Victoria’s logging industry faces supply dilemma
In 2009, 75,000 ha of Victoria’s forests were burnt in the Black Saturday bushfires. Over a 3rd of that was forests earmarked for the logging industry. The prospect of bushfires are never calculated into long term planning or log contracts with mills. Couple this situation with other bushfires and a history of overlogging and the result is unprecedented environmental destruction and habitat loss, but also a huge shortfall in the logs available to the logging industry.
In 2013 the Heyfield mill knew their supply would be cut back in 2017.
They did nothing to prepare besides employ media spin doctors and a PR man to instead blame the critically endangered Leadbeaters possum protection, and demand $40M of public money. This news clip from 2010 makes it clear that the fires would impact on all mills.
Originally Published at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA0squdhX_I