Alexandra and other timber mill communities have an uncertain future due the Brumby Government’s failure to guarantee a supply of native forest timber Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said in Parliament this week.
Dr Sykes said that the issue had been drawn to his attention by the Nationals candidate for Seymour, Anthony Rolando who had expressed his grave concerns about the impact of mill closures, in particular Gunns Timber Products Mills in Alexandra.
“The people of Alexandra and district are extremely concerned about the future of the Gunns Timber Products mill at Alexandra, which employs 50 staff and as such is a major employer in the district.
“Last week Gunns management addressed the mill employees and highlighted the company's concern about the lack of surety of supply of timber for the mill.
“Without assured access to quality logs at an affordable price the Alexandra mill has no future.
“Whilst recent bushfires have impacted severely on log availability, it is the Brumby Labor Government's policies in relation to native forest management which are the biggest threat to the 50 jobs at Gunns.
“The Brumby government just does not get it when it comes to the fundamentals of business. Security of supply of inputs is one of the critical success factors for business.”
Dr Sykes said that whilst Mr Brumby flirts with the Greens for their preferences at the 27 November elections, 50 jobs in Alexandra and thousands of jobs throughout regional Victoria are put in jeopardy.
He said, “If elected on 27 November, a Liberal-National coalition government would ensure security of supply of timber as part of sustainable and active management of native forests and thereby ensure jobs for the timber industry employees and ensure the financial wellbeing of the communities in which they live.”
Anthony Rolando, who has been visiting businesses throughout the Seymour Electorate in the lead up to the 27 November State election, said the uncertainty surrounding the future of the mill in Alexandra was indicative of the general mood throughout the electorate.
“There are many businesses struggling to recover from years of drought and the 2009 bushfires have had a massive impact.
“The Seymour Electorate has been ignored for too long and I will fight for our fair share,” Mr Rolando said. “I am a strong advocate for cutting through bureaucratic red tape and supporting the communities and business who deserve better.”