❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about replanting pine plantations near Margaret River due to fire risk and changing climate. The response outlines fire management plans and resource allocation, but offers no assurance against replanting.
AnsweredQoN 888Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOREST PRODUCTS COMMISSION — MARGARET RIVER
888. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to Forest Products
Commission pine plantations to the north and east of the Margaret River town
site, large parts of which are reaching the end of a 30-year cycle and are
planned to be logged over coming years.
(1) Given
changing climatic conditions and the proximity of the town, can the minister
give assurances that replanting activity will not occur on those sites?
(2) If no
assurance is forthcoming, what measures will the FPC take this season to ensure
that its activities do not contribute to the already high risk of fire escaping
from the plantations and impact on the nearby towns?
(3) What specific
resources, human and otherwise, has and will the FPC be allocating to those
sites over the forthcoming season and does that include the use of fire
retardant?
888. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to Forest Products
Commission pine plantations to the north and east of the Margaret River town
site, large parts of which are reaching the end of a 30-year cycle and are
planned to be logged over coming years.
(1) Given
changing climatic conditions and the proximity of the town, can the minister
give assurances that replanting activity will not occur on those sites?
(2) If no
assurance is forthcoming, what measures will the FPC take this season to ensure
that its activities do not contribute to the already high risk of fire escaping
from the plantations and impact on the nearby towns?
(3) What specific
resources, human and otherwise, has and will the FPC be allocating to those
sites over the forthcoming season and does that include the use of fire
retardant?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) No.
(2) The Forest
Products Commission has prepared its plantation management plans with careful
consideration of the fire risk resulting in the inclusion of community
protection fire buffer strips. These plans have been supported by the Shire of
Augusta–Margaret River.
(3) The Department
of Parks and Wildlife is responsible for fire management across state forest
areas, including these plantations, and determines the fire suppression tools
used. The FPC assists Parks and Wildlife by providing funds for prescribed
burning and other pre-suppression activities, and by making its staff available
for wildfire suppression as required. The FPC also undertakes all work in
preparing and maintaining fire breaks.
of the question.
(1) No.
(2) The Forest
Products Commission has prepared its plantation management plans with careful
consideration of the fire risk resulting in the inclusion of community
protection fire buffer strips. These plans have been supported by the Shire of
Augusta–Margaret River.
(3) The Department
of Parks and Wildlife is responsible for fire management across state forest
areas, including these plantations, and determines the fire suppression tools
used. The FPC assists Parks and Wildlife by providing funds for prescribed
burning and other pre-suppression activities, and by making its staff available
for wildfire suppression as required. The FPC also undertakes all work in
preparing and maintaining fire breaks.
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