❓ The parliamentary question raises concerns about the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' (DBCA) ecological thinning program in Gregory State Forest, particularly regarding its potential impact on the threatened quokka population and the adequacy of Disturbance Avoidance Zones (DAZ). It questions the decision-making process, responsibilities for marking DAZs, and actions to be taken in case of breaches.

(1) Has the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) identified Gregory State Forest block near Nannup as having the highest density quokka (Setonix brachyurus) populations in the Blackwood District?(2) Given that Gregory is key habitat for this threatened species, why has DBCA selected Gregory forest as one of the first forests targeted for its ecological thinning program?(3) What decision-making process was followed in selecting Gregory for ecological thinning, given its exceptional significance for threatened quokka populations?(4) When is DBCA planning to commence thinning operations in Gregory forest?(5) When does DBCA expect thinning operations in Gregory forest to be completed?(6) Will DBCA staff be responsible for marking out the Disturbance Avoidance Zones (DAZ) in Gregory forest prior to thinning, including stream reserves protecting the threatened quokka populations:(a) if no to (6), why not?(7) If DBCA is not responsible for marking out the DAZ, including stream reserves, who will be responsible for it?(8) If FPC or FPC contractors will do the marking out of DAZ, including stream reserves intended to protect quokka populations, will this be supervised on the ground by DBCA:(a) if no to (8), why not?(9) Given that FPC and its contractors have a commercial vested interest in wanting to maximise the area to be thinned and logs to be produced for sale, what will DBCA do to ensure that all DAZ are marked out as required?(10) What action will DBCA take if FPC or its contractors fail to properly delineate the DAZ including stream reserve boundaries?(11) What action will DBCA take if FPC or its contractors violate any of the DAZ boundaries in the course of thinning operations?(12) What action will DBCA take if its post-thinning prescribed burn enters the stream reserve boundary and damages threatened quokka habitat?(13) Will any breaches of DAZ, whether by FPC, FPC contractors or DBCA itself, be publicly reported:(a) if yes to (13), where and when; and(b) if no to (13), why not?(14) Given the exceptional significance of Gregory forest for threatened quokka populations, has DBCA considered, or will DBCA consider, significantly increasing the width of stream reserve boundaries to provide greater protection for threatened quokka populations:(a) if no to (14), why not?(15) When determining the width of stream reserve boundaries applied to ecological thinning, did DBCA consult with experts in quokka ecology:(a) if yes to (15), which experts and what was their advice; and(b) if no to (15), why not?(16) Which other threatened species does DBCA consider likely to be found in Gregory forest?(17) Has, or will, DBCA conduct any pre-thinning targeted surveys for any threatened species in Gregory forest:(a) if no to (17), why not? (1) Has the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) identified Gregory State Forest block near Nannup as having the highest density quokka (Setonix brachyurus) populations in the Blackwood District? (2) Given that Gregory is key habitat for this threatened species, why has DBCA selected Gregory forest as one of the first forests targeted for its ecological thinning program? (3) What decision-making process was followed in selecting Gregory for ecological thinning, given its exceptional significance for threatened quokka populations? (4) When is DBCA planning to commence thinning operations in Gregory forest? (5) When does DBCA expect thinning operations in Gregory forest to be completed? (6) Will DBCA staff be responsible for marking out the Disturbance Avoidance Zones (DAZ) in Gregory forest prior to thinning, including stream reserves protecting the threatened quokka populations: (a) if no to (6), why not? (7) If DBCA is not responsible for marking out the DAZ, including stream reserves, who will be responsible for it? (8) If FPC or FPC contractors will do the marking out of DAZ, including stream reserves intended to protect quokka populations, will this be supervised on the ground by DBCA: (a) if no to (8), why not? (9) Given that FPC and its contractors have a commercial vested interest in wanting to maximise the area to be thinned and logs to be produced for sale, what will DBCA do to ensure that all DAZ are marked out as required? (10) What action will DBCA take if FPC or its contractors fail to properly delineate the DAZ including stream reserve boundaries? (11) What action will DBCA take if FPC or its contractors violate any of the DAZ boundaries in the course of thinning operations? (12) What action will DBCA take if its post-thinning prescribed burn enters the stream reserve boundary and damages threatened quokka habitat? (13) Will any breaches of DAZ, whether by FPC, FPC contractors or DBCA itself, be publicly reported: (a) if yes to (13), where and when; and (b) if no to (13), why not? (14) Given the exceptional significance of Gregory forest for threatened quokka populations, has DBCA considered, or will DBCA consider, significantly increasing the width of stream reserve boundaries to provide greater protection for threatened quokka populations: (a) if no to (14), why not? (15) When determining the width of stream reserve boundaries applied to ecological thinning, did DBCA consult with experts in quokka ecology: (a) if yes to (15), which experts and what was their advice; and (b) if no to (15), why not? (16) Which other threatened species does DBCA consider likely to be found in Gregory forest? (17) Has, or will, DBCA conduct any pre-thinning targeted surveys for any threatened species in Gregory forest: (a) if no to (17), why not?