QUEENSLAND's hardwood timber industry is fighting for its long term survival.
Long held up as a sustainable, carbon friendly, job creating industry, new laws planned by the Palaszczuk government are set to double the amount of trees that must be left to the hectare.
Gayndah hardwood sawmiller Sam Slack said over time, that one seemingly simple change would wreck the industry.
Increased tree densities will reduce the amount of timber that is available to harvest because less trees will be able grow to a commerical size.
- Sam Slack, Slack's Hardwood
"It's not like we will see an immediate impact, but when it does things will be very difficult," Mr Slack said.
"Timber always has been and always will be a long term investment, so there is a good amount of timber in front of us now because of the effort that has gone on in the past.
"But over time, increased tree densities will reduce the amount of timber that is available to harvest because less trees will be able grow to a commercial size.
"That's not the way to maintain a sustainable, carbon friendly industry that generates thousands of jobs."
Under the soon to be introduced vegetation management laws, 300 trees will be required to retained to the hectare, compared to the current 150 stems.
In response to the Palaszczuk government's proposed interference, the timber industry will rally in Maryborough on August 18.
Mr Slack said the rally aimed to demonstrate the size and importance of the timber industry, particularly among regional communities.
"We're planning a family friendly event because we want to be able to show the timber industry is very much a family based industry," he said.
"We need to remind government that the industry is both sustainable and provides a very large amount of employment."
Sam Slack was just 16 years old when he jumped boots and all into the timber industry. Recognising the family cattle property was not of sufficient size to support him and his other siblings, he made the bold decision to start a sawmill.
"I'm not sure what people really thought when I first started milling timber," Mr Slack said.
"I could see a sustainable resource in the trees growing all around me and I thought I could make a go of it.
"Fortunately I have very supportive parents who encouraged me every step of the way. Even mum was helping me stack timber at the end of each day."
However, Mr Slack's perseverance paid off and his brother Terry's extraordinary engineering skills also paid off. Just four years ago a $5 million investment was made in a new mill turning out 50 cubic metres of sawn timber a day.
From those humble beginnings 20 years ago, Slack's Hardwood has grown to become the major provider of full time jobs in the North Burnett town.
Slack's Hardwood has also developed as a business which keeps everyone in the family hopping, including Sam's brother-in-law Scott Pershouse, who is the go-between for the mill and landholders.
"It's all about resource security," Mr Pershouse said.
"Every mill needs an ongoing source of timber and every landholder that invests their time, energy and finances in managing trees wants to be certain they will be rewarded for their efforts.
"Increasing tree densities will do one thing, produce less millable timber.
"There are so many people and other industries the timber industry touches."
Maryborough landholder
Maryborough district timber and cattle producer Cliff Pappin says there is no future on his property unless he can continue to manage the trees growing across his 1800ha operation.
Mr Pappin, who turns 80 next week, said it was extremely frustrating that the government would set about wrecking a sustainable timber industry by doubling the density of trees that must be left in the landscape.
"Look around you," Mr Pappin said. "There are probably about 200 trees to the hectare here because that is the density that grows good timber on this particular bit of country.
If they bring in that we have to leave 300 stems to the hectare we are buggered.
- Cliff Pappis, landholder
"Any thicker than that and the trees just can't grow properly. There is too much competition.
"The end result is you get stunted trees and no grass on the ground. Soon enough there is a thick lantana and wattle, which creates a major fire risk.
"It not like we immediately thin to a figure. It's a process of selecting the most suitable trees over many years and ensuring there are a continuous supply of trees ready to harvest.
"It all has to be managed and it's expensive. It just doesn't happen by itself."
Mr Pappin runs the property with his son Steven, who is also a professional timber getter, and his grandson Alex, who is engaged in the day to day running of the operation.
The family has harvested mostly spotted gum with some blue gum and ironbark during the past 55 years and has a well earned reputation as being a leader in agri-forestry.
Mr Pappin said 150 stems the hectare was the basis which sustained the timber industry and allowed sufficient grass to grow for cattle.
About 80 per cent of the Pappin's operation is coloured on the Queensland government's PMAV vegetation maps, meaning any change to the forestry code of practice would have a big impact on both his timber and cattle business.
"If they bring in that we have to leave 300 stems to the hectare we are buggered," Mr Pappin said.
"I've always grown timber because there is a good return in it and because I believe that it is important to create employment in the community.
"We certainly couldn't make this country run on cattle alone."
Steven Pappin said a distinction needed to be made between freehold and leasehold land.
"I don't have a problem with the government doing what it likes on its own land," Mr Pappin said. "But it's shouldn't be happening on freehold, especially when we've been successfully managing and harvesting timber for more than 50 years."
Sawmill worker
Sawmill worker Kerry Gilby, who has been at Slack's Hardwood virtually since the business began, said the sawmill was extremely important to Gayndah.
"It's been a big boost for the town, there's no doubt about that," Kerry said.
"We've built our lives around it. We live here, our kids go to school here and we want to stay here. We make our money in the mill and we spend it in town.
"There's not many places in a town the size of Gayndah where you can get full time employment.
"Without that mill there would probably be 70 people without a job."