The economics of growing wood and the scope for improving the production of domestically grown timber were among the strategic discussions at a North Queensland Forestry Hub steering committee meeting in Cairns on March 7.
The Hub is conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing and prospective supply chain infrastructure for forestry across the region. The focus is on barriers and opportunities along the value chain, from seedling and nursery stock to manufacturing wood products and delivery to market.
The Hub is developing a clearer understanding of existing and potential regional infrastructure needs (roads, rail, and ports), providing an overview of the region’s leading supply chain from native and plantation forest resources, and identifying pathways to remove supply chain bottlenecks and infrastructure limitations.
The Hub also investigates barriers and opportunities within the Emissions Reduction Fund regulatory framework for registering plantation and forestry projects under the relevant ERF and Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) methodologies.
This work will assist stakeholders in utilising ERF carbon farming opportunities when developing and managing their existing forestry resources and new forestry projects. It will also provide advice to the government on any barriers.
“These projects are helping identify the best ways in which responsible forestry can take place within our carbon markets,” said Hulton King, manager of the North Queensland Hub.
“Access to those markets has been identified as a key barrier to entry for many prospective plantations and forestry activities,” he said.
The two regional forestry hubs – South and Central Queensland and North Queensland – are part of a network of 11 Australian forestry hubs funded by the federal government through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Timber Queensland, the peak body for the state’s forest and timber sector, administers both hubs.
Members of the North Queensland hub steering committee include David Simms, Mareeba Softwoods (chair), Craig Armstrong, HQPlantations, Mick Stephens, Timber Queensland, Daryl Killin, Killin Management Pty Ltd, Dr Kevin Harding, Forestry Australia, Kate Malouf, AgForce, Luke Jones, Jones Forest Management, and Mark Raguse from the Australian Workers Union.
