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Latrobe City Council calls for Victorian government to support for timber industry

Release of code of practice for timber industry that has been on a long delayed by the state government.

By news@gippsland - 6th July 2021 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council has welcomed the release of the Code of Practice for Timber Production Report by the State Government. At the 7 June Council Meeting, Council voted to write to the Minister for Environment, Lily D'Ambrosio requesting an update about when the review will be made public.

The purpose of the Code is to provide direction to the managing authority, harvesting entities and operators to deliver sound environmental performance when planning for and conducting commercial timber harvesting operations

Delaying the review release

Cr Dale Harriman moved a Notice of Motion calling for Council to take the action, noting the significant delay by the state government in releasing the review. He said the delay had impacted timber industry workers in Latrobe City and Victoria given it was affecting the supply of timber to local mills. His motion was carried unanimously by Council.

Implications to consider

Council will now review the Code of Practice for Timber Production Report and consider its implications for the timber industry in Latrobe City and broader Gippsland, such as any guidelines for where timber could be harvested and the practices the industry needed to follow.

Timber as sustainable industry

Cr Harriman said, "The timber industry plays a huge part in the local jobs environment. There are thousands of jobs tied up within the industry in Latrobe City, as well as all of Gippsland,"

"This is a vital industry for the area and it's a sustainable industry. There is a timber shortage at the moment and we hope this code will go a long way to helping to ease that shortage."

Practice code to help city's future

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said supporting the timber industry would assist in the city's transition away from being reliant on coal-powered electricity production.

"Timber harvesting is a sustainable industry when managed well and our experienced timber leaders in Latrobe City and surrounds are well equipped to help manage our timber supply going forward, we are hoping this code will help our community to plan for the future." she said.

Pictures from Latrobe City Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com