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Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Cairns region of Queensland, 2015

Research by the Australian Bureau of Agriculturaland Resource Economics and Sciences

About my region 15.25March 2015

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Cairns region of Queensland, 2015 ABARES

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ABARES 2015, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Cairns region of Queensland, 2015, About my region 15.25, Canberra, March. CC BY 3.0.

ISBN 978-1-74323-086-2ABARES project 43009

Internet

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Cairns region of Queensland 2015 is available at agriculture.gov.au/abares.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)

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The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, represented by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has exercised due care and skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, ABARES, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Acknowledgements

ABARES relies on the voluntary cooperation of farmers participating in the annual Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, Australian Dairy Industry Survey, and Australian Vegetable Growing Farms Survey to provide data used in the preparation of this report. Without their help, these surveys would not be possible. ABARES farm survey staff collected most of the information presented in this report through on-farm interviews with farmers.

This regional profile was updated by Therese Thompson, Haydn Valle, Timothy Connolly, Lucy Randall, Kasia Mazur and Sharan Singh.

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Contents1 Regional overview.................................................................................................................................. 1

Employment.............................................................................................................................................. 22 Agriculture sector................................................................................................................................... 4

Value of agricultural production......................................................................................................4Number and type of farms.................................................................................................................. 4Farm financial performance—Queensland.................................................................................6

3 Fisheries sector..................................................................................................................................... 13

4 Forestry sector.......................................................................................................................................15

References........................................................................................................................................................... 16

TablesTable 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2012–13......................................................5

Table 2 Financial performance, Queensland broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm..................................................................................................................................... 7

Table 3 Farm cash income of Queensland broadacre farms, by region, 2012–13 to 2013–14, average per farm..............................................................................................................................8

Table 4 Financial performance, Queensland dairy industry, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm...................................................................................................................................11

Table 5 Physical and financial performance, vegetable growing farm businesses, Queensland, 2012–13 and 2013–14............................................................................................12

FiguresFigure 1 Employment profile, Cairns region, November 2014......................................................3

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Cairns region, Queensland, 2012–13..................4

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Cairns region, Queensland, 2012–13............................................................................................................5

Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm................................7

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, grains industry, average per farm............................................9

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm.............................................10

Figure 7 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm...........................................11

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, vegetable growing farm businesses, Queensland, 2005–06 to 2013–14........................................................................................................................................ 12

Figure 9 Area of native forest, by tenure...............................................................................................15


Maps

Map 1 Broad agricultural land use of the Cairns region of Queensland.....................................1

Map 2 Agricultural industries of the Cairns region of Queensland..............................................2

Map 3 Australian broadacre zones and regions....................................................................................8


1 Regional overviewThe Cairns region is located in the north of Queensland (Map 1). The region comprises the three local government areas of Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Yarrabah, part of the Tablelands local government area, and the major regional towns of Babinda, Cairns, Lucinda and Port Douglas. The region covers a total area of around 21 300 square kilometres or 1 per cent of Queensland’s total area and is home to approximately 224 400 people (ABS 2011).

Agricultural land in the Cairns region occupies 9522 square kilometres, or 45 per cent of the region. Areas classified as conservation and natural environments (nature conservation, protected areas and minimal use) occupy 10 640 square kilometres, or 50 per cent of the region. The most common land use by area is nature conservation, which occupies 8280 square kilometres or 39 per cent of the Cairns region.

Map 1 Broad agricultural land use of the Cairns region of Queensland

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014)

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Map 2 Agricultural industries of the Cairns region of Queensland

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014)

EmploymentAustralian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from the 2014 Labour Force Survey indicate that around111 400 people were employed in the Cairns region. The Cairns region accounts for 5 per cent of total employment in Queensland and 9 per cent of all people employed in the Queensland agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Retail trade was the largest employment sector with 14 600 people (Figure 1). Health care and social assistance was the second largest employing sector with 11 600 people, followed by the construction sector with 10 800 people. Other important employment sectors in the region were education and training (9900 people), accommodation and food services (8000 people) and manufacturing (7500 people). The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employed 4600 people, representing 4 per cent of the region’s workforce.

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Figure 1 Employment profile, Cairns region, November 2014

- 5 10 15 20

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste ServicesInformation Media and Telecommunications

Financial and Insurance ServicesMining

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate ServicesArts and Recreation Services

Wholesale TradeAgriculture, Forestry and Fishing

Professional, Scientific and Technical ServicesAdministrative and Support Services

Public Administration and SafetyTransport, Postal and Warehousing

Other ServicesManufacturing

Accommodation and Food ServicesEducation and Training

ConstructionHealth Care and Social Assistance

Retail Trade

Employed total ('000 )

Note: Annual average of the preceding 4 quarters.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 6291.0, Labour Force, Australia

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2 Agriculture sectorValue of agricultural productionIn 2012–13, the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) in the Cairns region was $916 million, which was 9 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Queensland ($10 billion). This is the most recent year for which ABS data are available.

The Cairns region has a diverse and important agricultural sector. The most important agricultural commodity in the Cairns region based on the gross value of agricultural production was fruit and nuts (Figure 2). In 2012–13, fruit and nuts (excluding grapes) contributed 57 per cent ($525 million) to the value of agricultural production in the region, with the major crops being bananas ($444 million), avocados ($41 million) and mangoes ($13 million). Sugar cane accounted for 19 per cent ($175 million) of the total value, vegetables contributed 6 per cent ($59 million) and cattle and calves contributed 5 per cent ($42 million).

In 2012–13, the Cairns region accounted for around 97 per cent of the total value of Queensland banana production, 40 per cent of the total value of potato production, and 6 per cent of the total value of avocado production.

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Cairns region, Queensland, 2012–13

$m 100 200 300 400 500 600

Other

Pigs

Milk

Poultry

Nurseries, cut flowers and turf

Cattle and calves

Vegetables

Sugar cane

Fruit and nuts (excluding grapes)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 7503.0, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia

Number and type of farmsABS data indicate that in 2012–13 there were 1886 farms in the Cairns region with an estimated value of agricultural operations of more than $5000 (Table 1). The region contains 7 per cent of all farm businesses in Queensland.

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Table 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2012–13Industry Classification Cairns region Queensland

no. % no. %

Sugar cane 570 30 2 912 11

Beef Cattle 479 25 12 741 48

Fruit and nuts 438 23 1 630 6

Vegetable 75 4 932 4

Dairy 59 3 634 2

Nurseries, Cut Flowers and Turf 53 3 367 1

Grain growing 13 1 1 315 5

Mixed grains and livestock 12 1 1 060 4

Other 187 10 4 951 19

Total Agriculture 1 886 100 26 541 100

Note: Estimated value of agricultural operations greater than $5000.Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Farms are classified in Table 1 according to the activities that generate most of their value of production. Sugar cane growing farms (570 farms) were the most common, accounting for 30 per cent of all farms in the Cairns region, and 20 per cent of all sugar cane farms in Queensland.

There is a large percentage of small farms in the region in terms of their value of agricultural output. Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size. Around 34 per cent of farms in the Cairns region had an EVAO of less than $50 000 (Figure 3). These farms accounted for only 2 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in 2012–13. In comparison, 26 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $350 000 and accounted for an estimated 80 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the region in 2012–13.

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Cairns region, Queensland, 2012–13

%

10

20

30

40

50

60

< $50k $50k to $150k $150k to $350k $350k to $500k $500k to $1 m > $1 m

Share of farms Share of value of agricultural operations

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

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Farm financial performance—QueenslandEach year, ABARES interviews Australian broadacre, dairy and vegetable producers as part of its annual survey program. Broadacre industries covered in this survey include the grains, grains–livestock, sheep, beef and sheep–beef industries. The information collected is a basis for analysing the current financial position of farms in these industries and expected changes in the short term. This paper uses data from the ABARES Australian agricultural and grazing industries survey (AAGIS), Australian dairy industry survey (ADIS), and Australian vegetable growing industry survey to report estimates of financial performance indicators (Box 1) for broadacre, dairy and vegetable farms in Queensland.

Box 1 DefinitionsMajor financial performance indicators Total cash receipts: total revenues received by the business during the financial year. Total cash costs: payments made by the business for materials and services and for permanent and casual hired

labour (excluding owner manager, partner and family labour). Farm cash income: total cash receipts – total cash costs Farm business profit: farm cash income + changes in trading stocks – depreciation – imputed labour costs Profit at full equity: return produced by all the resources used in the business, farm business profit + rent +

interest + finance lease payments – depreciation on leased items Rate of return: return to all capital used, profit at full equity * 100 / total opening capital Equity ratio: Farm capital minus farm debt expressed as a percentage of farm capitalIndustry types Grains: farms mainly engaged in producing broadacre crops such as wheat, coarse grains, oilseeds and pulses, and

including farms running sheep and/or beef cattle in conjunction with substantial broadacre crop activity. Sheep: farms mainly engaged in running sheep. Beef: farms mainly engaged in running beef cattle. Dairy: farms mainly engaged in milk production. Vegetable: farms mainly engaged in growing vegetables.

Performance of broadacre farms—QueenslandFarm cash income for Queensland broadacre farms declined from an estimated average of $91 210 per farm in 2011–12 to an average of $89 700 per farm in 2012–13 (Table 2, Figure 4). The decline in average broadacre farm cash income was mainly a consequence of the onset of dry seasonal conditions resulting in reduced crop production, increased turn-off of beef cattle and high expenditure on fodder purchases. Total receipts from sale of beef cattle declined as a result of lower cattle prices, sheep and wool receipts were also lower while crop receipts increased due to large increases in grain prices, relative to prices 2011–12.

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Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Receipts from beef cattle typically account for around 70 per cent of average total cash receipts for Queensland broadacre farms. In 2013–14, receipts from beef cattle are projected to decline slightly due to lower average prices received for cattle sold and despite a further increase in turnoff in most regions resulting from the continuation of drought conditions. In addition, production of both winter and summer crops declined in 2013–14 reducing crop receipts for Queensland broadacre farms by around 20 per cent on average.

Average total cash costs are projected to increase by around 6 per cent in 2013–14, mainly as a result of a projected increase of around 90 per cent in expenditure on fodder and despite a further decline in beef cattle purchase expenditure and lower expenditure on crop production expenses as the area planted to crops was reduced.

Table 2 Financial performance, Queensland broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm

Performance indicator units 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–14yTotal cash receipts $ 368 520 358 500 (4) 325 000Total cash costs $ 277 310 268 800 (4) 285 000Farm cash income $ 91 210 89 700 (12) 39 000Farms with negative farm cash income % 30 33 (12) 33Farm business profit $ 30 060 –4 900 (171) –77 000Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 77 390 40 000 (21) –32 000Farm capital at 30 June a $ 4 943 140 4 768 100 (3) naFarm debt at 30 June b $ 576 860 549 900 (8) 586 000Equity ratio b % 88 88 (1) naRate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 1.6 0.8 (21) –0.7Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 29 740 23 800 (12) na

Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

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Table 3 Farm cash income of Queensland broadacre farms, by region, 2012–13 to 2013–14, average per farm

Region units 2012–13p RSE 2013–14y311: Cape York and the Gulf $ 84 800 (116) 55 000312: West and South West $ 328 000 (34) 54 000313: Central North $ 122 800 (47) - 34 000314: Charleville - Longreach $ 122 100 (29) 73 000321: Eastern Darling Downs $ 65 700 (33) 15 000322: Darling Downs and Central Highlands $ 115 900 (15) 45 000331: South Queensland Coastal $ 17 000 (57) 50 000332: North Queensland Coastal $ 18 100 (82) 49 000

Note: p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Farm cash income for broadacre farms in Queensland is projected to decline to average $39 000 per farm; this is the lowest average farm cash income recorded for Queensland broadacre farms in the 37 years the AAGIS survey has operated and around half the ten-year average to 2012–13.

Reductions in beef cattle numbers and in grain and fodder stocks are expected to result in a further decline in farm business profit, from a loss of $4 900 in 2012–13 to a loss of $77 000 in 2013–14.

Average farm cash incomes are projected to decline in all regions of Queensland in 2013–14 except coastal regions. As cattle numbers reduce, business profit is also expected to be negative in all regions in 2013–14, except for Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria (Map 3).

Map 3 Australian broadacre zones and regions

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Performance of grains industry farms—QueenslandFarm cash receipts increased, on average, for Queensland grains industry farms in 2012–13 as a result of higher grain prices and despite reduced production of summer and winter grain, oilseed and pulse crops. Average farm cash income for grains industry farms in Queensland increased to around $179 000 per farm in 2012–13, around double the industry average for the previous 10 years (Figure 5).

In 2013-14, production of both winter and summer crops is estimated to have declined by around one quarter and with only a small increase in grain prices total crop receipts are estimated to have declined by around 15 per cent on average. The reduction in crop receipts is expected to be only partly offset by reduced expenditure on fertiliser, fuel and grain marketing costs and labour costs due to the reduced area planted to crops and reductions in expenditure on repairs and maintenance compared with 2012–13. Farm cash income is projected to decline to average just $32 000 per farm, the lowest farm cash income since 2006–07 when drought also severely reduced incomes for Queensland grains industry farms.

In comparison, farm cash incomes for grains farms nationally are projected to increase to a near record in 2013-14, due mainly to very high grain production in South Australia and Western Australia.

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, grains industry, average per farm


Performance of beef industry farms—QueenslandIn 2012–13 drier seasonal conditions and high beef cattle numbers in northern Australia resulted in an increase in beef cattle turnoff in Queensland. Lower average sale prices for beef cattle more than offset the increase in turnoff to result in a decline in average beef cattle receipts for Queensland beef industry farms. Expenditure on the purchase of fodder more than doubled while expenditure on beef cattle purchases was sharply reduced. Farm cash income for Queensland beef industry farms declined to average $67 000 per farm in 2012–13 (Figure 6).

In 2013-14, expansion of drought conditions is projected to lead to a increase of around 10 per cent in the average number of cattle sold per farm by Queensland beef industry farms. The increase in turn-off is projected to be mostly offset by a reduction in the average sale price received due largely to the sale of cattle in unfinished condition. The modest increase in farm

9


receipts is projected to be more than offset by increased expenditure on fodder, fuel and freight costs, resulting in average farm cash income for beef industry farms declining to average $39 000 per farm, or around 50 per cent below the average for the previous 10 years, in real terms (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm


Reduction in beef cattle numbers resulting from increased cattle turnoff will reduce the value of cattle inventories on Queensland beef industry farms. As a consequence, farm business profit for Queensland beef industry farms is projected to decline to average - $73 000 per farm in 2013–14.

Performance of dairy industry farms— QueenslandIn 2012–13, a reduction in average farmgate milk prices received of around 5 per cent, combined with a reduction in milk production, and an increase of around 8 per cent in total cash costs resulted in farm cash income for Queensland dairy farms declining to average $79 200 per farm.

In 2013–14, average farm cash incomes are projected to remain low for Queensland dairy farms, averaging around $80 000 per farm (Table 4, Figure 7) or around 22 per cent below the industry average for the previous 10 years. Milk production is estimated to have declined and total cash costs to have increased with milk prices for most farms remaining similar to or only slightly above 2013–14 prices. Overall, the proportion of dairy farms recording negative farm cash incomes is projected to increase from around 14 per cent in 2012-13 to around 33 per cent in 2013–14.

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Figure 7 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm


Table 4 Financial performance, Queensland dairy industry, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm

Performance indicatorunit

s 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–14yTotal cash receipts $ 482 650 456 800 (4) 473 000Total cash costs $ 375 890 377 600 (5) 393 000Farm cash income $ 106 770 79 200 (19) 80 000Farms with negative farm cash income % 11 14 (61) 33Farm business profit $ 20 940 –8 500 (162) –2 000Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 45 670 18 700 (65) 25 000Farm capital at 30 June a $ 3 125 680 2 875 800 (5) naFarm debt at 30 June b $ 276 490 306 000 (17) 334 000Equity ratio b % 91 89 (2) naRate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 1.5 0.6 (67) 0.9Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 7 510 17 100 (29) na

Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Performance of vegetable industry farms—QueenslandNationally in 2013–14, average farm cash income is estimated to have declined to $156 000, 4 per cent lower than in 2012–13. Average to above average seasonal conditions helped growers to maintain the high yields of 2012–13. Overall vegetable production was also higher because the average area planted to vegetable crops increased. However, the resulting increase in vegetable cash receipts was partially offset by lower vegetable prices.

Average farm cash income in Queensland declined 8 per cent in 2012–13 to an average of $165 800 (Table 5), 11 per cent lower than the estimated average farm cash income (in real terms) over the eight years to 2012–13 (Figure 8). Changes in the total quantity of vegetables

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produced were mixed across vegetable types, with increased yields for some vegetables being offset by declines for other vegetables. Greenbeans, an important vegetable crop in Queensland, had much higher prices in 2012–13.

Average farm cash income is estimated to have declined in 2013–14 to $58 000 (Table 5), the lowest estimated farm cash income since ABARES began surveying vegetable growing farm businesses in the state (Figure 8). Crop yields were generally just below average and lower prices for the main vegetables grown in Queensland contributed to reduced average total cash receipts. Average total cash costs also increased as a result of increased expenditure on hired labour associated with planting and harvesting a larger vegetable crop.

Changes in the average area operated and total quantity of vegetables produced in Queensland (Table 5) mask the change in the mix of vegetables grown between 2012–13 and 2013–14. The average quantity produced of the main vegetables, particularly greenbeans and potatoes, declined. However, the average area planted to pumpkins, carrots, cauliflower and greenpeas increased.

Table 5 Physical and financial performance, vegetable growing farm businesses,Queensland, 2012–13 and 2013–14

average per farmSelected estimates units 2012–13 p RSE % Change

from 2011–122013–14 y RSE % Change

from 2012–13Vegetable cash receipts $ 705 000 (18) 10 679 000 (22) –4Area sown to vegetables ha 32.9 (18) –12 35.5 (34) 8Quantity of vegetables produced t 593 (16) –20 714 (27) 20Farm cash income $ 165 800 (30) –8 58 000 (94) –64

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Updated data for vegetable farm businesses will be available November 2015.Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, vegetable growing farm businesses,Queensland, 2005–06 to 2013–14

average per farm

2013–14 $’000

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2005

–06

2006

–07

2007

–08

2008

–09

2009

–10

2010

–11

2011

–12

2012

–13

p

2013

–14

y

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

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3 Fisheries sectorCairns is a key commercial fishing port in Queensland. It is the fourth largest home port for the Commonwealth Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery and a home port for the Commonwealth Northern Prawn fishery. The diverse range of wild-caught species in this region include: prawns, barramundi, coral trout, Spanish mackerel, tuna and lobster. The East Coast Trawl Fishery is the largest of Queensland’s commercial fisheries operating in the region targeting mostly prawns, but also harvests bugs, squid, and other species.

In 2010–11, the far north area of Queensland — an area comprising the Cairns region — contributed $19.4 million (22 per cent) of Queensland’s total value of aquaculture production ($86.3 million) (Wingfield 2012). The Far North area produced 2115 tonnes of aquaculture production in 2010–11 accounting for 30 per cent of the volume of Queensland aquaculture production, utilising 238 hectares of ponds. The aquaculture industry in the area employed approximately 131 persons in 2010–11. Aquaculture species produced in the Far North area include barramundi, jade perch, prawns and pearls.

Recreational fishing is a popular activity in far north Queensland. The proportion of residents in this area that fish at least once each year is 23 per cent, significantly higher than the Queensland average of 17 per cent (Taylor et al. 2012). Fishers from the Cairns region fish mostly in the local coastal waters and adjacent reefs within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from boats, or in the central coast catchment to the south from the shore and from boats. Common species caught by fishers are coral trout, pikey bream, tropical snapper, barramundi, trumpeter whiting, mangrove jack, Spanish mackerel and mud crab. The number of barramundi caught by fishers in the far north is about twice that of any other fish species although it is not the most common fish harvested, due to the high proportion of released fish. This region is a popular destination for fishers travelling from other regions of Queensland, elsewhere in Australia and overseas.

In 2012-13 the total gross value of Queensland’s fisheries production was $277.1 million, an increase of 3 per cent ($9 million) to 2012-13. Queensland contributed 12 per cent of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2012-13. In value terms, the wild-catch sector accounted for 70 per cent ($195.3 million) of the state’s total production and the aquaculture sector accounted for the remaining 30 per cent ($81.8 million).

Queensland’s wild-catch fisheries sector provides a range of fisheries products. The highest contribution being from prawns, which account for 35 per cent of the total value of wild-catch fisheries with a value of $68.4 million, followed by crabs (15 per cent; $29.7 million) and coral trout (13 per cent; $24.6 million). Over the last decade the value of Queensland’s wild-caught fisheries products has reduced by 35 per cent. Prawns and coral trout, showed the largest decline in the real value of production over the past decade, reducing by 43 per cent and 39 per cent respectively. A large proportion of prawns and coral trout is exported and the appreciation of the exchange rate since 2002–03 has had a significant effect on the value of exports of these products. Competition from imported prawns in the domestic market has also placed significant downward pressure on prices in recent years.

The value of Queensland’s aquaculture production has remained constant in 2012–13 at $81.8 million. Prawn and barramundi farming account for the largest share of production by value, with prawns accounting for 69 per cent, and $56.6 million of production, followed by barramundi (24 per cent; $19.7 million).

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Commonwealth fisheries active in the waters off the east coast of Queensland include the Commonwealth Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery (mainly supplying export markets with tuna) and the Coral Sea Fishery. The final proposed Commonwealth Coral Sea Marine Reserves network released on 14 June 2012 is estimated to displace $4.0 million of gross value of production from these fisheries when the zoning comes into effect.

In 2012–13, Queensland’s fisheries product exports were valued at $130.7 million. The main export products include live and fresh, chilled or frozen fish, prawns and rocklobster. Hong Kong, Japan and the United States are the major destinations for Queensland fisheries exports, accounting for 54 per cent, 19 per cent and 7 per cent of the total value of exports in 2012–13, respectively. Other major export destinations include China (3per cent), Singapore (3 per cent) and Thailand (3 per cent).

Recreational fishing is popular in Queensland. The preliminary results of the 2013/14 state wide recreational fishing survey report that recreational fishing continues to be a popular activity; however the participation rate has dropped from 17 per cent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2013. In the 12 months prior to November 2013 approximately 700,000 Queenslanders went recreational fishing (QDAF F 2015). Total expenditure in the sector is estimated to be between $350 million and $420 million in 2008-09 (DEEDI 2009). The tropical waters of Queensland are also a key area for tourism, attracting anglers from around the world and Australia. Popular target species include crabs, prawns and a range of finfish species including cods and groupers, coral trout, redthroat emperor, rosy snapper, and mackerel. For freshwater activity some key species caught include barramundi, eels, silver perch, and yabby and blueclaw crayfish.

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Leasehold forest (585 000 ha—33.8%)

Multiple-use public forest (112 800 ha—6.5%)

Nature conservation reserve (686 100 ha—39.6%)

Other Crown land (77 600 ha—4.5%)

Private land (including Indigenous) (243 700 ha—14.1%)

Unresolved tenure (27 000 ha—1.6%)


4 Forestry sectorIn 2010–11, the total plantation area in the Cairns region was approximately 8500 hectares, including approximately 400 hectares of hardwood plantations and 8100 hectares of softwood plantations. The main softwood species planted are Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea) and hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii).

In 2011, there were approximately 1.7 million hectares of native forests in the Cairns region, comprised mainly of Rainforest (599 700 hectares), Eucalypt medium woodland (463 600 hectares) and Eucalypt medium open (369 100 hectares) forest types. Approximately 686 100 hectares of the native forests are in nature conservation reserves, 585 000 hectares are leased forests, 243 700 hectares are privately owned and 112 800 hectares are multiple-use public forest available for timber production (Figure 9). Major timber processing industries are sawmills located at Ravenshoe and Mareeba.

Figure 9 Area of native forest, by tenure

Source: ABARES Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2013

Queensland’s forest and wood product industry generated approximately $4 billion of sales and service income in 2010–11. Most of the income was generated from the sale of wood products (such as structural wood and woodchips) estimated at $3 billion. The remaining $1 billion was generated from the sale of paper and paper products. In 2012–13, the sale of wood products generated about $2.1 billion, while data for income from paper and paper products were not available for this period. Despite being Australia’s largest wood product export state, Queensland is a relatively small exporter of woodchips. In 2010–11, Queensland exported 63 000 tonnes of woodchips, valued at $11 million. In 2011–12, woodchip exports from the state declined to 52 000 tonnes, valued at approximately $8 million. In 2011, Queensland’s forestry sector employed 12 845 workers (0.6 per cent of the total employed workforce in Queensland) compared with 16 411 (0.9 per cent) in 2006 (number of people employed includes forestry support services and timber wholesaling).

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ReferencesABS 2011, Census of Population and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014a, Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2012–2013, cat. no. 7121.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014b, Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Nov 2014, cat. no. 6291.0.55.003, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014c, Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2012–13, cat. no. 7503.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics-Bureau of Rural Sciences 2010, Land use of Australia 2005-06, Version 4, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.

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