13 September, 2010

Gunns announcement turns activists to Eden

ABC Online, Monday 13 September 2010


Mumbulla State Forest logging site, north of Eden. (News Online: Thomas Oriti)

Environmentalists say a recent announcement by the Tasmanian company Gunns shows the days are numbered for a chipmill in South East New South Wales.

The timber giant says the forest industry has lost the debate on native logging, and the company plans to become a solely plantation-based business.

The anti-logging group Chip Busters says environmental activists will now shift their focus to other operations, starting with South East Fibre Exports at Eden.

The group's spokesman, Noel Plumb, says local MPs should assist the transition to plantations.

"It's critical that our local MPs step up here, and demand a share of the $20m currently available for industry restructuring," he said.

"Because there will be contractors who will now realise that the writing is on the wall."

Mr Plumb says the operation at Twofold Bay will be hit next.

"Native forest logging and woodchipping is not sustainable, and the future is in a plantation-based industry," he said.

"The pressure and the focus on woodchipping around the country will now move to other operations such as the Eden woodchip mill."

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