Timber NSW is becoming increasingly frustrated by reports that it is closing down to make way for a new entity being set up by Australian Forests Products Association. Timber NSW general manager Maree McCaskill she has received calls from members, people from other member associations and even those down the supply chain asking if the organisation was shutting down. Source: Timberbiz
Timber NSW members represent nearly 70% of all grades of native hardwood ex Crown and Private Property.
“Timber NSW and its previous names of Country Sawmillers Association and NSW Forest Products Association (still a trading name) has existed since 1906 continuously representing the timber and forest products industry in NSW,” chairman Andrew Hurford said.
Although largely representing hardwood companies, forest professionals, contractors and harvest and haulage companies, Timber NSW does have members with softwood interests.
“In recent communications and news releases, a new entity named Forest Products Association of NSW was announced and many in the industry assumed it was replacing Timber NSW or was merging with the new entity similar to what happened in Tasmania (FIAT) and Victoria (VAFI),” Mr Hurford said.
“Timber NSW offered to represent the softwood industry in NSW, however they declined and preferred to be represented by a new entity being set up by AFPA which was initially being called a name too close to our trading name.”
As such they have now decided to establish the AFPA NSW Committee. Timber NSW is not part of that organisation.
“Our organisation is strong and growing and prides itself on not just congratulating government but more often holding government in NSW to account,” Mr Hurford said.
Just as the forest industries are always expected to be held accountable for their actions and performance – Timber NSW believes that governments also have to be held accountable for their performance.
“Timber NSW advocates and negotiates without fear or favour and works hard to ensure the industry and its members comes first,” he said.
“Our members are at the heart of our work and their success is our success. No matter how large or small – every business/member counts and needs representation and has equal representation in the organisation.”
Mr Hurford said the highly regulated and controlled native hardwood industry in NSW has significant challenges ahead of it.
“Timber NSW in conjunction with NSW Farmers and other rural regional organisations, fought off the Koala Habitat SEPP 2019 and has continued to strongly advocate for the changes needed to the Local Land Services Act to enable the continuation of Private Native Forestry without being buried in regulation that overreaches private property rights,” he said.
Timber NSW recently uncovered a parliamentary process designed to lock out all but selected environmental organisations, reviewing the Local Land Services (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2020 – despite Coalition members sitting on that Committee. Timber NSW called it out and the submission process was opened up.
“Vigilance, strong advocacy and well researched advice is key to our success,” Mr Hurford said.
“Whether it is negotiating with state and federal government on issues like environmental legislation, forest industry applicable regulation, EPIs, supply contracts, harvest and haul issues, member legal advice, our members are front and centre.”
If you are involved in the forest and timber industries in NSW and are concerned about the future direction of the industry contact Maree McCaskill at [email protected] to discuss membership.
