Substantial research has been conducted into the forest industry in North Queensland, stimulated by the creation of the Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management (Rainforest CRC) as well as the Community Rainforest Reforestation Program (CRRP), both in 1992. While the CRRP was intended in part to replace the timber resource lost to the market by the formation of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTWHA) in 1988, it has become apparent that private profitability of forestry is relatively low, and that new plantation establishment has proceeded at a slow pace. At the same time, plantation forestry is recognised to provide considerable regional socio-economic and environmental benefits, hence there is a strong case for promoting new plantations, at both the industrial and small-scale level.

A proposal for a forest industry development workshop in North Queensland was made at two Rainforest CRC workshops held in Brisbane in 2003 (on the Community Rainforest Reforestation Program, and on Timber Marketing in North Queensland), and at the September Program Support Group meeting for Rainforest CRC Program 5.3 - Social and Economic Aspects of Reforestation. A planning meeting was held at the annual conference of the Rainforest CRC in Cairns in 2003.

A workshop theme was defined in general terms, as the development of effective policies at federal, state and local government levels to create a sound planning framework that supports sustainable forest industry development in North Queensland, taking into account economic, social and environmental considerations. It was envisaged that members from various forestry stakeholder groups would attend the workshop, and a forum would be created for expressions of views on directions and strategies for forest industry development.

The North Queensland Forest Industry Development Workshop was held in the Murraya Conference Room, Cairns Student Lodge, over Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 April 2004, as an activity of the Rainforest CRC. State agencies represented included the Department of State Development Forest Policy Group, DPI Policy Analysis and Industry Development, DPI Forestry, and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Federal representation was made by the Forest Industries Group of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Other delegates represented the Rainforest CRC, Private Forestry North Queensland, Central Queensland Forest Association, James Cook University, Griffith University, The University of Queensland, and private tree growers. A stimulating exchange of ideas took place. A barbecue on the evening of 28 April provided a relaxed atmosphere for informal discussions between attendees.

These proceedings are an output of the workshop. Most speakers provided written papers or PowerPoint series. Also, most of the presentations were tape-recorded. The papers have been considerably revised and peer reviewed since the workshop.