❓ A parliamentary question addresses the heightened wildfire risk in WA's southwest forests due to dry conditions and fuel loads, seeking clarity on shared responsibilities between the Agriculture and Environment portfolios. The Minister acknowledges the risks and ongoing discussions needed to improve fire management capacity.
AnsweredQoN 345Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In view of the very dry season we have experienced, is the minister aware of the particularly serious threat to the south west forests this year? (2) Is the minister satisfied with the current level of fuel loads in the areas of production forest? If these areas do not come directly under his responsibility, at least they have an impact on his ministry. (3) Will the minister inform the House, in general terms, of the shared responsibility, as I understand it is, between his ministry and the Department of Environmental Protection regarding protective burning and the control of wildfires, in view of the fact that much of the equipment supplied for controlling wildfires came from the production foresters? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(2) Is the minister satisfied with the current level of fuel loads in the areas of production forest? If these areas do not come directly under his responsibility, at least they have an impact on his ministry. (3) Will the minister inform the House, in general terms, of the shared responsibility, as I understand it is, between his ministry and the Department of Environmental Protection regarding protective burning and the control of wildfires, in view of the fact that much of the equipment supplied for controlling wildfires came from the production foresters? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(3) Will the minister inform the House, in general terms, of the shared responsibility, as I understand it is, between his ministry and the Department of Environmental Protection regarding protective burning and the control of wildfires, in view of the fact that much of the equipment supplied for controlling wildfires came from the production foresters? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(2) Is the minister satisfied with the current level of fuel loads in the areas of production forest? If these areas do not come directly under his responsibility, at least they have an impact on his ministry. (3) Will the minister inform the House, in general terms, of the shared responsibility, as I understand it is, between his ministry and the Department of Environmental Protection regarding protective burning and the control of wildfires, in view of the fact that much of the equipment supplied for controlling wildfires came from the production foresters? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(3) Will the minister inform the House, in general terms, of the shared responsibility, as I understand it is, between his ministry and the Department of Environmental Protection regarding protective burning and the control of wildfires, in view of the fact that much of the equipment supplied for controlling wildfires came from the production foresters? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
I thank Hon Bill Stretch for his extremely interesting question. It raises issues that the Government will need to consider further. In a sense, the member’s questions relate to an ongoing issue. (1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(1) Yes, I am aware of the serious risk that exists in the forests, and for more reasons than those that the member identified. However, I think the member tried to keep the list short, in the interests of brevity. A number of issues have contributed to perhaps a more serious risk of wildfire in the forests in ongoing years than has existed in the past. I am aware of those factors. (2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(2) I think the question was whether I am satisfied with the understanding of the high level of the fuel load. Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon W.N. Stretch: The fuel litter loads. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. However, I am aware that the Minister for the Environment is aware of very high litter loads in some areas. That matter has been raised with me by constituents seeking to speak to the Minister for Forestry, even though it is not my direct responsibility. I have discussed the matter with the Minister for the Environment, and I will continue those discussions because changes will need to be made to expand the capacity of the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s fire unit for a number of reasons, about which I am happy to talk with the member. (3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
(3) I think the member asked, in general terms, how is the responsibility shared for protective burning and - Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon W.N. Stretch: Preventive burning and control of wildfires. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. That issue now falls, and probably always has fallen, within the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, because that is a forest management issue rather than strictly a forestry issue. However, the member raised an interesting point; that is, that the production forests are sometimes the starting point for fires. In the working operations of the new agencies, we will have to find a suitable protocol for the operations of the Forest Products Commission and its contractors in the forest in relation to CALM’s requirements. Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon W.N. Stretch: You have a conduit of input into that program. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, I will have. Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon Peter Foss: It works the other way. If a forest fire commences somewhere else, those things can be used to - The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
The PRESIDENT: Order! It is not a committee stage. Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
Hon KIM CHANCE: That is also true. In fact, Hon Peter Foss’s point is valid. A greater investment in CALM will be required, because if fewer contractors are in the bush, there will be fewer units to control wildfires. It is an issue of which I am very much aware and about which I am very concerned, because I can see a dangerous situation developing unless we get on top of it very quickly.
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