Question On Notice No. 1042 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 October 2022 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas
Question Directed to the: Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Environment
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the Conservation and Parks Commission's End-of-term performance review of the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 and the statement on page 59 that 'since 2014 the area of pine plantation on State Forest and timber reserves in the plan area has reduced from approximately 50,500 hectares to 50,100 hectares. This is due in part to infrastructure projects', and I ask:
(a) which infrastructure projects have resulted in the loss of pine plantation and in each case what area was lost;
(b) what were the other reasons for the reduction in pine plantation;
(c) what was the reduction of area of pine plantation on State Forest and timber reserves since March 2017; and
(d) how much land has been purchased by the Government since March 2017 for
pine plantation to off-set this loss of pine plantations on State Forest
and timber reserves?
Answered on 22 November 2022
(a) Areas of pine plantation were excised for construction of the Perth to Darwin highway (30 hectares), Margaret River perimeter road (10 hectares), and the relocation of the State explosives facility to Waroona (130 hectares).
(b) A further reduction of approximately 230 hectares arose from the inclusion of Ludlow plantation in the Tuart Forest National Park and minor refinements of plantation boundaries.
(c) There has been a net reduction of approximately 30 hectares to June 2021.
(d) This question should be directed to the Minister for Forestry.