Sawmill owner in Mathoura, Australia, builds second mill after refusing compensation for closure of red gum forests in New South Wales, government rejects his call to reverse decision

Wendy Lisney

LOS ANGELES , August 22, 2011 (Forestweb) – The owner of a sawmill in Mathoura, Australia, who refused compensation from the New South Wales government and continued to run his sawmill when red gum forests were closed to logging, is building a second mill.

Chris Crump is calling for the Millewa group of forests to reopen to mills that are still operating in the region. He said those in the industry would never let it go, and would definitely rebuild it, ABC Rural reported on Aug. 19.

The state's primary industries minister Katrina Hodgkinson has said that the former Labor Government's decision to close the Millewa forests and turn them into national parks and reserves was wrong.

But she has rejected Crump's call, saying that the current government is not in a position to reverse the decision as the US$97 million adjustment package for the timber industry and affected communities has largely been spent.

The primary source of this article is ABC Rural, Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 19, 2011.

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