The month of May marks the approaching end of the fiscal year for many businesses and a rush to find receipts and finalise financials, but for one Tiwi Islands organisation, the focus is firmly on planting for the future.
Tiwi Plantations Corporation - based 80 kilometres north of Darwin on the Tiwi Islands - has released the Tiwi Forestry Workforce Plan 2026–2030, a coordinated roadmap designed to grow Tiwi participation in forestry and strengthen long-term local employment across the industry.
The plan outlines the stages of forestry on the plantation, the range of jobs and career pathways available and the qualifications and skills required at each stage.
It responds to the scale of upcoming work with the business preparing to replant 30,000 hectares with Eucalyptus pellita over the next ten years.
The Workforce Plan was developed alongside the Tiwi Forestry Seasonal Calendar, a first of its kind which supports forestry operations by aligning work programs with Tiwi seasons and ecological knowledge.
Forestry is a crucial part of the Tiwi Islands economy and engaging more Tiwi people, particularly young people, into the workforce has become a strategic priority.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) Northern Institute Research Associate Alicia Boyle, who is the academic lead on the project, said the Workforce Plan was developed to ensure information about jobs, training and progression pathways was clear and accessible.
"The plan provides a practical way for Tiwi people to see what roles exist in forestry and how to move into them," Ms Boyle said.
"It shows clear training and career pathways for young people, as well as leadership opportunities. When Tiwi people move into supervisory and senior roles, they create visible pathways for others to follow."
Ms Boyle said the timing of the plan was critical with the first rotation of plantations now harvested and a significant replanting phase recently commenced.
"This was an opportunity to look at what comes next, what we can do differently and how we can better support Tiwi people to build long‑term careers in this industry," she said.
The plan is being shared with schools across Darwin and the Tiwi Islands to help engage Tiwi students early and demonstrate the skills and training needed for a future in forestry.
Tiwi Plantations Corporation Chair Gibson Farmer Illortaminni said the plan was a key step towards realising long-held aspirations for a strong, local Tiwi forestry workforce.
"This has always been part of our vision. Now we have a clear plan to support the next generation to step into the workforce and into leadership," Mr Illortaminni said.
"We're excited to showcase the plan to our people, because there are jobs on the Tiwi Islands, and we have to get our people into the workforce".
"In the old days, it was the elders' vision to get our people in the workforce. The next generation needs to step up".
"The calendar makes sure everyone knows which seasons are for burning, planting and looking after the plantation, while also making sure our people know when not to light fires."
The Tiwi Forestry Workforce Plan 2026–2030 and the supporting Tiwi Forestry Seasonal Calendar are available online.
