construction with timber in bushfire-prone areas, and some of the latest, positive developments in this area. Additionally, listeners will hear from Kersten Gentle, CEO of the Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA) and her thoughts on why timber is the ideal choice for building in such areas, for a whole host of reasons. Learn more about FWPA's work: https://fwpa.com.au/

In the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast, listeners are invited to explore the transformative role of nutrition in enhancing forest productivity across Australia. This insightful episode features researcher John McGrath, who shares insights about three pivotal projects, with the potential to shape the long-term future of forest management for maximum yield and productivity. The discussion kicks off with the hardwood yield gap project aimed at identifying forest management actions to help reduce the hardwood yield gap. This work successfully helped to recalibrate the Agricultural Production System sIMulator (APSIM) model for hardwood productivity. This tool offers a better understanding of environmental limitations to maximising hardwood yield, and invaluable guidance for forestry professionals. Moving on to the softwood nutrition project, McGrath highlights the long-term collection of historical date to enable the extension of the pre-existing South Australian predictive tool ProFert into Western Australia. The recalibrated tool is already helping forest managers in WA to better predict fertiliser response in softwood plantations. Similarly, a project was also conducted with a focus on hardwood, and the complex interactions between climate, temperature, soil, and nutrient responses All projects emphasise how tailored nutrition strategies and an understanding of additional external variables are essential for optimising tree growth, yield and profitability across diverse environments. Additionally, the episode also includes details of how Wespine - the largest sawmill in WA – supported the work that resulted in the recalibrated version of ProFert for WA. During the episode, Resource Manager Brad Barr shares how the initiative will help address long-term challenges such as the ongoing impact of bushfires, while simultaneously improving resource efficiency. For those invested in forestry progression, this episode of the WoodChat podcast is a must-listen.

Explore FWPA's Statistics & Economics program by listening to the latest episode of our WoodChat podcast series. Join us as we chat with Dr Erick Hansnata, FWPA Statistics and Economics Program Manager, to gain insights into the organisation's newly enhanced Data Dashboard - an essential tool that aims to transform industry data access and support critical business decisions. During the episode, Erick also discusses planned improvements to the Timber Market Index - a powerful tool for tracking price movements and trends. In addition, hear highlights from FWPA's three-part online webinar series designed to create understanding and engagement amongst the forestry and construction industries of the market potential of timber as the government continues to work to build new homes to address the gap between supply and demand.

WARNING - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this episode may contain the names or voices of deceased people. A recently completed research project has showcased great potential for the development of sustainable native forestry activities in the Northern Territory led by Traditional Owner communities. In this episode of WoodChat, we hear from two of the leading researchers from this project - Northern Territory Government Project Manager Dallas Anson and University of the Sunshine Coast Associate Professor (Adjunct) Mark Annandale. Dallas and Mark discuss their involvement with the initiative, which aimed to boost the forestry capacity of Indigenous communities in the East Arnhem region. During the episode, listeners will also hear from Indigenous project participants, Mabo Mununggurritj and Balupalu Yunapingu about their experiences. The project saw training offered to Traditional Owners in operational skills and forest management principles, and the establishment of a Sustainable Native Forestry Demonstration Site where products were manufactured from locally harvested timber. Other activities included raising stakeholder awareness of the value of sustainable Indigenous-led commercial forestry, and the exploration of potential business development opportunities. With thanks to the Traditional Custodians of the Gumatj lands. Read more about this project: https://fwpa.com.au/report/indigenous-commercial-forestry-opportunities-east-arnhem-northern-australia/

In 2023, the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life entered an exciting new stage in its evolution with the appointment of its new Director, Professor Tripti Singh. With more than 20 years of experience in managing collaborative, multi-million-dollar research programs, Professor Singh is a leading figure in wood protection research. In this episode of WoodChat, we catch up with Tripti to find out about her plans and vision for the future of the Centre. We also speak to the researchers heading up two key Centre-led projects - one that's investigating the termite resistance of fast-grown plantation heartwood timber species, and another that's focused on improving the environmental profile of treated timber by identifying appropriate alternative uses for it at end-of-life.

This episode we take a focus on biosecurity. You’ll hear about three exciting research initiatives aimed at improving Australia’s protection measures to help mitigate the risks posed to our forests by exotic pests and diseases. Lucy Tran-Nguyen, GM of Partnerships and Innovation at Plant Health Australia, tells us about The National Forest Pest Surveillance Program - also known as Forest Watch Australia - which commenced on the 1st of July 2022, and recently completed its first full year of activity. Lucy also told us about The MyPestGuide Trees app, which equips all forestry stakeholders with the tools to do their bit and help minimise the damage caused to Australian forests and trees by the presence of exotic pests and diseases. In addition, you'll hear from Dr Madaline Healey, Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Forest Research Institute, about work to improve risk management for invasive forest pests and diseases right across the South East Asia region.