Western Australia has joined Victoria in banning commercial logging of native forests from next year.
The WA forestry minister Jackie Jarvis says timber will only be removed from the state’s native forests in the future to maintain forest health and for approved mine site operations.
The government will spend $350 million investing in the state’s softwood pine plantations to provide building material and protect existing jobs, as well as provide another 140 new positions.
WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby said nearly two million hectares of native karri, jarrah and wandoo forests will be protected for future generations.
“This decision reflects the changing attitudes of the community towards our native forests, building on the legacy of the Gallop Labor Government ending old growth logging,” he said.
Western Australia will soon become one of the first States in Australia to end commercial logging of native forests.
The Cook Government’s historic decision to end the unsustainable practice in the Forest Management Plan 2024-33 protects nearly two million hectares of native karri, jarrah and wandoo forests for future generations.
Following the move to end commercial native forest logging, the Cook Government committed to an $80 million Native Forest Transition Plan that included significant industry restructure payments, which have now been made to all eligible sawmills.
Most importantly, these grants will assist workers and families impacted by the end of commercial native forest logging.
“Our government is delivering on its commitment to end commercial logging in WA’s native forests from 2024, becoming one of the first Australian states to do so.”
Come on NSW and Tas catch up …
Does QLD have much of a logging industry?