Sale of Queensland's forest plantations: What does this mean for you as a forest user?
On 30 June 2010, the Queensland Government’s plantation timber business was sold, with Forestry Plantations Queensland Pty Limited (FPQ Pty Limited) now owned by Hancock Queensland Plantations Pty Ltd.
The business has been sold through a 99-year plantation licence agreement. The Crown land under the plantations (around 90 per cent of the total land holdings) has not been sold–only the rights to manage plantation timber production on State plantation forest lands. Ownership of the freehold lands previously owned and managed by Forestry Plantations Queensland has now been passed to FPQ Pty Limited.
These Crown land areas are protected under the Forestry Act 1959. Public access for recreational activities such as sight-seeing, bushwalking, horse riding and car rallies will continue as it has in the past.
There are also areas within these plantations where many businesses undertake complementary commercial activities alongside plantation forestry, including grazing and beekeeping. These agreements will transfer to the new owner – preserving current entitlements.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has custodianship of the State plantation forest lands. DERM will perform a regulatory/contract administrator role to ensure FPQ Pty Limited complies with the conditions of the plantation licence and a range of deeds of agreement that underpin the sale.
Public access to State plantation forest lands
Access to these lands, either by regulatory signage or through specific permits, has always been permitted for a range of activities, including recreation, stock grazing and beekeeping. These arrangements continue notwithstanding the sale of the plantation licence to FPQ Pty Limited.
The following table sets out who has responsibility for issuing a permit, which depends on whether the permit is in respect of land that is State plantation forest land, State land, or whether the area encompasses both.
| Type of permit | On State plantation forest lands | On State lands outside of State plantation forest lands | On an area covering both State lands and State plantation forest lands |
|---|---|---|---|
Recreation |
Permit issued by FPQ Pty Limited |
Permit issued by DERM |
Permit issued by DERM |
Stock grazing |
Permit issued by FPQ Pty Limited |
Permit issued by DERM |
Permit issued by DERM |
Apiary (beekeeping) |
Permit issued by FPQ Pty Limited |
Permit issued by DERM |
N/A |
Further information about permits
Recreation permits
For specific information regarding recreation permits on State plantation forest lands, call FPQ Pty Limited's, Beerburrum office on (07) 5438 6637 or visit FPQ Pty Limited website.
DERM’s website has extensive information on recreational activities in Queensland’s national parks, marine parks and forests.
Stock grazing permits
For further information regarding stock grazing permits on State plantation forest lands, contact FPQ Pty Limited's, Gympie office on (07) 5489 6700.
To obtain information regarding stock grazing permits on other State-owned lands, contact your nearest DERM business centre or call the department on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Apiary permits
For further information regarding apiary site permits on State plantation forest lands, contact FPQ Pty Limited's, Gympie office on (07) 5489 6700.
For information regarding apiary site permits on other State forests and national parks, please call Permit and Licence Management.
Forest management standards
DERM will ensure that FPQ Pty Limited's business activities on State forest plantation lands are conducted in accordance with the conditions of their licence and relevant legislation.
FPQ Pty Limited is required to maintain accreditation under the Australian Forestry Standard AS 4708-2007 or another internationally recognised sustainable forest management system.
This means that the high standards of environmental care which were applied prior to the sale will continue under FPQ Pty Limited's management of State plantation forest lands.
Fire management
Prior to the sale of the plantation licence, fire management and wildfire control on State forests and plantation areas were jointly managed by DERM and Forestry Plantations Queensland. The sale has been conditioned to ensure that FPQ Pty Limited continues with its fire detection and suppression capacity and works cooperatively with State agencies as part of a coordinated fire management program.
Conservation estate
The sale of the plantation licence affords an environmental benefit in that it provides for the rehabilitation of approximately 3400 hectares of hoop pine plantation land from commercial production use to conservation status under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Approximately 2300 hectares of this land was forest plantation. Specific ‘sunset clauses’ will allow time for the plantations to mature and be harvested prior to the land being excised from commercial timber production.
More information
If you would like more information regarding the use of State plantation forest lands or DERM's responsibilities following the sale of the Queensland Government's plantation timber business, please email plantation.access@derm.qld.gov.au.
Last reviewed 26 April 2012
Last updated 13 October 2010
