WA timber industry verging on collapse: union
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The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) warns that Western Australia's timber industry is harvesting at a rate far higher than it can replant and the industry is on the verge of collapse.
It is seeking a meeting with Premier Colin Barnett to address the issue, which it says needs urgent intervention.
The CFMEU has criticised the former government for allowing a harvesting rate it says is 30 per cent above the replant rate.
Michael O'Connor, the secretary of the CFMEU's forestry division, says timber industry jobs have been needlessly placed in danger.
"The harvesting levels that have been set by the authorities is set at a level which is not sustainable," Mr O'Connor said.
"That is a situation that's going to lead to a crisis in the industry and we believe the Government needs to move quickly on it."
