Building a stronger Queensland forest and timber industry |
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Regional Forestry Hub Managers meeting North Queensland Highlights - Register now for Master Tree Growers Workshop - Hub collaboration explores silvopastoral systems, perceptions and resilience |
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South & Central Queensland Highlights - Hub projects update - Vale Greg Phipps - Steering Committee meeting explores new technology - Stakeholder engagement: Connecting with our community |
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Regional Forestry Hub Managers meeting |
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Regional Hub Managers recently travelled to Maryborough to discuss opportunities and updates across all 11 Hubs at the two-day Regional Forestry Hub Managers Meeting. Hosted by South and Central Qld Regional Forestry Hub Manager, Kerry Fullarton, the event saw the group visit several key processing and harvest sites in the region, including Hyne Timber’s Glulam factory, Sunchip’s biochar processing site at Maryborough, and the HQPlantations estate and Tuan office. Right: Regional Hub Managers coming together in Maryborough Below: Sunchip's "Tigercat" biochar production machine, |
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Wood residues from the harvest operation are fed into a controlled pyrolytic incinerator, with combustion controlled in a way to extract a high-carbon charcoal product with few impurities. This “biochar” is then graded at a nearby sorting facility for use across a variety of products. Bio-char products are becoming increasingly versatile across various industrial and agricultural applications and may continue to grow within the domestic timber supply chain. Right: Sunchip Managing Director, Mark Blackberry discussing Biochar's potential at their Maryborough sorting facility. |
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The South & Central Queensland Hub recently completed the project “Assessment of the volumes of wood biomass residues and their potential uses and markets” and have another, “Characterising SEQ softwood plantation residues to inform emerging markets”, endorsed by the Steering Committee and currently underway. So, the tour presented a wonderful opportunity for Regional Hub Managers to see the process from one end of the supply chain to the other", said Kerry Fullarton. The event was welcomed by Hub Chair, James Hyne and Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor, George Seymour, and included presentations from Fraser Coast Regional Council and Native Secrets. Both Queensland Hubs would like to thank all stakeholders for their continued support. Left: the group attending the HQPlantations facility Below: James Hyne presents to the group at Hyne Timber |
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NORTH QUEENSLAND HIGHLIGHTS |
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Hulton King Hub Manager North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub |
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Register now for Master Tree Growers Workshop |
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In April the North Queensland Forestry Hub will be joining a number of local forestry experts to assist in delivering the 2024 Master Tree Growers (MTG) workshop. Funded by Timber Queensland under their Canopy Hub program, the Master Tree Growers course is hosted by local forester Daryl Killin of Native Conifers Carbon Sink, who has 30 years’ experience in farm forestry in the wet tropics. Designed by Rowan Reid of the Australian Agroforestry Foundation, this nationally acclaimed eight-day workshop is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the world of farm forestry. With sessions scheduled over four consecutive Fridays and Saturdays this April, the program promises a deep dive into the multi-faceted world of tree planting and management, spanning topics like establishing forests for conservation and profit, navigating market opportunities in traditional timber industries and emerging carbon and biodiversity markets. Participants will gain insight into integrating trees into rural landscapes, managing risks, and enhancing the value of timber products through processing and value-adding. "The Farm Forestry Master Tree Growers Workshop is a unique opportunity for landowners to explore the potential of tree planting on their properties," said Daryl Killin. "Whether it's for timber production, carbon sequestration, or enhancing biodiversity, this workshop will provide practical insights and strategies for success." The workshop series features technical expert presentations, interactive discussions, and field trips to local farm forestry sites and sustainable timber operations. Participants will have the chance to learn from industry leaders, engage in hands-on activities, and network with like-minded individuals passionate about sustainable land management. Interested landowners are encouraged to register promptly, as spaces are limited. The workshops are free for serious participants, with one spot available per landowner. Additional spots are open for those able to provide their own transportation. To register for the Farm Forestry Master Tree Growers (MTG) Workshop, email admin@killin.com.au with your contact details and the subject line "YES MTG." Daryl will then forward you the relevant material and information. |
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Hub collaboration explores silvopastoral systems, perceptions and resilience |
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A recently launched collaboration between the Hub, University of the Sunshine Coast, TNQ Drought Hub and Gulf Savannah NRM is researching methodologies for silvopastoral systems across the Hub Region, surveying the perceptions of key landholders, and undertaking site visits. Funded under the Commonwealth’s TNQ Drought Hub, the project will provide a literature review for regional-specific methodologies for silvopastoral systems (the practice of managing native or plantation timber alongside livestock) to assist graziers in developing drought resilience on their properties. The project will also seek to engage with key landholders across a road trip to survey landscapes and assess the current perceptions from landholders around silvopastoral practices. A final workshop will present results of the survey and road trip, with an aim to highlight the most practicable approaches that landholders can take. For more information on attending, please contact Hub Manager, Hulton King 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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Five projects are currently underway: Forest & timber industry awareness pilot project Spatial modelling of financially suitable afforestation under different scenarios for timber production and carbon storage with key prospective wood species. Recognising the carbon in native forest regrowth Treated wood waste regulatory requirements and information needs assessment. Characterising SEQ softwood plantation residues to inform emerging markets.
Other projects that are under development with our Hub working groups include: Review of QDAF commercial assessment methods Improved cypress regrowth management scoping study Assessment of current safety practices in forest operations Assessment of First Nations Australians traditional knowledge policy strategy
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Vale Greg Phipps: Farewell to a strong supporter |
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The South and Central Queensland Regional Hub received the sad news that Steering Committee member Greg Phipps from EcoCottages passed away – he will be sincerely missed by the timber industry. Members of the Hub Steering Committee attended his memorial service, held in December last year in Cooran. Left: Vale Greg Phipps |
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Steering Committee meeting an opportunity to explore new technology |
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The Hub’s March Steering Committee meeting was hosted in Hervey Bay by Sunchip Group – one of the largest standalone forestry contractors in Australia. The event also presented an opportunity for Sunchip Group to showcase their new mobile training facility, featuring two harvesting training simulators. This innovative mobile unit will be used for multiple purposes at expos, school visits and on-site training. Right: Visiting Sunchip Group's simulator training facility |
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Stakeholder engagement: Connecting with our community Connecting with the community, South and Central Queensland Regional Hub Manager Kerry Fullarton attended a number of events over the last few months, including: Jobs Queensland Wide Bay ‘Grow Your Own Jobs’ forestry event in November 2023, which focused on developing a workforce plan for the Wide Bay region. Chairing Canopy Hub Steering Committee meetings in November and January Jobs Fraser Coast and Gympie Economic Development Alliance meetings in December 2023 Meeting with the Forest Wind team, who provided an update on the project, and introduced Australian owned and operated renewable energy company, Tilt Renewables are Forest Wind’s Joint Venture partner. Forest Wind is a 1,200MW wind farm proposed for construction within Australia’s largest exotic pine plantation between Gympie and Maryborough. Visiting the State Development & Infrastructure team in Bundaberg.
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Kerry also hosted the second First Nations Australians Traditional Knowledge and Economic Development Working Group meeting, held in Brisbane on 6 February. The event saw further discussion to develop the engagement framework. Above left and right: Images from the Megabeam facility Below: The First Nations Australians Traditional Knowledge and Economic Development Working Group meeting in Timber Queensland's Brisbane office |
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