October 29, 2024
Access to the Rogers Park picnic area in the Yarraman State Forest will be closed for several months to allow harvesting of hoop pine in the area.
An HQPlantations spokesperson said a small section of plantation trees that have taken over half a century to cultivate are scheduled to be harvested.
Fifteen hectares of a 35ha section will be felled from early November 2024 to January 2025.
The spokesperson said more than 11,000 trees were expected to be replanted on the same site by the end of summer to continue the cycle.
Harvesting, haulage, replanting and most of the sawmill processing will be undertaken by Burnett, Burpengary and Gympie-based family-owned businesses.
The spokesperson said locally grown plantation hoop pine was highly sought after for display plywoods and veneers used in modern architecture, feature walls and ceilings, and sawn timber for heritage joinery and distinctive furniture.
“During the harvest, access to the Yarraman Forest Drive and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service-managed Rogers Park will be closed for public safety,” the spokesperson said.
“Other local traffic will be largely unaffected with approximately 10-12 loads hauled on the Yarraman-Tarong Road each day, less than one an hour during daylight hours, however road users are encouraged to be alert for heavy vehicles.
“Inquiries about the harvest can be directed to HQPlantations’ Blackbutt office on (07) 5484-4202.”
