Forest products and quarry resources
Timber products
In 2007–08, Forest Products sold 335,000 cubic metres of State-owned native forest log timber to Queensland’s regionally-based timber processing industry timber. Hardwood and cypress sawlogs accounted for 86 per cent of these sales with the balance comprising landscaping and fencing timber, girders, poles, other hardwood round timber and sandalwood.
Native hardwoods
Queensland’s native hardwood timbers such as spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora) (right), blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) and white mahogany (Eucalyptus acmenoides) are very dense, strong and extremely durable in exposed use and are well suited for building construction and for bridge girders, electricity poles, landscape applications and decking. In recent years, Queensland’s hardwood timber has also been used to make outdoor furniture.
Cypress pine
White cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla) (right) has a relatively high density and hardness and is widely used in house construction, including for flooring and for exposed uses such as decking, cladding and fencing. With its strength, durability and natural resistance to termites and decay, cypress pine is prized in some countries with significant quantities exported to the USA and Japan.
Sandalwood
DERM Forest Products also sells Queensland Sandalwood (Santalum lanceolatum and Santalum leptocladum) which is valued for its aromatic oil content. In 2007–08, 229 cubic metres of sandalwood was selectively harvested, processed and exported under export licence to Asian markets principally for the production of incense and joss sticks.
Other forest products
Under the provisions of the Forestry Act 1959, we also sell other forest products such as:
- foliage, seed and plants
- specialty timber products such as woodturning timber and didgeridoo blanks
- domestic fuelwood.
We also administer permits for apiary sites and stock grazing on areas of declared State forest available for native timber production. New apiary sites are carefully placed in relation to existing sites and comply with the Guidelines for Environmental Management of Beekeeping. Stock grazing is managed with due regard to carrying capacity and other forest uses.
Quarry materials
Under the provisions of the Forestry Act 1959, we sell quarry material from land where such material has been reserved to the State, including State forests, timber reserves, forest entitlement areas and State plantation forests, as well as from certain roads, leasehold land and freehold land. With our statewide operational capabilities and quarry industry experience, we are well placed to manage sales from these tenures. To demonstrate our commitment to responsible resource management, we have developed a Quarry Management Policy Statement (PDF, 77K)* .
Extractive industry sales
Queensland’s extractive industry sources about eight per cent of the state's annual quarry material requirements from State-owned quarry resources. In 2007–08, we sold a record 3.64 million cubic metres of such quarry materials, including crushed aggregate, road base, sand, gravel, fill, landscape rock and pebbles. These supplies helped support infrastructure, industry and residential development projects throughout the state as well as the booming mining activity in Central and North Queensland.
Private sector quarry operators, government agencies, and local authorities operate quarries throughout the state under more than 200 active sales permits issued by DERM Forest Products. To help meet the booming demand, we are working closely with the extractive industry and relevant government agencies to expand access to suitable State-owned quarry resources. We are also working to secure future community access to limited quarry resources by identifying and protecting State interests in regional resources through input to legislative, policy and planning processes and land tenure changes.
Obtaining a sales permit
To establish a new quarry on a State-owned quarry resource**, an applicant must obtain a sales permit from DERM Forest Products. We then facilitate negotiations with stakeholders and the consideration of native title issues, and work with the applicant to finalise commercial terms and conditions before issuing a sales permit.
This includes developing a site-specific quarry management and development plan that reflects relevant legislative requirements, established codes of practice and industry standards, in particular, environmentally-responsible site management and rehabilitation measures. Once the sales permit has been issued, the applicant can then seek development approval under the provisions of the Integrated Planning Act 1997 using the permit to help prove resource entitlement.
**Excluding sales of quarry materials from lakes and watercourses and from below the high-water mark in coastal areas, as these areas are separately managed by NRW’s Water and Catchment Division and the EPA respectively.
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 07 October 2009