Page 12 The Moorabool News – 3 May, 2022
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Timber towns “treated like fools”
By Lachlan Ellis
A timber industry association has slammed the State Government, after the revelation that a timber phase out had been signed off, but not disclosed, before the 2018 state election. Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) represents 10 Local Government Areas involved in the timber industry, including Moorabool, and TTV President Karen Stephens expressed her outrage in a media release earlier this month. The news was reported by the Weekly Times in a 6 April article titled ‘Timber secret: Premier Daniel Andrews opted to end native forest logging before 2018 election’, showing that Mr Andrews signed off on a 2030 target to phase the industry out on April 9, 2018. “The Premier then waited until November 6, 2019, to announce “all logging in native forests across the state (is) to stop by 2030”,” the Weekly Times reporter Peter Hunt wrote. That date is nearly 12 months after the state election, which was held on 24 November, 2018. Ms Stephens said the Premier had treated the forestry sector “like fools”.
“Furthermore, offering $100 prepaid EFTPOS cards to attend forums to gauge the view of focus groups on native timber harvesting, specifically across the marginal seats, is absolutely disgusting, and shows this government for what it truly is,” Mrs Stephens said. “The Victorian government knows the devasting flow-on impacts in small regional communities where there are limited alternative employment opportunities, low chance of re-skilling, and when 35 per cent of log sawmilling are sole income earner for their household.” Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan is one of Moorabool’s two representatives at TTV, and also serves as the group’s Treasurer. He said that while Moorabool was unlikely to be badly
affected by the native timber phase-out, the Shire stood in solidarity with those areas where the sector is more heavily relied on. “Some of the member councils, particularly the ones out in Gippsland where timber is a significant part of their economy…to have that sort of announcement made, and then hear that it was signed off before the election, that makes it very hard on those small communities,” Cr Sullivan told the Moorabool News. “There’s a lot of jobs there in that space, that’s where the frustration really comes from. And it’s been highlighted with what’s happening overseas, you really need to be selfsufficient as a nation in your own production of resources. “We’re going to continue using timber products, and I think we have to take a world of responsibility for maintenance of our own resources, and not just transfer a problem to third world countries, where logging is less regulated. That’s not a good outcome, is it?” Last May, TTV issued a call for the native timber phase-out to be reconsidered, with “2,500 people directly employed” and “thousands of indirect jobs” supported, adding almost $300 million value to regional communities.
Connecting and training young artists By Lachlan Ellis Young artists have been offered the opportunity to be trained, curate art events, connect with other artists and more, thanks to a free program being offered by Council. ‘Art Activation’ is a program offered by Moorabool Youth Services and FReeZA, and runs year-round, with fortnightly meetings held either online or in-person. A Moorabool Youth Services team member told the Moorabool News the program was a chance for young artists to connect, improve their craft, and get their work noticed. “Art Activation provides local young people an incredible opportunity to showcase their skills, explore a new art medium and become part of a community of young artists. As a member of Art Activation, young
people have the opportunity to plan workshops for other young people to experience various art forms all while accessing industry relevant training,” the team member said. “Young people involved in Art Activation are some of the key decision makers in all things planning and delivering of workshops, which also means young people can decide when the workshops are delivered.” The program was instigated by FReeZA, which is a committee of local youth that plans and delivers art and music events, and has also organised monthly art workshops in the past. It was FReeZA that realised there was a strong desire for local artists to have a platform for their voices to be heard, and their skills to be seen. For more information on the Art Activation program and to sign up, contact Moorabool Youth Services by calling 5366 7100, or emailing youthservices@moorabool.vic.gov.au.