A new report commissioned by Timber Towns Victoria shows the significant domestic value add of the native (mixed species) timber industry to Victoria. Source: Timberbiz
“This report shows the native timber industry contributes $1.4b annually to Victoria and underpins the economic viability of many regional towns across our state,” said Timber Towns Victoria President Cr Karen Stephens.
“The Government has offered only $120m as compensation for shutting down the industry, which will not be enough to stop regional towns from being devastated.”
“We now have a benchmark of what the domestic value add is of the industry, and it’s substantial. We know from research that rural areas are hurt more by job losses than cities. Put simply, one job loss in Melbourne is equivalent to five jobs lost in small rural communities.”
“Timber Towns Victoria believes the phase out of the industry must be postponed to protect regional jobs and maintain local investment confidence.
“We want the Victorian Government to understand how much the phase out and eventual ban will hurt communities across Victoria, beyond the direct impact on the timber industry, and how it will undermine business and community confidence at a very difficult time,” said Cr Stephens.
