Removal of Gnangara pines a win/win for jobs and the environment

12/10/04
New employment and increased environmental protection will result from a contract to remove more than four million trees from the Gnangara pine plantation.
The Forest Products Commission has started harvesting the trees as part of a major contract with Perth-based company Wesbeam.
About 4.2 million cubic metres of wood will be harvested over the next 25 years for the production of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), creating 140 new jobs and providing future access to a greater volume of water from the Gnangara Mound.
Wesbeam will pay the State Government $210million for the resource over the 25-year period of the State Agreement. The $86million LVL plant is based at the Neerabup Industrial Estate, north of Wanneroo.
Forestry Minister Kim Chance said the removal of the pines was part of a long-term, whole-of-government strategy to ease the environmental pressure on the mound.
"Until now, the lack of a suitable market has delayed the removal of the pines, but this agreement creates a win/win for everyone with more jobs and positive environmental outcomes," Mr Chance said.
"The area will be returned to native vegetation, more local job opportunities will be created, there will be a significant financial return for the timber and Wesbeam gets a guaranteed long-term supply."
LVL is a high-value engineered wood product made from plantation pine timber, a substitute for old growth hardwood timber. It is used in heavy structural engineering applications such as roofing structures and other weight-bearing beams.
"I congratulate Wesbeam on its innovative venture which is not only helping to create employment and drive the economy but also helping to preserve our natural environment," the Minister said.
Both the Water Corporation and the Department of Environment have welcomed the start of FPC operations.
"We are working closely with the Forest Products Commission so that pines are removed as soon as possible from areas near public water supply wellfields," Water Corporation chief executive officer Jim Gill said.
"There are many demands on the mound and we support the appropriate re-establishment of native vegetation on areas cleared of pines and the management of this vegetation to maximise recharge in areas around wellfields on the mound."
The FPC will clear 400 to 700ha a year and thin about 1,400 to 2,000ha a year of plantation estate on the mound, totalling 21,000ha. Eventually the mound will be returned to native vegetation, which uses less water.
Mr Chance said there was no single solution to the situation facing the community on the Gnangara Mound and a whole-of-government approach backed by public support was vital.
In May, the State Government started a $6million study over three years to enable the Department of Environment to collect data needed to manage the water resource and associated environmental pressures.
As part of the State Water Strategy, the Government is funding the introduction of water meters and their measurement on stressed parts of the mound. More than 40 bores operated by the Water Corporation have already been shut down to protect the environment.
Domestic water users are also playing a part through sprinkler restrictions and growers are improving their efficiency through 'Waterwise on the Farm' courses.
Minister's office: 9213 6700