Parkside announces closure of Manjimup mill

West Australia’s timber towns have been left ”stunned’ by the speed at which the industry is shedding workers ahead of a looming ban on the widespread logging of native forests. More than 20 workers at Parkside Timber’s multi-million-dollar dry mill, which processes timber in Manjimup, are set to be out of work when it closes on Friday.

It comes two weeks after 45 workers lost their jobs when Parkside closed its Nannup mill. The ABC understands the Queensland company has made the decision that the mills are no longer viable as the state government moves to shut down the native timber industry by next year.

The Shire of Manjimup had hoped Parkside would keep processing timber for another two years. Shire President Paul Omodei says his heart goes out to the workers.

Mr Omodei, a former Liberal leader, took aim at the government for driving the decision. “This is what happens when governments make political decisions about sustainable industry,” he said. “The timber industry is one of the original industries in the state. For the government to do what they’ve done, without a social and economic impact study, is an absolute disgrace.”

WA Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis said there was on-the-ground support to workers in both Nannup and Manjimup to help mill workers with support payments and retraining.

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Source: ABC