❓ Question regarding government assistance for the timber industry's transition to whole-bole logging, with the Minister acknowledging limited uptake and ongoing debate within the sector.
AnsweredQoN 360Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What assistance has the Government given to the timber industry to allow the rapid transition to whole-bole logging? (2) Has there been a rapid transition? (3) To what degree is the assistance of the Government responsible for that? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
(2) Has there been a rapid transition? (3) To what degree is the assistance of the Government responsible for that? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
(3) To what degree is the assistance of the Government responsible for that? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
(1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
(2) Has there been a rapid transition? (3) To what degree is the assistance of the Government responsible for that? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
(3) To what degree is the assistance of the Government responsible for that? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
(1)-(3) The Forest Products Commission has attempted to interest the sawmilling sector in adopting whole-bole logging. It has clear advantages for the timber industry generally. I will explain very simply the whole-bole concept. Rather than cutting a log to a prescribed length in the forest, regardless of what might be the miller’s needs or the miller’s customers’ needs, that decision is made on the miller’s landing by the miller. It requires a value judgment. On occasions, it may suit a miller to forgo some yield from a particular log to obtain the premium that might be available from a particular length that might be gained from cutting at, say, 2.7 metres instead of 1.8 metres. I do not have at hand details of the assistance that has been provided by the FPC. Certainly, the Government has introduced the concept to the industry, sought its views on the concept and tried to deal with the objections that have arisen. No; there has not been a rapid or sizeable uptake of the concept from the sawmilling sector. At this stage the debate is ongoing. The range of opinions is very broad. A number of millers are enthusiastic about the concept of whole-bole supply; indeed, some see it as the salvation of the industry. Other millers, who are every bit as innovative and enterprising as the aforesaid group, do not want a bar of it. It is difficult for me to come to a conclusion about why such wide diversity of opinion exists. The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
The assistance has been in the introduction of the concept and providing a mechanism of debate and resolution of the issues. I do not think there has been widespread uptake, although it is possible that, in time, at least part of the industry may adopt the concept enthusiastically.
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