Hon. Christine Sharp questions the discrepancy in old-growth forest area figures and seeks clarification on the protection of old-growth forests outside reserves. The Minister's response indicates further analysis is needed for the first question and outlines interim protection measures for forests outside reserves.

AnsweredQoN 1032Legislative Council
Asked
19 February 2002
Portfolio
Environment and Heritage

QuestionView source ↗

OLD-GROWTH FOREST
The forest management discussion paper released by the Conservation Commission of Western Australia in January 2002 states that there are 333 000 hectares of old-growth forests left in the south west of Western Australia, which is fewer than the 347 000 hectares that the Department of Conservation and Land Management identified in the Regional Forest Agreement. The discussion paper also contains a map titled, “Map 5, origin of reserve proposals”. (1) How much of the 333 000 hectares of old-growth forest is within the existing and proposed conservation reserves identified in map 5? (2) How will the old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed reserves be protected in accordance with government policy? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

(1) This question will require some analysis, and the member is asked to place it on notice. (2) Old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed conservation reserve system are set aside from timber harvesting, and guidelines for their management are being developed. They will be released with the draft forest management plan that will be available for public comment later this year. Hon Barry House: I hear it will be much later than anticipated. Hon Kim Chance: No.
(1) How much of the 333 000 hectares of old-growth forest is within the existing and proposed conservation reserves identified in map 5? (2) How will the old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed reserves be protected in accordance with government policy? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) This question will require some analysis, and the member is asked to place it on notice. (2) Old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed conservation reserve system are set aside from timber harvesting, and guidelines for their management are being developed. They will be released with the draft forest management plan that will be available for public comment later this year. Hon Barry House: I hear it will be much later than anticipated. Hon Kim Chance: No.
(2) How will the old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed reserves be protected in accordance with government policy? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) This question will require some analysis, and the member is asked to place it on notice. (2) Old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed conservation reserve system are set aside from timber harvesting, and guidelines for their management are being developed. They will be released with the draft forest management plan that will be available for public comment later this year. Hon Barry House: I hear it will be much later than anticipated. Hon Kim Chance: No.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) This question will require some analysis, and the member is asked to place it on notice. (2) Old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed conservation reserve system are set aside from timber harvesting, and guidelines for their management are being developed. They will be released with the draft forest management plan that will be available for public comment later this year. Hon Barry House: I hear it will be much later than anticipated. Hon Kim Chance: No.
(1) This question will require some analysis, and the member is asked to place it on notice. (2) Old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed conservation reserve system are set aside from timber harvesting, and guidelines for their management are being developed. They will be released with the draft forest management plan that will be available for public comment later this year. Hon Barry House: I hear it will be much later than anticipated. Hon Kim Chance: No.
(2) Old-growth forests outside the existing and proposed conservation reserve system are set aside from timber harvesting, and guidelines for their management are being developed. They will be released with the draft forest management plan that will be available for public comment later this year. Hon Barry House: I hear it will be much later than anticipated. Hon Kim Chance: No.
Hon Barry House: I hear it will be much later than anticipated. Hon Kim Chance: No.
Hon Kim Chance: No.

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