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Pledge of $110M for Gippsland plantations by Victorian Labor government resulted in just 4,000 trees disappointing Timber industry transition

State Labor government pledged $110 million for Gippsland plantations but only planted 4,000 trees in six years, failing commitments to support local jobs and the timber industry, deeply disappointing Gippsland's workforce.

By news@gippsland - 22nd November 2023 - Back to News

Six years on from promising more plantations to help Gippsland transition from the native timber industry, the State Labor government has planted just 4,000 trees. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said the revelation this week in Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearings confirms the government's failure on Gippsland jobs and industry.

Meeting Labor's promised 30 million trees will take 7,500 years, a massive disappointment for Gippsland's reliant timber industry workers, the Nationals will continue to advocate for our timber workers and jobs across the region

Tree plantation disappointment

Mr O'Brien said, "It was in the 2017-18 Budget that the government committed $110 million for more plantations - a commitment we welcomed as we need more trees in the ground to support local jobs and industry. That commitment became even more important when Labor disastrously decided to shut down the native timber industry. But it has sat on its hands for six years and delivered virtually nothing."

"In announcing the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program (GPIP) the Labor government committed to planting 30 million trees, but this week advised only 4,000 had so far been planted. At this rate, it'll take 7,500 years for the government to meet its 30 million tree promise."

"This is a major let down for Gippsland timber industry workers, including those at Maryvale and other timber mills around the region who rely on plantations. The native hardwood sector should never have been shut down, but Labor has even failed when it comes to a replacement plantation sector. I'll continue to advocate strongly for our timber workers and jobs across the region," Mr O'Brien said.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com