A STATE Government delegation has toured the expanding Timberlink Australia site at Tarpeena to inspect its current upgrade and its proposed $60m new engineered timber processing facility.
Tourism, Investment and Trade Minister David Ridgway joined Member for MacKillop Nick McBride to discuss the potential for a proposed Timberlink Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) plant.
The project has been mooted to be built at either Tarpeena or Melbourne in 2023.
“Timberlink’s ability to consistently invest and deliver new infrastructure and quality full-time jobs to the region is first class and we are excited to hear they are considering South Australia for the new plant,” Mr Ridgway said during his visit.
The delegation – which included Tradestart South Australia export adviser Marcus Kuller – also inspected the progress on the cutting edge multi-million dollar mill upgrade under way at the site.
Mr Ridgway said he was impressed by the high-tech machinery that would reduce waiting times for drying timber and increase product quality while decreasing heat power usage by 30pc.
“This is the kind of world class technology that we want to see in Australia to help ensure we are keeping our value-add manufacturing jobs here,” Mr Ridgway said.
The minister was also impressed with the high speed scanning systems for grading structural timber,
“This is a great example of Australian manufacturing in the 21st century, delivering quality, literally home-grown products to Australian businesses every day,” Mr Ridgway said.
Mr Ridgway was also eager to hear plans were under way for a new laminated timber facility given its potential to be built in South Australia.
According to the company, the significant investment will create Australasia’s first combined CLT and GLT manufacturing facility on an approximately 14,000 square metre site.
The new facility is expected to employ up to 50 people full time when complete.
Member for Mackillop Nick McBride also echoed his excitement about the possibility of further investment in the region.
“Timberlink has continuously invested in this mill to ensure it remains internationally competitive since taking ownership in 2013,” Mr McBride said.
“The focus on safety is fantastic to see and I know that everyone in the region is hopeful they will choose Tarpeena as the site for the new CLT and GLT facility because we have the people and the expertise right in here in MacKillop.”
While Timberlink Australia wanted to build the engineered timber manufacturing facility at Tarpeena, it has not ruled out constructing the plant in Melbourne.
Timberlink Australia – which is already pouring $90m into redeveloping its established Tarpeena processing facility – plans to produce state-of-the-art laminated timber products.
The plans will lead the company to tap into burgeoning global building laminated market, which is described as a new age building material for residential medium density and high-rise timber buildings.
The forestry company will start discussions with both state and federal governments to secure a location for the facility.
Timberlink chief executive officer Ian Tyson told The Border Watch last month the planned facility would add value to the regional resource, forge fresh markets and produce innovative products.
While the company wanted to build the facility adjacent its Tarpeena mill to underpin regional growth, he said it was a massive investment and it needed to explore its options.
“We hope to make a decision in March,” Mr Tyson said.
He revealed the facility would be the size of a Bunnings store and would underpin hundreds of indirect jobs across the sector.
Mr Tyson said the company would now ramp up discussions with governments given it now had a “viable business case”.
