Forest Products Industry

Three years on from the 2019-20 fires, the Grafton timber industry is looking to the future, with a 10-year supply of timber and wood products on offer for processors looking to set up in the region. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation of NSW Grafton District Manager Trent Froud said while local softwood plantations were badly impacted by the 2019-20 fires, replanting was ahead of schedule, with a third of the region’s fire-affected plantations already replanted and rapidly regrowing and the remainder to be replanted within the next four years. “Softwood timber plantations are where we grow the structural timber such as house frames and engineered wood products that underpin our building industry, as well as a range of other wood products and by-products, from fencing and furniture through to paper and packaging,” Mr Froud said. “Since the fires, we’ve been harvesting at up to four times the normal rate to salvage timber from the dying trees, we’ve doubled the growing capacity at our Grafton nursery, and we’ve put record numbers of seedlings in the ground. “Coupled with the phenomenal growing conditions we’ve experienced; our plantations are in great health and growing the house frames of the future. “Unfortunately, the mill at Rappville that previously processed local timber burnt down in the fires, so we’re now looking for partners to turn these trees into the timber and wood products our communities need. “Every tree can produce a range of products, for example the strong trunk is converted into strong structural lumber while the crowns and branches from the same tree can be converted to lower grade products from particle board to cardboard to biofuel, so nothing goes to waste. “From 2025, we’ll be ready to harvest 120,000 tonnes of timber a year from this region’s plantations and we’re reaching out to the industry for new proposals to process all grades of timber grown in the local area. “Plantations are a long-term industry and we’re looking for new partners to work with us here in Grafton for at least the next ten years. “We’re working hard to regrow and reinvigorate the timber processing industry here in Grafton, and this is an exciting milestone in our recovery. “Of course, timber is the ultimate renewable resource, and we replant every tree we harvest, so our region’s softwood plantations will continue producing the same amount of sustainable timber and wood products for the next 100 years and beyond.”

Timberlink has unveiled its new world-class Green Mill Vision Scanning System at its manufacturing facility at Bell Bay in Tasmania. Source: Timberbiz The $5.5m co-investment in the continuing upgrade and modernisation of Tasmania’s largest softwood timber manufacturing plant is supported by $3.5 million from the Federal Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development Community Development Grants Programme. The Vision Scanning System will optimise every piece of timber to maximise the production of outdoor treated timber for the construction of decks and pergolas. “The Bell Bay Softwood Mill employs 200 people and provides a value-add of $150 million to the George Town economy,” Timberlink’s David Oliver said. “The upgrade will increase the volume of high-grade timber sourced from renewable pine plantation and creating a workplace of the future, with high tech machinery improved accuracy, safety, and job security. “Timberlink’s manufacturing operations are environmentally sustainable, provide vital local jobs and economic expenditure, and produce timber locally for use in the housing and construction industry in Tasmania and throughout Australia”. Federal Liberal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said that growing manufacturing capability and securing jobs in the region was all part of her plan for northern Tasmania. “When you have a strong economy and sound economic management like the Federal Government have delivered, you can make investments to grow our economy and build a stronger future for the community,” Ms Archer said. “I was a strong advocate for this investment, and it is great to join with Timberlink today to celebrate the delivery of a word-class facility and the jobs it has secured for northern Tasmania.” This investment supports the major upgrade that were recently announced by Timberlink of a $63M investment to increase timber manufacturing in Tasmania by 2025 by 50%. Increasing Australia’s sovereign capacity to manufacture timber and build Australian homes.