State Government offers $67 million for forestry work amid climate change concerns for the South West

The reality of climate change across the South West was the focal point for a $67.2 million funding announcement from the State Government on April 17.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the money would create 65 on-the-ground Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions jobs across the South West and in Perth to help protect the native forests Labor had saved from logging under its contentious Forest Management Plan 2024-33.

Mr Whitby said all of the new roles would be involved in conservation work, studying and thinning the forests to help protect trees facing death from lack of water due to the State’s worryingly low rainfall since September.

“The forest management plan is now dedicated to protecting and conserving our native forests for future generations,” he said.

The money would also lead science projects focused on improving forest health, though survival was front and centre of Mr Whitby’s speech.

“Something very important that is happening right now,” he said.

“Climate change is real and it’s having a real impact on our native vegetation.

“From Kalbarri right down to the south coast of WA, there is a mass die-off event in terms of native vegetation,” Mr Whitby said.

“We’ve just gone through a summer which is the hottest in our history.

“Here we are in mid-April and we have not seen any rain. Our trees, our forests, our native vegetation, is under stress.”

“Ecological thinning” would relieve stress on mature trees as part of wider conservation efforts, the Minister said.

The funding supported the “historic decision” to end native forestry by creating more jobs, tackling climate change, and managing water catchments.

Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie said six jobs were already operating out of Manjimup and lone positions were in Nannup, Walpole and Pemberton.

Mr Whitby was unable to confirm if any jobs would be focused on the Augusta-Margaret River shire or play any role in pledged conservation efforts for the region’s beleaguered Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis said some native timber would be made available through the thinning process and the Government would work with “smaller sustainable mills that will play a valuable role into the future”.

Opposition Forestry spokesperson Steve Martin said the Government had cost industry jobs in its FMP and now taxpayers were footing the bill for new ones.

“Minister Jarvis talks about working with smaller sustainable mills, but we’ve been asking her since the beginning of the year for updates on the status of supply contracts for small operators, with very little information provided in response,” he said.

“Their decision to ban native hardwood forestry without warning or consultation threw legitimate and long-term multi-generational business into chaos, and their transition packages have been poorly targeted.”

He said this week’s announcement meant more costs for taxpayers while “economic opportunities have been actively killed off by Labor”.