Question On Notice No. 2212 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 November 2014 by Hon Lynn Maclaren
Question Directed to the: Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Parliament: 39 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 2460-
View tabled paper
Question
(1) What is the definition of old growth forest in the National Forest Policy Statement, endorsed by the Premier of Western Australia, the Prime Minister, the Premiers of all other States, except Tasmania, and the Chief Ministers of the two Territories in 1992?
(2) What is the definition of:
(a) old growth karri forest being used today by the Conservation Commission and/or the Department of Parks and Wildlife; and
(b) old growth jarrah forest being used today by the Conservation Commission and/or the Department of Parks and Wildlife?
(3) What is the area of:
(a) old growth karri forest; and
(b) old growth jarrah forest?
(4) How many hectares of:
(a) old growth karri forest have been identified by government agencies;
(b) old growth karri forest have been nominated by community members and endorsed by the Conservation Commission and/or the Department of Parks and Wildlife;
(c) old growth jarrah forest have been identified by government agencies; and
(d) old growth jarrah forest have been nominated by community members and endorsed by the Conservation Commission and/or the Department of Parks and Wildlife?
(5) Will the Minister please table a map of:
(a) old growth karri forest; and
(b) old growth jarrah forest?
Answered on 17 February 2015
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response.
(1) Old-growth forest is defined in the 1992 National Forest Policy Statement as "Forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases."
(2) The Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 defines old-growth forest as "ecologically mature forest where the effects of unnatural disturbance are now negligible. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in a late mature to senescent growth stage."
(3)
(a) As at the 31 December 2014, there are 64 703 hectares of karri old-growth forest mapped within the Regional Forest Agreement area on lands vested in the Conservation Commission.
(b) As at the 31 December 2014, there are 257 467 hectares of jarrah old-growth forest mapped within the Regional Forest Agreement area on lands vested in the Conservation Commission.
(4)
(a) During the period 2004 to 2014, a total of 203 hectares of karri old-growth forest was identified by a government agency.
(b) During the period 2004 to 2014, 23 hectares of karri old-growth forest nominated by community was added to the Department of Parks and Wildlife's records.
(c) During the period 2004 to 2014, a total of 1467 hectares of jarrah old-growth forest was identified by a government agency.
(d) During the period 2004 to 2014, 743 hectares of jarrah old-growth forest nominated by community was added to the Department of Parks and Wildlife's records.
(5)
(a)-(b) See tabled paper number #.