South West tree farm report finds inconsistencies in local legislation holding industry back

A report into tree farm planning policies has found inconsistencies between local government and State policies may be hindering the South West timber industry. The report, undertaken by Bunbury-based town planning consultants Planned Focus and commissioned by the South West Timber Hub, analysed the development approval framework in 25 local governments. Those local government’s spanned from Perth to Albany and encompassed the entire South West region — an area where most plantations were found. The report found local governments did not all adopt the same planning framework as set out by the State with many using outdated definitions from before the State policy was updated in 2016. Many local government planning policies also used factors such as fire risk management, loss of “productive” agricultural land and visual impact to restrict the amount of land which can go to tree farming. The report concluded support for the industry was available but rarely happened in practice. “Although there is guidance available to support the timber industry, this is not consistently reflected in practice, and this is where the biggest gains to support expansion of the timber industry could be achieved,” the report said. South West Timber Hub project manager Wendy Perdon said increasing consistency across local governments was needed to improve the region’s economy. “This is ultimately to the detriment of the State in fulfilling its intent to support and grow the timber sector to meet demand, as well as society’s increasing expectation and obligation to reduce emissions and move towards renewables across the economy,” she said. “Historically there have been issues in this area and planning guidelines can vary greatly between local governments, even when they are located next to each other. “The South West Timber Hub commissioned this review to examine these discrepancies and provide some clear recommendations going forward.”