New information from the Department of National Resources and Environment (DNRE) reveals that the viable quantity of logging in the State’s native forests was largely overestimated. Due to a fear that the continuation of logging in the East Gippsland region will be unsustainable, timber licenses will be cut by a massive 43%.

An independent report of the Victorian sawlog industry indicated that only 800,000 hectares of the 1.2 million allocated through the Regional Forestry Agreements could be commercially harvested. The news comes as a devastating blow to the hundreds of employees and stakeholders within the local forestry industry. Communities are in uproar that Government promises are not being upheld.

The DNRE’s failure to make accurate estimates of the amount of logging that could take place before they made their initial agreement has come under fire from the forestry industry. Based on this agreement, selected sawmillers in the region have invested close to $2 million dollars into milling equipment – an investment that may prove to be unviable.

The subsequent devastation and financial loss resulting from the situation is expected to be eased by an $80 million dollar worker assistance package issued by the Bracks Government. This money will be used to retain and re-employ workers within the industry, pay redundancies and aid regional communities affected by the axe to the forestry industry.

Visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment website and read the East Gippsland Report by clicking here.

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