Tony Perrett, Bruce Saunders, Curtis Pitt, Mick Stephens
Staff and visitors to the Queensland Parliamentary Annexe are enjoying the fresh smell of pine from having a real Christmas tree located in the building’s foyer. Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, Curtis Pitt was thrilled for the Parliament to host a real Christmas tree. Source: Timberbiz
On 27 November, Curtis Pitt, Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, together with Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Bruce Saunders, Member for Maryborough, were joined by Tony Perrett, Member for Gympie, and other members of Queensland’s Parliamentary Friends of the Forest and Timber Industry network to launch the arrival of a real Christmas tree.
“At the Queensland Parliament, we want to celebrate Christmas the Queensland way. That’s why we are more than happy to host a real Christmas tree, adorned with timber ornaments grown right here in Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.
Timber Queensland’s CEO Mick Stephens, said the Queensland forestry industry was pleased to assist with the provision of the tree, which added to the festive spirit and put smiles on everyone’s faces who walked through the Annexe.
“This tree represents a tradition that is commonly adopted in the northern hemisphere and other parts of the world, where Christmas trees are grown to provide a more aesthetic experience during this special time, and reflects our inherent affinity with plants and natural materials,” said Mr Stephens.
“The real tree also removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it grows and stores it in the stem and branches of the tree, highlighting the renewability and carbon friendly nature of sustainably sourced trees,” he said.
Mr Stephens said the Christmas tree was a radiata pine (Pinus radiata) tree that is commonly grown for Christmas trees around Australia due to its conical shape and form.
“While not a common commercial species in Queensland, it is grown in the southern highlands where the cooler climate is more suited to the species. The major softwood species grown in Queensland include high quality exotic “southern pines” (Pinus caribaea or Pinus Elliottii hybrids), owing to their origins from the US South and the Caribbean, and Araucaria,” he said.
“The tree is adorned with Queensland grown Araucaria, or hoop pine, plywood ornaments. It grows extensively along the eastern seaboard of Queensland and is the only native softwood species in Australia to be commercialised for plantation timber production.”
Mr Stephens said Timber Queensland was grateful for the support of the Queensland Speakers Office, Queensland Parliamentary Property Services and the supply and maintenance business Sunnydale Green Solutions, who have worked together to enable the goal of a real Christmas tree in the Parliamentary Annexe.
