Wood chopping faces the axe in Victoria

The historic sport that has more than 100 events across the state each year could be given the chop after court action.

Victoria Axemen’s Council president Brad Meyer. Picture: Jason Edwards

The historic sport of wood chopping is under threat in Victoria and may for the first time in decades not be part of this year’s Royal Melbourne Show due to a dire shortage of Alpine Ash logs.

The lack of suitable competition logs stems from timber harvesting grinding to a halt in areas managed by VicForests in Victoria’s State Forests in November following court action over the protection of endangered gliders.

Alpine Ash, which grows in these areas and is the most suitable timber for wood chopping, is usually purchased by the Victoria Axemen’s Council from VicForests.

More than 100 wood chopping events are held each year in Victoria but with harvesting on hold, the supply of logs has also stopped.

Brad Meyer, president of the Victoria Axemen’s Council said wood chopping as a sport was facing the axe if logs could not be found.

“It is definitely under threat here in Victoria,” Mr Meyer said.

“At the present time, if we don’t solve this problem, we will be going into next year’s show season, which starts around September and goes through the summer months, with no timber. There are shows that have already been cancelled.

Wood chopping as a sport is under threat in Victoria. Picture: Jason Edwards

The supply of logs has stopped. Picture: Jason Edwards

“We have no timber for the Melbourne Show. This time of year I usually get the timber in so we have it in storage. There is no sign of getting any timber for that event. I do not have a stick at all to put towards the Melbourne Show.”

The axemen have been buying Alpine Ash, also known as Woollybutt, logs from VicForests for 16 years. Plantation timber is not suitable for competitions.

“In 2006 the Steve Brack labour government announced a deal with the Victoria Axemen’s Council to sponsor us and supply us with timber that comes from the state forest,” Mr Meyer said.

“That agreement was under the VicForests banner. We have had great dealings with VicForests up to now supplying competition logs at a price we can afford. Buying off private companies, it becomes too expensive for us to even think about. There is no timber in private areas (of the variety they require).”

A VicForests spokesperson acknowledged the log drama.

“VicForests ability to harvest has been impacted by a court decision preventing timber harvesting operations unless new surveys are done that comply with the court’s order,” the spokesperson said.

“As a result VicForests has paused all timber harvesting operations and has commissioned experts to develop a new survey method to comply with the Court’s orders.

“The timber shortage across Victoria will continue to impact availability of logs. VicForests will seek to meet its contracted obligations according to the agreements once they resume harvest operations. VicForests has appealed the court decision with the matter listed on 23 March 2023.”

Melbourne Royal CEO Brad Jenkins said: “We are working with the Victoria Axemen’s Council to ensure that the wood chopping can be a part of the 2023 Melbourne Royal show, as we celebrate 175 years.”

Originally published as Wood chopping faces the axe in Victoria