Timber Industry Transition Group

On Wednesday the 8 September the McGowan Labor Government made the historic decision to cease logging in the State's native forests from 2024, with the intention to invest a record $350 million to expand Western Australia's softwood timber plantations to create and support sustainable WA jobs.

Key points from the announcement are:

• South-West native forests to be protected from logging from 2024.
• Forest Management Plan 2024-33 to end logging of native forests.
• All two-tier karri forest immediately protected.
• Record $350 million to expand WA's softwood timber plantations - creating and supporting sustainable jobs in the South-West.
• Sustainable supply of softwood to support the State's timber and construction industries for decades to come.
• $50 million Just Transition Plan to support affected workers and communities.

The $50 million Just Transition Plan is designed to support affected workers, diversify local economies and identify and secure sustainable job creation opportunities and may include a number of measures such as;

• business transition funding;
• retraining opportunities for workers;
• attracting and developing new industries;
• diversifying the economy and support for communities;
• support from financial counsellors; and
• enhanced redundancy packages.

The Shire has been proactive since the decision with the Shire President Hon Paul Omodei, Deputy Shire President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Campbell meeting with the Minister for Water, Forestry and Youth, Hon Dave Kelly MLA on Tuesday 22 September 2021. “Information derived from the meeting was that a Native Forestry Transition Group would be established to formulate a plan to provide support to affected workers and businesses, drive further diversification of local economies and assist in identifying and securing sustainable job opportunities” commented Shire President Paul Omodei.

The formation of the Timber Industry Transition Group, on which the Shire President will be a member has now been established comprising of delegates from Shires of Manjimup, Nannup and Bridgetown Greenbushes, representatives from the Forest Industries Federation of WA, Forest Products Association, Australian Workers Union WA, Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union, South West Regional TAFE, South West Development Commission, local chambers of commerce and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The group will meet for the first time in Bunbury on Thursday 28 October 2021.

In addition to this, the Shire’s senior management team is working with our elected members, members of the Warren Blackwood Alliance of Council’s and various government agencies in order to identify opportunities for projects and economic development to assist communities in the South West with the view to fostering economic development opportunities to support the community and its transition away from native forest logging.

“Impacts on both economy and social fabric of the Manjimup and South West is unknown at this stage, but expected to be significant given the native forestry industry (including ancillary and support services) is one of our largest industries and employers in the Shire district. We are examining the potential for numerous projects to stimulate new and expanded industries to offset employment loss in the timber industry in the short and medium term including;

• growing the region’s reputation as a world-class culinary, agricultural, environmental and trails tourism destination;
• attracting and retaining new people and business into the community; and
• diversifying the economy and job opportunities;

It is anticipated that many other opportunities will be identified with respect to new economic and support industries and services” he added.

-ENDS-

Authorised by Brian Robinson, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Contact Sheri Laba, Public Relations Officer

Contact for comment: Paul Omodei, Shire President
Contact: 0448 810 773