Construction has begun on a $63 million timber plant at Tarpeena, in south east SA, which aims to revolutionise the state’s timber manufacturing industry.
Timberlink’s NeXTimber facility will be Australia’s first combined Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing plant.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said the combined manufacturing plant will boost local production and provide an alternative for steel and concrete in mid and high-rise construction.
“Timberlink’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Tarpeena will be a game-changer for South Australia’s timber industry and it’s very exciting to see construction now underway,” Basham said.
“It’s projects like this which are helping South Australia’s strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic leading to us having the lowest unemployment rate in the state’s history.
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“The new manufacturing plant will provide a commercially viable and carbon-friendly alternative to steel and concrete for construction which is a win-win for South Australia.”
Construction of the facility is expected to create more than 180 jobs while increasing Australia’s production capability.
Timberlink Chief Executive Officer Ian Tyson said the company has recently completed a major multi dimensioned investment at the Tarpeena mill which largely has completed their manufacturing modernisation.
“The co-location of a CLT & GLT Plant on the same site makes this facility unique in Australia,” Tyson said.
“Timber is the Ultimate Renewable and NeXTimber products provide carbon negative mass timber solutions for building components, that enables a reduction in the embodied carbon in a range of building types. However, you use NeXTimber, you won’t just be building a building. You’ll be creating a better future.”