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Bombala sawmill expansion opens tomorrow

Dongwha Timbers has announced plans for the official opening of its expanded softwood sawmill in Bombala, New South Wales. Source: Timberbiz

Three hundred guests, including senior federal, state and local government representatives, employees, customers, suppliers and local community members are expected to attend the launch tomorrow.

New South Wales Premier, Barry O’Farrell MP extended his congratulations to Dongwha Timbers.

“The new expanded mill will provide a valuable contribution towards the Bombala region’s softwood timber industry and help to secure important employment opportunities for the local community,” O’Farrell said.

The project has received significant Federal Government support.

In November 2012, Dongwha Timbers received an $8.2million grant as part of the Clean Technology Investment Program.

In June that year, Regional Development Australia announced $4.7 million of funding for the Bombala Timber Precinct Infrastructure Project, following a successful application to the Regional Development Australia Fund by Bombala Shire Council.

“Dongwha’s Bombala project demonstrates that sustainable and environmentally responsible economic development can be achieved through a partnership between business and Government,” said Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet.

The Federal Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories, Catherine King, said that the multi-faceted project, encompassing a sawmill, timber manufacturing, particleboard production and co-location of associated businesses, would benefit both industry and locals alike.

“This project has the potential to create a world class timber precinct with a strong value-added component, creating local jobs and helping to support the community,” said King.

Dongwha Timbers’ managing director, Bart Crawley said the project had overcome numerous difficulties.

“This has been a long journey. From 2007 to 2011 many challenges presented themselves: gaining development approvals, a global financial crisis, the loss of a business partner, and the week-to-week issues that are inevitable in the development of a $74 million project.

“We have a tremendous team, and this project is testament to our positive workplace culture and strong partnerships with a range of stakeholders,” Crawley said.

Mayor of Bombala Council, Cr Bob Stewart, said the project had had a positive impact on the township.

“The mill expansion brings security to our timber industry and will continue to provide employment opportunities. Dongwha Timbers has become an integral part of our community and we look forward to an exciting future together,” Stewart said.

“The investment by a world-renowned company such as Dongwha Timbers in sophisticated sawmilling technology at Bombala, provides a strong partnership of forest management, regional development and value-adding,” said Nick Roberts, acting CEO of the Forestry Corporation of NSW.

Project Namu, Korean for “tree”, incorporated the construction of new green mill, planer and timber treatment plant and associated infrastructure such as boilers, kilns, wastewater management system, new site access, new office and car park.

The expansion will enable Dongwha Timbers to increase softwood log input from 106,000 to 300,000 tonnes per annum and sawn timber output from 31,800 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes. By 2016 production is expected to be 270,000 tonnes per annum.