Australian gov't offers support to doomed Victorian timber mill

Protected Australian forests could be made available for logging in an attempt to save Victoria's Heyfield timber mill.

In a letter to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Barnaby Joyce said Andrews had to work with the federal government to keep the mill open and save thousands of jobs.

The owners of Heyfield, Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH), announced earlier in March that the mill would close due to a lack of wood being supplied to the mill.

In his letter, Joyce said that protected areas of Victoria's Central Highlands, which have been excluded from logging to protect the critically endangered Leadbeater's possum, Victoria's state emblem, could be made available as the status of the possum was reviewed.

He said that while the status of the possum was reviewed the state government should harvest timber from future supply areas to meet immediate needs.

"While I understand the conservation of the Leadbeater's possum is important, forestry is not the principal threat to the population," Joyce wrote to Andrews.

"I consider the livelihoods of 21,000 Victorian forest industry employees, and their families, deserving of greater consideration and thought by your government.

"I can see no way in which this decision is in the interest of Victorians and urge you to reconsider."

The mill directly employs 260 people in Heyfield, which has a total population of 2,000, but its closure is expected to have a significant impact on thousands, notably 1,300 Victorians employed by Australian Paper.

Lily D'Ambrosio, Victoria's Environment Minister, fired back at Joyce, labelling the suggestion that future timber be harvested as "reckless."

"VicForests, who manage our timber resources in Victoria, have made it absolutely clear. Offering timber volumes beyond that which they have said is available right now is reckless and would lead to job losses." Endit