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Red gum decision fells local communities

The Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) has expressed its disappointment at the State Government’s decision to effectively end timber harvesting in the River Redgum region along the Murray River.
The Victorian Government released its response to the Victorian Environmental
Assessment Council’s (VEAC) River Redgum Investigation Final Report, effectively endorsing its recommendation to ban timber harvesting in the Barmah State Forest and a large percentage of the available area in the Gunbower State Forest; an outcome the VAFI CEO, Philip Dalidakis, says is disappointing for both the environment, industry and local community.
“This decision is one born as a result of VEAC refusing to acknowledge the positive
environmental effects of selectively harvesting Redgums to reduce the stress on water starved forests.”
“It is a real disappointment for the River Redgum timber industry and a blow for the local
communities in the region, especially in such economically uncertain times,” Dalidakis said.
“The River Redgum timber industry has well over 100 years of proud history in the region having continuously engaged the local community in a positive way through employment, training and support of local residents.”
The VAFI acknowledges the Victorian Government’s financial assistance package for the
businesses and workers affected and aim to work with them in a constructive manner to achieve the best outcome for all concerned.
“This is a decision that will have a strong impact on local businesses and their workers and we therefore look to the example set in the Box Ironbark Structural Adjustment Program as a starting point for negotiations,” Mr Dalidakis said.
“We acknowledge the Government has now made its decision, and cautiously welcome the $4.5 million assistance package but are concerned that may be on the low side.”
“Obviously, the devil will be in the detail, but we aim to work with the Government, fighting for a fair and just compensation package for all those affected,” Mr Dalidakis said.
Forest Products Association executive director, Russ Ainley, said 60% of the red gums, which cover 17,000ha in the 80,000ha Yanga National Park, were now dead after the forest north-east of Balranald was locked up three years ago.
He said the trees should be thinned so the strong ones could grow with the little water available, as opposed to all of them dying because of a water shortage.
“Nobody has a solution for the drought but sound forest management can save them from certain death,” Ainley said.
“We cannot watch the forests die while we wait.”
The National Party has slammed the Victorian Government’s decision to ban grazing and timber harvesting in parts of the Murray river red gum forest.
Premier Brumby announced grazing and timber harvested would cease and 83,000 ha of new and extended red gum national parks would be created.
National Party Swan Hill MP Peter Walsh said it was a disgrace that the response was released between Christmas and New Year.
“It just shows how sneaky John Brumby can be, burying it in the New Year period,” Walsh said.
“It’s a very unwelcome Christmas present for the people in the region.”
Walsh said the Government had taken steps to appease visitors to the region by allowing tourists to camp, light a fire, hunt and walk dogs in the national parks, but upheld VEAC recommendations that would destroy the timber and grazing industries.
“As the VEAC report said, the benefit will flow to people outside the region and the cost will be borne by people in the region,” Walsh said.