❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Minister for Forestry about promoting spotted gum plantations in WA, given its bushfire resistance and the current use of imported, vulnerable timber species. The Minister confirms awareness and outlines existing efforts to manage and promote spotted gum plantations.
AnsweredQoN 5206Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to section 10 of the
Forest Products Act 2000
which gives the Forest Products Commission a mandate to develop the forest industry in Western Australia, and to Australian Standard AS3959-2009 'Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas' especially the listing in Appendix H 'Bushfire-resisting species' of spotted gum
Corymbia (eucalyptus) maculata
which is not indigenous to Western Australia, and I ask -
(1) Is the Minister aware that in order to comply with AS3959 in respect of properties assessed as having Bushfire Attack Level 29 (high fire risk), the decking, stair treads, verandas, balustrades, handrails, fasciae and any external timber cladding or joinery of buildings on the property must be constructed with a bushfire resisting timber that is listed in Appendix H of the Standard?
(2) Is the Minister aware that for these functions, local builders often use merbau
Intsia bijuga
, an imported rainforest species listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature?
(3) Is the Minister aware that since the introduction of AS3959 builders and designers have been increasing their use of spotted gum
Corymbia (eucalyptus) maculata
, an Eastern States native species that can be grown in plantations?
(4) Will the Forest Products Commission take steps to promote and encourage the development of plantations in Western Australia of spotted gum
Corymbia (eucalyptus) maculata
?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
Forest Products Act 2000
which gives the Forest Products Commission a mandate to develop the forest industry in Western Australia, and to Australian Standard AS3959-2009 'Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas' especially the listing in Appendix H 'Bushfire-resisting species' of spotted gum
Corymbia (eucalyptus) maculata
which is not indigenous to Western Australia, and I ask -
(1) Is the Minister aware that in order to comply with AS3959 in respect of properties assessed as having Bushfire Attack Level 29 (high fire risk), the decking, stair treads, verandas, balustrades, handrails, fasciae and any external timber cladding or joinery of buildings on the property must be constructed with a bushfire resisting timber that is listed in Appendix H of the Standard?
(2) Is the Minister aware that for these functions, local builders often use merbau
Intsia bijuga
, an imported rainforest species listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature?
(3) Is the Minister aware that since the introduction of AS3959 builders and designers have been increasing their use of spotted gum
Corymbia (eucalyptus) maculata
, an Eastern States native species that can be grown in plantations?
(4) Will the Forest Products Commission take steps to promote and encourage the development of plantations in Western Australia of spotted gum
Corymbia (eucalyptus) maculata
?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Forestry
Response time
56 days
(1) Yes. It should be noted however that other species of timber than just those listed in Appendix H of AS3959 can be used if they pass the test specified in AS3959 for determination of
'Bushfire Resistant Timber'
.
(2) Yes. This highlights the need to use sustainably sourced locally grown timbers rather than imported timber that is illegally or unsustainably harvested.
(3) Yes. I have been advised that sawmillers and timber suppliers have advised Forest Products Commission (FPC) staff that the use of Corymbia maculata is increasing.
(4) Yes. The FPC currently manages approximately 700 hectares of
Corymbia maculata
plantations. The Forest Science and Industry Development Branch at the Department of Agriculture and Food, who work closely with the FPC, actively promotes and encourages the development of all types of plantations in Western Australia.
(5) Not applicable.
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'Bushfire Resistant Timber'
.
(2) Yes. This highlights the need to use sustainably sourced locally grown timbers rather than imported timber that is illegally or unsustainably harvested.
(3) Yes. I have been advised that sawmillers and timber suppliers have advised Forest Products Commission (FPC) staff that the use of Corymbia maculata is increasing.
(4) Yes. The FPC currently manages approximately 700 hectares of
Corymbia maculata
plantations. The Forest Science and Industry Development Branch at the Department of Agriculture and Food, who work closely with the FPC, actively promotes and encourages the development of all types of plantations in Western Australia.
(5) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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