This document is part of a series of four guidance reports that cover topics related to small-scale farm forestry, private native forestry, and Indigenous managed forest lands. Learn more about the other reports and documents via this link.
Commercial forest management is one of the most sustainable and rewarding land uses available to private landowners. Whether as part of a broader agricultural business or as a stand-alone enterprise, small-scale private forestry plays a critical role in providing timber to build houses and produce packaging, store carbon to fight climate change, and deliver a range of other benefits to individual land owners and the economy more broadly.
Australia is experiencing a gap between available supply and market demand for sawn timber, which is forecast to exceed 2.6 million m3 every year by 2050. This forecast takes into consideration factors including stable domestic sawlog production, an estimated population of 40 million by 2050, housing demand of 259,000 new dwellings each year and no significant change in the types of houses being built. For Australia to meet its future demand for housing, there is a need to quickly increase the amount of land dedicated to the commercial production of timber.
Farm forestry, private native forestry and management of Indigenous-owned forest lands will play an increasingly important role in addressing this supply challenge and contributing to Australia’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
