❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses the sale, recovery, and management of forest products, particularly high-value logs, from mine site clearing operations, focusing on the role of the Forest Products Commission (FPC) and Alcoa. The response provides data on log quantities, clarifies FPC policies and practices, and addresses concerns about log recovery and sawmill viability.
AnsweredQoN 878Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 October 2025
Member
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What quantity of forest products by separate log grades were sold from mine site clearing operations 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2025? Is this data available by species: (a) If so, can it be provided by species? (2) Is it the government's policy to maximise the recovery of high value logs from these operations? (3) Is it the government's policy to ensure that all high value recovery logs from mine site clearing are supplied to sawmills for value adding operations: (a) If so, who undertakes the work to ensure this is done; (b) Who supervises and audits this work; and (c) What role does the Forest Products Commission (FPC) play in managing the production of high value logs from mine sites? (4) In the lead up to the Forest Management Plan (FMP) the government estimated that the quantity of sawlogs to be produced from mine sites would be up to 15,000 tonnes per annum. What quantity of sawlogs (or other high value log grades) were produced and sold over the last financial year: (a) What is the reason for any variation from the indicative volumes; and (b) What quantity of charcoal logs (or other similar log grade) were produced over the same period? (5) Does the FPC receive payment for logs from mine site clearing: (a) Is Alcoa responsible for the production of logs from mine sites; and (b) Does Alcoa recoup those costs from the FPC? (6) Has the FPC inspected the sawlogs and high value logs produced from mine sites: (a) Does it ensure that no sawlogs or other high value logs are sold as charcoal logs ; and (b) What actions does the FPC take to ensure that this does not occur? (7) Is the Minister aware of the current practice of cutting mine site logs into set 5 metre lengths: (a) Is the Minister aware that this practice reduces the recovery of high value logs; (b) Will the Minister enquire into this practice and change it to ensure full recovery of logs; and (c) Will the Minister instruct the FPC to resume inspecting log production in mine sites to help the existing sawmill sector? (8) What is the total quantity of sawlogs (or other high value log grades) does the FPC have under contract (for up to contract volumes please provide the maximum quantity that can be supplied): (a) Are the quantities supplied less than those requested by sawmills ; (b) Is the Minister of the view that all sawmills will remain viable under the current rate of supply; (c) Of the 5 sawmills issued FPC high value log contracts how many have ceased operations since 2024; and (d) Will the government undertake any measures to improve sawlogs supplied from mining, thinning, road and other clearing activities such as ensuring all sawlogs are produced and supplied from mining operations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2025
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
Response time
9 days
(1) The quantity of forest products sold from mine site clearing between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2025 was:
Charcoal log: 72,000 tonnes
Fresh firewood: 14,000 tonnes
High Value Recovery log: 6,000 tonnes
Mulch: 112,000 tonnes
Recovery log: 2,000 tonnes
Timber product residue: 29,000 tonnes
Total 235,000 tonnes
(a) The data is not available by species
(2) Yes, the FPC supports the recovery of high value logs by providing grade specifications and undertaking the marketing and selling of logs that are produced from mine site clearing operations on crown land. Recovery of logs from mine site operations is undertaken by the mine site operator.
(3) (a), (b), (c) FPC ensures that these logs are supplied to sawmills that have contracts with the FPC. Feature grade logs are sold through auctions that are conducted by the FPC.
(4) Approximately 6,000 tonnes of High Value Recovery Logs were sold from mine site operations during 2024/25.
(a) The quantity of logs produced and sold from mine site operations is dependent on the area cleared, the type of forest and the recovery of logs by the mine site operator.
(b) Approximately 89,000 tonnes of products similar to charcoal log were sold from mine site operations during 2024/25.
(5) Yes, when logs are produced from crown land.
(a) Yes
(b) No
(6) (a), (b) The FPC provides grade specifications to mine site operators and undertakes inspection of the logs delivered from the mine sites to either stockpiles or customers.
(7) (a) – (c) This is not current practice under FPC log production procedures.
(8) The FPC currently has contracts to supply up to 10,500 tonnes of High Value Recovery Logs.
(a) The quantity supplied is less than the upper limit of the contracts.
(b) The viability of sawmills is dependent on a variety of factors.
(c) One sawmill ceased operations following the death of the owner.
(d) Recovery of logs from mine site operations is undertaken by the mine site operators.
Charcoal log: 72,000 tonnes
Fresh firewood: 14,000 tonnes
High Value Recovery log: 6,000 tonnes
Mulch: 112,000 tonnes
Recovery log: 2,000 tonnes
Timber product residue: 29,000 tonnes
Total 235,000 tonnes
(a) The data is not available by species
(2) Yes, the FPC supports the recovery of high value logs by providing grade specifications and undertaking the marketing and selling of logs that are produced from mine site clearing operations on crown land. Recovery of logs from mine site operations is undertaken by the mine site operator.
(3) (a), (b), (c) FPC ensures that these logs are supplied to sawmills that have contracts with the FPC. Feature grade logs are sold through auctions that are conducted by the FPC.
(4) Approximately 6,000 tonnes of High Value Recovery Logs were sold from mine site operations during 2024/25.
(a) The quantity of logs produced and sold from mine site operations is dependent on the area cleared, the type of forest and the recovery of logs by the mine site operator.
(b) Approximately 89,000 tonnes of products similar to charcoal log were sold from mine site operations during 2024/25.
(5) Yes, when logs are produced from crown land.
(a) Yes
(b) No
(6) (a), (b) The FPC provides grade specifications to mine site operators and undertakes inspection of the logs delivered from the mine sites to either stockpiles or customers.
(7) (a) – (c) This is not current practice under FPC log production procedures.
(8) The FPC currently has contracts to supply up to 10,500 tonnes of High Value Recovery Logs.
(a) The quantity supplied is less than the upper limit of the contracts.
(b) The viability of sawmills is dependent on a variety of factors.
(c) One sawmill ceased operations following the death of the owner.
(d) Recovery of logs from mine site operations is undertaken by the mine site operators.
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