Sustainable native forestry

There are about 2.25 million hectares of public native forest in south west WA. Approximately 62% is set aside for conservation, with the remaining 38% sustainably managed as multiple-use forest, which includes timber production.

Less than 1% of the total forest area is harvested annually, on a rotational basis throughout the south west to create a mosaic of forest structure and age classes.

All old growth forests are protected (old growth harvesting was outlawed in WA in 2001). So are areas of high conservation value forest, riparian areas, habitat trees and a wide range of other types of informal reserves.

There is no loss of native forest area through forestry practices in WA. Foresters and the State government are always looking ahead.

Harvest planning is taken over 175 years, following a thorough and robust modelling scenario. The State Forest Management Plan (FMP) segments the planning into 10-year spans, with comprehensive guidelines and key performance indicators developed according to ecologically sustainable forest management principles. The plan is vested with the Conservation and Parks Commission, administered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and audited by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Harvesting is one part of the sustainable forestry cycle. Regeneration is another vital element, which is also required under the FMP.  

Jarrah seeds naturally regenerate, especially after temporary disturbances like harvesting. Karri seeds are collected, dried and sown before the seedlings are packed and transported to site to be planted by hand. Planned silvicultural burns also play an important role in regeneration by stimulating seed germination, releasing nutrients back into the soil and temporarily removing understory competition to promote seedling growth.