Plywood mill secures Myrtleford jobs

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla-Riva today officially opened a new $50 million plywood mill in Myrtleford that will secure regional jobs.

The transformation of the old sawmill into a state-of-the-art plywood mill by Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts (CHH) is a major investment in the future of the timber industry in Australia and will secure 160 jobs in the north-east region.

CHH's investment in the Myrtleford mill is the single largest capital investment in the industry for around 20 years and reflects strong confidence in the Victorian engineered wood and timber sectors.

It is a first world class plywood mill utilising state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and technology and will operate in an environmentally sustainable way, using pine from plantations in the north-east region, which also supports our timber growers, and enabling import replacement of high quality plywood for the Australian market.

This strategic investment in regional Victoria's softwood plantation industry will help to stimulate economic growth across the state, particularly in the north-east region, with an estimated injection of some $30 million per annum into the local economy.

The Victorian Government is pleased to have supported CHH in substantially investing in this new plywood mill to boost competitiveness and sustainability, which has lasting and considerable benefits across the industry and community.

CHH is Australia's most comprehensive wood manufacturing, distribution and sales business, comprising of 15 manufacturing sites and eight distribution, administration and sales centres, and employing around 2,200 people across Australia, including 400 Victorians.