The state forests produce about 14% of Australia’s timber, including much of the supply for the housing industry. Read moreForestry Corporation also manages 34,000 hectares of hardwood timber plantations and has stewardship of about 2m hectares of coastal native forests, cypress forests and red gum forests. Green groups want greater protections for native state forests, particularly after this summer’s fires, which have put pressure on habitats for koalas and other native animals. Labor’s spokesman on natural resources, Paul Scully, said the ALP remained opposed to the sale of the state’s softwood plantations. Victoria sold its softwood plantations in 1998, while Queensland reaped $603m when it sold Forestry Plantations Queensland in 2010.

Source: The Guardian December 26, 2019 18:56 UTC