Mr Murray raises concerns about a potential shortfall in softwood resources and asks what the Forest Products Commission (FPC) is doing to address this and support private growers. The Minister acknowledges the concern and outlines the FPC's strategy development.

AnsweredQoN 986Legislative Assembly
Asked
25 November 2014
Portfolio
Forestry

QuestionView source ↗

FOREST PRODUCTS COMMISSION — ANNUAL PLANTATION
HARVEST
986. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the minister's
response to question on notice 2928 concerning softwood plantations, in which
she advised —
The FPC has identified a possible shortfall in pine resources available
to meet future contracted supply commitments.
(1) What is the Forest Products Commission
doing to address the future shortfall of softwood being planted by FPC and
private growers?
(2) What measures are being offered to
private growers to increase planting to meet future shortfalls in supply?

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2)
I thank the member for the question. Forestry is a very valuable industry for
Western Australia. I have thoroughly enjoyed the forestry portfolio over the
past 12 months, and I know that, previous to that, the current Minister for
Regional Development held it.
The member is entirely correct in
being concerned about our ability to meet future softwood supplies. The Forest Products
Commission is currently working on a plantation industry strategy to develop
the plantation estate to a level that will ensure that we have long-term
viability in that industry. I give my undertaking and commitment to ensure that
we are doing everything we can to meet our requirements under our contracts. I
understand how important the industry is to the member's electorate.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more