Hundreds of jobs could go and native forestland could be threatened if State Forests in New South Wales, Australia is corporatised according to forestry unions.
State Forests manages A$1bn-worth of pine plantations as well as hardwood plantations and two million ha of native forest, worth billions of dollars, according to sources.
With corporisation now looking to be on the cards, the unions are concerned about the future management of native forests.
And Greens MP Ian Cohen claims the government could be throwing away its ability to meet greenhouse reductions if State Forests is corporatised.
However, the Coalition of Timber Councils believes corporatisation is a better option than privatisation and has welcomed news that the government plans further consultation on the matter.
