Question On Notice No. 1082 asked in the Legislative Council on 27 October 2022 by Hon Steve Martin
Question Directed to the: Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Environment
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 1906-
View tabled paper
Question
I refer to the draft Forest Management Plan, and I ask:
(a) how many hectares of forest does the Government anticipate will be cleared for mining purposes in each year of the new Forest Management Plan; and
(b) for each year of the 2014-2023 Forest Management Plan, how many hectares of forest were cleared for mining purposes?
Answered on 29 November 2022
1) The annual anticipated area of clearing for mining within State forest is not determined by the Forest Management Plan, and so is difficult to estimate for the years 2024 to 2033. Based on approved mining operations it is anticipated that the area cleared annually would be similar to areas cleared over the last 10 years (see answer to question 2). However, further mining proposals may be approved under relevant legislation such as the Mining Act 1978 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
2) See tabled paper no. #. The table provides the area (hectares) of forest cleared for mining purposes in the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 area for the years 2014–2021.