WoodChat

WoodChat

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WoodChat is a podcast produced by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA). We’ll be sharing in-depth conversations with industry experts and academics about a range of news stories, discoveries and innovations. For more information, visit www.fwpa.com.au

APR 20

Episode 41 - Women in Forestry: Professor Tripti Singh

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.

27 min
MAR 9

Episode 40 - Biophilia Revisited: Why timber workplaces feel different

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/

43 min
12/01/2025

Episode 39 - Climate, Collaboration and Capability: an interview with AFWI’s Dr. Joseph Lawrence

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/

24 min
11/18/2025

Episode 38 - The power of genetics and genomics: a closer look

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/

52 min
05/09/2025

Episode 37 - The importance of Codes & Standards for industry, economy and environment

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.

39 min
02/03/2025

Episode 36 - Australia, California & beyond - Building safely with timber in bushfire zones

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/

27 min
12/09/2024

Episode 35 - Feeding Trees: Essential Nutrition for Long-Term Forest Productivity

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.

22 min
10/28/2024

Episode 34 - How Data and Information Are Empowering The Forestry Industry

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.

35 min

WoodChat is a podcast produced by Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA). We’ll be sharing in-depth conversations with industry experts and academics about a range of news stories, discoveries and innovations. For more information, visit www.fwpa.com.au

Creator

WoodChat
Years Active

2018 - 2026
Episodes

41
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© All rights reserved
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WoodChat