Yarra Valley timber mills uncertain after State Government puts end to native logging
Hundreds of Yarra Valley timber mill workers have been left in limbo after the State Government’s announcement it would end native timber logging. Is this the end of the road for the ‘economic heart’ of Upper Yarra towns?
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Yarra Valley communities that rely on the logging industry are devastated by the State Government’s commitment to end native logging by 2030.
The future of 420 industry workers employed across the Yarra Ranges are now at stake with the “economic heart” of some of its smallest towns under direct threat.
Within the Upper Yarra the future of four timber mills sits in limbo with VicForests contracts for timber supply to be reduced from 2024.
The State Government announced a 30-year plan to stop the use of the native timber supply, with $120 million set aside to support the industry through the changes.
Yarra Ranges Cr Jim Child said the timber industry in the region dated back more than 100 years and had supported communities for decades including recovery after the 1939 bushfires.
“Here we have a vibrant, sustainable industry — not like the mining industry — that will be closed,” Cr Child said.
“We know the community has a long and difficult road ahead of them now. We will write to the State Government for more information about this decision and what support will be provided.”
Mill owner Denise Broxam, who has worked at Warburton Timber Co for 48 years, said she was devastated by the news, and called on the State Government to provide more clarity around the industry’s future.
Ms Broxam said the business needed hardwood to produce hard-wearing products for businesses across the state including fencing for stud farms and cattle yards.
“We can’t transition to cutting plantation timber; it’s not suited for the products we produce,” she said
Ms Broxam said mill workers across the valley were “all pretty down” and retraining was not an option for many of the workers in their 50s and 60s had been in the industry their whole lives.
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“The mill started in Warburton at the turn of last century, was shut down for the war and my father started it up again in the 60s,” Ms Broxam said.
“All the timber from Powelltown and Warburton built all the houses around here and all of Melbourne.”
Ms Broxam said there was no clarity around the State Government’s statement on the future of forestry workers.
“We have a contract till 2024 and then we’re done,” she said.
“Everyone will be vying for VicForests timber contracts after 2024.”