[Greens-Media] Media Release: South-West forests (still) too precious to wood-chip: Greens | Giz Watson MLC | 9 November 2012

[Jurak, Nina]

Giz Watson MLC
Member for North Metropolitan Region
MEDIA RELEASE
Released Friday, November 09, 2012

South-West forests (still) too precious to wood-chip: Greens

Greens MLC Giz Watson today called for an end to the current logging of native forests in the South-West.

The Greens made this call as submissions closed on the Draft Forest Management Plan 2014 - 2023. This Plan will determine what happens to the South West forests for the next 10 years.

'Our South-West forests are precious', said Giz Watson.

'They are recognised world-wide as a biodiversity hotspot and they are an important carbon sink.'

'However, our forests are currently being logged to make low value products like wood-chips, railway sleepers and charcoal. This is a terrible waste.'

'We do not need to log our native forests, as we currently have enough plantation timber to meet industry needs.'

'WA's logging industry may not even be profitable.'

'In 2010-2011, the Forest Products Commission (FPC) made a $13 million loss. The FPC's accounts are currently under consideration by the Auditor General.'

For more detail on the Greens submission go to: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard/hansard.nsf/0/ACF0DF5D9B54026648257AAF005A65B8/$File/C38%20S1%2020121107%20All.pdf

For further comment, contact Giz Watson on 08 9201 0582, Mobile: 0414 837 753

Nina Jurak on behalf of Giz Watson MLC
Electorate Officer
Hon Giz Watson MLC | Member for North Metropolitan Region
T (08) 9201 0582  F (08) 9201 0583  E nina.jurak at mp.wa.gov.au<mailto:nina.jurak at mp.wa.gov.au>
339 Oxford Street, Leederville, WA, 6007
http://www.mp.wa.gov.au/giz-watson