South Australian Timber Processors Association

27/04/2021

Photographs taken at the Portland wharf last week clearly show that the export of log from Australia continues in spite of the many cries from sawmillers throughout the country regarding the shortage of sawlogs. The devastating fires of the summer of 2019 have reduced supplies of sawlogs in some parts of Australia to critically low levels yet Forest Growers continue to make a quick buck by dumbing down their operations and supplying to the export market. When is this madness going to stop!!

18/09/2020

Timberlink has confirmed its Blenheim sawmill, which employs 75 people, will close before the end of the year following a review carried out in conjunction with PwC on the future of the mill. Source: Timberbiz

18/09/2020

IS THIS WHERE LOCAL PROCESSORS ARE HEADED?

Blenheim sawmill to close by end of the year.

In early September we reported on a review that was being undertaken in conjunction with PwC on the future of Timberlink New Zealand’s Blenheim sawmill. The sawmill was taken over by Australian company Timberlink in September 2015, after they bought the site from Flight Timbers.

It had invested more than NZ$10 million into the Blenheim site, where it processed 123,000 tonnes of radiata softwood log from South Island plantations. Unfortunately, last Tuesday (8 September) Timberlink New Zealand announced that it was going to close its Blenheim sawmill operations.

Timberlink chief executive Ian Tyson confirmed in a press release on Tuesday the Blenheim sawmill, which employs 75 people, would close before the end of the year. Staff were informed of the decision on Tuesday, and were in one-on-one meetings.

“Unfortunately, the review showed that we cannot continue to operate when faced with ongoing high log costs, the strong NZ dollar, and low prices in export, especially Asia,” Tyson said. “We feel for our people and the local community, who have given their all for the company since we took over in 2015. We will be supporting them in any way we can.”

Recent global events had impacted on the business. “We are extremely disappointed to reach this point,” Tyson said. “We have really talented people in Blenheim, and where possible we will look for opportunities to potentially relocate some of the team to Australia for those with transferrable skills, while also requiring roles to maintain a sales and marketing capability in New Zealand,” Tyson said.

Timberlink would honour all obligations to its staff and suppliers. The closure of the site would happen in phases up to the end of December 2020.

Source: Friday Off Cuts, Stuff
https://www.fridayoffcuts.com/index.cfm?id=889 #7

17/08/2020

The South Australian government granted $500,000 to a Chinese company to export radiata Pine Log through a rail head at Bordertown. This occurred when domestic processing industry was desperately seeking more log to meet our domestic requirements.
Photographs taken last week clearly show the thousands of tonnes currently being accumulated at the Bordertown railway station prior to export
This is allowed to happen while sawmills in south-eastern Australia are facing a potential shortfall of Supply resulting from the fires last summer.

11/02/2020

26/10/2018

It is sad to say but WEIRS TREATED TIMBER of Princes Highway Darnum (Gippsland) is “CLOSING “ at the end of Oct for good after 53 years treating timber to Australian standards, due to the huge price increase in QUALITY timber as well as our STATE Governments selling the timber to overseas countries, and making Timber scarce to obtain .
Do we want to run the risk of the same thing happening in South Australia?

09/10/2018

This photograph of the Leg of Mutton lake in Mount Gambier was taken back in the 19th century and clearly shows the nurseries that were used to establish the first plantations that have developed into the largest softwood plantation resource in Australia. Our forefathers in establishing these plantations for the benefit of future generations.

It is a great pity to see this resource being exported to the detriment of future expansion in our own domestic processing industry.

28/08/2018

31/07/2018

The Roundwood Solutions crew take time out for a big "Family Photo" at Yahl last week. These products show why the company got that name! This SATPA Member is a national supplier of a wide range of treated and untreated pine products with all timber sourced from commercially grown renewable pine forests. Thanks to Telf and the Team for the photos.

27/07/2018

It's great to see more people with an understanding of the issues coming on board the SATPA page. Thank You All, we've only just begun this campaign.

26/07/2018

David Quill of SATPA gives his view of our industry situation... thanks to Australian Forests & Timber News. Let's spread the news... Stop Exporting Jobs With Our Logs

26/07/2018