Posted 53 minutes ago
Forest contractors are finding it difficult to meet debt repayments and are seeking further State Government assistance. (ABC TV)
Forest contractors in Tasmania are calling for another State Government assistance package to help them meet debt repayments during the latest woodchip mill shutdowns.
Timber company Gunns told the industry last week that its mills at Burnie, Triabunna and Longreach would close for an extra three weeks from this month.
The State Government provided $1.8 million in March to help forest contractors during earlier shutdowns.
But Scottsdale contractor Kelly Gerke says he has lost work with the collapse of Great Southern and Forest Enterprises Australia and is finding it difficult to repay his debts.
"Along with a lot of other forestry contractors we got a payment, the help package, and honestly that was about half of one month's payments," he said.
"We do have payments, our monthly payments are around about $80,000 a month."
Add to My Watchlist
What is My Watchlist?