❓ Opposition questions the government's progress on its $350 million plantation expansion program, citing slow progress and inadequate community consultation. The government defends its investment and highlights achievements compared to the previous administration.
AnsweredQoN 453Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister's response to QON 52, and I note that the Forest Products Commission, after 3 years of the government's $350 million plantation expansion program, has only managed to achieve 2,113 hectares of new plantations. This is only 6% of the 35,000 hectares originally promised, and I ask : (a) Will the government achieve the original plantation area target of 35,000 hectares originally promised by the former Minister: (i) If not, what area does the Minister now predict will be achieved for the massive $350 million investment; (b) Why has the Forest Products Commision been so slow in achieving the expansion targets; (c) Will the Minister review the progress of the Expansion Program and make the results public; and (d) Noting that consultation is only actually occurring after the land is purchased and without any obligation to consider the feedback, will the Minister ensure that local governments and communities are adequately consulted in the Expansion Program as it affects their local area?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2025
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Forestry
Response time
8 days
(a) The Cook Labor Government is acting and investing in the future of the State’s softwood estate. A record $350 million investment over 10 years in new softwood plantations across the South West.
The investment will ensure the construction and housing industry in WA have the resources required for essential projects.
In contrast, under the previous Liberal-National Government in the three-year period from 2010 to 2012 only 10 hectares of softwood plantations were established.
QON 52 referred only to areas that have been planted with trees in the Warren Blackwood region at the time of the question in May 2025. The area provided does not include land in other regions, nor does it include land that has been purchased but was not planted at that time, noting that the 2025 planting season started in June 2025.
(i) If the project was to focus only on freehold land in future, an area of approximately 20-25,000 hectares is likely to be achieved based on current land prices. This area will increase if the proportion of joint venture arrangements with land owners increases.
The FPC has established 1,538 hectares of new plantations through joint ventures including agreements with corporations such as Iwatani Australia and Water Corporation.
(b) QON 52 referred only to areas that have been planted with trees in the Warren Blackwood region at the time of the question in May 2025. The area provided does not include land in other regions, nor does it include land that has been purchased but was not planted at that time, noting that the 2025 planting season started in June 2025.
(c) The FPC reports publicly through its Annual Report. These include updates on land acquisition and plantation establishment.
(d) The FPC acquires land in an open market through competitive processes, and it is not appropriate to consult widely prior to purchase. Once land has been acquired the FPC includes the new land as part of its ongoing engagement with local governments and communities.
The investment will ensure the construction and housing industry in WA have the resources required for essential projects.
In contrast, under the previous Liberal-National Government in the three-year period from 2010 to 2012 only 10 hectares of softwood plantations were established.
QON 52 referred only to areas that have been planted with trees in the Warren Blackwood region at the time of the question in May 2025. The area provided does not include land in other regions, nor does it include land that has been purchased but was not planted at that time, noting that the 2025 planting season started in June 2025.
(i) If the project was to focus only on freehold land in future, an area of approximately 20-25,000 hectares is likely to be achieved based on current land prices. This area will increase if the proportion of joint venture arrangements with land owners increases.
The FPC has established 1,538 hectares of new plantations through joint ventures including agreements with corporations such as Iwatani Australia and Water Corporation.
(b) QON 52 referred only to areas that have been planted with trees in the Warren Blackwood region at the time of the question in May 2025. The area provided does not include land in other regions, nor does it include land that has been purchased but was not planted at that time, noting that the 2025 planting season started in June 2025.
(c) The FPC reports publicly through its Annual Report. These include updates on land acquisition and plantation establishment.
(d) The FPC acquires land in an open market through competitive processes, and it is not appropriate to consult widely prior to purchase. Once land has been acquired the FPC includes the new land as part of its ongoing engagement with local governments and communities.
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