❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the cessation of funding for the Strategic Tree Farming program, its impact on jobs and regional communities, and the government's commitment to salinity and carbon sequestration objectives. The Minister acknowledges the program's completion and ongoing review of forest policy.
AnsweredQoN 1037Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
STRATEGIC TREE FARMING PROGRAM
I almost forgot where I was. I thought I was in another place—I wish I was in another place! (1) Has the state ceased funding the strategic tree farming program? (2) How much funding has been allocated by the state to this program per annum for the past five years? (3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
I almost forgot where I was. I thought I was in another place—I wish I was in another place! (1) Has the state ceased funding the strategic tree farming program? (2) How much funding has been allocated by the state to this program per annum for the past five years? (3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(1) Has the state ceased funding the strategic tree farming program? (2) How much funding has been allocated by the state to this program per annum for the past five years? (3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(2) How much funding has been allocated by the state to this program per annum for the past five years? (3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(1) Has the state ceased funding the strategic tree farming program? (2) How much funding has been allocated by the state to this program per annum for the past five years? (3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(2) How much funding has been allocated by the state to this program per annum for the past five years? (3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(3) If yes to (1) — (a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(a) what job losses will there be; (b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(b) how will this funding reduction affect regional communities; and (c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(c) has the minister abandoned the objectives of addressing salinity in affected farming areas and carbon sequestration? (4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(4) If no to (3)(c), what is the minister doing to replace this program? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
I thank the member for the question. (1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(1) The state contributed half the funds for the strategic tree farming project. STF project plantings commenced in winter 2005 and ended in winter this year, delivering almost 18 000 hectares of new tree farms, integrated into existing farming operations in the medium rainfall zone of the wheatbelt. (2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(2) The state contributed a total of $32 million to the project over the past five years. (3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
(3) (a)-(b) As recently announced, the Forest Products Commission is undergoing a restructure. As such, at this point it is not possible to determine what impact the finalisation of the strategic tree farming project will have. (c) No. (4) The government is reviewing its forest policy and the appropriate role for the Forest Products Commission. Some of the activity in which the FPC has been involved, such as tree farming, needs to be reassessed. Questions remain about the appropriateness of the government being involved in a market that is attracting attention from private companies.
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