The Brooweena sawmill south of Bundaberg has been given the order to close after workplace health and safety officers deemed one section of the mill, a single bench, unsafe for workers to operate. Sources: ABC News, The Fraser Coast Chronicle
The mill employs 15 people but the flow-on effect of the closure will hit contractors and the timber production industry of the Fraser Coast.
Managing the family of workers is Roger Fallon. He has been in the timber industry for about 40 years and has been manager at Brooweena for 15.
The town was built around the sawmill in 1924 and Fallon believes the closure could spell the end for the town.
“It’ll turn into a ghost town,” he said. “The sawmill is Brooweena.”
After 89 years in operation, the mill will close for the final time on Thursday.
“It really will be a sad day,” Fallon said. “All the people in the town say when the mill’s going you don’t feel lonely.”
Above all the issues surrounding the closure, Fallon feels for his workers – all have dedicated themselves to the mill.
“A lot of them have mortgages like everybody else,” he said. Some of them might get work locally with the local property owners but there won’t be enough work for everybody.
Robertson Bros Sawmills owns the mill and an upgrade is still possible, but it is not as simple as installing a new bench.
Fallon said it would take a year to manufacture and install the equipment.
Saw sharpener Tony Rogers is one of several generations to work at the mill. He sharpens the teeth of all of the saws in operation.
“After doing it for so long it becomes second nature,” he said. “My grandfather and mother worked in the mill.”
The flow-on effect will hit the Fraser Coast with most of the timber locally sourced and deals often done with businesses in Maryborough.
Fallon is hopeful one day the sounds of the mill will echo through Brooweena again.
“My vision is, I suppose would like to see the mill reopen and to bring the town back to life,” he said.
Councillor O’Connell says all the workers are locals.
“For generations, decades, this mill has provided employment and been at the centre of the wonderful town of Brooweena,” he said.
He says the council will look at working closely with forestry and timber companies across the region to ensure other businesses stay viable.
