Queensland forest planning process
In 1992, the federal and state governments jointly signed the National Forest Policy Statement which articulated national goals and principles for developing an ecologically sustainable and internationally competitive forest industry in Australia, and for retaining a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of conservation reserves.
While some Australian states have implemented the National Forest Planning Process by negotiating regional forest agreements with the Commonwealth Government, Queensland has opted to meet its commitments to the national process by determining forest planning and allocation outcomes through direct consultation and agreements with stakeholders.
South East Queensland Forests Agreement
A key example is the South East Queensland Forests Agreement (SEQFA), which the Queensland Government and peak industry and conservation bodies signed in 1999. This put in train a process to set aside substantial areas of State forest in the region for conservation reserves, and to transition the native forest industry to a plantation-based resource. To achieve this, the government initiated a hardwood plantation development program.
Statewide Forests Process
To continue a similar process over the rest of the state, in October 2001 the Queensland Government established the Statewide Forests Process. This is a whole-of-government strategic regional forest planning process for:
- the western hardwoods region
- the Rockhampton, Mackay and Proserpine areas
- North Queensland’s ecotone forests
- the cypress forests of southern and central Queensland.
Last reviewed 18 October 2010
Last updated 30 September 2009