Qld: Timber plantation planned for Traveston dam area

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2008
Qld: Timber plantation planned for Traveston dam area

By Jessica Marszalek

BRISBANE, Aug 26 AAP - The Queensland government has called for expressions of interest
in a massive timber plantation proposed on the banks of the planned Traveston Crossing
dam.

The plantation is intended to offset the dam's carbon footprint and provide economic
benefits to the community.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas today said the project would involve planting more than 2,000
hectares of native timber on land around the dam.

"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 told state parliament.

"It will effectively give the project a better than carbon neutral profile."

He said there would also be opportunities for other industries including beekeeping,
medical and alternative fuel sources.

Mr Lucas said the forestry initiative could pave the way for similar schemes under
any future national carbon trading scheme.

"... developments such as the dam provide an opportunity to deliver additional facilities
that provide supplementary benefits for the local community, economy and environment,"

he said.

He said a 20 hectare trial plantation had already been established to find the types
of timber which would deliver the best results.

Queensland Water Infrastructure would call for expressions of interest this week, he said.

The $1.7 billion dam to be built on the Mary River near Gympie is a key component in
drought-proofing the southeast but has been met with intense resistance from the local
community.

AAP jmm/pjo/cjh/

KEYWORD: TRAVESTON

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