❓ A parliamentary question seeks details on the Forest Products Commission's progress in expanding the softwood plantation estate, including land acquisition, agreements, seedling planting, and expenditure. The Minister's answer highlights progress since 2021 and criticises the previous government's inaction.
AnsweredQoN 871Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOREST PRODUCTS COMMISSION — SOFTWOOD PLANTATION
ESTATE
871. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the government's
commitment to invest $350 million over 10 years to grow the softwood plantation
estate. As at 16 August 2023 —
(1) how many
properties or parcels of land has the Forest Products Commission purchased, and
what is the size of each parcel of land purchased;
(2) how many new
plantation management or farm forestry agreements has the Forest Products
Commission entered into;
(3) how many
seedlings have been planted on land not previously owned or managed by the
Forest Products Commission for plantations or farm forestry; and
(4) how much of the $350 million
has been expended?
ESTATE
871. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the government's
commitment to invest $350 million over 10 years to grow the softwood plantation
estate. As at 16 August 2023 —
(1) how many
properties or parcels of land has the Forest Products Commission purchased, and
what is the size of each parcel of land purchased;
(2) how many new
plantation management or farm forestry agreements has the Forest Products
Commission entered into;
(3) how many
seedlings have been planted on land not previously owned or managed by the
Forest Products Commission for plantations or farm forestry; and
(4) how much of the $350 million
has been expended?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. Following years of inaction and lack of investment
under the previous Liberal–National government, the Cook Labor
government is acting and investing in the future of the state's softwood
estate. As at 16 August 2023 —
(1) the Forest
Products Commission has either acquired or is awaiting settlement on 4 263
hectares of land;
(2) since January 2021, the FPC has
established 10 profit a prendre, or sharefarming agreements;
(3) 530 000 additional
seedlings were planted in 2022 and a further 1.3 million additional seedlings
have been established thus far in 2023; and
(4) $38 million
of the $350 million has been drawn down. This does not include costs associated
with the 2023 plantation establishment or land that is awaiting settlement.
some notice of the question. Following years of inaction and lack of investment
under the previous Liberal–National government, the Cook Labor
government is acting and investing in the future of the state's softwood
estate. As at 16 August 2023 —
(1) the Forest
Products Commission has either acquired or is awaiting settlement on 4 263
hectares of land;
(2) since January 2021, the FPC has
established 10 profit a prendre, or sharefarming agreements;
(3) 530 000 additional
seedlings were planted in 2022 and a further 1.3 million additional seedlings
have been established thus far in 2023; and
(4) $38 million
of the $350 million has been drawn down. This does not include costs associated
with the 2023 plantation establishment or land that is awaiting settlement.
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