Heyfield mill: Federal move to save timber mill from closure

PROTECTED forests could be opened to logging under a dramatic federal bid to try to save Victoria’s Heyfield timber mill.

Heyfield Mill workers marched in protest of the mill’s closure. Picture: Jason Edwards

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PROTECTED forests could be opened to logging and the threatened species status of the Leadbeater’s possum could be reviewed under a dramatic federal bid to try to save Victoria’s Heyfield timber mill.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has written to Premier Daniel Andrews, urging him to work with the federal government on its plan to keep the mill open and protect thousands of jobs in Gippsland.

He has offered immediate access to protected parts of the Central Highlands for timber harvesting to make up for more than 10,000ha which have been excluded to protect the Leadbeater’s possum.

Mr Joyce has also asked Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg to review the possum’s critically endangered status, owing to the “large amount of recent evidence” of habitats in the Central Highlands.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Heyfield Mill workers marched to protest the loss of their jobs. Picture: Jason Edwards

In his letter, Mr Joyce suggested the state government ask VicForests to harvest timber from future supply areas now, to meet the mill’s immediate needs.

He said this would provide time for more surveys of possum populations in non-­forestry areas, so buffer zones could be reconsidered.

“While I understand the conservation of the Leadbeater’s possum is important, forestry is not the principal threat to the population and I consider the livelihoods of 21,000 Victorian forest industry employees, and their families, deserving of greater consider-ation and thought by your government,” he wrote.

The letter, sent to Mr Andrews yesterday, requested an urgent meeting between his assistant minister, Anne Ruston, and state Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford “to give effect to these proposals”.

Australian Sustainable Hardwood gathered at a mass meeting anouncing the closure of Heyfield Mill. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Workers protest the closure of the Heyfield Mill. Picture: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy

Mr Joyce, who visited the mill last year, said it was a “thriving business” and it was “unacceptable” that Victoria would lose it. Mill operator Australian Sustainable Hardwoods is contemplating a move to Tasmania.

Mr Joyce said VicForests’ decision to cut timber supply to the mill would “cost jobs and ruin the forestry industry”.

“I can see no way in which this decision is in the interests of Victorians and urge you to reconsider,” Mr Joyce said.

The mill is due to close in September next year, but the state government is facing protests from unions fighting to save the jobs of 250 workers in Heyfield, and thousands more in the supply chain.

Mr Andrews said this month that ASH had rejected the government’s proposed timber supply agreement.

He asked ASH to work with the government to sell the mill to a new operator. The mill could even be bought by the government, he said.

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