SOUTH West communities strongly opposing anti-logging moves, have launched a fight-back campaign to secure their future in the forestry industry.
Nannup BP service station owner Graham Happ said a call for the immediate stop to old growth forest logging would have a devastating effect on a town such as Nannup.
“Not only will the massive job losses resulting from such a decision affect mill workers but supplies of fuel, tyres, oil, repairs, hardware and all other consumables will suffer,” he said.
“In the end it goes full circle and impacts on the city.
“It’s not only Nannup that will feel the impact, but towns like Manjimup, Pem-berton, Yarloop and Greenbushes will face unemployment.
“Many other small sawmills in the state, especially in the Bussel-ton-Bunbury area would be out of work.”
Mr Happ said country people felt at the mercy of the wealthy in the city who did not understand the basics of forest management or the social and economic fabric of country communities threatened by their actions.
“We can’t seem to get through to them that we love the forest as much as they do and support the huge areas of forest already in reserves,” he said.
“But our jobs, our town and a secure future for our children is important too.”
Mr Happ said he hoped politicians would get the message country people wanted a fair go.