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Australian Forest Products Association chairman Joel Fitzgibbon has resigned and been replaced by Pentarch executive director Stephen Dadd. Source: Timberbiz Mr Fitzgibbon informed the board of his intention on Sunday, and on Monday the board accepted his decision effective immediately. Acting CEO Natasa Sikman has also resigned. Richard Hyett has stepped into the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer. Mr Dadd, who was officially elected on Tuesday, is also Chair of AFPA NSW and a Director of Forest Wood Products Australia. Jean-Yves Nouaze will continue as Deputy Chair. Mr Fitzgibbon has been on the AFPA board since June 2022 and took on the role of Chair in 2023. In that time, he also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from January to September 2023. Mr Nouaze thanked Mr Fitzgibbon for his service to the forest products sector as well as his long-term support for the industry. “AFPA has been fortunate to have Joel’s support for the sector over many years. As Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Joel passionately represented the importance of our industry to Members of Parliament for Australian communities. “It is testament to Joel’s commitment to the industry, that following a distinguished career in Australian politics, he agreed to serve as Director and Chair of AFPA. “Throughout his time as Chair, Joel has guided AFPA and the Board through government relations as well as national and international climate policy decisions and CEO recruitment,” Mr Nouaze said. “We look forward to our ongoing positive relationship with Joel as he pursues a range of other commitments. “We wish Joel well for his future endeavours.” An announcement regarding a new CEO is expected soon. The Softwoods Working Group has extended its heartfelt appreciation to Mr Fitzgibbon for his exceptional leadership as both CEO and Chair of the Australian Forest Products Association. SWG executive officer Carlie Porteous said Mr Fitzgibbon played a pivotal role in steering the organization through a transitional phase, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment. She said he had worked tirelessly to elevate the profile of the forest products industry, championing its cause and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. His passion for the sector had left an indelible mark, and the Softwoods Working Group expressed its deepest gratitude for his contribution. Ms Porteous said the new chairman would bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the industry to his new role. “He is highly respected by all in the industry, and we look forward to his contribution and leadership as Chair,” Ms Porteous said. “The Softwoods Working Group looks forward to working closely with Stephen Dadd in his new capacity as Chair of AFPA and is confident that his leadership will further strengthen the industry’s position and foster continued collaboration among industry stakeholders.”

As we commence the year 2024, we are confronted with the demise of our industry in Victoria. This deliberate course of events has sparked intense emotions within our community. Although some may celebrate its exit, many of us appreciate the deep-seated connection and historical significance that the industry retains in Victoria’s high country. We comprehend that the removal of professional timber workers will not only create financial difficulties, but it will also deprive the community of their invaluable expertise in managing the constant threat of devastating bushfires. Since 2003, 60% of the old growth forest has been lost to these fires, raising a legitimate concern that a further reduction in timber workers will accelerate the forest’s decline and yet again put our people and homes in danger. Our community has already endured the tragic loss of loved ones in these catastrophic events. It’s puzzling why the government overlooks not only the financial burden for the state and rural communities with the loss of timber workers, but also the impact on the environment. A common view I’ve heard is that we should lock up our forests to keep them safe. This would have been the case with our original old growth forest. This is no longer the case after 200 years of interference. The bushlands of Victoria today are vastly different from those before Europeans arrived. When they settled here, they had to cut wind tunnels into the old growth forests as the terrain and trees were too damp to burn. These wind tunnels were essential when wind conditions were favourable for forest fires. Clearing the land this way was the only option due to the forest’s natural fire-retardant properties. However, as we have learned from recent fires, a young, dense forest can no longer stop the spread of fire. The landscape has changed significantly and no longer holds water as it once did. Without proper rehabilitation, the risk of future bushfires continues to rise. If we fail to protect the remaining old growth forest, it will have long-term effects on the endangered species that inhabit these areas, including us, since most of our water supply originates from these remaining areas. By commencing rehabilitation efforts around the remaining 40% of old growth forest and water catchments, we may be able to protect them from the increasing likelihood of bushfires in the future. The undeniable fact is that the young forest we have now, compared to a complete old growth forest, is overpopulated with trees. These overcrowded trees vie for water and sunlight, making them more prone to burning due to their insufficient internal water storage. This condition causes the environment beneath them to become drier and more susceptible to igniting severe bushfires. If we do not address this issue by removing these surplus trees, we are likely to witness more massive and destructive bushfires, as we did in the past and as predicted with the escalating impact of climate change. In the 2019-20 fires alone, five unrehabilitated national parks in Victoria were entirely burnt, with 60% of the forest exposed to extreme bushfire, permanently changing this environment and releasing 56 million tons of carbon in one devastating event. These occurrences are prime examples of the repercussions when rehabilitation work is neglected to be done before making these areas parks. The suffering and loss of life to our native forests and animals in these areas was horrendous. The way the animals would have suffered is unimaginable. The few survivors are now exposed to feral predators like wild dogs and cats. The feral deer eat most of the forest’s natural regeneration after the fires, removing more of the native wildlife food source. Sadly, moving forward without the timber industry makes it impossible for the government to afford the necessary funding for our forestry. Our forestry needs to generate income to make it viable to carry out the essential rehabilitation work. The problematic trees need to be selectively removed in a low-impact manner and used for renewable building materials so as not to release more carbon into our atmosphere. If the government had the foresight when they came into power, they could have initiated a transition into a more sustainable and beneficial forestry practice. However, it seems that emotional politics have clouded their judgment, demonising the timber workers and failing to recognize their potential in preserving the forest and helping us combat climate change. Instead, they have deliberately and gradually dismantled the industry and the businesses involved, without properly managing the forest, leading to more environmental damage. The effect of the industry shutdown on hundreds of timber workers has been equally devastating. The knee-jerk closure – instead of the eight years transition the government had us all planning for – has disrupted small businesses across Victoria. The stress and uncertainty faced by the frontline industry workers and their families are overwhelming, leaving them in limbo. With some of them, myself included, not having been paid for months with no sign of compensation as yet. The future looks uncertain, casting a shadow of doubt over the entire community. The timber industry has undeniably left a lasting impact on the area, but its legacy will forever be tarnished by its sudden and unexplained end. The unanswered questions and unheard pleas of those involved leave a bitter taste. Why was the industry closed without proper transparency and communication? Why is there a need to withhold and redact information if the intention is to protect the environment? These circumstances give rise to suspicions of corruption or incompetence, further reinforcing the belief that the industry was set up to fail. It is evident that the promised deadline of 2030 was unattainable from the start because it was a lie. A lie that led us timber workers to invest in our businesses and family homes, believing we had time to repay our debts before the closure occurred. A deceitful trap set by our government leaders, playing politics with the rural community, families, and businesses. As the bittersweet reality sets in […]