❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about the proposed Forest Management Plan 2014-2023, focusing on logging, threatened species, fauna corridors, Commonwealth assessment, habitat zones, dieback, and mining. The Minister's response clarifies aspects of the plan.
AnsweredQoN 2004Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the Conservation Commission, I ask: (a) will the proposed Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 allow up to a doubling of the current average area of native forest to be logged; (b) will the proposed Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 decrease the habitat for threatened species and bring them closer to extinction; (c) will the proposed Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 increase the number of corridors for fauna movement; (d) will the Minister guarantee that South West forests will not be exempt from Commonwealth Government assessment of the plan and its impacts on EPBC-listed threatened species, and if not, why not; (e) will the proposed Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 reduce the total area of Fauna Habitat Zones, and if not, why not; (f) has the proposed Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 included a detailed management plan to address the problem of Phytophthora dieback; and (g) does the proposed Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 propose to allow new mining operations in south-west forests?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 May 2014
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(a) No, however there will be an increase in the average annual area subject to timber harvesting compared to the previous Forest Management Plan (2004-2013).
(b)-(c) The Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 maintains a similar area of native vegetation across the landscape to allow for native fauna habitat and movement. The plan proposes adding around 4 000 hectares to Whicher National Park and will continue to protect all old-growth forest.
(d) The Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
contain provisions to protect nationally-listed threatened species. In the plan area covered by the Regional Forest Agreement for the South-West Forest Region of Western Australia, the Commonwealth and State governments agreed that the comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system and the forest management system meet the requirements of this Act for the protection of threatened fauna. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Authority undertook an independent environmental impact assessment of the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023.
(e) The net area of fauna habitat zones will reduce from 52 000 hectares to
48 400 hectares under the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023. A refinement of fauna habitat zones will result in the protection of additional important numbat habitat at Batalling, to the east of Collie, fauna habitat in the upper reaches of the Margaret River, and an area with flora values to the east of Manjimup.
(f) The Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 proposes a renewed focus to prioritise research and management efforts for pests and diseases, including Phytophthora.
(g) It is not within the scope of the
Conservation and Land Management Act 1984
and therefore the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023, to approve mining operations.
(b)-(c) The Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 maintains a similar area of native vegetation across the landscape to allow for native fauna habitat and movement. The plan proposes adding around 4 000 hectares to Whicher National Park and will continue to protect all old-growth forest.
(d) The Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
contain provisions to protect nationally-listed threatened species. In the plan area covered by the Regional Forest Agreement for the South-West Forest Region of Western Australia, the Commonwealth and State governments agreed that the comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system and the forest management system meet the requirements of this Act for the protection of threatened fauna. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Authority undertook an independent environmental impact assessment of the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023.
(e) The net area of fauna habitat zones will reduce from 52 000 hectares to
48 400 hectares under the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023. A refinement of fauna habitat zones will result in the protection of additional important numbat habitat at Batalling, to the east of Collie, fauna habitat in the upper reaches of the Margaret River, and an area with flora values to the east of Manjimup.
(f) The Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 proposes a renewed focus to prioritise research and management efforts for pests and diseases, including Phytophthora.
(g) It is not within the scope of the
Conservation and Land Management Act 1984
and therefore the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023, to approve mining operations.
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