CQRFA
This section discusses the newly formed Central Queensland Regional Forestry Association (C.Q.R.F.A.). Topics discussed in order include: description of organisation, membership, objectives and support. Since 1996 a number of Regional Plantation and Native Forest Committees (RPNFCs) have been established throughout Australia. These committees have the charter of assisting in the development of timber plantations on private land and the implementation of the Commonwealth Governments "Plantation 2020 Vision" for plantation expansion.
Currently two RPNFCs exist in Queensland, one in North Queensland (Private Forestry North Queensland), and the other in South Queensland. In March 2001 with the assistance of Livingstone Shire Council, Department of Primary Industry and private landholders, a C.Q. Interim Steering Committee was formed with the objective to establish a Central Queensland RPNFC. As of July 2001 the Central Queensland Regional Plantation and Native Forest Association was established, and is currently in the process of Registration, planning and development. The CQRFA has received $200,000 from the Commonwealth and State Governments to help fund their work.
Description of Organisation
The CQRFA draws together private forestry stakeholders in Central Queensland to encourage and support the development and expansion of viable private plantations in CQ. The CQRFA is Australia's 18th and the third for Queensland.
The activities of the CQRFC will build on a number of current private initiatives such as the Community Rainforest Reafforestation Program (CRRP), TreeCare Program, Tree Assistance Scheme, Master Tree Growers Program, National Heritage Trust (NHT), and Wood and Paper Industry Strategy (WAPIS).
Membership
The CQRFA represents the interests of all private forestry stakeholders in Central Queensand (see map) The Association draws its membership from the following stakeholders.
- Landholders
- Landholder interest groups e.g. Queensland Farmers Federation
- State Government Departments
- Local Government
- Community Organisations
- Catchment coordinating associations
- Aboriginal organisations
- Timber grower's cooperatives
- Timber industry groups
- Timber processors
Objectives of the CQRFA
The objectives of the Association are to :
Facilitate excellence in forest based industries thoughout Central Queensland by:
- Co-ordinating and representing the interest of all forest industry stakeholders.
- Leading our community to have a greater appreciation of all social, economic and environmental values of forest based industries.
- Promoting sustainable commercial forestry activity through plantation and native forest management practices.
- Providing services and information to landholders to assist in their understanding and development as forest managers.
- Producing and implementing a strategic plan for the development of forestry in the region containing a Regional Profile, Business Plan, Marketing Plan and a Forest Inventory.
- Promote the Forestry Industry in Queensland by supporting Associations and other entities with similar objectives
Support
Central Queensland has two farm forestry extension officers, one based in Mackay and the other based in Rockhampton. Both officers implement NHT and WAPIS funding plantation and private native forest management projects. They provide advice on native forest establishment, management, harvesting and marketing in their respective areas. These Officers are funded for short periods and work with the CQRFC to help it achieve its objectives. The CQRFC provides a means of retaining existing farm forestry expertise in Central Queensland and will provide an extension service to complement these two positions.
The CQRFC will also work with proposed Central Queensland timber grower's cooperatives to:
- enhance market accessibility for timber growers
- create supply confidence for timber processors
- demonstrate the economic viability of private plantation and native forestry to prospective timber growers. This will encourage greater adoption of such forestry in Central Queensland