By Stephanie Holliday
A SPORT almost as old as time, and the backbone of many agricultural shows, including the Royal Melbourne Show, is facing the chop.
The Victorian Axemen’s Council has no timber for upcoming woodchopping events, meaning Victorians will be potentially unable to compete at agricultural shows around the state.
A court order limiting harvesting in areas managed by VicForests means the council won’t have enough logs for more than 100 woodchopping events staged/held around Victoria.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, said a VicForests court appeal set for late March will be too late for some events.
“Already we have seen woodchopping cut from the 2023 Berwick Show, and it’s looking more likely that woodchopping won’t be a part of this year’s Royal Melbourne Show,” Ms Kealy said.
“This decision to make VicForests jump through yet another hoop, delaying timber harvesting further, is to the detriment of regional Victorians. This is a decision that affects the lives of regional Victorians all so Labor can garner favour with the inner-city voters.”
Woodchopping events draw crowds from across the nation, predominantly to rural and regional areas.
“Woodchopping is a major drawcard of agricultural shows around the state and a sport that attracts international attention. The Nationals have raised this issue in Parliament, and we want to see a solution to what has become a bizarre situation,” Ms Kealy said.
The Shepparton Agricultural Show haven’t held a woodchop competition for a number of years now, due to limited supply and an increase in the price of logs specific to competition requirements, which exceeds the Show’s budget. With even less availability due to the new court order, it will be almost impossible for other Shows to be able to hold a viable and competitive woodchop competition.
