Forestry Corporation of NSW firefighter Paul Douglas at Comboyne Fire Tower west of Kendall
The summer’s devastating bushfires has ended plans for a $1bn privatisation of NSW forestry assets. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet yesterday said the decision was made following a five-month scoping study, which also assessed the financial impact of the damage from the bushfires. Source: Timberbiz
Approximately 25% of Forestry Corporation’s softwood division was damaged over summer.
“The significant damage to the sector caused by the recent bushfires was obviously a key factor in the decision made by the NSW Government,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We are committed to ensuring the forestry industry recovers from the fires and the thousands of people who are employed in the sector have a strong and secure future,” Mr Perrottet said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, the minister responsible for forestry who is heading up the state’s disaster recovery efforts, said the fires had strengthened his resolve to increase timber supplies and create jobs and opportunities across the sector.
It was this fact, he said, which influenced his decision to proceed with the leasing arrangements.
“Re-growing our forests, getting new trees in the ground, and strengthening the industry so its long-term future is secure is where we are focusing our energy,” he said.
The Labor opposition, which opposed forestry privatisation, welcomed the decision as good news for the more than 200 workers in Forestry Corporation’s softwoods division, as well as the timber-dependent communities of Tumut, Tumbarumba, Gandagai, Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Grafton.
But opposition spokesman for natural resources Paul Scully said the government had “put hundreds of workers through emotional turmoil for months”.
