The Australian Forest Contractors Association is introducing a new membership category called ‘Supporter’ to build on this year’s growth in membership. Source: Timberbiz
AFCA general manager Tim Lester the AFCA was proud of its remarkable growth over the past 12 months with membership up 60%.
“Looking ahead, we anticipate even greater growth in the upcoming 2023/24 financial year,” he said in his annual report presented at the AFCA AGM and Conference in Albury in November attended by around 50 people.
“To accommodate the diverse needs of our industry, we are introducing a new membership category called ‘Supporter’,” he said.
“This inclusive category will encompass a wide range of professionals, including growers, managers, mills, and processors.
“By expanding our membership offerings, we aim to foster a stronger sense of community and collaboration within the forest contracting industry,” Mr Lester said.
The function saw Michelle Corby from Mangan Logging retire from the board and Sunchip Group managing director Michael Blackberry appointed.
Adan Taylor remains as chairman and Ricky Leeson deputy chairman.
Speaking after the conference Mr Lester said he wanted to see more contractors at the association’s annual AGM and conference, but he understood why they might not want to attend.
“On one level it doesn’t surprise me at all,” Mr Lester said.
Mr Lester said the format changed this year from what had in the past been basically just a lunch.
“So, we turned it into more of a conference where we could get a little bit more content in there,” he said.
“I don’t think that they’re the type of community that do these type of events,” he said.
“And I think to get to contractors, we need a more targeted, much more local, more regional.”
“It is a big question for us about how do we actually get more contractors in the room.
“They’re not actually there because they’re looking for how to manage their own business or what it might mean, within a national policy environment.
“But I think for those that surround the contractors, the conference is actually providing useful content because it gives an indication around what where the pressure points where the opportunities are.”
In his annual report Mr Lester said the 2022-23 year saw another blow for the native timber harvesting industry, with the Victorian Government’s shock decision in May 2023 to accelerate the industry closure from 2030 to 1 January 2024.
“This announcement came without warning and the revised timeline has provided no opportunity for businesses to make proper plans. There has been a great deal of uncertainty and distress for affected businesses, workers and communities.
“AFCA has been working to ensure that the Victorian Government provides fair, equitable and reasonable compensation and adjustment packages that provide contracting businesses the opportunity to move forward with dignity. Given the Victorian Government’s approach and timelines this work continues to be a priority into the 2024 year.”
Mr Lester said the native timber harvesting industry was facing significant pressure from activists who were focusing on securing changes to government policy in multiple states and nationally.
“Following the outcomes in Victoria and Western Australia the activist community is now particularly looking to both NSW and Tasmania.
“Legal actions are a common feature of the playbook to create a public sense of doubt and uncertainty, with Court injunctions (or the threat of them) a successful way to disrupt harvesting operations,” he said.
Court actions and protest activity targeted forest managers, but contracting businesses bore the brunt of the disruption.
“AFCA has previously negotiated for disruption clauses to become a standard feature of contracts, and continues to monitor the situation,” he said.
In NSW the newly elected Labor Government had come to power with a commitment to create a Great Koala National Park on the mid north coast through conversion of forest currently managed by Forestry Corporation NSW. This would take more forest out of production and affect a number of contracting businesses in that area.
