AN increase in the region’s domestic timber production capabilities would provide a significant boost to Penola’s economy, Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower says.
Council will outline potential opportunities for value-adding in the region to a parliamentary committee, which is undertaking a wide-ranging inquiry in the Limestone Coast.
Among the matters to be probed will be the volume of exported pine logs and the opportunities for further value-adding in the region.
Mr Gower said mills had capacity to expand but were currently restricted by an inability to source material.
“Fundamentally, we want to make sure we have a balanced and fair market place,” he said.
“If you are just exporting raw material and not processing here, you are exporting jobs.
“The key for us is to capture more processing in our region as it has significant flow on benefits.
“That is the economic principle behind it.”
Mr Gower said the sector supported 2500 direct and indirect jobs and contributed around $300m to the region’s economy.
However, he said there was scope to significantly increase those numbers.
“There are sites that are currently empty and we are actively trying to attract investors into our region,” he said.
“That will stimulate jobs for people in Nangwarry, Penola, Kalangadoo, Tarpeena and Mount Gambier.
“A lot of those people will shop in Penola and we will see the benefits flow through the town with more traffic and more people spending money.”
The committee was established by the Legislative Council on May 15 and comprises Labor MLCs Clare Scriven and Russell Wortley, Liberals Dennis Hood and Terry Stephens and SA First’s Frank Pangallo.
The committee is scheduled to report back to the Legislative Council on December 4.
