Timber Towns Victoria, Media Release, 15 October 2021

Timber Towns Victoria welcomes a motion calling on the Victorian Government to table all documents relating to the closure of the native timber industry.

“Timber Towns welcomes this motion,” said TTV President and Glenelg Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Karen Stephens.

“We look forward to having full clarity around the government’s decision to shut down the native timber industry,” Cr Stephens said.

“Full, open and transparent information is needed that provides assurances to communities, workers and all sectors of the industry that decisions have been made based on evidence, and in the best interest of all Victorians. This decision has far reaching consequences that need to be fully understood and debated.”

“To date, we have not seen any economic or environmental data to support the ban or the full impact on the local, regional and Victorian economies.”

“The native timber industry underpins the viability of a number of regional communities and contributes more than $1billion each year to Victoria’s economy. Thousands of jobs are at risk.”

Timber plays an important role in climate change abatement. Cr Stephens said Timber Towns wants all Victorians to understand the importance of the native timber industry in the fight against climate change, and has referenced the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report as evidence of the role timber can play in confronting this challenge.

“Native timber production in public forests facilitates carbon storage and must be taken seriously if Victoria is to tackle climate change. It very much forms an integral part of the fight against climate change and cannot be disregarded,” Cr Stephens said.

The motion, put forth by MP Jeff Bourman from the Shooters and Fishers Party, was passed by Parliament on 13 October.

Timber Towns Victoria has previously called on the State Government to reconsider its plan to shut down the State’s native timber industry by 2030.