The tiny town of Tarpeena 52 km south of Adelaide between Penola and Mount Gambier has been chosen for an Australian timber industry ‘first’ that will provide dozens of extra jobs for the community.
A $90-million expansion of Timberlink’s Tarpeena mill will be finished in September and includes a $63 million manufacturing plant producing CLT and glulam. The project attracted a $2 million co-investment from the South Australian government and will provide for 70 new jobs.
Timberlink general manager of sales, marketing and corporate affairs David Oliver said the “enthusiastic and growing” uptake of the products by the construction industry was a “firm nod to moving into a sustainable future”, with timber “the ultimate sustainable resource”.
“It’s the only combined radiata pine facility to produce CLT and GLT in Australia,” Mr Oliver said.
Half of a 15,000 sq m roof has been installed and further equipment daily. During the construction phase about 50 to 100 local jobs will be created.
Mr Oliver says the “enthusiastic and growing” uptake of CLT and GLT by the construction industry prompted the project in the once-thriving town. The closure of the town’s primary school in 2011 was a huge blow for the once-bustling community.
The following year, timber giant Gunns closed its Tarpeena mill and a smaller one in neighbouring Kalangadoo.
David Oliver said the Timberlink investment “provides a big opportunity for the town” as it plans to grow once more.
Timberlink We manufacture a range of fit-for-purpose structural timber products, all made from Australian-grown renewable plantation pine. All products are sourced from sustainably-managed forests and controlled sources.
Timberlink’s two Australian mills in Tarpeena and Bell Bay, Tasmania, recently achieved FSC certification on solid wood, as well as PEFC/Responsible Wood endorsement for forest certification. Timberlink is the first Australian timber merchant to obtain this dual certification.
Our company brands include Timberlink Blue treated plantation pine framing; and Timberlink Green Structural Outdoor Pine, a natural choice for building cost-effective outdoor projects. It is structurally and appearance graded making it ideal for load bearing applications where appearance is also important and it is protected by the latest LOSP technology.
