SOFTWOOD PLANTATION
749. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Forestry:
A promotion; your prescience amazes
me, President!
Question C740 was submitted on 15
August.
I refer to the government's
announcement on 8 September 2021 to invest $350 million over 10 years to grow
the softwood plantation estate.
(1) How many
parcels of land has the Forest Products Commission purchased since the
announcement date?
(2) How many new
plantation management/farm forestry agreements has the Forest Products
Commission entered into since the announcement date?
(3) How many
seedlings have been planted on land not previously owned or managed by the
Forest Products Commission for plantations or farm forestry since the
announcement date?
(4) How much of the $350 million
has been expended since the announcement date?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the
question. The Minister for Forestry has provided the following information —
(1) Since the
Forest Products Amendment Act was passed in July 2022, allowing the purchase of
land, the Forest Products Commission has signed one offer and acceptance.
(2) Six agreements have been
entered into.
(3) Approximately 530 000 seedlings
have been planted.
(4) As at 30 June 2022, $20 386 has
been expended.