Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said small rural towns would miss out on vital support because of a decision by councillors to not rejoin Timber Towns Victoria. Sources: News Limited, The Herald-Sun
A motion to rejoin the group, an incorporated local government association representing the interests of councils in relation to forestry, was lost at a recent meeting
Cr Child said towns in his ward, like Powelltown, depended on the forestry and timber industry, and rejoining TTV would support them.
The group has many functions, including providing a forum for local government to share information and to address timber-related issues; to be a credible and respected stakeholder on timber issues and to facilitate investment and job retention to strengthen sustainable communities.
Cr Child said some councillors were just “totally against” the legal activity of sustainable logging in native forests.
He said the people who worked in the timber industry depended on their jobs to support their families.
Ryrie Ward Cr Fiona McAllister voted against the motion, and told Leader last week when she stood for council she made a commitment that she wouldn’t take sides in the logging versus conservation debate, and would represent all in the community evenly.
“I strongly believe the future of our community lies with us being able to come up with a resolution of these issues that meets the needs of both sides,” Cr McAllister said.
