A “DRAMATIC” shortfall of wood supply has prompted six of the region’s councils to form a united front and call on all political parties to commit to a national investigation into the issue.
Mount Gambier, Grant District, Wattle Range, Robe, Kingston and Naracoorte-Lucindale councils have joined forces to advocate for a “fair go” on timber supply for local processors.
In a letter sent to Federal parliamentarians and candidates, Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said a national inquiry would seek to establish and maintain a balanced marketplace supporting both export and domestic supply chains.
According to the councils, opportunities to amend or develop government policy should be specifically considered by the inquiry.
The letter, sent on behalf of all Mayors, seeks to garner whether current and prospective MPs would support a parliamentary inquiry.
Councils will inform their respective communities on the position held by candidates ahead of the Federal Election.
Earlier this week, Barker MP Tony Pasin promised a re-elected Liberal Government will ask the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources to undertake an inquiry.
Ms Martin praised the Federal Liberals for committing to an inquiry if re-elected at the May polls and called on Labor to do the same.
She stressed the Australian timber industry was “not looking for a hand out”, but wanted fair access to timber “that was originally planted in order to develop a local industry”.
“Australian timber processors are now suffering from a dramatic shortfall of supply,” Ms Martin said.
“The pressure to export Australian timber is putting local forestry jobs in jeopardy.
“If politicians do not intervene, hundreds more jobs will be lost, another Australian manufacturing industry will close down and regional centres will suffer.”
Ms Martin said an ongoing, stable and sustainable supply of timber was key in growing and expanding the industry.
“For over a century, this region has been one of the nation’s largest forestry producers and timber processors, providing secure employment and thriving local economies,” she said.
“The Australian timber industry has the capacity to grow and employ more people, but instead local timber mills have closed and further jobs are at risk.”
