One million tonnes of timber from trees damaged during cyclone Marcia will be exported from Gladstone Port. Source: The Observer (Gladstone)
At the peak of this operation there will be 120 trucks moving daily to cart the logs and woodchips between Byfield, the TMS Mill at Bondoola and the Gladstone Port.
HQ Plantations said trucks would be running 24 hours, seven days a week.
The operation is a “salvage” mission and is expected to run for the next 18 months.
And although the company is still seeking final approvals, this will be the first time timber has been exported through the port as logs.
The surplus comes from Byfield where 80% of HQ Plantation’s 12,000ha was destroyed and damaged during cyclone Marcia.
HQ regional forest manager Andrew Dunn said the operation would benefit central Queensland with employment opportunities for local contractors.
“Contractors are being secured for the harvest, haulage and port services tasks,” Mr Dunn said.
“This will have significant benefits for Central Queensland in terms of the broad business activity, including Gladstone, given we are seeking to export both logs and woodchips from central Queensland.”
Anyone travelling through central Queensland along the Byfield Woodbury, Preston, Limestone Creek and Neils Rds should be aware of the B-Doubles.
