❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the government's awareness of Gunns' decision to close Deanmill Sawmill and wind down Manjimup operations, focusing on consultation with the Forest Products Commission (FPC) and plans for developing the plantation timber industry.
AnsweredQoN 4291Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to closing down the Deanmill Sawmill and winding down the Manjimup operation by Gunns being announced weeks after Gunns had made it known that it was looking to leave the native timber industry and concentrate on plantation wood, I ask:
(a) was the Government aware of Gunns’ decision before it went public; and
(i) if not, and given the role of the Forest Products Commission (FPC), why was the Government not in consultation with Gunns leading up to the decision;
(b) does the FPC have a legislative mandate to consult with organisations, such as Gunns, to develop the forestry industry in Western Australia;
(c) are there any plans for the FPC to work with stakeholders to develop the plantation timber industry; and
(d) what programs does the government have in place to develop the plantation timber industry in Western Australia, and in turn protect south west communities and jobs?
(a) was the Government aware of Gunns’ decision before it went public; and
(i) if not, and given the role of the Forest Products Commission (FPC), why was the Government not in consultation with Gunns leading up to the decision;
(b) does the FPC have a legislative mandate to consult with organisations, such as Gunns, to develop the forestry industry in Western Australia;
(c) are there any plans for the FPC to work with stakeholders to develop the plantation timber industry; and
(d) what programs does the government have in place to develop the plantation timber industry in Western Australia, and in turn protect south west communities and jobs?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 February 2011
Responded by
Minister for Forestry
Response time
98 days
(a) The Government was advised confidentially as early as June 2010 that the Gunns board was contemplating a number of options with respect to its Western Australian assets.
(i) Not applicable.
(b) Section 10(r) of the
Forest Products Act 2000
states that it is a function of the Commission "to consult with, and provide advice to, the public and the forest products industry as to the policies and programmes of the Commission."
(c) FPChas an ongoing commitment to work in a commercial relationship with stakeholders for the ongoing development of a commercially viable forest industry. In addition the FPCwill work with stakeholders to develop the plantation timber industry through the Science and Industry Development Unit accommodated at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, which provides policy advice and undertakes research and timber industry development functions.
(d) The plantation based forest industry has reached a point where the private sector is investing substantially in creating and managing plantation resources as well as the processing of wood. The government believes the industry will be far more robust if the government enables investment and provides advice, research and practical assistance where there is clear market failure.
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(i) Not applicable.
(b) Section 10(r) of the
Forest Products Act 2000
states that it is a function of the Commission "to consult with, and provide advice to, the public and the forest products industry as to the policies and programmes of the Commission."
(c) FPChas an ongoing commitment to work in a commercial relationship with stakeholders for the ongoing development of a commercially viable forest industry. In addition the FPCwill work with stakeholders to develop the plantation timber industry through the Science and Industry Development Unit accommodated at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, which provides policy advice and undertakes research and timber industry development functions.
(d) The plantation based forest industry has reached a point where the private sector is investing substantially in creating and managing plantation resources as well as the processing of wood. The government believes the industry will be far more robust if the government enables investment and provides advice, research and practical assistance where there is clear market failure.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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