State Government acquires Dingup pine plantation to help plant homes of the future

The Forestry Minister was in Manjimup on Wednesday to mark the acquisition of a 177ha softwood pine plantation in Dingup as a part of the State Government’s $350 million investment in the softwood pine industry. Jackie Jarvis and Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie visited the Dingup plantation along with representatives of the Forest Products Commission to view the area and discuss ongoing plans for the investment. More than five million seedlings have been planted in the South West parcels so far, with the FPC supplying 70 per cent of the pine products used by the State’s housing and construction sectors. Ms Jarvis said the record investment was one of the ways the State Government was supporting the sectors, as well as new homeowners, while also creating new jobs in the region. “This investment in softwood plantations will create an additional 140 timber industry jobs in the South West, protect existing jobs in the industry, and support thousands of jobs in the State’s construction sector,” she said. “I am proud to be acting and investing in the future of the WA softwood pine industry.” “Softwood plantations are needed in WA to meet demand from the housing construction sector, as well as projected future housing needs,” she said. “Alongside the primary purpose of growing essential timber products, plantation investment generates additional benefits for local communities, tourists and recreational visitors.”