Queensland Sugar Industry Decline Leads to Rainforest Restoration Efforts
The decline of sugarcane farming in northern Queensland presents a chance to restore 405 hectares of land to rainforest. Rainforest Rescue has begun efforts to plant native species near the Daintree rainforest following the closure of the Mossman Central Mill in 2024, marking a significant shift for the local economy.
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Rainforest Rescue has received partial approval to restore approximately 405 hectares of former sugarcane farms in northern Queensland over 15 years. This initiative, positioned as the largest ecological restoration in Douglas Shire history, follows the 2024 closure of the Mossman Central Mill, which disrupted the local sugar industry.
Supporters argue that replanting rainforest can offer new economic avenues, protect the Great Barrier Reef, and generate income through carbon credits and eco-tourism. Local authorities are contemplating changes to land use regulations, with some favoring full restoration while others propose a phased approach. The transition from sugarcane farming to rainforest restoration may reshape both ecological and economic landscapes in the region.
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