[Pil-pc-oceania] New five-year plan for WA's plantations and farm forestry (farmonline)

[Deb Guildner]

New five-year plan for WA's plantations and farm forestry
6/05/2008 10:59:00 PM
The WA State Government has released a five-year strategy for the 
development of the plantation and farm forestry sector.
WA Forestry Minister Kim Chance launched the strategy this week saying it 
focused on the expansion of the forest industry in Western Australia's 
medium to lower rainfall areas, helping farmers to diversify their 
practices.

"The plantation and farm forestry industry provides significant, multiple 
benefits to regional economies, creating new jobs and making regional 
communities more sustainable," Mr Chance said.

"The right trees planted in the right place can produce substantial, 
lasting, environmental benefits, with the potential to improve land 
productivity, counteract salinity, reduce greenhouse gases, and protect and 
enhance biodiversity," he said.

Mr Chance says preparation is already under way, of plans for specific, 
lower rainfall tree farm industries from seedling to end product, using oil 
mallees and sandalwood.

The Forest Products Commission (FPC) has also created industry development 
plans for maritime and radiata pines and eucalypt sawlog species.

The Minister said future industries could be as varied as carbon 
sequestration, woody biomass for renewable energy and reconstituted wood 
products.

Mr Chance said, "The appointment of a lead agency to implement the strategy 
is seen as crucial to its success and was also identified in the 2006 
Statutory Review of the Forest Products Act."

The lead agency role is considered critical to the success of the industry 
along with four other factors:

. Preparation of plans for development of tree-farm based industries

. The encouragement of investment

. A strong focus on research and

. A framework for more consistent land use planning approvals.

The strategy will be reviewed in 2012 to ensure it remains focused on the 
key issues and continues to provide the necessary support and direction for 
new investment and development of the industry.

SOURCE: Farm Weekly, WA



Comments:

Where can I get a copy of the report?

Posted by Warwick on 7/05/2008 7:16:00 AM

Editor's note: Try contacting Minister Chance's office on (08) 9213 6700.

Posted by Michael Thomson on 7/05/2008 7:27:52 AM
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