Victoria’s forest industries are disappointed with reports imported, not local timber, will be used in the construction of Melbourne Metro’s new Anzac Station. Timberbiz reported on Monday that a European company has been chosen over a leading Victorian manufacturer, Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, to supply a major timber structure for Melbourne’s new underground Anzac metro station, prompting anger from the State Opposition and CFMEU manufacturing which wants a probity investigation into the decision. Source: Timberbiz
The Victorian State Opposition claims that Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, based at Heyfield in Gippsland, was unfairly treated in the tender process.
The tender was won by German company Hess Timber, which supplied and oversaw the installation of the engineered timber for Bunjil Place at Narre Warren in Melbourne’s south-east.
CFMEU Manufacturing has demanded an independent assessment of local industry’s ability to deliver the project.
The union believes that companies like Australian Sustainable Hardwoods at Heyfield have been unfairly left out of the bidding process.
The union says it called on the Government to act in April but rather than intervene to protect Victorian jobs, the Government accepted “self-serving advice that local supply is not feasible”.
The union has subsequently written to the Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan urging her to trigger a probity investigation into the procurement decision.
“This decision absolutely reeks, and we are deeply suspicious about the advice the Government has received,” said CFMEU Manufacturing National Secretary Michael Connor.
“If the Government is serious about supporting local jobs, they will trigger a probity investigation under the Project Agreement about what has gone on.
“Our members, their families and communities expect their government to stand up for them and not parrot the objections to local supply by big business.
“ANZAC station is still a hole in the ground and there is still plenty of time for the Government to do the right thing by local workers, their families and their communities,” Mr O’Connor said.
Under the $14 billion majority taxpayer funded Metro Tunnel Project Agreement, the Government can order a probity investigation following anything which has or may have a material adverse effect on, or on the perception of, the character, integrity or honesty of a Group Member, Consortium Member or a Relevant Person or may have a material adverse effect on the public interest, or public confidence, in the Project.
Under the Project Agreement, a probity investigation can result in the Government refusing to approve a subcontract.
“To showcase the station’s new floating timber canopy 90 metres long and 20 metres wide with imported timber is incredibly disappointing,” Victorian Forest Products Association CEO Deb Kerr said.
“Victorian native hardwood timber is highly prized for its aesthetic appeal and Victorian businesses like ASH at Heyfield have the expertise to manufacture such engineered wood structures.
“If Victorian native timber is good enough to showcase in the recently completed Victorian Parliament Annex, then there is no reason why local product should not be used for this station project as well,” she said.
“Moreover, using Victorian native hardwood is good for the environment as every native forest harvest area is regenerated, it sequesters carbon for the life of the structure it is used for, and does not have the embedded carbon miles travelling all the way from Europe to Australia.
“It is disappointing that Victorian businesses, Victorian jobs and Victoria’s regional communities have been left behind with this purported decision,” Ms Kerr said.
