Greens Delighted At Optimism Of West Coast Timber Industry

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said she was very pleased, but not surprised, with news that many West Coast timber mills are looking to expand as they develop new markets for radiata pine products.

The logging and processing of native timber on the West Coast will end in just over one year and Ms Fitzsimons said she congratulated the timber industry on the Coast for moving on and looking to a very positive future.

"Contrary to the doom and gloom comments from Barry Nicolle of the Coast Action Network in the Christchurch Press last week, the truth is that the West Coast Timber Association say there is confidence in the sector, many mills are looking to expand and the future for pine processing on the Coast is bright," said Ms Fitzsimons.

Ms Fitzsimons said it was always the Green Party's belief that the ending of native logging on the West Coast need not disrupt regional development and employment on the Coast.

"We welcome the comments from the West Coast Timber Association today. It puts paid to the tired scaremongering of the opposition in parliament and the likes of Barry Nicolle on the West Coast," she said.

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