Family-run timber mill in Manjimup wants ‘more clarity’ from State Government as native logging ban looms

A family-owned and operated timber mill in Manjimup has asked for more clarity from the State Government as the closure of the timber industry draws closer and closer. Rockbridge Timber was established in 1989 by owner David Mottram who started the company after a downturn in the sheep and cattle industry. He began by cutting up karri logs which had fallen over on his property into garden sleepers but after limited sales he shifted to roofing timber. Unfortunately, the building industry began to dry up around this time so Mr Mottram took matters into his own hands and drove a small load of karri trees from his property up to Perth to sell. After he found success there he was awarded his first karri contract and from there Rockbridge Timber was born. Now, 30 years on the small sawmill faces an uncertain future after the State Government’s decision to end the native timber industry after 2023. Mr Mottram said he found out about the decision to close the native timber industry after Premier Mark McGowan made the announcement on ABC radio in September last year which left him with “a lot of uncertainty.” Mr Mottram said he was still “unclear” about what the future held for the company given there had been almost no guarantee over how many sawlogs would be available for mills after 2023, whether smaller mills would have to cease operations or what kind of contracts would be available through the Forest Products Commission after 2023. Dealing predominantly in karri wood, Rockbridge Timber supplies hardwood to the mining, housing and manufacturing industry through scaffolding planks, fencing posts, pallets, crane blocks and bridge timber. Rockbridge Timber manager Neils Larsen said the announcement to close the native timber industry had already affected the company’s ability to hire new staff given there was no guarantee the company would continue after 2023. “There is no incentive to get any workers to come into the industry because there will be nothing for them in the end,” he said. “Someone could come in and join us now and then at the end of (2023) they get nothing.” Mr Larsen said the worker compensation package, announced to help timber employees transition out of the industry, only applied to those who were timber workers when the announcement was made in September last year. Both Mr Mottram and Mr Larsen said they wanted Rockbridge Timber to continue operating after 2023, but without clarity from the State Government on timber allocations for small mills like Rockbridge, they would be forced to close.