Construction has started on a $63 million state-of-the-art timber plant at Tarpeena in the South East which will revolutionise South Australia's timber manufacturing industry and create local jobs.
Timberlink's NeXTimber facililty, which has received $2 million from the Marshall Liberal Government's Regional Growth Fund, will be Australia's first combined Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing plant.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the combined manufacturing plant will boost local timber production and provide an alternative for steel and concrete in mid and high-rise construction.
"Timberlink's new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Tarpeena will be a game-changer for South Australia's timber industry and it's very exciting to see construction now underway," Minister Basham said.
"The Marshall Liberal Government is proud to support projects such as this one which stimulate regional economies and most importantly create local jobs. It's projects like this which are helping South Australia's strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic leading to us having the lowest unemployment rate in the state's history.
"The former Labor Government sold off and sold out the forestry industry in the South East, whereas the Marshall Liberal Government is investing back into the industry encouraging growth and creating jobs.
"The new manufacturing plant will provide a commercially viable and carbon-friendly alternative to steel and concrete for construction which is a win-win for South Australia.
"The facility will occupy a space big enough to fit 12 Olympic-size swimming pools. It is expected to create more than 180 jobs during construction and on-going and will significantly increase Australian production capability reducing the need to import these products from overseas."
Timberlink Chief Executive Officer Ian Tyson said Timberlink has recently completed a major multi dimensioned investment at the Tarpeena mill which largely has completed their timber manufacturing modernisation, creating a world class timber manufacturing facility.
"The co-location of a CLT & GLT Plant on the same site makes this facility unique in Australia," Mr Tyson said.
"Timber is the Ultimate Renewable and NeXTimber products provide carbon negative mass timber solutions for building components, that enables a reduction in the embodied carbon in a range of building types. However you use NeXTimber, you won't just be building a building. You'll be creating a better future."
In further exciting news for the South Australia's forestry sector, South East Pine Sales has unveiled their new automated steam generation plant which will add nearly 1,000m3 of additional capacity.
"This is another project in the state's South East which will boost capacity in our forestry sector, grow the regional economy and create local jobs," Minister Basham said.
"The Marshall Liberal Government was pleased to provide nearly $90,000 from the Regional Growth Fund towards this $300,000 project."
