Tom Parry
TENSIONS are growing between the state government and Wellington Shire Council over the end of native timber harvesting.
In a statement released last Thursday (July 6), council vowed to “hold nothing back” as it sought answers from the government on the industry’s shutdown.
“I still question how any level of government is expected to advocate for their voters if they are not provided with the data and information to inform decision making,” Mayor Ian Bye said in the statement.
“If the state government would provide the evidence, or better yet make it publicly available, we could better support local communities.
“What is done is done. Our time is now better spent stepping up our advocacy for genuine support for timber families.
“I encourage you to think of transition investment like a cash-o-meter. It goes up with every dollar that the state government spends in Wellington Shire.
“Since 2019 it has been sitting at zero with no guarantee that any money will even be allocated to our region before the end to native timber harvesting comes into effect at the end of this year.
“We want to see a transition package from the state government that puts a realistic price tag on the skills and economic importance that local timber communities will lose come 1 January next year.”
Council says it will be “accepting nothing less” than direct investment into small communities like Heyfield and Yarram, where the shutdown will impact most.
The Gippsland Times contacted the state government regarding Council’s media release, with a spokesperson providing the following response.
“We have been working closely with the Wellington Shire Council and will continue to listen to their needs through the transition out of native timber forestry,” the spokesperson said.
“Six ‘Place Based Coordination Teams’ have been established to support the transition, with relevant council CEOs sitting in these meetings to ensure local issues are addressed.
“To date, Wellington Shire and timber businesses in its region are some of the biggest recipients of funding through Forestry Transition Program.”
Photo: File
According to the government, Wellington Shire and businesses in its region have, to date, received $5.9 million in funding under the Forestry Transition Program, including:
- $720,000 awarded to Wellington Shire Council for two Local Development Strategies in Yarram and Heyfield;
- $2.8 million awarded to Australian Sustainable Hardwoods in Heyfield through the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund for two projects;
- $375,000 awarded to Radial Timber in Yarram through the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund for three projects, and;
- $2 million for Spiegel Energy and Radial Timbers for a renewable energy park at the Radial Timber Sawmill.
Council’s statement conceded that “some support” is being provided through Local Development Strategy projects, funded through the state government’s Victorian Forestry Plan.
“While I thank the Victorian government for acknowledging that both Heyfield and Yarram will suffer greatly at the hands of this closure, asking the community to work out how they will live with a decision that was forced on them, destroying an industry that has been the lifeblood of generations just doesn’t cut it,” Cr Bye said.
“Timber workers need genuine jobs that they can transition into now. Short and long-term job opportunities paired with financial investment is the only way to ensure these communities will thrive once again.
“The Local Development Strategy has identified these new opportunities in principle, but communities need to know how they will transition, and who will support them in the meantime.
“We continue to question the government about when the people most affected will experience the benefits of over $200 million in promised transition support. This money is needed on the ground in these communities tomorrow – not in six months’ time.”
In the same statement, Council claimed that it was being ignored by the state government despite “countless” Freedom of Information requests seeking the evidence that supports the shutdown.
That claim has been disputed by the government, which said: “No FOIs have been lodged with Victorian Government departments by Wellington Shire Council since native timber harvesting was bought forward on 23 May 2023. All previous enquiries have been managed in line with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.”
The statement and Cr Bye’s remarks come amid criticism that Council has not done enough to advocate on the timber industry’s behalf.
At an ordinary council meeting on June 6, Rosedale ratepayer Veronica Barnes used the Gallery Comment section to ask what Council was doing about the shutdown.
“I would like to call upon this Council to release a statement to the media condemning the actions of government, and outlining the human pain and suffering now inflicted upon our local communities,” Ms Barnes said.
Cr Bye responded by saying that Council did send out a media release regarding the issue; the media release in question was made public on May 24, one day after the state government’s announcement.
Council’s July 6 statement also made note of the Mayor’s attendance at the May 29 Heyfield rally, and his meeting with federal representatives in Canberra last month.
More information about the state government’s Local Development Strategy, and the outcomes of the Regional Context Analysis, can be found at www.futureofheyfield.com and www.futureofyarram.com
Timber workers needing mental health support should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
