The Queensland Government has announced a comprehensive 25-year plan aimed at revitalizing the state’s timber and forestry industry. This initiative, dubbed the Queensland Future Timber Plan, is designed to secure a sustainable local timber supply, supporting the ambitious goal of constructing one million homes by 2044. The plan emerges after a decade marked by uncertainty in the sector, a situation attributed to previous administrations.
Developed through extensive public consultation and collaboration with industry stakeholders, the Queensland Future Timber Plan focuses on enhancing five key areas: supply, supply chain and market, regulatory framework, workforce, and research and development. By 2050, the plan aims to expand Queensland’s plantation estate by an additional 25,000 hectares, modernize forest management systems, and ensure the sustainable use of both plantation and native forest resources.
Selective harvesting of native hardwoods will continue in both state-owned and privately managed forests, following sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. This strategy aims to meet the immediate and long-term demands for housing and infrastructure development.
The initiative is part of a broader commitment under the government’s Primary Industries Prosper 2050 framework, which aims to elevate primary industry production to $30 billion by 2030. As stated by Tony Perrett, Queensland’s Minister for Primary Industries, the plan marks a vital step toward rebuilding the timber industry, which has struggled under prior regimes.
“The Queensland Future Timber Plan will help rebuild Queensland’s forestry and timber industry to build more homes for Queenslanders,” Perrett noted. He emphasized the contrast between this new plan and the previous government’s approach, which he characterized as ineffective and poorly executed.
The plan also promises certainty for the native hardwood industry, which faced challenges under past policies. “Labor’s hollow promise for a two-year plan was never delivered,” Perrett added, highlighting the previous administration’s failure to adequately support the sector.
Looking ahead, the government plans to issue new sales permits for state-owned native hardwood supply in areas outside the South East Queensland Regional Plan starting in 2026. This move is intended to ensure an uninterrupted supply of timber, providing both a boost to the economy and furthering environmental sustainability.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, expressed optimism about the plan’s potential benefits for conservation and outdoor tourism. “This is a great outcome for conservation and for outdoor tourism and recreation,” he stated. The plan is expected to enhance forest productivity while simultaneously expanding Queensland’s protected areas, opening avenues for ecotourism, particularly in regions like Deongwar.
The Queensland Future Timber Plan has been shaped by input from various sectors, with over 1.35 million individuals reached during the consultation process. More than 350 people were directly engaged, generating over 550 ideas that will contribute to the initial five-year action plan for sustaining Queensland’s timber resources.
By addressing both immediate needs and long-term sustainability, the Queensland Government aims to secure a viable future for its timber industry, ensuring it remains a valuable asset for generations to come.
