Building a stronger Queensland forest and timber industry |
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North Queensland Highlights Gulf Savannah NRM and Hub to host Silvopastoral Workshop and Field Day Hub Biomass Assessment report available Updates to Hub Mapping Website Labor Demand Assessment invites stakeholder involvement |
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South & Central Queensland Highlights Hub projects update Expressions of Interest applications in review CQUniversity Rockhampton hosts Steering Committee meeting Stakeholder engagement workshops: Connecting with our community |
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NORTH QUEENSLAND HIGHLIGHTS |
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Hulton King Hub Manager North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub |
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Gulf Savannah NRM and Hub to host Silvopastoral Workshop and Field Day |
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Gulf Savannah NRM, in partnership with the North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub, will present findings from their collaborative silvopastoral project at a workshop and field day to be held on 25 November (venue to be confirmed). The event aims to showcase practical methods landholders can use to manage forests and integrate silvopastoral systems on their properties. By incorporating trees into farming systems, silvopastoral practices can help boost drought resilience through income diversification, as well as providing benefits like windbreaks, fodder, shade, and improved soil health. The event welcomes regional forestry stakeholders and landholders to share experiences and explore options and includes a field visit to a local property for hands-on learning. For more information or to register, please contact Hub Manager, Hulton King, via h.king@nqfh.com.au |
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| | Above: NQFH Manager Hulton King, Kasmin Brotherton (Gulf Savannah NRM) and Thomas Williams (Central Queensland University) assessing a silvopastoral system west of Mareeba |
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Hub Biomass Assessment report available |
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The North Queensland Forestry Hub has completed an analysis of underutilised or waste biomass generated by forestry and wood processing operations across the region. This includes woody material from forests not used for solid wood production, as well as residues from processing logs into products like sawdust, shavings, chips, and bark. The project quantified the regional biomass available from sources such as plantation forestry, native forestry, wood processing and construction residues, and briefly assessed existing and potential commercial uses. Through consultations, site visits, and literature reviews, the team was able to estimate the quantity of biomass from various sources within the region. The study found that while there are areas with higher concentrations of biomass, such as sawmilling byproducts, most of this material is already sold (e.g., for animal bedding) or used on-site (e.g., as boiler fuel). View the report |
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Updates to Hub Mapping Website |
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The Regional Forestry Hub’s Geographic Information System (GIS) for forestry has recently been updated, incorporating new layers that map prospective plantation forestry areas for the South and Central Queensland Hub region. GIS is a tool that captures, stores, and analyses spatial data, enabling users to visualise and assess forested areas, land use, and potential development sites. The North Queensland Forestry Hub is currently completing its own plantation feasibility assessment, and once finalised, those layers will also be published on the Hub's GIS platform. |
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Labor Demand Assessment invites stakeholder involvement |
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The Hub has engaged Tim Woods from Industry Edge to assess the local forestry sector’s labour demand and capacity, aiming to identify current workforce development pathways. While several key stakeholders have already provided valuable feedback, further input is sought from additional groups within the North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub region. If you are a stakeholder who has not yet contributed to this project and would like to participate, please contact Hub Manager, Hulton King, to share your input via h.king@nqfh.com.au. |
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SOUTH & CENTRAL QUEENSLAND HIGHLIGHTS |
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Kerry Fullarton Hub Manager South & Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hub |
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The project report for Spatial modelling of financially suitable afforestation under different scenarios for timber production and carbon storage with key prospective wood species has been completed by the Hub, and is now available online along with the Foundations GIS platform:
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The following projects are underway: Forest & timber industry awareness pilot project: Feedback is currently being sought from Steering Committee members; more information will be released soon. Recognising the carbon in native forest regrowth: This report is in its final stages. Treated wood waste regulatory requirements and information needs assessment: Interim draft report progressing. Characterising SEQ softwood plantation residues to inform emerging markets: Project has commenced; draft report is underway. Assessment of First Nations Australians traditional knowledge policy strategy: Regional Economic Solutions completed the stakeholder engagement project ‘Caring for Country, Forestry and Wood Products knowledge collaboration” at Rockhampton in September and will begin work on the report later this month.
Another project currently in development with our Hub Working Group is the Improved Cypress regrowth management scoping study. The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cypress regrowth management strategies in Queensland, focusing on wood productivity through applied silvicultural trials and past research and development (R&D). The goal is to deliver science-based, actionable recommendations for enhancing cypress regrowth management. These recommendations will be informed by both contemporary findings and prior R&D, while considering factors such as forest conditions (e.g., drought or fire-affected stands), site quality and species composition in the region. |
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Expressions of Interest: Applications in review Submissions are currently being reviewed for the following projects: Review of QDAF commercial assessment methods Part 1: Reviewing and understanding the current assessment methods used by QDAF and/or other agencies (as applicable) to assess the methodology used to determine the commercial status of forests on leasehold land – which includes native cypress and hardwood forests. The assessment methodology is primarily used in Queensland to assess leasehold land when it is proposed to convert to freehold land and the state is considering whether to retain ownership of any commercial state-owned native timber on the lease. Part 2: Reviewing and understanding current assessment methods used by QDAF and/or other agencies (as applicable) to assess resource losses from natural disturbances, such as fire and drought. LEARN MORE Assessment of current safety practices in forest operations Expressions of Interest (EOI) were sought from individuals and organisations with the necessary forestry management and operations (current experience and familiarity within the sector) expertise to assist Hub members to review baseline safety practices in the Queensland forest industry to support further development of training and other support materials – to identify issues and ways for improvement within the forestry operating environment. LEARN MORE More information will be shared in the next edition of this newsletter to announce the successful applicant in each instance. |
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CQUniversity Rockhampton hosts Steering Committee meeting |
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The South & Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hub’s September Steering Committee meeting was hosted by Central Queensland University at the Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct in Rockhampton on 18 September. The Hub would like to thank Dr Thomas Williams for his support in providing the venue. The Steering Committee welcomed Parkside’s Development Manager – Sawmilling, Darren Grainger, to the September meeting. Parkside Timber, a leading Australian sawmilling company with four mills in Queensland, maintains a keen focus on cutting edge technology for hardwood products. The group also welcomed Katie Fowden, General Manager – Stakeholder Engagement from Hyne Timber as proxy for James Hyne. Thank you to Mick Stephens from Timber Queensland who chaired the meeting while James was away. |
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The Hub would also like to extend its thanks to Sue Joseph, Managing Director of Bassett Barks, for her dedication and commitment as a member of the Steering Committee. After three decades of owning and operating her hinterland business, Sue has decided to step away. She shared that the company has been acquired by Hyne Group, one of Australia’s leading suppliers of bark, and the Keith Family, whose family-run business Rocky Point Pty Ltd has purchased 100% of the shares in Bassett Barks Pty Ltd.
Thank you, Sue. We will miss your input. Left: Hub Manager Kerry, with 'Bark Boss' Sue Joseph. |
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Stakeholder engagement workshops: Connecting with our community |
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Connecting with the community, South and Central Queensland Regional Hub Manager Kerry Fullarton attended a number of events over the last few months, including the launch of the Wide Bay Forest and Timber Industry Workforce Development Plan, hosted by Baywood in Maryborough; and a meeting with the First Nations Working Group with a Moon-da-gatta Yarning session in Rockhampton, led by Leann Wilson of Regional Economic Solutions.
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| | Above: Kylie Newey, Jobs Queensland and Hub Manager Kerry Fullarton at the launch of the Wide Bay Forest and Timber Industry Workforce Development Plan. |
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Above: Timber Queensland CEO, Mick Stephens, joined Hub Manager Kerry Fullarton at the Moon-da-gatta Yarning process with the First Nations Working Group, led by Regional Economic Solutions. Earlier this month Kerry attended the National Regional Forestry Hub Managers meeting hosted at Mount Gambier, which was followed by site tours at the Green Triangle. The Hub would like to thank the Green Triangle Hub Manager for organising site tours to Treebreeding Australia, Bio Gro at Wandillo, Onefortyone Glencoe Nursery and Timberlink’s Tarpeena CLT and GLT plant. Below: Hub Managers Kerry Fullarton (South & Central Qld), Carlie Porteous (Murray Region/NSW), Tony Wright (Green Triangle), Nick Cameron (North-East NSW), Cameron MacDonald (Onefortyone), TraceyTaylor (Tasmania), Robyn Janczewski (DAFF), Leisa Goodwin (Gippsland). |
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