Two million tree target for Traveston

The State Government is calling expressions of interest from forestry plantation operators to plant up to two million trees as part of construction of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, told State Parliament today that expressions of interest were being called for forestry plantation operators to partner with Queensland Water Infrastructure in establishing up to 2,000 hectares of timber plantations.

“We are committed to the development of forestry initiatives that support carbon reduction and offsetting of major infrastructure projects,” Mr Lucas said.

“This is an exciting initiative that could help show the way when it comes to managing our carbon footprint.”

Mr Lucas said the Traveston Crossing Dam Forest Initiative EOI was for the was a large scale hardwood plantation and bio-sequestration project aiming to establish timber plantations in the Mary Valley.

“Overseeing the development of this unique initiative, QWI has forged strategic alliances with the CSIRO, Griffith University, University of Sunshine Coast, Timber Queensland and Greening Australia,” Mr Lucas said.

“The partners have been working for some time to establish this innovative program on land surrounding the Traveston Crossing Dam Project and are now ready to move to the implementation stage.”

Mr Lucas said unlike many other infrastructure projects, the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam provided a unique opportunity to incorporate carbon offsets on the same site.

“Not only will the Forest Initiative revitalise the Mary Valley timber industry, the offsets of up to 850,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will more than offset the dam’s estimated 140,000 tonne construction footprint,” Mr Lucas said.

“This will give the Traveston Crossing Dam Project a better than carbon neutral profile.”

Mr Lucas said the recently released Federal Government Garnaut Review noted the potential for carbon sequestration through changes in land management, including the increasing carbon content of growing forests.

The Forest Initiative complements the Rudd Government’s recently released Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper.

Mr Lucas said if carbon offsets in stored wood products are adopted after 2012, in the international climate framework and as outlined in the Rudd Scheme, the offsets associated with the Initiative could be in excess of 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide

QWI Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Newton said QWI was committed to not only securing water supplies for SEQ, but providing a sustainable future for the local Mary Valley community, environment and economy.

“QWI has purchased over 77% of properties that intersect with the footprint for the Traveston Crossing Dam. Areas not planned for inundation provide a substantial land base for a wide ranging revegetation project.”

The establishment of permanent vegetation areas in association with the commercial plantations will offer further opportunities to restore the natural environment, while delivering biodiversity, water quality and carbon storage benefits.

Mr Newton said a 20 ha trial plantation has already been planted in conjunction with CSIRO, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Timber Queensland and Ecotek.

In addition to providing carbon offsets, it is anticipated the plantations will provide opportunities for other industries, including apiculture (bee keeping), medical honey, power poles, and alternative fuel sources.


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