Leader of the Opposition Mia Davies says new minister can’t “rip industries out from underneath communities”

Leader of the Opposition Mia Davies says the Southern Forests region needs a minister for water and forestry that won’t “rip industries out from underneath communities” after Minister Dave Kelly announced his resignation last Thursday. Ms Davies talked about a Cabinet reshuffle with the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times on Saturday at the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival — one of the region’s biggest events — that comes at the end of a tumultuous year in the Southern Forests region with the shutdown of native forest logging and the canning of a failed water security scheme. Ms Davies said the individual selected to hold the water portolio — which is likely to be announced on Wednesday — needs to be an individual who understands the diversity of the portfolio and the complexity and differences of WA’s regions. “They need to be out here on the ground, that’s the most important part of being a minister,” she said. “It was one of the most amazing portfolios to hold because it is just intrinsic to everything we do. “It is about using the water as an asset for economic development, sustainable use of water across our regions, and when we were in government, that is exactly what we chose to do. “Look after the environment, make sure you had fit for purpose water in communities so that you have enough for community development, for industry and business to allow us to do regional development sustainably into the future,” she said. Ms Davies, who was involved in the now contentious Southern Forests Irrigation Scheme, said it was originally designed to create opportunity for people to expand their footprint in a drying climate. “Obviously there’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then and we need to make sure that what’s being designed, what’s been delivered for this community to continue being a food bowl is actually appropriate for the climate and for those that are growing and operating down here now. Ms Davies said the new Southern Forest Irrigation Reference Group — formed in October and made up of seven farmers from the Manjimup region — was a step in the right direction but she was wary of the extent of community involvement which was vital in ensuring water security in the region. “It was very important to have growers and community people involved in the process of designing policy and programs,’” she said. “You can’t do it from the top down.” “It needs to be discussed and the science needs to be explained and consulted with the community.” Ms Davies — who anticipated being asked many questions on the native forest logging ban at the event — said working with the communities affected by the ban was crucial moving forward. “As a former forestry minister, it was very distressing for us and for me to see a sustainable industry just brought to an end so callously,” she said. “Working with those communities to make sure that, given the Labor Government has ripped that industry from out underneath the community, there’s an appropriate transition and support for businesses and individuals that are impacted.” Ms Davies also spoke about the Genuinely Southern Forests brand — which celebrates its 10th anniversary next year — that developed out of the State government’s Royalities for Regions program. She said it was was crucial in diversifying the Manjimup community’s economic base, particularly after both the old growth logging ban more than 10 years ago and now the native forest logging ban. “Royalties for regions was the opportunity for us to take what they do so beautiful down here and help them to grow that,” she said. “A specific regional development fund that has been obliterated by this Labor Government.” Ms Davies said RfR was so important and should be used the way it was designed, to actually support communities diversify their economic base, create better schools and invest in community safety projects so that people want to live and work and invest in town centres like this.”