Council seeking more detail about timber implications

Friday 08 November 2019

Wellington Shire Council is today meeting with representatives of all levels of government to gain more information about the Premier’s native timber harvesting announcement.

Council was blindsided by yesterday’s announcement and disappointed it wasn’t involved in any prior consultation.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Alan Hall said Council had already met with Australian Sustainable Hardwoods in Heyfield and would continue to work with them and other local mills during the transition.

“Council is actively seeking to understand what the Premier’s decision will mean for our communities reliant on the timber industry,” Cr Hall said.

“The town of Heyfield has shown us in recent years that it is strong and resilient, but as a Council we need to learn all the implications of this decision.

“Council is requesting more detail around the timing of the implementation of the new policy, their plan for new plantations and what support both financially and otherwise the Victorian Government will offer workers, businesses and communities that rely on the timber industry.

“This announcement has taken us by surprise so we are now actively trying to catch-up, as are many others directly impacted.”

Once adequately briefed, Council will continue active discussions with those in the local timber industry and their communities, to support them in going forward.

“We want to support the communities, with an emphasis on identifying meaningful employment prospects that will genuinely strengthen our collective position,” he said.