5.02.2008

WHETHER the Traveston Crossing Dam goes ahead or not, part of 2000 hectares of land acquired by the State Government to offset carbon emissions will be used for a trial plantation of medical honey-producing trees.

Medihoney, a world leader in the medical application of honey, has reached an agreement with Queensland Water Infrastructure to source the land for the trial and will begin planting Leptospermum — commonly known as Teatree — within the next six months.

The trial will enable Medihoney to conduct research and gain a greater understanding of the 79 different types of species of Leptospermum and their aptitude for local conditions.

Medihoney director of Science and Strategic Development Anthony Moloney said the purpose of the trial was to develop trees that yield a greater quantity of nectar containing enhanced levels of anti-bacteria.

“The honey has specialised anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that have medical application in wound care, skin care and oral therapeutics,” Mr Moloney said.

“We need to learn more about this plant and the special anti-bacterial properties they produce because the trees do not consistently produce the required properties.”

According to Mr Moloney, the land at Traveston Crossing is representative of soil types found on Australia’s east coast that is compatible to the various Leptospermum species, and says the plantation is good news for local beekeepers.

“We intend to work with local beekeepers once the plantation is established,” Mr Moloney said.

“Ordinarily, a beekeeper would get up to $2.50 per kilo of honey, but the harvesting of special anti-bacterial honey, could earn them up to $15 per kilo.”

The medical honey works by providing a wound healing environment that supports healing while protecting against harmful bacteria and so far, clinical trials in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia are being hailed a great success.

Premier Anna Bligh said the land adjacent to the Traveston Crossing Dam site will be identified and set aside for Medihoney to progress a research and development tree planting trial to produce the medical honeys.

“In turn, the trees will provide carbon offsets to the dam project by helping to ensure the dam construction is carbon neutral,” she said.

Steve Burgess from Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee said this statement is “a bit misleading”.

“People think tree planting will offset carbon emissions, but it is not acceptable under Kyoto Protocol,” he said yesterday.