Question Without Notice No. 199 asked in the Legislative Council on 15 June 2017 by Hon Colin Holt
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
FOREST PRODUCTS COMMISSION — FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
199. Hon COLIN HOLT to the minister representing the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the Forest Products Commission harvesting plan, in particular the Denham block in the Mornington forest.
(1) Is the minister aware of the community's concerns about logging in this area?
(2) What consultation with the community has occurred on logging in this area?
(3) Has a fauna and flora or other survey occurred in the area to ascertain any potential impacts of the Waroona–Yarloop bushfire that occurred in early 2016?
(4) Is the minister satisfied that all concerns have been addressed and the correct processes have occurred to allow the logging of the Denham block to go ahead?
Hon SAMANTHA ROWE replied:
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Forestry, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
The following answer has been provided by the minister representing the Minister for Forestry.
(1) Yes.
(2) Consultation has occurred through the production of the forest management plan; the three‑year harvest plan, published by the Department of Parks and Wildlife; the one‑year harvest plan, published by the Forest Products Commission; and local consultation with neighbours and stakeholders. These discussions are continuing.
(3) Assessments and surveys for flora and fauna occur prior to the commencement of harvesting for all coupes. Denham is south of Harvey and was unaffected by the Waroona–Yarloop bushfire.
(4) The Forest Products Commission undertakes a comprehensive planning process for each harvest coupe. This assessment is reviewed and must be approved by the Department of Parks and Wildlife prior to the commencement of harvesting activity. Although the Forest Products Commission addresses concerns, it is not always possible to satisfy all stakeholders.