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Access to forest vital to future of local timber productionLatrobe City Council will seek clarification about the Statement of Intent in connection with the establishment of a new national park in Central Victoria. Read to know more. By Portal Admin - 1st September 2016 - Back to News Latrobe City Council will seek clarification about the Statement of Intent in connection with the establishment of a new national park in Central Victoria. The Statement was delivered by a ministerially-appointed taskforce. The proposed Great Forest National Park in the Central Highlands is located in an area accessed by Latrobe Valley and Gippsland timber businesses.
Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Michael Rossiter, said that Council wanted to understand the Statement so that it could continue to advocate on behalf of the community.
"The timber industry in our region is vital to our economy. We know that any impact to the capacity for Australian Paper and other timber industry players to source adequate hardwood supply for their operations could potentially have detrimental flow-on effects to our community. We are looking at 6000 jobs across regional Victoria that could be directly or indirectly affected by this proposition.
"We have been vocal in our support of a sustainable timber industry in our region, one that focuses on managed timber harvesting. We believe that sustainability is the key to a successful, long-term industry in our region. Latrobe City Council developed its Wood Encouragement Policy – an Australian first - that speaks to the importance of the industry to our community. Managing resources is an element that plays a large role in growing and developing the timber industry," Cr Rossiter said.
"Understanding the implications of the Statement of Intent and highlighting the importance of the industry in our region demonstrates Latrobe City Council’s
commitment to advocating for its workers, its families and its future.
"Let’s hope that the State Government’s taskforce of industry representatives brings us into the discussion and listens," Cr Rossiter concluded.
Media Enquiries:
Cr Michael Rossiter, Latrobe City Mayor
Telephone: 0499 981 242
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 5128 5458
For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com

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