Hon Louise Kingston questions the Minister for Environment regarding the clearing of native jarrah and redgum trees during roadworks, specifically the lack of utilisation of the felled timber. The Minister for Environment redirects the question to the Minister for Transport.

AnsweredQoN 1273Legislative Council
Asked
22 October 2024
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

ROADWORKS —
TIMBER CLEARANCES
1273. Hon LOUISE KINGSTON to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the upgrades to Great
Eastern Highway—for example, east of the Lakes roadhouse—where
there was significant clearing of native jarrah and redgum trees that were
subsequently mulched.
(1) Does the minister think this is
an appropriate use of a valuable resource?
(2) Why were the
felled logs not offered at auction or for sale by tonnage to businesses
impacted by the closure of the timber industry?
(3) Will the
minister collaborate with the Ministers for Transport and Planning to ensure
timber cleared in future roadworks is valued
and utilised more productively, noting that the sale of this timber would
provide a pathway to recoup public moneys?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1)–(3) Approvals
provided under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 do not regulate the
use or disposal of timber derived from clearing activities associated with Main
Roads. I encourage the member to refer the substance of her question to the
Minister for Transport.

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