Auswest Timber reopens mill in WA

A major sawmill in Western Australia’s south-west region has reopened after shocking the community when it closed early last year. Source: ABC News
Dozens of timber workers lost their jobs after Gunns Limited closed Manjimup’s Deanmill early last year. However, 12 months on, the town is back in business with its new owner Auswest Timber.
The Shire of Manjimup says the mill’s reopening is a shot in the arm for the local economy.
Shire president Wade De Campo says it is hugely encouraging.
“It really was the scale of 30,000 people losing their jobs in Perth, which was just devastating to us,” he said.
“So the reopening of it and the employment of … those full-time positions really was a huge boost in the arm for our local economy.”
Local conservationist Jess Beckerling says the mill is unsustainable.
“The future is in farm forestry and plantations and then there’s also a thriving agriculture and tourism sector,” she said.
Agriculture Minister Terry Redman has officially reopened the mill.