The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has released its draft 10-year Forest Management Plan for public comment.
The plan envisages the preservation of at least 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah, and wandoo forests. This is in addition to the 1.6 million hectares of forest already protected.
In a statement, the Department said the only timber to be taken from native forests would come from management activities designed to improve forest health, such as ecological thinning, or clearing for approved mining operations, and infrastructure maintenance.
“The draft Forest Management Plan acts on climate change and protects biodiversity. It reduces deforestation and forest degradation rates as one of the most effective and robust ways to mitigate climate change,” the statement said.
The Department said it would engage with Noongar Traditional Owners to enter formal arrangements to manage the South-West conservation estate.
“This will mark a new era of collaboration — consistent with the South-West Native Title Settlement —- to share Noongar and Western knowledge in caring for South-West forests,” the statement said.
Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, Reece Whitby said forests must be preserved for future generations.
“The science showing climate change is having, and will have, a devastating impact on our environment is well-established and cannot be ignored,” Mr Whitby said.
“Safeguarding our forests through this plan will support sustainable, nature-based tourism in the South-West, which is a popular destination.”
He said this was a once-in-a-decade opportunity for the community to have its say on the way we care for our precious native forests.
He was supported by Minister for Forestry, Dave Kelly who said the decision to end logging in the South-West reflected the changing attitudes of the community towards native forests.
“This does not mean an end to forest management activities, such as ecological thinning and approved mine site clearing, but an end to large-scale commercial logging in our native forests,” Mr Kelly said.
“Native timber sourced from these activities will continue to be available for products such as high-value furniture, joinery, artisanal products, charcoal, and firewood post 2023.”
The plan can be accessed and submissions made at this PS News link.
