Discover 2 videos about how Queensland’s selective native timber harvesting protects ecosystems, supports regional economies and produces high-value timber materials.
Queensland’s state-owned native forests are a vital resource, not just for the environment but also for the economy and local communities.
There are many misconceptions about how selective native timber harvesting is conducted in Queensland.
The Forestry Facts videos have been developed to share how we ensure selective native forest harvesting practices are responsible and the economic benefits of Queensland’s native timber industry, particularly to rural and regional economies.
Responsibly managing native forests
This video highlights how Queensland’s state-owned native forests are responsibly managed through selective harvesting, a low-intensity method that removes individual trees for commercial purposes while leaving at least 50% of the forest intact. This approach promotes natural regeneration, allowing saplings to thrive and ensuring forests continue to be productive for future generations.
Queensland’s native timber is prized for its strength, durability, fire resistance, and natural beauty, making it ideal for high-value uses like bridges, railways, power poles, flooring and decking.
Detailed operational plans prepared by the Department of Primary Industries’ Forestry business unit ensure harvesting is low-impact and adheres to strict regulations and relevant codes of practice.
Certified under the Responsible Wood standard, Queensland’s forestry practices undertaken on the State forest estate comply with state and Commonwealth laws, with regular audits ensuring environmental stewardship. These measures support the sustainable supply of premium timber while protecting ecosystems and preserving natural resources into the future.
Show transcript
[Male voice over]
The Queensland Government ensures state-owned native forests are carefully managed to safeguard the environment and support regional growth.
Queensland's native forests continue to provide essential timber resources for our state.
Like many state forests in Queensland, harvesting has been occurring in this forest for over 100 years.
[Leanne - Principal Ecologist]
Selective harvesting is practised in Queensland, which means trees are individually identified for harvesting.
This low-intensity method is different to land clearing, which can change ecosystems forever.
With selective harvesting, at least 50% of the forest stand remains intact.
Selective harvesting encourages forest regeneration.
When trees are harvested, it allows space and sunlight for young saplings to grow faster.
This regrowth means harvesting can continue from the same forests for years to come.
[Charles - Director Forestry Policy and Projects]
The difference in Queensland is that our forests are made up of many tree species of different ages and sizes.
When selective harvesting occurs, growing young saplings are provided with an opportunity to fill the canopy gap.
Native timber selectively harvested from state-owned forests in Queensland is used for high-value building and construction purposes.
Our Queensland hardwood is renowned for its strength, durability, fire resistance and natural beauty.
It is widely used for bridges, railways and especially power poles, which are important for a state as vast as Queensland.
The attractive appearance of species such as spotted gum also makes it perfect for flooring, decking and other construction applications.
[Monique - Planning Officer, Forestry]
Before each selective harvest, we prepare detailed operational harvesting plans.
The planning process starts with extensive research to identify where the harvest can and can't occur.
We look for any values of interest that may need to be protected, such as flora and fauna, watercourses and recreational areas.
We also learn about the cultural heritage of the area, identifying culturally significant locations where harvesting will be excluded.
Operational harvesting plans outline the actions to be taken to ensure selective harvesting is low-impact and complies with regulations.
This includes leaving at least 50% of the forest standing, minimising soil disturbances and reducing overall site impacts.
[Charles - Director Forestry Policy and Projects]
Selective native timber harvesting is strictly regulated in Queensland.
We ensure selective harvesting complies with Queensland's code of practice for native forest timber production, as well as state and Commonwealth legislation.
We also undertake our own audits and inspections, working with different government agencies to ensure continued compliance.
[Matt de Jongh - Responsible Wood]
These state forests are certified to the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management through the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme, which confirms that these forests are managed responsibly.
In order to maintain the certification, the Forest Management System is audited once every nine months by an independent third-party auditor.
[Male voice over]
Our forestry practices support the ongoing supply of high-value timber while protecting forest ecosystems.
Queensland’s native timber harvesting — selective, responsible, renewable.
Supporting ecosystems and the economy
This video highlights how Queensland native forestry balances environmental health with economic growth. Selective harvesting minimises forest floor disturbance, retains habitat and food trees, and leaves tree canopy gaps to encourage regeneration. Trained staff protect habitat trees, ensuring shelter and food for wildlife like koalas and gliders, while decomposing debris enriches biodiversity.
Native timber harvesting reduces Queensland’s carbon footprint by storing carbon in retained trees and timber products, which are much less carbon-intensive than materials like concrete or steel. This makes timber a renewable and eco-friendly building material.
The video also emphasises the industry’s economic benefits, creating and sustaining jobs and driving regional growth. Local sawmills and support industries, such as those in Wondai, provide significant economic stimulus, while increasing demand for timber fosters innovation and new opportunities.
Show transcript
[Male voice over]
Forestry Facts - Supporting ecosystems and the economy.
The Queensland Government ensures state-owned native forests are carefully managed to safeguard the environment and support regional growth.
Queensland's native forests continue to provide essential timber resources for our state. Like many state forests in Queensland, harvesting has been occurring in this forest for over 100 years.
[Monique – Planning Officer, Forestry]
Careful forest management ensures that ecosystems are preserved and protected. During selective harvesting, steps are taken to reduce disturbance and support regeneration.
Machines operate in a manner to minimise forest floor disturbances, maintaining a healthy ecosystem. All harvesting debris remains on site, which decomposes, releases nutrients, and feeds the forest floor.
This supports a healthy ecosystem.
[Nathan – Senior Ecology Officer]
Protecting animal and plant habitats is a priority consideration when planning for a harvest.
Before harvesting begins, trained staff identify any habitat trees and plants, including those that might be used by animals for food or shelter.
We look for signs such as tree hollows, nests, scratchings and scats.
These trees are left untouched and protected from damage and fire, ensuring that suitable habitats for important species such as koalas and gliders are maintained.
Selective harvesting leaves an extensive forest canopy that ensures fauna can move around in their natural habitat.
Canopies support the overall health of the forest ecosystem. They play a critical role in climate regulation, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.
With selective timber harvesting, only certain mature trees are removed, as many mature trees are not suitable for wood products and a significant number are retained for habitat purposes.
Gaps in the canopy left from harvesting support biodiversity by promoting forest regeneration. These gaps are filled by existing saplings that have been waiting for an opportunity to develop into trees.
[Barry – Executive Director, Forestry]
Native forests are critical to our environment.
Trees extract carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their trunks, roots, branches and bark in a process called sequestration.
Timber products continue to store carbon throughout their useful life, which can be more than 100 years. This contributes to the carbon cycle.
Timber production is also much less carbon-intensive than concrete or steel production.
This helps to reduce Queensland's overall carbon footprint.
[Richard Kirk, Architect]
As an architect, I really love to use Queensland native timbers because they're strong, they're incredibly durable, and they provide a great deal of design flexibility.
Behind me is the Sound Shell at the University of Queensland.
It's an example of using GL21 spotted gum in the form of a diagrid. The diagrid gives this curved shape extra strength.
The spotted gum that you see is incredibly durable and incredibly strong, and it will last for several lifetimes.
The other important thing about using Queensland native timbers is that the local industry here supplies and manufactures the material, keeping the entire project locally sourced.
[Mark Pitt – CEO, South Burnett Council]
The native hardwood timber industry is extremely important to our region and our local communities.
The employment that they offer, both direct and indirect, is an extremely strong economic stimulus to our area.
The local sawmills, through their direct economic activity and the support industries that work with them, give great benefit to local residents and again to the region and our local communities.
They are a valuable partner and conduct themselves in an extremely ethical and good way.
We're very pleased to be able to support them and have them in our communities.
[Barry – Executive Director, Forestry]
Demand for more sustainable building materials like timber is growing.
This presents opportunities for growth, innovation and the development of new products and processing efficiencies.
Queensland state-owned native forests contain substantial timber resources.
Native forestry contributes significantly to the Queensland economy and especially rural communities each year.
[Male voice over]
Our forestry practices support the ongoing supply of high-value timber while protecting forest ecosystems.
Queensland's native timber harvesting. Selective. Responsible. Renewable.
Queensland’s Forestry Facts videos highlight responsible native timber harvesting as a source of high-quality materials, regional economic growth and environmental protection.
Find out more
Read more about how we look to protect and grow Queensland’s forestry and timber industry with the Queensland Future Timber Plan 2050.
Learn more on:
Last updated: 15 Jul 2026