FIFWA calls for State plantations policy and ecological thinning support as part of State election requests

The State’s forestry advocacy body has revealed its request for a State plantations policy and support for ecological thinning ahead of the State election. The Forest Industries Federation of WA released its Key Industry Asks document on Monday, which outlines the steps it believes need to be taken to make the State “self-reliant” in timber production. Five main steps are included in the document, beginning with a State plantations policy which would see plantations treated the same as crops in agricultural land areas and treat State Government and private plantations the same under planning laws. The industry body wants to see the State Government’s softwood land holdings increase to a minimum of 100,000 hectares over the next decade, arguing the government’s $350 million commitment to grow holdings between 2021 and 2031 is insufficient. It has requested the State Government encourage the use of timber and implement a 50 per cent target for use of sustainably sourced timbers in government construction projects. Rounding out its demands is a call for ecological thinning to be encouraged in both State and privately owned native forests in WA, for plantations to be considered an “asset of State significance” in the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ fire mitigation and control strategy, and for more prescribed burning to protect plantations from fire risks. Chief executive Adele Farina said the requested measures were “simple but key steps” to support the industry and maintain WA’s timber supply. “Our Key Industry Asks document has been carefully thought out to act as a guide for both government and opposition members,” she said. “The goal is to strengthen our homegrown timber production and processing capabilities, avoiding reliance on timber imports. “There are many other benefits associated with reaching that goal, including helping fight climate change, providing employment, underpinning regional communities and creating renewable and sustainable products.” The forestry industry has been hit hard by the State Government’s ban on native timber logging at the start of the year, much of which had been centred around Manjimup and neighbouring areas. More than $80 million has been spent by the State Government to assist with the transition.