Call for paper talks

By Kath Gannaway and Mara Pattison-Sowden
WARBURTON Chamber of Commerce is the latest chamber to join the campaign urging Yarra Ranges councillors to start talking to the State Government over the thwarted VicForests relocation to Yarra Glen.
The State Government told the council in May that any discussions about developing a new centralised VicForests office in Yarra Glen were off the table after the council signed the Wilderness Society’s Ethical Paper Pledge (EPP) boycotting Reflex paper.
VicForests is a government-regulated body that supplies timber to make the paper.
A letter signed by the Healesville, Lilydale, Mt Evelyn and Yarra Glen chambers of commerce, and supported by Warburton chamber of commerce, puts a case for the relocation to Yarra Glen.
“To lose VicForests head office Yarra Ranges loses the benefits of 55 permanent full-time jobs coming to Yarra Ranges and the possible loss of 35 current full-time jobs,” the letter says.
While the letter calls for the council to start discussions with the State Government, it falls short, however, of calling on the council to reverse its decision on the EPP.
Warburton Chamber of Commerce president Norm Orr said he contacted Warburton members after the other chambers sought its opinion – and the majority of replies disagreed with the council decision.
“I was seeking their views on whether they supported it so I could represent them fairly,” he said.
“It’s an emotive issue up here in Warburton because people are verbal about their views.”
Healesville Chamber of Commerce president Andrew Miles said the issue was not just about jobs but about council collaboration with businesses and the ider community.
“The Healesville chamber would like the council to engage with local business and wider community. This hasn’t been the case,” he said.
“There is more at stake here than the 45 jobs; the issue is beyond paper and the VicForests organisation.
The Yarra Glen chamber is, however, calling on the council to rescind the motion and has called a public meeting next Monday to garner community support to pressure the council to undo its pledge.
Acting president Rod Faulkner said the council’s actions were a slap in the face for the town.
“Here was an opportunity to bring 60 to 80 people into this town, a town that is seriously hurting and needs help.
“It (the VicForests office) would have been the perfect thing to give the town a little bit of hope,” he said.
The public meeting will be held on Monday 4 July, at the Uniting Church Hall in Yarra Glen at 7.30pm.