❓ Hon Christine Sharp questions the Minister for Forest Products regarding karri sawlog supply targets, specifically concerning increases and commitments to reduce harvesting. The Minister denies the increase and reaffirms commitments to sustainable harvesting and old-growth forest protection.
AnsweredQoN 929Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
929. Hon Christine Sharp to the Attorney General representing the Minister for Forest Products:
(1) Can the Minister for Forest Products confirm the anticipated contribution to log supply targets for the year 2001 from the Southern Forest Region for 2001 for karri sawlogs (Grade 1 and 2) is 173 000 cubic metres?
(2) If yes, why has the log supply target increased from 168 000 cubic metres commitment under the sawlog contracts referred to by the Government on December 15 1999?
(3) If yes to (1) above, why has no progress been made to reduce the karri sawlog harvest to an average of 149 000 cubic metres per annum to which the Government committed as a result of the Ferguson Review on December 15 1999?
(4) If yes to (1) above, is it no longer possible to protect the old-growth karri in the 16 sensitive icon blocks identified by the Ferguson Committee whilst also keeping a long-term supply at 50 000 cubic metres after 2003?
(5) If yes to (1) above, which of the two outcomes outlined in part (4) being the protection of old growth karri in the 16 sensitive icon blocks or keeping a long term supply at 50 000 cubic metres after 2003 has the Government abandoned?
(6) If no to (1) above, can the Minister explain why documents circulated during recent community briefings by departmental officers specify karri sawlog supplies for 2001 at 173 000 cubic metres?
(1) Can the Minister for Forest Products confirm the anticipated contribution to log supply targets for the year 2001 from the Southern Forest Region for 2001 for karri sawlogs (Grade 1 and 2) is 173 000 cubic metres?
(2) If yes, why has the log supply target increased from 168 000 cubic metres commitment under the sawlog contracts referred to by the Government on December 15 1999?
(3) If yes to (1) above, why has no progress been made to reduce the karri sawlog harvest to an average of 149 000 cubic metres per annum to which the Government committed as a result of the Ferguson Review on December 15 1999?
(4) If yes to (1) above, is it no longer possible to protect the old-growth karri in the 16 sensitive icon blocks identified by the Ferguson Committee whilst also keeping a long-term supply at 50 000 cubic metres after 2003?
(5) If yes to (1) above, which of the two outcomes outlined in part (4) being the protection of old growth karri in the 16 sensitive icon blocks or keeping a long term supply at 50 000 cubic metres after 2003 has the Government abandoned?
(6) If no to (1) above, can the Minister explain why documents circulated during recent community briefings by departmental officers specify karri sawlog supplies for 2001 at 173 000 cubic metres?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 November 2000
Response time
36 days
The Minister Replied:
1. No. As the member is well aware, the Government through the Forest Products Division of CALM is actively negotiating with timber mills to reduce log supply from the karri forest.
The Minister expects significant reductions to continue into next year as the Government continues to implement its policy of averaging sawlog supply at 149,000 cubic metres for the period up to 2003 and 50,000 cubic metres from 2004.
2. The closure of Whittakers allowed the Government to reduce log commitments to 168,000. When the mill reopened the new owners requested the purchase of 5,000 cubic metres of karri to ensure viability.
3. See '1'.
4. No. This is absolutely incorrect. The Government will not allow the logging of old growth karri or old growth and two tiered karri/tingle identified as sensitive within the 16 forest blocks by the Ferguson Ministerial Advisory Committee.
5. Not applicable
6. See '1' and '2'.
1. No. As the member is well aware, the Government through the Forest Products Division of CALM is actively negotiating with timber mills to reduce log supply from the karri forest.
The Minister expects significant reductions to continue into next year as the Government continues to implement its policy of averaging sawlog supply at 149,000 cubic metres for the period up to 2003 and 50,000 cubic metres from 2004.
2. The closure of Whittakers allowed the Government to reduce log commitments to 168,000. When the mill reopened the new owners requested the purchase of 5,000 cubic metres of karri to ensure viability.
3. See '1'.
4. No. This is absolutely incorrect. The Government will not allow the logging of old growth karri or old growth and two tiered karri/tingle identified as sensitive within the 16 forest blocks by the Ferguson Ministerial Advisory Committee.
5. Not applicable
6. See '1' and '2'.
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