Planned burns doubled and salvaged wood for sawmills under Coalition forest policy

Native timber from Victoria's bushland could be processed at local sawmills under a Coalition government as the opposition announces a suite of forest management pledges ahead of next month's state election. 

Twice the amount of planned fuel-burning works would take place each year as part of the proposal. 

The Coalition's forest management program would thin and reduce fuel loads across 5,000 hectares of public forest each year, which Nationals leader Danny O'Brien said would support regional jobs. 

Timber harvested from state-managed bushland as part of forest restoration and fuel reduction programs would be processed at Victorian mills and used for sawlogs, firewood, biochar and mulch.

The pledge also included an expansion of cultural burns and a doubling of planned burns to address a recommendation from the Bushfire Royal Commission.

The Coalition said old-growth and hollow-bearing trees would be protected, while reducing the threat of invasive species and weeds. 

It has also promised to invest $2.52 million across four years, partnering with industry on a $4.41 million bushfire detection camera network across eastern and western parts of the state.

Coalition spokesperson for public land management Melina Bath said the firebreak work under the management plan would produce logs for processing at local mills. 

She said the closure of Victoria's timber sector had hurt regional communities, particularly in Gippsland and the state's north-east. 

"Make no mistake, this is about forest management," Ms Bath said. 

"We have had too long a 'lock it up and leave it' approach. 

"This is about making sure that we actually manage the forest, that we treat the pests and weeds, that we provide the fire breaks … to ensure that firefighters can get in there when the wildfires come. 

"And making sure that when there is timber … that we put it [to] its most high-value use and that we support local jobs here in Gippsland and in other areas of the state."

The Victorian government ended native timber harvesting in Victoria in 2024, with the forestry transition program ending in June this year.

The Coalition's pledge to remobilise native timber processing follows One Nation's plan to revive native timber harvesting in Victoria.

'It's been very tough'

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) managing director Vince Hurley said the industry around Heyfield in Victoria's east had been calling for active forest management.

"Remember Heyfield's been impacted by bushfire three times in the last 25 years," Mr Hurley said. 

"Having active forest management to enable bushfires to be controlled properly … is good for Heyfield and good for local communities, but it's also good for employment here."

He said using timber from native forest would benefit the community and consumers, many of whom purchased timber from interstate and overseas. 

"They'll be able to buy timber that's produced locally in Victoria at a better price," Mr Hurley said. 

He said the sector had faced headwinds since Victoria's native timber industry was closed.

"It's been very tough. We've had to source our timber from elsewhere," Mr Hurley said. 

"We've had to buy operations in other states. We've had to go to the United States and buy raw materials out of the United States and manufacture in Australia. We've also had to spend a lot of money on capital works."

'Disastrous' for environment

Environmental groups have pushed back on the Coalition's election pledge. 

The Victorians for Nature alliance said the management program would face regulatory challenges, including court cases which have found native forest logging breached environmental laws.

The alliance is made up of the Victorian National Parks Association, Environment Victoria, the Wilderness Society and the Victorian Forest Alliance. 

Victorian Forest Alliance spokesperson Nic Fox said logging native forest was "catastrophic for wildlife", particularly species such as greater gliders and powerful owls. 

"Forests are worth so much more standing; providing clean drinking water, reducing erosion, carbon capture/storage, habitat and destination tourism," Mr Fox said. 

"It is pointless to restart something with such low public support, and so many flaws, barriers and costs."

Victorian National Parks Association's nature campaigner Jordan Crook said the policy was "logging wrapped in new branding". 

"But with the same ecological, hydrological and fire-increasing issues," he said.

"From examples around the world, we know the term 'active management' just means logging native forest."