Building a stronger Queensland forest and timber industry |
|
|
All Hub Managers meeting held in the Northern Territory |
|
|
North Queensland Highlights - Hub partnership develops silvopastoral solutions for local landholders across various bioregions and landscapes - Cardwell Silvopastoral Project Field Day - Hub hosts Strategic Workshop for local forestry stakeholders |
|
South & Central Queensland Highlights - Hub projects update - Steering Committee welcomes new member - Recent workshops initiate change and growth - Stakeholder engagement: Connecting with our community |
|
|
All Hub Managers meeting held in the Northern Territory |
|
|
All National Forestry Hub Managers recently met in Darwin to discuss both regionally specific and broader industry issues being considered by each of the Hubs, along with selected field trips to local forestry activities. A notable highlight of the meeting was a presentation by the largest indigenous-owned agricultural venture in Northern Australia, Tiwi Plantations Corporation. The Hubs visited local African Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) plantations being managed by African Mahogany Australia in the Douglas Daly region of the Northern Territory. The plantation managers demonstrated how they manage a large operation with just two full-time staff on site and amidst the challenges of the classic wet/dry climate seasonality that comes with the country. |
|
|
Sawlog trials from the stand have so far shown some promising timber qualities with AMA now looking to explore and secure markets for their resource. More information on this plantation can be found at https://africanmahoganyaustralia.com.au/. The group also visited some of the Sandalwood being grown in the region, where insights into the complexities of managing such a plantation there were shared by the Operational Managers. Above right: Chris Oliver, the plantation Manager from African Mahogany Australia (AMA), with one of the Plantation’s largest trees currently in the stand. Below left: Initial processing trials from the African Mahogany plantation are showing promising results so far across multiple potential products. Below right: Sandalwood being Grown in the Douglas Daly Region of the NT |
|
|
NORTH QUEENSLAND HIGHLIGHTS |
|
|
Hulton King Hub Manager North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub |
|
|
Hub partnership develops silvopastoral solutions for local landholders across various bioregions and landscapes |
|
|
The Gulf Savannah NRM region of Far North Queensland faces significant variability in climate and soil types, a challenge for landholders looking to develop drought resilience on their properties. The collaborative project between Gulf Savannah NRM and the North Queensland Forestry Hub, funded by the TNQ Drought Hub, recently conducted a road trip with researchers from the University of Sunshine Coast to conduct on-ground assessments of landscape at several properties, along with biophysical attributes to support guidance on implementing silvopastoral systems for drought resilience. Silvopastoral systems may provide additional resilience to drought via income diversification, wind breaks, fodder, shade and soil remediation, as some examples. Various farming landscapes across the NRM region were selected for the roadtrip, with landholder perceptions also assessed as part of a broader survey, which sought to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities for silvopastoral systems in this part of the country. A final workshop will present results of the survey and road trip, with an aim to highlight the most practicable approaches landholders can take. Contact the Hub for more information if you would like to attend this event. Left: University of the Sunshine Coast Researcher Trinh Huynh (right), along with Gulf Savannah NRM project officer Kasmin Brotherton and local forestry consultant Daryl Killin inspecting a native hardwood plantation of Eucalyptus cloeziana in dry Gulf Savannah country Right: Members of the project team assessing a biodynamic silvopastoral system. |
|
|
Cardwell Silvopastoral Project Field Day |
|
|
The final field day for the Cardwell Silvopastoral Site took place on June 17, with several key stakeholders joining select members of the project team for a site walkthrough and project update. The field day was a fantastic opportunity to share some of the key learnings from the past 3 years of project work. From the nuances of mustering cattle across the site, pasture quality and tree growth performance to modelling financial performance of the combined system, the project team was able to demonstrate tangible benefits for both tree and cattle production across the site. The project is now actively looking to secure funding for extension well beyond the initial funding provided by the Hub and others under the CRC for Northern Australia. Other potential demonstration sites for silvopastoral trails are also being sought by the project team. Contact the Hub by replying to this email for more information on how you could be involved in a future research trial as a silvopastoral system champion! |
|
|
This project is due for completion in the next few months, so be sure to keep in touch to receive a link to the final report. Above: Craig Armstrong from HQPlantations discusses the silvopastoral site layout and design at the recent field day in Cardwell. |
|
|
Hub hosts Strategic Workshop for local forestry stakeholders |
|
|
The Hub recently held a strategic workshop in Cairns, bringing together growers, processors, harvesters, government and other selected stakeholders for a half-day of presentations and group discussion. Hub Manager Hulton King presented a summary of work to date, with supplementary talks from Daryll Killin (The Carbon Hub), Mick Stephens (Timber Queensland) and Kevin Harding (Forestry Australia) all providing a foundation of information in the morning, before the group moved to facilitated discussion around future focus areas and opportunities for Hub technical work. Professor Mark Brown from the University of Sunshine Coast also provided an update on the recently launched Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Grants, which have an opening round of funding currently accepting proposals. Feedback from the collective discussions will be used by the Hub and its steering committee to assist in guiding future Hub research and project extension. The Hub would like to thank all who attended in person or online for their valuable contributions and enjoyable discussions. Below: Results from a poll run during the workshop |
|
|
SOUTH & CENTRAL QUEENSLAND HIGHLIGHTS |
|
|
Kerry Fullarton Hub Manager South & Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hub |
|
|
Two projects will be releasing reports shortly: The Hub recently completed the project report: Spatial Modelling of Financially Suitable Afforestation Under Different Scenarios for Timber Production and Carbon Storage with Key Prospective Wood Species. This report will be released on the website in the coming months. The Forest & Timber Industry Awareness Pilot Project report will be released soon, and we look forward to reading the findings of the data in this report.
Four projects are currently underway: Recognising The Carbon in Native Forest Regrowth, this report is in its final stages. Treated Wood Waste Regulatory Requirements And Information Needs Assessment Draft Report is progressing and seeking feedback from industry. If you would like to provide information in relation to this project, please reach out to the Hub. The Characterising SEQ Softwood Plantation Residues to Inform Emerging Markets Project has commenced. Assessment of First Nations Australians Traditional Knowledge Policy Strategy is underway, with Regional Economic Solutions commencing stakeholder engagement. Findings will be presented in a report towards the end of 2024.
Other projects under development and progressing with our Hub Working Groups include: Review of QDAF Commercial Assessment Methods Improved Cypress Regrowth Management Scoping Study; and Assessment Of Current Safety Practices in Forest Operations.
|
|
|
Steering Committee welcomes new member |
|
|
Ian Haines, General Manager at DTM Timber, has joined the South & Central Queensland Regional Hub Steering Committee and will be hosting the next meeting in Maryborough later this month. Operating since 1988, from humble beginnings DTM Timber has rapidly expanded into the large logging, sawmilling, timber treatment and structural quality timber distribution and sales business that exists today. With his broad expertise, we welcome Ian's input to the Steering Committee. Left: DTM Timber's Ian Haines |
|
|
Recent workshops initiate change and growth |
|
|
The South & Central Queensland Forestry Hub and Regional Economic Solutions hosted the First Nations Australians Traditional Knowledge and Economic Development stakeholder engagement with Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation. Part of the Moon-da-gatta Process, the workshop was held at the University of Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast Campus on 8 April. Right: Attendees at the First Nations Australians Traditional Knowledge and Economic Development. |
|
|
The Hub also hosted the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) workshop with around 50 stakeholders at the Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre at Maryborough on 16 May. With the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) selected by the Federal Government to receive more than $24 million to establish one of three new regional centres to support the AFWI, USC’s Professor Mark Brown presented information to workshop attendees on project ideas and proposed project plan development. |
|
|
Stakeholder engagement: Connecting with our community Connecting with the community, South and Central Queensland Regional Hub Manager Kerry Fullarton attended several events over the last few months, including: Gympie Economic Development Alliance meetings in March and May 2024 Gympie Timber and Forest Career Forum on 23 May Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on 29 May Jobs Fraser Coast board meeting on 10 June 2024 The National Regional Forestry Hub Managers meeting, hosted in Darwin on 18 June. The following day Hub Mangers were taken on a site tour of the Douglas Daly region which included visiting African Mahogany Australia and the sandalwood plantation and operations at Apical Forest Management.
Below left: Hub Manager Kerry Fullarton with one of the tallest trees in the African Mahogany plantation Below right: The tour group exploring the plantation |
|
|
In supporting our industry, Kerry also Chaired the Forestry IRG/Workforce Planning & Development working group on 18 March and 10 June 2024 Presented information at the final Canopy Steering Committee meeting in April, in addition to chairing the March meeting. Provided a Hub update to the Department of State Development on 9 May As a member of the Forest Wind Community Reference Group, she attended a field trip to Coopers Gap Wind Farm on 21 May 2024 to understand the impact of an operational wind farm. Supported Jobs Fraser Coast, who hosted the Fraser Coast Industry Showcase in Maryborough on 5 June – a successful event attended by more 2000 people
Below: Hub Manager, Kerry Fullarton, with Timber Queensland Strategic Relations & Communications Manager, Clarissa Brandt, at the well-attended Fraser Coast Industry Showcase. |
|
|
|
|
