Hundreds have gathered in Western Australia's South West to rally against the state government's ban on hardwood logging from 2024.

Workers and community leaders met in Manjimup, 280 kilometres south of Perth, to protest against the changes that the industry says could lead to hundreds of job losses.

Last week, the government announced that, by 2024, timber taken from native forests would be limited to a small number of activities such as forest management and clearing for approved mining operations.  

Mitch de Campo's family have been carting native timber in the Manjimup region for 40 years. He said the sector accounted for about 50 per cent of the bulk transport business's operations.

"Forestry is part of our DNA here," he said.

Mr de Campo joined the chorus of voices calling on the government to push back the two-year deadline to allow for more consultation to take place.

Attendees also urged Premier Mark McGowan and Forestry Minister Dave Kelly to visit the region to provide more clarity about the transition period.

"I hope the government listens; I hope they come back to the table and talk to us," Mr de Campo said.

Too much uncertainty 

Forest Industries Federation of WA executive director Melissa Haslam said the industry was keen to see the ban overturned, but recognised that was unlikely.

She said the industry was now lobbying for better support for communities to help businesses and workers through the transition period.

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"If it's not overturned, I just need to make sure people are looked after," she said.

"It was just a headline announcement; now we've got to work out all the detail.

"The biggest concern from our perspective is that the cost 20 years ago [when old-growth logging was banned] was $180 million. Today they're shutting down the industry with just $50 million [support package].

"I know anecdotally that's not even going to come close to fairly compensating people."

'What happens now'? 

Margaret Mottram owns Rockbridge Timber, a Manjimup-based sawmill established in 1989.

She said the future was uncertain for the 10 staff she employed.

"They all live in Manjimup, they've all got their families here, I don't know what they're thinking at this stage," she said.

"They say there's a support package but what does it mean for me and my family? What does it mean for Manjimup?

"They've said they're going to give us some money and retain us, but not everyone wants to go and pick avocados or work in a cafe. 

"What are we going to tell our blokes?" 

Under the plan, the state government said it would spend $350 million on softwood plantations across the state.

Mr McGowan said the plan would save around 400,000 hectares of forest.

The Forestry Minister's office has been contacted for comment.