Call for logging extension

Gippsland’s peak industry body is calling for the State government to extend its timeline for ending logging in the region’s native forests.

Committee for Gippsland (C4G) chief executive officer Jane Oakley said the region needed more time to recover from the devastation of drought, bushfires, a global pandemic and now a recession.

Business, industry, communities and families would be brought to their knees unless key government decisions affecting economic recovery and grassroots livelihoods were adapted to support the region, she said.

The government’s Forestry Policy Plan is for native forest harvesting to cease in 2030.

Ms Oakley said C4G had facilitated regular briefings and meeting with government Ministers, local Members of parliament and industry and business leaders to work through transition plans.

While welcoming Federal and State support in the wake of bushfires, drought and COVID19, Ms Oakley said a delay to ending native forest harvesting was an important and strategic component of Gippsland’s recovery.

She said timber industry representatives contend the alternative plantation program in Gippsland was already running five years behind target.

Ms Oakley acknowledged there are people that don’t support harvesting in native forests but C4G believed the prospect of importing timber from third world countries that may not have sustainable harvesting practices would be shirking our national responsibility.

“Gippsland is proud of its industry achievements and ability to adapt and innovate”.

What we’re asking for (from the government) is recognition, compassion and support for families and businesses that need the lifeline of more time to recover, adapt and continue to contribute to a great region, she said.