Queensland jumps gun on Greater Glider Forest Park

Forestry Australia is disappointed the Queensland Government is jumping the gun in declaring a Greater Glider Forest Park. Source: Timberbiz
Forestry Australia’s Acting President Dr Bill Jackson said while Forestry Australia supports conserving threatened species and habitats, the new commitment has been made without consultation, sound evidence or the application of good governance principles.
The comments come in the wake of Environment Minister Leanne Linard announcing 54,000 hectares of greater glider habitat in South East Queensland state forest will be transitioned to a new natural capital tenure.
“The Queensland Sustainable Timber Industry Framework was established two months ago to provide government advice and it is due to run until the middle of 2025,” Dr Jackson said.
“The Framework’s first meeting was only held two weeks ago yet, the Miles Government has jumped the gun and made this announcement without even taking the time to get appropriate advice.
“Good policy needs to be based on sound evidence and assessments and the proposal of the Queensland Government fails on all of this.
“The assumption that harvesting timber from native forests is necessarily harmful to biodiversity is not correct and there is indeed strong evidence that forests need to be managed actively.
“Well managed forests generate a wide range of ecosystem services, including carbon storage, water, recreational opportunities and fibre, that generate considerable benefits for people while also conserving biodiversity.
“It is time to move away from the binary approach of commercial forests vs protected areas and consider a more nuanced approach that considers active and adaptive management along a continuum of sustainable management interventions.
“A sustainable future without the use of locally sourced timber, evidence-based biodiversity conservation and effective climate change mechanisms is a nonsense,” Dr Jackson said.