Timber Towns Victoria wants the Victorian Government to provide clarity and certainty for the timber industry, workers and communities following a recently announced Government review of the Timber Code of Practice. Source: Timberbiz
“We have known for a long time that the Timber Code of Practice was problematic,” Timber Towns President and Deputy Mayor of Glenelg Shire, Cr Karen Stephens said.
“We trust this review will close existing loopholes and give thousands of workers the certainty they need for their jobs, families and communities.”
Timber Towns Victoria has previously called on the State Government to reconsider its plan to shut down the State’s native timber industry by 2030.
“It is not clear why the Government is phasing out the native timber industry. We have not seen any economic or environmental data to support this,” Cr Stephens said.
“Most people are unaware that 94% of native forests in Victoria are unavailable or unsuitable for harvesting. This means the native timber industry can only harvest four out of every 10,000 native trees.
“By law every tree harvested must be replanted, and Old Growth Forests cannot be touched.”
Cr Stephens said the native timber industry was regulated and is sustainable.
“We cannot say the same of overseas timber markets. It’s worth considering where timber will be sourced to feed our ever-hungry construction and furniture manufacturing industries if the native industry shuts down,” she said.
“We need a genuine plan to guarantee adequate timber supply, protect regional economies and jobs, and provide certainty for native timber communities across Victoria.”
Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) is an incorporated Local Government Association formed in the early 1980s, representing the interests of municipal councils in relation to forestry on both public and private land.
