MEDIA RELEASE
Improved tree farming package for farmers
30 January 2006
Many Western Australian farmers are being offered a new and improved commercial tree farming package that will put more money into their pockets while delivering better environmental, social and economic outcomes for the State.
Forest Products Commission (FPC) General Manager Dr Paul Biggs said farmers will be offered a combination of increased upfront payments, annuities and profit-sharing under the new package.
"The improved package has been made possible through the Strategic Tree Farming Project which is part of the State/Commonwealth National Action Plan (NAP) for Salinity and Water Quality," Dr Biggs said.
"The aim of the project, which also mirrors the FPC's Infinitree commercial tree farming program, is to produce two main outcomes: environmental benefits, such as improved land and water quality; and economic benefits through the creation of new industries based on wood."
"This has been a joint effort, involving the State and Commonwealth Governments, the Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups and the FPC," he said.
Funds have been allocated to four NRM regions – Northern Agricultural, Avon, South West and South Coast. Each region has a planting program that aligns with its NRM goals and FPC's Industry Development Plans covering the area from Moora to Esperance.
Increased payments under the FPC package depend on soil type, haulage distance and size of area planted, which is set at a minimum of 20 hectares. Previous agreements with FPC will be taken into account when working out area payments.
"To encourage farmers not to delay, any increase in net entitlements over the period of the Strategic Tree Farming Project from 2006-2008 will be passed on retrospectively, back to the date of signing."
The total size of the planned planting program across the four regions for 2006, 2007 and 2008 is 3,600 ha, 5,900 ha and 7,600 ha respectively.
FPC offers a range of plantation species suitable for most soil types. The main species are maritime pine and a variety of eucalypt species for sawlogs. West Australian sandalwood, which has a high value per tonne and therefore a long economic haulage distance, is being planted in all regions.
Farmers are encouraged to contact their local FPC office or ring 1800 241 688 for individual assessment and planting regimes.
Downloads
- Improved tree farming package for farmers - 107kB PDF (30/01/2006)
