TASMANIA is facing an exodus of forest workers because of the deepening crisis in the industry.
An industry leader yesterday said workers would head to West Australian mines, leaving the Tasmanian industry crippled.
And a logging contractor revealed he had already moved much of his business interstate because of the severe downturn.
The gloom deepened as a group of contractors yesterday held a crisis meeting in Launceston attended by Opposition Leader Will Hodgman.
Timber Communities Australia state manager Barry Chipman said he had never seen the industry in a worse state.
“I have been involved since 1969 and there have been ups and downs and things have been a bit tight but personally I have never seen a situation like we are confronted with right now anything that could be against us is against us,” he said.
“We have great Tassie companies going under and the likes of the Greens and the Wilderness Society are reaping what they have sown.”
Mr Chipman said the Forest Industry Plan launched in the lead-up to the state election was not going to save the industry in the short term and a financial assistance package was needed.
And,
