New South Wales (NSW) is home to over 22 million hectares of native forest—equivalent to an area that is 400 times the size of Greater Sydney. Native forests provide a host of benefits, from vital wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and community benefits, while also supplying sustainable resources for local communities and industries. Native hardwood timber is one of the most important and versatile materials, supporting everything from construction to tourism.
The Importance of Timber in NSW
The NSW timber industry is relatively small in terms of direct employment, with the equivalent of one employee per 1,000 hectares of forest. The impact of timber on the region’s economy and culture is however significant. On the NSW North Coast, timber is central to both the community’s identity and its economic vitality. Local timber is used for a wide variety of purposes, and its sustainable use has become integral to the ongoing development of the region.
While timber production in NSW is carefully managed to ensure sustainability, the demand for high-quality, locally sourced timber continues to rise, further driven by the limitations on the Western Australia and Victoria markets. Thanks to the abundant native mixed-hardwood forests in the area, the North Coast produces timber that is not only durable and reliable but also prized for its aesthetic appeal.
Timber’s Diverse Uses in Australia
Timber is a versatile material that serves many purposes, from the construction of buildings to providing biomass renewable energy. Here are some of the most common ways in which hardwood timber is used in our region.
1. Infrastructure: Telegraph Poles, Railway Sleepers, and Bridge Transoms
Hardwood timbers such as Blackbutt, Spotted Gum, Tallowood and Ironbark are particularly valued for their strength and durability, making it ideal for telegraph poles and railway sleepers. Bridge transoms, the cross beams that help support the weight of railway bridges, are also often made from timber due to its ability to withstand heavy loads and tough conditions.
2. Mining: Pit Props and Timber Supports
High-quality hardwood timber like Ironbark and Tallowood has traditionally been used in underground mining for support beams, pit props, and shaft linings due to its strength and ability to handle heavy loads. However, in recent years, steel has increasingly replaced timber in mining operations due to its superior strength, durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Despite this shift, timber remains relevant in specific contexts, particularly in smaller or older mines that still use traditional methods. Timber is often more affordable and accessible, making it a practical choice for cost-conscious operations. Additionally, timber can be easily shaped on-site, offering flexibility in irregular mining conditions where steel might be less practical.
3. Housing Construction: Structural Elements, Flooring, and Decking
Over 75% of sawn timber produced in Australia is used in residential construction. In NSW, hardwood is commonly used in the structural components of homes, including beams, joists, and framing. Timber is also used for flooring and decking. Blackbutt and Spotted Gum, are especially popular due to their resilience to termites, moisture, and wear, making them ideal for both interior and exterior applications.
4. Fencing and Landscaping
Hardwood timber is used to build sturdy fences, garden borders, and retaining walls. The natural grain and texture of timber and its ability to withstand the elements make it a sought-after material for garden features.
5. Marine: Wharf and Jetty Construction
Native species including Turpentine, Ironbark and Tallowwood are used in the construction of wharfs, jetties, and piers due to their durability and ability to withstand the salty marine environment.
6. Pallet Timber
Timber is also essential for industrial uses, such as the production of pallets. Timber pallets are strong, cost-effective, and recyclable, making them a sustainable option for logistics and freight industries. Read more about timber processing and other popular timber uses on our Top 10 Australian hardwood timber uses
Highest Demand Australian Hardwood Timber Species
1. Blackbutt
Blackbutt is one of the highest value timbers growing abundantly in Northern NSW. A tall tree of up to 40 metres or more in height features a long straight cylindrical trunk, which can reach up to 3 metres in diameter. Blackbutt is renowned for both its strength and versatility of application, commonly used in furniture, flooring, building, telegraph poles, railway and bridge decking.
2. Spotted Gum
The Spotted Gum is a tall, straight tree that can reach heights of up to 50 metres and a diameter of up to 1.4 metres. Spotted Gum features a striking grain structure and vibrant colour, and these native trees are highly sought after by architects and designers worldwide. Used in heavy construction, furniture, flooring, tool handles and preservative treated telegraph poles.
3. Tallowood
Tallowood is a highly prized building timber. A very strong and extremely durable dense timber with a yellowish brown heartwood. Used for heavy engineering construction, railway transoms and sleepers, telegraph polesand crossarms, flooring and decking.
4. Iron Bark
A premium, hard, and durable timber, it is used both as internal and external construction timber, including use as railway transoms and sleepers, structural house frames, and sporting goods.
https://nenswforestryhub.com.au/forest-resources/native-forests/preferred-timber-speciesRead more about hardwood species in our Guide to Northern NSW Native Tree Species.
The Role of Sustainable Timber Practices
With the demand for timber continuing to increase, ensuring that timber is sourced sustainably is a top priority. In NSW, responsible forest management practices are crucial to preserving the health of native forests while meeting the needs of the timber industry. Sustainable practices include selective logging, where only mature trees are harvested, utilising as much of the tree as possible via enhanced logging techniques and processing the timber for multiple end uses. These efforts help maintain biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and protect water quality, while still providing a renewable source of timber.
In summary
Timber plays a vital role in the economy, infrastructure, and culture of New South Wales, particularly in regions like the North Coast. From supporting vital infrastructure to being a key material in housing construction, furniture making, and even renewable energy production, the uses of timber are as diverse as they are essential. Sustainable forest management ensures that timber can continue to provide these benefits for future generations while preserving the biodiversity of NSW natives forest.
If you own a private native forest, now is the perfect time to embrace sustainable management practices. Connect with Sustainable Forest Management today. As experts in managing private native forests and plantations across the NSW North Coast, we offer free assessments and valuations of your forest. Contact Siman and the team at 1300 367 378 to find out how we can assist.
We believe there is a better way to manage Australia’s private native forests.
