A WA parliamentary question seeks details on ecological thinning operations, timber availability, and contract establishment under the new Forest Management Plan. The Minister provides information on engaged operators, thinned areas, future plans, timber recovery, and contract progress.

AnsweredQoN 1978Legislative Council
Asked
21 March 2024
Portfolio
Forestry

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Minister's answer to question without notice 189, answered on 19 March 2024, in relation to forestry, and I ask: (a) will the Minister please provide a list of operators that have been engaged, so far this calendar year, to undertake ecological thinning; (b) will the Minister please provide a list of areas that have undergone thinning so far; (c) will the Minister please provide a list of areas that will be further thinned this calendar year; (d) what is the estimated amount of timber that will be available for commercial use as a result of thinning; and (e) have 2024 contracts been established for firewood suppliers, sawmills, and other buyers yet: (i) if no to (e), when will they be established; and (ii) why has/is it taking so long, given that the new Forest Management Plan began at the beginning of this year?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
7 May 2024
Responded by
Minister for Forestry
Response time
4 days
(a)     South West Haulage, Plantation Logging Company, Southern Forestry Services
(b)     Ecological thinning for forest health in Forest Enhancement Areas have commenced in Warren 06, Gordon 01, Sutton 07/15
(c)     The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) are in the process of planning more Forest Enhancement Areas.
(d)     Ecological thinning for forest health is not driven by a commercial timber outcome and the amount of recovered timber will vary between sites. All recovered timber from areas will be made available.
(e)     High value recovery logs will be available through auctions and contracts with offers currently being evaluated for contracts following a Request for Proposals.  Firewood contracts have been offered.
(i)    Not Applicable
(ii)   Both the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Forest Products Commission have been working as quickly as possible to plan and implement activities under the new FMP, which are significantly different to activities carried out under previous FMPs.

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