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Posted: 2023-02-01 03:34:50

West Australia's timber towns have been left ''stunned' by the speed at which the industry is shedding workers ahead of a looming ban on the widespread logging of native forests. 

More than 20 workers at Parkside Timber's multi-million-dollar dry mill, which processes timber in Manjimup, are set to be out of work when it closes on Friday. 

It comes two weeks after 45 workers lost their jobs when Parkside closed its mill in the nearby town of Nannup. 

The ABC understands the Queensland company has made the decision that the mills are no longer viable as the state government moves to shut down the native timber industry by next year. 

'Absolute disgrace'

The Shire of Manjimup had hoped Parkside would keep processing timber for another two years. 

Shire President Paul Omodei says his heart goes out to the workers.

An elderly man in a suit standing in front of a tree
Mr Omodei slammed the Labor government's handling of the native timber ban.(ABC South West Zoe Keenan)

Mr Omodei, a former Liberal leader, took aim at the government for driving the decision.  

"This is what happens when governments make political decisions about sustainable industry," he said.

"The timber industry is one of the original industries in the state.

"For the government to do what they've done, without a social and economic impact study, is an absolute disgrace."

Mr Omodei said the government needed to show greater commitment to creating jobs in Manjimup, the historical centre of timber logging in WA.

"If the government had any good intentions they would find an alternative industry to relocate to Manjimup and employ a hundred people," he said.

The ABC understands Parkside will continue to process a small amount of timber in Nannup.

Government support for mill workers

WA Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis said there was on-the-ground support to workers in both Nannup and Manjimup to help mill workers with support payments and retraining.

Jackie Jarvis stands in front of a garden
WA Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis hopes former mill employees will find other work.(ABC South West: Jacqueline Lynch)

"They are on the ground in these towns and will be for many weeks to come," she said.

She was hopeful those who had lost their jobs in Manjimup would be able to find work.

"We know that the shire president was, until a couple of years ago, berating the state government about workers shortages," Ms Jarvis said.

"They have a more diversified economy; they have a big agriculture sector.

"Those 20 or so workers who have lost jobs in Manjimup today — I would hope that the local economy can pick them up."

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