It’s official, native timber harvesting in Victorian forests will end in 2024.
The State Government announced the decision yesterday (Tuesday) with existing supports being brought forward, meaning every single timber worker will be directly supported to find a new job.
Forest contractor workers will be secured with contracts for forest management works, enabling them to continue to work in the forests and contribute to bushfire risk reduction.
The Government’s free TAFE program will retrain workers, helping them get jobs in growing regional industries like construction, agriculture, transport, and manufacturing through TAFE Gippsland and other key TAFE campuses in timber communities.
This will be supported by up to $8000 in retraining vouchers for courses inside and outside the TAFE Network.
“We’ll continue to back workers and their families with financial and mental health support, by connecting them to specialist mental health service providers in their local area and covering out-of-pocket costs,” a State Government statement said. Industry support payments will also continue as needed until the transition is finalised.
IMAGE: The native timber industry will close early with the State Government bringing forward its demise in 2024. INSET: A logging truck leaves a Brookville timber coupe in December last year.
