Cassowary Coast Identified As Prime Area For Forestry Growth

The Cassowary Coast has been identified as one of North Queensland’s most prospective areas for future plantation expansion. Photo supplied

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The Cassowary Coast has been identified as one of North Queensland’s most prospective areas for future plantation expansion, putting the region in a potentially strong position to benefit from a new $150 million federal forestry funding program.

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Research undertaken for the North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub found significant areas of land across the Cassowary Coast could potentially support commercial forestry under the right market and policy conditions.

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Timber Queensland Acting CEO Clarissa Brandt said significant areas of land could potentially support commercial forestry, although establishing new plantations remained a long-term investment decision.

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“Interest from landholders tends to depend on factors such as profitability, market certainty, access to processing facilities and the availability of complementary revenue streams such as carbon projects,” Ms Brandt said.

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“The funding may help improve the investment environment, but it is unlikely to result in large-scale plantation expansion overnight.”

The comments follow the Federal Government’s announcement of $150 million in grants and initiatives through its Forestry Growth Fund, including up to $15 million to support plantation establishment.

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Up to $85 million will target modern wood-product processing, value-adding and manufacturing, while $30 million will support industry innovation and $15 million will focus on workforce capacity and regional career pathways.

The first grant opportunities are expected to open in coming months.

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Ms Brandt said forestry investment could generate employment throughout the supply chain, including plantation management, harvesting, haulage, equipment operation, sawmilling, manufacturing, transport and maintenance.

North Queensland’s forestry and wood-products sector already supports around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.

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“While it would be unrealistic to suggest North Queensland will receive a large share of the national funding, any successful local projects could support additional employment and help strengthen existing businesses,” Ms Brandt said.

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However, securing investment remains a challenge.

Ms Brandt said North Queensland’s relatively small forestry footprint could make it more difficult to attract investment, training providers and processing infrastructure, while workforce shortages, freight costs, limited local training, investment uncertainty and timber supply were also constraining growth.

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Despite those hurdles, she said the new national fund presented an opportunity for the region to build on work already undertaken through the North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub.

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“Recent Hub research has highlighted opportunities to expand future timber supply, strengthen workforce capability, grow local processing and increase the use of locally sourced timber products,” Ms Brandt said.

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With applications yet to open and projects set to compete for funding nationally, how much investment ultimately reaches the Cassowary Coast remains to be seen.

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But with the region already identified for its plantation potential, the coming funding rounds could provide an opportunity to turn that potential into further local investment, industry growth and jobs.

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