Documents tabled for planned timber closure

The tabling of all documents relating to the state government’s planned closure of Victoria’s native timber industry has been agreed to by the Legislative Council of parliament.

Member for Eastern Victoria Jeff Bourman of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party moved the motion that calls for analyses and data used by the Ministers for forestry and for energy, environment and climate change to be provided by December 1.

The successful motion also seeks the advice provided by the department of environment, land, water and planning to ministers regarding the impact on regional jobs, timber supply and on the environment by sourcing timber from other sources.

The move has been welcomed by Timber Towns Victoria an organisation representing 10 Victorian municipalities, including Baw Baw Shire, that have timber industries.

President Karen Stephens of Glenelg shire in western Victoria said it was important that “full, open and transparent information” was provided to assure people that decisions had been made based on evidence and were in the best interest of all Victorians.

To date we have not seen any economic or environmental data to support the ban or indicate the impact on the local, regional and state economies, she stated.

Cr Stephens said native timber production in public forests played an important role in the fight against climate change by facilitating carbon storage.

Timber Towns Victoria has previously called on the state government to reconsider its plans to close the native timber industry by 2030.