THE nation’s peak wood products industry group says the proposed pellet plant along with other industry investment demonstrates the regional industry is “booming”.
Australian Forest Products Association SA branch manager Leon Rademeyer said the Altus/Mitsui partnership in the Green Triangle was another excellent development for Australia’s forest industries.
“Altus Renewables should be congratulated for forging a partnership with Mitsui in an effort to capitalise on growing demand from Japan,” Mr Rademeyer said.
“But more importantly, exploring the feasibility of a large-scale facility in the Green Triangle should be of great value to the local community and should add to the already high strategic value of the region.”
He said the proposed investment was positive for the Mount Gambier region from a number of different perspectives.
“It would be a direct investment in the local economy, which should not only create initial and ongoing jobs, but also instill more confidence among locals in the forestry and associated industries,” the forestry industry spokesperson said.
“It also reiterates that our region is attractive to large interstate and international investors.”
He said investors recognised the Green Triangle region had the potential resource, workforce and infrastructure to sustain their businesses, which made it a win-win situation for locals and those who want to invest.
“A recent case in point is the $90m Timberlink Tarpeena mill expansion, which together with the Altus/Mitsui deal show business confidence in the forest industries in the region is booming,” Mr Rademeyer said.
“Importantly the proposed product – renewable industrial wood pellets – will be sourced from sustainably-managed fibre residues that are typically used at power stations, reducing their carbon emissions.”
