Sawmill closure sparks timber contracts review call
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The closure of Boral's Walcha sawmill near Tamworth has prompted a call for an independent review into New South Wales Government timber contracts and industry development grants.
The North-East Forest Alliance (NEFA) says it is concerned about the latest closure, which comes after similar shutdowns at South Grafton and Bostobrick.
NEFA spokeswoman Carmel Flint says Government deals with Boral lack transparency and do not protect local jobs or the environment.
"It received more than $20 million in industry development grants and 20 year wood supply agreements and we are now discovering that in return it hasn't even delivered on job security for regional communities," she said.
"It's closed a mill at Walcha this year and a mill at South Grafton and two mills in the previous years."
