Tasmania's top-quality timber is again being pushed to the fore in public infrastructure and construction with the opening of the new plant at Koppers Wood Products, made possible with funding support from the Tasmanian Government's On-Island Processing Program.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said successful value-adding projects such as this were evidence that government and industry working together delivers more wood, more local processing and even greater value for our forest resource.
"I congratulate Koppers Wood Products on this outstanding project, which aligns with incentives under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future for on-island processing," said Minister Abetz.
"We remain committed to growing our forest industry to create jobs and economic activity in our regions, and our policy and program initiatives continue to ensure this fantastic material is produced locally and also considered for all major public building projects.
"Whether it is the use of wood for industrial purposes like Koppers power poles or for efficient and aesthetically-pleasing design and construction uses, we are right behind our forestry and wood processing industry.
"This is an industry that supports more than 5,000 households around our state, particularly in regional areas and it brings more than $1.2 billion into our economy each year.
"Our policies and programs are ensuring this fantastic material is produced locally and is considered for all major public building and infrastructure projects and it's why we have added an additional $5 million towards the On-Island Processing Program.
"It's also why we have updated and enhanced the Tasmanian Wood Encouragement Policy to drive the innovative use of wood to achieve maximum value for the state and lock-in a wide range of new opportunities for the use of Tasmanian timber.
"Our iconic timbers and timber products are increasingly being showcased in cutting-edge developments like the University of Tasmania Northern Transformation Project and the MyState Bank Arena redevelopment, among many others.
"I look forward to seeing more high value innovative products being created and used by architects, builders and developers, spurred on by our On-Island Processing Program and our Tasmanian Wood Encouragement Policy."
The new Tasmanian Wood Encouragement Policy is available at www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/forestry.
