Forests inquiry boss worried about sale reasons
Aug 4, 2011
The chairman of a state parliamentary inquiry into the proposed sale of forest rotations in south-east South Australia says he is disturbed by the rationale behind it.
Under Treasurer Brett Rowse told the inquiry yesterday that the Treasury was asked to provide a range of options to shore up the state's credit rating.
Inquiry chairman Robert Brokenshire says he is worried about the reasons given.
"That was, well we need some money, we need to maintain our Triple A credit rating, what can we get our hands on with a range of other assets?" he said.
"This was put up but that concerns me as a member of the committee because I think we've got to look at the sustainable timber industry and also the social impact of this potentially, especially in the south-east."
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi says the evidence was very concerning.
"All they've looked at is what they can get for it, they really haven't considered a lot of the social impacts, the fire protection and there's a lot of unknowns," he said.
"I think what they want to do is flog it off, get as much money as they can for it, retire debt, pay for Adelaide Oval redevelopments and really they haven't considered the impact properly on the south-east."