Forestry Minister Clare Scriven has stated that no agreement has been signed by the State Government with the Federal Government regarding the Support Plantation Establishment Program.

The Federal Government has reframed the Support Plantation Establishment Program and committed through the 2022-23 Budget $73.8m in grant funding over four years from 2023-24.

The program will support the establishment of new plantations.

Upper House Opposition Leader Nicola Centofanti quizzed Minister Scriven in the Legislative Council on this program in November.

Ms Centofanti also wanted to know how much funding had been committed by the State Government to the establishment of new forestry plantations.

Minister Scriven took the questions “on notice” and her printed reply has just been published.

The minister did not directly answer the queries but gave an overview of the State Government’s forest policy.

“The State Government is pursuing a suite of significant election commitments to support growth in the state’s forest industries including $15m for a Forestry Centre for Excellence, $2m for a Forest Products Domestic Manufacturing and Infrastructure Masterplan and $2m to replace fire towers with new technologies and will investigate opportunities as necessary,” Minister Scriven said.