Workers rally to save Australian Sustainable Hardwood timber mill from closure

WORKERS have made a final bid to the state government to save their jobs ahead of the closure of the country’s biggest timber mill in September.

Heyfield Timber Mill workers held a silent rally outside state parliament to save their jobs. Picture: Chloe Smith.

PRESSURE is building on the State Government to save Australia’s biggest timber mill from closing with more than 50 workers gathering in Melbourne in a final bid to save the company.

Timber stacker Brendan Mason, 30, was among the employees holding the silent rally at Treasury Gardens after the decision on a potential rescue package for the Gippsland business was delayed last week.

The father-of-one says closure of the factory would be devastating for his family.

“We will have to move away from our family if it closes down, to get a job,’’ Mr Mason said.

“We have a nine-month-old baby now.

(L-R) Heyfield Timber Mill workers Kim Pettitt, Grant Missan, Doug McDonough, Daniel Stevens, Megan Parameshwaran, Anthony Brown. Picture: Chloe Smith.

Heyfield Timber Mill workers Ross Britton, Graeme Ralph, Darren Bellion. Picture: Chloe Smith.

“They (the Government) haven’t given us any answers. It is hard.”

The Australian Sustainable Hardwood mill announced it would close in September after VicForests, the state logging company, offered the mill just 80,000 cubic metres of timber a year after the supply deal expires in June.

The move will see 260 jobs lost and will impact up to 7000 jobs statewide.

However the company has asked the State Government for an increased timber supply and a $40 million Victorian Government package to refit the mill, to stay open.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he hoped for a positive outcome.

“We have being doing more than talking though, we have been working very closely with the company and I’m hopeful that we can work towards saving as many of those jobs as possible,’’ Mr Andrews said.

“We have been working as hard as we can with the current owners and others in the industry to do everything possible to save those jobs, acknowledging just how important they are.”

ASH chairman Ron Goldschlager said the way the government had handled the crisis was “disgraceful’’.

Workers tune in on ABC radio interview while at the rally. Picture: Chloe Smith.

A worker at the silent rally outside state parliament. Picture: Chloe Smith.

“Our people need to know what their future is. It is ridiculous that they need to be here to show their faces because their future is being threatened.’’

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull said workers had been left in “limbo’’.

Shooters and Fishers Party MP Jeff Bourman also attended the gathering, calling for the government to act now.

“I am not sure why the government is stonewalling on this. It is simple maths,’’ Mr Bourman said.

VicForests has maintained modelling was showing timber supplies needed to be reduced in the future.