Timber Towns Victoria is asking the Victorian Government why a promise to assist timber mills transition to plantation supply is yet to eventuate.
The State Government, however, said it is supporting mills in several ways.
TTV is an incorporated Local Government Association representing the interests of municipal councils in relation to forestry on both public and private land.
On November 7, 2019, the Victorian Government released a statement that read:
As Australian Paper moves away from using native timber in its paper production and with a reduction in available native timber resources due to fire and wildlife protection, the Labor Government has unveiled a new 30-year plan to support the sector as it transitions.
As part of the plan, $120 million will be set aside to ensure the industry is fully supported, backing long-term sustainable jobs and giving local workers confidence about their future.
To assist businesses as they prepare for this transition, the Labor Government will provide dedicated funding to help local mills invest in new equipment that will allow them to process alternative timbers and support local jobs.
Timber Towns Victoria president Karen Stephens, said this statement was far from the truth of what was happening.
“Mills are closing. Jobs have been lost. That is the hard cold truth,” Cr Stephens said.
That Victorian Government statement from 2019 also said:
That includes Australian Paper, which will be supported to transition to a full plantation-based supply, ensuring it operates until at least 2050 – providing support to its almost 1000-strong workforce and stability to its customers.
Cr Stephens said Australian Paper was not transitioned to a full plantation-based supply ... Australia now has no capacity to manufacture white copy paper.
About a year after this initial announcement, it was announced that a $2 million grant was provided to VicForests to establish the $10 million Victorian Forest Nursery. This was subsequently scrapped.
Cr Stephens said it’s now March 2023, more than three years after the Victorian Government announcement and promise of increasing the state supply of plantations, with no word of when or where these plantations will take place.
“2030 is approaching faster than a plantation tree can grow to be harvested, and many can see that this will leave a huge shortfall of timber supply to the local chains,” she said.
The government had promised that in providing a 30-year forward plan it was creating a new, more sustainable future for this industry — but just as importantly, giving workers the certainty they deserve.”
Cr Karen Stephens said these promises were far from reality.
“We have not seen any plantations established since this announcement more than three years ago, and workers in the industry are facing more uncertainty than ever before, with many long-term workers being stood down.”
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the Government knows timber supply is a challange at the moment.
“1that’s why we will continue to invest and ensure workers and businesses are supported during this time,” the spokesperson said.
“We have activated the Worker Support Program so impacted workers can find new opportunities.
“We’re investing in 11 priority timber communities through targeted grants. And we are financially supporting sawmills to stay in the industry and innovate – or exit if they choose.
“Victoria is already a nation leader in plantations. Our $120 million investment in a new plantation estate in Gippsland is about prioritising future supply to local industry.”