Fifty‑six per cent of Queenslanders and 72% of voters in Brisbane support phasing out native forest harvesting, according to new polling published by DemosAU, which also found that most Queenslanders want greater investment in plantations to help meet the state’s housing targets.
The findings come as the Crisafulli Government finalises its Future Timber Plan 2050, which is expected to outline Queensland’s long‑term approach to both native forest management and plantation supply.
The poll, which surveyed 2,974 Queenslanders across all social demographic cohorts in October 2025, showed that support for a phase‑out extends across the political spectrum, with 50% of LNP voters, 62% of Labor voters and 71% of Greens voters backing an end to native forest harvesting.
“In summary, while intensity of support varies by political leaning, this polling data shows that Queenslanders across the political spectrum back a transition from native forest logging to plantation‑based timber production and manufacturing,” according to George Hasanakos, Director and Head of Research at DemosAU. “Environmental protection is seen as a shared value rather than a partisan issue, with strong public demand for policies that combine conservation, sustainable industry and long‑term timber security.”
Queensland Conservation Council campaign manager Nicky Moffat said the polling highlights the need for a comprehensive review of State Forests before long‑term decisions are made: “A thorough review of all forest values should be an urgent priority, and should come before these public assets are sold off to loggers for another 25 years,” she said.
“With decisions around the State Budget imminent, we urge the State Ministers for Recreation, Tourism and Environment, Primary Industries and the Treasurer to back in a review of the ecological, recreation and tourism value of State Forests.”
DemosAU’s research found environmental protection is the top priority for publicly owned native forests, with 61% of respondents nominating it as the primary purpose, well ahead of timber production at 20%. Support for ending native forest logging was consistent across regions, with Brisbane, North and Central Queensland and Wide Bay all recording agreement levels above 70%. The Gold Coast recorded the lowest support but still showed a strong majority at 69%.
The poll also found strong backing for expanding the state’s plantation estate. Nearly 80% of respondents want the government to expand plantation timber production to meet Queensland’s housing needs, and a majority support incentives to manufacture more products from plantation wood, including modular housing and engineered timber.
