Upper Yarra
Tuesday, 30 May, 2023
Pressure eases for ratepayers in Yarra Ranges
Healesville group planning for bushfire season
Koala rescued from greater Woori Yallock
Breaking down the Victorian State Budget
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A Star News Group Publication
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The Powelltown Sawmill is devastated by the news that native timber harvesting will end in 2024, rather than 2030.
Picture: ON FILE
Cut to the quick By Callum Ludwig The timber industry is reeling after the Victorian Government brought forward the transition away from native forestry logging to 1 January 2024 from the initial 2030 goal.
The decision has come as the state forestry body VicForests ceased operations in November 2022 after losing a Supreme Court case against them brought by Warburton Environment. An extra $200 million was allocated in the
23/24 Victorian budget to bring forward the transition package to support timber industry workers, for a total package of $875 million. Powelltown Sawmill CEO Dan Pote said when he heard the rumours of the decision on Monday night and Tuesday morning, he felt
sick in the stomach. “It has been a lot to digest, this very sudden change of plan to end native forestry, from 2030 all of a sudden to January 2024,” he said. Continued page 8
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