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Forest and timber industry in Queensland
The forest and timber industry in Queensland is diverse and covers activities that include:
- forest growing
- harvest and haulage
- processing and manufacturing
- value-adding
- timber merchants
- importers
- pulp and paper.
Queensland's forest resources are characterised by large, highly productive softwood plantations and extensive areas of relatively slow-growing native forest comprising both hardwoods and cypress pine.
These forests support a regionally based processing sector, and most timber is used to produce building products.
Read Queensland forest and timber industry: an overview for more information about the industry.
This guide explains more about the forest and timber industry in Queensland and provides a list of forestry industry associations to consult with.
Forest and timber industry profile
The Queensland industry continues to evolve and innovate. Engineered wood products and associated timber building systems offer important future growth opportunities.
Economic contribution
Queensland's forest and timber industry makes an important contribution to the economy and to many rural and regional communities.
The industry:
- had an estimated annual turnover of around $3.8 billion in 2015–16
- directly employed more than 8,800 people in 2017
- has diverse activity and investment across the value chain—from growing forests to the manufacture and sale of new and innovative timber products
- is a highly valued employer in many rural and regional areas.
Read Queensland forest and timber industry: economic snapshot for the most up-to-date data on the industry.
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Also consider...
- Learn about plantation forestry in Queensland.
- Find out about the properties and uses of Australian timbers.
Forestry industry associations
You can get connected with other businesses in the forestry industry by contacting your industry association. They often arrange events, seminars and networking opportunities where you may be able to find suppliers, make contacts, generate new business and improve your business practice.
Industry organisations can provide you with important information about your industry – in particular, how legislation and policy will affect your business. Importantly, they may also lobby on behalf of your industry to influence government policy.
Contact the following industry associations to find out how they can help you to run your business:
- Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)
AFPA represents companies, individuals and organisations who are involved in the forest and forest products industry. AFPA merged with the Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council (A3P) and the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI). - Forestry Australia
Forestry Australia is the professional association for foresters, private forestry, commercial tree growing and all forestry professionals. - Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA)
ATFA represents Australia's timber flooring industry. - Australian Timber Importers Federation (ATIF)
ATIF represents the timber importer and wholesaler sectors of the national timber industry. - Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA)
EWPAA represents the engineered wood products industry of Australasia. - Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA)
FWPA is the forestry industry's services provider, investing in research and development (R&D) and delivering research outcomes to the forest and wood products industry in Australia. - Timber Preservers Association of Australia (TPAA)
TPAA represents Australia's timber preservation industry. - Timber Queensland (TQ)
TQ is the peak timber industry body in Queensland.
Also consider...
- Learn about working in Queensland native forestry.
- Learn about agriculture industry associations.
- Use our market research kit to find key economic, demographic and statistical information about your industry.
- Find out about research resources for business and industry.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021