❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister representing the Minister for Forestry regarding logging activities by Forest Products Commission contractors during total fire bans. The Minister confirms logging occurred but defends the practice under existing regulations, classifying forestry as an agricultural activity.
AnsweredQoN 52Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOREST
PRODUCTS COMMISSION — LOGGING — FIRE BANS
52. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Forestry:
(1) Did Forest
Products Commission contractors log in Mowen, Helms and/or other native forests
in the south west during the total fire ban in recent weeks?
(2) Is the
minister aware of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services requirement
that during a total fire ban, chainsaws cannot be used in bushland or other
areas where their use is likely to cause fire?
(3) Does the
minister agree that using chainsaws and heavy machinery in a forest during a
total fire ban is reckless?
(4) If the
minister agrees there is a clear difference in terms of the bushfire risk posed
between operating agricultural machinery on cleared farmland and using
chainsaws in a jarrah forest, will the minister ensure that FPC-contracted
logging ceases during total fire bans?
PRODUCTS COMMISSION — LOGGING — FIRE BANS
52. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Forestry:
(1) Did Forest
Products Commission contractors log in Mowen, Helms and/or other native forests
in the south west during the total fire ban in recent weeks?
(2) Is the
minister aware of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services requirement
that during a total fire ban, chainsaws cannot be used in bushland or other
areas where their use is likely to cause fire?
(3) Does the
minister agree that using chainsaws and heavy machinery in a forest during a
total fire ban is reckless?
(4) If the
minister agrees there is a clear difference in terms of the bushfire risk posed
between operating agricultural machinery on cleared farmland and using
chainsaws in a jarrah forest, will the minister ensure that FPC-contracted
logging ceases during total fire bans?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Under
regulation 24A(5A) of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954, the restrictions on the
use or operation of any engine, vehicle, plant, equipment or machinery during a
total fire ban do not apply if the use or operation is part of an agricultural
activity, and all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the use or
operation from causing a bushfire. The Forest Products Commission received
confirmation in 2011 from the then Fire and Emergency Services Authority that
forestry is considered to be an agricultural activity.
(3) I am
satisfied that the Forest Products Commission has reasonable precautions in
place as per the requirements of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954.
(4) Please
refer to (3).
question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Under
regulation 24A(5A) of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954, the restrictions on the
use or operation of any engine, vehicle, plant, equipment or machinery during a
total fire ban do not apply if the use or operation is part of an agricultural
activity, and all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the use or
operation from causing a bushfire. The Forest Products Commission received
confirmation in 2011 from the then Fire and Emergency Services Authority that
forestry is considered to be an agricultural activity.
(3) I am
satisfied that the Forest Products Commission has reasonable precautions in
place as per the requirements of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954.
(4) Please
refer to (3).
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