Call for Government to come clean on chipmill jetty aid
Forest campaigner, Harriett Swift has called on the State Government to come clean about exactly what help it has provided to the woodchipping industry following damage in June to the chipmill jetty.
The Minister for Primary Industries has now admitted that the State has provided assistance to the chipmill via a “number of agencies including Department of Industry – Lands, Forestry Corporation NSW, Department of Industry Office of Regional Development and Transport for NSW have been working to assist ANWE to get operations back up and running.”[1]
The Minister for Primary Industries also admitted last week that “payment terms were modified for the period to October 2016.”
“Exact details are commercial in confidence,” he said.
The information came from a series of questions was posed by Greens MP David Shoebridge in recent hearings on Budget Estimates, during which Members of Parliament have the opportunity to ask any questions on government spending.
5 October 2016
Budget Estimate 2016 Storm damage to Eden chipmill jetty
75. Has Allied Natural Wood Exports (ANWE) or South East Fibre Exports requested any modification to the current application of the Wood Supply Agreement between Forestry Corporation and South East Fibre Exports following storm damage to the chipmill jetty inJune 2016? a. If so, what are the details of the request?
ANSWER Payment terms were modified for the period to October 2016. Exact details are commercial in confidence.
76. Has ANWE sought or received any other kind of assistance from within this portfoliofollowing the June 2016 storm damage?
ANSWER The NSW Government through a number of agencies including Department of Industry – Lands, Forestry Corporation NSW, Department of Industry Office of Regional Development and Transport for NSW have been working to assist ANWE to get operations back up and running