New poll reveals Queenslanders back forest protection, recreation over logging

Read the report: Queenslanders' Attitudes Towards Logging of Native and Plantation Forests (PDF 7.9mb)

New polling by DemosAU released at the weekend shows 80% of Queenslanders value forest protection and recreation in public native forests above timber production.

Fifty-six percent of Queenslanders want an end to native forest logging, and an overwhelming majority across the political spectrum (70-80%) back incentives to grow more timber plantations. Only 20% of participants identified timber production as the most important use of native forests.

Queensland Conservation Council says the Crisafulli Government needs to urgently review all values of State-owned native forests, as it finalises its Future Timber Plan 2050 five-year action plan. The Plan is expected to lock in native forest logging, but QCC says this is out of step with public sentiment and is calling for endangered species habitat to be protected first.

Queensland Conservation Council protected areas campaign manager Nicky Moffat said

A thorough review of all forest values should be an urgent priority, and should come before these public assets are sold off to loggers for another 25 years.

Public native forests should be opened up for camping, bushwalking, bird watching, environmental education and other respectful outdoors activities that Queenslanders enjoy.

With decisions around the State Budget imminent, we urge the State Ministers for Recreation, Tourism and Environment, Primary Industries and the Treasurer to back in a review of the ecological, recreation and tourism value of State Forests.

Key findings

Environmental protection is the top priority for forests

• 61% rank environmental protection as the preferred primary purpose of publicly owned native forests, while 19% said recreation
• Timber production (20%) ranks well behind.
• Across all political cohorts, environmental protection and recreation are preferred over logging.

Strong support for ending native forest logging

• 56% of Queenslanders agree logging in publicly owned native forests should end
• Support spans the political spectrum: Greens 71%, Labor 62%, LNP 50%.
• Proposals to expand native forest logging or issue new private logging permits are unpopular, each recording net sentiment of –12%.

Support consistent across regions

• Support for phasing out logging in native forests is high statewide with little variation.
• Brisbane: 72% agree, 7% disagree.
• North & Central Queensland: 72% agree, 5% disagree.
• Wide Bay: 75% agree, 7% disagree.
• Gold Coast lowest support but still strong: 69% agree, 9% disagree.

Queenslanders back plantation expansion

• Strong majority back government support for manufacturing more products from plantation timber (e.g., modular housing, engineered wood).
• Almost 80% want Queensland to grow enough plantation timber to meet its housing needs.

Overall sentiment

• Queenslanders broadly support transitioning away from native forest logging toward plantation-based timber production and local manufacturing.
• Environmental protection is a shared, bipartisan value driving strong public demand for policies that deliver conservation, sustainable industry and long-term timber security.

Photo: Lannercost State Forest by Kerry Trapnell