19 submissions received for Southern Residues EOI

The Hodgman Liberal Government is rebuilding the forest industry to drive economic growth and create jobs.

After Bryan Green put a wrecking ball through the forest industry, we are now seeing green shoots under this Government.

We’ve secured sawmilling jobs, put Forestry Tasmania on a sustainable financial path, given workplaces the strongest protection laws in the country and we’ve ended the Labor-Green lock-ups for future production.

A key part of our plan for forestry is finding a solution to the Southern Residues problem. We announced in April we would invite Expressions of Interest from the private sector for an industry-led southern residues solution, rather than proceed with a publicly-funded option.

We were clear at the time any Expressions of Interest based on the use of Macquarie Wharf in Hobart would need to be presented on the basis that there will not be a woodchip pile on the wharf and that processing will need to occur offsite.

The EOI process opened in June and stage one has now concluded, with nineteen submissions received. These submissions cover proposals canvassing residues export, on-island wood products processing, biomass and logistics solutions.

While these proposals are being independently assessed it’s not appropriate to go into further detail, however the Government is greatly encouraged by this initial response.

Tasmania’s forest industry has been left hamstrung since Labor and the Greens forced the political shutdown of the Triabunna Mill. Giving sawmills a viable solution in the South will transform the industry’s economics and make a big difference to Forestry Tasmania’s financial performance.

The Hodgman Liberal Government has a Plan to rebuild the forest industry, drive economic growth and create jobs and under this Government, Tasmania is heading in the right direction.
Paul Harriss, Minister for Resources