South Australia provides $8.6 million for south-east timber company projects

The South Australian State Government last week announced grants totalling more than 8.6 million for investment and jobs in the south-east forest industry.

A major economic boost for the Limestone Coast, Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade Minister, Tom Kenyon revealed the funding was being offered to five timber companies through the South East Forestry Partnerships Program.

“The program was launched in November last year to help secure the forestry industry’s future by encouraging further investment in new and existing businesses,” Mr Kenyon said.

The five grants announced is set to encourage forest utilisation, promote regional economic development and contribute to a sustainable workforce.

“The South-East Forestry Partnerships Program provides assistance to the private sector for capital investment, particularly in new plant and equipment. The industry assistance is on a dollar-for-dollar basis and will be provided over two years, payable upon achievement of key milestones as defined in the funding agreement.”

“The south-east forestry region is a world-class timber resource which the State Government is committed to developing in a sustainable way”, Mr Kenyon said.

According to a statement from the Government, grants have been approved for the following projects:

• N.F. McDonnell and Sons ($4,270,831) to produce a more efficient and modern processing facility.
• Whitehead Timber Sales Pty Ltd ($1,970,500) to replace existing sawlog machinery with current technology and processes.
• Carter Holt Harvey Pinepanels Pty Ltd ($1,160,000) to purchases a shavings machine to turn sawlog into shavings which will be used to manufacture particleboard.
• H & L Scheidl Pty Ltd ($1,052,500) to upgrade the company’s Marte Siding site.
• Roundwood Solutions Pty Ltd ($237,000) for the second stage of the company’s Long Preservation Optimiser line and significantly increasing its air drying storage area.

Applications were assessed according to their capability to:

• support further value-adding along the timber supply chain
• support innovation and the introduction of new technologies
• attract further investment into the region
• attract or develop new skill sets and career opportunities and
• develop renewable energy opportunities.