Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has slammed East Gippsland Shire’s response to a report it commissioned showing the planned end of native timber industry would devastate the region’s local economy as being totally inadequate and extremely disappointing. Source: Timberbiz
The specialist economic impact consultant jointly engaged by the Wellington and East Gippsland Shire councils indicates that around 1110 jobs would be lost and more than $300m in economic output per annum removed from the local economy if native forest logging ceased immediately in both shires.
“These are staggering figures and does not include the flow on effects that will simply destroy communities like Orbost and Heyfield and impact heavily on many others,” Mr Bull said.
“However, the responses from the two councils have been very different.
“Wellington came out very strongly the day after the report was released and said it expected better of the State Government out of respect for local communities and it supported the retention of the industry – no ifs or buts there,” Mr Bull said.
Wellington is also challenging the State Government to provide the data and scientific research to back up this decision (which has not been forthcoming) and is questioning the ‘transition’ when there are no hardwood plantations to transition to.
“East Gippsland on the other hand waited three weeks before issuing a response saying the study ‘will help inform decision making about the native timber harvesting phase out’. This is accepting of the phase out and job losses,” Mr Bull said.
“The statement went on to say it was working with the government on a pilot community transition plan in Orbost and it is council’s expectation that contractors are afforded other meaningful work. This too is conceding the timber industry jobs are going.”
Mr Bull said this showed East Gippsland Shire Council was not prepared to fight for these jobs and oppose this decision as Wellington Shire is doing.
“Full credit to Wellington for standing up for the retention of these local jobs and our industry. The Liberal Nationals’ will overturn this decision if elected next year,” Mr Bull said.
“East Gippsland on the other hand has a lot of explaining to do to these timber workers and these communities. It needs to state why it is not fighting as Wellington is to save these timber jobs and these towns.”
Mr Bull said the State Government’s so called ‘transition’ was a complete falsity. The reality was that hardwood takes around 30-60 years to mature depending on species and conditions, so if there was to be a ‘transition’, hardwood plantation coupes would need to be at least 20 years old now.
“Fact is they aren’t and worse still, they don’t exist,” Mr Bull said.
“The demand for hardwood is increasing and in fact Planet Ark is telling us to use it, as wood is a renewable environmentally friendly resource, but here we are closing it down with no replacement. It will only drive up imports from jurisdictions with less oversight.
“This is about closing down an entire sector with massive job losses in our community at a time when it needs help and support.
“The industry harvests four trees in every 10,000 per year in Victoria and only has access to 5% of the forest, of which, only 0.16% of that 5% is harvested each year, with these trees replanted to ensure the sustainability of the industry for future generations,” he said.
Mr Bull said he has spoken to individual councillors who openly supported the continuation of the timber industry, and even more concerning is that some councillors were apparently unaware of the council’s statement going to the media.
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Mendy Urie said her council was committed to supporting its communities that will be affected by the Victorian Forestry Plan.
“We are working with the Victorian Government on a pilot community transition program in Orbost,” Cr Urie said.
“This program will investigate the best ways to create new employment opportunities. Council has and will continue to advocate for investment in East Gippsland in response to the transition announcement.
Recently, similar assistance for Swifts Creek and Nowa Nowa has also been announced and Council will work with the Government to ensure maximum benefits are gained from these rollouts,” she said.
“In response to the announcement of the Victorian Government to phase out native timber harvesting by 2030 we have worked with Wellington Shire Council through a Timber Industry Taskforce to jointly engage a specialist economic impact consultant. Together we are seeking to understand the government decision to best support our communities.
“Local jobs and the skills of timber industry workers are important and we will continue to work with communities across the region to ensure we are getting the best possible outcomes out of a challenging situation,” Cr Urie said.
