❓ Question regarding the future of the softwood estate program under potential private ownership, demand for plantation timber, and replanting plans for Carnaby's cockatoos. The answer indicates uncertainty and deferred planning pending decisions on ownership.
AnsweredQoN 4649Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In respect of comments made in the Forest Products Commission (FPC) 2014-15 Annual Report that in the event of an asset sale its program to "rebuild the softwood estate" will "need to be adjusted accordingly": (a) for each of the three aspects of the program - implementing a plan to access more land for pines; working with the Department of Water to replant pines in the Wellington Catchment area; and increasing productivity of the current estate - what planning has been undertaken to facilitate a smooth transition for the program under private ownership and when will the transition planning be finalised; (b) which of the same three aspects have been paused or cancelled as part of the asset sale decision; and (c) what mechanisms will the State Government put in place to ensure a private buyer is bound to farm softwood plantation areas in such a way that they are sustainable, rather than for the life of set limited years or decades-long business investment, but perpetually for generations to come? (2) On both current producing plantations and greenfields plantations which are confirmed to be going ahead, at what point in time, under current projections, is the demand for plantation timber expected to outstrip supply? (3) Are plans announced in the FPC's 2014-15 Annual Report to replant 500 hectares of pine forest on the Gnangara Mound in July 2016 to build foraging habitats for Carnaby's cockatoos still in place, and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 November 2015
Responded by
Minister for Forestry
Response time
34 days
(1)(a) Planning for a transition to private ownership will only commence when a decision is made on the future ownership of the State-owned softwood plantations.
(b) The Forest Products Commission (FPC) is continuing to work on each of the aspects of the program to rebuild the softwood estate.
(c) see 1(a)
(2)The FPC has identified a possible shortfall in pine resources available to meet future contracted supply commitments. There is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the likelihood, timing and amount of any potential shortfall.
(3) No. Measures to address the impacts of pine harvesting on Carnaby's cockatoo are being addressed through the Strategic Assessment of the Perth and Peel Region.
(b) The Forest Products Commission (FPC) is continuing to work on each of the aspects of the program to rebuild the softwood estate.
(c) see 1(a)
(2)The FPC has identified a possible shortfall in pine resources available to meet future contracted supply commitments. There is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the likelihood, timing and amount of any potential shortfall.
(3) No. Measures to address the impacts of pine harvesting on Carnaby's cockatoo are being addressed through the Strategic Assessment of the Perth and Peel Region.
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