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Responsible management of Queensland's native forests
The Queensland Government is committed to the effective and responsible management and use of the state's native forest resources.
Harvesting of state native forests is restricted to designated areas and must be carried out in a sustainable way, and our forest management system is certified to the Australian Standard® for Sustainable Forest Management.
This guide explains how we work to ensure the sustainable use of our native forests through harvesting conscientiously and adhering to policies and standards, including details about defined forest areas in Queensland. It will also give you access to resources that help you understand how to manage native forests sustainably, and information on tree species common to private native forestry in Queensland.
State native forestry
We manage native forest timber production in state forests, timber reserves and other state-controlled lands, including the sale of log timber and other forest products and the sale of quarry materials, under the Forestry Act 1959.
We are committed to effective and responsible management of our native forest resources.
Defined forest areas are mapped out to show which timber reserve areas are available for timber production. We also administer permits for apiary sites and stock grazing in some areas of state forest.
Visiting state native forests
Timber reserves permit other commercial activities and recreational uses, such as:
- camping
- 4WD activities
- scientific, research or educational purposes
- accessing communications and water infrastructure.
Permits may be required for these activities.
Also consider...
- View the Forestry Management structure map (PDF, 127KB).
- View the Forest Management System Summary Audit Report.
- Read more about Queensland state native forestry.
Defined forest area
The defined forest area is the area of State-owned native forest over which the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries applies its forest management system, and is subject to the requirements of the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management AS 4708-2013.
The defined forest area includes eligible areas of State forest and timber reserves available for the supply of timber and other forest products.
Under the Forestry Act 1959, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries retains an interest in forest products and quarry material on other state land outside of the defined forest area.
Defined forest area maps
A defined forest area map is available through the Queensland Globe.
To view this map:
- Click on Layers.
- Click on Add layers.
- In the list of layers, expand Economy.
- Expand Forestry and click on Defined forest area.
- Zoom into your area of interest.
Once you have located your area of interest you can pull up details using the toolbar option.
A range of other contextual information is available on the Queensland Globe, including state forest boundaries. This can be located by:
- In the list of layers expand Environment.
- Expand Parks and click on Protected areas.
For further assistance refer the tutorial titled Querying data and Places available through Help.
The spatial data for the defined forest area can also be downloaded from QSpatial in various formats. If necessary, search for 'defined forest area'.
Contact us if you require a copy of our defined forest area maps.
How we sell state-owned timber and other forest products
We have the right to sell state-owned forest products in Queensland under the Forestry Act 1959 (Qld). We issue sales permits for the removal of log timber and other forest products on state forests, timber reserves and other state-owned land, such as leasehold land.
We also issue permits on other land where the state owns the native timber, including some freehold land recently converted from leasehold.
We mostly issue permits for sawlogs, and poles and girders, along with small volumes of landscaping logs. The main species include:
- spotted gum
- white cypress
- narrow-leaved red ironbark
- grey ironbark
- forest red gum
- blackbutt
- Gympie messmate
- sandalwood.
We also issue permits for other forest products, including:
- foliage, seeds and plants
- fencing material
- firewood
- honey
- other products such as wood turning timber and didgeridoo blanks.
Mostly, we sell sawlogs through long-term sale permits to timber processors, and other forest products through short-term permits or one-off sales.
To hold a sales permit for timber and other forest products you will be required to have appropriate environmental and safety accreditation, or use employees or contractors who have this accreditation.
Permits for honey production are issued as site permits for keeping hives. Read more about beekeeping in Queensland.
Find out more about development approvals and state-owned native forest timber.
Obtaining permits for state-owned forest products
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries sells forest products under the Forestry Act.
Quantities of forest products occasionally become available for sale. When these opportunities become available, details will be published here.
You may be issued with a sales permit to purchase these resources provided you satisfy any required environmental and safety accreditations.
For enquiries about a specific forest product, contact the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Understanding sales permits
A sales permit is issued under the Forestry Act to allow for the removal and use of state-owned forest products.
A sales permit is a legal agreement between the state of Queensland and a permittee, and sets out the commercial terms, rights and performance requirements agreed between the parties.
Land tenures with forest products
State-owned forest products under the Forestry Act are located on state forests and timber reserves.
The state also owns forest products on land leased under the Land Act 1994, such as:
- pastoral leases
- grazing homestead perpetual leases
- term leases
- perpetual leases.
The state can also own forest products on:
- reserves
- deeds of grant in trust
- permits to occupy
- occupation licences
- roads
- unallocated state land.
On freehold land, the state can continue to own the forest products where a forest consent area and forest entitlement area has been established.
Selling and using forest products on leasehold land
You cannot sell or remove state-owned forest products without a sales permit unless you are authorised under other legislation.
As the leaseholder, you may use forest products if you:
- do not remove them from the land
- use them only to construct, maintain or repair essential infrastructure
- ensure the use is consistent with the purpose of the granted lease as issued under the Land Act.
Forest consent areas and forest consent agreements on freehold titles
A forest consent area is a defined area where the state retains ownership of selected native timber resources under the Forestry Act. You will require a sales permit to remove or use this timber.
A forest consent agreement is registered on the title as a profit à prendre (a right for the state to take the timber) and defines the extent of the forest consent area.
Carbon markets and native forests
If you have state-owned native forest on your land, you will need to confirm with the us whether you are able to participate in carbon projects. Contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 to find out more.
This includes leasehold land and freehold land where the state retains ownership of the timber. This is because it may impact the state’s ability to access its native timber resources.
Read more about carbon rights on state land.
Also consider...
- Download the code of practice for native forest timber production on the QPWS forest estate 2020 (PDF, 4.3MB).
- Learn about accepted development vegetation clearing codes and managing a native forest practice.
- Read the forest harvesting code of practice 2007 (PDF, 1.5MB).
- Follow the code of practice for the harvest and use of protected plants.
- Follow the code of conduct for the sale of forest and quarry products.
- Download the native forest log timber removals spreadsheet.
How we sell state-owned quarry material
We issue sales permits under the Forestry Act 1959 (Qld) which allow you to extract and remove rocks, sand and gravel (quarry material) from state forests, timber reserves and other state-owned land, such as leasehold land.
We also issue permits on other land where the State owns the quarry material, including some freehold land.
A number of private and local government quarries operate on state land, and on land where we retain rights to the quarry material.
We occasionally advertise expressions of interest for the purchase of quarry materials. When these opportunities become available, we will publish the details here.
Enquire about purchasing quarry material by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Find out more about development approvals and state-owned quarry material.
Sale of quarry material products
When available, quarry material is any stone, gravel, sand, rock, clay and earth that is not defined as a mineral under the Mineral Resources Act 1989.
Sales permits
A sales permit is issued under the Forestry Act to allow the removal and use of state-owned quarry material.
It is a legal agreement between the State of Queensland and a permittee, and sets out the commercial terms, rights and performance requirements agreed between the parties.
Permit holders are required to meet safety, environmental, planning and other considerations. For further information on environmental and planning requirements, refer to Quarry material administered under the Forestry Act 1959.
Land tenures with quarry material
State-owned quarry material is located on State forests and timber reserves.
The State also owns quarry material on land leased under the Land Act 1994, such as:
- pastoral leases
- grazing homestead perpetual leases
- term leases
- perpetual leases.
The State may also own quarry material on:
- reserves
- deeds of grant in trust
- permits to occupy
- occupation licences
- roads
- unallocated state land.
On freehold land, the State may also own quarry material under the Forestry Act where the ownership has been retained through a reservation on a deed of grant under the Land Act.
In tidal waters covered by a lease or licence, quarry material also falls within the Forestry Act, and you will require a sales permit to extract and remove this material.
Selling or using quarry material on leasehold land
You cannot sell or remove state-owned quarry material from leasehold land without a sales permit, unless specifically authorised to do so under other legislation.
As the leaseholder, you may use quarry material if you:
- do not remove it from the land
- use it only for the construction, maintenance or repair of essential infrastructure
- ensure the use is consistent with the purpose of your granted lease as issued under the Land Act.
Establishing a new quarry
You will need a sales permit to quarry state-owned quarry material.
We can provide advice on your proposal. If we endorse your proposal, we will work with you to develop commercial terms and conditions before issuing a sales permit under the Forestry Act.
Prior to commencing operations, you will be required to:
- consider native title
- address environmental issues
- obtain any necessary planning approvals.
You may also need a quarry management or operational plan that reflects relevant legislation, codes of practice and industry standards. This includes environmentally responsible site management and rehabilitation measures.
Learn more about quarry permits and approvals.
Also consider...
- Download the Quarry material management and sale policy statement (PDF, 165KB).
- Read about quarry material administered under the Forestry Act 1959.
- Learn about the Code of conduct for the sale of forest and quarry products.
- Download the quarry material removals spreadsheet.
Private native forestry
Native forests on private land are important for timber production in Queensland and provide income to landholders while supplying a wood resource to the timber industry. These forests supply around half of Queensland's native hardwood resources.
Private native forests in Queensland are extensive, covering more than 10 million hectares across the state. Most of this land's management combines forestry and grazing in a mutually beneficial way.
Management of private native forests
Selective harvesting practices and active management has many benefits. These include environmental and timber benefits such as:
- improved ground-cover, including perennial grasses and leaf litter
- good retention of large trees
- woody debris for animal habitat.
Silvicultural treatment helps to ensure:
- a productive stand with the best stocking for optimum growth
- a good mix of commercial trees for timber production
- regeneration for future canopy tree species.
Extent and condition of private native forests
Information has been developed to better understand the native forest resources on privately-owned land in South-East Queensland.
To support sustainable forest management, timber production, and grazing, it's essential to understand the extent and condition of private native forests as a resource.
Learn more by reading the resource extent and condition fact sheets. For each region across Queensland and northern New South Wales the fact sheets describe:
- areas of potentially harvestable forest (mapping the extent of remnant, regrowth and woody, non-remnant forest)
- common forest types
- options for timber and grazing production
- forest productivity (merchantable volume and carbon stocks and improving forest productivity)
- ecological benefits and condition.
These fact sheets were part of the 'Improving productivity of the subtropical private native forest resource' project, a collaboration between the department, universities and industry, funded by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Forest and Wood Products Australia.
Private native forestry trees
The main types of commercial private native forest trees and timbers in Queensland are hardwood (e.g. spotted gum, ironbark, blackbutt, grey gum, forest red gum, white mahogany or yellow stringybark, Gympie messmate) or softwood (e.g. white cypress pine).
Wood properties like colour and hardness differ between species of native forest tree. Read about the properties of some important native forestry trees in Queensland:
- Blackbutt
- Forest red gum
- Grey gum
- Grey ironbark
- Gympie messmate
- Narrow-leaved red ironbark
- Spotted gum
- White cypress pine
- White mahogany
Read about the wood properties and uses of Australian timbers.
Private native forestry legislation and regulations
The Vegetation Management Act 1999 regulates native forestry on private land through an accepted development vegetation clearing code. Learn more about accepted development vegetation clearing codes and approvals.
Other regulations concerned with managing protected native plants and animals are also relevant to private native forestry. In some cases, a protected plant flora survey and clearing permit may be required in high risk areas where endangered, vulnerable or near threatened plants are known to exist or are likely to exist. Learn more about protected plants.
Read more information on legislation and regulation relevant to forestry in Queensland or contact our Customer Service Centre.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021