Rushy Lagoon a win for Tassie forestry and timber workers
Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union
The Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union has welcomed the Rushy Lagoon plantation project as a big win for Tasmania’s timber workers.
TFTU Tasmanian Secretary Danny Murphy said the investment would strengthen resource security, underpin the investment needed to protect local processing jobs, and create opportunities across planting, forest management, harvesting, haulage, sawmilling and manufacturing.
“Resource security is job security.
“Tasmania has skilled forestry and timber workers, sawmills and manufacturing capacity—and we want more of all three.
“To achieve that, the industry needs productive trees in the ground, and this project delivers that.
“The timber needed to build Tasmania’s future homes must be planted today.
“Australia cannot solve the housing crisis without securing the renewable timber needed to build more homes. That requires long-term investment in plantations, processing and manufacturing—and good and decent jobs throughout the supply chain.”
Mr Murphy said the proposal was consistent with Australia’s Timber Fibre Strategy—the national long-term strategic plan for the forest and wood-products industry—which supports using Australian Carbon Credit Units to attract investment in productive plantations.
“The union supports Nature-based Solutions to climate change, including tree planting, that deliver genuine benefits for workers, communities and the environment. This project has enormous potential on all three fronts.
“It is also welcome that farming will continue at Rushy Lagoon. This project demonstrates that agriculture and productive forestry can coexist, with different parts of a large property used for what they are best suited to—maintaining productive farming while growing the timber needed to support Tasmanian jobs and future housing supply.
“Our support for ACCU generation also recognises that credible offsets are needed to supplement—not replace—the emissions-reduction plans of Australia’s heavy industries.
“That means Rushy Lagoon is not only a win for Tasmania’s timber workers. It also matters to Tassie workers in aluminium, pulp and paper, iron ore pellet and cement manufacturing, as well as mining.
“Investment in productive plantations can help Australia meet its emissions targets, provide carbon credits that support the viability of heavy industry, secure future timber supply and create jobs.
“It’s simple: if you genuinely support Tassie timber and other blue-collar jobs, you support this project.”
About us:
The TFTU was formerly the CFMEU Manufacuring Divsion. We represent workers across:
- Forestry, timber harvesting and haulage
- Sawmilling, wood processing, pulp and paper
- Furniture, cabinetry, joinery and shopfitting
- Glass and glazing
- Floorcoverings, carpets, blinds and curtains
- Textiles, clothing and footwear
- Commercial laundries and related manufacturing industries.
Contact details:
To arrange further comment contact Travis Wacey: 0427900556