THE Nambucca Valley’s last remaining timber mill is struggling to stay afloat as a result of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) logging moratorium.
Enforced on 8 September, the temporary ban affects State Forest land previously available for logging.
In a move that has further angered local timber workers, Nambucca Valley Council has rescinded its public opposition to the GKNP.
Owner of Bowraville Sawmill, Matthew Dyer, was joined by more than 60 supporters to hear Council vote on the rescission motion put forward by Labor Party Councillor Susan Jenvey.
The motion was passed, prompting disgruntled members of the public gallery to call out.
Mayor Gary Lee called a point of order and temporarily suspended the meeting.
The group vacated the chamber, but loud discussions in the foyer led to them being asked to vacate the building.
“How would they feel if the situation was reversed and, as their representative, I didn’t vote in support of their business,” Mr Dyer told News Of The Area in response to Council’s backflip.
“I have a viable business and [through wages, donations and contractors] I believe I contribute around $3.7million (per annum) to the local district.”
He expressed his frustration with proposed redundancies, retraining and relocation packages and his anxiety for the future of his staff, some who have worked with him for decades.
Few doubt that in a town of barely 1000 people like Bowraville, the loss of the timber mill and its associated finances, would take its toll.
Conservationists, however, have applauded the current logging moratorium and say they look forward to renewed tourism opportunities when the park is established.
In her right of reply before the vote, Cr Jenvey offered her analysis of why the State Government had implemented a moratorium.
“I think that the forest industry or the timber industry might have complicated matters for its own workers,” she said.
“There has been an acceleration of logging within the footprint of the National Park and that’s probably why we are at the stage of a moratorium.
“Last year there was logging in there, at four times the rate of everywhere else.
“We need to look after everyone and move with the change and take what opportunities we can and if Council can support the timber industry but also support the GKNP that’s a good thing.”
Councillors Smith, Jones, Simson and Ballangarry voted for the motion, acknowledging that while this moratorium on logging was a state government decision and therefore beyond the scope of the Council, it needed to be supported in order to look towards new ventures and ask for appropriate arrangements for misplaced industry workers.
They resolved to:
1) Rescind the resolution of Council to not support the Great Koala National Park.
2) Request the NSW Government provide details of job losses in the timber industry due to the timber harvesting moratorium.
3) Request the NSW Government advise details of the compensation packages available to support businesses and employees affected by the timber harvesting moratorium.
The previous night’s public forum, on Tuesday 16 September, heard a submission from NSW Farmers President Greg Desmond, who urged councillors to vote to keep the 2018 motion in place.
“The new park declaration includes long-standing perpetual grazing leases managed by farmers for over a century, which will negatively impact farm businesses and private native forest operations,” he said.
“They limit farming families and aspiring farmers from buying land to meet the nation’s food and clothing needs.
“This issue will only worsen with the proposed farm purchases in northern NSW to establish plantations for future timber needs, as recently announced.”
Mr Desmond also expressed his concern that National Parks present as “overgrown tinderboxes” and major breeding grounds for pests and weeds.
Like Matt Dyer and the Bowraville Sawmill, the Adam’s Sawmill at Bonville is facing a grim future.
Federal Nationals Senator for NSW and Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Ross Cadell, recently toured the business and heard that workers “have been left with little idea on what their future holds”.
“Locals, industry, and politicians alike are in agreement over the need to protect the Koala, but it must not be an all-or-nothing approach,” Senator Cadell said.
“The Minns Labor Government has made this out to be a win for the koala [but] under the canopy, this decision has cost hundreds of jobs and will decimate regional communities.
“With appropriate consultation and consideration of alternate proposals on the size of the proposed park boundary, a win-win scenario can still be achieved.”
Senator Cadell also toured a logging site at Orara East State Forest and the Herons Creek Timber Mills, south of Port Macquarie.
“For decades, these businesses have provided the trusses and frames that have built our nation.
“Right now, they need our support, not to be left out to rot by capital city-centric decision makers.”
By Ned COWIE
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