Bushfires: Contractors missing out on crucial work a ‘temporary variation’ says Vic Govt

Bulldozers and other heavy machinery are sitting idle due to the absence of bushfire mitigation works and could be sold off.

Contractors called on to reduce the bushfire risk in Victorian forests are contemplating selling expensive heavy machinery presently sitting idle due to no work.

The Victorian government has confirmed a reduction in work for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action panel of contractors was a “temporary variation” and promised work would return later in the financial year.

But the lack of work has already led to two Gippsland contractors shedding staff with the fate of their machinery including bulldozers used to maintain forest fire access roads and other specialist works, the next consideration.

“We’re sitting here twiddling our thumbs wanting work,” said one contractor who would only comment to The Weekly Times on the basis of anonymity.

“We’ve put off all our employees.

“It doesn’t leave us with many options other than to start selling machines.

“What it has done is create a lot of uncertainty.

“If there is a big fire, who do I go and employ?”

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull. Picture: David Crosling

East Gippsland MP Tim Bull raised the lack of work with Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos and recently received a response confirming the “temporary variation”.

The type and volume of work fluctuates based on various factors, including funding allocated for government priorities or initiatives; seasonal conditions and risks; and statutory planning and approval processes, Mr Dimopoulos said.

It coincides with employment of harvest and haulage contractors doing similar work following the demise of the native timber industry.

Victorian environment minister Steve Dimopoulos. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

Another contractor said “the pie hasn’t got any bigger, in fact it’s only got smaller”.

“Good luck to the logging guys because they should never have been kicked out of the bush in the first place,” he said.

“But what we were doing previously was a significant part of our income.

“We’ve also had to let staff go.

“The consequence of all this is when the proverbial hits the fan, they’re not going to have the experienced operators or knowledge around.

“We’ve got machines grazing and not doing much at the moment.

“We just hope we can ride things out.”

Heavy machinery including bulldozers are sitting idle due to a lack of contract work in Victorian forests.

Mr Bull said it was a disgrace the Victorian government had starved work from family-run businesses, after being promised similar volumes as previous years.

“These contractors are small business operators who have to maintain very expensive equipment and be on standby for when they are called to help out in the event of a bushfire,” he said.

“Having the tap turned off on all work without notice hits them hard.

“The region simply can’t sustain any further loss of this skilled workforce.

“Especially in the wake of the native timber industry shutdown.”