A 25-Year Blueprint for Timber, Homes, and Regional Jobs
Queensland’s new Future Timber Plan is being billed as the most significant forestry policy reform in a generation, a 25-year roadmap designed to secure a sustainable timber supply for one million homes by 2044.
Launched by the Crisafulli Government, the plan promises to give certainty to the timber, forestry and building industries after what industry groups describe as a decade of policy drift. It aims to modernise forest management systems, expand plantation areas, and ensure long-term access to locally sourced, renewable materials.
For builders, it marks a key move in tackling one of construction’s biggest pressures: material security.
“The Queensland Future Timber Plan will help rebuild Queensland’s forestry and timber industry to build more homes for Queenslanders,” said Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett.
Why It Matters for Builders
Timber remains one of the most important materials in residential construction, with more than 80% of detached homes in Queensland relying on timber framing and trusses.
But supply uncertainty, coupled with rising global demand, has forced builders and fabricators to grapple with escalating prices and limited availability since 2020.
The Future Timber Plan directly addresses that challenge through a whole-of-supply-chain approach covering five pillars:
- Supply and Resource Security – expanding the plantation estate by 25,000 hectares by 2050 and maintaining existing native and plantation forests.
- Supply Chain and Market Development – ensuring consistent, affordable access to materials for builders and manufacturers.
- Regulatory Framework – modernising systems that govern harvesting, processing and compliance.
- Workforce Development – growing skills across forestry, manufacturing and building to meet housing demand.
- Research, Development and Extension – investing in innovation, from engineered timber to carbon-smart design.
These measures are designed to provide long-term confidence for builders, frame and truss manufacturers, and suppliers who depend on Queensland’s timber industry.
“Timber is the ultimate renewable,” said Perrett. “It captures and stores carbon and requires less energy and emissions to produce than steel or concrete.”
Ending the Uncertainty
For years, Queensland’s timber sector has been caught in a political tug-of-war over native forest harvesting. The new plan confirms that selective harvesting of native hardwood will continue in both state-owned and private forests, outside South East Queensland providing continuity for regional mills and jobs.
New sales permits for state-owned native hardwood will be issued in 2026, ending a period of limbo that had put pressure on local supply and investment.
The plan also rules out any reintroduction of native timber harvesting in the South East Queensland Regional Plan area, balancing conservation and supply objectives.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the plan “delivers a framework that keeps our forests productive, adds to Queensland’s protected estate, and opens opportunities for ecotourism.”
That balance between environmental stewardship and industry viability is central to the government’s broader Primary Industries Prosper 2050 framework, an ambitious plan to grow Queensland’s primary production value to $30 billion by 2030.
Industry Collaboration at Scale
The Future Timber Plan wasn’t written behind closed doors. It followed one of the largest consultation processes ever undertaken in the sector.
More than 1.35 million people were reached through engagement campaigns, 350 stakeholders were directly consulted, and 550 ideas were gathered to shape the first five-year action plan.
Industry leaders from timber, primary production, forestry and construction were among those who contributed. Many view it as a turning point for Queensland’s ability to meet its housing and infrastructure targets using local materials.
Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens welcomed the clarity.
“Long-term certainty for timber supply is essential for the future of regional jobs, sawmills and builders who rely on renewable materials. This plan sets the right direction,” he said in a statement following the announcement.
Building Homes, Supporting Regions
Queensland’s timber industry underpins thousands of regional jobs, from plantation managers and truck drivers to mill workers and frame manufacturers. According to government data, the sector contributes more than $3.2 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports around 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.
For towns like Maryborough, Gympie and Yarraman, which rely heavily on forestry and processing, the Future Timber Plan offers much-needed certainty for reinvestment and workforce retention.
“This is about securing not only the timber we need but the communities that rely on it,” Perrett said. “We’re talking about long-term regional employment, local manufacturing, and housing affordability.”
The 25-year timeline also aligns with Queensland’s housing target of one million new homes by 2044, announced earlier this year. Ensuring enough local, sustainable material is available is seen as critical to meeting that goal while reducing reliance on imported products.
A Renewable Resource for a Growing State
With population growth accelerating, particularly across South East Queensland, Wide Bay, and the Darling Downs, builders are under pressure to deliver more homes, faster and more sustainably. Timber’s carbon-negative profile and ease of construction make it a key part of that equation.
The Future Timber Plan builds on existing investment in engineered wood products, cross-laminated timber (CLT)and modular manufacturing, technologies that are reshaping how Australian homes are built.
For builders, the policy provides confidence to plan ahead, form long-term supplier relationships, and invest in design and delivery systems that rely on sustainable materials.
From Policy to Action
The next phase is the release of the Initial Five-Year Action Plan, which will prioritise investment in plantation expansion, processing capacity, and workforce training.
That includes:
- Identifying suitable land for plantation growth
- Partnering with private investors and landholders
- Supporting skills development through TAFE and industry programs
- Incentivising new technologies that increase yield and efficiency
If executed effectively, the plan could strengthen the entire housing supply chain from seed to site.
The Good Builder View
For builders and suppliers, this announcement is more than a policy headline. It’s a signal that Queensland is backing its construction future with real resources.
At The Good Builder, we’ve consistently highlighted how long-term certainty, in materials, workforce, and regulation is critical to industry confidence. The Future Timber Plan delivers exactly that.
A clear, 25-year commitment gives builders the confidence to invest, knowing local supply will support both housing and sustainability targets.
As the housing industry braces for record demand, securing a renewable, local timber supply isn’t just smart policy, it’s essential nation-building.
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