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Local demand for speciality timbers must be met: Ingram

By Craig Ingram - 10th June 2005 - Back to News

Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, says the new market-based approach to the sale of timber by VicForests is causing problems with the availability of specialty timbers in the local area for woodworkers and timber craftspeople.

"East Gippsland has developed a strong interest in the use of specialty timbers, with a number of local businesses existing around the availability and the quality of local specialty timbers," Mr Ingram said today.

"East Gippsland Institute of TAFE has invested significant resources into the Forestech wood and timber design course, with graduates using local hardwoods and speciality timbers to create high quality furniture and other products.

"In the past, DSE has auctioned timber in the local area, but following implementation of the internet auction system, specialty timbers are now increasingly being sold to other areas of the country, which has left a void in the local market."

Mr Ingram has told the Minister for Agriculture, Bob Cameron, that it is essential that local specialty timber industries and value-adding timber users have the ability to have access to the local resource for their survival.

"Historically, problems have developed when local communities cannot see the local economic benefit of the timber industry to their community," Mr Ingram said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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