Queensland’s Regional Forestry Hubs have announced five new expressions of interest this week to deliver projects to foster growth and productivity across the State’s forest and timber industry. Source: Timberbiz
Supply chains and infrastructure, bioenergy and carbon, forestry and plantation investment models are focus areas for four projects in North Queensland and a new project in the South + Central region will examine skills and training requirements for the region.
North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub Manager Hulton King said these were the first projects identified to address some of the technical issues, needs and opportunities to progress growth in the region.
“These projects are the initial step in growing Northern Australia’s forest industry though improved investor returns, smarter management and utilisation of forestry resources, traditional owner engagement, as well as a renewed community understanding and engagement in forestry,” Mr King said.
The projects are:
- Assessment of the current and future potential supply chain infrastructure supporting regional forestry and wood processing activities.
- Assessment of the Carbon Regulatory Framework for North Queensland’s Plantation and Farm Forestry industry
- Assessment of the current and future potential volume of underutilized or waste biomass from local forestry and wood processing activities and their potential use and markets
- Northern Australia Forestry Literature Review
- Detailed EOI’s and a scope of works for each of the projects are available here.
South + Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hub Manager Kerry Fullarton says the new EOI is in response to the sector facing substantial challenges to recruiting and retaining suitably skilled and qualified workers.
“Shortage of skills is a major constraint on the development of an efficient and effective forest industry in South + Central Queensland. Low skills levels across the sector inhibit the attainment of economic, sustainable forest management. This project is to identify the future skills needed and to determine the size and scope of the training required,” Mrs Fullarton said.
The project is Forestry training and education future skills assessment.
The detailed EOI’s and a scope of works is available at https://www.qldforestryhubs.com.au/south-central-eoi
