Workers under ‘mental strain’ as Victorian Government’s attempt to buy Heyfield timber mill is delayed

TIMBER mill workers in ­Victoria’s east are under ­“mental strain” as the state government’s bid to buy the Gippsland business continues to stall.

Australian Sustainable ­Hardwoods workers are under ­“mental strain” as the state government’s bid to buy the Gippsland business continues to stall. Picture: Andrew Batsch

TIMBER mill workers in ­Victoria’s east are under ­“mental strain” as the state government’s bid to buy the Gippsland business continues to stall.

Mill supervisor Anthony Wilkes said shifts had been cut and up to a dozen workers forced to take leave as the Andrews Government continued to delay the deal.

The government had announced an agreement to purchase Australian Sustainable ­Hardwoods (ASH) in Heyfield on July 3. However, two months on, workers have received no news.

“We just can’t move on at the moment,” Mr Wilkes said.

“To this day, Daniel Andrews still hasn’t shown up ... It’s taken it’s toll on the town and the workers.”

Anthony Wilkes says shifts have been cut and up to a dozen workers forced to take leave. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Heyfield mill workers march to Parliament in March. Picture: Jason Edwards

WORKERS RALLY TO SAVE AUSTRALIAN SUSTAINABLE HARDWOOD TIMBER MILL FROM CLOSURE

The wait has also been aggravated by dwindling wood supply, which prompted the company to cut shifts at the greenmill and relocate jobs earlier this month, according to an ASH spokesman.

”The owners of ASH have been willing to settle the sale of the business with the Victorian government since mid July,” he said.

“It now being September, one would hope that the government are getting close to being ready to buy the business.”

Government spokeswoman Hayley McNaughton said negotiations were ongoing.

“We are continuing to work with the current owners, management and workers to finalise the sale as quickly as possible,’’ she said.

The premier unexpectedly announced he would buy the Gippsland mill earlier this year.

It came after hundreds of workers, joined by the CFMEU, marched on the Victorian Parliament calling for action.

Workers told the Herald Sun some staff, uncertain there would be enough jobs following the sale, had already left to find work.

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