When State Goverment shuts down Victoria’s native timber sector, thousands of regional families will be left without income.
In Orbost alone, the move will destroy the incomes for 174 people – 114 directly employed in timber and 60 indirectly employed which equates to 36 per cent of Orbost’s full time jobs.
An independent study commissioned by the Wellington and East Gippsland shire councils showed 1092 direct and 764 indirect jobs in those two LGAs would be impacted.
‘There is no scientific basis for the decision and it took a concerted effort to obtain the documents under Freedom of Information, but they were heavily redacted so the real reasons will never be known,” Forest and Wood Communities Australia national membership manager, Felicia Stevenson, said.
“There is no financial reason because the sector is worth $500 million to the Victorian economy.
“Meanwhile there are massive timber shortages and mills are starting to close down.
IMAGE: Timber industry workers lay down a coffin with the words “our jobs… our future…” emblazoned on the side at last Friday’s rally from Rosedale to Warragul. More than 100 trucks and 100 people took part in the rally, calling for the Labor Government’s decision to shut down the industry to be overturned. INSET: Brett Dennis, of Brunt’s Harvesting, based in Orbost, and Sue Finlay, formerly of Orbost, who has a generational shistory of timber in the town, spoke at the rally. (PS)
