Cook Government to deliver $67 million for forest conservation

• $67 million investment to create 65 new jobs supporting the Forest Management Plan
• Funding will also support forest monitoring and emerging technologies
• Investment supports WA Labor Government's historic decision to end commercial logging of native forests

The Cook Government's Forest Management Plan 2024-2033 (FMP), which supports the decision to bring commercial logging of native forests to an end, will be bolstered with a $67.2 million investment over the next four years.

The funding, which will be part of the 2024-25 State Budget, will deliver:

• an additional 65 new jobs throughout Western Australia's South West and metropolitan Perth, focused on a range of climate actions;
• a new forest health monitoring program; and
• support for emerging technologies, such as eco-acoustics, fire research, and ecological thinning, to improve forest health.

Funding will also support work with Traditional Owners, protection of native wildlife from feral predators and managing weeds and plant diseases.

The new jobs will be created between 2024 and 2027 within the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and partner agencies.

The Forest Management Plan 2024-2033 came into effect on 1 January.

It established the legal framework for managing more than 2.5 million hectares of forests across the State's South West and includes a commitment to add more than 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forests as nature reserves, national parks and conservation parks.

Further details can be found online at www.dbca.wa.gov.au/fmp

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

"The Cook Government's Forest Management Plan includes the historic decision to end commercial logging in Western Australia's native forests.

"This funding will support that historic decision, as well as create jobs, tackle climate change, and help manage water catchments.

"This is important work, and our Government's Native Forest Transition plan will also provide local communities the potential for forests to be used for recreation, tourism and other uses."

Comments attributed to Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"I am proud to be part of a Government that has now ended commercial logging of our unique and iconic jarrah and karri forests.

"Under the new Forest Management Plan, some native timbers will still be available through ecological thinning, which promotes forest heath and resilience from drought and bushfires.

"The State Government is committed to working with the smaller sustainable mills that will play a valuable role into the future."

Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

"This is good news for the Warren-Blackwood area with eight new jobs already having been created and more to come.

"By protecting the forest, we are also safeguarding Noongar cultural heritage values and strengthening community relationships.

"This is already underway with DBCA engaging with Noongar Traditional Owners to identify and prioritise areas of south-west forest to be protected in new conservation reserves and identify sustainable economic opportunities within the FMP area."