Hon. Nigel Hallett questions the government's policy on thinning regrowth jarrah forests in water catchment areas, particularly regarding log exports and potential benefits of commercial thinning. The government indicates openness to proposals aligned with the Forest Management Plan.

AnsweredQoN 1049Legislative Council
Asked
22 September 2016
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

TIMBER INDUSTRY — FOREST PRODUCTS
COMMISSION — LOGGING
1049. Hon NIGEL HALLETT to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Water:
(1) Can the
minister advise whether the government has a policy that precludes the export
of small logs from the thinning of regrowth jarrah forests within water
catchment areas?
(2) If yes to (1), is the policy
publicly available?
(3) If no to (1),
can the minister advise whether the government would support a proposal to
carry out commercial thinning of overstocked jarrah regrowth forests in order
to increase water yield, economic value, jobs and forest health?
(4) Can the
minister advise whether the government would support a proposal to use timber
derived from professionally conducted thinning operations in the jarrah forest
for the generation of electricity?
(5) Can the
minister advise whether the Forest Products Commission is actively pursuing any
schemes that will see the commercial thinning of overstocked regrowth jarrah
forests within water catchments?

AnswerView source ↗

On behalf of the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Water, I thank the honourable member for some
notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
(3)–(4) The
Forest Products Commission and the state government will consider the merits of
proposals that are in accordance with the ''Forest management plan 2014–2023''.
(5) I am advised that the FPC is not
currently pursuing any schemes of this nature.

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