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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1093 asked in the Legislative Council on 2 December 2021 by Hon Steve Martin

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

FORESTRY — HARDWOOD — FURNITURE MANUFACTURING

1093. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the minister representing the Minister for Forestry:

This question was lodged some time ago. I refer to the Western Australian Furniture Manufacturers Association's media release on 21 September about its access to the supply of local timber.

(1) Has the government conducted any modelling to see how much local hardwood timber will be required to ensure the existence of the furniture manufacturing industry and the construction industry in Western Australia?

(2) If yes to (1), how much hardwood timber will be required?

(3) If no to (1), why was this not taken into consideration prior to the announcement of the end of hardwood harvesting?

Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:

I thank the member for the question. I wish him to note that this answer was valid as at 26 October. The following information has been provided by the Minister for Forestry.

(1)–(3) Given the ever-increasing impacts of climate change, the importance of maintaining ecological biodiversity for forest health and the need for carbon capture and storage, in addition to declining timber yields, the government has taken the decision to end logging of south west native forests from 2024. Declining yields of native timber—meaning less sawlog and other bole volume of timber from a given area of forest—mean that larger areas of forest must be cut down in order to fulfil contracts. Business as usual logging is not sustainable under the forthcoming forest management plan.

Timber for furniture making and artisanal products is sourced through a variety of means, including reclaimed wood and timber produced on private properties, and these sources will continue to be available. Trees cleared for approved mining activities or infrastructure developments will produce sawlogs that could be used for furniture and artisanal products.

It should be noted that hardwood is not widely used in construction. Softwood is predominantly used in construction and the WA softwood processing industry currently supplies the majority of pine products to the state's housing and construction market. This is the reason that we are investing in a 10-year, $350 million expansion of the state's softwood plantation estate.