Timber NSW, Media Release, 25 August 2024
“For too long successive governments have handed a timber or forest industry plan to the industry without any consultation with those businesses and people who effectively live and breathe it every day” said Maree McCaskill CEO of Timber NSW.
“The Minns government is demonstrating willingness to listen and consult with those most impacted by any change and we welcome that opportunity” she said.
“The forest industry has been operating in NSW for nearly 150 years and has a long term view of sustainability and the capacity to supply to an ever increasing demand for hardwood and softwood timber for NSW housing, construction, mining, transport, energy and retail while respecting the need for conservation, national parks and reserves.
“NSW can have both, providing there is recognition that the science that underpins selective, sustainable harvesting in state and private forests, supplemented by plantations, will deliver positive outcomes for nature and for living standards in NSW. After all, 88 per cent of NSW crown forests are already protected in National Parks and conservation reserves and 12 per cent is available for production in state forests”.
Ms McCaskill added that Timber NSW members provide the majority of hardwood products in NSW. From flooring, decking, cladding, appearance grade joinery through to mining and transport timbers, we call out the false economy of pressuring government to swap domestic timber harvested from 0.3 per cent of available forests each year, for imported timber from environmentally unregulated countries often using child labour.
The panel overseeing the process represents a diversity and depth of skills and expertise to assist the industry and its vital supply chain to deliver major dividends to NSW and reduce the cost of living.
“We look forward to contributing to this plan”.
Related story: NSW to consult on Forestry Industry Action Plan: Sharpe, Moriarty