The crippled timber industry is facing more than $40 million in lost revenue and damaged machinery following bushfires which devastated the eastern states since November. Industry representatives are lobbying for a new government support package for forestry contractors, which have already put hundreds of crews out of work in three states, amid warnings there is “no relief in sight”. Early estimates are that contractors have lost up to $15 million in revenue from the fires which burned through state forests and plantations over summer, with more than 40 pieces of equipment valued at $27 million damaged or lost. Contractors from NSW and Victoria now warn that unless there is urgent attention to their plight their businesses will not survive.