2015-12-07
MS DUNN — To ask the Minister for Agriculture: In relation to the logging coupe knows as “Tassie,” near the township of Toolangi, coupe address “297-823-0003”:
(1) What action is the Minister taking to “regenerate” this coupe.
(2) What is the advice of scientists in relation to the “regeneration” of this coupe.
(3) Given that the coupe has already failed to regenerate several times, what is the added cost of “regeneration”.
(4) What is the cost so far of the attempted “regeneration” of this coupe.
(5) If “regeneration” at this coupe continues to fail, what will the Minister be doing to remedy the situation.
ANSWER:
I am informed that:
(1) VicForests has undertaken its regeneration practices in accordance with the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014. VicForests advises that 16.9 hectares of the coupe has successfully regenerated. However, 15 hectares failed the 2012 regeneration survey and was retreated by rough heaping in 2013. This failed area was re-surveyed in 2015 and found to have failed again. VicForests will re-retreat the failed 15 hectares in 2016. This will be undertaken by slashing the failed area, then burning to create a seedbed. The majority of the area will be fenced to exclude deer and wallabies from entering the site, and sown with seed collected from nearby areas of the same species. Small areas outside the fence will be hand planted and seedlings protected with tree guards. Hand planting seedlings has proved successful where sowing has not.
(2) Browsing by deer and wallabies and frost during the germination stage are contributing factors that have slowed successful regeneration at this site.
(3) VicForests is responsible for the ongoing cost of regeneration of all coupes it harvests. The government does not provide any funding for regeneration or for re-treatment of failed regeneration attempts. Regeneration costs vary considerably depending on:
– site characteristics-slope, elevation, rainfall, aspect, time since harvest and the forest species;
– how the seedbed is prepared-broadcast burning of the slash versus mechanical disturbance and rough-heaping of the slash;
– how the seed is collected-either from the ground or by climbing trees; and
– how the seedlings are established-seed aerially sown, seed sown by hand or direct planting of seedlings.
Regeneration Costs usually range between $750-$1500 per hectare. Regeneration failure results in additional retreatment costs to VicForests of between $1500-$3000 per hectare. The additional costs for retreatment arise from the need for further preparation of the site to maximise treatment and regeneration.
(4) First attempt regeneration treatment (broadcast burning and aerial sowing of 32 hectares) cost a total of $750 per hectare (total $22 000). Second attempt re-treatment (mechanical disturbance, rough-heaping and aerial sowing of failed 15 hectares) cost $2000 per hectare (total $30 000). A third attempt at re-treatment has not been completed.
(5) VicForests is committed to regenerating all areas it harvests. The re-attempt at achieving regeneration at this site in 2016 will include special measures to control browsing by deer and wallabies, which has been the main cause of regeneration failure. Some seedlings will be hand planted, and tree guards and fencing will be erected to enhance regeneration of the site.