Hermal Group still interested in Burnie mill

The Hodgman Liberal Government is rebuilding the forest industry and the jobs it supports in regional Tasmania.
The decision by the Victorian Labor Government to buy-out the Hermal Group’s Australian Sustainable Hardwoods mill in Victoria has not changed the company’s interest in establishing a mill processing Tasmanian plantation timber in Burnie – in fact, the company has said this makes their Burnie proposal much simpler.
My office has been in contact with the Hermal Group today and they have repeated their interest in a Burnie mill, and we expect to receive a formal proposal in coming weeks.
Our discussions with the company have been extremely productive and we will continue to work together to help bring a new mill to the State.
It is worth noting that today’s announcement could mean that less Victorian employees would need to transfer to a Burnie operation, meaning more jobs for Tasmanians.
It is very pleasing that ASH are looking at a new operation in Tasmania at the same time as selling their Victorian operation, which shows the difference once again between doing business under a majority Liberal Government compared to Labor Governments who lock up forests and destroy jobs.
Guy Barnett, Minister for Resources