Noojee transition plan remains in limbo

Almost four months after Baw Baw Shire council was granted $360,000 to develop an economic transition plan for Noojee after the 2030 phasing out of native timber harvesting it has still not appointed a project officer to head the task.

When state Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the funding at the start of February she said the project officer was expected to be engaged the following month to consult widely with stakeholders over the following two years.

The Gazette has asked the shire several times since then whether an appointment had been made.

On May 4 the shire’s response was it is in the “advanced stages of recruitment for the (project officer) position”. Last week it was “still no developments on this at this stage”.

The focus of the transition plan will be to identify Noojee’s strengths, assets, challenges and opportunities for innovation and economic development as logging is phased out.

At the time of the announcement council’s director of economic development, arts and advocacy Mark Kestigian said that while the project officer would be employed by council the overall development of the transition plan would be managed by a project reference group comprised of representatives of council, the state government’s forestry transition team and the community.

He said “all members of the Noojee community would have the opportunity to provide input and be involved in developing the plan”.

Ms Thomas said the work of the project officer with Noojee locals, community groups and businesses would enable long-term diversification planning to support the local economy and adapt to new industries that increased job opportunities.

Timber industry bodies claim the government’s plan to end native timber harvesting would cost thousands of jobs and destroy many towns, such as Noojee, that depend on the industry.

Mr Kestigian said that while Baw Baw council recognised the importance of the timber industry to local communities and the wider Gippsland region it was committed to supporting them through the State government led transition.