Growing Queensland's timber industry
- The Crisafulli Government meets with forestry and timber industry to embark on timber action plan.
- Industry talks commence to lay out a plan to meet growing timber demand for construction.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for timber industry after decades of Labor's anti-forestry agenda.
The Crisafulli Government's regeneration of the timber industry is gaining momentum as Queensland leaders meet to shape the State's future timber supply.
For the first time, the Timber Supply Chain Ministerial Roundtable has met to progress the Crisafulli Government's election commitment to grow the industry through a timber action plan.
The Queensland Future Timber Plan (QFTP) will ensure the State has access to local timber required to build one million homes by 2044.
The Roundtable includes representatives from Timber Queensland, AgForce, Queensland Farmers' Federation, the Housing Industry Association, Forestry Australia, HQPlantations, Australian Forest Contractors Association and leading timber companies.
The meeting marks a fresh start for the timber industry which has spent the last decade subjected to Labor's anti-timber and anti-forestry agenda, which was full of hollow promises.
The former Labor Government failed to deliver its timber action plan – which they committed to in 2019 and was meant to be completed in 2021 – which resulted in a timber shortage in the middle of Labor's Housing Crisis.
The Roundtable will support the Crisafulli Government's 25-year blueprint for primary industries, which aims to increase the State's primary industries production output to $30 billion by 2030.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government is up to the task of getting the timber industry back on track and this meeting is a critical first step in delivering a QFTP.
"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," Minister Perrett said.
"This is about protecting jobs, building regional economies, and making sure we have the materials needed for the homes and infrastructure of tomorrow.
"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 future of one of Queensland's most important and environmentally sustainable industries starting with the people who know it best."
CEO of Timber Queensland Mick Stephens welcomed the establishment of the Roundtable and the opportunity for industry to provide direct input into the QFTP.
"The timber industry already plays a key role in ensuring we have local sustainable 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 help meet the Government's target of 1 million new homes over the next two decades," Mr Stephens said.
"Investment security for both the plantation softwood and native forestry sectors will be critical to bolster growing, harvesting and processing activities across the supply chain."
The Roundtable will operate for 12 months in line with the QFTP development timeline.
