Timber Queensland releases best-practice guide for timber plantations in tropical cyclonic areas of Australian state, where severe cyclones have devastated plantations

Audrey Dixon

FORTITUDE VALLEY, Australia , July 17, 2012 (press release) – Severe tropical cyclones, Larry, Ului and Yasi had devastating effects on the timber plantations and plantation trial plots in tropical Queensland regions.

With climate change projections indicating an increasing frequency of severe cyclones in this region peak industry body Timber Queensland has released a Best practice guide for timber plantations in tropical cyclonic areas of Queensland.

Timber Queensland CEO Rod McInnes said the guide will assist plantation growers make appropriate species selection and implement risk management practices.

“This guide also provides guidance on plantation design, location in the landscape, silviculture regimes and rotation length,” said Rod McInnes.

“Growers need to get these elements right if they want to weather the next storm and ensure the region’s growing and processing sector prospers,” he said.

The guide is available online at http://www.timberqueensland.com.au/Growing/Plantations-in-Cyclonic-Areas.aspx. Other resources available include tools to track the history of cyclones crossing the Australian coastline , a case study reviewing the impacts of Cyclone Yasi and a review of the science and knowledge used to produce the guide. .

The guide was prepared for TQ by Select Carbon and included other project partners - DAFF and JCU Cyclone Testing Station. The project was funded via the Queensland Government Rural Resilience Package.

An overview of the Guide and a summary of the best practice tips is attached.

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