WATTLE Range Council is backing the establishment of a parliamentary probe into the economic impact of exports of wood fibre on South East processors.
Tuesday’s council meeting resolved to write to Premier Steven Marshall and Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas to commend the actions of member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell.
Mr Bell will seek parliamentary support on April 3 for a select committee to examine the issue as well as the volume of radiata pine log being exported out of the Limestone Coast.
If passed in the House of Assembly, the inquiry will also look at economic benefits and employment opportunities through additional wood-based industries if current exported logs were made available for processing in South Australia.
The compliance of the conditions of the sale of Forestry SA’s harvesting rights will also be put under the spotlight.
Councillor Dale Price told the council that he and fellow Sorby Adams ward elected representative Deb Agnew had recently visited Nangwarry where the mill had closed.
He said the moves by Mr Bell got to the heart of what the council was about.
“Jobs are being exported and we should be value-adding,” Cr Price said.
“Australia has become the traditional quarry of the world for our natural resources.”
Deputy Mayor Cr Glenn Brown said he and Cr John Drew had met Mr Malinauskas in Millicent last week and made him aware of the concerns of timber processors in this region.
After the motion to write to the two party leaders had passed, Mayor Des Noll OAM commended Cr Price for his initiative.
“It is a strong statement to our community and reflects our community,” Mr Noll said.
Mr Bell told The South Eastern Times that he welcomed the council’s backing.
“I welcome Cr Price’s comments and the support from a local government perspective,” Mr Bell said.
“The timber industry is a major employer in our region and for that to continue, we need to ensure its ongoing viability, both now and into the future.
“Our jobs and our people should be a priority.”
In calling for the Select Committee earlier this month, Mr Bell had said he was concerned about the level of raw log exports and the importation of finished product.
“I want to know why we are exporting so much raw product and how many jobs we are missing out on our region,” he said.
“I think it would be hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars.
“I want those jobs for our kids, our grandkids and our community.”
Ahead of the state election a year ago, Mr Bell called for an independent auditor to examine the sale of the forward timber rotations and conditions surrounding the sale.
