❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Forestry regarding the ecological thinning account and processes for site selection, industry access to sawlogs, storage, and contract awarding. The Minister provides answers based on information from March 21st, outlining the Department's role and processes.
AnsweredQoN 394Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ECOLOGICAL THINNING
394. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the establishment of the
special purpose account called the ecological thinning account established in
the 2023–24 midyear review, with a total of $150.6 million apportioned
from the 2023–24 to 2026–27 years.
(1) How will the
determination of forestry sites and volumes to be harvested through ecological
thinning be established?
(2) Will industry
have access to sawlog trees that have been ecologically thinned and via what
mechanism or bidding process?
(3) Where will
the trees that have been ecologically thinned be stored or located, at what
cost and for what commercial intent or purpose?
(4) What are the
criteria and process for tenderers to be awarded ecological thinning contracts
and how is the value of each contract assessed—by land area, volume
harvested or a combination of the two?
394. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the establishment of the
special purpose account called the ecological thinning account established in
the 2023–24 midyear review, with a total of $150.6 million apportioned
from the 2023–24 to 2026–27 years.
(1) How will the
determination of forestry sites and volumes to be harvested through ecological
thinning be established?
(2) Will industry
have access to sawlog trees that have been ecologically thinned and via what
mechanism or bidding process?
(3) Where will
the trees that have been ecologically thinned be stored or located, at what
cost and for what commercial intent or purpose?
(4) What are the
criteria and process for tenderers to be awarded ecological thinning contracts
and how is the value of each contract assessed—by land area, volume
harvested or a combination of the two?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. I note that this response is from Thursday, 21 March. I do not
believe anything has changed. As of that date, the answer is as follows.
(1) The
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will determine the
sites for ecological thinning for forest health outcomes. Ecological thinning
areas available under the forest management plan 2024–2033 are based on
forest health outcomes, not yield.
(2) Yes. Sawlogs will be available
through contracts and auctions.
(3) The scale of
ecological thinning will vary during the year as a result of thinning schedules
and the need to manage any impacts on soil during wet weather. To ensure
consistent supply to customers, it may be necessary to stockpile some of the
logs prior to distribution.
(4) Initial
contracts for ecological thinning have been awarded following submissions by
contractors that have the capacity to undertake the work. The contracts are
based on hourly rates.
of the question. I note that this response is from Thursday, 21 March. I do not
believe anything has changed. As of that date, the answer is as follows.
(1) The
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will determine the
sites for ecological thinning for forest health outcomes. Ecological thinning
areas available under the forest management plan 2024–2033 are based on
forest health outcomes, not yield.
(2) Yes. Sawlogs will be available
through contracts and auctions.
(3) The scale of
ecological thinning will vary during the year as a result of thinning schedules
and the need to manage any impacts on soil during wet weather. To ensure
consistent supply to customers, it may be necessary to stockpile some of the
logs prior to distribution.
(4) Initial
contracts for ecological thinning have been awarded following submissions by
contractors that have the capacity to undertake the work. The contracts are
based on hourly rates.
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