Could the forestry industry return to New England?
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The Liberal government announced last week the construction of nine 'regional forestry hubs' across the country. One of the pilot hubs is planned to be built in the Glen Innes area.
The government isn't throwing a huge amount of money at it. The national scheme is set to cost $20 million, but $12.5 million is already earmarked for a hub in north-west Tasmania.
In effect, the remaining eight are budgeted to cost less than a million dollars each to construct.
New England MP Barnaby Joyce said the hub would help “the Walcha, Glen Innes and Urbenville communities", but the exact location hasn't been finalised.
A spokesperson said the nature of the hub is yet to be worked out either; it need not be a physical building.
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In a government document detailing the "national forest industries plan", the hubs are described as helping to drive plantation growth.
"The hubs will identify new plantation opportunities, ensuring the right trees are planted in the right places, add value to existing infrastructure and processing capability and maximise community participation," it says.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the hub is designed to provide strategic direction for the industry.
“This plan will protect and grow New England’s vital forestry industry, create more jobs, and open up opportunities to build new and improved roads, rail and port facilities."
But Glen Innes shire mayor Carol Sparks was sceptical of the project proposal, arguing a resurgent forestry industry would likely log native timber and thereby worsen climate change.
"Logging native forests is a recipe for disaster for our planet," she said.
The plan looks to be chiefly concerned with the plantation timber industry.
Government announced pilot regional forestry hubs in South West Western Australia, on the border of South Australia and Victoria, in North West Tasmania and in the Glen Innes area.