A high-end furniture maker in Western Australia's south west says the looming end of native timber logging is the final blow for his craft.
Key points:
- The state government is calling for public comment on its 10-year forest management plan
- Jarrah furniture makers says much less timber will be available
- Forestry Minister Dave Kelly says some timber will be allocated for high-value use
The WA government released its draft forest management plan this week, confirming its policy to end commercial native timber logging by 2024.
Forestry Minister Dave Kelly said eco-thinning meant timber would still be available for high-end products.
Boranup Gallery owner James Howieson, who makes and sells jarrah and marri furniture for up to $35,000 a piece, said he would stop production.
End of an era
Mr Howieson said the state government's policy was a final blow but not the only reason he had to stop, with high freight costs, limited access to international markets during COVID-19, and poorer quality wood also contributing.
"There's really no incentive to remain if the raw material is beginning going to become scarcer, more expensive," he said.
"How do you expand and be enthusiastic under those conditions?"
Mr Howieson said his rare pieces attracted a high price.
"Our grandfather clocks are $35,000, and we've sold a lot of that," he said.
"But that era is finishing rapidly."
He said it was the end of an era for the WA jarrah furniture industry.
"How do you compete against billion-dollar machines in Italy that pop out thousands of units in a 24 hour period they can sell for $100?" he asked.
Timber available
Forestry Minister Dave Kelly said ecological thinning meant timber would still be available for high-value furniture .
But furniture makers want more assurances from the state government.
Perth furniture company owner Todd Smith said he would be scrutinising the plan.
"We've had four price increases this year alone just on the back of the government's decision," he said.
"I can only see that skyrocketing in the next three to five years."
The state government said work was being done with industry and high-end furniture makers to determine how much timber would be allocated.
Mr Howieson said he understood the need to shut down the native timber industry in WA.
"Blind Freddie can see that global warming is a massive issue, and trees help alleviate that," he said.
"Some things stay and some things go and it's quite necessary for this one to go.
"We have to preserve what's left of our forests really"