The Chairman of Dorset Renewable Industries, David Hamilton, today announced that they (DRI) had purchased the former Gunns’ site at Ling Siding. “I am happy to announce that we have settled on our purchase of most of the industrial land at Ling Siding from RNG Property Developments,” David said. “The sale has been made possible by a grant from the Australian Government under the Tasmanian
Jobs and Growth Package.”
“Now that we are the owners of the site, we can start the refurbishment work.
The site is in a very sad condition with transformers and much of the copper cabling on the main site gone. Holes have been cut in walls for the removal of equipment that was sold off and demolition was done and rubble left in piles. Our refurbishment project will use the grant to clean up the site, restore power, fix the buildings to lock-up, fix the fire system, provide amenities, provide a public weighbridge, and generally make the site ready for industrial use.”
David continued: “We expect the work will take a little more than 18 months, and we will have sections of the site ready for occupancy before the overall project is completed. The budget for the work is very tight and we are very pleased to be working with a number of local contractors who understand the need to complete the work safely and within tight cost constraints.”
David pointed out the significance of this development for the timber industry in the NE: “This grant was initially applied for to help diversify the timber industry in the NE. Our plan is to encourage existing and new industries to consolidate their operations at Ling Siding, so they can share resources and pass materials to each other: what is waste for one operation could be valuable raw material for another. Putting such an integrated mix of operations together will necessarily take time, particularly if, as we hope, some are innovative, new industries. However, I hope that any person or business who is thinking of establishing a new timber processing business or relocating an existing one will consider Ling Siding as the first choice for their business so they can be a part of the exciting Integrated Timber Processing Hub concept.”
“Finally”, David said, “there are many people and organizations who have made this exciting development possible, and I would like to thank them. Dorset Mayor, Barry Jarvis has been strongly supportive, as has Andrew Nikolic, MHR for Bass who has argued for and supported our project in Canberra.
Mr Robin Gerke has been very patient while we worked through all the things we needed to do in order to receive the grant and complete the purchase. Our principal project partners, KPMG and Jemrok Pty Ltd have provided us with pro-bono support, encouragement and high quality advice. In the end, though, this is an achievement of our Dorset Renewable Industries members, including Karen and Ken Hall, Michael Brill, Dale Jessup, Wendy Mitchell, John Beattie and Alan Davenport, all supported by their families.
They have been the driving force: it has been their passion to help this community get back on its feet which has made the difference. The North-East of Tasmania has a long and proud tradition of working together as a community when times are tough, and this announcement is another example of that tradition at its best.”
David Hamilton
