Queensland must ensure it has access to more local timber if it hopes to build one million new homes by 2044, with the Crisafulli government committed to ” rebuilding the future of one of Queensland’s most important and environmentally sustainable industries.”
That is according to Tony Perrett – Queensland’s Primary Industries Minister – who said the lost decade of anti-timber, anti-forestry and hollow promises is now over: “We’re serious about securing Queensland’s timber future, and that starts by working directly with the people who grow, harvest and process our timber,” Perrett said. “This is about protecting jobs, building regional economies, and ensuring we have the materials needed for the homes and infrastructure of tomorrow.”
Perrett spoke ahead of the first meeting of the Timber Supply Chain Ministerial Roundtable, which included key stakeholders from Timber the State’s supply chain including Timber Queensland, AgForce, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, the Housing Industry Association, Forestry Australia, HQPlantations and the Australian Forest Contractors Association which will feed into a new Queensland Future Timber Plan:
“The Roundtable will provide practical advice on how we can meet growing construction demand while supporting innovation and sustainability across the supply chain. This is a landmark opportunity to rebuild the future of one of Queensland’s most important and environmentally sustainable industries, starting with the people who know it best.”
Mick Stephens, CEO of Timber Queensland, said the Roundtable provides the new government with the opportunity for industry to provide direct input into the plan: “The timber industry already plays a key role in ensuring we have the local sustainable building materials for housing and construction…and through this plan we aim to unlock the barriers and opportunities to further increase the supply of timber to meet the Government’s target of 1 million new homes over the next decades.”
Wood Central understands that the roundtable will run for 12 months. The new plan is a key plank in Cristafulli’s 25-year blueprint for Primary Industries, which aims to increase its production to $30 billion by 2030.
