Logging on

Timber was big business years ago up and down the South Coast of NSW. Dwindling resources and stricter conservation regulations have not killed the industry altogether, however, and heavy-laden rigs like this one can still be seen passing through Batemans Bay. Passing through, but not unloading. The last remaining sawmill here was closed a year ago - and only this week, in the early hours of Monday, the deserted buildings were burnt down. Arson is suspected - nothing to do with the horrendous bushfires sweeping parts of the state. So far, our district has been spared bushfires this time round, but to our north, as I write, 27 fires remain uncontained, one man is dead and hundreds of homes are feared destroyed.