Kim Chance

Kim Chance

Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; the Mid West and Wheatbelt; Great Southern

    Major tree planting program a boost for regions

    5/09/2005 12:00 AM
     
    5/9/05

    Forestry Minister Kim Chance today applauded four regional groups who made a bid for a slice of a joint State/Commonwealth $64million strategic tree farming program.

    Mr Chance said the groups had reached unanimous agreement with the Forest Products Commission on an indicative funding split which was part of the National Action Plan for salinity and water quality.

    “The allocation is indicative and final funding will depend on regions attracting landowners to the program through a combination of up-front payments and profit sharing,” he said.

    Under the agreement, subject to the availability of suitable land, the South-West is expected to plant more than 4,700 hectares (26 per cent of the total), the Avon Region 1,900ha (11 per cent), the Northern Agricultural Region 4,500ha (25 per cent) and the South Coast Region 6,900ha (38 per cent).

    The Minister personally congratulated the SCRIPT group today in Albany, along with Fisheries Minister Jon Ford and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Tony McRae.

    “These trees are truly sustainable as they will deliver environmental, economic and social benefits across the State,” Mr Chance said.

    “They will help control salinity, develop industries based on tree farming and support rural communities by addressing degradation of farming land and providing a new source of jobs.”

    The program is linked to the Forest Products Commission’s tree farming and industry development plans that are open to public comment (available at http://www.fpc.wa.gov.au). The plan outlines how plantings will be in defined areas to develop a ‘critical mass’ of trees able to support various processing industries.

    A combination of eucalypts, maritime pine and Western Australian sandalwood will be used. Tree farming will be performed in concert with other forms of farming.

    “The Gallop Government is committed to protecting and enhancing Western Australia’s unique environment,” Mr Chance said.

    Minister's office: 9213 6700