NATIVE FOREST — MANAGEMENT
513. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to A report on
silvicultural guidelines for the 2024–2033 forest management plan to
the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
prepared by an independent expert panel.
(1) Why does the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' explanatory
note on ecological thinning attached to the
report restrict ecological thinning to areas of forest experiencing acute
moisture stress?
(2) Did the
minister or the government direct or suggest to the department that ecological
thinning should be restricted only to areas of forest experiencing acute
moisture stress?
(3) Will this
position, if adopted by the government, reduce the volume of ecological
thinnings available from the remaining timber harvest in this state following
the government's closure of most of the native hardwood timber
industry?
(4) What will the impact of this
position be on the volume of ecological thinnings?
Hon KYLE
McGINN replied:
I thank the member for some notice
of the question, which I provide on behalf of the Minister for Emergency Services.
The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Environment.
(1)–(4) The
explanatory note was prepared to provide broad direction for one activity—ecological
thinning—to address the threat posed to forest ecosystems by a drying
and warming climate in the south west. The note
does not restrict potential ecological thinning activities to only areas of
forest currently experiencing acute moisture stress, but rather
highlights that the selection of areas for thinning in densely stocked
even-aged regrowth stands or broader landscapes will need to consider a range
of site characteristics, forest condition and values at risk under projected
climate changes.