Unbalanced Outcome on Forests

Date: 14 April 2000

Labor Council today expressed its disappointment at the State Governments decision on the Southern Regional Forest Agreement.

Whilst noting the positives in the decision for the Tumut region the outcome can in no way be considered balanced for timber workers in the South Coast region, Labor Council Officer Mark Lennon, said today.

" It will mean job losses for timber workers in the South Coast region which is very disappointing given there was scope to increase the amount of timber available and actually create jobs." Mr. Lennon said

"This particular RFA presented an opportunity for all stakeholders in the industry to have a win. There was the prospect of jobs being created and environmental targets being achieved"

"Most of the participants in the process believed that the amount of timber available to industry on the South Coast could have been increased from its present level without harming the environmental outcome" he added

Forestry unions believe that as a minimum 55,000m3 of timber supply should have been made available to the industry in the region. This would have meant a potential 50 new jobs could have been created in the hardwood industry in the region.

Mr. Lennon said that the decision could not be viewed in isolation.

" The decision has to be seen in the context of the overall restructuring of forest operations in NSW. Through the RFA process to date hundreds of jobs have been lost in the industry."

"Forests workers have accepted these outcomes, albeit begrudgingly, recognizing the environmental realities of the day. But the reality of the southern process was that both industry and environmental outcomes could have been met. It was a chance to give some jobs back to the industry."

Mr. Lennon said that he would be meeting with forestry unions next week to consider a unified response to the decision.

For further information

Contact:	Peter Lewis
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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