State Government completes protection of all old growth forests

4/11/01
The State Government today announced that all old growth forests would now be protected after the remaining 5,500ha under moratorium had been permanently set aside for conservation.
The announcement coincides with the release of the proposed boundaries for the expanded Beedelup National Park, north-west of Pemberton, which will increase by more than 10 times in size and include icon forest blocks of Giblett, Beavis and Gray.
Premier Dr Geoff Gallop and Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said the decision - to conserve the remaining 5,500ha - meant all the old-growth forests in the South-West would be conserved for future generations to enjoy.
"Logging in old-growth forests ended within days of the February 10 election," Dr Gallop said.
"However, the Government was realistic enough to set aside one per cent of the remaining area of old-growth forest in the event the Government was forced to meet sawlog contracts entered into under the previous Court Government.
"Government initiatives have meant the timber industry has been able to voluntarily agree to reductions in the jarrah and karri supply in the lead up to the next Forest Management Plan.
"Consequently, we now can meet the industry's needs for sawlogs from regrowth and previously logged forest areas.
"I am extremely proud to say that the Gallop Labor Government has protected the State's 346,000ha of old growth forest - something the previous Government said could not be done."
Dr Gallop said the move - which had been endorsed by Cabinet - meant that the remaining 346,000ha of old-growth jarrah and karri now would be included in national parks or in other areas that were not available for timber harvesting.
The Premier said the Government appreciated the willingness of the timber industry to respond to the Government's policy on conserving the remaining old-growth forest in the South-West.
"We recognised that the policy would have a major impact on the timber industry and implemented a $123million program over four years to assist the industry to adjust to the new arrangements," he said.
Dr Edwards said the move would remove any doubt over the Government's commitments in respect to conserving old-growth forests in the preparation of the next Forest Management Plan.
She said the proposed boundary of the expanded Beedelup Park would include more than 18,460ha, with extensive tracts of old-growth forest. The park's current size is just 1,710ha.
"The proposed park contains more than 11,100ha of old-growth forest, mainly karri and karri-marri and jarrah-marri," Dr Edwards said.
"The park also contains one of the jewels of the karri forest with magnificent stands towering to more than 50 metres in height. There are also stands of pure marri."
Dr Edwards said additions to the existing park included:

• 4,810ha of Beavis;
• 5,420ha of Carey;
• 3,980ha of Giblett;
• 310ha of Court;
• 930ha of Gray;
• 1,200ha of Strickland; and
• 100ha of Cleave forest blocks.

Dr Edwards said Beavis, Carey and Giblett blocks had been identified as areas of particular significance to the community in the 1999 report of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Karri and Tingle Management.
"The expansion of Beedelup National Park will mean each of these blocks will be within the national park system," the Minister said.
Media contacts:
Premier's Office - Kieran Murphy 9222 9475
Dr Edwards Office - John Carey 9220 5050