The sale of the Southwood Sawmill, announced this morning, is yet another sign of renewed confidence in the forest industry under Hodgman Liberal Government.
Built by the Neville Smith Family, the State’s most sophisticated hardwood sawmill was purchased by Gunns in 2009 and subsequently closed for 18 months after that company exited the native forest industry.
Forestry Tasmania purchased the mill and leased it to Neville Smith in a deal that saved the Southern forest industry.
Today, Neville Smith Forest Products has exercised an option to purchase the mill, and in doing so has demonstrated its strong confidence in the future of forestry.
The Liberal Government’s first priority is jobs, and we are committed to helping to rebuild the forest industry after more than 4300 jobs were lost in the sector under the Labor-Green government.
We are now seeing consistent green shoots under this Government.
Wood and woodchip exports increased by more than 30 per cent in the year to August, to be worth $35 million – an $8 million increase on the previous year.
Last month, I attended the official opening of Forico’s $9.5 million redevelopment of the Surrey Hills Mill, near Burnie.
This mill is supporting about 100 direct and indirect jobs in the North-West, including mill workers, contractors, harvesters and haulage operators.
The day before, we saw the opening of the ARBRE Training Hub in Launceston, which will train the next generation of forestry workers, and in August Ta Ann opened its $15 million plywood mill in Smithton.
The latest good news is particularly important for the forest industry in the South, with the Southwood mill having the largest supply agreement in the State at 40,000 cubic metres.
Paul Harriss, Minister for Resources
