A call to the Community
RICHARD SAGE - DISTRICT COUNCIL OF GRANT MAYOR
SPEECH DELIVERED 3 NOVEMBER, 2010
The decision by the State Government to sell the harvesting rights of Forestry SA plantations is the most important decision in recent years that will affect the timber and associated industries along with all retail within the South East.
The Limestone Coast Workforce Report released in October 2009 highlights that the Forest Industry and associated Industry employs 5,500 people and accounts for almost 50% of employment in the South East region.
I believe strongly that this is the wrong decision and that this decision will have a significant, irreversible and detrimental effect on employment, associated industries and retail in this area for many years to come if the rotations are sold in this cash grab by the Labor Government.
It sounds confusing and there are conflicting statements and letters. All I know is that the Minister for Forests, Michael O'Brien and the Treasurer, Kevin Foley have made it very clear that the decision has been made to forward sell the harvesting rights of Forestry SA for up to 3 cycles. They appear to be working through whether this is 1, 2 or 3 harvesting cycles and how the sale will proceed.
There has also been NO Regional Impact Assessment on how this decision will affect the employment, the economy and the social fabric of this Region. We as a community have not even been consulted.
In my view, now is the time for the Community to really stand up to the plate and be counted on this issue. This is likely to affect every worker in this region in some way. We need your support now.
I believe that if we work together and show strong Community support, this decision can be stopped and this Government should now do as it should have over this past 10 years, grow the business and ensure this region is allowed to prosper into the future.