Dire predictions and outcomes for upcoming fire season from the Bureau of Meteorology are even greater concern for Victorians as the shutdown of the State native forest eliminates the necessary employees and equipment provided by forest contracting businesses for firefighting. Source: Timberbiz
Climate change impacts can currently be seen globally as Canada experiences a historical spring fire season causing states of emergency across the country. Australia is also expected to have an early “supercharged” start to the bushfire season.
As reported by The Guardian former commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW, Greg Mullins, said all levels of government “need to understand the escalating risk of devastating fires and ramp up preparedness now”.
“Communities across Gippsland, who have already been through Black Saturday and the Black Summer Bushfires, have raised concerns regarding what will happen when the very industry that protects their families, communities and other key assets such as plantations from bushfires ceases to exist,” General Manager Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) Carlie Porteous said.
Local plantation and native timber contractor Daryl Hutton said “everything was so dry”.
“The machines were in the cut over in a plantation operation. Not a tree in sight and the wind came through. It was too late to move the gear,” he said.
This is what Victoria will see this year, but without the skilled support of the timber industry to protect communities, assets and natural forests.
Families and communities across Victoria are rightly concerned as the experienced workforce and specialised equipment that is local to their communities is no longer guaranteed.
The government needs to recognise the historic efforts of this workforce and they need to come to the table in a meaningful way to negotiate a long-term outcome to secure this resource.
