The Queensland Government has launched a significant 25-year plan aimed at revitalizing the state’s timber and forestry industry. This initiative, known as the Queensland Future Timber Plan, seeks to ensure a sustainable local timber supply to support the ambitious goal of constructing one million homes by 2044. The announcement marks the end of a decade characterized by uncertainty and lack of direction for the sector, which had faced challenges under previous administrations.
Developed in collaboration with industry representatives and following extensive public consultation, the plan emphasizes five key areas: supply, supply chain and market, regulatory framework, workforce development, and research. It aims to expand Queensland’s plantation estate by 25,000 hectares by 2050, modernize forest management systems, and maintain both plantation and native forest resources to address immediate and long-term housing and infrastructure demands.
Minister for Primary Industries, Tony Perrett, emphasized the plan’s role in rebuilding Queensland’s forestry and timber industry. He stated, “The Queensland Future Timber Plan will help secure the timber needed for Queensland’s future, exactly as promised.” He highlighted the importance of this initiative for the native hardwood industry, which had suffered under previous poorly designed programs.
The plan is a response to criticisms of former Labor administrations, which Perrett claimed had undermined Queensland’s timber industry with rushed and ideologically driven decisions. He pointed out that the Crisafulli Government has achieved in just twelve months what previous governments failed to do over the course of several years.
One notable aspect of the plan includes the issuance of new sales permits for State-owned native hardwood supply outside the southeast corner, set to begin in 2026. This move aims to provide a stable and uninterrupted supply of timber, essential for meeting the growing housing demands.
Perrett also stressed the environmental benefits of timber, describing it as “the ultimate renewable and sustainable resource.” He noted that timber captures and stores carbon, utilizing less energy and producing fewer carbon emissions compared to materials like concrete and metal.
The plan has been shaped by extensive community engagement, reaching over 1,350,000 individuals, with more than 350 directly participating in the consultation process. Over 550 ideas have been collected, which will inform the initial five-year action plan designed to ensure the sustainability of Queensland’s timber resources for future generations.
While the plan promotes growth in the timber industry, it also establishes a clear boundary regarding the reintroduction of native timber harvesting from state-owned forests within the South East Queensland Regional Plan area. This decision aims to balance economic development with environmental conservation.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, expressed support for the plan, stating, “This is a great outcome for conservation and for outdoor tourism and recreation.” He highlighted the framework’s potential to enhance the productivity of Queensland’s forests while also expanding protected areas and opportunities for ecotourism, particularly in regions like Deongwar.
The Queensland Future Timber Plan is a cornerstone of the government’s broader initiative, Primary Industries Prosper 2050, which aims to boost primary industry production to $30 billion by 2030. Through this comprehensive strategy, the Queensland Government is positioning itself to foster sustainable growth within the timber sector while addressing pressing housing needs and environmental concerns.
