Harvesting operations

Harvesting process

During harvesting, selected trees are felled, and the branches are removed to produce a log. Branches and other off-cuts are left in the forest to decompose naturally.

The logs are then moved out of the forest using machinery such as a skidder or forwarder, which are specialised wheel-tyred machines.

Wherever possible, machines roll over litter and understorey plants rather than clearing them, to minimise soil disturbance and site impacts.

Logs are taken to a designated area, known as a 'landing', where they are stacked and prepared for loading onto trucks. The logs are then transported to a sawmill or other facility for processing.

Tree bark and other natural debris not left in the forest are spread over the landing or used to help rehabilitate tracks. Large piles of debris are avoided to reduce wildfire risk.

When harvesting is complete, disturbed areas are rehabilitated to prevent erosion and support regeneration.

Minimising impact on forests through responsible harvesting

Species harvested

Commercial species selectively harvested in native hardwood forests include:

• Spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora)
• Ironbarks (e.g. Eucalyptus fibrosa, E. siderophloia, E. crebra)
• other eucalypts.

Harvesting in Cypress pine forests is confined to one commercial species—White cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla).

Harvesting workforce and responsibilities

Selective harvesting is conducted by specialist workers or contractors engaged by our customers (known as permittees). We have close oversight when this work is undertaken.

To ensure safety and environmental standards are met, workers must have training in:

• workplace health and safety
• machinery operation practices
• environmental care.

Our customers play a crucial role in environmental protection.

They must comply with:

• legislative requirements
• relevant codes
• site-specific operational harvest plans
• special management requirements.

Harvest planning process

Code of Practice and legislation

Native timber harvesting must follow the Code of Practice for Native Forest Timber Production on Queensland’s State Forest Estate 2020 (PDF, 4.33MB) (the Code).

The Code is maintained by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) and specifies requirements such as:

• at least half the forest stand must remain after harvesting
• setbacks from watercourses, where harvesting is not permitted, must be established
• harvesting on steep slopes must not occur to protect catchments and soils
• habitat-protection measures must be applied, including keeping and protecting habitat trees and shrubs with active bird nests
• soil disturbance must be rehabilitated.

Native timber harvesting is also subject to other key legislation, including:

• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
• Nature Conservation Act 1992
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003
• Queensland Heritage Act 1992
• Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Harvest monitoring and compliance

We undertake inspections throughout the harvesting process. This includes:

• assessing the harvest area to ensure compliance with the Code and the site-specific operational harvest plan
• assessing forest stand and habitat, and recruiting habitat trees to ensure Code requirements have been met
• checking tracks for necessary drainage works to minimise soil disturbance and run-off.

Operators must address any non-compliances identified during these inspections.

DETSI undertakes audits of timber harvesting operations to verify compliance with the Code. We are also subject to regular independent audits to maintain our Responsible Wood Certification.

More information

Read more about how we look after the environment.