❓ Question regarding rehabilitation efforts after pine removal at Gnangara and the management of remaining pines for Carnaby's cockatoo habitat. The answer details past actions, current management, and future directions, shifting responsibility for commercial plantations.
AnsweredQoN 223Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What rehabilitation efforts have been undertaken by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) at Gnangara since pine removal began in 2004: (a) How many hectares of cleared pine remain unrehabilitated; and (b) How many hectares contain natural regrowth? (2) What measures has DBCA taken to manage or thin regenerating pines to enhance habitat value for Carnaby’s cockatoos : (a) Have plant growth regulators or hormones been applied to boost pine cone development? (3) Why were these pine plantations reserved rather than re-established for production? (4) Is there a plan to improve native habitat to the point that the reserved pines could eventually be harvested: (a) If not, why not? (5) Are other pine plantations at risk of similar reservation for Carnaby’s habitat protection: (a) What measures are in place to protect remaining plantation resources from further reservation decisions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment
Response time
6 days
(1)-(5) The harvesting of the pine plantations without replanting in State Forest 65 was a decision of the then State Government in 1996 to protect the water resources of the Gnangara Groundwater Mound. All areas remain part of State Forest 65.
Since 2004, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction (DBCA) and its predecessors have undertaken approximately 5000 hectares of native vegetation plantings in the area. Approximately 13,000 hectares of State Forest 65, across the Yanchep, Gnangara and Pinjar pine plantations remain unrehabilitated, however there has been some native vegetation regrowth and pine wildings that have established.
In December 2023, the then Minister for Environment announced the cessation of pine harvesting in State Forest 65 to protect this important food source for Carnaby’s cockatoo. DBCA continues to undertake a range of land management works to promote and enhance the establishment of native vegetation in areas of ex-plantation while balancing groundwater protection. The management of the remaining pines in State forest 65 is driven by the key objective of maintaining and maximising pine tree cone production which is a key food source for Carnaby’s cockatoos.
While managing State forest 65 for Carnaby’s cockatoo food source, DBCA also manages State Forest 65 for the purpose of fire management, rubbish collection, small scale rehabilitation, the provision of recreational opportunities and road maintenance.
State owned commercial pine plantations are managed by the Forest Products Commission and any question relating to commercial pine plantations should be directed to the Minister for Forestry.
Since 2004, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction (DBCA) and its predecessors have undertaken approximately 5000 hectares of native vegetation plantings in the area. Approximately 13,000 hectares of State Forest 65, across the Yanchep, Gnangara and Pinjar pine plantations remain unrehabilitated, however there has been some native vegetation regrowth and pine wildings that have established.
In December 2023, the then Minister for Environment announced the cessation of pine harvesting in State Forest 65 to protect this important food source for Carnaby’s cockatoo. DBCA continues to undertake a range of land management works to promote and enhance the establishment of native vegetation in areas of ex-plantation while balancing groundwater protection. The management of the remaining pines in State forest 65 is driven by the key objective of maintaining and maximising pine tree cone production which is a key food source for Carnaby’s cockatoos.
While managing State forest 65 for Carnaby’s cockatoo food source, DBCA also manages State Forest 65 for the purpose of fire management, rubbish collection, small scale rehabilitation, the provision of recreational opportunities and road maintenance.
State owned commercial pine plantations are managed by the Forest Products Commission and any question relating to commercial pine plantations should be directed to the Minister for Forestry.
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