The local ramifications of the State Government’s decision to finish native forest harvesting by 2030 in state-owned forests are serious and far-reaching according to local timber industry leaders.Fenning Timbers in Bairnsdale, which uses 100 per cent ash species to produce furniture, joinery and structural grade timber, is directly affected.The company’s principal, Leonard Fenning, and resource...

A plan to ease congestion at five intersections Bairnsdale is causing angst for business owners.Livingstone Trucks owners, Neal and Kerri Livingstone, hold grave concerns about the Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) proposed roundabout at the intersection of the Bairnsdale-Dargo Road (also known as the Lindenow Road) and the Princes Highway in front of their business.Twice a day, at peak school...

Sharp shooting sisters, Aislin and Renae Jones, of Lakes Entrance, returned from the ISSF Oceania Regional Championships in Sydney having both claimed places on the podium.The crucial event for Australia to gain quota places for the Tokyo Olympics was conducted last week at the Sydney International Shooting Centre, which was the venue for shooting events at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.Over the...

In response to the State Government’s decision last Thursday to cease logging in remaining old growth forests and cease all logging in native forests in the east of the state, East Gippsland Shire Council voted on Tuesday to write to Premier Daniel Andrews for an explanation.“Many people in the forestry industries and in small communities will be doing it very tough on hearing of the...

East Gippsland Shire Council will deliver, in full, the Victorian Government’s $1.51 million Local Government Service Support Payment as rate relief for all farm properties.Council voted to pass on the $1.51m payment – approximately 32 per cent rate relief – at its meeting in Orbost on Tuesday.Mayor, Cr John White, said council’s decision was the fairest way to deliver the support.“Council...