2016-02-09
4695. MS DUNN — To ask the Minister for Agriculture: In relation to the 2014–2015 VicForests Annual Report which shows that VicForests has been responsible for the cost of haulage of timber to VicForests' customers:
(1) How many of VicForests' customers are not responsible for the cost of haulage;
(2) What is the total cost of haulage reimbursed to VicForests by customers; and
(3) What proportion of future contracts will require customers to pay for the haulage of timber.
ANSWER:
(1) Most timber sales agreements include the cost of haulage within the sale price. There are a small number of agreements where customers arrange haulage, at their own expense, from the forest.
(2) Most timber sales agreements include the cost of haulage within the sale price. As reported in Note 3 on page 37 of the Vic Forests Annual Report 2014-15, Vic Forests haulage expenses for 2014-15 were $36.505 million.
(3) VicForests is an autonomous commercial entity governed by an independent Board of Directors. Future timber sales agreements, including haulage costs arrangements, are a matter for the VicForests' Board.
Hon Jaala Pulford MP
Minister for Agriculture