Mr M lemma
Premier
Parliament House
Sydney NSW 2000
Dear Premier
I am writing to inform you of my opposition of the woodchip industry, especially South East Fibre Exports (SEFE) which sources native timber logs from Nowra to Orbost and chips them for export.
I want the chip mill to stop chipping native forests
Our precious native forests have been taken to the Eden woodchipper for the last 35 years. Native forest woodchips are not "waste" or a by-product. More then 95% the timber cut between Eden and Cobargo goes to the mill in Eden. It is shameful that our forests are being shipped to Japan to be made in to paper.
Small forest operators and workers have suffered badly through Forests NSW big business approach. Since woodchipping began, all but three mills have closed with huge losses in forest industry jobs. The profit now goes to one giant milling company and to SEFE offshore shareholders. It is time for major changes in the way we manage our native forests.
Transition to a sustainable industry and jobs depends on workers, conservationists and government acknowledging and nurturing common interests and working together.
The government spent millions of dollars doing the "science" for the RFA, but erosion continues to silt up our waterways.
The failure of this industry to address in real terms the chronic and irreversible erosion and degradation of our water catchments has caused the community to loose faith in the competency and integrity of forestry management and practices. There have been major protests and rallies aimed at ending unsustainable wood chipping and logging practices.
The logging of the water catchments in the current water crisis should not be allowed. This is a concern of many people in the local tourism, fishing, oyster farming and farming industries. The community has a right to expect accountability and responsibility in return for our taxes subsidizing forestry.
There is still time for some leadership from your Government to belatedly implement Bob Carr’s 1995 election promise to end woodchipping.
By working with other States, your Government can take the lead in Australia to move the woodchipping out of native forests and into plantations.
Yours faithfully
(Your name)
