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A dam good idea

Rather than sell off bits and pieces of land acquired by the previous Queensland State Government for the proposed Traveston Dam and incur substantial losses due to current market prices, the State should consider leasing the land to grow timber plantations. Source: Timberbiz

Rod McInnes, chief executive officer of Industry body Timber Queensland said leasing the land to plantation growers for a 99-year lease would provide immediate financial returns while preserving the land in State ownership for potential sale in the future.

“Plantation trials have been done before so we know that you can successfully develop a plantation industry in the area,” said Rod McInnes.

“Not only would this provide extra jobs for the region in plantation establishment, management and sawmilling it would enable the land to be used for other industries that work effectively in concert with plantations for example grazing, bee-keeping and recreation,” he said.

McInnes said Queensland is currently unable to meet its timber needs from local production and that forecasts predict our consumption will double by 2040.

“Establishing plantations in this area will allow production of much needed timber resource for Queensland’s future requirements,” he said.

“It can then be processed in the Gympie region; already the centre of timber production and where all necessary infrastructures exist.”

Timber Queensland points out that growing and processing timber in the area would also deliver the State considerable environmental benefits.

“Every cubic meter of timber we can grow locally, rather than fuelling ships and trucks to bring wood to Queensland, will store carbon emissions from the nearby major transport corridor.”

“We estimate there is approximately 7000 hectares of land suitable for plantations in the area, which would permanently store 1.4 million tonnes of carbon in the plantations and the wood products manufactured from the 85,000 m3 sawn timber that could be harvested for Queensland’s use each year.

“It’s is a win – win – win – win situation: the State gets an income from the land use while retaining it for future use consideration, the land can support other uses whilst the trees are growing, jobs will be established and the environment benefits.

“This is an idea that needs serious consideration.”