KARRI FOREST —
TREENBROOK
401. Hon DIANE EVERS to the minister representing the
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the proposed logging of
karri forest at Treenbrook state forest.
(1) How much
karri forest at Treenbrook is proposed to be logged in the immediate term, and
what amounts and grades of logs does the Forest Products Commission expect to
obtain?
(2) What
assessments have been done on the Treenbrook karri forest and will the minister
please table them; and, if not, why not?
(3) Were the nearby
residents and businesses consulted by the FPC on the proposed logging and the
impacts to their business and livelihoods?
(a) If yes, when
were they consulted and what issues were raised?
(b) If no, why
not?
(4) Will the
minister direct FPC to cancel operations and commit to reviewing the decision
to log karri forest at Treenbrook state forest, given the significant impact on
surrounding businesses?
(a) If no, why
not?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I
thank the member for the question. The following information has been provided
to me by the Minister for Forestry.
(1) In the
immediate term, 50 hectares of karri forest associated with three harvest
coupes in the Treenbrook forest are scheduled for harvest. This is expected to
produce the following log grades to facilitate meeting customer orders: karri sawlog—9 000 tonnes; laminated veneer
lumber—3 000 tonnes; and karri residue—4 000 tonnes.
(2) All necessary assessments and approvals have been
undertaken and received for harvesting operations at each coupe in
Treenbrook. Given the significant level of documentation associated with these assessments, it is not possible to table these
assessments today. I commit to tabling this documentation at the
earliest opportunity.
(3) Yes.
(a) Timber harvesting has been ongoing in the
Treenbrook forest for a number of years and neighbours have been
consulted in all instances. For the most recent proposed karri harvest coupe,
Treenbrook 12, letters were sent in mid-January to neighbours and a number of
direct contacts were made by FPC after that time up to the present. Issues
raised have included windbreaks for avocado orchards, maintenance of views,
access to private property and businesses run from those properties through
forestry tracks in state forests, impacts on honey production and general noise
from the harvesting operation.
(b) Not
applicable.
(4) No.
(a) The regrowth
forest areas in the Treenbrook state forest have been made available by the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions as part of the
three-year harvest plan under the ''Forest Management Plan 2014–23''.
The area has been part of the state forest estate for over a century, and the
forest in the area has been previously harvested and regenerated.