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North Queensland

Our Projects

Current Projects

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Manufacturing Competitiveness
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Bioenergy and Carbon
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Skills & Workforce Development
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Indigenous Forestry & Native Forest Management

Foundational GIS spatial analysis

The Hub has developed a foundational GIS platform to consolidate spatial data and learnings over the past two decades and improve the Hub’s ability to identify Forestry Opportunities across Northern Australia. This project will assist the Hub and its stakeholders in assessing and making strategic and well-informed decisions surrounding Forestry investment and industry development across all Hub themes.

Publicly available spatial datasets being considered by this project include:

  • Plantation Suitability (Soft/hard woods)

  • Land parcel boundary, land use and tenure (i.e. state forest, crown land, private freehold), and land value – ability to filter by size.

  • Traditional Owner groups with associated land-use agreements (ILUA), native title determination status, Corporation Details.

  • Soil Type

  • Vegetation Type and Crown Cover percentage (Under relevant state vegetation mapping laws)

  • Historical Clearing

  • Climate: Average Rainfall/Temperatures, Projected Average Rainfall/Temperatures

  • Existing Commercial Plantations

  • Existing Supply Chain Infrastructure: Roads, Ports, Sawmills, Processing centres

  • Land Access – based on contour topography, watercourses, land tenure, road type and distance along supply chain.

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Skills & Workforce Development

Hub Labour Demand and Training Assessment Workforce Development

 

Project Overview

The primary objective of this labour demand and training capacity assessment is to provide the North Queensland Forestry Hub with a clear understanding of how to ensure sufficient and adequate labour and skills for the industry on a continuing basis. ​ The secondary objective is to establish a roadmap for progressing these options at both industry and business levels, requiring the establishment and maintenance of relationships and partnerships. ​

 

Key Findings

  • Workforce Challenges: The industry in North Queensland faces challenges in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce, particularly for long-term positions. ​ There is generally a reliance on recruiting skilled workers from Southern Australia. ​

  • Training Gaps: Most advanced technical training is conducted outside the region, leading to a lack of local training opportunities and career path visibility. ​

  • Resource Security: The hardwood sector is constrained by resource security issues, impacting workforce development and investment. ​

  • Sector-Specific Issues: Different sectors (forest growing and management, harvesting and haulage, sawmilling and processing) face unique challenges in workforce development and training. ​

  • Diversity and Inclusion: There are opportunities to engage more women and First Nations people in the industry, with support needed to provide a broader understanding of career paths. ​

  • Investment Hesitancy: Businesses are unlikely to invest in workforce development until resource security issues are resolved. ​ This creates a cycle where the lack of investment in training further exacerbates workforce challenges. ​

  • Sector Perception: The sector is often viewed as providing jobs rather than careers, which affects the ability to attract and retain employees who are looking for long-term career opportunities. ​

 

Recommendations

  • Establish a Workforce Development Network: To share labour, skill, and training needs and coordinate industry training. ​

  • Recognize Existing Labour Challenges: Through the Workforce Development Network, share existing and emerging labour needs and solutions. ​

  • Aggregate Training Demand: Conduct an annual survey to understand and prioritize regional training needs. ​

  • Improve Visibility to RTOs: Establish better linkages with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to make training demand visible. ​

  • Master Tree Growers Training Program: Seek expressions of interest for delivery in 2025 to improve tree-growing skills and identify potential industry workers. ​

  • Develop Regional Trainer and Assessor Capacity: Focus on logical, complimentary occupations and share resources within the industry. ​

  • Map Skills of Arborists: Future technical work to map arborist skills to forest harvesting requirements and develop a custom training program would support future labour demand. ​

  • Establish Entry-Level Training Programs: Consider broad-based entry-level training programs or pathways for group/industry employment and training, targeting school-leavers, women, and First Nations people. ​

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Bioenergy and Carbon

North Queensland Biomass Residues Report

Project Overview

This project assessed the viability of using biomass as a sustainable feedstock for various uses across Far North Queensland. It evaluates available resources, logistics, and market potential with a focus on long-term regional value creation.

Key Findings:

  • Abundant, yet highly Variable Biomass Resources

  • Significant biomass is available from agricultural residues (sugarcane trash, bagasse), forestry by-products, and invasive species (e.g., rubber vine, mesquite).

  • Promising Supply Chain Opportunities

  • Logistics for biomass collection and processing are somewhat feasible, especially near transport corridors and existing infrastructure.

  • Strong Demand Potential

  • Opportunities exist for replacing fossil fuels in regional industries, supporting Australia’s emissions reduction targets.

  • High-Value Products

  • Bioenergy, biochar, and wood pellets could serve both domestic and export markets.

 

Recommendations

  • Pilot Projects: Begin with small-scale demonstration sites to validate feedstock supply and processing technology.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Involve local growers, councils, and investors to ensure project alignment and support.

  • Technology Selection: Prioritize proven, scalable technologies for biomass conversion.

  • Market Development: Explore partnerships with heavy industry and energy users for long-term offtake agreements.

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Plantation Investment Models

Spatial land assessment and regional suitability for plantation forestry in North Queensland

North Queensland has been identified in several studies as presenting a positive opportunity for expansion of the commercial plantation estate in Australia including greater adoption of innovative silvopastoral systems. Despite the opportunities, there are well-understood environmental and commercial challenges for plantation expansion, such as seasonal water availability and cyclones, regulatory barriers, limited access to markets, and infrastructure and logistic challenges.

The North Queensland Regional Forestry hub has identified and mapped several opportunities for plantation expansion across the region and has specifically modelled the feasibility of four currently marketed timber species Pinus caribaea (Southern Pines), Eucalyptus pellita (Red Mahogany), Eucalyptus cloeziana (Gympie Messmate) and Corymbia citriodora (Spotted Gum).

Detailed analysis on the financial feasibility of these species also included modelling the potential of adding carbon credit revenue (via ACCUs) and the adoption of silvopastoral regimes, where forestry and livestock grazing are combined on the same unit of land to generate multiple income streams.

The overall results show that silvopastoral regimes can be more productive than forestry or grazing alone in many cases and can provide other additional benefits such as enhanced animal productivity from shade and shelter from the trees.

Species Selection
 

Pinus caribaea (Southern Pines)

  • Demonstrated performance in the region. ​

  • Existing markets and plantation scale. ​

  • Potential for hybrids with better wind firmness in relation to cyclones. ​
     

Eucalyptus pellita (Red Mahogany)

  • Increasingly used as a tropical hardwood replacement. ​

  • Well established in Southeast Asia. ​

  • Potential for pulp, solid wood, and engineered products. ​
     

Eucalyptus cloeziana (Gympie Messmate)

  • Strong plantation performer in Queensland. ​

  • High durability and suitable for poles. ​

  • Bred for myrtle rust resistance. ​

       Corymbia citriodora (Spotted Gum)

  • Relatively good plantation performer in Queensland. ​

  • High durability and suitable for commercial markets, including poles
     

Key Findings

  • Large areas in North Queensland are suited to growing financially viable plantations when combined with carbon and/or grazing. ​ The project found that a combined land use approach incorporating grazing under full tree stocking or in alternative silvopastoral regimes performs better than using the same land only for grazing.

  • Long Rotation Pine (Pinus caribaea):

    • This scenario performs the best across the board, especially when combined with carbon and grazing. ​Its financial viability is, however, dependent on timber price. ​

  • Eucalyptus pellita:

    • Demonstrates a large area of financial suitability but competes with higher IRR for grazing only due to the relatively large proportion of higher quality land. ​

  • Thinned Gympie Messmate (Eucalyptus cloeziana) and Spotted Gum (Corymbia citriodora):

    • Both species show similar financial performance, with greater areas of potentially suitable land at lower IRR thresholds in the alternative silvopastoral regime.

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Bioenergy and Carbon

Carbon Market Barriers & Opportunities for Plantation Forestry in North Queensland 

Project Overview

This report explores the regulatory barriers and opportunities for North Queensland’s plantation and farm forestry sectors to participate in carbon markets through the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), now referred to as the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.

 

Key Findings

  • Carbon Farming as a Co-Benefit

    • Carbon farming can provide additional income to support plantation expansion, but its complexity and regulations pose significant entry barriers.

  • Major Regulatory Challenges

    • Complicated ERF eligibility requirements (e.g., land clearing history, legal rights, tenure)

  • Technical limitations of FullCAM (the carbon accounting tool)

    • Native title and land tenure approval complexities

    • Stringent consent rules for eligible interest holders (banks, governments, Indigenous groups)

  • ERF Method Limitations

    • Very few plantation and farm forestry projects registered in Queensland due to outdated carbon estimation methods and restrictive eligibility rules.

    • Recent removal of the “water rule” (as of June 2024) now benefits North Queensland regions.

  • Market Potential

    • The carbon market is expected to grow significantly, with up to $24 billion in investment by 2030. Carbon credits (ACCUs) offer a potential revenue stream if regulatory barriers are addressed.

  • Project Risks

    • Include natural disasters (cyclones, fires), policy changes, and compliance costs. Many landholders opt to partner with aggregators or carbon service providers to manage risk and reduce complexity.

Recommendations

  • Update and Simplify Methods: Improve FullCAM modelling and create more flexible ERF methods for forestry projects.

  • Policy Support: Government incentives and streamlined approvals could unlock more participation.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Native title holders, leaseholders, and government agencies must collaborate early.

  • Education & Extension: Build industry understanding of carbon project design, obligations, and market mechanisms.

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Supply Chains & Infrastructure

North Queensland Forestry Supply Chain Assessment

This study, funded by the Australian Government and delivered by AEC Group, evaluates the forestry supply chain in North Queensland. It aims to identify infrastructure gaps, value-adding opportunities, and economic potential across the harvest, transport, processing, and export stages of the forest products industry.

The assessment supports the broader goals of the National Forest Industries Plan to grow plantation investment, boost competitiveness, and expand regional forestry jobs and exports.

 

Key Findings

  • Supply Chain and Industry Profile

    • Product Flow: The Majority of the Hub’s raw logs are processed into sawn timber and tertiary wood products. However, much of the region’s demand is still met by imports valued at $127 million/year.

    • Infrastructure: Roads, ports, and rail exist to support industry growth, but some road access limitations (especially for high-capacity trucks) restrict productivity.

 Infrastructure Limitations

  • Poorly maintained local plantation access roads.

  • Restrictions on Type 2 Road Train access in Cape York and Tablelands.

  • Barron River Bridge weight limits affect transport between plantations and processing facilities.
     

Estimated Economic Contribution

  • $233 million to Gross Regional Product (GRP)

  • 1,632 full-time equivalent jobs supported

  • $146.6 million in total wages and salaries

 

Trade Imbalance

  • The region is a net importer of processed wood products. A 43% increase in local production would be required to meet current regional demand.
     

Recommendations

Improve Road Freight Access

Upgrade key freight routes to enable Type 2 Road Train access (e.g., between Lakeland and Mount Garnet).

  • Address weight limitations on critical infrastructure like the Barron River Bridge.

Expand Forestry Resources

Support expansion of plantation and native forestry to:

  • Boost mill utilisation.

  • Replace imported timber with local supply.

  • Reduce construction material costs.

  • Create regional jobs and reduce emissions through bioenergy.

Promote Strategic Recognition

Advocate for the forestry industry to be acknowledged in regional economic development plans, especially given its untapped growth potential.

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Plantation Investment Models

Exploring Silvopasture for Drought Resilience in the Northern

Project Overview

This project investigates the potential of silvopasture systems, integrating trees with pasture and livestock, as a climate resilience strategy in the drought-prone Northern Gulf region of Queensland. The study assesses land suitability, viable tree species, and landholder perspectives, while offering early guidance for transitioning from intensive grazing to tree-integrated systems.

 

Key Findings

  • Land Suitability

    • 47,677 ha of X-class land and 12.7 million ha of pastureland were identified as potentially suitable for silvopasture.

    • 39 distinct land types across the Gulf Savannah region were evaluated using soil, climate, and vegetation data.
       

  • Suitable Tree Species

    • Seven drought-tolerant and timber-valuable species were proposed, including:

    • Corymbia citriodora (lemon-scented gum)

    • Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark)

    • E. camaldulensis, E. argophloia, E. cambagiana, E. thozetiana

    • Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany)

    • Preliminary trial results showed moderate growth (0.6–1.0 m/year in height) and survival variability across species, based on soil and climate conditions.

 

  • Landholder Perspectives

    • 61.7% of surveyed producers were interested in adopting silvopasture.

    • 79.2% saw dual-output (timber + livestock) as an economic benefit.

    • 77.6% believed it could help mitigate climate change and improve drought resilience.

    • Key concerns included tree-grass competition, changing vegetation laws, high setup costs, and lack of technical or financial support.
       

  • Livestock & Land Management

    • Trees offer shade, improve animal welfare, and enhance pasture quality.

    • Leguminous tree species like Leucaena help fix nitrogen and boost soil health.

    • Proper spacing, pruning, and grazing management are critical for success.

 

Recommendations

  • Support Early Adopters

    • Provide financial incentives (grants, subsidies) to reduce establishment costs and deliver technical guidance on species selection, planting, and pasture integration.

  • Demonstrate Value through Pilot Trials

    • Develop and monitor demonstration sites to showcase best-practice models for silvopasture in Northern Gulf conditions.

  • Streamline Policy and Tenure Frameworks

    • Simplify vegetation management laws and land tenure approvals to encourage adoption. Ensure consistent and clear regulatory guidance for farmers and landholders.

  • Strengthen Knowledge Sharing

    • Expand extension services and educational programs focused on drought resilience and agroforestry. Engagement with Indigenous landholders and regional stakeholders will also be crucial in co-designing solutions.

 Projects under development

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Supply Chains & Infrastructure

Assessment of the current and future potential supply chain infrastructure supporting regional forestry and wood processing activities.

 

The Hub is looking to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing and prospective supply chain infrastructure for forestry across North Queensland. Including:

  • The economics of growing wood and the ability for improved self-reliance on domestically grown timber.

  • Innovation barriers and opportunities every point along the value chain, from seedling/nursery stock to manufacturing wood products and delivery to market.

  • Developing a clearer understanding of:

    • Capacity for existing and potential regional infrastructure (roads, rail, and ports)

    • The main supply chain and infrastructure stakeholders/providers within the region

    • Identified pathways to remove supply chain bottlenecks, limitations

    • Regulatory framework surrounding infrastructure for the region

    • Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats

See Expression of Interest for more information about the project.  Note EOI closed - EOI’s have been received and assessed and AEC were selected as the project lead

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Bioenergy and Carbon

Assessment of the Carbon Regulatory Framework for North Queensland’s Plantation and Farm Forestry industry.

The Hub will be investigating the barriers and opportunities within the ERF regulatory framework for registering plantation and farm forestry projects under the relevant ERF and Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) methodologies, for both existing and future potential plantation forestry investment in the Hub Region.

This will assist Hub stakeholders in utilising ERF carbon farming opportunities when developing and managing their forestry resources. Project is to consider the options and pathways for both large-scale commercial plantations, as well as smaller private landholders, looking to establish ERF projects for new or established plantation activities. 

In addition to the barriers and opportunities for entry, the project will identify future obligations and timelines pertaining to the management of plantation forestry activities, in line with all regulatory requirements.

See Expression of Interest for more information about the project

Note EOI closed - EOI’s have been received and assessed and Verterra were selected as the project lead

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Forestry / Plantation Investment Models

Northern Australia Forestry Literature Review

The Hub is looking to investigate forestry related research pertaining to Northern Australia over the past 20 years – covering the following:

  • Feasibility and situational analyses for forest industry development

  • Forest resources and processing technologies for industry development (e.g. sawmilling, engineered wood products)

  • Nursery methodologies and technologies

  • Bioregion specific research

    • for plantation management and investment potential

    • species suitability and genetics

  • Commerciality of native forest and plantation resources/products

  • Timber grading surveys

  • Factsheets and other “grey literature” from Forestry Organisations

 

By compiling this information, the Hub can capitalise on the extensive research to date, identify any gaps in knowledge and focus future projects to avoid duplication.

See Expression of Interest for more information about the project

Note EOI closed - EOI’s have been received and assessed and Verterra were selected as the project lead.

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