Those asserting that thousands of jobs will be lost and rural Victorian towns decimated should ask the forestry industry and state governments why they did not heed the recommendations of the Land Conservation Council review into East Gippsland in 1986.
This review stated that the industry was operating at twice the level required to ensure sustainability of the industry, that the biggest threats to employment within the forestry industry were unsustainable practices and the development and implementation of methods aimed at greater efficiency.
The LCC report also said that the best ongoing and increasing employment opportunities were in the environmental education and tourism industries provided they were properly supported. These opportunities are being threatened and undermined by logging activities as noted in RAVC's Royal Auto in 2009.
My father says 'When one door closes, another one opens.' Maybe this decision will open the door to an alternative future for Gippsland.
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