Councillor Gae Swain told last week’s monthly meeting that both National Party members should be invited to Gunnedah “as a matter of urgency”.

Cr Swain said the “flawed process” that currently governs the timber industry can no longer be allowed to continue.

She asked council to write to Mr Stoner and Mr Anderson to invite them to address the 35 workers and the mill’s manager, Paddy Paul, and tell them what they are going to do to assure the industry’s future.

“This was a sustainable industry until they had the rug pulled out from under them,” said Cr Swain during Questions Without Notice.

“I ask that as a matter of urgency council invite Mr Stoner and Mr Anderson to come to Gunnedah to meet with the workers and Paddy Paul.”

Mayor Owen Hasler said the big issue for Gunnedah Timbers was not the quantity but the quality of logs being made available.

“The size is the issue,” Cr Hasler said.

“What they are being allowed to harvest are logs that are too small and immature. 

“This is unsustainable and there are areas that have been identified that would allow the industry to secure its future.”

Last month a parliamentary report recommended a number of national parks be unlocked to allow commercial logging.

An Upper House committee chaired by the Shooters and Fishers Party’s Robert Brown released a draft report calling on the NSW Government to “immediately open some national parks and other reserved areas for logging to sustain the timber industry”. 

It also recommended, if necessary, a ‘tenure swap’ be considered, where sections of national parks would be opened up for logging and areas of state forests not suitable for logging, would be reserved in place.

It emphasised the urgent need for action in the Pilliga region.

Gunnedah Timbers manager Paddy Paul said his current logging situation meets demand for now, but if action isn’t taken on the report urgently, the mill “would be forced to close some time in 2014”.

Gunnedah Timbers currently logs in East Pilliga, Doona, Jacks Creek, Goran and Keringle State Forests, where the size and quality of saw logs are becoming a major issue due to the restrictions placed on logging by Forestry Corporation NSW and National Parks and Wildlife.

Mr Paul’s concern is that the relevant ministers, Katrina Hodgkinson (Primary Industries) and Robyn Parker, (Environment) are “buck passing”.

Mr Paul said last month that both Ms Hodgkinson and Parker were adamant that it is the other’s decision.

“No-one can give us a straight forward answer,” he said.

“Trinkey State Forest alone, if sustainably logged could keep the mill operational for another five years and beyond.”

Mr Paul said today it would mean security for staff and their families.

“I’m very disappointed for our loyal, hardworking staff that I can no longer guarantee them job security, due to the fact that a decision isn’t being made either way.

“That’s what hurts my family the most, the lack of security, most of our staff have given us 10 years of service, or more, some are up to 40 years and we can’t give them an answer.

“What do I tell my staff when they say ‘I just bought a new car, will I have a job in 12 months?’.

“It’s so, so disappointing.”

Mr Paul is also concerned about the flow-on effect the loss of the timber industry could create.

“If 50 people lose their job and leave the area for work, local business will suffer, that’s less doctors and teachers needed for the area.”

The future of the region’s timber industry has been an ongoing concern now since 2005, after the NSW  Carr Labor Government allowed the lock-up and transfer of 348,000 hectares of the Brigalow Belt South Bio-region – including some of the best cypress forests in NSW – to national parks and community conservation areas.

This had cost $30 million and saw the closure of eight sawmills .

In 2005 the Nationals leader at the time, Andrew Stoner, pledged to overturn the controversial decision to lock up national parks if the Coalition won government, but there has been no action yet.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said it would take a change in legislation to unlock the parks.

He met with the timber mill and workers on June 24 to discuss the issue and the possibility of land swaps.

He has since held a meeting with the NSW Premier, who called for briefs from both minister’s Parker and Hodgkinson, which are due within the next week or two.

Mr Anderson also held another  discussion with the mill last 

week to discuss a community campaign.

“I’m not giving up on this and will keep fighting to keep those jobs,” he said.