❓ A parliamentary question addresses the use of native timber for railway sleepers, querying the source, authorization, compliance with forest management plans, and Labor policy. The Minister's response clarifies the process and limitations of government control due to Westrail's privatization.
AnsweredQoN 256Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NATIVE TIMBER — USE FOR RAILWAY SLEEPERS
I refer to the video footage screened on the Internet at www.globalwarmingfg.com, taken on 21 March 2008 at Picton near Bunbury, and evidencing stockpiles of native timber—namely, wandoo, jarrah and marri—that are being used for the production of railway sleepers. (1) Can the minister name the forest blocks from which the logs used to produce these sleepers were sourced? (2) Who authorised these logs to be cut and used for the purpose of railway sleepers? (3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to the video footage screened on the Internet at www.globalwarmingfg.com, taken on 21 March 2008 at Picton near Bunbury, and evidencing stockpiles of native timber—namely, wandoo, jarrah and marri—that are being used for the production of railway sleepers. (1) Can the minister name the forest blocks from which the logs used to produce these sleepers were sourced? (2) Who authorised these logs to be cut and used for the purpose of railway sleepers? (3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(1) Can the minister name the forest blocks from which the logs used to produce these sleepers were sourced? (2) Who authorised these logs to be cut and used for the purpose of railway sleepers? (3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(2) Who authorised these logs to be cut and used for the purpose of railway sleepers? (3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(1) Can the minister name the forest blocks from which the logs used to produce these sleepers were sourced? (2) Who authorised these logs to be cut and used for the purpose of railway sleepers? (3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(2) Who authorised these logs to be cut and used for the purpose of railway sleepers? (3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(3) Is this compliant with the current forest management plan 2004-2013? (4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(4) Is this compliant with current Labor policy? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
I thank Hon Paul Llewellyn for his question and for providing some notice of it. (1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(1) The jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers at Picton will have been produced by a number of sawmillers who hold a contract of sale with the Forest Products Commission. These sawmillers operate at a range of locations and receive logs from a variety of operations around the south west in accordance with the approved harvest plan. (2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(2) The Forest Products Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, authorises harvesting and sale for purposes consistent with relevant contracts. FPC contracts for first and second-grade sawlogs require that the timber is used for high-value local processing and manufacturing, which does not include use as railway sleepers. The low-grade logs that are unsuitable for high-value adding are currently the most suitable for producing sleepers. (3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(3) Yes. Under the forest management plan 2004-2013 the Forest Products Commission has a responsibility to ensure that all timber harvested is utilised to its full potential and to reduce waste as much as possible. (4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
(4) Current Labor Party policy states that it will ensure that Westrail ceases the utilisation of native timber for new railway sleepers and shifts to a total reliance on alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plantation timber. In December 2000, the previous coalition government sold Westrail to Australian Western Railroad Pty Ltd, which is a private company over which the government has no control.
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