From left: Cr Tom Crook (East Gippsland Shire), Cr Karen Stephens (Glenelg Shire), Cr Robert Vance (Pyrenees Shire), Krystal Barr (Baw Baw Shire), Mark Coleman (Wellington Shire), Cr Ian Getsom (Golden Plains Shire), Rachael Healy (Timber Towns Victoria), Vaughn Notting (Ballarat City), Cr Tom Sullivan (Moorabool Shire), Cr Garner Smith (Gannawarra Shire), Cr Tim Meyer (West Wimmera Shire), Cr Michael Leaney (Baw Baw Shire).
Celebrating 40 years since Timber Towns Victoria’s first inception in 1984, members recently toured the Baw Baw Shire region as part of their Annual General Meeting and yearly forum. Source: Timberbiz
The Baw Baw Shire was one of many regions that were impacted by the Victorian Government’s announcement to cease native timber harvesting in state forests.
TTV Vice President and Baw Baw Shire Councillor Michael Leaney said the site visits to the region have helped TTV group members gain a better understanding of how local businesses in the region are transitioning and the new opportunities being created.
“Timbers Town Victoria will continue to advocate for the economic viability and ongoing sustainability of the towns and regions significantly impacted by the closure of native timber harvesting in state forests, and the State Government’s Forestry Transition Program has provided valuable assistance to affected communities and businesses,” Cr Leaney said.
TTV President Councillor Karen Stephens hailed the three-day forum a success.
“It is important to our members that we see first-hand these communities that have been affected by the cessation of native timber harvesting. We know that it has presented numerous challenges for these communities and TTV will continue to provide support and a commitment to these challenges faced by Victorian communities,” Cr Stephens said.
‘It has been pleasing to witness the innovation and positive changes that some businesses have made since the cessation of native timber harvesting to transition their business,” she said.
Cr Stephens thanked all those who gave their time to assist in the success of the three-day forum.
“Timber Towns Victoria offers a very special thank you to the businesses we visited and their time they gave freely to us – David Taylor, Willow Grove Timber Mill; Glenn Fenton, Nationwide Trees; Andrew Batarilo, Alpine Trout Farm; Doug Ward Drouin West Timber Truss,” Cr Stephens said.
