One of Western Australia’s biggest sawmills will close its doors and lay off workers as the deadline for the state government’s native forest logging ban draws closer. The Greenbushes karri and marri mill, about 240 kilometres south of Perth, will cease operations from next Friday. It is understood about 50 local workers will lose their jobs. Forestry lobby group Forest Industries Federation WA (FIFWA) blamed the decision on the state government’s ban on native forest harvesting by 2024. Chief executive officer Adele Farina said it was “extremely disappointing” and expected more closures at forestry businesses across WA’s south-west region as the deadline drew nearer.