Native logging to end 2030: Timber workers rallying call ‘Don’t do it Dan’

Timber workers are rallying on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament, demanding Premier Daniel Andrews reverse his push to end native logging by 2030.

Say no: Timber workers rally on the steps of Parliament in a bid to overturn the Andrews Government’s push to end native forest logging. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

“DON’T do it Dan” was the catchcry of timber workers rallying on the Spring St steps of Parliament House today, in a bid to reverse Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to ban native forest logging by 2030.

The Victorian Government is already planning to halve log supplies to timber towns by 2025-26, leaving many workers to join the dole queue in Corryong to Orbost, Warburton, Noojee, Violet Town, Powelltown, Benalla and Heyfield.

Former Victorian head of Timber Communities Australia Scott Gentle said he was there to protest the injustice of the State Government’s decision.

“We’re here to fight for our jobs. There’s been a decision made to shut down the native forest industry with no science behind it, just purely a political decision, so we’re here to start the campaign for the next three years of trying to overthrow the government,” he said.

Wood Products Victoria general manager Alastair Woodard said the Government’s decision was already having a devastating impact on hundreds of businesses across the wood products supply chain.

Mr Andrews and his Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes have repeatedly stated native forest logging is unsustainable.

But Mr Woodard said the Government was being “deceitful in its attempt to undermine native timber’s sustainability”.

“Effectively out of every 10,000 trees only four are harvested and all are regrown,” he said.

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien, who addressed the rally, has promised to reverse the ban along with Nationals leader Peter Walsh if they win Government in 2022.