Mick Stephens
The Queensland forest industry is looking forward to the opportunity for forestry activities to play a role in the development of the Queensland Government’s $500 million Land Restoration Fund. Source: Timberbiz
Timber Queensland Chief Executive Mick Stephens said the industry is excited by the prospects of this ambitious program to expand carbon farming in the state and support land-sector projects that can deliver environmental and economic co-benefits.
“The forest industry has a wealth of experience in developing and participating in land sector carbon projects and offsets markets such as the Emissions Reduction Fund and other voluntary schemes, and can assist landowners register and implement carbon projects,” Mr Stephens said.
“Within Queensland, forestry can tick a lot of boxes when it comes to generating environmental and economic co-benefits.
“These benefits can include carbon sequestration, reduced emissions, income diversification, agricultural productivity, climate resilience, soil and water conservation, habitat restoration and ultimately better protection of the Great Barrier Reef.
“In addition, timber products that are sustainably harvested contribute to a greater pool of renewable and carbon friendly products over time.
“These benefits can then flow through to broader economic development and employment in many rural and regional areas.
“Overall, there is a spectrum of opportunities for carbon farming across the state from enhanced native forest regrowth, indigenous forest management, timber plantations, mine site rehabilitation and better integrating tree planting and forestry activities into farming systems.
“Going forward, it will be important that forestry activities are fully captured in the design of eligible projects, methods and investment pathways for landholders and stakeholders, including the role of timber products for carbon storage.
“Not only do we want to educate landowners about the opportunities for enhancing forest cover for timber production and related environmental outcomes, we want to ensure appropriate carbon market signals are put in place to help drive these activities. This is likely to be a once in a generation opportunity for the state Government to get these parameters right.
“We therefore share many of the goals of the Palaszczuk Government to strengthen the carbon trading sector in agriculture and other land-based activities. We look forward to participating in the consultation process for the Land Restoration Fund and contributing to its further development.”
