Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Environment regarding land purchases for softwood plantations and the potential transfer of land management responsibilities from the Conservation and Parks Commission to the Forest Products Commission. The Minister confirms no land purchases since 2016 and no transfer of land will occur.

AnsweredQoN 902Legislative Council
Asked
13 October 2022
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

FORESTRY — SOFTWOOD PLANTATIONS
902. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Environment:
I
refer to the Conservation and Parks Commission's End-of-term review
of performance of the forest management plan 2014–2023 and
the statement on page 59 that the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and
Attractions will —
� continue to work with the FPC and
other agencies to secure additional plantation areas consistent with the Softwood Industry Strategy for Western Australia � and the 2021 announcement to invest $350 million to expand Western Australia's
softwood plantation timber industry �
(1) How much land
has the Conservation and Parks Commission purchased for the purpose of state
forest and/or timber reserves for the establishment of plantations since 2016?
(2) As the Forest Products Commission now has the
legal authority to purchase, sell and deal with land, will the government transfer all land held by the
Conservation and Parks Commission currently used for plantations to the
Forest Products Commission?
(3) If no to (2),
why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable Leader of the
Opposition for some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on
behalf of the Minister for Environment.
(1) The
Conservation and Parks Commission has not purchased land for the purpose of
state forest and/or timber reserves for the establishment of plantations since
2016.
(2) No.
(3) The Conservation
and Land Management Act 1984, the Forest management plan 2014–2023 and
working arrangements between the then
Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Forest Products Commission on the management of native forests and plantations provide for the ongoing management of public plantations.

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