YOUNG men are tipped to be the big losers if a Corryong sawmill is forced to shutdown because of the Victorian government's decision to end native timber logging.
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Workers at Walkers Sawmill on Friday said it would be shattering if their factory, which employs 22 people, was closed because it could no longer process mountain ash for CHEP pallets.
Pallet maker Stephen Williams began at the mill as an 18 year-old and has worked there on-and-off for 25 years.
"It's keeping a lot of local young blokes employed in this area, once this closes down there's virtually nothing here (for them) but dairy farms, there will be no major industries up here," he said.
"Working with the farms there's a lot of travelling and a lot of blokes don't have cars and they can get to work here but once this closes down there's nothing to keep them in town and they'll need to venture off further to find work."
Production manager Sam Turner said the mill was the third largest employer in town behind the council and hospital.
"A lot of local people have got a start at the mill, they've got their first job, their first car and got an apprenticeship," Mr Turner said.
He said three staff were under 28 and another three had young children.
Office assistant Pam Noonan expressed empathy.
"I really feel for the young guys and those with young families, one of the guys is expecting his first child, so it's going to be a big impact for everyone," Mrs Noonan said.
Under the changes announced last week by Premier Daniel Andrews, hardwood timber processing would end in 2030 after gradually being wound down to that point.
Mr Williams said he was not surprised by the decision, given the politics of the Victorian administration.
"I've been expecting it for quite awhile, being a Labor government and being in love with the Greens you had to expect that," he said.
However, Mr Williams noted the mass of timber that is kept constantly watered at the mill is not from aged stands.
"Most of the logs we get are regrowth logs, they're not old forest cut down logs," he said.
Mr Turner also remarked that over the 25 years he had ties to the forestry industry the sector had become more aware of sustainability.
"It's not like they're just clearing land for farming," he said.
"It's not like they're leaving the bush bare, there's certain trees they can't knock down....it's a very responsibly managed industry."
Mr Turner said the government would "never get my vote after a decision like that", although he conceded he had never backed Labor.
